Volume 1, Chapter 22: Jianye Falls (2/2)

Arriving at the northern suburbs, Sima Xiong espied a small manor from a distance. It was surrounded outside by over a hundred hors.e.m.e.n, impenetrable. As he approached, Sima Xiong saw that the plaque on the entrance read, “Concealed Cloud Manor.” Although Sima Xiong was only a coa.r.s.e, unsophisticated soldier, he could tell that the calligraphy of the words was delicate and elegant. As he guided his horse forward, Colonel Duan, the officer in command of the cavalry, hurriedly came forward to welcome him, saluting with his sword.

“How is the situation?” asked Sima Xiong.

“General, after we surrounded the manor,” reported Colonel Duan, “A young boy came out to ask our purpose. I answered that we were following the orders of the Prince of Yong. The boy returned inside. After that, there was no more activity.”

Sima Xiong shook his head, filled with misgivings. He did not know the reason for the Prince of Yong’s orders, even to go so far as to have him personally deliver a message. He dismounted from his horse and stepped forward, knocking on the door. Not long afterwards, the door opened and a delicate manservant about fifteen or sixteen years old opened the door. With a calm demeanor, he asked, “Does the army sire have any instructions?”

“This general is Sima Xiong,” replied Sima Xiong, “I am here on the orders of the Prince of Yong to come seek a meeting with Jiang Zhe, Sir Jiang.”

The manservant smiled gently and welcomed, “Please come in, General.”

Sima Xiong followed the manservant inside. As he walked, he felt his entire state of mind become free of worry. Although this manor wasn’t large, it possessed several pavilions and kiosks separated by either small flowing streams or shoots of bamboo, giving off a fresh and clean, yet elegant sense. The manservant’s footsteps were light and quick, leading Sima Xiong down a limestone pathway. It didn’t take long before they arrived at a small pavilion hidden within a bamboo forest. Standing before the entrance to the pavilion was a delicate looking young man who carried a gloomy and cold aura. Wearing a smile on his face, the young man greeted Sima Xiong, “General has come from afar … my house’s young master should have come personally to welcome you. However, the young master is a scholar of Southern Chu, making it inconvenient for him to lower his status by coming forth to welcome you. Would the general please forgive this disrespect?”

When Sima Xiong heard this man’s voice, he first felt a chill before s.h.i.+vering. His hand fell and grasped the grip of his sword. This man before him was delicate and refined looking, but his voice was very feminine and sharp. Having accompanied the Prince of Yong for years, Sima Xiong knew that there was only one kind of person who had these characteristics. Filled with suspicion, he asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Disdain flashed across the young man’s eyes, as he replied, “This servant is Li Shun. I was originally in service within the Southern Chu Palace. Because I was on friendly terms with Jiang daren and I cared not for palace intrigue, I found a way to disengage myself and leave. I am currently attending by the young master’s side. Unexpectedly, the general has become suspicious.”

Half believing the man’s words, Sima Xiong requested, “Please bring me to meet Jiang daren.”

Li Shun turned and opened the door to the pavilion, allowing Sima Xiong to enter. Sima Xiong glanced at Li Shun before entering the pavilion. Inside, Sima Xiong immediately caught sight of a refined and elegant looking young man seated behind a desk, looking at him indifferently. On the desk before him, was an open book, several ma.n.u.scripts, and an ink-stained brush placed in the brush pot. It looked like before Sima Xiong had arrived, the man was writing.

When Sima Xiong saw this young man, he suddenly remembered that he had met him before. Three years ago in Sichuan, he had met this young man in the Yong encampments. At the time, this young man had accompanied Southern Chu’s Prince of De. This man had even spent some time in deep conversation with the Prince of Yong. Afterwards, during the banquet, this young man had used the Dance of the Cavalry poem to force the King of Shu to commit suicide. Unfortunately, he only remembered that the person was an aide to the Prince of De and did not know that this man was the Jiang daren that he had come to meet.

Sima Xiong reflexively used a military salute to greet this young man. This person was someone that Sima Xiong greatly respected, even though he did not understand why the King of Shu would commit suicide after hearing that poem. In a respectful and deferential voice, he introduced himself. “This general is Sima Xiong, serving as the commander of the Prince of Yong’s bodyguard. Under the Prince’s decree, I am here to give one’s respects to Sir. His Imperial Highness has said that he is busy with military matters today, but will come this evening, hoping that Sir will meet him.”

I indifferently said, “I am no more than a commoner. My current situation is tantamount to house arrest. What qualifications do I have to refuse a meeting with the Prince of Yong? However, I do not know what crimes I have committed. I am a mere sipin Reader-in-Waiting. I have heard that only sanpin and above officials are imprisoned. So why am I, a lowly sipin rated official, also to be imprisoned?”

“Jiang daren is taking things too seriously,” replied Sima Xiong awkwardly. “His Highness only seeks to look after Sir in every possible way. His Imperial Highness feared that Sir would be bothered by the chaos and so dispatched soldiers for Sir’s protection. Sir, please do not take offense. If there is anything dissatisfactory, I hope that Sir will consider His Imperial Highness’s face and not blame us coa.r.s.e individuals.”

I smiled faintly and suggested, “Since General has come, Xiaoshunzi, pour him a cup of tea. Would the general please sit here for a while?”

“Sir, there is no need to be overly courteous,” returned Sima Xiong promptly. “This general does not dare disturb Sir. If it is convenient, it is sufficient to prepare a side room so that this one can take care of some military matters.”

I glanced at him and instructed, “Daoli, lead this general to the guest room to rest.”

Daoli answered in the affirmative as he stepped forth from behind me. Bowing in greeting to Sima Xiong, he said, “General, please follow me.”

Sima Xiong glanced at the servant that he was practically unaware of a moment ago before bidding his farewell and departing.

I smiled slightly and talking to myself, said, “No wonder His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong, is famous around the world—even a mere commander of his personal guard understands etiquette, knowing when to advance and retreat.”

In a low voice, Xiaoshunzi muttered, “Who knew that the Prince of Yong would pay so much attention to you. Do you think we should leave immediately?”

I shook my head and answered, “The world is Great Yong’s sooner rather than later. If I were to go in this manner, it would be inevitable that I would become an imperial criminal. It is better to wait until he explains everything.”

Li Zhi arrived at the Southern Chu Palace, ordering his subordinates to completely seal the separate palace hall, only selecting a side palace hall to work in. While handling military matters, he waited for news of Princess Changle. Fortunately, it didn’t take long before a bodyguard reported in. “Your Imperial Highness, Her Imperial Highness, the Princess, has already safely returned, and is waiting outside.”

Li Zhi exulted. He strode towards the entrance, crying out, “Changle, Changle! You’ve come?” Following the sounds of his yells, a young woman in unadorned garb rushed inside. Li Zhi wrapped his younger sister in a bear hug. With a smile, he said, “Younger Imperial Sister, you have finally returned to second brother’s side. From now on, you no longer need to be afraid of anything. That’s right, where are the men who escorted you? Where is Liang Wan?”

A frightened look flashed across Princess Changle’s face, as she replied, “Older Imperial Brother, older sister Liang has become insane. Everyone else is outside.”

His brow furrowing, Li Zhi ordered, “Have them enter.”

Following his order, a dozen or so men entered. All of them were dressed in commoner’s garb and had haggard looks. The two men at the end were dragging along a crying Liang Wan. When they saw the Prince of Yong, looks of grat.i.tude flashed in their eyes, as they knelt on the floor and paid their respects. Li Zhi had them rise and asked, “What has happened? What’s wrong with Liang Wan?”

The leader answered, “Your Highness, Liang Wan has pledged allegiance to His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince. In addition, this was the decision made by the Sect Master of the Fengyi Sect.”

Li Zhi’s expression grew stony. He had already guessed that this had happened, but he could not have even dreamed that the Fengyi Sect would be so unbridled and arrogant. He inquired, “How did you learn this? Furthermore, what has happened to Liang Wan?”

The leader thought it over. If he were to speak, it was likely that he would say something that should not be revealed. If that terrible person were to truly become His Imperial Highness’s enemy, then the already surrounded and isolated Prince’s predicament would become even more dangerous. He hurriedly paid his respects and replied, “Your Imperial Highness, this subordinate has never dared to forget Your Imperial Highness’s patronage while in Jiangnan. Today’s matter, this lowly one has no choice. Please take care of this lowly one’s family.”

So saying, he pulled out his sword and cut his own throat. Just as he drew his sword, the bodyguards in the palace hall all suspected that the man was an a.s.sa.s.sin. Just as they were moving forward to prevent the a.s.sa.s.sination, they were left dumbfounded that the man had committed suicide. Li Zhi was extremely shocked and just as he turned to question the others, he saw them say in unison, “Would Your Imperial Highness please take care of our families? Your Imperial Highness, please take care.” So saying, they raised their swords and cut their throats. For a moment, the entire hall saw a sea of blood spurt forth. Frightened, Princess Changle cried out before covering her face, not daring to look.

Li Zhi was deeply puzzled, staring blankly at the strange scene before him, not knowing what to say. When he asked Princess Changle, she only knew that they had been captured. Not a hair on her body had been harmed. Not long afterwards, these spies and she had been released. Liang Wan had become insane. When Princess Changle asked the spies what had happened, they remained silent and said nothing. Hearing Princess Changle’s words, Li Zhi became even more confused. What the h.e.l.l happened?

Footnotes:

<ol><li>成千上万, chengqianshangwan – idiom, lit. by the thousands and tens of thousands; untold numbers, innumerable, thousands upon thousands</li><li>行云流水, xingyunliushui – idiom, lit. moving clouds and flower water; fig. very natural and flowing style of calligraphy, writing, etc.; natural and unforced</li><li>虎视眈眈, hus.h.i.+dandan – idiom, lit. to glare like a tiger watching his prey; to eye covetously, wrathfully</li><li>大敌当前, dadidangqian – idiom, lit. facing a powerful enemy; fig. confronting grave difficulties</li><li>虎贲, huben – was a unit of Imperial Guard that originated during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. This specific unit was trained were elite cavalrymen tasked with the protection of the Emperor while he was traveling outside of the capital</li><li>耀武扬威, yaowuyangwei – idiom, lit. to show off one’s strength; to strut around, to bluff, to bl.u.s.ter</li><li>大街小巷, dajiexiaoxiang – idiom, lit. great streets and small alleys; everywhere in the city</li><li>人喊马嘶, renhanmasi – diom, lit. people shouting and horses neighing; fig. tumultuous, hubbub</li><li>残兵败将, canbingbaijiang – idiom, lit. ruined army, defeated general; scattered remnants</li><li>三品, sanpin – third ranked</li><li>水泄不通, shuixiebutong – idiom, lit. not one drop can trickle through; fig. impenetrable (crowd, traffic)</li><li>关爱备至, guai’aibeizi – idiom, lit. the utmost care; to look after somebody in every possible way</li><li>四面楚歌, simian Chuge – idiom, lit. on all sides, the songs of Chu; fig. surrounded by enemies, isolated and without help; this idiom is referencing the fate of the Hegemonic King of Western Chu, Xiang Yu, during his final battle against the founder of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang. In the Battle of Gaixia, the Chu army was surrounded and heard the enemy sing songs of their homeland. The Chu army believed that their homeland had already fallen and lost the will to fight.</li></ol>