Mountains and Woods 2
The Envoys of the Three Kingdoms
It was the winter solstice in the thirty-seventh year of Changle period of Jin.
After Jin lost its empire and the emperors divided the world into five kingdoms, the grandest alliance of the four kingdoms in the past thirty years was officially held in the palace of Liang in Anyang. At 6 o’clock, the bells and drums sounded, the Liang warriors lined up, with the Prime Minister of the Left Chi Yan Xiang, the Prime Minister of the Right and General Chong Wen leading the civil and military officials outside the palace square to meet.
”Welcome… The special envoys of the three countries!”
Chong Wen did not wear his armor today. Instead, he wore a slender martial robe that set off his broad chest and strong waist. At the age of seventy years old, the veteran Minister of Liang, the Prime Minister of the Left, Chi Yan Xiang, was hale and hearty. The two important ministers of the Great Liang stood outside the hall, watching the envoys of various kingdoms arrive one by one.
Chong Wen said in a loud voice: “Please invite the envoys!”
The regalia and attendants were vast, and the imperial officials of all the countries rode in from outside of the main palace gate of Anyang Palace, six carriages each symbolizing the arrival of the Emperor and the Lord in person.
”Lord Changling!”
Chong Wen smiled faintly in a rare moment. The Prime Minister of the Left from Ying State, Changlingjun, has arrived in person. Lord Changling was short in stature but carried his own authority. He said, “I’ve heard for a long time that Zhan Lu of Changling is unparalleled in the world. I’ve been waiting for this good opportunity. Can I lend my brother a look?”
Changling said with a smile, and said to Chong Wen, “But it is fine to see.” Both parties knew that this was just an excuse as weapons had to be removed before entering Anyang Palace. Both the host and the guest were being courteous so as to not make the situation awkward.
With the famous Lord Changling from Ying removing his weapon, all the special envoys had no choice but to do the same. Chong Wen led Lord Changling to the front of the palace, with an attendant holding him. The hundred stairs leading to the main hall of the Anyang Palace made Lord Changling breathless. He shook his head and laughed: “The Prince of Heaven’s is indeed magnificent.”
”Lord Changling from Ying has arrived…”
”Good day to you, Lord Changling.” Bi Jie hurriedly rose to greet him, but Lord Changling raised his hand to indicate that it was fine, and sat down on his dedicated case, smiling, “When the Late King of Liang passed on years ago, I did not come to pay my respects. Seeing how prosperous Liang is now, the Late King must have no more worries.”
Bi Jie’s heart was tense, but he smiled gently and said, “After the battle of Ling Han, the world has been free from wars for a long time. The people have then been living and working in peace and happiness, as they should. How has Emperor Ying been doing?”
”Very well.” Lord Changling stroked his beard and laughed, “I have come here with my Emperor’s order. At the end of the day, I will talk to Emperor Liang in detail.”
Bi Jie recalled that last night before Chong Wen came to his bedchamber, he had already met with Lord Changling, so both sides must have been informed. At present, Liang and Ying are the strongest kingdoms in the world. Before the decision to hold the alliance was made, Chong Wen had mentioned that as long as Emperor Ying was participating in the alliance, it would not be difficult to convince the four kingdoms to join forces. Ying is located in the north and south of the Yangtze River — covering a vast area. Ying females are beautiful-looking. Over the years, the yearn for their princess to be married into the Liang palace. Brother Prince Shang had arranged a marriage with the Ying Princess but he was murdered before the marriage was fully completed. Given how the situation has turned out, according to Chong Wen’s plans, it was likely that Bi Jie would be completing his brother’s marriage agreement with the Ying Princess.
So be it. Bi Jie had no intentions in resisting since he has spent his entire life simply following what had been planned out for him.
”Zheng, General Zilu has arrived!”
Zilu, who was almost as tall as Chong Wen, walked in broad strides. This general was a nobleman, who was a recent topic of discussion, from Zheng. His elder sister was the Queen of Liang. As soon as Bi Jie saw Zilu, his eyes turned red and he called, “Brother-in-law”.
Zilu’s eyes were also red. He took a few steps forward and patted Bi Jie firmly. Recalling what happened a year ago, Bi Jie could not help but feel sad and wanted to hug Zilu tightly, but he was afraid of losing his authority as a king in front of Lord Changling, so he could only nod reluctantly. Zilu was forty-two years old and was trusted by the King of Zheng. When his elder sister married the late King of Liang as his Queen, Bi Jie was his most favorite nephew.
The late Crown Prince Shang had no respect for Zilu. Only Bi Jie was obedient, which made General Zilu empathize. However, he did not expect that his nephew, whom he cherished most, would now become the King of Liang.
”Let’s talk later! Let’s talk later!” Zilu easily controlled his feelings and sat down at the side.
Lord Changling’s gaze never left Geng Yuan, the black-clad zither master who was sitting behind Bi Jie as he slowly and methodically strung his zither.
Noticing his gaze, Bi Jie smiled and said, “This is my palace musician, let him play a piece of music today to celebrate the alliance of our four kingdoms.”
Lord Changling nodded his head while smiling, only to hear another chant outside the palace, “Dai, Gongzi Sheng has arrived–“
A middle-aged man in his forties entered the hall and said in a loud voice, “Duke Sheng, on behalf of King Wu, meets the King of Liang, who is well.”
He said that as Gong Zi Sheng saluted slightly, and ignored Bi Jie’s return salute, and entered the hall by himself, without showing any joy or anger on his face, but only nodded towards Lord Changling.
”I have not wished King Wu a great victory in the north.” Bi Jie laughed, but in his heart he understood that the envoys who came to participate in the alliance today, except for his uncle Zilu, no one thought of himself, and the person who really presided over the alliance was the General who was still outside the hall greeting the guests, Chong Wen.
”He was shot by an arrow,” said Gongzi Sheng, “and is still recuperating in Tingqiu. If he is not held down, he will have to come in person.”
Bi Jie, Zilu and Changling all laughed together. The western kingdom of Daiguo owned a large area of land outside the Hangu Pass and the counties of Ba and Shu, and its king was nicknamed “Wu”. Fortunately, there was a half-mother brother in the country, who is in charge of the whole territory of the kingdom of Dai, handling all the details of domestic and foreign affairs, and it was Duke Sheng who stood in front of him.
”Very much in the style of King Wu.” Zilu said.
Duke Sheng shook his head and said with a self-deprecating smile, “It’s hard to stop.”
The three envoys of the allied kingdoms had arrived. Behind King Bi Jie of Liang was a huge map of the Central Plains, with a large area of Ying to the south, bordered by Yu Heng Mountain and the Yangtze River, which bordered the kingdom of Liang.
To the west was the territory of the Dai kingdom, while Liang was in the Central Plains, and Zhen was the coastal state in the east, had a large adjacent border. In the middle was a small territory known as Luoyang, which represented the center of the world and was still the last territory belonging to the Emperor of Jin.
Four hundred years ago, after the fall of the Central Plains resulted from the southward movement of the Feng Rong, the Jin dynasty was torn apart. The four great warriors, who led the army to defend the king and expel foreign invasions, built the four states of Zheng, Dai, Ying and Liang, respectively, and ruled the world. Although the Emperor of Jin was the nominal lord of the world, no one listened to his orders anymore.
And a hundred years ago, Emperor Jin sent Grand Secretary Ju Win to lead 8,000 horsemen to recover the northern territories and revive the majesty of Jin. However, after Ju Win succeeded in driving away the intruders, he turned around and made himself king instead.
Beyond miles outside the Great Wall from the land occupied by Ju Win was the northern territory. This was a large area of unowned land in Liaodong, and the four countries south of the Great Wall had been too lazy to bother with the Ju Clan, and never acknowledged the name of Yong.
In these hundred years of connivance, the Yong state continued expanding and began conquering the southern territories.
The gazes of the allies were fixed on the vast map of the world behind Bi Jie. Today, Yong sits on the Jade Bikan Heavenly Danger, which is different from a hundred years ago, and the frequent pressure from the border constantly reminded the four southern kingdoms that the Juice Clan is more dangerous than the mysterious Feng Rong.
If not dealt with as early as possible, once the territory of the Yong Kingdom fully crosses the Great Wall, the next thing pressure would be from the endless stream of army from the north!
This is the best time in a hundred years to fight with Yong at the Jade Bi Pass. It must be done as early as possible — to drive them out of the Great Wall completely. The allies would only need to hold the Great Wall while waiting for Feng Rong and Yong people to consume each other’s strength. By that time, the allies could then capture Yong’s capital city of Luyan in one swoop.
The soldiers on both sides pushed the heavy bronze door of the hall and waited outside the door.
The door made a loud bang; the lights inside the hall were brilliant; the palace maids set up the food boxes, then exited through the small door at the back of the hall and closed it behind them.
”Today’s plan is of great importance,” Chong Wen came to sit down next to Bi Jie. He and Chi Yan Imam each took a seat, and divided the left and right positions in front of Bi Jie, explaining, “I won’t leave anyone to wait for me, please.”
Changling said with a smile, “That’s how it should be.”
Zilu said, “It’s a good idea to drink by yourself.”
Gongzi Sheng took the pot and poured himself a cup.
Chong Wen took the lead and raised his cup, saying, “Please, my Lords.”
”Wait,” said Gongzi Sheng, holding his cup but not drinking it, “who is that blindfolded little brother?”
Bi Jie smiled and explained, “He is my royal zither master. Since there are no bells and drums to liven the mood today, I asked him to come and play the zither, Geng Yuan.”
Chong Wen put down his cup and said with some emotion, “Jin has lost its throne for four hundred years. During these four hundred years, the world has been in constant strife. The wind and the army have violated the Great Wall and deceived my people…”
With the words of the Chong Wen, the zither produced a raspy sound, like itw was rubbing into the rolling sand and silence outside of the Sierra.
”…Hui Wen, thirteenth year, Liang, Ying, the two countries. Under the Yu Heng Mountain, a great battle brought the death of 30,000, and wounded countless…”
With the sound of the zither, Chong Wen snapped out of his reminisces: “Guangshun first year, generation, Liang allied forces and Ying bloody battle Jing County, Ying lost Jing County, generation got Ba County.”
Everyone was silent. Only the long sound of the zither remained, like it was telling the blood tears from a hundred years ago or even decades ago. Bi Jie only read about the battle in the history books yet Chong Wen said it out so lightly.
Chi Yan Imam continued: “Changle thirteenth year, then it was the turn for Zheng, Liang two countries to fight. The war continued for three years.”
” I remember this.” Zheng General Zilu lightly said, “When I was twenty-one, the two countries finally truce. My eldest sister was also married to Anyang, and repaired the tense relationships between the two. The two countries have never been at war again for twenty years.” He said as he took a sip of the wine with his lips, then looked at the young King of Liang. The meaning of his words: your mother died in the wrong way, but the previous contract has not been nullified, you are after all the son of the Princess of Zheng.
Amidst the sound of the zither, Chong Wen added, “So I think that now is time to strike the war.”
The envoys seated at the table wore different expressions, and the people who came with the king’s orders had their own plans.
Zilu only wanted to find out the truth behind his sister’s death and to confirm how his nephew was being held hostage by Chong Wen.
The King of Changling, on the other hand, wanted to reintroduce the previously arranged marriage.
And Duke Sheng of Dai must do whatever it takes to divide Ying and Liang, so that the domestic King Wu can be at ease in his campaign to expand his territory and prepare for the future annexation of Liang — a big piece of meat.
”The Northern Yong is raging,” Bi Jie successfully said the words he had rehearsed in his mind countless times, “In these years, except for Ying, which has not faced the enemy head-on, Liang, Zheng and Dai have all suffered from its invasion, pulling down a city today and robbing a village next month. If not for the general’s prestige of the kings of the Central Plains and the capture of Ling Han County, in two years’ time, North Yong will have Luoyang, and by then, it will be impossible to drive them away.”
Suddenly, Bi Jie saw the expressions of fear on the faces of the people on the left and right seats.
”What’s wrong?” Bi Jie said, while thinking, “Did I say something wrong?
The candle flame in the hall gradually dimmed, and Bi Jie suddenly said, “Upper General?”
The next moment, Bi Jie felt the back of his hand being splashed with a little warm liquid, and then turned his head for a split second, only to see the blade of a black sword, stabbing out from the front of Chong Wen’s thick neck, a stream of blood spurting outward.
Chong Wen’s mouth was open as blood spurted out from his mouth constantly. Everyone at the table, upon witnessing this scene, suddenly forgot to shout. Chi Yan Imam has somehow fallen softly, blood from his pale chest in front of dripping, soaked his white beard and phase robe.
”Upper General!” Bi Jie let out a frantic scream. Just behind Chong Wen, Geng Yuan drew away his black sword, took him by the shoulders and lowered him to the ground. Followed by, he carried his sword and walked down the king’s seat. Lord Changling immediately got up and pounced on the thick bronze door, roaring, “There are thorns–“
Geng Yuan suddenly increased his speed and swept like a shadow towards Lord Changling, who had barely reached the bronze door, and cut him in half with a sword from shoulder to waist, like tearing paper.
Alongside with Zilu’s roar, he lifted his case table but to recall that his weapon was left at the entrance. The moment he turned to flee for the small door, a sword shot behind him like a meteor, passing through his chest and pinning him to the pillar inside the hall. Geng Yuan used only one sword to kill the General of Zheng and Zilu, who was unable to fight back.
The Gong Zi Sheng’s face turned white, but did not get up to escape. His hand holding the cup could not stop shaking, and then he looked at the king of Liang, whose mouth was still wide open Bi Jie in shock.
”You… just,” Gong Zi Sheng said with a miserable smile, “I cannot believe that I am dying in Juice–“
Before he finished his sentence, Geng Yuan gently, with his sword, pierced through Gong Zi Sheng’s throat.
The soldiers outside had already sensed that something was wrong and shouted from outside the bronze door, “General!”
Geng Yuan turned around and came to the King of Liang.
”I’m sorry,” Geng Yuan said lightly, “for lying to you for so many years.”
Bi Jie opened his mouth, all his strength vanished with it, and in these last hours of his life, he struggled to squeeze out a bitter smile.
”I thought… I thought…”
Bi Jie, who has spent his whole life like a coward, felt an invisible force supporting him as he slowly said those four words.
”Geng Yuan, you beast.” Bi Jie said softly, waiting for his best friend to stab him in the heart with a sword.
The hall was so quiet that the sound of a dropping needle could be heard. The sun shone outside the bronze door and the blood seeping out of the door seeped blood in an endless stream. Lord Changling’s pale body was bursting with rich blood, gushing all over the ground. The armor bearers could not believe what their eyes saw when they pushed the door open.
The blind luthier sat in the hall, playing his last song of his life.
”What day is it today, drifting in the boat, what day is it today, to be in the same boat with the prince…”
”I’m not ashamed to be good, I’m not ashamed to be criticized, I’m tired of being upset, I know the prince-“
”The mountain has wood and the wood has branches.”
”The heart pleases the gentleman, the gentleman does not know ……”
The cold wind blew in from outside the hall, blowing out the lights inside the hall. Dead bodies everywhere. Geng Yuan’s head gradually lowered, lying on the zither, the crimson blood bursting out of his thin chest, soaked his zither.
In the waxing moon, the sky was filled with snow outside the Yubi Pass.
Yong King Ju Zong stood on the Great Wall, looking over the vast land and rolling hills to the south. The handsome king of the country with a black king’s robe flying in the wind. The chief guard Wei Zhuo quickly stepped up to the Great Wall and came behind Ju Zong.
”Speak.” Ju Zong said in a deep voice.
”The King of Liang, Upper Peneral Chong Wen, Prime Minister of the Left Chi Yan Imam, Ying Lord Changling, Duke Sheng of Dai, and Zheng Zilu have all been executed.”
Wei Zhuo whispered.
Ju Zong did not show any joy or anger. His deep pitch-black eyes only looked to the more distant south as the geese flew by.
”Thank you, Lord Geng Yuan.” Wei Zhuo finally said.
Ju Zong turned around and walked down the Great Wall in silence.
