Chapter Fifty-One: Liu Xiazheng Returns to His True Path

The outcome, as one might expect, was that Liuxia Zhi was utterly defeated and humiliated. In the end, he lay on the ground like a beaten dog, gasping for breath. Su’er had targeted his joints; though outwardly he appeared unscathed, in reality he might not be able to get out of bed for several days.

“Well? Do you yield?” she asked.

Liuxia Zhi was too ashamed to respond. Defeat meant servitude, and besides, many of the bandits were once fugitives or escaped slaves themselves.

According to custom, the men became “servants, grooms, or laborers,” while the women “millers or brewers.” The servant tended to household duties and managed the carriages and horses; the groom cared for the horses; the laborer, bound by ropes, was forced to work on construction and fortifications. The miller ground rice, and the brewer made wine.

Thus, these several thousand captives were now Meng Di’s private property.

The next day, they set out for Teng City. Teng could not accommodate so many people, so both the Han troops and the captives were left outside the walls. Meng Di and his companions entered the city with Liuxia Zhi, planning to rest and observe the response from the state of Lu.

The people of Teng City dared not be negligent and received them with utmost hospitality.

By this time, news of the total destruction of Liuxia Zhi’s army had reached Qufu and was spreading rapidly throughout the land, sending shockwaves through Lu. All eyes turned to the small southern city of Teng.

“Is this truly so!” Yang Hu was the first to receive the news. “Quickly, prepare generous gifts and have Lord Wu personally pay a visit.”

Yang Hu knew such news could not be concealed for long. The court was rife with intrigue: apart from the Ji clan firmly in his grasp, the Meng and Shusun clans were growing restless, and even the Duke of Lu seemed unwilling to remain a mere puppet.

With a descendant of the Meng clan entering Lu at the head of a victorious army, the balance of power could be overturned, no matter which side he chose.

Meng Di was enjoying some leisure in these days. After crushing the bandits, his plans had to be adjusted. Lingering in Teng was a way to give all factions time to respond.

Liuxia Zhi was able to walk again, and among the Han troops, none was more feared than Su’er. The agony he’d endured—his bones felt shattered—was enough to fill him with dread at the memory.

“Servant, groom, or laborer—which would you choose, Chief Liuxia?” Meng Di asked, seated high above, with a teasing smile.

“My lord jests,” Liuxia Zhi replied, his spirits restored. “If you were to hand me over, you’d gain far more in return.”

“I’ve heard the lords of the Central Plains hate you to the core. Each would rejoice to claim you; you could fetch quite a price.”

“In that case, allow me to congratulate you on a profitable bargain,” Liuxia Zhi said, his face unchanged.

“And if I were to release you?” Meng Di looked him in the eye.

“You mustn’t, my lord. If you set me free, the lords would surely take you for an enemy.”

“Oh? I can neither release you nor hand you over. What then should be done?”

“There is a way,” Liuxia Zhi replied, leaving his seat and kneeling, “I pledge myself to you, my lord.”

Meng Di and Ji Ran exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

It was a relief to deal with a clever man. Liuxia Zhi understood his own worth, and had caught the hint of Meng Di’s invitation. Despite his pride, after defeat and humiliation at Su’er’s hands, he had submitted in heart as well as in form.

Besides, this lord had entered Lu at the head of an army—he clearly had ambitions. Perhaps Liuxia Zhi could find new purpose under his command.

With their positions settled, the three resumed their seats. Soon after, someone came to report that Lord Wu of the Ji clan had come to visit.

“Lord Wu? Was it he who set you on your raid?” Meng Di asked.

“Yes, he serves Yang Hu,” Liuxia Zhi replied.

Yang Hu—how interesting, Meng Di thought. No wonder he holds the reins of power in Lu; his moves are always unpredictable.

Lord Wu entered, plump and beaming, and greeted them loudly: “You must be the illustrious Lord Meng, who destroyed the scourge of Liuxia Zhi and rid Lu of a great menace! I am honored to meet you!”

“Is this really our first meeting, Lord Wu?” Meng Di feigned surprise.

The man who had spied on them earlier had long been detected by the Han scouts; Lord Wu’s appearance was not that of a soldier, and Meng Di had recognized him at a glance.

“I’ve just arrived from Qufu. Could it be that you have visited Lu before?” Lord Wu played along, pretending ignorance.

“Oh, perhaps I was mistaken,” Meng Di replied with a smile. “This is Mr. Ji Ran.”

“Ah, I’ve long heard of the famous Fisherman, but never had the pleasure to meet him—how shameful!” Lord Wu bowed repeatedly.

“And this,” Meng Di continued, “is the very Liuxia Zhi you mentioned earlier.”

“Outrageous!” Lord Wu’s hand flew to his sword. “How dare this bandit show himself here?”

Liuxia Zhi cast him a sidelong glance. “How forgetful you are, Lord Wu. Have you already forgotten me?”

“Enough of your nonsense! How could I, a nobleman, know a bandit such as you!”

Meng Di laughed heartily. “Let me reassure you, Lord Wu. Liuxia here is no longer the infamous bandit, but now serves at my side as a most trusted aide. I ask that you no longer refer to him as a criminal.”

“I see!” Lord Wu exclaimed, feigning sudden enlightenment. Yet inwardly, he was shaken. Where had this Meng heir come from? With Liuxia Zhi under his command, his strength alone was enough to rival a minor state. Even in Lu, outside the great clans, he would be considered a major power, especially with the likes of Ji Ran advising him. He was not to be underestimated.

Lord Wu became even more deferential. “I hear, Lord Meng, that you are indeed a descendant of the Meng clan. Lord Yang has already petitioned the ruler to grant you the territory of Meng.”

Just as expected, Meng Di replied with delight, “I am deeply indebted to Lord Yang for his patronage.”

“I have come to escort you to the royal capital. Why not set out at once?”

Meng Di exchanged a glance with Ji Ran and apologized, “My companions are weary from the journey and must rest a few more days before we depart. Besides, you yourself must be tired from your travels; we have already arranged a banquet to welcome you. Please, join us.”

Without waiting for a reply, they drew Lord Wu into the feast.

Lord Wu inwardly cursed his luck; he had not traveled at all, having stayed in Teng the whole time, but he couldn’t take back his words.

Throughout the banquet, he repeatedly urged them to depart, but Meng Di always found some excuse to delay.

In the days that followed, Meng Di claimed ill health, leaving Ji Ran to deal with all visitors.

The truth was, beyond wanting to buy some time for the various factions to respond, Meng Di still needed to settle the matter of the bandit captives.

Now that Liuxia Zhi had pledged loyalty, it was inappropriate for his followers to be kept as slaves. After careful selection, a thousand of those with relatively clean backgrounds were retained under Liuxia Zhi’s command.

This gesture took Liuxia Zhi by surprise; he knelt and swore a solemn oath, finally truly giving his allegiance.

Meng Di had no intention of abandoning Lake Lei or the Great Marsh, so the rest of the bandits were sent back under the leadership of Liuxia Zhi’s most trusted men, with strict instructions: they could raid other states but must not attack Lu, lest it provide others with grounds for accusation.

When enough days had passed and Meng Di could delay no longer, he finally set out, with Lord Wu watching eagerly.

Just beyond the city gates, several chariots approached at speed. From the foremost, someone called out, “Are you Lord Meng?”

“And who are you?” Meng Di’s soldiers formed a barrier.

“I am Zifu He, minister of Lu, come to meet Lord Meng.”

Zifu He? Meng Di turned to Ji Ran.

“He is of the Meng clan,” Ji Ran explained.

So they respond only now, Meng Di thought. No wonder the Meng clan is under Yang Hu’s thumb. Meng Di cupped his hands in greeting, “Minister Zifu, Meng Di is honored to meet you.”