Liu Cheng soon learned that Huan Wen had returned to Jiangling after the New Year. He had indeed petitioned to appoint Huan Chong General of the Dragon's Might and Acting Imperial Envoy, assigned him twenty thousand troops to garrison Chang'an and oversee Yong and Qin, and added the titles Protector-General of the Xiongnu and Protector-General of the Western Regions, concurrently serving as Chief Evaluator of Yongzhou.
Although he knew that a man like Huan Wen would not readily let others shake his established plans, hearing this now still left a particular taste in his mouth.
Still, this was fine. Traveling from Cangyuan to Jiangling would actually be easier.
Before that, however, he had to bid someone farewell.
"Mr. Ziliang." Beneath the corridor late that night, Liu Cheng poured his companion wine. "None of us expected this mission to delay us so long. I am truly ashamed."
"I wanted to visit Hebei and observe the situation myself, and troubled you to lend me transport and let me accompany you. Why should you be ashamed instead?" Quan Yi raised his cup and sighed before slowly taking a sip. "Even that incident in Jixian-what you did was entirely reasonable."
Liu Cheng shook his head for no apparent reason, then asked, "Mr. Ziliang, you are one of the wisest men in the world. What did you gain from this journey?"
"You mean the Murong Clan?" Quan Yi set down his cup and asked with an air of curiosity.
"What else could I mean?" Liu Cheng smiled.
"The Murong Clan's old chanyu died a little too soon, while the brothers of the present generation are rather too young." Quan Yi grew serious. "I remember the old chanyu died four... it would be five years now. Five years ago, he fell from his horse and died