Chapter 4: Old Friends Reunited (1/2)
Chapter 4: Old Friends Reunited
The brows of the elderly man tensed and locked up. Although the young man before his eyes seemed to be weak and cultured, however while his words were gentle, they carried with them a faint and indistinct deterrence, almost as if this young man did not regard his identity with much importance. He was a shrewd individual and knew that the people who could visit Jiangnan Spring were all distinguished persons. Then taking a look at the guards behind me, he saw that they were all experts of grave bearing with eyes emitting contempt. He could not help but speak, “Your distinguished self speaks reasonably. I wonder how to address your distinguished self?”
I smiled slightly, indicating towards the guard by my side. In a loud voice, the guard announced, “This person is the new major of the office of the Marshal of Heavenly Strategies in the service of the Prince of Yong, Jiang Zhe, Jiang daren.”
The elderly man trembled. A major of the office of the Marshal of Heavenly Strategies was one of the most important civil official positions under the Prince of Yong. The elderly man bowed respectfully and said, “This commoner, Sha Qingyuan, has offended the major. Would daren please forgive me?”
“One who does not know is not guilty,” I uncaringly replied before asking, “Who was that yellow-robed scholar to unexpectedly dare to frame this official?”
“That person is surnamed Xia and is called Xia Jinyi,” explained the elderly man, blushing. “In jianghu, he is a bandit known as the Dissolute Wastrel. He was once a disciple of the Kongtong Sect. Because of his licentious conduct, he was expelled from the sect. But as he did not commit any major mistakes, his martial arts weren’t destroyed. This person arrived at this one’s residence a few days ago, hoping to join the Guanzhong Alliance. This commoner saw that although this man was somewhat frivolous, he seemed intent upon rendering service to Great Yong. Therefore, he was accepted. Unexpectedly, this person was debauched, not only taking liberties with my daughter, but also stealing an item belonging to her. I originally only dispatched men to capture him, but unexpectedly ran into him here today. And was once again tricked by him to such an extent as to offend daren.
I thoughtfully nodded my head and responded, “May the Alliance Head do as you please. This man is so unbridled, if I were to capture him, I would definitely deliver him into Alliance Head’s hands, allowing Alliance Head to punish him as you please.”
Sha Qingyuan happily replied, “If that is the case, then much thanks to daren.”
Returning inside, looking at Chen Zhen and Han Wuji, I suddenly laughed lightly and said, “Who would have thought that there was someone who presumed to swindle me?”
Xiaoshunzi asked, “Young master, do you really want to capture him?”
“That’s right,” I replied with a smile. “We must definitely catch him. However, he must not be harmed. I want to use this person. Xiaoshunzi, do you have any way to catch him without anyone else knowing? This is a bit difficult. It doesn’t matter if unsuccessful. I will have other methods.”
“Young master be assured,” stated Xiaoshunzi, smiling. “Just a moment ago, I was focusing on protecting young master so did not touch him. However, I did leave the scent of the Chasing Spirit Fragrance on his body.”
Glancing at Chen Zhen, I watched as he opened his mouth and spoke, “Young master be assured. We have brought along the gnawing fragrance rats used in the pursuit. May I ask where young master plans on meeting this person?”
Thinking it over, I answered, “Think of a way to secretly deliver him here. Remember, don’t leave any traces. I will come tomorrow to see him. Remember, no one can know. Have his acupuncture points sealed and have him placed in a chest and brought over.”
Chen Zhen promptly acknowledged, “Young master be at ease. We can basically make decisions here. We will definitely not leave behind any traces.”
On the road back to the prince’s residence, I calculated whether the plan could be successfully implemented. The more I considered it, the greater the probability. Just as I was seated in the carriage repeatedly calculating, the carriage came to a sudden stop. My body shifted forward and would have knocked into the side of the carriage if Xiaoshunzi had not helped me. At this moment, a voice reported in from outside the carriage, “Daren, it was a man who collided with the carriage. This man suddenly charged out from the alley, alarming the horses. However, this man has already fainted. Oh! Daren, on this man’s back is a child and there are blade wounds on his chest.”
At this time, the sound of clashing swords and blades could be heard. Not long afterwards, some people informed, “Daren, there were several people who came chasing. We have captured two of them, but allowed one to escape.”
In a low voice, I ordered, “Bring the man back with us. Interrogate in detail. When finished, tell me everything.”
A respectful response came from outside.
I smiled lightly and said, “No wonder the common people are fond of high positions and great wealth. Who doesn’t like people agreeing when commands are issued?”
In a soft voice, Xiaoshunzi inquired, “Should I go take a look?”
I shook my head and responded, “There is no need. It should not have anything to do with us. Have the Prince of Yong’s people investigate.”
On the morning of the next day, one of the guards from yesterday came in to report that the person we had rescued had already awoken. But because of his injuries, he was unlikely to live long. This person called himself Han Zhang. Apart from this, he refused to say anything else. Filled with doubts, I glanced at Xiaoshunzi. Was this the Han Zhang that we were acquainted with? Xiaoshunzi went out, returning shortly after, offhandedly informing me that it was the guard who had protected me while we were in Sichuan, Han Zhang.
I jumped to my feet and hurriedly rushed to where Han Zhang was recuperating. Han Zhang was lying on a bed within this clean and tidy room. His complexion was yellow. I stepped forward and checked his pulse at the wrist. Not long after, I removed my hand. He was already close to the end of his life. I lightly shook my head, pushing a pill into his mouth. Gradually, his complexion improved, becoming ruddy. He opened his eyes. Catching sight of me, vigor appeared in his eyes. I sat down beside him and calmly asked, “Brother Han, we have met too late. These days, you must have suffered injuries on top of injuries? In addition, you did not rest properly. I am already powerless to help. How did you fall into such dire straits? Do you have any final wishes? Tell me. Considering our acquaintance, I will do anything.”
Xiaoshunzi gestured for everyone to withdraw, standing behind me, impersonally gazing at Han Zhang. Han Zhang opened his mouth and asked, “Jiang daren, it is unexpected to meet you here. Have you already pledged allegiance to Great Yong?”
I smiled faintly and replied, “After Southern Chu took Shu, it also suffered a crushing defeat. Although there is the chance that Southern Chu can make a comeback, it can only struggle while at death’s door. That’s correct, I have already pledged allegiance to the Prince of Yong.”
Han Zhang sighed and replied, “That’s fine, that’s fine. Great Yong is rich and powerful. Those people are all shortsighted and have no chance of success. Daren, my mother-in-law and wife have both died. I beg you to look upon our former acquaintance to take care of my daughter, allowing her to grow up safe and sound.”
My expression moved, as I asked, “Tell me what has happened. Otherwise, how can I explain everything to your daughter?”
Han Zhang’s eyes gazed into the distance as he explained, “After leaving daren, Han Zhang did not return to farming. I was originally a disciple of the Qingcheng Sect and had trained in martial arts. In the face of grievances both public and private, I joined an underground organization resisting Great Yong, the Embroidered Union. Cough. However, the general garrisoning Sichuan, Marquis Lu, executed brilliant strategies, and we repeatedly suffered defeats. Afterwards, the union became crazy and began to brutally and ruthlessly massacre the common people of Shu. They claimed that if you refused to resist Southern Chu and Great Yong then you were a traitor. They somehow learned about the time that I spent in the Southern Chu army, and wished to kill me. It was useless no matter how I tried to explain the situation. I could only carry my daughter in my arms and escape. I originally thought that, as my wife was the daughter of General Tian and the younger cousin of the head of the union, she would not be harmed. But when I later captured one of the men chasing after me, I learned that my wife had died.… She died miserably, because the head of the union was my wife’s fiancé. That year, she had run away from home to avoid the marriage and married me instead. The head of union deliberately wished to kill me. After he raped my wife, he killed her. My mother-in-law committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling. At the time, you tried to persuade me to return to the countryside to live out my days in peace. I did not listen, resulting in today’s conclusion.”
Looking at Han Zhang’s mournful and desolate expression, I softly replied, “At the time, when you cried bitterly late at night, I already knew that you would not set yourself apart. However, you are a person from Shu, and there was no way for me to dissuade you from seeking to restore the Kingdom of Shu. From your standpoint, you weren’t wrong. You only picked the wrong companions. Be at ease. Your enemies will not meet good ends.”
Han Zhang’s eyes blazed with passion, as he wished, “Daren, please take care of my daughter. Do not tell her anything. I do not want her to be bound by her grievances, civic or private.”
I sighed softly and ordered, “Bring his daughter here.” Xiaoshunzi left for a short moment before returning with a one-year-old infant in his arms. The baby girl laughed, reaching out with her hands towards her father, wanting to embrace him. On her lovely and adorable face, her large black eyes were as clear as spring water. I saw the emotions swirling on Han Zhang’s face, but he had no strength to sit up. I extended my hands and pulled the baby girl into my arms. I could not help but lightly kiss her face.
“Daddy!” called out the baby girl suddenly, extending her hands to grasp the head-covering wrapped around my hair.
I joyously looked at the baby girl and spoke, “Brother Han, your daughter is very bright and also very adorable.”
Han Zhang somehow managed to find the energy to sit up. On the bed, he bowed and begged me, “Daren, I know this matter is difficult, but I beseech to daren take care of this child and properly raise her.”
I was shocked. Just as I was about to refuse, I glanced at the child’s beautiful silhouette and found that I couldn’t speak those words. My mind suddenly thought about the child that Liu Piaoxiang and I would’ve had if she had not died. The child would have been this big. My heart softened and I responded, “I am alone and do not have a wife. If Brother Han does not despise my current situation, then this child will be my adopted daughter. I will certainty treat her as my own. Brother Han, what is this child’s name?”
Grateful, tears fell down Han Zhang’s face like rain. In a low voice, he stated, “Daren, Han Zhang was originally an orphan. Even my surname was only obtained after I followed my master. If daren does not despise her, please treat this child as your own. Do not tell her of her origins.”
I looked at Han Zhang. Through his sorrowful and heartbroken eyes, I could see the true love he had for his daughter and the heart filled with remorse. I gently replied, “Fine. My humble wife, Lady Liu, met with disaster and perished. I will tell this child that she is my own daughter. Her name will be Jiang Roulan.”
“Many thanks to daren. Roulan, Roulan …” repeated Han Zhang, his heart filled with gratefulness before he warned, “Daren, the Embroidered Union Head Huo Jicheng’s methods are vicious and sinister. Daren must be careful.”
Finished speaking, Han Zhang closed his eyes, no longer breathing. At this moment, both of Roulan’s hands were still extended towards her father, asking to be hugged. I hugged her into my embrace. A lone tear rolled down my cheek. Amidst this chaos of war, how many bitter and painful matters occur? Suddenly, Roulan began to cry loudly, seemingly knowing that her father had left this world.