Chapter Thirty-Nine

Miaoxiang Palace, Yangmie City.

Mount Cang stands like a screen, and Erhai Lake shines like a mirror.

Within the Miaoxiang Imperial Palace, red walls and yellow tiles shimmer against the verdant backdrop of Mount Cang. As night falls, the moonlight flows like silk. In the rear courtyard, a banquet is about to begin. The evening breeze, carrying the lingering chill of late spring, drifts through the carved beams and painted rafters, brushing past the vermilion walls as if warming up for the festivities.

Emperor Duan sits upon his throne, his expression a mix of majesty and a subtle, unreadable anticipation. Now in middle age, his frame has grown slightly full, with a faint protrusion at his waist. Yet, his skin remains as smooth and white as jade. His handsome face, beyond its transcendent elegance, bears the mature charm of a man in his prime. His eyes, clear as water, possess the keen ability to peer into the hearts of others. Though his stout figure is concealed by an expansive robe embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, he appears all the more noble and refined. Such an appearance not only stirs the hearts of women but is difficult for men to resist as well. It is little wonder that Princess Zhao Chuoyun of the Bashu Commandery once abandoned everything to be with him.

As a melody of bells and drums resonates, the courtyard falls silent, leaving only the harmony of instruments flowing through the air. The musicians perform with precision, their fingers dancing across strings, lutes, and flutes, weaving a captivating tapestry of sound. The music shifts from the stirring intensity of battle drums to the gentle murmurs of a flowing stream.

This piece, titled "Ancient Music of the Cave Scriptures," is widely cherished throughout the Kingdom of Dali. Emperor Duan is particularly fond of it. It blends the refinement of court music with the ethereal quality of Bai ethnic melodies, incorporating elements of Taoist music, the softness of Jiangnan silk-and-bamboo, and the profound depth of Confucian compositions.

Amidst this beautiful melody, the dancers in the plaza are like shifting shadows. Dressed in magnificent Bai traditional attire, they dance to the rhythm like colorful clouds, vibrant and breathtaking. Their faces, adorned with delicate makeup, are filled with grace, their smiles perfectly poised.

Watching and listening, Emperor Duan rises from his throne, swaying along with the music.

The performance reaches its crescendo. The lead dancer, clad in a shimmering red Han-style long dress, spins and leaps. Every movement is precise and elegant, like a butterfly dancing among flowers, light yet powerful. Her form, interlaced with candlelight and moonlight, creates a dazzling display that leaves the audience spellbound. The surrounding dancers move in unison, the green leaves accentuating the vibrant red flowers, forming a flowing, magnificent painting.

Emperor Duan’s gaze follows the lead dancer, his eyes filled with love and pride.

The lead dancer is Duan Zhaoyue, the daughter of Emperor Duan and Princess Zhao Chuoyun.

Three years ago, after returning to Dali from the Wuni Lake stronghold, Duan Zhaoyue began to adapt and rehearse the "Ancient Music of the Cave Scriptures." She changed the lead dancer's attire to a red Han-style dress and took the lead role herself. She infused the piece with the essence of Han music, enriching its texture. After the rehearsals, she persuaded her father to use this performance to welcome foreign guests. Emperor Duan readily agreed. Tonight’s banquet, held at her request, serves as the final dress rehearsal.

As the music fades, the dancers strike a final, perfect pose. Thunderous applause erupts in the courtyard. Emperor Duan stares at Duan Zhaoyue, clapping gently with a satisfied smile. Zhaoyue approaches, kneels before him, and says, "Reporting to Father, the performance of the newly adapted 'Ancient Music of the Cave Scriptures' is complete. Please, Father, give us a score."

Emperor Duan smiles and says, "One hundred points."

Zhaoyue asks, "May I ask, Father, do you agree to make this the primary music and dance for welcoming foreign guests in the future?"

Emperor Duan steps forward, embraces his beloved daughter, and declares loudly, "Father agrees two hundred percent!"

"Thank you, Father!"

The rear courtyard of Miaoxiang Palace is filled with the warmth of familial love. The night is tender, and the moon is bright.

***

In the Council Hall of Miaoxiang Palace, the next morning, Emperor Duan sits upon the dragon throne and instructs the Palace Minister, "Summon Zhang Jiuling, the Minister of the Grand Carriage Court, for an audience."

The entire court seems to hold its breath. "Summon—Minister of the Grand Carriage Court, Zhang Jiuling—for an audience!" the herald’s clear, resonant voice echoes through the vast hall.

An official in magnificent court attire walks with steady, solemn steps through the heavy palace gates to the Council Hall. He is Zhang Jiuling, the official responsible for the management of the kingdom's horses.

He enters the hall, kneels, and bows: "Your servant, Zhang Jiuling, pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Duan smiles and says, "Rise, Minister Zhang. No need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhang Jiuling stands.

Emperor Duan asks, "Minister Zhang, at the beginning of this year, I issued a decree for a comprehensive national census of horses. It has been nearly a year; are the results in?"

Zhang Jiuling quickly pulls a statistical ledger from his sleeve and says, "Reporting to Your Majesty, after ten months of investigation, by the end of this month, the stock of horses in the Kingdom of Dali stands at seventy million. This includes forty million males and females, thirty million mares, and four million mature warhorses."

Emperor Duan asks in astonishment, "Four million mature warhorses? Are there truly that many?"

Zhang Jiuling checks the ledger and replies, "Reporting to Your Majesty, due to the court’s focus on animal husbandry, especially the increased support for breeding warhorses in recent years, the current national count is four million eight hundred and thirty thousand. This is the accurate data."

Emperor Duan asks, "Are they all mature?" Zhang Jiuling confirms, "Yes."

Emperor Duan asks, "Minister Zhang, what is the current price for selling a warhorse?"

Zhang Jiuling says, "Reporting to Your Majesty, during these peaceful times, a warhorse sells for about twenty-five strings of cash. In wartime, when demand exceeds supply, the price rises to about eighty strings."

Emperor Duan asks again, "Minister Zhang, how many warhorses has our country exported this year?"

Zhang Jiuling checks the ledger again and says, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the export volume this year is only over forty thousand. It is not much!"

Emperor Duan stands up and says, "Minister Zhang, that is far too few! You must know that the foreign silver income of our Dali Kingdom relies on two things: tea imports and warhorse exports. We breed four million eight hundred and thirty thousand mature warhorses annually, yet we only export a mere forty thousand. This is far too little!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiuling hurriedly kneels and kowtows, "This is the incompetence of your servants. Please, Your Majesty, punish us!"

Emperor Duan says, "There are many reasons for this situation! As Minister of the Grand Carriage Court, you certainly bear responsibility, but I bear even more!"

Zhang Jiuling remains kneeling: "Your servant is indeed responsible. Please, Your Majesty, punish me; I am willing to accept it!"

Emperor Duan says, "Minister Zhang, this is not the time to assign blame! I ask you: do you have any good suggestions on how to increase warhorse exports in the future?"

Zhang Jiuling replies, "Establish a horse market in Yongzhou and sell warhorses to the Southern Han court!"

Emperor Duan laughs heartily: "Minister Zhang’s suggestion coincides perfectly with my own vision!"

***

In the Imperial Garden of Miaoxiang Palace, the afternoon sun is bright, the flowers are fragrant, and birds sing amidst the blossoms. Duan Zhaoyue hides alone among the flowers, enjoying a moment of peace and beauty.

Lately, the Empress Dowager has been busy arranging a husband for her. Whenever Zhaoyue stays in her room, the Empress Dowager comes to nag, so she is terrified of seeing her. The Empress Dowager is a formidable woman, a talented scholar in her youth who studied under the Great Master Benhui and excelled in the mystical arts. In his youth, the late Emperor wrote a poem praising his wife, saying, "The country has a heroine, the home has a charming wife. If the husband is not as capable as the wife, it is a great joy. If the wife says go east, do not look west; go east with sweet words, and race in poetry and martial arts to the west. The husband is naturally untalented and hard-pressed to compete with his beautiful wife." Such a strong-willed woman gave birth to a spirited, handsome son with mesmerizing eyes—Zhaoyue’s father. With such a grandmother and her mother away, it is truly difficult for Zhaoyue to find peace!

For the past few days, Emperor Duan Ming has also been troubled by the paths for warhorse exports. To improve his mood, he walks in the Imperial Garden in the afternoon. A romantic at heart, he finds inspiration in the flowers. As he strolls through a peach grove, he is reminded of a poem titled "Inscribed at a Village South of the Capital" by a poet from a forgotten dynasty. He reaches out to snap a peach blossom branch, smelling it as he recites, "Today last year within this gate, the peach blossoms reflected the glow of her face; where has the face gone now, the blossoms still smile in the spring breeze." His recitation is moving, yet carries a heavy sorrow.

Zhaoyue is drawn by the voice and follows it, finding her father standing under a peach tree with a branch in his hand. His face is filled with longing, as if the world has stood still. Zhaoyue knows he is missing someone—perhaps her mother, Zhao Chuoyun, or perhaps another woman.

Her father loves her dearly. She does not wish to disturb him at this moment and turns to leave. But Duan Ming senses his daughter's presence and speaks softly, "Yue'er, do not leave."

Zhaoyue approaches quickly and bows: "I have disturbed Father’s peace. Please, Father, punish me."

Emperor Duan smiles and asks, "Is Yue'er truly willing to be punished?" His gaze at his daughter is full of affection.

Zhaoyue says, "As long as it is a punishment from Father, Yue'er is willing to accept it!"

Emperor Duan suddenly puts on a stern face and says, "Very well! Then I command you to marry your cousin, Kurdan!"

Zhaoyue immediately walks to the edge of the pond and says, "Father, Yue'er is willing to accept this punishment, but I will choose to jump into the pond and die instead!"

Emperor Duan quickly drops the peach branch, walks over, hugs his daughter, and laughs, "Father was only teasing you! Why did you take it so seriously?"

Zhaoyue says, "Father is the Emperor; your words are imperial edicts. Who would dare not take them seriously?"

Duan Ming hugs his daughter tightly: "That edict was a mistake. I have already rescinded it!"

Zhaoyue smiles, "Father, is that true? Then your daughter thanks you for rescinding the order!"

Duan Ming releases her and gestures for her to walk with him. He picks up the fallen branch and smiles at her: "Yue'er, today there is no Emperor or subject, only father and daughter. Come, tell me, have you set your heart on some young nobleman in Southern Han?"

Zhaoyue’s heart skips a beat. Shyly, she tells her father about the joy she felt when she met Gu Yuren while practicing horse lances with her cousin Zhao Yuan in Yujin Garden. Blushing, she says, "Father, I do not know if this is love, but whenever I think of him, my heart is filled with joy! Father, you have experienced this; tell me, is this love?"

Duan Ming says sincerely, "Yue'er, you have found true love! Father congratulates you!"

Zhaoyue says happily, "Really, Father? Then I shall celebrate myself!" She joins her hands in prayer.

Duan Ming suddenly asks, "Yue'er, do you know him well?"

Zhaoyue replies, "I only know he is a Vice Director of the Ministry of Justice in Southern Han and a training partner for Prince Zhao Yuan."

Duan Ming asks, "Yue'er, do you want to go to Southern Han to learn more about him?"

Zhaoyue says, "Of course I do, but there is no opportunity!"

Duan Ming says, "The opportunity has arrived!"

The next morning, Zhang Jiuling, the Minister of the Grand Carriage Court, and Princess Duan Zhaoyue, disguised as a man, depart from Miaoxiang Palace with a group of people and dozens of Dali warhorses.

Emperor Duan instructs his daughter: "Yue'er, you are entering Southern Han as horse merchants; you must not reveal your true identity! You have two goals: first, to assist Minister Zhang in contacting Southern Han military officials to sell our warhorses; second, to learn more about Gu Yuren and see if he is truly the man you wish to entrust your life to. For safety, go to the Wuni Lake stronghold first and find your mother; ask for her help! Do you understand?"

Zhaoyue says, "I understand, Father!"

***

On Mingyue Island.

Years ago, the General of the South was ordered to pacify the Peach Blossom Stronghold, killing the leader, Xing Fannan, and dozens of his men. Fortunately, Xing Fannan had made arrangements, ordering the second-in-command, Lu Wenting, and his only daughter, Xing Chulian, to flee with the women, children, and other warriors through a secret mountain path. After arriving on Mingyue Island, Lu Wenting became the leader and Xing Chulian the second-in-command. They lived a secluded life, the men building boats and fishing, the women weaving and farming, like a peach-blossom paradise.

One morning, as Lu Wenting returns to the hall, Xing Chulian enters: "Brother Wenting, the chance to avenge our Peach Blossom Stronghold has come!"

Lu Wenting asks, "What chance?"

Xing Chulian says, "The General of the South who killed my father and our warriors has been exiled by the imperial court to the Dapu military camp to serve as a camp prostitute!"

Lu Wenting says, "I never imagined the General of the South was a woman! Where is she now?"

Xing Chulian says, "According to scouts, she is still in transit."

Lu Wenting laughs heartily: "General of the South, your death is at hand!" He turns to Xing Chulian, "Sister Chulian, notify the 'Ten Roses of Assassination' to be ready to act at any time!"

Xing Chulian says, "Brother Wenting, I have already had them waiting at the door!"

The first of the "Ten Roses" is Purple Rose, an orphan whose parents died in battle under Marshal Wu; the second is Red Rose...

Xing Chulian steps forward: "Brother Wenting, I want to join the operation too!"

Lu Wenting says, "You are not a member of the 'Ten Roses'; you will only get in the way."

Xing Chulian cries, "I want to kill this female demon, the General of the South, with my own hands to avenge my father!"

Lu Wenting softens, "It is not that we cannot go together, but you must follow my commands."

Xing Chulian wipes her tears: "Thank you, Brother Wenting!"

***

On the road from the capital to Dapu Prefecture, judicial officers Li Wen and Zhang Jia are escorting Xiao Guimu to the Dapu military camp. At noon, the three of them rest in a small grove.

Li Wen says to Zhang Jia, "Brother Zhang, Vice Director Gu of the Ministry of Justice asked us to take good care of this prisoner on the road! This is a five-hundred-tael silver note he sent; shall we split it?"

Zhang Jia says, "Brother Li Wen, we have made a fortune on this trip!"

Xiao Guimu, wearing shackles, rests against a tree.

When she was taken out of the Ministry of Justice prison, she thought, if only she could see her mother, Zhao Rouya, and her father, Xiao Tianjian, one last time!

Perhaps heaven was merciful? On the road outside the city, she saw her mother dressed as a nun and her father as a monk. Though they dared not acknowledge each other, Xiao Guimu was content. She thought to herself, "To see them one last time, I, Xiao Guimu, have no regrets!"

In truth, Xiao Guimu did not know that her life had been bought by her mother, Zhao Rouya, who compromised with the Emperor and traded her own head for her daughter's life. Even more shockingly, the morning after she was separated from her mother, her mother committed suicide before the Emperor, who was disguised as a commoner. Her head was cut off by guards, presented to the Emperor, and then sent to the Northern Zhen Kingdom, where it now hangs on the south gate of their capital—exactly as Lou Minggan had heard in his dream. Her father also committed suicide beside her mother's headless corpse. What a dark and cruel imperial court!

One day, they enter the territory of Dapu Prefecture.

Li Wen says to Zhang Jia, "Brother Zhang, Dapu is a land of barbarians and disease. I have been here three times and have adapted to the climate. How do you feel?"

Zhang Jia says, "Brother Li Wen, I am doing fine! It is hot and humid here, and people easily fall ill. The year before last, I escorted a 'great criminal' here, but he died of illness just days after arriving..." Before he can finish, a group of people charges out of the woods and surrounds them.

This group is Lu Wenting, Xing Chulian, and their "Ten Roses of Assassination."

Lu Wenting shouts, "General of the South, today is your death day!"

Xiao Guimu asks, "Who are you?"

Lu Wenting says, "I am Lu Wenting, second-in-command of the former Peach Blossom Stronghold. Today, I bring my sisters to avenge it!"

Xing Chulian says, "I am the only daughter of the leader you killed, Xing Fannan. I am here to avenge my father!"

A middle-aged woman in white robes curses: "General of the South, you female demon, return our Peach Blossom Stronghold!"

A girl in purple robes waves her sword: "You court lackey, General of the South!"

A young woman in red robes says, "Pay for my husband's life!"

...

Xiao Guimu says, "Second-in-command Lu and sisters, grievances have heads and debts have owners. Since you are here for me, please do not trouble these two officers, okay?"

Lu Wenting says, "Fine!"

Li Wen and Zhang Jia tremble as they run out of the circle and hide in the deep forest.

Xiao Guimu says, "Very well! My life is right here. If you have the skill, come and take it!"

Lu Wenting shouts: "Kill!"

Twelve people, twelve sharp swords, strike at Xiao Guimu from all sides.

The forest is filled with the sound of clashing steel. Xiao Guimu, weighed down by shackles and unarmed, fights back with the chains clanging.

In less than half the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the swords of Lu Wenting, Xing Chulian, and their "Roses" all fly to the ground, and they collapse, wailing.

Officers Li Wen and Zhang Jia walk out of the forest. Zhang Jia laughs heartily: "You bunch of fools! A dozen of you with weapons couldn't even defeat one unarmed prisoner in shackles, and yet you have the nerve to scream!"

Li Wen approaches Xiao Guimu and whispers, "General, these people are desperate criminals and will be an endless trouble if left alive. Why not kill them?"

"No!"

Xiao Guimu walks to Lu Wenting and says, "Second-in-command Lu, I will not kill you. Get up and take them away!"

Lu Wenting and the others quickly scramble up and flee into the depths of the forest.

Xiao Guimu calls after them, "You dropped your swords..."

***

Dapu Military Camp.

The commander of the Dapu camp is surnamed Du.

One day, a confidant says to him, "Reporting to Commander Du, this one-thousand-tael silver note was sent by Vice Minister Gu Yusheng of the Ministry of War."

Commander Du asks, "For no reason, why is he sending me silver?"

His confidant says, "The messenger said: please take care of the new camp prostitute, Xiao Guimu."

Commander Du laughs: "He wants me to 'take care' of her? ... Hahaha, I will take very good care of this beautiful girl! Tell the messenger not to worry."

"Yes."

Xiao Guimu has been at the camp for six or seven days.

She has led troops before and knows what a camp prostitute is. They must cook, wash clothes, and nurse the wounded every day. There is endless work. After a day of labor, they must "serve" the officers at night.

One night, just as Xiao Guimu finishes changing the bandages for the wounded and walks to her quarters, a man steps out from the roadside: "Greetings to the General of the South!"

Xiao Guimu jumps back: "Is this Commander Du?"

Commander Du smiles lecherously: "Indeed, it is!"

Xiao Guimu quickly kneels: "Guilty woman Xiao Guimu pays respects to Commander Du."

Commander Du steps forward and grabs her: "Rise, sister! I have already received a request from Vice Minister Gu Yusheng to take care of you! Therefore, I have not arranged for you to serve the soldiers tonight." As he speaks, he stares lecherously at her, his hands slowly tightening around her.

Xiao Guimu is a clever woman; she has already guessed the truth. In recent days, she learned from other prostitutes that Commander Du is a man who "eats both silver and people." It is said that most of the prostitutes who come here die by his hand.

Xiao Guimu curses inwardly: "This beast in human skin has met his end by running into me, Xiao Guimu!"

She pretends to smile: "On the way here, I was hoping to find a protector in the camp. It seems my journey was worth it! To meet such a gentle Commander Du! I am truly overjoyed!" As she speaks, she presses her chest against him.

Commander Du goes soft, saying lecherously, "Sister, I am willing to be your protector. I love women more than anything!"

Xiao Guimu whispers in his ear: "Brother Du, the winter night is long. Let's find a place that is warm and free of mosquitoes and ants to enjoy ourselves?"

Commander Du is overjoyed, trembling: "I... I will listen to everything you say, sister!"

The next morning, Madam Du finds her husband dead in bed.

She reports it to the authorities. Madam Du kneels before the court.

When the Magistrate of Dapu Prefecture asks her how it happened, she says shyly, "Magistrate, that wretch had never been so vigorous! The mast fell and rose again and again. Luckily, my ship’s keel was strong enough to weather the storm with him all night!"

The Magistrate suppresses a laugh and asks, "Did he die while on top of you?"

Madam Du says, "Just before dawn, I said I couldn't take it anymore. That wretch finally rolled off and fell asleep. I fell asleep too. When I woke up, I found him dead."

The Magistrate says Madam Du is very humorous.

Madam Du asks, "Magistrate, do you know if any men in Dapu have lost their wives recently?"

The Magistrate says, "I recently lost my wife."

Madam Du looks at him and says, "That's great! But the Magistrate has no hair left; I wonder if that mast of yours can still stand up?"

Everyone in the court bursts into laughter.

***

Lu Wenting and Xing Chulian, with the "Ten Roses," return quietly to Mingyue Island.

When they left the island, their spirits were high. When they return, they are dejected. Their feet tread on the soft sand, their hearts filled with resentment. The female swordswomen known as the "Ten Roses of Assassination" are especially embarrassed, walking with their heads bowed.

Xing Chulian kneels on the sand and cries: "Father, your daughter is incompetent and unskilled. I don't know when your revenge will be fulfilled!"

Purple Rose advises, "Second-in-command, as the saying goes, as long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood! As long as we are alive, the leader's revenge will be fulfilled one day!"

Xing Chulian shakes her head and asks, "When is that 'one day'?"

Purple Rose says, "I don't know..." She suddenly stops. She knows in her heart that if not for Xiao Guimu's mercy, the twelve of them would already be ghosts in the underworld.

Red Rose approaches and says to Purple Rose, "Sister Zi, the sun is high; shall we practice swords?"

Purple Rose says, "Yes!"

Suddenly, the sound of clashing swords rings out on the beach.

Purple Rose says to Red Rose, "Sister Hong, if the General of the South were our instructor, how great that would be!"

Red Rose curses: "You are truly foolish! She still owes us a blood debt! My husband was killed by them!"

Purple Rose says, "She is a soldier; she was following orders!"

Red Rose says, "She is an unforgivable camp prostitute."

Purple Rose says, "She dared to stand against the Northern Zhen beasts; she is a national hero."

Red Rose is angry: "You traitorous girl, have I been teaching you swordplay all these years for nothing?"

Purple Rose is also angry: "Who wants to learn your clumsy techniques?" She sheathes her sword and leaves.

"You?" Red Rose stands on the beach, motionless for a long time.