Chapter 78

Liáng Xiào spoke with a firm and resolute tone, a stark contrast to his previous humility.

Liú Chè's interest was piqued, even more so than when he saw the legendary archery technique. He dismounted his horse, walked up to Liáng Xiào, and deliberately put on a stern face. "Liáng Xiào, although the court does not prohibit the people from discussing politics, if you slander the court and make grandiose statements for fame, you will get into trouble. It's better to be cautious in your words and actions. Haven't you heard that illness enters through the mouth, and disaster comes from the tongue?"

Liáng Xiào smiled. "I only speak what I see and hear. How could I make grandiose statements?"

"Oh, let's hear it then." Liú Chè pointed with his riding crop, and Wèi Qīng and Zhāng Cìgōng immediately dismounted to lay out a mat on the ground. Liú Chè sat down and gestured for Liáng Xiào to sit opposite him. "What did you see and hear? Tell me."

Liáng Xiào was not modest. He had Túniú pick a few melons, wash them, and cut them open, offering them to Liú Chè and his companions. While they were eating the melons, he organized his thoughts and prepared his speech. If the archery technique had shown Liú Chè his bravery, his next words would show his insight, leaving a good impression and distinguishing him from ordinary warriors.

However, he couldn't go too far. Speaking too much would not only be inconsistent with his identity but also make Liú Chè suspicious, thinking he lacked depth and liked to show off, talking grandly to everyone. While it might win him favor temporarily, it could have negative effects in the long run.

It was far more stable to gradually build understanding rather than reveal everything at once.

After careful consideration, Liáng Xiào did not say too much. He only mentioned two things: first, the rampant bandits in Dānyáng, Jiangnan, and second, the powerful landowners in the Kingdom of Jiāngdū who were seizing land and dominating the countryside. These were things he had personally experienced, making them more credible and consistent with his identity, thus not arousing Liú Chè's suspicion.

He took this opportunity to accuse the Hú family without hesitation. Pointing to Túniú, he said to Liú Chè, "Niú'ér is my childhood friend. His father worked hard all his life and even received an award from the government for his farming. But now, he has no land to till. The Hú family bought all their land at a low price..."

Liú Chè listened quietly, not offering any opinion, but his jaw was clenched tightly.

"Who doesn't know the dangers of war? But to learn martial arts and use them only for hunting, isn't that a waste? Besides, even if I wanted to live a peaceful life as a farmer, I don't have the chance. The Han Empire has been established for seventy years, and the world is at peace, but now the rich own vast tracts of land, while the poor have no place to stand. Apart from joining the army, what other options do I have? I can't take up a lowly profession, can I?"

Liú Chè and Liáng Xiào talked for a long time. Liáng Xiào told him about some matters in the Kingdom of Jiāngdū, asked about local customs, and inquired about the people's opinions of King Liú Fēi of Jiāngdū and Chancellor Zhèng Dāngshí. Liáng Xiào praised Zhèng Dāngshí without reservation and openly stated that he had received help from him to rescue Lǐ Róngqīng and escape from the Kingdom of Jiāngdū.

Liáng Xiào was very restrained and did not talk about too many irrelevant things to avoid arousing Liú Chè's suspicion.

Liú Chè sat for a long time and then invited Liáng Xiào to join his household again. Liáng Xiào declined. Liú Chè did not press the issue and left with Lǐ Dānghù and others, disappearing into the night. When they parted, Hán Yān enthusiastically challenged Liáng Xiào to a riding and archery competition.

After seeing Liú Chè and his group off, Liáng Xiào tidied up and returned to the melon shed. Lǐ Róngqīng had prepared the fragrant grass and laid out the straw mat, waiting for Liáng Xiào. The fragrant grass was irritating, and it stung the eyes, causing Lǐ Róngqīng to tear up and constantly wipe her eyes with her sleeve. There were too many mosquitoes in the melon shed, and in this era, there were no mosquito nets, so they had to rely on smoke to keep them away.

Túniú sat nearby, holding half a melon and eating it with juice dripping down.

"Who was that person just now, and why did they talk for so long?"

"Marquis Píngyáng." Liáng Xiào explained briefly, wiping away the tears from Lǐ Róngqīng's eyes and smiling. "Just a few more days, and we'll be moving soon."

"Why?" Lǐ Róngqīng's eyes lit up. "Are you going to Marquis Píngyáng's residence?"

"I wouldn't go to a small place like Marquis Píngyáng's residence." Liáng Xiào said, trying to hide his true intentions. "Marquis Píngyáng married a princess and is very close to the emperor. If he mentions me to the emperor, wouldn't I have a smooth path to success?"

"Is that so?" Lǐ Róngqīng was half-convinced.

"Why would I lie to you?" Liáng Xiào nudged Lǐ Róngqīng. "It's getting late. You should go back to sleep. Tomorrow, help your mother pack and get ready to move."

Lǐ Róngqīng nodded and turned to leave.

Liáng Xiào sat cross-legged on the straw mat, carefully recalling the conversation, ensuring he had not revealed any flaws. When he thought about Lǐ Dānghù's insistence on a fifty-step distance for the archery competition, he smiled, feeling a long-lost warmth. Although he didn't know the reason, he was deeply grateful for Lǐ Dānghù's support and encouragement.

Túniú was already snoring loudly, sleeping as deeply as a dead pig.

...

Liú Chè sat on his horse, his body swaying with the horse's steps. Lǐ Dānghù and Hán Yān flanked him, with Hán Yān animatedly talking about Liáng Xiào's archery technique. Lǐ Dānghù, however, remained silent, vigilantly observing the surroundings.

Wèi Qīng and the others were equally cautious, their eyes wide open and ears perked, closely monitoring every movement around them.

"Lord Dānghù, how did you know this person had the archery technique?" Liú Chè suddenly asked.

Lǐ Dānghù replied calmly, "Zhèng Dāngshí wrote a letter to my father, mentioning Liáng Xiào's master, Huán Yuǎn. Huán Yuǎn was once a general in the State of Wú and suggested to King Wú to seize Luòyáng and Àocāng, but it was not adopted."

"Is that so?" Liú Chè was greatly surprised and said after a moment, "This man is another Lǐ Zuǒchē. It's fortunate that Liú Bì did not adopt it; otherwise, even Huái'yīn Hóu would have found it difficult. Thus, the defeat of Wú and Chǔ was also due to the will of heaven."

"Exactly as Your Majesty said." Lǐ Dānghù continued, "Huán Yuǎn was young and was sidelined by the old generals, unable to command troops. He followed King Wú to fight in Chāngyì and used his archery technique to kill several Han generals. Guàn Fū's father, Guàn Mèng, was killed by his arrow. Lord Tiáohóu had no choice but to order my father to face Huán Yuǎn in battle."

Liú Chè's spirits lifted. "How did it go?"

"My father narrowly won." Lǐ Dānghù smiled bitterly. "Years later, my father still remembered this man, calling him a rare enemy in his life. His archery technique was simply divine, beyond description."

"What about Liáng Xiào's archery technique?"

"He is just a beginner." Lǐ Dānghù paused and added, "However, Liáng Xiào has only been practicing archery for a little over a year, and his progress is astonishing. Given time, his skill may surpass Huán Yuǎn's."

Liú Chè raised an eyebrow and smiled silently. "Archery is one thing, but he has at least one quality that Huán Yuǎn cannot match."

Lǐ Dānghù was puzzled.

"He won't be like Huán Yuǎn, who was skilled in archery but poor in discerning people. Otherwise, he wouldn't have refused the invitation from the Prince of Huáinán. This person, though young, knows right from wrong and has a clear mind, just like his archery, focused and goal-oriented." Liú Chè pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Dānghù, in a few days, introduce him to General Lǐ and ask General Lǐ to train him."

"Understood!" Lǐ Dānghù bowed in acknowledgment.