What on earth is this?

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The two of them discussed and decided to gather more money and provisions before heading north. It was at this point that they encountered Wang Bo and his men. Seeing that Wang Bo's group was small in number but was escorting several large carts, they thought it an ideal opportunity for a big heist.

After hearing their story, everyone burst into laughter. Wang Bo teased, "Our cause of reviving Han is most delighted to welcome brothers of Black Mountain! However, banditry is not the most honorable pursuit!"

Bai Rao gave an embarrassed smile. "We have no other means, and though we have many brothers, the powerful clans of the neighboring counties are unwilling to lend us grain..."

"No matter, no matter! Since you all wish to join my Revival Han Army, you are on the righteous path now! This is my responsibility!" Wang Bo agreed without hesitation.

"Thank you, my lord!" They followed Wang Bo’s instructions, returned to their mountain stronghold to gather their troops, and immediately set out for the north. Wang Bo promised to find a way to send provisions within a few days.

Half a day later, Wang Bo and his companions revealed their identities and entered the seat of Ji Province—Ye City. The towering city walls, the lofty city towers, the sprawling area covering over a dozen li—Wang Bo had never before seen such an imposing ancient city. Unless one witnessed it firsthand, it was impossible to imagine the wisdom of the ancient laborers. He couldn’t help but wonder: how did the Black Mountain Army ever manage to capture such a fortress? How many must have perished in the attempt? If it were my Revival Han Army, how could we take it?

Xu Chu and the others, like country bumpkins visiting a grand garden, gawked left and right, busy with excitement. Only Du Yuan realized it was getting late and finally persuaded everyone, albeit reluctantly, to find an inn for the night.

Early the next morning, after preparing gifts for Ju Shou, they inquired for directions and made their way to his residence.

At the gates, Wang Bo handed the young doorkeeper a string of coins and asked him to announce their arrival. To their surprise, the attendant disdainfully tossed the coins to the ground and, with an arrogant air, demanded, "Who are you, and what business brings you here? Bribes are not welcome in this household!" With that, he turned up his nose and left Wang Bo and his party standing outside.

Wang Bo, unperturbed, shot a look at Xu Chu, who was about to step forward, then put on a broad smile and said to the attendant, "We come from Xinghan City and wish to pay respects to Lord Ju. We are new to the area and unfamiliar with the customs. Please forgive any offense and kindly announce us."

"Wait here! Hmph!" The attendant didn’t even look at them as he ordered the guards to keep watch and went inside.

"What kind of person is that?" Xu Chu and the others grumbled under their breath.

Not long after, the young attendant strode out briskly, coldly declaring, "My lord and the master are not at home! Do as you please!" With that, he ignored them completely.

Wang Bo waited a while longer, but seeing no further result, had no choice but to leave in disappointment.

Back at the inn, Wang Bo recalled Bai Rao’s lack of provisions. He had hoped to enlist Ju Shou’s aid, but to run into a wall on the very first day made things seem doubtful. He instructed Du Yuan to lead the Wolf Owl Guards’ Team B to the marketplace to see if their Revival Han Wine could be traded for food.

Having suffered humiliation the previous day, Wang Bo arrived early once more at Ju Shou’s residence. This time, he’d learned his lesson and did not attempt to bribe the new doorkeeper, simply requesting him to announce their arrival.

This attendant was less hostile, and after hearing their purpose, promptly went inside to report. Yet the wait was far longer than the day before.

As Wang Bo and his men grew increasingly impatient, the attendant finally emerged, mimicking the previous day’s arrogance: "My lord and the master are not at home! Do as you please!" With that, he turned his nose up and walked away.

It was only now that Wang Bo realized: the problem was not the bribe, but that Ju Shou simply did not wish to see him. But why? He had never offended such a distinguished official. Besides, wasn’t Tian Feng still residing at Ju Shou’s house? Wouldn’t Tian Feng know of his visit?

With this in mind, Wang Bo once again put on a broad smile and said to the attendant, "May I trouble you to announce my visit to Master Yuanhao? Tell him Wang Bo of Revival Han wishes to pay his respects!"

The smaller attendant glanced at Wang Bo, said nothing, and went in. This time, he soon returned and shouted, "Master Yuanhao is not at home either! So bothersome! Hmph!"

Wang Bo frowned—could it be that Tian Feng truly was not staying with Ju Shou? Or was Ju Shou so biased against him that he refused to receive him at all? After pondering a while, he could only turn back, waving his hand helplessly, and led the dejected Xu Chu and others back to the inn. There, they happened to meet Du Yuan and his men returning from selling wine—Du Yuan was all smiles, while Wang Bo’s face was clouded with worry, a stark contrast.

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After a long pause, Du Yuan cautiously stepped forward and asked, "My lord, could it be that you still haven’t seen Lord Ju today?"

Wang Bo shook his head with a bitter smile, then asked, "How did the wine sales go today?"

Du Yuan managed a faint smile and reported, "Much better than yesterday! All the wine we brought was quickly snatched up! I was about to get more from our stores."

"Let’s leave it for today! Tomorrow, raise the price several fold and say it’s for one day only!" Wang Bo waved his hand, thought for a moment, then instructed Du Yuan to take some men to keep watch outside Ju Shou’s residence, before returning to his room, visibly exhausted.

After dinner, Du Yuan returned and quietly exchanged a few words with Wang Bo. Whatever he said darkened Wang Bo’s already gloomy expression, adding a trace of anger.

The third morning, Wang Bo composed himself and, seeing the sullen faces of his companions, said sternly, "Who are you scowling at? If you don’t wish to come, stay at the inn!" With that, he strode straight toward Ju Shou’s residence.

As they approached, before Wang Bo could even speak, the same attendant from the first day snapped, "Why are you here again? Early this morning, my lord and the master have gone out traveling with Master Yuanhao; we have no idea when they’ll return! You may do as you please!" With that, he retreated inside.

Wang Bo exhaled deeply and turned to Pei Yuanshao, instructing, "Go fetch the wine from the inn! Let us enjoy a drink amidst this fine scenery!"

Pei Yuanshao obeyed and soon returned with two jars of Revival Han Wine, a small table slung over his shoulder, and a few cushions. Wang Bo patted his arm in approval, admiring his resourcefulness, then stepped back, set up the table, and sat down to enjoy his wine in leisure.

Xu Chu, Zhou Cang, and the others grew even more despondent, their heads all but drooping to their knees.

After a while, Wang Bo frowned, bored with drinking alone. He glanced at his companions’ dismal faces, then called each of them over with a cheerful smile, pouring a cup for everyone. Only then did some spirit return to their faces.

Thus they lingered until well past noon. Suddenly, a rush of footsteps was heard from within the previously silent residence. The young and surly attendant who had snubbed them all morning came out and called, "My lord and the master have returned! If you wish to see them, follow me!"

Wang Bo calmly brushed imaginary dust from his clothes and, about to proceed with Xu Chu and the others, was halted by the attendant: "You alone are enough! So many people would disturb my master! Ruffians! Hmph!"

Xu Chu, furious, was about to roll up his sleeves and start a fight, but Wang Bo stopped him with a glare. Xu Chu shot a venomous look at the annoying attendant and rumbled, "My lord, you mustn’t! If I, Erleng, am not by your side, I fear for your safety!"

"Zhongkang, it’s fine! Ju Shou is, after all, an upright official; he would not stoop to base deeds. You all wait here, and unless I give the word, cause no trouble! Do you all understand?"

"Yes!" The men stood with fists clasped, though their eyes remained fixed menacingly on the attendant.

The somewhat nervous attendant led Wang Bo quickly toward the main house. As they walked, Wang Bo took note of the courtyard—simple plants, yet lush with greenery, more vibrant than any he’d seen along the road. The surrounding buildings were somewhat shabby, a stark contrast to the gaudy luxury of the Yuyang Prefect’s residence; this place might as well have been a cottage.

A few dozen paces, and they reached the door. A maid went in to announce him, and soon Ju Shou himself, dressed in plain blue, appeared at the inner threshold. With a formal bow, he called out in a clear voice, "I was unaware that Magistrate Wang of Xinghan had arrived! Forgive me for failing to welcome you sooner!"

"You are too courteous, sir! How dare I presume to make demands before the Deputy Governor? I hope you will forgive my unexpected visit and any offense it may have caused," Wang Bo replied with a broad smile.

"Not at all! A hero who has resisted the barbarians need not be so modest! Please, come in." Ju Shou’s smile did not quite reach his eyes.

Once inside, Ju Shou raised his thin face and asked seriously, "General Wang, what brings you here?"

"I came by on my way north for two reasons. First, I have long admired your reputation and wished to seek your guidance. Second, I heard that my old friend Master Yuanhao is staying at your house, so I hoped to visit him and ease my longing."

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"Oh? Master Yuanhao left a few days ago and did not mention his destination. I’m afraid you will be disappointed." He paused, then added, "I am a man of little strength, and my governance of Ji Province has been poor; I have failed to benefit the people and am unworthy of such praise. Your talents are extraordinary—your feats against the barbarians are like chopping melons and slicing vegetables. You are a rare general for our Han dynasty!"

"Your praise is undeserved! My actions are merely desperate measures for survival. To reclaim Yunzhong and drive out the barbarians, to spare tens of thousands of our people from suffering—this cannot be achieved by brute force alone. Without capable ministers, all would be in vain! My purpose here is to seek out the talented, so that the Revival Han Army might bring peace and achieve lasting merit."

"Oh? You wish to recover the barbarian lands with only a few ten thousand people?" Ju Shou asked in surprise.

"Indeed! Yunzhong, just decades ago, was still a place where our Han people thrived. Why call it barbarian land?" Wang Bo replied bluntly, then added, "Last year, when our army set out north to resist the barbarians, few believed in us. Yet with just a few thousand men, we defeated the enemy’s tens of thousands of cavalry—each time by attacking first, breaking them utterly, and capturing far more of their able-bodied men than we had ourselves. These victories are our confidence in reclaiming Yunzhong!"

Ju Shou chuckled. "Your boldness is admirable! Yet the problem of the barbarians is an ancient and chronic one for the Han. It must be addressed gradually. To squander men and resources in endless war is a fleeting glory, not a lasting one. I have a word of advice, if you are willing to hear it?"

Wang Bo calmed himself and said, "I am willing to listen."

"Violence begets violence, and killing only leads to more killing; such methods can never last. With your bloody means, you may be shunned by all under heaven." Ju Shou spoke gently, unconcerned by the growing darkness on Wang Bo’s face, and continued, "With your great talents, if you could relinquish your thirst for killing, return to the governance of the Han, you would surely become a peerless minister of our dynasty."

"Hahaha!" Wang Bo suddenly laughed and sprang to his feet, overturning the small table before him. Paying it no mind, he laughed heartily and declared, "You are mistaken, Ju Shou! To lay down the butcher’s knife and treat the enemy with gentleness is the way of those with goodness in their hearts. But the barbarians repeatedly invade our borders, slaughter our old and weak, violate our wives and daughters, enslave our young men—can such monsters be treated with kindness? In my view, they are worse than beasts! Show them mercy? I, Wang Bo, cannot! No true man of Han blood can! Only an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, will make them fear and submit!"

"Return to the Han government? Unless you are blind to the current state of the Han court—rife with intrigue and greed, blind to the fate of the people. How many care for the country? How many care for the people’s suffering? If I joined them, I guarantee that in a few years, I would be corrupted like the rest!"

"How impressive, Magistrate Wang! What ambition and spirit! Hahaha!" Ju Shou, angered, could only laugh in the end.

After Ju Shou’s laughter faded, Wang Bo solemnly said, "Your integrity and loyalty are well known. I have but one question—please answer honestly."

"Speak."

"Does Tian Feng, Master Yuanhao, share your views?"

Ju Shou straightened, his expression grave. "Indeed, his views are much the same as mine."

Wang Bo closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, then asked, "Might I meet with Yuanhao?"

"Hmph! Do you not realize he avoids you on purpose? Paths that differ cannot be walked together. It is better not to meet than to meet. Your eagerness for talent commands my respect, but why persist in a fruitless quest?"

"In that case... I will not force the matter. If I have offended you in my youthful ignorance, I beg your pardon. I have left a jar of Revival Han Wine outside for you; if you do not mind, please drink it as my apology. Forgive me for intruding these past days. Farewell!"

Having understood the minds of Tian Feng and Ju Shou, Wang Bo knew there was no turning back. Between himself and these gentry devoted to the Han, there was a barrier as real as that between a warhorse and a pack mule—both can carry a rider, but their paths and pace are utterly different.

Though both Wang Bo and the gentry wished to benefit the Han people, their methods were worlds apart. Wang Bo hoped to rely on the people’s own strength to change their fate as quickly as possible, even if it meant resorting to harsher measures. Tian Feng and Ju Shou, however, pinned their hopes on the revival of the imperial house. Their ideal was for a wise ruler to emerge, restore order, and lead them in saving the troubled empire. Their greatest desire was the prosperity of their own clans and the glory of serving the dragon throne, rather than the ambition to master their own destiny. For any force threatening the Han court, they harbored a deep, instinctive hostility—a view shared by most of the great clans and the Confucian literati they produced.