Chapter 25: The Jianghu Is Not About Fighting and Killing

Hu Lu Jin led his tribe westward, hoping to join Han Baling.

When they reached Shanwu, they were blocked.

A column of pure black cavalry stood before Hu Lu Jin.

“Kedi Gan, why are you doing this?”

The Kedi tribe, like the Erzhu, traced their ancestors back to those who rose with Tuoba Gui, granted a hundred li of land at Shanwu La Wu Mountain for military merit.

After Emperor Xiaowen moved south to Luoyang, northern warlord families who did not follow him declined.

By Kedi Gan’s generation, though still respected, he had fallen behind Er Zhu Rong.

Hu Lu Jin knew Kedi Gan well—he was famously stubborn, and he didn’t believe Kedi Gan would fight him for the Northern Wei court.

“I’ve been entrusted to stop you here!”

“Who?”

As he spoke, hooves thundered from afar.

“General Hu Lu, wait!”

A cavalry unit galloped up, led by Yu Jin.

Hu Lu Jin had assumed it was Wang Yuanshen’s force, hesitating slightly—but as they drew near, he realized it was not Pingcheng’s troops, but Ma Yi’s.

“Commandant Yu, what brings you here?”

“You’ve always been loyal and righteous—why go to join the rebel Han Baling?”

“Our tribe suffers yearly famine and cold; I cannot bear the old and young freezing and starving, so I head west.”

Hu Lu Jin did not mention Wang Yuanshen’s archived confessions, only gave a common northern frontier excuse.

Yu Jin naturally didn’t believe him, but had no desire to press further.

“Will joining Han Baling give you grain? Though the land around Wo Ye Town is fertile, it cannot feed so many troops.”

In Yu Jin’s view, Hu Lu Jin had another option.

Join Ma Yi!

At least then, the court suffers no loss.

But Hu Lu Jin clearly did not want this choice.

Deep inside, Hu Lu Jin held his own pride—he would not bow to a Han.

So, after abandoning Wang Yuanshen, he chose Han Baling instead.

“It’s come to this—more words are useless!”

Hu Lu Jin did not wish to burn bridges; he looked at Kedi Gan.

“He’s here—let me pass!”

Kedi Gan didn’t move.

“The one who entrusted me is not him!”

“Then who?”

“Ma Yi’s governor, Li Shuang!”

Anger surged in Hu Lu Jin’s heart.

“Your Kedi clan is a noble house—why obey a Han?”

Kedi Gan looked confused, glancing around.

One of his guards whispered something in his ear; Kedi Gan suddenly understood!

“So he’s a Han?”

“...”

“I didn’t know! He speaks Xianbei like a native!”

Hu Lu Jin had been angry, but seeing Kedi Gan’s expression, he had no outlet.

“Can I pass now?”

Kedi Gan shook his head.

“Whether he’s Han or not, I gave my word—I must keep it.”

Hu Lu Jin stared at Kedi Gan, helpless, then turned to Yu Jin.

“What does Li Shuang want with me?”

Yu Jin spread his hands, equally clueless.

“He only told me to stop you first—I don’t know what he plans.”

As time passed, Hu Lu Jin grew increasingly restless.

Simply put, his tribe’s grain was low—he couldn’t afford delays. If they didn’t reach the rendezvous on schedule, lack of food would kill many.

“Kedi Gan, he won’t come—let me through!”

“No!”

Hu Lu Jin grew furious.

“If you insist, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

“Come then!”

Kedi Gan remained calm, assuming a stance. His troops’ horses were all black, well-fed these days—he had nothing better to do.

“Hu Lu Jin, I’ve heard you’re a famed general—I’ve long wanted to test you!”

Hu Lu Jin, enraged, cursed:

“You fool!”

Just as both sides were about to clash, horns sounded.

Li Shuang arrived with hundreds of cavalry and twenty-odd carts.

“You must be General Hu Lu!”

As he drew near, Li Shuang smiled broadly and bowed.

Though frustrated by the delay, Hu Lu Jin saw the boy’s bearing and replied.

“Yes.”

“I heard you’re heading to join the True King. The journey is long and arduous—I’ve prepared twenty carts of grain, medicine, and essentials, so I’m late—forgive me, General!”

Yu Jin stared in shock, gazing at Li Shuang in disbelief.

What is this man planning?

Yu Jin had assumed Li Shuang meant to crush bandits—but this didn’t look like it.

Was he also joining Han Baling?

Yu Jin quickly dismissed the absurd thought, looked again at Hu Lu Jin, who was visibly moved.

In this age, anyone could speak sweet words—but few would truly give away gold and grain.

Even Prince Guangyang Wang Yuanshen thought only of underhanded ways to control men.

Hu Lu Jin was loyal and righteous, not a fool—he saw clearly.

Yet this stranger, a Han, braved the frozen snow to deliver such supplies—and Hu Lu Jin was deeply moved.

“Why, Ma Yi’s governor, would you do this?”

“You are a great hero, about to journey west to join the True King. I don’t know the right or wrong of it, so I won’t judge. These are humble gifts—no hidden intent—only that you have a smooth journey.”

In that moment, emotions surged in Hu Lu Jin’s heart; thousands of words choked inside him, finally reduced to two.

“Thank you.”

With that, Hu Lu Jin turned his horse and left.

Li Shuang waved behind him.

“Go well, General—give my regards to the True King!”

As Hu Lu’s troops rode away, halfway down the road, Hu Lu Jin suddenly returned with a boy.

“Commandant, this is my son, Hu Lu Guang. The road ahead is long—he’s still young. Will you care for him?”

The future famed Northern Qi hero Hu Lu Guang was now only eight or nine, yet sat his horse with no less poise than any adult.

“General, rest assured—I will not let Hu Lu Guang be bullied.”

Hu Lu Jin nodded.

“Hu Lu Guang!”

“Father!”

“From now on, treat the Commandant as you treat me!”

“Yes, Father!”

“You’ll be my personal guard from now on.”

Hu Lu Guang looked at Li Shuang, bowed.

“Yes.”

His movements carried no trace of childhood—polite, composed.

“Farewell.”

This time, Hu Lu Jin truly departed.

As Li Shuang prepared to leave with his men, Kedi Gan crept quietly over.

“Ma Yi’s governor—I heard you’re a Han?”

Li Shuang looked puzzled.

"You only just realized that?"

Kuodi Gan rubbed his head, looking embarrassed.

"I just found out too. If you were Han, things would be different."

"What, don’t want to work with me anymore?"

"That’s not it!"

On Kuodi Gan’s simple face, a flush spread; he stammered, hesitating long before finally muttering a few words.

"Raise the pay!"

Li Shuang smiled and replied simply with two words.

"Get lost!"

Li Shuang spurred his horse away; Kuodi Gan panicked and chased after him.

"Commandant of Ma Yi, let’s talk this over. You don’t know our customs—no raise is fine, but at least give us more food and drink!"

…