Chapter 13
There were simply too many coincidences. A wandering escort who was aware of the situation in Yunzhou happened to be at the first inn they stayed at. Then, when Yan Yunhe and Yu Qin fought last night, Chen-dage rushed over as soon as he heard the commotion. How was that possible when, not long before that, he was too drunk to stand?
This morning, Yan Yunhe deliberately chose a quiet time to go downstairs, and sure enough, he ran into Chen-dage again. The man didn’t offer to escort him to Yunzhou, perhaps not wanting to inconvenience him. But for Yan Yunhe, all these coincidences from last night to this morning were actually too convenient.
If the information revealed by Chen-dage was true, then the person behind the scenes wanted to pass on the news about Yunzhou to them.
What connection did this person have to the death of Zhao Xiang, the Vice Minister of Works? And was it related to the three hundred lost firearms?
Was Zhao Xiang truly silenced for merely smuggling firearms? Or had he smuggled something far more valuable, to the point it cost him his life?
There was no use in speculating further. Besides, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who knew the secrets of every official, was right there in front of him.
Yan Yunhe finished his steamed bun in a few bites, lifted his gaze to Yu Qin, and pondered how to broach the subject. However, he only became distracted as he watched him, wondering if Yu Qin’s impeccable table manners were the result of countless strikes of the ruler in his childhood. That would explain why every move the man made was so pleasing to the eye.
Yan Yunhe had been born into a proper noble family, but after eight years in the military, he had lost all of his dining etiquette.
To be fair, he had no choice. When dining alongside a bunch of tough soldiers, being slightly slower than the rest would cost you a meal. You’d be lucky to get a spoonful of congee.
Yan Yunhe wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, regaining some semblance of a nobleman. Just as he was about to speak, Yu Qin set down his spoon. “What do you intend to do?”
“What?” Yan Yunhe asked, confused.
Yu Qin adhered to the principle of no talking while eating,1 pausing his meal to address Yan Yunhe. “That man is suspicious.”
Curious about what Yu Qin had in mind, Yan Yunhe asked, “What do you think we should do?”
Yu Qin said nothing, simply placing his sword on the table, his implication clear.
Yan Yunhe sighed helplessly. “It seems the one who has been to the battlefield isn’t me. There’s no need to resort to violence.”
Yu Qin disagreed. “Allowing last night’s rumors to spread and reach the capital will only invite trouble down the line.”
“How do you know killing this guy will prevent another from appearing?” Yan Yunhe retorted.
He understood that Yu Qin’s concern wasn’t the rumors of a homosexual relationship between them. Rather, as the respective commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Divine Machine Battalion, the two of them could not afford to be associated in any way. Being high-ranking officers from opposing factions meant that even the slightest connection would invite suspicion from above, which would be troublesome indeed.
Yan Yunhe picked up his teacup and extinguished the candle by his side, plunging their corner into darkness.
Through the rising wisps of smoke, the first rays of dawn finally pierced the clouds, its belated light falling across Yan Yunhe’s brow and eyes. “Lord Yu, everyone in the capital knows we’re as incompatible as fire and water.2 If such rumors were to circulate, even you would find them laughable.”
Yu Qin stared into those slightly mocking eyes. They were as sharp as a golden blade, capable of cutting through people’s hearts.
“Good to see that Lord Yan understands,” he said, his brow furrowing. He rose, picked up his bowl, and turned to leave.
Yan Yunhe blinked in surprise. “What? You’re finished already?”
Yu Qin ignored him and walked away.
Yan Yunhe bit into another steamed bun, conflicted. “You can’t even afford breakfast?”
After their meal, the two retrieved their well-fed and rested horses, packed some dry rations, and continued on their journey.
As expected, they were followed along the way, but Yan Yunhe pretended not to notice. He would not act rashly until their pursuer revealed their intentions.
They had no choice but to pick up the pace. They abandoned the main road and took a detour through the side road instead. As they traversed the mountain forest, the night deepened, and the horses showed signs of fatigue. They spotted a dilapidated temple nearby and decided to rest there for the night.
The decaying statues inside the temple were draped in cobwebs, but there were signs that hunters had previously taken shelter here: thick layers of straw covered the floor, and a small pot was set up in a corner.
Yan Yunhe gathered dry branches and started a fire. Then he retrieved a meat-filled flatbread from his bundle, briefly toasted it over the flames, and handed it to Yu Qin.
Yu Qin probably hadn’t expected this sudden gesture of goodwill from him, hesitating slightly before accepting the flatbread.
“Eat something to keep your strength for the night watch,” Yan Yunhe said. “You take the first half, I’ll take the second.”
Yu Qin took a bite of the flatbread. It was quite good, with a fragrant crust and thick, savory filling. “Are you sure you trust me?”
“Why? Are you planning to ravish me in my sleep?” Yan Yunhe asked, crossing his arms in indignation. “There’s no need to wait, Lord Yu. Just say the word, and I’ll gladly throw myself into your arms.”
Yu Qin ignored him and kept eating his flatbread. Yan Yunhe pulled out his waterskin and handed it over solicitously. “Flatbreads are too dry. Drink something to moisten your throat.”
What Yu Qin thought was water turned out to be strong liquor. One sip burned his throat, making him choke and cough violently. His face flushed crimson, and his eyes watered slightly.
He glared at Yan Yunhe, who shrugged innocently. “It’s freezing cold, of course we need liquor. It really hits the spot, don’t you think? Doesn’t it warm you right down to your bones?”
Yu Qin pressed his red, stinging lips together and tossed the waterskin back to Yan Yunhe.
Yan Yunhe was amused at first, but when he noticed Yu Qin’s reddened eyes, he suddenly found himself unable to laugh anymore.
He awkwardly looked away, his gaze blank for a moment before he changed the subject. “Lord Yu, have you heard of a man named Zhao Xiang?”
“Zhao Xiang, the vice minister of works?” Yu Qin replied.
Yan Yunhe nodded. “That’s right.”
“Zhao Xiang embezzled state funds and accepted bribes. As head of the Directorate of Armaments, he smuggled three hundred firearms and committed suicide to escape punishment,” Yu Qin said. “Lord Yan, you know this better than anyone. Why are you asking me?”
Yan Yunhe picked up a stick and poked at the fire. “Wang Yong, the director of the Court of Judicial Review, was supposed to preside over the case. Why did the Embroidered Uniform Guard throw him in jail before the trial even began?”
Yu Qin replied, “Monitoring officials is the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s duty. Once we discovered Wang Yong accepted bribes too, he was convicted according to the laws of Great Jin.”
The fire Yan Yunhe was stoking crackled loudly. “What a coincidence! Zhang Zheng was convicted for submitting a memorial, Wang Yong was convicted for being in charge of a case, and I got suspended for drinking.”
Yu Qin stood his ground. “Lord Yan, do not twist the facts.”
Yan Yunhe abruptly raised the stick, pointing its glowing red tip at Yu Qin. If he moved another inch forward, it would sear his face.
But he stopped, slowly lowering his hand. “Right. Why did I think we could have a normal conversation?”
Yan Yunhe tossed the stick away and casually lay down on his side, propping his head on his bundle.
The mountain was silent, save for the faint chirping of insects.
Lying with his back to Yu Qin, Yan Yunhe stared up at the towering Buddha statue. Its expression was mournful, as if pitying all living beings.
He had never believed in any gods or Buddhas. He had survived the mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the battlefield only by relying on his faith in himself. That faith had initially stemmed from his youthful arrogance, anger at his helplessness in the face of his circumstances, and certain feelings he had never truly acknowledged.
He used to have high hopes, convinced that his martial prowess would quickly earn him glorious military achievements. However, reality slapped him hard in the face. He spent eight long years on the frontier, but it was only thanks to General Qi’s patronage that he gained a foothold in the army.
In a place like the capital, military honors earned through flesh and blood proved utterly worthless.
All these years, he wasn’t entirely ignorant of the capital’s affairs. He had always believed he could return in time, like a hero descending from the heavens. But in truth, it was nothing more than his own delusions. He could never be anyone’s hero, and no one in the capital was waiting for him to become a hero.
The rustle of clothing came from behind him, followed by the faint scent of meat-filled flatbread. Yu Qin was by his side, holding out the half-eaten flatbread.
Though he didn’t speak, his meaning was clear: he had saved the rest for him.
Under normal circumstances, Yan Yunhe would have been flattered. But now, thinking of Yu Qin and the choice he had made, he felt like a complete fool.
Now in a foul mood, he slapped Yu Qin’s hand away, sending the flatbread tumbling across the floor until it stopped in a corner, covered in dust.
Yan Yunhe sat up, stared at the flatbread, and sneered, “I don’t want it. It’s tainted.”
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