Chapter 75 The Three-Year Agreement
Hachi squinted; the woman before him was so frail he could strangle her with one hand. Moreover, she was exceptionally beautiful. It was inconceivable that such a beautiful and delicate woman could evade the Xiongnu and reach the heart of the grasslands.
Huiyin's arm was in unbearable pain, and she couldn't help but press it to relieve the pain. Hachi followed her gaze and saw that her left hand was slightly twisted and her palm was trembling. He paused, turned around and ordered, "Come in with me."
He then spoke to his still-dazed granddaughter and granddaughter, this time in the language of the Kalpa people, which Huiyin could not understand.
Huiyin followed Hachi into the main tent. This tent was completely different from its unassuming appearance. The silk fabrics inside were brightly colored, and there was a skylight in the center of the ceiling. When the sunlight shone down, the tent was instantly filled with colorful lights.
Huiyin blinked her eyes, momentarily stunned. She had just seen the Jieluo people outside dressed in light colors, and the outer perimeter of their tents was made of plain-colored cloth. She hadn't expected the interior to be so magnificent.
Hachi turned around and made her sit down. He brought a golden wine jug with a handle engraved with colorful gemstones to Huiyin and poured her a cup of hot goat milk in a pure gold cup.
Huiyin hesitated for a moment before accepting the golden cup. She hadn't expected the Jieluo tribe to be so wealthy; every place in the tent that needed decoration was inlaid with gold and gemstones. The goat's milk cup she was holding felt strangely hot.
Soon, Huiyin learned what Hachi had instructed his men to do: he had sent someone to fetch a shaman to treat her injury. Although the shaman's attire was somewhat strange, his technique for treating sprains and dislocations was very skillful. With a snap, Huiyin's dislocated arm was restored to its original position.
Her face was deathly pale, and her forehead was covered in cold sweat. She slumped against the armchair, completely exhausted. The shaman scooped out a piece of herbal ointment from the pot and applied it under her nose. After a while, Huiyin found that the pain in her arm had disappeared, and she felt refreshed.
Hachi explained with a smile, "This person is the best doctor in our tribe. That ointment was made by him using more than a dozen precious medicinal herbs. He usually treasures it like the plague. But he gave it to you today. It seems he likes you very much."
Huiyin was taken aback by Hachi's eerie smile. Ever since he entered the tent, Hachi had been acting strangely. After the shaman left, she asked, "Chief Hachi, what's wrong?"
Hachi didn't keep her in suspense, "I promise you I'll send troops to rescue them."
Huiyin's face lit up with joy, but then Hachi continued, "However, I have conditions for saving people."
"Please speak."
Hachi sat opposite Huiyin and pointed to the wolf fang pendant on her chest, asking, "This was a gift from Pei Yu." It wasn't a question, but a statement of certainty.
Huiyin nodded, her hand unconsciously touching the pendant, and looked at Hachi with a question in her eyes. How did he know?
Hachi quickly explained to her that the wolf tooth originally belonged to the Jieluo tribe, but was later seized by the Xiongnu and eventually ended up in Pei Yu's hands.
Huiyin couldn't help but grip the wolf tooth pendant tighter, trying to figure out what Hachi meant. Did he say that to get the item back?
Hachi showed no interest in the wolf fangs, seemingly only seeking confirmation. He then asked a different question: "I'd like to know, after obtaining the Left Wise King's military intelligence, why didn't you return?"
Huiyin lowered her eyes somewhat awkwardly. "It's because of me that my younger brother was forced to wander to Dayuan. I want to bring him back."
After listening, Hachi pondered for a long time, combing his white beard with both hands until each hair was clearly visible. "My condition is that you must remain in the Jieluo tribe as a hostage. Pei Yu values you, and if you stay here, he will not dare to make any rash moves."
Huiyin laughed self-deprecatingly, "Perhaps I don't have that ability."
Hachi burst into laughter, shaking his head with a smile, "Just tell me if you agree or not?"
After a long silence, Huiyin said with difficulty, "I have to go find my brother."
Hachi: "That's easy. It's only a three-day journey from here to Dayuan. I'll have someone take you there, but you can't go back to the Southern Dynasty with Pei Yu. You can't go back until the Southern Dynasty completely drives out the Xiongnu."
"I promise you." Huiyin gripped the wolf fang pendant tightly and nodded in agreement.
Hachi stroked his white beard with amusement, his tone somewhat defiant and frustrated, “Although our Jieluo tribe is confined to a corner of the country, we are close to Dayuan. If the Xiongnu really attack us, we can withdraw from Dayuan. We are not as useless as you say.”
Huiyin felt a little embarrassed, but followed Hachi's words and praised him, saying, "I am just a woman, shallow and ignorant, please don't take it to heart."
Hachi glanced back at Huiyin, smiling but saying nothing.
Huiyin felt that chill run down her spine again. The next moment, she heard Hachi say, "If Pei Yu doesn't want you anymore, then stay in the Jieluo tribe and marry my grandson."
Huiyin: "..."
She said with difficulty, "Your grandson should be much younger than me."
Hachi chuckled. Outside, someone was speaking in the Kara language. He tossed out a remark, "A woman three years older than a man is like holding a gold brick," and strode away.
Huiyin followed him out. The once empty tent was now filled with black-armored cavalry, a dark and imposing sight.
She lowered her head slightly and hid behind Hachi. She hadn't expected that the Jieluo tribe had such an elite cavalry force. Their feathered armor and scimitars were hard and sharp, much better than those of the Southern Dynasty.
Although Hachi was old, he showed no fear in this situation, as if he had become more than ten years younger. He mounted his horse with agility, brandished his sword, and shouted loudly.
His grandson, Haqing, led a black horse to Huiyin, his eyes darting around, not daring to look directly at her, and stammered, "You...you go too."
Huiyin took the reins, smiled gratefully at him, and mounted her horse. "Thank you."
Ha Qing's face flushed slightly. He took off the bundle from his back and handed it to Huiyin, gesturing for her to open it.
Inside the bundle was a thick, warm, bright red woolen cloak. Huiyin did not disappoint him; she unfolded the cloak, tied it behind her back, nodded slightly to Haqing, and gently spurred her horse to follow Hachi away.
As they passed the place they had come from, they encountered Fang Mu, who was impatient and about to force his way in. Huiyin quickly spoke up to save him, explained the situation to him, and the group sped off to the west.
——
As the sun set, three men staggered across the desolate grassland, supporting each other. Their steps were unsteady, as if a gust of wind would knock them over.
Pei Yu walked in the middle, struggling to support the other two who were already exhausted. After parting ways with Huiyin, he led the falcon southwards, trying everything he could to shake it off. They had no water or food, and their three horses died one after another from exhaustion.
Pei Yu staggered, and the three people who were supporting each other fell to the ground one after another, unconscious.
Pei Yu's mouth was dry, his lips were parched, and he could only manage to turn over with all his might. He lay on his back on the ground, his vision beginning to blur.
The sunset is so beautiful. Judging by her pace, Huiyin should have reached a safe place by now. Is she, like him, watching the sunset?
The earth rumbled with a muffled groan. He lay there silently, his right hand gripping a dagger tightly. Judging from the powerful sound, it must be the arrival of the Left Wise King's army.
Pei Yu was somewhat surprised that he could still laugh even in such a predicament. In the past, he had faced similar situations before, but he was never afraid when he was on the verge of death because he firmly believed that he could survive.
Today is different. Perhaps he really will die here, like his father, and be buried in this land forever.
Pei Yu used his last bit of strength to sit up, staring intently at the dust kicked up by horses' hooves in the distance, as the dark mass of people drew ever closer to him.
He still felt some regret; he wished he could see her one more time, and he wished he could be alive.
He hasn't had a chance to properly make it up to Huiyin. He said he would take her younger brother back, but he broke his promise and lied to her once again.
Pei Yu listened to the sounds around him growing louder and louder, but the more he listened, the stranger it seemed. Given the speed of the cavalry, they should have reached him long ago, so why hadn't anything happened after all this time?
He opened his eyes and looked ahead. He didn't know when, but a well-trained elite force rushed out from the left side of the Left Wise King's army and scattered the Left Wise King's army in the blink of an eye.
Pei Yu's eyes narrowed. If he wasn't mistaken, this elite force should be the Jieluo people. Why would they suddenly appear here and even engage in battle with the Left Wise King?
He stood up, the mud and sand falling from his body. His gaze suddenly stopped in one direction. A cavalry squad was approaching him, and a vermilion figure in the middle caught his eye. Pei Yu's chest pounded wildly like a drumbeat. Even though he couldn't see the person's face, he already knew the answer in his heart.
Huiyin avoided the battlefield and headed in the direction Haqing had indicated. As she got closer, she finally caught sight of Pei Yu. He looked much older, his lips were dry and chapped, and he stood in a patch of weeds, staring blankly at her.
She reined in her horse, took the water bottle from the saddle, quickly ran over to the dry rations, caught Pei Yu's swaying body, untied the water bottle, and held it to his lips.
Pei Yu froze, his gaze stiff as he followed Huiyin's movements, his voice hoarse and hoarse. "How did you get here?"
Huiyin didn't reply to him. She waved behind her, and Haqing and his men came over to help the two exhausted guards. She then turned to look at Pei Yu, who still seemed dazed, and began to pour water down his throat.
Pei Yu choked and collapsed into Huiyin's arms, coughing repeatedly. Huiyin gently patted his shoulder, her expression anxious, and quickly explained the whole story to him.
Pei Yu looked at her in a daze, as if in a dream. Huiyin hadn't left him; she had actually brought people back to rescue him.
Huiyin hurriedly looked up and saw that the Jieluo cavalry were gradually approaching and preparing to retreat; there wasn't much time left.
She quickly pulled Pei Yu to her feet and brought her to Fang Mu, handing her over to him. She then gently touched Pei Yu's face, her voice faltering in the wind, "Pei Yu...you have your responsibilities...I have my convictions...this is something we must do. If fate allows...we will meet again one day."
Pei Yu's mind had been a bit foggy since the beginning. He didn't understand what was going on until he saw Huiyin's tears. He felt anxious and held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.
"Huiyin, Huiyin." He didn't know what to say, his heart was pounding with panic, and he could only keep calling her name.
Fang Mu quickly stepped forward to help Pei Yu mount his horse and leave. Only then did Pei Yu realize that Huiyin didn't intend to leave with them. He clenched his jaw tightly, and Fang Mu couldn't pry open his hand that was gripping Huiyin's arm no matter how hard he tried.
Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at Huiyin pleadingly, "Where are you going? Aren't you coming back with me?"
Haqing was somewhat anxious. He said urgently to Huiyin, "Grandfather and the others have already retreated. We must leave quickly and cannot delay any longer."
Huiyin felt a pang of pain in her heart when she saw Pei Yu's bloodshot eyes. She couldn't help but step forward and hug him. With tears in her eyes, she touched his face, feeling extremely reluctant to part with him. "You have to go back. Everyone is waiting for you."
"Come with me." Pei Yu lowered his head and pressed his forehead against Huiyin's, holding her tightly and refusing to let go.
"I'm going to Dayuan." Huiyin pushed Pei Yu away, gently wiping away his tears, and said firmly, "You go back to the Southern Dynasty, and I'll go to Dayuan. This is a mission we must complete."
Pei Yu didn't speak. He stared intently at Huiyin, his eyes red like those of a trapped beast. "I don't want to, Huiyin, please don't go, I beg you."
He was so heartbroken. Huiyin had seen him cry many times, but this was the first time she had seen him so desperate. Like a trapped beast struggling, she stared intently at him, her eyes bloodshot.
"Please... don't go."
His tears, falling onto Huiyin's hand, were so hot they burned all the way to her heart.
Ignoring Ha Qing's anxious urging, Huiyin stepped forward and gently kissed Pei Yu's lips to comfort him. She didn't kiss him for long. Before leaving, she looked back at Pei Yu and whispered, "I'll wait for you to come find me."
She forced herself to mount her horse, not daring to look back at Pei Yu again, and rode away.
Pei Yu stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as the red figure disappeared. He wanted to chase after it, but his body was firmly restrained from behind and he couldn't move.
Fang Mu beside him kept urging him to mount his horse. Veins bulged on his forehead. He closed his eyes tightly, but when he opened them again, he had returned to normal and become the calm and sharp battlefield general.
Pei Yu nimbly mounted his horse and calmly instructed Fang Mu to chase after Huiyin. He told Fang Mu, "Go protect her. Tell her that I will definitely go to Dayuan to pick her up in three years at the latest."
After he finished speaking, he whipped his horse and rode away, and the billowing dust returned to calm.
As the sun sets, he and Huiyin are like two parallel lines that never intersect, disappearing into the horizon, one in the south and one in the north.
Huiyin and Haqing and the others hurried towards Dayuan. Before they had gone far, they heard the sound of horses catching up behind them. The group stopped their horses and looked back.
Fang Mu waved and shouted as he rode over, "Wait for me!"
Huiyin frowned and waited where she was. When he stepped forward, she asked, "Why are you here? Where is Pei Yu?"
Fang Mu wiped the dust from his face and spat twice, "Don't worry, young lady, the young general has already returned with the Jieluo people. He ordered me to protect you."
Huiyin was taken aback by what she heard and looked into the distance.
Ha Qing rode forward on his horse. He was still quite young and looked like a child in front of Fang Mu. His Chinese was also a bit broken. Fang Mu listened intently for a while before he could understand what he was saying.
Haqing said, "I will protect Huiyin; I don't need you to come."
He crossed his arms and snorted coldly. Don't think he doesn't know what this alien is up to. He has to keep a close eye on things for the young general.
Fang Mu pushed aside Ha Qing's horses, separating him from Huiyin, and said to Huiyin in a voice that everyone present could hear: "The young general said that he will definitely come to pick you up in three years at the latest."
Huiyin looked down at the wolf fang pendant swaying on her chest, pursed her lips slightly, and rode away without saying a word. The howling wind tousled her hair, but Huiyin didn't feel the cold for the first time in a long time. A surge of heat rose in her chest, and her limbs warmed up.
This place is not far from Dayuan. The Jieluo people and Dayuan are on good terms, and the two tribes trade with each other and are quite familiar with each other. With Haqing leading the way, Huiyin and the others entered Dayuan smoothly.
The walls of Dayuan were not particularly high or steep, but they were exceptionally thick, firmly packed with layers of loess, bearing the marks of wind and sand, quite unlike the walls of cities in the Central Plains.
As the group passed through the tall city gate, a wave of heat, a mixture of the smell of livestock, the aroma of roasted naan, and rich spices, rushed towards them.
The hustle and bustle of the city instantly overwhelmed people, not much less prosperous than Chang'an, and the style of the houses on both sides of the street was a sight never seen in the Central Plains.
Everywhere were vendors with high noses and deep-set eyes, loudly hawking their wares in various accents of foreign languages. On their stalls were displayed glass from Parthia, gemstones from India, and all sorts of fruits and melons they had never seen before.
Huiyin and Fangmu couldn't understand the language of Dayuan, but fortunately, Haqing and others were very proficient and acted as translators. When foreigners entered the country, the first thing to notify was naturally the local officials.
After Haqing's explanation, Huiyin understood the governance of Dayuan. Unlike the Southern Dynasties, it was composed of multiple city-states, and the leader of each city-state was called a king.
This is Guishan, the capital of Dayuan. The city's leader is called King Guishan. Out of respect for the Jieluo tribe, he is friendly to Huiyin and the others, and even willing to help her find her younger brother in the city.
The architectural styles of the Dayuan Palace and the Weiyang Palace are quite different. The Dayuan Palace lacks the flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted rafters of the Weiyang Palace, but it still has its own majestic aura.
After leaving the palace, Haqing took Huiyin to their tribe's usual temporary residence where they usually stopped their trade. The fatigue from the past few days made Huiyin completely forget about this unfamiliar country, and she slept until the next morning.
The people of Dayuan are different from the Han and Jieluo peoples. Their features are more profound and three-dimensional, with abundant hair and a fierce folk custom.
After resting, Huiyin asked Haqing to take her and Fangmu to stroll around the capital city market, as she wanted to quickly learn about the customs and culture of the country.
Although the Prince of Guishan was willing to help her find her younger brother, Huiyin did not place all her hopes on him. Dayuan was far from the Southern Dynasty, and the Han people there were even fewer. If Jingchuan and the others came here, there would definitely be clues to follow.
Although the race had already greatly impressed Huiyin when she entered the city yesterday, today's in-depth understanding surprised her even more. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if these rare and exotic fruits were introduced to the Southern Dynasty? And what about those high-quality horses, and the fabrics with completely different weaving techniques?
More importantly, the iron smelting technology of Dayuan was much more advanced than that of the Southern Dynasties. The armor and fine iron swords that Huiyin saw the elite Jieluo tribe equipped with that day were made in Dayuan.
Fang Mu, dazzled by the sights, excitedly whispered in Huiyin's ear how wonderful the horses of Ferghana were, and how pure their iron was. Ha Qing, not to be outdone, was at the age of youthful arrogance and soon started arguing with Fang Mu.
Huiyin seemed to have taken two childish children out with her, who chattered incessantly in her ear.
The three didn't return to their lodgings until the moon was high in the sky. Huiyin laid out some strange and unusual trinkets she had bought during the day, among which was a crescent-shaped dagger made of fine iron, bright and sharp, with exquisite ancient totems carved on the hilt. She took a liking to it at first sight.
Being in a foreign land, where she couldn't speak the language, she was bound to encounter some dangers. Moreover, given her outstanding beauty, she needed a weapon for self-defense.
Huiyin carefully wiped the dagger clean, put it away in her bundle, and prepared to wash up and rest.
There was a knock at the door. Huiyin paused in her act of pulling back the covers, got up, and went to the door to ask, "Who is it?"
She opened the door only after hearing Fang Mu's voice. It wasn't that she didn't trust Ha Qing and the others, but she was more familiar with Fang Mu and was certain that he wouldn't hurt her.
Huiyin: "It's so late, is there something you need?"
Fang Mu looked conflicted, opened his mouth but then closed it again, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
Huiyin: "Just say it."
Fang Mu closed his eyes and blurted out, "Today is the young general's birthday. I didn't want to say it, but I think you would like to know."
Huiyin looked up at the hazy moonlight, a faint smile on her lips, "I understand, thank you."
After Fang Mu left, Huiyin gave up her plan to rest immediately. She sat by the window, holding the dagger. The full moon in the sky was exceptionally round, golden and beautiful.
She remembered that today was the fifteenth, a time for family reunions. She wondered if Pei Yu had returned to Dai County and if he was well.
Is he looking at the bright moon now, just like her?
——
On the majestic and ancient city wall of Dai County, a lone figure stood alone. Behind him, the city was ablaze with fireworks and filled with laughter and joy.
He stood there alone, gazing intently into the distance, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
Chi Yan slowed his pace and stood respectfully behind Pei Yu, cupping his hands and saying, "Young General, everything has been sent back to Chang'an. Now we are just waiting for orders from there. I have sent someone to properly escort Yan Niang back to Jingzhou, and she will arrive soon."
Pei Yu nodded slightly, gazing at the high-hanging moon, his eyes revealing a deep longing.
Chi Yan couldn't help but ask, "If you don't return to Chang'an, will His Majesty agree to send troops?"
Yes, it will.
Pei Yu curled his lips in a mocking smile. Yes, His Majesty would definitely agree to send troops once he saw the military report he sent back. He understood the emperor's inherent tyranny and autocracy. With the Xiongnu fragmented, this was an opportunity to completely subdue them. Such a remarkable achievement, worthy of being recorded in history, would not be missed.
He gazed into the distance, his eyes seeming to hold two burning flames, exceptionally bright.
How is she now? Has she safely arrived in Dayuan and found her brother?
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