“Chapter 87: War”

"Chapter 87: War"

"When Arilang entered the military tent, his legs were still weak. He had left Huiyi City secretly at dawn, riding a fine horse. Now deep into the night, he had been riding for nearly a full day and half a night. The insides of his thighs were raw and bloody. He was not a skilled rider or archer but rather an alien, spending most of his time studying abroad."

"Last month, he had sent his wife and child back to her tribe. His wife was the youngest daughter of the Khan of the Qimi tribe, which regretfully joined and then regretted the alliance."

"He and his wife had always been inconspicuous in Huiyi City. After this event, his wife became increasingly melancholic, particularly because her father, who had initially joined the alliance, fled in fear of the Jiedushi of Youzhou."

"This caused his wife much distress in Huiyi City. When she returned to Qimi, she left decisively, without needing him to say much, taking their child with her."

"Arilang glanced at the dark night sky, wondering if this would be his last night."

"Coming alone to the enemy's stronghold, playing the role of a traitor, why would anyone believe the words of a traitor?"

"Arilang laughed at himself bitterly."

Inside the military tent.

"Arilang saw General Li Xun, who had aged considerably, the famously rising General Ghost Butcher, the Jiedushi's strategist, Master Cui, and the Jiedushi himself."

"Childhood memories flooded back. Compared to twenty years ago, the Jiedushi's face bore more signs of aging, frost even touched his temples, but his eyes remained sharp. His figure appeared unchanged, still tall and imposing. Seated at the center of the tent, his presence was formidable, almost too intense to look at directly."

"Arilang bowed his head, offering a deep bow, 'Arilang pays his respects to the Jiedushi.'"

"Zhou Xu glanced at the face of the self-proclaimed Third Prince of Huiyi, then noted his right-lapel robe and scholar's sash, typical of Central Plains attire."

"'You recognize me and Li Xun?' Zhou Xu, twirling his teacup, asked, 'Upon entering, you first looked at Li Xun among everyone in the room.'"

"Li Xun frowned, scrutinizing Arilang, trying to recall his face, but couldn't place him."

"Arilang straightened his scholar's robe, looking at General Li Xun and softly said, 'Of course, I remember. Twenty-three years ago, General Li led his troops into Huiyi City. I was there, watching. It's normal that the General doesn't remember amidst the crowd.'"

"Arilang paused, then looked directly at the Jiedushi, 'The Jiedushi arrived in Huiyi seven days later. My father welcomed you at the city gates. In the palace, you and my father drank grape wine. He said that Youzhou and Huiyi should support each other and maintain good relations through generations.'"

"Hearing this, Zhou Xu chuckled."

"He sipped his tea. The old king of Huiyi indeed said those words to him, but neither of them took it seriously. What 'relations through generations' - just diplomatic niceties. Unexpectedly, a young child back then remembered it all."

"Zhou Xu squinted at Arilang's scholar robe and asked an unrelated question, 'Who was your teacher?'"

"'I studied under Master Mingxin,' Arilang replied, smiling at the mention of his respected and beloved teacher."

"Cui Shizi interjected, 'Is it Di Jianshen, the author of lines like 'Foreign cavalry breaking through mountains in spring, drunkenly floating through life, awakening to a thousand lines of tears'?'"

"'Indeed, he is my teacher,' Arilang confirmed."

"Most in the room, being uneducated in such matters, did not recognize the name Mingxin, as he was not a widely known scholar."

"Hearing the two lines of poetry recited by Master Cui, Zhou Lingzhi, who had taken cultural courses and was familiar with the literary circles of Jiangnan, recognized Mingxin."

"A poet and a minor official, more famous for his longevity, known as the 'Longevity Master.' Surprisingly, one of his students was the Third Prince of Huiyi City."

"'My master thought I was just a foreign student studying abroad, unaware of my true identity,' Arilang added."

"Then, what brings you here today?" Cui Shizi asked with a warm smile, seemingly feeling a kinship with Arilang, either due to Master Mingxin or simply as a fellow scholar.

Arilang looked towards the Jiedushi and revealed his carefully prepared message: "I urge the Jiedushi to exercise caution in this battle. Huiyi City's walls are equipped with three large triple-bow crossbows, each manned by twenty strong and masked archers, their faces always covered with black cloth. They do not follow my father's commands and must be serving another master."

Having said his piece, Arilang bowed deeply again, "This is all Arilang has to say. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Zhou Xu glanced at Cui Shizi.

Cui Shizi coughed and stepped forward, "Prince Arilang, wait, please."

Arilang turned, his back drenched in cold sweat, wondering if they intended to kill him, given his status as a son of the Huiyi king and a native of Huiyi.

"There's no need to be anxious, Prince," said Cui Shizi, "I'm merely curious why you would take such a risk to help us."

After a moment of silence, Arilang responded, "Over the years, Huiyi's prosperity hinged on maintaining good relations with Youzhou. My father, blinded by old age and folly, sought an alliance with the Turks, recklessly breaking the pact. But these are his deeds alone."

"I only hope that, upon breaching the city, you spare the civilians within. They are but ordinary people."

"My coming here is not for my father, but for them."

Arilang bowed deeply, "I thank you all on their behalf."

"Given this, it would be perilous for you to return now. Why not stay with us for the time being? We shall ensure your safety," suggested Cui Shizi.

Unsure of Cui Shizi's intentions, Arilang wondered if this was a ploy to keep him as a hostage. "My father has little regard for me. Even as a hostage, he would not be concerned," he replied, his lips trembling slightly.

"Your words wound me, Prince," Cui Shizi said with an unchanging smile. "My concern is for your safety upon returning. If you insist on leaving, I will not stop you."

Cui Shizi led Arilang out, into the dark night, where many soldiers were resting in readiness for battle.

Arilang followed hesitantly, his steps uncertain.

Perhaps Master Cui was genuinely concerned about his predicament. Arilang remembered how the Youzhou cavalry, upon entering Huiyi City years ago, didn't indulge in indiscriminate looting and violation like other cavalry. Instead, they maintained strict military discipline.

Arilang exhaled softly, his heart aching. The thought of his father offering the city's women for the amusement of foreigners tormented him. Why couldn't they be like the Youzhou army? Why be so cruel to their own citizens?

His elder brother accused him of being corrupted by Confucian scholars from the Central Plains, constantly sympathizing with others, lamenting without cause.

Hu Dali noticed Master Cui accompanying a man resembling a foreigner. Sitting up straight and gripping his spear tightly, he saw Daturagula among the captives suddenly become agitated. Bound and disheveled, with a gag in his mouth and his eyes wide with disbelief, Daturagula stared at the Third Prince of Huiyi appearing in the heart of the Xuanjia Camp, accompanied by Master Cui's amicable demeanor.

The harmonious scene struck him like a thunderbolt, suspecting Huiyi had set a trap to annihilate their tribes.

He knew that all seven Khans were currently in Huiyi City. If it were a trap, not only the Gulun House Khan but also the leaders of the other tribes would be doomed.

His mind raced with thoughts, his cheeks twitching, wrists raw from the ropes, but none of it diminished his hatred for Huiyi.

It all made sense now!

Surely, it was a trap laid by the old king of Huiyi, luring the leaders of the seven tribes for a total annihilation. A vicious and cunning plan.

Daturagula, seething with rage, almost grinding his teeth to dust, bowed his head. The Gulun House cavalry he led had already been slain by Zhou Xu. Now, these captives were worthless, and the burden fell on him.

He surreptitiously sharpened a stone in his palm, rubbing the ropes in the darkness, his chest heaving with indignation and urgency, indifferent to the raw, bleeding flesh in his hands.

"Cui Shizi coughed and, with a smile, led the Third Prince aside."

"'Prince, why don't you stay here for the time being? As for the conditions you mentioned…'"

"Arilang looked at Master Cui, visibly nervous."

"'I will discuss it with the lord and my colleagues,' said Cui Shizi."

"Arilang glanced around, his spirits dimming as he nodded in response to Master Cui's words. As he entered the tent, he impulsively looked back at this cunning strategist."

"'Is there anything else, Prince?'"

"'I've heard that the Jiedushi never harms unarmed elderly, women, and children. Is that true?'"

"Cui Shizi nodded."

"'That reassures me,' Arilang said, returning to the tent. He sat down on the felt carpet, closed his eyes wearily, knowing his betrayal of Huiyi would soon be discovered. A traitor to his country and family, he realized he would no longer have a place in this vast world. He thought of his teacher, over eighty years old, older and less renowned than the famous Xiao Gong, a veteran, a scholar, and a minor county official despite his extensive learning and talents."

"In Arilang's eyes, his teacher was wise and skilled, yet had an unremarkable career. But his teacher’s eyes always held a detachment from worldly matters, teaching him to act with a clear mind."

"Hu Dali watched Daturagula intently, gripping his spear tighter, ready to kill him for his surreptitious actions."

"Just as Daturagula rolled to the edge of the captives, raising his spear, an arrow flew faster."

"The arrow struck Daturagula, causing chaos as everyone stood up in a panic, jostling each other. Some even tried to escape in the commotion, breaching the guard perimeter. After a flurry of arrows, Hu Dali realized Daturagula was gone."

"Zhou Xu put down his bow and arrow, 'He rolled down the hill.'"

"Hu Dali's eyes widened, 'I'll go after him.'"

"Wait before pursuing," Zhou Xu chuckled. "I shot him with an arrow. He won't live long; probably won't even make it back to Huiyi."

Hu Dali, puzzled by the Jiedushi's actions, forced a nervous smile and blurted out, "General, are we going to battle tomorrow morning?"

Zhou Xu looked at him with amusement, "Are you scared?"

Hu Dali thumped his chest fiercely, surrounded by fellow cavalrymen, their cheeks flushed with excitement. Hearing the Jiedushi's words, he bellowed, "Who's scared? They're just a bunch of cowardly dogs!"

"I've never feared those damned Turks!"

"Neither have I. I even dream of slaying the enemy at night!"

Zhou Xu gazed at the faces illuminated by the firelight, some young, some weathered, all sons of Youzhou. They were spirited, brave, and only wished to protect their homes and city.

Cui Shizi approached the lord, and the rough soldiers quieted down at the sight of the refined strategist, smiling warmly at him.

"We'll fight in a few days," Zhou Xu said with a smile. "Let them fight among themselves first."

"Oh," Hu Dali muttered, not fully understanding why the Jiedushi wanted internal strife among the enemy.

"The battle is inevitable, but I don't want you to sacrifice in vain," Zhou Xu said, looking at each face, representing families and homes. Breaking the sharp wedge formation wasn't difficult; it could be done with human lives, especially since the enemy didn't know about their heavy cavalry. Zhou Xu would resort to such measures if necessary, but he preferred to minimize casualties with strategic planning.

"You are my comrades," Zhou Xu patted Hu Dali's shoulder. "Survive, and upon returning, promotions and rewards will be yours."

The soldiers, many of whom had served under the Jiedushi for years, were deeply moved, some with tears in their eyes.

Cui Shizi murmured softly.

"How can it be said we have no clothes? We share our robes. When the king raises an army, we sharpen our spears and axes, united in our cause."

His words were like a spark igniting a haystack, setting off a roaring blaze of chants that echoed through the camp.

"How can it be said we have no clothes? With you, we share the same marshes. When the king raises an army, we sharpen our spears and halberds, fighting together!"

"How can it be said we have no clothes? With you, we share the same robes. When the king raises an army, we prepare our armor. Together we march!"

Hu Dali was the first to kneel on one knee, his armor clanging, followed by a tsunami-like roar from the soldiers, resonating through the heavens.

"We swear to serve our general unto death!"

"We swear to serve our general unto death!!"

Zhou Xu, clad in black, icy armor, held a sword in his left hand and a golden crow whip in his right. The night wind reflected the cold, dark sky in his eyes.

It also stirred the only piece of adornment on the man.

An embroidered orchid sachet, slightly worn, hung at his waist, gently swaying as if moved by the chorus of voices.