Chapter Ninety-Four: An Honored Guest Arrives

The next day, Liang Huai hurried to Fei City. While he was still on the road, news had already reached him: Meng Di’s victory was utterly true. He had indeed used three thousand cavalry to defeat the Qi army, and this left Liang Huai with a sense of awe in his heart.

Upon receiving word of Meng Di, his thoughts stirred. Ji Sun Si was certainly a person of importance. Last time, he had deliberately avoided mentioning any plan to deal with Yang Hu, so this time, to celebrate the great victory, he only sent a family retainer. Yet the speed of his arrival was impressive, showing genuine intent. Meng Di received Liang Huai in person, but was displeased to discover that the man was somewhat arrogant, speaking as if he was in a position of superiority.

No sooner had Liang Huai been sent off, Meng Di received another summons—from Yang Hu, ordering him to present himself at Qufu. Meng Di sneered inwardly and turned to Ji Ran.

“This Yang Hu really thinks himself the ruler of Lu. What do you think, Master Ji, should I go or not?”

Ji Ran frowned, pondering for a moment. It was a dilemma: if Meng Di refused, Yang Hu would surely seize the opportunity to cause trouble; yet if he went, his reputation would suffer, for the people of Lu had little regard for Yang Hu.

Suddenly, Ji Ran recalled Liang Huai’s recent visit and found a solution.

“My lord need not go. The gifts from the Ji Sun clan have already been delivered, and Yang Hu is, after all, a retainer of Ji Sun. You can simply send a letter to Qufu, addressed to Yang Hu.”

This was a plan that achieved two goals at once: it would widen the rift between Yang Hu and the Ji Sun clan and allow Meng Di to refuse Yang Hu’s summons.

Meng Di sighed, his tone tinged with reflection.

“Yang Hu is far too domineering. The voices of dissent within Lu grow louder by the day, though none dare speak openly for fear of his power. At a time like this, his lack of restraint bodes ill for his future.”

After sending the letter to Yang Hu, Meng Di mounted his horse and, with Han Zhan and others, went to see Wang Bo off. Bai Gui also departed with them, heading to Yan to oversee the establishment of a horse ranch.

In his heart, Meng Di wished Bai Gui would remain in Meng City, but the latter had no interest in official posts. Resigned, Meng Di agreed to let him manage commercial affairs.

Despite the ongoing war between Qi and Lu, merchants continued to travel between the two states. Halfway along the journey, a military courier galloped up, dismounted, and bowed.

“My lord, the Tian clan of Qi has sent word: they are already on their way to Meng City.”

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Meng Di immediately thought of the Tian clan. Their action was swift—barely had the battle ended, and already Qi was sending envoys, not to Qufu to see Yang Hu, but to Meng City to see him. This was intriguing.

Ji Ran’s mind quickly grasped the situation, and he smiled coldly.

“My lord, the Qi people clearly intend to fan the flames, to intensify the conflict between you and Yang Hu so that they may profit from the chaos. This is a scheme fraught with ill intent, meant to destabilize Lu from within.”

Though Meng Di saw through the plot, he had no choice but to accept.

“The tree wishes to remain still, but the wind will not cease. It seems I am forced to wrestle with Yang Hu. Still, since they are guests, let us return and prepare to welcome them.”

All the way back, Ji Ran frowned in deep thought, seeking a way to minimize Meng City’s losses.

As Meng Di watched soldiers drilling in the distance, he turned to Han Zhan.

“How many new recruits have you enlisted lately?”

“My lord, the people who come to Meng City are drawn by our low land taxes. Few wish to join the army. Counting the new recruits, we have only a few hundred.”

Meng Di was not disappointed. People need time to adjust; his authority was not yet established, and the people had not yet adapted to his system. It was not something to be rushed.

“Don’t hurry. Let them come of their own will. We must not force them. In time, they’ll see that leaving Meng City means losing the best place they could have.”

Meng City was pursuing a policy of streamlined administration with elite troops, minimizing extra expenditures. Training cavalry required time, especially to reach proficiency in mounted archery. Though the crossbows had been developed, their numbers were still too few for widespread use. Now that the Qi people had set their trap, Meng Di intended to use this time to enhance his cavalry’s strength.

In the future, he aimed to show them the true power of cavalry in large-scale combat.

What he regretted most was the lack of a proper horse-breeding ground. If he had one, he could equip cavalry on a larger scale, integrating breeding and training. Once scale was achieved, his supply of troops would be unending.

Two days later—

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The party arrived outside Fei City. Meng Di went out early to greet them. He still needed the Tian clan’s help, so he adopted a humble posture, making cooperation less troublesome.

Seeing Meng Di surrounded by attendants, Tian Chang and Guo Yuan were both startled. They had not expected that Han Zhan, whom they had met in Qi, was actually Meng Di.

Meng Di urged his horse forward, clasped his hands, and saluted the two, saying with a smile,

“I am Meng Di. Please do not take offense. Previously, unfamiliar with the situation, I had to use an alias to avoid unnecessary trouble.”

A shadow passed over Tian Chang’s face, but he quickly smiled.

“Meng Di is truly extraordinary. I am impressed. Guo Yuan and I have come to redeem the Qi soldiers captured by Meng Di.”

Meng Di replied helplessly,

“Qi and Lu are neighboring states. I wish nothing more than peace between us. This battle was fought for reconciliation, not of my own intent.”

With these words, Meng Di lowered himself, showing sincerity. Guo Yuan responded with a smile,

“If that’s so, all the better. But Meng Di, you kept Guo and Tian in the dark. Had we known it was you, we would have found a way to keep you in Qi, whatever it took.”

Guo Yuan’s words were half in jest, half in earnest. Meng Di simply laughed, gestured invitingly,

“You honor us with your presence. The city is ready with a banquet. Please, enter with me, and we will discuss matters in detail. General Wei is in good health now and awaits you in the city.”