Chapter 86: A Fine Horse Deserves a Fine Saddle

Maoling was the largest city Diwu Lun had seen after Chang'an.

Its roads crisscrossed in a grid, lined with white elms and sweet-osmanthus trees forming shaded avenues; beneath tall hats and ornate canopies, people streamed past like clouds.

Stone-lined gutters flanked the streets, and beyond them pavilions stood side by side. Dark-blue tavern banners fluttered in the wind, the cries of wine-sellers unceasing. Scholars in tall hats and wide sleeves, richly dressed gallants and nobles came and went, and now and then someone staggered out dead drunk.

Possessing a prosperity to rival Chang'an yet free of the capital's many restrictions, even Diwu Lun, who hailed from Changling, had to admit: "Of all the tomb towns north of the Wei, Maoling is the most flourishing."

Maoling's standing among the tomb towns was like Emperor Wu of Han's towering prominence in Han history. It was said that, excluding the floating population, Maoling's registered households already outnumbered Chang'an's — only they were scattered across the county rather than concentrated in one city.

In any case, in this city of Maoling, no household you picked at random was ordinary. The old families cultivated letters and rites, such as the Geng clan, Governor of Shuodiao, and the Guo clan, Shepherd of Bing Province. The bold spirits moved among knights-errant and shady dealings — the most famous being the great knight-errant Yuan She. There were also many venerable scholars and celebrated figures; it was truly a place where dragons lurked and tigers crouched.

Asking directions in the city, he made his way outside the Jiadi ward. The ward's layout and splendor proved no less than Chang'an's Shangguan Ward, where eminent and noble households mostly dwelt. Entering the ward, he located the Ma residence: a broad, level thoroughfare, vermilion gates, a great mansion.

Diwu Lun even turned back deliberately to look. Sure enough, separated from the Ma residence by a single lane, stood the "Gongsun Residence" — the home of Gongsun Shu, Governor of Daojiang. It seemed Gongsun Shu and Ma Yuan were indeed childhood neighbors, and thus a rival competing with him for this man.

"But when Ma Yuan ran into trouble, he didn't go to Gongsun Shu, nor did he let him know where he was going. It seems the bond Gongsun Shu spoke of wasn't so deep after all." Though his own strength and Gongsun Shu's were as far apart as heaven and earth, Diwu Lun still very much hoped to recruit Ma Yuan.

His attendants carried the gifts behind him. Diwu Lun sent Diwu Fu forward to knock on the gate. Over the past year, Diwu Fu had come many times on orders and long since grown familiar with everyone in the Ma household, high and low.

Learning that Diwu Lun had come in person, the gatekeeper acknowledged the message and hurried off to report to the Ma family's young mistress, who managed the household.

By rights, the Ma household should never have fallen to the daughter of Old Four Ma to run, but the family's circumstances were unusual. Ma Yuan's eldest brother, Ma Kuang, had died young, and the widowed sister-in-law he left behind was often ill. Diwu Fu had visited several times without ever catching a glimpse of her.

Ma Yuan's second brother, Ma Yu, had once lent Diwu Lun a hand at the office of the Master of Fates of the Five Majesties and now held the post of Colonel of the Central Rampart, commanding a section of the central army, the Northern Army. His family lived in Chang'an and rarely returned.

Ma Yuan's third brother, Ma Yuan, was even farther away, serving as Governor of Zengshan (Shang Commandery). Shang Commandery lay just north of Liewei Commandery, which Diwu Lun regarded in his heart as his home base.

And that fellow Ma Yuan had abandoned his family and run off for the sake of a man. His concubine could hardly receive guests, and his sons were too young, so the young mistress of the Ma family had no choice but to shoulder the burden.

A moment later, the Ma residence's central gate swung wide open, and Diwu Lun and his party were invited inside. After they crossed the courtyard, the young mistress was already standing beneath the honorific pillars by the hall door to welcome them.

It had been over a year since Diwu Lun last saw her, when they parted in Xuanming Ward. The girl was now sixteen, a little taller. Today she wore a close-fitting, wrap-around deep robe with wide sleeves, the fabric winding several times around her body to her hips and bound with a silk sash. The robe was painted with exquisite, gorgeous fledgling-bird patterns.

Her features had matured somewhat, yet a girlish air still lingered. Her expression was warm and courteous as she bowed and said, "Having received so many gifts from the Diwu household earlier, I had intended to choose a day to go and offer thanks. How could I presume to let the gentleman arrive at my door first?"

Diwu Lun cupped his hands. "To come without sending word ahead is already a breach of courtesy. But military affairs are urgent as fire. If I did not seize today, I fear there would be no further chance."

The young mistress was somewhat surprised. With people milling about outside the gate, she asked no further questions, merely inviting Diwu Lun into the north hall. Inside it was warm; the coal stove Diwu Lun had sent burned dog-head charcoal, and the floor was spread with costly felt rugs and patterned woolen carpets.

Upon the patterned carpet, the young mistress straightened her back, performed the full double kneeling bow, and inquired after Diwu Lun's well-being. "Before the year's end, I was startled to hear of the gentleman's master's passing and sent someone to offer condolences. Later I heard that the gentleman had submitted a memorial volunteering for military service, first escorting his master's coffin back to Shu. After that, for a long time, I heard no further news."

"I sent someone to Diwu Ward to inquire and only then learned that the gentleman had gone to Hongmen to join the army. Are you now about to march? May I ask where you are bound, and for how long?"

Her words carefully observed every propriety, yet they could not conceal the concern in her voice.

Over the past year, she had managed a large household alone, forced to be a sturdy wife guarding the gate — a match for any man. Though she braced herself to take charge, she was, after all, only a girl in her early teens. In the deep stillness of night, she would still feel wronged and shed tears, and she bitterly resented that her father had written only one letter before falling silent again.

It was Diwu Lun who had shown considerable concern for her family, sending someone every few days with local produce, often accompanied by a letter. At first, their correspondence had been restrained, but as the letters grew more frequent, if a month or two passed without one, she would feel a sense of loss.

Yet meeting face-to-face today, their words did not flow as smoothly as their letters. The young mistress was, on the contrary, a little nervous.

Diwu Lun had not studied under Yang Xiong for a year in vain; some verses now came to his lips unbidden. He knew the young mistress was fond of quoting the Odes in her letters, so he shook his head and said: "'The king's service knows no rest; we have no leisure to sit at ease.' Campaign duty never ceases — how can one have a moment's respite? When I shall return, I truly do not know. Perhaps three years, perhaps five."

For a certain reason, this poem was the one the young mistress knew best. She was at once deeply saddened: "'My heart is pained with sorrow; none knows my grief...' This sorrow of leaving home — though I cannot experience it myself, I feel it keenly. My father is the same. 'We said, "We shall return, we shall return," but the year draws to a close and still we are not home.'"

Diwu Lun smiled. "However, my destination this time happens to be Weirong Commandery."

The young mistress understood. She dismissed the servants, leaving only her little brother playing in the hall and an old nurse attending outside to avoid any appearance of impropriety. "That being so, the gentleman may have a chance to see my father?"

Diwu Lun said, "Perhaps. When the time comes, our various battalions will be split up and stationed in different counties. I will strive to be sent to Tewu County, so that Wenyuan and I can look out for each other."

The young mistress relaxed a little and grew cheerful again. Before their conversation had even ended, she turned and gave orders to the kitchen to prepare a simple meal and not to delay it.

"There's no need to prepare a meal. I must be back in camp before dusk." Diwu Lun said, "Does the young mistress have any letters or items you wish me to bring to Wenyuan?"

She had the servants set out wine, the clear and the unstrained in separate vessels, and she herself poured for Diwu Lun. As the wine entered the cup, foam surged up, then quickly dispersed, like flowers blooming and fading — much like the ambiguous atmosphere of this moment.

Though she deliberately kept her eyes from meeting his, an occasional glance caught Diwu Lun close at hand. Perhaps the coal stove in the room burned too fiercely, or the patterned carpet was too warm, but the young mistress's cheeks seemed to flush crimson.

Yet she steadied her hand. When the pouring was done, she toasted Diwu Lun. After drinking one cup herself, her face grew even hotter.

Today, time seemed to pass terribly fast. As Diwu Lun took his leave to go, the young mistress handed him the letter she had written. He glanced at it — there was only one. It seemed it was only for Ma Yuan, and none for him.

Besides the letter, the young mistress had servants bring over other items: a complete set of horse tack.

The low saddle was inlaid with silver and plated with gold; the saddlecloth was of patterned wool with jade tassels; along with short reins and long crupper straps — everything complete, all fine pieces.

"You wish me to bring these to Wenyuan?"

The young mistress lowered her head. "My father has always loved horses. From his youth, he delighted in raising famous steeds. When guests came, if the conversation merely touched upon horses, he would grow animated and launch into a grand discourse on the Classic of Horse-Appraisal. In the end, he would always invite the guest to come see his horses, and sometimes, before a crowd, he would saddle up, take the reins, and gallop off into the countryside."

"When my father went far away, he did not bring his family, but fine horses and horse tack he could not do without. He surely brought his own; there is no need for the family to send any."

Her words held longing for her father, but also a faint trace of complaint. The young mistress presented the saddle and cloth before Diwu Lun. "This set, however, is a gift for the gentleman. Over this past year, my brother and I have been blessed by the gentleman's care and concern, and have no way to repay it."

Diwu Lun declined. "This gift is far too generous. I am not worthy of it."

The young mistress raised them higher still, lifting them to the level of her brows. "The gentleman is worthy. Fine things ought to go to a stalwart warrior. I only hope the gentleman will soon return victorious."

"I shall borrow the young mistress's auspicious words." Diwu Lun accepted them solemnly and said with a smile, "Perhaps I will bring Wenyuan back with me as well."

The young mistress set aside ceremony to see him out. According to Han custom, though a woman could receive guests herself, she had to observe proper limits and could not see them off too far. Thus her feet did not pass the door pivot. She merely performed the double kneeling bow from a distance, and only when Diwu Lun's figure had vanished far down the lane did the central gate slowly close.

Diwu Lun, too, turned his head to gaze back at Maoling. This was the last warmth and splendor he would feel before the bitter cold of the frontier.

His fingers gently stroked the saddle and cloth, still carrying a lingering warmth. Diwu Lun was thoroughly delighted and thought to himself, "It seems once I reach the lands beyond the northern passes, I'll have to follow the picture to find the horse — and search out a suitable steed to match the size of this saddle and cloth!"

The sky was still light. Diwu Lun and his attendants galloped all the way back. As they neared the military camp, they spotted several men standing on an earthen mound, pointing and gesturing at the camp fortifications.

"Who are you people, and why are you spying on the military camp?"

Frowning, he rode over and questioned them about their identities. The others all looked somewhat flustered; only their leader, an ugly man dressed in Confucian scholar's robes, remained perfectly composed. He merely said, "This humble one is Fang Wang of Pingling. My companions and I were passing by this place and, seeing the camp ramparts from afar, grew curious for a moment and stopped to look."

Pingling, Diwu Lun knew, was right next to Maoling. But he had never heard of this Fang Wang. So he offered them some well-meant advice: "The Son of Heaven has issued an edict: now that the army is setting forth on campaign, anyone who dares to cause disturbances or break the law shall be summarily executed, without waiting for the appointed season, until the Xiongnu are annihilated. Lately, camp security is extremely strict. Do not come too close, or you will surely be arrested!"

Fang Wang and the others acknowledged this. Only after Diwu Lun had left did Fang Wang's face, so full of deference a moment before, revert to disdain. Standing on tiptoe, he cast a few more glances at the Boar-Rush Braves' encampment and pronounced to the friends beside him: "With such a disorderly, motley army marching north, let alone destroying the Xiongnu, I fear they will only throw their own ranks into chaos and wreak havoc along the frontier. It seems to me that the Xin will not only suffer the calamities of Mother Lü and the Greenwood in the east and south — the north, too, is about to descend into great turmoil."

When Diwu Lun reached the camp and reported back to Liangqiu Ci, he found Colonel Liangqiu looking deeply hesitant.

Only when Diwu Lun asked did he say, "Boyu, you should know that we, as auxiliary conscripts, must set out together with the regular troops. We are to transport grain and supplies for them, while the regular troops keep an eye on us auxiliaries to prevent the Boar-Rush Braves from deserting."

Diwu Lun knew this. That was why they were waiting at Maoling for the regular army. Their entire regiment — over five thousand men on paper — was also to be placed under the command of a Deputy General.

Liangqiu Ci said, "Orders have come down from above. The Deputy General commanding us is Han Wei!"

Diwu Lun remembered. "Could that be the Han Wei who once submitted a memorial to the Son of Heaven, volunteering to take five thousand brave men, carrying no provisions, eating the flesh of captives when hungry and drinking their blood when thirsty, to rampage unchecked among the Xiongnu?"

"Indeed. He boasted that with the might of the Xin, swallowing the barbarian caitiffs would be no harder than crushing a flea between his teeth — hence he was enfeoffed as 'General Who Swallows the Hu' and is advancing from Weirong."

Liangqiu Ci's face was full of dismay. "The General Who Swallows the Hu marches in great haste and looks down on us Boar-Rush Braves. I fear we are in for a miserable time on this journey!"

PS: Chapter 2 at 13:00. Please vote with recommendation tickets.