Jade Porcelain Crack
Upon hearing this, Jin Tao became extremely anxious and asked, "Are you planning to go against them?"
“It’s not about opposing us. There will be no casualties in this battle.” Jiang Heng’s tone was firm. The moon had already risen, and a gentle breeze ruffled Jiang Heng’s hair, making his face appear to be in shifting light and shadow.
Jin Tao suddenly said coldly, "How can you vouch for him? How can you take responsibility? In my opinion, we should just put this person up for worship, so that the whole village can live in peace." His eyes were fierce, and he was backlit, his face dark. "Anyway, we can find another leader, so one more won't make a difference. At worst, we can build him a grave and a temple, which will be considered doing a good deed."
Jiang Heng was shocked by Jin Tao's words—he had thought Jin Tao was the most reasonable person and would understand the country's plans, but now it seemed that this was not the case. However, he still calmly said, "If we offer them up, will the whole village be safe? Do you dare say that with a new leader, the army's fighting strength will still be the same as before? We are already in a remote border area. If we encounter danger, we don't even know if the court will have troops to support us, or even if there are any traces of people here, let alone rescue us from fire or drowning. If we encounter trouble in the future, the only ones who can help us are the swift cavalry led by that man."
Jin Tao, half-guessing and half-thinking, roughly understood Jiang Heng's meaning. He was about to get angry, but then realized the logic in his words. His cheeks flushed red, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word. Jiang Heng stepped forward and patted his shoulder, saying slowly, "Besides, this man is the son of the Assistant Minister. If we save him today, the Assistant Minister will surely repay us handsomely in the future. Moreover, this man is unable to move and is already a hostage; we can use him as leverage to demand supplies from the Assistant Minister." This wasn't Jiang Heng's original intention, but Jin Tao and the other villagers had suffered greatly, and their humanity was mostly reduced to the pursuit of profit. As long as it met their expectations, they mostly wouldn't refuse. This was a product of the times; the fault didn't lie with them.
Upon hearing this, Jin Tao relaxed slightly and raised an eyebrow, asking, "If that's the case, how should we prepare for battle?"
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "A war of words," he then patted Jin Tao on the shoulder, "Brother Jin and everyone else just need to continue their work as usual, and I will intercept the enemy at the pass."
In the past few days, Jiang Heng borrowed bells and colorful ribbons from each household, which they had exchanged with Gan Jiang, to adorn Ji Guang. This not only concealed the scars on the horse's body from the thorns but also made it appear somewhat thin under the layers of clothing, masking its most obvious feature. Later, Jiang Heng obtained Gan Jiang's clothing and dressed himself in it. When someone came to inform him at the village entrance, he rode Ji Guang there, pretending to chat with the villagers. Meanwhile, everyone else continued working in the fields as usual.
When the people of Shajiesai saw Jiang Heng, dressed in strange clothes, blocking the middle of the road from afar, they all stopped impatiently at the village entrance. Seeing that he posed no threat, their commander went to question him.
"Excuse me, sir/madam, what place is this, and what village is this?" the general asked.
Jiang Heng replied, "The flowers here are called 'Half-Day Flowers,' and the village is also named 'Half-Day Flowers.' They have just fallen."
"Who are you? What brings you here?"
"I am a man from Xinjiang, and I learned to speak Chinese through trade. I was passing through this place and originally intended to exchange some rare treasures for other goods, but I found that this place is so poor that there is nowhere to stand. Disappointed, I was about to leave when I unexpectedly encountered your mighty army. I have truly offended you." Jiang Heng was neither humble nor arrogant. While bowing, he also fiddled with the string of bells on his horse's neck.
"Have you seen a seriously injured man?" "He was riding a strong horse!" "It was yellow and white, and its coat was very shiny..." The soldiers stepped forward and said.
Jiang Heng pondered for a while, then said, "I did see a strong horse, but its coat was jet black." Upon hearing this, the others shooed Jiang Heng aside without explanation, and the first few went into the village. Jiang Heng followed silently, feigning curiosity, occasionally peeking out and exclaiming in amazement. Before long, one of them rode back, shouting, "There really is a black horse! It's definitely the strongest horse of all!"
Upon hearing this, the men rushed to the stable with him. Another man reported that there was a wooden hut with a strong smell of blood that they could explore. So the leader went to the hut first. Jiang Heng naturally followed behind. When they arrived at the hut, the guide jumped off his horse to open the door. The door slammed shut, followed by a stench that assaulted their nostrils. Jiang Heng feigned disgust and tightened his reins, backing away. The guide looked at their leader pleadingly, but the leader showed no mercy, waving his hand and saying, "Is this all you've got? You've been spoiled rotten for ten or eight years!" The guide had no choice but to grit his teeth and go inside. Further inside were several pieces of cut meat, with boiling soup beside them, and next to that was a large wooden plank covered with a thick layer of thatch. The further they went in, the stronger the smell became; the stench of blood mixed with cheap coal was constantly emanating from the hut. The man hastily brushed aside the thatch to show he had done his duty, then hurriedly stepped out the door and reported, "There really isn't any, absolutely true!" The leader glanced inside, frowned, and also reined in his horse and turned around.
Jiang Heng then ran to a distance and pretended to chat with the villagers. When he saw the two approaching, he nodded and smiled. Zhao Peiming, hiding under the thatched roof, also chuckled to himself.
Watching the group of Sandbar people leave, Jin Tao threw away his makeshift weapon and went to the wooden hut with the others. Zhao Peiming recovered quickly and, supported by Jiang Heng, slowly walked out. Zhao Peiming felt apologetic—after all, he had injured Jiang Heng's horse and troubled him to take care of it. After thinking for a long time, Zhao Peiming said, "Whatever you need, young master, please tell me, and I will do my best to help." He looked up and glanced at Jin Tao and the others, "I will remember your kindness in saving my life and taking me in. If you ever encounter any difficulties, I will certainly come to your aid." Zhao Peiming understood the villagers' character and knew that he could not satisfy them with money, so he would repay them with military force. However, he was currently separated from his soldiers and was at his wit's end, and execution was inevitable. It would be reckless for him to act so bravely. Jiang Heng, seeing this, interrupted, saying, "Repaying the debt is a small matter now; finding the Sa Ta cavalry is the greater task. Once the Governor has recovered, let's set off as soon as possible to rejoin the main force." Zhao Peiming's breath hitched, then he nodded.
After a short rest, Zhao Peiming set off. Before leaving, only Jiang Heng saw him off at the village entrance. Watching Zhao Peiming disappear into the dust, Jiang Heng sighed slightly, then prepared to return to see Zhao Chen again.
—————
"Since His Majesty has already agreed to the marriage alliance, he still ordered the Satar cavalry to attack first. This is clearly a deliberate attempt to weaken the Satar cavalry." Tang Yao said with some annoyance.
Fu Qinxiang walked over, and the palace maids on both sides dispersed. She gently squeezed Tang Yao's shoulder and said, "The emperor can't control the swift cavalry, and neither can I. These people are a bunch of unruly madmen who can't be trusted."
Tang Yao tried to avoid the grip, but was still held firmly, unable to move. She slowly said, "But these are, after all, the most formidable troops of the Great Zhao. Without their conquests, we might not be living in such luxury until now... And isn't Governor Zhao the son of the Grand Chancellor? The Grand Chancellor is usually confined to the court; Governor Zhao wouldn't dare to act rashly, would he?" Fu Qinxiang released her grip, turned, and sat down opposite Tang Yao. "That makes sense, but I'm afraid we can't control them. If they break free, wouldn't we be in even greater danger?" Her tone was low, but still gentle. Tang Yao didn't respond. In her heart, she felt that all of this was utterly absurd—using such underhanded tactics, letting their own troops fall into the hands of the enemy, to maintain their rule was self-defeating and made them appear incompetent and foolish. However, her expression couldn't hide her thoughts, and Fu Qinxiang saw them.
“Consort Li is a kind and reasonable person, and it is truly commendable that she would consider things so carefully for them,” Fu Qinxiang said with a gentler expression and a hint of comfort. “Although the court appears to be stable, it is already fraught with danger. There are no trustworthy generals in the court, and His Majesty’s private army is very small. The army left by the Empress Dowager alone is no match for the elite cavalry.”
Tang Yao remained expressionless, but her heart was in turmoil.
“But now that Consort Li’s brother’s power is rising, Consort Li has brought a glimmer of hope to the court.” Fu Qinxiang hinted indirectly.
"Thank you, Imperial Preceptor. My brother is only where he is today because of your blessings," Tang Yao said.
Seeing Tang Yao's lack of appreciation, Fu Qinxiang changed her tone, saying, "Since you know that a woman's opinion is easily dismissed, do you know the reason behind it?" She then looked up at the vast palace—besides the treasures bestowed by the Emperor and gifts from her officials, she had also added many extra beaded curtains. Unfortunately, because she often held secret meetings, all the windows were sealed shut, a minor flaw in her otherwise perfect palace. Tang Yao followed Fu Qinxiang's gaze and looked around as well. She wasn't surprised when she first arrived—she had already seen various silks and satins in the marketplace, their interiors elaborately decorated, arranged to keep guests, far more beautiful than this palace. After entering the palace, she immediately had a pavilion-style bedroom, even more interesting than this, and Tang Yao hated darkness, which this place was precisely dark and enclosed. "Perhaps I know a little," Tang Yao replied.
Sensing Fu Qinxiang's slightly expectant gaze, Tang Yao continued, "Money and power—people often succumb to them. Although we are born with different natures, it doesn't ultimately determine whether we are inferior. Having either money or power is enough to intimidate everyone." Fu Qinxiang seemed quite satisfied, saying, "Want some? You don't want to be confined to the palace, do you?" Fu Qinxiang stood up, "Consort Li, you are not content to be a caged bird." Tang Yao knew that Fu Qinxiang's approach was intentional, but even after being used by her, wasn't she still unable to escape her fate of being controlled by others? She dodged the question, saying, "I appreciate the Imperial Advisor's kindness, but I cannot make a choice at this time."
In truth, Tang Yao had no choice since entering the music hall. She had always been her brother's source of sustenance, and her entry into the palace was also for his sake. She had never experienced freedom. She must have envied Fu Qinxiang, who wielded both wealth and power. Fu Qinxiang's words carried immense weight, and she led the enactment of new laws every year, genuinely advocating for women's equality. Tang Yao, working in the music hall herself, naturally understood the hardships women had endured for millennia and was willing to dedicate herself to changing the status quo. Fu Qinxiang's words were like a sharp thorn, firmly embedded in her heart—she was indeed unwilling to be merely a plaything. Tang Yao's expression was tense, and Fu Qinxiang found her somewhat endearing, chuckling softly. Tang Yao instinctively looked up, a hint of fear in her eyes—after all, the Imperial Preceptor was usually so assertive in court, yet now he was smiling at her with his chin resting on his hand, a truly unusual courtesy. But Tang Yao quickly regained her composure; this tactic was probably Fu Qinxiang's usual way of manipulating people, and she was likely not special.
After finishing the last cup of tea, Tang Yao felt a pang of loss. She lifted her dress and left. Inside the sedan chair, she gazed at the afterglow of the setting sun outside the window, tears clinging to her hair and onto her face like the patterns on shattered jade porcelain.
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