Chapter 87: Parting with a Cup of Wine for the Eastern Journey (Part 3)

The farewell banquet, which should have been a pleasant occasion, was ruined by an unpleasant person, and Liu Xishi could only bitterly smile and say that they would meet again when the opportunity arose. However, this was unlikely. After Han Gang returned from the capital, he would officially become an official of Qin Prefecture. As a traveling commissioner, he would no longer be able to invite Han Gang to small gatherings due to his status. Of course, Han Gang and Wang Hou did not care about Liu Xishi's invitation. As long as the traveling commissioner of Qin and Feng secretly kept a record of Dou Shunqing, that would be enough.

After bidding farewell to Liu Xishi, Han Gang, Wang Hou, Wang Shunmin, and others walked together from Huifeng Tower to Puxiu Temple. It was still the New Year, and the Spring Ox Sacrifice had just ended. The streets and alleys of the city were bustling with activity. The sound of firecrackers could be heard continuously, and children in new clothes were laughing and playing on the roadside. People visiting relatives and friends were coming and going in a steady stream.

Wang Hou looked around and chuckled, "They are already making lanterns. In a few days, it will be the Lantern Festival. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see it this year, Yuku."

Han Gang skillfully avoided a child who almost collided with him and laughed, "Calculating the journey, I will arrive at Jingzhao Prefecture on the day of the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival in Chang'an will be even more spectacular than in Qin Prefecture. I won't envy you at all."

"If you could arrive in the capital on the night of the Lantern Festival, that would be even better!" Wang Hou said loudly. "The Lantern Festival lasts three days throughout the country, but only five days in the capital. From the 14th to the 18th of the first month, the city is lit up every night, and the stars are hidden. The imperial street is filled with light and color, and the Milky Way seems to fall into the city. Such a scene can only be seen in the capital, which has a population of a million!"

Wang Hou was lost in his memories, and Han Gang listened with longing. The capital, the world's largest city with a population of a million, although it couldn't compare to the overpopulated cities of later times, had its own charm in Han Gang's heart.

"Isn't that Liu Zhongwu?" Turning a corner, Zhao Long suddenly called out.

Wang Hou and Han Gang looked in the direction Zhao Long pointed. They saw a young officer in his mid-twenties, surrounded by seven or eight soldiers, walking into a tavern on the side of the street.

"That's Liu Zhongwu..."

Liu Zhongwu, favored by Xiang Bao, had gained some fame in Qin Prefecture. A new recruit under the attention and promotion of the chief commissioner would naturally attract attention from all sides.

Wang Hou watched Liu Zhongwu enter the tavern and then turned to Han Gang, "Liu Zhongwu is also going to the capital, and he will set off tomorrow, just like you."

"Xiang Bao recommended him for an official position?"

"No!" Wang Hou shook his head. "Liu Zhongwu is not directly appointed as an official; his military achievements are not enough. If he had more military achievements, he could have been promoted like Wang Junwan in Gangu City, who was promoted three times and became a junior official of the ninth rank. But Liu Zhongwu is not qualified. He is going to the capital to participate in the imperial archery examination."

The imperial archery examination, as the name suggests, is an examination of archery skills in front of the emperor. Those who perform well can be appointed as officials. Without Wang Hou's explanation, Han Gang was already familiar with this shortcut for military officials to enter the ranks of officials. After all, Wang Shunmin and Zhao Long had often talked about it in his ear.

Han Gang couldn't help but sigh, "Although he is not directly recommended for an official position, the opportunity Xiang Bao has secured for Liu Zhongwu is already quite rare. The opportunity that Wang brothers couldn't get, Liu Zhongwu has obtained without any effort."

"Such favor, if Liu Zhongwu is not a cold-hearted person, he will certainly be grateful to Xiang Bao... Moreover, Xiang Bao even sent a beauty to Liu Zhongwu to sew clothes and cook for him at home!" Wang Hou raised his chin towards Wang Shunmin and the others, "Who wouldn't envy his luck?"

Wang Shao, who had promoted four personal guards, had plans to send them out to lead troops. Among them, Wang Shunmin had the highest rank, and he could be promoted to a regular official with one more step, but his age was a bit of a disadvantage, and he would have to wait two years before he could actually take up a post. Yang Ying, a native of Wang Shao's hometown, held the rank of palace attendant and served as a commander of archers, but he did not actually lead troops and was usually stationed near Wang Shao.

As for Zhao Long and Li Xin, both were among the best in Qin and Feng in terms of martial arts. They could easily suppress the arrogant and fierce soldiers under them. Zhao Long's appearance and physique were very intimidating, and Wang Shao often liked to have him by his side, but he could also lead troops without any problem. Li Xin was a man of few words, and important matters could be entrusted to him with peace of mind. He was the type of officer who could be trusted with the rear and supply lines.

However, plans are plans, and the four were still under Wang Shao's command. It would be some time before they could lead troops. Liu Zhongwu, on the other hand, was about to achieve his goal. As long as he performed well in the imperial archery examination, he could easily become a regular official.

"Truly a lucky dog!" Wang Shunmin was both envious and jealous of Liu Zhongwu's luck. If it weren't for Liu Zhongwu, Wang Shunmin would have had a good chance to get the slot to go to the capital, as long as Li Zhong and Xiang Bao didn't oppose it.

"Wang brothers' military achievements are actually enough, but they can't compete with Liu Zhongwu, who is supported by Xiang Bao. With dozens of heads on his record, he still can't get a chance to perform in front of the emperor. What a great loss!" Han Gang shook his head and sighed, deeply regretting for Wang Shunmin.

Speaking of military achievements, Wang Shunmin was at a disadvantage, and Han Gang even more so. In Pei Valley, they had beheaded over thirty enemies, and in Xiaolongwan Village, they had beheaded over twenty enemies, including Shan Feng. Both had been personally involved. A county magistrate who captured five bandits could be promoted one rank, and a soldier with thirty to fifty heads could enter the ranks of officials, rising from a lowly position to a high one. With the right connections, a soldier with fifty to sixty heads could even claim a great victory over thousands of enemies.

However, Han Gang had already been recommended for his previous achievements and his contributions in Gangu City, so his later military achievements were not recorded. After the New Year, Han Gang was only nineteen, and it was already rare for him to enter the ranks of officials. Being promoted too quickly would be detrimental to his future, as Li Zhong had said. Similarly, although Wang Shunmin looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties, he was actually only eighteen, and his age made him ineligible for a regular official position.

Therefore, the last bit of credit from the battle in Xiaolongwan Village was given to Zhao Long and Li Xin. Although Wang Hou was present, he did not try to claim credit from Zhao Long and Li Xin.

"There's no need to envy Liu Zhongwu. With the bravery of the four of you, how long can it take? Perhaps in a year or two, you will all be officials." Wang Hou tried to comfort the somewhat dejected Wang Shunmin and the others.

Han Gang also said, "Shudao is right. With the talents of the four of you, as long as you have the opportunity, why worry about not rising to a high position?" He smiled, "And with Wang Jizhe by your side, how can opportunities be lacking?"

"That's true!" Wang Shunmin's spirits lifted. He walked past a roadside stall, threw a handful of coins, and brought back a dozen oranges, giving two to each of them.

Wang Hou and Han Gang, to maintain their image, put the oranges in their sleeves, while Zhao Long and Li Xin peeled them and ate them directly. The group walked and ate at the same time.

Wang Shunmin, with juice dripping down his chin, said indistinctly, "Third Brother, you are really capable. I don't know when you went to check the prices of medicinal herbs."

Han Gang, of course, hadn't actually gone to check the prices, but he had made the story sound convincing, and no one suspected him. Without knowing the market price of gypsum, who could tell what materials were used in the tofu at Tianning Temple?

Wang Hou also shook his head and pointed to a pharmacy on the street, "There are twenty to thirty such shops in Qin Prefecture. If I had to visit each one, I would be exhausted."

Han Gang smiled, trying to avoid the topic. Following Wang Hou's finger, he saw a shop assistant pushing a woman holding a child out of the pharmacy. The assistant, with his hands on his hips, shouted from the steps, "No money and you want medicine? We're not a charity! Without money, should we drink the northwest wind?"

The woman, although her hair was disheveled and her face hidden, looked pitiful and made people feel indignant. Seeing the mother and child being bullied, the meddlesome Wang Shunmin stepped forward, grabbed the shop assistant, and made a move to hit him.

"Don't hit too hard!" Han Gang said calmly, stepping forward to help the woman up, "Are you alright, young lady?"

As Han Gang grabbed her arm, Yan Suxin's body trembled, and she felt both ashamed and angry. How could someone be so rude? Being chased out of the pharmacy for trying to get medicine on credit was already unfortunate, and now she had to deal with a ruffian who was trying to molest her.

Social norms were strict, and although the separation between men and women was not as severe as in the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was still inappropriate to touch a virtuous woman casually. Wang Hou coughed to remind him, and after helping Yan Suxin up, Han Gang let go of her arm and stepped back, acting naturally.

Yan Suxin cautiously raised her head and saw Han Gang's clear and deep eyes, with no trace of evil. He was not a frivolous young man taking advantage of the situation. Moreover, his face, though they had never met face-to-face, was deeply etched in her heart.

"Thank you, sir!" Yan Suxin, holding Zhaor, bowed to Han Gang in gratitude, her voice trembling slightly.