Jianming and Ye Shi arrived in town in the afternoon and bought a carriage. Unfortunately, just half a day into their journey, they encount...
Jianming and Ye Shi arrived in town in the afternoon and bought a carriage. Unfortunately, just half a day into their journey, they encountered a band of robbers. The robbers seized their carriage, but Xiao Sanzi grabbed one of the bandits as a hostage, threatening to kill him if the robbers didn't let their group go. Had it not been for this, Han Jianming's group might well have perished by the side of the road. Following this ordeal, despite Ye Shi's poor health, Han Jianming was too afraid to buy another carriage. To avoid being robbed again, the three of them dressed in tattered clothes and looked just like beggars.
On the fifth day of travel, just as Ye Shi could no longer hold on, they met Mr Zhao. He had come to provide support to Han Jianming. Qiu Shi had waited for more than half a month without hearing from her son and had become so anxious that she was physically distressed. Mr Zhao was also deeply worried, so he came to look for them in person.
Looking at Han Jianming, Mr Zhao said, "My Lord, you should get into the carriage and change your clothes." Mr Zhao did not know how to ride a horse and was travelling by carriage.
Han Jianming shook his head. "No need. It won't be too late to change once we return to Wang County. Also, don't call me 'my Lord' anymore—just call me 'Boss'." Calling him 'Lord' would not only leave traces that might cause trouble later, but also make outsiders think they were fat sheep1 the moment they overheard it.
Mr Zhao nodded.
At this point, concerns about propriety between men and women could no longer be observed. Han Jianming and Ye Shi sat together in the carriage with Mr Zhao, while Xiao Sanzi rode a horse outside.
Mr Zhao told Han Jianming some news: "Boss, Si Gunainai2 has sent people to fetch us." This was very good news for them.
A smile appeared on Han Jianming's face. When he left Haocheng, he had already informed Yun Qing of the meeting point in Wang County. He asked, "How many people came?"
Mr Zhao replied, "Thirteen people in total. Boss, Yu Zhi is among them as well." Yuxi had sent Yu Zhi to personally accompany them. No matter how experienced Shang Da was, unfamiliar terrain could still put him at a disadvantage, whereas Yu Zhi was very familiar with the capital region.
When Qiu Shi saw Han Jianming, she burst into tears. During this period, her heart had been hanging in suspense day and night, fearing that something terrible might happen to him.
Han Jianming said, "Mom, I'm fine. Please stay with Ye Shi for now. I'll go meet Yu Zhi and the others." They could not remain in Wang County for long. If Jing Wang were to settle matters in the capital and then fail to find him, it would be very bad if Jing Wang sent out people to look for him.
Seeing that her son was unharmed, Qiu Shi naturally did not delay important matters any longer. She nodded. "All right. I'll take good care of your wife, so don't worry."
Shang Da had also met Han Jianming before. He cupped his fists with both hands, greeting, "Duke..." The gesture made him look like a hero of the greenwood3.
Han Jianming cut Shang Da off, "Once we leave the capital, I will no longer be a duke. On the road, you may call me 'Boss Qiu'." Anyone unaware of the truth might even think he was a bandit.
Shang Da readily accepted the suggestion and said, "Boss Qiu, when do you plan to set out for the northwest?" In Shang Da's view, the sooner they left, the better.
Han Jianming said, "Let's rest for a day. We'll leave the day after tomorrow."
Shang Da frowned slightly before pointing out, "Forgive my bluntness, but there are too many women travelling together. It would draw too much attention." With ten women and children altogether, travelling as one group would not only slow the journey but also attract bandits' attention. A group of women and children riding in carriages would easily be mistaken for a wealthy family and naturally attract thieves.
Han Jianming fell silent for a moment before confessing, "If we travel separately, I won't feel at ease."
Shang Da spoke bluntly, "Do you know how many bandits there are from here to Lüliang🔗? If we travel together, we will certainly be taken away in one pot4."
Shang Da had come via Yanzhou, taking a detour to Taiyuan🔗 before continuing to Baoding. Although this was the shortest route, it was also rife with bandits.
Han Jianming asked, "How do you think we should travel to be safest?" Since Yuxi had sent this man, he must have had abilities beyond the ordinary.
Shang Da answered, "My suggestion is that you leave first with Yu Zhi and the others. The Old Lady and your wife will travel together with your two children, and Han Jianye's wife and her two children will travel together in another group. I'll accompany the Old Lady. Rest assured. So long as I'm there, I guarantee I'll deliver her safely to the northwest."
Han Jianming did not quite understand and asked, "Why do I have to go first?"
Shang Da replied clearly: "If the Imperial Court is going to arrest anyone, you'll be their primary target. The Old Lady and your wife are merely incidental." After a brief pause, he added, "Once you reach the northwest safely, Yu Zhi and the others will come back to meet up with us."
Han Jianming shook his head. "I can't abandon my mother and children." How could he possibly feel at ease if he left first, leaving his elderly mother and children behind?
Shang Da said calmly, "I already discussed this with the Old Lady earlier, and she agreed." A mother naturally puts her children first, so once Qiu Shi understood the situation, she agreed without hesitation.
Han Jianming was somewhat angry. "How could you speak to my mother without my permission?" This man, Shang Da, was far too willful.
Shang Da showed no fear, replying, "My mission is to escort the members of the Duke's household safely to the northwest." He considered only risk, not how Han Jianming felt about it.
Han Jianming was extremely frustrated.
After learning of the arrangement, Qiu Shi told Han Jianming, "You go ahead with Yu Zhi first. Your wife and I will follow afterwards."
Ye Shi did not object either as she said to Han Jianming, "Husband, don't worry. I'll take good care of Mom and the children." Given Ye Shi's current condition, it was already fortunate that Qiu Shi didn't have to take care of her instead.
All things considered, the only one who was truly overlooked was Lu Xiu. Shang Da did not have a favourable impression of Han Jianye. Since Lu Xiu and her two children were not considered especially important, he merely assigned one of his subordinates to accompany her.
Lu Xiu felt uneasy, but she knew that objecting would be useless and might even earn her a reputation for lacking propriety, so she chose to remain silent. Fortunately, with Uncle Luo and Lu Han by her side, she was not overly worried.
Once the decision had been made, Shang Da urged Han Jianming to leave Wang County at once. Riding on horseback, even at a slow pace, Han Jianming could reach Shaanxi within ten days. However, the women could not manage that; even without mishaps, the journey would take at least a month. In other words, there would be plenty of hardship along the way.
Although Han Jianming was uneasy, with both Qiu Shi and Ye Shi in agreement, he still left Wang County that very night. There were seven of them travelling together, and, as long as they did not encounter a large band of ambushing bandits, their combined strength would be more than sufficient to handle the journey.
After travelling for half the night, the group camped outdoors. Yu Zhi said to Han Jianming, "My Lord, get some proper rest. We still have to press on at dawn. Once we enter Shaanxi territory, you'll be safe."
Leaning against a tree, Han Jianming asked Yu Zhi, "Is Yuxi better now?" Yuxi had suffered severe injuries not long ago, yet just a few months later, she was already personally overseeing affairs. Managing state matters was an exhausting task, both mentally and physically. Fortunately, Han Jianming knew that Yuxi was someone who understood her limits and would never gamble with her own health; otherwise, he would have truly worried himself sick.
Yu Zhi nodded. "The General found a miraculous medicine for Madam, and she has now fully recovered." Since Yun Qing had openly distributed such items to his subordinates, this matter was not kept secret.
Looking surprised and suspicious, Han Jianming asked, "A miraculous medicine? What kind of medicine?"
Yu Zhi shook his head, indicating that he did not know the details. "I don't know exactly what it was either. But Madam's health has indeed improved. Before I came, I saw her myself—her complexion was excellent."
Han Jianming smiled and asked Yu Zhi, "I heard that Zijin has also entered the military camp—is that true?" He had been extremely surprised when he first heard the news.
Yu Zhi nodded and replied, "Yes! In the battle at the beginning of spring, Zijin chopped off over a thousand enemy soldiers, so she has now been promoted to a fifth-rank garrison commander."
Han Jianming sighed with emotion and said, "That's good—her talent hasn't gone to waste." Back then, Zijin had merely been a child with great strength. Who could have imagined that she would one day grow up to become a female general?
Yu Zhi smiled. "My Lord, Madam has been thinking about you and the Old Lady these past few years. This time, since you're able to bring the Old Lady to the northwest, she couldn't be happier!" If the Great General did not value this matter greatly, he would not have dispatched them to escort Han Jianming and the others. Though there were only thirteen of them, none should be underestimated—they were all elite soldiers.
As a Duke, Han Jianming often socialised outside and was well known to many people. On the very night he left the capital, Yan Wushuang received news that he had exited the city. Upon investigation, it turned out that Tie Kui had let him pass.
Dropping to one knee, Tie Kui said, "I beg the Marshal to forgive my offence." He had not expected Yan Wushuang to be so wary of Han Jianming. Fortunately, Han Jianming had passed through the gate under Tie Kui's command; had he used any other gate, he certainly would have been captured.
Yan Wushuang was not known for having a good temper. He kicked Tie Kui to the ground and barked, "Are you going to talk or not? If you don't, I'll cripple you today!"
Enduring the pain, Tie Kui struggled back up and knelt again. "Marshal, I truly did not know that man was Duke Han. Had I known, I would never have let him leave the city, even if he had offered me all his wealth."
Qiu Dashan knew that Yan Wushuang was extremely suspicious by nature, so he quickly stepped forward and said, "Master, Tie Kui grew up in Anshan and has never been to the capital. It would be impossible for him to recognise Duke Han." Since Tie Kui did not know Han Jianming, he could not have intentionally let him escape.
Yan Wushuang stared at Tie Kui. Seeing the regret written all over his face, he said coldly, "Because of your greed, you nearly ruined my grand plans. I'll let it go this time, but if there's a next time, I'll chop off your hands."
Tie Kui lowered his head and swore, "I won't dare again." Previously, he had justified extorting wealthy people by claiming that he was seeking extra benefits for his brothers. Unexpectedly, it was this very motive that ended up saving his life. Tie Kui knew well that Yan Wushuang hated those who ate from the inside, but prying to the outside5 above all else—once caught, they would suffer a fate worse than death. This was precisely why those under his command feared him so deeply.
Once they went outside, Qiu Dashan patted Tie Kui on the shoulder and advised, "Be more careful next time. Don't make such a mistake again."
Tie Kui humbly accepted the criticism, but then looked doubtful. "Is Duke Han also an enemy of the Marshal?" Given the Duke's age, it was impossible for him to be connected to the Yan family's past affairs.
Qiu Dashan did know a little: Yun Qing's wife, Han Shi, came from Duke Han's household. Now that the Duke had fled with his elderly mother, they no longer had any leverage to negotiate with Han Shi in the future. However, Qiu Dashan did not tell Tie Kui any of this. Instead, he responded, "I don't know either. Don't ask about this again in the future."
Tie Kui nodded. Only a fool would ever ask again.
Footnotes Full List
- 肥羊 (féi yáng): a rich, easy target to be exploited or robbed.
- 四 sí: fourth, 姑奶奶 gūnǎinai: (respectful form of address for a married woman used by members of her parents' family) married daughter
- 绿林好汉 (lǜlín hǎohàn): an outlaw or bandit with a sense of honour.)
- 一锅端 (yī guō duān): to be completely wiped out or captured all at once (often used for total annihilation)
- 吃里扒外 (chī lǐ bā wài): betray one's own side
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