The Child Emperor

Chapter 169: Nighttime Chat

Traveling at night was difficult, especially in winter. The cold wind howled, and the ground was slippery with ice, making everyone, including horses, move cautiously. Fang Daye led his horse along the official road, slowly trudging forward. He was constantly overtaken by others—people pushing carts, driving livestock, or carrying children—hurrying as if the Xiongnu were right behind them.

Gradually, the number of people catching up from behind decreased, and those who did were less hurried. A wife, walking alongside her husband, grumbled, “You’re the one who insisted we leave. Many neighbors decided to stay in the city to see how things turn out. I wonder how our house is. The chickens and ducks haven’t been fed tonight. Did you lock the door?”

The husband, slightly regretful but unwilling to admit it or argue, repeatedly said, “Yes, yes.”

Fang Daye glanced back, facing the north wind. The shadow of Divine Hero Pass had long disappeared into the darkness. Although he was the one who had suggested the idea of stabilizing the populace, the young Northern Protection General seemed to be executing it well.

Behind a dilapidated wall by the roadside, a group had built a fire, huddling around it for warmth. Someone called out to the solitary old man on the road, “Come warm yourself by the fire. There’s no village or inn ahead tonight.”

Fang Daye found a spot to tie his horse, fed it some beans, and joined the group, sharing in the warmth.

The people knew each other, fervently discussing the state of the world.

“For decades, Great Chu has never lost to the Xiongnu. This time will be no different. We might have left too early.”

“Times have changed, young man. During the Martial Emperor’s reign, Chu soldiers chased the Xiongnu beyond the pass. Now the Xiongnu are close to Divine Hero Pass. I remember when Chu outposts extended a hundred miles north of the river. People could freely roam and graze their cattle. Since the Martial Emperor’s passing, I haven’t crossed the northern gates.”

“He’s too young. During the Martial Emperor’s time, someone his age, no matter how noble, could only be a captain, learning from the veterans before commanding troops independently. He’s too young to be a match for the Xiongnu. We did the right thing by leaving, though we might have been too hasty and could have waited a night.”

“Sigh, I don’t even know if it’s a good idea to rush home. I’ve heard of unrest in many places. I hope my hometown is safe.”

“The worst-case scenario is not encountering unrest back home. It is to be conscripted again and sent to defend Divine Hero Pass.”

Most of the city’s populace were merchants. They were eager to return to their hometowns but also wanted to avoid conscription or heavy taxes. They sighed collectively, frequently reminiscing about the Martial Emperor’s reign, forgetting his later years’ cruelty, remembering only the peace and prosperity.

“Old man, did you come from the north?” someone asked.

Fang Daye responded with a nod, preferring not to chat idly.

“Can Shattered Iron City hold out?”

Fang Daye pondered, “Probably ten to fifteen days. If reinforcements from within the pass are delayed, it will be dangerous.”

“There aren’t many troops left within the pass. Most are dealing with the unrest back in the homelands. Internal and external troubles have converged.”

“The Chu empire knows it has internal and external troubles. The Xiongnu may not. They’ve been defeated for decades and must be wary. As long as the Chu army shows resolve, they might push the Xiongnu back.”

Fang Daye’s manner of speech distinguished him from ordinary folk, earning him their respect. They made room for him, and someone offered a flask of heated wine. After a couple of sips, warmth spread through his body.

“Do you suggest dealing with external threats before internal ones?” someone asked.

Reserved before the Northern Protection General, Fang Daye was more talkative with commoners. “The internal unrest is primarily due to excessive taxation in recent years, leaving people impoverished. Heavily taxed to prepare for war against the Xiongnu, the people are easily incited to join bandits. High taxes are the cause; unrest is the effect. Suppressing unrest will not reduce taxes. Reducing taxes could ease the unrest, but this can only happen if the Xiongnu are defeated.”

The commoners found it hard to follow his reasoning but respected him nonetheless. An elderly man asked, “If the unrest isn’t dealt with promptly and spreads after winter, won’t it be too late to reduce taxes?”

“We must contain the unrest but needn’t eradicate it. Each county should guard its gates and passes, preventing the rebels from spreading to other areas. The real fear is focusing too much on nearby threats, neglecting the Xiongnu. If troops are diverted to quell the unrest, leaving the pass open to the Xiongnu, it will be harder to drive them out later.”

The commoners nodded, feeling Fang Daye’s insights were profound. A middle-aged woman remarked, “If even you understand this, surely the imperial court won’t make such a mistake.”

“They shouldn’t,” Fang Daye replied, not wanting to alarm them. Though he wondered why he shared these thoughts, they came unbidden and he couldn’t keep them in. Unfortunately, there was no suitable audience.

Suddenly, his enthusiasm waned, and he focused on warming himself by the fire.

“Sir, are you an official of the court?” someone asked respectfully.

“I’m a prisoner, just released.”

The circle around the fire fell silent, only the crackling of wood and the wind breaking the stillness.

In the distance, rapid hoofbeats approached. To ride fast on such a night and terrain was unusual, and everyone looked towards the road. Three riders appeared, someone called out, “Come warm yourselves by the fire…”

Before the words were out, the riders stopped. They were armored soldiers clearly on a mission. Silence fell, the civilians not daring to interfere with military matters.

“Has anyone seen an elderly man, around sixty, tall, traveling alone with a horse?” one of the riders called out.

Everyone’s eyes turned to Fang Daye.

Fang Daye sighed heavily, moved towards his horse, and the rider exclaimed, “There he is… General…”

Han Ruzi dismounted, relieved to have caught up sooner than expected. He had prepared many arguments to persuade the old general to stay.

Fang Daye led his horse to the road, bowed to the Northern Protection General, and asked, “How many troops can you mobilize?”

Han Ruzi, caught off guard by the question, hesitated, “I’m working on it…”

“Let me rephrase, how many troops do you hope to mobilize?”

After some thought, Han Ruzi replied, “I hope to mobilize all Chu troops.”

“Very well, I’ll return with you.”

Fang Daye mounted his horse.

Han Ruzi, stunned but pleased, also mounted his horse, riding side by side with Fang Daye back to Divine Hero Pass, discussing the current state of the empire. Fang Daye, unusually talkative, left Han Ruzi listening intently.

By the roadside, the onlookers murmured, “I knew he wasn’t an ordinary person. He must be a fallen official, and now he’s being invited back. Did you see that I was the one who called him over?”

“Uncle, you call everyone over. It’s not just him.”

“Didn’t you recognize the general? He’s the one who signed our exit documents at Divine Hero Pass.”

“The Northern Protection General? You sure? It was so dark.”

“Absolutely. There’s no other young general like him.”

Silence followed, and an elder said, “With these two, the Chu army will surely defeat the Xiongnu. At dawn, let’s return to Divine Hero Pass and avoid the hardships of the road.”

Traveling back at a regular pace, Han Ruzi felt time pass faster. Fang Daye’s analysis opened his eyes, “Tomorrow, I’ll dispatch troops to support Shattered Iron City in batches, making the Xiongnu believe reinforcements are constantly arriving.”

“Frequent deployments can confuse the Xiongnu, but grain supplies are critical. Shattered Iron City wasn’t meant to house over twenty thousand soldiers, and its grain won’t last long. Divine Hero Pass must secure the supply route. If the front can hold the Xiongnu at the river, all will be well. If not, we need strongholds along the route to protect our supply lines. If you don’t mind my age, assign me to this task.”

Guarding the supply route was more dangerous than defending Shattered Iron City. Han Ruzi didn’t want to risk the old general’s life. They reached the gate, waiting for it to open. Han Ruzi asked, “What convinced you to return with me?”

As the gate creaked open, Fang Daye replied, “I need someone to listen to me,” and added, “You’re the only one who listens and has the ability to act.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “To be honest, even before I reached Shattered Iron City, someone recommended you to me.”

“Oh? Someone remembers this old man?”

A group of officials, including the chief clerk, emerged from the gate, relieved to see Han Ruzi return.

“The former Palace Attendant, now the Northern Army Adjutant, Yang Feng, strongly recommended you.”

“Yang Feng? Never heard of him.” Fang Daye, long stationed at the border and later serving in Qi, knew little of the court eunuchs.

Returning to the command post late at night, the soldiers from the camps arrived as ordered. Han Ruzi and Fang Daye began organizing the troops for Shattered Iron City’s aid. Reluctantly, Han Ruzi agreed to let Fang Daye secure the supply line, on the condition that he return to Divine Hero Pass once it was stabilized.

In haste, only about five thousand soldiers could be assembled. They were divided into six groups to ensure reinforcements reached Shattered Iron City twice daily for the next three days. During this time, Han Ruzi needed to find more troops.

Han Ruzi spent a sleepless night at Divine Hero Pass, while the soldiers at Shattered Iron City also had a restless night.

Before the first reinforcements had departed, the Xiongnu had already crossed the river.

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