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Inside the Anyi Governor's Mansion.
Fei Qian had just left, but Wang Yi did not change out of his formal attire. He remained seated upright in the hall, knowing that another visitor would soon arrive.
Sure enough, before the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Wei Ji of the Hedong Wei clan paid a visit.
After the two exchanged pleasantries and took their seats as host and guest, they engaged in some inconsequential small talk.
Wei Ji had no particular fondness or animosity toward Fei Qian. Under normal circumstances, as fellow gentry with the indirect connection through Cai Yong, there should have been some degree of camaraderie. However, Wei Ji's younger brother, who had married Cai Yong's daughter, Cai Yan, had tragically passed away.
Wei Ji deeply loved his younger brother and was utterly heartbroken, unable to contain his grief. When he saw that Cai Yan did not join the family in mourning with equal devastation, his sorrow turned into resentment toward her.
In his view, since Cai Yan had entered the Wei family, she was one of them. In such a situation, for her not to be weeping inconsolably, to still be able to read books, was simply…
Unfathomable! Unforgivable!
But for Cai Yan, who had spent years immersed in her family's library, social interactions posed no issue, but she had no guidance on how to behave with her husband's family. Having lost her mother early, no one taught her these customs. Moreover, her marriage to Wei Zhongdao was arranged by her father, lacking any emotional foundation…
Thus, for Cai Yan to feign grief was simply impossible.
The conflict erupted as a result.
Wei Ji saw no fault in himself or his family, so the blame naturally fell on Cai Yan. If Cai Yan was at fault, shouldn't her father, Cai Yong, bear some responsibility?
Had Cai Yong offered an apology or made amends, the Wei clan of Hedong was not so petty as to hold a grudge. But Cai Yong did nothing, as if silently protesting that the fault lay with the Wei clan. This greatly irritated Wei Ji.
It was like a festering resentment lodged in his chest, impossible to dispel.
Cai Yong was a titan of classical studies and literature, leaving Wei Ji with little recourse. He didn't dare act against Cai Yong, but now Cai Yong's disciple, Fei Qian, had appeared right under his nose…
Hmph!
Thus, though Fei Qian had no personal enmity with Wei Ji, Wei Ji was determined to make things difficult for him, just to vent his pent-up frustration.
That was why Wei Ji had responded so courteously, first with a polite letter, then sending beef and wine—ensuring he left no room for criticism when he moved against Fei Qian…
Wei Ji said, "Lord Wang, what brings Lord Fei to Hedong? If the Wei clan can be of assistance, I am duty-bound to help."
Wang Yi glanced at Wei Ji but didn't respond immediately.
Wang Yi was aware of the messy feud between the Wei and Cai families but had no desire to get involved, as it was their private affair.
As a native of Beidi, Wang Yi understood the harm caused by the Xiongnu and Qiang to the frontier. He admired young men like Fei Qian who were willing to step forward to defend the borderlands. However, admiration aside, he felt that someone so young in such a high position seemed somewhat unsteady.
At the same time, the Wei clan was a prominent local family, and Wang Yi often needed their assistance in governance. Thus, he had no intention of straining relations with Wei Ji.
Wang Yi replied simply, "Lord Fei is here to recruit soldiers and procure grain."
Wei Ji clasped his hands. "What is Lord Wang's stance?"
Wang Yi looked at Wei Ji earnestly. "Boyu, Lord Fei holds the titles of Protector of the Xiongnu Commandant General and Separate Division Marshal. Both matters are in accordance with Han law."
Wei Ji smiled. "The lands of the Han must abide by Han law."
Wang Yi paused, nodded, and said, "Good!"
With the essential points conveyed and both sides understanding each other's positions, they exchanged a few more courtesies before Wei Ji took his leave.
Wang Yi saw him out as a formality, then, hands behind his back, strolled slowly toward the inner courtyard. After a few steps, he summoned an attendant and instructed, "Inform the Commandery Assistant that I'm unwell and he is to temporarily handle the governor's duties."
The attendant left to carry out the order, while Wang Yi shook his head, pondering. The Wei clan of Hedong, led by Wei Ji, was clearly set on crossing Fei Qian. Had Fei Qian previously offended Wei Ji or provoked someone in the Wei clan?
This was why Wang Yi had emphasized "Han law." If they wanted to make trouble, fine, but it had to be within the rules. Fei Qian was, after all, a Han official and a court minister. Wang Yi was setting a boundary for the Wei clan: whatever they did, they must not violate Han law!
But Wei Ji, and the Wei clan of Hedong…
Wang Yi shook his head again, sighing with a touch of weariness as he headed to the inner courtyard. In his youth, he had been full of fervor, but as he aged, while his heart for serving the country remained, his methods had shifted from bold and direct to mild and compromising.
This time was no different—he chose compromise. Just as he had accepted Dong Zhuo's appointment, though he disapproved of Dong Zhuo's rule, he believed he could still do some good for the people…
At the very least, he was better than those who knew nothing about governance!
Though Wang Yi had little fondness for the Wei clan, he also lacked confidence in Fei Qian, so young yet holding such a high position.
In his view, being a governor wasn't so simple. Since Fei Qian was acting as Governor of Shang Commandery, he needed to handle these challenges. Though only an acting governor, Shang Commandery was a blank slate, giving Fei Qian nearly the same authority and responsibilities as a full governor.
If he couldn't even handle a noble family's subtle sabotage, what hope did he have in Shang Commandery? The region was a mix of Hu and Han, with fierce folk and everything in ruin. Without deft maneuvering, he'd get nowhere.
Fei Qian's display today, with his impressive and valiant soldiers, had certainly made a splash. But even if these were battle-hardened elites, counting everyone outside the city, they numbered less than a thousand. Without strategy, relying solely on force, once his resources were depleted, what good would recruiting more soldiers do?
How much better could untrained recruits be compared to Yellow Turban rebels?
Battlefield blades draw blood, but the hidden arrows of politics can be just as deadly!
By closing his door and delegating to the Commandery Assistant, Wang Yi signaled he would not interfere in the conflict between the Wei clan and Fei Qian. In his view, if Fei Qian couldn't handle it and fell, he deserved it.
At least if Fei Qian stumbled in Hedong, Wang Yi could step in to mitigate, offer some protection, and ensure Fei Qian's life was spared before sending him back. That was better than letting an impulsive, ignorant youth squander the nation's soldiers and resources!