Chapter 55: The Unfilial Son Leaves Home to Face the National Crisis

The escape route was even harder than Wang Xiu had imagined.

The scorching summer heat baked the earth.

The once lavishly dressed royalty and officials were now grimy and disheveled; without palaces and mansions to shelter them, without delicacies from land and sea, they tasted hunger and fatigue for the first time.

In the troop, wails and complaints rose and fell.

The situation was worse for the Dragon Martial Army guarding them.

They were originally Imperial Guards, living in comfort, never having endured such hardship; after days of marching with lagging supplies, the soldiers' morale had sunk to rock bottom.

A wave of resentment quickly spread through the ranks.

Naturally, the target of that resentment was Chancellor Yang Guozhong and his sister, Yang Guifei.

"It's all that traitor Yang Guozhong! If he hadn't provoked An Lushan's rebellion, we wouldn't have come to this!"

"And that seductress! All she does is charm the emperor, bewildering His Majesty and neglecting state affairs!"

"Kill Yang Guozhong! Kill Yang Guifei!"

Such whispers began to circulate secretly among the soldiers.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) observed all of this.

He knew a mutiny was now inevitable.

All he could do was to get himself and Wang Ce a little farther from the storm's center.

He bought an inconspicuous mule cart from a fleeing merchant, had Wang Ce and those inside stay in the cart, accompanied by several household guards.

He himself rode a horse, bringing up the rear of the column, constantly watching the surroundings.

That night the troop camped in a ruined relay station.

Just as Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) had settled, a guard came running out of the cart, panic-stricken.

"Master! Master! Something's wrong!"

"What's the panic?" Wang Hui felt his heart sink, a bad premonition.

"The… the Second Young Master… he… he's missing!" the guard's voice trembled, "Only this was left in the cart!"

Saying that, he handed a letter to Wang Hui.

Wang Hui took the letter, unfolded it, and felt his vision go dark, nearly falling from his horse.

The letter was from Wang Ce.

The handwriting was messy, yet full of a youth's fervor and resolve.

"Father, please open:

Your unfilial son can no longer serve at your side; I go ahead first.

With the nation in peril, even a commoner bears responsibility. How could a son of the Wang family flee like a stray dog, following the emperor and ministers in panic?

I will join the army! I will slay the rebels!

Father, do not worry for me; my martial skills are enough to protect myself. After I behead the rebel chief, I will return to apologize to you.

Unfilial son, Wang Ce, final words."

"Unfilial wretch! This unfilial wretch!"

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) trembled with rage, he crumpled the letter into a ball and slammed it hard onto the ground.

He never imagined that despite all his precautions, he still couldn't prevent this.

"When… when did he leave? Which way did he go?" Wang Hui seized the guard's shoulder and demanded loudly.

"Just… just now, taking advantage of the camp's chaos." The guard, terrified by Wang Hui, stammered, "I only saw him mount a horse and head… head toward the east…"

East!

That is the direction of the rebel forces!

"What a fool! Who does he think he is? One man, one horse, thinking he can plunge into tens of thousands of troops and snatch a general's head?"

He's just going to his death!

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s mind was in utter confusion.

He instinctively wanted to turn his horse around and chase after that reckless fool of a son.

But could he go?

The world is vast, war rages everywhere; as one man, where could he search?

Even if he found him, what then? Tie him up and bring him back?

Given Wang Ce's stubborn nature, that would likely backfire.

More importantly, he cannot leave here.

As a court-appointed official, leaving now would look like fleeing in others' eyes, a breach of decorum before the sovereign.

He clearly knows that An Lushan cannot overturn the heavens; once he leaves, when peace is restored he will surely be held to account.

For the first time, Wang Xiu felt a profound sense of helplessness and frustration.

He had thought he was the master of this game, able to plan everyone's fate.

But now he realized he was wrong.

He could give Wang Ce the talent of superb martial arts, yet could not control his heart's yearning for the battlefield.

He could plot the safest path for the family, yet could not stop his son from choosing the most dangerous road, bristling with thorns and death.

He is not a god.

"Master… what… what should we do?" several guards gathered around and asked.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and when he opened them, his gaze had returned to its usual calm.

"No need to look for him." His voice carried a hint of hoarseness and fatigue, "He has grown up, with his own path to walk. Whether blessing or disaster, it is up to his own fate."

He turned back, returned to his horse, sat silently, gazing at the dark night sky to the east, speechless through the night.

He recalled the different lives he had planned for his three sons.

Wang You, a minister who preserves the status quo.

Wang Qian, a great master of the literary Dao.

Wang Ce, a general who protects the family.

Could it be that all of this is wrong?

No, it is not wrong.

Wang Xiu's gaze became resolute once again.

In these troubled times, for a family to survive, it must possess its own strength.

Political strength, economic strength, and military strength.

Wang Ce's choice, though rash and dangerous, is nonetheless a path.

If he can survive this war and achieve merit and establish a career, then in the future he could become a banner for the Wang Family in the military.

"Enough… enough…" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) let out a long sigh, having made a decision in his heart.

He summoned the few guards who had followed him and took out most of the money and valuables on his person.

"You may go as well; take this money and valuables. If you hear news of Ce on the road, you can go to the Wang Family's estates to deliver word. If he lacks food or medicine, the Wang Family can promptly provide supplies. If he unfortunately dies in battle, someone can retrieve his remains so he does not lie exposed in the wilderness."

"This is my final request as a father; I hope you can agree." Having said that, without waiting for the guards' reaction, he bowed deeply to them.

"Head of Family, you absolutely must not!" The guards hurriedly stepped aside, letting his bow fall upon empty air.

"Head of Family, I, Chen Xin, am a rough man; leaving the Wang Family, I wouldn't know where to go. You have always treated me well, and now the Second Young Master has departed without notice. I wish to follow the Second Young Master—I am here, the Young Master is here!"

The others, hearing this, also hurriedly clasped their fists before Wang Hui and said, "Head of Family, we share this idea as well!"

"Thank you, everyone; you need not risk your lives for my son. Simply wait for news on the outskirts." Saying this, he pulled a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to them, "This is my token; whoever holds it will gain trust when they go to the Wang Family."

"Yes!" The guards solemnly received the jade pendant, bowed again to Wang Hui, and turned to leave.