Chapter 169: Leaving Camp
Chu Zhao and Xiao Jue were talking outside, while He Yan remained in the room, eager to eavesdrop. Even with her ear pressed against the door, all she could hear was the sound of the wind outside. She had intended to ask Xiao Jue about the situation once he returned, but he never came back. Unknowingly, she fell asleep, and by the time she woke up the next day, Chu Zhao and Ying Xiang were no longer in Liangzhou Guard.
They had left early in the morning with their guards.
After Chu Zhao’s departure, Lin Shuanghe was the happiest. He Yan couldn’t quite understand why, as there had been no apparent conflict between Lin Shuanghe and Chu Zhao. But judging by Lin Shuanghe’s cheerful demeanor, he seemed genuinely delighted by Chu Zhao’s departure.
Xiao Jue also stopped speaking in the sarcastic tone he had used over the past few days, which relieved He Yan. Chu Zhao’s early departure was likely a good thing for him and everyone else.
Liangzhou Guard returned to its usual calm, with daily training continuing as before. However, He Yan knew that this peace wouldn’t last long. As Chu Zhao had said, changes were already underway, and the appearance of the Wutuo People would shake Great Wei.
On this day, He Yan was training with the Southern Garrison Troops in archery and horsemanship. It was already mid-May, and summer arrived earlier in Liangzhou Guard than elsewhere, with sweltering heat enveloping everyone. Due to the longer days, the training time for both the Southern Garrison Troops and Liangzhou Guard had doubled.
She dismounted after crossing the hill, drenched in sweat as if she had just been pulled out of water. Grabbing a towel from the side, she wiped her face. This was the final round, and Tian Lang watched He Yan, nodding slightly in approval. For a recruit from Liangzhou Guard to keep up with the Southern Garrison Troops and even excel in archery and horsemanship among them was truly impressive.
The Martial Arts Field at Liangzhou Guard had already dispersed, and Hong Shan and the others, waiting to eat with He Yan, were gathered nearby watching. He Yan tied up her horse, returned the bow and arrows, and strode over to them.
Xiao Mai stared at him with shining eyes. “Brother He, how has your archery improved so much? I saw clearly—you hit the bullseye every time.”
In just over a year, Xiao Mai had grown much taller. Previously, He Yan could stand on tiptoe to sling an arm over his shoulder, but now she had to tilt her head slightly to look at him. She smiled and said, “You’ve also improved a lot.”
“What’s the point of you two complimenting each other?” Wang Ba poured cold water on their enthusiasm. “Can you praise each other into blooming flowers?”
Everyone was familiar with his temperament and didn’t take it to heart, simply heading toward the dining area. Once there, they collected steamed buns and vegetable porridge, found a random spot to sit, and He Yan took a sip of porridge. Just then, Jiang Jiao spoke up, “Do you know about Rundu?”
“Rundu?” Before He Yan could respond, Huang Xiong chimed in, “When I was chasing down an enemy years ago, I passed through Rundu. It’s a small town famous for its grapes—they’re like purple jade, each one sweet and plump.”
“Really?” Xiao Mai licked his lips. “Is Rundu far? I’ve only ever tasted sour wild grapes, never sweet ones!”
Huang Xiong thought for a moment. “It’s about a month’s journey from here.”
He Yan asked, “Why did you bring up Rundu, Brother Jiang?”
Jiang Jiao sighed. “Today, I went to find Instructor Shen to ask him to send a letter back to the capital for me, requesting a new spear. When I entered, I happened to overhear Instructor Shen and Instructor Ma talking.”Everyone looked at Jiang Jiao, waiting for him to finish the rest of his words.
"Originally, during the Battle of Huayuan, the Wutuo People split their forces into two groups. One attacked Huayuan, while the other attacked Rundu, which is not far from Huayuan. Huayuan is larger and more populous than Rundu, and with the Flying Goose General defending it, although the losses were severe, they managed to hold the city. However, the situation in Rundu is not good. It’s a small city with few troops. If the Wutuo People attack and there is no external aid, it’s only a matter of time before the city falls."
"It’s that serious?" Hong Shan was stunned.
They were far away in Liang Province, almost the most remote place in Great Wei, where chickens don’t lay eggs and birds don’t leave droppings. They received no news, and the situation outside had already deteriorated to such an extent?
"What should we do?" Xiao Mai, being young, spoke urgently. "We can’t just ignore the lives of an entire city."
"Huayuan is close to Rundu. Once the Wutuo People retreat from Huayuan, the Flying Goose General can lead the remaining Pacify Yue Army to support Rundu," Shitou said seriously. "Rundu won’t fall."
"That’s good," Hong Shan sighed in relief. "With the Flying Goose General and the Pacify Yue Army, Rundu will be saved."
As everyone spoke, Jiang Jiao looked at He Yan. "Brother He, why aren’t you saying anything?"
At some point, He Yan had lowered her head and remained silent. She hadn’t touched the food in front of her, lost in thought. Hearing this, she raised her head, her eyes shining brightly, as if a fire was burning within them, startling everyone.
"...Are you alright?" Wang Ba waved his hand suspiciously at her.
He Yan took a deep breath. "I’m fine."
She asked Jiang Jiao, "Do you know the specific situation in Rundu right now?"
Jiang Jiao shook his head. "I only heard half of it before Instructor Shen caught me. Instructor Shen didn’t want to tell me the details, probably to avoid unsettling the Liangzhou Guard." He sighed again. "But I just don’t understand. We came to such a remote place, training hard every day, all to defend our homeland when foreign enemies invade. Now the people of Great Wei are suffering, yet we continue training as usual. Isn’t that just deceiving ourselves? What’s the point of joining the army?"
Young men like them already carried a fire in their hearts. When faced with enemies at their doorstep, they could never swallow their anger. Asking them to pretend ignorance like a turtle retracting its head was as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
"You’re wrong," Hong Shan said. "If we’re not needed, it means the situation isn’t that bad yet, and the Wutuo People aren’t too rampant. If we are needed, it means the situation has reached an irreparable point, and the people of Great Wei will suffer even more. Wouldn’t that be worse?"
Jiang Jiao thought about it and felt Hong Shan made sense, so he fell silent.
Xiao Mai asked, "Brother He, do you think the Flying Goose General will win or lose after supporting Rundu?"
"Isn’t it obvious?" Wang Ba answered without thinking. "The Pacify Yue Army had 150,000 soldiers. I heard they lost less than 50,000 in Huayuan, so there are still nearly 100,000 left. Rundu is just a small city, and the Wutuo People attacking it probably aren’t many. With the city’s own troops, even a fool could win. The Flying Goose General defended Huayuan, so there’s no reason he couldn’t hold such a small city. I think you’re all worrying for nothing. Instead of worrying about others, worry about yourselves—when will we get to eat meat with every meal?"He never had a pleasant way of speaking, so everyone usually ignored him. Xiao Mai turned to He Yan again. "Brother He, do you also think the Flying Goose General will win?"
He Yan lowered her head to look at the porridge in her bowl. It was thin, so clear it could reflect her face like a mirror. She spoke slowly, her voice calm. "I think... he won’t come to Rundu’s aid."
...
After the meal with Hong Shan and the others, He Yan didn’t chat with them as usual. She only said she was tired from today’s training and wanted to rest early.
On the way back, He Yan kept thinking about what Jiang Jiao had said earlier.
The Wutuo People attacking Rundu? Logically, given the distance between Huayuan and Rundu, it would be perfectly natural for He Rufei to go to its aid. Everyone thought so, which was why when He Yan said He Rufei wouldn’t support Rundu, even the usually indecisive Xiao Mai refused to believe it.
"Why? The Flying Goose General has already won the battle, and Huayuan can’t be held anymore. He can’t just stand by and watch people die, can he? The Flying Goose General would never abandon those in need!"
Hearing this, He Yan didn’t know whether to feel joy or sorrow. Joy, because the efforts of so many years had been seen by everyone, and she had performed her role as the Flying Goose General quite well. Sorrow, because others would project all their impressions of her onto He Rufei, placing complete trust in him and giving him countless opportunities to exploit.
He Rufei would certainly not go to Rundu’s aid, because the city’s garrison commander, Li Kuang, had once served alongside the Flying Goose General for a time. Li Kuang knew the "Flying Goose General." If He Rufei, the imposter, had even the slightest contact with Li Kuang, he would be exposed. Knowing this, He Rufei would surely find ways to delay, likely waiting until Li Kuang was dead and Rundu had fallen before making an appearance.
To avoid having his identity exposed, he wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice an entire city’s population.
She had once stayed briefly in Rundu herself, though at that time, it wasn’t the Wutu Kingdom harassing the people of Rundu but the Western Qiang. She had fought in Rundu and formed bonds with its people. Now, hearing news of Rundu again, whether for public duty or personal reasons, she couldn’t remain indifferent.
Her room was just ahead. Through the window, she could see a light on in Xiao Jue’s room. He Yan walked to his door, hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked.
"Come in."
He Yan pushed the door open and entered. Fei Nu stood to the side, while Xiao Jue held a letter in his hand. When He Yan entered, he set the letter down. The door closed behind her, and He Yan stepped forward. "Commander."
He glanced at He Yan, noticing her troubled expression, and asked, "What is it?"
"...You already know about Rundu?"
Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow. "Your sources are quite sharp."
"I overheard it by chance when Chief Instructor Shen was talking to someone," He Yan took a step forward. "Commander, will Rundu be breached by the Wutuo People?"
Xiao Jue gave a slight smile. "No, He Rufei is in Huayuan. The distance between Huayuan and Rundu is only three or four days."
He seemed quite confident.
He Yan gritted her teeth. "But what if the Flying Goose General refuses to aid Rundu? Or if something delays him on the way?"
At this, Xiao Jue looked up at her. His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp, as if trying to see through her. He only said, "Is that what you think?"He Yan knew he was growing suspicious, but the lives of tens of thousands in Rundu could not be sacrificed in vain. She evasively replied, "I've never met the Flying Goose General. Though everyone says he's formidable, it's possible he's all talk and no substance. He led a hundred and fifty thousand Pacify Yue Army troops to fight the Wutuo People recently, yet lost tens of thousands. Even his victories come with such difficulty. He's not as impressive as you and I were in Jiyang City. Perhaps he's actually quite incompetent... a coward who heard about Rundu's plight, backed out at the last moment, refused to offer support, and hid like a turtle in its shell!"
She was cursing He Rufei, so He Yan felt no burden. Fei Nu, standing nearby, couldn't help but twitch at her words and interjected, "That can't be. During the Western Qiang rebellion in the past, the Flying Goose General provided support everywhere. He once garrisoned Rundu and is an old acquaintance of the city's commander-in-chief. As long as Rundu calls for his aid, the Flying Goose General would never stand by and watch them perish."
He Yan thought to herself, precisely because Li Kuang was her old acquaintance, Rundu now faced calamity!
But she couldn't say this to others. Anxious and frustrated, He Yan hadn't expected her own long-standing reputation to be so widespread that now, even when she tried to tarnish it, no one believed her.
Xiao Jue looked at her thoughtfully. "What are you planning?"
Was he asking for her opinion? He Yan weighed her words carefully. "Commander, we've trained at Liangzhou Guard for over a year now. Combined, Liangzhou Guard and the Southern Garrison Troops number quite a few. Setting aside the Southern Garrison Troops, the new recruits at Liangzhou Guard have long been eager to experience a real battlefield. Why not take this opportunity to temper them? What if we go to support Rundu?"
Her eyes pleaded as she stared at Xiao Jue, hoping he would agree to her request, though the hope was exceedingly slim.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xiao Jue scoffed. "From Liangzhou Guard to Rundu, it's over a month's journey on foot. From Huayuan to Rundu, it takes only three or four days. Instead of seeking support from Huayuan, you want Liangzhou Guard's troops to trek over mountains and rivers to aid Rundu? He Yan, have you lost your mind?"
He Yan knew that any reasonable person would think the same—choosing the distant over the nearby. Even Li Kuang probably wouldn't dare consider such a thing. But she still had to fight for the people of Rundu. He Yan insisted, "Commander, please reconsider. Rundu is just a small city, so why do both the Western Qiang and the Wutuo People want to seize it? Once they take Rundu, neighboring Jinling will suffer, and heading north from there, the Wutuo People aim for the capital."
"Rundu must not fall!"
The young man's tone was stubborn. Fei Nu couldn't help but say, "Young Master He, we all know Rundu cannot fall. But even if the young master wanted to go to Rundu now, he would need the Emperor's permission. By the time approval comes and goes, two months would have passed. Rundu's battle would likely be over by then. Moreover, the possibility of the Flying Goose General not providing support is too slim. There's really no need for you to worry."
In their eyes, He Yan's actions were nothing short of unnecessary anxiety.
Xiao Jue said, "The Southern Garrison Troops have their own positions. Drop this idea of yours, and don't bring it up again."
He had outright refused.
He Yan sighed inwardly. Fei Nu's words weren't without reason. Xu Xiang was watching closely at court, and Xiao Jue had come to Liangzhou Guard precisely to avoid his brilliance and bide his time. Acting rashly now would inevitably invite criticism. This matter truly couldn't involve Xiao Jue, but what about the people of Rundu?She replied somewhat dejectedly, "I understand." After bidding farewell to Xiao Jue, she returned to her room.
After He Yan left, Xiao Jue gazed at the flickering flame in the oil lamp and said, "He Yan is acting strangely."
Fei Nu asked, "Does the young master suspect her?"
Xiao Jue shook his head, then after a moment added, "Go investigate if there have been any unusual changes in Rundu recently."
…
Returning from Xiao Jue's room, He Yan washed up with a heavy heart before lying down on the bed. The lamp had already been extinguished, and moonlight streamed in through the window, spilling onto the floor like a layer of white frost, lending the summer night a touch of cold desolation.
The last time she went to Rundu was several years ago. Back then, she wasn’t yet the Flying Goose General but had already been promoted to deputy general, accompanying the Pacify Yue Army to resist the Western Qiang in Rundu. Rundu was a small city, and the Western Qiang had killed people outside its walls, hanging their heads on flagpoles to flaunt their might.
The soldiers of the Pacify Yue Army who went with her were filled with hatred. Despite being outnumbered, they defeated the Western Qiang after a fierce battle. The scar on her shoulder was from that time. During the battle, there was no chance to remove the arrow, so she pulled it out herself afterward, nearly passing out from the pain.
The next day, Li Kuang’s concubine came, bringing a large basket of glistening, freshly washed grapes. She smiled warmly at He Yan and said, "Rundu doesn’t have much to offer, but these are the finest grapes. Deputy General He, please enjoy them slowly." Behind her, the people of Rundu poured in—one holding a chicken, another clutching two eggs—all coming to express their gratitude.
Not long after that battle, she was promoted.
He Yan held deep affection for every place where she had fought and bled. She knew all too well that He Rufei would not send reinforcements to Rundu. Li Kuang, defending the city, was merely waiting to die. Without reinforcements, the city’s inhabitants would eventually fall under the blades of the Wutuo people.
She couldn’t let that happen. If the Southern Garrison Troops and the new recruits of the Liangzhou Guard couldn’t be mobilized, she would go to Rundu alone. The soldiers in Rundu, fighting with their backs to the wall, might still have a sliver of hope.
But how could she go to Rundu? If she deserted now… if she were caught later, it would be a capital offense for disregarding military orders. He Rufei’s true face had yet to be exposed. If she died now, everything would be lost. Even so, if her death alone could save tens of thousands of lives, it would be worth it. But she was part of the Southern Garrison Troops. What if someone used this to threaten Xiao Jue, claiming it was his order, and implicated him?
Yet, she couldn’t stand by and watch tens of thousands in Rundu await death.
It was a dilemma. As He Yan pondered, her fingers brushed against something cold beneath her pillow. Instinctively, she looked at it in the moonlight and discovered an exquisitely crafted seal. Engraved on it were the small characters "Wu An."
The seal of the Wu Anlang had been handed to her along with the official robes when the imperial decree arrived in Liang Province. Since the position held little real authority, He Yan hadn’t paid it much mind and had casually tucked it under her pillow. But now, seeing it suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her. She sat up abruptly, clutching the seal in her palm.That's right, she was not only a soldier of the Southern Garrison Troops now; to be precise, she was also the Wu Anlang personally appointed by His Majesty. Chu Zhao had spoken correctly—she was under Xiao Jue's command, but she was not Xiao Jue's soldier. If she went to Rundu now, as long as she had her official seal, she could claim it was entirely her own will, and Xiao Jue knew nothing about it. Even if she were held accountable in the future, Xiao Jue would not be implicated.
As for herself...
In a way, the current situation in Rundu was partly her fault. She had defended Rundu once with the Pacify Yue Army, and she could certainly defend it a second time.
She had to go to Rundu on her own.
...
Having made up her mind that night, by the next day, He Yan was no longer as conflicted as she had been the first time. Since returning to Liangzhou Guard, she had not missed a single day of training, so she had no worries about her combat skills. Under the pretext of practicing archery and horsemanship, she examined several of the better horses in the stables, memorizing the one she liked most, intending to take it with her when she left.
As for other items, such as hidden weapons, whips, and medicine, some remained in her room from before, and He Yan packed them all. Everything else aside, the most important thing was that although she had been to Rundu before, she had never traveled there from Liangzhou Guard. The journey was long, and she could not afford to take a wrong turn. After all, every day in Rundu was a struggle, and a wrong turn would waste not only time but also lives.
Fortunately, there were always people in the camp who knew the way.
He Yan pretended to be extremely interested in matters concerning Rundu, spending all her time outside of daily training talking to those who had been there. She asked them about the route from Liangzhou Guard to Rundu and the paths where one might go astray. In truth, Huang Xiong had also been there, but he didn’t know the way, so she had to give up on him.
Xiao Mai asked, "Brother He, do you want to go to Rundu to eat grapes? Why are you suddenly so concerned about Rundu?"
Shitou watched He Yan’s spirited conversations with others and thoughtfully lowered his head.
Over two days, a complete map from Liangzhou Guard to Rundu was drawn. He Yan spread the map out on the table. If she took the shortcuts marked on the map and traveled without rest, she might reach Rundu in less than a month. But... could Li Kuang really hold out for a month?
Overthinking was useless; the priority now was to set off. He Yan slung her pack over her shoulder and, before leaving, glanced at the two items in the bottom drawer of the wooden cabinet. Both had been brought from Jiyang. One was a dough figurine Xiao Jue had bought for her during the Water God Festival. The dough had long since dried out, but she had carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief. The other was a wooden carving painting given to her by Mu Yi, depicting a female general star standing proudly with a whip, looking majestic.
He Yan looked at them and smiled, shaking her head as she packed them away and placed them back in the drawer. She couldn’t take these with her anyway. Left here, they would likely be discarded along with the other things in the room.
With everything packed, He Yan turned to look at the middle gate before stepping out. The gate was tightly shut, and the night was deep. Xiao Jue had long since fallen asleep. She was leaving quietly this time, heading to the perilous battlefield of Rundu, uncertain whether she would survive to see Xiao Jue again. But even if she did, who knew what circumstances they would meet under when they reunited?
"Goodbye," she murmured silently in her heart, then turned and gently pushed open the door before her.Outside, the night was deep and vast, a boundless expanse of ink-black darkness. The moon was hidden behind dark clouds, with only scattered starlight illuminating the distant, expansive mountains and forests. He Yan stood in a daze for a moment, and in an instant, it felt as though she had returned to many years ago—the first time she packed her belongings and left the He family home. Back then, just like now, she had no idea what lay ahead, whether joy or sorrow awaited her, yet she strode forward with bold steps.
But now, things are different from many years ago. She is no longer confused or lost; she knows the direction she wants to go and is confident in every decision she makes.
Just like this, she moves forward without regrets.
Yan Yan: Off to focus on my career, watch me shine on my own [fighting spirit]
(End of Chapter)
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