Chapter 64: Arrival in Chang'an

Then, Luo Ang and his entourage walked straight toward the Chang'an city gate that faced them.

This was a city of true heroes. When the Huaxia people made it their capital, they forged a glory that commanded awe for a millennium, one that, even into the twenty-first century, still lingered in the hearts of every compatriot.

However, many people had probably forgotten that this glory was never won through benevolence, righteousness, and morality; rather, it was established upon iron-fisted, sharp troops and a succession of fierce battles. For only through slaughter and blood could dignity be won, and only thus could future prosperity be attained. There was no other path.

Prosperity and power were like a tree rooted in blood and bones; only the blood and flesh of enemies could make it grow vigorously, eventually blooming into the flowers of a golden age. Otherwise, no matter how prosperous a nation was, it was merely a fattened pig, ultimately destined to become withered bones and flesh that nourished others—just like the Song Dynasty.

Before long, the group arrived at the city gate.

A middle-aged official immediately hurried forward, bowed deeply to Luo Ang, and asked with a beaming smile, "Might I ask if Your Excellency is the Marquis of Yan?"

Luo Ang nodded and replied, "It is I."

The official quickly bowed again and said, "This humble official has been ordered to welcome you and the esteemed generals and ministers. My name is Hou Fang, and I currently serve as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."

Luo Ang cupped his fists and said, "So it is Lord Hou."

Hou Fang hastily replied, "This humble official dares not accept such praise; the Marquis honors me too greatly. Please follow me, Marquis. The residence prepared for Your Excellency has already been made ready."

Luo Ang nodded.

Hou Fang said, "Please follow me, Marquis."

Luo Ang cupped his fists and said, "Thank you for the trouble."

Hou Fang repeatedly disclaimed any trouble, then mounted the steed led over by his subordinates and guided Luo Ang and his entourage into Chang'an.

Upon entering the city of Chang'an, an archaic and magnificent aura instantly rushed over them.

Rows upon rows of residential houses stood in neat succession, while in the distance, the towering and majestic imperial palace stood out against the backdrop of the sun, radiating an indescribable dignity.

Seeing this, Luo Ang was filled with deep emotion. A sudden thrill of touching the glory of his ancestors lingered in his heart. He then noticed that although the streets of Chang'an were very wide and completely comparable to Luoyang, there were few pedestrians, and very few shops on either side were open—most of them remained shut. It seemed that the impact of population loss on Chang'an's economy had not improved much despite Dong Zhuo's relocation of the capital.

Luo Ang asked, "How many people are currently living in Chang'an?"

Hou Fang replied, "Probably fewer than fifty thousand households."

Hearing this, Luo Ang found it hard to believe and asked, "Only so few?"

Hou Fang sighed and said, "And this is only because the Grand Tutor relocated the capital here. Before that, Chang'an had barely over twenty thousand households. Guanzhong has been in decline for many years and simply cannot be compared to Luoyang."

A thoughtful look appeared on Luo Ang's face as he asked, "Is it because of insufficient grain production?"

Hou Fang nodded, cupped his fists, and said, "Your Excellency is perceptive; indeed, it is so. Alas, Guanzhong has become increasingly arid, and grain yields are dropping accordingly. Ordinary farmers find it difficult to make a living by farming, and many of those who originally stayed in Guanzhong have migrated away with their entire families!"

Luo Ang asked, "Has no one ever thought of building water conservancy projects to improve irrigation conditions?"

Hou Fang gave a bitter smile and said, "What Your Excellency says is entirely true. In truth, Guanzhong is not short of water; the Yellow River lies to the exterior, the Wei River to the interior, and countless other rivers flow through it. However, constructing water conservancy projects requires massive expenditures, and the returns are difficult to see in the short term. Therefore, few people are willing to spend limited resources to build such projects that could benefit future generations."

Hearing these words, Luo Ang fell into contemplation.

"Marquis, we have arrived." Hou Fang's voice pulled Luo Ang back from his thoughts.

Seeing a fairly large estate appearing before him, Luo Ang was quite surprised and asked, "Did Lord Hou make a mistake? Is this the place arranged for my lodging?"

Hou Fang hastily cupped his fists and said, "This is by order of the Grand Tutor. The Marquis's status is different from ordinary officials and naturally warrants special treatment. For now, this estate shall serve as your temporary residence, and the servants and maids within are already in place. If Your Excellency has any needs, simply instruct them."

Just as his voice trailed off—

The main gates suddenly swung open, and a crowd of servants and maids poured out from within, bowing to Luo Ang and crying out, "Welcome, Marquis!"

Facing this spectacle, Luo Ang felt a splitting headache.

Taking the opportunity, Hou Fang bowed to Luo Ang and said, "If Your Excellency has no further instructions, this humble official will take his leave."

Luo Ang cupped his fists and said, "Thank you!"

Hou Fang repeatedly professed his unworthiness, then wheeled his horse around and departed.

Luo Ang surveyed the scene before him, dismounted from his horse, and led his men through the main gates.

The lead middle-aged servant trailed closely behind Luo Ang, saying with a flattering expression, "If Your Excellency has any needs, please feel free to command this humble servant!"

Afterward, the group walked into the main hall.

The hall was sparsely furnished, with its three walls adorned with decorations such as tiger heads and leopard heads.

Luo Ang said to the middle-aged servant, "You may withdraw for now."

The middle-aged servant acknowledged the order and departed.

Once settled, Luo Ang immediately rushed together with Dong Yuan to the Grand Tutor's mansion to pay their respects to Dong Zhuo.

Upon seeing Luo Ang and Dong Yuan arrive, Dong Zhuo wore a look of great delight. He rose from his specially made daybed, lumbered forward with his mountain-like mass of flesh, grasped Luo Ang and Dong Yuan by the arms, and laughed, "You have finally arrived. Today, you must stay and have a proper drink with me!"

Luo Ang had never quite grown accustomed to Dong Zhuo's excessive warmth, and he gave a dry laugh as he said, "Since my father-in-law has spoken, how could I dare refuse?"

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and slapped Luo Ang heavily on the shoulder.

The force of Dong Zhuo's palm made Luo Ang sway slightly, and he found it rather difficult to bear.

Dong Zhuo bade Luo Ang to be seated, then lumbered back to his daybed and sat down again.

Looking at Dong Yuan, Dong Zhuo said, "Yuanyuan, go and see your mother; she has missed you dearly."

Dong Yuan nodded and said, "Very well, Father."

With that, she looked at Luo Ang and said, "Husband, you must keep my father good company."

Luo Ang looked at Dong Yuan, nodded, and said, "Rest assured, Yuanyuan."

Then, Dong Yuan stepped into the inner chambers.

Seeing Dong Yuan leave, Dong Zhuo turned his gaze to Luo Ang, frowned, and said, "Son-in-law, recently quite a few people have been coming to me to lodge complaints against you!"

Knowing what Dong Zhuo was about to say, Luo Ang feigned puzzlement and asked, "My actions have always been guided by a clear conscience. I wonder what kind of people these are, and what complaints they are bringing against me?"

Dong Zhuo said, "Some people accuse you, son-in-law, of imposing harsh levies and exorbitant taxes on the gentry, stripping them of all their wealth. I have already dismissed these accusations. I told them no such thing is happening. The situation is chaotic right now, and as my son-in-law, you need to raise military funds without wanting to increase the burden on the common people. Doing this is entirely proper!"

Luo Ang had not expected Dong Zhuo to utter such words and could not help feeling a sense of gratitude. He cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Father-in-law, for your understanding. Just as you said, my actions were indeed out of sheer necessity!"

Dong Zhuo said, "However, son-in-law, you need not harbor anger toward those people. They are merely a bunch of pedantic scholars; just pay them no mind."

Luo Ang replied, "Rest assured, Father-in-law, I have no spare time to waste on getting angry with such people."

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and said, "I knew you had a magnanimous spirit, son-in-law!"

Luo Ang smiled, a sudden feeling welling up inside him: Dong Zhuo did not seem as crude, superficial, and simple-minded as he had previously imagined. Beneath his rough exterior, Dong Zhuo actually possessed a deep shrewdness.

Luo Ang cupped his fists and said, "Father-in-law, during this period I have acquired a substantial amount of military provisions from the gentry in Luoyang. I have specially brought funds worth five million strings of cash to present to you as a contribution to the military supplies."

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo's eyes lit up instantly, and he said, "You are most thoughtful, son-in-law. Very well, let us speak no more of this. Today, you and I shall drink to our heart's content and get thoroughly drunk."