Chapter 1409: Thousand-Household Commander

They only rose early the next morning, by which time the campfire had long gone out, its embers holding not the slightest warmth. Qi Wang shivered the moment he got up; his body was still utterly exhausted and his wounds throbbed dully, but they forced themselves to their feet all the same.

The snow had stopped for now, but heaven only knew when another blizzard might strike. No one could last long staying out in the wilds, so they had to press on. And so they stumbled and staggered onward with their journey.

Yet this new leg of the journey brought even greater troubles than before. For one, they had originally reached the borderlands between Guangping Prefecture and Kaifeng Prefecture, but after that chaotic battle and their frantic flight, they no longer had any clear idea where they were. They could only assume they had already entered Kaifeng Prefecture and, at any rate, fix their bearing southward, resolving to find some inhabited place first.

The physical condition of Qi Wang and Liu Songping also became a drag. Both were robust, capable men, but after several bitter fights they had sustained many injuries. They could still force themselves to move, but they needed rest and recuperation to recover their vitality. Qi Wang's situation was slightly better—he was young, his body quick to heal—but Liu Songping, at his age and wounded, would likely develop a chronic ailment if he did not receive proper treatment soon. Yet in their present circumstances, where could they possibly find the leisure to seek a place to heal?

Pressed by these mounting disadvantages, they had no choice but to set aside all other concerns and prepare to find some inhabited place to rest and tend their wounds, choosing their direction as best they could by heading south. To locate a market town as quickly as possible, they also had to abandon their other precautions and travel straight along the main road.

As if confirming their fears, before they had walked long, scattered snowflakes began drifting down from the sky. The cloud cover was so thick that the sky was a terrifying, gloomy gray, nothing like morning at all. With biting wind and swirling snow, few travelers were to be seen on the road. Amid the storm, they had to huddle close and shrink deep into their clothes just to barely fend off the cold.

Qi Wang felt an icy chill all over his body. By contrast, the unceasing pain of his wounds gradually subsided. From time to time he glanced at Liu Songping beside him, worried about his condition.

Although they had long since prepared winter clothes for the road, given Liu Songping's current state, Qi Wang was still deeply concerned.

"Third Uncle, why don't you take another piece of clothing from me?" After hesitating a long while, Qi Wang finally worked up the courage to ask Liu Songping. "I'm young, my body can take it."

"What foolish talk! Just look after yourself properly. Your Third Uncle's body is in fine shape—I can take it!" Liu Songping, who had been supporting Wei Zhongxian, immediately rejected the offer and pulled some dry rations from his pack to eat. "Walk properly and stop letting your mind wander. The road ahead is still long!"

Rebuked like that, Qi Wang could only fall silent again.

In this stretch of bitter cold and wind, he too felt deeply oppressed and had no desire to speak further.

Amid the wind and snow, he could not help recalling his days in the capital, longing for the heat of the heated brick bed. Although his father was only a Squad Leader in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that post at least provided a stipend of money and grain, which had ensured his food and clothing as he grew up. He had never thought much of how hard-won that was—until he left the capital this time and witnessed the harrowing scenes of a realm in chaos. Only then did Qi Wang truly realize how precious all of it had been.

He closed his eyes slightly and suddenly felt as if he had returned to the capital, to that home of his which, though humble, could at least shelter him from wind and rain. Every furnishing there was so familiar, so dearly missed… If only he could go back, how wonderful that would be.

Just as he was lost in these reveries amid the cold wind, the road suddenly began to tremble faintly.

That familiar trembling instantly set his battle-hardened body on high alert.

Then, the whinnying that reached his ears confirmed the ominous premonition in his heart. Was all this still not over?

He looked back in alarm and saw, far off in the distance on the road, some vague, shadowy figures flickering in and out of sight.

At that very moment, something slammed heavily into his chest.

He turned his head back and found that it was Wei Zhongxian's aged body that had collided with him.

"Take him and go, quickly!" Liu Songping shouted at him. "We'll split up!"

That familiar command quickly pulled Qi Wang out of his shock and doubt. "Third Uncle…"

"What are you waiting for? They're on horseback—they'll be on us in no time!" Liu Songping yelled at him urgently. "Go, go now!"

Even as he shouted, Liu Songping shoved him hard, but Qi Wang did not move.

Having learned his lesson the last time, this time he had no intention of obeying.

"Third Uncle… I'm not leaving. You take him and go!" Qi Wang gritted his teeth and once more drew the blade from his waist. "I'll hold them off!"

"What foolish talk!" Liu Songping flew into a rage and drew his own blade as well. "What use is one more man staying here? I'm already at this age—I've lived long enough. Won't you even let me go out in peace? Don't you underestimate your Third Uncle. I'll catch up with you in no time!"

No matter how boldly he spoke, Qi Wang would not budge. He knew Third Uncle was already wounded; no matter how skilled he was, he could never withstand a fresh wave of pursuers.

"Third Uncle, I'm not leaving. Either we all come through this together, or we die together!" Qi Wang stood firm no matter how much he was shoved, then turned his head to look at Wei Zhongxian. "Wei Zhongxian, I'm staying here with Third Uncle. You go on ahead by yourself—get as far as you can. If we're all right afterward, we'll come find you!"

Wei Zhongxian, who had not yet fully grasped the situation, stared at them in stunned silence, then suddenly gave a bitter laugh.

"In this wind and snow, in this desolate place with no inn in sight, where could I possibly go? I'm not going anywhere. I'll just wait here."

"Gonggong!" Liu Songping grew anxious as well. "You… what good will it do for you to stay? You should go with Wang'er! Aren't you trying to reach Fengyang? If you stay here, you'll never make it!"

"At this point, what is there left for me to say about making it or not?" Wei Zhongxian shook his head. "Neither of you move recklessly. Let me deal with them first. If they insist I return, then I shall comply."

"But in this situation, if you go back, Gonggong, your life will hang by a thread!" Liu Songping grew even more anxious.

"I already said, life and death are ordained—why fuss over it so much? Since we've come this far and still can't escape, why should I struggle against heaven's will? No need to persuade me further. My mind is made up!" Wei Zhongxian waved his hand emphatically to show his resolve. "As for you two, go on ahead. I've already given you the things, so what need is there to stay by my side any longer? Go… don't make things harder on yourselves."

"Since we accepted your generosity, Gonggong, it's only right that we serve you with all our hearts to the very end!" Liu Songping showed no sign of giving up. "Say no more, Gonggong. All along this journey we have been in your care. At a moment like this, how could we abandon you to save our own skins? Besides, where could we run to now? Rather than be hunted down like stray dogs, we might as well stay right here—"

"If Third Uncle isn't leaving, then I'm not leaving either. Let's face whoever comes and see what they're made of!" Qi Wang's blood was roused once more. He stepped in front of Third Uncle and Wei Zhongxian. "Whoever it is, if they want to harm Third Uncle, they'll have to step over my dead body first!"

Amid the drifting wind and snow, the figures of the mounted riders grew clearer and clearer, and the pressure they brought bore down on them with ever more tangible force.

When they had charged to within a mere two or three zhang, as if on some signal, the riders all reined in their horses and came to a halt.

Now they could see clearly. The group numbered around a dozen or so, all mounted on tall, sturdy horses. They had solid builds, wore black padded jackets, and their expressions were grim and severe. Their gazes fell upon the three of them simultaneously, and that gaze alone was enough to make one's heart feel even colder. Each man had a weapon at his waist, and at a glance they looked well-trained and accustomed to killing.

At first, not one of them spoke; they merely watched the three in silence. Then, at a gesture from the man in the lead, several riders beside him encircled the three. With just a glance, Liu Songping knew they had sealed off every escape route and had no intention of leaving them any chance to flee.

Looking at the weapons in their hands, he felt for the first time in his life that the glint of blades could be so blinding. Compared to this formation, Li Zhao and the men he had brought before seemed like nothing more than a rabble.

Yet what chilled his heart even more was not this, but… that several of these men were people he knew. The man in the lead was none other than Tao Che, a Thousand-Household Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Tall and gaunt, his dark-brown face bore a vicious, ruthless expression. He was a notoriously brutal figure within the Guard, and almost no one had ever seen him smile. No one knew how many cases he had handled in his life, nor how many lives he had brought to an end.

And now, it was he who had led men to overtake their group, and he had even arrayed them as if facing a formidable enemy… Has the Embroidered Uniform Guard truly branded me a traitor? Liu Songping's heart sank instantly to rock bottom.

"Commander…" Qi Wang recognized him too and visibly wavered. "It's actually the Commander?"

"Liu Songping! Qi Wang!" Just as the two were still reeling in shock and hesitation, Commander Tao bellowed, "Kneel!"

That roar made both their eardrums ache. Surrounded and powerless to resist, the instinct for cautious obedience cultivated over decades finally kicked in. The two exchanged a glance, then slowly sank to their knees.

"Your subordinates pay respects to the Commander!"

He knelt, but Wei Zhongxian showed no sign of alarm. Fierce and menacing as this Commander Tao might be, back in the days of his power, the man had been nothing more than a minor pawn at his beck and call. Though he had fallen from grace now, why should he bow his head before him?

"Commander Tao, it's been many days. Your official authority seems to have grown greater and greater…" Wei Zhongxian regarded him calmly. "So, why have you put on such a grand display today?"

"Seeing that Gonggong still retains his former bearing after all these days, I am truly gratified." Tao Che did not dismount, merely cupping his hands perfunctorily from horseback. "I had no wish to leave the capital myself—staying in the city is so much more comfortable. But I heard that Gonggong had suborned the two men we assigned to escort you, so I had no choice but to bring men out and intercept you, lest Gonggong do something foolish. In truth, it is Gonggong who has put us to all this trouble."

"Foolish? If I wanted to do something foolish, would I have ended up like this?" Wei Zhongxian laughed mockingly. "If I had truly suborned them, would I still be trudging through wind and snow all the way to Fengyang? And how would I have run into you, Commander?"

"What Gonggong thinks or intends, I cannot fathom, nor do I care to. However, we judge by deeds, not thoughts. That Gonggong colluded with these two along the way to commit lawless acts is a flagrant evil—what more needs to be said?" Tao Che's face remained utterly expressionless. "Incited by Gonggong, they acted on their own, attacked official agents, and just last night I received word that they even killed men from the Eastern Depot. Utterly reckless!"

"They were merely carrying out their duty with utmost loyalty. Your superiors ordered them to escort me to Fengyang, and they complied. What crime is there in that?" Wei Zhongxian shot back at once. "If there is a matter to settle, direct it at me. Why drag others into it?"

"Gonggong's matters will naturally not be overlooked." Tao Che suddenly gave a cold laugh, then shifted his gaze to the two men kneeling on the ground. "Bind them both!"

"Hold!" Wei Zhongxian immediately shouted. "Commander Tao, since you have caught up to me, I can naturally accept defeat. Whatever punishment you wish to mete out to me, I will accept it. Spare these two! They are but insignificant figures, mere mayflies—why drag them into such affairs?"

For the first time since the Son of Heaven had cast him down, this once-powerful eunuch of the former reign spoke soft words to plead for mercy—yet not for himself.

But his soft words did not achieve the desired effect.

"Gonggong, this is an internal matter of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and requires no concern from you." Tao Che shook his head, then made a gesture signaling the men beside him to go and seize the two. "Gonggong should worry about himself instead. When the Son of Heaven learned of Gonggong's conduct on the road, he was greatly enraged. I fear that upon returning to the capital this time, Gonggong will find little good awaiting him."

Though the words were harsh, Tao Che's face remained utterly solemn, showing not a trace of mockery.

"Commander!" At that moment, Liu Songping suddenly raised his head. "I was blinded by greed and bribed by Eunuch Wei. I protected him the whole way. Qi Wang had absolutely no part in it — please investigate clearly!"

"Is it for you to decide whether he was involved or not? Silence!" Tao Che cut him off sharply. "Once we return to the capital, you will be properly interrogated. You can plead your case then — it won't be too late!"

Amid the unhurried wind and snow, Liu Songping's heart had been frantic beyond measure, yet now, paradoxically, he grew calm.

He braced his hands against the ground and slowly rose to his feet.

"Insolence!" The men beside him cursed, but he ignored them completely. Instead, he lifted his head and looked straight at Commander Tao on horseback.

"Sir, at this point, why continue deceiving us? Once we return to the capital, we will be handed over to the Eastern Depot as scapegoats. How could we still have our lives to plead our case? If we go back with you, we die without a burial place. But you, sir — you will naturally win Lord Han's favor and advance your career even further…"

"You!" Tao Che wavered slightly and shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Nonsense? Is it truly nonsense? I won't hide it from you, sir — Li Zhao was killed by us, and it was we who buried him. On his body, I found evidence…" Liu Songping still stared straight at him, without the slightest retreat. "It was Han Kuang, Lord Han, who ordered him to intercept Eunuch Wei, wasn't it? Since he was, then you, sir, are naturally no different… Am I right, sir?"

"You slander a superior officer — what punishment do you think that warrants?" Tao Che's tone grew even colder. "Do you truly believe I cannot deal with you here, and must bring you back to the capital?"

"Han Kuang? So it was him…" Wei Zhongxian beside them suddenly understood. "It makes sense. He is a Donglin elder — how could he willingly be overshadowed by juniors like Yang Lian? He must have wanted to extract some merit from me, to build up capital for his return to the Grand Secretariat. Ha, I sensed something off about that old fox back then, but I never imagined he had such nerve!" Wei Zhongxian gave a cold laugh. "But why would you, the Depot Guard, listen to them? Oh… of course. His Majesty dislikes the Depot Guard, so you wanted to achieve some results and have Han Kuang support you… Heh, what a fine plan."

Wei Zhongxian quickly pieced together the whole story in his mind, then laughed bitterly. "You people — you just don't think deeply enough. You only see what's right in front of you… Do you think the Donglin faction is easy to deal with? Taking orders from them — isn't that just asking a tiger for its skin? How much benefit could you possibly gain? I fear that in the end, you'll simply be discarded once the birds are gone. In my view, you shouldn't do anything now. Just quietly wait for His Majesty to change his mind, and save yourselves…"

As Wei Zhongxian reasoned aloud, Tao Che's expression grew uglier and uglier. Finally, he gave a cold snort and slapped his horse heavily, drawing a neigh from the beast and cutting Wei Zhongxian off mid-sentence.

"That brat Li Zhao — couldn't even die with his eyes open. A complete waste. But it's just as well. If he hadn't died, I wouldn't be able to claim the full credit. I ought to thank him, really — just a small matter of giving the Eastern Depot an explanation." The corner of Tao Che's mouth twitched slightly, revealing a look of disdain. "Eunuch, you truly live up to your great reputation. You see the whole from a single clue — I am in awe! However… since you can barely save yourself now, there's no need for you to instruct us any further, is there? We know perfectly well what to do."

"What does Han Kuang want from me?" Wei Zhongxian no longer beat around the bush and asked directly. "When Li Zhao sought me out, he demanded that I list all the court officials secretly in my camp, along with their misdeeds. I imagine Lord Han wants the same thing, to pave his own path upward? Oh, of course — then he can persuade His Majesty to execute me, adding another great deed to his name, ridding the state and court of a scourge…"

"Since you've already guessed it, Eunuch, why make me say more?" Tao Che replied calmly. "Once Lord Han enters the Grand Secretariat, he can protect the Depot Guard before His Majesty. He will have use for us all. So you see, Eunuch — even fallen to this state, you can still help so many people. Isn't that wonderful?"

Then, without waiting for Wei Zhongxian's reply, he cast a cold glance at the other two men.

"Since you've already heard all this, there's nothing more to say. Your families have received the state's grace for generations. Now that the Guard finds itself in difficult straits, you ought to contribute a little, shouldn't you?" He waved his hand again, and the others also dismounted. "Since you were assigned this task and failed to carry it out, you must bear the responsibility and the punishment. Enough — I have no wish to say more to you. Come back to the capital with us, obediently."

His light, offhand words stirred an irrepressible surge of emotion in Qi Wang's heart.

"Nothing to be done?" "Just accept it?" For generations they had been loyal to the court, carrying out the Embroidered Uniform Guard's duties with utmost care — and in the end, this was all they got? They schemed and fought for private gain, yet demanded that we, the ones at the bottom, be their sacrificial burial goods.

This realm… this realm — where is there any justice left?! This loyalty — what use is it, after all?!

He felt fury shake his entire body, even his throat turning unbearably dry.

When that fury reached its peak, he forgot the desperate straits he was in, ignored the dull ache of his wounds, slammed his palm heavily against the frozen earth, and rose to his feet himself, glaring at Tao Che. "A true man must not die cowering and wretched. If you… if you want to kill me, then step over the blade in my hand. Why go through all this trouble!"

"Well said, Wang lad." Liu Songping beside him suddenly praised him.

"Third Uncle!" Receiving that long-absent praise, Qi Wang could scarcely believe it for a moment, but a tremendous joy soon made him laugh. "I haven't been your nephew for nothing, have I!"

"No… you haven't been for nothing." Liu Songping nodded. "Too good, too good. Good enough to be a son."

Then he drew a deep breath, pulled out his blade, and stared straight at Tao Che. "Commander Tao, if you want to kill us, step over the blade in my hand. Why go through all this trouble!"

In the vast white expanse of the land, uncle and nephew stood shoulder to shoulder, blades drawn, staring down the group before them. Their bearing was so lofty, as if they feared nothing at all. That soaring spirit, for a moment, actually cowed the men facing them.

"Heh! So you have backbone after all." After a pause, Tao Che sighed lightly. "Then… I shall grant your wish!"

Before the words were even finished, he had already leaped down from horseback and swung his blade straight at Liu Songping.

With that strike, the others lunged at them simultaneously. Figure after figure surged forward, leaving Qi Wang and his companion almost no room to evade. With no other choice, they pressed their backs together, blades dancing ceaselessly to parry the Embroidered Uniform Guard's attacks.

These men were on an entirely different level from those Li Zhao of the Eastern Depot had brought. Moreover, with Tao Che himself leading the charge, and every man thoroughly familiar with one another, the pressure they exerted was several times greater than the previous encirclement.

They had all more or less known each other before — but now, at this moment, who would still show any mercy?