Chapter 85

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The speaker has a purpose, and the listener has even more intention.

Liang Xiao, a newcomer, was always on guard, pondering even the most trivial matters. Now, caught between the Emperor and the Prince of Huainan, he dared not be careless. As soon as he heard Dongfang Shuo's words, he immediately understood their meaning.

This was not a coincidence but a long-planned move. Dongfang Shuo's appearance was not a whim but a part of a larger plan.

Liang Xiao smiled, handed the bow to Tuniu'er, and took off his finger tab (arrow sleeve). He then led Dongfang Shuo to the hall. Although he was seven feet and four inches tall, standing next to the nine feet and three inches tall Dongfang Shuo, he still felt a great deal of pressure.

Suddenly, he thought of a question: Could Liu Che's lifelong treatment of Dongfang Shuo as a clown be a reaction to feeling oppressed? Seeing such a well-learned, tall, and strong man mingling with dwarfs might give a strange sense of humor.

"How long have you been in Chang'an, Brother Dongfang?"

"More than two years." Dongfang Shuo rubbed his belly and sighed, "I can't even fill my stomach, and I've achieved nothing."

"Brother Dongfang, you are a close minister to the Emperor, an honor that many people can never achieve in their lifetime. What more do you have to regret?"

Dongfang Shuo glanced at Liang Xiao, "There are many people around the Emperor. There are heroes like Li Danghu, eunuchs like Guo Sheren, and many dwarfs for entertainment. Not everyone feels honored."

"Brother Dongfang, with your extraordinary wisdom and both literary and martial skills, how can you be compared to them?" Liang Xiao smiled and looked at Dongfang Shuo, half-jokingly saying, "However, Brother Dongfang, sometimes being too much is not good."

"What?" Dongfang Shuo didn't understand at first.

"Brother Dongfang's intelligence, I won't even mention it. Not just in Chang'an, but in the entire Han Dynasty, few can surpass you. Being too smart can make people feel inferior and keep their distance. Your strength can easily make people fear you. Even if the Emperor asked you to be a bodyguard like Li Danghu, you wouldn't find a suitable mount, right?"

Dongfang Shuo laughed heartily. He not only understood Liang Xiao's comfort but also grasped the deeper meaning of his words. He knew that Liang Xiao had understood his warning and knew who the so-called Marquis of Pingyang might be. They shared a knowing smile.

"Do you have such fear, Brother?"

"Only true strong people have the confidence to be with the strong." Liang Xiao teased. "Besides, Brother Dongfang, you are no threat to me, so why should I fear you?"

"You should still have some fear," Dongfang Shuo reminded him. "Chang'an is where the Emperor resides, filled with nobles. It's not comparable to the Kingdom of Jiangdu. Even the Crown Prince of Jiangdu, let alone the King of Jiangdu himself, must be cautious in the capital, not to mention you and me."

Liang Xiao nodded in agreement. Dongfang Shuo's words were a friendly reminder. One Liu Jian could make him leave his homeland; in Chang'an, there were many more powerful people than Liu Jian. Provoking any of them would not be good. If he really caused trouble, the Emperor might not be as willing to stand up for him as Zheng Dangshi.

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Dongfang. Who is the most untouchable person in Chang'an now?"

"The most untouchable are the relatives of the two Empresses Dowager," Dongfang Shuo habitually rolled up his sleeves, counted on his fingers, and began to list the nobles in Chang'an. "The Dou family of the Grand Empress Dowager, the Chen family of Empress Dowager Dou, the Wang and Tian families of the Empress Dowager. These are the most powerful nobles in Chang'an now. When you see them, stay as far away as possible..."

Listening to Dongfang Shuo's detailed explanation of the nobles in Chang'an, Liang Xiao suddenly had a strange feeling. If the nobles in the Kingdom of Jiangdu were like small hills, then the nobles in Chang'an were like a mountain. Those at the top of this mountain were not the Emperor's relatives but the relatives of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. The Emperor's own confidants could only rank third.

The Dou family was an old noble family. Grand Empress Dowager Dou was like a mountain, not only blocking the Emperor's path but also pressing down on the entire Chang'an.

The Wang and Tian families were new nobles. With the new Emperor's ascension, the former Empress became the Empress Dowager, and the Wang and Tian families rose to the top, ready to challenge the Dou family.

The Chen family, the Empress's family, had both the lingering influence of the Dou family and a bright future, making them equally formidable.

As for the others, they were mere spectators. Although King Liu Fei of Jiangdu was the son of the previous Emperor and the current Emperor's brother, he was nothing in Chang'an. No wonder Liu Jian was intimidated by Zheng Dangshi's two words.

"Brother Dongfang, there are too many nobles in Chang'an, and it's easy to offend them. I want to serve on the frontier. What do you think?"

"Serve on the frontier? Ha—" Dongfang Shuo laughed exaggeratedly. "Brother, are you scared out of your wits? When will you rise to prominence on the frontier? Even if your archery skills are amazing, you can't stand up to a clerk's pen."

Liang Xiao smiled. He knew that the farther he was from the center of power, the harder it was to become wealthy and powerful. But he also knew that with his character and background, it would be difficult for him to rise in Chang'an, and he might even cause trouble. He came to Chang'an not to seek a government position like Dongfang Shuo. Dongfang Shuo had a wealth of knowledge and could at least be an advisor. He only had strong arms, and his only path was military service.

He was not like Wei Qing, who had a sister to rely on. He could only depend on his own efforts. He could have chosen to rely on Wei Qing, but thinking of Wei Qing's later fate, he abandoned that idea.

Relying on others is unreliable; it's better to rely on oneself.

This was also why he mentioned the Xiongnu to "Marquis of Pingyang." The early bird gets the worm. He wanted to get involved before the major counterattack against the Xiongnu began, to accumulate military merit and seize the opportunity.

"Regardless, if you have the chance, please speak on my behalf to the Emperor," Liang Xiao said earnestly.

Dongfang Shuo felt a bit regretful. He thought he had said too much, scaring Liang Xiao into wanting to leave Chang'an and go to the frontier.

After a hearty meal, Dongfang Shuo ate more than half of the breakfast, finally feeling full. He took the three thousand coins Liang Xiao gave him and left, his belly full. His girlfriend, Hu Xijun, stayed behind to chat with Liang Miao.

Liang Xiao then learned that Dongfang Shuo and Hu Xijun had no marriage contract; they were just cohabiting for a year. When the time was up, Dongfang Shuo would find another beautiful girl, and Hu Xijun would take Dongfang Shuo's gifts and find her own way, becoming strangers.

Liang Xiao was surprised. He was not only surprised by Dongfang Shuo's carefree lifestyle but also by the confidence of Han women. When talking about her future, Hu Xijun was very calm and not worried at all. In fact, she had no reason to worry. Remarriage was common for Han women, and even the current Empress Dowager had remarried.

Just as Liang Xiao was marveling at the open-mindedness of the Han people, a guest arrived at the door. A lean middle-aged man walked in, looked Liang Xiao up and down, and forced a smile.

"Are you Liang Xiao from Jiangdu? I heard your mother is a skilled weaver."

Liang Xiao, hearing this, quickly smiled, "Your Excellency flatters me. My mother is indeed skilled in weaving, but her eyesight is not good, and she hasn't woven for a long time."

The man raised an eyebrow and said to himself, "Do you know who wants it?"

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