002 The Stars Surrounding the Moon

According to ritual, a new top scholar returning home to bring honor to his ancestors would not usually warrant a visit from a prefecture magistrate and a local military commander. However, this was an unprecedented event. A civil service top scholar is produced every three years, which is hardly a novelty, but a "Star of Military" (a top military scholar) appears only once in a millennium. Furthermore, with the Ming Dynasty having been controlled by a clique of civil officials for over two hundred years and the state’s fortunes steadily declining, a military officer at this critical juncture is someone capable of turning the tide. Failing to curry favor early would mean missing the opportunity.

Prefect Zhou and General Liu were seen from afar, cupping their hands in salutation and approaching with beaming smiles.

Wang Lanping witnessed this scene and felt it was truly magnificent. He had heard of "stars surrounding the moon" before, but now that it was happening to him, the sensation was entirely different. Even though he had ridden a grand horse through the streets of the capital after placing first, the feeling now was vastly different. In the capital, the onlookers were all strangers, and their admiration felt distant. But now, he was home. Within this high-and-mighty excitement, there was a sense of intimacy, pride, and glory, and even more so, a long-suppressed sense of vindication. Those who had once insulted him to his face dared not speak now; those who had called him a man who would never amount to anything would surely change their tune; and those who had stolen his family's chickens had better return them quietly if they knew what was good for them.

Amidst the smoke of firecrackers, Wang Lanping dismounted. To be honest, he did not recognize a single one of the officials crowding around him. However, during his journey, Wang Lanping had put in considerable effort, memorizing the names of all the key civil and military officials in Anqing Prefecture and even the entire Jiangnan region.

A quick glance confirmed that the eldest man with the most agile gait, judging by his official robes, must be the Magistrate of Anqing. As for the hulking, broad-shouldered military officer, it could be none other than the Anqing Regional Commander, Liu Zeqing. Being a high official was truly wonderful; once upon a time, he didn't even know the local magistrate, and now even the great Commander Liu had come to greet him.

Wang Lanping smiled, a smile of genuine, unfeigned happiness. He had every reason to be happy.

"Master Top Scholar, your achievement of placing first and your glorious return to your homeland have become a tale for the ages. It is truly a blessing for our Anqing and for the Great Ming. Therefore, I have traveled specially from Anqing, bringing all the officials and commoners of the prefecture to welcome you," Prefect Zhou said. He was indeed a Jinshi degree holder; his flattery was as refined as his prose. The smile never left his face; one might have thought he was the one who had placed first.

General Liu was not to be outdone. He adjusted his armor, cupped his hands with a resounding, forceful gesture—lacking refinement but full of bluster—and said, "To be able to work for the country alongside the Top Scholar General in my lifetime is an honor for me, Liu Zeqing. Congratulations, Master Top Scholar, congratulations!"

The other officials surged forward, fearing the Top Scholar might not see their faces. They all offered salutations, their sincerity barely masking their hypocrisy.

In the Ming Dynasty, there was a rule: whenever a civil official met a military officer, even if the military officer was a rank or two higher, they would merely cup their hands. Conversely, when a military officer met a civil official, even of equal rank, the military officer had to initiate the greeting, and if the official was half a rank higher, a full formal obeisance was required. In this era, the status of military officers simply wasn't on the same level as that of civil officials—though, of course, high-ranking military governors were an exception.

Wang Lanping felt wonderful inside, but he knew well enough to feign humility; one didn't need a teacher for that—it came naturally. He hadn't yet learned how to speak in official jargon. Despite the excessive courtesy these men showed him, they were likely cursing him behind his back, thinking, "How can a hooligan from Huaining City become a top scholar?" That was tradition: if someone else has what you don't, they are a bastard.

Wang Lanping returned each greeting; basic etiquette was necessary. Besides, returning home wasn't his ultimate goal; managing the Jiangnan region to support the capital was the real task. In the future, he would need these people to pave the way for him.

"I dare not accept such praise. I am merely a junior; how could I trouble the Prefect and the Commander to welcome me personally? I am unworthy, truly unworthy," Wang Lanping said, not wanting to appear too arrogant.

Prefect Zhou laughed heartily. "No, no! Master Top Scholar, you are young and promising, a model for the ages and an example for all martial artists. You have brought fame to our Anqing Prefecture. Why shouldn't I welcome you? Ha-ha!"

General Liu immediately chimed in, "Exactly! We’ve always heard of the 'Star of Literature' descending to earth, but now our Great Ming has a 'Star of Military' as well. Well done! You’ve brought honor to us soldiers. For that alone, I, Liu, admire you."

The officials continued their fervent flattery, and the commoners were overjoyed, cheering incessantly as if watching a once-in-a-century spectacle. However, the commoners only dared to be excited from afar. These were officials, after all—great officials. Although many of them had played in the mud with the Top Scholar in the same village, things were different now. An official is a true master.

"Ping'er!" A hoarse, choked voice called out from the crowd. The white-haired Madam Wang, supported by Du Ningning, trembled as she moved toward Wang Lanping. Behind her, Yunniang, who wanted to approach but dared not, watched Wang Lanping from afar with tear-filled eyes. This was the "Brother Lanping" with whom she had caught shrimp in the creek and gathered firewood on the mountain. Now, she could only watch from a distance; his status was different—he was a great official.

Wang Lanping heard that long-lost, familiar voice. During his seven years away studying, he had been young and reckless, oblivious to his mother’s love. Only when he achieved the title of Top Scholar did he realize he had no one to share his joy with—the one person being his mother. He had failed to fulfill his filial duties for years. Overcome with emotion, he stepped forward quickly, knelt on both knees, and kowtowed three times respectfully. Taking his mother’s hands—rough and cracked, completely out of place against his ornate clothing—his eyes reddened. "Mother, your unfilial son has returned. I have placed first in the imperial examinations."

Madam Wang’s tears flowed like a spring. "It is good that you are back, it is good. Mother missed you so much. Get up, quickly get up."

Du Ningning, who was supporting the old lady, suddenly played the role of a maid, reaching out to help Wang Lanping up.

"Brother Lanping, I told you! I said you would succeed! Oh, no—Master Top Scholar, this young lady offers her greetings," Du Ningning said as she helped him up, performing a playful, slightly awkward curtsy. Her face was full of charm, her waist swaying as she giggled.

"My lady, that is rare. You actually know how to greet people," Wang Lanping said. Although they had been mistress and servant, the young Miss Du had never treated him as a subordinate; they were truly friends.

"You're teasing me!" Du Ningning pouted, stomped her foot lightly, and twisted her waist, acting as if she would be unreasonable regardless of right or wrong.

Seeing this scene, the wealthy merchant Master Du, who was standing nearby, was overjoyed, his mouth stretching into a grin he couldn't hide. However, another person found this scene painful: Yunniang. During the years Wang Lanping was away, it was she who had cared for Madam Wang whenever she was unwell.

Seeing Du Ningning reminded Wang Lanping of someone else—his childhood neighbor and playmate, Yunniang. Although the girl was shy, they had a bond of innocent, childhood love. She should have come today.

Wang Lanping scanned the crowd quickly. Suddenly, a familiar silhouette appeared at the back of the crowd, slowly walking toward the city. It was Yunniang.

Madam Wang, sensing her son’s thoughts, said, "Ping'er, let's go home. You need to offer incense to your father."

At this moment, the officials surged forward again. General Liu Zeqing took the lead. "General, no matter how good the capital is, it can’t compare to the food of one's hometown. I have reserved the best restaurant in the county to host a welcome banquet for you. Please, General."

Prefect Zhou, hearing this, narrowed his eyes and sized up the General, implying, "Didn't you say you were just passing through while inspecting military affairs? How did you manage to prepare a banquet so quickly? You’re quite fast. And what about the table I prepared?"

General Liu shot a look back at the Prefect, full of triumph, as if to say, "What's it to you?"

In short, General Liu’s words offended a group of officials and wealthy local merchants. After all, they could have all gathered at one table to host the Top Scholar, saving money. But these men all had their own agendas; everyone wanted to establish a private connection with the Top Scholar. While the title of Top Scholar was hard-won, the most useful thing for them was his military rank as Deputy Regional Commander of Anqing.

According to the Ming military system, local armies were divided into main forces and auxiliary forces. The main force was led by a Regional Commander, and the auxiliary by a Deputy Regional Commander. In times of war, they cooperated, and each had several guerrilla generals and battalion commanders under their command.

In these troubled times, military officers were promoted the fastest. A single major victory could mean several promotions in a row. Who had the most money during wartime? The commanding generals. Who had the most power? Still those military lords. They could plunder and kill at will, and even the Emperor would turn a blind eye, as long as they could win battles—no one cared about the means.

Although Wang Lanping was currently in a deputy position, his background as a Top Scholar was impeccable. His potential for advancement was limitless, whereas someone like Liu Zeqing, a "monk who became a monk halfway through his life," had likely reached the peak of his career as a Regional Commander.

The original Deputy Regional Commander of Anqing commanded three thousand cavalry, the most formidable force in the Anqing garrison. Wang Lanping had come primarily to take over this cavalry unit.

Being an official for the first time, and such a high-ranking one at that, Wang Lanping naturally had his own plans.

Coming from the north, he had seen war and fire everywhere, displaced people, and the starving filling the roads, while local officials did nothing. If he were to start his tenure by indulging in excess the moment he returned home with the title of the world's top martial scholar, that would never do. With the war dragging on for years, many people were eating dirt to survive; how could he enjoy the delicacies of life? If an official does not work for the people, he might as well go home and carry an oil bottle.

Thinking of this, Wang Lanping gave General Liu a look of reluctance.

Prefect Zhou, not missing the opportunity, stepped forward, taking the old lady's hint and speaking on Wang Lanping's behalf. "Indeed, indeed. General Liu, the Top Scholar is returning home in glory; it is only proper to first pay respects to his ancestors and bring honor to his lineage. This is an act of great filial piety. As for the welcome banquet, I think it should be postponed to another day." Having said this, he looked at the General with satisfaction, as if to say, "My banquet has no guest of honor, so you can go enjoy yours alone."

This left Liu Zeqing’s face a mixture of blue and red. The two "brothers in misfortune" who had once fled together seemed, at this moment, no longer on the same side.

Surrounded by all the officials and commoners of the city, the Top Scholar’s procession entered Huaining City and headed straight for the two dilapidated rooms of the old Wang family home.

***

Historical Trivia:
What were the "Three Armies" in ancient times?
The *Analects of Confucius* states: "The commander of the three armies may be taken away, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken away." So, what exactly were the "three armies" in ancient times?
During the Warring States period, the states of Jin, Qi, Lu, and Wu called them the Central Army, Upper Army, and Lower Army; the state of Chu called them the Central, Left, and Right Armies; the state of Wei called them the Front, Central, and Rear Armies.
From the Tang and Song dynasties onwards, the three armies of the Central Plain dynasties were collectively referred to as the Front, Central, and Rear Armies.
The Front Army was the vanguard, responsible for clearing paths, reconnaissance, and small-scale skirmishes, carrying only a small amount of supplies.
The Central Army was led by the commander-in-chief; it had the largest number of troops and was the main force, consisting primarily of cavalry and infantry (in ancient armies, there were rarely large numbers of archers; archers were almost always mounted archers, as the word "shoot" in ancient texts was always preceded by the word "ride").
The Rear Army was mainly responsible for all military supplies; while its numbers were no less than the front, it contained few real combat soldiers, consisting mostly of artisans and laborers.