Chapter 92

Amid the rumbling of carriage wheels, Fan Changyu remained silent for a long while before asking,

“If I stay in the army, then I’ll have to kill a great many people in the future, won’t I?”

She lifted her eyes. Reflected in them were the daylight and mountains beyond the carriage window, but there was now a deeper stillness within them.

“Master… I actually don’t like killing people 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. Prince Changxin rebelled, but throughout this war, the ones who have died the most are the ordinary soldiers underneath him.”

“They didn’t willingly go to war either. If they deserted, they would be executed immediately. Their wives, children, and parents were all inside Chongzhou City, so they had nowhere to run.”

“I know the rebels deserve death, but when I look at those confused and terrified faces on the battlefield, I can’t bring myself to strike.”

“They’re all citizens of Great Yin too. If not for this war, they’d be just like ordinary people—either farming in the fields or selling goods in the streets to earn a little money for their families.”

“When I see them, I think of those civilians conscripted from Jizhou during the siege of Lu City. They probably died the same way, like ants on a battlefield.”

Grand Tutor Tao looked at her with some surprise.

“What you’re thinking isn’t wrong. For those in power to pursue their ambitions, how can they be so heartless as to treat the people like expendable grass? But since an unrighteous army already exists, if no one stops it, should we simply allow an even greater disaster to unfold?”

Seeing the confusion in Fan Changyu’s eyes, he asked,

“Girl, tell me. Why did you cross Witch Ridge in the stormy night to intercept and kill those three scouts?”

Fan Changyu pressed her lips together.

“You said that if they delivered the information back, the entire population of Lu City would suffer.”

Grand Tutor Tao nodded.

“You killed those three scouts because you believed their lives and deaths would determine the lives and deaths of everyone in Lu City. But isn’t the war against the rebels now being fought for the people of the realm as well?”

“Prince Changxin’s rebellion has already displaced countless civilians around Chongzhou. If he continues to grow stronger and marches south again in the future, how many more people will suffer from the chaos of war?”

“You intercepted the scouts to save the soldiers and civilians of Lu City. The imperial army seeks to eliminate Prince Changxin to save the people of the realm.”

“Even if the court today is riddled with corruption and chronic problems, reform should be carried out through political struggle and change—not by starting a war and throwing the people into misery.”

“When comparing being hungry and cold to having no food or clothing at all because of war, which is worse? Girl, do you understand?”

Listening to his words, Fan Changyu only felt her heart sink further.

Grand Tutor Tao continued,

“The army in Prince Changxin’s hands is the blade he uses to march south. If you’re unwilling to break that blade, then more innocent souls will die beneath it.”

“Since ancient times, there has never been a war without bloodshed and death.”

“Buried beneath those yellow sands are countless loyal heroes, but also the unwilling victims you speak of—people forced onto the battlefield. Yet it is precisely because every dynasty has had loyal men willing to stand against unrighteous armies that divided lands are eventually reunited and peace returns.”

“Military strategy and tactics aren’t meant for killing people. They’re meant to end wars with as few casualties as possible.”

Fan Changyu rose from her seat and knelt respectfully before him.

“Changyu thanks Teacher for your guidance.”

Grand Tutor Tao smiled.

“You little girl. You still only wish to call me ‘Teacher’?”

Fan Changyu immediately kowtowed three times.

Then she picked up a wooden teacup nearby and respectfully offered it to him.

“Master.”

Grand Tutor Tao accepted the tea.

The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened with his smile.

“This girl truly suits my eye. I’m willing to accept you as my adopted daughter as well. From now on, call me Foster Father.”

“Foster Father.”

This time, Grand Tutor Tao looked so pleased that he seemed ready to bloom into a flower.

After taking a sip of tea, he set the cup down and said,

“Since you’ve become my daughter, I’ll give you a courtesy name.”

“You were born in the Year of the Tiger. Your name, ‘Changyu,’ is upright and gentle, enough to suppress much of your natural fierceness. It leaves you with courage but hides your edge. If you one day go to war, that won’t necessarily be a good thing.”

“How about the courtesy name ‘Shanjun’?”

Fan Changyu looked puzzled.

“Does that mean a gentleman of the mountains?”

Grand Tutor Tao stroked his beard and smiled.

“That interpretation isn’t wrong if taken literally. But ‘Shanjun’ is also another name for a tiger that rules the mountains.”

Since ancient times, only men usually received courtesy names from their elders.

Many women didn’t even have proper personal names until marriage. Before that, they were often called simply by their family name and birth order.

The fact that Grand Tutor Tao had put so much thought into giving her a courtesy name naturally moved Fan Changyu.

“Thank you, Foster Father, for granting me a courtesy name.”

Changning blinked her large grape-like eyes.

“Ningniang wants one too!”

Grand Tutor Tao shook his head with a laugh.

“You’re still too young. Wait a few more years.”

Changning pouted unhappily and extended her little finger.

“Then let’s pinky promise. You can’t lie to Ningniang.”

Grand Tutor Tao rarely laughed so heartily.

His aged finger hooked around hers.

“Fine. This old man will owe you a courtesy name.”

Only after making the promise was Changning satisfied.

She took off her shoes and stood on the carriage seat, peering out the window.

When she spotted the sea eagle gliding through the sky at low altitude, she pointed excitedly.

“It’s the falcon!”

Afraid she might fall, Fan Changyu kept one hand supporting her.

Grand Tutor Tao then said,

“You probably already know who my student is. Shall I inform him later about your decision to stay in the army?”

But Fan Changyu replied,

“Foster Father, I want to remain in the Jizhou Army.”

Grand Tutor Tao raised his wrinkled eyelids and looked at her.

“Not serving under him—is that because you want to avoid suspicion?”

Fan Changyu nodded.

“That’s part of the reason. Ordinary soldiers earn their military achievements one sword stroke and one battle at a time. There are some roads I want to try walking alone and see how far I can go.”

If she served under Xie Zheng, no matter how impartial he tried to be, whenever real danger arose, he would never willingly send her into it.

Since she had chosen this path, she wanted to temper herself through it.

Grand Tutor Tao laughed.

“As expected, I didn’t misjudge you.”

“Coincidentally, you’ve earned merit during the flooding defense of Lu City. The man who commanded the dam’s construction was Lu City’s defending general, Tang Peiyi. He’s a loyal and righteous man. Serving under him won’t be beneath you.”

A complicated mix of emotions stirred within Fan Changyu.

“Thank you, Foster Father.”

Grand Tutor Tao smiled.

“What are you thanking me for? Seeing such ambition in you brings me great comfort.”

The carriage continued winding along the mountain road.

Fan Changyu looked out the window.

After the storm, the sky stretched endlessly clear.

An eagle soared across the heavens, its cry ringing sharp and distant.

—

Xie Zheng only learned that Fan Changyu had enlisted in the army and registered under the Jizhou forces two days later.

The army was only half a day’s journey from Chongzhou when a message arrived from the troops pursuing Sui Yuanqing.

Sui Yuanqing had escaped back to Kang City, the hometown of Prince Changxin’s wife. With only five thousand cavalry, capturing Kang City was impossible.

The only solution now was to divide their forces.

The Jizhou Army led by He Jingyuan had already reached Chongzhou and completely trapped the rebels. The city’s fall was only a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the imperial court continued delaying military pay and provisions.

He Jingyuan was Wei Yan’s man.

At this point, if Xie Zheng relinquished command authority, the court would immediately release the supplies and funds.

As for who ultimately received credit for conquering Chongzhou, that would become a struggle between the Li family and Wei Yan.

After stepping back, heading to besiege Kang City would also be an excellent way to avoid being politically targeted.

After repeated discussions with Gongsun Yin and the other strategists, Xie Zheng finally decided to attack Kang City.

The Yanzhou Army changed course toward Kang City, while the supporting Jizhou forces continued toward Chongzhou.

During these two days, Xie Zheng had been so occupied with military and political affairs that he could barely spare a moment.

Each day he could only listen to reports from his guards about Fan Changyu.

He learned that she spent almost the entire journey in Grand Tutor Tao’s carriage, either studying chess or reading books.

She often irritated Grand Tutor Tao so much that he would blow his beard and glare in frustration.

Thinking of his teacher’s temperament, a faint smile curved Xie Zheng’s lips.

However, on the day the two armies separated, Xie Zheng was still discussing strategies for attacking Kang City with Gongsun Yin when Xie Wu rushed in frantically.

“Marquis! Bad news! Madam and Grand Tutor Tao have gone off with the Jizhou Army!”

Xie Zheng lifted his cold eyes from the military map.

“What’s going on?”

Xie Wu handed him a letter.

“Grand Tutor Tao asked me to give this to you.”

Xie Zheng accepted it with his long fingers.

The moment he finished reading it, frost seemed to spread across his face.

A trace of violence appeared in his eyes.

His voice turned icy.

“Prepare my horse.”

Seeing his expression, Gongsun Yin asked,

“What did the letter say?”

But by then, a guard had already brought over Xie Zheng’s warhorse.

He swung into the saddle and galloped away before Gongsun Yin could receive an answer.

Left behind, Gongsun Yin picked up the discarded letter and read it himself.

After finishing, he inhaled sharply.

“These two—a young one and an old one—are really trying to anger him to death.”

Then he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Still… Grand Tutor Tao clearly knew that the victory at Chongzhou would spark a struggle between Wei Yan and the Li family, yet he still approved of that girl joining the Jizhou Army. Maybe it isn’t a bad thing.”

If the Li family truly managed to remove He Jingyuan, they lacked anyone capable of commanding troops.

At the same time, they would never dare allow Jizhou’s military authority to fall back into Xie Zheng’s hands.

At that point, they’d need someone capable enough to stabilize command of the Jizhou Army.

Fan Changyu possessed the courage to kill Shi Hu.

With Grand Tutor Tao guiding her in military strategy, she might truly make a name for herself in Jizhou.

—

As Fan Changyu sat in the carriage holding Changning, she felt her right eyelid twitching nonstop.

She glanced out the window and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Grand Tutor Tao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

“You’ve been restless ever since noon. Regretting that you didn’t tell him in person?”

Fan Changyu replied,

“Foster Father already explained everything in the letter.”

Grand Tutor Tao chuckled.

“So you’ve figured out that brat’s temperament completely. If you’d told him face-to-face, he’d probably have tied you to himself and dragged you along.”

Fan Changyu stared down at her toes and awkwardly said nothing.

The smoothly moving carriage suddenly jolted to a halt.

Even sitting inside, Fan Changyu nearly lost her balance.

Had she not reacted in time, Changning would have bumped her forehead.

Outside came the sounds of neighing warhorses.

Grand Tutor Tao was less fortunate.

The back of his head smacked directly into the carriage wall.

Rubbing it, he cursed,

“That brat must have arrived!”

No sooner had he spoken than the curtain before them was thrown open.

Xie Zheng’s handsome face appeared at the entrance.

Cold air seemed to radiate from him.

His pitch-black eyes held not the slightest trace of emotion as he stared directly at Fan Changyu.

“Are you coming out yourself, or do I carry you out?”

Holding the back of his head, Grand Tutor Tao scolded,

“You unfilial disciple! Are you trying to murder your teacher?”

Xie Zheng’s dark gaze shifted toward him.

Grand Tutor Tao’s righteous indignation immediately weakened.

Feeling guilty, he looked away.

Xie Zheng said,

“Your student begged you to accept the woman he loves as your adopted daughter. Yet you silently took her away. Shouldn’t you give your student an explanation?”

Grand Tutor Tao muttered,

“Didn’t I leave you a letter?”

He just hadn’t expected the letter—which Xie Zheng was supposed to read that evening—to reach him so early and allow him to catch up.

After a moment of silence, Fan Changyu suddenly raised her head.

“I’ll go with you and talk.”

She placed Changning on the carriage seat and said to Grand Tutor Tao,

“Foster Father, please watch over Ningniang for me.”

Changning was already somewhat frightened seeing Xie Zheng’s expression.

She clutched Fan Changyu’s sleeve and refused to let go.

“Big Sister…”

Fan Changyu patted her head reassuringly.

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll be back soon.”

After saying that, she handed Changning over to Grand Tutor Tao.

The moment she lifted the curtain and prepared to jump down from the carriage, a large hand grabbed her directly and lifted her onto a horse.

The instant her back pressed against Xie Zheng’s chest, she could feel him breathing like a wild beast struggling to suppress its rage.

He dug his heels into the horse and charged away.

In moments, they had left the Jizhou Army far behind.

Realizing he was heading toward the Yanzhou Army, Fan Changyu calmly said,

“I am definitely joining the Jizhou Army.”

He was not wearing armor.

As a result, Fan Changyu could clearly feel every muscle in his body tighten instantly.

With a violent jerk of the reins, Xie Zheng brought the warhorse to a stop.

The horse let out a loud neigh.

He dragged her off the horse and pinned her against a large roadside tree that took two people to encircle.

The strength in his hands was terrifying.

The fury in his eyes was so intense that blood vessels had appeared within them, making them seem faintly red.

Yet when he spoke, his voice was astonishingly calm.

There was even a trace of a smile.

“Do I disgust you that much?”

His dark eyes locked onto hers.

“You’d rather join the Jizhou Army and stay as far away from me as possible?”