Secret Recipe | Chapter 240 | The Second Miss's Ambition | Novela.app

Su Muhe arrived in the courtyard with Shangqu just as Qin Jiuye and Gao Quan were finishing their conversation. "There is still an hour before dawn, and the shops outside likely haven't opened yet. I’ve had the small kitchen prepare some food; you should all have a bite before you leave." As she spoke, Shangqu stepped forward and placed a food box on the table. Gao Quan glanced at the box but did not reach for it. Instead, he gave a respectful bow. "We must thank Miss Su for her assistance tonight. It was not my intention to turn your residence into an interrogation room. If we have caused any offense, I hope Miss Su can be understanding. However, that Lord Fan still holds the position of Longshu Commandery Governor. If he learns the Su family is involved, he certainly won't let the matter rest. After we depart, please be extra cautious. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to send someone to the east of the city to find us." Su Muhe had appeared in the courtyard the moment they finished their discussion, so she had certainly heard something. Gao Quan’s words seemed like a grateful warning, but they were actually a subtle probe to see how much she knew about the "interrogation" that had just taken place. However, the Second Miss of the Su family was more perceptive than he imagined. She replied with a light smile, "Thank you for the kind reminder, Assistant Regional Commander Gao. I did not intend to eavesdrop, but Lord Cao’s voice was truly a bit loud, so I happened to hear a thing or two. Would the Commander blame me for that?" Gao Quan smiled but said nothing. Standing aside, Qin Jiuye took a step forward. "I chose the Su Mansion as our meeting place tonight with no intention of hiding anything from you, Miss Su. If you wish to no longer be involved after tonight, you can tell us plainly." When Su Muhe had previously offered to excuse herself, Qin Jiuye guessed that the new head of the Su family might not want further entanglements with officialdom. But if she truly wanted to sever ties, she wouldn't have agreed to such an absurd request in the first place. After saying this, Qin Jiuye stole a glance at Su Muhe’s expression. As if sensing it, Su Muhe looked back at her a moment later. "Once you’ve left the pier and exited the river mouth, changing boats is a poor strategy. If the transfer fails, you might just end up with soaked shoes and socks. When I accepted your request on Shouqi Street, Miss Qin, I never intended to withdraw. If you all wish to secretly prepare medicinal ingredients, you will need a secure foothold. There is no place in this city more suitable than the Su family home." These words caught Qin Jiuye and the others by surprise. Their plan, in essence, relied on Fan Tong’s preconceived notions. Since Qiu Ling had previously handled the Su family’s case, Fan Tong was certain the two families were enemies. He would never imagine they would congregate at the Su Mansion. While the logic was simple, they weren't entirely sure of the Second Miss's underlying motives. Her proactive offer of help only made them more hesitant. Gao Quan, Du Shaoxing, and the others remained silent, instinctively looking toward the woman beside them. Qin Jiuye sensed their concern and gave them a reassuring look before bowing to Su Muhe. "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Su. These men know nothing of pharmacology and have other urgent matters to attend to. Why don't I stay behind alone to discuss things with you? What do you think?" Su Muhe smiled, her eyes like spring waters shrouded in an unreadable mist. "Very well. It’s a deal." *** The night she had attended the banquet with Xu Qiuchi, Qin Jiuye thought she would never wander the Su Mansion at night again. Yet, only a few months later, she was staying overnight once more. The cold winter wind swept through the corridors, carrying the distinctive damp scent of Jiugao City. After the fatal turmoil it had endured, the Su Mansion was like a pool of stagnant water. During the day, one could still hear some movement, but after nightfall, it was eerily quiet. Not a single maid or servant was to be seen. Su Muhe did not bring the maid named Shangqu, and Qin Jiuye did not keep Li Qiao by her side. It was as if the two women had reached a tacit understanding long ago, walking to this point in silence. The swaying oil lamp in Su Muhe’s hand illuminated her pale pink skirt, moving through the darkness like a drifting cloud of mist. Qin Jiuye followed closely behind. Neither spoke until the guide stopped and turned around. "I chose a rather secluded spot. I hope you don't mind, Miss Qin?" Qin Jiuye looked up and recognized the familiar courtyard walls. This was where she and He Yuanzhou had been confined. If she stepped into that secret room, she might even see the traces left behind—much like the damage and trauma inflicted upon the Su family, which could not be easily erased. And the fact that the Su family had fallen to its current state was inextricably linked to her, a village girl who had appeared out of nowhere. Thinking on it, her current situation seemed somewhat precarious. Yet, for some reason, Qin Jiuye did not feel a chill down her spine. Her time traveling the world had sharpened her "scent" considerably. This sensitivity wasn't a physical refinement of flesh and blood, but an ability transcending the five senses. Even without truly seeing, hearing, or smelling anything, she could sense danger before it approached. There was no killing intent or hostility coming from Su Muhe. If there was anything, it was perhaps a touch of playful testing. "If you don't mind me revisiting old haunts, Miss Su, why should I?" She didn't explicitly state what she meant by "revisiting old haunts," but she knew Su Muhe understood perfectly. A gust of wind blew, and drifting clouds obscured the moon. Su Muhe stood beneath a leafless hydrangea bush, her expression hidden in the shadows. "Have you never suspected it?" Su Muhe asked softly. Qin Jiuye looked at the blurred, dim silhouette. "Suspected what?" "That I am the one behind everything happening in this city. After all, He Yuanzhou was my grandmother. Aside from you, I am the person in this city who understands that strange illness best. If I had the mind to seek revenge, it would be as easy as turning over my hand." Not only that, she could have feigned assistance while secretly gathering intelligence. From what she had seen tonight, this seemingly unremarkable Manager Qin of Guoran Pharmacy was actually the backbone of the group. If Su Muhe could hold her in her grasp, she could easily disrupt the entire game and turn the world upside down. Various strange thoughts flashed through her mind. Su Muhe held her breath, though she didn't know what she was expecting. After a long silence, she heard a sigh. "I have never suspected you, Miss Su. Because from the first moment I met you, I knew that like me, you just want to live a better life." Moonlight fell once more upon Su Muhe’s delicate, refined face. Her brows arched with a flicker of inner surprise, and her lips parted slightly. For a fleeting moment, the mist in her smoky eyes cleared, becoming bright and simple. Though she had seen the woman before her many times, she felt that only at this moment did she truly see her—even seeing through that thin frame to the sinews, bones, and the color deep within her pupils as she spoke. But it was brief. In an instant, Su Muhe lowered her gaze and turned to walk through the dark moon gate. Qin Jiuye said no more and followed closely. "This is where I often played as a child. There used to be herb gardens here, but later my father felt they were too difficult to maintain, so they were abandoned. After I took over the Su Mansion, I tidied this place up. It seems it has finally come in handy." With a crisp click of a lock, the closed doors were pushed open. As Su Muhe spoke, she set down her oil lamp and turned to light the stone lanterns in the courtyard. The small courtyard wasn't large, but every corner was kept meticulously clean. Not a single weed could be found in the herb beds, and all the tools were neatly arranged. However, upon closer inspection, the mountain ginseng, snow lingzhi, and other precious herbs planted there had all withered and died without exception. Setting aside the fact that the season was wrong for many of these plants, even if this herb garden was the largest in the city, it was far from enough to deal with what was coming. Qin Jiuye withdrew her gaze and spoke after some deliberation. "Every profession has its specialists. Should you perhaps leave these matters to the right people, Miss Su? As for how to proceed, we can plan carefully..." Before she could finish, Su Muhe understood her implication and shook her head. "I have been immersed in herb gardens since I was a child; I am not ignorant of agriculture. The Su family does indeed have many herb farmers, but I do not allow even Shangqu to enter this place. Do you know why?" Looking at the lifeless herb garden, Qin Jiuye suddenly thought of the desolate mountains deep within Jichao. In the next instant, a thought struck her. She leaned down, pinched a bit of soil with her fingertips, and brought it to her nose. Her expression changed instantly. "When did you start doing this? Who else knows? Has anyone..." The question was too terrifying to finish, but Su Muhe clearly knew what she was asking. "No. No one else knows but me, and I have never used this substance on a person." Su Muhe turned and pulled a sealed clay jar from a hidden spot. "At first, I wasn't certain of anything. But later, the Protector-General specifically sent people to supervise my grandmother’s burial, demanding her coffin be nailed shut and the burial site hidden. That’s when I guessed. These samples were brought out of the dungeon by someone I commissioned earlier. This is all that remains." Qin Jiuye stared at the sealed jar for a long time without reaching out to examine it. "This thing is far more dangerous than you imagine, Miss Su. You are the pillar of this household now. Aren't you afraid that by dancing with wolves every day, you will eventually be swallowed whole?" The other woman gave her a brief glance, clearly not taking the "alarmist talk" to heart. "I have merely used some of my grandmother’s blood to feed these herbs. You, Manager Qin, entered Jichao alone. When it comes to trespassing in dragon's dens and dancing with wolves, we are two of a kind." Her voice remained soft, but Qin Jiuye understood that Su Muhe was just as stubborn as herself. She stopped trying to persuade her and simply pursed her lips. "Since you brought me here, Miss Su, you must have intended to share your findings. To solve this mystery, I will also share everything I have achieved without reservation. But before that, I must understand your motive for doing all this." Qin Jiuye had said something similar to Lord Yan before. At that time, she wasn't sure if Lord Yan was truly committed to opposing Ding Miao, so she had questioned him step by step. Now, the situation was far more dire, and she had to be even more cautious. Su Muhe clearly understood her concerns. She lowered her eyes in silence for a moment before speaking. "I have been quiet since I was a child. The people in the mansion didn't like me much, so I spent my time with these silent plants. In truth, plants are often far more resilient than people. Things that a body of flesh and blood cannot endure, a fragile plant can. However, my attempts have yet to yield a result." Su Muhe turned her gaze toward the withered herb garden, her slender hands clenching inside her sleeves. Sensing her emotion, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but remind her, "You are not the first to suffer setbacks, Miss Su. But regardless of whether we find an answer, He Yuanzhou can never come back." The hands inside the sleeves finally relaxed. Su Muhe looked up at Qin Jiuye. "I am different from my father. I do have the Su family blood in my veins, and I am bound by family ties. But beyond that, I am a businesswoman." Merchants prioritized profit—a trait that usually made people wary. But today, the person standing before Su Muhe was Qin Jiuye. As a pharmacy manager who had struggled alone to support her own business, she understood the meaning behind the word "businesswoman" better than anyone. "If you truly can help us achieve a breakthrough in this matter, Miss Su, then you deserve to earn that money. Even if you expand your business beyond Jiugao, no one will stop you. However, the situation in the city may take a sharp turn for the worse. Some things might not be as clear-cut as you hope." In business, it was best to state the harsh truths upfront. Whether it was preparing medicinal ingredients or providing the resources to study the Yefuzi, it would be ideal to have a merchant like the Su family helping. But putting herself in the other's shoes, Qin Jiuye didn't want to lure someone in with empty promises, only to have them fall out later over unsettled accounts. However, what Su Muhe cared about most at this moment didn't seem to be money. "Manager Qin, you may not know this, but the medicinal trade isn't just about money; it's about connections. It took the Su family decades to build those connections. Once trouble struck, the tree fell and the monkeys scattered. We are not what we once were." Qin Jiuye heard the emotion regarding the past in her voice and reminded her, "The one who destroyed the Su family’s business wasn't me, nor was it you, Miss Su. It was Su Lin himself. If he hadn't been greedy for wealth that didn't belong to him and stepped into that whirlpool of conspiracy, none of this would have started." "In drought, prepare boats; in floods, prepare carts. This was the foundation upon which the Su family rose, and the principle my father upheld in business all these years. You can criticize him for being opportunistic or for eating blood-stained gold, but without merchants like him, the situation in Yuzhou back then might have been even worse." Qin Jiuye understood that Su Muhe’s words weren't entirely without merit. Just as they now needed a major merchant like the Su family to step up to solve Jiugao’s urgent crisis, regardless of how Su Muhe truly felt about the matter, one should judge by actions, not intent. Since the other woman had made her choice, Qin Jiuye had no reason to stand on a moral high ground and criticize her. Besides, many things were determined by one's position; she couldn't be sure she would have performed any better in Su Muhe’s place. Su Muhe noted her silence. She blinked, her misty eyes possessing an extraordinary insight. "The reason you ask these things, Miss Qin, is ultimately because you don't believe I will help you. I can tell you now: I am willing to do this because the Su family’s business is in Jiugao. If the skin is lost, where can the fur attach itself? If something happens to Jiugao and its people suffer, where will the Su family go?" Of all the arguments, this was the most persuasive. Qin Jiuye thought for a moment and gave one final reminder. "Though I call myself a pharmacy manager, I haven't saved much money over the years. The situation in the city is critical. Even if we can mobilize the Qiu family’s influence, what we can give the Su family in the short term might not be much. We might not even be able to pay for the medicinal ingredients in full right away..." "It doesn't matter. I can forgo the money we can't settle. But I want something else. I wonder if you are willing to give it, Manager Qin?" Qin Jiuye looked up at Su Muhe. For some reason, the way the woman smiled reminded her of Su Lin. In truth, compared to the flamboyant Su Muzhi, Su Muhe’s features were sixty to seventy percent similar to the elegant Master Su. But their eyes were different. "Of all the people entering and leaving this mansion tonight, I am the one with the least power and the lowest status. I don't say this to belittle myself, but I am curious why you aren't asking them for something, but are asking me instead. What are you thinking?" She finally voiced her final doubt. Su Muhe did not hide it and confessed plainly. "After my father’s downfall, I learned a lesson: a large tree provides good shade, but it also attracts lightning. Whether it's the Qiu family or Lord Fan, I don't want to offend them, nor do I want to be entangled with them. You and I are both businesswomen. When businesspeople talk, it may be a bit cold, but it is much more straightforward." Su Muhe’s words confirmed her earlier suspicion. Qin Jiuye didn't want to waste time and asked directly, "What do you want, Miss Su?" "I simply want to keep the word I gave. I have my mission. If only one pharmacy in Jiugao City can make a name for itself during this upheaval, it must be the Su family." What Su Muhe wanted was reputation, a brand, and the long-term prosperity of the Su family’s medicinal business. Qin Jiuye could understand that desire, for it was her own desire as well. "Fine. I promise you." Su Muhe paused, seemingly not expecting such a prompt agreement. She couldn't help but ask, "Have you thought this through? Once the Su family takes the lead, your name and the name of Guoran Pharmacy will be buried behind the Su family. Haven't you been working so hard until now for this very moment? Are you truly willing?" Qin Jiuye was silent for a moment, appearing to consider the question. But in truth, over the past month or so, she had already found her answer. "It’s not a matter of being willing or unwilling. I didn't get to this point relying solely on myself. To claim all the credit for one person is a burden even a Saint of Medicine could not bear." Her answer wasn't directed at Su Muhe, but the latter still fell into silence. After a long while, she continued. "I have only dealt with herbs since I was a child, and the Su family is only responsible for the ratio and distribution of the antidote. As for how the medical texts are written afterward and how the details are described, you should find someone more experienced to ask, Manager Qin. Are you satisfied with my answer?" Qin Jiuye finally smiled. She didn't know if the Second Miss was a qualified head of the family, but she was certainly a qualified businesswoman. One should not use those they doubt, and not doubt those they use. Especially in these extraordinary times, one needed extraordinary allies. She hesitated for only a moment before handing over a formula she had folded into her sleeve earlier. "The strange illness He Yuanzhou suffered from stems from something called the 'Secret Formula.' It has existed for a long time, but no cure is known. This is a formula I developed with the help of White Ghost Umbrella and Teng Hu. While it cannot solve the problem entirely, it can delay the onset of the illness. we have already scoured the pharmacies in the south of the city; those in the north will likely hike their prices if they hear word of this. Until we make a new breakthrough, we must rely on you to mediate, Miss Su." Su Muhe took the formula and scanned it quickly, then nodded. "The things you need are indeed a bit complex, but the Su family has always kept some reserves, so it’s not impossible. However, I thought that if you were asking for my help, you must already have some certainty about curing this illness. Did I guess wrong?" Between honest people, there was no need for deception. After a moment of thought, Qin Jiuye confessed, "We have indeed found a way to cure it, but one of the medicinal catalysts is extremely rare. I’m afraid we couldn't find even a bit of it if we turned the entire Jiao Province upside down." As Qin Jiuye finished, a look of difficulty appeared on her face. Seeing this, Su Muhe said readily, "You may have seen more patients than I have, but I grew up in the Su family. I have seen more precious medicinal ingredients than you might imagine. Tell me, what is it?" "Have you ever heard of Yefuzi?" Su Muhe’s expression froze, and her brows knitted slightly. "That is a toxic substance. It cannot be easily used in medicine." Su Muhe came from a traditional merchant family like the Sus, yet she had heard of Yefuzi. This showed she truly understood herbs and poisons. Perhaps she really could be of help. "Normally, that is true. But what we are facing is an extraordinary situation." Qin Jiuye licked her lips, her voice dropping lower. "Before today, I only intended to ask for your help in finding more Yefuzi. But after hearing what you said, I have a different idea. May I ask, Miss Su, why did you think to mix the blood of the infected into the soil?" The question seemed to stir some memories. Su Muhe paused before speaking softly. "When I was young, my father didn't pay much attention to me. Sometimes, to win his notice, I would follow the family to the herb gardens in the countryside. Over time, I often heard the farmers complaining about which soil was superior or inferior, how the rain was last year versus this year... Ultimately, soil and rain affect the quality of the herbs. The 'Secret Formula' you mentioned did once cure my grandmother. I initially mixed her blood into the soil because I thought the power within it could double the efficacy of precious herbs, perhaps even turning them into true celestial herbs. But as you saw, the result was almost the exact opposite of what I expected." Su Muhe had wanted to cultivate a herb that could cure all poisons and illnesses. Qin Jiuye instantly understood the intention behind Su Muhe’s words. This intention was somewhat similar to Zuo Ci’s in the beginning. However, Su Muhe had not seen Zuo Ci sitting withered in the tomb, dying with regret. She had not stepped onto the scorched earth of Jichao or seen the desolate ancient capital buried beneath the black waters. She had not heard the tragic history of the Black Moon and Sun Yan. Su Muhe’s actions were undoubtedly bold, but for a healer, they were not entirely unjustifiable. Compared to her own previous actions, they were nothing. What she needed to do was set aside prejudice and discuss the matter seriously. "Celestial herbs are hard to find because they can usually only be nurtured in deep mountains and dense forests, far from human habitation. They cannot survive if the soil, rain, or heat conditions differ even slightly. Yefuzi is likely the same." The idea that the growth environment was strict was true, but such strictness wasn't without patterns. Whether on high mountains, in lakes, on cliffs, in deep valleys, or even on glaciers, as long as the conditions were met, one could always find them. But so far, none of the medical texts she and Teng Hu had consulted recorded the growth conditions for Yefuzi, nor had any physician ever marked which mountain hollow or cave produced this toxin. Even Zuo Ci had failed to find the pattern. It was as if it appeared out of thin air and vanished completely once harvested. But if they wanted to fundamentally crush Ding Miao’s conspiracy and save Jiugao, they had to find it—just as they had to find the Nine-Leaf Paris Polyphylla, the Winter Solstice Cicada Pupae, and the Year-old Snow. Qin Jiuye looked at the lifeless herb garden and whispered her boldest hypothesis. "If we can grow Yefuzi, then all our problems will be solved." "But no one knows what Yefuzi truly is. How can we grow it?" "I have a clue that isn't quite a clue: a herb with nine leaves." As she spoke the vague guess in her heart, Qin Jiuye saw Su Muhe’s inquisitive look and could only explain briefly, "It’s a long story, and I have no further evidence to prove a necessary connection, but I have a gut feeling. This might be our key breakthrough." Su Muhe had been immersed in herb gardens since childhood and had learned the trade in a merchant family. She was an expert in the recognition and care of herbs. If they truly were to crack the mystery of Yefuzi, cultivating the herb would require not only time but also the assistance of the most experienced merchants and farmers. To gather a large amount of medicine in a short time to delay the Secret Formula’s effects, they also needed the cooperation of various merchants. The Su family’s role was self-evident. Qin Jiuye had never placed so much hope in Su Muhe’s ambition as she did now. Only then could they surpass the stubborn Zuo Ci and the mad Teng Hu to reach the shore of truth. Compared to the irritable and sarcastic Teng Hu, Su Muhe was usually exceptionally patient and gentle. She spoke softly, like a Bodhisattva in a temple. Without realizing it, Qin Jiuye had been talking with her in the herb garden for a long time. The newly lit oil lamp was nearly burnt out. "Miss, someone is at the gate looking for Miss Qin. It’s... it’s..." Shangqu’s voice sounded outside the door. Her voice trailed off halfway. Qin Jiuye looked through the crack in the door and saw the maid biting her lip, looking conflicted. Qin Jiuye understood instantly and stood up. "Dawn has broken without me noticing. This matter cannot be accomplished in one go. You’ve been busy all night, Miss Su. You should rest. I know the way; I can leave on my own." To her surprise, Su Muhe walked straight past Shangqu toward the mansion gate, clearly having no intention of avoiding the visitor. "It’s fine. I’ll see you out, Miss Qin. Shangqu, you may go." The pink-clad maid was left behind, blinking her eyes and looking worriedly at her mistress’s back. Qin Jiuye felt a touch of emotion. Su Muhe’s voice sounded beside her. "Shangqu grew up with me. She is like a sister to me. She is still thinking about what happened before, so she has some prejudice against you. Please don't blame her." Regardless of what she actually thought, the fact that the Second Miss could say these words showed she had grown much during this time. This growth might have come from her new status as the head of the Su family, or perhaps it was simply part of her true nature. Qin Jiuye pondered for a moment. She didn't answer the question directly but smiled softly. "It’s strange. Others always feel there should be something between us. But when I think carefully, there isn't much of a grievance between you and me, Miss Su." When the Su Mansion met with disaster, the ones who directly struck were Qiu Ling and Fan Tong. Although Qin Jiuye had caused a scene on the Su family’s cargo ship, the ones who ultimately suffered were Su Lin and Su Muzhi. The Second Miss had actually benefited, escaping from a certain predicament. As for the matter of Li Qiao, neither she nor Su Muhe had done anything wrong, nor had they harmed each other. For the current Su Muhe and herself, there were already far more important things at hand. Perhaps her words were too bold. Su Muhe paused and tilted her head to look at her, her eyes filled with unshielded curiosity. "I want to know, if I hadn't appeared yesterday, where did you plan to stay, Miss Qin?" "Qiongwei Alley behind Bobo Street, Ganyu Alley in the east of the city, or perhaps Liulitun in the south. I am familiar with many places. To the man we are facing, everything here is foreign. Even if he has taken Fan Tong hostage and gained the upper hand, he cannot truly control the entire city in a short time because he has never lived here. He doesn't belong here. What we must do is engage him in a tug-of-war through the streets and alleys. If we hold out long enough, we will eventually discover his goal and find his weakness." As she spoke, Su Muhe studied her quietly. Once she finished, Su Muhe asked very seriously, "Will you be doing business in the medicinal trade in Jiugao City in the future, Miss Qin?" Qin Jiuye was stunned, then guessed the reason for the question. After careful thought, she answered truthfully. "Medicine is medicine, and trade is trade. They are two different fields. Besides, I have always run a small business, doing everything myself. I’m used to putting my heart into the small details. I have no time or energy to manage connections or handle the big task of managing hundreds of people. My wish all these years has simply been to have a pharmacy of my own." Su Muhe smiled, her voice as gentle as ever. "You are too modest, Manager Qin. But if you ever change your mind, remember to let me know. After all, I don't want to be your rival." Under the dim oil lamp, the shadows of the two women became hazy, momentarily blending together before separating again. After a long while, Qin Jiuye stepped back half a pace and bowed in farewell in the night. "You do business in the north of the city, Miss Su, and I do business in the south. Even if we meet in the city one day, we will simply be walking our own paths." *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 野馥子 | Yefuzi / Wild Fragrance Seeds | A toxic plant central to the plot, potentially a cure or key ingredient. 秘方 | Secret Formula | Refers to the specific toxic substance/disease affecting the city. 果然居 | Guoran Pharmacy | Qin Jiuye's medicinal shop. 和沅舟 | He Yuanzhou | Su Muhe's deceased grandmother. 商曲 | Shangqu | Su Muhe's personal maid. 九叶重楼 | Nine-Leaf Paris Polyphylla | A rare medicinal herb (Paris polyphylla). 冬至蝉蛹 | Winter Solstice Cicada Pupae | A rare medicinal ingredient. 隔年之雪 | Year-old Snow | A rare medicinal ingredient (snow from the previous year). 龙枢郡守 | Longshu Commandery Governor | The official title of Fan Tong. 参将 | Assistant Regional Commander | Gao Quan's military rank.