The World Online

Chapter 999 – What a Complicated Circle

As his father and brother were both working in the Great Xia military, Pei Xingjian did not even hesitate and directly came to Shanhai City to reunite with his family.

He was from the Middle Juan Pei of the Pei clan of Hedong. General Su Dingfang saw potential in Xingjian and personally mentored him. He had worked under Cao Can, and he was the aide of the Xizhou Governor General and became the General of the Anxi Protectorate.

Pei Xinjian was appointed the minister of rituals and great general of the right flank guards. In 679, Turkic chieftain Ashide Wenfu rebelled. Protectorate general Xiao Siye, a noble from Lanling Commandery, was defeated by Ashide. Pei Xinjian then took over the command from Xiao and decisively won a battle against the Turks in an ambush.

From his experience, it was not hard to see that he was no worse than his father and brother and even surpassed them. He had especially great experience against Tibet and the Turks.

With his talent, it would not be a problem for him to take charge of a legion.

However, the current Great Xia Army did not have any empty Legion General spots for him. As such, Ouyang Shuo could only place him temporarily under Er’Lai as the deputy Legion General of the 4th legion of the Guards Legion Corps. He could take it as getting used to the Great Xia system before they shifted him out in the future.

Name: Pei Xingjian (King Rank) Dynasty: Tang Dynasty Identity: Guards Legion Corps 4th legion deputy Legion General Occupation: Advanced General Loyalty: 78 Command: 78 Force: 70 Intelligence: 55 Politics: 65 Specialty: Virtuous General (raises troops combat strength by 25%, raises troops movement speed by 20%) Book: Cursive Chinese Set, Xuanpu Evaluation: Pei Xingjian was a magnanimous person. He treated people with kindness and respect, showing gratitude to his teachers.

Before Pei Xingjian left, Ouyang Shuo smiled and said, “I’ll allow you to start work after the New Year, take the time to visit the Bear Legion Corps base to see your father and brother.”

It was already the 18th day of the 1st month, and it would be the Lunar New Year in just a month.

“Thank you my king!”

Pei Xingjian was filled with excitement and gratitude.

Ouyang Shuo waved his hand, “If you want to thank me, contact your teacher, general Su Dingfang.”

As a Great Tang general, Su Dingfang was first under Li Jing before he gained power. His exceptional achievements and righteous character made him really trusted.

During the time he was in power, Su Dingfang went west on an expedition to the Turks, Izgils, Baekje, expanding the Tang Dynasty all the way to Persia on the west and toward the east toward North Korea.

Ouyang Shuo was obviously interested in such a general.

Although Great Xia was star-studded and filled with generals, no one would mind having more. Furthermore, the Great Xia Army was going to be expanded. As such, no matter how many generals came, they would have a spot.

Pei Xingjian had been an official before, so he understood right away, “Do not worry my king, I will not disappoint you. I believe my master would be willing to move to Great Xia.”

Strictly speaking, Su Dingfang belonged to generals from Tang Gaozong’s period, and the current Chang An Imperial Court was controlled by the 24 officials of Lingyan Pavilion. Even if Su Dingfang was loyal to Great Tang, he would not be able to have an important position.

The crucial point was that Great Tang was limited to one prefecture and did not have enough space for one to show off their military talent.

Ouyang Shuo believed that with Pei Xingjian’s layer of relationship and a little bit of sincerity, Su Dingfang would come sooner or later. … Coincidentally, the next day after meeting Pei Xingjian, another Great Tang general came over. This person did not come alone but brought along his whole family.

It was the Hedong Xue family, with Xue Rengui as their core.

Xue Rengui was born in the Hedong Xue family south clan, joining the army at the end of Zuoguan, fighting for 10 years. He won battles against the Tiele, caused Goguryeo to surrender to him, and won against the Turks. He also left many valiant stories during his time.

He was the right Guards General, Pingyang Prefecture duke, and more.

The Hedong Xue family dated back to the Northern and Southern Dynasty periods. His Great Grandfather Xue Rong was Governor and then Provincial Governor in north Wei Xingye and Wuguan. This Grandfather Xue Yan was an official too.

The most special one was his son, Xue Ne, who was the left palace guards commander. Xue Ne was the husband of Fan Lihua.

It was because of that layer of relationship that the Hedong Xue family decided to move over to Great Xia.

Hence, Ouyang Shuo was naturally glad to welcome them.

The current Great Xia had many aristocratic families like the Pei family, the Xiahou family, the Huo family, the Ma family, and more.

However, due to the Great Xia talent selection and evaluation system, the aristocratic families could not abuse their power.

Similar to Pei Xingjian, Ouyang Shuo temporarily appointed him with a role in the Guards Legion Corps 3rd legion. At the same time, Zue Andu, Xue Rong, Xue Yan, and Xue Gui were all given roles.

As for Xue Ne, it would depend on whether Fan Lihua accepted him.

Name: Xue Rengui (Emperor Rank) Title: Top 10 generals of Ancient China Dynasty: Tang Dynasty Identity: Guards Legion Corps 3rd legion deputy Legion General Occupation: Advanced General Loyalty: 75 Command: 70 Force: 90 Intelligence: 50 Politics: 50 Specialty: Valiant Victor of Three Armies (raises troops morale by 40%, raises troops combat strength by 35%, raises troops movement speed by 25%) Evaluation: Rengui was a courageous and valiant general, a hero of an era. Really loyal and warranted many merits. … Apart from Pei Xingjian and Xue Rengui, Great Xia also welcomed a few people with literary ability.

Speaking of which, one had to mention the Great Tang poetry circle. There was once someone who drew a picture of the Tang Dynasty poet relationship tree. After looking at it, one would only have one sentence to say, “This circle is so messy!”

With Du Fu as the starting point was a simply way to describe it.

Du Fu’s grandfather, Du Shenyan, was good friends with Song Ziwen. Song Ziwen was good friends with Yang Jiong, who was one of the four heroes of Tang. Yang Jiong was friends with Lu Zhaolin, but he did not like Wang Bo.

In the same era, Du Fu had an obsession over Li Bai. To what level? Similar to modern day fan clubs. However, Li Bai was interested in Meng Haoran, who was friends with Du Fu.

What a mess.

Wang Wei was close to Meng Haoran, but Li Bai had totally no relationship with Wang Wei. One must know that they were pretty much from the same period of time.

What a weird matter.

Gao Shi was friends with Du Fu but left him because of his obsession with Li Bai. He was also good friends with Li Bai’s good friend Wang Changling.

That was not it. In the next generation, Han Yu worshipped Li Bai, Liu Yuxi worshipped Du Fu. However, Han Yu was political enemies with Liu Yuxi’s friend Liu Zongyuan.

The most amazing one was Du Mu, who chose to not bother about the Li Shangyin who worshipped him. Bai Juyi once said he wanted to reincarnate as Li Shangyin’s son. In the end, the arrogant Li Mu despised him for it.

As Bai Juyi’s friend, Yuan Zhen was annoyed and chose to harm Du Mu’s favored Li Jia to take revenge for his friend.

As you read until this point, have you gotten a headache yet?

This was only a small portion of the full story. Tang poetry was star-studded, and the poets then were like stars in the galaxy, small but shining.

The two brightest stars were Du Fu and Li Bai.

Along with Du Fu becoming the Yongye County Magistrate, during these past few days, Du Shenyan, Meng Haoran, Gao Shi, Liu Yuxi, Li Zongyuan, and other related poets all came over to Shanhai City.

Ouyang Shuo treated each of them with importance.

Based on their likes and personality, he gave them either gold and mansions, letting them roam Great Xia, or he gave them positions as officials if they were like Du Fu.

Alternatively, he allowed them to live in seclusion in the Lianzhou Basin or become a teacher in Xinan University.

All in all, Ouyang Shuo did not force anything upon them.

Spending a huge sum of money, Ouyang Shuo wanted to have the reputation as someone who raised talent. At the same time, this would raise the dynasty’s culture stat, which would attract more literary people over.

One must know that the poets were not slackers, and they were mostly civil servants. All of them had experiences as officials. However, they were unhappy, which was why they used poems to vent their anger.

Arriving in Great Xia, they could all use their skills.

Accepting everyone was not just words.

Such magnanimity was no less than during Great Tang.

The moment the news spread out, more people came over. Yang Jiong, Lu Zhaolin, Bai Juyi, Li Shangyin, and the like.

All of a sudden, Shanhai City, this Capital City that was far off in the south, became vibrant with culture. It was filled with literary talent, becoming the new culture center.

People like Han Yu used Shanhai City as their destination to write poems, travel with friends, and drink.

Using the celebratory New Year spirit, they pushed this poetry wave to new heights.

In any dynasty, for literary people to be so carefree, their thinking would be liberated and their talents would reach a whole new level.

In a short few days, there were dozens of new poems that were written. Under such an atmosphere, Immortal Poet Li Bai arrived.