Chapter 5: The Eternal Land of the Dragon's Flight, Homeland of an Emperor!

Liang Xiao smiled with satisfaction. “Buying an official post!”

“Buying an official post? From whom?” Zhuo Zifang asked.

“From the eunuch, Wang Teng.”

“Dealing with eunuchs, especially corrupt ones—that’s not like you at all,” Zhuo Zifang chuckled.

Liang Xiao explained, “To accomplish great things, one must navigate power and change! The noble families have long regarded the Liang lineage as a thorn in their side. Now that Situ Luoyue has allied with Sima Lingyun, my relationship with the Sima family is bound to be hostile. Rather than confront them head-on, it’s better to use their strength against them. Zifang, with your wisdom, you should understand my predicament. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Zhuo Zifang nodded solemnly.

“After buying the post, you’ll consolidate your domain, win hearts and minds, secretly recruit soldiers—waiting for your rise to power, gradually growing your influence to contend for the Central Plains?”

Liang Xiao said, “First, one must act pragmatically. As long as the ultimate goal is achieved, the means can be flexible.”

Zhuo Zifang clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

“Well said! As for overthrowing the dynasty, I have another suggestion. The current royal family bears the surname Liang; your ancestors and the founding emperor of the Wu dynasty were kin. You can be considered royal kin yourself. In the future, it may not be impossible for you to inherit the Wu throne, succeed the Wu Emperor, and pacify the people!”

“Before that, if the timing is right, you could honor the king to repel foreign invaders, or even… wield the emperor’s authority to command the lords!”

Liang Xiao praised, “That is indeed a clever strategy. For now, I need you to select a suitable county; then I will go to Wang Teng to buy the post. The location must neither be too prosperous and conspicuous, nor more than a thousand li from the capital.”

Zhuo Zifang said, “Pei County. Though seemingly barren, it is the birthplace of the Wu dynasty’s founding emperor and not too far from the capital.”

The legendary land of the dragon’s rise, the hometown of an emperor!

Liang Xiao looked at his dear friend, fully satisfied.

Great minds think alike.

The sale of official ranks has become a rising trend in the Wu dynasty in recent years.

With severe locust plagues and widespread rebellions, the current Wu Emperor has turned to this method to resolve the financial crisis.

Currently, only official ranks of the fourth grade and below are on offer.

The gilded mansion of Wang Teng, the eunuch, stands in the heart of the wealthy district in the capital.

Inside the main hall, Wang Teng examined Liang Xiao’s written petition, then glanced at Liang himself.

It was he who had accompanied Liang Xiao during the imperial audience last night.

“Liang Xiao, Pei County may be barren, but it has a large population and is the ancestral home of the founding emperor. The price won’t be cheap,” Wang Teng said leisurely, savoring his tea and staring at Liang.

“Two thousand taels of silver. Are you willing?”

Liang Xiao fell into thought. “Eunuch, I can’t come up with that much silver at the moment.”

“How can I trust that you serve the country and the people if you can’t even afford two thousand taels?”

Wang Teng’s gaze was sharp and displeased.

“Liang Xiao, you must understand, if I arrange this post for you, Sima Lingyun’s faction will certainly give me a hard time. Just today, the emperor appointed Sima Lingyun as General Who Pacifies the North, the very position your father once held.”

“As for your almost-father-in-law, Situ Tianliang, he was granted the title of General Who Suppresses Bandits, and his son, Situ Yinghao, was promoted to Vice General. Why should I offend three generals for your sake?”

General Who Pacifies the North?

That was indeed the military rank left vacant after his father’s martyrdom.

Liang Xiao’s heart sank. He no longer harbored any expectations of loyalty to the emperor or patriotism—his only concern was to solve the immediate problem.

“Eunuch, please calm your anger. What I mean is, I can offer the two manors I own in the city center as collateral at a low price.”

Saying this, Liang Xiao took out two land deeds and handed them to a young eunuch servant nearby.

After inspection, the servant reported to Wang Teng, exchanging knowing glances.

“Eunuch Wang, these two manors are worth at least four thousand taels at market value!”

Wang Teng understood perfectly.

This young man always excelled at estimating and bargaining. Saying four thousand taels, their real value was likely over five thousand. Finding buyers wouldn’t be difficult!

“You’re giving both manors to me?” Wang Teng grinned.

Liang Xiao said, “I only hope you can arrange for me to be magistrate of Pei County, and as much as possible, allow me autonomy over all affairs there.”

Two manors worth at least five thousand taels, given away so readily—it would be deceitful to say he wasn’t reluctant.

However, these manors were formerly used by Situ Luoyue and Situ Yinghao, so reclaiming them would require some effort. Entrusting Wang Teng to handle it was a clean and decisive solution.

Exchanging two manors for absolute control over Pei County was Zhuo Zifang’s suggestion, aligning perfectly with Liang Xiao’s own plan.

Wang Teng clapped his hands and laughed, winking at Liang Xiao.

“As expected of a merchant, you know how to conduct yourself. Rest assured, tomorrow you will be officially appointed magistrate of Pei County and have full authority over personnel matters. Autonomy is granted. Just don’t forget to send regular tributes here to the court.”

Liang Xiao bowed deeply. “Eunuch Wang, your patronage will never be forgotten!”

Wang Teng was pleased with Liang Xiao’s reply. He ordered someone to fetch the official seal of Pei County magistrate and handed it over, registering the appointment.

The entire process took less than half an hour—a remarkably swift efficiency.

Holding the official seal and a stack of appointment documents, Liang Xiao’s mind raced.

Buying an official post was only a temporary measure, possibly a sunk cost. His family fortune was already stretched thin; he could not afford a second gamble.

Pei County was far from peaceful, surrounded by bandits and fraught with danger.

But what truly shocked him was the sheer efficiency of this corrupt regime.

Such a decayed dynasty’s fall was only a matter of time.

As Zhuo Zifang had said:

This empire is destined for chaos.

Because Liang Xiao paid generously, the process went unusually smoothly, winning the favor of eunuch Wang Teng.

Back at home, after discussing matters with Zhuo Zifang, Liang Xiao summoned the household and gave repeated instructions.

“Zifang and I will soon depart for Pei County to assume office. You must take good care of the Liang residence and wait for my triumphant return.”

Everyone agreed, but Ning Yan wept bitterly.

“I want to go with you to Pei County!” the young girl cried, tears streaming like rain.

Her tear-streaked face softened Liang Xiao’s heart. He glanced at Zhuo Zifang.

Zhuo Zifang cleared his throat tactically. “Ning Yan, Pei County is full of dangers. A beautiful young lady would not be safe there.”

“The old madam has always told me to watch over you, young master. If I go to Pei County, I promise to obey and not wander off!”

Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang exchanged wry smiles and finally made their decision.

“Ning Yan will go to Pei County too. If she stays in the capital, I fear she’ll be bullied again by Situ Luoyue.”

“Thank you, young master~~”

Seeing Ning Yan’s tears turn to smiles instantly, the two men could only feel helpless.

A girl’s mood can change so simply and so suddenly.

After Ning Yan left, as Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang were talking, a guard rushed in, breathless and panicked, his face bearing two bloody handprints.

“Master! The northern manor has suddenly been seized by men from the Situ family, and they beat our men for no reason!”

“Men from the Situ family?” Zhuo Zifang narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss.

“They are the servants assigned by the Sima family to the Situ family, brought by Situ Yinghao!”

Looking at the loyal guard, Liang Xiao clenched his fists.

“This is outrageous bullying!”