Chapter 375

Unlucky to have offended Da Wang, they were on one hand gathering silver to ransom Wen Ying, and on the other preparing to leave Hejian for the vicinity of Chang'an to live. It seemed that in the future, the Wen family would have no good days in Beijiang either, and their land, even with deeds, could not be reclaimed, so there was no longer any necessity to stay here.

The military administration of Yizhou Prefecture told them that their land deed was a Jin Dynasty deed, and here the ownership had changed; only a Beijiang deed would be useful, and no matter how they protested, it was useless, as it had already been confiscated as spoils of war.

The Wen clan admitted their decision was wrong, blamed each other, yet still decided to go southward again, and then something even more terrifying came: those who had acted first were blocked from returning.

Before the compensation owed to Beijiang is paid, those surnamed Wen are not allowed to leave Hejian.

The Wen family were stunned; this time the entire clan began earnestly gathering silver to ransom Wen Ying back.

Never mind whether they would leave or not leave Beijiang, they should quickly get Da Wang's gaze off them!

The whole family lay awake at night, frightened, for Da Wang was a formidable figure among the common folk, and they feared that if he were displeased, the entire clan would be thrown into prison.

Da Wang did not know of the Wen clan's mutterings against him; after being aired for half a day, he returned to his residence and directly sent Zhao Bao to negotiate the compensation clearly, and then returned those two playboys to them.

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Updated on April 21, 2025, with a 4000-character revision.

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Da Wang, in his spare time from martial practice, began frequently appearing at the Xie family's residence and next door at the Dongdu Houfu. He would persuade the well-educated youths to study diligently for next year's imperial examinations, not relying on hereditary privilege to attain marquis and minister; for those who studied poorly, he would persuade them to practice martial arts to strengthen their bodies and defend home and country.

The Xie main branch had four or five sons under twenty, led by Xie Tu, plus the resident Zhou Huang, the Lu brothers, Liang Ben from the Liang family, and also Da Wang, Wei Shen, and Wei Ke; this small group often mingled and played together, and could indeed be considered Beijiang's true top-tier inner circle.

After Da Wang took them to spend a night at Chunjiang Huayue Ye, this inner circle became even more solid.

Da Wang's status, unpretentious in private, made this group of proud young men take a liking to him; even if they did not wish to take the examinations or practice martial arts, they got along well with Da Wang, and everyone quickly became acquainted.

After all, they were indeed in the same boat as the Northern Border King!

Among them, the odd one out was Liang Ben, who in Beijiang studied palace music and was at the bottom of his class, and also did not wish to practice martial arts or join the army.

He wanted to do nothing at all.

He wanted to go to Chunjiang Huayue Ye every day to play, and every day to eat, drink, and enjoy himself on Zhuque Avenue.

Liang Ben himself was also worried, especially since Da Wang was up to no good and had even summoned his father back.

"When my father returns and inquires about my grades, I will surely not escape a beating; Your Highness, do you have any rescue plan?"

Da Wang nodded vigorously, "Yes yes yes! Borrow your elder brother's armor and wear it; resisting blows will do."

Liang Ben nearly jumped up, indignant: "Alas, I placed high hopes on Your Highness, what sort of idea is this? My father will have his personal guards strip off the armor and then beat me!"

After shouting, he leaned in again, "Hehe, I don't know about others, but Your Highness's performance in Chang'an cannot be hidden from me; I even went with your second brother to the Jing'an Si to fish you out, and the late emperor did not do anything to you—ah—you must have some experience, right?" Da Wang had stayed in Chang'an for as long as he had caused trouble there, and he did not believe that Emperor Ning De had shown any sign of it. He kept hinting, both subtly and openly, and Da Wang found it hard not to understand.

Da Wang:...

"Nonsense! I am being honest!"

Everyone in the room looked over, their eyes saying: Don't believe him!

"Well, there were those two times. I can, with difficulty, impart some instruction. When they throw things at you, you need not fear, for it will surely miss. They are angry, yes, but they will not think to strike their son dead. When they lift their foot to kick you, this is even easier: just touch you and you lie down, commonly called 'bumping into porcelain.' Your father sees you kicked far away and will likely let you off."

Xie Tu beside him was speechless; this was pure plagiarism!

Your father is a civil emperor who has lived in comfort and ease all his life, while your father is a general; if you dare to do this, you will surely be chased and kicked two more times.

Unfortunately, Liang Ben's second brother, who doted on Da Wang, truly took it in.

Because Liang Ben personally saw Da Wang in Chang'an smash shops, beat a prince, enter the Jing'an Si, and the emperor did nothing to him, yet he still returned bouncing and jumping to his fief.

The Dongdu Hou was the first to return to Youzhou, appearing the next day at the Chengguang Hall court assembly.

After the court assembly dispersed, Da Wang kept the Dongdu Hou and chatted a while longer; when Da Wang became enthusiastic, even a block of stone could be warmed by him. As they were about to part, Da Wang, out of human concern, mentioned Liang Ben, saying completely without basis that the second son had recently been very diligent in his studies and performed well, etc.

The Dongdu Hou, hearing this, was bewildered and asked directly what he meant, saying this little good-for-nothing was not only useless but had also offended Da Wang, wasn't that so?

He suspected Da Wang was laying a trap with words reversed, how to put it, he had too much confidence in the second son.

Da Wang no longer beat around the bush: "... My meaning is, do not blame your studies for beating Liang Erge, for he already knows he was wrong."

"That... Your Highness spoke too late. He studies and ranks first in the entire Imperial Academy, bringing shame upon the Liang family, and yet he dares to blame his father! I have not yet kicked him, and he already rolls away far off!" The old lady at home even said he took the ferocity from the battlefield to beat his son, which was just infuriating.

Da Wang:...

Da Wang waited until the Dongdu Hou left, then Bai Li · Dog Head Military Strategist · Jing immediately had Zhao Bao summon Liang Ben, who came limping with a limp...

Wei Ni glanced a few times, roughly discovering that this person walked in an interesting way, so he crawled up and ran over a short distance to Liang Ben, imitating his gait with a limp...

Liang Ben was first startled by the charging big bear, then he discovered the bear seemed to be imitating him, and he was broken through.

The bear stood upright, took a step and stumbled with its left leg; upon close inspection, its amplitude matched Liang Ben's exactly.

Wei Shen laughed so hard he pounded the table!

Da Wang nearly choked on a chestnut, hastily managing his expression, for this was too much of a test for him.

Liang Ben was extremely indignant, he did not walk away, but directly sat down on the ground.

"Your Highness has ruined me!"

Da Wang immediately declared solemnly, "It's your acting that's bad! They didn't kick you, yet you fell first? At least wait until they kick you before going along~ah? You understand."

"I don't understand. My father is the Dongdu Hou, a general; this old man could kick me flying with one foot! Once he kicks me, it's too late! I will do as Your Highness said: when he lifts his leg, I will roll away—then roll too far… and my father will be scolded by my grandmother.

After the old lady left, he really kicked me several times, my half leg is all bruised, walking is hard!"

"Hahaha hoo hoo..." Wei Shen finally burst out laughing.

Da Wang struggled to suppress laughter, Liang Ben became more and more broken through, "Your Highness cannot help me uphold justice? This is all whose fault!"

Da Wang spoke righteously, "Naturally, it's your poor studies that caused it."

"Poor studies only need one kick."

"What do you want then?"

"You criticize the Duke of Dongdu for beating children!"

"That won't do, the Duke of Dongdu is the king's great general guarding the border, you can't offend him."

"I also have to believe it!

How about this, Your Highness gives me a membership card for Spring River Flower Moon Night..."

He hadn't spoken yet when the Da Wang interrupted him: "I'll help you think of a solution once and for all!" The Da Wang knows the Liang family's situation—aside from what the old lady has in her hands, the Duke of Dongdu actually has no silver, these years it's all been poured into Guankou. This great profligate still has his eyes on the number one money-sinking den in Beijiang, the old lady's little bit of family wealth is nowhere near enough for him to covet.

"What method?"

"The Duke of Dongdu's restrictions on you are nothing but worry for your future. If you don't join the army, you can't hold a military post like your elder brother, so he can only watch you study, letting you someday have the ability to find an official position—you can't spend your whole life playing, can you?

Even if they give you a membership card, relying on your father, how many times can you go spend?

Right?

But now that you've met the Da Wang, finding a place for Liang Erge to shine and contribute isn't exactly easy, is it?!"

The Da Wang didn't wait for Liang Ben to think it over, just gave him the go-ahead: "Like this, our Beijiang's current top priority is the Xiongnu and Western Regions about to arrive, the Beijiang grand review, the most conspicuous duty is with the Honglu. Currently the Honglu duties are being handled by the Da Wang's Original King's Tutor in concurrent post, he still has plenty of vacancies below, you go……serve as Lingren Ling!"

Liang Erge, you now have a proper duty, becoming an official attendant of the Honglu, you are then an official of Beijiang, the Duke of Dongdu will surely look at you with new eyes, how could he dare to just hit you?! He still could beat a fellow official?! He again, the Da Wang will make the decision for you!" The Duke of Dongdu could completely finish his shift and go home to beat him!

Then he wouldn't be able to meddle, household affairs.

The Da Wang wanted to fool people, but looking at him he seemed truly sincere, Liang Ben was fiercely shaken.

"This Lingren Ling..."

The Da Wang didn't wait for him to think it over, directly gave him the go-ahead: "Lingren Ling is currently the best, delivering orders and receiving envoys, this job isn't difficult at all!

Liang Erge, well-traveled and knowledgeable from Chang'an, hasn't done it nor even seen it? This job is easy.

Liang Erge, having a duty means having a salary, then going to Spring River Flower Moon Night also doesn't require holding out hands for the Duke of Dongdu to give. We earn our own money, we spend our own!

Besides, Xu Taifu is very easy to get along with, you can rest assured!" Relying on official salary to go to Spring River Flower Moon Night, how many years would one have to work, this guy doesn't even mention a single word!

Liang Ben heard it and beamed with joy, "Sounds not bad?"

"That's right! Tomorrow at court the Da Wang will personally issue the appointment decree."

Liang Ben was heartily pleased, this face was fully sufficient.

Wei Shen stared wide-eyed throughout, watching the Da Wang's high-energy performance, waiting for Liang Ben to leave, "You think he's poor in grades because he's lazy! This guy lives in the Xuegong, his attendance rate is about the same as yours, often skips class to sleep."

The Da Wang was displeased: "My attendance rate is higher than my cousin's."

"I'm just auditing. Fine, not talking about this, you think so highly of him? You go to great lengths to fool him, how long can he persist? I see the Xiongnu people walking ahead, he behind will have to resign his post."

The Da Wang laughed hehehe, "He can only decide to begin, when to end—that's not for the Duke of Dongdu to say?

Rest assured, hoping for his son to become a dragon, the Duke of Dongdu will beat him until he dares not resign."

Wei Shen:...

That night returning to vent to Wei Ke, who knew Wei Ke also nodded and indicated affirmation.

"Liang Ben is indeed suitable to go to the Honglu."

"Why? Because he ranks last? Does the Lingren Ling have no threshold requirements at all? I see it's still not as good as letting Xie Tu go, at least Xie Tu really has this thing called etiquette."

Wei Ke gave a disgusted glance at the second son, this guy is indeed four years older than the Da Wang in nominal age, truly just nominally older.

Oh, except he grew very well in height.

"Because his father is the Duke of Dongdu. You guess whether the Da Wang now cares about this etiquette matter? Dealing with the Xiongnu, Western Regions and other barbarian states, he is more suitable than anyone."

Wei Shen then reacted, oh right!

In Beijiang, those civil officials who can do this job, each and every one, no one can compare to Liang Ben's stiff backbone and daring to speak, letting the Duke of Dongdu's second son go to deal with the barbarians is just right.

Wei Shen clicked his tongue, "Cunning, so cunning! You two, I say you and Wei Tai Ping, greatly cunning."

Wei Ke drank tea with a blank face, "Thank you for the praise, it's all thanks to your contrast being good."

Wei Shen: "Not praising you!... Good, you wait!"

He flared up in anger, discovered no one was making decisions for him, from head to count no one stood beside him. His grandfather, father, mother, uncle, or Wei Zhaoyi? All had no recourse.

After uttering a harsh sentence in vain, he went back to practice spear.

Must defeat Wei Tai Ping and Wei Ke in martial strength!

The next day's court assembly, the Da Wang directly announced Liang Ben's appointment.

The Duke of Dongdu objected once on the grounds of Liang Ben being young and unruly, but was pushed back by the Da Wang.

Now that everyone says he's young and unruly, if problems come later, reasons don't even need to be sought.

The Duke of Dongdu pondered carefully, he discovered the second son is indeed quite suitable for this duty, this mix of not being stingy yet able to do well is rare, this Lingren Ling is not bad.

A father knows his son best, he however thinks still feels quite suitable.

The Duke of Dongdu happily expressed his determination to the Da Wang, indicating he will return to instruct his son to work well.

The Da Wang was very satisfied, the Taifu was also very satisfied, this whole affair finally has an official worker.

Liang Er Gongzi formally took up the post…ah no…is taking office, before taking office, the Da Wang specially held a themed banquet at Spring River Flower Moon Night for him.

Beautifully named, Celebrating Liang Ben's entry into officialdom.

The Da Wang's cousin precisely summarized, "Weasel gives pheasant a banquet."

The Da Wang stood with hands on hips, threatening, "You also have a post in the military, later let you also go on duty on time!"

Wei Shen rebelled on the spot, "The cousin of course stands on your side! Liang Er giving the Da Wang relief from worries is his family's three generations' fortune!"

The Da Wang proudly raised his head, "That's right!"

Wei Ke:...

When the newly risen small group in Beijiang heard the banquet venue was Spring River Flower Moon Night, previously indifferent people, one by one all came.

Even Wei Shen came out personally to see the excitement.

Da Wang kept raising his fruit juice in toast, congratulating Liang Bin on his upcoming establishment—this is a major joy in life.

Everyone followed suit, raising their glasses frequently; Liang Bin drank beer one cup after another, he liked this beer, it was refreshing in summer, and if the prices were lower here, he could come every day to report.

The atmosphere in Room Number One was incredibly lively—no less vibrant than the Hu Xuan Ren Ren outside.

Amid the noisy crowd, Liang Bin touched his little heart, "... Why does it feel so cool?" A strange sensation, "I always feel something's not quite right..."

Wei Shen glanced at him sympathetically, "Is your heart going 'wawa' cold? Or is your back feeling chilly?"

Liang Bin: "Maybe?"

Upon hearing this, Da Wang raised his hand and called the attendant at the door, "Don't add ice to the drinks here anymore!"

Da Wang cared deeply about his future ox and horse, "Liang Erge must have drunk too much and caught a chill in his stomach!"

Wei Shen: "... It's not the chill from drinking, it's the chill from your Dao."