Chapter 55

Chapter 55

On September 12th, Duke Ding Deng Chong, Marquis Weiyuan Meng Ji, and Liangzhou Deputy Commander Hou Wanzhong returned from pursuing the fleeing Western Hu forces. Accompanying them was Adjutant Qi Chang, who, by imperial decree, had led three thousand cavalry from Shuozhou to block the Western Hu's retreat. It was only then that the generals who had remained by Emperor Xingwu’s side truly grasped the full scope of the emperor’s campaign against the Hu.

With the imperial forces attacking from both front and rear, over forty thousand more Hu soldiers were slain, Left General Boermu was captured alive, and Right General, unwilling to be taken, committed suicide with his own blade.

Since Emperor Xingwu founded the dynasty, the Western Hu had boasted three hundred thousand elite cavalry, continuously harassing the northwestern border for nine years. Now, in a single battle, they had lost over one hundred eighty thousand, a truly devastating blow to their vitality.

To celebrate the triumphant return of the officers and soldiers, Emperor Xingwu rewarded the armies at the Wuwei camp. That evening, a banquet was held at the General’s Residence to welcome and honor the generals.

Qingyang always relished such victory feasts, for she could personally witness the valor of the meritorious generals and hear firsthand accounts of their heroic deeds on the battlefield.

While visiting the battlefield to comfort the bloodied soldiers required wearing armor, attending the banquet called for Qingyang to dress in her princess finery. Meeting the surprised gazes of the Liangzhou generals without batting an eye, she took her seat beside her third brother, positioned next to Marquis Weiyuan Meng Ji on the outer side.

The seats of the renowned generals were at the front; even figures like Prince Yong’s heir Qin Liang and Imperial Son-in-law Fu Kui were placed further back, ahead only of the younger officers.

From her seat, Qingyang could see her cousin Qin Liang diagonally across from her. Next to Qin Liang was Deng Chong’s eldest son, Deng Kun, followed by Zhang Su’s second brother, Zhang Heng. The fifteen-year-old Zhang Su was separated from Zhang Heng by two other people.

"Your Majesty, this battle was truly exhilarating," Deng Chong said, taking a swig of wine with great satisfaction. "I’ve always heard about the ferocity of the Hu cavalry, but seeing them in action, they weren’t as formidable as rumored. Not as mystical as people make them out to be."

Emperor Xingwu replied, "The Hu cavalry are indeed fierce, but their greatest advantage lies in their elusive movements—appearing and vanishing without a trace. If the court doesn’t send troops, we can only endure their raids. If we do send troops, we might venture deep into the grasslands for over a thousand li and still find no sign of them. Luring them inside the pass this time was a once-in-a-century opportunity. However, having fallen for this trick once, the Hu will grow wiser. We must not let down our guard."

Deng Chong declared, "I’m not afraid of them! Whenever Your Majesty gives the order, I am willing to lead troops straight to their lair!"

Emperor Xingwu smiled. His goal in this campaign was to force the Western Hu to submit and pay tribute. If the Western Hu surrendered, he had no intention of prolonging the war. The people of the Central Plains had enjoyed only nine years of peace, and the national treasury could not sustain prolonged military campaigns.

As the drinking and conversation continued, someone brought up Yuan Zhaoxiong.

Deng Chong sneered, "Playing king in Liangzhou for nine years made him think he was an emperor. The audacity to rebel! If not for Your Majesty’s determination to campaign against the Hu, I could have led troops to cut him down myself... But then again, he did contribute somewhat to Your Majesty’s campaign. Without the blood of his family, the battlefield beyond Luhe Town might not have been made to look so convincing."

Qingyang suddenly lost her appetite. She turned to look at her third brother and saw him staring blankly in Deng Chong’s direction before his face abruptly changed color. Covering his mouth, he rushed out of the hall.

Qingyang remained seated and glanced at her second brother.

Qin Bing grabbed his wine bowl and drank deeply. Tilting the bowl too high, wine spilled over his face, tracing lines down from his temples and forehead.

Deng Chong continued laughing, remarking that the third prince didn't have the stomach for it like the little princess.

Emperor Xingwu stopped him sharply, "Enough. Although Yuan Zhaoxiong made mistakes in his later years, he was still one of my founding generals. His later faults do not erase his earlier merits. Show some respect."

Deng Chong finally fell silent.

The banquet resumed, but Qin Ren did not return. Just as Qingyang considered leaving early to check on her third brother, a heavy crash echoed through the hall.

Frowning, Qingyang looked over and saw Deng Kun gripping a wine jar he had slammed onto the table, leaning unsteadily toward Zhang Heng beside him. "I offered you a drink with sincerity, yet you refuse. Zhang Heng, are you trying to make me lose face?" he demanded angrily.

Zhang Heng sat upright and calmly explained, "The Zhang family code states that unless it is wine bestowed by the emperor or toasting at a wedding banquet, no Zhang descendant shall drink more than nine cups or three bowls at any feast. You have already urged me to drink three bowls, Young Master. I must decline any further wine."

Deng Kun retorted, "What nonsense ancestral rule? You—"

Emperor Xingwu interjected sharply, "Deng Kun!"

Startled, Deng Kun immediately left his seat and bowed from a distance toward the main table. "Your subject is here."

Emperor Xingwu said, "This banquet is to celebrate your achievements, not to watch you cause a scene. If you dare make trouble again, leave."

Deng Kun’s face flushed red. He knelt and said, "Your subject deserves punishment. I will not dare again."

Emperor Xingwu waved a dismissive hand.

Deng Kun returned to his seat, shamefaced and avoiding any further glances toward Zhang Heng. Deng Chong, however, craned his neck to peer several times toward the younger generation’s seats.

"Father, I'm going to check on Third Brother," Qingyang said, rising from her seat.

Emperor Xingwu nodded.

Qingyang found her pale-faced third brother lying on a couch in the east chamber of the rear courtyard. Fu An had just carried out a basin of water.

Seeing his sister’s calm demeanor, Qin Ren asked, "You already knew? Right, you were also sick that morning when we broke camp."

Qingyang replied, "It’s all in the past. Don’t dwell on it."

Qin Ren placed a hand over his forehead and sighed deeply. "They were all implicated by Yuan Zhaoxiong. I hope Yuan Chongli and the others get reborn into a better life in their next incarnation, free from such a father."

Qingyang realized that her third brother had already comforted himself and did not need further consolation.

The next morning, the little princess, dressed and ready, stepped out of her room to find the door of the opposite east chamber still tightly shut. Chang Ji and Fu An, the chief eunuchs serving the princes, stood side by side under the eaves, chatting with their heads close together.

Qingyang had heard the commotion the previous night—her second brother had returned to his room drunk around the first watch. That drunk, he was definitely sleeping in. As for her third brother, he was a heavy sleeper, drunk or sober.

Qingyang went ahead to find her father.

Qin Hong was already there. Seeing his sister, he smiled and said, "Father just mentioned that you'd probably be the second one here."

Qingyang first observed her eldest brother’s complexion and said happily, "Big Brother, you didn’t drink much last night, did you?" She admired the great generals but disliked the spectacle of them urging each other to drink.

Qin Hong replied, "I can't hold my liquor. I didn’t dare drink too much."

As the crown prince, aside from his uncle and Deng Chong, other ministers and generals did not pressure him to drink. His second brother had sat beside him the previous night and impatiently drank on his behalf whenever Deng Chong proposed a toast.

Qingyang stood behind her father, leaning on his shoulder. "Father, the war is over, and the city is peaceful. I’d like to go out and explore."

This was Wuwei, over two thousand li (approximately 600 miles) from the capital—a place she might only visit once in her lifetime. Qingyang wanted to experience the local customs and culture before returning to the capital.

Emperor Xingwu said, "Very well. Have your third brother and Zhang Su accompany you. Get Fan Zhong for sixteen guards. You may explore within the city but do not leave its walls."

The little princess was so delighted that she immediately went to rouse her third brother.

Emperor Xingwu called after her, "What’s the hurry? Have breakfast before you go."

Qingyang replied, "No, I want to try the local breakfast stalls!"

.

By the time a drowsy Qin Ren listlessly followed his sister out of the General’s Residence where the emperor was temporarily staying, Zhang Su, having received the message, was already waiting outside with sixteen plainclothes guards selected by Fan Zhong.

Today, Zhang Su wore a simple pine-green coarse cloth robe. Though it was said that fine clothes make the man, the humble fabric seemed to accentuate his jade-like demeanor. Even though over a month of marching had slightly tanned his face, Qingyang felt her eyes brighten at the sight of him as soon as she stepped out.

"Your humble servant pays respects to Your Highnesses," Zhang Su said, bowing along with the guards.

Qingyang bid them to rise and asked Zhang Su, "How is your injury? If it’s inconvenient for you to move around, you should rest. With so many guards here, there’s no need to worry."

Qin Ren, yawning widely, added, "Yes, yes, focus on recovering. Don’t push yourself."

Zhang Su replied, "It’s almost healed. Actually, I would also like to take this opportunity to accompany Your Highnesses and explore."

Qingyang said, "Alright. If your wound starts hurting, you must tell us."

Zhang Su nodded.

Wuwei City had strong city walls, though the city itself was not as large as the capital. The main street, filled with shops, was just two blocks away from the General's Residence, so Qingyang and the other two walked directly there. Eight civilian-dressed guards cleared the way ahead, while another eight followed at a distance.

The conflict with the Western Hu had not affected the city's commoners and merchants. Especially since the city gates had reopened on the tenth, the people, thrilled that the imperial court had won a major victory, were overjoyed. The street vendors' calls were brimming with joy.

Ahead was a steamed bun stall. The vendor lifted the lid of the steamer, revealing a full tray of seven or eight white steamed buns, each larger than a fist.

Qin Ren wasn't tired anymore, his stomach growling. He said to his sister, "Let's have this. I'll take two meat buns."

Qingyang untied the purse from her waist and told her third brother to buy them himself. She had no interest in eating buns you can get back in the capital anyway.

"Do you want any?" she asked Zhang Su.

Zhang Su replied, "Thank you... miss, but I already ate before setting out."

The second prince stayed in the military camp, while Zhang Su was lodged at the General's Residence to be available if the emperor or either prince summoned him. He was an early riser and had already eaten.

Qingyang waited with him for her third brother.

Qin Ren spent ten copper coins to buy two large meat buns. Holding a bun in each hand, he returned the purse to his sister.

Qingyang had heard the vendor's price and asked Zhang Su, "What do buns cost in the capital?"

Zhang Su answered, "Meat buns are four coppers each, though they're smaller than these."

Qin Ren, his lips stung from the heat, and he hissed, "Why are they more expensive here than in the capital?"

Zhang Su, who had entered the palace as a study companion at a young age and had little experience among common folk, was momentarily stumped. Qingyang glanced at the constant flow of merchants and travelers passing by and said with understanding, "The people in the capital are wealthier than those in the outer regions. More households can afford such white-flour buns, so if vendors charge too much, people might not buy them. Wuwei is a crucial border fortress with many merchants and travelers who have ample funds. After enduring poor food and drink in smaller towns along the way, they’re willing to splurge on good meals here in Wuwei. That’s why vendors dare to raise their prices."

Qin Ren simply nodded in agreement, while Zhang Su took an extra moment to glance at the clever little princess.

After passing two unremarkable stalls, Qingyang stopped at an elderly woman’s stand. The woman sold a type of food called "roujiazi"—a baked pancake with cured meat stuffed inside.

"Oh my, little miss, you look just like a celestial fairy! Would you like to try my roujiazi? Our cured meat is incredibly fragrant—here, try a piece if you don’t believe me."

The elderly woman enthusiastically picked up a slice of cured meat with her chopsticks and offered it to Qingyang.

Qingyang discreetly observed the woman’s hands and the chopsticks. Her hands were wrinkled but clean, and the chopsticks looked quite new.

Only then did Qingyang open her mouth.

The taste was somewhat unusual, but it was delicious.

Qingyang ordered two. The woman deftly wrapped them up—ten coins each. Qingyang directly gave the woman a piece of broken silver, delighting her so much she beamed with joy.

After walking a few steps away, Qin Ren whispered, "Sister, being so generous makes me look rather stingy just now, doesn’t it?"

Qingyang replied, "First, this is my money—you can’t use my money to be generous. Second, the elderly woman praised me. Did the bun vendor praise you?"

Qin Ren fell silent.

Qingyang then handed the extra roujiazi to Zhang Su. "Try it. I can’t have you accompanying us for nothing."

With his tall stature, one more pancake surely wouldn’t fill him up.

Zhang Su said, "...Thank you, miss."

And so, the two tall youths escorted the little girl, strolling and eating as they went.