Chapter 21: Washing Horses in the Central Plains

The Zhongshi Mountain in the territory of the former state is a branch of the Jingyun Mountain Range. The Jingyun strange peaks continue to here, the mountain trend falls slowly, connects with the gradually widening plains, forming a basin surrounded by mountains. Going west, it is the flat Cloud-Born Plain. To the southwest and southeast, they are the former country of the Jiu Yi tribe and the powerful Chu State. The eleventh Son of Heaven of the Yong Dynasty bestowed this land with strange and beautiful scenery as a fief to his royal sister Zixi, which is the former state.

A group of people entered Xi Ma Valley. The rolling mountain ranges in front were like two giant dragons winding and coiling, embracing the canyon in the center of the mountains, deep and invisible. Being in this place, what one could see was only a boundless green, the blue sky outside the sky, mountains outside the mountains. Galloping to a cliff on one side, everyone couldn't help but rein in their horses. Facing this beautiful scenery of green like the sea and rolling mountains, everyone couldn't help but sigh.

Su Ling brought his horse forward. "Master, the place where the Jiu Yi tribe is temporarily staying is in front, why don't we take a rest there." Before he finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head to listen, and smiled, "It's a coincidence today."

Zi Hao had already cast his gaze toward the canyon entrance in the north before he spoke. Only after this moment, a huge sound clearly came. The sound rolled from far to near, and the speed was so fast that it made people feel as if they were suddenly trapped in thousands of troops and horses, as if hearing ten thousand elephants roaring, heavy stones falling, accompanied by the thunderous sound of feet, and even the mountains and earth shook accordingly.

Looking in the direction of the sound, several strong Li horses first appeared at the canyon entrance, followed by ten, a hundred, a thousand... The huge horse herd quickly rushed into the valley, flying hooves raising dust, stepping on the ground like thunder, turning into a dark wave sweeping the entire ocher-yellow land, stirring up floating dust that covered the sky and the sun.

Everyone had never seen such a huge horse herd, and their hearts were stirred. Su Ling raised his horse whip and said proudly, "Master, these are the war horses raised in Xi Ma Valley. After years of careful management, they are now enough to equip any army in the world. No country's horses will be faster or have more endurance than them."

Zi Hao's gaze swept over the rolling horse herd, and a clear sharp edge flashed in an instant. Li Si asked curiously, "Young Master Su, so many war horses, letting them run like this, what if they get lost?"

Su Ling pointed forward, "The former state has always had a set of special horse-taming techniques. These thousands of war horses actually only need a few horse-taming slaves. Look."

Everyone looked intently and found that there were indeed two horse-taming slaves on the backs of several horses, whose bodies were thin, and their hair and skin were as black as charcoal. The horse-taming slaves did not stay in one place, jumping and moving on the horse's back from time to time, their movements as flexible as monkeys, and from time to time they made short and strange whistling sounds in their mouths to restrain the war horses. But because their body shape and skin color were very inconspicuous, if it weren't for Su Ling's pointing, it would not be easy to find.

Zi Hao seemed to be in high spirits, suddenly reined in, and said loudly, "Go, let's enter the valley!" After saying that, he led the way and rushed out. Mo Heng and Li Si immediately followed. Su Ling, Qie Lan, and the four women including Qing Ming fell a step behind. A group of people galloped down along the side of the mountain and immediately merged into the vast horse herd.

Everyone galloped with the running horses all the way. When they rushed out of the valley, the scenery in front of them suddenly opened up. Qie Lan was shaken all over and couldn't help but rein in her horse and stop.

What appeared before them was a vast land like a grassland. Boundless green grass connected to the sky, the sky was as blue as water, and the sunlight shone on lakes of different sizes without any scruples, constantly reflecting light like pale gold and broken silver. White floating clouds fell by the lake, and clear springs and waterfalls flowed down from the clouds at will, reflecting rainbows of five colors. On this land of beautiful water and fat grass, houses where the Jiu Yi people lived were scattered like stars. At that moment, Qie Lan thought she had returned to the Jiu Yi tribe's hometown.

Such a peaceful and beautiful place—how many years had she only been able to linger and miss it in her dreams? She almost didn't dare to gallop forward again, for fear of disturbing such a scene. A strong and complex emotion rushed to her heart, almost making tears burst from her eyes.

"Princess." The gentle and elegant voice of Su Ling sounded beside her. Qie Lan closed her eyes in a hurry and turned to look.

Su Ling rode closer, smiled at her, and said, "I haven't had a chance to apologize to the Princess. The Princess must have known that the former state's acceptance of the Jiu Yi people in the past was actually to contain the Princess so that she could not threaten the imperial capital. I hope the Princess can understand."

Qie Lan didn't expect him to be so frank, was slightly stunned, and said, "Young Master is too polite. It is I who should thank the Young Master. No matter what the true purpose of the former state is, the Jiu Yi tribe has been preserved here after all. This helping hand, Qie Lan and the tribe will remember it for a lifetime."

Su Ling smiled, "General Gu's army is stationed not far outside the valley. Does the Princess want to meet with them?"

Qie Lan pondered for a moment and asked, "The Young Master and the Eastern Emperor traveled thousands of miles to Xi Ma Valley. It shouldn't be as simple as just sending me and the tribe to meet, right?"

Su Ling nodded, "The Master's personal visit to the former state naturally has important plans. For the Jiu Yi tribe, there are countless possibilities for the road ahead. However, whether to stay here with the tribe or otherwise, the Princess can decide for herself."

Qie Lan's gaze passed over him and looked at the leisurely and beautiful picture in the mountains and fields. In her smile, there was a trace of faint helplessness. "The world is so big, is it not the King's land? Are the people of the world not the King's subjects? If the Jiu Yi tribe wants to get true peace, they actually have no choice at all, right?"

Su Ling said, "If the Princess chooses to stay, I will guarantee as the Crown Prince of the former state that the Jiu Yi tribe will receive the best care in the territory of the former state."

Qie Lan reined in her horse slightly, turned back and smiled, "Young Master's kindness, Qie Lan is grateful in her heart. But I want to protect the tribe with my own strength, let them no longer fight for hatred, no longer bleed and sacrifice, and live peacefully forever like this. This is my responsibility!"

The woman's gentle and determined words were like sunlight passing through the sky, making Su Ling's eyes shine suddenly. Qie Lan had already galloped forward, running toward the vast grassland not far away.

Everyone left the place where the Jiu Yi tribe was temporarily staying and continued to go deep into the valley. They didn't stop their fast horses and went deep into the hinterland of Zhongshi Mountain. Finally, they arrived at their final destination before sunset.

Except for Su Ling, including Zi Hao, it was the first time they had come to this canyon hidden deep in the mountains. Along the way, the seemingly distant and peaceful mountains and forests were actually full of secret sentries. Without a guide, it was impossible to approach this area of tens of miles. Qie Lan had led troops herself, and along the way, she found that the canyon was heavily guarded, just like a rigorous and orderly large military camp. It was not only hidden but also easy to defend and difficult to attack. If someone intended to station troops here, even if figures like Huang Fei and Ji Cang led a large army to come, it would be difficult to capture it for a while.

Before long, they reached the front of the ridge. Compared with the mountain streams that only saw birds flying and apes howling and ancient trees reaching the sky, the sound of shouting and killing and the intersection of swords and halberds clearly entered their ears. The large valley hinterland was open and flat, enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people gathering. In the distance, flying horses raised dust, galloping and vertical and horizontal, as if light cavalry were fighting; nearby, command flags danced, changing infinitely, but it was infantry practicing formations. Everyone didn't go deep, just watched from the side, but as soon as they appeared, two people turned their heads to look on the command platform in front. Su Ling had already received Zi Hao's order, so he waved the horse whip in his hand, signaling them not to come to see, and the two generals bowed from afar and continued to urge the soldiers to practice.

Everyone dismounted. Zi Hao watched quietly on this high hill for a while, then asked Su Ling, "How many people?"

Su Ling answered calmly, "Fifty thousand."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this, and turned their heads to look into the valley in unison. Although Qie Lan had vaguely guessed some clues before, the shock in her heart when she first entered the valley still hadn't subsided. She didn't expect that the former state, which had always been hiding its light, had secretly hidden such an elite army. But after sizing it up again and again, she felt that it was impossible to have fifty thousand troops here, which was almost equivalent to the military strength of the entire Chu State.

Everyone looked suspicious, only Zi Hao's expression remained the same, without half a surprise.

Only heard Su Ling continue, "Three thousand cavalry, two thousand infantry, Xi Ma Valley stations fifty thousand troops, prepares thirty-six thousand horses. The soldiers in the valley, those who are not brave are not allowed to enter, those who are not determined are not allowed to enter, those who are not loyal are not allowed to stay. Soldiers, weapons, riding, shooting—if one is not known, they are not taken. After entering the valley for

Zi Hao never turned his head back. At this moment, he looked down at the entire valley, taking in every detail of the layout. A trace of faint appreciation was hidden on his cold face.

Su Ling, who stood behind him, wore a long gown and looked scholarly, untainted by the slightest hint of martial aggression; it was hard to imagine him leading troops and setting up formations. Yet, it was in his hands that elite soldiers capable of contending with any army in the world had been trained.

As dusk gathered, the verdant, dye-like mountain ridges were gradually enveloped in the afterglow interwoven with sunset colors. Ten thousand mountains were like a sea, supporting an endless, burning cloud-fire. Zi Hao faced the setting sun, observed the sky, and closed his eyes gently, "Very good." He turned to meet the lingering surprise in Qie Lan's eyes and smiled, "There is still time. Let me take you to the Sword Hut to have a look; Shi Niang should have researched quite a few good things in the past few years."

Qie Lan could not help but ask, "What kind of place is the Sword Hut?"

Zi Hao walked with his hands behind his back, "If a craftsman wishes to do his work well, he must first sharpen his tools. The Sword Hut is the place where halberds and swords are forged for these tens of thousands of soldiers. Kou Shiniang is the daughter of the great Houfeng State sword-forging master Kou Qi, and she has been in charge of the Sword Hut for many years."

Qie Lan felt increasingly astonished. When the Chu and Xuan states destroyed Houfeng, they once besieged Hao Mountain to obtain the art of sword forging. Kou Qi angrily snapped several famous swords, burned the mountain, and destroyed his home, and the art of sword forging had been lost ever since; she had not expected there to be a successor. Silently following him for a while, she suddenly said, "Elite soldiers, good generals, fast horses, sharp swords, brilliant strategies, and absolute arrays—I only realized today that the Jiuyi tribe was never your match; you simply disdained to treat me as an enemy. These three years of revenge were truly a joke."

She turned to face this man who had nearly brought the entire Jiuyi tribe to total destruction, yet had suddenly placed infinite light before their eyes. Her clear eyes deeply reflected his unchanging smile.

Zi Hao raised his eyes slightly but did not answer her. Some things were simply impossible to speak of, and originally, there was no need to say more. Perhaps she had already seen the clues, or perhaps she would never imagine that the Jiuyi war was a turning point he had facilitated himself, a gamble he had managed step by step. For seven full years, that woman in Chonghua Palace was so shrewd; the not-so-powerful Jiuyi tribe was merely a chess piece he had picked up at will. Their advances and retreats, their slaughter and conquest, had never been up to them. But back in the Royal City, there was once someone who had guessed his plans—the person who should have stopped him most, yet in the end, supported him without reservation.

The brief secret talk in Changming Palace, the obscure words that led to a meticulous layout, finally culminated in a shocking secret. The Queen of the Jiuyi tribe, that elegant and intelligent woman, had handed her life, her daughter, her country, and her people into his hands in a calm and peculiar way, in exchange for a promise.

To tilt a country to calculate the world—this was the master of the Nine Domains, the true Eastern Emperor. To abandon a country to guard the world—this was the former resolution of the Queen of the Jiuyi tribe.

While they were speaking, several fast horses galloped in from the valley entrance, riding deep inside and reaching them in an instant. Before the horses had even stopped, the leading woman in black had already leaped down, and her cheerful laughter came from afar, "Shiniang pays respects to the Master! The Master has arrived so quickly, and without sending anyone to notify us in advance. If we had known the Master was arriving today, we would have entered the valley yesterday!"

This woman seemed a few years older than Qie Lan. Her features were not exceptionally beautiful, but the bright and forthright charm between her brows made her whole person like a flower in full bloom, possessing an alluring beauty. The people behind her were all dressed in black, looking to her for leadership, and they stepped forward one by one to pay their respects. Zi Hao nodded at them and looked at Shiniang with a pleasant smile on his lips, "Shiniang, your temperament is still so impatient. I just said we were going to the Sword Hut to see you, and you came here first."

Shiniang looked up and said, "The Sword Hut is full of scrap metal, and the desolate mountains are stuffy and hot, with flying dust and ash everywhere. Why would the Master go there? If it is to see swords, I have already brought them for the Master."

Zi Hao's eyes held a faint smile, "Hearing this, it sounds like Shiniang has come to complain to me. Sending you to such a place to stay for years has truly wronged you."

Shiniang's father had been a sworn brother of Shang Rong before his death. When Houfeng fell, Shang Rong rescued her and brought her into the palace to be raised. Before Li Si, she had always been the one to take care of the Eastern Emperor's daily life, and the bond between master and servant was very deep, so she did not speak with the same awe and caution as others. She immediately laughed, "The Master is right. I really came today to ask the Master to allow me to leave the Sword Hut for a while."

"Since you are here, go and see your swords." Zi Hao asked while walking forward slowly, "Suddenly wanting to come down the mountain, is it for the 'Secret Record of the Sword Master'?"

Shiniang said, "The Master already knows. During the great fire at Hao Mountain, I thought this book had been burned, but Nie Qi sent news that the book has reappeared in the Chu State. The 'Secret Record of the Sword Master' is my late father's life's work. The metallurgy, sword forging, and mechanism techniques recorded in it are a hundred times more detailed than what I know from memory. Master, this secret record must not fall into the hands of another country!"

Zi Hao nodded slightly, "Only you can distinguish the authenticity of the secret record, and I also intend for you to go down the mountain. Zi Rao is currently in the Chu State; you can go with Nie Qi and follow her arrangements for everything."

Shiniang was overjoyed, "Thank you, Master! If I can retrieve the 'Secret Record of the Sword Master', Shiniang dares to give the Master a military order: I will ensure that every soldier in our army is equipped with a sharp weapon like the Feixuan Sword."

Zi Hao could not help but laugh, "You are truly too greedy. The Feixuan Sword is an ancient divine artifact; how can everyone have one?"

Shiniang looked at Qie Lan, her brows raised slightly, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "People say that precious swords should be gifted to beautiful women. The Feixuan Sword should naturally be paired with a beauty like Princess Qie Lan. However, the Master must know that this Feixuan Sword was the token of love gifted by the White Emperor to the Mysterious Goddess Ruyi back then!"

Her mischievous smile made Qie Lan slightly startled, and she turned to meet Zi Hao's warm gaze. That deep gaze merged into the clear sunlight among the mountain forests, as if dazzling colors were floating slightly, like the rippling lake water under the autumn scenery. He looked at Qie Lan like this, as if wanting to know what she would say. An unexpected warmth spread gently from his smile, moving the heart. Qie Lan was suddenly captured by that gaze, her mind went blank, and she could not help but blush. Seeing her like this, Zi Hao's brows moved slightly, and he finally let her go. He turned with his hands behind his back, and as he looked up, he gazed toward a distant and unknown place beyond the thousand mountains and clouds. After a moment, he said with a faint smile, "When feelings reach a certain point, why tie them to worldly objects? Shiniang, you are attached to appearances."

The usual laughter fell into their ears, suddenly causing the people beside him to feel something strange. In the mountain breeze, the green gown was faint and ethereal, and that elusive feeling made their hearts feel empty for no reason. Shiniang and Su Ling looked at each other with questioning eyes. Su Ling seemed to have something to say, but his gaze paused slightly on Qie Lan, and in the end, he did not speak.

(End of Chapter)