Nine years later
Du'an Street was packed with people, and cries of "Hey, don't step on my foot!" and "Excuse me, my shoe fell off!" could be heard from the crowd from time to time.
Even so, no one stepped back; everyone was desperately trying to squeeze to the front.
It wasn't until the soldiers by the roadside grew impatient with the noise and stepped forward with their weapons to issue a few warnings that the crowd quieted down considerably, and everyone stood obediently in place.
The wealthy families in the city had long ago instructed their servants to reserve seats in the restaurants and teahouses along the street, but few of the young ladies sat still. Instead, they all stood by the windows on the second floor, chatting and eagerly waiting.
The crowd erupted in cheers as soon as the sound of horses' hooves rang out.
Those standing in the back ignored the officials' warnings and strained to get to the front, standing on tiptoe to look out onto the street. Those in the front tried their best to keep their balance so they wouldn't be pushed over by the people behind them.
Although everyone was unsteady on their feet, their clothes were torn and disheveled, and they were covered in a fine sweat, their faces were filled with excitement, and their movements were remarkably synchronized, all clenching their fists and intently watching the direction from which the sound of hooves came.
In a private room on the second floor of a restaurant facing the street, several girls around fifteen or sixteen years old were gathered together, chatting and laughing.
"Look, look! That's the top scholar! Ahhh! He's so handsome!"
"I heard he's only seventeen years old this year. Not only is he handsome, but he's also incredibly talented. Before the palace examination, he had already captured the hearts of all the examiners, who were all vying to read his essays!"
"I really don't know what kind of family could raise such an outstanding young man. If he were born into my family, he would be pampered and spoiled by the elders all the time!"
Upon hearing this, the girls burst into laughter. Then they quickly straightened up and threw the sachets or flowers they were holding at the newly appointed top scholar as he passed by downstairs.
The ladies sitting at the table, who were also looking out the window, couldn't help but start chatting when they saw the handsome young man at the head of the table.
"Truly worthy of being the son of a third-ranked scholar! Look at his character and appearance, he's just as good as his father was in his youth!"
"It's not just that he's not bad, I think he's surpassed his father! His father was twenty-one when he became the third-ranked scholar, and now he's seventeen and has become the top scholar. I heard even the Emperor praises him highly!"
"It's unbelievable! This child spent seven or eight years in such a remote and dangerous place, yet he didn't turn out badly at all. He looks much more noble than those young masters in our city."
The girls who had been leaning against the window watched the top scholar ride away on horseback, and they all reluctantly returned to the table.
Hearing the mothers' conversation, they immediately perked up their ears, listening to the story while exchanging glances.
The spacious gate of the Marquis of Wu'an's mansion was bustling with activity. People, both acquaintances and strangers, wanted to share in the joy. Countless congratulatory and visiting cards were sent into the gate like snowflakes. A few places further away, many ordinary people stood watching the excitement.
Pei Han is no longer the same person he once was. Since he became the youngest prime minister in the Qian Dynasty a year ago, all sorts of legends about him have spread throughout the country at lightning speed.
Among the various legends about Pei Han, the most talked-about is the story of how he defended the territory and defeated the barbarian tribes.
Five years ago, on an ordinary winter day, the southern barbarians suddenly launched a large-scale invasion, quickly occupying a large area of the southern territory of the Gan Dynasty, burning, killing, looting and doing whatever they pleased.
Wherever the barbarians went, there was widespread devastation, leaving no one alive. Moreover, unlike before, they did not simply loot and leave after their raids; instead, they brazenly occupied the territory of the Gan Dynasty, seemingly intending to settle there permanently.
The court and the public were both shocked and furious, especially those in the surrounding prefectures where officials and common people alike lived in constant fear and anxiety, lest the barbarians decide to wipe them out one day.
The barbarian army was strong and mobile. Although their numbers were not large compared to the Gan Dynasty, their fighting power should not be underestimated.
The cabinet and the Ministry of War discussed strategies to repel the enemy day and night, but after much deliberation, they still felt that distant water could not quench the immediate fire. If they waited for them to mobilize troops from the north, the southern prefectures would probably be looted and occupied.
At that moment, they all thought of one person—Pei Han.
Firstly, Pei Han is in Qingzhou, which is relatively close, so it wouldn't take too long to get there; secondly, although Pei Han is a civil official, his achievements in suppressing bandits are well-known, so sending him to quell the rebellion is a logical step.
Once this proposal was put forward, there was basically no objection from the civil and military officials.
The civil officials felt that Pei Han, as a civil official, had managed to outrank numerous military officers and be dispatched to quell the rebellion, which greatly enhanced their prestige. Next time those uncultured men attacked them for only talking, they could use Pei Han as an excellent example to thoroughly humiliate them.
The military officers, however, didn't see it that way. Who was Pei Han? He was a descendant of their old Marquis Cheng'an, a sure-fire military officer, and the one who would inherit the title in the future. In their hearts, Pei Han had always been one of their own.
Not only that, they also felt that those civil officials who only knew how to talk were incompetent, since so many scholars couldn't even outperform the descendants of their military officials, allowing Pei Han to win the third-place prize.
All the military officers felt that this was a great honor for them!
In short, Pei Han soon received an urgent message from the imperial court, appointing him as the Governor-General of Gannan, with the additional title of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, in charge of local military affairs, provisions, and governorship.
Simply put, it means hurry up and pack your things, lead your troops to fight the enemy and quell the rebellion.
In fact, Pei Han had already made preparations for the war, because Qingzhou was not far from the land invaded by the barbarians. Even if the imperial court had not issued this decree, he would have had to take precautions.
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