The battle boots stepped on the piled up snow and circled around Shen Zechuan before stopping by his side. The man used his toes to fix Shen Zechuan's face, causing his boots to be covered in blood. The voice under his helmet was muffled as he asked, "Shen Wei, your parents?"
Shen Zechuan couldn't stop the blood from flowing out through his clenched teeth. Even when he hurriedly used his hands, he couldn't cover it. He didn't answer.
The man looked at him for a moment and said, "I asked you a question."
With blood in his mouth, Shen Zechuan lowered his head and uttered a "yes".
Ji Lei took the opportunity and said from the side. "He is Shen Wei's eighth son. His name is Shen…"
The man raised his hand and took off his helmet to reveal the face of a young man. The gray eagle circling in the sky rode the cold wind and swooped down sharply and landed on his shoulder, sending a gust of snow flying. He looked at Shen Zechuan as if he was looking at a pair of worn-out shoes. It was hard to tell whether his gaze was contemptuous or hateful; it was as cold as a knife.
Shen Zechuan did not know him, but he recognized the Libei Armored Cavalry.
At that time, Shen Wei had cut a regretful figure as he retreated to the West. When he arrived at Cizhou, it was already Zhongbo's last line of defense. The Libei Armored Cavalry was heading from north to south. The Hereditary Prince, Xiao Jiming, braved the snow to spur his troops for three days without rest, crossing the icy river straight to Cizhou. Who would have known that Shen Wei could not even defend Cizhou, causing the Libei Armored Cavalry to end up surrounded by the enemy? If not for Xiao Jiming having reinforcements, it would have been another brutal battle.
After this battle, Libei hated the Zhongbo Shen Clan the most.
This man was not Xiao Jiming. But since he could gallop a horse to Qudu with a ferocious bird of prey on his shoulder, then he must be the son of the youngest prince of Libei and Xiao Jiming's younger brother – Xiao Chiye.
Ji Lei initially harbored the intention to instigate him, but he lost the courage to fan the flames when he saw the Deputy General, Zhao Hui, behind Xiao Chiye.
Xiao Chiye casually threw his helmet to Zhao Hui. The corners of his lips curled into a smile, and the sharp gaze from before disappeared like melting ice. His frivolous temperament instantly manifested. Even the armor on him seemed out of place now.
"Your Highness Ji." He put his arm around Ji Lei's shoulders. "I kept you waiting."
Ji Lei exchanged glances with Xiao Chiye and laughed. He said, "Second Young Master, it has been two years since we last met, and you have become so distant!"
Xiao Chiye pointed to the sword at his waist and said, "I carry a sword, so I am considered half a warrior."
It was then that Ji Lei took a good look at him. He laughed and said, "What a sword! Second Young Master has come to save His Majesty the Emperor this time. It has been hard on you riding along the way. Let's have a drink tonight after you seek an audience with the Emperor!"
Xiao Chiye regretfully motioned for Ji Lei to look at the Deputy General, Zhao Hui, behind him. He said, "My eldest brother has sent someone to keep an eye on me. How can we drink to our hearts' content at a time like this? After I catch my breath for a few days, I'll come out to treat you."
Zhao Hui expressionlessly paid his respects to Ji Lei.
Ji Lei smiled in response and said to Xiao Chiye. "Then, go to the palace first. The Guard of Honor is still waiting for you."
The two men chatted and laughed freely as they walked into the palace. Zhao Hui followed behind them and stared at Shen Zechuan as he left. The Imperial Guards at the side caught the hint and dragged Shen Zechuan back.
Ji Lei watched as Xiao Chiye entered the palace. As soon as the people flanking him were his own people, he spat out a mouthful of saliva like a man down on his luck. The smile on his face disappeared, leaving only dissatisfaction.
What he initially thought was that since this villain was usually brazen and bold, it was only to be expected that he would end up killing a man. Who would have thought that this piece of shit was so cunning that he actually handled the matter so carefully? One kick, and he let Shen Zechuan go just like that.
◈ ◈ ◈
Xiao Chiye entered the palace, and Zhao Hui gave him a handkerchief. He wiped his hands as he walked.
Zhao Hui whispered. "Young Master's previous kick was too risky. If that Shen dog's last victim dies on the spot, the Empress Dowager will definitely not be happy."
Xiao Chiye's smile disappeared, and gloom clouded his face. He had just withdrawn from the battlefield in the desert, and the killing intent and evil aura flowing from him were so alluring that the eunuch leading in front of them did not dare to eavesdrop any longer.
Xiao Chiye said coldly, "My intention was to kick him to death. Old Dog Shen let the bloodshed in Zhongbo happen. We have buried the soldiers in the Chashi Sinkhole for half a month, and we still haven't finished burying them. And now the Hua Clan wants to protect that old dog's descendant for the sake of their personal relationships. How can things go so perfectly as they wish? Besides, my eldest brother has already made a raid thousands of li[1] away. After this battle, there is nothing more to give or bestow upon him. Our Libei is at the peak of its glory. This has long been a thorn in the Empress Dowager's side."
[1]里 li, ancient measure of length, 1 li = approx. 500 m
Zhao Hui said, "The Hereditary Prince often says that the moon will only wane[2]. The gift from Qudu this time is most likely a Hongmen Banquet[3]. Young Master, the main army is stationed hundreds of li away from the capital, and the eyes and ears of the aristocratic clans are everywhere in the city. At this point in time, we must not act impulsively."
[2]月盈 则缺, (花盛而谢) variant of 月满则亏, 水满则溢 The moon shines only to wane, (and flowers bloom only to fall / filled with water only to overflow). e.g. things / situations reverse or decline when they reach their extreme or limit.
[3]鸿门宴 Hongmen Banquet ; a banquet held with the intention of killing or destroying the guests. Refers to the famous episode in 206 BC when the future Han emperor Liu Bang (刘邦) escaped an assassination attempt by his enemy Xiangyu (项羽).
Xiao Chiye threw the handkerchief back to Zhao Hui and said, "Understood."
"Is Ah[4] Ye here?"
[4] "Ah" is a prefix used before single-syllable names to indicate kinship and/or familiarity.
Emperor Xiande is feeding the parrot.
This feathered animal had been raised by him until it was impeccably clever. Imitating the words of Emperor Xiande, it opened its beak and said, "Ah Ye is here! Ah Ye is here! Ah Ye pays respects to Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Long live! Long live! Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
With food in his hands, Xiao Jiming replied, "He should be here now."
"Two years, huh." Emperor Xiande teased the parrot. "I haven't seen him for two years. This kid used to take after your father. He's growing up so fast. I'm afraid he'll be taller than you when he grows up."
Xiao Jiming said, "He has grown taller, but he is still a child. Everything he does is to cause trouble at home."
Emperor Xiande was about to say something when his coughing started to bother him again. Pan Rugui held out a cup of tea to him from the side. Emperor Xiande moistened his throat for a moment. Before he could continue his words, he heard the announcement of Xiao Chiye's arrival outside.
"Please come in." Emperor Xiande sat down on the chair and raised his arm. "Come in and let me see you."
The eunuch carefully lifted the curtain, and Xiao Chiye walked across the door and entered. With a cold air surrounding him, he knelt at the bottom of the throne and kowtowed to Emperor Xiande to pay his respects.
With a smile. Emperor Xiande said, "What a good boy, looking very mighty in your armored armor. I heard that when the Twelve Tribes of Biansha raided the food supply routes and the change stations on the border the previous year, you showed your prowess and captured several people alive. Is that true?"
Xiao Chiye laughed and said, "Your Majesty thinks too highly of me. I have indeed captured a few people, but they are all little kids."
The previous year, the Twelve Tribes of Biansha raided the Guanbei food supply route. Leading the troops, Xiao Chiye put on a show in battle. In the end, he was completely destroyed by the bald Biansha. It was Xiao Jiming who cleaned up the mess for him. This incident turned into a joke after news of it spread that year. As a result, Xiao Chiye was reduced to the fool that everyone knew.
Seeing this, Emperor Xiande's voice softened, "You are still young, and being able to spur a horse while brandishing a spear is already a skill in itself. However, your eldest brother is one of my Dazhou's Four Great Generals. I am sure he would usually give you some pointers on military tactics. Oh, Jiming. I can see that Ah Ye is aware of the need to move forward. You must not be too harsh on him."
Xiao Jiming voiced his obedience.
Emperor Xiande added, "This time, the Libei Armored Cavalry has done me a great service in saving me. In addition to yesterday's grand gift, I would like to give Ah Ye another small gift today as well."
Xiao Jiming rose to bow and said, "It is his blessing to receive Your Majesty's favor. However, he has no merits and contributions to speak of. How can he receive such a high reward?"
Emperor Xiande paused for a moment before saying, "You have launched a long-range attack over thousands of li and crossed the ice river last night. Your merits are immeasurable. I will even reward your wife, Lu Yizhi, this time, let alone Ah Ye. Ah Ye, Libei is an important strategic boundary for our country. You are still young, so it is inevitable for you to find it boring and disgusting if you stay there for a long time. Now, I intend for you to come to Qudu to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Regalia. Are you willing?"
[5]The Imperial Guard or Brocade Guard (锦衣卫) was originally known as the Yiluan Si (仪鸾司), or Imperial Regalia Service . It was only changed by the Hongwu Emperor (historically) during the Ming Dynasty in 1382 to the Imperial Guard Command (锦衣卫亲军指挥使司).
Xiao Chiye remained motionless with his head lowered. Hearing this, he raised his head and said, "I am naturally willing if it is a gift given by Your Majesty. Everyone in my family is a distinguished warrior and general. I can't even find a place to enjoy a song. If I stay in Qudu, I will be enjoying myself too much to think about home or work."
Emperor Xiande laughed loudly and said, "What a fiery young man. I asked you to be a guard, but you just want to have fun! If your father hears about this, I'm afraid you won't be able to escape another beating."
The atmosphere in the hall was relaxed. Emperor Xiande kept the two brothers to eat with him. When it was time for them to retire, Emperor Xiande asked, "I heard that Qidong has sent someone as well. Who is this?"
Xiao Jiming replied, "This is Lu Guangbai from the Border Command."
Emperor Xiande seemed a little tired. Leaning back in his chair, he waved his hand and said, "Tell him to come tomorrow."
Xiao Chiye followed Xiao Jiming out. The two brothers had not gone far when they saw a man kneeling on the porch. Pan Rugui approached and leaned forward to say with a gleam on his face, "General Lu, General Lu!"
Lu Guangbai opened his eyes and said tiredly, "Pan Gonggong."
Pan Rugui said, "You can stop kneeling. His Majesty is tired today. He can only see you tomorrow."
The silent Lu Guangbai nodded his head and stood up to leave with the Xiao Clan brothers. It was only after they stepped out of the palace gates and mounted their horses that Xiao Jiming asked, "Why do you keep kneeling there?"
Lu Guangbai said, "His Majesty doesn't want to see me."
The two men were silent for a moment, knowing full well the reason for this. But Lu Guangbai did not feel sad about it. He looked sideways at Xiao Chiye and asked, "Did His Majesty repay you?"
Xiao Chiye held the reins of the horse and replied, "He locked me up."
Lu Guangbai reached out to pat Xiao Chiye's shoulder and said, "How did this lock you up? The ones he locked up were your eldest brother and your father."
Xiao Chiye listened to the sound of horse hooves for a while before he said, "Your Majesty mentioned my eldest sister-in-law. I almost broke out in a cold sweat."
Lu Guangbai and Xiao Jiming laughed together. Lu Guangbai asked, "Are Your Highness and Yizhi okay?"
Xiao Jiming nodded. With his robe wrapped around his court clothes, and with his armor removed, he was not as young and dashing as Xiao Chiye. However, he had a presence that inexplicably commanded attention to be focused on him. He said, "They are both fine. My father is still worried about the Old General's leg injury. This time, he specifically ordered me to bring the medicinal plasters[6] that he usually uses. Yizhi is also fine. It's just that she has missed you guys very much since she was a child. she wrote many letters; I've brought them too. You can read them when you come to the residence later."
[6] Herbal paste/ointment on plaster, used in TCM to treat bruises, rheumatism etc.
Lu Guangbai pulled the reins of his horse anxiously and said, "Everyone in the family is a warrior; there is no mother or sister-in-law to accompany her. It is very cold during the winter in Libei. I have been worried ever since I heard the news when I led the troops out of the Border Command."
"Yes." Xiao Chiye also turned his head and said, "It is very dangerous in Cizhou. Brother is now a locked up man and told me not to write home so as not to worry sister-in-law. The fighting broke out too suddenly. Only when he left home did his brother and sister-in-law find out about the pregnancy."
Xiao Jiming had always been able to restrain himself. He only said, "Dad is guarding the house right now to protect Yizhi. Don't worry. I won't go anywhere else once I return home after the new year." [7]
[7]年 后 Refers to the Chinese New Year
Lu Guangbai sighed and said, "In recent years, Libei has been caught in the heart of the storm. Every time we send troops, we have to think twice. This time, we can only hate Shen Wei for shrinking back without putting up a fight and leaving us with a rotten mess. When my troops passed through the Chashi Sinkhole, blood was all over the horseshoes. He couldn't escape the death penalty, so he sacrificed himself first. But there is indeed something strange about this matter. Jiming, you captured his son and sent him to the capital. Have you noticed anything?"
Xiao Jiming gathered his robes in the wind and said, "Shen Wei is a person who places great importance on the distinction between those born of Di and Shu. This son of his is the eighth son by birth. No one in his mother's family supports him, so he was left in Duanzhou to grow up there. It stands to reason that he has no access to inside information. There must be a reason for His Majesty to be so urgent."
Xiao Chiye put on his helmet and said, "It is difficult to quell public anger. His Majesty personally handed over the military power for the Zhongbo Six Prefectures Garrison to Shen Wei. Now that such a thing has happened, he must kill someone as proof of his impartiality."
However, the one who had imperial sovereignty over Dazhou was not the Emperor, but the Empress Dowager, who held court in place of the Emperor behind the scenes[8]. Now that the situation had reached a stalemate, everyone was paying attention to this life. Shen Zechuan. If he pleaded guilty and died, then it would be well that ends well; if he did not die, then he would be destined to be a thorn in the flesh. The Libei Xiao Clan was now at the peak of their glory and splendor. Even the Qidong Commander of the Qi Clan had to give way to them. Xiao Jiming was the "Armored Cavalry Glacier" among the Four Great Generals, and he was also the brother-in-law[9] of Lu Guangbai of the Qidong Frontier Commandery. To be clear, this was a man who could mobilize the Libei Armored Cavalry and rely on his wife's family to mobilize the Frontier Commandery Garrison troops. Qudu had no choice but to guard against him.
[8]垂帘听政 literally holding court behind a screen or curtain. A practice in ancient China, where the empress dowager or empress consort was allowed to preside over the imperial court without actually being seen by her subjects because women were prohibited from politics. This was usually done by the mother of an emperor's child who would act as regent and rule in the Emperor's stead.
[9]妹婿 He married Lu Guangbai's younger sister.
"His Majesty is determined to keep his life." Lu Guangbai pursed his thin lips. "He is trying to raise a wolf in the future who can legitimately and righteously restore Zhongbo and, at the same time, be obedient enough to be behind and submit to his beck and call. When the time comes, he can consolidate power from within, while restraining Libei from without. He will be a thorn in our side. Jiming, we cannot let this child live!"
The wind outside brought snow that felt like being cut by a knife as it scraped across their cheeks. The three men did not speak further. In this endless silence, Zhao Hui, who had been silent behind them, urged his horse forward.
"Young Master kicked him with eighty percent force right in his heart. His breathing was already weak, and his old wound was bleeding again when he fell to the ground." Zhao Hui pondered. "However, he didn't die immediately."
Xiao Chiye lifted the horse and said, "He has been tried for days and even flogged. He is already hanging on to his last breath. My kick was a good and swift mercy to send him on his way to the Underworld. If he does not die after tonight, then I will admit that he is a tenacious man."
However, Zhao Hui frowned and said, "He is thin and weak from his stature, and he has not recovered from his fever all this time. By all logic, he should have died long ago. Yet, he still survives. There is undoubtedly something strange about it. The Hereditary Prince…"
Xiao Jiming glanced at them from the corner of his eye, and both of them shut their mouths. He stared at the road ahead of them in the strong wind. After a moment of silence, he said, "Whether he lives or not is all predestined."
The wind howled, and the metal bells under the eaves on both sides clattered against each other. The murderous aura among the snow was scattered. Sitting on a horse, Xiao Jiming calmly and unhurriedly urged his horse to spur it forward.
Zhao Hui lowered his head and bowed as he urged his horse to give chase.
The expression under Xiao Chiye's helmet was unclear. Lu Guangbai punched his shoulder and said, "He is your eldest brother after all."
Xiao Chiye seemed to smile as he muttered, "… Fate, huh?"