Chapter 485: The Three Worthies

In early spring, the first month still carried a biting chill. Outside the Jimo Commandery governor's residence, three men stood in a triangular formation — two in front, one behind.

On the right front was Cao Shen, who had accepted Heifu's invitation and transferred to Jiaodong as an official. Promoted from county clerk to commandery clerk, and now clinging to the thigh of a powerful imperial minister, Cao Shen deeply resonated with Xiao He's saying, "Fortune and obscurity each have their season." He looked spirited, hand resting on his sword, eyes full of anticipation. He was itching to act, yet mindful of maintaining his capable, steady image, so he dared not let it show!

On the left front was Xiao He, straightening his robes. He lacked his friend's excitement. His right hand meticulously smoothed every crease on his left sleeve — those who knew him well understood this meant Xiao He was deep in thought. His slender face was calm as still water, betraying nothing of what was on his mind.

"Achoo!"

Only the man between and behind them — the now beardless Liu Ji of Pei County — let out a violent sneeze, drawing the attention of both Xiao He and Cao Shen.

"Late spring chill. Bit cold out."

Liu Ji rubbed his nose, muttered this offhandedly, and without a care wiped the snot from his hand onto his clothes.

Liu Ji was that kind of man. When he ran, he ran decisively — even if he'd thrown away his armor and helmet, abandoned wife and children, he would never look back.

But when his bravado surged and he resolved to do something, he wouldn't waver either. He'd gotten married, slept with his bride Lü Zhi. Before leaving, he'd drunk two whole taverns dry with his brothers, pissed three zhang into the wind facing the Si River, and bellowed bold Chu songs so loud both banks could hear.

That being the case, what was there left to regret?

Though Fan Kuai and the others all thought Liu Ji had come to "repay the favor" to Governor Heifu over that ten-thousand-cash business, treating him like a hero of boundless honor, Liu Ji knew perfectly well: he had come of his own accord to lay his neck beneath the axe.

"Compared to Governor Wei, I, Ji, am truly inferior." This he had admitted to Xiao He.

Their statuses were as far apart as clouds and mud — so what the hell was there to hesitate about? Since the man didn't seem intent on killing him, he'd decisively submit and beg for mercy.

The whole journey, Liu Ji ate when he should, drank when he should, took an amused interest in the scenery along the way, and snored loud enough to shake the heavens, keeping Cao Shen next door from sleeping. So Cao Shen never believed Liu Ji had offended a high-ranking border official — he thought Liu Ji and Xiao He were colluding to prank him...

When they reached the Wei River and heard Heifu had been attacked there, their Jiaodong dialect was hard to follow. Through gestures and guesswork, they somehow understood it as "the newly arrived official is dead."

Liu Ji was overjoyed. Xiao He's face showed relief. Only Cao Shen turned pale with shock and pressed for more details.

Once they communicated clearly and learned Heifu was unharmed — that it was the assassin who had died — the three men's moods reversed: Cao Shen breathed easy, Xiao He grew troubled again, and Liu Ji spat fiercely into the ice-thawed Wei River, cursing under his breath:

"Back when I met Qi folk in Xue Commandery, they all said Qi warriors excelled at martial striking, feet like whirlwinds. So how come these Qi assassins couldn't even scratch that black-hearted governor's skin? Some 'Qi martial striking' — must be fake!"

Since Heifu was fine, Liu Ji still had to steel himself and come with Xiao He to beg forgiveness.

The governor's residence was vast. Layer after layer of reporting, door after door they passed through, until at last they stood before the governor's gate. Liu Ji, having come all this way, stood there like some lowly hanger-on...

"The governor sends Chen Ping to welcome you."

Chen Ping came out, all smiles, and bowed to Xiao He and Cao Shen. Then he looked at Liu Ji: "And this is?"

Xiao He was about to introduce him, but Liu Ji, out of habit, cupped his hands and announced himself: "Liu Ji of Pei County."

Chen Ping was surprised: "The very same village head to whom the governor gifted ten thousand cash?"

"That's him."

Cao Shen observed that Chen Ping already had fine features, and in his Chief Clerk's official robes looked even more dashing — and, by his reckoning, was a few years younger than himself, yet had already accomplished remarkable deeds in Beidi Commandery. This only confirmed to Cao Shen that his own choice had been correct.

After brief pleasantries, Chen Ping led the two inside. The governor's residence had formerly been the residence of the Grand Master of Jimo. It covered considerable ground, but seemed somewhat cluttered and empty. Heifu's retainers and the serving maids he'd brought were bustling about. Chen Ping smiled:

"We only moved in a few days ago. Everything is still in its rough beginnings — not easy. And the governance of Jiaodong is much like this mansion: new buildings must be raised on empty ground, broken rooms torn down, and courtyards still habitable swept clean. Only when you need hands do you regret how few you have!"

The meaning behind his words registered in the ears of Xiao He and Cao Shen.

When they entered the courtyard, the four of them discovered that Heifu had not seated himself high in the main hall to await their obeisance. Instead, he had come out first and stood at the courtyard gate, hands clasped behind his back, smiling: "Clerk Cao, what took you so long? I've been waiting for you eagerly."

Cao Shen had worried that Heifu, having failed to recruit Xiao He that day, had only then turned to him. Now, seeing Xiao He had come along, he feared Heifu might focus his attention on Xiao He, and he himself would once again sink back to his old position of eternal second-best. He never expected Heifu to greet him first!

Cao Shen, stirred, rushed forward a step and bowed deeply: "We encountered heavy snow passing Kangfu, hence the delay. I hope the Governor will not take offense."

"How could I take offense? Many posts in Jiaodong have been left vacant, waiting to be filled."

Heifu helped Cao Shen up, then looked at Xiao He, who was right behind him: "Clerk Xiao has come as well?"

Xiao He also bowed deeply: "Xiao He pays his respects to Governor Wei."

He had said he wouldn't come, yet here he was. The atmosphere was a bit awkward. A lord seeking talent couldn't very well embarrass Xiao He, so Chen Ping took it upon himself to play the villain, chuckling:

"Clerk Xiao, I forgot to ask earlier — didn't you say that while one's parents live, one does not travel far?"

Xiao He sighed: "That night, after Xiao He returned home, my mother learned that the Governor had asked me about entering official service. She angrily rebuked me, saying that for a Governor of two-thousand-bushel rank to ask a mere petty clerk — for the low to defy the high — was discourteous. She ordered me to request leave from the county and come personally to Jiaodong to apologize to the Governor..."

Heifu chuckled inwardly, but aloud he praised: "A truly worthy and virtuous mother, to have raised a son like Master Xiao."

Xiao He continued: "That is the first matter. In coming here, I have a second matter as well."

He gestured for Liu Ji behind him to come forward. Liu Ji knew it was his turn, so he strode up and bowed respectfully to Heifu:

"Liu Ji of Pei County has come expressly to thank the Governor for the gift of ten thousand cash!"

Although Xiao He had suggested Liu Ji emulate Lian Po and offer a birch-branch apology, Liu Ji thought it over and refused. A great man could bend and stretch, true — but begging forgiveness was one thing, and groveling with tail between legs was another. If he actually did that, not only was survival uncertain, but when he returned to Pei County, he'd be a laughingstock.

So he neither stripped off his clothes nor bundled up branches. Instead, he planned to use his own wits to save his hide.

"So you are Liu Ji..."

Heifu looked at Liu Ji. The man was around forty, with a high-bridged nose, broad forehead, and short beard. Clean-shaven, he looked completely different from the wandering swordsman Heifu had seen at Waihuang. The only thing vaguely familiar was his eyes.

A year ago, after sending a clansman to open a brown-sugar shop in Pei County and begin inquiring about local figures, Heifu had quickly found Liu Ji, the Sishui Village Head who had just returned from corvée labor in Xianyang.

There was no avoiding it — the man was a celebrity in Pei County. Even if the sugar shop clerks hadn't deliberately snooped, stories about him constantly circulated in the markets: Liu Ji's generosity and largesse, his love of wine and women — climbing into Widow Cao's bed one day, dead drunk and passed out on the tavern floor the next, while the two tavern proprietresses willingly tore up his tabs and let him drink for free...

As reports trickled back, Heifu began noticing certain "coincidences": Liu Ji had gone to Wei territory years ago to serve as a wandering blade; last winter, he and many Pei County men had done corvée labor in Xianyang, where he'd seen the three generals returning in triumph from the Xiongnu campaign and witnessed the First Emperor's imperial procession. When he'd gone, Liu Ji had a fine, full beard; when he returned, it was trimmed short — the reason given was lice, an itchy chin.

Piecing together the signs, Liu Ji was very likely the same bearded wandering swordsman Heifu had seen atop the walls of Waihuang and in the streets of Xianyang!

Marveling at fate's design, Heifu had also set this year's trip to Pei County — both to poach some of Pei's talent and to give this fellow a scare, to see whether he was the real deal or a counterfeit!

He'd figured that, spooked by the ten-thousand-cash business, Liu Ji might simply run off and take to the hills ahead of schedule. He never expected that, through a twist of circumstances, the man would deliver himself to his door...

"You traveled a thousand li to Jiaodong just for this?"

Liu Ji, unnerved by Heifu's stare, threw caution to the wind and admitted outright: "Beyond that, Liu Ji must also beg the Governor's forgiveness for his offenses!"

"Oh? What offenses might those be?"

"The Governor jests."

Liu Ji touched his own chin: "Eight years ago at Waihuang, I, Ji, met the Governor once. A year ago on the streets of Xianyang, when the Governor was in the procession before the imperial carriage, you saw me too! Later, you even sent men to search the corvée laborers' camp. Though Ji shaved his beard and hid for a long while, the Governor still found his way to my home. That being so, Ji willingly accepts punishment!"

Heifu wore an expression of having known all along, which only made him seem more inscrutable. He merely smiled: "I only thought your face seemed familiar. How did you recognize me?"

Liu Ji, unflustered, grinned: "That day, we were sweeping snow on North Gate Street when the imperial procession passed by. Everyone crowded to watch the spectacle. At that time, the three generals returning from the Xiongnu campaign were parading their merits. General Meng of Shang Commandery held the highest rank — one chariot at the fore, awe-inspiring and majestic. Behind him was General Li, white-haired, red-robed, seeming both sorrowful and joyful. When he raised his head and gazed proudly over the whole city, the crowd dared not even breathe. Afterward, all the corvée laborers said Generals Meng and Li were true heroes. Only Liu Ji disagreed..."

He said with a solemn face, "Ji Yan, though Generals Meng and Li are no ordinary men, before the imperial carriage, it is the Black-faced General who is the true hero!"

By this point, Liu Ji was already spouting nonsense: "Though it was but a single glimpse atop the walls of Waihuang many years ago, Liu Ji has remembered the commandery governor's heroic bearing ever since — how could I dare forget? Back then, the governor was merely a Platoon Chief, yet in just seven or eight years, he has risen to a rank of two thousand piculs, praised for his deeds before the imperial carriage, his authority spanning an entire commandery. A man like this is, of course, a hero!"

Xiao He furrowed his brows, Cao Can looked somewhat surprised, and Chen Ping sized Liu Ji up from head to toe, re-evaluating him entirely.

An ordinary petty village chief, brought before a commandery governor, would be too nervous to even speak, yet this Liu Ji could still talk with such ease and confidence — truly no ordinary man!

Heifu, however, burst out laughing: "So that's what it was — and here I thought it was because my black face was easy to recognize!"

"This…"

This wave of self-deprecation from Heifu caught Xiao, Cao, and Liu — the very "Three Paragons of Pei County" he had just named — completely off guard, leaving them at a loss for words. Only Chen Ping was used to it.

Liu Ji knew he could not stop now, and continued fabricating: "Liu Ji swears to Heaven — though I was deceived by Zhang Er back then and defended the city for him, I was overcome with regret afterwards and never again dared to oppose His Majesty's heavenly troops. After that, I abandoned the life of a wandering gallant, tried to become a Qin official, and hunted down bandits and outlaws for the authorities, even earning a promotion in rank to Second Grade for my merits. For years I have toiled diligently, wanting only to be a good Qin official — all of it inspired by the commandery governor's example…"

"But no matter what, Ji offended the governor in those days. Now, whether I am to be killed or pardoned, Ji will accept either!"

With these words, he prostrated himself in a deep bow to the ground.

Heifu nodded slightly, but gave no indication of his decision. At this moment, Xiao He also interceded on Liu Ji's behalf:

"Governor, I have heard that long ago, Guan Zhong nearly shot and killed Duke Huan of Qi, yet Duke Huan cast aside the enmity of the arrow and let Guan Zhong assist him, and so the people of Qi gave him their hearts. The eunuch Pi of Jin was once ordered to pursue and kill Prince Chong'er, yet after Chong'er became Duke Wen of Jin, he pardoned him, and so the ministers of Jin gave him their hearts."

"Now that the governor is taking up his post east of the Pass, killing a single commoner is as easy as crushing an insect, and brings no benefit. But if you pardon him, you will surely gain a reputation for leniency and benevolence. When the scholars east of the Pass hear of it, they will surely flock to you as water flows downward. Why worry then that your staff will be empty, or that Jiaodong will not be well-governed?"

"I hope the governor can spare Liu Ji's life. Though he erred in those days, he has since washed his heart and changed his ways."

They were all fellow villagers, so Cao Can also swallowed his conscience and put in a word for Liu Ji.

Heifu, however, laughed and said, "I dare not compare myself to Duke Huan of Qi or Duke Wen of Jin. But since you two gentlemen, Xiao and Cao, earnestly request it, what harm is there in pardoning Liu Ji this once? However, I have one question I wish to ask him alone. I must ask you two to go inside first and sit for a while."

With these words, Heifu gestured for Chen Ping to escort Xiao and Cao into the room. In the courtyard, only the standing Heifu and the still-prostrating Liu Ji remained. In the distance, a scattering of retainers stood watching, swords at their waists.

The two men remained silent for a long time. Liu Ji was deeply uneasy, for he did not know whether he had passed this trial or not. Then he heard Heifu say:

"Liu Ji, get up."

Heifu gestured with his hand and invited Liu Ji to sit at the stone table in the courtyard, even personally pouring him a cup of wine.

The wine was clear, reflecting Liu Ji's face. Puzzled, he raised his head to look at Heifu.

"Drink. It's not poisoned."

Heifu, however, drained his own cup in one gulp. It was clear he was in a very good mood.

Liu Ji threw caution to the wind, grinned, and downed his cup in one go, loudly praising the fine wine.

Heifu filled Liu Ji's cup again: "Liu Ji, this official has one more thing to ask you."

"Governor, please speak."

Heifu looked at him: "You said that when you saw this official in Xianyang, you felt that compared to Meng and Li, I was the true hero?"

Liu Ji held his cup and said with the utmost seriousness: "Indeed! Though Meng and Li have some ability, they also relied on the merits of their grandfathers and fathers to smoothly become generals. The governor, on the other hand, started as a commoner and rose step by step to become a high-ranking frontier official, no less than Meng or Li — truly a model for men like us! How magnificent! This humble man toasts the governor!"

Heifu stopped him, and threw out a deadly question!

"When you saw the imperial carriage behind me, resplendent and magnificent, with its six steeds harnessed to the shaft — what thought was in your heart at that moment!?"

PS:

Recommending a historical novel, Long Halberd, High Gate. It tells a story set in the Two Jin dynasties period, with a more orthodox writing style. Of course, the reason I'm recommending it is that the author's name is September — those interested can go take a look.

Synopsis:

The Battle of Fei River saved the last dignity of Huaxia — was it Heaven's will?

"No! No!"

Xie Li used his palm as a fan, gently waving it.

"This battle was three years in the making."

Now the northern Qin state has already collapsed, and war has broken out again. But alas, the Jin imperial house is in decline and unable to launch a northern expedition. Sigh…

"Whether Sima is content with mere survival, or simply powerless — I, having been reborn into this time, have no intention of letting this history repeat itself!"

Xie Li closed his right hand, then clenched it tightly.

"Old Murong scoundrel, remnant Yao spawn — all of you, get lost!"

(End of chapter)