Chapter 116: The Youth (Part 1)
“No wonder Xiao Zhongwu and his wife fought for military power before their seventh-day memorial rites had even passed. No wonder he remained expressionless even when sixty thousand soldiers drowned in the Battle of Guo City Long Valley. When it comes to heartlessness, who in Great Wei can surpass Xiao Huaijin?”
The dungeon fell silent in an instant.
Shen Han wanted to say something but ultimately held back. The young man stood with his back to the prisoner, his hands slowly clenching into fists at his sides.
After a moment, they gradually relaxed. He turned back to Lei Hou and smiled coldly. “It seems you understand exactly what kind of person I am. Then you should think even more carefully,” he said as he walked away, his voice indifferent. “I never give second chances.”
As he reached the entrance, he happened to see He Yan and Lin Shuanghe standing at the corner. His gaze paused briefly, but he ignored them and left without a word.
No one dared to follow him.
Shen Han ordered Lei Hou to be locked up again. Whether it was the despair Lei Hou felt after his exchange with Xiao Jue or something else, he let out a loud, bitter laugh. The sound echoed through the dungeon, eerie and mournful.
Fei Nu emerged from inside and was surprised to see He Yan and Lin Shuanghe. “Master Lin, what brings you here?”
“I thought,” He Yan glanced inside, “since I’ve fought Lei Hou before, I might be able to assist the Commander during the interrogation. So I came to see.”
“No need, it’s already resolved,” Fei Nu replied quickly. “You two can return now.”
Lin Shuanghe shrugged and, noticing the cloak Fei Nu was holding—Xiao Jue’s cloak—reached out to take it. “This is Huaijin’s cloak. I’ll bring it to him. I imagine he doesn’t want to see anyone right now.”
Fei Nu said, “No need to trouble yourself, Master Lin.”
“No trouble at all,” Lin Shuanghe insisted. “I was planning to see him anyway.”
Fei Nu relented and nodded to Lin Shuanghe. “Thank you, Master Lin.”
Lin Shuanghe smiled and said to He Yan, “Let’s go.”
The two walked out together.
Outside, light snow had begun to fall, and now it was coming down heavier. He Yan, still injured, walked slowly, wrapped in Cheng Li Su’s cloak. Though Lin Shuanghe affectionately called her “little sister,” he maintained a respectful distance when interacting with women, as if deliberately avoiding impropriety. He didn’t even offer to support He Yan.
However, they were in no hurry, so they walked at a leisurely pace.
Snowflakes rustled as they fell, landing on their clothes. He Yan was lost in thought, reflecting on Lei Hou’s words in the dungeon, when Lin Shuanghe suddenly spoke up. “Have you heard of the Battle of Guo City Long Valley?”
He Yan was taken aback but quickly replied, “Yes, I have.”
The Battle of Guo City Long Valley was the most critical engagement during Xiao Jue’s campaign to suppress the Southern Barbarians’ rebellion after Xiao Zhongwu’s death. At the time, the entire nation of Great Wei was waiting to see Xiao Jue fail—a sixteen-year-old youth leading so many troops against a formidable enemy his own father couldn’t defeat. By all accounts, his defeat seemed inevitable.
Yet, he achieved a decisive victory in the very first battle, leading to the Southern Barbarians’ successive retreats. In just half a year, Xiao Jue had fully quelled the rebellion.
“Do you know how he won the Battle of Long Valley?”
“A water attack.”
“You actually know about that?”
He Yan fell silent, her bamboo cane pausing in the snow, leaving a small indentation."Then you must also know that in the Battle of Changgu, General Feng Yun, Xiao Huaijin, flooded Guo City, causing sixty thousand deaths." Lin Shuanghe hugged Xiao Jue's black cloak tighter. "At that time, corpses floated everywhere, the eastern part of the city reeked, and Guo City was like a living hell, too horrifying to describe." He smiled and asked, "So, do you think he is cruel and inhuman?"
He Yan replied calmly, "War is inherently brutal. Showing mercy to the enemy is cruelty to one's own people. Moreover, unless one is in that position, no one truly knows the reality. If not for his so-called cruelty and inhumanity, perhaps those drowned today would be us."
Lin Shuanghe paused in his steps, turning to He Yan, and asked, "You actually think this way?"
"I simply believe that Commander Xiao is not such a person."
Lin Shuanghe stared at He Yan as if seeing her for the first time.
He Yan asked, "Is there something wrong with what I said?"
After a long moment, he shook his head and smiled, saying, "I am merely surprised that you, having known Huaijin for less than a year, trust him so deeply. Why was I not as resolute when I first heard of this?"
He Yan thought to herself, it was because Lin Shuanghe had never truly been on the battlefield. Only those who have witnessed the carnage of war understand the difficulty of every decision a commander makes. Xiao Jue was intelligent and composed. If there had not been a compelling reason to act as he did, he would not have chosen such a method, only to leave himself with a reputation for bloodthirstiness.
It must be remembered that after the Battle of Changgu, although Xiao Jue had dealt a crushing blow to the Southern Barbarians, earning the admiration and awe of countless youths, he was also denounced by many scholars as heartless and ruthless, accused of excessive killing. After all, among those drowned in the Battle of Changgu were also Southern Barbarian civilians.
"Physician Lin seems to know the reason behind his actions," He Yan asked. "What was it?"
"I did not know from the beginning," Lin Shuanghe sighed. "Tell me, with three thousand soldiers against sixty thousand, what other method could there be besides a water attack?"
"Three thousand soldiers?" He Yan looked up sharply. "Wasn't it the hundred thousand Southern Garrison Troops?"
"Hundred thousand?" Lin Shuanghe laughed. "If he had a hundred thousand Southern Garrison Troops at his disposal, he would not have needed to resort to such a method."
Back then, after Xiao Zhongwu's death, Madam Xiao followed him shortly after. For a time, Xiao Manor was filled with cries of grief and mourning. At that time, the entire court claimed that Xiao Zhongwu's defeat in the Battle of Ming River was due to his stubbornness and poor command, which led to tens of thousands of Great Wei soldiers perishing on the battlefield.
The Emperor, in his benevolence, mindful of the Xiao family's years of service, did not hold Xiao Zhongwu accountable for his failure. However, he also reclaimed military authority. Xiao Jue was only sixteen at the time, Xiao Jing had just turned eighteen, and Bai Rongwei had been married into the family for less than half a year when this disaster struck. For a time, everyone was anxious and uncertain about the future.
Lin Shuanghe still remembered the first time he saw Xiao Jue after the Xiao family's misfortune.
The young man had always carried an air of cool indifference, as if nothing in the world could touch his heart. Yet it was also clear that nothing in the world could truly challenge him.
However, anyone whose family suffered such a calamity would inevitably be devastated, or at the very least, changed forever. But the Xiao Jue Lin Shuanghe saw was not like that. Aside from looking slightly more haggard than before, he showed no signs of despondency or despair.
"Do you have medicine that can make someone sleep for an entire day?" Xiao Jue asked without preamble.
Lin Shuanghe replied, "My family's pharmacy has it. If you want it, I can fetch it for you right away."The Lin family's pharmacies were spread throughout Great Wei, with several located in the bustling markets of Shuojing alone. Lin Shuanghe had a servant fetch two doses from the nearest pharmacy and handed them to him, saying, "These will induce sleep for ten hours." Suddenly, he thought of something: "If you suffer from insomnia at night, I can prepare a milder dose for you."
Perhaps Xiao Jue, having suddenly encountered a family misfortune, found it difficult to sleep through the night and sought medicine to calm his nerves and aid rest.
Xiao Jue tucked the medicine into his sleeve, waved a hand at him, and said, "Thank you." He turned to leave.
"Huaijin!" Lin Shuanghe called out to him.
Xiao Jue stopped in his tracks and looked back at him.
"This medicine... is for you, isn't it?"
The youth's features were delicate and bright, his gaze passing over him to settle in the distance, where the towering palace loomed faintly. He said calmly, "I'm going to the palace."
Lin Shuanghe was no fool; in an instant, he understood Xiao Jue's intention. He said in alarm, "You plan to enter the palace without telling your elder brother?"
"Why tell him?" The youth lowered his head and smiled faintly. "It would only add to his worries."
"You're insane!" Lin Shuanghe exclaimed urgently. "Don't you know that because of General Xiao's situation, the court is in chaos? No one dares to speak up for General Xiao now. Xu Xiang has been accompanying the emperor daily lately—do you know why?"
"I know," Xiao Jue replied. "So what? Military power must return to the Xiao family."
"You could very well lose your life doing this!"
Xiao Jue turned his head and looked at him steadily. "Then I'll lose it."
"You—!"
"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask of you," he said.
The youth's expression rarely showed such seriousness. In that moment, a sense of foreboding surged in Lin Shuanghe's heart. He stammered, "What is it?"
"If I return alive, act as if this never happened. If I die..." He paused here. "There's no need to collect my body. Imperial Physician Lin has influence with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Please help my elder brother—this matter has nothing to do with him."
"What do you mean... if you die?" Lin Shuanghe heard his own trembling voice.
"It's simple. After tonight, either I die now, or he dies tomorrow." His expression was calm, as if he were speaking of someone else's affairs. "But I'm not certain of the outcome, so..." He curved his lips slightly. "You can pray."
"Xiao Huaijin!"
The youth bowed deeply to him. When he straightened, he spoke only two words.
"Thank you."
Lin Shuanghe's eyes reddened.
Xiao Jue waved a hand at him. "Go back."
Lin Shuanghe didn't move.
Xiao Jue chuckled softly and turned to leave.
That was a very, very long time ago, yet Xiao Jue's retreating figure seemed to linger before his eyes. Amid the bustling market streets, the youth's back was straight and proud, yet exceptionally lonely.
No one knew what path he was about to tread, but Lin Shuanghe understood one thing clearly.
Xiao Jue would not turn back.
Lost in thought, he was abruptly interrupted by He Yan's question: "So, later, the Commander entered the palace alone like that?"
Lin Shuanghe snapped back to the present and continued walking slowly as he spoke. "I didn't follow him into the palace. What happened afterward, I heard from my grandfather."
That night, rain began to fall.The autumn rain was cold and chilling, seeming to seep deep into one's heart. In just a few more days, it would be the Mid-Autumn Festival. If Xiao Zhongwu hadn't met with misfortune, Xiao Manor would now be bustling with preparations for the Mid-Autumn banquet—making mooncakes and arranging feasts. Yet now, everything was bleak, with mourning attire worn everywhere.
The three at the table sat in silence.
No one felt like touching the food. Bai Rongwei spoke softly, "You should eat a little, at least. If this goes on, your health will suffer."
It was just simple porridge and plain dishes. After a moment of silence, Xiao Jing picked up his bowl. He took only one sip before setting it down again and said, "Huaijin, tomorrow morning, I will go into the palace with you."
Xiao Jue replied, "Alright."
Bai Rongwei asked, "Going into the palace... for what?"
"Without military power, the Xiao family will sooner or later become meat on the chopping block, at the mercy of others," Xiao Jing said. "No matter what, the Southern Garrison Troops must return to the Xiao family. Otherwise..."
Otherwise, it was hard to say how long the Xiao family could hold on.
"But even if His Majesty returns the military power to us, what will we do afterward?" Bai Rongwei asked cautiously. "Ruyu, you are a Senior Officer of Counsel. Even if Huaijin pursues a military path, he is only sixteen."
Xiao Jing paused.
He had to admit a harsh truth: the Xiao family had no one left. Even though Xiao Jue was exceptionally talented, he was only sixteen—still half a child himself. How could he lead tens of thousands of Southern Garrison Troops?
It would be difficult to command respect.
"A sixteen-year-old can do plenty of things," Xiao Jue said nonchalantly as he picked up food with his chopsticks. "Elder Brother, if you hesitate and hold back, you'll accomplish nothing."
Xiao Jing sighed. "Forget it. Let's take it one step at a time. Right now, there's no other path to take."
"Will His Majesty really return the military power to us?" Bai Rongwei worried. "Now, with Xu Xiang's influence overwhelming, he won't miss this chance to deal with the Xiao family."
"He will," the young man said lazily as he poured tea for them. "There's no need to fear. Xu Jingfu is just an ordinary man, after all."
No one spoke further.
The night rain pattered on without end. Servants helped Bai Rongwei and Xiao Jing back to their beds.
Xiao Jue stood up, draped his outer robe over his shoulders, and walked out the door.
Outside, Fei Nu was waiting. Raindrops fell to the ground, splashing into puddles and rippling outward, soaking the white lanterns hanging by the entrance completely.
Xiao Jue stopped at the doorway.
Fei Nu said, "Young Master."
He lowered his head and instructed the steward, "Take good care of them." Then he turned and boarded the carriage.
"Let's go."
And so, he disappeared into the night.
The carriage headed toward the palace. Inside, the current Prime Minister, Xu Jingfu, was playing chess with Emperor Wenxuan.
A palace attendant came to report, "Your Majesty, the Second Young Master from the Guangwu General's residence requests an audience."
Emperor Wenxuan paused in his move. "Xiao Huaijin? What does he want?"
"Perhaps it's about his father's matter," Xu Jingfu said with a smile. "Your Majesty, be careful." He picked up a black piece.
"You, don't take advantage while I'm distracted," Emperor Wenxuan scolded playfully. "Cunning."
Xu Jingfu also laughed. "It's Your Majesty who is indulging this old minister."
The two continued chatting and playing chess, seemingly having forgotten about Xiao Jue. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the palace attendant came in again to remind them, "Your Majesty, Second Young Master Xiao is still waiting outside the palace hall. It's still raining outside."
"If it's raining, he should go back," Emperor Wenxuan said, troubled by the chess game before him. "What's the point of staying there?""Your Majesty, do not be troubled," Xu Jingfu said. "Second Young Master Xiao's family has suffered a great upheaval, and he is still just a child. He must be filled with grievances. Why not let this old minister go out and persuade him? It would be best if I could convince him to return."
"Go ahead," Emperor Wenxuan waved impatiently. "Xiao Zhongwu's matters were already dealt with during court, and now even after court, I cannot escape them. Day after day, it's always the Xiao family, the Xiao family—I am tired of hearing it. Tell him to go back! Be quick about it and return soon; you still have to finish this game of chess with me."
Xu Jingfu rose and bowed respectfully. "As you command."
Once outside the palace hall, he immediately spotted Xiao Jue kneeling at the entrance, waiting.
Xu Jingfu was over sixty years old. In his youth, he had served in the Hanlin Academy, and his disciples were spread throughout the world. Most of the outstanding young talents of Great Wei had some connection to him. Although Xiao Jue was not his student, he had heard of the young man's brilliance. He had once caught a glimpse of Xiao Jue during a royal hunt and remembered the striking figure of the youth in white robes, radiant as a luminous pearl, outshining all others.
Xu Jingfu had sighed inwardly at the time—such an exceptional young man, how wonderful it would be if he were a member of the Xu family. What a pity that he had fallen into the hands of that brute, Xiao Zhongwu.
He stopped in front of Xiao Jue and said, "Second Young Master Xiao."
The youth looked up at him. "Lord Xu."
"It is raining so heavily outside. Why are you waiting here without an umbrella?" He instructed the palace attendants nearby, "Someone, bring an umbrella for Second Young Master Xiao."
A palace attendant stood behind Xiao Jue, holding an umbrella. Xu Jingfu made a gesture to help him up, as if a concerned elder caring for a younger generation. "Why are you still kneeling? Get up quickly."
Xiao Jue did not move. "I wish to see His Majesty."
"His Majesty is currently occupied. If Second Young Master Xiao truly has something important, it would not be too late to return tomorrow. It is already very late, and after His Majesty finishes his duties, he must rest. This is not an opportune time for an audience."
The youth remained unmoved, repeating only, "Lord Xu, I must see His Majesty today."
Xu Jingfu took two steps back, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he observed the young man, a benevolent smile still on his face. "Second Young Master Xiao, His Majesty is merciful. In the past, your family had rendered meritorious service, and he held you in high regard. But now, your father has failed in his duties. The Battle of Ming River resulted in a devastating defeat for Great Wei's soldiers. By rights, punishment should be pursued. It is only because His Majesty remembers past affections that he has shown leniency. How can you press your advantage and fail to recognize his kindness?"
The night rain drifted in slantingly, slipping under the umbrella and soaking the youth's robes. His features were breathtakingly handsome, his expression calm. Gone was any trace of his former laziness or charm as he said, "Lord Xu speaks rightly."
Xu Jingfu's smile remained unchanged.
"Therefore," Xiao Jue looked up at him, "I humbly request Lord Xu to intercede with His Majesty on my behalf. Xiao Jue wishes to see His Majesty."
"Second Young Master Xiao, you jest. Why should this old man intercede with His Majesty for you?" Xu Jingfu asked.
The youth looked at him, bowing his head slightly. "I beg Lord Xu to grant me this favor."
The pride of youth is most fragile. Sometimes, with just a slight bend of the spine, one may never stand upright again.
If Xiao Zhongwu knew from beyond the grave that his proud second son was now kneeling before him, begging for his pity and charity, what expression would he wear?
In that moment, Xu Jingfu no longer wished to push him to the brink immediately. Watching a proud person fall into the mundane world, trampled into the mud, their self-worth crushed into worthlessness—that was far more interesting.He tilted his head slightly, troubled, and said, "Second Young Master Xiao, it's not that this old man doesn't want to help you. It's just that His Majesty is currently angry with the Xiao family. Even I find it difficult to intervene in this matter."
Xiao Jue only replied, "I beg Lord Xu to grant me this favor."
Xu Jingfu stared at him for a long moment before saying, "If Second Young Master Xiao insists on seeing His Majesty, perhaps you should first accept punishment on your own. The Xiao family is already under the weight of guilt. If you, Second Young Master, are willing to sacrifice yourself, His Majesty might see it and his anger may lessen somewhat. Then, I could speak on your behalf."
"Please instruct me, Lord Xu."
"You are still young and cannot bear heavier punishments. Go and receive fifty lashes first," he said.
His tone was exceedingly casual, as if he were already showing Xiao Jue great leniency. The palace attendants nearby kept their heads bowed, saying nothing, but inwardly, they could hardly conceal their shock.
Fifty lashes—for someone with a weaker constitution, it could be fatal. Even for an ordinary person, fifty lashes could take half their life, and without a year or more of recuperation, recovery would be difficult.
Xiao Jue said, "Very well."
Xu Jingfu smiled. "Second Young Master truly has the bearing of your father." He turned and instructed the attendants behind him, "Take Second Young Master Xiao to receive his lashes."
The night rain pattered down. Fifty lashes on a person's body were not as easy as one might imagine, especially since the palace attendants carrying out the punishment had been specifically "instructed" by Xu Jingfu.
The young man did not utter a sound, gritting his teeth and enduring it. After the fifty lashes, he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, slowly pushed himself up, and stood.
As he rose, his steps were unsteady, and he nearly lost his balance. The attendants beside him watched with some pity. Who could have predicted that the Second Young Master Xiao, who once wore fine silks and fox furs, noble and splendid, would now be reduced to such a wretched state? No one could have foreseen it.
Xu Jingfu had no interest in watching Xiao Jue endure the lashes. He entered the hall and went to speak with Emperor Wenxuan first.
Emperor Wenxuan said, "Didn't you say you would send him away?"
"Your Majesty," Xu Jingfu shook his head, "Second Young Master Xiao insisted on seeing Your Majesty, and this old minister could not dissuade him. Young people are full of pride and determination. Once they set their minds on something, not even nine oxen can pull them back. Now that General Guangwu is no longer here, and his mother is... This old minister pitied him. Your Majesty, why not see him once and hear what he has to say? If his words are unsatisfactory, send him away and refuse to see him next time."
Emperor Wenxuan sighed. "My minister has grown soft-hearted."
"It is Your Majesty who is benevolent."
"Enough," Emperor Wenxuan instructed the attendants. "After all, I watched him grow up. Let him in."
Outside the hall, it was bitterly cold; inside, it was warm. Gone was the relentless night rain, replaced only by the dizzying fragrance of flowers. In the flickering lamplight, someone approached.
He knelt before Emperor Wenxuan and said, "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise," Emperor Wenxuan said casually, lifting his eyes to look at Xiao Jue. As soon as he saw him, he froze and asked, "How did you end up like this?"
It had been raining outside, and the umbrella Xu Jingfu had ordered for him had lasted less than a moment. He was drenched from head to toe, utterly disheveled. Having just endured fifty lashes, his body was extremely weak, his face as pale as gold paper, his lips colorless, as if he might collapse at any moment.
He was completely different from before.
After all, he had watched him grow up. Emperor Wenxuan could not help but feel a pang of sympathy, stirred by genuine concern. Softening his tone, he asked, "Tell me, has someone mistreated you?""No," Xu Jingfu replied from the side. "Second Young Master Xiao knew the Xiao family was guilty and voluntarily accepted fifty lashes to ease his own conscience and to show Your Majesty the Xiao family's remorse."
Emperor Wenxuan looked at him and sighed. "Fifty lashes... that is too severe."
"Second Young Master Xiao was also moved by Your Majesty's benevolence," Xu Jingfu said with a smile.
"Why have you come to see me?" Emperor Wenxuan asked. "I no longer wish to speak of the Xiao family's affairs."
Xiao Jue's gaze swept over the chessboard on the table. The black and white pieces intertwined chaotically, casting a sinister chill under the warm glow of the lamplight.
Like the strangeness of life, no one can predict what the future holds.
But the past is already gone. Since the future cannot be foreseen, one must create it.
The youth prostrated himself, his voice calm yet carrying an unyielding stubbornness, each word spoken deliberately.
"Your servant begs Your Majesty's gracious permission to personally lead the Southern Garrison Troops back into Singing Water and engage the Southern Barbarians in battle."
(End of Chapter)
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