Qiao Chu

The New Year brought a fresh atmosphere, with grand feasts in the palace and brightly lit streets in the capital, bustling with crowds.

The night market was lively, and soldiers patrolled the area from time to time, but they no longer caused panic among the people. These were the street patrols, and with them around, incidents like fires, thieves, drunken brawls could be promptly handled.

As the soldiers rode by on horseback, the crowd made way for them. Two men who seemed like idlers also stepped aside to the edge of the street.

"It's not easy, having to work even during the New Year festivities," one of the men sighed.

The other nodded. "That's how it is for those on duty—the busier it gets during the holidays, the more they have to do." He glanced at the man and added, "Is Sixth Master busy? Shall we find a place for a drink?"

The man called Sixth Master laughed heartily. "Our kind of busy is different from theirs. We're busy all the time, everywhere—even drinking counts as work." He patted the other man on the shoulder. "Master Qi, today's on me. I know a barbecue stall tucked away in an inconspicuous spot, but the skill there is excellent."

Master Qi didn't stand on ceremony, and the two left the bustling main street, heading toward the relatively quiet docks.

The usually busy docks were much quieter during the New Year, though a few scattered cargo ships still came and went. Seven or eight laborers waited for unloading or carrying jobs. Frugal as they were, the holiday spirit had tempted them to treat themselves to some meat and a cup of cheap wine at the barbecue stall.

Unfazed by the stall's simplicity or the humble status of its patrons, Master Qi and Sixth Master ordered two servings of barbecue and a pot of wine. They ate and drank by the riverside, chatting and laughing softly in the breeze.

"The flavor is truly excellent," Master Qi praised, pouring wine for Sixth Master before asking, "How have your recent harvests been?"

Sixth Master downed his wine in one gulp and grimaced. "Not a single grain reaped—it's downright uncanny."

Master Qi sighed as he poured himself another drink. "Same here. We'll have to wait and see what opportunities the west might bring."

They sounded like merchants? Or perhaps farmers? The nearby laborers overheard snippets and speculated silently. Looking at the two men, they were dressed plainly, unremarkable in appearance—the kind you wouldn't notice in a crowd.

"Don't worry, brothers," one laborer, emboldened by a few extra sips from his bowl of wine, offered drunken consolation. "Times are peaceful now; this year is bound to get better and better."

Master Qi and Sixth Master didn't mind the poor man chiming in and raised their cups with a smile. "Thank you for your kind words, brother."

After drinking, Sixth Master called out to the old man running the barbecue stall, "Another serving, and—"

Master Qi stopped him. "No more wine." Their duties forbade excessive drinking, though he couldn't say that outright. "—The meat is delicious, but this wine really isn't good."

Sixth Master chuckled, understanding his meaning, and called out to the old man, "You ought to stock some better wine."

The old man didn't take offense and laughed. "Small business, you know. Good wine costs more than the meat itself."

The poor laborers at the dock, who spared no expense on meat to keep their strength up, couldn't afford to splurge on wine.

Sixth Master had only said it in passing; he smiled and went back to eating.

But the mention of wine caught the laborers' attention—what man doesn't appreciate good wine?

"I haven't had much fine wine myself," one laborer smacked his lips. "But that jug of Yu Shang's wine from the year before last was truly exceptional. Even now, just thinking about it, the aroma lingers."

At these words, Master Qi and Sixth Master, who had been eating, paused mid-bite and looked up simultaneously. In the darkness, they saw sparks ignite in each other's eyes.

Yu Shang.

...

...The New Year festivities weren't just lively in the capital; this year, the Border Commandery was also experiencing unprecedented joy.

Even in the newly reclaimed lands where no one had yet settled, continuous firecracker explosions could be heard, shaking the ground.

This made the man lying on the slope frown. Wrapped in a thick animal-skin coat with a scarf covering his head and face, only his eyes were visible—and they were filled with irritation.

"Did the commandery town set off every single firecracker and firework they had?" he muttered, pulling the scarf up to cover even his eyes. "So damn noisy."

But that didn't block out the outside world. Soon, sharp bird calls pierced the air.

The man on the slope kicked the ground and sat up. "I've had it! Being a bandit has more rules than being a soldier. Why can't they just talk properly instead of using this damn bird language?"

He yanked down the scarf, placed his fingers to his lips, and let out two melodious—yet cursed—bird calls. Getting to his feet, he slid down the slope and whistled sharply. From somewhere unseen, his grazing horse came galloping over.

At the same time, two riders approached from the distance, waving and shouting, "A Jiu, it's time for your shift—"

A Jiu—Xie Yanlai—gave them a dismissive wave.

"A Jiu," the two called out cheerfully, undeterred. "Happy New Year!"

Xie Yanlai grunted a "Yeah" in response, then cracked his whip and urged his horse into a gallop.

Although this area was originally said to belong to Western Liang, the Western Liang people had never lived here, and the Great Xia people hadn't dared to approach. For decades, it remained untouched. Now that it belonged to Great Xia, aside from stationed troops, no civilians had moved in yet. At first glance, it appeared desolate.

But after crossing several ravines, fireworks could be seen bursting in the sky, accompanied by the crackling of firecrackers rising and falling in succession. A settlement came into view.

Though most dwellings were dugouts, scattered houses stood here and there—some completed, others still under construction.

Like everywhere else in Great Xia, this place was brimming with New Year's atmosphere at this moment.

Children ran about playing in new clothes, women sat together chatting and laughing, and men butchered game. At first glance, it resembled an ordinary village.

But with the bird calls in the air, the occasional figures peering out from the surroundings, and upon entering the settlement—seeing children playing with wooden swords, even the girls, and idle women occasionally revealing knife handles at their waists—it became clear this was no ordinary village.

"A Jiu is back."

"A Jiu, come try the freshly steamed meat at our house."

Yet when they saw Xie Yanlai, the villagers greeted him warmly, like old neighbors who'd known him for years. Even with his face wrapped in a scarf, Xie Yanlai's eyes softened as he passed through. Dismounting at his doorstep, he deftly avoided a group of children rushing past with a few long-legged strides.

He caught one child by the collar and hitched up the boy's trousers, which were nearly dragging on the ground.

"Wait for me, wait for me!"

The child, however, showed no gratitude. Anxious about being delayed from playing, he struggled free.

Xie Yanlai pointed angrily at him. "You little brat, you'll trip over your pants and eat mud in a minute." With that, he tossed the reins aside, letting the horse roam free, and entered the yard.

Calling it a yard was generous—it was merely a circle of fencing, and the dwelling was just a single dugout.

But his neighbor next door lived in a proper three-room house, completed and enclosed by a fence, with chickens and ducks roaming the yard.

It could be considered the finest house in the settlement, clearly belonging to a wealthy family.Xie Yanlai lifted his long leg, vaulted over his own "courtyard wall," then over the neighbor's "courtyard wall," before jumping into the chicken and duck coop to reach for eggs—

"Second Master—" A servant boy dashed out from the main room, screeching like the poultry, "A Jiu is stealing eggs again—"

Xie Yanlai shot him a glare, shaking the warm egg in his hand. "Making a fuss over nothing. It's just an egg. Besides, your chickens and ducks steal grass and the insects in it from my yard too."

The servant snorted, about to retort, when a voice called from inside: "A Cai, is the water boiled? Is the meal ready?"

A Cai responded hastily, "Got it, got it, stop nagging. I'm going to cook now." With that, he headed toward another room, not forgetting to glare at Xie Yanlai and mutter a warning: "Don't you dare come steal our food!"

Xie Yanlai raised an eyebrow dismissively and glanced toward the main room, where a figure could faintly be seen sitting upright, holding a scroll of books.

"Master Zhu, still studying hard during the New Year?" he drawled. "Is this the first time you've had such a leisurely New Year with nothing to do?"

The person inside paid him no mind. Xie Yanlai curled his lip and couldn't be bothered to say more, taking the egg and vaulting back over the wall.

But the occupant of the room didn't get much peace. The servant rushed out from the kitchen again, holding two pieces of marbled meat.

"Second Master, Second Master," he called. "Look at this! Someone left it in the kitchen."

Seemingly unperturbed, the man inside set down his book and stepped out.

"Is someone sending gifts?" the servant whispered, then couldn't help muttering, "Even as a bandit, you're getting presents?"

Could it be Second Master's fate?

Deng Yi glanced at the meat in the servant's hands and said, "This is tuition payment."

Tuition payment—of course the servant knew what that meant. He slapped his forehead in sudden understanding. Right, now that Second Master was no longer an official but lacked the skills to be a proper bandit, he could only serve as a teacher in the bandit den, teaching the young bandits to read and write—

That's why this house, built the fastest and best, was given to them: one room was used as a school.

He chuckled. "They're quite proper, knowing to give the teacher a gift." Then he turned cheerfully back to the kitchen. "I'll stew these today. The old mistress said yesterday we should offer meat to the master and the elder master, so they don't go hungry in the afterlife."

Deng Yi couldn't resist calling him back. "Why not save this gift for later, to give to someone else someday?"

Traditionally, any gifts Deng Yi received were never used for household expenses but kept ready for regifting.

Hearing this, the servant turned back, puzzled. "Second Master, have you lost your mind? Tuition isn't a gift—it's a teacher's due, rightful and proper."

Deng Yi started to say something, but an old woman's voice called from inside, "A Er, have you prepared the offerings for your father and elder brother?"

Deng Yi raised his voice toward the interior. "Mother, it's done, it's done. We're stewing meat today." He waved the servant away.

The servant curled his lip and took the meat into the kitchen.

Standing outside the door, Deng Yi listened to the village's clamor, watched the chickens and ducks clucking and quacking in the yard, and suddenly saw someone else approaching—a woman in red—

"Master Zhu," Mu Mianhong greeted with a smile. "Happy New Year."

Deng Yi nodded to her.

Mu Mianhong didn't linger to chat, calling out cheerfully, "A Jiu—" "A Jiu, come out. I need you for something."After calling out several times, with only the ducks and chickens cackling in response, Xie Yanlai had no choice but to emerge from the dugout, asking impatiently, "What is it? My duty for today is over."

Mu Mianhong didn’t answer, only smiled and said, "Come with me." With that, she strode off.

Xie Yanlai reluctantly followed.

Deng Yi watched his retreating figure and muttered under his breath, "That kid is really lucky."

Then he lowered his head to look at the scroll in his hand, pacing slowly around the courtyard as he read.

……

……

Mu Mianhong lived in a tent—spacious and comfortable. Xie Yanlai entered and saw a table laden with dishes.

"What’s this about?" he asked, somewhat awkwardly. "I’m about to eat soon. The Zhu family’s meal is almost ready."

Mu Mianhong had already taken a seat. Hearing this, she chuckled and said, "No need to eat at their place today. You’ll eat here."

Xie Yanlai refused to sit. "Then I’d rather eat there."

Eating Mu Mianhong’s food—this was her mother. For him to come into her home and eat a meal, what would that imply?

Xie Yanlai’s ears flushed slightly.

"I wanted to hear you talk about A Zhao," Mu Mianhong said with a smile.

That made it even more impossible to stay! Xie Yanlai turned to leave. "I don’t know anything. I’m not her. You should wait for her to tell you herself."

"A Jiu," Mu Mianhong called out. "Actually, I watched her grow up too. When she was little, she often came to the commandery city to play—either quarreling with this one or fighting with that one. Unless General Chu was holding her in his arms, there was no way to keep her in check—"

Xie Yanlai had already turned his feet away, but his ears perked up, unable to resist listening to Mu Mianhong’s stories of Chu Zhao’s childhood.

"—Later, she went to the capital, and I couldn’t see her anymore," Mu Mianhong sighed softly. "I wonder what she’s like in the capital—"

Xie Yanlai couldn’t help but interject, "In the capital, she’s still the same."

Mu Mianhong smiled and asked, "Really? But A Zhao is very clever. I think she would hide her true nature in the capital."

"She definitely wouldn’t," Xie Yanlai said.

Mu Mianhong pointed to the table again. "Come, sit down and talk."

Xie Yanlai hesitated for a moment but didn’t refuse this time and took a seat.

As they talked and ate, Xie Yanlai gradually let go of his restraint, growing animated as he spoke of Chu Zhao.

"—She’s so bold, whipping me—and she really meant it. She just charged right in—"

"In front of everyone, no less."

"And that time she fought her cousin in the tavern was even funnier. That kid couldn’t out-argue her, outmatch her, or outfight her, so he just cried and wailed—"

Mu Mianhong listened with a smile.

Xie Yanlai grew more and more engrossed in his storytelling, inwardly marveling at how many things he had seen her do—

Lost in thought for a moment, he suddenly heard Mu Mianhong ask, "She’ll be coming here to join you soon, won’t she?"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Xie Yanlai nodded. "Yes."

As soon as the word left his mouth, he came to his senses, and his face flushed red.

"I mean, she may be in the capital, but this place—Yunzhong Commandery—is her home. General Chu’s spirit—"

Mu Mianhong chuckled, cutting off his explanation, and pointed to the table. "Try this. I don’t know what A Zhao’s tastes are like, whether she’d enjoy it or not."

Xie Yanlai fell silent, picking up a dish with his chopsticks to eat.

Truthfully, he couldn’t really taste anything, but he was certain she would love it.

As long as she was with the one she loved, she would enjoy anything she ate.