Chapter Thirty-Nine: The King of Qi Summons

Li Hongji was lost in his own imaginings when suddenly several men dressed in black hurried over. Li Hongji was momentarily taken aback—had they completed their task so quickly? He was about to speak when he noticed one man was missing, and an ominous feeling crept into his heart.

“Your Grace of Dongping, the ambush has failed,” the leader announced.

“How did it come to this?” Li Hongji’s voice was grave, and his heart sank; this news boded ill indeed.

“All three targets were highly skilled, and just as we struck, the patrolling soldiers enforcing the curfew arrived. I had no choice but to retreat,” the man in black explained. After all, they were committing murder in secret—even as Dongping’s men, there were limits to what could be tolerated.

Li Hongji cursed furiously. “Useless fools.” Then, recalling something, he asked, “Why are you missing a man?”

“The enemy was formidable. The seventh was cut down by two of them, fighting together,” the man replied, tears glinting in his eyes.

Li Hongji’s rage flared. Seven men against three, and in a surprise attack no less—yet not only had they failed, but lost a man as well. Was he raising nothing but incompetents? He strode forward and lashed out with a vicious kick to the man’s chest.

The man in black dared not evade. He grunted, fell, then quickly scrambled upright. “Your servant was inadequate in his duty. Please mete out punishment as you see fit.”

“Hmph! I’d kill you here and now if it would serve any purpose,” Li Hongji snarled, his hatred for Yang Lian gnawing at him. He kicked the man again and barked, “Get out of my sight!”

The men in black quickly picked themselves up and vanished into the night.

Li Hongji frowned deeply. The seventh had been killed. Had Yang Lian or the patrolling soldiers found the body? The seventh still carried certain secrets that must never come to light. After considering, he surmised the patrol likely found the corpse. He quickly summoned a trusted aide and whispered instructions.

“Who could have foreseen such peril tonight?” Walking along the Qinhuai River, Lin Renzhao spoke again.

Chen Tie was in high spirits, pumping his fists. “Those men were nothing. Even if more come, we’ll cut them all down. Next time, let’s fight to our hearts’ content.”

Yang Lian smiled faintly. “Those men were most likely sent by the Duke of Dongping. Are you two not at all concerned?”

Chen Tie laughed bitterly. “I died two years ago. Now, I am but an empty shell.”

Yang Lian was taken aback—what did Chen Tie mean by that? He glanced at Chen Tie and Lin Renzhao; Chen’s emotions were running high.

With a sigh, Lin Renzhao explained for Yang Lian’s sake. Yang Lian narrowed his eyes. The ruin of one’s country and home—these four words summarized Chen Tie’s plight.

When Southern Tang conquered Min, their soldiers looted and pillaged at will. Chen Tie’s family—especially his wife, who was newly pregnant—was violated and killed by Southern Tang soldiers. Chen Tie was away, fleeing for his life, and when he learned the news, his grief was inconsolable.

Lin Renzhao comforted him, urging him to preserve himself for the day of vengeance. Later, the two followed Wang Yanzheng to Jinling, where Wang was made General of the Imperial Guards but was soon imprisoned. Most of the loyal men from Min who had followed Wang were scattered and placed under strict control, leaving only a handful still with him.

To Chen Tie, this meant not only that restoring his homeland was hopeless, but that even revenge was out of reach. So he gave himself over to despair, frequenting brothels and drinking heavily, as if this could drown his sorrows.

But tonight, after killing a man of the Southern Tang, Chen Tie found some release for his pent-up rage, and his mood improved.

As Lin Renzhao recounted this, he glanced at Yang Lian as though by accident.

Yang Lian sighed. “Since the An Lushan Rebellion, the realm has known no peace. Local warlords and their commanders are wild and unrestrained. The Northern Courts have seen the rise and fall of Liang, Tang, and Jin; now news comes that Jin is at war with the Khitans. No doubt another new dynasty will soon be born.”

“In such turbulent times, heroes vie for supremacy. Should we not wield our talents and strive for accomplishment, rather than waste our lives in idleness?” Yang Lian’s words were calm, part encouragement, part self-admonition.

Lin Renzhao narrowed his eyes. “And what do you intend to do, Brother Yang?”

Yang Lian laughed heartily. “A true man must serve his country, win glory, and make a name for himself. Only thus does he prove his worth.”

The country Yang Lian referred to was Wu, though Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie did not know this. They assumed he meant the Tang and felt a pang of disappointment.

Yang Lian noticed their thoughts and clapped them on the shoulder. “Brothers Lin and Chen, forgive my earlier ramblings. Life is brief—seize every moment to do what your heart desires. Time slips by like a horse galloping past a crevice; wait too long, and you’ll find your hair turned white.”

Chen Tie was jolted—no one had ever spoken to him like this. His grief and despair stemmed from the loss of his home and country, leaving him no will to live. Yet he had never considered the many days ahead. Was he to spend them all in such misery?

“Time flies; seize the day,” Yang Lian said with a smile.

Lin Renzhao looked uneasy. He did not quite understand why Yang Lian was saying these things—was there some deeper meaning?

But by the time he looked again, Yang Lian had already strode off. Lin Renzhao exchanged a look with Chen Tie, lost in thought.

When Yang Lian returned to the Laifu Inn, night had fully fallen. He washed up and went straight to bed. The next morning, he rose early as always, had breakfast, and hurried to the Shenwu Army’s training ground.

Seeing Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie, the three exchanged a knowing smile—the events of the previous night needed no words.

Today, Chen Tie was up early, looking smart and energetic. He’d brought sandbags, and before Yang Lian could say anything, he strapped them to his legs and hefted another thirty-odd pounds onto his back.

This puzzled the others—just days ago, Chen Tie was dissatisfied with Yang Lian and had even skipped training yesterday. Why this sudden change?

Only Yang Lian and Lin Renzhao understood the reason.

The morning routine began as always with a run, but today Lin Renzhao’s men joined as well—over twenty men running around the Shenwu Army’s camp made for an impressive sight. Onlookers gathered, pointing and whispering. Zhou Hongzuo paid it no mind, thinking that the real test would come during the written examination.

The morning passed swiftly. Yang Lian had expected Li Hongji to send trouble their way, but by midday, nothing had happened.

This was a venomous snake lying in wait. Behind that seemingly impulsive exterior, a cruel and calculating mind lurked. If he did not act now, he was surely plotting something worse. Yang Lian found Chen Tie and told him to warn Lin Renzhao to be vigilant.

Afternoon went by quickly. Yang Lian concealed a dagger and left the Shenwu Army’s camp. Just as he reached the Laifu Inn, Xiao Erhei was waiting at the door. “Master, the Princess has arrived.”

“What brings her here?” Yang Lian was surprised.

As he spoke, Princess Huairou emerged, dressed in a skirt of blue and white. Seeing Yang Lian, she put on a stern face. “What took you so long?”

Yang Lian laughed. “What’s this, is Your Highness here to call me to account?”

The princess glared at him. “You seem quite pleased with yourself. Do you realize what you’ve done?”

Yang Lian was puzzled. “Done? What have I done?”

She snorted. “Last night you killed a man—how bold of you. Do you know who he was?”

Yang Lian thought to himself—how did this girl find out so quickly? This matter had already reached her ears. He quickly explained, “Your Highness, that man was impersonating a retainer of the Duke of Dongping and tried to assassinate us. How could we simply let ourselves be killed? The Duke of Dongping has no enmity with me—why would I attack him?”

“You truly don’t know?” she asked.

Yang Lian shook his head. “I do not.”

The princess studied him carefully and, seeing his sincerity, said, “In truth, I don’t know the details either, but my father does. He requests your presence at the Prince Qi’s residence.”

Now Yang Lian understood her purpose in coming. Still, if Prince Qi wished to see him, he could have sent a servant—why had the princess come herself?

Yang Lian smiled. “If that’s the case, please wait a moment, Your Highness. I’ll change and be right out.”

“No need for that—come at once!” The princess was bold. She grabbed Yang Lian’s sleeve but suddenly wrinkled her nose, annoyed. “Why do you smell all sweaty?”

Yang Lian spread his hands helplessly. “After a day’s training, how could I not sweat?”

She waved him away. “Keep your distance!” Then, reconsidering, said, “You’d better bathe first—don’t come stinking up my house!”

Yang Lian grinned and said no more, going inside to bathe and change. The princess waited impatiently, and when Yang Lian reappeared, she hurried him. “Quick, into the carriage!”

A wiry fellow sat on the driver's seat, whip in hand, grinning foolishly.

Yang Lian glanced at the carriage. “I’ll walk,” he said to himself—men and women should keep their distance; how could he share a carriage with the princess?

She glared at him. “My father has urgent business with you. If you walk, how long will it take? Get in the carriage!”

She tugged his sleeve and led him toward the carriage.

Yang Lian was speechless. After a moment, he said, “Your Highness, I am a man—aren’t you worried about your reputation?”

The princess blinked, then quickly retorted, “What are you saying? It’s not the first time we’ve shared a carriage, and you’ve even carried me before, faced danger together—have you forgotten?”

“That was a matter of necessity at the time. I ask Your Highness’ pardon,” Yang Lian replied—he had no wish to provoke this little spitfire.

She snorted. “Today you’re going with me, or I’ll be very angry.”

“Your Highness...” Yang Lian began.

But before he could finish, she gave him a sly smile. “Do you believe I won’t start shouting right here that you’re harassing me? Imagine the consequences.” As she spoke, her lips parted as if ready to cry out at any moment.

Yang Lian’s head throbbed. Proud beauties truly were all the same. He had no desire to delay, not knowing what Prince Qi wanted of him. Nodding, he said, “Very well, I’ll come.”

The princess released her pale fingers, shot him a triumphant look, and thought, No matter how clever you are, I’ve won this round. Pleased with her victory, she quickly climbed into the carriage. When Yang Lian joined her, she ordered the driver to set off at once, heading straight for Prince Qi’s residence.