When the gates of the Martial Arts Academy opened, the guards saw the amiable Young Master Fang as usual. They all had a very good impression of this currently sought-after young talent in Chang'an, because Young Master Fang had no arrogant airs, nor any insincere politeness. He always greeted them with a smile, a smile without any affectation.
Some wealthy young men would nod to them to show their politeness. But the soldiers could tell that those men didn't really see them. Young Master Fang was different; he genuinely didn't consider himself some important figure, but greeted them from the same level as the soldiers.
"Have you eaten? I heard the canteen has added new dishes."
The soldiers also smiled and spoke to Fang Jie, as if they were neighbors living on the same street.
Fang Jie smiled and nodded, "I've already eaten. Food outside is cheaper and more affordable. The food in the martial arts academy's canteen is not only ridiculously expensive but also terrible. One meal there is enough to eat outside for three days. It's said that all the money in the canteen goes into Dean Zhou's pocket, and Dean Zhou never eats there."
"Haha."
The soldiers laughed at Fang Jie's straightforwardness.
Fang Jie smiled and walked through the gate, when suddenly he heard someone call his name from behind. He turned around and saw Zhang Kuang, whom he hadn't seen in a while. The latter was holding an oil paper package in his left hand and constantly stuffing buns into his mouth with his right. Therefore, his voice was a little muffled when he called Fang Jie's name, and he seemed to be eating with great relish.
"Second Brother, where have you been these days?"
Fang Jie asked with a smile.
The students from the border army were used to calling Mo Xidao "Big Brother" and Zhang Kuang "Second Brother." "Where can I go... I don't have the money to go to a brothel, much less to watch dances and listen to music at a red-sleeved pavilion."
Zhang Kuang teased, "You can't compare to Master Fang."
Fang Jie punched him on the shoulder, saying, "Your mouth is getting stinky."
Zhang Kuang laughed heartily, "After the break from classes, I originally planned to spend the next two weeks in the courtyard, but then I thought there are ways to have fun even without money, so I invited Brother Mo, and the two of us left Chang'an to explore the scenic spots around there. The world is vast and open, and these past few days have been exceptionally pleasant. I originally planned to invite you along, but Brother Mo said you must have many things to do, so perhaps..." "We're free, so we didn't bother you."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement, rubbing his temples. "I haven't had much to do. Lately, I've been the first one back to the courtyard every day, spending my days either reading or sparring with Xie Fuyao. If you had come looking for me, I definitely would have gone with you."
Zhang Kuang hummed in agreement. "But you know what? Before I went out, I never thought there was anything interesting about traveling. But once you actually go out, you realize that just looking at the scenery and observing the people can be incredibly enjoyable. Brother Mo and I went out on the day our classes ended, walking and seeing everything along the way, and we almost didn't want to come back."
"Where's Brother Mo?"
Feng Jing asked.
"Brother Mo hasn't come back yet. I went into the city early this morning as soon as the gates opened. He said he was going to visit some towns outside the city, but actually, he's taken a fancy to the old man's daughter who sells tea, hasn't he? Hehe, this is the first time I've ever seen Brother Mo interested in a woman."
Fang Jie thought carefully, but he didn't remember the old man selling tea outside the city bringing his daughter out. "By the way..."
Zhang Kuang asked as they walked, "On New Year's Eve, His Majesty held a grand banquet for his officials. Was there anything interesting? I originally thought Brother Mo would be on the list of ten, but surprisingly, he wasn't. Based on his cultivation level, it wouldn't be difficult for Brother Mo to rank in the top ten among the hundreds of students at the Martial Arts Academy. But then I thought... this list wasn't even based on ability..."
He quickly corrected himself, "I wasn't talking about you, I just felt it was unfair for Brother Mo."
"Brother Mo is too straightforward. What if he caused a scene in front of His Majesty and ruined everything?"
Fang Jie explained, "Mo Wanwu did mention it to me. Brother Mo was originally supposed to be included, but Dean Zhou..." "No. I was just worried he'd be too blunt and stubborn at the banquet, and this is for Brother Mo's own good."
Zhang Kuang said, "That's true, Brother Mo's personality is indeed a bit too stubborn... By the way, I also heard that Prince Yi has been getting quite close to you lately. Is he trying to win you over? There's something I'm not sure I should say, but as your older brother, I can't just watch you go astray... Prince Yi isn't a good person; you'd better not get too close to him. If something happens, it'll ruin your future."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement, "Prince Yi is just a leisurely prince. Why would he try to win me over? I only met him once in private, and he gave me some gifts."
"I still feel that person isn't as simple as he seems."
Zhang Kuang said seriously, "Haven't you heard the students in the courtyard talking about it privately? They're all saying that Prince Yi wants to return to the court and take power, and he also wants to go to the northwest to oversee the war against the Mongols. That's why he's been meeting with high-ranking officials frequently lately. Who knows what he's really up to? Fang Jie, although your status is much higher now, you can't afford to play games with those big shots. Don't get involved."
"Don't worry, Second Brother."
Fang Jie smiled and said, "Don't you think about it? Why would Prince Yi try to win me over? I'm just a poor student who won't be leaving the martial arts academy for at least two years. He's just putting on a show of being courteous to scholars..." "Yes. I have nothing that he values, and I know my own limitations."
"That's not how it works."
Zhang Kuang said, "If Prince Yi really intends to lead troops in the Northwest, he'll naturally try to win you over. You're from the Fan Gu border army; few people understand the Mongols of Langru Mountain better than you."
Fang Jie nodded and said, "I'll handle it myself; I won't get caught up in it."
Zhang Kuang smiled and said, "That's good. I was worried about you. We're all good brothers from the border army, especially since you're the youngest and most accomplished. Brother Mo and I were afraid you'd be misled by the sweet talk of those bigwigs in the court."
Fang Jie nodded, a slight thought stirring in his heart.
...
...
Northwest.
Li Xiaozong sat listlessly in his tent, somewhat idle. These past few days, General Li Yuanshan had deliberately distanced himself from him for some reason, almost never letting him lead troops again. Even when he did, it was only to lead scouts to gather intelligence or to accompany the supply battalion to check and distribute supplies.
This made Li Xiaozong feel uneasy; he had a persistent feeling that his life was coming to an end. The more chaotic his mind became, the worse he slept at night. Especially in the last few days, for some reason, he dreamed of Fan Gu's men every night. The dozens of his subordinates who had been tortured to death by Wu Peisheng wailed pitifully in his dreams every day. One night, he even dreamed that these men stood in a circle around his bed, silent, just coldly staring at him.
He tried to open his eyes but couldn't. He only woke up with a start when the ghosts surrounding his bed pounced on him, drenched in sweat.
He even saw Wu Peisheng among those ghosts, which terrified him even more. Few people knew the inside story of Wu Peisheng's death, and he was one of them. Moreover, he had killed Wu Peisheng with his own hands. This was why Li Yuanshan valued him so highly. But now, the time had come for Li Yuanshan to begin ostracizing him, and this was the reason for Li Xiaozong's unease. "Discarding the millstone after it has served its purpose."
This phrase, though unpleasant, perfectly captured Li Xiaozong's feeling.
Just as he was frowning in distress, someone called out from outside and lifted the curtain to enter. He looked up and saw it was his newly assigned personal guard captain, a scion of a wealthy family who had supposedly been bribed into the western expeditionary force and hadn't even passed the entrance exam for the martial arts academy.
Since he hadn't even gotten into the academy, Li Xiaozong didn't have a good impression of this man. While he himself hadn't ranked in the top three at the academy, he was at least in the top five. Naturally, he disliked having someone who couldn't even get into the academy as his personal guard captain.
"Sit down," Li Xiaozong said casually, his attitude cold.
"Beside the general, I can only stand."
The man, resting his hand on the horizontal sword at his waist, solemnly replied, "Because I am the captain of your personal guard. If I get used to sitting beside you, I will become slow to react."
This surprised Li Xiaozong. He had assumed this man was just someone his family had bribed to get seniority in the army, most likely a spoiled brat. He hadn't expected him to say something like this, which greatly changed Li Xiaozong's impression of him.
"Your surname is Cui?"
Li Xiaozong asked.
"Yes, my surname is Cui, and my given name is Lueshang. I am from Hedong Dao."
"The Cui family of Hedong Dao is indeed a prestigious family."
Li Xiaozong nodded and asked again, "I heard you went to Chang'an last year to take the entrance exam for the Martial Arts Academy? Those selected as students are the top talents from each city. Don't you feel it's a waste to be my captain?"
This newly assigned captain was none other than Cui Lueshang, who had left Chang'an in despair. He glanced at Emperor Li Xiaozong, then answered solemnly, "The reason I was selected as a student is not because of any extraordinary talent, but simply because my aunt was promoted to imperial concubine last year. I was directly expelled from the examination and am barred from holding office for five years. My family spent a large sum of money to get me into the Western Expeditionary Army."
Emperor Li Xiaozong was slightly surprised again, not expecting this young man named Cui Lueshang to be so honest. He even mentioned being expelled from the Martial Arts Academy; such a humiliating experience is something most people would not want to mention. "You've told me everything so frankly, without holding back a single detail. Aren't you afraid I'll tell others?"
Cui Lueshang straightened up and said, word by word, "I am the captain of your personal guard. From today onwards, my life is tied to yours. If I still hide anything from you, if I cannot be honest with you, I fear I won't survive long on the battlefield. I don't want to die, so please don't doubt my purpose in coming here. I am simply someone who wants to prove myself again, and this opportunity is in your hands."
He looked down at his armor, remained silent for a moment, and continued, "If you trust me, it will be my honor. If you don't trust me, I won't die after you on the battlefield."
Li Xiaozong's eyes lit up, and he looked at the young man before him with new respect.
"Cui Lueshang."
He nodded, remembering the name in his heart. "This place isn't very good. If you want to prove yourself, you seem to have come to the wrong place."
Cui Lueshang replied, "Whether I can prove myself is the General's business. Now that I'm here, my only duty is to protect your safety. Whether I can go to the battlefield depends on the General, not me. I have no choice but to trust you."
"Good."
Li Xiaozong's gloom of the past few days was dispelled by the young man's frankness, and he felt a surge of joy: "Just wait, I won't let you down!"