Chapter 26: So They Really Are One of Us

As the wind swept across the plains, the members of the Fu family—all of them, from Grandfather to Elder Liu—clearly saw thick smoke suddenly rising from within Kuang City. It was obvious that the rebel army outside had already breached the city gates and poured into Kuang City. The billowing smoke wafting up into the sky seemed to signal the rebels’ wild celebration—and, conversely, the calamity about to befall the townsfolk within.

Witnessing this, the Fu family could not tell whether to count themselves fortunate or ill-fated. Though they had not entered the city, at this moment, they might just as easily be killed by these men around them. Gazing at the faces of the men encircling them—greedy, cruel expressions in their eyes—the Fu family remembered what Fu Zihou had said. Kuang City really had changed overnight!

Yet, the upheaval had come so swiftly there was no chance to flee. Though Fu Zihou had sensed something was wrong, he could not escape being dragged into this. Not long after, as another group of seven or eight horsemen approached from afar, the Fu family's hearts—only just calmed—were once again gripped by fear.

“Boy, you’d better not be lying to me!” one of the mounted men snarled, his face twisted as he turned to glare at Fu Zihou upon seeing the approaching officer.

Fu Zihou said nothing but cupped his hands in salute. He took a breath to steady himself and hide any trace of panic. He noticed that among the new arrivals, most were armored, but one scholar in silk robes carried his sword—Fu Zihou’s own sword.

When the leading officer arrived, the man who had spoken to Fu Zihou gave way on horseback and bowed his head, full of deference.

Fu Zihou realized he was now in the presence of an important figure.

Cao Zhan glanced at his subordinate, then reined in his horse. He exchanged a puzzled look with Cui Lvxing, who was beside him.

“Who are you? This sword—we don’t recognize it,” Cao Zhan addressed Fu Zihou.

Had he not noticed the unusual sword and overheard mention of an old acquaintance from Tun County, and had he and Cui Lvxing not already been disturbed by their commander Yan Kan’s leniency towards pillage and slaughter, they might not have come to question him at all.

Now, seeing this family of elderly and young, their clothing plain and unadorned, certainly not the attire of nobility, both officers were certain they had never seen them before.

“General, my name is Zihou, son of the Fu family, from Huaiyang. This sword was a gift from my father,” Fu Zihou answered in a calm, quiet voice.

He noticed the horseman who’d threatened him earlier stiffen and flush with anger upon realizing he’d been deceived. Fu Zihou paid him no mind; he’d already been brought before the rebel officers, and it was clear this one commanded some authority.

“I beg your pardon, General. Had I not claimed to be an old acquaintance and produced this sword, I fear my family would not have survived,” Fu Zihou explained, bowing to the officer and giving the true reason for his deception. He knew that with the officer’s arrival, his earlier lie had already unraveled—better to speak plainly than to spin more tales.

“Why then did you summon us?” Cao Zhan asked with some surprise at Fu Zihou’s honesty, glancing at his subordinate, whose face was still drawn with rage. He understood that unless there was a solid reason, he could not save this family from his men’s wrath—especially not this clever, daring youth.

But before Cao Zhan could say more, another voice interjected.

“And how did you know that, by mentioning an old acquaintance from Tun County, we would come here?” This was Cui Lvxing, the scholar in silk. Unlike the armored Cao Zhan, Cui Lvxing picked up on a detail the others had missed: why had this youth specifically mentioned a friend from Tun County?

This piqued Cui Lvxing’s curiosity, especially since the whole family were strangers to him and Cao Zhan. They had come only because of the sword and the mention of Tun County.

“Sir, that is precisely why I sought audience with the General,” Fu Zihou replied, not knowing Cui Lvxing’s name but recognizing him as a trusted aide.

“My family and I, upon seeing the city attacked, instinctively fled the chaos. Yet I remembered my uncle and guessed that the man he went to join must be among you, so we halted,” Fu Zihou explained, then looked at the horseman who seemed ready to kill him.

“This gentleman can attest that I stopped of my own accord and never once drew my sword. Sir, you can vouch for me.”

The man, surprised that Fu Zihou had the nerve to invoke his name, looked at Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing, then grudgingly nodded.

Indeed, he had seen the boy stop running, remain calm as they approached, and never draw his sword.

“Who is your uncle? Whom did he join?” Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing exchanged glances. Was he perhaps a fellow soldier? They turned back to Fu Zihou.

“My uncle’s name is Fu Hong. The man he joined…” Fu Zihou paused, watching the officers’ faces for a flicker of recognition, but they looked only puzzled.

He felt his heart race—this answer might cost his family everything.

Behind him, Grandfather, Madam Zhang, Madam Tao, Madam Tai, Elder Liu, and Fu Zhi all watched the rebels nervously, thinking of Wei Qilin, whom Fu Hong had joined. Had these men ever heard of Wei Qilin?

Just then, under the watchful eyes of Cao Zhan, Cui Lvxing, and the surrounding rebels, Fu Zihou finally spoke his uncle’s benefactor’s name.

“My uncle joined Lu Mingyue,” he declared.

At this, both Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing looked at each other in astonishment. Even the horseman, who had moments before wanted to tear Fu Zihou apart, was left gaping in shock—clearly, he had not expected these people to be kin of their own side.

His fury faded.

But now it was the Fu family’s turn to be dumbstruck, more so than the officers. “Lu... who? Lu Mingyue?” they thought. Who was Lu Mingyue? Wasn’t Fu Hong’s benefactor Wei Qilin?

They were baffled. Only a month before, Fu Hong had told them himself that he was going to Pengcheng to assist Wei Qilin’s uprising. Yet now Fu Zihou claimed it was someone named Lu Mingyue!

Before any of the Fu family could correct him, they saw the scholar in silk and the officer exchange glances and nod.

This left Grandfather, Madam Tao, Elder Liu, and the others even more bewildered. What was happening? Why did they nod? Why did those fierce-looking men now appear so amiable?

What on earth was going on?

Cui Lvxing, still mounted, had found Fu Zihou’s claim increasingly credible. The name Lu Mingyue had vanished from the north for nearly a year, and this was the southern district of Huaiyang. If they were not insiders, how could they know that name?

Still, seeing the family's confusion, Cui Lvxing remained cautious.

“We have never heard of a Fu Hong in the army. Do you have any proof?” Cui Lvxing asked.

Fu Zihou understood that Cui Lvxing, seeing his family’s reactions, must still harbor doubts.

“My uncle left no token, only warned us that if things went awry, our family would be in danger and urged us to flee north. The only proof is a letter of introduction.”

He turned and asked his mother to produce the letter.

His mother and the rest of the family stared at him, bewildered, but Fu Zihou had no time to explain.

“Grandfather, Mother, rest assured—it’s the man uncle joined, they’re on our side. Don’t panic,” he whispered, exchanging a glance with Elder Liu.

“So they’re our own people!” Madam Zhang realized, exhaling in relief as she glanced at Cao Zhan, chattering away. If not for Fu Hong’s decision to rebel, their family would never have had to flee their home! She began to reminisce aloud about the good old days.

Her chatter, so normal in tone, put Grandfather, Madam Tao, and Madam Tai at ease as well.

Even the surrounding men, hearing her words, understood. They could see from the family’s many belongings—especially a bundle of wool blankets—that they were not destitute refugees.

Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing listened to Madam Zhang’s ramblings, their wariness fading.

“Here is the letter, sir. Please have a look!” Fu Zihou took the letter from his mother and handed it with both hands to Cui Lvxing, who read it before passing it to Cao Zhan. The letter detailed the Fu family’s destination—Li family in Tiao County. Though Tiao County had changed administrative hands over dynasties, it always belonged to Hebei.

Fu Zihou cared little about these details. So long as they reached Tiao County and had the Li family’s protection, such a minor matter would not endanger them—surely, no one would pursue them so far.

“Tiao County!” Cui Lvxing exclaimed as he read, passing the letter to Cao Zhan. The two were now completely convinced.

“So, you are indeed one of us. Did your uncle say anything else?” Cui Lvxing asked, returning the sword to Fu Zihou. Though the sword impressed him, he was not the type to seize a comrade’s weapon, especially as a scion of the Cui family.

“Not much. He only mentioned an attack on Wanqiu City—something to do with the Xie family’s banquet,” Fu Zihou replied, sheathing his sword and bowing. “May I ask your names, General, so that if I see my uncle, I may mention today’s events?”

Though he doubted these men would hunt them down over this matter, he wanted to be cautious. If they ever reached Tiao County and the Li family heard these names, they could always say the Fu family had left.

“Wanqiu, the Xie family banquet…” Hearing this, Cui Lvxing and Cao Zhan were finally at ease. By their reckoning, if Fu Hong was not one of their own, how could this family of old and young know such secrets? Only the most trusted confidants knew that Lu Mingyue intended to attack Wanqiu during the Xie family’s feast.

“Cui Lvxing, of the Cui clan of Boling,” Cui Lvxing answered, seeing no need to hide his identity among trusted company.

“Cao Zhan,” the officer added. He, too, had initially never heard of Fu Hong, but now, after Fu Zihou’s explanation, he realized that Fu Hong must be a close confidant of Lu Mingyue, and thus merited goodwill.

“Cao Zhan, Cui Lvxing…” Fu Zihou repeated. The name Cao Zhan was unfamiliar, but Cui Lvxing—wasn’t that name somehow familiar?

Unable to place it, Fu Zihou simply bowed in thanks, promising to tell his uncle of their kindness.

“You may go. If, on your journey north, you cross Qinghe and pass by Gaojibo, and encounter trouble, mention my name,” Cao Zhan said, glancing back at Kuang City. As deputy general, he needed to enter the city soon, but he also wanted the Fu family safely on their way.

“Thank you, General!” Fu Zihou replied, deeply grateful, as the horsemen rode off toward Kuang City.

Only then, once the danger had passed, did Fu Zihou finally relax. Turning to see his family’s bewildered faces, he could not help but laugh. He understood their confusion, but there was no time for explanations—they had to cross the river and leave before the rebels changed their minds.