Chapter 50
The seventh day of the first lunar month is commonly known as "Renri".
At the foot of Solitary Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lingzhou, two horses galloped forward, one in front and one behind. The elder in the lead had a red face, imposing without even anger. His hair and beard were white, yet he showed no signs of fatigue. His posture was even more vigorous and agile than that of the young man behind him.
It was still early in the morning, and Gushan was remote. At the end of the mountain road, which should have been deserted, a carriage was parked. At the sound of horse hooves, the curtains rose, and a nobleman in a fox fur cloak stepped out. It was Zhao Congyun.
The old man deliberately ran straight in front of Zhao Congyun before reining in his horse. Uncle Dong broke out in a cold sweat. Zhao Congyun remained calm and bowed, "Junior greets General Mu."
Anger flashed in the old man's eyes. "How did you find this place? You're quite clever! It seems that from now on, the whereabouts of my grandfather and grandson will be under your control!"
Zhao Congyun said, "How dare I! I just heard from my brother the Emperor that every year on the seventh day of the lunar month, the old general would come here to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers. That's why I'm waiting here in advance. I hope to offer a few cups of wine as a token of my old friend's gratitude."
In his early years, when Emperor Zhaoming was still a prince, he had once followed General Mu to the frontier for training. That military career was always remembered by Emperor Zhaoming. For many years, the emperor still respectfully addressed General Mu as "General".
General Mu, perhaps also recalling those days, his eyes changed slightly: "Since it is His Majesty's wish, I will not stop you." He changed the subject: "...But His Majesty treats you so well, and yet you have such wicked ambitions, it is truly despicable!"
Zhao Congyun stepped forward and asked, "Is that why General Mu has been avoiding me?"
"Indeed, I have always had a clear distinction between what I like and what I dislike! Not to mention that you have been demoted to a commoner, even if you were still His Royal Highness Prince Jia, I would not want to see you! What do you think?"
Zhao Congyun spoke earnestly, "...Old General, do you realize that acting impulsively like this will easily give others a handle on you and allow you to be exploited?"
General Mu: "I am old and should have died on the battlefield long ago. I have survived until now by chance. Do I have to live in fear and depend on others for my life?"
He turned his horse's head and said impatiently, "Boy! It's not your turn to teach me a lesson in this Lingzhou area! If you want to go, just follow me, and stop nagging!" After that, he flicked the whip, and the horse raised its hooves and neighed, galloping away.
Zhao Congyun sighed silently. If he couldn't win the support of General Mu, he would have no chance of winning the battle with Lord Fan in the future, and his journey back to Beijing would definitely be full of difficulties.
But he couldn't directly reveal his plan with Emperor Zhaoming now. Not to mention that General Mu would not believe him, even if he did, once Lord Fan heard about it, Emperor Zhaoming would be in a desperate situation with no help from inside or outside!
Just as he was thinking, a voice sounded behind him: "Your Highness, would you like to take a carriage up the mountain? I'm afraid the road is not easy to travel!"
It was Mu Yunqing. He did not leave with his grandfather, but stayed behind to wait for Zhao Congyun, with an unmistakable smile on his face.
Zhao Congyun looked at him silently and turned his back: "Uncle Dong, untie the reins, I'll ride on the horse."
Uncle Dong hesitated: "But the injuries on your body..."
"It's no problem."
Zhao Congyun jumped onto the horse and lightly tapped the horse's belly with his toes. The horse immediately understood, and with all four hooves flying, it galloped out like an arrow, leaving Mu Yunqing with a lonely and proud back.
Mu Yun chuckled and rode his horse to catch up.
*
The endless expanse of desolate graves is hidden in the shade of the hillside.
These desolate graves are all nameless. The people buried in them died in battles at the border, and some were left unclaimed, some had no face to be identified, or their bodies were simply not found, so they were buried with only their clothes...Over the years, from the first few rows, they spread to become densely packed half a mountain. No one took care of the graves, and they were already covered with dead grass, which looked even more desolate under the remaining snow.
When Zhao Congyun and Mu Yunqing arrived, General Mu was hunching over, pulling weeds from each grave.
At this moment, his back looked like a real old man, wandering alone among the dead, in the sobbing north wind, recalling the old battlefield events that no one else remembered except him.
Recalling those days, I wanted to lead the cavalry to chase, but the snow covered my bows and swords... The spirit of drinking and going to battle could not withstand the cruelty of war. It was a pity that there were dead bones everywhere, and I was old and gray, but I still couldn't exchange it for a peaceful world.
The old general's great ambitions eventually turned into a sigh.
Zhao Congyun was moved and jumped off his horse to help. After being busy for a while, Mu Yunqing lit the incense, candles and paper money he brought. The three of them toasted in turn. When it was Zhao Congyun's turn, he toasted three more cups on behalf of Emperor Zhaoming. His courtesy attracted the attention of General Mu.
As he was leaving, the old man's attitude softened. He nodded to Zhao Congyun as a greeting, but Zhao Congyun stopped him and said, "Old General, please stay! Can I come to your house to have a chat?"
General Mu: "I know what you want to say... I'm not interested in those words and I don't want to hear them!"
Zhao Congyun changed his previous submissive attitude and insisted, "I think you must listen!"
General Mu's waning anger suddenly flared up again. "Zhao Congyun, do you think I'll be moved by you offering me a couple of glasses of wine and pretending to be nice? I'm telling you straight up: I won't get involved in your scheming against Lord Fan, and I won't take sides with either man. I've spent my entire life in the military, loyal to Your Majesty and protecting the people. I despise those of you who play politics, let alone associate with them! You're the ones who mess up the court!"
Zhao Congyun's tone grew increasingly urgent. "Old General, do you think you can stay out of this? Have you ever considered why this year's military rations haven't arrived yet? Why are policies towards foreign tribes changing so frequently? If we can't stabilize the government soon, the chaos at court will sooner or later turn into a disaster on the borders, and the soldiers and civilians on the frontier will suffer the consequences!"
"You're so surprised you even knew the rations weren't arriving?" General Mu suddenly drew his whip and pointed it at Zhao Congyun. "Our soldiers are starving, underfed, and yet they're still fighting bravely in battle. And you, on New Year's Eve, actually set off fireworks. I heard it was just to make a woman smile... You've really been slaving away in the capital! We're shedding our blood and lives, while you're wasting money... Mr. Zhao, I'm warning you! If you behave like this again, even if you're His Majesty's brother, I'll treat you with no mercy!"
Zhao Congyun's expression froze. He paused and said, "This matter is indeed due to my inconsiderateness... I will definitely bear the brunt of my guilt in the future! I also ask that you consider the greater good and not let your dislike for me cloud your judgment!"
General Mu sneered, not in the mood to listen to his explanation. He jumped on his horse. Zhao Congyun reached out to pull the reins, trying to stop him, but the old general roared, "How dare you! Let me go!"
Zhao Congyun refused: "Please think twice, old general!"
General Mu was so angry that he swung his whip and hit Zhao Congyun. Mu Yunqing shouted, "Grandfather, don't do that!" But he couldn't stop the angry old man at all. There was a crisp "snap" sound, and a deep blood mark was left on the side of Zhao Congyun's face!
"Will you let go?!"
Zhao Congyun's face turned pale, but his eyes were blazing: "If a few whippings can help the old general vent his anger, I will never dodge!"
"Okay! Let's see whether your words are tougher than my whip!"
General Mu swung the whip with all his strength for the second time. Zhao Congyun closed his eyes and had no intention of dodging. However, Mu Yunqing could not bear to see his grandfather get into trouble - if the matter was really investigated, even if Zhao Congyun was a commoner, whipping the exiled prince would still be a capital crime of insubordination!
He rushed forward, grabbed the long whip in one hand, and hit Zhao Congyun's wrist with the other hand. While his arm was sore, he pushed him far away, then slapped the horse's butt hard. The horse felt pain and rushed down the mountain with the old general, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Mu Yunqing let out a long sigh, turned around and said, "I'm sorry, I offended you in a hurry!"
Zhao Congyun's expression was not very good: "...Why don't you talk to me, Young Marshal?"
Mu Yunqing: "I dare not disobey grandfather. If I meet you in private, I'm afraid I will be the one to be whipped!"
"Really?" Zhao Congyun's voice dropped coldly. "You don't dare to see me in private, but come to my wife instead... The young marshal's thinking is truly puzzling."
Mu Yun smiled lightly: "It's just a coincidence."
Zhao Congyun also smiled faintly and said, "I have been in the court for so many years, and the thing I disbelieve most is coincidence. I didn't expect that the young commander, who holds a tiger talisman and has such great military power, is actually so naive."
Mu Yun chuckled: "...I'll find a better excuse next time."
Zhao Congyun no longer looked at him. Before he rode away on his horse, he said coldly, "There won't be a next time!"
...Who said he wasn't angry? He was furious!
*
Back at the general's residence, General Mu, with a sullen face, called Mu Yunqing to the study.
"Is there still no news from the court? How long will this shipment of military rations be delayed? Tell me the truth!"
Mu Yunqing said, "Grandfather, don't worry. I've received a reply from General Li. Within seven days, all the food, fodder, weapons, and military supplies for this year will be delivered!"
"really?"
Mu Yun chuckled and said, "How dare I lie to you? You don't have to take what Zhao Congyun said to heart. Your Majesty will make the final decisions on matters at court, and I'll take care of everything at the border. We agreed that you've toiled for half your life, so now you just need to enjoy your retirement and not worry about anything else!"
"Hmph! You've always had your own ideas!" General Mu frowned. "If I hadn't suddenly gone to inspect the barracks, how long would you have kept the military rations secret from me? I think that kid surnamed Zhao is also full of tricks. You young people..."
He sighed deeply and asked, "Seven days... can the army hold out?"
Mu Yunqing's smile faded slightly: "Just save a little."
General Mu slammed the table and said, "Do you think I don't know? The soldiers are already short of food and clothing, where else can they save money?" He suddenly stood up and said, "I'll risk my reputation and go to the prefectural government to borrow some official grain!"
Mu Yunqing stopped him, "Grandfather, there's no need to go! I've almost worn out the prefect's door. Lingzhou suffered from drought and poor harvest last year, and recently there's been a large influx of disaster victims. The food supply has long been depleted, and there's really no extra to lend us!"
He added, "I've arranged for people to go hunting in the mountains, and even had people disguise themselves and go to other tribes to see if they could exchange some livestock... Don't worry, we can hold on!"
General Mu was about to say something, but when he looked up, he caught a glimpse of the frost on his grandson's temples. His voice softened, "Forget it... Since I'm leaving it to you, I trust you! Send all the food in the mansion to the army. I'm an old man, so I don't mind eating less!"
Mu Yun chuckled: "Need you tell me? Your grandson is born in the Year of the Rat. The kitchen at home is almost empty!"
General Mu was finally amused by him and patted his shoulder, dragging his tired body to rest. After he left, Mu Yunqing returned to his room, took out a letter from under his desk, threw it into the fire and burned it, then began to write a reply.
In a moment, the letter was finished, and Mu Yunqing wrote four words on the envelope: From Mr. Fan himself.
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