Chapter 117: Shooting Geese

Diwu Lun figured that history must be full of fellows who, after being demoted, stripped of rank, losing their posts and exiled far away, had in a fit of rage raised a banner and rebelled.

But rebelling because of a promotion and ennoblement, because of being transferred back from the frontier to the capital — that seemed to have no precedent. If he really did it, he could start a whole new school of rebellion.

And then he would be ruthlessly crushed by Grand Preceptor Wang Kuang and General of Renewal Lian Dan's hundred-thousand-strong army to the north, and Dou Rong's five thousand soldiers close at hand. Diwu Lun observed the discipline and morale of Dou Rong's troops; with only two thousand men of his own, he truly was no match for them. Duke of Zhou Dou also refused to come into his fort, just squatting in Shanghe City, so Diwu Lun resigned himself to returning to court.

What's more, if he did rise up, what would become of his clan back in Linqu Township? Led by Diwu Ba, several thousand people lining up for Wang Mang to chop their heads off?

Opportunity was like the pears in his old family orchard — pick them too late and they turned mushy and lost their crispness, but pick them too early, and one bite would set your teeth on edge with sourness.

Rebellion was out of the question. What about falsely claiming the Xiongnu were invading, to buy some time?

But Diwu Lun mulled it over all night, came up with seven or eight schemes, and in the end they all felt forced. If he wasn't careful, he might throw the frontier into chaos, and the wolves outside might really come.

"They say a cunning rabbit has three burrows. The future is unpredictable. I now have Changling and New Qinzhong — who knows, maybe this trip will let me establish a third base."

Only, he had no idea what Wang Mang's so-called "important appointment" would entail. So Diwu Lun set aside his crooked schemes and decided to return to Chang'an first and see. At worst, he could fall back on the old routine: resign from office.

But Wang Sa couldn't clarify either. He had moved into Shanghe City, inside Dou Rong's defense zone. This Marquis of Zhande was clearly a man who loved leisure and hated toil; coming to garrison the frontier, he had brought along several cartloads of cooks and maidservants. He would hardly win the soldiers' hearts, but at least he wasn't stubbornly self-willed. He handed all frontier defense matters over to Dou Rong and Diwu Lun to arrange, even saying with a smile that he would "follow Xiao's rules as Cao did" — whatever it was like when they left, it would still be the same a year later.

When Diwu Lun heard that, according to Xin Dynasty regulations, he and Dou Rong could take their personal followers and guards with them, he feigned ignorance and asked, "Marquis of Zhande, I am now a Deputy General. By military law, I am entitled to a thousand close-guard personal troops — may I take them all?"

Wang Sa shook his head. "Believing everything in books is worse than having no books; rigidly following military law is worse than flexible application. Besides, court military ranks have changed. Some Deputy Generals don't even command a thousand men, let alone muster a full complement of close-guard troops. Moreover, if you march south with too many men, no provisions will be supplied along the way. Kenubo, you may take no more than a hundred."

Diwu Lun felt a twinge of regret and ultimately decided to take two hundred men back. Even if he just kept them at home as private retainers and guests, he could still afford to support them. But he could not completely abandon this burrow of New Qinzhong. After returning to camp, he began summoning his subordinates one by one.

The first to enter was Wan Xiu. After Diwu Lun explained the situation to him, he said, "Among all the Company Commanders under my command, the only one who can take charge of a whole sector on his own is you, Junyou!"

Although Wan Xiu had joined the army only a few months ago under the alias "Ren Xia" as a guide, he was like gold dropped into a pile of rocks — impossible to hide its gleam. In the battle crossing the river to strike the barbarians, Wan Xiu led men on horseback to intercept the Hu raiders at the canal, buying time for the infantry to arrive. After nightfall, he led men to retake the various village wards, took over a hundred heads, and rescued more than a thousand common folk, winning the respect and affection of native soldiers like Meng Ze. Diwu Lun had promoted him straight to Company Commander.

What's more, Wan Xiu was also someone who knew Diwu Lun's aspirations, and he was the second-in-command of the hemp-bandits who had now transformed into the "Cavalry Squad."

And what Diwu Lun valued most in Wan Xiu was his "trustworthiness and honor." He knew this was a man worthy of being entrusted with heavy responsibility.

"I have already recommended to the Marquis of Zhande that after I leave, you be made Colonel, commanding the two battalions of the Fifth Regiment!"

Wan Xiu was both shocked and delighted. Although the Great Xin's military ranks had been heavily watered down and were nothing like before, the idea that he — a fugitive who hadn't even been pardoned yet — could transform into a Colonel was indeed absurd.

Wang Sa had never led troops and had brought hardly any of his own staff; he was a pure parachute appointment, forced to rely on the various Colonels. And given his pro-peace stance, he was unlikely to take the initiative and march beyond the frontier — unless His Majesty the Emperor in Shoucheng Palace went mad again.

Wan Xiu very much wanted to accept, but he still hesitated — until Diwu Lun guessed what was on his mind and resolved Wan Xiu's worries about what he'd leave behind.

"After I return, I will make a trip to Maoling and find a way to bring your wife and child, who are under the protection of the knight-errant Yuan She, here to you, so that Junyou's family can be reunited."

Wan Xiu had nothing more to say. He prostrated himself and kowtowed, accepting this weighty responsibility. Diwu Lun helped him up. "I will soon no longer be your superior. From now on, just call me Boyu."

The next Company Commander to enter was Xuan Biao.

Xuan Bohu was educated and had integrity. Diwu Lun recommended him to be Major, ranking below Wan Xiu.

Although Wan Xiu was well-liked by the men of Lian County and the "bandits," he had, after all, been in the army only a short time. Among the main force of the Fifth Regiment, the Boar-Rush Braves, he held little real authority. Xuan Biao, on the other hand, had managed them from start to finish and frequently liaised with the local strongman Zhang Chun of Tewu County on orders. Leaving him in charge of one battalion to garrison and farm at Tewu would be more than adequate.

But Xuan Biao had his own concerns. Diwu Lun considerately put his mind at ease: "Once I reach Chang'an, I will find a way to inquire about the whereabouts of your father, Master Xuan. If possible, I will find a way to rescue him."

Xuan Biao's worries instantly vanished, and he expressed his willingness to assist Wan Xiu well and manage the Fifth Regiment properly.

At this, Diwu Lun recalled his pitiful cousin Diba Jiao, implicated in the case of the Duke of Gongchong. He had sent people to the distant Western Sea Commandery to inquire. Diba Jiao and that Liu Long, whose face flushed red when he got excited, were both still alive. When the time was right, he would have to fish them out too.

When Xuan Biao left, he gently closed the door behind him. When Diqi Biao entered, however, he was heavy-handed and heavy-footed, bringing in a great gust of cold wind.

The news that Diwu Lun was returning to court had already spread among the officers. Diqi Biao was somewhat anxious and prostrated himself. "I wish to return with the clan head!"

"The frontier is bitterly cold, and we have been away from home for nine months now." Diwu Lun expressed understanding of his homesickness. "But I hope you will stay!"

"I need one of our own people to remain in New Qinzhong. You must assist Wan Xiu and Xuan Biao, and also keep an eye on the soldiers. Make them remember that this regiment was built single-handedly by Diwu Boyu. Make them remember me."

Reflecting on the last battle, Diwu Lun had discovered that rallying the troops to "fight for the people" was far less effective than "fight for me, Diwu Lun." With the situation now urgent, all those things that required gradual, subtle influence were pushed aside. Private soldiers it is, warlord it is!

He earnestly advised Diqi Biao: "As a Major, you will command over a thousand men, with a rank and salary equivalent to a County Commandant. The local strongmen will have to show you respect. Isn't that far better than going back to being a village strongman?"

Diqi Biao had followed Diwu Lun for so long that he understood the clan head was no ordinary man. Following him brought many benefits and would increase the Diqi clan's voice in family affairs — he could not refuse.

But after agreeing, he said, "Whatever the clan head commands, Biao will obey. Yet there is still one matter I cannot set my mind at ease about."

"Speak."

Diqi Biao kowtowed heavily on the ground. "My younger brother, Diqi Bao, once offended the clan head. His crime deserved death, and I expelled him from the clan. But he is, after all, my own brother. If during my absence, A-Bao returns to the village, I hope the clan head can spare his life!"

This old fox Diqi Biao was seizing the chance to bargain with him. Diwu Lun smiled cheerfully. "Who is Diqi Bao?"

"I have long since forgotten."

Diqi Biao was overjoyed. He kowtowed again, his head thumping audibly against the floor. Only then was he willing to stay, content.

Thus, the troika of the Fifth Regiment was finally complete.

Next to enter were the Platoon Captains and junior officers.

Their attitudes varied. For instance, Diwu Pingdan was homesick, while Diyi Jiming was not. Diwu Lun had the former return with him and the latter stay to "assist" Diqi Biao. Should Brother Biao prove unreliable again on a crazy whim, Jiming, whom Diwu Lun had promoted to Company Commander, would be the family's spokesman here.

Zheng Tong of the sword-and-shield squad and Zang Nu of the archer squad — Diwu Lun had both join his personal guard and private retinue. He also selected many junior officers and Sergeants from the Boar-Rush Braves, totaling over a hundred men.

These men were the army's grassroots officers. They were already familiar with formations, banners, drums, and gongs, and had been on the battlefield once. Bring them back to Changling, arrange marriages and families for them, settle them down, then place them into the clan militia Diwu Lun was planning — within a few months, a second "Fifth Regiment" could take shape!

Diwu Lun also personally inspected the beacon towers again. Over the next few days, he had more or less arranged all personnel matters, but he still could not find Ma Yuan anywhere.

So infuriated that Diwu Lun cursed, "That old rascal — he wouldn't have been scared off by what I said, would he?"

Although he knew well that men of great talent could never have temperaments like ordinary people, Ma Yuan's leaving without a word still irked Diwu Lun somewhat.

But if he delayed any longer, it would be the new year. At last, the day of departure arrived. When the man was gone and the room stood empty, Diwu Lun gently stroked the weapon rack where arms had once been placed, now utterly bare. The armor that had hung on the stand had also vanished without a trace.

And those maps of Beidi, Sanshui, and New Qinzhong — each one personally surveyed and drawn by him using hoof-measured paces — had long since been rolled up by Diwu Fu and Zhang Yu and packed into chests for him.

"I did not come empty-handed, nor do I return empty-handed," Diwu Lun told himself. He did not regret this trip to the frontier; he only had one lingering regret.

At that moment, the door opened again. It was Ma Yuan, unseen for many days, returning at last, with Wan Xiu following behind.

Seeing Ma Yuan's fur coat covered in white frost, Diwu Lun feigned surprise. "It's been half a month, hasn't it? Which beacon tower did Wenyuan run off to?"

Ma Yuan climbed onto the heated brick bed and pulled off boots he had worn for who knows how many days, laughing. "I rode my horse on and on westward. To my right was the Han Wu Great Wall, to my left the great river slowly freezing over. That scenery — truly magnificent."

"Where did you finally reach?"

"Crossed the desert, climbed over the hills, and finally reached the borders of Liang Province, roughly where Wuwei Commandery used to be. And then, far in the distance, I saw the Qilian Mountains! Dusted with snow, a silver-white line stretching beyond sight — that is the Xiongnu's sky!"

"And then, I came back."

Diwu Lun asked, "Why not keep going?"

Ma Yuan laughed heartily. "A true man sets out when the mood strikes and turns back when it fades — why must there be so many whys?"

As he spoke, he handed Diwu Lun several rolled-up silk paintings. Unfurling them, Diwu Lun saw they were maps of the mountains, rivers, roads, and bearings Ma Yuan had observed along his journey.

"Isn't Boyu the one who loves maps most? I drew these to pass the time on the road — they're yours! I never understood why Boyu was so obsessed with them before, but now I finally get it."

Diwu Lun took them, at a loss for words. Ma Yuan spoke first: "Junyou tells me you're heading back to Guanzhong, Boyu?"

"I must go." Diwu Lun said. "Junyou will stay on as Colonel. What plans does Wenyuan have from here?"

Ma Yuan had not the slightest attachment to power. Even the hundred-odd bandit riders he had personally raised, he handed over wholesale to Wan Xiu — effectively giving them to Diwu Lun without a second thought.

The Ma Yuan of now was still the same in temperament. Somewhat wistfully, he said, "With Boyu gone, what use is there in my staying here?"

Ha. The way you led me around in circles back at Helan Mountain — and now you say this? Too late!

Diwu Lun simply asked, "Then where will Wenyuan go?"

"I don't know." A trace of bewilderment flickered in Ma Yuan's eyes. He had set out on this journey after carefully weighing Diwu Lun's invitation, but now Diwu Lun was being recalled to Guanzhong. All those plans had come to nothing; he would have to start over. "I'll likely keep roaming the realm, wandering between Long and Han, living a few more years of carefree life in the rivers and lakes. It was Boyu who gave me the idea — places that need someone to do heaven's work, why should they be only here on the frontier?"

Diwu Lun mocked him: "You've been away two years. Won't you go back and see your family?"

A rare look of hesitation and shame crossed Ma Yuan's face. He smiled, took a swig of wine, and said, "Forget it. Better if Boyu carries a letter back for me."

"Far apart, each under a different sky. It seems the three of us are about to part ways."

Wan Xiu sighed these words, genuinely reluctant to see this time together end.

Ma Yuan, however, laughed at him for acting like a lovelorn youth. After another swig of wine, he made a suggestion: "The Yici says: 'When two hearts are one, their sharpness cuts metal; words from one heart carry a fragrance like orchids.'"

"Since that meeting at Xiliu Pavilion, I, Yuan, have deeply felt that Boyu, Junyou, and I share the same aspirations. We have spoken many words from one heart, and when we joined forces to slay bandits and strike the Hu, our sharpness indeed cut metal."

"That being so, why not swear brotherhood? No matter where we are in days to come, if either of you calls, Ma Yuan will surely come."

This was the origin of the bond of gold and orchid, was it not? As early as the beginning of the Han, Liu Bang had sworn brotherhood with Xiang Yu — and soon after, Liu Bang's father nearly ended up boiled alive by Xiang Yu...

"Wan Xiu has long wished for this!" Wan Xiu had only felt too ashamed of his lowly status to suggest it, and now was the first to agree. Both looked at Diwu Lun, the youngest of them. If they truly swore this oath, he would likely have to be the third brother.

Diwu Lun, however, shook his head. "I hope Wenyuan and Junyou will not take offense, but this brotherhood — I fear it cannot be sworn."

Wan Xiu stared blankly. Ma Yuan laughed and cursed, "What, now that you've been enfeoffed as a Count and made a General, you're unwilling to keep company with the likes of us?"

"That is absolutely not what I mean. It is rather..." Diwu Lun hesitated.

Ma Yuan slapped the kang. "Why is Boyu acting like a lovelorn youth too? Out with it."

Diwu Lun said, "It has nothing to do with Junyou. It is because of Wenyuan."

"Me?" Ma Yuan was stunned.

Diwu Lun simply took an object from a chest and handed it over. "Wenyuan, have a look at this saddle for me, will you?"

That fine saddle, obtained from a certain Miss Ma of Maoling who preferred not to disclose her name — Diwu Lun never used it in front of Ma Yuan. He only carefully treasured it, taking it out to wipe clean when he was alone.

Handed into Ma Yuan's grasp, it was still as good as new. The low saddle had silver fittings and gilt trim; the saddlecloth was patterned wool with jade-tasseled cords, complete with short reins and long crupper — everything in perfect order.

"A fine saddle indeed. Where did Boyu get this..."

Ma Yuan stopped mid-sentence. Wait — why did it look somewhat familiar? Exactly like the one he had commissioned years ago and given to his daughter?

He turned it over and looked at the inscription on the inner side. Good heavens — it didn't just look like it; it was unmistakably that very one!

Ma Yuan was stunned for only a moment before it clicked. No wonder the letters from home said Diwu Lun often sent people to deliver specialty fruits and melons to the household, showing her considerable care.

I took you for a brother, and this is how you look after my daughter for me?!

In this age, for a woman — especially a refined young lady of a high-ranking gentry clan — to give a man an object carried no ordinary significance.

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Ma Yuan's silkworm brows furrowed, his phoenix eyes glaring at Diwu Lun. He hardly knew whether to be pleased or furious.

He recalled his conversation with Diwu Lun before Helan Mountain. His thoughts churned through a hundred twists; pondering the deeper meaning of this, his mouth opened and closed, yet he could not tell whether he ought to curse or laugh.

Diwu Lun, for his part, faced Ma Yuan squarely, without a trace of guilt. During his time in New Qinzhong, he had kept up a steady correspondence with the Ma household in Maoling — far more diligent than Ma Yuan himself, sometimes even writing letters right in front of Ma Yuan. Serves you right for neglecting your family — someone slipped in and stole a march on you. You deserve it!

After a long while, Ma Yuan only said, "Junyou, step outside for a moment."

Wan Xiu had no idea what was going on. Judging by Ma Yuan's stance, it looked like he was about to fight Diwu Lun. With Boyu's slight frame, he'd never beat him — what to do?

Wan Xiu scratched his head, wanting to mediate but not knowing where to begin. Ma Yuan then added, "Your archery is good. Go out and, for me... no..."

"For Boyu — shoot a wild goose. He'll need it!"