novelSusiti Chapter 35 Pan Meilai Acts as Matchmaker
Chapter 35 Pan Meilai Acts as Matchmaker
As expected, within a few days, more rumors began to circulate. Due to the sweltering heat, the Shu army did not actually advance much, nor dared to stray far from the passes of Hanzhong. They only advanced thirty li along the Han River, capturing Shiquan County and Ankang County, without even touching the city of Jinzhou. The entire army then established a fortified camp twenty li away, using the Han River as a natural barrier.
Even though the Shu army showed no intention of advancing, the imperial court still dispatched 20,000 palace guards to join forces with 80,000 troops from the six military governorships of Xiongwu, Xiongsheng, Fengxiang, Yongxing, Jingnan, and Zhangyi in Shaanxi, for a total of 100,000 troops to attack the Shu army.
Just as the reinforcements from the Palace Guard passed through Huazhou, 20,000 troops from the Northern Han, accompanied by 20,000 Liao tribal troops who suddenly appeared, launched an attack on the military governor of Zhaoyi. At the end of July, Guo Rong dispatched Zhao Quanzhong with 8,000 Imperial Guards from the Palace Guard to resist them.
In early August, new news arrived that the Liao army had entered Youzhou from outside the Great Wall, with a vast and imposing force that blotted out the sky, numbering no less than 100,000 cavalry.
From the moment the Shu army began to make unusual moves until the truth came out, it turned out to be a three-pronged attack orchestrated by the Liao Kingdom.
The situation became increasingly tense day by day, but fortunately, Guo Rong and his group lived up to their reputation as a team assembled in chaotic times, remaining exceptionally calm and composed.
During this period, Han Kun constantly inspected the various armies, wholeheartedly guiding their training and reorganization. The entire army should ideally have thirty command posts with a strength of 15,000 soldiers, but only twelve were actually established, totaling just 6,000 soldiers. This is why Han Kun had previously disregarded regulations and instructed Li Xuan and Li Ji to keep their best troops hidden. The makeshift command of the mighty Commander Han was even inferior to some top-tier units.
Having fewer soldiers wasn't without its advantages. At least with Han Kun leading the way, officers at all levels dared not be careless and were all on the front lines supervising the new recruits' drills. The officers even started to get to know each other, and the severe regional differences seemed to be forcibly bridged by the even more intense military pressure.
On this day, while Li Xuan was busy in the camp, someone came from outside to report that a military officer outside the camp was looking for Li Xuan by name.
Li Xuan followed the trail to the gate of the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry camp, where he saw a handsome man resting his horse under the shade of a tree. He immediately laughed and walked over, the sound of metal plates clanging against each other echoing around him.
The sound of the metal leaf reminded the handsome young man, who looked up and greeted him with a smile, "Li Ziyu, how have you been?"
Li Xuan responded, "Pan Mei, Pan Zhongxun! What brings you here?"
The handsome Pan Mei laughed and said, "There's hardly any wind in August. I have something to discuss with you. I left a letter at your home, but I found out that your army is going crazy right now, only doing drills and not giving any leave. So I had to come and ask you for advice."
Pan Mei's demeanor didn't seem to be on official business. What else could they possibly be doing besides official business?
Li Xuan asked curiously, "With the great battle imminent, all the armies of the Imperial Guard are training hard. Our Black Spear Dragon Cavalry Army is newly established, and everyone from top to bottom is eager to make a name for themselves. The Commander of Han Capital is now squatting on the training ground every day, and anyone who doesn't train well will be punished on the spot. I, a mere officer, dare not risk offending him. I wonder what brings you here so hastily, Brother Zhongxun?"
Pan Mei, recalling the Emperor's implication, hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Commander of Handu is just that kind of person. Ziyu, don't think he's unapproachable. You'll see he's very easy to get along with once you spend more time with him. I've come here today to discuss important matters."
Upon hearing that it was an important matter, Li Xuan became serious and said towards the direction of the imperial city, "Zhongxun, please speak frankly."
Pan Mei, seeing Li Xuan's reaction and then looking in the direction Li Xuan was facing, suddenly understood and said with a wry smile, "You scholars have so many rules. In terms of serving the monarch, we soldiers will be surpassed by you sooner or later. We are all warriors, so let's get straight to the point. You brothers have joined our Imperial Guard. From now on, you belong to our Imperial Guard clan. It is common and proper for Imperial Guard clans to intermarry. Does Ziyu understand?"
Li Xuan roughly understood Pan Mei's meaning, and frowned as he said, "I understand Zhongxun's intention. My brother and I are newly arrived and come from the Southern Yu Kingdom. It would be a good thing to eliminate suspicion by marrying into the Imperial Guard. However, my wife and I have been married since childhood and will be buried together in the same grave. No matter who Zhongxun is acting as matchmaker for, please forgive Li Xuan for disappointing his good intentions."
Pan Mei quickly clarified, "Ziyu, you've misunderstood. It's an age-old truth that one should not abandon a wife who has shared hardship. How could I do such a shameful thing? To tell you the truth, my uncle has a daughter, sixteen years old, fairly pretty, but a bit spoiled. She desperately wants to marry a handsome young hero. My uncle and aunt are at their wits' end; they want someone handsome, young, and a hero. They can't find a suitable one in all of Bianjing. But Ziyu, you have one!"
Li Xuan paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Are you referring to my brother Ji?"
Li Ji is four years younger than Li Xuan, and he's exactly twenty years old this year. To be a commander of an army at twenty is truly a young hero. Moreover, Li Ji is exceptionally handsome, with a striking face, and much fairer than the average military officer. Pan Mei had already taken notice of him when he introduced the two brothers.
Pan Mei laughed heartily, "That's right. I heard that Brother Ji is not yet married. In this prime of life, in this time of war, while fame and fortune are important, continuing one's lineage is also a filial duty. My sister may not be from a prominent family, but she is generous and magnanimous, and quite robust."
If I could marry into the Li family, it would surely ensure Ji-ge's lineage flourishes and please our ancestors. Ziyu, I'm not bragging, but of all the families in Bianjing, my uncle's family is the most suitable for a marriage alliance with Ji-ge. When I was young, my family was a prominent household in Jinyang, where I enjoyed a life of domestic bliss with my parents. My uncle has already established himself in Bianliang, becoming a junior officer in the Imperial Guard.
Later, my family suffered a terrible fate; the entire Pan clan was almost wiped out by the blade. I was taken by my loyal servant on a long and arduous journey to Bianjing to seek refuge with my uncle. It was my uncle who didn't mind that I was a burden, taught me martial arts, imparted military strategy, and even hired a tutor for me to learn calligraphy and painting. I owe everything I have today to my uncle.
My uncle has retired from the army due to injuries and illnesses, leaving behind only the network of connections he has cultivated over decades. If Ji Ge becomes his son-in-law, firstly, he won't be involved in the disputes between the Palace Guard and the Imperial Guard, and secondly, he will be regarded as one of the Imperial Guard's own people, which is a win-win situation.
"It was I who was directly recommended to the late Emperor by my uncle, and now I am favored by the Emperor. My promotion path is not the same as that of the Imperial Guards. No matter what the Palace Guards or the Imperial Bodyguards do, I will remain an outsider and uninvolved. Ziyu has just joined the Imperial Guards, and your brother Ji may get into trouble no matter who he marries. Only a family like mine has simple matters, clean connections, and a good reputation. I urge Ziyu to think carefully."
The current pillar of the Pan family is Pan Mei. Pan Mei is also a trusted talent left to the current emperor by the late emperor, standing aloof from the Imperial Guard faction.
However, merely remaining aloof from the outside world was not enough to maintain Pan Mei's independence. Therefore, recruiting talents within the new Imperial Guard and forming new factions became a concern for Guo Rong.
The Li brothers, who had no ties to the capital, were both literate and skilled in martial arts. Guo Rong immediately recognized their political value, and Pan Mei's marriage proposal was actually Guo Rong's idea.
Li Xuan nodded and said, "I understand Zhongxun's good intentions. It is an honor for my family to form a marriage alliance with the Pan family. Let me discuss this with Ji-ge. Although I am his elder brother, the two families separated when our grandfather was alive. Ji-ge is actually the head of the family, and now he has a promising future. I can't just agree to it behind his back. No, we should not delay. Zhongxun, don't leave. I'll call him out now."
With the campaign imminent, the Pan family's act of proposing marriage at this time represented both a huge risk and a tremendous political commitment for the woman. Li Xuan initially intended to discuss it with Li Ji at length, but before he could finish speaking, he suddenly realized that any hesitation would be disrespectful to the Pan family. He decisively returned to camp and summoned Li Ji.
On the way out of the camp, Li Xuan had already told Li Ji what had happened. Li Ji trembled slightly, a bitter feeling rising in his chest, and slowly set off to follow behind Li Xuan, his heart filled with turmoil.
Li Ji silently followed Li Xuan all the way to the camp gate before speaking:
"Brother, rest assured, I will not make things difficult for everyone. The Li family of Guangling has fallen into decline and can no longer afford to be capricious in choosing opportunities. The future of the young people in our village and the expectations of the elders of Guangling are my inescapable responsibilities."
Without strong reinforcements in Bianjing, no matter how well we brothers perform, we'll have little chance of promotion, let alone the 1,200 soldiers who follow us. General Pan is known for his righteousness and generosity, and enjoys the deep trust of two generations of officials. I know what's more important."
Yes, they are no longer teenagers who drift through life in the countryside; they carry the future, happiness, and prospects of hundreds or even thousands of people on their shoulders.
The current situation is supported by everyone's joint efforts. Li Xuan and Li Ji have the obligation to do their best to manage it well, and they have no right to offend anyone for no reason or lose the right to receive positive external support.
Upon arriving in front of Pan Mei, Pan Mei understood Li Ji's decision and laughed heartily.
Li Ji clasped his hands and said, "I am overjoyed that the elders of the Pan family have not rejected me because of my poverty and humble background, and have made this vow of marriage to me. After I return and inform my sister-in-law, I will ask my brother and sister-in-law to come and propose marriage. I thank the elders of the Pan family for their kindness and thank my brother Zhongxun for making this possible."
Pan Mei patted Li Ji and said, "Brother Ji, don't feel rushed. We military people value speed and directness. We're about to go on an expedition. If we keep going back and forth testing each other's intentions and calculating the days, we don't know how many things we'll miss."
So please don't be offended by my abrupt arrival. The auspicious day is in two days; come quickly to propose marriage. The wedding will take place in ten days. My uncle's brothers and I will deliver the bride to Brother Ji's house. We must get the wedding done before he goes to war, to ensure Brother Ji has an heir, and to fulfill our filial duty to his elders.”
Li Xuan and Li Ji were really not used to the efficient atmosphere in Bianliang. They were completely bewildered and made an appointment with Pan Mei to propose marriage.
After Pan Mei left, Li Xuan slapped his thigh: "Oh no, quickly ask for leave. We need to go back to the city and ask your sister-in-law for help."
Li Ji looked at his cousin with a puzzled expression. Li Xuan said, half-laughing and half-crying, "A house? You don't even have a house yet! You can't expect the Pan family girl to marry into my family and live in my house. She's here to be the head of the household, not to serve your sister-in-law."
Li Ji suddenly realized what was going on, and the two brothers hurriedly returned to camp to ask for leave. Thanks to Pan Mei's popularity and reputation in the Imperial Guard, their respective superiors readily approved their leave and even said they would come over to ask for a drink.
Hurriedly returning home, Li Xuan saw his adopted sons and daughters bustling about as soon as he entered. They greeted their adoptive father with delight upon his return.
Li Xuan hurriedly grabbed one of her adopted sons and asked, "What happened at home? Why are you in such a rush?"