Zuo Canglang had intended to hire a carriage, but Wen Xingye said, "Though I have long been away from the battlefield, I can still manage to ride a horse."
Left with no choice, Zuo Canglang led out the horses, and the two of them headed west toward Mayi City. Meanwhile, in the capital of Jinyang, Jiang Sanyi received word of the situation. He was surprised. "You are saying that Yuan Xi, Zhuge Jin, and the others left Jinyang in total silence immediately after the Mid-Autumn palace banquet to return to their posts?"
A man from the Patrol Guard replied, "Indeed."
Jiang Sanyi mused, "That is strange. Did His Majesty issue an edict?"
"No," the man said. "The generals left the city in a great hurry without leaving any word behind."
Jiang Sanyi frowned. That very day, he sent a letter to his eldest son, Jiang Qi, instructing him to investigate. Although Jiang Qi was stationed in the former lands of Yu, his soldiers inevitably had many comrades who had once fought alongside the others. It would not be impossible to dig up some information.
While Jiang Sanyi was busy investigating, Murong Yan was naturally not in the dark. He asked Bi Dongting, "This is truly interesting. Even if they intended to leave, why was it necessary to gallop out of the city in the middle of the night?"
Bi Dongting did not dare to answer. Beside him, Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "Perhaps there was an urgent military matter. It is understandable for generals to return in haste."
Murong Yan countered, "An urgent military matter? So urgent they did not even have time to send someone to inform Us?"
Wang Yunzhao fell silent as well.
"Duanmu Shang," Murong Yan called out. Duanmu Shang emerged from the shadows and knelt before him. Murong Yan commanded, "Go and find out exactly what happened."
Duanmu Shang acknowledged the order. Murong Yan added, "Go to Nanqing Palace as well. She is likely the one who understands the movements within the army best."
However, Zuo Canglang was not at Nanqing Palace. Murong Yan looked at Weiwei and Zhitong, his voice cold. "Is there anything left in this city of Jinyang that I am permitted to know?"
Wang Yunzhao hurriedly asked the maids, "Where did the General go? Speak up!"
Weiwei lowered her head and said after a long pause, "The General only said she needed to make a trip to Mayi City. She did not say for what purpose."
"Mayi City?" Murong Yan repeated. Shortly after, Duanmu Shang returned and reported, "Your Majesty, I have discovered that before dawn, Zuo Canglang and the Duke of the State rode out of the city together, heading west."
Murong Yan pondered for a moment. "She went to Mayi City with Wen Xingye? This is becoming more interesting by the moment. Are the other members of the Wen household still here?"
Duanmu Shang replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the others are all present."
Murong Yan nodded. "Keep the Wen manor under strict surveillance. No one is permitted to enter or leave without authorization."
Duanmu Shang cupped his fists. "Understood."
Once he had left, Murong Yan turned to Wang Yunzhao. "Summon Zhou Xin back."
Wang Yunzhao was inwardly shocked. Just as he was about to relay the order, someone announced, "Your Majesty, Lord Jiang Sanyi requests an audience."
Murong Yan’s eyes darkened like ink. "Let him in."
Jiang Sanyi entered and, seeing Murong Yan’s face as still as deep water, immediately lowered his head. "Your Majesty, I heard the generals hurried back to their stations. Has there been further movement from Western Jing?"
Murong Yan remarked, "Lord Jiang is certainly well-informed." Jiang Sanyi could not fathom the meaning behind those words. Murong Yan continued, "Since your news is so timely, surely you know that someone else has also left the city?"
Jiang Sanyi felt a surge of embarrassment, realizing Murong Yan had seen through his intentions. He cleared his throat and said, "I was merely puzzled. If there truly is trouble, the court should prepare military supplies."
Murong Yan glanced at him again and said indifferently, "Then prepare them."
At the doorway, Wang Yunzhao hesitated. As of now, Yuan Xi and the others had merely left the city; their intentions were unknown. However, if Murong Yan began preparing for war, they would surely feel cornered. This conflict... might become inevitable. Ultimately, he did not dare to speak. With Murong Yan in his current state, a single wrong word could cost a man his life.
Zuo Canglang and Wen Xingye traveled onward, braving the wind and sleeping in the dew. However, their physical strength was limited, and they could not possibly catch up to Yuan Xi and his group. After finally passing Xiaoji City, Wen Xingye asked, "Are we going straight into Suye City?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "Yuan Xi likely isn't in the city right now."
Wen Xingye was surprised. "If he isn't in the city, where could he be?"
"He fears Murong Yan," Zuo Canglang explained. "He wouldn't dare wait with his troops openly in the city. He has likely set an ambush."
Wen Xingye sighed. "Where do you think he has laid it?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Outside Suye City lies Kanghua County. Beyond the county is Slanting Valley, which borders the White Wolf River. If an army approaches, they must pass through there. It is a perfect spot for an ambush. If I am not mistaken, that is where he will be."
Wen Xingye suddenly looked interested. "You know the terrain here well. If you were the one sent to suppress this rebellion, would you have a strategy to defeat the enemy?"
Zuo Canglang glanced at him. "I once frightened Ren Xuan away from that very spot; of course I know it. However, it is actually a perilous place."
"How so?" Wen Xingye asked.
Zuo Canglang pointed toward the direction of the White Wolf River. "He can only set his ambush on the two sides of Slanting Valley. But the terrain there is too low. If the enemy sent three hundred armored soldiers to breach the banks of the White Wolf River and divert the water there..."
The expression on Wen Xingye’s face slowly froze. "But if that happened, wouldn't the entire Kanghua County become a vast sea?"
Zuo Canglang said, "If it were Murong Yan himself leading the charge, do you think he would care about such things?"
Wen Xingye finally sighed. "Zuo Canglang, perhaps you are right." Based on Yuan Xi and the others alone—whether in terms of current military strength, strategy, or ruthlessness—they were no match for Murong Yan. If they raised their banners in revolt, what chance of victory did they have?
The two of them reached the entrance of Slanting Valley outside Kanghua County. Wen Xingye asked, "Shall we climb the mountain?"
Zuo Canglang shook her head. "The mountain paths are treacherous; the horses cannot traverse them. With our stamina, getting up there would be difficult enough. Moreover, the wild grass is thick and untouched. If they spot us and fire their arrows first, it would be far too dangerous."
Wen Xingye asked, "Are we to walk directly into the trap, then?"
"Yes," Zuo Canglang replied. Wen Xingye stared at her, and she smiled. "Are you afraid?"
Wen Xingye reached out his hand. "Help me onto my horse."
Suddenly, it felt as though they had returned to the days of their youth.
The two riders proceeded forward and soon saw the entrance to Slanting Valley. Wen Xingye said, "I wonder if their scouts are doing their duty. If Yuan Xi is positioned too far away and cannot see us clearly, I fear they will loose their arrows."
Zuo Canglang turned to look at him. He said, "Stay behind me. If anything goes wrong, retreat immediately."
Zuo Canglang gave a clear laugh and spurred her horse into the valley. Wen Xingye followed close behind.
The valley was filled with green shade, yet there was no sound of birds or insects—there was indeed an ambush. Zuo Canglang took the lead, charging into the center of the valley. Worried that Yuan Xi might actually fire, Wen Xingye shouted at the top of his lungs, "Where is Yuan Xi?!"
The valley remained silent, yet sharp arrowheads emerged from the thick green grass. By the look of it, there were no fewer than a thousand. Wen Xingye took a deep breath and shouted, "Yuan Xi, you brat, you’ve grown bold! If you truly have the guts today, have them shoot this old man dead right here!"
Above the ridge, Yuan Xi finally parted the grass. "Old Master Wen."
Wen Xingye inwardly breathed a sigh of relief but snapped angrily, "You still have the face to call me that! Look at what you’ve done!"
Yuan Xi was defiant. "Old Master, I have Marshal Wen’s final letter right here! The Marshal’s death was caused by Murong Yan using our lives as leverage! It was that traitor Murong Yan who promised not to implicate the Wen family’s old subordinates, thereby forcing the Marshal to his death! The Marshal went to his death alone, struck by over forty arrows! Old Master, even at a time like this, are you still going to speak for Murong Yan?!"
Tears welled in Wen Xingye’s eyes. "Yuan Xi, Qi'er is already dead. But..." The unspoken words were: *But you all must still live.*
Hearing this, Zuo Canglang immediately spoke up. "Yuan Xi, you can't expect the Old Master to stand down here and talk to you, can you?"
Yuan Xi barked, "Zuo Canglang, you knew the Old Master’s legs are failing, yet you made him travel thousands of miles with you to this place. What are your intentions?!"
"What are my intentions?" Zuo Canglang walked a few steps closer to him. The archers around her immediately took aim. Wen Xingye tried to stop her, but she held up a hand to stay him, continuing until she was at a distance where she didn't have to shout to be heard clearly.
"I was just about to ask you, Yuan Xi. You, Zhuge Jin, Zheng Zhu—you all knew that the Marshal’s parents, wife, and children are all in Jinyang, yet you didn't say a word and mobilized troops in the name of avenging him. Yuan Xi, what are you trying to do?"
A cold sweat broke out on Yuan Xi’s brow. It was true—once he engaged in battle with Murong Yan, would the Wen family members in Jinyang have any hope of survival?
He stammered, "I..."
Zuo Canglang pressed on, "You what? If the Wen family is truly misunderstood by His Majesty as traitors because of this, and something happens to them, with what face will you meet the Marshal in the afterlife?"
Yuan Xi was struck dumb. He was a man of peerless courage, but in a moment of heated blood, he had failed to consider so much. He was now caught in a bind. But soon, his anger flared again. "You only came here to act as a lobbyist for Murong Yan! Do you think we will still believe you?"
Zuo Canglang looked around at the soldiers. "You? Believe me?" She slowly untied her cloak and, in the center of every soldier's gaze, she pushed up her sleeve to reveal a hideous scar. "During the battle of Suye City years ago, Ren Xuan lured us into the city. I was captured by Western Jing, and the Emperor of Western Jing cut off three pieces of my flesh to send back to Yan. This is one of those scars."
As she mentioned the past, Yuan Xi could not help but be moved. But thinking of Wen Qi, he shouted, "We fight on the front lines; who among us doesn't have scars?"
Zuo Canglang said, "No, I only want you to think—if I had even a single thought of running away back then, would I have fallen into the hands of the Jing army?"
Yuan Xi was speechless. Zuo Canglang continued, "In that battle, we lost over five thousand brothers. But we also saved over thirty thousand. So, I decided that the cutting of my flesh and the shedding of my blood were worth it. But Yuan Xi, today you are leading them onto a path of death!"
Yuan Xi’s hand gripped his sword hilt, but the soldiers around him slowly loosened their bowstrings. Zuo Canglang said, "Those who can stand here today are all veterans, the battle-hardened elite of Yan. But over these years, how many brothers have we lost to war? How much blood has been shed? Now that Yan is finally unified, are we going to start killing each other? Are we going to shed our own people's blood on our own land?"
The surroundings fell into a dead silence. Yuan Xi said hoarsely, "Is the Marshal’s grudge simply not to be avenged? Are we to kneel before the enemy who killed him and serve him?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Yuan Xi, I brought the Old Master here today precisely to clear this matter up. Whether the Marshal’s letters are real or fake, let the Old Master examine them. There will be a conclusion. Withdraw your troops first."
Yuan Xi said, "I will take the Old Master into the city and give him the Marshal’s handwritten letter to inspect. You, stay back."
Zuo Canglang looked around. "If I do not stay back, what do you plan to do? Shoot me dead?"
The surrounding soldiers gradually lowered their heads. Zuo Canglang said, "When I came here, I thought to myself: we have been comrades for many years, surely you wouldn't strike me down." Silence reigned. She continued, "But if blood is truly shed, you will have no way to turn back and will be forced to fight. When that time comes, how many of you will be left? I can die here, but I cannot use your lives to gamble on a one-in-a-thousand chance."
Somewhere in the crowd, someone was the first to set down their weapon. Slowly, everyone dropped their arms. Zuo Canglang breathed a silent sigh of relief and turned to Yuan Xi. "Into the city. Let the Old Master verify the Marshal’s handwriting."
Yuan Xi felt quite conflicted; he truly had placed the Old Master’s family in grave danger. He walked down and moved to support Wen Xingye, but the old man pushed him away. "You brat, I’m not that old yet!"
Yuan Xi thick-headedly continued to support him anyway, then asked Zuo Canglang, "Are you coming into the city with us too?"
"What else would I do?" Zuo Canglang replied.
Yuan Xi said, "We have been in the army for a long time; we would never mistake the Marshal’s handwriting! If the Old Master also confirms it is the Marshal’s hand, what then?"
Zuo Canglang said, "It won't be too late for you to shoot me then."
"You!" Yuan Xi was choked for words.
Yuan Xi had planned to use Mayi City as his final stronghold, which was why he had intended to hold Suye from the start. Now back in Suye City, after the long journey, both Zuo Canglang and Wen Xingye were exhausted. Yuan Xi brought out Wen Qi’s letter and handed it to Wen Xingye.
Wen Xingye forced himself to stay alert and examined it carefully. Zheng Zhu and Zhuge Jin stood on either side, waiting solemnly for the result. Zuo Canglang said, "Now that it is just us here, there are things that can be said. I want to ask the three of you: with your current strength, if Zhou Xin’s army arrives, how many days can you hold Suye?"
The three men looked at each other and fell silent. Zuo Canglang asked again, "How many days can you hold Mayi City?"
Still, no one spoke. Zuo Canglang said, "I know that you three are men of great honor and courage, unafraid of death. For the Marshal’s sake, you are even willing to disregard the lives of your own families. But are you going to disregard the lives of the people of Yan and the fate of our nation as well?"
Zhuge Jin said, "General, I admit that raising troops was an act of righteous indignation and a desperate desire for revenge. But no matter what, there should be justice and truth in this world! If we do not denounce and campaign against a man like Murong Yan, are we to continue bowing and scraping before him?"
Zuo Canglang said, "General Zhuge says it well—righteous indignation and a desire for revenge. But ask yourselves, is this what a commander should do? You have over sixty thousand soldiers in your hands. Are you three prepared to use their blood and the lives of their kin to satisfy your personal vengeance?"
Yuan Xi was a blunt man. Hearing this, his mind felt like a mess. He asked, "Is the Marshal’s grudge simply not to be avenged then?"
Zuo Canglang said, "If you trust me, leave this matter to me. If you don't, go out right now, take up your heavy halberd, and fight it out with Murong Yan. You will surely die, and with Murong Yan’s temperament, your parents and kin will inevitably be implicated. When your soul is in heaven, you can watch as your parents are beheaded, your wife and daughters are sold into government servitude, and your friends and relatives are all exiled."
In his agitation, Yuan Xi couldn't think clearly. He asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Zuo Canglang’s hand pressed onto his shoulder, slowly applying pressure. "General Zhuge said that there should be justice and truth in this world. But Yuan Xi, justice and truth also require time. The current Yan cannot withstand such a storm."
Yuan Xi looked into her eyes and slowly calmed down. "You believe those letters are real, don't you?"
Zuo Canglang was silent for a long time before saying, "Yes."
Yuan Xi asked, "You haven't even looked at them once, yet you truly believe it?"
Zuo Canglang turned away and said slowly, "I spent many years looking—bit by bit, through a difficult and long journey."
Only then did Wen Xingye stand up and ask Zuo Canglang, "Shall we explain to the soldiers outside?"
"Yes," Zuo Canglang replied.
Wen Xingye walked before the three generals and suddenly dropped to his knees. All three were shocked. Wen Xingye said, "I thank you on behalf of Qi'er. His life was not an easy one. But to have a few brothers-in-arms like you, it was not lived in vain. All he sought in his life was to protect this land and this nation. Was that not also protecting you? No matter the cost, if you are all still here and the land of Yan remains, then it was worth it."
The three men helped him up, their eyes—the eyes of battle-hardened generals—shimmering with tears. Only they knew how Wen Qi had struggled to protect the country in this desolate border city. All those days and nights of planning and management—in the end, they didn't know if it was a failure or a success.
After a long while, they all went out together to gather the soldiers. Wen Xingye stood before the men and said loudly, "Just now, inside, I carefully compared Qi'er’s handwriting. After the three generals also examined it closely, we discovered that this letter was intentionally forged by someone."
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Wen Xingye said sternly, "There must be a treacherous villain sowing discord in the shadows, trying to incite suspicion between us and His Majesty. They wish to plunge us into a state of disloyalty and ruin. I thank you all here on behalf of Qi'er!" He bowed deeply. "The Wen family will forever be grateful for your great kindness and loyalty. But we are soldiers of Yan, and a soldier’s duty is to protect the home and the country. You must not fall for a villain’s scheme and cause us Yan people to fight amongst ourselves, doing something that would only grieve our loved ones and gladden our enemies!"
The soldiers were suddenly flustered. Someone asked, "General Yuan, His Majesty likely already knows we came to Suye. We heard that Grand Marshal Zhou has been ordered to prepare for war and his army is on the way. What... what should we do now?"
Yuan Xi glanced at Zuo Canglang. She said, "General Yuan gathered you all only to investigate the source of these forged letters. Our hidden enemy might be a spy from Western Jing, or it might be someone else. Everyone must remain vigilant and united. As for His Majesty’s side... if anyone is interrogated, simply speak the truth. But for now, General Yuan will conduct a routine search of your personal belongings to see if any spies have infiltrated the army."
As soon as she finished, Yuan Xi naturally followed her lead. "Men, strictly search the tents! Do not miss a single corner!"
Someone acknowledged the order and began the search. Wen Xingye, not even stopping to catch his breath, asked, "As for Murong Yan, will he believe our words?"
"Of course not," Zuo Canglang said.
Wen Xingye asked, "Then if he orders an attack on the city..."
Zuo Canglang said, "Let’s wait. It will only be a couple of days."
Wen Xingye wanted to ask what she was waiting for, but she had already entered the inner room—she was exhausted as well.
The next day, someone delivered a letter, stating it must be handed to Zuo Canglang in person. Yuan Xi looked curious. "You just arrived in Suye; who would be so quick to send you a letter?"
Zuo Canglang took the letter and gave it a single glance. A look of relief washed over her face—thankfully, Daxi Qin never failed her. Even Wen Xingye couldn't help but ask, "Who sent the letter?"
Zuo Canglang handed the letter to him. "A letter from the Marshal."
Wen Xingye was stunned. He opened it and was horrified to find that the handwriting was almost identical to Wen Qi’s! He was greatly shocked. "This... who wrote this?"
Zuo Canglang said, "It doesn't matter who wrote it. This is the explanation we will give to Murong Yan."
Wen Xingye didn't understand. "What?"
Zuo Canglang turned to him. "His Majesty is suspicious by nature. Jiang Sanyi will surely use this incident to stir up trouble and slander us. But if the Marshal’s letter is a forgery, who do you think he will immediately suspect of being the mastermind?"
Wen Xingye had a sudden realization. "You want to... uproot Jiang Sanyi?"
Zuo Canglang said, "The Jiang family has been arrogant for long enough. It is time for it to end."
As they were talking, Yuan Xi suddenly remembered something. "General, the Marshal wrote two letters at the time. The other one was for you."
Both Zuo Canglang and Wen Xingye were surprised. They asked simultaneously, "What does it say?"
Yuan Xi said, "It was written to you; I didn't dare open it."
Zuo Canglang remarked sarcastically, "There’s actually something you don't dare to do?"
Yuan Xi said, "Heaven and earth be my witness, General! At Kanghua County, I only wanted to scare you; I had no intention of actually firing!"
Zuo Canglang said, "Yuan Xi, I misjudged you." Yuan Xi felt a bit embarrassed. Zuo Canglang placed her hand on his shoulder, her face solemn. "Since you put it that way, I won't hide it from you. Actually, my coming here was His Majesty’s idea. He told me to stall you first. By now, he is likely already attacking Mayi City."
"What did you say?" Yuan Xi nearly jumped out of his skin. Wen Xingye sighed and said, "She’s just scaring you. Where is the letter? Bring it out quickly."
Yuan Xi was furious. "How can you be like this? You nearly made me wet myself." While grumbling, he turned around and produced a letter, handing it to Zuo Canglang. She opened the envelope, and both Yuan Xi and Wen Xingye leaned in to look.
She glanced at the two of them. "You two should stay back. If this is a love letter from the Marshal, wouldn't it be awkward?"
"..." Wen Xingye and Yuan Xi both looked helpless and moved away. Zuo Canglang slowly pulled out the paper. There were only a few lines written upon it:
*One who leads an army should possess a Buddha's heart, yet wield a Shura's blade. When the lives of ten thousand are at stake, what room is there for personal honor or disgrace? Know that the people are most precious, the state follows, and the ruler is of least consequence. Remember this well.*
Zuo Canglang froze.
Wen Xingye took the paper from her hand and fell silent.
After a long while, he said, "He truly placed the Wen family’s old subordinates in your hands. The letter he wrote to Xuezhan was not to plead his own grievances, but in the hope that when you needed them, the Wen family’s old subordinates could become your Shura’s blade."
Zuo Canglang folded the paper with great care. "He guessed long ago that I would have such a day. For half my life, I have often thought myself clever, yet I do not possess even a fraction of the Marshal’s wisdom."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
定国公 | Duke of the State | Wen Xingye's noble title.
小蓟城 | Xiaoji City | A city mentioned on the way to Suye.
康华县 | Kanghua County | A county near Suye City.
斜谷 | Slanting Valley | A valley near Kanghua County, site of the ambush.
白狼河 | White Wolf River | A river near Slanting Valley.
菩提心 | Buddha's Heart | Bodhicitta; a heart of compassion.
修罗刀 | Shura's Blade | Asura's blade; a weapon of destruction/war.
