Chapter 336: Sixty-Four: Hasty Night Flight

Sixty-Four: Hasty Night Flight

These days, the weather was unsuitable for travel.

The plum rain season in Jiang Nan Circuit brought damp, stifling air, alternating between rain and overcast skies.

It felt like a wet towel, wrung to its limit yet still dripping, draped over the back.

Yet with Hu Fu's imperial envoy seal and the Emperor's personal edict carried on his person,

Cai Qin and the northern-bound veterans encountered no obstacles on their journey, even received transport such as boats, and could press forward even in the rain.

Though as they neared Hongzhou and Jiangzhou, they still frequently faced checkpoints guarded by heavily armed troops.

After the night when Cai Qin had asked him that strange question,

Hu Fu, restless and uneasy, began abstaining from alcohol.

No longer seeking to bond with the veteran officers by offering drink or winning favor.

He began staying awake day and night.

It was the third afternoon after he had seen the unfamiliar felt-hatted youth at midnight that Hu Fu met the Du Commandant Cai Qin had mentioned.

He was an unremarkable-looking young man, broad-shouldered and muscular, his skin tanned to a wheat hue—clearly a border army officer.

He wore a low-crowned felt hat, deliberately unassuming.

With tensions already high and Cai Qin's returning veterans under scrutiny from all sides, Hu Fu naturally felt curious about this so-called Du Commandant who had rejoined mid-journey.

Yet Du Commandant, like Su Commandant of Jiangzhou's Zhechong Fu, was quiet and dull; Hu Fu found few opportunities to strike up conversation.

As if noticing Hu Fu had stopped drinking entirely, Cai Qin and the other officers no longer invited him to their nightly drinks.

Hu Fu initially didn't think much of it, but gradually realized Cai Qin and the others no longer called him to their discussions.

Though they still treated him with utmost respect and deference, they no longer consulted him on matters such as camp locations or duration of stops along the route—they decided for themselves and merely sent reports afterward.

Hu Fu was naturally displeased and raised objections several times, but each time was brushed off with excuses about military necessity requiring professional officers and the imperial envoy needing rest.

In the end, Cai Qin and the others only sought him out when they needed official transit documents or had to deal with local officials causing trouble.

Yet none of this was what worried Hu Fu most.

What angered him was that in recent days, he noticed more weapons and armor appearing among the veterans.

The veteran detachment, which had been disarmed in Tanzhou Prefecture, was gradually rearming itself.

That day, seeing scattered veterans in the camp casually carrying swords and leather armor, Hu Fu, his face dark with displeasure, approached the front of the column where Cai Qin and the other officers stood:

"Commandant Cai, what is the meaning of these swords and armor? Didn't you promise me and the court you would lay down your weapons and return home lightly armed?"

Cai Qin exchanged glances with his companions, then turned back and said:

"Your Excellency misunderstands. This has nothing to do with me or the other officers—it's the soldiers' personal belongings, carried without ill intent."

He paused, then added:

"Some were secretly kept from before; others were bought on the road at their own expense…"

Hu Fu, breathing heavily, glared: "Why are they secretly hoarding and buying weapons all of a sudden?"

Cai Qin showed no trace of guilt or fear, only patient explanation:

"Your Excellency hasn't spent much time in military camps—you don't understand. Swords and armor are soldiers' lifelong tools; most were brought by them personally, as they came from military households.

"Some are family heirlooms, naturally treasured. Yes, many were surrendered in Tanzhou Prefecture,

"but some soldiers, unwilling to part with family property, kept one or two pieces—it's only natural. Everyone's struggling now; I hope Your Excellency will understand."

Hu Fu calmed down and pressed in a lower voice:

"And what about these weapons bought on the road? How is it possible to acquire such government-controlled items?"

At this, Cai Qin and the officers exchanged strange glances at Hu Fu, then cautiously asked:

"Your Excellency doesn't come from the south often, do you?"

"What does that have to do with how long I've stayed in the south?"

Cai Qin explained patiently:

"The south differs from the north—we've enjoyed peace for a long time, and enforcement is far less strict.

"In remote areas plagued by bandits, local authorities even encourage civilians to carry weapons for self-defense. In some lawless mountains and rivers, villages fight over water sources with weapons, leaving heads bloody."

He paused, then chuckled:

"In short, many weapons remain hidden among southern civilians. Just now, passing through that town, I even saw hunters selling bows privately—bows clearly exceeding the court's strict limits on draw weight."

"This…"

Hu Fu was stunned. As a northerner, he truly knew little of southern and Lingnan customs.

He'd always thought only northern men were skilled with bow and horse, bold and combative—wasn't the south supposed to be bridges over flowing streams and quiet homes?

Cai Qin watched Hu Fu's face shift rapidly over a few breaths, then spread his hands and sighed:

"Your Excellency, rest assured—it's only a few foolish soldiers. Myself and the other commandants would never knowingly break the law or secretly hoard weapons."

Hu Fu saw Cai Qin open his arms, inviting inspection.

Behind him, including Du Commandant and Su Commandant, all officers wore plain round-collar black robes—no armor, no swords.

"No, this cannot stand."

Hu Fu frowned sternly: "All swords and armor carried by the soldiers must be confiscated."

One commandant looked uneasy:

"Your Excellency, please show some leniency. The soldiers have their reasons, and they've committed no crime—we can't easily intervene."

Hu Fu shook his head: "No. This was agreed upon in Tanzhou Prefecture—it cannot change."

A silence fell. Then Hu Fu noticed Cai Qin, who had been silent, suddenly raising his head:

"When we were in Tanzhou, Your Excellency didn't mention that the entire route would be lined with heavily armed checkpoints treating us like thieves.

"Your Excellency, is this how you treat unarmed men returning home?"

Hu Fu opened his mouth to speak, but Cai Qin's tone grew cold, as if heartbroken:

"Your Excellency, tell me—do the court ministers and local officials truly intend to pardon and let us go, or are they afraid of some incident, fearing the soldiers might scatter and cause trouble, sending you here as a delaying tactic?"

Hu Fu was speechless.

Under the gaze of all, he forced himself to say:

"Commandant Cai, you misunderstand completely. The Emperor and the ministers have no such intentions. The troops guarding the checkpoints are merely local clerks acting on their own—there is no hostility toward the soldiers.

"Tell me… if there truly were some conspiracy, would I be foolish enough to follow you around, placing myself right beneath a crumbling wall?"

Suddenly, a commandant from behind muttered:

"Nor do the soldiers intend harm or rebellion. Wearing weapons is for self-defense—it's only natural.

"Tell me, if you're unarmed and constantly watched like a thief by armed guards at every checkpoint, who could remain calm forever?"

Hu Fu realized the speaker was the new Du Commandant.

"Exactly. Right."

"Du Brother speaks true."

Cai Qin and the other officers all voiced their agreement.

Hu Fu fell silent.

He sank into silence.

Soon after, the column resumed its march.

No soldiers were punished for secretly keeping weapons.

Hu Fu forgot how he had somehow stumbled back afterward.

He only remembered that, under the steadily cooling gaze of Cai Qin and the others, he had reluctantly nodded.

Yet soon, he felt the backlash from that insignificant nod.

The number of re-armed veterans, now openly carrying weapons for self-defense, visibly increased.

Indeed, once the dam broke, the flood only grew wider.

Hu Fu grew anxious.

That night, the veteran detachment camped outside a prefectural city.

As usual, they received military rations and official condolences from the city's government—but were politely barred from entering the city gates; only the imperial envoy was permitted inside.

A mutual, unspoken distance had formed between them—a common pattern along the route between the returning veterans and local prefectures.

In a tent within the temporary camp, a tall eunuch with a full beard paced restlessly.

Hu Fu frowned, walked a few steps inside the tent, then turned to gaze at the distant, faintly glowing lights of the city beyond.

"No, something's wrong. I must report to the court…"

Hu Fu muttered to himself, then turned to gather his official documents and the imperial envoy's seal. His glance fell on the waist knife gifted by Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan, hanging on a rack—he took it down and fastened it at his belt.

He prepared to step outside and find his attendants.

"Where is Your Excellency going?"

A group stood in the shadows not far from the tent.

"Commandant Cai?" Hu Fu stammered: "You—you're here? Aren't you drinking? What brings you all here?"

He had barely stepped out of the tent when he collided with Cai Qin and the other officers.

"We can drink anytime. We just had a brief discussion and have a request for Your Excellency—hope we didn't disturb your rest."

Cai Qin paused, as if noticing something, and asked:

"Your Excellency, why are you leaving your tent at this hour?"

Realizing they were heading toward his tent and had merely coincidentally met him—not waiting like ghosts outside—he felt a slight easing of tension.

He masked his nervousness and spoke with firm voice: "I also have matters to discuss with Commandant Cai."

"What's the purpose of your sword?"

It was again that quiet Du Captain who asked.

"This… I'm just used to it, haha."

Hu Fu unfastened his waist sword and laughed.

Cai Qin's gaze shifted from the sword, looked at him, and extended his hand:

"Let Hu my lord speak first."

Hu Fu answered without looking away:

"I merely have a few suggestions regarding the route northward. No urgency—General Cai, if you have pressing matters, please speak first."

"Very well."

Cai Qin did not hesitate; he nodded.

Behind Hu Fu, the tent remained unlit. Most of Cai Qin's officers stood in darkness, beyond the glow of the nearest torches.

As a result, Hu Fu could not make out their faces—he could only hear the calm voice of this leader, chosen by the mutinous garrison troops from Guizhou:

"Your servant has compiled a petition, Hu my lord, please review it."

"W-what petition?"

"It's like this—we're nearing Hongzhou. As we approach home, the men have grown uneasy, and rumors have begun to spread."

Cai Qin continued without pause:

"We fear things will escalate if this continues. We discussed it tonight and compiled a few modest requests, hoping Hu my lord can deliver them to the imperial court."

"This…"

Hu Fu nervously accepted the paper Cai Qin silently handed him.

In front of all the officers, he stepped quickly toward a nearby torch and bent low to examine it.

Upon closer inspection, the paper listed two main demands:

First, the dismissal of the three officers directly responsible for extending the garrison's tour: the Zhechong Ling Duyu, the Jiaolian Shi, and the Zhechong Magistrate Ouyang Changshi of the three Zhechong Fu in Jiangzhou and Hongzhou—officers the garrison troops despised.

Second, the establishment of a separate Zhechong Fu for the returning troops, under a single commander, to preserve their independence.

Hu Fu finished reading and trembled with dread.

He raised his head to speak—but met the cold, piercing stares of a group of warriors standing in the darkness ahead.

"... Very well."

He swallowed his words, forced a smile, and nodded—agreeing to something utterly impossible.

"I shall submit your petition to the court tomorrow."

"Then we are deeply indebted to Hu my lord."

Cai Qin seemed to nod.

Behind him, a Captain spoke stiffly:

"Please write it immediately. Your servant will deliver it to the city tonight—the official relay station can send it out by tomorrow."

Hu Fu's body stiffened slightly; he nodded obediently. "Very well."

Under the watchful eyes of Cai Qin and the others, he copied the petition into an official document, stamped and sealed it, then reluctantly handed it over.

The Captain took the document and rode into the city that very night.

Hu Fu, subtly surrounded and feigning calm, gazed far off at the distant, dimly lit city.

So close—and yet now unattainable…

Hu Fu had submitted his petition—but could not leave.

After a brief rest, the returning garrison troops departed this small prefecture and continued onward, heading toward the southeastern gateway of Hongzhou and Jiangzhou.

Yet their route changed slightly.

Hu Fu noticed that one day, the main force turned into deep, ancient forests, veering far from Yan Bing's checkpoints—as if taking a detour.

He did not know their exact destination.

Hu Fu had asked Cai Qin and the others—but after submitting the petition and veering onto this unfamiliar path, the officers' attitude toward him visibly grew cold.

All he got in reply was "returning home as usual." He learned nothing concrete.

Hu Fu could not help but recall how smoothly things had gone when he first led the garrison troops out of Tanzhou Prefecture.

He began to reflect—or rather, to retrace—when exactly Cai Qin and the others had changed their attitude.

It seemed to be the night Du Captain returned, when Cai Qin asked those strange questions.

Hu Fu fell silent.

Now, he was being swept along—forced to follow.

That night, deep into the hours.

The military camp in the valley suddenly erupted in commotion.

Hu Fu, still dressed in his sleeping clothes, snapped awake.

This time, he was no longer a startled bird. He listened closely—the soldiers outside were rapidly assembling.

"What… what is going on?!"

Hu Fu stared helplessly, glancing around, ready to flee from his bed.

But just then, a squad of garrison troops ran toward his tent—footsteps growing louder.

"It's over." Hu Fu groaned inwardly as he lifted the blanket.

Yet, to his surprise, the footsteps halted abruptly. The soldiers stopped at the tent's entrance—only heavy breathing remained.

Sweating profusely, Hu Fu saw the curtain lift—and a figure stepped inside.

"You—"

He looked closer—it was Su Li Qian, the Captain who had never spoken to him before.

He entered alone, without any soldiers behind him.

Su Li Qian did not draw his sword; he raised his right hand.

Hu Fu froze for half a heartbeat, then fell silent.

Su Li Qian tilted his head slightly. Hu Fu widened his eyes, nodded frantically—as if understanding, he scrambled off the bed and crawled under it.

He hid.

Su Li Qian stepped back out.

Crouched beneath the bed, Hu Fu faintly saw Su Li Qian re-enter, followed by a group of soldiers who roughly searched the tent.

They never checked the spot where Su Li Qian stood.

"He's gone. Chase him."

It sounded like Su Li Qian's voice.

The Third Regiment's soldiers stared straight ahead, nodded obediently, and filed out to pursue.

Su Li Qian watched them leave.

Hu Fu crept out timidly, trembling: "General Su, what's going on tonight…?"

Su Li Qian glanced at Hu Fu, clad only in a thin nightgown, said nothing, led him outside, and slipped past the guards.

The two reached a riverbank. Su Li Qian finally spoke.

"Don't look back."

His voice was rough, like shoes scraping stone.

Hu Fu nodded frantically.

After a few steps, a hand stopped him. He looked down—Su Li Qian offered him a familiar waist sword.

He must have taken it during the search.

Hu Fu realized at once.

He silently accepted the sword, strapped it to his waist.

"Thank you, General." He whispered.

Hu Fu waded across the river and fled into the night.

Su Li Qian watched the retreating back of the tall eunuch, his beard soaked and dripping, until he vanished—then turned and returned to camp.

He went back into the tent.

This Captain of the Third Regiment of Jiangzhou Zhechong Fu bent down, picked up the Imperial Emissary seal and the Emperor's personal edict that Hu Fu had abandoned in his panic, and silently walked the opposite direction—back toward the bustling central assembly point of the camp…

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