Seven years later, a military officer named Bai Xun emerged in the Northwest. Leading small groups of cavalry, he won victories against the Rong clan at Tong Pass, sweeping away the ten-year streak of defeats that Da Jing had suffered. Emperor Jing Kang received the news with joy, personally leading troops to the front and promoting Bai Xun to General Anxi of the Third Rank. He entrusted Bai Xun with critical responsibilities. Known for his unconventional military tactics, Bai Xun eventually led an allied force to a resounding victory against the Northern Rong King. During the battle, Bai Xun shielded the emperor from a stray arrow, saving his life. Grateful for both his talent and loyalty, the emperor made a special decree on the battlefield, raising the twenty-eight-year-old Bai Xun to the rank of First Rank General of the State.
After receiving his title, Bai Xun did not return to the capital to claim his rewards but instead requested permission to quell the pirates in the South Sea. Da Jing hadn’t produced such an extraordinary general in ages, and his lack of interest in power further impressed the emperor, who gladly approved his request. Three years later, after eradicating the pirates, Bai Xun returned to the capital in triumph, bringing with him a ceremonial umbrella gifted by the grateful people of the South Sea region.
This was the first time Bai Xun, who had made his name in the Northwest and become famous throughout Da Jing, set foot in the capital.
In the Golden Throne Hall, the emperor, delighted beyond measure, praised his decade of achievements, declaring that Bai Xun had rendered great service to the state and its people. He then asked if there was anything Bai Xun desired.
Bai Xun knelt deeply and, with a single sentence, shocked everyone in the hall.
“I ask to trade my ten years of military service and all noble titles in exchange for the hand of the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yong’an.”
Bai Xun’s request, made in exchange for his ten years of service, was something the emperor could not refuse. The marriage decree was issued that very day to the Marquis of Yong’an’s residence. The elderly marquis, retired and at home, was astounded to learn that the legendary First Rank General of the State, Bai Xun, was the very same nameless porter he had driven out of the capital years ago. Overcome with astonishment and shame, he realized that his daughter had waited for a decade for this man’s return and finally allowed her to marry him with a joyful heart.
The story quickly spread throughout the capital, and Bai Xun’s unwavering loyalty and dedication, tested by life and death over ten years, became a legend. Bai Xun was an intriguing character; despite his new position of power and influence, he avoided socializing with any noble families, only appearing at court or reporting to Emperor Jing Kang as required. His indifference to the invitations of the princes earned him quite a few enemies among powerful officials. Yet, the more he distanced himself, the more highly the emperor valued him, granting him command over the capital’s security forces in his second year back.
In this way, Bai Xun became the highest-ranking lone official in the capital. Apart from the emperor, he had no one to drink tea or wine with, but Bai Xun didn’t mind. Each day, he simply enjoyed a deep bond with Madam Bai at the General’s Residence. Madam Bai was frail, and it wasn’t until seven years after their marriage that she gave birth to twin daughters.
The elder of the twins was named Bai Xi, and the younger, Bai Shuo. On the day the twins were born, Bai Xun was honored by Emperor Jing Kang with the title of Pillar General of the Nation, while his elder daughter, Bai Xi, was chosen by the emperor as the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace. For a time, the Bai family basked in imperial favor, surpassing all others in the capital.
When his younger daughter Bai Shuo was three years old, Bai Xun arranged her marriage. This engagement had roots in a debt of gratitude. Years ago, when Bai Xun had been beaten and driven out of the capital by the elder Marquis of Yong’an, he was saved by Chong Tai, who was then the Minister of Rites. Moved by Bai Xun’s devotion and difficult circumstances, Chong Tai had encouraged him to join the military in the Northwest and even lent him fifty taels of silver. This support ultimately led to Bai Xun’s rise to the rank of First-Rank General.
Now, Chong Tai had become the Right Prime Minister, and five years prior, he personally visited the General’s Residence to propose marriage between his son, Chong Zhao, and Bai Shuo. Bai Xun thought it over carefully for several days before requesting an audience with Emperor Jing Kang to explain the background of their connection and seek his blessing for the match. Despite Bai Xun’s high position, he had never formed alliances with any other households, only sending three jars of personally brewed osmanthus wine to the Chong family every New Year’s Eve. Moved by this story, Emperor Jing Kang approved the marriage.
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