Wang Chong did not stay long in Hejian Prefecture. After reassuring everyone, he first made a trip to Heaven-Scraping Ridge.
Although Qin Gao had offered his allegiance of his own accord, he was the one Wang Chong trusted least. Wang Chong therefore wanted to build some rapport with him first, while also learning about Ling Prefecture's local customs.
The situation in Ling Prefecture was different from that in Ba Prefecture. Decades earlier, Military Governor Feng Bo'e had thrown in his lot with the Eighteen Tribes of the Grasslands and risen in rebellion. Yet he had not joined any particular tribe, retaining his independence and ruling his own territory. He even had many grassland warriors under his command, and his military strength exceeded Ba Prefecture's. For that reason, Shi Lushan had stationed substantial forces at Heaven-Scraping Ridge as well, fearing a sudden attack from Feng Bo'e. By now, Feng Bo'e had long since died of illness. His son Feng Pofeng had taken over Ling Prefecture and had much of his father's manner: an eagle's stare, a wolf's backward glance, and boundless ambition.
When the Wind-Treading Cavalry reached Heaven-Scraping Ridge, Qin Gao brought his men down to welcome them. He was both surprised and delighted to see Gao Gun and hurriedly bowed to the ground. Gao Gun assumed the bearing of a renowned scholar of the age and a Chang'an envoy, offered him some reassuring words, then took out the imperial edict and read the passage concerning Qin Gao. Who knew whose influence had been at work, but Qin Gao had actually been transferred from Tongzhou to Ba Prefecture, promoted from Sima of the Subordinate Sixth Rank to Commandant of the Zhechong of the Subordinate Fifth Rank, and remained under Wang Chong's command.
Qin Gao was overjoyed. As Ba Prefecture was a