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This auspicious omen was a matter of great significance. It could be said that the four-horned sheep delivered by Fei Qian had perfectly served as an impeccable piece of evidence for Wang Yun, who was desperate to prove that his own actions were absolutely and undeniably correct.
Therefore, Wang Yun resolved to hold a grand, widely-known sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, using it to demonstrate that he belonged to the side that acted in accordance with Heaven's will within the resonance between Heaven and mankind. Of course, such a momentous affair could not possibly be fully arranged in a single court session. Only a broad framework could be roughly set; many specific details would still require further deliberation.
At the grand court assembly, Emperor Liu Xie was exceedingly pleased. Wang Yun, presiding over all state affairs, was exceedingly pleased. The assembled ministers filling the court ranks were all exceedingly pleased. It seemed as if everyone could already foresee the realm soon descending into peace, and a prosperous, resurgent golden age about to arrive. Heh heh. Very well.
The grand assembly finally came to an end. Liu Xie, escorted by the Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate and others, made his exit. Afterward, the departure proceeded according to the hierarchy of official rank. The first to leave, naturally, was the Minister over the Masses, Wang Yun—who presided over all governance—or perhaps one should say, the Grand Tutor designate. Given the current trend, it was highly probable that Minister Wang would, at the end of this year or the beginning of the next, assume the post of Grand Tutor, that honorary position of the Three Dukes. Of course, the authority to oversee the Masters of Writing would certainly remain firmly in his grasp.
Wang Yun walked up before Fei Qian, paused briefly, and asked with a smile, "Where is Ziyuan currently staying?"
Fei Qian cupped his hands and replied, "At present, I am temporarily lodged at the post station."
Wang Yun nodded, said nothing further, and departed.
The hundred officials, according to protocol, advanced with measured, official steps and slowly left as well. The majority, as they passed by Fei Qian, gave slight nods to convey their amity. But there were a few exceptions who strode along with eyes fixed rigidly forward, gazing toward the heavens. Huangfu Song, for instance, was one of them.
Before Fei Qian could even begin to figure out the whys and wherefores, his teacher, Cai Yong, came to his side. Stroking his beard, Cai Yong looked Fei Qian up and down carefully and laughed. "Good! You've gained a measure of fierce, martial spirit—somewhat of the air of the Willow Camp."
A fierce air of the Willow Camp? What exactly did Teacher Cai Yong mean? Should he interpret the remark positively, negatively, or both? Fei Qian hastily cupped his hands and said, "I wonder if Teacher might have some leisure tomorrow. Allow me to come before you and personally receive your instruction and wisdom."
Cai Yong patted Fei Qian on the arm, nodded, and walked away.
Before Fei Qian could even process that, Lü Bu seized Fei Qian's arm from the side, even extending his own hand to compare. "Hey, worthy younger brother, you seem to have grown a bit taller? Mm, mm, this is better. You were far too thin and weak before... Come, come, never mind them. Come to my home and drink..." So saying, he started dragging Fei Qian outward, giving him absolutely no chance to refuse, all the while chattering incessantly.
"Just the right opportunity to tell your elder brother here about the current state of Bingzhou. I haven't been back in so long, I've no idea what it's become now... They say you've done quite well in Bingzhou, worthy younger brother. Retaken a few county seats in Shang Commandery? Has anyone given you trouble? Are those Hu curs obedient? And also... uh..."
A young Attendant of the Yellow Gate suddenly emerged in rapid steps from around the corner of the great hall, blocked the path before Lü Bu and Fei Qian, and offered a deep bow with folded hands. "His Majesty requests that General Fei remain."
"Ah? This... Very well, younger brother, once you're finished here, you absolutely must come to my home! I'll be waiting for you!" Only then did Lü Bu release his grip on Fei Qian's arm and depart, somewhat reluctantly.
That Lü Fengxian—still so the same as always...
"May I ask how I should address you, Attendant of the Inner Court?" Fei Qian asked, feeling the young Yellow Gate attendant looked somewhat familiar as he followed him along. The Han dynasty was the era in which the profession of eunuchs truly flourished and officially stepped onto the stage of history. However, it was only in the Eastern Han that the inner palaces were staffed entirely by castrated men.
In this period, the term "eunuch" had not yet appeared. Generally, they were referred to as "temple men," "inner temple attendants," or "middle temple attendants." Those with formal positions were addressed by their titles, and only those with such titles could properly be called "palace officials."
The young Yellow Gate attendant moved with mincing steps beneath his robes—small strides, yet without the slightest loss of speed. Hearing Fei Qian's question, he turned his body slightly and looked back with a smile. "In reply to General Fei, this insignificant servant is surnamed Dong. I have followed His Majesty for many years now."
In the court, the surname Dong did not belong only to Dong Zhuo. The former Empress Dowager Dong also bore the surname Dong, as did Dong Cheng. Only, it was unclear whether this young Yellow Gate attendant who had followed Liu Xie for so many years belonged to the Dong of Empress Dowager Dong, or the Dong of Dong Cheng.
Upon reaching a side hall, the young Yellow Gate attendant bowed and gestured for Fei Qian to wait a moment outside the door while he went in to announce him. Moments later, the voice summoning him came from within. Guided by the attendant, Fei Qian entered the hall and paid his formal respects.
After the formal kneeling and obeisance, Liu Xie beckoned to the side and said, "Bring a mat and let General Fei be seated before replying."
"I thank Your Majesty!"
Liu Xie looked at Fei Qian and asked, "...In Bingzhou... how are things now?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has restored the ruined city of Pingyang, established a military encampment at Beiqu, recruited victorious troops, encouraged the people in their native lands, pacified the White Wave bandits, gathered the drifting refugees, and has now reclaimed the two counties of Dingyang and Diaoyin in Shang Commandery. Gaonu, too, will fall within reach in but a matter of days," Fei Qian stated, summarizing the general situation in Bingzhou.
Although Liu Xie did not fully grasp the specific significance of those places—Dingyang, Diaoyin, and the like—he understood well enough that this was good news. He nodded and said, "General Fei is loyal of heart to the altars of the state. We are greatly comforted by this."
Though it was somewhat comical for a lad half-grown yet still a boy to refer to himself with the solemn royal "We" as a solitary sovereign, Fei Qian nonetheless hurriedly bowed his head and prostrated himself. "This is but the duty within your servant's charge! I shall devote myself entirely, body and soul, to repay Your Majesty!"
"Rise. There is no need for excessive ceremony." Liu Xie fell silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke. "General Fei, do you know that on the day you first assumed your post as a Gentleman Attendant and entered the palace to express your gratitude for imperial grace, We were just above, upon the terrace pavilion?"
This was something Fei Qian truly had not known. He thought for a moment, then said, "Your servant did not know."
Liu Xie laughed. "That day, General Fei, after performing the kneeling obeisance, and just before taking your leave, why did you turn back and offer a prolonged bow with folded hands before departing?"
Fei Qian had nearly forgotten this himself. He replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty... this... your servant also does not know why..."
Liu Xie froze for an instant, then suddenly burst into ringing laughter, rocking back and forth, laughing so hard that tears glistened at the corners of his eyes. Such carefree, unrestrained laughter—it seemed a thing of the very, very distant past.
During that period, Liu Xie had essentially been completely placed under house arrest by Dong Zhuo. Even the routine, formal kneeling obeisance that ordinary court ministers were required to perform was forbidden. He could only receive their distant, prostrated worship from across the palace grounds, far away. And Fei Qian was the sole person who, after performing the prescribed ritual of kneeling and expressing gratitude, and just before taking his leave, had turned back and offered that additional long bow with folded hands before departing.
This had left a deep and vivid impression on Liu Xie, whose days at that time had been drained to the point of utter tedium. Now, Fei Qian's answer seemed to confirm once more that very hope, that very suspicion, harbored deep within Liu Xie's heart. Whether it was that night on Beimang Mountain, or that extra bow before the palace halls, or even this present answer of not remembering—none of it was cloaked in pretense or deceit. All of it was so utterly natural.
For Liu Xie, looking back on that stretch of life lived trembling beneath a dark shadow, Fei Qian was one of those few, distinct, bright spots in his memory.