Volume One: From Humble Beginnings Chapter 68: Fanning the Flames

Gao Lang was seething with rage, glaring fiercely at Chu Liu as he ground out his words, “The Gao family of Qingzhou—who are you to meddle in our affairs?”

“What’s so great about the Gao family? I’m not afraid of you!” came the defiant reply.

Wang Qiming barked coldly, “Gao Lang, listen well—Xie Shuxian is under my protection.”

He then jabbed a finger at Ba Wenzhong and scolded, “You little runt, how dare you hit the prefect in the study hall? Watch your step, or you’ll be expelled from the academy. You trail after Gao Lang all day like a dog, scavenging for his leftovers—do you find that dignified? You’re a scholar, aren’t you? How can you be so shameless?”

The air in the hall was thick with hostility, but Gao Lang dared not meet anyone’s gaze.

He knew Wang Qiming was formidable with words and even more so with his fists.

Still, he didn’t want to back down so easily. Swallowing his anger, he demanded, “Wang Qiming, why do you always oppose me?”

“For no reason other than I can’t stand your arrogance. You strut around without any real talent, acting as if you’re above everyone else. You’re the scion of a noble house, but you try to seem more distinguished than the imperial family itself—it’s disgusting. Bah!”

After venting his scorn at Gao Lang, Wang Qiming swept his gaze around the room, raising his fist as he declared, “Mark my words—anyone who troubles Xie Shuxian from now on is my enemy. The Gao family isn’t the only power in Qingzhou—there is also the Wang family…”

Though he and Xie Shuxian had never crossed paths, Wang Qiming had long heard of his reputation as the top candidate in the county examination. His support for Xie Shuxian as prefect was pure defiance against Gao Lang.

What he hadn’t expected was for Xie Shuxian to actually accept such a thankless role.

Wang Qiming had always admired those who acted with decisive loyalty and enmity. Seeing that Chu Liu was clearly trained in martial arts, he felt a sudden affinity for him.

“Master Gao, Master Wang, we are all classmates—we see each other every day. Why let a small matter sour our relations?” Gongsun Tao interjected gravely, clasping his hands in a conciliatory gesture. Outwardly, he sought to mediate; inwardly, he was delighted.

If both sides let things rest, he could play them against each other.

Xie Shuxian had thoroughly offended Gao Lang, and trouble was sure to follow.

By cleverly using Gao Lang to vent his own grievances, he had achieved a masterstroke.

The three bloodied heads delivered to his home, his grandfather’s beatings and warnings—these had forced him to keep a low profile. Yet his hatred for Xie Shuxian had never waned.

Suddenly, the bell rang for class. Though many were reluctant for the confrontation to end, they returned to their seats.

…

“Master Gao, I am Gongsun Tao, of the Gongsun clan of Pinyang.”

“So it’s Young Master Gongsun—what a pleasure! What a pleasure!”

—

Upon returning from the latrine, Gongsun Tao found only Ba Wenzhong at Gao Lang’s side and seized the opportunity to forge a connection.

“Don’t let this morning’s incident trouble you, Master Gao. Xie Shuxian is the top scholar of the county examination and a favorite of the academy instructors. Offending him could get you expelled. The Gao family is prominent in Qingzhou, but such a scandal would be unwise…”

Just as Gongsun Tao hoped, his words stoked Gao Lang’s anger.

“He’s just a farmer’s son—why should I fear him? Even if I beat him up, no one would dare expel me.”

The Gongsun family had probed repeatedly but could not determine who stood behind Xie Shuxian.

They relayed this to Gongsun Zhuo, an official in the capital, but he too failed to uncover the truth. He merely warned the family not to provoke Xie Shuxian, lest it jeopardize his own prospects for promotion.

The family was nonetheless certain that the powerful figure behind Xie Shuxian could not be the Emperor.

Shadow guards moved in mysterious ways; perhaps they had passed through Qingzhou on official business and chanced upon Xie Shuxian, but it was impossible they would linger only to protect him.

Still, Xie Shuxian was not to be trifled with any further.

Gongsun Tao schemed to lay a trap that would both deal with Xie Shuxian and force the hidden power behind him into the open.

“Master Gao, you really mustn’t—Wang Qiming is backing Xie Shuxian now…”

Hearing this, Gao Lang’s temper flared anew. He snorted, “You think I’m afraid of him? Wang Qiming is nothing to me. If my grandfather hadn’t forbidden any conflict with the Wang family, I’d have beaten him long ago—he wouldn’t dare act so brazenly…”

Gongsun Tao grew even more grave, earnestly advising, “Master Gao, don’t let your temper rule you—think before you act…”

Gao Lang failed to see that Gongsun Tao was goading him. With a contemptuous smile he said, “When did the Gongsun clan become so timid? I despise your cowardice—always hesitating, lacking any vigor… Hmph…”

With that, he turned and left, as if associating with Gongsun Tao was beneath him—unaware that he had fallen right into Gongsun Tao’s snare.

A satisfied smile crept across Gongsun Tao’s face.

From then on, Gongsun Tao openly supported Xie Shuxian, while privately befriending all the other students.

While praising Xie Shuxian, he also stirred up resentment against him among others.

Gradually, Xie Shuxian found himself isolated.

…

“Ah Can, Ah Hui, that fellow is Xie Shuxian. Take a good look at his face. Once he leaves the academy, give him a good beating.”

For ease of management, all students lived on campus, and servants were forbidden from entering.

—

That day, Gao Lang bribed the gatekeeper to sneak in two young attendants, instructing them to remember Chu Liu’s appearance and wait for him outside.

Ah Can and Ah Hui were both thirteen or fourteen, and by changing out of servant attire, they managed to slip in unnoticed.

“Yes, master.”

The two quietly tailed their target, trying to get a clear look at Xie Shuxian.

“Ah Can, how does the master treat us?”

“As deep as the mountains!”

“Then let’s beat this guy up and help our master vent his rage.”

“This is the academy—it might not be wise.”

Seeing Ah Can’s hesitation, Ah Hui whispered, “It’s a perfect chance—no one’s around. We give him a thrashing and slip out over the wall. Who will know it was us?”

Ah Can looked around—indeed, they were alone. He muttered, “Serves him right for walking into such a secluded spot… But, there are two of them…”

“They’re just bookish boys—even two are no match for us,” Ah Hui said, trying to goad his companion. “If you’re not up for it, I’ll do it alone. Just don’t be jealous when the master hands out the rewards.”

“Who says I won’t help? But this is the academy—we must be cautious.”

The mention of a reward swayed Ah Can.

The two crept after their quarry, aiming for a surprise attack.

Suddenly, Chu Liu and Su Biao spun around, fixing them with sharp stares. “Why are you two skulking after us?”

Chu Liu and Su Biao had noticed the tail long before, and had deliberately led them to an out-of-the-way place to discover who had sent them.

Seeing that their targets were younger, Ah Hui dismissed any fear of losing. Pointing at Chu Liu, he demanded menacingly, “You’re Xie Shuxian?”

Chu Liu feigned fear and nodded, “That’s me—what do you want?”

“You’ve offended the wrong people. Today, we’re going to teach you a lesson. In the future, watch what you say and do.”

Just in case, Ah Can barked at Su Biao, “You, get lost—or you’ll get it too.”

With that, both rolled up their sleeves and lunged at Chu Liu.