Chapter 123.1

When his younger sister had fallen asleep, Yu Pin Yan gently laid her down on the thick hay and tucked in the war robe that had fallen loose to make sure she wouldn’t catch a cold. Then, he lifted the monk’s robe (the makeshift curtain) and went to sit beside Zhang Meng and Lin Jie. Ku Hai and the others were still meditating and sat as motionless as a few statues.

“There are people in the army who have defected to the enemy. Both of you should be aware of that. Now that our army has retreated to Wulan Province and is surrounded by Western Barbarians, we are beset with internal and foreign difficulties. Furthermore, I fear that the blame for this defeat will be placed on our heads. In fact, we may even have to shoulder the blame for those who had defected to the enemy.” He spoke softly.

“Xu Mao, the vanguard general leading the left flank, has definitely defected to the enemy. It is not certain whether there are others. Since someone has defected to the enemy, this internal and external strife conflict is probably just a cover. The second prince of the Western Barbarians is eager to go back and fight for the throne, and will soon retreat by negotiating for peace. Commander-in-chief, if we want to clear our name, we must destroy this Western Barbarian army and also reclaim the two conquered cities.” Lin Jie analyzed seriously.

“But there are only three of us left in the army. How can we fight against the Western Barbarians?” Zhang Meng hung his head in despair.

“Head to Xingluo Road and mobilize Fang Da’s 50,000 strong army. We’ll make a surprise attack on the Western Barbarians and kill Chaganbala.” Yu Pin Yan’s eyes shone with a murderous intent.

Fang Da was once a former subordinate of his. He was actually saved by Yu Pin Yan several times and was considered to be stauch and steadfast. Fifty thousand men was indeed nothing against an army of two hundred thousand. However, if it was a guerrilla attack, all he had to do was to unite and strike at the central army led by the second prince, Chaganbala, and take his head. The Western Barbarian army would be in chaos. Although there are traitors in the Han army, most of the generals are still loyal to him and will open the gates to help. The battle would be won with the collaboration from both inside and outside forces.

Zhang Meng and Lin Jie looked at each other. An expression of joy appeared on their faces. However, they quickly calmed down and said in unison, “Commander, it is a capital offence to deploy troops to the border on your own.”

Yu Pin Yan pulled out a token made of black iron from his personal inner pouch and flashed it in front of the two of them.

“The Grand National Commander-in-chief’s[1] Tiger Talisman[2]?!” Zhang Meng and Lin Jie were stunned. The so-called Grand National Commander-in-chief was the commander-in-chief who could command the entire Han army. No matter how one could think of it, only the emperor could assume this position. This Tiger Talisman should have been in the hands of Emperor Chengkang, but now it had been split in halves and given to Yu Pin Yan. With this half of the Tiger Talisman, he could deploy all the troops stationed on the Western Frontier at will.

“Commander-in-chief, the Emperor really trusts you.” Lin Jie sighed tersely, the heart that was hanging high instantly fell to the ground.

“Therefore, it’s all the more reason why we must not disappoint His Majesty’s trust. Not only must we drive the Western Barbarians army out of the Wu River, but we must also trample the Western Barbarian imperial court.” Yu Pin Yan said with conviction.

The two of them nodded vigorously. They drew a simple map on the ground and began to discuss the battle plan. This discussion went on until the moon was at its highest. Ku Hai and the others were still meditating, while Yu Xiang, Tao Hong and Liu Lu were huddling together and sleeping soundly. They didn’t even get up for dinner, evidently extremely exhausted.

“Alright. That’s settled. Tomorrow morning at dawn, let Master Ku Hai take us directly from Kuoshui Forest to Xingluo Road. We can also avoid the pursuers Xu Mao has sent to assassinate us.” Yu Pin Yan used a tree branch to erase the map.

Zhang Meng and Lin Jie nodded their heads in assent. Only then did the three of them take their respective rest, and they did not have any dreams the entire night.

The next day, Yu Pin Yan was awakened by a series of coughs. When he looked down, a delicate and soft little thing was missing from his arms.

He jerked up and shouted anxiously, “Xiang’er?!”

“What?” Yu Xiang lifted the monk’s robe to reveal a petite and dark ash-stained face.

Yu Pin Yan’s frenzied mood immediately turned to pleasure as he stroked the tip of her nose and asked, “How did you get so dirty?”

“I’m making a fire for your medicine. One moment I have to boil it on a high fire, another moment I have to simmer it slowly on a low fire. After that, I have to add firewood and remove the sparks. I can’t control it well.” Yu Xiang’s expression was dejected.

Yu Pin Yan led her over to the fire and saw a stone stove with a mantle inscribed with scriptures. The herbs inside were already boiling and the strong smell of medicine wafted through the cave.

“It’s simmering very nicely.” He smiled in praise and looked around before asking, “Where are the others?”

“Big Brother Zhang and Big Brother Lin said they were going to Xingluo Road, so Master Ku Hai took them to explore the path first. Tao Hong and Liu Lu went out to pick wild fruits. When they return, we’ll eat some wild fruits and chew some dry food, then set off.” Using a handkerchief to cushion the bowl, Yu Xiang carefully lifted it and said softly, “Come, drink the medicine first.”

Fearing that it would scald her, Yu Pin Yan took the bowl, blew it to cool and took a sip. Then, he saw his younger sister staring at him and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you hungry? If you’re hungry, Elder Brother will cook some buckwheat porridge for you first and we don’t need to wait for them.”

“I’m not hungry.” Yu Xiang waved her hands. She fluttered her eyelashes and asked, “Elder Brother, is the medicine bitter?”

Yu Pin Yan took another sip and smiled, “It’s not bitter.”

“How can it not be bitter? You’re lying!” Yu Xiang glared at her elder brother with an accusing gaze.

Yu Pin Yan felt helpless and compromised, “En, it is a bit bitter.”

That should be right! Having gotten the answer she wanted, Yu Xiang approached him and asked solicitously, “Then I will add some sugar for you?”

“You brought white sugar with you?” Yu Pin Yan was surprised. He knew that this little girl had a sweet tooth but he didn’t expect her to remember to bring sugar when she travelled, she was truly a child at heart.

“I didn’t bring white sugar. It’s pure natural honey that I produce myself.” Yu Xiang shot a smug little wink, then took a sip of the medicine from the bowl and approached her elder brother’s mouth and gave it to him, not forgetting to use her tiny tongue to swirl away the bitterness in his mouth at the end.

Yu Pin Yan was only stunned for a moment before he immediately entangled his tongue around hers and exchanged an affectionate kiss. The two reluctantly parted reluctantly, pulling out a long silver thread between their mouths. Licking the silver thread away, Yu Xiang raised her eyebrows and asked, “Is it sweet?”

It was sweet to the core of his heart. Yu Pin Yan smiled without answering, and pulled his younger sister in his arms for another kiss. The two of them entwined in each other’s arms. Taking turns to feed and drink a mouthful of medicine until they heard footsteps then they separated themselves as they gasped for air.

[1] 天下兵马大元帅(tiānxià bīngmǎ dàyuánshuài)- Grand National Commander-in-chief. It is a designation of a general put in charge of a major military campaign and with added honorifics. It is the highest military position in ancient China, the general leader of the army and government, took charge of the expedition.

[2] 虎符(hǔfú)- Tiger talisman. It is a two-piece object made in the shape of a tiger, used in ancient China as proof of authority. One half of a tally could be issued to a military officer and this would be matched with the other half when When his younger sister had fallen asleep, Yu Pin Yan gently laid her down on the thick hay and tucked in the war robe that had fallen loose to make sure she wouldn’t catch a cold. Then, he lifted the monk’s robe (the makeshift curtain) and went to sit beside Zhang Meng and Lin Jie. Ku Hai and the others were still meditating and sat as motionless as a few statues.

“There are people in the army who have defected to the enemy. Both of you should be aware of that. Now that our army has retreated to Wulan Province and is surrounded by Western Barbarians, we are beset with internal and foreign difficulties. Furthermore, I fear that the blame for this defeat will be placed on our heads. In fact, we may even have to shoulder the blame for those who had defected to the enemy.” He spoke softly.

“Xu Mao, the vanguard general leading the left flank, has definitely defected to the enemy. It is not certain whether there are others. Since someone has defected to the enemy, this internal and external strife conflict is probably just a cover. The second prince of the Western Barbarians is eager to go back and fight for the throne, and will soon retreat by negotiating for peace. Commander-in-chief, if we want to clear our name, we must destroy this Western Barbarian army and also reclaim the two conquered cities.” Lin Jie analyzed seriously.

“But there are only three of us left in the army. How can we fight against the Western Barbarians?” Zhang Meng hung his head in despair.

“Head to Xingluo Road and mobilize Fang Da’s 50,000 strong army. We’ll make a surprise attack on the Western Barbarians and kill Chaganbala.” Yu Pin Yan’s eyes shone with a murderous intent.

Fang Da was once a former subordinate of his. He was actually saved by Yu Pin Yan several times and was considered to be stauch and steadfast. Fifty thousand men was indeed nothing against an army of two hundred thousand. However, if it was a guerrilla attack, all he had to do was to unite and strike at the central army led by the second prince, Chaganbala, and take his head. The Western Barbarian army would be in chaos. Although there are traitors in the Han army, most of the generals are still loyal to him and will open the gates to help. The battle would be won with the collaboration from both inside and outside forces.

Zhang Meng and Lin Jie looked at each other. An expression of joy appeared on their faces. However, they quickly calmed down and said in unison, “Commander, it is a capital offence to deploy troops to the border on your own.”

Yu Pin Yan pulled out a token made of black iron from his personal inner pouch and flashed it in front of the two of them.

“The Grand National Commander-in-chief’s[1] Tiger Talisman[2]?!” Zhang Meng and Lin Jie were stunned. The so-called Grand National Commander-in-chief was the commander-in-chief who could command the entire Han army. No matter how one could think of it, only the emperor could assume this position. This Tiger Talisman should have been in the hands of Emperor Chengkang, but now it had been split in halves and given to Yu Pin Yan. With this half of the Tiger Talisman, he could deploy all the troops stationed on the Western Frontier at will.

“Commander-in-chief, the Emperor really trusts you.” Lin Jie sighed tersely, the heart that was hanging high instantly fell to the ground.

“Therefore, it’s all the more reason why we must not disappoint His Majesty’s trust. Not only must we drive the Western Barbarians army out of the Wu River, but we must also trample the Western Barbarian imperial court.” Yu Pin Yan said with conviction.

The two of them nodded vigorously. They drew a simple map on the ground and began to discuss the battle plan. This discussion went on until the moon was at its highest. Ku Hai and the others were still meditating, while Yu Xiang, Tao Hong and Liu Lu were huddling together and sleeping soundly. They didn’t even get up for dinner, evidently extremely exhausted.

“Alright. That’s settled. Tomorrow morning at dawn, let Master Ku Hai take us directly from Kuoshui Forest to Xingluo Road. We can also avoid the pursuers Xu Mao has sent to assassinate us.” Yu Pin Yan used a tree branch to erase the map.

Zhang Meng and Lin Jie nodded their heads in assent. Only then did the three of them take their respective rest, and they did not have any dreams the entire night.

The next day, Yu Pin Yan was awakened by a series of coughs. When he looked down, a delicate and soft little thing was missing from his arms.

He jerked up and shouted anxiously, “Xiang’er?!”

“What?” Yu Xiang lifted the monk’s robe to reveal a petite and dark ash-stained face.

Yu Pin Yan’s frenzied mood immediately turned to pleasure as he stroked the tip of her nose and asked, “How did you get so dirty?”

“I’m making a fire for your medicine. One moment I have to boil it on a high fire, another moment I have to simmer it slowly on a low fire. After that, I have to add firewood and remove the sparks. I can’t control it well.” Yu Xiang’s expression was dejected.

Yu Pin Yan led her over to the fire and saw a stone stove with a mantle inscribed with scriptures. The herbs inside were already boiling and the strong smell of medicine wafted through the cave.

“It’s simmering very nicely.” He smiled in praise and looked around before asking, “Where are the others?”

“Big Brother Zhang and Big Brother Lin said they were going to Xingluo Road, so Master Ku Hai took them to explore the path first. Tao Hong and Liu Lu went out to pick wild fruits. When they return, we’ll eat some wild fruits and chew some dry food, then set off.” Using a handkerchief to cushion the bowl, Yu Xiang carefully lifted it and said softly, “Come, drink the medicine first.”

Fearing that it would scald her, Yu Pin Yan took the bowl, blew it to cool and took a sip. Then, he saw his younger sister staring at him and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you hungry? If you’re hungry, Elder Brother will cook some buckwheat porridge for you first and we don’t need to wait for them.”

“I’m not hungry.” Yu Xiang waved her hands. She fluttered her eyelashes and asked, “Elder Brother, is the medicine bitter?”

Yu Pin Yan took another sip and smiled, “It’s not bitter.”

“How can it not be bitter? You’re lying!” Yu Xiang glared at her elder brother with an accusing gaze.

Yu Pin Yan felt helpless and compromised, “En, it is a bit bitter.”

That should be right! Having gotten the answer she wanted, Yu Xiang approached him and asked solicitously, “Then I will add some sugar for you?”

“You brought white sugar with you?” Yu Pin Yan was surprised. He knew that this little girl had a sweet tooth but he didn’t expect her to remember to bring sugar when she travelled, she was truly a child at heart.

“I didn’t bring white sugar. It’s pure natural honey that I produce myself.” Yu Xiang shot a smug little wink, then took a sip of the medicine from the bowl and approached her elder brother’s mouth and gave it to him, not forgetting to use her tiny tongue to swirl away the bitterness in his mouth at the end.

Yu Pin Yan was only stunned for a moment before he immediately entangled his tongue around hers and exchanged an affectionate kiss. The two reluctantly parted reluctantly, pulling out a long silver thread between their mouths. Licking the silver thread away, Yu Xiang raised her eyebrows and asked, “Is it sweet?”

It was sweet to the core of his heart. Yu Pin Yan smiled without answering, and pulled his younger sister in his arms for another kiss. The two of them entwined in each other’s arms. Taking turns to feed and drink a mouthful of medicine until they heard footsteps then they separated themselves as they gasped for air.

[1] 天下兵马大元帅(tiānxià bīngmǎ dàyuánshuài)- Grand National Commander-in-chief. It is a designation of a general put in charge of a major military campaign and with added honorifics. It is the highest military position in ancient China, the general leader of the army and government, took charge of the expedition.

[2] 虎符(hǔfú)- Tiger talisman. It is a two-piece object made in the shape of a tiger, used in ancient China as proof of authority. One half of a tally could be issued to a military officer and this would be matched with the other half when verification was required.