Unveil: Jadewind

"Climbing thief! Don't move! I'm talking to you! Arrows are drawn!"

Li Yuangui was startled and equally baffled. He and Yang Xinzhi had come with the Martial Guards patrolling the ward at night, having already explained that they carried secret orders requiring their nighttime entry into the Yang residence. Who was this suddenly shouting? Did these patrolling guards have itchy backsides craving a beating?

"Thief! Stand still!"

The twang of bowstrings echoed from the street corner—a second warning. Before Li Yuangui could decide what to do, a dark figure suddenly appeared from around the bend, sprinting straight toward him.

So the Martial Guards hadn't been shouting at them. It seemed another thief had broken into the residence tonight.

Wait, why did he think "another"...

As the figure drew near, Li Yuangui pushed aside his wandering thoughts and crouched, sweeping out a leg to trip the runner. The small, agile shadow managed to leap at the last moment, dodging the kick and continuing to flee. But behind him stood Yang Xinzhi, solid as an iron tower, arms spread wide like the vast Qin mountain range. Without any fancy moves, he simply reached out and grabbed the slender figure as easily as an eagle snatching a chick.

The delay allowed the patrolling guards to catch up, led by none other than Colonel Su Dingfang of the Right Wuwei Guard. Panting, Su Dingfang laughed:

"What luck! Fourteenth Young Master caught the thief!"

"Where did this thief come from?" Li Yuangui frowned.

"From the Zoroastrian temple across the way... We spotted him the moment he landed. When he headed for Minister Yang's residence, we first thought he might be your accomplice, but the more we watched, the more suspicious he seemed. You truly don't recognize him?"

Li Yuangui examined the figure in Yang Xinzhi's grip—a foreign youth wearing a barbarian-style hat. In the darkness, his features were indistinct, but he appeared dark-skinned and thin, with bright whites to his eyes. He panted heavily but said nothing.

"I don't know him. Take him to the guard post for questioning."

Every ward in Chang'an had guard posts at street corners, but since the Right Wuwei Guard Office was located in Buzheng Ward, one post was unnecessary. Li Yuangui and the others took the foreign youth straight to the office. Despite intense questioning from Su Dingfang, the youth only shook his head, refusing to speak.

Under the bright lamplight indoors, Li Yuangui could see the youth had large eyes, thick lips, and a ruddy-brown complexion. Though clearly not Han Chinese, his features differed markedly from the high-nosed, deep-eyed merchant foreigners.

He had fled from the Fire Temple in Buzheng Ward. The foreign deities worshipped there were strange and mysterious, with few followers among the Han—mostly merchant foreigners from the Western Regions along the Silk Road. Those merchants had prominent foreheads, high-bridged noses, men with curly hair and thick beards, while their women were fair-skinned and shapely... Ahem. In any case, this youth's features more closely resembled the Qiang or Tuyuhun peoples near the Central Plains.

It wasn't unusual for merchant caravans from the northwest to include Qiang or Tuyuhun slaves or servants among their ranks during long journeys transporting goods and people. However, this youth wore expensive black brocade robes and a barbarian-style hat, stood straight, and bore a stubborn expression—nothing like a runaway slave. Li Yuangui decided to bluff him:

"Staying silent won't help—I've already recognized you!"

The foreign youth stared at him with only confusion in his eyes, as if he genuinely didn't understand Chinese.

"You're a Tuyuhun spy! Here to gather military intelligence for your people, aren't you?"Upon hearing the words "Tuyuhun," the young Hu boy's expression finally changed. He suddenly spoke a rapid string of incomprehensible foreign words. Li Yuangui and Su Dingfang exchanged blank looks—neither could understand a word.

Perhaps they should just detain the Hu boy here until dawn and send him to the Court of State Ceremonial to find an interpreter for questioning... Just as Li Yuangui was nursing his headache, the boy rattled off another stream of foreign speech, this time repeatedly mentioning the word "Sart."

"Sart?" Su Dingfang perked up. "Are you talking about Kang Su-mi? Are you from Kang Sabao's household?"

The boy seemed uncertain about the pronunciation of "Kang Su-mi," uttering a foreign word that sounded similar before repeating it several times, curling his lips in an expression of arrogant disdain.

Su Dingfang's patience wore thin, his temper flaring as he slammed the table and pointed accusingly:

"This little Hu brat violates the night curfew and still dares to put on such airs! Such insolence! Guards, give him thirty lashes first!"

"Hold on," someone interjected. "If this boy really is from Kang Sabao's household, we should consider their standing. The Sart holds a fifth-rank court title, and Kang Su-mi has always been well-connected among the nobility. We ought to show some courtesy. Perhaps postpone the punishment for now—Colonel Su can send someone to the Kang residence to verify first."

Su Dingfang glanced at Li Yuangui as if seeking his opinion, though a sly smirk played at the corners of his lips. Li Yuangui felt a prickle of unease, his instincts sharpening in caution.

The Martial Guards differed significantly from the other fourteen imperial guards in their duties. Beyond standing watch and clearing roads, they were responsible for maintaining order within the capital's wards, dealing daily with troublemakers and scoundrels. While other guard units often filled their ranks with inexperienced young nobles seeking entry into officialdom, the Martial Guards were mostly seasoned veterans, their officers shrewd and battle-hardened. The colonels overseeing daily operations had to be particularly sharp-witted.

Li Yuangui hadn’t known Su Dingfang before today, but the name struck him as vaguely familiar upon meeting the man in his forties. Only later did he recall the unfortunate tales he’d heard about him.

Su Dingfang hailed from Wuyi in Hebei. During the chaos of the late Sui, he had been adopted by Gao Yaxian, a favored general under the Xia King Dou Jiande, distinguishing himself in battle with a bright future ahead. But when the Tang unified the Central Plains and the Xia forces scattered, Su Dingfang had no choice but to return to farming.

In the early Zhenguan era, he rejoined the Tang army as a militia conscript, serving under Dai Guogong Li Jing in campaigns against the Turks. His exceptional bravery earned him a vanguard role, where he led the decisive assault on Jieli Khan’s tent at the Battle of Qikou, claiming the highest merit. Yet before he could receive his due rewards, court censors accused Li Yaoshi of "lax discipline leading to plunder dispersal," enraging the Son of Heaven. Though Li Jing escaped punishment, Su Dingfang bore the blame for "looting spoils," his merits canceled to offset the offense. He was quietly reassigned to Chang'an as a colonel.

That said, while the rank of Martial Guard colonel wasn’t high, it controlled numerous gray-area operations—undoubtedly a "lucrative" position. Wealthy merchant Hu like Kang Su-mi, whose Fire Temple shared a ward with the Right Wuwei Guard Office, surely offered regular "tributes." If this curfew-breaking youth truly belonged to the Kang household, a windfall of silver and gold might soon follow.If Li Yuangui hadn’t been present, Su Dingfang would likely have directly granted the favor. But with a close relative of the Son of Heaven holding an Imperial Edict overseeing the government office, and given Su Dingfang’s past costly mistakes in such matters, he dared not openly show leniency. Instead, he made a show of threatening to administer a beating first to distance himself, while signaling his subordinates to explain the situation to Li Yuangui and let him decide—after all, Colonel Su wouldn’t take Kang Sabao’s usual bribes for nothing. He offered covert protection without shouldering any blame.

“I’ve heard of Sart Kang Su-mi’s reputation,” Li Yuangui spoke up. “In fact, I’ve been meaning to pay him a visit these past few days. Why not inquire at his residence? If this foreign lad belongs to him, have him pay the fine in copper and take him away.”

The Tang legal code did have provisions for “redemption punishments,” where thirty lashes could be commuted by submitting three catties of copper—though whether redemption was permitted was another matter entirely. Hearing Li Yuangui’s words, Su Dingfang understood he had no intention of being overly strict and relaxed, ordering someone to inform Kang Su-mi’s household.

Before the time it took to finish a meal, hearty laughter rang outside the door. An elderly merchant in foreign brocade robes entered, clasping his hands and bowing to Li Yuangui and the others in apology:

“My apologies for troubling you, noble sirs! This foolish boy is my nephew, just arrived in the capital a couple of days ago. He doesn’t know the rules under the Son of Heaven’s feet and ran around recklessly—all due to my poor discipline! Sang Sai, apologize to these officers at once!”

Seeing Su Dingfang and the others rise to return the greeting, addressing him as “Sart Kang,” Li Yuangui realized this was Kang Su-mi himself and studied him more closely. The old foreigner had a high nose, deep-set eyes, and a thick beard, speaking fluent Chinese but with a heavy Shu accent, which sounded rather amusing.

After explaining the young foreigner’s identity, Kang Su-mi switched to a foreign tongue and scolded him sternly. Though still visibly reluctant, Sang Sai bowed and apologized to Li Yuangui and the others before retreating behind Kang Su-mi, effectively being taken away.

The Martial Guard officers present were clearly well-acquainted with Kang Su-mi, exchanging greetings one by one. When Su Dingfang introduced Li Yuangui and his attendants, unsure of the depth of their relationship, he simply referred to him as “the Son of Heaven’s envoy, Fourteenth Young Master Li.” Li Yuangui, however, decided to reveal his identity outright, as he had intended to get to know Kang Su-mi anyway:

“To be frank, my name is Yuangui, currently titled Prince Wu and honorary governor of Shouzhou. I am the present Son of Heaven’s Fourteenth Brother.”

His words stunned the room. Kang Su-mi rose again to bow formally, offering polite phrases like “failing to recognize a great mountain.” Meanwhile, Kang’s servants brought in several boxes of gold, silver, and treasures, with the old Sart explaining, “This was originally the fine for Sang Sai’s redemption punishment. Had I known His Highness was here, I wouldn’t dare offend your eyes with such meager gifts.”

Li Yuangui patiently endured the formalities before stating he had matters to discuss—after all, it was this old foreigner Kang Su-mi who had betrayed, er, captured and presented the former Sui Empress Xiao and her grandson from the Turkic steppes to the Heavenly Khan of Great Tang. After arriving in Chang’an together, their households had become neighbors, so Kang Su-mi likely knew Empress Xiao’s movements better than anyone. The old merchant’s face brightened further:

“Whatever Your Highness wishes to ask, this old Kang will speak without reserve! But it’s too late today—how about honoring my humble home with your presence for the night? Tomorrow, once rested, we can share wine and conversation at leisure!”After days of restless nights without proper sleep, even the young and robust Li Yuangui felt exhausted. Kang Su-mi’s suggestion came at the perfect time. After a few modest words of thanks, he left the Right Wuwei Guard Office with Yang Xinzhi and followed the group of foreigners riding toward the Zoroastrian temple.

During the idle conversation on the road, Kang Su-mi mentioned that one of his sisters had married into Tibet and given birth to Sang Sai, this unruly little monkey who couldn’t be disciplined, so he was sent to Kang’s household to learn the trade. Yet this brat still ran around every day, climbing walls and trees without restraint. Tonight, he had no idea what mischief the boy had planned by sneaking into the residence of Vice Minister Yang—Empress Xiao and her grandson’s home was just opposite the Zoroastrian temple, not far at all.

They also spoke of the temple, mentioning that the Zoroastrian priest of Buzheng Ward originally bore the surname An. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Kang Su-mi brought Empress Xiao and her grandson to surrender to the Tang. For this great merit, the court appointed him as Sart and granted him a residence. He had already been acquainted with several frontier generals, including the third imperial son-in-law Chai Shao, during the WuDe Era. Since then, he had received much support from influential figures, and this capital’s earliest and largest Fire Temple also came under Kang Su-mi’s stewardship.

The Kang residence was connected to the temple—a sprawling mansion with multiple courtyards, indistinguishable from ordinary homes from the outside. But upon entering, one could see domed structures, and the central courtyard seemed to be filled with tents. By now, the night was deep, and everything was shrouded in darkness. Servants of the Kang household led the way with torches. Just as they rounded the main hall, a sudden, agonized howl pierced the air.

The sound wasn’t loud, seemingly from just one person wailing in pain, like a wounded wolf’s death cry. In the unfamiliar courtyard in the dead of night, it sent chills down the spine.

Li Yuangui halted in alarm, gripping the hilt of his sword, while Yang Xinzhi immediately stepped forward, positioning himself protectively behind Li Yuangui with his blade drawn.

Kang Su-mi and the other foreigners also stopped. In the flickering torchlight, the old foreign merchant frowned angrily and barked a few foreign words. Several men responded hastily and rushed off, and the howling soon ceased.

“Your Highness must have been startled—my apologies!” Kang Su-mi turned with a smile and bowed to Li Yuangui. “One of my worthless slaves was punished with a few lashes for his mistakes. He must have woken up in the middle of the night crying from the pain. It’s nothing, nothing at all…”

Sang Sai, the youth who had been caught violating curfew and had been following them, suddenly spoke up, asking a couple of questions in Tibetan. Kang Su-mi replied in the same language, waving his hand impatiently. But Sang Sai refused to drop the matter and pressed further, making Kang Su-mi’s face darken with anger.

Li Yuangui watched silently from the side. He couldn’t understand a word of their exchange, but the more he listened, the more suspicious he grew. It seemed to him that the language Kang Su-mi used with his servants was not the same as the one he spoke with Sang Sai.

Earlier, when Kang Su-mi had scolded his servants, the words had been rapid and fluid, as if his tongue had simply rolled around in his mouth, producing a stream of foreign gibberish. But when he spoke with Sang Sai, his enunciation was much clearer and stiffer, less fluent and natural—somewhat like how one might speak Tang Chinese, but with entirely different syllables. Sang Sai also replied in the same Tibetan, speaking more smoothly and quickly, his tone even confrontational.The young foreigner had been stubborn and haughty ever since his capture, showing no courtesy to anyone, including Kang Su-mi. The Western Region Hu people primarily engaged in trade, and Li Yuangui had heard that when their children were born, parents would smear sweet "rock sugar" in the infant's mouth and apply glue to their hands, hoping the child would grow up with honeyed words and a firm grip on money jars. The merchant Hu people Li Yuangui had met were all the type with habitual smiles and instant familiarity—like Kang Su-mi.

Sang Sai's demeanor and behavior were nothing like someone raised among merchant Hu people, let alone a junior subordinate of Kang Su-mi.

Kang Su-mi seemed to have lost his patience and spoke a few words in the Hu language to the two men beside him. The two servants bowed in acknowledgment, and one reached out to grab Sang Sai, attempting to forcibly take him away. The furious young foreigner slapped the servant's hand away and strode off. The two servants hastily gave chase, and the three soon disappeared into the night.

"Damn it, that head-chopping little bastard!" Kang Sumi cursed at Sang Sai's retreating figure before turning to lead Li Yuangui and his servant onward, guiding them into a guest courtyard. Someone must have arrived earlier to announce their coming, as lanterns hung along the corridors, and many servants stood with hands clasped in respect. Warm candlelight glowed from the windows of the main guest room.

A servant lifted the felt curtain, and the old Hu merchant led the way, smiling as he ushered Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi into the main room. As they rounded a large standing screen, Li Yuangui abruptly halted, his blood rushing to his head.

The candlelight was dim and hazy, the room filled with an intoxicating exotic fragrance. Two figures stood silently by the bed.

#####Chapter 8 Footnote: A brief introduction to the common Central Asian "Sogdians" in the Tang Dynasty, plus a muscular man. The platform does not support image uploads—please visit the author's Weibo to view. Search for the ID "Tang-Time Travel Guide Forest Deer" on Sina Weibo. Welcome to discuss. ????