Chapter 1079

"Master, we've been away from Jingcheng for seven years now..."

On a hill outside Bianjing, just as when he first accompanied his master to the capital to take the imperial exams, Wang Wang Dongliang shaded his eyes with his hand and gazed at the vast city of Bianjing.

"You followed me to the capital to take the exams eleven years ago; now you're gazing at Bianjing again—what do you feel?"

"I feel nothing. It's just that the Emperor of Great Song and those high officials are too oppressive. Master has earned so many great merits—he could've been Chancellor long ago. Yet now he's handed over his military command, surrendered the splendid situation in the northwest, and received nothing but useless titles, only to be sent back as Director of the National Academy. A bunch of birds."

Wang Yan slapped him on the back of the head: "If you can't speak properly, then say less. Don't talk like this at home to your wife and children—it'll bring trouble."

"I'm not stupid."

"You think you're clever?"

"Master, you said just the day before yesterday that I've improved."

"Now I say you haven't improved."

Wang Wang Dongliang chuckled dumbly and stopped arguing, standing beside his master on the hill, gazing afar at the capital of Great Song.

Wang Yan stood with his hands behind his back; the spring breeze of March brushed over the ridge, fluttering his blue robe, tousling his unbound strands of hair, and stirring his grown-out beard.

He was twenty-nine years old, had spent ten years in the Great Song bureaucracy, amassed countless merits—each one enough to crush a crowd—but still hadn't entered the central court.

For failing to achieve his personal goal of becoming Chancellor before thirty, Wang ·Tui Zhong Zuo Yun Meritorious Minister·Zheng Feng Daifu·Hanlin Academician·Pan Ye Dongjing Guozijian Shi·Duanming Palace Academician·Supervisor of State Histories·Qingche Commandant·Marquis of Guangling, with an income of 1,800 households and 700 households of actual stipend, granted purple robes and a gold-fish pouch·Yan, felt a certain degree of regret...

His official titles were complex—for instance, the merit title "Tui Zhong Zuo Yun": "Tui Zhong" was typically reserved for Chancellors, while "Zuo Yun" was for ordinary civil and military officials; combining them signaled exceptional favor.

Similarly, his substantive rank of Hanlin Academician carried the additional title of Duanming Palace Academician, which usually signaled imminent promotion to the central court—no one knew when he'd become Censor-in-Chief. Supervisor of State Histories was a fifth-rank post, yet also standard for Chancellors, serving as an indicator of civil governance. The Emperor desired both civil and military prowess; having scholars steeped in the classics was naturally essential.

Qingche Commandant was a military merit title, like his earlier Xianqi Wei—both were martial honors earned through battle. His highest possible rank would be Shang Zhu Guo, or even one of the Three Excellencies.

As for the purple gold-fish pouch, it was an ornament of favor, worn on the belt. The original special grant of purple robes was unnecessary now—his Hanlin Academician rank, third rank, already qualified him.

All these honors were meant to tell him: you will surely become Chancellor someday—so be patient, be calm, serve as Director of the National Academy, and wait for the unknown day when you'll be appointed.

But in reality?

They couldn't let him retain military and political power in the northwest, couldn't let him return to the capital to govern, couldn't exile him and bar him from Jingcheng, and couldn't assign him any major post in the capital—otherwise chaos would erupt.

So the Emperor and his ministers pondered long and hard, finally deciding: let this great Confucian sage, this living saint, Wang Mou, oversee the National Academy and focus on scholarship—perfect.

It also tested whether Wang Yan harbored disloyalty, whether he'd willingly relinquish power. After the Song-Liao War, Wang Yan had become even more terrifying. Even Emperor Zhao Zhen, who had always firmly believed Wang Yan was loyal, trembled.

He had ability, prestige, command of twenty thousand elite troops—well-trained generals, formidable strength, the people under his rule praised him, his edicts flowed without obstruction.

Li Yuanhao had rebelled and declared himself independent—what about Wang Yan?

No one doubted his capability. If he truly rebelled, he could immediately carve out Hexi, Longyou, and the steppes; advancing to Guanzhong was merely a matter of time. And Wang Yan had no shortage of time—he was young...

Besides, did he even need much time? He had governed Yanzhou for barely over a year and dared to attack Western Xia. After another two years, he dared to attack the Khitans. He dared to fight, could fight, and won.

When Wang Yan was ordered back to the capital, the entire Great Song breathed a sigh of relief—including Fan Zhongyan and others. They too feared Wang Yan might snap, turn against Great Song, and raise arms.

Wang Yan would never do such a thing. After ten years of turmoil, he had pulled Great Song out of the mire and turned the situation around—why would he destroy what he'd already achieved?

Raising troops to secede and rebel was a last resort. If he reached that point, it would mean all his efforts had been wasted, all his plans had failed...

The Khitans sought peace, returned the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures lost over a hundred years ago, and handed over vast herds of cattle and sheep, treasures, and gold. From now on, they would pay annual tribute. Thus, before the arrival of Jiayou's third year, this sudden war ended as abruptly as it had begun.

After the war, the Khitans fully withdrew from beyond Yanshan and the Shanhai Pass. According to later administrative divisions, their territory now roughly corresponded to eastern Inner Mongolia and northeastern China—significantly reduced from their former borders, with a sharp population decline.

The Han population of the Youyun Sixteen Prefectures had mostly retained its people; only the wealthy had left, and a few foolish souls had fled to the frontier—essentially, the region was fully reclaimed.

The Khitans dared not forcibly deport large numbers of civilians, for the initiative lay entirely with Great Song. If they dared, Great Song could have pressed forward relentlessly until the Khitan state vanished.

Wang Yan did not oppose peace, just as he had during the Western Xia campaign. After all, a centralized state cannot be destroyed by force in a short time.

Though Western Xia had been shattered and clung to survival, it still retained resistance. The reason Western Xia played no role in this Song-Liao war was that the Khitans surrendered too quickly—the entire conflict lasted barely over two months. Western Xia had still been waiting to negotiate terms and cause further trouble in the northwest.

When we fought Western Xia, Great Song had fought nearly half a year; to eradicate it would have taken two or three years. The same applied to the Khitans.

This time, the campaign went smoothly mainly because Wang Yan had prepared longer and mobilized greater resources. For two and a half years before the war, he had already deployed strategies against the Khitans: spreading rumors, inciting the populace. Combined with the Khitan court's years of heavy taxation to fund military expenses, this made the ruling class feel their collapse was imminent.

But if we had continued fighting, we'd have had to crush one city at a time, dismantle one fortress after another, expend countless lives and vast quantities of grain and funds. This outcome was still quite good.

Post-war Great Song's territory expanded enormously: westward to the Uyghurs, northward to Mobei, eastward to the encircled Khitans—adding vast new lands.

This was precisely why Wang Yan had returned to the capital.

Over the past two years, he had reorganized the newly acquired territories, readjusted administration, pacified the diverse ethnic populations, and formulated policies and development plans. He had stabilized the northwest and laid a solid foundation for future growth.

As for his supposed relinquishment of power upon returning to Jingcheng—that was an illusion. As always: even when he was gone, his words carried more weight than imperial edicts. Even though it was foreseeable that some officials would be reassigned—including those he had promoted, like Zhong E and Zhang Da—they'd be suppressed, but it would be useless.

He had won the love of the soldiers and the people. So long as a sufficient number of officials remained obedient, his control over the regions endured. Besides, he still owned vast enterprises there—never mere profit machines.

His situation was inherently dangerous: no matter civil or military, excessive ability and overwhelming merit were never good things. He was both scholarly and martial, brilliant in strategy and tactics, expanding territory. Those in power must guard against him.

Moreover, the Zhao family seized power through the Yellow Robe Incident—they feared it might happen again, this time to them.

He dared return precisely because he wasn't afraid of being targeted. He even hoped someone would provoke him—unfortunately, no such fools existed; everyone wanted to stay far away.

As for military threats—he feared them even less. After ten years of cultivation, if he could still be killed, he wouldn't deserve to survive. If truly threatened, he might well ascend the throne the same day...

Wang Yan's family returned to Jingcheng without stirring any stir. It was utterly ordinary. Though everyone surely learned of his return the moment it happened.

He sent Xiao Wang Dongliang to the office to submit the notice of their return and await summons; Wang Yan and the others went home. Their new home.

Because the household had grown, and considering future living space for the children, Wang Yan spent a fortune on a new mansion—this one was enormous, far larger than the residence of Sheng Hong and his family in Jingcheng.

In the past years, Hualan and Shulan had each borne a son and a daughter; he shamelessly took several beautiful foreign concubines—Khitans, Mongols, and Tanguts.

Primarily for political necessity: as ruler of the northwest, he needed to promote ethnic integration and stabilize the hearts of non-Han peoples. His concubines, being of their own ethnic groups, made the locals feel closer.

Second, personal desire—he had lived a thousand years, why shouldn't he enjoy himself?

These concubines had also borne children; now the Wang household was a large, bustling family, lively every day.

After settling into the new home, washing off the journey's dust, resting for several hours until evening, Wang Yan, accompanied by Hualan, Shulan, and his three grown sons and one daughter—whose little legs moved swiftly—boarded a carriage and went to the Sheng household for a banquet.

"Your humble son-in-law greets Grandmother, Father-in-Law, Mother-in-Law."

"No need for formalities, no need at all, Xu Ziyan—we haven't seen each other in seven years, we must talk properly. Come, come, sit down, sit down." Sheng Hong rose warmly, pulling Wang Yan to the table and ordering servants to serve the dishes.

Today was a grand banquet: all of the Sheng family had gathered to welcome Wang Yan's return. Wang Shi, Lin Shi, Wei Shi, and their children were all present.

But they split into two tables: one for the women and Wang Yan's four children; another small table for Wang Yan and Sheng Hong, plus Sheng Changfeng, the Sheng family's second son, and Sheng Changyu, the third son who had once been stillborn.

Scanning the crowd staring at him, Wang Yan smiled and looked at the ten-year-old boy sitting quietly, trying to shrink into the background: "You're Changyu, right? I remember seeing you once when I was in the capital—you were only this tall back then."

Wang Yan gestured with his hands, describing how tiny Changyu had been back then. For this child to have grown up was no easy feat.

"Eldest Brother-in-law, my sister told me that it was you who arranged for the medical hall's people to take care of us; this younger brother is endlessly grateful." Changyu spoke methodically, perfectly well-behaved.

"We are all one family; why speak as if we were two?"

"Exactly, Xu Ziyan, this youngest son of mine is just too reserved in nature. He and this second son are two extremes; he does nothing but cause me trouble." Sheng Hong cast an annoyed glance at Sheng Changfeng.

Frightened, the latter shrank his neck and dared not look at anyone. This scene was witnessed by Lady Lin, who was watching the commotion from the side, and she itched with hatred.

"What is wrong with Changfeng? If he failed the imperial examination, he can simply try again in the next cycle."

"Just mentioning it makes me angry. Xu Ziyan, you do not know that before the spring examinations the year before last, he got drunk with a band of fair-weather friends and visited courtesans, exposing his arrogant behavior during the banquet. He even dared to join others in recklessly discussing the matter of the heir apparent. I do not know who reported this to His Majesty; I was left cooling my heels in a side hall all night. Fortunately, His Majesty punished lightly despite the grave offense.

"If not for relying on your blessing, he would likely be like that second son of the Gu family, waiting until he is fifty to take the examinations again. Hmph, with his condition, whether he can even live until then is uncertain. Even if they let him take the exam, he has no hope in this life."

Wang Yan smiled, took the initiative to pick up the wine pot, and poured wine for his father-in-law: "Even if Changfeng cannot pass the exam, he will not starve to death; as long as he behaves properly, that is enough. Young people losing their composure after drinking is understandable. Changfeng, you must drink less in the future."

"Yes, yes, yes, Eldest Brother-in-law, I will definitely drink less—ah no, I will quit drinking, quit drinking, and never drink again." Changfeng nodded so vigorously his head seemed to pound like garlic being crushed.

This Eldest Brother-in-law is too terrifying; he could truly cost people their lives. Although Wang Yan's tenure as Patrol Commissioner of the Military Patrol Office in Jingcheng was short, he had experienced it firsthand. He knew nothing else, only that he had lost many friends, and many others who had curried favor trying to build connections with him had vanished without a trace...

"Your words still carry weight."

"I am notoriously infamous."

Wang Yan mocked himself slightly, then changed the subject to ask, "How has my honored father-in-law been lately?"

"Passable. Lord Fan and Lord Ouyang have both shown care, and I have not been assigned any impossible tasks."

"If my honored father-in-law wishes to take a post in the provinces, your son-in-law can put in a good word. Your son-in-law is bound by circumstances, but my honored father-in-law faces no such obstacles."

"Absolutely unnecessary." Sheng Hong waved his hands repeatedly, his face and body radiating refusal. "Xu Ziyan, you are a tall tree catching the wind; countless people are watching you. If someone finds a flaw to exploit, it could bring disaster upon your entire family and cost you your life. Listen to me: since you have become the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, focus solely on scholarship. Properly organize your academic works. You have achieved many Da Gong, founded a school and established a sect; your name is already recorded in history and will surely be remembered by future generations. The ruler is the guide for the subject; Xu Ziyan, it is better to remain steady and disciplined."

"Your son-in-law accepts your instruction. Thank you for my honored father-in-law's concern. Come, I offer a toast to my father-in-law."

The two exchanged cups and drank, chatting very happily. They spoke entirely of events from the past seven years; Sheng Hong talked about how awesome his son-in-law was, and even vividly described the unprecedented grandeur in Jingcheng when the Sixteen Prefectures of You and Yun were recovered.

Over on that side, Hualan and the others were also chatting happily, talking about children, discussing the situation in the Northwest, and the like. Wang Yan had indeed taken his entire large family on many trips, truly visiting many places.

During the banquet, Lady Wang's boasting was naturally unavoidable, aimed at irritating Lin Qingshuang. Since Wang Yan had been ennobled as a marquis, Hualan, as his principal wife, had also been titled a Lady of the Third Rank, which carried significant prestige. Of course, her status as Wang Yan's principal wife carried even more weight; otherwise, why would the noble ladies of the city refuse to associate with her? They were simply afraid.

Wang Yan also chatted with Sheng Hong about Sheng Changbai's situation. Similarly, the year before last, Sheng Changbai had passed the imperial examination. Wang Yan had originally intended to assign him to Yangzhou or Hangzhou; one place he had swept clean, and in the other he had kidnapped the local officials to administer according to his own wishes, so Sheng Changbai would have had an easy time there.

However, that young man possessed ambition; he complied with the Ministry of Personnel's arrangement, was transferred to serve as a magistrate in another prefecture, and was implementing reforms following Wang Yan's methods. He did not act recklessly; so far, he has not been assassinated and is performing quite well.

Of course, the reason he has not been done to death is, more likely, because Wang Mou stands behind him. If Sheng Changbai were to die anywhere, the next person sent there would be Wang Yan himself.

Everyone in the Song Dynasty knows all too well how Wang Yan deals with people...

They drank until evening that day; Wang Yan and the others did not leave but stayed overnight at the Sheng residence.

Seeing that the children had all fallen asleep, Hualan returned to her room to soak her feet alongside Wang Yan.

"Are they all asleep?"

"Mm." Hualan responded, "So many things have happened over these past few years."

"Tell me."

"Changbai passed the imperial examination and married the second legitimate daughter of the Hai family. Currently, Rulan, Molan, and Minglan have all reached the age for marriage. My mother also mentioned asking you to help find suitable matches."

"The people I could find are likely too daunting for my honored father-in-law to dare marry them off to..."

"Da Da Guanren knows this yet still causes so much trouble." Hualan smiled, then continued, "Da Da Guanren may not know that my mother said the family previously hired a tutor for instruction; the only son of the Duke of Qi was also studying in our home, where he met our sixth sister, Minglan. The two have mutual affection. However, because the Duke of Qi's household has always avoided trouble, fearing entanglement in Da Da Guanren's karma, they refused no matter what was said.

"Therefore, Da Da Guanren, no matter what my father thinks, he cannot escape involvement. If there are suitable candidates, we must still introduce them to the girls. Otherwise, if we wait another two years, their situations may become difficult."

Wang Yan put down the book in his hand, shook his head with amusement: "My honored father-in-law is being overly cautious. As my wife knows best, when others wish to establish a connection with our family, this is how they proceed. The Duke of Qi's household is timid; they lack neither money nor desire to form factions, nor do they involve themselves in politics; they are content as long as their wealth and status are guaranteed.

"My current situation is indeed unfavorable. Everyone fears I will rebel, yet they do not want me entering the central government, and they do not know how to place me. Naturally, the Duke of Qi's household does not wish to get too close to me. However, since this matter arose because of me, I must certainly provide an explanation. Later, go talk to Minglan; if she is willing and desires to marry, I will go speak with the Duke and Duchess of Qi myself."

"Very well. In a few days, I will invite them to our home for a visit and ask about Minglan's intentions."

This was merely a small matter, not one that would occupy much of their conversation; Hualan immediately began speaking of other miscellaneous affairs, all concerning the lively happenings within the Sheng family's inner quarters...