Cao Rui looked into Xiahou Xian's eyes and said solemnly:
"A few years ago, the General Who Conquers the South (Xiahou Shang) died of illness. Now the Grand Marshal has passed away as well. The imperial clansmen of our Great Wei are dwindling by the day."
"The Yang Province region is a special place."
"Not only does it border Qiao and Pei, where our Great Wei first rose to prominence, but it is also the front line of our year-after-year wars with Eastern Wu."
"While the Grand Marshal was there, I never worried. Even when he returned in crushing defeat, that remained true."
"Because he was my kinsman."
Only then did Xiahou Xian understand Cao Rui's intention.
It was precisely Yang Province's unique geographical position that made it an extremely unstable factor within Great Wei.
Not only did it enjoy considerable autonomy, but the frequent wars also made the court reluctant to interfere lightly in its affairs.
The Huainan region would gradually become something akin to a vassal state of Great Wei. The three subsequent Huainan rebellions were proof of that.
Cao Rui's meaning was clear. He hoped Xiahou Xian could go to Huainan as soon as possible to gain experience, someday becoming a commander capable of standing on his own and once again shouldering the banner for Great Wei's imperial clan.
The matter could brook no delay, so within a few days, the emperor's letter of appointment arrived.
At court that day, numerous personnel appointments were announced together.
General-in-Chief Cao Zhen was promoted to Grand Marshal, overseeing Wei State's military and civil affairs.
General of Agile Cavalry Sima Yi was promoted to General-in-Chief, retaining supervision over Jing and Yu Provinces.
General of the Front Man Chong was transferred to Yang Province to serve as acting commander of its military and civil affairs.
Xiahou Xian was likewise transferred to Yang Province, though given his limited experience, Cao Rui could not promote him over multiple ranks.
Thus, his official appointment was Administrator of Huainan Commandery in Yang Province.
This was already an exceptional promotion. After all, a commandery administrator received a salary of two thousand shi and held Principal Fifth Rank under the Nine-rank System.
Although Xiahou Xian's current position as Cavalier Attendant Gentleman was also fifth rank, this was unquestionably a promotion compared with a commandery administrator who wielded real authority.
Upon learning of her son's promotion, Qinghe did not nag this time. Over the past few days, she had been busy preparing everything Xiahou Xian would take with him.
Though called traveling necessities, most of these were actually household servants.
The moment Xiahou Xian returned to the residence, he froze on the spot.
In the courtyard, silks and bolts of cloth stood in closely packed rows; treasures and spices dazzled the eye.
Qinghe was instructing the servants to load the carts.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have mistaken this spectacle for some family's trading caravan.
There was also a teeming crowd of household servants, attendants, and cooks, with even a dozen or so maids among them.
Xiahou Xian approached Qinghe as she bustled about making arrangements and said helplessly, "Mother, I'm going to govern a commandery, not on an outing."
Qinghe smiled. "You don't understand, Xian. These goods and valuables are for you to grease palms at every level once you reach Yang Province."
"You'll be a stranger in an unfamiliar place. Who will recognize you?" She pointed at the mountain of goods before her. "But they'll certainly recognize these."
For a moment, Xiahou Xian was speechless and could only accept them gratefully.
The next day, Xiahou Xian attended the farewell banquet Xiahou Xuan had arranged for him.
Xiahou Xuan was very warm toward this younger clansman of his.
Although Xiahou Xian had always deliberately avoided him in the past, Xiahou Xuan still treated him courteously.
At the banquet, Xiahou Xuan swept his gaze over the guests from the host's seat and said, "Though Fengming is young, he is a model for our generation. We can only feel ashamed of our own shortcomings."
There was nothing wrong with that statement.
After all, those present either held no office or occupied superfluous posts.
Only Xiahou Xian was about to become a high official with genuine power.
Then Xiahou Xuan turned to the Sima brothers at the banquet and teased, "Ziyuan, Zishang, has Lord Sima been well lately?"
Of course he has, Sima Zhao thought. My father is Wei State's General-in-Chief, second only to Grand Marshal Cao Zhen.
Sima Shi replied with a perfectly straight face, "Our father is far away in Jing Province. Neither of us has seen him for quite some time."
Xiahou Xuan sighed. "With talents such as yours, Ziyuan and Zishang, you will surely become pillars of our Great Wei someday."
Sima Shi modestly cupped his hands in a bow.
Sima Zhao, on the other hand, wore a punchable expression that said, "Isn't that stating the obvious?"
After they had talked for a while, everyone suddenly felt that something seemed to be missing from today's banquet.
Oh, right. He Yan.
He Yan had indeed come today, but he was uncharacteristically quiet and unobtrusive. Without his usual lofty discourses, everyone found it a little hard to adjust.
Xiahou Xian and the others looked toward He Yan, only to find his face flushed. At some point, he had taken off his upper garments and was sitting bare-chested among the guests.
Only when everyone's astonished gazes fell upon him did he lift his head slightly. "It's nothing, nothing. There's no need to look at me like that."
Xiahou Xuan asked with concern, "What's wrong, Pingshu?"
He Yan narrowed his eyes and shook his head, a trace of a smile on his lips. "No need for alarm, Taichu."
As he spoke, he took out a packet of oiled paper from inside his clothing and slowly unfolded it. Inside was a small pinch of grayish-white powder.
"What is that?" Xiahou Xuan asked curiously.
He Yan dabbed a finger in the powder and held it beneath his nose for a gentle sniff, then extended the tip of his tongue and licked it clean.
He Yan closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. Only after a long while did he slowly open them again.
Everyone watched, wide-eyed and tongue-tied.
Had He Pingshu lost his mind?
Just as everyone was puzzling over it, He Yan finally began explaining in all seriousness. "This substance is called Five Minerals Powder."
"It is made by blending five minerals: fluorite, quartz, red halloysite, stalactite, and sulfur."
He Yan finally straightened up and said, "Do you all remember what I was like a few years ago?"
Xiahou Xian, Sima Shi, and the others had not known He Yan long and did not know, but Ding Mi had known him for years and naturally remembered.
Ding Mi said, "I remember that Pingshu used to be frail and sickly. A physician once said you would not live past thirty."
Indeed, a few years earlier, He Yan had inexplicably become sickly. Who would have thought that over these past few years he would suddenly become radiant, looking as though he might float away into immortality?
He Yan said, "After taking this, my mind feels clear and refreshed, and my vision is sharp. Do I still look that way to you?"
Indeed, He Yan's complexion was now quite good, white with a rosy glow. Honestly, if He Yan had a daughter, she would surely possess a beauty to topple nations.
"Oh? It has such miraculous effects?" Xiahou Xuan seemed interested.
"Precisely. If you like, Taichu, I'll give you the formula for this Five Minerals Powder another day." He Yan turned toward the other guests and added, "Of course, everyone here is a dear friend of mine, He Pingshu. You'll all get a copy."
Everyone clicked their tongues in wonder, but no one actually tried it yet. Most were waiting to see.
Xiahou Xian naturally knew what this stuff was and had no desire whatsoever to touch it.
Holding the wine cup before him with three fingers, He Yan glanced at it and said to Xiahou Xuan, "Taichu, this wine is cold. Could you have it warmed for me?"
He Yan behaved this way because taking the powder had quite a few side effects. It made the whole body unbearably hot, just as He Yan was now; he had removed his upper garments to let the powder's effects run their course.
In addition, after taking it, one had to eat cold food and bathe in cold water, but could not drink cold wine.
Although Xiahou Xuan did not understand the mysteries involved, he still instructed his household attendants to do as requested.
"Oh, right. This substance has another marvelous effect," He Yan suddenly said. First he kept them in suspense, then revealed a wicked grin. "It can double your prowess in bedding women!"
At these words, Sima Zhao immediately sprang forward.
"Let me try!"