Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

Amid the rumbling of the carriage wheels, Fan Changyu remained silent for a long while before asking, "If I stay in the army, I’ll have to kill many, many people from now on, won’t I?"

She lifted her eyes, the light from outside the window reflecting the mountains and rivers in her gaze, now tinged with a quiet solemnity. "Old Master, the truth is, I don’t like killing at all."

"Yesterday on the battlefield, I saw so many faces filled with panic and fear—they were cut down like pumpkins in a field. Changxin Wang has rebelled, and in this war so far, the ones dying the most are the common soldiers at the bottom. They didn’t join the battlefield willingly, but deserters are executed on the spot, and their wives, children, and parents are still in Chongzhou City, so they have no way out."

"I know the rebels deserve to die, but when I see those bewildered, terrified faces on the battlefield, I can’t bring myself to strike."

"They are also people of Great Yin. If not for this war, they’d be ordinary civilians—tending crops in the fields or peddling goods in the streets to earn a little extra for their families."

"Looking at them, I’m reminded of those conscripted from the common folk in Jizhou Prefecture during the siege of Lu City. They probably died the same way, like ants trampled on the battlefield."

Grand Tutor Tao regarded her with some surprise and said, "Your thoughts are not wrong. Those in power, driven by ambition, act without benevolence, treating the people as mere straw dogs. But when an unrighteous army already exists, if we do not stop it, won’t we allow it to bring about even greater calamity?"

Seeing Fan Changyu’s confusion, he asked, "Child, tell me—why did you cross Witch Ridge in the rain that night to ambush those three scouts?"

Fan Changyu pressed her lips together. "You said if they delivered their message, the entire population of Lu City would suffer."

Grand Tutor Tao nodded. "You killed those three scouts because you believed their lives would determine the fate of Lu City’s people. But isn’t this war against the rebels also for the sake of the people? Changxin Wang’s rebellion has displaced countless civilians around Chongzhou. If we allow him to grow stronger, how many more will suffer when he marches south?"

"You ambushed the scouts to save the people of Lu City. The imperial army fights Changxin Wang to save the people of the realm."

"Even if the current court is riddled with corruption, the answer lies in reform, in opposing the corrupt officials—not in inciting war and plunging the people into misery. Between hardship and utter ruin, which is worse? Do you understand, child?"

As she listened, Fan Changyu felt the weight in her chest grow heavier.

Grand Tutor Tao continued, "Changxin Wang’s army is the blade he wields to march south. If we hesitate to break that blade, more innocent lives will be lost beneath it."

"Since ancient times, no war has been fought without bloodshed or death."

"Beneath the yellow sands of the battlefield lie countless loyal bones, as well as those unjustly forced into battle, as you described. But it is precisely because every dynasty has had such loyal souls who rise to oppose unrighteous armies that a fractured realm can be restored to peace."

"The strategies of war are not meant for killing, but to end conflicts with as little bloodshed as possible."

Fan Changyu rose from the carriage seat and knelt, bowing solemnly to Grand Tutor Tao. "Changyu thanks you for your guidance."

The old tutor chuckled. "Still calling me just 'Master,' are you, child?"Fan Changyu knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times, then picked up the wooden teacup beside her and offered it to Grand Tutor Tao: "Teacher."

Grand Tutor Tao accepted the teacup, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening with a smile. "You, girl, suit my fancy. I'd be willing to take you as my adopted daughter. From now on, call me 'Father.'"

Fan Changyu called out again, "Father."

This time, Grand Tutor Tao's face nearly blossomed into a flower from joy. After taking a sip of tea, he set the cup down and said, "Since you're now my daughter, I'll give you a courtesy name. You were born in the Year of the Tiger. 'Changyu' is a dignified and gentle name, already tempering some of your sharpness. But having only the courage of a tiger won't serve you well if you ever go to the battlefield. How about the courtesy name 'Shanjun'?"

Fan Changyu asked in confusion, "Does it mean 'gentleman of the mountains'?"

Grand Tutor Tao stroked his beard and chuckled. "Taken literally, it could mean that. But 'Shanjun' also refers to the fierce tiger of the mountains."

Since ancient times, only men were given courtesy names by their elders. Some women didn't even have their own names until marriage, referred to only by their surname and birth order before then, such as "Third Sister" or "Fourth Sister."

Grand Tutor Tao's thoughtful gesture moved Fan Changyu deeply. She said earnestly, "Thank you, Father, for the courtesy name."

Changning blinked her large, grape-like eyes. "Ning Niang wants one too!"

Grand Tutor Tao shook his head with a laugh. "You're still too young, little one. Wait a few more years."

Changning pouted unhappily and stuck out her pinky finger. "Then let's pinky promise! No cheating Ning Niang!"

Grand Tutor Tao, unusually cheerful, hooked his aged finger with hers and smiled. "Very well. This old man owes you a courtesy name, little girl."

With the pinky promise sealed, Changning was satisfied. She kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the carriage seat, pressing her face against the window to look outside. Spotting a Gyrfalcon swooping low, she pointed excitedly and cried, "It's the falcon!"

Fan Changyu held her steady with one hand, afraid she might fall.

Grand Tutor Tao said to Fan Changyu, "I suppose you've already guessed who my student is. Shall I inform him of your decision to remain in the army?"

Fan Changyu replied, "Father, I wish to stay with the Jizhou army."

Grand Tutor Tao lifted his wrinkled eyelids and looked at her. "Avoiding him to prevent gossip?"

Fan Changyu said, "That's part of it. Ordinary soldiers earn their merits through blood and steel on the battlefield. I want to walk this path alone and see how far I can go."

If she served under Xie Zheng, no matter how impartial he might be, he would likely shield her from true danger.

Having chosen this path, Fan Changyu wanted to temper herself through the trials ahead.

Grand Tutor Tao laughed. "I knew I wasn't wrong about you. It so happens that you distinguished yourself in the battle of flooding Lucheng. The general who led the troops to build the dam was Tang Peiyi, the defender of Lucheng—a man of loyalty and righteousness. Serving under him won't be a waste of your talents."

Fan Changyu felt a mix of emotions. "Thank you, Father."

Grand Tutor Tao smiled. "What's there to thank me for? Your ambition gladdens my heart."

The carriage continued winding along the mountain path.

Fan Changyu gazed out the window. After the sudden rain, the sky was clear and boundless.

An eagle soared across the heavens, its cry sharp and far-reaching.

Two days later, Xie Zheng learned that Fan Changyu had enlisted—but under the banner of the Jizhou army.The main army was only half a day's march away from reaching Chongzhou when news arrived from the troops sent to pursue Sui Yuanqing—he had fled back to Kangcheng, the hometown of Changxin Wang's consort. With only five thousand cavalry, capturing Kangcheng was hopeless.

The only solution now was to split the forces.

The Jizhou army led by He Jingyuan had already reached the gates of Chongzhou, trapping the rebels inside. The fall of Chongzhou was only a matter of time.

The court was still withholding military provisions and funds. Since He Jingyuan was Wei Yan’s man, as long as Xie Zheng relinquished command, the court would release the supplies. As for who would ultimately claim the military merit after Chongzhou’s capture, that would be a battle between the Li family and Wei Yan.

And once Xie Zheng stepped back, besieging Kangcheng would be the perfect retreat to avoid being sidelined.

After repeated discussions with Gongsun Yin and his strategists, Xie Zheng ultimately decided to attack Kangcheng.

The Yanzhou Army diverted toward Kangcheng, while the Jizhou reinforcements continued toward Chongzhou.

Xie Zheng had been swamped with military and political affairs these past two days, only able to hear daily reports from his personal guards about Fan Changyu’s activities. Learning that she had spent most of the journey in Grand Tutor Tao’s carriage—either learning chess or reading books, often provoking the old man to huff and puff—Xie Zheng’s lips curled slightly at the thought of his mentor’s temper.

But on the day the two armies parted ways, while Xie Zheng was still discussing siege tactics for Kangcheng with Gongsun Yin, Xie Wu rushed in frantically: “Marquis! Trouble! The Lady and Grand Tutor Tao have gone with the Jizhou Army!”

Xie Zheng lifted his cold eyes from the map, frowning. “What happened?”

Xie Wu handed him a letter. “Grand Tutor Tao asked me to deliver this to you.”

Xie Zheng took it with slender fingers, and upon reading it, his face instantly frosted over, a hint of fury flashing in his eyes. “Prepare my horse!” he ordered icily.

Gongsun Yin, seeing his expression darken, asked, “What does the letter say?”

But by the time the guards brought the warhorse, Xie Zheng had already mounted and galloped away. Left with no choice, Gongsun Yin picked up the discarded letter from the ground and read it himself. After a moment, he let out a soft hiss. “This old man and young woman—are they trying to drive him to madness?”

Then, stroking his chin, he mused, “But… if even Grand Tutor Tao knows that Chongzhou’s victory will spark a fight between Wei Yan and the Li family, yet still agreed to let the girl join the Jizhou Army, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing?”

If the Li family truly overthrew He Jingyuan, they had no capable military leader to take charge. They would never dare let Jizhou’s military power fall back into Xie Zheng’s hands. At that point, they would need someone competent to stabilize Jizhou’s forces.

Fan Changyu had the courage to kill Shi Hu, and with Grand Tutor Tao’s guidance in strategy, she might just make a name for herself in Jizhou.

Fan Changyu sat in the carriage with Changning in her arms, her right eyelid twitching incessantly. She glanced out the window and rubbed her temples.

Grand Tutor Tao, who had been feigning sleep, suddenly opened his eyes. “You’ve been restless since noon. Regretting not telling him?”

Fan Changyu replied, “My foster father has already explained everything in the letter.”

Grand Tutor Tao chuckled dryly. “You’ve got that brat’s temper figured out. If you’d told him face-to-face, he’d have tied you up and dragged you along.”

Fan Changyu lowered her head, staring at her toes in awkward silence.The carriage, which had been moving smoothly, suddenly came to an abrupt halt. Fan Changyu, sitting inside, felt herself lurch forward. If she hadn't quickly shielded Changning, the girl would have bumped her forehead against the carriage wall.

Outside, the sound of warhorses neighing filled the air.

Grand Tutor Tao wasn't so fortunate—he happened to hit the back of his head against the carriage wall. Cursing, he muttered, "It must be that damned brat!"

No sooner had he spoken than the carriage curtain was yanked open, revealing Xie Zheng's icy, handsome face at the doorway. His pitch-black eyes held not a trace of emotion as he stared at Fan Changyu and said, "Will you come out yourself, or shall I carry you out?"

Grand Tutor Tao, clutching the back of his head, scolded, "You rebellious disciple! Are you trying to kill your own teacher?"

Xie Zheng's dark eyes shifted to him, and the grand tutor's blustering demeanor instantly faltered. He averted his gaze guiltily.

Xie Zheng said, "This student begged his teacher to adopt the woman he loves as a foster daughter. Yet the teacher sneaks away with her without a word. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"

Grand Tutor Tao grumbled, "Didn't I leave you a letter?"

He just hadn't expected the letter—which he thought Xie Zheng would only see that evening—to have fallen into his hands so soon, allowing him to catch up.

Fan Changyu, who had been silent until now, suddenly looked up at Xie Zheng and said, "I'll go with you."

She placed Changning back in the carriage and said to Grand Tutor Tao, "Please watch over Ning Niang for me, Father."

Changning, frightened by Xie Zheng's expression, clung to Fan Changyu's sleeve and refused to let go, whispering, "Elder Sister."

Fan Changyu patted her head reassuringly. "Don't be afraid. I'll be back soon."

With that, she handed the girl to Grand Tutor Tao. Just as she lifted the carriage curtain and was about to jump down, a large hand hauled her straight onto a horse.

The moment her back pressed against his chest, Fan Changyu could feel him breathing like a beast suppressing towering rage.

He spurred the horse forward, swiftly leaving the Jizhou Army's contingent behind. Realizing they were heading toward the rendezvous point with the Yanzhou Army, Fan Changyu calmly said, "I must join the army in Jizhou."

He wasn't wearing armor, and she could clearly feel every muscle in his body tense instantly.

With a vicious tug on the reins, he brought the warhorse to a rearing halt. He dragged her off the horse and pinned her against a thick tree by the roadside, one so wide it would take a person's full embrace to encircle it.

His grip was brutal, and the fury in his eyes was so intense that blood vessels stood out, making his entire gaze appear red. Yet his voice was deceptively light, even carrying a hint of laughter as he asked, "Do I disgust you so much that you'd rather join the army in Jizhou just to stay far away from me?"