Jinting Han people

By the time Liu Xian finished excavating the second section of the Weiying Canal, it was already early winter in October.

With the completion of the canal's dredging and water release, more than a year of hard work finally came to an end. The laborers eagerly awaited the arrival of the flowing water, its surging waves gradually filling the canal. And when the water flowed into the crucial stone sluice gate and accumulated in the pre-dug pond, everything functioned perfectly. Liu Xian finally announced: The canal is complete!
Upon hearing the news, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a surge of pride. The hard work was now a thing of the past; a canal, the culmination of the efforts of tens of thousands of people, stretched for hundreds of miles—an honor they would never forget. They cheered loudly for themselves, the cheers thundering and the scene lasting for a long time.

That evening, Liu Xian used the last of his funds to host a grand victory banquet in Yangdi. The feast wasn't lavish, consisting mainly of radishes, mushrooms, tofu, flatbread, eggs, and pickles, along with soup made from about a hundred slaughtered pigs. To the scholars, this was naturally a low-class meal, but its abundance ensured that all the laborers present were well-fed. Therefore, they were in high spirits and asked for little more.

But for Liu Xian, this also meant the end of a peaceful period.

During the banquet, Li Sheng asked Liu Xian, "My lord, the situation in Luoyang is not clear. Should we postpone our departure for a while longer and continue to observe the changes?"

Liu Xian had been pondering this question for a long time. He shook his head slightly and said, "I have been lingering outside Luoyang for nearly a year and a half. As the Commandant of the Capital Region, I cannot stay away from the court all the time. I still need to go back."

Through correspondence with his wife, Liu Kun, and Sima Yi, Liu Xian still had some understanding of the political situation in Luoyang during this period.

With the Prince of Hejian repeatedly showing weakness, Liu Shen's army, tasked with pacifying Shu, set off into Guanzhong, and the increasingly tense situation eased. It seemed that Li Han and the Prince of Hejian were helpless in the face of the Grand Marshal's masterful political maneuvering, left to be slaughtered by the Prince of Qi. The various public opinion storms that had occurred in Luoyang over the past year now seemed to have subsided, as if they had never happened.

Xi Jian was optimistic about this, saying, "Although the Grand Marshal has encountered setbacks frequently this year, if we can truly take advantage of the opportunity to pacify Shu and resolve the conflict between the two kings, that would be a great achievement and a blessing for the country."

Fu Chang disagreed, saying, "In my opinion, the Prince of Hejian is only showing weakness temporarily. He probably hasn't recovered from the great chaos in Guanzhong a few years ago. As long as he can weather this storm, once he locks Tongguan and Yang'anguan, what can the court do to him?"

The two chatted for a while, each holding their own opinion, and neither could convince the other, but they generally agreed that the King of Hejian would not launch a military campaign this year at least.

But Liu Xian was astute. He personally led his men to Hedong and made his own judgment. Judging from the various mobilization efforts in Guanzhong, the King of Hejian had already mobilized a large army. The arrow was on the bowstring and had to be released. Under such circumstances, it was absolutely impossible to give up halfway.

At this juncture, Li Han's decision to enter Luoyang in response to the imperial summons, feigning weakness, was not a sign of the Prince of Hejian's fear of war. On the contrary, it precisely indicated that the mobilization of the Guanzhong army had entered a crucial stage, and this was merely a final attempt to mislead the Grand Marshal's office.

Therefore, Liu Xian thought: This time, upon returning to Luoyang, perhaps he should give Sima Jiong a heads-up, so as not to let the Prince of Hejian succeed in one blow. Only when the Prince of Qi and the Prince of Hejian are locked in a stalemate and unable to gain the upper hand will he have room to maneuver.

He then looked at the refugees feasting at the banquet, and couldn't help but recall Zhang Fang's threats against him in Xin'an. He felt a little sad: a great war was inevitable. He hoped that this war would not cause too many casualties among the people.

The next day, Liu Xian packed his belongings and officially began his return journey to Luoyang. The road was sparsely populated, with few blades of grass on the ground. A sudden gust of wind would often sweep across from west to east, instantly whipping up fallen leaves and dust several meters high, which would then rustle against the travelers' clothes. The great river beside him surged turbidly, and the treetops in the mountains were bare, making the sky appear even more vast and gray, devoid of both sun and clouds, giving it a listless look.

Those familiar with the climate know that this kind of lifeless weather, with no sun, no clouds, and only strong winds, is usually a harbinger of snowfall. A month later, when the ground freezes and the rivers turn to ice, will be the happiest time for the cavalry, meaning they will be able to traverse the solid ground, invincible and unstoppable.

After the strong winds subsided, the group walked along the familiar Mangshan mountain path and saw Luoyang City again.

After a year of recuperation, Luoyang seemed to have regained its former prosperity. The streets were bustling with traffic, merchants thronged the markets, and goods were piled high at the docks on the south bank of the Luo River. Even in the chilly weather, people were still working with great enthusiasm, haggling with an air of fearless arrogance, as if nothing could stop the lively atmosphere.

However, even in a place teeming with powerful and influential people, the appearance of Liu Xian's carriage bearing the banner of the Sili Prefecture still caused a sensation. Almost without a word, the people on the street parted to make way for Liu Xian. Some mischievous children chased after the carriage, shouting, "Liu the Crouching Tiger, courageous beyond compare! Traveling a thousand miles through counties, slaying traitors and capturing kings, his sword is invincible!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian chuckled slightly, while Fu Chang, standing to the side, said, "It seems that the news of your coercion of the Prince of Xiyang has spread far and wide, and everyone fears you like a tiger!"

“This is a good thing.” Liu Xian slightly lifted the carriage curtain, then lowered it again, and said, “Every time I go back to Luoyang, what gives me the biggest headache is the social obligations there. It’s really too much of a nuisance! After this incident, I think I’ll be able to have some peace and quiet.”

"So where do we go next? Are you going to the Sili Prefecture, or..."

"Let's go to the Duke of Songzi's residence first. I'm a bit tired after a day's journey. I'll rest here for the night and then head to the Sili Prefecture tomorrow. You all should go home and get some rest too. We'll return to the Sili Prefecture in a couple of days. By then, you and Shilong should make a detailed list of the money, grain, and labor required for this canal repair. Once that's done, I'll go and pay my respects to the General of the Cavalry and the Grand Marshal. That will be considered a satisfactory report."

Although the situation appears relaxed on the surface but is actually tense, things cannot be rushed in just one or two days. Moreover, in order to successfully achieve his goal of regaining command, he must first conceal his intentions; otherwise, if he appears too hasty, and others see through his intentions, his goal will be difficult to achieve.

Therefore, Liu Xian planned to rest for a couple of days before meeting Sima Jiong.

So the staff members with families all went home, leaving only Li Sheng, Zhuge Yan, Meng Tao, Guo Mo, and Mao Bao with Liu Xian. It was Guo Mo and Mao Bao's first time in Luoyang, and even more so, their first time entering the Duke's mansion. Regardless of their temperament, age, or activity level, they couldn't help but look around in amazement. Liu Xian found this amusing and gave them an advance on money so they could buy some household items that afternoon.

After taking a hot bath and changing his clothes inside the mansion, Liu Xian took a nap by the fire. Upon waking, he felt refreshed and asked the guards, "Where has the lady gone?"

The guard replied, "Madam is currently at the Duke of Anle's residence. She learned of your return and just sent someone to inform you that you will have dinner there tonight."

"Oh, I see. I understand."

When this topic came up, Liu Xian realized that he hadn't been home in a long time. Although he was completely in charge in the Songzi Duke's Mansion and the Sili Mansion, compared to those places, the Anle Duke's Mansion, where he grew up, felt like his real home.

Liu Xian remembers being unable to find playmates outside the home when he was a child, and being ridiculed by his peers, which made him rather withdrawn. But it was precisely because of this that he had no choice but to grow up under the care of the servants in the mansion.

But for Liu Xian, this wasn't a bad thing. In those lowly servants, he saw more joy and sorrow than the nobles, and received the care and optimism that were rare in his environment. Because of this, Liu Xian didn't care much about social status or class distinctions.

With that in mind, Liu Xian took a carriage to the market, bought some gifts, and then arrived at the Duke of Anle's residence.

As soon as he entered, he saw Laifu huddled by the fire in the gatehouse. He was dressed in winter clothes, his eyes half-closed, probably drowsy from the warmth. A wooden stick hung beside him, which immediately reminded Liu Xian of the time when Laifu's father had broken his leg years ago. "Uncle Laifu, Uncle Laifu!"

Liu Xian had intended to address him by his name, but upon seeing Lai Fu's wrinkled face, he couldn't help but feel guilty. Facing this elderly man who had served his family since birth, Liu Xian remembered his youthful appearance—a bright and cheerful face. But now, his cheekbones were prominent, his narrow eyes were marred by deep wrinkles, and his hair was streaked with gray. Therefore, he subconsciously added the word "uncle" to his address.

Lai Fu was startled at first, then suddenly woke up, looking around in a panic. His gaze settled on Liu Xian's face, and then softened. His smile began to return, as if the myriad ravines and gullies of a great river had been etched onto his face.

"It's you, my young master! You're back!"

Liu Xian handed Laifu a cane made of yellow pear wood, with the top carved into the shape of a crane and inlaid with a piece of jade the size of a cat's eye. He said, "Uncle Laifu, this is a gift I bought for you. Please try it on."

"Oh dear! This is too precious, how can I possibly accept it!"

“How could I not accept it? You watched me grow up, and you protected me many times when I got into trouble.”

After a few moments of hesitation, Laifu was forced to accept it. He weighed the cane in his hand and chuckled, "Time flies! Young Master is already a famous figure in the capital. Even I am benefiting from his fame!"

Yes, Liu Xian is already thirty years old this year, and in two months it will be his birthday again. Time flies so fast that even Liu Xian himself is surprised. In the past, he would probably have lamented that his actions were not enough, but in front of the elders, he feels more that the time they spend together is getting shorter and shorter.

He certainly brought gifts not only for Laifu, but also for the other servants: Zhu Fu, who usually suffered from the bumpy ride on horseback, received a soft fox fur blanket from Liu Xian; Wang Qi, who had a light palate but enjoyed drinking, was gifted two luminous cups from Liu Xian; and A Chun, who was too ashamed to show her face because of her disfigurement, was given a purple silk veil by Liu Xian…

The rest of the family members, uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters were also given gifts in varying amounts. Even his father, Liu Xun, was given a set of expensive chess pieces by Liu Xian, who advised him to cultivate his character and temperament.

For a time, the whole household was filled with joy and harmony. During dinner that evening, everyone was all smiles. Even Duke Anle, who was usually silent with his son, had a much gentler expression.

That evening, Liu Xian was playing with his two-year-old daughter in the room. Lingyou wasn't shy at all; in Liu Xian's arms, she giggled, her smile as sweet as honeyed syrup, making anyone who saw it forget all their worries and troubles.

As A'lu knitted clothes for her daughter, she smiled and said, "During the time you were away, many guests came to visit the manor, and some even came specifically to propose marriage to Lingyou, but I turned them all down."

Liu Xianqi asked, "The child is so young, and someone is already proposing marriage?"

A Luo glared at her husband and said irritably, "They don't seem to have their eyes on Lingyou, they seem to have their eyes on you! Especially His Highness the Prince of Changsha, who has been sending his princess to plead for this marriage. I couldn't refuse, so I had to say that we can discuss it when Lingyou is a little older."

"Okay, okay, you can decide everything."

Liu Xian was busy with official duties and had no time to take care of his daughter or his eldest son, who was serving medicine. These things had to be left to their mother.

A'Luo added, "Speaking of which, there's another guest who's been coming to visit frequently lately, bringing gifts. He's been very attentive!"

Liu Xian held out a finger for his daughter to grasp, and casually asked, "And who is that?"

A Luo said, "Li Changshi from Guanzhong said he was your old comrade-in-arms, that you went through thick and thin on the battlefield and were very close friends, so he wanted to come and repay your kindness."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xian immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, "What was your reply?"

A'luo said, "I returned all the gifts and told you that you always only consider official business and not personal matters, and there is no special favor owed to you. If there is anything, we can talk about it when you come back."

"Well said, A'Luo, you're absolutely right!" Liu Xian breathed a sigh of relief, inwardly annoyed: He hadn't even returned yet, and Li Shirong's propaganda war had already begun! Was she trying to emphasize his background as a commander in the Western Expeditionary Army, to warn Sima Jiong that he would never relinquish his military power? If so, her intentions were far too malicious.

A'luo, unaware of the details, asked again, "Biji, what exactly is your relationship with this Chief Secretary Li?"

Liu Xian recalled Li Han's past actions. From their first meeting, this renowned scholar from Longxi habitually held his head high, as if challenging some unseen force, trying to prove himself. Therefore, he was unconvinced by anyone, yet unwilling to owe anyone a favor. But what was he trying to prove? Perhaps even he himself couldn't say; he simply wanted to prove himself the most outstanding.

In a peaceful and prosperous era, someone like Li Han would probably never rise to prominence because he lacks interpersonal skills. However, he wouldn't be considered a bad person either, because he would constantly strive to achieve political success in order to prove himself.

But in this chaotic world, Li Han's current position is likely a disaster. Amidst the war, his desire for recognition only transforms into a destructive urge; the more destruction he causes, the more pleased he becomes. Because ultimately, all he sees is his own achievement; nothing else matters.

Therefore, Liu Xian commented: "It's just bad luck! If we had been born two hundred years earlier, we might really have been good friends."

"That's a strange assessment," A'Luo asked with a smile. "Don't you want to be friends with him now?"

"It's not that I don't want to, but that he doesn't want to. Most people who leave me are like that; I just don't want to make a futile attempt to keep him."

Li Han's face flashed into Liu Xian's mind. He seemed to peek out from the shadows, giving Liu Xian a strange, sidelong smile. Before Liu Xian could savor it, he retreated, and everything returned to normal, as if there was nothing in the shadows. (End of Chapter)