Chapter Thirty-Nine: The King of Qi Summons

Li Hongji was lost in his own thoughts when several men dressed in black hurried toward him. He paused, surprised at how quickly they had returned—had they already finished their task? Just as he was about to speak, he noticed one man missing, and an uneasy feeling crept into his heart.

"Your Excellency, we failed in the ambush," the leader reported.

"How could this happen?" Li Hongji demanded, his voice heavy with concern. The news was troubling.

"All three of them were skilled fighters. Soldiers enforcing the curfew arrived just in time, so we had no choice but to retreat," the black-clad man explained. After all, even as the Duke's men, assassinating people in secret was forbidden.

Li Hongji cursed loudly. "Useless fools." Then another thought struck him. "Why is there one less among you?"

"The enemy was formidable. Old Seven was cut down by two men working together," the man replied, his eyes brimming with tears.

Li Hongji exploded in anger. Seven men against three, and it was supposed to be a surprise attack—yet not only did they fail, they lost a man. Was he surrounded by nothing but incompetents? He strode forward and kicked the black-clad man hard in the chest.

The man dared not dodge, grunted in pain, and fell to the ground. He quickly got up and said, "I have failed you, Your Excellency. Please punish me as you see fit."

Li Hongji snorted. "I truly wish I could kill you, but what good would it do?" He ground his teeth, his hatred for Yang Lian gnawing at him. He kicked the man once more. "Get out of my sight!"

The men scrambled to their feet and vanished into the night.

Li Hongji frowned. Old Seven was dead, but had Yang Lian or the patrolling soldiers recovered the body? There were secrets on Old Seven that must never be discovered. He considered the possibilities and decided Old Seven had probably fallen into the hands of the patrolling soldiers. He quickly summoned a trusted aide and whispered instructions.

"Who would have thought tonight would be so perilous," Lin Renzhao remarked as they continued along the Qinhuai River.

Chen Tie was exhilarated, swinging his fists a few times. "Those men were useless. Let them come in greater numbers next time—I'll kill them all. It would be more satisfying."

Yang Lian smiled faintly. "Most likely, they were sent by the Duke of Dongping. Aren't you two worried?"

Chen Tie laughed, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I died two years ago. Now, I'm nothing but a shell."

Yang Lian was taken aback. What did Chen Tie mean by that? He glanced at both Chen Tie and Lin Renzhao, noting Chen Tie's agitation.

Lin Renzhao sighed and explained. Yang Lian narrowed his eyes. The phrase "the nation has fallen, the family destroyed" perfectly described Chen Tie's plight.

When Southern Tang conquered Min, they unleashed their soldiers to loot. Chen Tie's family, especially his pregnant wife, was violated and killed by the soldiers. At that time, Chen Tie was fleeing, and when he learned the news, he was plunged into despair.

Lin Renzhao comforted him, advising that so long as he lived, there would be a day for vengeance. Later, they followed Wang Yanzheng to Jinling. Wang Yanzheng was appointed Grand General of the Imperial Guards, but was subsequently imprisoned. Most of the old Min officials and generals who followed Wang Yanzheng were either scattered or brought under strict control, except for a few who remained loyal.

This left Chen Tie feeling hopeless—not only was there no chance to restore his country, even revenge seemed unattainable. He gave himself up to debauchery and heavy drinking, as if that could dispel the gloom in his heart.

But today, after killing a Southern Tang man, Chen Tie felt a release—his spirits lifted.

As Lin Renzhao recounted this, he glanced at Yang Lian several times, as if by accident.

Yang Lian sighed. "Since the An Lushan Rebellion, the world has been in turmoil. The warlords and generals everywhere are unruly. In the north, there have been the dynasties of Liang, Tang, and Jin. Now, news comes from Jin that they are fighting the Khitans. Before long, another new dynasty may be born."

"In times of chaos, heroes rise. One ought to use their talents and achieve something great—not waste their life away," Yang Lian said, his tone both encouraging and self-motivating.

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

Yang Lian laughed. "A true man should serve his country and build a legacy. That is the mark of a man."

Yang Lian meant the Kingdom of Wu, but Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie misunderstood, thinking he referred to the Tang. They felt a pang of disappointment.

Yang Lian sensed their thoughts, patted their shoulders, and smiled. "Brothers Lin and Chen, my words were bold just now. Forgive me. Life is fleeting—make it count, do what your heart desires. Time slips away, and if you wait until your hair is gray, it will be too late."

Chen Tie was struck by these words. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. He had been consumed by grief and despair, but had never considered all the days yet to come. Was he to spend them like this?

"Time flies, seize the day," Yang Lian said with a smile.

Lin Renzhao was unsettled, unsure why Yang Lian had said these things—was there a hidden meaning?

When he looked again, Yang Lian had already strode ahead. Lin Renzhao glanced at Chen Tie, deep in thought.

By the time Yang Lian returned to the Laifu Inn, night had fallen. After washing up, he went to bed. Early the next morning, he rose as usual, ate breakfast, and hurried off to the Shenwu Army for training.

Upon seeing Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie, the three exchanged a smile, all that had happened yesterday unspoken yet understood.

Chen Tie had risen early, dressed energetically, and brought sandbags with him. Without waiting for Yang Lian's instructions, he tied them to his legs and hefted a thirty-pound sandbag onto his back.

Everyone was puzzled. Only a few days ago, Chen Tie had been dissatisfied with Yang Lian—he had even skipped training yesterday. Why the sudden change?

Only Yang Lian and Lin Renzhao knew the reason.

As usual, they began with running, but today Lin Renzhao's subordinates joined in. Over twenty men circled the Shenwu Army garrison, creating an impressive spectacle and drawing many onlookers. Zhou Hongzuo paid no attention, thinking that the real test would come during the written exam.

The morning passed quickly. Yang Lian expected Li Hongji to send someone to stir up trouble, but even as the sun climbed high in the sky, nothing happened.

This was a venomous snake lying in wait; beneath the impulsive appearance, there was certainly a ruthless heart. To remain still now meant a larger scheme was brewing. Yang Lian sought out Chen Tie, telling him to warn Lin Renzhao to be vigilant.

The afternoon slipped by. Yang Lian hid a dagger on his person and left the Shenwu Army garrison. As he approached the Laifu Inn, Xiao Hei was waiting at the door. "Sir, the Princess has arrived."

"Why is she here?" Yang Lian was surprised.

Before he could finish, Princess Huairou stepped out, dressed in a blue and white skirt. She set her pretty face in a stern expression. "Why are you only just arriving?"

Yang Lian grinned. "Is the Princess here to call me to account?"

Princess Huairou glared. "You seem so pleased. Do you know you've gotten yourself into trouble?"

Yang Lian was puzzled. "Trouble? What trouble?"

The princess snorted. "You killed a man last night—how bold. Do you know the identity of the one killed?"

Yang Lian thought to himself, amazed at her swift intelligence. She knew about this? He hurried to explain, "Princess, that man pretended to be a subordinate of the Duke of Dongping. He tried to assassinate us; how could we just surrender? The Duke has no grudge against me, so why would he try to kill me?"

"You truly don’t know?" Princess Huairou asked.

Yang Lian shook his head. "No."

The princess scrutinized him, finding him sincere. "I don’t know the specifics, but my father does. He asks you to visit the Prince of Qi’s residence."

Yang Lian understood now why she had come. But if the Prince wanted to see him, why not send a servant? Why had the princess come herself?

He smiled. "In that case, please wait a moment, Princess, while I change my clothes."

"What’s the point? Come on!" Princess Huairou was bold; she grabbed his sleeve to lead him away, then suddenly pinched her nose in annoyance. "Why do you smell of sweat?"

Yang Lian spread his hands helplessly. "A full day of training—how could I not sweat?"

She waved him off. "Stay away from me!" After a moment’s thought, she added, "Go bathe, so you don’t stink up my home!"

Yang Lian chuckled and said no more. He washed and changed into clean clothes.

Princess Huairou waited impatiently. When she saw Yang Lian, she urged him, "Quick, get in the carriage."

At the front, a lean man held the reins, grinning foolishly.

Yang Lian glanced at the carriage. "I’d rather walk," he said, thinking it improper for a man and a woman to share a carriage.

Princess Huairou glared. "My father has urgent matters. If you walk, when will you arrive? Get in the carriage!"

She tugged his sleeve and marched him toward the carriage.

Yang Lian was at a loss. "Princess, I am a man—aren't you concerned about your reputation?"

She was momentarily taken aback, then quickly replied, "What nonsense. You’ve shared a carriage with me before, and you’ve even carried me and braved danger together. Have you forgotten?"

Yang Lian said, "That was an emergency. I had no choice. Please forgive me, Princess." He had no desire to provoke this spirited young lady.

She snorted. "Today, you must come with me, or I’ll get angry."

"Princess..." Yang Lian began.

But before he could finish, Princess Huairou gave him a sly smile. "Do you believe I won’t shout right now and accuse you of misconduct? Think about the consequences." Her lips parted, ready to cry out at any moment.

Yang Lian felt his head ache. Surely all proud beauties were like this. He didn’t know what the Prince of Qi wanted, but he didn’t wish to delay. He nodded. "Fine, I’ll come."

Princess Huairou released his sleeve, flashed a triumphant smile, thinking that no matter how formidable he was, he had been bested. She was delighted at having won a round. She climbed into the carriage, and as soon as Yang Lian joined her, she urged the coachman to depart, heading straight for the Prince of Qi’s residence.