Chapter Twelve: The Polo Scandal (Part 2)

Everyone in Anxi knew that Gao Xianzhi and Cheng Qianli were at odds. It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but rather the common issue in officialdom of too many people for too few resources. Fu Menglingcha was undoubtedly the top leader, but who should be the second-in-command was a matter of differing opinions.

The seniority faction argued that Cheng Qianli had already served as deputy military governor during Fu Menglingcha’s predecessor, Gai Jiayun’s tenure, and his seniority even surpassed Fu Menglingcha’s. Yet he hadn’t stepped down to a secondary role. Logically, even if he couldn’t become the top leader, he should have been the second-in-command. But Gao Xianzhi appeared out of nowhere, seizing control of the military authority and pushing Cheng Qianli to third place—this was truly infuriating. Thus, in the eyes of the seniority faction, Cheng Qianli was being wronged.

On the other hand, the ability-based faction saw Gao Xianzhi as the victim. They believed that Anxi was not the Central Plains and carried the heavy responsibility of defending and expanding territory, so real competence was far more important than so-called seniority. Cheng Qianli had only seniority but no military achievements, indicating limited ability and unsuitability to lead or rule independently.

In contrast, although Gao Xianzhi was young, he had fought extensively in battles and achieved remarkable military success. In the first year of the Tianbao era, the Daxie tribe of the Western Turks, who had previously submitted to the Tang Dynasty, rebelled and fled to Suiye from the Hami area. Gao Xianzhi led 2,000 cavalrymen on a long pursuit, reaching Suiye and wiping out the Daxie tribe. This demonstrated his outstanding command skills. Meanwhile, Cheng Qianli constantly spread slander and created obstacles, which made the ability-based faction side with Gao Xianzhi.

Today, Cheng Qianli launched another attack, using extremely harsh words. “The Anxi army belongs to the Gao family”—what did this mean? If Gao Xianzhi remained silent, an imperial edict might soon order his arrest and trial in the capital. This was Cheng Qianli’s strategy to force Gao Xianzhi to react in front of the military governor.

When Gao Xianzhi reacted, Cheng Qianli pretended not to hear him and ignored him. Unable to tolerate it any longer, Gao Xianzhi knelt on one knee and said to Fu Menglingcha, “Commander, I, Gao Xianzhi, have always acted uprightly. Yet some people keep framing me. I earnestly ask the commander to clear my name. If not, please remove me from my position as military governor and appoint someone more capable.”

When people discussed the root of the conflict between Cheng and Gao, they often focused only on the issue of military authority, rarely paying attention to Fu Menglingcha’s responsibility in this matter. But in fact, Fu Menglingcha was the real culprit behind the discord between Cheng and Gao.

It’s simple. As the leader, sowing discord among his subordinates is part of his leadership style. If they remain united, his position is in danger. This is precisely why Fumeng Lingcha deliberately promoted the young and talented Gao Xianzhi—creating discord on purpose, using Gao to check Cheng, and then using Cheng to control Gao, while reaping the benefits himself.

Fumeng Lingcha quickly helped Gao Xianzhi sit down and comforted him, saying, “Xianzhi, don’t make such a fuss over such a trivial matter. Commander Cheng meant that Xianzhi should give more opportunities to capable young people like Li Qing’an to gain experience. It’s a shame not to utilize them, that’s all. Military supervisor, don’t you agree?”

But Bian Lingcheng seemed to have heard nothing. He clapped loudly, “Great shot!” After stopping, he asked blankly, “What happened?”

Fumeng Lingcha cursed inwardly at the old fox before laughing and saying, “Nothing! Nothing! Everyone, watch the game.”

…

The match had already begun. On the field, the balls flew like lightning, and the horses raced like the wind. The two teams fought fiercely, with soldiers on both sides shouting until their voices were hoarse, their palms swollen from clapping.

The two equestrian teams were evenly matched, with each side winning and losing several times. But today, Gao Xianzhi’s team had a newcomer, who became the focus of the game.

Li Qing’an’s horsemanship was outstanding, comparable to that of the best riders. On the field, he moved like a ghost, always appearing in gaps in the opponent’s defense as the ball flew toward him. It seemed as if he shared a telepathic connection with the ball—this was his ability to seize opportunities, far beyond ordinary levels. What was even more impressive was his precision in hitting the ball; from fifty paces away, he struck it with his staff, sending it into the hole.

There was only a little left in the third ball. With a crisp sound, the ball flew to the left. Before the opponent could intercept it, Bai Yuanguang swung his staff again, sending the ball far to the right. He shouted, “Qilang, catch this ball!”

Li Qing’an spurred his horse forward. Two opponents, Li Fei Shouyu and Liu Qing, rode in from both sides to block his path. Li Qing’an gently turned his horse’s head. The horse seemed to understand his intent, leaping aside effortlessly to escape their encirclement. With swift strides, it chased after the ball. Just as the ball was about to hit the ground, Li Qing’an reached it. He struck it sideways, and his staff sent the ball flying in a straight line toward the hole. From thirty paces away, the ball, as if guided by eyes, precisely entered the one-foot-square hole.

Li Qing’an raised his staff and shouted, “It’s in!”

Ten to nine, securing the victory, the soldiers erupted in cheers, while Gao Wu was so excited that she screamed loudly, her palms turning red from clapping.
“Li Chouqiong, great shot!”
Yet Gao Xianzhi’s gaze was flickering, clearly preoccupied. Although the incident earlier ended without consequence, he sensitively sensed that Fumeng Lingcha was somewhat biased in favor of Cheng Qianli. Cheng Qianli, as a deputy commander, had uttered such treasonous words about the Anxi army being led by the Gao family, yet Fumeng Lingcha showed no sign of reprimand. What did this imply? It meant Fumeng Lingcha was also dissatisfied with him to some extent.
Perhaps his handling of the Sulou Fengshu Fort had angered him. Gao Xianzhi knew it wasn’t because of taking Li Qingan as a personal soldier, but because he had arbitrarily increased the fort’s garrison to a hundred men, effectively changing the fort’s status and exceeding the allowed troop quota. This must have angered Fumeng Lingcha.
Thinking of this, he glanced secretly at Fumeng Lingcha, who happened to look back at him as well. A faint, unreadable expression flashed in his slender eyes. Their gazes met for a moment before they quickly looked away.
Fumeng Lingcha snorted coldly in his heart. This Gao Xianzhi was becoming increasingly arrogant, not respecting him at all. He needed to teach him a lesson if he got the chance.
By then, the match was over. Gao Xianzhi’s personal army had won 10 to 9. Gao Wu jumped for joy, snatching the precious pearl from Bian Lingcheng’s hands and saying with a smile, “Eunuch Bian, this is mine now.”
“You crazy girl!” Bian Lingcheng shook his head helplessly with a smile.
“We won by luck. Please grant us rewards, Commander!”
Bai Yuanguang and the others lined up and asked Fumeng Lingcha for rewards. Fumeng Lingcha chuckled and said, “Good! As usual, you’ve won a prize. Today it’s two hundred guan, with an additional hundred guan from the military supervisor. Congratulations!”
Bai Yuanguang and the others were overjoyed and bowed together to express their gratitude before going to collect their rewards. At that moment, Gao Xianzhi called out to Li Qingan, “Seventh Brother, wait a moment!”
The atmosphere on the viewing platform instantly became tense. Everyone knew what Gao Xianzhi was about to do. Li Qingan stepped forward quickly, first saluting Fumeng Lingcha militarily before turning to Gao Xianzhi. “Please give your orders, Deputy Commander!”
Seeing his proper response, Gao Xianzhi nodded and said, “Seventh Brother, you’re an excellent archer, but you’re forced to serve under me, preventing you from fully displaying your skills. Are you dissatisfied?”
“Reporting to the Deputy Commander, I am a soldier who only knows how to obey.”

“Very well. From now on, you are officially transferred to the Anxi Army’s scout camp as the leader of the third team. You no longer need to be by my side.” After saying that, Gao Xianzhi gave Cheng Qianli a cold glance.