Chapter 54: What, the Thieves Have Fled Defeated?

Outside the gates of the Li Residence.

A crowd of scholars lingered outside, gathering in small groups to discuss the latest rumors. By the carriages, servants and attendants stood watchfully. When they heard the thunder of approaching hooves, all eyes turned in unison. They watched as a man galloped up to the gate, dismounted swiftly, and strode towards the entrance, exchanging glances of anticipation and unease.

“Look, more news from Qinghe has arrived!”

“I wonder what the situation is in Qinghe County right now.”

“Judging by how flustered that man looks, I fear it’s not good news…”

As the man approached the mansion, the Li household’s gatekeepers recognized him as a retainer of the Cui family. After confirming his credentials, they allowed him entry.

Within the estate, the man hurried through the gardens. Under the watchful eyes of the assembled scholars in the front courtyard, he rushed directly into the main hall.

Inside, five elders of the Cui clan—Cui Hebo, Cui Jingong, Cui Xiwen, Cui Yunyin, and Cui Yunzong—were still deep in discussion with various officials and generals, deliberating their next course of action.

The man entered, breathless, and knelt before Cui Jingong, offering his report:

“My lords! News has arrived from Zaoqiang and Zhangnan! The two relief forces dispatched to Qinghe last night have both been repelled by the rebel army!”

Despite having braced themselves for bad news, Cui Hebo, Cui Jingong, and the others were momentarily stunned, their faces falling into disappointment.

“Alas…” they sighed. “Defeated again…”

Yet none blamed Prefect Zhou Hao of Tiao County; all knew he had done everything in his power.

Exchanging glances, the elders realized they could do nothing more to aid Qinghe County. They dismissed the messenger, instructing him and the other retainers to continue gathering intelligence.

Behind them, siblings Cui Yuzhe and Cui Wenjin heard the report with sinking hearts. The hope that Qinghe might be saved evaporated, leaving only despair.

They both understood: this time, no hope remained. By everyone’s estimation, Qinghe County could endure only until today. Now that the reinforcements had been routed, the fall of Qinghe seemed inevitable.

At the thought of the rebel army breaching the city, the siblings were seized by terror. The bandit leader Zhang Jinchen was notorious for slaughtering innocents. In recent days, he had shown no willingness to negotiate; he had even killed envoys sent to parley. Many in the clan believed Zhang Jinchen was targeting the Cui family directly.

In the main hall, officials and generals of the Sui court muttered anxiously behind their wooden desks, some shaking their heads in resignation. Li Jingjie, presiding over the assembly, could only sigh, knowing that the fall of Qinghe was now all but certain.

The news quickly spread through the estate. Scholars, noble youths, and Li Jingjie’s students all shook their heads in dismay.

“There’s nothing more to be done. We can only wait for the imperial army to arrive before planning our next move.”

“Yes, we have done all we could…”

“This is beyond mortal power. We must think instead of how to seek revenge…”

Everywhere, men were giving up hope of relieving the siege. Though disappointed, they were not devastated—they were not Cui clan members, after all. They had come seeking opportunities: if they could help the Cui family, they would secure their futures; if not, so be it. Even if Zhang Jinchen sacked Qinghe and slaughtered the Cui clan, it would scarcely affect them.

The same fate had once befallen the Xie family of Chen Commandery, who at their peak were even more illustrious than the Cui. During the chaos of Hou Jing’s rebellion, the Xie clan had been nearly exterminated. Decades later, if not for the deeds of their ancestors, their standing among the gentry might have faded entirely.

Now, as dusk fell, the scholars in the courtyard whispered among themselves, speculating whether the Cui of Qinghe would follow in the footsteps of the Xie, meeting their end at the hands of a butcher.

As night descended, the Li household’s courtyard was illuminated by lanterns. Platters of food were brought out, and the men ate and drank freely, discussing how the Cui might take revenge and what part they themselves might play.

To them, saving the city seemed impossible, but revenge was feasible—especially with General Yang Yichen already marching south with his troops. If the Cui family was determined to avenge themselves, these men—scions of bureaucracy and great houses—could all lend their influence.

Under the pavilion, where there was more space, the wounded and weakened Cui Yuzhe and Cui Wenjin were seated. Staring at the food before them, neither had any appetite. The talk around them was all of revenge—who might be useful, what connections could be exploited.

The siblings knew these men meant well, but the words were hard to bear. Still, since they were outsiders, the siblings could not ask them to hold their tongues and could only endure in silence.

“Brother?” Cui Wenjin reached out to steady her brother as he rose.

Cui Yuzhe, seeing Li Qiong approaching from under the eaves, left his sister in her care, knowing she too was suffering with worry for their family. It was better for her to stay with Li Qiong than to dwell on their pain together.

“I’ve already sent medicine with the physician. Wenjin, at least try to eat something,” Li Qiong urged, frowning at the sorrowful girl.

Eyes red, Cui Wenjin shook her head, watching her brother force a smile for those offering kindness, all the while enduring his own pain and anxiety.

Born into the illustrious Cui family, she now tasted true bitterness.

“Wenjin, don’t think too much,” Li Qiong whispered, gently comforting her as she wept.

Hearing the talk of family backgrounds and abilities from those around, Li Qiong herself was at a loss for words. Like everyone else, she knew the siege could not be lifted. Without a miracle, Qinghe was surely lost.

Night deepened, and a sense of despair settled over the main hall. Under the flickering candlelight, the faces of the Cui clan were somber, angry, or tense. Li Jingjie and the assembled officials grew silent, speaking only in hushed tones.

All knew that the next messenger might bring news of Qinghe’s fall.

Though it was late, Li Qiong remained beside Cui Wenjin, fearing she might collapse if the worst came.

In the moonlit courtyard, after supper, the scholars and noble youths lingered, waiting for the final word. Tonight, they would learn whether Zhang Jinchen would indeed sack the city and massacre the Cui, as the Xie had once been destroyed.

At last, after hours of waiting, a lone rider arrived at the gate.

The scholars in the courtyard stirred at the commotion. In the dim light, they saw a Cui retainer hurrying through the gardens, and whispers broke out.

“News has come!”

“Do you think Zhang Jinchen will dare massacre the Cui after taking Qinghe?”

“With Zhang Jinchen’s cruelty—and after all that’s happened—what would hold him back?”

But as they watched, they noticed the retainer’s face was not stricken, but rather flushed with excitement. This unexpected display caught their attention.

Around the courtyard, others noticed too; the retainer was not panicked, but looked almost elated.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know!”

“Did Zhang Jinchen spare the Cui? But why did he kill their envoys before?”

Amidst the murmurs, the retainer strode into the main hall.

Inside, under the glow of the candles, all eyes were fixed on him. Cui Hebo, Cui Jingong, and the other elders tensed, holding their breath.

Behind them, Cui Yuzhe and Cui Wenjin scarcely dared to breathe.

Li Jingjie and the other officials ceased their discussions, turning to the retainer.

He knelt before Cui Hebo and reported, breathless:

“My lords! News from Wucheng! Yesterday, the rebel Zhang Jinchen was defeated by the relief army—the enemy is in full retreat, and the crisis in Qinghe is over!”

The words electrified the hall. Cui Hebo, Cui Jingong, and the others leapt to their feet.

“What?”

“What did you say? Repeat that to me at once!” Cui Hebo, hand trembling, eyes wide, pressed the retainer, unable to believe his ears.

“Qinghe is saved?”

“Zhang Jinchen was defeated? Which relief army?”

The entire assembly was stunned, exchanging looks of disbelief.

The retainer was not reporting the fall of Qinghe, but the defeat and rout of Zhang Jinchen!

How could this be?

“Did you all hear that?”

“It’s impossible—Zhang Jinchen was defeated? They said so inside!”

“I heard it too! How is this possible…”

Outside, the scholars who had been so subdued erupted into noisy debate. Many doubted what they’d just heard; with the imperial army far to the north and the Tiao County relief force already routed, where could any other help have come from?

Inside, once Cui Hebo, Cui Jingong, and the others had confirmed the news, joy and relief broke out among them.

“Wonderful! Wonderful!”

“Excellent! Excellent!”

As members of the Cui family, their devotion to the clan surpassed all else. From birth, the name of the Cui of Qinghe had commanded respect, wherever they went. Their offices, reputations, and those of their descendants, all rested on this heritage.

For them, personal sacrifice was tolerable, but disaster for the family was unthinkable.

“Wenjin, it’s a miracle! Heaven itself must be watching over the Cui!” Li Qiong exclaimed, surprised and relieved even though she didn’t know the details. The rebel army’s collapse could only be attributed to divine providence.

“Wenjin…” Li Qiong hurried to steady her as Cui Wenjin nearly collapsed from relief.

Cui Yuzhe could well understand his sister; his own legs were barely steady, his hands and back drenched in sweat as the tension finally left him.

He had no idea what had happened, but as Li Qiong said, it seemed the heavens protected the Cui.

At that moment, a household servant entered and reported to Li Jingjie that several riders had arrived outside; their leader claimed to be Cui Duxing.

“Uncle?” Cui Yuzhe opened his eyes in surprise.

“Duxing was in Qinghe, wasn’t he? If he’s come, the siege must truly be lifted, the rebels scattered. He will know what happened! But for him to rush here in such haste—he must have urgent news.”

Hearing of Cui Duxing’s arrival, the elders finally relaxed, discussing among themselves.

In the main hall, Li Jingjie ordered the servant to bring the visitors in at once.

Every time I publish, nerves get the better of me, and the writing sometimes falls short. Please forgive any shortcomings in these chapters; things will improve as the story progresses.

It was the same with the last book—I was so anxious, I could barely write fourteen hundred words.