Mo Sang – CH 169

Chapter 169. The One Who Speaks

Li Sangrou emerged from the commander’s tent, turned a corner, and saw a fire burning at the entrance of her small tent, a copper kettle hanging above it.

Beside the fire, Da Chang, Meng Yanqing, and several older Yunmeng Guards sat on the ground, drinking tea and chatting.

“The boss is back,” Da Chang said, sitting facing the commander’s tent. He saw Li Sangrou as soon as she turned around.

The others quickly stood up.

Li Sangrou went over and squatted down next to Meng Yanqing, looking around. “Where are Hei Ma and the others?”

“Several cartloads of letters arrived this afternoon, and they’ve all gone to read them,” Meng Yanqing said with a smile.

A burst of laughter erupted from the nearby tent. Li Sangrou stood up. “I will go see.”

“Let’s go see too,” Meng Yanqing said, standing up as well.

Da Chang handed Li Sangrou a bag of melon seeds. She took them, ate a handful, and then, along with Da Chang, Meng Yanqing, and the others, headed towards the tent where the laughter had started. The tent was large and crowded with people. Chuantiao sat by the oil lamp, having just finished reading a letter, and handed it back, envelope and all.

“Next!” Chuantiao shouted, handing out a letter with one hand and extending the other, his voice carrying the weight of the words.

“Mine! Mine!” A soldier in his early twenties hurriedly held up his letter, which was passed from one person to another until it reached Chuantiao.

“Wow! This letter is so thick! It must have been delivered with the wind at its back!” Chuantiao weighed the letter in his hand and exclaimed.

Laughter erupted in the tent.

“To Zhang Fu! Tsk!” Chuantiao read from the envelope first. “Dear Sir, look at this handwriting. The calligrapher your wife hired is no good.”

“Good handwriting is expensive. As long as it’s just a few words, it’s fine. We have to save money where we can,” a squad leader nearby, clearly knowledgeable, replied.

“That’s exactly it!” A chorus of agreement rippled through the crowd.

Just one more coin, and that was two eggs!

“Yeah, as long as it’s a single word, it does not matter how pretty it is. Ahem!” Chuantiao unfolded the letter, coughed sharply, and the tent fell silent instantly.

“Brother Fu: This letter is mine. Aunt Wang from Shunfeng came to our village to teach literacy, saying that each village needed to produce one person who could write letters. In our village, I learned the fastest.

Zhang Fu, your wife is amazing; she can write letters too. This sentence is mine, not your wife’s. I’ll continue reading:

Brother Fu, I learned to write not to earn money writing letters but because I wanted to tell you things I did not want others to hear, and then I could not bring myself to ask them to write them down.

Brother Fu, everything is fine at home. The child can walk now. This morning, he chased the rooster all over the courtyard. Mother says the child looks like you.

Brother Fu, I miss you so much, especially at night. I cannot sleep…”

“Stop reading!” Zhang Fu jumped up.

Strange shouts, laughter, and clapping filled the tent, creating a deafening roar.

Young Zhang Fu, his face flushed crimson, pushed past a few arms blocking his way and rushed towards his wife’s letter.

Chuantiao, slapping the letter, laughed so hard he almost fell over. “Zhang Fu, your wife! Hahahaha! Amazing! No wonder she wanted to learn to write! Hahahaha!”

“This silly woman, she can read, but I cannot!” Zhang Fu finally reached Chuantiao and snatched the letter.

Chuantiao, laughing so hard he could barely breathe, patted him repeatedly. “Wait a minute, I will read it to you; I will read it to you alone!”

Li Sangrou, standing at the tent entrance, laughed as she walked back.

……………………

The lights in the command tent stayed on until midnight, continuing into the fourth day.

As night fell, Li Sangrou and Meng Yanqing, along with a large group of thirty or forty people, gathered for dinner.

Just after dinner, Meng Yanqing furtively brought over two jars of wine. He’d just poured one when Da Chang, sitting opposite Li Sangrou, called out “Boss!” and gestured behind Li Sangrou.

Behind Li Sangrou, Gu Xi had just turned the corner and was approaching.

Li Sangrou quickly stood up. Gu Xi, already there, smiled and said, “Want to take a walk?”

“Sure,” Li Sangrou replied with a smile, walking alongside Gu Xi.

“Shouzhen and I both think that following the route you’ve taken, entering Ezhou City from Jiangnan, and coordinating from within and without, is a good method.”

After walking a dozen steps, Gu Xi looked at Li Sangrou and smiled.

“After these past few days, it’s finally all arranged. They’ve just set off from Pingjing Pass to Anqing Prefecture and from Anqing Prefecture across the river.”

“What are the chances of success?” Li Sangrou asked, listening intently.

“There are twenty teams of ten men each, divided into groups of fifty. They will not communicate with each other before reaching Ezhou City.

Each group will have twenty excellent swimmers. We will escort them to Anqing Prefecture, help them cross the river, and then immediately return.

They are all elite troops, personally selected by Shouzhen, Zhihe, and me. If even one group manages to enter Ezhou City, we can open the city gates.” Gu Xi did not specify the exact number, only detailing the arrangements for this mission.

“The attacks on Pingjing Pass resulted in heavy losses.” Gu Xi gazed at the distant, dark mountains.

“After the Battle of Hefei, I’ve been stationed there. The Southern Liang probably assumed that my Elder Brother and I would, as before, cross the Yangtze River southwards from Yangzhou and Jiangdu.

Wu Huaiguo must have seen through our intentions. Before even reaching Jiangdu, he changed course and headed towards Ezhou.

We must capture Pingjing Pass before Wu Huaiguo does. Otherwise, once he reaches Ezhou and commands the armies of Ezhou, Suizhou, and even Xiangyang, capturing Pingjing Pass will be extremely difficult.”

Gu Xi laughed, “Heaven bless our Great Qi!”

“General Wen has arrived in Suizhou?” Li Sangrou asked with a smile.

“Yes.” Gu Xi’s reply was light and cheerful.

“My Elder Brother wrote to say you were coming. After receiving the letter, I started calculating your itinerary,” Gu Xi changed the subject. “Da Chang arrived first, two or three days later than I expected, but you did not come.

I asked Da Chang, and he said you went to Anqing Prefecture. When I asked what you were doing there, he shook his head, not knowing.

I asked Meng Yanqing, and he genuinely did not know either.

I had Ru-Yi ask Hei Ma, but Hei Ma only knew you rushed to Anqing Prefecture; he knew nothing else. He even dragged Ru-Yi along, trying to guess what you were doing there. Ru-Yi said that after guessing for a while, he gave up, saying he definitely could not guess. If he could guess, he could be the boss.

Hei Ma is really something!” Gu Xi could not help but laugh.

“Wait for me to come over~” Li Sangrou drawled. “Want me to go into the city and take a look?”

“No!” Gu Xi frowned at Li Sangrou. “I have not seen you in a long time.

When Da Chang arrived, the army had only been stationed here for a few days. When I led my men to check the north side of Ezhou City, we encountered a hundred-man Liang army unit. After a brief battle, someone on the city wall recognized me, and the gates of Ezhou City opened wide, with cavalry and infantry pouring out.

Luckily, Zhihe was worried and followed us out; otherwise, I am afraid we would not have made it back,” Gu Xi said “would not have made it back,” but there was no fear or lingering dread in his tone.

“Wu Huaiguo arrived in Ezhou City before you?” Li Sangrou asked.

“Hmm, he’s arrived quite a few days early. If he had arrived later than I did, he might have already taken Ezhou City.” Gu Xi glanced at the lights on the city walls of Ezhou, then pointed to the back of the camp. “That cliff behind there offers a very wide view. Shall we go up and take a look? It’s the Double Ninth Festival today, a perfect time for a hike.”

“Alright.” Li Sangrou looked in the direction Gu Xi was pointing; it was a towering, sheer cliff.

The two turned and headed towards the cliff.

There were guard posts on the cliff top, and rope ladders were placed where the vertical sections were difficult to traverse. Gu Xi led the way, and the two quickly climbed the cliff.

The area at the top of the cliff was not large. Li Sangrou looked up.

“Go up another twenty or thirty paces; there’s a hidden sentry post.” Gu Xi glanced up as well.

“This is truly a wonderful place.” Li Sangrou stepped forward, looking around.

The mighty river in the distance, the city of Ezhou ahead, the sprawling camp below, and a cool breeze on her face—it was spacious and refreshing.

“On the day we set up camp, Zhihe and I were inspecting the campsite. When we stood here, we thought, if you came, we’d come here, drink and talk. Too bad there’s no wine,” Gu Xi said, hands behind his back, looking at Li Sangrou.

“Just now, Old Meng got two jars of wine, but we have not had a chance to drink them yet,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“It was probably given to him by Bai-Cheng. There was wine, but when we were stationed at the camp, a military order was issued forbidding drinking,” Gu Xi said with a smile. “However, Meng Yanqing and the others, and you, are not military personnel and are not subject to this order.”

“No wonder Old Meng was sneaking around. Today is the first time; I did not know about the alcohol ban. I will not drink anymore. Although I am not a soldier, being in the military means I should strictly abide by military orders,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“Thank you. I heard you slapped the Hanlin Academy in the face?” Gu Xi thanked her with a smile and then asked.

“It was not me. I do not have that kind of knowledge. It was the women of Jianle City. Thanks to them, I made a lot of money,” Li Sangrou said with a warm smile.

“Before capturing Pingjing Pass, Wang Zhang arrived with a group of Hanlin scholars and students.

Wang Zhang brought them to see me, saying that the Emperor had said that scholarship should not be confined to books, but should involve travel, observation, and practical application.

The group of Hanlin scholars, following behind Wang Zhang, all appeared remarkably humble.

I was quite puzzled at the time. How could those arrogant, disdainful Hanlin scholars be so modest?

More than half of those Hanlin scholars were Jinshi, and two or three were Zhuangyuan¹. Back in Jianle City, they could barely tolerate Pan Dingjiang speaking in front of them, but if Pan Dingshan stood in front of them, they would definitely look down on him and be full of resentment.

This time, how could they tolerate Wang Zhang, a second-to-last-ranked scholar, leading them?

This certainly was not because of an imperial decree from my Elder Brother.”

“Back then, you did not know?” Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Back then, the courier service had not been established yet; everything being passed around was confidential military reports,” Gu Xi leaned closer to Li Sangrou, her voice lowered. “I was quite puzzled at the time, but Shouzhen seemed to be suppressing a laugh.

After those Hanlin scholars left, I asked Shouzhen what was going on.”

Gu Xi paused, then looked at Li Sangrou and asked, “Do you know how Shouzhen found out?”

“Yes!” Li Sangrou smiled and nodded with absolute certainty.

“That scoundrel!” Gu Xi spat. “I asked him, and he tried to fool me, saying a friend in Jianle City wrote to him. I asked him which friend—who would dare include a private letter in a military report? How come I did not know he had such a friend? Could it be Pan Dingbang?

Later, I finally got the truth out of him. He actually told me that Ah Yue wrote to him because she was afraid I was too busy to read the letters, so she wrote to him instead. Since it was Ah Yue who wrote to me and asked him to forward it, how come I did not know Ah Yue wrote to me?”

Li Sangrou laughed.

“I wrote to my Elder Brother that very day, asking if he knew about it.

Just as I finished writing the letter, Zhihe came in. I asked him, and he actually asked me, ‘You did not know?'” Gu Xi snorted in annoyance. “It’s as if I should know. How could I possibly know?”

“The Emperor definitely knows. What could Princess Ninghe possibly hide from the Emperor? Besides, it was all mixed in with military reports,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“Hmm,” Gu Xi grumbled.

So, he was the only one who did not know about this.

“My brother said you gave the military merits from Hefei to Ah Yue, saying he promised that whether Ah Yue marries or not, and whom she marries, is entirely up to her.” Gu Xi sighed deeply, looking at Li Sangrou with a puzzled expression. “When did Shouzhen develop such despicable thoughts? I am with him almost every day, and I did not notice at all!”

I asked Zhihe, and he said he had only just found out. He said that once, a letter was delivered from outside, and the thickest one in the stack was for Shouzhen. Zhihe said he recognized Ninghe’s handwriting at a glance, and only after pressing him did Shouzhen tell him.

Do you think Zhihe was telling the truth? Zhihe is not as cunning as Shouzhen; if he knew, he probably would not have been able to hide it from me.”

Gu Xi’s voice was full of complaint.

“Master Wen has the sentiment, but he does not truly have the heart for it. He was truly determined to assist you and dedicate his life to the Wen family.

Now, it’s just that times have changed,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“When did you find out? Did Ah Yue tell you?” Gu Xi glanced at Li Sangrou.

“Well, the first time you asked me to accompany Princess Ninghe for her birthday?” Li Sangrou thought for a moment and said.

“The time when Hei Ma performed?” Gu Xi raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes.” Li Sangrou nodded affirmatively.

“Sigh.” After a long while, Gu Xi sighed deeply. “Marrying a princess is not a good thing. The Imperial Son-in-Law is only fit for a life of leisure.

Shouzhen is meticulous and extremely skilled in planning; he has the talent of a good prime minister, and he himself is very willing to do something to govern the country and bring peace to the world.

My Elder Brother is a man who never acts arbitrarily or with favoritism; he will not set a precedent for the Imperial Son-in-law wielding great power.

Sigh, you should not have used Shouzhen to plead for Ah Yue’s freedom of choice.”

“I just cannot bear to see Ninghe marry when she does not want to, or marry someone she does not want to marry. She should at least have the freedom of choice like Master Wen; if she cannot marry the person she wants, she can choose not to marry.

Master Wen and Princess Ninghe, it’s not so bad if neither of them marries; at least it’s better than one marrying the wrong person and the other marrying the wrong person. At least it will not harm others,” Li Sangrou glanced sideways at Gu Xi.

“She’s not you,” Gu Xi chuckled.

“She’s the daughter of the late Empress Zhang, the sister of the Emperor, and yours. With such a mother and such brothers, she’s different from other women. Is it not only natural that she’s a little unconventional?” Li Sangrou smiled, glancing at Gu Xi.

Gu Xi laughed. “That’s true.” He paused, then sighed almost imperceptibly. “Years ago, very early, when I was still young, and my Elder Brother was young too.

My brother said a couple of times that Worthy Consort Shen had taught Ah Yue to be too obedient, too submissive and polite. Later, he thought it was for the best; if women get used to being submissive, they will not feel bitter later.”

“Bitterness is still bitter,” Li Sangrou said slowly.

“I heard Ah Yue is quite carefree now?” Gu Xi glanced at Li Sangrou.

“Yes, she’s learned to fight with your younger sister,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“My aunt said she loved to fight when she was little, and I like to fight too. My Eldest Brother does not like to fight. He says, ‘If you kill or injure someone, it’s too much of a commotion; if you do not kill or injure them, it’s no fun.’ Second Brother…”

Gu Xi paused, looking at Li Sangrou, and said, “My Eldest Brother said that Second Brother is studying medicine, determined to heal and save lives for the rest of his life. I think even if he becomes a physician, it will be difficult for him to reach the highest level. He’s too soft-hearted. He’s not even as good as Ah Yue. Asking him to remove a boil, I am afraid he would not be able to bring himself to do it.”

“Why does he have to reach the highest level? Just getting close is enough,” Li Sangrou laughed.

“That’s true. As long as he can have peace of mind, that’s enough,” Gu Xi chuckled.