Chu Zilan
After the incident with Ridamuzy, the Liangzhou Guard became hectic for a long while.
After completing the burial rite for the dead new recruits, they had to put their names on the military register so that when they returned to Shuojing their families could receive silver compensation for their loss and the funeral procession. The dead recruits were all sentinels and most of them were very young. They died within a year of joining the Liangzhou Guard, hence the comrades closely associated with them were also in low spirits for some time.
But low spirits or not, they had to continue living. Liangzhou Guard wasn’t as safe as it used to be, especially now. Xiao Jue ordered Chief Instructor Shen to commence training for new formations – if they truly encountered the enemy, the new recruits would only need to remember them to defeat the enemy and win.
Not all soldiers from the Southern Army had arrived at Liangzhou. When Xiao Jue hurriedly returned, he brought ten thousand Southern Army soldiers with him whilst the Nine Banners Battalion remained at Qingnan, having not followed. Now that Liangzhou has become the target for all, it wasn’t appropriate to create a stir.
The Southern Army’s daily training was different from the Liangzhou Guard’s. If what Xiao Jue said was true, then their overall training was three times longer and more than the Liangzhou Guard’s. Every time the Liangzhou Guard’s new recruits saw the drive behind the Southern Army’s training, they couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
For a while, the once-empty training field bustled with activity. Under Baiyue Mountain, by the Wulu River, the figures of soldiers could always be seen.
He Yan’s injury was also getting better by the day.
Lin Shuanghe’s medical skills were much more delicate than Shen Muxue’s. The injury they thought wouldn’t heal unless she stayed in bed for a good year and a half looked as if it’d be completely cured within another two months according to its recovery speed. He Yan even felt she could leap and frisk about at the training field.
Song Taotao placed the soup before He Yan. After she watched her finish it all, she carried the bowl back out. This little miss couldn’t cook, hence she went to the field kitchen and used her identity as a noble young lady to commit robbery – robbing them of their food to feed herself.
He Yan would sometimes experience a spontaneous delusion that she was leeching off of them. At first, she felt a little embarrassed. After several more times, she became accustomed to it.
Besides, soup was delicious. It’d be better if the young miss looked at it as if it wasn’t a treasure.
From the other side of the room was a faint voice. It seemed to be Liang Ping’s and he even sounded a little agitated.
He Yan stayed on her bed and thought about it before she leaned against the stick and got down.
She fished out the silver wire from her sleeve and prodded it into the lock. With how often she picked locks, it was like driving a light carriage on a familiar road. Fortunately, Xiao Jue turned a blind eye to this habit of hers and never replaced a lock with a keyhole more complex than a ‘士’ shape
1. Most of Xiao Jue’s important documents weren’t in this room anyway, which was why security was so relaxed.
He Yan pushed open a crack of the middle door and saw someone kneeling before Xiao Jue. It turned out to be someone she hadn’t seen in a very long time – Du Mao. After the incident with Ridamuzy, Lei Hou’s identity as a spy was exposed. As Lei Hou’s relative and the person who’d originally recommended him, Du Mao vanished without a trace. When she heard Cheng Lisu say Du Mao seemed to be locked up, He Yan understood – Lei Hou was a traitor, so nobody could be certain that Du Mao was innocent.
Now that Du Mao was here, it seemed the injustice against him had been washed away.
Other than the kneeling Du Mao, there was a standing crowd of drill instructors in the room. He Yan saw Liang Ping take a step forward before and plead, “Chief Commander, Instructor Du and Lei Hou hadn’t met in years. He truly didn’t know that Lei Hou was a traitor. I beg Chief Commander to give him a chance.”
“He’s right, Chief Commander,” Ma Damei couldn’t help but speak up too, “Instructor Du has been in the Liangzhou Guard for ten years and never made a single mistake. If Lei Hou hadn’t intentionally concealed himself, things wouldn’t be the way they are now. Chief Commander, for the sake of Instructor Du’s many years of labour and effort, please be lenient for his punishment.”
The other instructors trailed in his footsteps and pleaded for leniency toward Du Mao.
Du Mao came to the Liangzhou Guard in his early twenties. In a flash, ten years passed as he remained here in the bitter cold. There was nothing to entertain himself with – the most fun he could enjoy was during the New Year or other festivities when all the instructors would come together for a drink. Every single day, if he wasn’t training recruits then he was keeping guard.
There was a deep friendship between the instructors, so they naturally couldn’t bear to see Du Mao lose his life over Lei Hou’s actions, hence, their gathering today.
Shen Han’s lips moved but, in the end, nothing was said. It wasn’t because his bond with Du Mao was any less sincere, but because even though they’d only been acquainted for less than a year, Shen Han understood that the Second Young Master Xiao standing before him wasn’t the kind of person to change his mind for the sake of a few words.
As expected, Xiao Jue ignored the instructors’ pleadings. He looked at Du Mao and asked, “What do you plan on doing?”
He Yan still remembered the first time she came to the Liangzhou Guard. This instructor named Du Mao had a harmonious relationship with Liang Ping and they’d bicker often. Compared to the rest of the instructors, he was also one of the youngest. However, after a mere few days, it seemed as if he aged another decade – sporadic strands of white hair were scattered around his temples and his expression aged too.
When Du Mao parted his lips and spoke, his tone held an unconcealable weariness. “Du Mao is willing to accept punishment.”
“Du Mao!” Liang Ping anxiously called his name.
“It was I who hadn’t inquired properly about Lei Hou’s current identity and rashly recommended his joining of the guard. I failed to do my duty,” Du Mao continued, “Du Mao deserves to be punished.”
“Indeed, you failed to do your duty,” Xiao Jue responded calmly. “Because of you, many of the Liangzhou Guard’s new recruits died.”
The instructors who wanted to continue mediating paused. None of them dared to speak.
“Those who died won’t come back,” Xiao Jue said. “Do you understand?”
“Du Mao understands.”
The room was silent. The expression Liang Ping wore when looking at Du Mao was that of despair.
“I won’t take your life.”
The moment these words were said, everyone in the room was left in shock. He Yan, too, felt startled.
Xiao Jue continued, “You may leave.”
“Chief Commander…”
“From today onwards, you are no longer a Liangzhou Guard instructor.” Xiao Jue stood up and began walking out of the room. “In the future, you no longer need to return either.”
It was only after his figure disappeared from view and the room was left in momentary silence did Ma Damei come back to his senses and pulled up the still-kneeling Du Mao. “Alright, alright, this can be seen as Chief Commander giving you another chance. Quick, stand up.”
Du Mao stood in place, dazed, before he suddenly started bawling.
Everyone’s comfort in addition to Du Mao’s cries was so noisy that He Yan’s head was starting to ache. She grabbed her clothes and casually slung them over her body before she leaned against the stick and also left the room. The moment she stepped out, she shivered from the freezing wind and snow.
Where’s Xiao Jue? He Yan looked around. That person just stepped out the door, yet there wasn’t a single trace of him left! It wasn’t as if he could fly, right?
“Looking for me?” Someone’s voice sounded from behind her, frightening He Yan so much that she sucked in a gasp of cold air and almost let go of the stick.
She turned around to see Xiao Jue staring at her with a raised eyebrow. He asked, “Do you need something?”
“N-no.” He Yan angled her body to make it seem as if she was looking at the sky. “It’s a nice day, so I came out to take a walk.”
Xiao Jue glanced out at the sand-like snowflakes and mockingly responded, “I thought you hadn’t eavesdropped enough and wanted to personally ask me about the matter.”
He knew she was eavesdropping? This was awkward. He Yan scratched her head. “Chief Commander has very good hearing.”
Xiao Jue curled his lips. “Not as good as yours.”
“Speak. Why were you looking for me?” He asked.
Why was she looking for him? He Yan didn’t know – she just subconsciously followed out. She was momentarily at a loss for words. After some thought, she said, “Chief Commander, you were merciful towards Instructor Du.”
The instructors and Du Mao having an amicable personal friendship was one matter; Du Mao making a mistake was another matter. He Yan had thought, with Xiao Jue’s temperament, it would be hard for Du Mao to escape death. She didn’t expect that, in the end, he’d only be expelled from the Liangzhou Guard.
Xiao Jue chuckled as if finding her words amusing. “Merciful?”
“That’s right. If it was me-”
“If it was you?”
He Yan suddenly couldn’t continue.
So what if it was her? She was a soldier, then a lieutenant, then finally a general, so it wasn’t as if she hadn’t encountered this sort of situation before. In fact, General Fei Hong wasn’t much kinder than Xiao Jue. However, most of the time people just subconsciously ignored it because she’d often fight alongside her subordinates and, unlike Xiao Jue, she’d never make any ‘glorious achievements’ accomplished through immoral means.
If it was her, would she command Du Mao’s life to be taken?
“If it was me, I wouldn’t either,” He Yan said. “On the surface, taking Du Mao’s life would’ve been a demonstration of methodical military order, but in reality, it would hurt people. The Liangzhou Guard has just pulled through the incident with Ridamuzy. If the soldiers’ hearts fall apart, then the Liangzhou Guard will just be like a plate of scattered sand. It’d be difficult to arise again.”
There was a hint of surprise within Xiao Jue’s eyes when he looked at her. “That’s right.”
Proud, He Yan said, “I already told you – I am the Liangzhou Guard’s number one. I’m very intelligent. How about it, Chief Commander, will you let me join the Nine Banners Battalion?”
A corner of Xiao Jue’s lips curved. “No.”
This person was far too obstinate. He Yan was just about to continue arguing for herself before he turned around and began walking away. She leaned against her stick and followed. “Where is Chief Commander going?”
“The training field.”
“Will you be watching them train?” He Yan asked. “I’ll go too!”
After she got injured, she naturally couldn’t accompany everyone else with their daily training. Every day, other than laying on the bed, all she could do was lean against her stick and walk a few laps around. It was far too boring. Although Song Taotao and Cheng Lisu would come to chat with her during their free time, one could only remember trifles like which Capital’s young lady was born beautiful or which Lady gave birth to a son, whilst the other didn’t know how to do anything except how to eat, drink, and play. It was terribly strenuous for He Yan to converse with them. The only person she could properly talk to, Lin Shuanghe, had unfortunately been invited to the medical tent to help brew medicine for the injured soldiers.
Therefore, when Xiao Jue said he was going to the training field, He Yan began to feel restless.
The snowfall had lightened and the outside wasn’t as cold as before either. Unable to walk fast with a stick, He Yan aggrievedly complained, “Chief Commander, wait for me!”
Such a confidently self-righteous tone forced even Xiao Jue’s footsteps to come to a halt. He asked, “Am I your servant?”
“It’s not that.” He Yan came back to her senses and explained, “What I meant was, we can walk slower and, at the same time, chat about something else. Oh! Did Lei Hou say why Ridamuzy came to pick a fight with our guard? Hadn’t the West Qiang Rebellion been pacified by General Fei Hong already? So where did the Qiangs get so many soldiers from?”
Tens of thousands of soldiers – did the Qiangs truly have so many men and horses? Back when He Yan fought against Ridamuji, she was all too familiar with the Qiangs’ situation. Something was off.
“It wasn’t the Qiangs.” Xiao Jue gave a seldom answer to He Yan’s question. “It was the Utos.”
“The Utos?” This truly went beyond He Yan’s expectations.
Xiao Jue glanced at her and took in her surprised expression before indifferently asking, “What are your thoughts on this?”
Was he testing her? He Yan asked, “Is Ridamuzy of Uto descent?”
Xiao Jue was silent for a moment before saying, “He’s not of Uto descent. However, other than the henchmen who went against you before, all soldiers under Ridamuzy’s command are Utos.”
“Is Chief Commander doubtlessly certain?”
Xiao Jue steadily continued walking. “I’m certain.”
“If it really is the Utos,” He Yan’s voice was already carrying a heavy tone of solemnity, “then their plan involves more than just the Liangzhou Guard alone.”
“What do you mean?”
“In recent years, the Uto nation has been raising troops, hence their power has also been growing tremendously. They’ve already been sounding us out by harassing the common people at the border. They came to the Liangzhou Guard yet did so whilst hiding their true identities in the dark – this means they want to run amok in Da Wei using the Qiangs’ name.
Chief Commander, think about it this way. If back then, you truly went to Zhangtai and weren’t rescued in time, then the Utos would’ve occupied the Liangzhou Guard and recaptured the city. Having Liangzhou occupied by the Utos is like tearing a hole in Da Wei’s border pass. They could travel west and march forward without any resistance, then follow the river all the way to the Capital.”
Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows. “Just this?”
“I’m afraid there’s a traitor collaborating with the enemy and committing treason in Da Wei,” He Yan said. “This person has private connections with the Utos and is one of Chief Commander’s old acquaintances.”
Xiao Jue: “Continue.”
“Someone who can plant spies without anybody knowing and even convey misinformation from Zhangtai is definitely not of low status. Their connections must also be widespread. They knew that with Chief Commander at the Liangzhou Guard, it’ll be as secure as a city protected by a wall of metal and a moat of boiling water, hence they moved the tiger from the mountain by luring you away. This person must fear you. So-” He Yan looked at Xiao Jue, “-perhaps this may sound familiar – someone who has a high rank in court and has gone against Chief Commander before but didn’t receive any benefits. If there’s someone like this, then it’s highly likely they’re the culprit behind all this.”
Xiao Jue’s eyes were completely trained on her. He asked, “Then why don’t you tell me who this person is?”
This time, He Yan was stumped. Although she and Xiao Jue once had a friendly schoolmate relationship, it only lasted a year. In the years following, they never once met as one was stationed in the south and the other in the north. Because of the matter with Xiao Zhongwu, Xiao Jue sunk deep within the vortex of the court, but she was an innocent person who relied on military merits for promotions and spent all her days at the border camps, thus she knew little about the court’s terrible mess. How could she possibly guess who that person was?
Even if this was a military exam it was far too difficult. Not everyone was like him – even sleeping he was Xianchang Hall’s number one.
Recalling that matter with Yuan Baozhen, He Yan casually said, “Xu Jingfu?”
Xiao Jue was startled.
Seeing his expression, He Yan’s heart trembled. “It’s really him?”
Xiao Jue didn’t answer.
“Xu Jingfu’s actually collaborating with the enemy to commit treason against our nation?” He Yan was greatly shocked. “He’s crazy! He is the current dynasty’s Prime Minister – what good will it bring him to do this?!”
“Why not yell a little louder?” Xiao Jue responded calmly. “Without any evidence, you could be reported for slandering a court official.”
He Yan thought to herself, who isn’t a court official nowadays? In her previous life, when she was still General Fei Hong, she’d also lived off of imperial funding.
“But… But…” She wanted to say something else, but Xiao Jue’s footsteps had already stopped, his eyes looking forward. Not far ahead came the sound of soldiers shouting their formations.
The two of them had unconsciously arrived at the training field.
In the past, the training field was only used by new recruits to perform their daily training. Now, it was divided into east and west. To the east was the Southern Army training their soldiers whilst to the west were the Liangzhou Guard soldiers. Now that both were simultaneously training their soldiers, the disparity was obvious.
The Southern Army’s Deputy Chief Commander was practising a drill without anyone even commanding him to do so. Just looking at him could make one feel his vigour and invincibility. The Liangzhou Guard’s new recruits, on the other hand, had just started training with formations, so they were naturally more flustered and disorganised. Shen Han stood on the high platform and bellowed enthusiastically.
He Yan watched before slowly asking, “They’re practising the… Fish Scale Formation?”
Xiao Jue gave her a side glance before asking, “You know of it?”
It’s here, it’s here, another test. Although He Yan sometimes felt lost by Xiao Jue’s occasional questions, thinking how it might be a test to see whether she’s prepared for the Nine Banners Battalion, she could only give a serious answer, “An echelon formation. The front is slightly convex and the main force lies in the central assembly; there are also smaller divisions of fish scale-like square formations. When facing the enemy, one can command the troops to storm the enemy’s central assembly. However, the formation’s rear is its weak point. If the enemy breaches the rear, the formation will fall apart. That’s definitely the Fish Scale Formation, but…” She hesitated. “…They’re too relaxed.”
Too relaxed! If they got into formation so slowly on the battlefield, the enemy would’ve killed them five times already.
Xiao Jue looked at her thoughtfully before he suddenly curled his lips and said, “Not bad.”
He Yan felt pleased with herself. Hard work still paid off. Who would’ve thought the last-ranked student of Xianchang Hall would now know the Art of War by heart? She was able to effortlessly answer even Xianchang Hall’s number one. Over the years, the battles weren’t fought and the books weren’t read in vain – they were just enough.
“You’ve studied the Art of War?” Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow.
“I have a rough idea of the outline.”
“So you understand how to set up a formation?”
“You flatter me.”
“Good.” Xiao Jue looked at the soldiers training below the platform. “If, on the day Ridamuzy came to the Liangzhou Guard, you weren’t locked in the dungeon and Shen Han handed the military power to you, how would you have fought the battle?”
A topic question this fast?
He Yan pondered over it for a moment before slowly answering, “Those West- Utos have a well-trained and powerful army that is fierce and tyrannical. The Liangzhou Guard’s new recruits hadn’t been on the battlefield yet, so their morale was low and they would’ve found it difficult to counteract. This isn’t an issue that can be solved within a short period. If it was me… I would’ve used the Winding Wheel Formation2
Xiao Jue looked at her calmly. “Continue.”
“As the Commanding General, I would’ve been holding the line at the central assembly whilst the rest of the troops are deployed in the outer rings. This way, we could constantly put pressure on the enemy and the Utos would break down from exhaustion. As our troops would’ve been taking turns to attack, we’d be better replenished and conditioned, hence our combat powers wouldn’t be diminished.
“As the Commanding General?” Xiao Jue mocked.
“What I meant was, I’d be temporarily holding the line as the Commanding General. The real battle still would’ve been led by you. The reason why I would’ve chosen the Winding Wheel Formation was so I could delay enough time for Chief Commander to come back in time and support us.” He Yan’s tone was very earnest.
Xiao Jue turned around and slightly leaned down. While looking at her with half-lidded eyes and curled lips, he said, “Miss He studied the Art of War quite well. It’d be a pity for you to not become a general.”
No matter what was said about Xiao Jue, one had to admit he had great insight. He Yan nodded and said, “I feel the same way. I believe I was born to be a general. Sometimes I even think I was a female general in my previous life.”
Xiao Jue: “…”
“Does Chief Commander not believe me?” He Yan used the stick to poke a hole in the snowy ground. “Or does Chief Commander believe that women can’t become generals?”
“I don’t think that way.”
He Yan raised her head and looked at him. Everyone believed that women belonged in the chambers – to embroider flowers and fix their brows, and await their husband’s fortunate pampering. Let’s not mention becoming a female general – just showing face in public as a female shopkeeper, a female scholar, or a female doctor would earn you many strange looks.
Very few could take a step toward accepting it. Even if they took the step, they wouldn’t receive anyone’s understanding.
“If you want to do something, then do it.” The young man’s brows gave into weariness as he pulled up a corner of his lips. “As long as you can make it.”
He Yan was stunned. She stared at him, unspeaking.
His eyes had once again fallen towards the distant training field on the training new recruits, so he didn’t see He Yan’s expression.
Thank you, He Yan whispered in her heart.
The snowfall gradually stopped. After a few more rounds of practice led by Shen Han, the new recruits grew more proficient and less confused compared to the start. The effectiveness of the formation was beginning to show. Xiao Jue and He Yan stood there for a long while.
A familiar voice sounded from behind. “Huai Jin! Brother… He!”
He Yan looked back and saw Lin Shuanghe. Lin Shuanghe climbed to the top of the pavilion and dusted off the snow on his boots. “No wonder I couldn’t find the two of you. You were both here. Why?” He looked at Xiao Jue and smiled mischievously. “You brought our Little Miss He to watch soldiers train?”
He Yan: “…Doctor Lin, please don’t call me Little Miss outside.”
“Apologies.” Lin Shuanghe covered his mouth with his fan and apologetically said, “I had a lapse of memory. Although, there aren’t any outsiders here.” He glanced at the stick He Yan was leaning against and asked, “You can get out of bed and walk this far today? How do you feel? Does your wound still hurt?”
“Not really,” He Yan answered, “Doctor Lin’s medical skills are excellent. I feel much better today.”
“That’s great news!” Lin Shuanghe swayed his fan. “If I was unable to heal you, I’d feel very guilty.”
The two mutually flattered each other. Xiao Jue coldly spectated from aside. As if unable to continue watching, he impatiently said, “If you have something to say, speak.”
Lin Shuanghe startled. “Oh! I almost forgot – someone just entered the Liangzhou Guard. At first, I wanted to find Instructor Shen, but he wasn’t around. It took me another long while to find you here too.”
“Who?”
“Someone from the palace. He said His Majesty wanted to reward you for the Liangzhou Guard’s great triumph this time. That’s right, there’s also that, um…” He wasn’t able to recall it immediately and spent a good while choking before he remembered the name, “The fourth Young Master of Earl Shi Jin’s residence, Chu Zilan! That’s right, Chu Zilan’s here too.”
“Chu Zhao?” Xiao Jue frowned. “Why is he here?”
Lin Shuanghe shrugged. “How should I know? They’re all waiting by the entrance. Aren’t you going to take a look?”
Xiao Jue paused before making his way down the pavilion. “Let’s go.”
“Hey, Chief Commander, what about me?” He Yan leaned against her stick hurriedly, wanting to follow but unsure if this kind of occasion was appropriate for her to do so. According to Xiao Jue’s expression, this didn’t seem like a reunion between old friends.
Xiao Jue glanced at her. “You can go back. There’s no need to follow.”
“Oh.” He Yan obediently listened. Lin Shuanghe waved at her before the two hurriedly went down the pavilion. Their figures gradually disappeared into the distance.
He Yan looked out at the boundless snowy ground, suspicion arising in her heart.
Who exactly was this Chu Zilan?
Translator's Notes
- You can take a look at ancient Chinese lock-and-key designs on this webpage: https://www.sohu.com/a/254323464_100133460
- Also known as the ‘kuruma gakari’ formation, it was used by Uesugi Kenshin during the Sengoku period in his fourth battle of Kawanakajima against Takeda Shingen. This formation consisted of troops moving in a spiral around the enemy – they’d attack, withdraw, and repeat until the enemy’s worn down.