Chapter Thirty-Three: Brothers

"Nangong," Qin Cheng greeted Nangong Shang first.

"Ha! Qin Cheng, I heard you made a name for yourself on the battlefield this time!" Nangong Shang bounded over, looping an arm around Qin Cheng's neck, his face ablaze with excitement. "Just a few days apart and you've suddenly become a man of consequence—remarkable! Is General Li promoting you to officer now? If you really become a general, don’t forget to look after me! Hahaha! Ha, ha, ha!"

Nangong Shang burst out laughing.

Le Yi watched Nangong Shang as if observing a fool, too lazy to argue. This time, it seemed Qin Cheng truly would become a general, and he wanted to say: the Qin Cheng before him was no longer the same as before—ever since he was struck by lightning...

"If I really become a general, you can laugh then. Wait and see how I deal with you," Qin Cheng twisted Nangong Shang's arm behind his back, eliciting loud cries.

After bantering with Nangong Shang for a while, Qin Cheng turned to Linglong with a natural expression. "Why are you here too? The road must have been tiring."

Linglong's alluring eyes were veiled with mist. She gazed at Qin Cheng, her fragrant lips parting gently. "Our family business in the city has been flourishing, so we moved here a few days ago. It's not far from the city to here. Le Yi said you were injured—was it serious?"

Linglong’s family had originally been farmers, living not far from Qin Cheng. The two families had always been close, and when Qin Cheng was young, the families arranged a betrothal between him and Linglong. They’d played together since childhood, and country folk were not overly bound by strict etiquette.

A few years ago, a distant relative persuaded Linglong’s family into business. The venture thrived, and the business grew larger. According to Qin Cheng’s memories in this life, he had already expected Linglong would move away from the countryside. Back then, he worried that if her family became wealthy, she might look down on him, for his family had only a mud-brick house, and Qin Cheng himself was just an ordinary soldier, until recently not even holding a minor position.

These memories flashed through his mind, but Qin Cheng’s expression remained unchanged. "The injury is mostly healed, nothing serious."

"That’s good... I don’t understand much about warfare, but you must take care of yourself. If anything happens to you, Sister Qin wouldn't know what to do. You ought to think of her more." Linglong’s voice was soft, as if on the verge of tears, tinged with reproach. Compared to Nangong Shang, she was clearly more concerned about Qin Cheng’s injury, having inquired about the details from Le Yi—she knew Qin Cheng had been wounded because he fought bravely, hence her words.

Though Qin Cheng was no longer the same as before and felt little for Linglong, being cared for still felt pleasant, if only that. "I know my limits."

"Oh, and this is from Sister Qin," Linglong handed him a rough cloth parcel.

Qin Cheng reached out to take it, and his fingers accidentally brushed Linglong’s slender hand. At that fleeting touch, Linglong’s hand trembled and withdrew as if electrified, her face lowering with a hint of embarrassment.

After a bit more conversation, the four made their way into the city, wandered about, and found a tavern to settle lunch early, so they could head home before dusk.

People at that time were accustomed to two meals a day, so the second meal was not late.

Inside, the four sought a quiet spot and began to order. Nangong Shang had worked as an apprentice in the city for two years, so he was the most familiar with these matters and took charge.

"I don’t want to be an apprentice anymore. My master is stingy—two years and he’s taught me nothing worthwhile. If this continues, I’ll never become a master myself," Nangong Shang said, chewing a piece of lamb.

"If not an apprentice, do you want to be a master? Sure—Nangong the Great stands on the street, shouts once, and every shop in the city will beg you to be their chief!" Le Yi teased.

"Hmph, laugh at me now. When I’m rich beyond measure, don’t be too heartbroken," Nangong Shang retorted coldly.

"Keep dreaming! Do you really think you're Fan Li reborn? If you ever become wealthy enough to rival the world, I'll be your bodyguard!" Le Yi scoffed.

"Fine! But if it comes to that, there’ll be too many wanting to guard me—you won't make the cut!"

"Then I'll rob the rich to aid the poor, take your fortune, and bring you down to your current state!"

"..."

"Enough, enough! Will you never stop?" Qin Cheng knocked his chopsticks on the table, scolding. "Linglong and I still need to eat! If you want to argue, do it outside!"

The two had never gotten along since childhood—if not trading blows, they’d exchange insults about ancestry. Yet, this didn’t affect their brotherly bond; the more they fought, the deeper their friendship seemed. No romantic banter, though.

Chastised by Qin Cheng, Nangong Shang and Le Yi paused, then heard Linglong laugh beside them, her beautiful eyes glancing at Qin Cheng. "Weren’t you always on Le Yi’s side before? Why are you taking their task today?"

"Yeah! What’s gotten into you? I notice you’re not quite yourself today. Is it that everyone who's been to war acts like this? One campaign and you’re so cocky—next time you’ll be cracking a whip to discipline Le Yi and me? Le Yi, what do you say?" Nangong Shang said mockingly.

"You’re the fool!" Qin Cheng snapped, then seeing their puzzled faces, didn’t bother explaining. He said loftily, "I don’t care to banter with you. You’re all grown men now—don’t you feel you’re losing decorum with this constant bickering?"

With that, Qin Cheng shook his head, sighing as if disappointed, and resumed eating lamb.

Nangong Shang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly cried out in realization, slapping the table. "I get it!"

"What do you get now?" Le Yi glanced at him, mocking.

"You really are dense!" Nangong Shang shot Le Yi a look, then turned to Qin Cheng with mock annoyance. "Qin Cheng’s acting like this today because of his bride! He blames us for interrupting his romantic meal!"

"Oh!" Le Yi nodded, for once agreeing. "So that's it. Not yet married, but already acting the part!"

Linglong’s face paled slightly at the word "bride," then she lowered her head imperceptibly. To Le Yi and Nangong Shang, it seemed only shyness. With her head lowered, they couldn’t see her face, which should have been blushing but was instead pale, her teeth biting her lip.

"Are you eating or not?" Qin Cheng huffed, then turned to Nangong Shang, "You said you don’t want to be an apprentice anymore—what do you plan to do for a living?"

Seeing Qin Cheng serious, Nangong Shang put down his chopsticks and replied earnestly, "I want to go into business."

"Business? So you really want to be Fan Li! Haha! With that sly look of yours, maybe you’d make a good merchant," Le Yi habitually teased.

Qin Cheng ignored Le Yi and turned to Nangong Shang, whose face was flushed with anger. "Have you thought about how to get started?"

Since Qin Cheng asked seriously, Nangong Shang replied, "I have. To make real money, you have to think and do what others won’t. So, I plan to trade with the Xiongnu—sell goods to them! Tea, porcelain, silk—these are always popular with them and fetch high prices. If I can open this route, profits will flow endlessly!"

"You want to trade with the Xiongnu?" Le Yi sneered, but this time it was a genuine sneer, his gaze cold and unfamiliar, full of disdain and anger. "Nangong Shang, you’ve really grown ambitious!"

Nangong Shang understood. Le Yi had always hated the Xiongnu; now hearing he wanted to do business with them, Le Yi could not accept it—he was not only unwilling, but deeply repulsed.

"Le Yi, hear me out—I have my reasons," Nangong Shang said calmly.

"Go on," Le Yi downed a cup of wine, not looking at Nangong Shang.

Nangong Shang glanced at Qin Cheng, seeing his calm face, steadied himself, and continued, "I know well the depth of our hatred for the Xiongnu. I’m no stranger to national and family grief, and I’m no mercenary who only sees profit. If what I intend brings pain to our own and delight to our enemies, I’m not so depraved as to go against the world to do it. But have you thought about this—Le Yi, you and Qin Cheng are in the army. You defend the nation, fighting on the front lines, risking your lives for vengeance and glory. That’s your way of serving the country. But I can’t! My body has limitations—I’ll never join the army or fight in battle. Still, I’m a man of flesh and blood. Watching my brothers go off to war, risking their lives against the Xiongnu, do you know how that feels for me?"

Nangong Shang sighed heavily, then drew a deep breath, his voice trembling as he continued, "The three of us grew up together for years—you know my temperament. We’ve all had hard lives, lost our parents early, and brothers are all I have. Now, you risk your lives on the battlefield, and I’m left in the city under your protection, living as a worthless apprentice. I have pride—how can I endure a life so useless?"

By now, Nangong Shang’s eyes were red. Qin Cheng silently filled his cup and drank first. Nangong Shang took the wine Qin Cheng poured, drained it in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and his voice grew louder, "I’ve thought it through. You fight the Xiongnu head-on—I’ll undermine them from within! I’ll go into their territory, spy out their secrets, scout their land. The Xiongnu are hard to pursue on the steppe—so I’ll survey their terrain for you! When necessary, I’ll cause chaos in their lands, aid your actions! If needed, I’ll burn their horse ranches, torch their camps, burn them alive! I’ll lace the grain sold to them with poison and kill them!"

At these last words, Nangong Shang’s face twisted into a ferocious expression, and he laughed grimly.

Qin Cheng felt his scalp prickle. He hadn’t expected this youth of seventeen or eighteen to be so... ruthless! If carried out, the consequences would be unimaginable. He couldn’t help but admire the courage of this young man—such actions could easily cost him his life.

Linglong cried out in shock at Nangong Shang’s words, drawing attention from others in the tavern. She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide, staring at Nangong Shang as if he were a monster.

"Nangong... good brother!" Le Yi was stunned for a moment, then hugged Nangong Shang’s neck, his voice hoarse. "I misjudged you! You’re the real deal! I knew you were!"

Though the brothers bickered constantly, when it came time for action, none forgot their bond—none would hide in comfort while a brother bled.

Nangong Shang’s throat trembled, and Qin Cheng noticed, knowing it was a prelude to sobbing. To avoid drawing attention, Qin Cheng coughed. Unexpectedly, his cough drew angry glares from Nangong Shang and Le Yi, who shouted in unison, "Cough yourself!"

Qin Cheng was stunned, finally tasting the bitter fruit of his own meddling.

"Well, since you’re determined, what about the trade route? The Han and Xiongnu are at full-scale war—though there’s some clandestine trade, it’s heavily restricted. The Xiongnu won’t easily accept new merchants," Qin Cheng said. "They’ll be wary of you."

Hearing this practical question, Nangong Shang was surprised Qin Cheng thought of such things, but answered confidently, "I’ve been an apprentice in the city for two years. My stingy master taught me nothing, but that doesn’t mean the time was wasted. You should have some confidence in me."

"A bit," Qin Cheng smiled. "But I trust you."

"That’s settled, then," Nangong Shang raised his cup, and the three drank together.

After Qin Cheng finished his cup, Linglong beside him gently lifted her arm, poured him wine. Her bright eyes swept over Qin Cheng’s face, but those usually clear eyes held too many complex emotions now.

"But I still have a question," Le Yi suddenly spoke.

"Let’s hear it," Nangong Shang tossed a bean into his mouth, cracking it loudly.

"You say you’ll coordinate with us on the battlefield, but with our current positions in the army, we don’t control troop movements. For you to be effective, the army must cooperate with you. Isn’t that a contradiction?" Le Yi said seriously, clearly having thought it through.

Unexpectedly, Nangong Shang gave him a disdainful look, then threw a glance at Qin Cheng and feigned annoyance. "Qin Cheng, you tell him."

"Oh, you know?" Le Yi looked at Qin Cheng, surprised.

Qin Cheng smiled. "Actually, you know the answer too."

Le Yi was momentarily speechless, then thought for a moment, and suddenly understood. He met Qin Cheng’s gaze, and together they said, "I believe in you!"

"Exactly. I believe that when I can stir trouble in Xiongnu territory, you’ll be able to influence Han military actions!" Nangong Shang said solemnly.

Earlier, Nangong Shang had teased Qin Cheng about his military merits, but truth be told, he wanted nothing more than for his brothers to succeed.

"Come, let’s drink!"

"Ha ha ha! Well said!"

...

After their meal, the sun was setting. As they left the tavern, the three young men, though a bit drunk, were spirited.

Nangong Shang saw golden sunlight streaming from rooftops across the street, bathing them. He turned to the others. "It’s getting late, I’ll head back. Even though I took the day off, if I’m late, my stingy master will hassle me again."

"Go on, don’t worry, I’ll look after Qin Cheng," Le Yi boasted.

Nangong Shang smiled and nodded. "Then I’ll take my leave—until we meet again."

They watched Nangong Shang walk away, his figure receding into the sunset. Le Yi couldn’t help but sigh, "How time changes us. In the blink of an eye, we who once knew nothing must shoulder the defense of our homeland!"

"Why, are you afraid your shoulders are too weak?" Qin Cheng smiled.

Le Yi glanced at Qin Cheng, then at Nangong Shang’s departing figure, and said firmly, "No, I believe we can surpass those before us! The era of Xiongnu mischief in the border counties will end with us!"

"Exactly. A man must have spirit. The universe in his sleeve, a sword in his hand—my fate is mine, not heaven’s! Why shouldn’t a good man bear burdens and achieve greatness? In this vast world, who else but me is worthy of the name hero?" Qin Cheng’s tone was resolute, his eyes radiant.

"Well said!" Le Yi nodded heavily, and he and Qin Cheng laughed together. Then Le Yi suddenly remembered something, slapped his forehead, and exclaimed, "I forgot to buy what the garrison chief asked for! Qin Cheng, you take Linglong home first—I’ll meet you here later."

Qin Cheng smiled wryly to himself: Brother, don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to help me, but honestly, you’re making things harder! I’m not the old Qin Cheng—this girl, I really don’t know how to handle her! If she catches on, who do I turn to?

Le Yi, oblivious, grinned mischievously and strode away.

Qin Cheng watched Le Yi go, then glanced at Linglong. The moment their eyes met, she quickly lowered her head. He thought perhaps the closest ones were the easiest to fool, and steeled himself. "Let’s go."