Chapter 23: The Fallen Eagle

“It’s still not enough,” Gao Yin murmured. So far, only four or five hundred recruits had come forward. After another round of selection, there would likely be just around two hundred left. They were hardly fit for battle—at best, they could serve as the prince’s ceremonial guard.

Not to mention seizing the authority of the Capital Governor; even the most skilled housewife cannot cook without rice.

Gao Yin furrowed his brow, a plan forming in his mind. Rather than laboriously making something from scratch, it was better to make use of what was already available.

He issued orders, and Ding Pu promptly announced: “Today’s recruitment ends here. Notices will be posted for those interested to gather at the announcement site. Ten days later, a Martial Exhibition will be held at the northern city of Ye Capital. Anyone may come forth and demonstrate their skills!”

With that, Gao Yin departed from the Sixth Ward. Once the prince and his entourage had left, a group of even more formidable men gathered in a hidden corner of the Sixth Ward.

Their physiques were not much sturdier than those of the earlier recruits, but their eyes were sharp and spirited, their bodies upright and well-proportioned, embodying a masculine grace. They spoke fervently in the Xianbei tongue:

“This is an opportunity.”

“But the crown prince is too weak, like a Han Chinese.”

“What’s wrong with being like a Han? We all hail from Luoyang and are accustomed to Han customs. A Han ruler is advantageous for us.”

“Indeed, it’s better than enduring continued oppression from those frontier barbarians.”

The men debated, glancing occasionally toward the four directions where leaders stood silently, never speaking but their expressions guiding the discussions. The men’s words always aligned with the leaders’ wishes.

Yet consensus was elusive. Growing impatient, one leader directly asked another, “Chi Yi, what exactly do you think?”

Li Chi Yi, a cunning man, tugged his short beard and smiled faintly: “Such a matter cannot be decided by me alone. We must also consult Poto Yu and Gao She Luo.”

He deftly tossed the water pouch to another. He and Bu Luo knew they could not pry further from this schemer, so they turned to the other two.

As their discussion went on, the others’ voices gradually quieted until silence fell.

Yu Poto Yu crossed his arms firmly, and seeing that Li Chi Yi had nothing more to say, Gao She Luo cleared his throat twice: “My point is, who knows whether the prince is backed by the Qi ruler’s schemes? Moreover, the Qi ruler’s reign is brutal, far from his earlier valor. The crown prince is weak; it might be wiser to wait and watch for changes…”

Gao She Luo’s words were sound. Jin Yang’s rising power threatened the imperial authority of Ye Capital—anyone familiar with Qi would understand this truth. At such a time, standing against Jin Yang was unwise.

Besides, Gao Yang was a tyrant, hardly a ruler to serve loyally. If they all flocked to him, Gao Yang might pit them against the veterans of the Sixth Ward in bloody conflict. Better the devil you know, or perhaps the newcomer will outshine the old guard. Gao Yang was fully capable of such ruthless tactics!

However, most did not agree.

“The prince may be weak, but isn’t that our chance? After all, he is the heir apparent, destined to rule Qi. Our day to rise will come!”

Bu Luo’s words found wide favor. If the prince had not come, they could forget it. But now that he had, it represented an opportunity to join the ranks of the “Hundred Fresh Xianbei” who had previously missed their chance.

Though most were no longer palace guards, ties remained. They knew this year’s establishment of the Capital Governor’s office was a deliberate step by the Qi ruler to pave the way for the prince. This meant they might even become the new emperor’s palace guards.

It was like going back to square one.

With just a few dozen loyal followers, one could become a force. Yu Poto Yu and his three comrades were heroes within the Sixth Ward, each capable of taking on a hundred men. They had been excluded from the previous selection for lack of trust or due to unforeseen circumstances.

In the years since, more men had rallied to their cause. Starting with just a dozen or so, these men recognized others, and the network grew. Eventually, these four controlled hundreds within the Sixth Ward. Yu Poto Yu commanded the largest force, numbering over a thousand, which was why his words carried the most weight.

They mimicked the former palace guard’s structure, forming a gang-like organization within the Sixth Ward. With courage and cunning, they had carved out a decent existence in the shadowy landscape of Qi. But should the opportunity arise to attach themselves to imperial power, who would willingly miss it?

As their leader, Yu Poto Yu inevitably bore the wishes of his men. Even if he himself did not aspire much, he could not help but consider their hopes.

“There will be a Martial Exhibition in ten days.”

Yu Poto Yu’s first words reminded everyone of a detail they had overlooked.

“What is this Martial Exhibition? I’ve never heard of it before,” Li Chi Yi frowned. He remembered the term but could not grasp its meaning. Could this ‘demonstration of martial skills’ be the final stage before entering the palace? That would be significant indeed!

Wait, or perhaps it was a new lethal game devised by the Qi ruler—if one failed the demonstration, death might be the only way off the stage...

Gao Yang’s manipulations had thrown Qi into turmoil. This was no exaggeration.

“True or false, we won’t know until we see for ourselves.”

Bu Luo refused to overthink. He felt the chance right before him and was determined to seize it.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely going!”

Just the thought of donning the palace guard uniform again, perhaps even that of a governor, set his heart ablaze.

The post of governor had become rampant in the Former Wei period—anyone with a few soldiers could be called a governor. But no matter how widespread, it was still an official position, better than being a commoner.

Others shared this ambition, and even Yu Poto Yu silently consented.

Unaware of the minor drama unfolding in the Sixth Ward, Gao Yin now found himself in the mid-morning hours, with plenty of time ahead. When Ding Pu asked where he would go next, Gao Yin considered then said, “To the Huli family.”

The head of the Huli family was Huli Jin, Left Chancellor, ennobled as the Prince of Xianyang, with revenues from Qi Province.

Though Huli Jin remained fierce and capable, his advanced age—seventy years this year—meant that since the fourth year of the Tianbao era, he had been stationed in Jin Yang as Grand Tutor. He was both the iron wall of Qi and the pillar of the Huli clan.

He had two sons: the eldest, Huli Guang, now Governor of Shuozhou, was the heir apparent of the Huli family; the second son, Huli Xian, was General of the Western Expedition, wielding great power in Qi. Besides the royal Gao clan, only the Duan family could rival them.

Thus, the Huli residence in Ye Capital, though officially the Xianyang prince’s mansion under Huli Jin, was essentially the domain of Huli Guang.

At this time, Huli Guang held only the minor title of Viscount of Xi’an County, a rank too insignificant to mention publicly, let alone display on a plaque at the mansion.

Most government offices were concentrated in the southern city, just outside the palace walls on the south side, maintaining close ties with the palace. Many officials’ residences were there to facilitate communication and improve administrative efficiency.

Yet some, like the Capital Governor’s office and Huli Guang’s residence, remained in the north city, along with other troops guarding Ye Capital.

Gao Yin’s Capital Governor’s office was located in the northern part of the southern city, near the city’s midpoint, somewhat distant from the northern district. This was to allow his authority to expand without being overshadowed by veteran generals like Huli Mingyue. If too close and without forming a power base, even imperial support might not prevent him from being sidelined.

The Huli family’s eldest son, Huli Wu Du, had left a poor impression at the recent family banquet. Unless something unexpected happened, he would inherit the family’s honor, but he was hardly a good subject.

Of course, most Qi officials were of similar character. The reason was simple: compared to the royal Gao clan, they were like Wolong and Fengchu—great strategists, indeed.

Arriving at the Prince of Xianyang’s mansion, before any notification was made, Gao Yin saw colorful banners fluttering in the wind. Extending from the mansion was a hundred-meter-long silk carpet laid on the ground, with servants kneeling on both sides and nobles standing upon it, all eagerly awaiting.

At the sight of the prince’s escort, someone hurried inside to inform, and Huli Guang himself came forward to greet them. The prince’s carriage had already arrived. Gao Yin lifted the curtain and caught sight of Huli Guang.

Calm and resolute, valiant and heroic.

Gao Yin could not help but marvel: who said there were no renowned generals in Qi?

“General, may I settle the falcon?”