Chapter Sixty-Three: Ji Wu’s Wish

Ji Wu’s achievements were indeed significant.

Whether it was the two prior times he had routed the rebel forces, or his later ventures deep into the mountains that brought great trouble upon the criminal scholar, or even in the final plan where he became the bait and lured the enemy into an ambush—Ji Wu played a pivotal role at every turn.

Liu Qingfeng had once said that as long as Ji Wu agreed to this scheme, he would personally petition the court for his reward, and count it as a personal favor owed. Today, right after their victory over the rebels, Liu Qingfeng did not attend the celebration banquet. Instead, he came straight to visit the “gravely injured” Ji Wu, making it clear he was a man of his word with no intention of reneging.

For the Commander-in-Chief of the anti-rebel campaign to ask, “What reward do you seek?” carried no small weight.

Once back in the capital, as long as Liu Qingfeng praised Ji Wu before the Emperor, a meteoric rise was hardly an idle promise.

“For the sake of the realm, it is our duty to do what we must. How could I covet reward in return?” Ji Wu replied with noble resolve to Liu Qingfeng’s question.

Liu Qingfeng chuckled, visibly amused, and after a pause said, “Merit must be rewarded, faults punished. Who in all of Western Mountain Prefecture does not know of your deeds? If even a youth of your talent goes unrecognized, what would that say of the court’s ability to discern the worthy?”

He paused, then continued, “Speak your mind freely. My promise to you stands as ever.”

By reaffirming his word, he sought to put Ji Wu at ease, to show he was not the sort to kill the donkey after the millstone was removed, nor to swallow another’s merit. Whatever Ji Wu desired, he should simply state it.

For talents who had repeatedly distinguished themselves like Ji Wu, the court would certainly bestow rewards. Yet, the form those rewards took could be guided—high or low, generous or paltry, or perhaps raised up only to be set lightly down. There was subtlety in such matters.

Ji Wu was not the scion of a great family. Even with notable achievements, without powerful backing, how much honor could he truly obtain?

“I have heard, Lord Liu, that you come from an illustrious family, your learning unmatched, your service upright and incorruptible. Now that I see you, your reputation is indeed well-deserved!”

Before stating his request, Ji Wu offered his compliments.

“But of course,” Liu Qingfeng nodded, entirely without false modesty.

He had no need for modesty. Ji Wu spoke the truth.

He was born to a prominent family, had passed the examinations with top honors, and both his lineage and learning were the finest of his generation. Even after entering government, he had often spoken up for justice, submitting petitions to urge the Emperor not to be blinded by auspicious omens, and had suffered demotion for his candor.

To put it plainly, what Liu Qingfeng now sought was not wealth—he lacked for nothing material. He sought renown.

A name to be remembered in history!

Such was the scholar’s highest aspiration.

Though he could not capture the chief villain, dispersing the rebel forces entirely was already a mark of success. The rest would be a matter of rewards and recognition.

Such rewards mattered not only to the court, but also to his own reputation. He wanted the world to know: in his service, regardless of background or origin, those who performed well would be justly rewarded, with nothing withheld or misappropriated.

Ji Wu was the man he had chosen for this.

Not as a warning to others, but as a way to set the value of a worthy steed with gold—besides, Ji Wu had already proven himself to be a true thousand-li horse. He was due proper treatment.

“Well then, since you insist, I’ll speak freely,” Ji Wu said, no longer deferring. “My background—are you aware of it, Lord Liu?”

“You come from a family of escort agency owners,” Liu Qingfeng answered immediately, having already investigated.

“Indeed. Since childhood I practiced martial arts, disdaining poetry and books, most enthralled by the storytellers’ tales of wonder in taverns and teahouses. My greatest dream was simply to become a roaming hero.

“Later, I met a scholar who showed me the vastness of the world. I then studied and trained hard, but when it came to military strategy, I still found it dull and headache-inducing.

“Then disaster struck Western Mountain Prefecture, and rebels rose up everywhere. I could not stand by as they ravaged my homeland, so I rallied men to fight—and by twist of fate, all that happened since came to pass.”

Ji Wu spoke with feeling.

Liu Qingfeng listened, silent and attentive.

At last, Ji Wu said, “Thus, I dare not seek high office or great wealth, nor dare I hope to make a name for myself in the army.”

Liu Qingfeng’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? Are you suggesting I fear to employ the capable?”

“Not at all!” Ji Wu shook his head. “My lord, it’s not that I doubt you, but I know my own abilities. These merits are respectable, but they were possible only because the rebels hid in the mountains while your troops blocked their escape. That is how I could achieve these results.

“If I were truly to command troops and lead armies, I would only make a mess of it.”

For a moment, Liu Qingfeng could not fathom Ji Wu’s intent.

From the very first time Ji Wu showed promise, Liu Qingfeng had tested him—giving him several hundred volunteers to see if he had the makings of a commander. Yet Ji Wu had done the opposite: gathering just a few dozen men to charge into the forest, and against all odds, had succeeded.

Thereafter, though he continued to rack up achievements, he never truly demonstrated the talents of a military leader. To put it bluntly, he had none of the hallmarks of a seasoned officer—he was more like a wandering hero, rallying his comrades with a shout and charging ahead.

The results were impressive, but it was hardly the stuff of established military tradition.

The hardest thing is to see oneself clearly. Ji Wu was but twenty, yet he had not let success cloud his judgment. He remained lucid, even self-critical.

Liu Qingfeng was at a loss—just what was Ji Wu after?

He had earned his reward, yet seemed not to want it at all.

But Ji Wu continued, “To be frank, I am a man used to living free and unrestrained. If I were forced into the army, I would be ill at ease. If you are willing, my lord, perhaps you could secure me some idle post—not seeking glory or riches, just a post where no one orders me about or bosses me around.”

At last, Liu Qingfeng could not hold back, and laughed, “Are you saying you wish to be emperor?”

“Eh?!” Ji Wu froze.

Was it really that easy to guess?!

With a guilty conscience, he was naturally on edge.

Fortunately, Liu Qingfeng went on, “If you do not wish to join the army, just say so. What do you mean by ‘no one to boss you around’? Even the prime minister must follow orders. You think you can be without a superior?”

“Haha…” Ji Wu let out a relieved laugh, nearly thinking the secret plan he’d discussed with the criminal scholar had been exposed. He quickly added, “I misspoke, my lord, please forgive me.”

Liu Qingfeng, exasperated, said, “Enough with this nonsense. Speak your true wish plainly. Whether it can be done or not, I will judge for myself!”