Chapter 16: The White Horse and Silver Spear

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The county town where Liang Xiao docked on the northern shore was Wangjiang County. After disembarking, Liang Xiao and his companions packed their belongings and hurried toward the county center, hoping to find a place to settle before nightfall.

As they entered Wangjiang County, both Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang fell silent as they took in the scene before them. At the dock, they had still seen signs of prosperity. Yet, as they left the pier behind, most of the people they passed bore sallow faces, with some even dressed in rags.

It was hard to imagine that just across the river, the two places could be so vastly different.

Crossing the river was not an insurmountable challenge; a silver coin or two was enough to board a boat. But the vast majority of the people couldn’t even scrape together the fare. And even if they managed to cross, they faced new problems: how to make a living, how to gain official permission, and how to settle down in Jiangnan.

The imperial court itself worried that migration from north of the river would disrupt the capital’s prosperity. The strict household registration system limited the living space for northern residents. Without sufficient bribes to officials, relocating south was nothing more than a fool’s dream.

Yet Liang Xiao had no doubt that the people of Wangjiang County were likely among the best off in the north bank’s population.

The ten guards assigned to Liang Xiao by the court were also official agents who had accepted his bribes and handled matters for him without hesitation. Along the way, the local officials of Wangjiang County greeted Liang Xiao with obsequious bows.

Zhuo Zifang followed silently behind Liang Xiao, clearly seeing that some local officials were two-faced—publicly flattering Liang Xiao, but privately looking at him with either pity or scorn.

The magistrate of Pei County had all died unnatural deaths, leaving the post vacant for a long time. No one wanted the position except Liang Xiao.

Fortunately, Liang Xiao did not mind the duplicity of these officials, which reassured Zhuo Zifang considerably. He had become much more composed than before. The betrayal by the Situ family had instead given him a transformative resolve to rebuild after the break.

Dong Sheng, the magistrate of Wangjiang County, immediately came out of the county office to welcome Liang Xiao upon hearing the report from his subordinates.

“Honorable Lord Liang, your arrival is an honor. Please forgive our humble welcome!”

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Dong Sheng invited Liang Xiao inside and arranged a banquet to welcome and celebrate his arrival.

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Dong Sheng, the magistrate of Wangjiang County, had also purchased his position from Wang Teng. The price was undisclosed, but such a lucrative post would not come cheaply—at least seven or eight thousand taels of silver.

Because the magistrates of Pei County had repeatedly met violent ends, Dong Sheng dared not openly exploit the people here. Instead, he mostly took bribes from merchants and local wealthy families. As a result, he maintained a decent reputation in Wangjiang County and had even been recognized by the court as an upright official with promotion prospects.

In Dong Sheng’s eyes, Liang Xiao was like himself—a man tied to the eunuch Wang Teng’s faction. Both were county magistrates from Xuzhou, so Dong Sheng treated Liang Xiao with utmost courtesy, even though the new magistrate of Pei County was still a barely mature youth.

Throughout the feast, Dong Sheng repeatedly toasted Liang Xiao.

“Lord Liang, let us look out for each other from now on!”

Liang Xiao smiled and nodded, then asked, “Magistrate Dong, are you aware of the current situation in Pei County?”

Dong Sheng stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment.

“With no magistrate, the county assistant Yuan Bailong—who is a former retainer of the Sima family—holds all the power. I’ve already heard of your dealings with the Sima and Situ families. Once you reach Pei County, be very cautious.”

“I advise you to build a good relationship with Yuan Bailong. He might act as a mediator between you and the Sima family, giving you a chance to reconcile.”

“Thank you for your counsel, Magistrate Dong.” Liang Xiao then inquired, “How is your relationship with Yuan Bailong?”

Dong Sheng smiled awkwardly.

“Almost nonexistent! Don’t be fooled by my title of county magistrate. I’m actually from a wealthy merchant family and was elevated only through the eunuch’s favor, so the aristocratic families don’t take me seriously. Yuan Bailong, being of noble lineage, naturally ignores me.”

“But you’re different, Lord Liang. After you assume office, you’ll see him often. With Yuan Bailong, be patient when needed, show respect when necessary. After all, we purchased our offices to make money and recoup our investments—not to lose face!”

Liang Xiao merely smiled and nodded, then chatted casually with Dong Sheng and others to learn the trivial details of Pei County.

In the county center of Wangjiang, inside an inn, Zhongli Xiu and his daughter were listening to the guards’ report.

“Master, Lord Liang truly went to Magistrate Dong’s residence as a guest!” the guard declared decisively.

After the guards left, Zhongli Xiu looked disappointed.

“Xue’er, you saw it too. Rumors in the capital say he sides with the eunuch faction. Seems there’s truth to it.”

Zhongli Wanxue was unconcerned.

“He’s already offended the Sima family. To refuse Dong Sheng’s warm invitation now would be reckless.”

“Sigh, eunuchs are eunuchs. We should be careful dealing with him, lest we bring trouble upon ourselves.” Zhongli Xiu’s expression grew serious, then puzzled. “Wait, what did you say? Reckless? Where’s his courage?”

Zhongli Wanxue hurriedly replied, “Going to Pei County is brave enough…”

Only then did Zhongli Xiu rise and sweep out with a flick of his sleeve.

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“You should understand now: as fellow scholars, even if those aristocratic scholars don’t meet your standards, they have family backing. At least that makes them more reliable than this one.”

“If you don’t believe me, let’s bet. Once he reaches Pei County and faces Yuan Bailong’s dominance, he’ll be bowing his head low, groveling and submissive.”

“To avoid complications and misunderstandings, we’ll set off first thing tomorrow morning, taking the fastest carriage. No matter what, we must sever ties with him this trip to avoid Yuan Bailong’s suspicion!”

Zhongli Wanxue remained silent but worried.

Would he manage?

Pei County was in chaos. Without connections, how could one stand firm?

Yuan Bailong was only a county assistant, but even Dong Sheng, the Wangjiang magistrate, dared not provoke him.

Late into the night, Zhongli Wanxue tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She stepped outside to the balcony, leaned against a pillar, and leapt up.

In three strides, she was atop the one-zhang-high roof. Bold and resolute, she sat down, took out her wine gourd, and drank alone.

This inn was closest to the county office, where several courtyards were brightly lit.

Dong Sheng and his guests were enjoying entertainments with concubines in the western courtyard.

Zhongli Wanxue’s heart sank. She focused her gaze and saw no sign of Liang Xiao and his party, secretly relieved.

Then, the distant neighing of warhorses reached her ears. She turned toward the sound, her eyes brightening.

It was Liang Xiao in the eastern courtyard, leading a fine steed. Behind him followed his maid and a scholarly friend who had accompanied him.

Zhongli Wanxue’s gaze fixed on the magnificent horse. Her wine gourd trembled in her delicate hand, nearly slipping.

Moonlight and lanterns illuminated the scene clearly—it was a white horse.

Under her entranced watch, Liang Xiao lifted his Night Terror spear and hung the Lifespan sword at his waist before mounting the horse with ease.

Moments later, the steed galloped back and forth across the spacious courtyard. Man and horse were strikingly heroic.

“The horse is in its prime, Zifang. From now on, I’ll ride the battlefield, and you will hold the rear steady.”