Episode Fifty-Two: Whose State of Lu

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“Zifu He, what are you trying to do?” A carriage rushed up from behind, and Ji Wu shouted from atop it.

“So it’s Young Master Ji Wu of the Ji clan.” Zifu He let out a cold laugh, his tone full of contempt. “What are you doing here instead of staying at Yang Hu’s side?”

“I am here by the order of Lord Yang Zi, to invite Master Meng.”

Zifu He ignored Ji Wu and addressed Meng Di solemnly, “By the command of the three chief ministers—Ji, Meng, and Shusun—I am here to extend an invitation to Master Meng.”

“Zifu He, don’t think that with the backing of the Meng clan, you’re beyond my reach. Seize him!” Ji Wu, furious, stamped his feet and ordered the armored guards to surround the carriages.

“Do you dare to lay hands on a minister of the State of Lu?” Zifu He paid Ji Wu little mind.

Has Lu become so chaotic? Meng Di smiled faintly, refraining from intervention.

Ultimately, Zifu He’s imposing presence cowed the guards; they dared not take further action, leaving both sides at a stalemate.

Growing impatient, Meng Di finally spoke, “Enough, Minister Zifu. I have been invited by Lord Yang Zi, and must not break my word.”

With that, he ignored the two, turned his horse, and rode off.

Ji Wu threw back his head and laughed, urging his driver to follow. The two had often been at odds, but today he had the upper hand, which filled him with pride and made him look more favorably upon Meng Di.

Zifu He was left, his expression shifting between gloom and contemplation.

Lu derived its name from its capital city, and within the city, winding hills gave rise to its other name, Qufu.

As they neared Qufu, travelers crowded the roads, fields crisscrossed the landscape, estates rose on every side, and farmers toiled in the fields, barely noticing the passing army.

Truly, this was the prosperous heartland of the Central Plains. The towering city walls, built of rammed earth and brick, were patrolled by armed guards, while a broad moat circled beneath, fed by diverted Zhu waters, as Ji Wu explained. The river ran clear and calm, and armored guards lined up on either side of the city gate.

This was Qufu. Ji Wu introduced it with no small sense of pride, believing that remote places like Yu would never boast such a grand city—perhaps only a dirt enclosure at best.

A grand city? Meng Di kept his smile. Before its fall, Yingdu too had been a splendid metropolis, yet before his eyes it was reduced to ruins. What use are high walls?

He ordered the troops to camp outside the city, entering with only a hundred riders. Ji Wu’s carriage led the way, and the townsfolk scattered before them. Soon, they arrived at Yang Hu’s residence.

The main gates stood wide open; Yang Hu was already waiting outside. Meng Di hurriedly dismounted and approached with proper respect. Ji Wu, somewhat envious, commented, “For Lord Yang Zi to personally welcome you—this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing, apart from the Marquis of Lu himself.”

Meng Di replied humbly that he dared not accept such honor.

Yang Hu was tall and imposing, his features majestic. He laughed heartily, “Master Meng, a hero in his youth, has rid Lu of a great scourge. You deserve this honor!”

With that, he warmly took Meng Di by the hand and led him inside, his manner graceful and enthusiastic, without seeming overly familiar.

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Having witnessed Liuxia Zhi’s strength, Meng Di knew the rumors were exaggerated. For such bandits to roam unchecked in Lu for so long, it was likely due to the various powers being wary of each other, unable to act, or perhaps even tolerating them to strengthen their own positions.

By subduing the brigands, Meng Di had surely caused Yang Hu to suffer a silent loss, unable to voice his grievance.

Yang Hu led Meng Di through halls and gates to a tranquil rear courtyard, where guards and servants knelt along the way.

Even Meng Di, who knew little of Zhou rites, could see that such a grand estate far exceeded proper standards; Yang Hu did not bother to conceal his ambitions.

The banquet was already prepared, and servants hurried back and forth with delicacies and wine.

Yang Hu took the principal seat, inviting Meng Di to the place of honor, with Yang Yue, Ji Wu, and Shusun Zhe accompanying.

After introductions, Yang Hu fixed a piercing gaze on Meng Di and spoke, “I heard the Three Huan sent someone to invite you. Why did you not go?”

The hall fell silent; all eyes turned to Meng Di.

He must choose his allegiance now? Meng Di smiled wryly. He had analyzed Yang Hu’s character with Ji Ran and knew him to be decisive and bold, so this question was no surprise.

If he hesitated or appeared indecisive, it would directly affect Yang Hu’s attitude.

Without hesitation, Meng Di replied, “The Ji, Shusun, and Meng clans lack successors; matters of Lu must fall to Lord Yang Zi. Why should I seek distant allies rather than those at hand?”

“Excellent!” Yang Hu was delighted. Meng Di, a stranger with no foundation in Lu, had two choices if he sought achievement: side with the Three Huan or ally with Yang Hu.

Depending on the Marquis of Lu or forming his own faction were options Yang Hu did not even consider.

With Meng Di refusing the Three Huan’s invitation and expressing his intention to side with Yang Hu, his stance was clear.

“As long as Master Meng is willing to assist me, this State of Lu shall belong to us both!” Yang Hu spoke with candor.

It was no exaggeration; Lu now belonged either to the Three Huan or to Yang Hu, but never to the Marquis.

Lu was indeed an anomaly. Once a powerful state among the nobles, it was the seat of Zhou rites and often received envoys from neighboring countries.

But eventually, power slipped into the hands of the Ji, Meng, and Shusun clans—the Three Huan—who monopolized Lu.

The former Marquis Ji Chou was somewhat childish, ignoring the imbalance of power between ruler and minister. At the time, nearly seventy percent of Lu’s military was under the Three Huan.

Yet, over a trivial matter involving cockfighting, he raised troops against his own minister, the Ji clan. At first, things went well, forcing the Ji patriarch to plead for mercy repeatedly.

Had he swiftly crushed the Ji clan, the situation might have changed.

The Three Huan were united; difficulties for one meant difficulties for all. Unable to conquer the Ji clan quickly, the Meng and Shusun clans raised forces to assist.

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The result: Ji Chou was defeated and fled, wandering among the nobles, never returning to Lu until his death.

Ji Pingzi of the Ji clan took power, acting as regent for nearly ten years. Near death, he installed Ji Chou’s brother, Ji Song, as marquis, but the ruler’s authority was greatly diminished.

Stranger still, the Three Huan, after struggling for dominance, ultimately handed their power to their own household ministers.

In truth, it was unsurprising. Before monopolizing Lu, the Three Huan focused on strengthening their own positions, personally managing their households and estates, so their ministers wielded little power.

After seizing Lu, their attention shifted to state affairs: controlling the marquis, governing Lu, and managing conflicts with other nobles.

Frequent wars, diplomatic missions, or serving as hostages often kept them away from their estates for a year or more, leaving household and estate affairs to their ministers.

Over time, the household stewards and estate governors grew more powerful, acquiring their own fiefs, soldiers, and subjects. It was not uncommon for people in the fiefs to know only the steward, not the lord.

For example, Yang Hu controlled Yangguan and Guan, and entrusted Yuncheng to his ally Shusun Zhi.

As the saying goes, those above set the example; if the Three Huan could sideline the marquis, their ministers could hardly resist sidelining their own lords.

Last year marked the peak: Ji Pingzi died, leaving the young Ji Sun Si as heir; Shusun Bu also died, succeeded by the child Shusun Zhou Qiu. Only the Meng clan’s chief, Zhong Sun He Ji, could still maintain order, barely keeping the Three Huan from collapse.

Thus, the Three Huan monopolized Lu, while their ministers monopolized the Three Huan—a bizarre situation.

“From childhood, I have wandered afar; now I wish only to return to my ancestral land,” said Meng Di.

“That’s easily arranged. Lord Yang Zi has already decided to visit the marquis tomorrow and request that Master Meng be granted the fief of Meng,” Ji Wu added.

Yang Hu, in high spirits, declared, “Meng is poor, with only a few dozen households. Tomorrow, I will request that neighboring people be moved there, making up a thousand households.”

In Lu, a fief of a thousand households was considered substantial; Yang Hu’s generosity was evident.

Meng Di understood the exchange of favors and responded readily, “Then I thank Lord Yang Zi. If you have need of me, please do not hesitate to command!”

“Very good, very good. There will surely be opportunities to rely on Master Meng.” The company laughed and celebrated.

With business concluded, entertainment began. Dancers and musicians entered in procession, and amidst singing and dancing, host and guests enjoyed a night of revelry.