Chapter 171

Chapter 171 : Jiang Xin Zhi's Whereabouts

When a tiny butterfly in the capital flaps its wings, it can only set off a small, almost imperceptible wind, but when these intricately connected winds come together, they become a storm of irresistible force many thousands of miles away. Yet no one is aware. Moreover, presently, the minuscule changes in the capital did not seem to have any effect on the battlefield far away.

This was a vast and boundless desert. The vegetation was sparse, such that there was hardly any livestock grazing there. Looking over the land, one could see tents pitched by military infantry. Additionally, the tents were covered with thick felt to prevent people from freezing to death at night.

Within the unique square shaped formation the tents were organized in, there was an outlier. It was an extremely luxurious tent to the extent that its top was adorned with thick tassels. Furthermore, the exterior was guarded by no less than ten armed soldiers. These men's clothes were a little different from those worn in the Great Jin, and there was a palpable sense of their being foreign.

While holding a basket, a young girl clad in emerald green walked towards the tent; the armed guards allowed her passage. Her head was lowered throughout, and after entering the tent, she silently placed the basket on the table and lifted out the food. When the dishes had been arranged, she said, softly, "Deputy General Jiang, this slave, Jin'er, has newly arrived to serve you. Sir, please come and eat."

The young man sitting on the chair within the tent raised his head, revealing his handsome face. His complexion was rather pale, and there was fresh stubble on his chin, but he did not cut a sorry picture at all. On the contrary, there was a special kind of unrestrained confidence that arose from his dire situation. He started slightly on hearing the young girl's voice, and it took him quite a while before he said, "You speak Mandarin[1]; are you from the Great Jin's capital?"

[1] 官话 (guan hua) – lit. the language of bureaucracy i.e. Mandarin, so named because it was commonly used in officialdom in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The girl lowered her head and whispered, "This slave is indeed from the Great Jin's capital, but was captured by people from South Xinjiang. They were looking for people to serve Master, so they sent this slave here."

Jiang Xin Zhi slowly rested his eyes on the girl. She was in the bloom of youth, perhaps sixteen or seventeen years old. Her skin was delicate, and her eyes were big and lively, but she had a noticeable burn scar on her left cheek which shockingly marred the beauty of her entire face, and caused her to look extremely fearsome. On thinking about it, she could only have been sent to serve this captive precisely because of her disfigurement, otherwise, if she had been some exquisite, jade-like female, she would have long been ruthlessly ravished by the soldiers.

Jiang Xin Zhi narrowed his eyes and said, "You are from the capital; how did you come to be captured and brought here?"

Jin'er was momentarily stunned. Then, she said, "This slave was following the servants from the laundry department of the Great Jin army. A few nights ago, this slave went out with several sisters and just so happened to encounter a pair of soldiers, stragglers, who seized all of us."

There was nothing wrong with her statement. There was always a group of womenfolk following behind the marching troops to take care of their daily needs, such as mending and washing their clothes. These women would normally stay somewhere else, and it was naturally not possible for Jiang Xin Zhi to have seen every single one of them. As for going out at night and encountering stragglers, this also was possible.

However, after listening to this girl's words, he felt that something was off. Jiang Xin Zhi could not say with clarity what the problem was, and his brows slowly creased into a frown. It had been several months since he had been captured and brought to this location, and he did not know what was happening outside. His captors also treated him with courtesy, as befitting someone of high status. Everyday, they laced his tea and food with a neuromuscular blocking drug that caused not only a state of paralysis, but also made him unable to use his internal strength. Yet, they did not kill him. He could not figure out what these people were trying to do, but he thought of ways to escape every day.

He said, "Since you were captured and brought here a few days ago, you should know how the war is going outside?"

His captors had isolated him from the outside world, and he had no way of finding out any concrete details of the current war situation. He also did not know the current state of the Great Jin's army. At the time when he was captured, Guan Liang Han had also been shot with an arrow that had penetrated deeply, causing an injury that would take some time to heal. The army could not go a day without a commanding officer, so this was a military crisis.

"General Guan has been seriously injured and can no longer lead the troops in military expeditions," Jin'er said softly. "The Great Jin army is suffering repeated defeats and is in retreat, while Tian Jin is pressing hard, step by step, and has already pushed back the Great Jin army to the Heiguanya region. However, Deputy General Jiang need not be anxious. Today, this slave heard the higher-ups say that the imperial court has already sent reinforcements; Jinying Wang is leading 100,000Jinyi Guards here on the double."

Jiang Xin Zhi listened to all this with deeply furrowed brows, and when he heard the last sentence, he could not help but say in shock, "Jinying Wang?" He continued to frown. Since even Xiao Shao had been sent out, he could see how tense the war situation was now. Xiao Shao was the carefully hidden strength of the Great Jin, and it was almost as if he had been born just to face up to a certain kind of power, for he was ordinarily a carefully hidden secret. The Emperor was especially accommodating towards Xiao Shao, and there had to be some reason for this. Jiang Xin Zhi was no fool. Having fought alongside Guan Liang Han, he could make some guesses as to why. Yet, this carefully hidden secret strength of the Great Jin was now bursting into the public eye in such a grand manner, and was even heading into the battlefield for a fierce confrontation with Tian Jin. What had happened to precipitate this?

He pondered the matter deeply, but on looking up, realized that Jin'er was furtively staring at him. She met his gaze and reacted like a thief who had been caught in the act. Blushing, she quickly lowered her head and refused to look at him any further.

Jiang Xin Zhi was acutely aware that although this young lady was ugly, her clothes were plain and common, and although she repeatedly stated that she was a slave, she was clearly not a servant who was used to serving others. On the contrary, she possessed a degree of natural and unforced nobility. For some people, there was no need to affect this air of nobility, least of all those who had been raised in the great noble families of the upper classes. From a young age till adulthood, these people's behaviour and bearing would have been influenced by their families, and they would automatically manifest their aristocratic spirit. The young girl before him did not seem like a slave, but like a young miss. Compared to other young ladies, she was a little less haughty, more like a simple, natural, ordinary girl. But . . . the appearance of an ordinary girl in an enemy camp was in itself an abnormal situation.

Jiang Xin Zhi said, slowly, "Since you have come to serve me, I should inform you that, before you arrived at this tent, there were three others who came to serve me. Eventually, they all died."

Jin'er was taken aback, and looked at him uncomprehendingly.

Jiang Xin Zhi watched her expression closely as he continued, unhurriedly, "Because they were all spies sent by these people, all thinking of ways to gain my trust through deception, trying to weasel information from me. However, I discovered their trickery and found ways to expose them. Since they had failed in their mission, they were dragged outside by those people and killed. Their deaths were truly tragic. For example, before you arrived, I had just cleaned up the tent because of a corpse." There was a heavy oppression in his tone, and a kind of sharpness that was akin to a finely-honed sword being drawn from its scabbard, cutting through the air like golden light appearing unexpectedly from behind the rolling black clouds, bringing with it an irresistible compulsion that caused people to speak the truth. He said, "Miss Jin'er, do you still want to stay by my side?"

Jin'er was dumbfounded by these abruptly spoken words. However, after a moment's pause, she smiled and said, "This slave is here only to serve Deputy General Jiang, and of course wants to stay by Deputy General Jiang's side. If there's nothing else, Deputy General Jiang should eat something first."

Jiang Xin Zhi was rather astonished. As he met Jin'er's eyes, he discovered that there was something familiar about them. They were crystal clear and without any hidden secrets; so either her sincerity was heartfelt, or her scheming ran too deep. What he had just said was not false, but neither was it completely true. Admittedly, some of the maidservants were spies from the region, while others were actually from the Great Jin and were willing to risk highly adverse conditions to rescue him from captivity. It was a great pity that, in the end, they had all died at the hands of these people.

As he was speaking, someone entered the tent. He eyed Jin'er but did not ask her to leave, having clearly determined she was of no significance. That person noted Jiang Xin Zhi's frown and laughed before saying, "Deputy General Jiang does not look very happy today. What's up? Are you finding it too stuffy and boring here?"

This person was clothed in a gray robe which was wrapped tightly around, revealing only a slender, clean shaven chin, and thin lips which were beautifully shaped. The voice was that of a young man who sounded notably persuasive for some unknown reason. He asked, "Deputy General Jiang, have you thought about it yet?"

"Your Excellency has no need to waste any time or effort on me," Jiang Xin Zhi replied with a faint smile. "This humble person has nothing Your Excellency could want."

The gray-clad person walked forward slowly, in an intimidating manner, although his voice still held a hint of a smile. It was like a bow poised above the last string on a string instrument: there was a sense of itchy anticipation as well as an indescribable apprehension that at the very next moment a high-pitched shriek would sound and the string would snap. The gray-clad person continued, "Deputy General Jiang, why do you need to conceal the truth even now? I only want to know who gave you that letter."

"That letter" was the one which Jiang Ruan had pressed on him when they parted three years ago. The letter recorded in meticulous detail some of the tactics which Tian Jin would employ in the years of battle with the Great Jin, as well as a few surprise raids, and even some battlefield encounters which had yet to occur, and whether they ended in victory or defeat. This letter had been of great assistance to Jiang Xin Zhi, and he had examined it constantly in the past three years, relying on its contents to turn the plans of the enemy forces on themselves, or to entrap them. Time and time again, he perfectly undermined the enemy's sneak attacks; time and again, he won decisive victories.

However, there had been a traitor among the troops – Guan Liang Han's most trusted subordinate. This news was highly unexpected. Even more importantly, that subordinate clearly understood the secrets in the letter and had been in secret communication with these people for some time. The enemy's scheme had been well calculated: on one hand, his personal safety; on the other hand, the lives of 100,000 troops. Jiang Xin Zhi had no other option but to allow himself to be captured, and Guan Liang Han had been severely injured.

The contents of that letter had certainly been sufficient enough to drive the enemy mad. Previously, they had exerted all effort to think up some truly horrendous ways to torture Jiang Xin Zhi, but he had never once yielded. Lately, they had changed tactics and began to treat him well, like someone of high status, but he had still refused to yield.

Jiang Xin Zhi was one who could not be moved by force or persuasion. Over the several months of interaction with these people, they would probably have become very familiar with his temperament. That they chose to continue with the same methods must mean that there was some other objective, but Jiang Xin Zhi could not think of what it might be. However, he was certain of one thing – he absolutely must never divulge Jiang Ruan's name.

Sometimes, Jiang Xin Zhi also had his doubts about how Jiang Ruan could have known about possible future events. From the time that Jiang Ruan was sent back to the capital from the rural residence, he had already felt that things were a little bizarre. With him, Jiang Ruan had a somewhat apathetic temperament, and was perhaps pretty intelligent, but this prophetic power . . . as he considered the contents of the letter, and then recalled past events, such as the flooding of Bo Chang Reservoir, he was truly puzzled. Whatever the case, whether Jiang Ruan was a witch or a spirit, she was his meimei, and he would never do anything to harm her. If these people knew that Jiang Ruan had written the letter, they would undoubtedly think of ways to seize her. The traitor was still with Guan Liang Han, and Jiang Ruan could be ambushed in the capital. He had to protect her.

"I have already said it many times," Jiang Xin Zhi said while using his index fingers to prop up his head. With a stubbornly set expression, he continued, "I just picked it up on the road; perhaps it was the will of heaven. If Your Excellency must ask, then you might as well ask the heavens. Perhaps it was determined that your Tian Jin's destiny is nearing its end, and so the mandate was given to give my Great Jin a hand. Since things are such, bearing in mind the sincerity with which you've treated me in the past few days, I would like to mention to Your Excellency that you might as well comply with the mandate of heaven, and everyone will be happy. Isn't that so?"

He was such a calm and reserved person, but was now speaking hogwash with perfect earnestness, while assuming an unconcerned attitude. Yet, not only did this not stir up irritation or disgust, it was even immensely amusing, such that people unconsciously gravitated towards him. Jin'er lowered her head to hide the smile that was quietly creeping up her lips.

The gray-clad person was not angry. Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, nodded, and said, "I agree with Your Excellency that heaven declares its mandate, but destiny is not determined by heaven. Even if we say that heaven has given the Great Jin its warning, in the end, this warning prophecy has dropped into our hands and is ours to shape. So, what kind of heavenly mandate is this?"

Jiang Xin Zhi remained silent for a while before he replied, "You are not from Tian Jin, you are from South Xinjiang."

These people had never discussed matters pertaining to Tian Jin, and the soldiers stationed here were not wearing what Tian Jian soldiers would normally wear. At first, Jiang Xin Zhi had thought the soldiers were a secret army raised by Tian Jin, but he discovered that this was not the case some time later, and was led to consider that they were from South Xinjiang, the centre of many rumours. When the late Emperor was alive, South Xinjiang had invaded the Central Plains, and almost claimed the entire territory. Then, the late Emperor had personally led his troops into battle and vanquished South Xinjiang, destroying the nation, and the remnants of her people had been deported to the desolate areas at the border of the Great Jin.

Jiang Xin Zhi had lived in the capital since birth, and had never had the opportunity to meet any of the South Xinjiang remnants. Now that he had met this person, he felt a faint misgiving.

On hearing Jiang Xin Zhi's words, the gray-clad person laughed lightly and raised his chin slightly, describing a mysterious arc in the air. "Yes, I'm from South Xinjiang. So what? Everyone under the heavens will belong to South Xinjiang in the end. All the land under the heavens will become ours."

Jiang Xin Zhi shook his head and said, "If Your Excellency wants to dream, I won't hinder you. As for Your Excellency's question, I have already answered. Now, if Your Excellency has nothing else, you may leave. I want to rest."

The gray-clad person did not take offence at Jiang Xin Zhi's words, merely smiling coolly before turning and exiting the tent. Instead, it was Jin'er who watched nervously as he walked away into the distance.

* * *

Upon exiting Jiang Xin Zhi's tent, the gray-clad person walked in the opposite direction to another tent. This tent did not look gorgeous, and from a distance, it was not even as brightly coloured as Jiang Xin Zhi's tent. The entire tent was snow white, and it was only when one entered the tent that one realized that it was constructed of large pieces of snow fox fur sewn together, with no trace of impurity. Looking at it was like looking at the summit of a snow-capped mountain which had remained unchanged for thousands of years, exuding a cold, mystical, perhaps even demonic, beauty.

There were no guards keeping watch outside the tent. The gray-clad person paused briefly at the entrance before walking in.

Amethyst bead curtains hung all around the tent; the top-grade crystals, sparkling and translucent, dazzled with a brilliant, pure white light that was almost blinding. The candlelight in the tent was reflected by the sparkling crystals, and the effect was so beautiful, it was like the bejeweled Jade Palace in the land of the immortals. Upon entry, one stepped into a mysterious and majestic paradise.

Within the curtains, an indistinct figure could be seen, seemingly wearing incomparably beautiful red clothes and sitting upright, but unmoving, before a guqin. The gray-clad person walked in front of the curtains and bowed slowly, in a manner which revealed utmost deference.

"Saintess," the gray-clad person said.

"How is it going?" After a while, a sweetly charming female voice was heard from behind the curtains. The sound was extremely graceful and sweet sounding, much like a ray of sunlight piercing through the very first drolet of melted ice from an ageless mountain glacier, bringing with it millennia of indolence and amorous feelings, as well as harbouring a kind of innocence and naivety about the world. Hearing these words, one would almost feel oneself drowning in the sensation, and would nearly be unable to resist the urge to tear open the sparkling curtains and see for oneself just how stunningly beautiful and young the person inside was.

"Yuan Chuan is incompetent, would Saintess please punish me," the grey-clad person said. Before this lady, this person lowered their aristocratic chin, like a devout believer prostrating himself before the feet of his convictions. Loyally and modestly, he said, "He absolutely refuses to say who wrote the letter."

"It doesn't matter," the voice behind the curtain said lazily, as if the famous beauty was awakening from her indolent state[2] and had just stretched in a leisurely manner. There was a touch of feline coquettishness in the voice as it said, "If it were that easy to get him to confess, then he would not be the Great Jin's 'God of War'."

[2] 海棠春睡 (hai tang chun shui) – lit. Chinese flowering apple sleeps in spring. Anecdotally, the background for this is a visit by Emperor Ming of Tang to Chenxiang Pavillion. He summoned a concubine who was inebriated and could not rouse herself to greet him properly. His comment on her state was the subject of a poem by Su Dongpo (Su Shi), and a painting by Tang Bohu, depicting a beautiful lady asleep amidst flowers.

"Saintess, then what should we do now? Should we kill Jiang Xin Zhi?" The grey-clad person asked.

"No, I want to keep him. The Great Jin's 'God of War' – such a great bargaining chip is my gift to him." A burst of uncontrollable joy broke through the woman's voice out of the blue, and the previously charming and melodious sound was immediately enveloped in a sweet mist, making everything seem unreal.

The gray-clad person was slightly stunned. It seemed as if he wanted to say something, then thought better of it, simply bowing his head deferentially in humble obedience, just as he had previously.

"When he sees my gift to him, he will certainly be very happy," the voice behind the curtain continued, as if the previous indolence had completely dissipated in a moment. Now, it sounded like a young child who was clueless about the ways of the world, innocent and unaffected, incomparably pure, who was welcoming the person she liked.

"Yuan Chuan, he will be here soon." The woman's voice seemed to be smiling.

"I've waited for him for so long, and now I can finally see him again," she said.