Luoyang was in the height of summer at the end of August.
A gentle breeze blew, yet brought not a trace of coolness.
Two months had passed since Xiahou Xian returned from Hebei, and lately the emperor, Cao Rui, had had mixed cause for joy and worry.
The good news was that Wu Zhi had entered the capital to take up a new post the previous month.
Cao Rui had kept his promise, appointing Wu Zhi Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the additional office of Palace Attendant, while allowing him to retain his title of General Who Inspires Awe.
The worry, however, was the news from the front against Eastern Wu.
At court, Cao Rui sat upright and solemn, listening to his ministers present their memorials.
"In this campaign, the Grand Marshal lost tens of thousands of our elite troops from Huainan, along with untold quantities of grain and military supplies."
"I fear our Great Wei will lack the strength to lay a finger on Jiangdong again for ten years."
"Indeed, indeed."
"I have heard that Sun Quan, ruler of the Wu rebels, began preparations to ascend the imperial throne after returning from his great victory."
"If that happens, three emperors will stand side by side beneath heaven. Would that not disgrace our Great Wei's legitimate succession?"
The ministers seemed to be kicking Grand Marshal Cao Xiu while he was down, but in truth, they were issuing a threat.
They want me to replace Cao Xiu?
Impossible.
Only now did Cao Rui finally realize that the late emperor, Cao Pi, had suppressed the imperial clan's power far too heavily.
The imperial clan was now dwindling. If this continued, the Nine-rank System would carry the power of the aristocratic clans to a new peak.
Moreover, although Cao Xiu had planned this campaign himself, he had consulted Cao Rui on every matter throughout the operation. Every move he made had received Cao Rui's approval.
Thus, he too bore responsibility for the defeat at the Battle of Shiting.
What do they mean by ganging up on him like this...
Cao Rui waited until the ministers had more or less finished before speaking.
"My ministers, Grand Marshal Cao Xiu has already submitted a memorial confessing his fault in person. In consideration of his many years of toil and distinguished service, I cannot bear to punish him for a single defeat."
"I have already dispatched Colonel of the Elite Cavalry Yang Ji to Shouchun to convey my decree and offer reassurance, so that the Grand Marshal may draw courage from this disgrace and continue guarding the frontiers of our Great Wei."
At his words, the ministers exchanged glances. After a brief round of quiet muttering, they all fell silent.
After all, the emperor had personally spoken in Cao Xiu's defense. His position could not have been clearer.
What more could they say?
Some ministers who favored the imperial clan, however, were inwardly blooming with delight.
Xiahou Mao, for instance.
He immediately stepped forward from the ranks and praised Cao Rui's decision.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
He cast a disdainful glance at those ministers. "If His Majesty truly dismissed the Grand Marshal as you gentlemen wished, would that not chill the hearts of loyal subjects?"
The ministers said nothing, though inwardly they thought, Yes, yes, of course you're right.
His Majesty's intention to shield the imperial clan was so obvious that they simply did not wish to invite a rebuff.
Cao Rui spoke up to interrupt the two men's conversation, inwardly heaving a sigh.
The balance between the imperial clan and the aristocratic clans was indeed delicate, and difficult to maintain.
The slightest misstep would send the scales rapidly tipping toward the other side.
Time flashed past like a white steed glimpsed through a crack, and late September arrived in the blink of an eye.
Fallen leaves swirled through Luoyang, as though the city had changed its face overnight.
The Cao Wei imperial family had always maintained a tradition of autumn hunts, and that day, Cao Rui suddenly took an interest.
Thus, after finishing his administrative work at the East Hall offices early, he took a large group of close ministers out hunting.
Their destination was the foothills of Mount Beimang outside Luoyang, the hunting grounds reserved for the imperial family by long-standing custom.
The emperor rode in his imperial carriage, while the mounted attendants rode alongside him.
Behind the imperial carriage marched five hundred imperial guards, commanded by Cao Xiu's eldest son, Cao Zhao.
Cao Zhao currently held a post in the Central Guard Command.
Almost everyone accompanying them was a familiar face. Most were court gentlemen serving at the emperor's side, and Xiahou Xian naturally recognized them.
Military officers such as Qin Lang, Cao Zhao, and Cao Shuang were all keenly interested in the hunt and eager to try their hands.
This was an excellent opportunity to display their personal martial prowess before the emperor.
Men such as Wang Su and Du Shu, who earned their living with their pens, merely accompanied the emperor for a little amusement, treating it as an outing.
One man, however, rode close to the imperial carriage despite not being a mounted attendant. Xiahou Xian had never seen him at the East Hall.
After asking Wang Su, he learned that the man was Guanqiu Jian.
Xiahou Xian understood at once.
Guanqiu Jian wore armor and a helmet. A thick beard covered the face beneath his helmet, lending him a very steady appearance.
That rather belied his age. He was reportedly only a few years older than Emperor Cao Rui.
Without needing much introduction from Wang Su, Xiahou Xian knew that Guanqiu Jian had been Cao Rui's close friend during his days as crown prince and enjoyed his deep regard.
Thus, after Cao Rui ascended the throne, his official career had taken off like a helicopter.
From a gentleman in the Imperial Secretariat, he had become Supervisor of the Feathered Forest Guards, then been promoted to General of the Household for Agricultural Colonies. His career had been smooth all the way.
But Guanqiu Jian was no mediocrity who relied solely on the emperor's favor.
Not only could he command troops, he was also a man of letters. Though his mastery of calligraphy could not be said to have reached the highest peak, he had earned some renown.
He also showed considerable discernment in government affairs. He had once earnestly advised Cao Rui that, with the realm still unsettled, he should not undertake vast construction projects to build palaces.
A talent as well-rounded as Guanqiu Jian could truly be called a "hexagonal warrior" in this late Three Kingdoms era, when talent was dwindling by the day.
Of course, he was only just beginning to make his mark.
Was Xiahou Xian not the same?
This was a valley in Mount Beimang, thick with leafy shade. Sunlight spilled down from above, dappling the woodland floor with light and shadow.
A young deer stood with its head lowered, nibbling at some greenery the autumn winds had yet to batter down, all the while keeping a wary eye on its surroundings.
Not far behind the deer, a dark brown wild boar's eyes gleamed as it advanced toward its prey, one step at a time.
The deer suddenly pricked up its ears.
It seemed to have heard the rustling of leaves. Instinct told it to flee at once.
Clearly unwilling to lose the prey already within its grasp, the boar immediately charged at the deer.
Whoosh!
A sharp arrow tore through the air and plunged straight into the boar's right eye.
The boar let out an agonized squeal and swayed, fixing its remaining left eye on the direction the arrow had come from.
Quick of eye and hand, Xiahou Xian swiftly drew another arrow from the quiver on his back, nocked it, and drew his bow.
The boar's ferocity erupted, and it charged toward Xiahou Xian with a roar.
Another arrow flew, striking the boar squarely in the back. Yet the savage beast seemed utterly insensible to pain; even with several arrows in its body, it still did not fall.
Now Xiahou Xian began to panic a little. The boar weighed at least two or three hundred jin by Han measures. Taking such a charge head-on would likely leave him smashed to pieces.
But Xiahou Xian had trained in martial arts for years, after all, and remained quite agile. With their strength so utterly mismatched, he immediately decided to climb a tree first and put some distance between them.
Just as he was about to move, the boar suddenly gave an agonized squeal without warning.
Only then did Xiahou Xian notice an arrow lodged straight in the boar's forefoot. It stumbled and fell on the spot. Several more arrows then flew in from diagonally behind him, finally leaving the boar unable to move.
Xiahou Xian glanced to the side. The man was tall, clad in armor, and holding a longbow.
The man approached at an easy pace, speaking as he walked. "You must be Xiahou Fengming. His Majesty often speaks of you."
"Oh, Fengming is still so young. No wonder."
"When dealing with a wild beast like this, you must never think of matching brute strength against brute strength."
"You must first stop it from moving, then deliver the killing blow."
As he spoke, the man drew the long sword at his waist. Looking down at the immobilized boar, he drove it forcefully downward, piercing its heart.
"Ah, there I go rambling again. I hope you won't find me tiresome."
"I forgot to introduce myself. I am Guanqiu Jian, courtesy name Zhonggong."