Chapter 267: Commander Qin

Chapter 267: Commander Qin

The prefect had died eight days earlier, according to the few remaining low-ranking officials in the government office. The cause of death was no surprise: impetigo.

"This epidemic struck too quickly. His Excellency the Prefect was gravely ill, and there was nothing we could do," one clerk lamented bitterly.

Xia Yuan demanded harshly, "Then why did he delay until the city was already afflicted? Why not immediately notify the court when the Qin River breached its banks?"

The clerk protested his innocence, "When your excellencies entered the city, you saw it yourselves—even the moat outside the city walls was destroyed by the flood. At that time, the entire city was filled with standing water. Those of us inside couldn't even get out, let alone send a memorial to the court!"

Another clerk added with a bitter smile, "Later, before the floodwaters inside the city fully receded, the epidemic suddenly broke out. It struck many people, including many of the officials in the government office and our Prefect."

The prefect had practiced martial arts and was physically strong, so he held out for quite a while before passing away a few days earlier.

Lord Song asked about a key point, "Why did the Qin River suddenly flood?"

The clerks exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from sorrow to anger.

"It was Annam!"

Xia Yuan's expression hardened. "What’s going on? What does Annam have to do with this?" His Majesty's most important task for him was investigating the source of the Qin River flood.

The families of these two clerks had either drowned in the flood or died of the epidemic. When they spoke of the culprit, they gnashed their teeth in hatred, wishing they could devour him whole. "At some unknown time, they secretly dug an underground channel leading to the Qin River, accumulating an incalculable amount of water. They held back and waited, withholding until October, when the garrison soldiers began the autumn harvest!"

The stationed troops also had to farm, otherwise relying solely on the court for grain supplies would be impossible. Annam, which bordered Qin Prefecture, had been dissatisfied with paying tribute to Yu every year ever since their new king ascended the throne. The two countries had frequent friction, but it was always minor skirmishes that didn't interfere with farming on either side.

Who could have guessed that after their new king took power, he seemed to have developed a devious mind—able to come up with such a vicious scheme, and it seemed they had been planning it for years.

Both Lord Song's and Xia Yuan's faces turned grim. They had imagined countless possibilities along the way, but never thought the truth would involve another country. This made the situation far more serious.

In this era, families with any standing kept personal retainers. The thin, quiet man beside Xia Yuan was a formidable martial arts expert.

Xia Yuan did not hesitate. He wrote a secret letter without hesitation and handed it to the thin man, ordering him to deliver it immediately to the courier station in Xi Wu Prefecture.

"Lord Song, I must trouble you to handle the disaster relief and evidence in Qin Prefecture. I must rush to the army camp." For some reason, upon hearing that the flood in Qin Prefecture was related to Annam, Xia Yuan’s tone suddenly became urgent.

Lord Song agreed without hesitation. "Lord Xia, rest assured. I will do everything in my power."

Xia Yuan's expression softened. He had already witnessed Lord Song's capabilities. "This official knows that Meng Fulang has spent considerable money accompanying us. Once the court's disaster relief funds come through, I will certainly petition His Majesty to compensate Meng Fulang generously."

Hearing his name mentioned, Meng Wan stepped forward and said, "My small contributions are far inferior to that of you and my husband, who are good officials devoted to the people. Please forgo any reward. I am willing to donate that money to the children of Qin Prefecture who lost their families in this catastrophe."

Xia Yuan solemnly bowed to Meng Wan, startling him into returning the bow quickly. This man was four ranks higher than Lord Song!

"Meng Fulang, you are most righteous."

Xia Yuan looked anxious. After the formalities, he immediately wanted to take his men to the army camp to investigate. Meng Wan, struck by a sudden thought, suggested, "Why don't I take Xiao Ci and come with you, my lord?"

He reached behind him and took Lord Song's hand, signaling him not to worry.

Chu Ci had done a lot of work alongside Physician Miao and his grandson. His medical skills were beyond reproach, certainly better than the local doctors in Qin Prefecture. Xia Yuan did not hesitate long and quickly agreed.

The group had only just entered Qin Prefecture city not half a day before they were separated again. Lord Song assigned Chi Yu, his most skilled fighter, to Meng Wan's side. The two children remained with him in the city to be settled, and Huang Ye and Xue Sheng also stayed to protect them.

Meng Wan and his party traveled light and fast, heading straight for the Qin Prefecture army camp.

To prevent garrison troops from becoming too powerful and independent, the military commander was replaced every few years. But there were only so many military officials available in the court, and they just rotated among the same few people.

Apart from the highly respected Duke Dingxiang, the Qin family of the Zhongyi Marquis Residence also had troops loyal to them. The Qin Prefecture garrison belonged to the Qin family army.

Meng Wan and Xia Yuan rushed to the Qin camp overnight. Unexpectedly, the situation at the camp seemed to have been brought under control.

From a distance, they could see the vast camp divided into three sections by coarse grayish-white linen. In the foremost section near the border, almost no one was moving outside, and not even an oil lamp was lit.

In the middle section, people could be seen moving around, but still very few.

Whether it was the front or middle sections, they were mainly tents. Only the rearmost area near Qin Prefecture city, apart from tents, had two clusters of stone houses. They were likely prepared for high-ranking military officers.

This was Meng Wan's first time at the front lines. He gazed into the distance but could not see the legendary country of Annam. The area ahead was mostly mountains and endless river channels stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Who goes there!"

Fully armed soldiers patrolled the camp, looking like SWAT team members, with only their eyes exposed. When they spotted Meng Wan's carriage approaching, they quickly surrounded them.

Other soldiers, seeing their numbers, immediately turned and ran back without hesitation and sprinted back into camp.

An inconspicuous guard beside Xia Yuan shouted, "Why are you running? It's us!"

Some soldiers recognized the guard. "General Qin!"

This unremarkable guard was actually a member of the Qin family. Even Meng Wan had not expected such a dramatic twist.

"General Qin has really returned!" the soldiers cried out in surprise.

Xia Yuan was the first to apologize to a bewildered Meng Wan. "Please do not take offense, Meng Fulang. These are His Majesty's secret orders. This official and General Qin did not intend to conceal anything from Lord Song."

Regardless of what Meng Wan thought, he replied humbly, "Lord Xia is overthinking. You bear His Majesty's mandate and must act with due caution."

Not to mention Xia Yuan, Qin Xiaoyun had also witnessed Lord Song's and Meng Wan's strategies and skills during this journey. He nodded politely to Meng Wan as a brief apology, then led the way and brought everyone smoothly into the camp.

Once inside, Qin Xiaoyun and Xia Yuan hurried eagerly toward the largest building. Meng Wan leisurely followed behind, hearing exclamations from inside.

"Jiao'er, why are you in this state!"

"Commander Qin, where is His Highness?"

Meng Wan paused mid-step. Qin Jiao was not in Qin Prefecture city; he was indeed in the camp. But which "His Highness" was this? Could it be the Crown Prince?

In the year when Lord Song became Assistant Prefect of Xi Wu Prefecture, the Crown Prince had indeed visited Qin Prefecture once. At that time, conflicts between the two countries were still minor. After confirming that the border in Qin Prefecture was safe, the Crown Prince left his brother-in-law there to gain experience.

Meng Wan halted, stopping at the entrance without any intention of entering. Chi Yu and Chu Ci also remained outside.

"Who are you?"

There were numerous soldiers patrolling near the buildings here. Meng Wan and his group had been brought in by Qin Xiaoyun.

But the person walked in as if the place were empty. Not only did all the patrolling soldiers let him pass directly, they even greeted him warmly.

Chi Yu stood in front of Meng Wan. "And who are you?"

The person was a handsome young man, wearing a plain, light cotton garment. One hand carried a medicine box, the other held a bowl of medicine.

The thick, dark liquid steamed with white wisps, turning his fair palm red.

Meng Wan knew in a single glance: this young man was plainly dressed, but he was clearly not someone accustomed to heavy labor.

Even people from medical families like Qing Xing and A Xun inevitably had calluses from work. Meng Wan himself had done farm work, kitchen work, and writing—none of which he had avoided.

He rubbed the faint calluses on his own palm and offered a kind smile. "My men are a bit cautious—please don't mind them. Are you maybe the camp medic?"

The young man took a step up the stairs and said coolly, "My father is the army's physician, and I'm here to assist."

"Oh, I see." Meng Wan pulled Chu Ci aside, making way for him to enter.

"Who are you? You can't just barge in!"

Sure enough, Xia Yuan's men stopped the young man inside.

Then a clear voice protested, "I came to deliver medicine to the Commander."

"Not needed for now. Go out and wait for summons."

The young man who had just entered was forced back out by the guards.

The guard saw Meng Wan standing at the door, cupped his hands, and said, "Meng Fulang, the Lord invites you to bring Lord Chu inside."

The expelled young man's face twisted for a moment, but he quickly masked his expression.

Feigning ignorance, Meng Wan left Chi Yu guarding the door and led Chu Ci inside.

Inside, Qin Xiaoyun and Xia Yuan stood by the bed, their expressions grim, and on the bed lay a pale, weak man—none other than Qin Jiao, whom they hadn't seen in three years.

He lay on the bed in his undergarments, with several soybean-sized pustules on his face and behind his ears.

Meng Wan gestured for Chu Ci to come forward and feel Qin Jiao's pulse, saying, "Prince Qin, long time no see. How did you end up like this?"

Qin Jiao showed a bitter smile that Meng Wan found unfamiliar. "How I am now doesn't matter. The important thing is my brother-in-law's whereabouts. If anything happens to him, I can never atone for it even in death!"

"The Crown Prince! He really came to Qinzhou? When did this happen?" Meng Wan was horrified.

Qin Jiao closed his eyes and said slowly, "Last year."

Qin Jiao was long past the age for marriage but kept putting it off due to his playful nature. The year Song Tingzhou had an audience at court, Qin Jiao made a bold vow before the emperor in the great hall, and true to his word, he later passed the military exam to become the top scholar.

After achieving success, he could no longer delay. The Lady of Zhongyi Marquis arranged a marriage for him, but Qin Jiao never fancied the noble ladies of the capital, so he fled to Qinzhou and kept putting off returning for the wedding.

Just then, Annam sent envoys for negotiations. The Crown Prince wanted to see what the King of Annam was thinking and also to escort his brother-in-law back to the capital for marriage, so he arrived in Qinzhou before the autumn harvest.

The Crown Prince's arrival was no small matter. The Annam envoy, who had been fine, suddenly committed suicide by cutting his own throat right before him.

The King of Annam seemed to have been prepared for a long time. Before news of the envoy's death had even spread, he got word by the next day and mobilized troops to clash with the Qinzhou garrison.

The Crown Prince had vaguely sensed something amiss, but his noble status, while giving him high position, also constrained his every move.

Since the Annam envoy died before him, he had to answer to the court and his father. When the armies clashed, he joined the battle, with Qin Jiao and the generals guarding him closely, fearing any mishap.

Logically, with several experts present and the Crown Prince himself being skilled, the battle should have been safe, and they should have prevented any harm to him, but an accident happened nonetheless.

"The Annamese bluffed. With their 50,000 troops, they lured all 80,000 of our soldiers out to fight. Midway, they feigned retreat. My brother-in-law sensed something wrong and ordered a quick return to camp, but we were just one step too late!" Qin Jiao half-sat up and pounded the bed in remorse.

Meng Wan took a deep breath. "They dug through an underground river and flooded the army with stored water?"

Qin Jiao nodded in agony.

There was no need to ask further. Seeing Qin Jiao's guilt, it was clear that after the flood scattered everyone, the Crown Prince had met with misfortune. Even the impetigo outbreak might have been deliberately poisoned by Annam.

Xia Yuan's face was grim. "According to Commander Qin, the Crown Prince was most likely captured by the Annamese."

Qin Xiaoyun was Qin Jiao's uncle. He paced irritably beside Qin Jiao's bed, then suddenly slapped Qin Jiao twice.

As a martial man, his hits were heavy. Qin Jiao, already half-dead, nearly died from those slaps.

Meng Wan quickly stepped in front of Qin Jiao to stop further hits. "General Qin, calm down. Blame the cunning Annamese. Qin Jiao is already gravely ill. If you keep hitting him, he'll die before we find the Crown Prince."

Qin Jiao could no longer bear his guilt. Not only was the Crown Prince the heir to Yu, but he had also protected and planned for Qin Jiao since childhood, more like an older brother than a brother-in-law.

If anything truly happened to the Crown Prince, he would let down the court above and his sister below, a sin he can never atone for!

Not just Qin Jiao; Xia Yuan and General Qin were also silent. Everyone in the room began to murmur.

Floods, plagues—none of it mattered as much as losing the Crown Prince.

The two senior officials stayed silent, and Meng Wan didn't speak either, intently watching Chu Ci treat Qin Jiao's wounds, as if trying to see a flower on his face.

"Meng Fulang," Xia Yuan broke the silence first.

Meng Wan snapped back to reality. "Lord Xia, you called for me?"

Xia Yuan said with a worried frown, "I have an impertinent request. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to say."

Meng Wan's heart sank. He knew it—that old Xia was up to no good, letting a local official's husband know secrets this sensitive. But what could he do? He had to play along and walk into the trap.

"Just say it outright."

Xia Yuan sighed with a furrowed brow. "The Crown Prince's fate is unknown, deeply worrying. Now, the army's generals are dead or ill, so General Qin must stay to command. Qinzhou is in chaos and can only rely on Lord Song to restore order..."

Meng Wan's smile grew strained. "What do you mean?"

Xia Yuan and Qin Xiaoyun exchanged a glance. Who knew what schemes these two old foxes had cooked up without Meng Wan's notice, but they bowed deeply to Meng Wan in unison.

The room was so small that Meng Wan couldn't dodge and had to accept the bow.

Xia Yuan said, "Meng Fulang, though you are a young man, you are beloved by the people in Lingnan, have supported countless workshops, and are quick-witted. Would you be willing to secretly accompany me to Annam to rescue the Crown Prince?"

Meng Wan wasn't someone to be swayed by a few compliments into agreeing carelessly, but Xia Yuan's next words were, "If I don't have Meng Fulang's help, I will have to return to Qinzhou City and seek Lord Song's assistance."

Meng Wan hadn't felt so tightly controlled in a long time. A fake smile curled at his lips as he forced out through gritted teeth, "The people of Qinzhou still need him to settle things. I'd better go with you, Lord Xia."