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Wei Ji had intended to make trouble for Fei Qian, but now the trouble had turned back on him.
Wei Fu was an old hand in the Wei clan. His original name long forgotten, he had taken the Wei surname under the previous clan head and had been managing the clan's guards ever since.
Though Wei Fu hadn't uttered a single word of reproach, Wei Ji knew his visit represented the discontent of the veteran guards.
The situation was tricky to handle.
Raising the pay for all guards was unrealistic, but cutting the pay for the nearly five hundred new recruits was equally improper. Wei Ji wasn't willing to let the Wei clan bear the stigma of going back on its word.
In the end, Wei Ji announced the formation of an elite guard unit, tasking Wei Fu with drilling them rigorously. This served three purposes: first, to ensure the money was well spent; second, to silence the old guards by offering them a chance to join; and third, to deter some recruits through tough training, reducing their numbers to ease the financial burden.
But even so, problems lingered.
Wei Feng sat down but remained tense. Under Wei Ji's questioning, he reported everything happening at the south gate recruitment post…
Under the Wei clan's reputation as "rich and foolish," droves of idle people from across Hedong Commandery began flocking to Anyi…
The problem was, the Wei clan couldn't sustain such high pay and had no intention of recruiting so many. After lowering their offered pay, Fei Qian's side unexpectedly did the same!
But something baffling happened. When the masses, who had traveled far, learned the Wei clan wasn't offering the high pay they'd heard about, many angrily switched to Fei Qian's recruitment post!
Even when the Wei clan matched Fei Qian's pay, it made no difference…
As a result, Fei Qian had recruited four to five hundred men in just two days, with more likely to come!
Hearing this, Wei Ji, instead of growing angry, laughed and clapped his hands. "Marvelous! The Dui hexagram over the Shang, ninth in the fifth—withered poplar sprouting anew! Fei Qian, Fei Ziyuan, truly ingenious!"
Wei Feng, unfamiliar with the Book of Changes, could only stare blankly at Wei Ji, not understanding the hexagram's meaning.
Wei Ji had no inclination to explain. After a moment's thought, he said, "Withdraw the recruitment post."
"What?" Wei Feng didn't immediately grasp it, then quickly bowed. "Yes! I obey the clan head's command!"
After Wei Feng left, Wei Ji remained seated in the hall, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Fei Qian was so cunning and unyielding—only one path remained…
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Fei Qian absentmindedly tapped the desk, asking Jia Qu, "Liangdao, what kind of person do you think Wei Ji, Wei Boyu, is?"
Jia Qu sat ramrod straight, pausing before replying, "A gentleman."
Ha! Not a bad evaluation!
Fei Qian found it intriguing, looking at Jia Qu's serious face. "Oh? What kind of gentleman? The gentleman of the Book of Changes? Of the Odes? Or of the Book of Yu?"
The Book of Changes, Qian hexagram, states: "Nine in the third, the gentleman strives ceaselessly all day, vigilant at evening, facing danger without fault." That is one kind of gentleman.
The Odes, Guan Ju, says: "A refined lady, the gentleman's good match." That is another kind.
The Book of Yu, Counsels of Great Yu, notes: "The gentleman is in the wilds, the petty man in power." Yet another kind.
Jia Qu shook his head. "None of those. He is the gentleman of Zhongni."
"Zhongni's gentleman…" Fei Qian was slightly surprised. Did Wei Ji hold such a high place in Jia Qu's estimation?
But Confucius (Zhongni) and his disciples had many definitions and extensions of "gentleman." Which one did Jia Qu mean?
Fei Qian tapped the desk, frowning. "Zhongni's gentlemen are numerous—three virtues, three fears, three paths…" Listing them all, how could he know which one? Was Wei Ji truly so outstanding, kind, and virtuous, embodying all these qualities?
Come on.
Jia Qu answered earnestly, "The gentleman of the four 'nots.'"
The gentleman of the four "nots"?
Fei Qian suddenly grasped Jia Qu's meaning and laughed, pleased with his keen observation.
Yes, Fei Qian didn't believe Wei Ji would simply give up.
Huang Xu had sent word that the Wei clan's recruitment at the south gate had stopped, even dismantling their post…
Commandery Assistant Lu Chang also sent a message, stating Fei Qian could freely purchase grain, and anyone daring to obstruct would face severe punishment!
Would Wei Feng have withdrawn without Wei Ji's approval?
Would Lu Chang have made such a bold guarantee without Wei Ji's knowledge?
On the surface, it seemed Wei Ji had fully retreated, no longer confronting Fei Qian directly. But combined with Jia Qu's "four 'nots' gentleman"—referring to Confucius's principle of not acting rashly, not speaking idly, not seeking improperly, and not moving falsely—Fei Qian believed Wei Ji wasn't conceding defeat or ceasing trouble. Instead, he was plotting something sinister, biding his time with calculated restraint!
Jia Qu was subtly warning Fei Qian. Before, Wei Ji's moves were overt, easily observed. Now, like a beast lurking in the grass, he'd hidden himself, making it impossible to predict his next strike—a far greater danger…
Fei Qian looked at Jia Qu, smiling faintly. "Does Liangdao have any strategies?"
Jia Qu glanced at Fei Qian expressionlessly and said crisply, "No strategy."
Huh? Did I approach this wrong?
Fei Qian muttered inwardly. Weren't all scripts written this way? When a lord asks a subordinate, no matter their intellect—even someone like Zhang San—would reflexively say, "My lord, I have upper, middle, and lower strategies to choose from…"
Why did I get a curt "no strategy"?
"Is Lord Fei testing me or truly asking?" Jia Qu met Fei Qian's puzzled gaze calmly. "If testing, I have no strategy. If asking, without knowing the full situation, how can I plan?"
This stubborn kid!
So it's my fault?
Fei Qian pondered for a moment, then stood solemnly, clasping his hands to Jia Qu. "I was discourteous. Please forgive me, Liangdao."
Jia Qu quickly stood, bowing deeply in return.
After the exchange, they smiled at each other, letting the moment pass.
Once reseated, Fei Qian counted on his fingers. "Now, Du Wenzheng has taken two hundred soldiers to Beiqu to build a fort and liaise with locals. Huang Zichu is recruiting at the south gate, nearing a thousand men. Huang Shuye, as you've seen, Liangdao, is training troops here. And Cui Yongyuan is procuring grain—already securing… about 300,000 dan…"
At this figure, Jia Qu's eyes widened in astonishment…