Chapter 2: Official Relatives

  Two months later, as predicted by his comrade Zhu Wu, the imperial court issued a public document appointing Lu Qi as a regular military officer under the Anhua Jiedu Garrison, with the title of Zuoguo School Lieutenant and Yunqi Wei, a seventh-grade military official. He was originally a ninth-grade military official, but now he had become a seventh-grade official, indeed thanks to the influence of Yuwen Tao and also due to the intentional promotion by General Hu.

  Yuwen Tao, who had never been seen before, was promoted to the sixth-grade official of Xinfeng Prefecture according to the document. He held real power in his position. Three comrades-in-arms who executed the daredevil mission and returned alive, Wang Ping and Zhu Wu, were appointed as officials with the title of Zhēnghuì Junwèi (折冲校尉), a military officer rank lower than Yuwen Tao's. The two men were two grades lower than Lu Qi in terms of official rank. Wang Yong, the team leader, was promoted to Guǒyǎo Dūwèi (果毅都尉), a seventh-grade military officer rank, one grade lower than Lu Qi. However, the three men had real military officer appointments, while Lu Qi was just a nominal military officer with no actual power.

  After receiving the official appointment, the four of them were overjoyed, none of them had expected to be promoted to such a high position. Lu Qi also received his reward of 50 taels of gold and an invitation to Mr. Hu's celebratory banquet.

  Mr. Hu's temporary government office is located in Mashan Town, a military stronghold. This time, the Tang army repelled the Vietnamese army and recovered Xinzhou. As one of the commanders-in-chief, Mr. Hu had some achievements and was promoted to Zhēn Chōng Dū Wèi, from the fourth-grade lower-ranking Wu San Guan Mingwei General, still under the jurisdiction of the Xinghua Jiedushi. However, he is now a general who holds the power of 10,000 soldiers, transformed from a temporary soldier-making soldier to a regular army commander.

  Mashan Town is very large, with a three-and-a-half-mile-long bluestone street running through the entire town. This place was originally a wealthy village, but due to war, seven out of ten rooms have been abandoned, and it has become a treasure land for military residence.

  Lu Qi wore the uniform of a school lieutenant, and under the command of Wang Yong, they arrived at the best mansion in the town, led by the county lieutenant. In front of the mansion gate, there were stone steps and stone lions, and on the steps stood eight armored soldiers.

  As soon as Wang Yong and the eight armored soldiers saw him, they hastily withdrew their might, solemnly saluting with their arms crossed. Wang Yong nodded and stepped into the mansion, while Lu Qi walked calmly at the end. Although he was the highest in official rank, he didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of his three sworn brothers.

  Lu Qi was just a small soldier in the vanguard camp when he entered the army. It was Wang Yong who selected him to enter the Imperial Guard, becoming an exploring horseman and a guard. Although he had entered the Imperial Guard, Lu Qi had hardly ever spoken with Lord Hu. Two months ago, during the Heart Piercing Operation, he was promoted from a small soldier to a ninth-grade garrison captain. After making meritorious achievements and returning alive, he suddenly became a seventh-grade fruit-bearing captain.

  He didn't know why Lord Hu promoted him beyond Wang Yong's official rank, and he couldn't understand it until Zhu Wu told him the reason. The general idea was that in the future, if there were to be another war, after he returned to the army, he would likely become Lord Hu's personal bodyguard and messenger, a high-ranking but powerless position. What happened later didn't matter to Lu Qi, as Wang Yong's continued closeness to him put his mind at ease.

  Inside the mansion was a somewhat disordered large courtyard, with over ten armored soldiers tidying up. Wang Yong strode forward to the main hall's entrance, where eight armored soldiers stood guard. Upon seeing Wang Yong, they saluted and one of them entered the hall to report, quickly coming out to say that the master had summoned him.

  Four people walked into the hall with a serious expression, and upon entering, they saw not only the red-faced Hu gentleman but also a white-faced official wearing a sixth-grade upper-ranking official uniform. Lu Qi clearly saw that the official was carefully scanning them.

  "We are subordinate officers reporting for duty, General." Wang Yong's loud voice spoke on behalf of the four men, who all stood at attention in a respectful military posture.

  Mr. Hu smiled and nodded slightly, saying in a gentle voice: "No need for formalities, everyone."

  The four men stood up straight, and Hu Da-ren bowed his hands and said: "Wang Yong, this is Han Da-ren, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War."

  "Wang Yong hastily bowed and said: 'Your subordinate pays respects to Lord Han.'"

  "General Wang is too kind," said Wen Guan, smiling. "I've heard General Hu talk about your numerous military achievements, and now you're the valiant General of the Left Guard Camp. I offer my congratulations to you, General Wang."

  "Thank you, sir, for your kindness. What I have obtained today is a gift from General Wang." King Yong said respectfully.

  "Hey, don't say that, what you got is the imperial court's reward for your merits." Mr. Hu immediately corrected him in a gentle tone, but with a satisfied expression.

  "Yes, I was wrong." Wang Yong said respectfully.

  "Hu gentleman turned his head to look at Han gentleman, smiling and saying: "Han gentleman, Wang Yong is a loyal and righteous person, skilled in military strategy, and also comes from an official family background. Do you think he's suitable?"

  Mr. Han glanced at Wang Yong, then swept a glance over the three of them, before turning back to pick up his tea and take a sip, holding the teacup with his head bowed in thought, this scene left Lu Qi's heart feeling inexplicably puzzled, unsure what Mr. Han was thinking.

  It wasn't until a while later that Lord Han calmly asked, "Lord Wang, who is at your house?"

  "Your Honor, I have parents at home, two elder brothers, a wife, eight concubines, two sons and four daughters."

  Mr. Han put down his tea bowl and said seriously, "Mr. Wang, I have a niece who is willing to marry you, but she is the legitimate daughter of my brother. If she becomes your concubine, it would be a waste of her talent. What do you think we should do?"

  Wang Yong's face changed as soon as he heard it, and he lowered his head in silence on the spot. Lu Qi was stunned when he heard it, thinking that Mr. Hu said to invite them to celebrate, how could it become a proposal for Wang Yong? He looked at Wang Yong with a slightly surprised gaze.

  Just then, he heard Han Daren say: "Hu Daren, who is that seventh-grade lieutenant?"

  Lu Qi was startled and heard Hu Daren say in a low voice: "His surname is Lu, his name is Tianfeng, and he will leave the army to return to his hometown after some time."

  Mr. Han nodded slightly, and Mr. Hu continued: "Mr. Han, Lu Tianfeng's martial arts are exceptional, and he has made numerous military achievements. He is still young and unmarried, and he is a loyal and filial person. This time, he voluntarily left the army to return home and take care of his mother."

  Lu Qi was shocked to hear this, he didn't want to compete with Wang Yong for any benefits, Wang Yong had always been good to him in the army. He heard Han Daren say: "Wang Daren, you're not speaking up, are you not willing to form an alliance with me?"

  Wang Yong respectfully said: "I am honored to be able to form a marriage alliance with Your Excellency, it is what I have been longing for. However, my wife was married to me by arrangement of our parents, and I dare not do anything that would grieve them. Please, Your Excellency, show mercy."

  "Lord Han said coldly: 'What are you talking about? Did I force you?'"

  Wang Yong's body trembled, and he hesitated for a moment before suddenly kneeling down on one knee: "Your Excellency, I am willing to form an alliance with you, but I can only marry your noble niece as my wife of equal status. I can take an oath that if I form an alliance with Your Excellency, I will absolutely not betray your trust."

  Mr. Han looked coldly at Wang Yong, who was kneeling down, and nodded slightly after a while. Mr. Hu smiled and said, "Wang Yong, get up, Mr. Han has chosen you."

  "Really."

  "Of course it's true, I wouldn't dare deceive Lord Han." said Hu with a smile.

  "Wang Yong pays his respects to Uncle." Wang Yong lifted his clothes and knelt down to kowtow three times.

  Mr. Han smiled and stood up to help Wang Yong, saying in a gentle voice: "You can maintain loyalty and filial piety without seeking personal gain, so I am at ease with marrying my niece to you."

  Wang Yong's face was filled with excitement and joy, and he respectfully said: "Thank you, Uncle."

  Wang Ping and Zhu Wu simultaneously bowed and smiled: "Congratulations, Commander!"

  Lu Qi also hurriedly bowed and congratulated: "Congratulations, Commander." Wang Yong returned the bow with a joyful expression, it was clear that he was truly delighted.

  "Hehe, let's go, we'll drink and celebrate in the back." said Hu Daren with a smile as he stood up.

  After a polite dispute, one of them went to the back, behind the hall was a very spacious courtyard-style backyard, in the courtyard surrounded by houses, two square tables had been set up, with a distance of about five meters between the two square tables, and on each side of the square table there was a pair of bamboo-back chairs for two people.

  Lu Qi attended an official banquet for the first time, and he cautiously followed Zhu Wu. Zhu Wu was a man with a cold face but a warm heart, possessing exceptional martial arts skills. Lu Qi had learned many things in the army from Zhu Wu's guidance, so his feelings towards Zhu Wu were the closest.

  "You three go over there and sit down." Mr. Hu said, pointing to a square table inside.

  "Yes." Lu Qi, Zhu Wu and Wang Ping responded in unison, turned around and walked inside, stopping at the square table pointed by Lord Hu and sat down on the long bamboo chairs. Meanwhile, Lord Hu, Lord Han and Wang Yong sat around another square table, with their ranks and relationships subtly revealed through their seating arrangement.

  "Haha, now that's more like it! Brother Wang has found a strong backer, and we'll be able to reap the benefits from now on." Wang Ping sat down and couldn't wait to pour out his words, being a straightforward man who couldn't keep things hidden in his heart.

  Zhu Wu listened with a smile and didn't say anything, it was clear that Wang Yong had formed an alliance with the outer Lang of the Ministry of War. He knew there was glory to be gained from this, but Lu Qi had no reaction at all. His heart had long since flown away, he didn't even think about returning to the army to seek any gains.