Lu Chen was always a man of action. By the next morning, he had Song Zhi contact Han Shuren, who then consulted Mo Pingshan. Mo Pingshan quickly agreed, and they arranged to meet that afternoon.

The meeting place was a teahouse, chosen by Mo Pingshan. Both men were punctual, arriving almost simultaneously. This was Mo Pingshan's first formal meeting with Lu Chen. He had heard much about him and admired the young man’s accomplishments and demeanor. Mixed emotions filled his heart; had things not soured between him and Mo Nuan, such an outstanding young man would have been his son-in-law.

As Mo Pingshan assessed Lu Chen, Lu Chen sized up...