Chapter 97: Wu Sansi

From Liangzhou, the eight hundred Hexi horses were transported in two batches. The first batch of four hundred horses had already been sent and was en route, but when they waited at the Fenglingdu crossing to cross the river, they were intercepted.

The opposing party forcibly requisitioned the four hundred fine horses, claiming they were needed for the front against the Tubo. They acted with great arrogance; even when the Tang family presented a document from the Ministry of War, they ignored it. They didn't even bother to state who they were and almost snatched them right there on the street.

Unable to resolve the matter through negotiation with the person in charge, they urgently reported the situation to Tang Qian in Luoyang. Consequently, Feng Xiaobao and his companions, together with Tang Qian and Yang Chengxian, set out immediately.

There was only one main road to the Dafeyuan Plain, and along the way, military supply stations provided grain and fodder. Therefore, they would inevitably cross paths.

Feng Xiaobao and his men pushed hard for three days of travel (resting at night) and finally intercepted this contingent of official troops near Daxing County on the outskirts of Chang'an, just short of allowing them to enter the vast city. It was as if raindrops fell into a pond; given the size of Chang'an, finding them would be difficult.

On the road, their target was substantial, boasting over a thousand horses—far surpassing ordinary official soldiers—and their departure was noisy, leaving obvious tracks.

Upon closer inspection, this army comprised at least two regiments, totaling four hundred men. Their physiques were robust, armor gleaming, equipment splendid. Upon inquiry, they turned out to be from the Right Guard.

The Right Guard was one of the Tang Dynasty's Sixteen Guards, part of the central imperial army, indeed possessing the audacity to be formidable.

The leading officers were extremely arrogant, eyes gazing upward, regarding others with disdain. His arrogance stemmed from his surname being Wu!

Wu Sansi!

He was from Wenshui in Bingzhou, the grandson of Jingzhou Governor Wu Wushiyong, and the nephew of the current Empress Wu Zetian. He had become a prominent figure during the Wu Zhou period, incredibly influential, advancing from Right Guard General to Minister of War, Minister of Rites, and supervisor of the compilation of the national history. Later, Wu Zetian conferred upon him the title of Prince of Liang, though that was in the future; regardless, he was quite difficult to deal with at the moment.

Fan Wushang from the group displayed his Right Xiaoguqiwei guard token, but couldn't say much because his rank was lower than Wu Sansi's. As the other party was merely an ordinary person, they didn't dare to be forceful.

As for Yang Chengxian, he didn't even dare to utter a word!

His father was the Left Guard General, and there was friction between the Right and Left Guards; soldiers from both sides would often spar when bored to maintain ties. The fact that the generals of the Left and Right Guards were at odds was entirely normal.

As a yamen clerk, he dared not associate himself with Right Guard generals, who paid him no mind.

Wu Sansi sat arrogantly on his horse in the middle of the street, high and mighty, and disdainfully tossed Fan Wushang's token to the ground: "What about the Right Xiaoguqiwei? Call your big general to come see this official..."

Feeling Fan Wushang's qi boiling up to his head, Feng Xiaobao gently patted his shoulder: "Leave it to me!"

One of the Thirteen Arhats close to him, named Ma Gong, wrapped a certain object in brocade and advanced toward Wu Sansi: "My master said, let you see if this thing is big or small!"

"What thing? Bring it here!" Wu Sansi sneered.

Unexpectedly, the other party presented the object for him to examine, and he couldn't remain calm. A Right Guard cavalryman received it and presented it to Wu Sansi.

Opening it, Wu Sansi recoiled as if struck by lightning! His body trembled violently. He slid from the saddle, refusing to mount the horse, and walked over with a face full of smiles: "Oh, how embarrassing. I suddenly remembered a good friend of mine from the Right Xiaoguqiwei—truly, great water flooding the Dragon King's temple!"

He was both distant and familiar, and everyone was curious about what he had seen.

It was his aunt's personal sheep-fat white jade pendant that she always carried!

To be honest, Wu Sansi feared his aunt like a tiger. During the early years of Wu Zetian's reign, she was well aware that powerful enemies surrounded her like beasts. With the emperor still on the throne, ministers were all waiting for her to slip up. If things escalated, reinstating the empress wouldn't be impossible, and all her glory and wealth would be lost!

Thus, she was strict with her family, admonishing them repeatedly. Wu Sansi feared her like a tiger.

After venturing out, his military discipline had generally been good, but the sight of these four hundred horses made his eyes widen in disbelief!

Good horses were the very lifeblood of cavalry. He was heading to the Dafeyuan Plain to achieve great deeds, and these fine horses could propel him to fame and fortune!

Since this batch of horses was for military use, Wu Sansi accepted them with a clear conscience!

Ordinary people truly didn't dare to offend him. He never imagined that his aunt's personal jade pendant would be in the hands of that handsome young man!

What did this signify?

His aunt resided in the deep palace, so the jade pendant couldn't have been lost by itself. Only she could have bestowed it upon a subject. The other party had actually received this gift from her. He...

He rarely did anything wicked; when he did, he always got caught. Wu Sansi sighed that his luck was running against him.

Feng Xiaobao and Wu Sansi exchanged their names and sized each other up.

Wu Sansi was just over twenty years old, with a handsome appearance, but his triangular eyes betrayed a belly full of schemes.

Observing Feng Xiaobao's exceptional looks, robust build like a fierce beast in human form, yet with a composed demeanor as if warm as jade, Wu Sansi suddenly understood.

At that moment, he set up tents on the left side of the road, and the two engaged in open conversation.

Both came from the same faction. Wu Sansi was eager to befriend him, while Feng Xiaobao had no intention of pursuing matters. They chatted amiably.

Wu Sansi first apologized profusely to Feng Xiaobao and kept probing for information, but Feng Xiaobao was actually older than him and wouldn't reveal anything. He vaguely mentioned that he had met a nobleman at the Qianjin Princess Mansion who had given him this jade pendant!

"This jade pendant could not have been given so easily!" Wu Sansi mused to himself.

Everyone was a sensible person, and some things couldn't be spoken aloud.

His aunt's personal possession; others couldn't steal or rob it, only if she willingly bestowed it. If she didn't offer it, others couldn't take it.

To obtain the personal item of a national empress was enough to imply the relationship between her and Feng Xiaobao!

Furthermore, Feng Xiaobao had acquired the establishment for four regiments, specially organized a府兵折冲府 for him, even if it was temporary; the matter was serious.

In any dynasty, rulers were strict in managing the army. For example, to mobilize more than ten府兵 for distant expeditions, orders from the Ministry of War were required. The校尉 of the折冲府 had no authority to command troops, but now Feng Xiaobao had no such restriction; he declared that he could summon them!

Wu Sansi, with his sharp mind, curried favor with Feng Xiaobao, praising him as young and promising, destined to be a pillar of the court!

Feng Xiaobao instantly decided on a strategy for dealing with Wu Sansi: their interests were aligned for the time being!

They talked until it was late, nearly ready to burn yellow paper and behead a rooster to swear brotherhood.

Wu Sansi patted his chest vigorously: "Big brother, anything you can't handle in the guard mansion in the future, all come to me!"

"Thank you for calling me brother!" Feng Xiaobao replied politely.

"Just for calling me brother, from now on we are brothers, sharing weal and woe! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

When Feng Xiaobao returned, the four hundred horses were recovered, and he had an additional 10,000 gu of military expenses, presented by Wu Sansi. His elder brother had initially wanted to send 30,000 gu; this guy was not short of money.

Feng Xiaobao was soliciting alms from friends, whereas Wu Sansi was collecting from local governments. As the nephew of the ruling empress and bearing the legitimate banner of fighting for the nation, how could local officials not contribute enthusiastically!

Feng Xiaobao wanted to notify his friends to assist, while merchants flocked to Wu Sansi automatically!

Therefore, Wu Sansi was not lacking money. He gave Feng Xiaobao 30,000 gu, which Feng Xiaobao refused, ultimately agreeing only to 10,000. Wu Sansi felt they could establish a good relationship.

No one liked a friend who was greedy for money.

They parted like old friends. Wu Sansi even apologized to Fan Wushang, truly currying favor and making connections.