Looking at the Sword by Lamplight (12)

Meng Shizhuang had been lying on the couch for months, his bones softened, and now he was itching to wield his sword, so he stepped forward without hesitation. He was wearing a comfortable, wide-sleeved robe, which made wielding a sword rather inconvenient. He hooked two fingers of his left hand around the old cloth wrapping around the scabbard and bound his right hand, along with the hilt and the obstructive sleeve, leaving his left hand free to flow freely.

Qi Ziyu raised his spear and took a half step back with his left foot.

He was present at the Ming Hunzhou Incident and had spent several months with Meng Shizhuang. He was deeply impressed by the young man who, armed with a dagger, dared to climb to the center of the vortex. The true princess, like a "delicate flower," lay prone to the wind and waves, and the future of the Liang Palace was uncertain. He and all the former king's former subordinates were unwilling to entrust their future to Bian Hongqiu at that time, but they could not truly let go.

As for Meng Shizhuang, he undoubtedly has the courage that everyone admires.

At that time, Qi Ziyu was guarding outside the princess's bed in the Prince Liang's Mansion in the capital. He saw Meng Shizhuang nervously pick up the Mulan Sword at night, and stood behind him to watch Mr. Zhou remove the broken bones from his palm. He experienced the unstoppable sword wind that Meng Shizhuang could wield with his disabled hand.

He was also very curious about what the young man would look like holding a knife ten years later, when all the hostility and sharpness had faded from his brow.

Meng Shizhuang was not in a hurry to take action. He had already forgotten the one or two moves he had exchanged with Qi Ziyu when they were young, but he also remembered that he was far inferior to this battle-hardened general in both strength and skills.

Ever since he began practicing martial arts at a young age, he had spent a long time using a sword he didn't quite fit in—a longsword that once towered over him, requiring him to hold it with both hands and exert all his strength to drag it. After abandoning that sword on Sujian Mountain, he carefully selected several short swords that he could easily lift, but he often struggled to even draw his sword from its sheath.

But he didn't want to recall what the sword looked like.

Then there were Lao Ju's twin swords. They were even more difficult to use, their blades already covered in mottled rust. The other day, when he had thrown one of the swords to save Liu Lang, the rust had eaten away at the paper-thin blade, a palm's length. He shook the two swords, feeling that their end was nigh. After all, they were the only things Lao Ju had left him, so he'd just put them away and not use them again.

Meng Shizhuang observed Qi Ziyu's steps. Seeing him thrust his spear at his heel, he dodged sideways, his sword grazing the spear. Qi Ziyu, separated by a spear, could already feel the sharp wind of the sword, like the surging water of a turbulent river. With the distance between them, Qi Ziyu's spear would be at a disadvantage, so he quickly stepped back, slid his palm upward, and turned the silver spear's tip, easily piercing Meng Shizhuang's unstoppable sword.

Meng Shizhuang rolled up the wide sleeve on his left side, and turned the flying rusty blade ball several times outside his sleeve. He then lightly sent the knife handle, which had become a decoration, to the ground, stepped on the ground with one foot, and retreated from the training ground.

Then, he poured all his attention into the knife in his right hand.

But in an instant, Qi Ziyu had seen through him thoroughly. Although his right hand was injured, his two swords followed him like shadows, but he had not trained his left hand to be his dominant hand. Even when he wielded the sword, he still used nonsensical sword moves.

The essence of a knife lies in the blade, while the essence of a sword lies in the tip.

After realizing this, Qi Ziyu put away his spear and chose not to move forward.

Meng Shizhuang couldn't touch anyone, and when he wielded weapons with his right hand, he relied solely on the strength of his shoulder and arm, unable to execute any powerful moves. But after three years of wielding a sword, he had incorporated the Su Jian Jue into it, evolving numerous sword techniques. He twisted his right arm, and the blade's shadow moved swiftly, gradually becoming the "ripples" of the Su Jian Jue.

This "ripple" spread faster and larger than the one caused by the sword, turning the countless silver dots on the sword tip into blades, dazzling the eyes like a meat grinder.

Qi Ziyu didn't want to hide. He just wanted to learn this trick from Meng Shizhuang.

Ten years ago, Meng Shizhuang was still sick, and his moves were extremely sophisticated, but the power he exerted was only eleven.

He stared at the silver flower that was about to transform into the spear's tip. If it were a sword, the most important thing would be the direction of the blade's tip. Now, with the knife, could Meng Shizhuang, the master of the move, distinguish it? He held the butt of the spear, without any force, and thrust straight into the center. Call it self-confidence, or taking advantage of someone's vulnerability? Their training in marching and fighting was to use their strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses. Since Meng Shizhuang was still facing him with his right hand, he would not hold back.

The spear and the rusty knife collided, making a very harsh sound.

Meng Shizhuang swung his knife, and the gorgeous silver flowers suddenly revealed a ferocious face in front of Qi Ziyu's eyes. The blade protruded at an angle and cut straight into the spear shaft.

Qi Ziyu, unwilling to be outdone, pushed with his palm, hoping to use the same trick to break the rusty knife.

A crisp sound replaced the teeth-grinding sound of swords and guns clashing.

The second knife in Meng Shizhuang's hand split into two as he predicted, and the small half of Qi Ziyu's spear, dragging a red tassel in the air, threw out a bright line and finally inserted into the ground under the training ground.

Qi Ziyu first stared at the red tasseled spear tip that was chopped off in a daze for a moment, then looked at Meng Shizhuang with shining eyes.

This group of familiar Western Border soldiers were competing in martial arts at a training ground that had been temporarily expanded in the garrison. It was common for them to take off their clothes and go shirtless. Occasionally, Meng Shizhuang came with a knife to join the fight. Looking at his weak waist and two wrists with obviously different strengths, no one expected that his right hand, which still needed to rely on external objects to connect, could withstand such an amazing move without giving in.

He smiled heartily, threw away the spear with only the barrel left, and gestured to the people below to find him a new gun.

"Okay! Let's have another match!"

Meng Shizhuang simply nodded, and a burning warmth spread from her heart to her whole body.

He untied the old cloth from his right hand, carefully placed the remains of his two swords aside, and borrowed a heavy sword, a weapon commonly used by military officers. He still didn't use his left hand. Since his right hand became disabled, he had indeed intentionally trained it during his daily work and nightly sword practice, but most of the time, he still used his right hand to fight the enemy.

The heavy sword in his hand was of the right length, and the hilt fit his palm perfectly.

When Qi Ziyu saw him get the new sword, he rushed over with his gun without saying a word.

Meng Shizhuang exerted force with his right forearm, subconsciously making a motion to pry the scabbard upwards. He reacted immediately, but Qi Ziyu's majestic spear had already thrust before him, piercing the hollow of the scabbard at a tricky angle and pushing forward, interrupting his attempt to draw the sword.

He bent his waist and dodged, his left hand loosening the scabbard, allowing Qi Ziyu to lift it to the horizon. Before Qi Ziyu could retract his spear, he unleashed his signature "Canglang Style" attack. Qi Ziyu met the attack head-on, the sound of water shattering boulders in his ears. A swift wave descended from the sky. He pressed his spear to the ground and leaped out of the way. As he landed, the wooden stakes that surrounded the training ground, so large that it would take an adult to hug, were severed in half.

There was silence all around the training ground, and then there was a burst of cheers.

Meng Shizhuang spread out her left hand towards Qi Ziyu: "General Qi, there's no need to hold back."

The competition lasted until sunset, with Meng Shizhuang engaging in a lively swordplay discussion with several generals of moderate rank and proficiency in swordsmanship. While the battle raged on the parade grounds, Song Jingyan sent for the generals to go to the front hall for dinner.

Meng Shizhuang wanted to go back to his room to drink porridge, but was taken away by the generals in groups of three or four.

As soon as I arrived at the front hall, Song Jingyan and Shao Zheng were there.

Shao Zheng had already taken care of all matters in the city. The new governor sent by the court was on his way. Once the two sides had handed over their affairs, the Western Border Army would focus solely on advancing westward, just as they had in Lanzhou. He had finally rested for a few days, dressed in his regular clothes, and before Qi Ziyu and the others arrived, he had already drunk three bottles of white wine.

A group of rough-hewn men had brought their guests on a whim, unsure how to entertain them. Upon seeing the wine, Shao Zheng was the first to break the rules, immediately giving everyone a bowl and drinking heartily without a second thought. Meng Shizhuang glanced around, seeing that they were all from Prince Liang's mansion, and she felt it was time to excuse herself and return to her room.

Song Jingyan considerately prepared light meals for him.

"Yes, you are a guest. Please don't be offended if I don't treat you well."

Meng Shizhuang sat opposite her and felt a little uncomfortable when she called him familiar.

Song Jingyan: "His Highness will be back from Lanzhou soon. I'm afraid there won't be such a relaxing time in the future, so why not let them have a free time together."

Meng Shizhuang paused, holding her chopsticks. "When will His Royal Highness Prince Liang return?"

Song Jingyan knew all about Bian Hongqiu's affairs, so she certainly didn't think Meng Shizhuang was concerned about her. Her Highness kept calling her "Ah Shi," and she'd probably called him that many times in her dreams over the past ten years. Yet, the other protagonist addressed him with a cold expression. She thought Bian Hongqiu had a long way to go, and her face showed no emotion: "Not much longer."

She changed the subject and pushed a cup of ginger tea towards Meng Shizhuang. "Ah Shi, for everything that happened in the past, and for saving His Highness's life this time, everyone in the Prince Liang's Mansion should express their sincere gratitude to you."

Meng Shizhuang frowned slightly, unable to cope with such a solemn occasion.

Besides, he had always considered his relationship with the Liang Palace a business deal, so he didn't say no. Qi Ziyu, after consuming two liang of yellow soup, was already arm in arm with him, saying, "If it weren't for Master Meng's help, I'm afraid the entire Liang Palace would have been wiped out in the capital."

He said whatever he wanted to say, and it didn't mean that he was still dissatisfied with Bian Hongqiu.

Song Jingyan glanced at him. At the same time, Shao Zheng put down his wine bowl, stood up, and grabbed Qi Ziyu's collar from behind: "Ziyu, I haven't practiced with you for a long time. Come out and exchange a few moves with me."

Qi Ziyu couldn't hold his alcohol well, and he was staggering at the moment, thinking that Shao Zheng was drunk: "General! General, I have been training all day today, and my body is still covered with wounds... General, wait, otherwise tomorrow... Ouch!" Shao Zheng casually placed him in the open space outside the front hall, and then he was hit hard by Shao Zheng, letting out a scream that could scare birds away.

The remaining generals looked at each other in confusion, muttering nonsense to cover up the matter.

Meng Shizhuang took a sip of ginger tea and didn't want to think about what was wrong with what Qi Ziyu said.

Song Jingyan listened to the sound of Qi Ziyu being beaten and continued, "I saw Liu Lang working hard in the study a few days ago. He told me that he wanted to live with you in the future. If you return to Renjitang in the future, besides money and herbs, would you like some books and ancient scrolls? A few words are too little to express your gratitude to us. If you can help us in any way, please feel free to ask."

Meng Shizhuang had even told Liu Lang that he would no longer rely on aid from the Prince of Liang's Mansion, but when the olive branch was extended, he knew his own limitations and wasn't about to accept even the money or herbs. After hearing the second half of the sentence, he asked, "Can anyone from anywhere outside the Western Territory participate in the imperial examination?"

Song Jingyan: "Your Majesty has recommended a temporary 'Minor Encouraging Imperial Examination' for the prefectures closest to the capital. Dayu has been severely weakened by internal strife. Besides the King of Jingxi, the rampant banditry in various places is also a problem. The country is short of talented people. However, restoring the imperial examination system is no easy task. Every step in the process involves years of hard study by students all over the country. It is not something that can be done in a hurry."

Meng Shizhuang nodded slowly.

Song Jingyan noticed his reaction and added casually, "However, Liu Lang is not yet an adult, so there's no need to rush. By the time he's learned enough to take the exam, Dayu will surely have been unified and at peace."

Meng Shizhuang was not very clear about these things. She just remembered what she heard and raised her ginger tea to clink glasses with Song Jingyan.

Three days later, Bian Hongqiu took Liu Lang back to Huangquezhou.

He hurried to the garrison in a dusty state. When he arrived at the main courtyard, he walked around the courtyard with his waist hunched like a thief.

The spring breeze and greenery roamed endlessly. Bian Hongqiu heard the sound of flowers falling and people walking in the yard.

A little stolen joy blossomed from the bottom of his heart. Ah Shi had not left yet.

Bian Hongqiu smoothed his clothes, thinking he could go in and have a few words with Meng Shizhuang. He should be more natural about it, and since it was about Liu Lang, Meng Shizhuang wouldn't be offended. He had been in Lanzhou for so long, and perhaps Meng Shizhuang had already gotten over the anger she'd felt that night when he flirted with her, and perhaps she could find another excuse to keep him.

But when he walked in, he met Hengbo's eyes as she was picking crabapple petals.

Bian Hongqiu looked around the courtyard. The main courtyard's doors and windows were wide open, and he saw only the bare wooden planks on the couch. He exchanged glances with Hengbo, who was holding a basket of crabapple blossoms. "Ah, are you back?"

Hengbo nodded: "Young Master Meng left early yesterday morning. My sister said that the flowers in this yard are the best, so she asked me to pick some and she would make flower cakes for me." She hugged a small bamboo basket with both hands, and her eyes narrowed with a smile.

Bian Hongqiu's shoulders sank slightly, he nodded, turned and left.

Song Jingyan, along with Qin He Qiu He, who had been given a clean pillow and quilt, waited outside the main courtyard and advised him, "Your Highness, please rest for a night. The crabapple blossoms are very fresh now. I'll brew some nectar for your Highness."

Bian Hongqiu waved her hand: "Sister, please help me make it sweeter. I won't rest anymore. Where are General Shao and Mr. Liu?"

After receiving the reply that both of them were in the study, Bian Hongqiu said, "I will go and discuss with them the expenses of the Western Border Army. Sister, please come to the study after dinner tonight. I will discuss the future arrangements with you."

He didn't even change his clothes from the night before, and before he finished speaking he had already walked a few steps out.

Mr. Liu's temporary study was also expanded. A charter was issued for all officials, both high and low, awaiting punishment on Huangque Island. Those found guilty were imprisoned, and the new prefect would verify the situation and report to the court upon their arrival. However, these people could no longer live in their previous residences, so Shao Zhengquan allocated them to high-ranking generals for temporary residence.

The thatched camp and garrison along the Huai River suddenly became much emptier. In the garrison, the originally palm-sized study and the back-to-back wing rooms were connected, creating a meeting room that could accommodate about twenty people. Shao Zheng moved Mr. Liu's belongings to the right wing and installed a spacious long table. He also emptied the bookcase that was filled with books and replaced it with war preparations and maps of the eighteen states, as well as files on officials he could find, and consolidated the information sent in secret letters by secret agents over the years.

Song Jingyan sent a simple meal to Bian Hongqiu, who quickly gulped down a few sips of hot tea while Liu Mengdie and Shao Zheng discussed matters until nightfall. After the three of them had their meal in the study, Song Jingyan and the influential generals of the Western Frontier Army arrived one after another.

Bian Hongqiu handed Mr. Liu a rough outline of the silver confiscated from the Li family in Kailanzhou, confirming that they could decisively conquer the entire Western Territory without imperial aid. Bian Hongqiu's youthful, beautiful face was reflected in the bright yellow oil lamplight. Her brows betrayed no trace of fatigue, but rather a sense of determination and laziness. "Then send a message to Xi Zhongting, and have him cooperate with us from now on."

Even though they now have the same goal as Xi Zhongting and the people in the capital, the invisible game still exists.

Xi Zhongting can burn his boats to achieve his goal, and so can they.

Only when you have the bargaining chips can you negotiate the terms.

Bian Hongqiu: "Tell him to guard the gates of the three Linhai Continents that face Yuechan Continent. If even a fly escapes, it will be Your Majesty who will suffer the consequences."

Liu Mengdie didn't quite approve of his reckless behavior. "The King of Jingxi holds the imperial seal, which is the 'ancestral tablet' of every Dayu person. If he wants to destroy everything and smashes the seal, then the foundation of Dayu will be..."

The young prince didn't understand the concept of ancestral heritage. "Sir, if the King of Jingxi continues to use this 'tablet' to drag things along, the number of tombstones we'll have to worship at Qingming Festival will only increase. Whether the foundation is destroyed or continued doesn't depend on a single stone. Otherwise, why would the late emperor give away the imperial seal so easily?"

Liu Mengdie certainly knew that the important thing was to take over the Eighteen Continents as soon as possible.

But he couldn't convince himself that the imperial seal was just a piece of insignificant broken stone.

Once the King of Jingxi is desperate, even if they block the news in the Eighteen Continents, the people here will have greater doubts about the court.

Bian Hongqiu had already made up his mind: "It's settled. Let's do the tricks. Sister, please make all the arrangements for me. I'm going to Chunxiangzhou myself."

He didn't have much religious concern about whether he could recover the seal. After all, the seal hadn't been lost from him, and he didn't need it to be granted a title of nobility. Rumors spread, history was written, and the winner had the final say. Both the imperial court and Xi Zhongting believed that capturing the King of Jingxi was a must-win, so they were willing to invest time and effort in retrieving the seal intact.

If Emperor Xue had not been seriously ill, Xi Zhongting would probably not have been so anxious.

Now that we have alerted the enemy, are we going to continue to allow the accomplices in the city to do nothing?

Bian Hongqiu recalled the letter sent by Li Yan.

Xi Zhongting was anxious to dispatch troops, and even sent a firm message asking them to search the Jingxi Palace. It seemed that the insider sent by His Majesty to the Jingxi Palace was wavering, and under pressure, he had no choice but to give Xi Zhongting the signal to take action.

Song Jingyan and Bian Hongqiu shared the same view, but neither wanted Bian Hongqiu to take the risk himself. "Why bother taking the risk yourself, Your Highness, when you can just choose a suitable general?"

Bian Hongqiu said, "This General Fang even dared to deceive Xi Zhongting. I'm afraid that even if you generals go there, you won't be able to do anything to him. I will go there in person, carrying the token of your majesty."

Song Jingyan: "Your Highness, will you bring a team with you?"

Bian Hongqiu was helpless: "Sister, Yuechanzhou is not that easy to get into. How are we going to come up with so many fake identities that can enter the city?"

Song Jingyan remained silent for a moment, then continued, "It's too dangerous for Your Highness to go alone. Besides, you and the generals often clash with the people on the side of King Jingxi, so it would be easy to be exposed if you go there."

Bian Hongqiu had a plan: "I'll disguise myself so I won't be as vulnerable as the generals."

Song Jingyan raised her eyes and immediately understood what Bian Hongqiu was trying to do, but she still advised: "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. This is too dangerous."

They argued endlessly, and Shao Zheng came up with a compromise: "The secret agents we planted in Huangque Island can still be used. Ordinary civilians, and those around King Jingxi, probably wouldn't notice them on a daily basis. Disguise them, and they won't be a problem. Please ask two guards to protect His Highness."

Beside him, Qi Ziyu's startled voice rang out: "Please ask Doctor Meng to go!"

Bian Hongqiu, who was about to put on a stern face and reject Song Jingyan's choice of guards for him, immediately stopped talking, and Song Jingyan, who wanted to argue with him, also shut up.

The generals who wanted to stop the fight fell silent one after another for unknown reasons.

They looked at Song Jingyan and then at Bian Hongqiu.

Qi Ziyu was confused: "Doctor Meng is a master of martial arts and medical skills. Isn't it appropriate?"

Bian Hongqiu finally realized what was happening and coughed softly, "That's inappropriate. Doctor Meng's injuries haven't healed yet, how can I waste my energy and energy on him?"

He stood up and said, "That's it. I'll leave in two days."

Bian Hongqiu exchanged glances with Song Jingyan again, and seeing the emotion in her eyes, he immediately lost his composure and practically fled. He had tossed and turned all night, wondering how he could get to Renjitang to see Meng Shizhuang. Unexpectedly, the next morning, Doctor Meng, who couldn't bear the hassle of traveling, came to visit.

Qi Ziyu, the biggest scoundrel in the Western Frontier Army, accidentally came to Bian Hongqiu to claim credit and asked him to consider his proposed solution: "I asked Mr. Zhou to see Doctor Meng. Mr. Zhou said that Doctor Meng's injuries are recovering well. Doctor Meng is also willing to go!"

Bian Hongqiu looked at him with a silly smile on his face and didn't find it annoying for the first time.

Meng Shizhuang stood in the hall and said, "Your Highness Prince Liang, the gate to the western border hasn't opened yet. Can you still keep your promise?"