Chapter Thirteen: A Secret Conversation in the Inner Chamber

“That bastard Cheng Qianli! He may not have any other skills, but he’s an expert at envying and resenting those who are more capable.”
In a secluded room in an inn, Bai Yuanguang cursed loudly. Their polo team had finally acquired a skilled player, only for Cheng Qianli to drive him away, filling Bai Yuanguang with deep frustration.
“Yuanguang, stop cursing. General Gao must have his own reasons,” Duan Xiushi sighed, trying to calm him down.
“But…” Bai Yuanguang glanced at Li Qing’an, then downed his drink in one gulp and slammed the cup on the table. “What kind of reason is that? A capable officer being demoted to just a team leader? Isn’t that a form of demotion?”
Li Qing’an smiled slightly. “I think it’s fine. First as a fire commander, then promoted to team leader through merit—step by step. That way, I feel secure. Otherwise, I’d feel like I’m floating, with nothing solid beneath my feet.”
“Qilang is right. As soldiers, we should advance through merit. The key is to seize battle opportunities and earn more military achievements. Besides, Qilang is still young, unlike me, who’s already 32. If I don’t earn any more merits, I’ll lose my chance.”
Xi Yuanqing was constantly worried about his own future. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, “Qilang, do you think there will be a battle against the Small Buleh next year?”
“Sure! Trust me—you’ll definitely get a chance to achieve great feats.”
Li Qing’an drained his cup and smiled at Bai Yuanguang. “Brother Yuanguang, don’t worry! As a scout, I’ll be traveling everywhere. If I get the chance, I’ll come and train with you. I’m just afraid I might take away your title as the best polo player in Anxi, and then you’ll cry!”
“Hmph! Is my title that easy to take away? I’ll steal your title of ‘Lingshan Blood Arrow’ instead.”
“Fine, let’s make a bet—to see who can take the other’s title first.”
“Agreed!”
The two clapped hands and laughed together.
…
After finishing his drink, Li Qing’an returned to the camp. As soon as he reached the camp gate, someone stepped forward to stop him. “Qilang, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
In the darkness, the man was thin and slightly lame on one leg. It was Feng Changqing. Since the 28th year of the Kaiyuan era, he had served Gao Xianzhi as an attendant, earning many merits. Now he had been promoted to a general in charge of military discipline in Gao Xianzhi’s army. Though unattractive, he was strict and upright in enforcing military laws, earning everyone’s fear.
“General Gao wants to see you. Come with me!”
Feng Changqing said little and turned to walk. Li Qing’an followed him to Gao Xianzhi’s residence in Kucha. They didn’t enter through the main gate but went through a side door into the front courtyard.
“General Feng, why does General Gao want to see me?”

“Nothing. General Gao just wanted to comfort you.”
At that moment, Feng Changqing glanced at Li Qingan. In the dim light, he saw Li Qingan’s expression calm, without the slightest sign of dissatisfaction. Feng Changqing couldn’t help but nod in approval—this young man remained unperturbed by honor or disgrace, truly showing the qualities of a great general.
When they reached outside Gao Xianzhi’s study, they suddenly heard fierce arguments—it was Gao Wu arguing with her father.
“You could have kept him. Why did you drive him away and even demote him? Is that fair to him?”
“Is that how you speak to your father?”
“Father, you’re actually using him as a sacrifice for your own sake. You’re too selfish.”
With a sharp crack, Gao Xianzhi snapped, “Get out! Leave now!”
The door opened, and Gao Wu rushed out, covering her face. Seeing Li Qingan in the courtyard, her eyes reddened, and she quickly ran away from him.
“General Gao, he’s here!” Feng Changqing reported to Gao Xianzhi at the door.
Gao Xianzhi calmed his anger and said in a deep voice, “Let him in.”
Li Qingan stepped quickly into Gao Xianzhi’s study and saluted, “Your humble servant greets the great general!”
“Everyone else calls me Deputy General or General Gao, but only you call me ‘great general.’ Why is that?” Gao Xianzhi asked with a faint smile. He knew Li Qingan hadn’t made a mistake.
“Perhaps in my mind, the great general will soon be replaced by you!”
Gao Xianzhi stared at him sternly. After a while, his gaze softened, and he waved his hand with a smile, “Sit down!”
“Thank you, great general!” Li Qingan sat down.
“Don’t call me ‘great general’ anymore. Don’t give others an excuse to exploit you, understand?” Gao Xianzhi’s voice was gentle, as if an elder was giving earnest advice to a younger one.
“Yes!”
“Alright! I’m assigning you to the scout camp. Do you have any objections?”
“No.”
“Really?”
Gao Xianzhi’s gaze sharpened again. He didn’t like people lying to him.
“Truly not!” Li Qingan replied firmly.
“Why?”
Li Qingan raised his head, his eyes bright as he looked at Gao Xianzhi, and said frankly, “Because I feel that as your personal guard, I won’t have any chance to achieve merits.”
Gao Xianzhi was stunned. After a long while, he sighed softly and said with self-mockery, “Have you also realized that my days are numbered?”
“Does General Gao think his days are numbered?”

For some reason, Gao Xianzhi seemed out of his element in front of the low-ranking official Li Qing’an. He let out a long sigh, walked slowly to the window with his hands behind his back, and gazed blankly at the solitary moon in the sky. He was indeed worried—his official position was actually just that of deputy governor of Anxi, a minor fourth-rank position. The title of military commander had been privately granted by Fumeng Lingcha, who also had the power to dismiss him. Today, he sensed Fumeng Lingcha’s dissatisfaction with him, forcing him to lower Li Qing’an’s military rank as a concession to Cheng Qianli. One had to bow their head when under someone else’s roof!

“General Gao, actually, you can create an opportunity.”

“What did you say?” Gao Xianzhi turned around, looking at Li Qing’an in surprise.

“What opportunity?”

Li Qing’an smiled slightly and said, “Create a major campaign, such as suggesting to the court to launch an attack on the Small Bule.”

Gao Xianzhi lowered his head in thought. Gradually, he understood what Li Qing’an meant, and his eyes lit up. The Small Bule had always been a major threat to the court. Three previous military governors—Tian Renwan, Gai Jiayun, and Fumeng Lingcha—had all tried to conquer it but failed. If he submitted a petition to the court, arguing that the time was ripe to attack the Small Bule, who would the emperor send? Surely not Fumeng Lingcha again—it would have to be him.

“Perhaps in my heart, the general will soon replace him.”

Gao Xianzhi suddenly grasped the deeper meaning behind Li Qing’an’s words. He nodded slowly. Li Qing’an’s suggestion hit Fumeng Lingcha right in the heart. He was old and could no longer meet the emperor’s ambition to expand the empire.

Thinking of this, Gao Xianzhi smiled contentedly and said, “Li Qilang, go back to the scouting camp in peace. Wherever you fell, I will help you climb back up.”

……

Li Qing’an left Gao Xianzhi’s residence and slowly made his way back to the camp. Looking up at the bright moon in the sky, he felt an unprecedented sense of ambition surge within him. Yes! He came from a later era, possessing 1,300 years more experience than the people of the Tang Dynasty. In this era full of great historical events, he should make a difference.