The Child Emperor

Chapter 161: The Walls of Shattered Iron City

Fang Daye was utterly exhausted, like a dilapidated carriage that appeared intact but was in danger of falling apart after just one push around the block. Despite not being injured in the battle, he needed five full days to recover after returning to the city. Although he could now get out of bed and walk, his spirits were still low, and only his belly remained round and protruding.

He didn’t have to carry the flag or do any work. When the city’s defending soldiers crossed the river to join the main army, Fang Daye, whose name was listed among the prisoners, didn’t have to follow. He spent his days idly, like an ordinary old man, wandering the streets or sitting in the sunshine for half a day.

His favorite place was the city wall, where he often walked back and forth. No one stopped him; a young soldier followed him, carrying a folding stool on his shoulder, ready to set it up for the old general at any moment.

One afternoon, Fang Daye sat on the stool, wrapped in a cloak, gazing westward toward the shifting sands. The only sound in his ears was the whistling of the wind. The young soldier, lying prone between the embrasure, boredly tossed pebbles down to the ground below.

Han Ruzi climbed the city wall, gesturing for his guards to stay back. He walked alone to the old general’s side, joining him in the silent observation. Neither of them spoke.

The young soldier heard footsteps, turned to see the Northern Protection General, and stood dumbfounded for a moment before finally reacting and running off.

“General Fang, how are you?”

“Still breathing,” Fang Daye replied.

“I’ve been busy these past few days and haven’t come to thank you, General Fang.”

“For saving my life.”

Fang Daye lowered his head, thinking for a moment, “If you thank your subordinates for their ‘life-saving grace’ after every battle, you’ll owe too many favors to repay.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “What would a competent general do?”

“Treat everyone to a meal, give out rewards, and most importantly, assess military merits as quickly as possible. Personal gratitude is temporary; military merit lasts a lifetime. But given the high casualties in this battle, there might not be any military merits to distribute. Sitting here in the sun is the best reward I can get.”

Han Ruzi walked to the spot where the young soldier had stood, leaning over to look down. Shattered Iron City, built in the wilderness, didn’t seem imposing from afar. Only from its walls could one appreciate its height.

“What are our chances in this battle against the Xiongnu?” Han Ruzi turned and asked.

Fang Daye pondered for a while, “Give me a bow and a bit of luck, and I can hit an enemy a few hundred steps away. But beyond that, I know nothing.”

“You understand the Xiongnu…”

“Farmers understand their crops, but those who govern farmers are not farmers. I’m just a soldier. Apart from fighting, I know nothing else. I’m born to be managed, not to manage others.”

Han Ruzi smiled. Getting Fang Daye to express his thoughts was harder than getting him to draw a bow.

“Can I ask about Prince Qi and his heir?”

Fang Daye turned to stare at him, a flicker of anger in his eyes, “You’re the Northern Protection General; you can ask anything.”

“Do you think they were wronged?”

“No.”

“Then why did you break into the prison to rescue Prince Qi’s heir?”

“Because I’m not a judicial official. Whether they were wronged or not isn’t for me to decide. I was the heir’s tutor; it was my duty to fulfill that role.”

“Alright, very well. You’re now a Assistant Military Commander. Fulfill your duty.” Han Ruzi handed over an appointment letter, walking over to Fang Daye and passing it to him.

Fang Daye took it in confusion, opened it, and read it for a while. “You paid to redeem my punishment?”

“The Grand General agreed to support my private soldiers for a year, saving quite a bit of money. Enough to redeem your punishment.”

Fang Daye was silent for a moment, “Even with my punishment redeemed, I’m still a commoner. What’s this ‘Assistant Military Commander’ title?”

“It’s my appointment. You’re now an Assistant Military Commander in my private army.”

Fang Daye didn’t speak, not appearing grateful but rather feeling trapped.

“Of course, if you refuse, you can return home to be with your family anytime. You’re no longer a prisoner.”

Fang Daye slowly stood up, towering a head taller than Han Ruzi, “Your ambition is too great, but your strength is too weak. Following you might cost my entire family their lives.”

Han Ruzi didn’t argue, “I’ve prepared three hundred taels of silver and the necessary documents. When do you want to leave?”

“Tomorrow.” Fang Daye picked up the folding stool and walked away.

Han Ruzi watched the broad, hunched back until Fang Daye descended the steps, then sighed regretfully.

Han Ruzi walked to the northern part of the city wall, looking across the river at the distant military camp. The camp was faintly visible, but not many people were inside. Nearly the entire Chu army, over thirty thousand strong, had moved out to intercept the westward bound Xiongnu. According to expectations, the battle should be over, but no news had come yet.

Ni Qiu hurriedly ran up, “General, Master Lin has returned.”

Han Ruzi was surprised that Lin Kunshan dared to come back. He quickly descended the wall and rode back to the general’s residence.

Lin Kunshan was in the hall, chatting happily with Prince Donghai. Upon seeing Han Ruzi, he stood up and bowed, “Apologies, Marquis, for not completing the entrusted task and returning late.”

Lin Kunshan had been sent to persuade Feng Shili not to believe Jin Chunbao’s words. Despite his efforts, the army still came to intercept the Xiongnu, and he had even delayed a few days in returning, which indeed warranted criticism.

Han Ruzi had suspected the fate seers were connected to the unrest near the Capital, but he couldn’t say that now. He smiled, “It’s good you’re back. I feared something had happened to you. Without you, I felt like I’d lost an arm, unable to do anything smoothly.”

Prince Donghai didn’t move, sitting in his chair with a sly smile, enjoying Han Ruzi’s flattery.

Lin Kunshan bowed deeply, “Lord Marquis, you overpraise me. If I’m an arm, I’m a useless one. I’ve been of no help and have brought disgrace instead.”

“It’s my fault for thinking too simply. With the unrest near the Capital, the court is eager to end the war with the Xiongnu. Grand General Han and General Feng must follow orders. Even a deity couldn’t convince them to disobey.”

After a round of pleasantries, Lin Kunshan said, “Speaking of unexpected circumstances, I was delayed in Divine Hero Pass by some matters.”

“Oh? Please, have a seat, Master Lin.”

Lin Kunshan sat down and, with a serious expression, said, “In the past month, unrest has broken out in various counties near the Capital.”

“Just as you predicted: there will be great unrest in the autumn.”

Lin Kunshan sighed deeply, “You think I predicted accurately, but you don’t know I was more surprised than you.”

“How could that be? Wasn’t the unrest incited by the fate seers?”

Lin Kunshan smiled bitterly, “The fate seers fear this kind of thinking the most. To be honest, some fate seers did travel to observe the sufferings of the common people and the general trend, believing there would be unrest in the autumn. But we didn’t incite anyone; we were merely observers.”

Han Ruzi smiled.

Lin Kunshan continued, “But the scope and scale of the unrest exceeded our expectations. At Divine Hero Pass, I received a letter from my master, Master Chunyu. He believes the situation is so chaotic that no one can see the direction clearly, let alone predict the future. He asked me to remind you, Marquis, to avoid involvement and preserve yourself. Only after the chaos can you act according to the circumstances.”

Han Ruzi laughed, “Did you meet any of the Hua family at Divine Hero Pass?”

“The Hua family?” Lin Kunshan was puzzled.

“Marquis Junyang Hua Bin and his son Hua Huwang.”

“Oh, that Hua family. You wouldn’t encounter them at Divine Hero Pass. You might not know, but Marquis Junyang and his son have become bandits, with the Marquis proclaiming himself king in the Yunmeng Marsh[1] in the south, attracting many pugilists and poor commoners. They’ve benefited greatly from the unrest, reportedly gathering two to three thousand followers.”

Prince Donghai was astonished, “Hua Bin proclaimed himself king? Does he think he hasn’t died fast enough? Aren’t the fate seers on good terms with the Hua family? Why didn’t you advise him?”

Lin Kunshan laughed, “Fate seers only go with the flow, not oppose it. If Marquis Junyang insists on proclaiming himself king, no one can stop him. We won’t waste our efforts.”

“You’d even give Marquis Junyang some advice, helping him rebel,” Han Ruzi added.

Lin Kunshan laughed for a moment, “If some fate seers have indeed gone to assist Lord Junyang, I wouldn’t be surprised. But I don’t know much about the situation there. By the way, Lord Junyang now calls himself ‘King of Yunmeng’ or ‘King Yun.'”

“Heh, I’d call him ‘King Dreamer,'” Prince Donghai, a true royal, held a deep disdain for those non-royals claiming kingship.

Fate seers weren’t trustworthy, but Han Ruzi didn’t want to eliminate them yet. He said, “Regardless, welcome back, Master Lin, and thanks to Master Chunyu for the reminder. I’ll stay obediently in Shattered Iron City unless the imperial court summons me back. I can’t disobey orders.”

“Of course.”

Prince Donghai sensed his presence was becoming unnecessary. He stood up, laughing, “You two chat. I’ll go find Cui Teng. He has a close relationship with Hua Huwang. Now that the latter is a ‘prince,’ I want to see how smug he is.”

After Prince Donghai left, Zhang Youcai entered, “Master, Fang Daye is here to collect the silver and documents.”

“Give them to him,” Han Ruzi said. He currently had no use for Fang Daye, so it was better to let the old general return home.

After Zhang Youcai left, Lin Kunshan said, “Fang Daye is a remarkable man. Are you really letting him go, Marquis?”

“Keeping him unwillingly is futile. Doing some good might be better. This counts as ‘going with the flow,’ doesn’t it?”

Lin Kunshan laughed heartily, “Marquis, you grasp the essence well.” Then he became serious, leaning forward, “Inaction yet action. Going with the flow, but also creating the flow.”

“Your words are too profound. I’m confused.”

“The world is in chaos, like a flood. Human strength can’t contend with it. But you need to find higher ground to take refuge. Only when the waters recede can you act according to the circumstances.”

“Are the walls of Shattered Iron City high enough?”

“Shattered Iron City is isolated beyond the pass, without land or people. With the Xiongnu to the north, it’s always at risk of being attacked. Separated from the pass to the south, if something happens, there’s no retreat. Far from being high ground, it’s the lowest of low.”

“So, Master Lin received advice from Master Chunyu?”

Lin Kunshan nodded, “My master suggests you take Divine Hero Pass. That’s the high ground.”

Han Ruzi laughed, “I’m a member of the imperial clan, appointed by the court as the Northern Protection General. How could I ‘take’ Divine Hero Pass? Besides, I only have a thousand private soldiers. How could I seize the pass?”

“Seizing the pass isn’t about having many people; it’s about timing. Now is the time. Over thirty thousand Chu troops are now fighting the Xiongnu across the river. The commanding general Wu Xiu has been summoned back to the Capital. Divine Hero Pass has no commander.”

“Wu Xiu has returned to the Capital?” Han Ruzi was genuinely surprised.

Wu Xiu was the emperor’s maternal uncle. His return to the Capital at this time seemed to indicate something.

[1] The Yunmeng Marsh is located around Dongting Lake, depicted below, an area that is difficult to navigate and therefore prime bandit/rebel territory.

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