Dragon Boat Race Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Chapter Twelve: Triumphant Return

Epigraph: The Northern Di submit their surrender, the army returns with songs of victory. This is not the day to retire upon success; the undercurrents are surging and more perilous.

In the autumn of the third year of Yonghe, the Northern Expeditionary Army returned to the capital.

Banners fluttered, and songs of triumph shook the heavens. The two-year war on the northern frontier finally concluded with the Northern Di submitting a letter of surrender, offering tribute, and declaring vassalage. The capital’s citizens lined the streets to welcome them, eager to catch a glimpse of the victorious army.

Qin Gong and Wu Ge rode side by side, accepting the cheers of the populace. Sunlight spilled onto Wu Ge’s silver armor, reflecting a dazzling brilliance. He sat straight on his horse, his posture tall and his expression stern. Only when he occasionally glanced at Qin Gong beside him did a flicker of warmth appear in his eyes.

“Look! That’s General Wu!”

“The one in the white robe next to him, is that the legendary Strategist Qin?”

“I heard that the Northern Di’s surrender this time was largely thanks to Strategist Qin’s brilliant schemes…”

The citizens’ discussions drifted in the wind, and Qin Gong slightly lowered his gaze. These praises made him uneasy. He understood the principle of success inviting the sovereign’s suspicion better than anyone.

Wu Ge seemed to sense his thoughts and said in a low voice, “Don’t overthink it. This is what you deserve.”

The procession reached the Imperial City, where civil and military officials were already lined up outside the Meridian Gate. Leading them was Prime Minister Su Mingyuan, who wore a smile but whose eyes were sharp as an eagle’s.

“Welcome General Wu on your triumphant return!” Su Mingyuan led the officials in a bow, his posture respectful but not lacking the dignity of a prime minister.

Wu Ge dismounted and returned the salute. “Thank you, Prime Minister, for personally greeting us.”

Su Mingyuan’s gaze shifted to Qin Gong, his smile deepening. “This must be Strategist Qin? Truly, heroes emerge from the young. My daughter received much care in the army, and I thank you for it here.”

His words were cleverly phrased, displaying the prime minister’s magnanimity while also hinting at Su Mo’s connection to the Northern Expeditionary Army. Qin Gong bowed. “The Prime Minister is too kind.”

The tedious welcoming ceremony lasted for a full hour. By the time Qin Gong finally managed to return to the post house arranged by the court, he was utterly exhausted.

A-Sheng had been waiting at the post house for a long time. Seeing him return, he hurried over. “Strategist, you’re finally back. Someone from the palace delivered a message, saying His Majesty will personally bestow rewards at tomorrow’s morning court.”

Qin Gong rubbed his temples. “I understand.”

“Also…” A-Sheng lowered his voice, “Miss Su sent someone with an invitation, asking you to visit her residence tomorrow for a chat.”

Qin Gong took the exquisite invitation card, his brow slightly furrowed. Su Mo inviting him to her residence at this time was likely more than just a simple “reunion.”

The next day at the morning court, the atmosphere in the Hall of Golden Chimes was solemn and dignified.

“Minister Wu’s pacification of the northern frontier is a great service to the nation,” the Emperor’s voice echoed through the hall. “We hereby confer upon him the title of Marquis of Zhenbei, grant him an Iron-Clad Charter, and make the title hereditary.”

“Your subject thanks the Emperor for his great grace.” Wu Ge bowed in gratitude, his expression calm, as if this immense wealth and honor were nothing out of the ordinary for him.

The Emperor then rewarded General Zhao, Commandant Sun, and a host of other officers, before finally fixing his gaze on Qin Gong.

“Strategist Qin repeatedly offered brilliant schemes, helping our army achieve a great victory. We hereby confer upon him the title of Vice Minister of War, and grant him a thousand taels of gold.”

This reward surprised everyone. The Vice Minister of War was a high official of the third rank. For a young strategist with no background, this speed of promotion was astonishing.

A warning bell rang in Qin Gong’s heart. Such a reward, while seemingly a favor, was actually placing him on a spit to roast.

“Your Majesty,” he quickly stepped forward, “Your subject is lacking in talent and knowledge, and fears he cannot bear such a heavy responsibility.”

The Emperor smiled. “My dear minister is too modest. We are well aware of your abilities.”

At this moment, Su Mingyuan stepped forward. “Your Majesty, your old subject believes that Vice Minister Qin is young and promising, and indeed needs more experience. Perhaps we could let him temporarily serve as the Junior Vice Minister of War, and promote him further once he is familiar with government affairs.”

These words seemed to be for Qin Gong’s benefit, but were actually intended to strip him of real power. The Junior Vice Minister of War was a nominal position, far less influential than the full Vice Minister of War.

Qin Gong immediately seized the opportunity. “The Prime Minister is absolutely right. Your subject is willing to start from the grassroots level.”

The Emperor pondered for a moment, then finally nodded his approval.

After the court adjourned, Qin Gong was stopped by Wu Ge just outside the palace gates.

“Why did you refuse the position of Vice Minister of War?” Wu Ge asked in a low voice, his brows tightly knitted.

“The tree that stands tallest in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind,” Qin Gong said softly. “You should understand this principle better than I.”

Wu Ge was silent for a moment, then sighed. “You are right. It’s just that you’ve been wronged.”

“Not wronged,” Qin Gong smiled. “This is just right.”

That afternoon, Qin Gong went to the Prime Minister’s residence as promised.

The residence was extremely grand, with pavilions, terraces, painted beams, and carved pillars, all showcasing the owner’s power. Su Mo hosted a banquet in the waterside pavilion in the garden. Seeing Qin Gong arrive, she personally rose to greet him.

“Vice Minister Qin honors my humble abode with his presence.” Today, she wore a light purple dress, making her appear even more gentle and moving.

“Miss Su is too kind,” Qin Gong bowed and took his seat.

After a maid served fragrant tea, she quietly withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the pavilion.

“Congratulations on your promotion, Vice Minister Qin,” Su Mo raised her cup. “Although it is only the Junior Vice Minister position, with Vice Minister Qin’s talent, I believe you will soon be able to fully demonstrate your abilities.”

Qin Gong remained composed. “I thank Miss Su for her auspicious words.”

Su Mo put down her teacup and suddenly said, “Does Vice Minister Qin know why His Majesty granted you such a reward?”

“I ask Miss Su to enlighten me.”

“Because someone submitted a memorial to His Majesty, stating that your prestige in the army was already threatening the authority of the commander-in-chief.” Su Mo’s voice was soft, but her words were startling. “If my father had not intervened, what awaited you might not have been a reward, but imprisonment.”

Qin Gong sneered inwardly, but feigned surprise on the surface. “Is that truly the case?”

“In the imperial court, every step is fraught with danger,” Su Mo said meaningfully. “Sometimes, choice is more important than talent.”

Her meaning was already very clear. Su Mingyuan was forcing him to choose a side.

“I will remember Miss Su’s words,” Qin Gong replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

Just then, a maid hurried over and whispered a few words in Su Mo’s ear. Su Mo’s expression changed slightly, then quickly returned to normal.

“Vice Minister Qin, I apologize, but I have some family matters to attend to,” she stood up. “I will invite the Vice Minister to visit again another day.”

Qin Gong wisely took his leave. As he walked out of the Prime Minister’s residence, he saw a familiar carriage parked outside the gate—it was Wu Ge’s carriage.

Returning to the post house, Qin Gong pondered everything that had happened that day. Su Mingyuan’s attempt to recruit him, the Emperor’s reward, and the carriage parked outside the Prime Minister’s residence… all of it suggested something unusual.

Late at night, Wu Ge suddenly arrived.

“You went to the Prime Minister’s residence?” he asked as soon as he entered, his tone carrying suppressed anger.

“Miss Su invited me; it would have been rude to refuse,” Qin Gong replied calmly.

Wu Ge took a deep breath. “Su Mingyuan has ill intentions. He wants to use you to restrain me.”

“I know,” Qin Gong poured him a cup of tea. “That’s why I didn’t accept his overtures.”

Wu Ge’s expression softened slightly. “You did the right thing in court today. The Ministry of War is a place of trouble right now; it’s better to stay away.”

“What about you?” Qin Gong asked. “The title of Marquis of Zhenbei is probably not so easy to hold.”

Wu Ge sneered. “They want to exchange the title for my military authority, but they’ve miscalculated.”

It turned out that after court adjourned today, the Emperor had summoned Wu Ge privately, hinting that he should surrender his military authority and content himself with being a wealthy marquis. Wu Ge refused, citing “the Northern Di are newly pacified, and the situation is unstable.”

“You refused His Majesty?” Qin Gong’s heart tightened.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits,” Wu Ge took his hand. “It’s just that we need to be even more careful from now on.”

The candlelight flickered, illuminating their grave faces. Beneath the glory of their triumphant return lay the surging undercurrents of a power struggle. And they were already deeply embroiled in it.