Chapter 27: Immediately the Best of Friends (2/2)
Clasping his hands together in a salute, Gao Yan replied, “It would be my honor.”
When that gorgeous and gentle music, carrying with it untold plaintiveness, sounded in the main hall, I once again got lost in my memories. At the beginning, the zither music was graceful and magnificent, akin to water permeating soil in the inextricable ways of the spring rains, like the dazzling and many positions of spring blossoms. Then the splendor turned prosaic. The gentleness carried sincere and deep affection. Suddenly, a discordant chord rang out. A cold frost began to expand on the ground as deep love fell into trouble and a pair of mandarin ducks broke their wings. Then the melody changed, becoming mournfully slow, a sort of deep-rooted sadness.
Tears brimming in my eyes, I recited in a low voice:
“All things have changed; once more I pass Changmen,6
You and I came a couple. Why can’t we leave together again!
The plane trees nearly wilt after suffering the hoar-frost,
My hair hoar now ’tis hard to endure a companion lost.
On the plains grass grow anew,
They thirst with drying dew,
How I drag to leave our old home and your grave new.
On this unshared bed I pine for you listening to the pelting rain,
Who will mend my clothes by this midnight lamp again.”7
My father’s entire life was spent in bitterness. Although incredibly talented, he preferred to spend his entire life as a recluse because of the chaotic times. Although he was fortunate in marriage, my mother had left him halfway. In the end, he had abandoned me and passed away, making me an orphan.
When the zither music ended, Gao Yan apologized, “This piece is too deep. In such haste, I am only able to exhibit thirty to forty percent of its artistry. Elder brother Jiang, please excuse my lack of skill.”
I sighed and said, “Xuzhi, why do you say such things? Being able to sight-read this piece fills Zhe with great admiration. Although there are many individuals skilled with the zither, this piece was composed by my late father and I have been unwilling to let someone sullied by the mundane world to play it. The last time I heard this piece played was already a whole seventeen years ago. Many thanks for Xuzhi’s performance.”
A look of sadness flashed across Gao Yan’s eyes. This was likely the only thing that he would be able to do for Jiang Zhe. Thinking of having to reveal his identity when he sought to assassinate Jiang Zhe and the difficult scene thereafter, Gao Yan could not help feeling his heart become increasingly pained. Just then, he heard a question sound like a clap of thunder in his ears, “Xuzhi, in your view, who will win in the war between Great Yong and Northern Han?”
Gao Yan’s heart pounded, and he immediately came back to his senses. The man before him was not only an intimate friend who was deeply affectionate, but also Northern Han’s enemy and a strategist for Great Yong. Gao Yan lowered his head, and after getting control over his shaken state of mind, he answered, “This one is an outsider and is not especially understanding of this matter. However, Great Yong has a million men-at-arms and occupies the Central Plains, while Northern Han is confined to a corner of the empire and has limited troops. If this were to continue, Northern Han will definitely be defeated. However, Great Yong still faces danger from the south. If Great Yong is surrounded by enemies, Northern Han may still be able to struggle while at death’s door.”
The words that he spoke were the truth of the situation. He knew how disadvantageous the present situation was for Northern Han. Were this not the case, he would not have volunteered to come assassinate Jiang Zhe. This was not the legitimate path of a military commander. Moreover, he knew that the best way was to speak the truth in order to keep Jiang Zhe in the dark.
As expected, Jiang Zhe nodded his head and replied, “Although Xuzhi has not been in the Central Plains for long, you are aware of the situation. You speak the truth. Right now, Great Yong is at the most crucial juncture. If it can conquer Northern Han in one fell swoop, the reunification of the world will only be a matter of time. If the northern invasion were to fail, it would be a pity to the common people of the world. Who knows how long the chaos of war will last for?”
Gao Yan felt his heart pound enormously fast. Although he understood that war would erupt next year, he had not known that Jiang Zhe would take this matter so seriously and surprisingly wanted to succeed in one fell swoop. Although he was somewhat shocked, he did not reveal it on his face. He calmly said, “This one is not all that familiar with the important matters of state, while daren is an important minister of Great Yong. Your words must be correct.”
“Xiaoshunzi, bring another bundle of incense over,” I instructed with a smile. “I want to pay my respects to an old friend.”
Taking another bundle of incense from Xiaoshunzi, I lit it and bowed three times. Afterwards, Xiaoshunzi took the incense and stuck it into the burner. After praying silently, I asked, “Xuzhi, do you know who I am paying my respects to?”
Gao Yan was dumbstruck. How could he know? As such, he answered, “This one does not know. However, for the daren to specially pay your respects, he must definitely not be an ordinary character.”
I sighed softly and continued, “The late friend who I was paying my respects to just now was the Prince of De, Zhao Jue. Zhe once served under his command. By nature, the Prince of De’s temperament was lofty and unsullied, loyal and virtuous. Zhe admired and respected him deeply. Recalling past events today, I therefore offered my respects to him.”
When I uttered those words, Gao Yan trembled. If it was the real Gao Yan, he naturally would not know of the affairs between Jiang Zhe and the Prince of De. However, Qiu Yufei was aware of these matters. After hesitating for some time, he could not help asking, “This one once heard of the matters between daren and the Prince of De. Reportedly, daren was recognized by the Prince of De, accompanying him to conquer Shu and returning in triumph. After that, the Prince of De died in Xiangyang. Daren once traveled a thousand li to call upon him. However, after daren submitted a remonstration and was dismissed from office, daren was kidnapped by the present Yong Emperor to Chang’an. When daren pledged allegiance to Yong, I heard that a former subordinate of the Prince of De came on the dying command of the prince to assassinate daren, nearly taking daren’s life. Why does the daren still reminisce so sincerely about the Prince of De?”
Watching the incense smoke spiral upward, I answered, “His Imperial Highness, the Prince of De, was undoubtedly loyal and devoted, dying at Xiangyang. At the time, Jiang Zhe was at his side. From a young age, Zhe grew up in Southern Chu. If it was possible, I would of course hope that Southern Chu would be able to unify the world. Therefore, I supported the Prince of De in the conquest of Shu. Although I knew that these were only extravagant wishes, I still hoped to be able to strive my hardest for my country. Unfortunately, after the Prince of De died, Zhe was deeply discouraged, no longer having a shred of hope for Southern Chu. The day I was kidnapped by His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong, to Great Yong, I was truly unwilling to surrender and therefore deliberately made things difficult for His Imperial Majesty. Regardless of how Southern Chu treats me, I still remember Southern Chu’s grace, after all. However, His Imperial Highness’s grace is as high as the Heavens and as deep as the Earth.8 How could I, as a common individual, not be moved to tears? As a result, I ultimately surrendered and pledged my allegiance to His Imperial Highness. Although that was the case, I felt remorseful towards the Prince of De. However, after that assassination attempt, I came to understand that, to the Prince of De, one’s country was more important than everything else, and I, Jiang Zhe, was no more than a chess piece. If I were of use to Southern Chu, I would naturally be treated properly. If I were of harm, I must be eliminated. However, although I felt immense grief, I also deeply respected his loyalty.”
Gao Yan was somewhat at a loss. He did not know why Jiang Zhe had suddenly changed the topic from Northern Han to Southern Chu.
At this moment, I took another bundle of incense and paid my respects again. I stated, “The Prince of De is my old friend, while I never had the opportunity to meet General Tan Ji. With this incense, I hope that General Tan can die with contentment in the underworld. On the day that the Prince of De died, I was completely helpless. Today, General Tan’s death was a result of my plans. General Tan’s loyalty to Northern Han is akin to the Prince of De’s loyalty to Southern Chu. Both of them were heroic and loyal individuals, people whom Zhe admires from the bottom of my heart. Although Zhe’s actions have of course garnered the two’s hatred, we serve different masters. I hope that the two of you are able to understand.”
Gao Yan felt his heart pound even harder. Who would have thought that Jiang Zhe would also pay his respects to Tan Ji? He could not help feeling at a loss. However, he suddenly saw Jiang Zhe pick up another bundle of incense and pray, saying, “This fourth bundle is to ask forgiveness of the Heavens. Zhe also knows that Northern Han’s General Long is a loyal and famous general, and should not collude with vile characters who conspire to harm him. However, once war begins, the wilderness will be covered with corpses. If a victory can be won effortlessly,9 Zhe is willing to bear that evil reputation.”
Listening to this point, Gao Yan almost cried out in shock. What was going on? Has this man’s gaze already fixed upon Long Tingfei? What did it mean colluding with vile characters? Could it be that the undiscovered rebellious traitor under Long Tingfei’s command was real? At this moment, his mind was filled with doubts, practically forgetting the appreciation and admiration that he originally had. However, his mind was sharp, as he wondered if it was possible that Jiang Zhe was using this opportunity to probe himself. As a result, he deliberately revealed a perplexed look, almost as if he didn’t understand the meaning behind Jiang Zhe’s words.
I waited until the incense had burned out before I said to Gao Yan, “I have already had someone prepare the four treasures of the study. I will begin the journey back to the army encampment tomorrow. Xuzhi will likely not have another opportunity to see this score. It is best if you go copy it now.”
Gao Yan’s gaze fell upon the score, and he almost forgot about the crisis Northern Han faced. He knew that even if he were to learn something, it would be impossible for him to warn Long Tingfei. It was best to copy the score first. As for everything else, it could be left for later.
Watching Gao Yan’s departing figure, Xiaoshunzi said in a low voice, “Young master, what are your intentions? We have yet to receive a report back from our investigations and yet the young master seems to utterly treat him as an innocent and not guilty, and as an intimate and close friend. However, just now, young master was also deliberately misleading him. This servant does not understand young master’s intentions.”
I sighed and replied, “There is no need to investigate. I can confirm that he is undoubtedly an assassin from Northern Han.”
Xiaoshunzi’s eyes shone, as he suddenly voiced, “Since young master can confirm, this servant believes that there is definitely evidence. If that is the case, is the young master not prepared to kill him?”
Standing to the side, Huyan Shou had become completely bewildered long ago. When he heard the words spoken by Jiang Zhe about the Prince of De, he was already extremely uneasy. The following offerings left him even more mystified. The only one who knew Jiang Zhe’s complete plan, aside from the Prince of Qi, was Xiaoshunzi. Huyan Shou only knew some parts of it. As a result, he did not know if the words spoken by Jiang Zhe were real or not. He definitely had to compose a secret memorial to report this matter to the emperor. However, if this resulted in the emperor’s suspicion towards the daren, what then? Huyan Shou sank into a predicament, caught between a rock and a hard place. Now hearing Jiang Zhe and Xiaoshunzi’s conversation, he finally understood that Jiang daren’s words just now were meant to mislead Gao Yan. But why was Jiang daren so certain that Gao Yan was an assassin?
Footnotes:
一见如故, yijianrugu – idiom, lit. familiarity at first sight; fig. be like old friends from the start
About 1.06 meters (3.5 feet)
回味无穷, huiweiwuqiong – idiom, lit. leaving a rich aftertaste; fig. memorable, lingering in memory
绪之, xuzhi – lit. go to the clue
古筝, guzheng – a type of zither influenced by the se; emerged during the Warring States period
Changmen (阊门) is a city gate of Suzhou (苏州)
This is a poem by the Song Dynasty poet He Zhu (贺铸) set to the ci Partridge in the Sky (鹧鸪天).
天高地厚, tiangaodihou – idiom, as high as the Heavens, as deep as the Earth; fig. profound, immensity of the universe, complexity of all things
兵不血刃, bingbuxueren – idiom, lit. no blood on the men’s swords; fig. an effortless victory, without shedding a drop of blood, without having to fight