Chapter 27: Cui Lixing’s Persuasion and Li Mi’s Regret

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“Lord Lu allows Yan Kan to act without discipline, and with such conduct, I fear it will be hard to win the people's hearts!”

Within Kuang City, Cao Zhan, accompanied by his trusted confidant, gazed at the ravaged streets. After a day and night of pillaging, the city was in utter chaos, devoid of any common folk. He could not help but sigh and address Cui Lvxing.

The closeness between Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing could, in truth, be traced back largely to their shared disdain for Yan Kan's greed and lust.

“Yes, in times of chaos, only the benevolent can gain the world. Lord Lu, I fear, is not a wise ruler,” Cui Lvxing replied candidly, glancing around, unafraid to speak his mind among his own kin, given his noble lineage and the loyal company.

“I hear that in the north, Lord Dou is at Gaojibo, his reputation now surpassing that of Gao Shida. I once had the fortune to meet Lord Dou; he is righteous, values his word, is strict with himself, scorns wealth, and cherishes virtue. Many local heroes vie to join him! Such a lord is worthy of service!” Cui Lvxing turned to Cao Zhan, knowing that Cao Zhan was also an old acquaintance of Dou Jiande and had received much kindness from him in the past in Zhangnan. If not for Dou Jiande once serving as a common soldier in the Sui army, Cao Zhan would never have gone to Zhuo County to serve under Lu Mingyue. Otherwise, Cao Zhan would likely long since have been by Dou Jiande's side.

“How could I not agree with you, Brother Cui?” Cao Zhan replied, pausing as he looked at the courtyard before them, exchanging a glance with Cui Lvxing. He understood all too well the meaning behind Cui Lvxing’s words and, seeing his companion’s growing desire to leave, sighed inwardly.

“Please,” he gestured for Cui Lvxing to enter.

Cui Lvxing silently signaled for them to proceed together.

Inside the courtyard, bamboo baskets, wooden buckets, and clothing were strewn chaotically about. Several women, their clothes disheveled, cowered in corners, while a group of men huddled together nearby, causing both Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing to frown.

“General!”

“General Cao!”

The rebel soldiers, having indulged themselves all day, scrambled to their feet upon seeing Cao Zhan.

“Where is General Yan Kan?”

For the first time, Cao Zhan felt that being addressed as “General” was an insult. Yet, apart from frowning, there was little he could say. Most of the army was made up of refugees, and Yan Kan had consolidated his command by indulging his troops. Although he was only a deputy general, without his assent, few dared issue prohibitions. Even many of Cao Zhan’s own trusted men were gradually succumbing to the same self-indulgence. Zhang Wu, outside the city yesterday, was a case in point. Had he not recognized Cao Zhan’s men and still felt loyalty, the woman of the Fu family would surely have been violated.

Though Zhang Wu, fearing rebuke, later ordered his men to restrain themselves, Cao Zhan knew that in such an environment, he too would eventually succumb. Zhang Wu had always been brave, and Cao Zhan, who once saved his entire family, could not bear to see him become a scourge to the people.

“General Cao, General Yan Kan is inside the house,” a petty officer replied with a sly smile, exchanging knowing glances with others, their faces full of envy.

Cao Zhan sensed the implication and, together with Cui Lvxing, grew puzzled. If Yan Kan was inside, why was a young man made to kneel outside the door?

The petty officer, noticing their confusion, explained obsequiously, pointing at the terrified young man kneeling by the door. “General Cao, that man is the fiancé from the He family. Yesterday, he brought many precious betrothal gifts, and they signed the marriage contract. But when we arrived, both father and son were so frightened they lost control of themselves and, after being discovered, the father disavowed his daughter-in-law, while the son begged for his life, offering up his wife-to-be instead.”

The officer’s words were full of mockery as he recalled the pair’s cowardice. “I’ve seen cowards, but never like them.”

“Then why make him kneel outside?” Cao Zhan asked. He could guess the gifts had been appropriated by Yan Kan. Yet, if the man had relinquished his bride and gifts, what was the point of this further humiliation?

“At first, General Yan Kan was impressed by their compliance and allowed them to leave. But the fiancée, Miss He, pleaded with him—to let her future husband kneel outside the door and listen while she lay with the general.”

The courtyard erupted with laughter at this.

Since Yan Kan had taken the wealth and had no intent to kill, neither Cao Zhan nor Cui Lvxing could object, though they knew word would spread, and the young man’s reputation would be destroyed.

At that moment, a soldier hurried over to inform Cao Zhan that Lord Lu was leading his troops here and would arrive within the half-hour.

Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing exchanged glances, sent the petty officer to notify Yan Kan, then left for the main gate.

Outside Kuang City, accompanied by Zhang Wu and other officers, Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing stood in silence, watching Yan Kan yawn beside them. Yan Kan, now in his forties, knew well that the two disliked him and saw little reason to speak, his relationship with Lu Mingyue far outstripping theirs.

Soon, the army appeared in the distance, and at its head rode the commander, Lu Mingyue. Surprised by Lu Mingyue’s sudden arrival, Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing nevertheless stepped forward and saluted.

“Lord Lu!”

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“Lord Lu!!”

As they saluted, both men noticed the middle-aged Lu Mingyue wearing a dark, sullen expression as he rode his horse.

“Lord Lu, what has happened? Did something go awry at Wanqu?” Yan Kan asked, noting not only Lu Mingyue but all the commanders looked cheerless.

Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing too were puzzled. From the look of things, the plan to seize Wanqu had failed. Yet by all accounts, their elaborate preparations should have ensured success. Why had they failed to take Wanqu?

Had things gone according to plan, Lu Mingyue should have been in Wanqu by now, winning over the local gentry.

“Our scheme was discovered!” Lu Mingyue replied, his face grim, upon hearing Yan Kan’s question and seeing the confusion in Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing’s eyes.

“What?”

“It was discovered?”

The news stunned not only Yan Kan, Cao Zhan, and Cui Lvxing, but also all the other officers, who looked at one another in disbelief. How could their plot have been seen through?

“It’s been confirmed,” Lu Mingyue said, aware how hard it was to believe. But the remnants of his men who had hidden in Wanqu had overheard the city’s scholars discussing the matter and escaped to report to him.

“It was someone named Fu Zihou. He happened to be passing through Wanqu, sensed something was amiss upon entering the city, and alerted the others.”

Lu Mingyue’s face clouded further as he recalled how close he had come to taking Wanqu, if not for this Fu Zihou.

“Fu Zihou?”

“Fu Zihou! Fu Zihou!!”

The first was Yan Kan’s puzzled exclamation; the next came from Cao Zhan and Cui Lvxing, who stared at each other in shock, recalling the family they’d met the previous day, and the composed youth who had spoken with them.

Cao Zhan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his face full of disbelief. Cui Lvxing also remembered the calm, reasoned manner of the youth, wondering how, in such peril, he had remained unruffled.

Now they realized that the youth had likely deduced their connection to Lu Mingyue.

Behind them, Zhang Wu, Cao Zhan’s trusted lieutenant, was dumbstruck, his burly face slack-jawed as he replayed his conversation with the boy the day before.

“A friend from Tun County? Do you take me for a fool? If you were truly from Tun County, why would you be here? Seeing us, you’d just run away? That look—ha, ha, ha!”

As the memory played in his mind, Zhang Wu looked at Lord Lu, at Cao Zhan, at Cui Lvxing, dazed and shaken by the chilling wind outside the city.

“This person not only saw through our plot, but also deduced, from the Xie family banquet, that the one planning the attack was me, Lu Mingyue,” Lu Mingyue said, gripping his horse’s reins, still reeling from the shock.

“He must not be underestimated. He must be found at all costs and made to serve me!” Lu Mingyue declared to Yan Kan, Cao Zhan, and Cui Lvxing. Rarely had he so coveted a talented man, nor realized how vital such a person could be. With only a few clues, this youth had sensed danger and deduced his identity.

He must be found and won over, no matter the cost.

“Very well! Spread the name Fu Zihou—send men out to find him, whatever it takes!” Yan Kan, realizing Fu Zihou’s importance, immediately ordered his followers.

“Lord Lu…” Cao Zhan began, but Cui Lvxing caught his arm and, seeing Lu Mingyue glance over, quickly saluted.

“Lord Lu, I, along with General Cao, beg you to forbid the army from harassing the people,” Cui Lvxing requested, head bowed.

Lu Mingyue, however, brushed it off without concern, and Cui Lvxing, unsurprised, feigned helplessness.

Watching Lu Mingyue lead the army into Kuang City, Cui Lvxing finally lowered his hand.

“Brother Cui, why did you stop me from mentioning yesterday’s events?” Cao Zhan asked, still puzzled, as the troops marched in. Although Fu Zihou had likely already sailed north, they both knew from the notices that the Fu family was heading to seek refuge with the Li family in Tiao County.

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Now, having learned the truth from Lu Mingyue, Cao Zhan finally understood the youth’s extraordinary talent. He had been about to suggest that Lu Mingyue send for Fu Zihou in Tiao County, but Cui Lvxing had stopped him.

“Brother Cao, do you recall what I just said?” Cui Lvxing asked, turning to him.

Cao Zhan was taken aback, exchanging glances with Zhang Wu, who was still confused. But Cao Zhan understood—Cui Lvxing was reminding him: if they were to leave Lu Mingyue and join Dou Jiande, why not recommend a talent like Fu Zihou to Dou Jiande in the future?

Thinking of Dou Jiande, Cao Zhan silently regarded the vast army before him, the soldiers bearing Lu Mingyue’s banners, recalling their past misdeeds, and Lu Mingyue’s perfunctory response to Cui Lvxing’s plea just moments ago.

Indeed, as Cui Lvxing had said, this was not the place to give their allegiance.

It was time to leave and seek out Lord Dou.

…………………………

Night fell.

A scream pierced the silence.

Two villagers, faces ashen, collapsed to the ground in terror; four others stood nearby, torches dropped, their faces twisted with fear.

Before them, in a pit inside a house, the outline of a corpse was visible.

Soon, as the news spread, more and more villagers arrived at the Fu family residence with torches, lighting up the whole yard.

Liu Zhiyuan was sleeping in his wooden hut, wrapped against the cold. Though he heard footsteps outside from time to time, he paid them no mind.

“Why would there be a corpse buried at the Fu family’s place?”

“No idea! If no one had gone to search, we’d never have known. I heard there were three bodies buried inside the house…”

Suddenly, Liu Zhiyuan opened his eyes, sat up, and looked out the window.

As he dressed and stepped outside, he saw more villagers heading toward the Fu family’s house in the night and decided to follow.

When Liu Zhiyuan arrived at the small courtyard, he found it crowded with villagers, all drawn by the shocking news—three people dead, buried in their own home.

“How could there be deaths in the Fu family? I know them well—they don’t seem the type to kill…”

“No idea! I heard the Zhao family has already sent someone to Wanqu to report to the clan head!”

Liu Zhiyuan listened to the hubbub as he squeezed his way into the courtyard. In front of the crowd, Zhao family retainers stood with swords, guarding a wide space where three corpses lay. Two local coroners were examining the bodies.

“Friend, do you know what happened?” Liu Zhiyuan politely asked a nearby villager.

The man, eager to show off, replied, “I heard the Fu family killed them—three in all! One died from a wound in the back, one in the arm and chest, and the last had his throat slit. The coroner said they were taken totally by surprise—two hadn’t even drawn their swords, and the last, though he drew his, seemed to have died by his own blade…”

The villager’s words, and the fearful murmurs around him, painted the Fu family as far more ruthless than they had ever appeared.

“I always wondered why the Fu family left so suddenly—I thought they were just seeking refuge. Who would have guessed it was because of murder…”

As the villagers speculated, Liu Zhiyuan’s thoughts were elsewhere. He stared at the corpses, recalling the sudden departure of the Fu family that morning. He remembered how Fu Zihou, when he tried to persuade him to stay, merely glanced at the Zhao family’s patrol.

At that moment, Liu Zhiyuan felt a wave of confusion and regret, his hands clenching into fists.

“How strange—they all had a lot of food in their stomachs…”

“It seems the Fu family entertained them first. Of the three, only the one with the slit throat died by his own sword; the other two were killed by a sharper blade…”

Hearing the coroner’s words, Liu Zhiyuan’s eyes widened as he recalled seeing a Fu family woman carrying a sword that morning—a sword that belonged to Fu Zihou, yet she had refused to return it when he asked.

Now, understanding dawned on him. His proud demeanor vanished, replaced by a look of loss and a bitter smile.

He thought of the youth—his former student—who had stood at the door, shamefaced at their parting, while Liu Zhiyuan refused even to let him inside. He thought of the bamboo slip, tossed carelessly into a corner, gifted by the boy that morning, which he had never delivered.

At this moment, Liu Zhiyuan was overwhelmed with guilt, his heart filled with remorse and self-reproach.