The several young men in brocade robes who entered Keshengju wore almost identical expressions, their eyes filled with undisguised contempt as they looked at the border soldiers. Because of the current emperor's whim, these soldiers from humble backgrounds had forcibly snatched half of the martial arts academy's entrance quotas from the scions of aristocratic families. The conflict was unstoppable from the moment the decree was issued.
The Wang family of Jiangnan was one of the most prestigious families of the time. During the previous dynasty, the Wang family produced seven prime ministers, four dukes, and dozens of county and township marquises, making them the most powerful clan in the previous dynasty. Although the Wang family gradually lost power after the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, their centuries-old heritage was still considerable.
During the previous dynasty, the only family that could rival the Wang family was the Xie family of Jiangnan. The fates of these two prestigious families were also quite similar; since the Sui Dynasty replaced the previous dynasty, both families' status in the court had declined significantly. Especially during the reign of Emperor Tianyou, Yang Yi, not a single official of the third rank or above came from either of these two families. The lack of officials in the court was a harbinger of the family's complete decline.
However, there was no doubt that the Wang family still wielded unparalleled influence in the provinces.
Wang Ding was one of the most outstanding young men in the Wang family in terms of both literary and martial arts skills. His father had served as a prefectural assistant, but remained at the fourth rank, unable to advance further. His father, determined to revitalize the Wang family, placed high hopes on Wang Ding from a young age. He spared no expense in hiring learned scholars to tutor him and invited renowned martial arts masters to guide his training.
Wang Ding did not disappoint his father's expectations, gaining fame in Jiangnan at a young age. However, this early fame also made him somewhat arrogant and aloof.
He had two things he was determined to achieve in the capital:
To rank among the top three in the martial arts academy examination and to marry Yang Weixia, the daughter of Prince Xu, Yang Kai. Although Prince Xu hadn't responded to the marriage proposal, Wang Ding knew that marrying the prince's daughter was undoubtedly a shortcut to a meteoric rise in his official career. His family also attached great importance to the matter, not only hiring a highly respected senior official as matchmaker but also submitting a memorial to the Emperor.
The proud and arrogant Wang Ding had no liking for the border soldiers gathered at Keshengju. In truth, he had deliberately come to see their impoverished state. To think that these soldiers, unable to afford Keshengju's food and drink, were trying to freeload, was utterly shameful.
The Keshengju waiter was quick-witted and immediately led Wang Ding and his party to a private room on the second floor. Wang Ding glared at the border soldiers and said to the waiter in a loud voice, "If these meritorious soldiers of the Great Sui Dynasty run out of wine later, just bring them as much as you like; I'll cover the cost."
These words, coming from his mouth, carried an undeniably offensive tone.
The young waiter muttered a reply, thinking to himself, "Why did you have to come here to cause trouble, Young Master Wang? These soldiers are just drinking peacefully, but you come to ridicule and mock them. If things get out of hand, our Keshengju restaurant can't handle it."
Mo Xidao's expression changed, and he took a step forward, his eyes wide with anger. Fang Jie reached out and tugged at his sleeve, shaking his head slightly. Mo Xidao snorted coldly, sat down on a stool, broke the seal of a wine jar, and poured it directly into his mouth.
Just then, the last person to enter following Wang Ding and the others attracted the attention of all the border soldiers.
This man was burly, with a thick beard, large eyes, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a square face, and fierce-looking eyebrows. He wasn't wearing brocade robes, but rather the uniform of a Sui Dynasty border army commander.
"It's Wang Wei!"
Zhang Kuang whispered in Fang Jie's ear, "The border guard commander of Baishui City, he's one of General Luo Yao's men. Although he comes from a humble background, he at least has connections!"
"Wang Wei, who leads troops to slaughter several barbarian towns every year?"
Fang Jie couldn't help but ask.
"That's him!"
Zhang Kuang coldly snorted, "After arriving in the capital, he never associates with the brothers from the border army. Instead, he spends all his time mingling with those young masters from aristocratic families. He's a complete lackey; they treat him like a dog, and he thinks he's quite pleased with himself, utterly disgracing our border army! Yesterday, I sent a few brothers to invite him, but he said he was busy. Turns out he's trying to curry favor with the Wang family of Jiangnan. No wonder he refused to come drink with us."
Mo Xidao shook his head and said softly, "Everyone has their own ambitions, we won't force it. Come on... let's drink!"
He raised the wine jar again and downed almost half of it in one gulp. "Brother Fang, have you really... seen His Majesty enough?"
Zhang Kuang changed the subject, asking Fang Jie.
Fang Jie nodded, "I did see him, but I'm too timid to look up. I still don't know what His Majesty looks like."
Zhang Kuang chuckled, "If it were me, I'm afraid I'd also be prostrate on the ground, too afraid to raise my head."
Mo Xidao didn't answer, only turning his head to coldly watch Wang Ding and the others climbing the stairs. Seemingly sensing his gaze, Wang Ding, halfway up the stairs, stopped, glanced in their direction, snorted, and turned back to whisper something to his companion.
Fang Jie tugged at Mo Xidao's sleeve, smiled, and asked, "Brother Mo, where are you staying?"
"The post station."
Mo Xidao was silent for a moment before replying, "Where else can poor wretches like us stay? After registering with the Ministry of War, those without money can apply to stay at the post station. It's the court's way of taking care of our border troops; they provide three meals a day, so we won't go hungry."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement, but a thought flickered in his mind.
When he registered with the Ministry of War, no one told him he could apply to stay at the post station. He suspected the people there were already plotting against him then, because if he stayed at the post station, it would be much harder to kill him. Staying at an inn, however, would make it much easier.
He suddenly couldn't help but laugh, amused by his surprisingly good treatment in the capital.
The seemingly fair and just capital city was, for him, a trap at every turn. One wrong step, and he might be trapped and unable to escape.
...
Wang Ding and his entourage went upstairs and chose a private room facing the street. After instructing the waiter to bring wine and dishes, Wang Ding waved his hand impatiently and said, "Close the door. The sound of those poor wretches outside is annoying."
Wang Wei, who hadn't yet sat down, immediately closed the door, his attitude humble.
"Wang Wei, you are different from them," Wang Ding said with a smile, glancing at him. "Not to mention you are under General Luo of the Left Vanguard, you should also be considered a branch of my Wang family. Don't associate with these people in the future, lest you acquire a vulgar reputation."
"Young Master Wang is right, I will comply," Wang Wei said humbly, leaning slightly forward.
"Please sit down, please sit down."
Wang Ding casually waved his hand and said, "Since I brought you along, I haven't treated you like an outsider. This dinner isn't without reason. General Luo's only son, General Luo Wen, this year's top scholar at the Martial Arts Academy, will be attending later. You're a veteran of General Luo's old service, so be sure to be friendly with young General Luo when you meet him… This dinner is a special farewell dinner I invited for him. He has been appointed a fourth-rank Langjiang by His Majesty and will soon be leaving the capital to take up his post in the Right Valiant Guard in the Northwest."
"Brother Wang, you are truly admirable!" A young man in fine clothes couldn't help but clap his hands, saying, "If you hadn't said anything, who would have guessed the purpose of this wine today? It's no easy feat to invite Young Master Luo Wen; who else would have such a great honor!"
Wang Ding waved his hand and smiled, "Not at all, not at all. My father and General Luo are old acquaintances, and I played with Young General Luo a lot when we were young. I remember when he got into trouble, I often took the blame for him. So, even if others can't invite him, he can't refuse my request."
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
Wang Wei asked.
"Young Master Wang, I'm here to deliver a message."
The waiter at the door lowered his voice, "Young General Luo just sent someone to say he has important business to attend to today and can't spare the time. Please forgive him."
These words were polite, but they were tantamount to a slap in the face to Wang Ding.
Wang Ding's face changed, becoming extremely ugly. Seeing his embarrassment, Wang Wei quickly said, "It must be something important at the Ministry of War. After all, General Luo is about to go to the Northwest, and the Ministry of War must have many things to arrange..."
"Shut up!"
Wang Ding glared at him, feeling his face burning. Because of the humiliation rising within him, he found the chattering, noisy border troops outside even more detestable. Remembering the scarred-faced man who had coldly stared at him earlier, he couldn't help but feel a chill.
"Wang Wei, do you know who that one-eyed border garrison commander is?"
"Yes!"
Wang Wei quickly lowered his head and said, "His name is Mo Xidao. He's a scout captain from Phoenix Terrace in the Eastern Frontier. He was promoted to garrison commander before coming to the capital because of some merits. He's quite skilled and has some prestige within the border army. He was the one who organized this border army gathering at Keshengju. He's considered one of the most promising candidates among those with military backgrounds to be among the top three. Not only is his cultivation profound, but he's also extremely treacherous and cunning."
"Phoenix Terrace?"
Wang Ding frowned, seemingly remembering something: "Is he the one who infiltrated Eastern Chu and wiped out an entire family? I know about that, but I didn't remember his name. The one-eyed loss must be from that time… If it really is him, he's worth paying attention to."
"A good-for-nothing! How can he compare to Brother Wang!"
Sitting beside Wang Ding A man poured him a cup of wine, smiled, and said, "Brother Wang is the real favorite to enter the top three. Even those lowly border soldiers combined wouldn't be a match for you."
"We must be wary."
Wang Ding thought for a moment, then looked at Wang Wei and asked, "Do you know anything about this person?"
Wang Wei shook his head and said, "No, I've only heard that his cultivation level is probably over the sixth rank. Among so many candidates with military backgrounds, no one should be able to defeat him."
"This person… if he can't participate in the Martial Arts Academy exam… what's the use of being strong?"
"Brother Wang, have you perhaps thought of a way to teach this person a lesson?"
"A lesson?"
Wang Ding sneered and said, "I won't let him off so easily… Wang Wei, in a moment, go down and ask Mo Xidao to come up. Tell him that I offended him with my rash words and that I must apologize to him!"
"Ah?"
Everyone present was taken aback.
"Brother Wang, why condescend?"
Someone immediately advised. "Haha."
Wang Ding chuckled, then called Wang Wei over and whispered a few words to him. Upon hearing this, Wang Wei's expression changed drastically. He couldn't help but take a step back, waving his hands repeatedly, saying, "Young Master Wang, this is a crime punishable by imprisonment! If I'm not careful, I'll be implicated too! No, no, no!"
"With me here, what are you afraid of?"
Wang Ding waved his hand, saying, "Go ahead. If you do this well, I'll reward you handsomely. Besides, Mo Xidao is in trouble and can't participate in the martial arts academy's exam. Didn't you also get to face your strongest opponent? Without him keeping you in check, who can take the top spot in the military examination from you?"
Wang Wei was taken aback, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Since Young Master Wang thinks so highly of me, I can't let you down. However… since we're going to take action, let's not hold back. Several of my men are quite capable. Zhang Kuang, the border brigade commander of Anyuan City, and Fang Jie, the deputy commander of the scout team in Fangu City, are both formidable opponents. If we're going to do it… let's do it together!"
"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
Wang Ding laughed heartily, a smug look on his face. ...
...
Just as Wang Ding was instructing Wang Wei on his tasks, the person sitting in the adjacent private room frowned slightly. Although Wang Ding had lowered his voice considerably when explaining how to scheme against Mo Xidao and the others, his cultivation level was certainly high enough that he could easily hear him. Seeing his displeasure, the young man sitting opposite him felt a pang of anxiety.
"Commander... I dare not make decisions on my own regarding what you have asked me to do. May I report to my father before making a decision?"
In the Sui Dynasty, there were very few people called Commanders.
This man with a somewhat gloomy expression was none other than Hou Wenji, the Commander of the Intelligence Bureau. Sitting opposite him was Luo Wen, whose hands were trembling slightly with nervousness.
Hou Wenji ignored Luo Wen's almost pleading words and instead pointed outside, whispering, "Have Commander Liu bring a regiment of guards and wait outside. Don't come any closer; there might be serious trouble soon."
"Yes, sir!"
His trusted confidant, Fei Yupao, immediately responded and turned to leave. "General Luo, what did you just say? Sorry, I was distracted for a moment. Could you repeat it?"
"I said… I dare not make this decision on my own," Luo Wen replied nervously.
"It's alright."
Hou Wenji waved his hand and smiled gently, "I'm not in a hurry. Even if it takes three to five years, it's fine. You know our Great Sui Songmozhai's Xuan paper is excellent; it won't spoil even after decades or a century. You're still young, and I'm not old… so, no rush."
He looked at the statement on the table, a smile playing on his lips.