In the second year of Tai'an in the Great Jin Dynasty (303), on the sixth day of the third month, the weather was clear.
Prince Sima Yue of the East Sea paid a visit to Pan Garden and left shortly after.
Before departing, he took a stroll around the garden, accompanied by Wang Dao.
Wang Dao was beginning to regret joining Sima Yue's court.
However, after much contemplation, he realized there was no better alternative.
Sima Yi, with his fiery temper and impulsive nature, was not someone Wang Dao wanted to associate with.
Sima Yi's first instinct was always to resort to force, and it seemed unlikely he would last long in power in Luoyang.
For now, Wang Dao had no choice but to stick with Sima Yue, even though he wasn't an ideal leader either.
It was a tough situation.
"Mao Hong, do you think Pei Dun is serious about taking up a position in Qingxu? How credible is this?" Sima Yue had recently lost weight, and his face was pale, a far cry from the confident figure he once was in Sima Yi's court.
Perhaps the constant clash between his growing ambitions and the harsh reality was taking its toll.
"The Pei family is related to you by marriage. Have they offered any assistance during these times?" Wang Dao countered.
Sima Yue's expression darkened for a moment, but he quickly forced a smile and said lightly, "The Pei family's presence alone is the greatest help."
Wang Dao remained silent for a while before speaking again, "Your Highness, Xuzhou is a crucial region. Only a member of the royal family can govern it. Moreover, most people north of the Yellow River are aligned with Yecheng."
Sima Yue was momentarily speechless.
"I don't like Sima Kongwei (Sima Mao)," he said.
Wang Dao's heart stirred, sensing an opportunity, but he held back and didn't bring it up directly.
Instead, he said, "Your Highness could send a trusted aide to win him over and make him submit willingly."
"That's easier said than done," Sima Yue sighed.
He was growing increasingly frustrated.
The Pei family still refused to bet on him, which was infuriating.
Could it be, as Wang Dao suggested, that there was a divide between the northern and southern gentry?
But he couldn't afford to lose his temper.
The Pei family had been leaders among the scholars in the previous generation, and now many of their descendants held positions in both the military and civil administrations.
In Hedong, the Pei family was a superpower, with vast lands and private armies numbering in the tens of thousands.
Additionally, there were smaller families allied with them, each with considerable strength.
It was said that the Pei family was actively strengthening these networks through marriages and alliances, further expanding their influence.
It was clear to anyone with eyes that whoever ended up ruling Hedong would have to cooperate with the Pei family.
They were a northern aristocratic family worthy of marrying into the prestigious Langya Wang family.
In the eyes of the top gentry, the Sima family was nothing special.
Sima Yue, being the grandson of Sima Kui, the fourth brother of Sima Yi, wasn't even a close member of the royal family.
His status was somewhat lacking.
The Pei family wasn't ready to dive into the fray just yet.
"Let's go, back to the capital," Sima Yue said, casting one last glance at Pan Garden, hidden among the green trees and red flowers.
He left with a cold snort.
Wang Dao followed slowly behind, his mind working on how to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
Many people hadn't realized one crucial question: was there still any hope for the Great Jin Dynasty?
In Wang Dao's view, there wasn't.
The princes would continue to fight in Luoyang for several more rounds, and by then, the capital would likely be in ruins, completely destroyed.
If it weren't for the fact that the Luoyang court still held some authority and could appoint officials, he wouldn't have bothered staying in this wretched place.
He would proceed cautiously, biding his time until he achieved his goals.
The day after Sima Yue left, Pei Dun visited Pan Garden.
Indeed, the Pei family as a whole wasn't ready to commit, but individuals within the family had different attitudes.
Pei Dun was quite ambitious and eager to dive into the power struggles of Luoyang.
He arrived in a carriage and ordered it to stop when he passed by the training grounds outside.
The soldiers were practicing their martial skills.
Military training consisted of individual drills and group exercises.
Individual drills focused on personal skills, including formations, martial arts, and signaling, and were conducted frequently.
Group exercises were less frequent and involved soldiers gathering to practice various battle formations.
What Pei Dun saw was an individual drill, focusing on spear techniques.
"Don't think that just having a neat formation and strict discipline is enough," Shao Xun, holding a horsewhip, walked around the field, instructing the soldiers.
"When two armies clash, each wielding spears, the one who is steadier, more accurate, and faster will have the upper hand. If everyone can do this, our army will have a significant advantage from the start."
"The front rows of the enemy will be wearing iron armor. If you can't strike their vital points, you might as well prepare for your funeral."
"Hold your spear tightly, don't let it shake. In battle, your enemy might strike your spear. If you lose your grip, you're as good as dead."
"Why are you thrusting so slowly? By the time you make one thrust, the enemy will have made two. Are you playing games? Do you want to live or not?"
"Your voice, is it too weak? When you thrust at your enemy, roar like thunder. It will intimidate them and give you a better chance of winning."
"Keep an eye on your surroundings. After the battle begins, the ground will be littered with corpses. If you trip, you're done for."
...
Pei Dun watched with interest.
He sent someone to inquire and learned that the man was a commander named Shao Xun, who seemed quite responsible and skilled.
Shao Xun tirelessly corrected the soldiers' movements, showing great dedication.
For a moment, Pei Dun even considered hiring him to train his own servants and private soldiers.
The training ground was by a small river, and on the opposite bank, about a hundred children were practicing.
They were using wooden sticks without spearheads, sparring with each other, serious and focused.
But being children, they soon started playing around, laughing and joking.
A few older squad leaders rushed over with whips, and the children, looking crestfallen, quickly reformed their ranks and continued their practice.
Further away, there were vast fields.
An old soldier with graying hair was hoeing weeds in the fields.
He occasionally straightened up, smiling as he watched the children train, pointing and gesturing as if reminiscing about his own youthful days.
The scene was unexpectedly harmonious!
However, the winds of change were blowing.
Pei Dun had recently heard some rumors...
Inside Pan Garden, the flowers were in full bloom, and guests were everywhere.
Just like during important festivals when the emperor entertained his ministers and the empress met with noblewomen, Sima Yue, the Grand Minister of Works and Prince of the East Sea, frequently hosted banquets in Luoyang to win over the gentry.
As his capable wife, Princess Pei also organized events, inviting the women of the gentry to strengthen relationships.
Although the Pei family of Wenxi hadn't provided much support to Sima Yue, Princess Pei was doing her best to assist her husband.
Today, under the bright sun, Princess Pei had invited many people to Pan Garden for a spring outing and various activities.
Pei Dun arrived quietly and was immediately stopped.
He wasn't annoyed and sat down with a smile, asking who had come.
Before long, Shao Xun, the commander he had seen earlier, walked by from a distance.
Pei Dun considered greeting him but thought better of it, given the difference in their status.
Shao Xun noticed him but didn't recognize him and walked past, accompanied by several soldiers.
One of them was a burly man with a thick beard, looking rather rough and unrefined.
"Is that Commander Shao Xun? Where is he going?" Pei Dun called over a steward of Pan Garden and asked.
"Replying to Minister Pei, Commander Shao is likely on patrol. The princess is entertaining distinguished guests by the pond for the spring outing, and we can't afford any disturbances," the steward replied.
"I see," Pei Dun nodded.
He recalled a conversation with Mi Huang, where someone had accused Shao Xun of "secretly gathering youths."
At that time, Shao Xun was just a squad leader.
How had he risen to the rank of commander so quickly?
Thinking about this, Pei Dun felt a slight pang of frustration.
A mere soldier could get promoted, while he, a member of the prestigious Pei family, couldn't even secure a position as a provincial governor.
Why was that?
He was still young, and his desire for fame and fortune hadn't cooled in the slightest.
"Is Commander Shao well-trusted by the princess?" Pei Dun suddenly asked.
The steward's face remained expressionless as he answered truthfully, "Commander Shao is exceptionally brave and has earned the respect of his soldiers. Whether it's night patrols or escort duties, he handles everything meticulously and has the full trust of the household."
"You!" Pei Dun was somewhat exasperated.
If he remembered correctly, this steward had been brought over from the Pei family when his sister married into the Sima family.
After all these years, the steward had grown independent and was now giving him useless information.
However, he had gathered some useful insights.
Shao Xun indeed had some skills, and his sister likely trusted him.
Considering the recent rumors that Sima Yi was trying to take control of the Northern Army, and that Luoyang was about to face another wave of conflict after a few months of peace, his sister was probably trying to secure some means of self-protection.
Talented individuals, even those of low status, often received special treatment when their skills were needed.
No! He had to escape the fiery pit of Luoyang as soon as possible and secure a good position in another province.
Pei Dun paced around the front hall for a while before telling the steward, "I'll take a walk around the military camp. When the princess finishes her activities, send someone to fetch me."
"As you wish," the steward replied.
Without further delay, Pei Dun headed out towards the military camp.
(The editor told me that updates were coming too fast...
I'll have to slow down and repay the debt gradually.
If there are recommendations, I'll add more chapters to balance the pace.)
(End of Chapter)