On the second day of the first lunar month, at the border of Liang and Ling provinces, at the intersection of two Posthouseroads, a convoy of carriages with flags of the Golden Gate Escort Company turned into the wide north-south Posthouseroad. Following behind two carriages, the escort party, though fraught with danger, always tried to make up for the time lost cautiously on mountainous and riverine paths by hurrying along relatively safe official roads. The Golden Gate Escort Company’s caravan was quite impressive, with over thirty burly men, mostly young and vigorous, serving as escorts and guards.
As the escort caravan overtook the two carriages ahead, a carriage curtain suddenly lifted, revealing a head with grayish hair. A man leaned out and shouted with a smile to one of the escorts: “Brave sir, do you remember me? Last autumn, we shared some green ant wine together at a roadside tavern!”
The escort, after a moment of surprise, slowed his horse and approached the carriage slightly, his face beaming with joy as he replied loudly: “Of course I remember! Sir, you write beautifully, and your father was very generous, treating us brothers to two large jars of green ant wine and five jin of beef! Are you heading to Lingzhou too?”
Xu Xiao laughed and replied: “Indeed, I now earn my living in Lingzhou city. I had just spent the New Year at home and must rush back there. It’s just my lot to work hard. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a shop a few miles ahead where the wine and meat are excellent and the prices are fair. If it’s on your way and won’t delay your escort mission, let’s have a meal together—it’ll be more lively, and I’ll treat you.”
The escort, originally from Liaodong and seeking a living in Northern Liang, was somewhat at a loss. He and his two brothers had been forced into a desperate situation by a mad dog of a man named Yuan, leaving only the three of them alive from their entire sect of over a hundred people. The mad dog had a father-in-law in the Liyang court whose power was immense. After much consideration, they felt that only in Northern Liang could they find refuge. Although they had finally secured stable jobs with their martial arts skills, they were still under someone else’s roof, and as a new escort, he had to watch the old escort leader’s face constantly, leaving him in a difficult position. Fortunately, the old escort leader of the Golden Gate Escort Company, known for his sharp eyes, carefully examined the two carriages for a moment before laughing heartily: “Since this young gentleman is an old acquaintance of our Brother Dou, he is a friend of the Golden Gate Escort Company. I know of the shop ahead; it’s actually our next stop. We can’t possibly let the young gentleman pay—we’ll cover the cost of the wine. Even if the Golden Gate Escort Company were poor, we’d still pay for this!”
Xu Xiao did not refuse. Without him needing to speak, Xu Yanbing, who was serving as the coachman, had already whipped the horses to move quickly. This small detail caused the old escort leader to secretly marvel, not expecting that not only did this young gentleman, who seemed to come from a distinguished family, appear quite familiar, but even his retinue was a sensible person.
Both groups arrived simultaneously at a familiar and “clean” shop known to the escort company. The shopkeeper was already well-acquainted with the eating habits of these returning customers and immediately instructed the waiters to quickly serve the dishes and wine. The portions of meat and rice were generous, while the wine was limited—drunkenness was strictly forbidden on escort missions, often allowing only one or two senior and respected escorts who enjoyed wine to have a small drink. Xu Yanbing and Hong Shuwen straightforwardly did not even sit at the table, and Hu Yan Guanyin was not hungry either. The woman who had shared the carriage with her was even less willing to leave the warm carriage. Thus, at the main table where wine was served, Xu Xiao, Xu Beizhi, and Pei Nanwei were seated. Pei Nanwei wore an expensive fur coat made of white fox fur and a fox fur hat. Normally, such attire would make a woman with slightly darker skin look like a piece of charcoal, but she wore it in such a way that it highlighted her fair complexion, creating a unique charm. The old escort leader, who had traveled extensively throughout his life, had to exert great effort to tear his gaze away, thinking to himself that he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his entire life, and that the cost of this meal was well worth it.
The young waiter responsible for serving the dishes and wine almost dropped the wine jar, his face flushed red, and he left reluctantly, looking back every few steps, earning an angry kick from the shopkeeper that made him howl in pain.
As always, Xu Xiao introduced himself to outsiders as Xu Qi. He engaged in light conversation with Dou Liang and Bao Fengshou, gradually learning about Dou Liang’s circumstances and the scale of the Golden Gate Escort Company. Dou Liang had a straightforward personality but was somewhat shy and did not engage in excessive pleasantries with Xu Xiao. Bao Fengshou, meeting Xu Xiao for the first time, was already adept at forging connections, repeatedly insisting that once they reached the city of Lingzhou, he would personally visit Xu Xiao’s residence to pay his New Year respects. Upon hearing that Xu Qi lived on Apricot Street, the old veteran’s eyes gleamed with excitement. After all, Apricot Street was home to the Governor and many powerful figures in Lingzhou. Recently, it had also gained a new resident—a general from Lingzhou named Xu! Although Apricot Street was long and not everyone there was an official, anyone living on that street, even without power, was among the wealthiest people in Lingzhou. In the trade, the Golden Gate Escort Company had always specialized in small escorts—those with little profit and few rewards. Larger escort companies specialized in “sow escorts,” where a single mission could earn enough money to make one’s hands ache. If they could establish connections with the influential people on Apricot Street and spread their reputation through word of mouth, the Golden Gate Escort Company could ride the wind and waves to establish its name and truly prosper. Otherwise, who would willingly spend the New Year on the road?
Xu Xiao raised his cup to toast five or six times, mostly clinking bowls with Dou Liang. This made Dou Liang, a displaced and homeless man, feel a silent warmth. However, being poor at expressing himself, he didn’t care whether he would later be teased or criticized by the escort leader, and emptied every bowl of green ant wine without leaving a drop.
After the meal, Xu Xiao laughed and said: “My ancestors were also from Liaodong, specifically Jinzhou. I could say that I’ve met an old friend in a foreign land with Brother Dou—it’s such a rare encounter. When I return to Lingzhou city, Xu Qi will definitely visit the Golden Gate Escort Company to pay my New Year respects first. I’ll also make sure to meet the other two brothers properly. We didn’t get to drink our fill today, so we’ll save it for next time—we won’t leave until we’re drunk!”
Bao Fengshou laughed heartily: “Xu Gongzi should also visit us. The Golden Gate Escort Company absolutely cannot be impolite—it would be laughed at if word got out.”
Xu Xiao, of course, understood the old escort leader’s hidden intentions. He was afraid that “Xu Qi” might be a small-time family exaggerating his status, so he wanted to personally check out the residence to be reassured. Xu Xiao did not expose this, simply nodded with a smile and said: “No problem. If there are any goods that need to be escorted in the future, since Brother Dou is in your company, I’ll specifically trouble the Golden Gate Escort Company from now on.”
The escort company still had to continue their journey, and both parties exchanged farewell bows. When Bao Fengshou settled the bill with the shopkeeper, he whispered and gave a few extra pieces of silver, clearly knowing that the young gentleman would add more dishes and wine, and the escort company had already paid for it in advance. Xu Xiao returned to the bench, ordering another pot of warm and soothing green ant wine, pouring half a bowl each for Xu Beizhi and Pei Nanwei. Xu Beizhi smiled softly and said: “After this escort mission, Dou Liang’s salary will definitely increase significantly.”
Xu Xiao did not comment, shifting the topic: “Chen Xiliang must handle the salt and iron reforms and take full charge of the grain transport affairs. One task is to contend with local gentry, and the other is to quarrel with the capital officials. He’s caught between local tyrants and powerful newcomers. Do you think he can handle it?”
Xu Beizhi said calmly: “I don’t know.”
Xu Xiao frowned and continued: “You’re about to become the governor of Lingzhou, while Chen Xiliang hasn’t even received a proper official position. Do you think he has any resentment?”
Xu Beizhi just drank his wine.
Xu Xiao clicked his tongue: “I originally thought you two clever people could avoid the usual rivalry among scholars, but it seems you still can’t escape this cycle.”
Xu Beizhi glanced sideways: “You don’t understand a thing.”
Xu Xiao, acting like a rascal, said: “Careful, I might really let out a fart at you!”
Xu Beizhi wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth: “Once I become the governor, you’d better leave Lingzhou early. I don’t want to see you anymore.”
Xu Xiao muttered to himself, helpless but unable to do anything. Pei Nanwei was puzzled—was there really someone in the world who could keep the Northern Liang heir apparent in check?
On the third day of the first lunar month, the Lingzhou General did not enter the city of Lingzhou. This greatly disappointed many seasoned officials who had quickly gathered at the General’s mansion on Apricot Street, having sensed the situation. They left after enduring a day of freezing cold, suppressing the urge to curse, and silently praying that the young prince would return to the city the next day. Otherwise, when would their suffering and freezing end?
By the evening of the fourth day of the first lunar month, most visitors to Apricot Street had left, leaving only a few scattered officials and nobles who already lived on the street. When they saw the two carriages slowly approaching, they were almost moved to tears. “Ancestor, you finally decided to come!” they all rushed toward the carriages, regardless of their age or whether they were still in their prime, and greeted the young man stepping out of the carriage with warm words. Each of their flatteries, aside from the common title of “Prince,” were unique and never repeated. A novice in the officialdom, if given the chance to listen from the side, would surely benefit greatly, realizing how masterfully sycophancy could be performed. Some officials who usually spoke in a pompous manner now behaved as respectfully as if they were paying homage to an ancestral portrait.
Xu Xiao smiled and greeted each person one by one. Even without them introducing themselves, he could accurately state their names and positions, making the high-ranking officials of Lingzhou, who varied greatly in age, feel a mix of emotions while sweetening their words. Even if the prince were not clever, at the very least, he was far from being foolish.
Xu Xiao stopped walking and asked one of the fifth-rank officials in Lingzhou to inform the Governor’s mansion that he would pay his New Year respects to Uncle Li the next day. The elderly man, who was so old that he often went home to rest whenever he encountered difficulties, moved with such agility that his colleagues were astonished. Xu Xiao led the group into the General’s residence and had Xu Beizhi, who held a lower rank, accompany him. In the study, he met one by one with the “loyal ministers” of Lingzhou, catching up with old times. Those who came later saw the people ahead of them all leaving with solemn expressions, but their brows revealed an unmistakable joy. As they slowly reached the corner of the corridor, their steps suddenly quickened, and most of them hurried home to share the good news.
The vast majority of the guests entered the residence with trepidation but left happily.
Xu Beizhi, who was about to be publicly supported by the prince, showed no sign of joy. Standing by the window, he gazed toward the Governor’s mansion, his expression grave.
Xu Xiao sat behind the desk, one hand supporting his cheek, the other rolling a copper coin between his fingers.
Xu Beizhi spoke: “Want to take a walk?”
Xu Xiao thought for a moment: “Alright, come with me to the Golden Gate Escort Company for some drinks. While the wine in Lingzhou hasn’t yet been tainted by worldly and bloody flavors, you and I should drink a bit more, shouldn’t we?”
Xu Beizhi, who had only ever gotten drunk once in the Northern Wilderness, nodded.
Xu Xiao and Xu Beizhi got into the carriage, and Xu Yanbing drove toward the other end of the city where the Golden Gate Escort Company was located.
As he crossed the side gate, Xu Xiao paused slightly, looking up at the gray sky. At this time of year, the peak of Ling Mountain, which was only visible on clear days, was already out of sight.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Golden Gate Escort Company, Xu Xiao introduced himself as Xu Qi from Apricot Street, claiming to know the old escort leader Bao Fengshou and the new escort Dou Liang. The young man at the gate’s eyes lit up at the mention of Apricot Street—just those three words were enough, even more effective than mentioning Bao Fengshou. His previous impatience vanished instantly, and he instinctively bent slightly. However, upon seeing the young gentleman’s gentle smile, he straightened up again. Who knew if this guy was just boasting? The young gentlemen living on that street had often ridden through the city in fine clothes, trampling people underfoot. Would such a nobleman really smile kindly at a small gatekeeper like him? Who would believe that! Bao Fengshou, who lived inside the escort company, hurried over, warmly and politely to an extraordinary degree. Not only him, but even the two senior managers of the escort company were alerted. Xu Qi was also quite accommodating, directly revealing the identity of the young gentleman accompanying him. He had served as a military clerk in Longqing County and was now doing odd jobs for the governor Zhong Chengxin, but was soon to be promoted slightly to the provincial government office. With this, the two managers were not only delighted but also somewhat reverent. In Lingzhou, who didn’t know the great general Zhong Hongwu and his eldest son Zhong Chengxin? Although rumors said their arrogance had been somewhat curbed by the haughty and domineering young prince, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse. The Zhong family was undoubtedly still considered an elite family in Northern Liang, an unapproachable high-ranking clan. How could the small Golden Gate Escort Company dare to slight someone who worked closely with Governor Zhong?
Dou Liang and his two brothers had not yet moved into the escort company but were renting a small, secluded, and simple house outside. The company quickly sent someone to invite them to join the drinking. The senior manager personally set up a large charcoal brazier, and the group sat down and drank continuously. As the wine flowed, the two managers, who were naturally easygoing, became less restrained and spoke freely. Dou Liang’s two brothers, Wei Tang and Fan Yuyang, had met before and left a decent impression. With Dou Liang’s recent escort mission as a prelude, they had already spoken highly of Xu Qi, making the conversation and drinking even more relaxed.
The senior manager, Yu Xiucai, had a slightly literary name, probably reflecting his parents’ hope that he would one day pass the imperial examination and become a scholar. However, he was quite rough, with a terrifying scar on his face. When he spoke of this old story to Xu Xiao and Xu Beizhi, he did not express any resentment. It was more than a decade ago when a son of a powerful official had slashed him on the street for abducting a civilian girl. He had not dared to retaliate. In terms of martial skill, he could have easily beaten that bastard with one hand, but in terms of backing, he was far inferior. Even today, the man just laughed and cursed his mother.
Xu Xiao smiled and turned to Xu Beizhi, saying, “In the future, you’ll have to handle these kinds of rotten matters with an iron face and be the villain.” Xu Beizhi remained indifferent, continuing to drink heavily. The men of the Golden Gate Escort Company didn’t take it too seriously either. Even if the two young gentlemen with the surname Xu had decent backgrounds, Lingzhou City was a tangled web where even the Lingzhou General couldn’t stretch his legs freely, being constantly outmaneuvered from top to bottom. It was said that the Governor wanted to give the young prince a lesson. So, as long as someone was an outsider, no matter who they were, even if they were young officials from noble families, they couldn’t easily stir up trouble in this city.
Xu Xiao raised his bowl, probably the seventh or eighth one, and still finished it in one go, prompting heartfelt applause from the escort company members. This young man’s drinking capacity and demeanor were truly impressive! Xu Xiao casually wiped his mouth and said with a smile: “Before I get drunk, let me say a few serious words. Brothers Dou, Wei, and Fan are all friends of Xu Qi. In the future, I hope the two managers and Old Escort Leader Bao will take good care of them. This bowl of wine is my way of thanking you.”
The second manager, Zhang He, already had a slurred tongue and raised his large white bowl, shouting: “Xu Gongzi is straightforward. Our escort company may be small, but no one here is a timid woman. Zhang He will speak from the heart—Brothers Dou, Wei, and Fan are not without skill, but their skills are too great. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Take Wei Tang and Fan Yuyang, for example. They could easily become escorts, or even escort leaders. But in our small place, the rules are the same as elsewhere—there’s just one word: more! It’s unavoidable. Everyone has to work their way up gradually, from a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law. Otherwise, others won’t be convinced and will harbor resentment. I, Zhang He, can’t promise that the three brothers will become escort leaders tomorrow. I can only apologize to Brothers Dou, Wei, and Fan. Senior Manager, shall we all finish our bowls?”
Yu Xiucai raised his bowl, laughing heartily: “Everyone, let’s all drink a full bowl like real men and finish it!”
In the end, even Xu Beizhi was completely drunk, leaning on Xu Xiao’s shoulder. The rough men of the Golden Gate Escort Company were even more disheveled, with Yu Xiucai hugging the wine jar and mumbling drunkenly, his words unclear but vaguely suggesting that he wished he had killed a few Northern barbarians in his lifetime.
Sun Fulu, the head steward of the General’s mansion, appeared at the door with a sweat-drenched brow. He had been informed by the young prince before departure that he would come to this small escort company.
The only one still sober, Xu Xiao had no choice but to carry the unconscious Xu Beizhi on his back, smilingly bidding farewell to the escorts who were cleaning up the mess. As he walked out the gate, Sun Fulu whispered: “Master, the Governor unexpectedly brought a man to his mansion late at night. What kind of trouble is this?”
Xu Xiao merely hummed in response.
Xu Beizhi, whose drunken state was extremely messy, was acting wildly, one hand slapping the young prince’s head and the other randomly smearing his face.
Sun Fulu was so shocked by the scene that his mouth twitched.
This Xu Beizhi, who had wandered from the Northern Wilderness to our Northern Liang, if he doesn’t become the Governor of the Northern Liang Circuit, then Sun Fulu will directly change his name to Sun Zi!
Xu Xiao slowly carried Xu Juzi toward the carriage.
His steps were heavy and Hardship.
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