I had sent the letter to Jie Ziqian back when I first purchased Dongyao City. To be honest, I hadn't been at all certain I could actually persuade him to come.
I truly hadn't expected him to show up. In my impression, reclusive masters like him usually put on grand airs, requiring one to bathe, fast, and visit their thatched cottage three times before they would even consider an invitation.
When he arrived at Dongyao City, I was still unconscious, and afterward, I was preoccupied with the matters regarding my children. Our meeting had been delayed until now. Before stepping into the study, I couldn't help but wonder: would he have already left in a fit of pique, feeling slighted by my neglect?
Jie Ziqian stood in the center of the study, holding a cup of hot tea, intently studying the goatskin map that covered the entire western wall. He looked the same as ever, dressed in a short tunic of coarse cloth, appearing for all the world like a wandering village doctor. Yet, the sharp, piercing light in the eyes of his thin, dark face flickered with boundless wisdom.
"Mister Jie, please forgive my neglect," I said, bowing respectfully. "I did not expect you to truly come to Dongyao. I trust you have been well since we last met?"
Jie Ziqian looked me up and down with a faint, knowing smile. "The City Lord’s letter was so sincere that this old man found it difficult to refuse. My only fear is that I lack the great talent the City Lord credits me with, and might instead hinder your grand ambitions."
Those slippery, polite words somehow reminded me of that old fox, Xu Liufeng. They were indeed fellow disciples. I had no intention of beating around the bush with him, so I asked directly, "Since you have read my letter, Mister, in your high opinion, where should I begin with the matters I mentioned?"
A sharp glint flashed in Jie Ziqian’s eyes. He reached up to stroke his short beard, slowly smoothing a few sparse, grey hairs. "If it were merely to govern the tiny Dongyao City, the City Lord would certainly not have gone to such great lengths. If I am not mistaken, the ten thousand troops stationed in the Li Mountains are your subordinates, are they not?"
My heart skipped a beat. From its inception, the existence of the Lishan Training Camp had been kept strictly secret. I hadn't expected him to know even this.
Jie Ziqian’s eyes shifted slightly, revealing a cunning expression reminiscent of an old fox. "Therefore, I have secretly surmised that the City Lord’s ambitions certainly do not lie within the mere confines of Dongyao."
In my letter, I had only mentioned inviting him to govern Dongyao, yet he had managed to guess nearly everything. Since he had already laid it bare, I decided to be open. "In your view, Mister, is it feasible?"
Jie Ziqian stroked his beard again, pacing slowly through the center of the study. "The Emperor’s suspicion of Chancellor Han has not been a matter of a day or two. That is why Chancellor Han is so eager to seize military power for himself. However, the Han clan has enjoyed imperial favor for a hundred years; the youths of the clan all disdain joining the army to seek a future in the harsh frontier lands. Thus, he has never found a suitable candidate to replace Marshal Chu. Chancellor Han does not trust outsiders. Han Jiang was, one might say, a choice made out of necessity." He shook his head twice, sounding rather regretful. "Han Jiang lacks seniority in the military and finds it hard to command respect; moreover, he is arrogant and willful. I fear a mutiny in Qizhou is only a matter of time. As long as the City Lord takes Qizhou, the six northern prefectures will be as easy to take as reaching into a bag for an object. However..."
He paused deliberately, as if gauging my reaction, before continuing. "However, though taking them is easy, defending them is hard. Great Chu and Yantian are related by marriage, and the six northern prefectures are sandwiched right between them. Once the two nations join forces to suppress you, with the City Lord’s current military strength, it will be utterly impossible to protect both the front and the rear."
"The new Emperor of Great Chu, Yi Kai, has not been on the throne long, and his seat is not yet secure. His brothers each have their own power bases, watching the throne like tigers circling prey. To send troops to aid Yantian... I fear he has the will but lacks the strength." My fingers tapped lightly on the desk as I spoke thoughtfully. "If we were to bribe one of those princes, hinting that once we possess the six northern prefectures, we would fully support his bid for the throne... that would likely make things even more secure."
Jie Ziqian chuckled. "The City Lord is indeed a transparently brilliant person."
I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. "Does that mean you agree to stay, Mister?"
Jie Ziqian smiled. "It is only that I am lazy by nature and cannot bear restraint."
I immediately stood up and gave a deep bow. "I cannot thank you enough for being willing to stay. How could I possibly restrain you?" A great weight lifted from my heart, and I felt much lighter. My original purpose for inviting him to Dongyao was to use his reputation to attract famous scholars to help draft the new laws of Dongyao City. But now, I believed he could provide me with even more vital assistance.
"There is one more question..." I hesitated for a moment, then looked up directly into his eyes and asked softly, "You are a man of Yantian, Mister. Why would you help a rebel like me commit such a treasonous act?"
I wasn't doubting him, but if I didn't clarify this point, I feared I wouldn't be able to trust him completely.
Jie Ziqian seemed prepared for this question. He smiled faintly and turned his gaze back to the goatskin map on the western wall. "First, I must explain that I have lived in seclusion in the countryside for decades. The world rumors that it is because I am indifferent to fame and wealth and have no heart for a political career. In truth, the real reason is that my mother was a woman of the Anli Kingdom, and she did not permit me to serve as an official in Yantian." He looked at my surprised expression and chuckled. "As for why I am willing to help you, there are no more than two reasons. First, you saved my life. The second reason is that I am captivated by the unique ideas revealed in your letter."
He walked over to me, his eyes burning with a bright light. "At such a young age, you could actually say that everyone possesses the right to freedom and equality. Such words cannot help but make me look at you in a new light. Your rhetoric reminds me of a certain person." He looked at me, enunciating each word: "King. Aro."
My heart gave a sudden jolt. The image of the majestic god-like figure from the cave murals flashed through my mind.
"King Aro was the last sovereign before the continent split," he said slowly. "He was also the greatest sovereign. After inheriting the throne, he began to reform his kingdom. He revised the laws and abolished the caste system, allowing commoners and slaves to participate in the imperial examinations and the selection of officials. But these bold measures enraged the great nobles of the time. They joined forces to massacre several slave sanctuaries King Aro had personally established, which eventually led to the outbreak of total war. The continent split into four nations: Tielong, Meng, Great Chu, and Yantian. And the last branch of the royal descendants is said to have fled west of the Linxi Mountains, where they established the current Anli Kingdom."
He spoke eloquently, his gaze becoming somewhat distant, as if he were immersed in the ancient legends.
"When you directed me toward the northeast, Mister," I asked tentatively, "were you aware of my encounter...?"
He interrupted me, a mysterious smile appearing on his face. "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. Some things are destined by fate. I have said before, most encounters in a person's life are unintentional."
"Mister..."
He shook his head. "Before I came in, I met an interesting person. I am going to talk to him now. Perhaps..." He smiled as if keeping a secret. "Perhaps this person can be of help to you."
I wanted to ask who this "interesting person" was, but he had already sauntered away. Remembering that I had just promised not to limit his freedom, I had to swallow my words.
Still, who could it be that he found interesting?
Since I couldn't restrict his freedom, it wasn't right to pry into his affairs. However, I suspected the interesting person he mentioned was likely Ying Hui. I had seen them walking together in the garden.
Regarding this, my attitude was to let things take their course. I didn't expect Ying Hui to work for me. He wasn't a man easily tamed; I could see that much in his eyes. I didn't want to keep anyone around me whom I wasn't sure of.
Since Ying Hui’s family moved into Maple Court, I had been bedridden, so I had only seen Sister-in-law Ying and Little Hero a few times. Sister-in-law Ying didn't know much about her husband's affairs outside, and she couldn't clearly explain what kind of friendship existed between Ying Hui and Liu Yunhai. Regardless of whether he was a spy for Qizhou or not, I couldn't let them go back now.
I was determined to take Qizhou; it would be dangerous for them to return.
My fingertips brushed over the rough paper, and I couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter. "Am I really this ugly?" After saying it, I felt the remark was ill-timed and turned to look at Ming Chuan. "What did the men say?"
Ming Chuan’s eyes were still fixed on the drawing. She didn't seem particularly interested in the bounty notice's text below, but was instead focused on the image of me with a ponytail. "So the City Lord used to look like this? It’s a bit different from now."
This bounty notice had been accidentally discovered by Ming Chuan while she was inspecting the city gates. The few of them, of course, knew my background.
To the side, Ming Qi was carefully wiping his saber with a soft cloth as he added nonchalantly, "At first, they refused to admit anything. Only when they couldn't endure the torture did they say Han Jiang’s advisor gave it to them. They were told to deliver it to the manager of the Hongfu Inn in Dongyao City. Beyond that, they knew nothing."
Ming Chuan withdrew her gaze from the picture and added, "Those two had some skill. When we caught them at the gate, they caused quite a ruckus. The manager of Hongfu Inn might have gotten wind of it; by the time our people arrived, he had already fled."
I turned to look at Jie Ziqian. He wasn't looking at my portrait; he was staring into space, holding his teacup. After a long while, he said softly, "It seems Han Jiang has already become suspicious of the Lord of Dongyao. Sending the portrait was merely to confirm it—his movements are faster than I anticipated."
"Han Jiang has been frequently deploying troops to scout the Ghost-God Ravine area lately," Feng Yao said, his eyes fixed on the map as his finger circled the ravine. "A few times, they’ve come very close to the Lishan camp."
"What is your opinion, Mister?" I turned to Jie Ziqian.
Jie Ziqian’s eyes snapped open, bursting with two sharp rays of light. "Naturally—strike first to gain the upper hand!"
And my opportunity came faster than expected: on the fourth day after little Jingchi’s hundred-day celebration, Qizhou mutinied.
The incident began when two vice-generals under Liu Yunhai went out of the pass to hunt under the guise of patrolling. They were caught by Han Jiang and beheaded at the Xuanyuan Terrace to "enforce military discipline." By the time Liu Yunhai received the news and rushed to the terrace, his beloved subordinates were beyond saving. Liu Yunhai and Han Jiang fell into a heated argument. Han Jiang had already been resentful of Liu Yunhai and the others for their perceived contempt toward him. Now that he had caught them in a mistake, he naturally refused to let the matter drop. The war of words between the two factions escalated until a riot broke out. In the chaos, Liu Yunhai was accidentally killed by one of Han Jiang’s vice-generals. His death completely enraged the old subordinates of Marshal Chu, and the army split into two irreconcilable factions.
"When Heaven offers and one does not take, one invites disaster." Jie Ziqian stood before the map with his arms wide, his face alight with excitement. "Even the heavens are on the City Lord’s side: tonight at the hour of the Dog, there will surely be a great storm. Congratulations, City Lord!"
The weather, which had been clear, began to turn grey and hazy by the afternoon. Looking toward Qizhou from the foothills of the Li Mountains, one could only see the city shrouded in a mass of gloom.
The wind whistled, and the fir trees around the cemetery began to let out low howls.
I didn't know who had come first, but neat offerings of candles and fruit had been placed before Mengchi’s tombstone.
My hand gently brushed over Mengchi’s name, and a strange peace traveled from my fingertips into my heart. Perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere in the air, Jingchi had been crying incessantly until he exhausted himself and fell into a heavy sleep in the wet nurse's arms. But Mengchi made me feel at ease.
"Once the hour of the Monkey passes, we must depart," I whispered. "Baby, watch over me from here."
The breeze brushed against my cheek, as soft as a baby's hand.
A heavy sense of presence came from behind me, carrying a trace of inexplicable familiarity. I turned around and saw Feng Tong at once. He stood beneath a fir tree, his black silhouette appearing thin yet upright.
I couldn't see the expression on his face, but all the past events I had deliberately tried not to think about surged into my heart the moment I saw him. Suddenly, I felt a twinge of guilt. Why did I have to use such harsh words that day? Why did I have to drive him away so cruelly? Just when I had started getting used to seeing him whenever I turned around?
Perhaps Mengchi’s departure had made me fragile; I seemed to need warmth more than ever before. Even though my reason warned me that it was a warmth that shouldn't belong to me, I wanted it. I wanted to hold on tight and not let go.
I couldn't afford to lose anything else.
No matter what it was.
I wanted to say I was sorry, but what could a simple apology explain? Perhaps my actions that day were correct; a man like him should be let go to find the happiness that truly belonged to him...
The wind caught his black cloak. He had clearly walked quite close, yet I still couldn't see his face clearly. A long, soft sigh reached my ears.
"I know everything," Feng Tong’s voice carried a faint sadness. "I should have come back sooner. I once hoped that every time you needed someone to accompany you, I would be able to appear by your side. But in the end, I failed to do so."
He lowered his head and gently wiped the moisture from my face. "Actually, I’ve known for a long time that you are the best at provoking people, yet I still couldn't hold back." He paused, a faint, bitter smile touching his lips. "In the future, if there are things you don't like to hear, I simply won't say them."
Hearing such tender words from this man who was once so arrogantly overbearing brought an unusual ache to my heart. His palm carried a warmth I craved. For a moment, I even hoped he wouldn't pull his hand away so quickly.
His hand did eventually pull back slowly. "Is it time to act?"
I nodded. "We depart once the hour of the Monkey passes."
His brow twitched slightly, showing a hint of surprise. Before I could say anything else, he nodded with an unquestionable air. "In that case, please trouble yourself to find me a suit of armor."
"You’re going?" I looked up at him in surprise. He looked back at me with equal surprise, asking innocently, "You don't want to take me along?"
I was a bit confused by his question. When had I ever promised to take him?
Without waiting for my answer, he shook his head solemnly. "You, woman, are sometimes muddled, and your martial arts aren't that great. If you run into danger, who am I supposed to collect my interest from? Better to take me along." The corners of his mouth curled slightly as he studied me with a half-smile, seemingly waiting for my reply.
My heart had never been so conflicted.
Should I put on a stern face and drive him away, or should I allow him to stay? I couldn't give him what he wanted, yet in the depths of my heart, I secretly looked forward to the days with him by my side...
He took two steps away, then turned back to look at me, saying quite reasonably, "Hurry up. I’m already hungry. Is there time for me to have a full meal before we set out?"
I didn't know what to say, but a faint trace of joy quietly spread through my heart.
Once the hour of the Rooster passed, a great storm indeed rose from the southwest.
The sky had turned into a mass of heavy, muddy yellow. Even with the sand-guards over our helmets, large grains of sand pelted us, making it hard to keep our eyes open. Riding with the wind in such weather, we couldn't even hear the sound of our own horses' hooves.
The troop stopped at the designated location. The night was thick, and the wild wind still raged across the wasteland.
Though I couldn't see Qizhou City, which was close at hand, a heavy sense of pressure quickly surged into my heart. My hand instinctively brushed the golden gemstone embedded at the brow of my black helmet. It was like a mysterious eye that had witnessed countless slaughters. Its icy touch brought me comfort at this moment; it felt as though it carried some mysterious power, continuously filling my slightly numb limbs.
The three hundred elite soldiers to my front-left dismounted silently. A small, thin figure ran to my side and gently caught my palm. She squeezed it hard twice, paused, and then pressed twice more.
I squeezed Ming Chuan’s hand in the same sequence.
This was the signal agreed upon before our departure, meaning: "Move out!"
***
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A Dream of Justice: The First Lady Constable | Chapter 74 | Marching into the Storm | Novela.app | Novela.app
