Chapter 79

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A few days later, Li Danghu visited again.

Liang Xiao was practicing archery in the melon field when he saw Li Danghu riding his horse from a distance. He quickly put away his bow and arrows, walked to the edge of the field, and waited with a bow. Seeing this, Li Danghu dismounted ten steps away, handed the reins to a tall, burly attendant, and strode over.

"Brother Liang, there's no need for such formality."

Liang Xiao bowed deeply. "If it weren't for Brother Li's kindness, I would have been embarrassed that day. I am deeply grateful. I will remember this great favor in my heart."

Li Danghu smiled, took Liang Xiao's arm, and said affectionately, "We hit it off at first sight, like brothers. I like you very much. I'm here today on the orders of the Marquis of Pingyang to introduce you to my father and help you find a way to advance."

"Meet General Li?" Liang Xiao was both surprised and delighted. He had been prepared for Emperor Liu Che to arrange his entry into government service, but he hadn't expected to become a subordinate of Li Guang directly.

"Yes, my father is currently the Commander of the Weiyang Palace Guard. You will serve as a Lang (imperial guard) under him, protecting the Son of Heaven."

Liang Xiao was overjoyed. The Weiyang Palace was where the Son of Heaven resided, and the Commander of the Weiyang Palace Guard was responsible for its security, a position of great importance. Serving outside the Weiyang Palace provided more opportunities to meet the Son of Heaven and the nobles, which meant more chances to rise in rank.

Of course, for him, he had already climbed the biggest leg, and the nobles and ministers were of little concern.

Liang Xiao did not dare to be negligent and immediately returned to the melon shed to report to his mother, Liang Jiao. Liang Jiao listened, nodded slightly, got up, and tidied herself. She then came out of the melon shed and bowed to Li Danghu.

Li Danghu hurriedly returned the bow, held out his hands, and with a sharp glance at Liang Jiao's face, smiled. "No wonder Brother Liang is so composed at such a young age; it's because of a mother like you. From your demeanor, you must come from an official family?"

Liang Jiao shook her head. "Sir Li, you flatter me. I come from a poor background, but I have met some nobles and learned a bit of etiquette. Liang Xiao is unruly and lacks proper manners. If he makes mistakes as a Lang, I hope Sir Li will guide him."

"Madam, rest assured. I consider Brother Liang a brother, and I will not harm him."

Liang Jiao thanked him again and then retreated to the melon shed. At this time, Li Rongqing helped Liang Xiao put on his clothes, and Tuniu, having prepared Liang Xiao's bow and arrows, walked out proudly, looking even more pleased than Liang Xiao himself.

Li Danghu instructed his attendant to let Liang Xiao ride his horse. Seeing the saddle without stirrups, Liang Xiao felt a bit nervous. Li Danghu saw this and smiled. "Don't worry, this horse is well-trained and gentle. As a Lang, archery and horsemanship are essential skills. You are already outstanding in archery, but you need to practice riding more. It's not difficult; with your understanding, a few more rides will do."

Liang Xiao understood that to serve in the military, he needed to master horsemanship. He hadn't practiced before because his family couldn't afford a horse, let alone a warhorse. Li Danghu bringing a gentle horse was thoughtful.

With Li Danghu's help, Liang Xiao awkwardly mounted the horse, tightly gripping the reins and not daring to relax for a moment. Li Danghu walked beside him, giving him pointers on riding, while Tuniu and Li Danghu's attendant followed on foot.

Following Li Danghu's guidance, Liang Xiao rode the horse for a few hundred steps, gradually relaxing and loosening the reins a bit, though his legs were still tense.

Li Danghu was patient, walking slowly with him. They set out in the morning and didn't reach the Lang official office outside the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an until noon. Liang Xiao dismounted, feeling his legs like wooden posts. Some passing Lang officials saw him and laughed, making Liang Xiao feel very embarrassed.

Li Danghu led Liang Xiao inside and straight to the courtyard.

The courtyard was bustling with activity. A dozen or so men dressed as Lang officials, with arrow sleeves on their arms and bows in their hands, were gathered around a middle-aged man in his forties. The man was eight feet tall, with a square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, a broad mouth, and a short, black, shiny beard. He was muscular, and his long arms were particularly noticeable.

As Liang Xiao entered, the man was holding a hard bow and shooting arrows at a target several dozen steps away, hitting it every time. The last arrow even pierced through the target. He laughed heartily, threw the bow to an attendant, and pointed to a middle-aged Lang official with a sullen face, saying, "Drink!"

Someone brought over a cup of wine and almost forced the middle-aged Lang official to drink it, making him roll his eyes. This sparked a chorus of gleeful cheers. The middle-aged man stroked his beard and laughed, looking very pleased, almost like a mischievous teenager.

Liang Xiao couldn't help but frown. Judging by the long arms, this man must be Li Guang. As the Commander of the Weiyang Palace Guard, he had a great responsibility to protect the Son of Heaven. How could he drink and play with his subordinates during working hours?

Li Danghu quietly pressed Liang Xiao's arm and led him to Li Guang. "Father, this is the Liang Xiao I mentioned."

Li Guang stopped laughing, turned sideways, and looked Liang Xiao up and down, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Your master is Huan Yuan?"

Liang Xiao bowed. "General, that is correct."

"Is he well?"

"No." Liang Xiao shook his head. "My master was betrayed by a villain, imprisoned for sixteen years, lost an eye, and had a leg broken. He is now a cripple."

"What a pity." Li Guang sighed. "How much of his archery skills have you learned?"

"I have only learned a fraction of it."

"A fraction?" Li Guang's eyebrows furrowed. He glanced at Li Danghu, his eyes showing displeasure. He pointed to the target a hundred steps away. "Shoot two arrows. If you can hit it, you can stay; if not, leave. The Weiyang Palace guards have a great responsibility to protect the Son of Heaven and do not keep idle people."

Liang Xiao felt uncomfortable. Li Danghu was so friendly, but why was Li Guang so rude? To make such a demand at first meeting and in such a harsh tone. He looked at the target a hundred steps away, smiled, and bowed.

"Goodbye!"

With that, he turned and walked away.

Li Guang was stunned, then flew into a rage, shouting, "Impudent! Who do you think you are, coming and going as you please here?"

Li Danghu was also alarmed, took a few steps forward, and stopped Liang Xiao, giving him several meaningful looks. Liang Xiao stopped, gently pushed Li Danghu's hand away, turned around, and looked at Li Guang with a cold smile.

"I am indeed a wild boy, lacking in manners. I admired General Li's great name and wanted to serve under him, but I am disappointed. It's better to part ways now to avoid mutual disgust."

Before Liang Xiao finished speaking, the surrounding Lang officials were furious, shouting, "How dare you be so disrespectful to General Li!"

"Where did this ruffian come from? Beat him up!"

"Clearly a commoner, thinking this place is like his home."

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