SMMW | Chapter 28

On the second day after the Third Prince set out for war, the sky stayed overcast and rainy. A fine drizzle fell for the entire day, like an ill omen.

On the twentieth day after the Third Prince’s departure, Deputy General Xue led several battered remnants back to the capital in a wretched state.

He said, “Datan launched a night raid and burned all the provisions! The Third Prince ordered me to return to the capital to ask for reinforcements, but… before even a day had passed, men and horses alike were exhausted and starving. Tens of thousands of soldiers all died in battle. This subject is ashamed to face Your Majesty, wuwuwuwuwu.”

Deputy General Xue knelt below the steps, crying so hard he could not get the words out.

The court first fell silent, then descended into noisy chaos, like a vegetable market.

Some said Deputy General Xue had abandoned his lord to save his own life and should be executed.

Some said Deputy General Xue had ridden day and night for three straight days to report the military situation, so his merits and faults canceled each other out.

Some said heavy troops should be sent to campaign against Datan and wipe them out completely.

Some said the Third Prince should be posthumously conferred the title of Prince and be given the full rites of state mourning.

But none of that had anything to do with Wen Qing.

The moment he heard news of Yuan Hao’s death, it felt as if his soul had split into two halves. One half knelt with the court officials and wept bitterly, snot and tears streaming down his face. The other half looked on coldly, laughing at how fools were always so good at putting on a show, wondering why this maddening dream still refused to end.

He did not know how he got home, whether he had eaten or drunk tea, or even whether he had ever closed his eyes.

It was as if everything had disappeared. His awareness of the outside world had become extremely sluggish, as though a thick membrane separated him from it. He could not hear clearly, and what he saw was hazy.

By his ear was the soft patter of rain, light and irritating, falling for a very, very long time.

At last, Wen Qing sat up and looked out the window. The weather was dim and yellow-gray, the rain never stopping, making it impossible to tell dawn from dusk.

“What time is it?” he asked.

“Young Master, it’s just past yin hour. It’s still early before court, sleep a little longer.”

What court? A prince had died in battle, the country was in mourning, and court was suspended for three days.

Wen Qing could not be bothered to correct him, and could not be bothered to lie back down either. He only leaned against the wall and stared blankly at the rain outside.

Rain was the sky’s tears. Were you grieving for him too?

After all, he was a yaoguai. A few strange phenomena were normal. On the second day after he set out, it had been this same kind of rainy weather too…

The second day…

The second day?

The second day!?

Wen Qing grew agitated at his own guess, his heart pounding violently in his chest. He wanted to go outside and see, but the moment he stood up, everything went black before his eyes. He crashed to the floor with a loud bang.

“Young Master? Young Master! What’s wrong with you?!”

Wen Qing clung to the servant boy and gasped roughly, only able to force out hoarse sounds.

“I… I’ll go get a doctor!”

The servant helped him sit up and immediately turned to run out, but a brute force yanked him in place so he could not move. His young master, struck by this sudden sickness, had his eyes squeezed shut and his brows tightly knit. He gripped the servant’s arm for dear life and asked in a hoarse voice, rough as old tree bark, “Yuan, the Third Prince, when did he leave…?”

“Ah? Y, yesterday.”

“Ha, hahaha, yesterday, hahahahahahahahaha…” Wen Qing started laughing. The more he laughed, the louder it became. He laughed so hard he could not sit still, laughed until he toppled to the floor, and still he kept laughing.

The servant was so frightened he ran out to fetch a doctor.

Wen Qing laughed and laughed in the room, laughing until he could not catch his breath, laughing until tears soaked the hair at his temples.

He was a yaoguai. How wonderful. He was a yaoguai. He had not died, had not died. It was wonderful that he was a yaoguai. Wonderful.

The doctor came too, but could not tell what illness Wen Qing had. He only said vaguely that Wen Qing was overly exhausted. His family wanted him to take a day off, but Wen Qing refused. He insisted on going to court, then went to report for duty at the Ministry of Revenue.

Naturally, he was in no mood to work. His thoughts remained fixed on the front lines. At the same time, he tried to comfort himself. Yuan Hao knew spells, and he already knew about the enemy’s night raid, so he would be on guard this time. Nothing would happen.

But it was useless. He still could not sit still. So during the noon break, he secretly went to check the quantity of war supplies sent out with the expedition.

There were only thirty-two carts of grain and provisions!

More than half would be consumed on the journey there and back. If they could not secure a quick victory, how were they supposed to hold out? No wonder the enemy had burned everything the moment they attacked. There had not been much to begin with!

Wen Qing went to see his superior, Lord Jiang. Lord Jiang said all of this had already been calculated and there was no way it would be insufficient. Wouldn’t the common people along the way contribute something? Wouldn’t the relay stations provide something? There was also grain seized from the enemy, and that could all be used. Besides, the war situation was urgent. If they brought too much grain and fodder at the outset, it would slow their marching speed. And in any case, another shipment would be sent halfway through.

When would it be sent? How much would be sent?

Lord Jiang said that was not for him to ask.

But Wen Qing would not leave. He insisted on getting a rough answer.

Lord Jiang had no choice and said it would be sent after half a month.

Sent when? How much?

Lord Jiang grew annoyed and said that if he cared that much, he could write up a plan himself.

So Wen Qing went to write a plan. He started by reading the records of previous campaigns, then the terrain maps between the capital and Datan, then the tax revenues collected this year.

On the third day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Wen Qing had not closed his eyes for the entire night. As soon as he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he submitted the plan he had written.

On it were the departure time for the mid-route supply convoy, which road it should take, how long the journey would require, how many civilian laborers were needed, and how much grain, medicinal supplies, clothing, and bedding the army on campaign would need…

The reasoning was thorough, the language concise, and the proposal practical and feasible.

Lord Jiang was pleased after reading it as well. Greatly gratified, he praised Wen Qing and said he would submit the memorial, though it would still take a few days before approval came down.

Wen Qing nodded and finally let out a breath of relief. The grain and provisions would be transported ahead of time. Even if Yuan Hao was accidentally hit by a surprise attack, it would not become a major disaster.

On the fifth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Lord Jiang said to wait.

On the eighth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Lord Jiang said it would be soon.

On the twelfth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Lord Jiang said the supplies were currently being gathered.

“But this year was a bumper harvest. There is clearly grain and fodder in the state granaries!”

Lord Jiang glared and said, “The front lines need it, and other places need it too. Exactly how much to allocate, and when to set out, still has to wait for the Grand Secretaries to discuss it.”

“But the front lines are short on grain. They can’t wait!”

“It has only been half a month. How do you know they’re short on grain?!”

“I…”

Of course he knew. He had already gone through this once. The closer it got to that point, the more anxious he became, afraid Yuan Hao would fall into the trap again.

Wen Qing swallowed back all the reasons in his stomach and said respectfully, “This official is willing to gather grain and provisions himself for the soldiers on the front lines. Might that be permitted?”

Lord Jiang hated that he would not fight for himself, and his tone turned bad too. “You care too much about the Third Prince.”

Wen Qing said, “This official is serving the court.”

“…Go write a slip, then. How much you are donating, where the grain and provisions are coming from, all of that has to be listed.”

“Yes.”

Wen Qing went to find Ke Xin’an. After becoming independent, Ke Xin’an had bought two shops of his own as well, but more often he managed the Wen family’s business. He was effectively the Wen family’s true head manager and got twenty percent of the profits at New Year.

“Xin’an! How much free cash is left in the accounts? Take all of it out and exchange it for grain and provisions, medicinal supplies, clothing, and bedding. Within these next few days, quickly!”

“How much should I buy?”

“As much as we can.”

“But… even if we go to purchase stock right now, it will still be too late. We don’t have any grain shops under us.”

Wen Qing had not rested well these past few days. Fatigue showed all over his face, but his attitude was extremely forceful. “Xin’an, you figure out a way. At the latest in three days, I want ten carts of grain and provisions.”

“But…”

“Xin’an, there will be.” Wen Qing looked straight into Ke Xin’an’s eyes. It was as if he were giving an order, and also as if he were trying to coax himself. Word by word, he said, “There definitely will be.”

Ke Xin’an knew there was no room left for discussion, so he could only nod. “All right.”

On the fifteenth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, because supplies were insufficient, the planned convoy did not set out.

On the eighteenth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Ke Xin’an found a grain shop that was being resold. Together with the scattered purchases they had made earlier, they scraped together ten carts of grain and provisions.

Wen Qing took the documents to Lord Jiang and demanded that the supply convoy set out immediately.

Lord Jiang gave the paperwork two casual glances, then set it aside. “Fine. Once the supplies on the capital’s side are ready, yours can go along with them.”

“How long is that going to take?! Can’t these ten carts be sent first?”

“Transporting military grain is a major matter. We will not act according to your temper! If you want it sent, then you can send it yourself. The household registrations and backgrounds of the transport personnel all have to be checked, and in addition a separate transport authorization document has to be approved. Otherwise your grain convoy will not even be able to leave the capital.”

Wen Qing was so angry he froze where he stood. Before he could argue, an attendant outside suddenly rushed in.

“My lord! The army at the front has mutinied. The Third Prince is dead!”

Before Lord Jiang could speak, Wen Qing’s voice came first. “Why did the army mutiny? Were the provisions burned?!”

This was only the eighteenth day. Why had it happened earlier!?

“The provisions were still sufficient. They… they say the Third Prince was bloodthirsty and loved killing. Only a few days after the fighting began, he successively beheaded Deputy Generals Xue and Chen, which caused discontent among the soldiers. That was why they rebelled.”

Why had he killed the deputy generals? Deputy General Xue, the provisions…

Last time, only Deputy General Xue had returned to deliver the report, saying the army was defeated because it did not have enough grain.

This time, the grain was sufficient, and Yuan Hao had killed Deputy General Xue.

Was Deputy General Xue a traitor? Was that why Yuan Hao had killed him within the first few days after the war began, only he had acted too rashly and enraged the soldiers? He had killed Deputy General Chen too. Were both of them traitors?

Thinking all the while, Wen Qing strode outside. Compared with the people around him who were crying and panicking, his calm stood out all the more starkly.

“Wen Qing! Where are you going?” Lord Jiang shouted.

Wen Qing accidentally stepped on the stair, or rather, he had not been watching the road at all. He fell straight to the ground, then coughed for a long while before climbing back up, slow and sluggish, like an old man in his twilight years.

He turned his head back. There was not a trace of light in his eyes. Facing in Lord Jiang’s direction, he said, “Going home.”

Lord Jiang pointed at him in horror. He trembled for a long time before he finally managed to say, “Blood, your mouth is full of blood.”

What blood?

Wen Qing felt that his chin was a little wet. He wiped at it with his hand, and his palm came away covered in warm scarlet liquid. He did not know whether he had split his chin open when he fell, or whether it had come from the coughing just now.

It was only at that moment that he noticed the bloody taste in his mouth.

He forced himself to swallow it, then thought for a moment and held out the blood in his palm for Lord Jiang to see. “I am ill. I am taking one day of leave.”

With that, he ignored whether his superior approved or not and walked home one step at a time.

Wen Qing thought that he had to hurry, hurry and sort through his thoughts, so that after Yuan Hao turned back time, he could make preparations in the next cycle.

He shut the panicked servants and the doctor outside the room, took out paper and brush and began writing and sketching things out. In any case, once time turned back, the wound would disappear. There was no need to deal with it now.

Deputy General Xue had said that he rode back without sleep for three days to deliver the news, which meant the return trip took three days.

The first time, the news had come on the twentieth day, which meant Yuan Hao had been defeated on the seventeenth day.

The second time, the news had come on the eighteenth day, which meant Yuan Hao had been defeated on the fifteenth day.

It would be best to get the grain and provisions there within fifteen days, and tell him the information as well. Yuan Hao already knew he could not rush to kill the traitors, so he should be able to hold out a little longer.

He needed to prepare grain and provisions, medicinal supplies, and clothing and bedding. He needed to find people to escort them, prepare maps, prepare the household registration documents for the transport personnel, and get Lord Jiang to approve the transport authorization document…

Wen Qing sat before the writing desk filling in the details, occasionally lifting his head to look out the window, waiting for the rain.

Would it really rain?

Did he still have enough power left to turn back time?

Would this be the last time?

If I were a little faster, if I did not wait, if I did not still cling to luck, then this time maybe he would not…

For him, every single time had been real. So every single death and every bit of pain had been real too.

Wen Qing clutched his chest. His whole body curled in on itself, feeling as though his heart would shatter open in the next moment.

Please, just hold on one more time.

Wen Qing’s vision darkened. Before he lost consciousness, he curled into a ball and hugged himself tight.

By his ear was the soft patter of rain, light and irritating, as though it would never stop.

Wen Qing woke on the bed and stared blankly at the rain outside the window. He did not dare make a sound, and did not dare move, afraid this was only a dream.

“Young Master, it’s mao hour. You should get up, or you’ll miss the time for court.” It was the servant boy’s voice.

A prince had died in battle. The country was in mourning. Court should have been suspended for three days.

“On what day did the Third Prince leave?”

“Ah? Just yesterday.”

Yesterday. Then today was the second day after Yuan Hao’s departure.

Wen Qing closed his eyes in relief and said tiredly, “Go to the Ministry of Revenue and request three days of sick leave for me.”

Claiming illness to take leave, Wen Qing did not wait for his mother to come see him. He went to find her himself instead.

“Mother, in a few days I am going to the battlefield to deliver military provisions. I am afraid something might happen in the capital. You, Grandfather, and Grandmother should pack up some valuables and go stay at the estate for a few days. Once I return, you can move back into the capital.”

Madam Wen looked at him worriedly. “You’re a sixth-rank zhushi. How would delivering military grain ever fall to you?”

Wen Qing fell silent for a moment, then spoke half-concealedly but still truthfully. “The Third Prince has no foundation in court, and the grain and provisions assigned to him are too few. I’m afraid something will happen, so I took this task upon myself…”

The meaning he left unsaid was obvious. If the Third Prince won, the Wen family would share in the merit. If the Third Prince lost, the Wen family would most likely be implicated as well.

This time, it was possible that this was the last meeting between mother and son.

Madam Wen choked back a sob. “Do you really have to go?”

Wen Qing said nothing. He silently dropped to his knees by his mother’s feet and kowtowed once. After doing so, he still did not rise.

Madam Wen cried twice, then forcibly held back her tears. She bent down and stroked her son’s hair. “Go then. You’ve grown up. It’s time for you to make your own decisions. Don’t worry about us.”

Wen Qing first went to find Ke Xin’an. This time, the requirements he gave were much more experienced.

“Xin’an, take all the free cash in the accounts and use it to buy grain and provisions, medicinal supplies, clothing, and bedding. Load them onto large carts. Within five days, buy as much as you can. There must be at least ten carts of grain and provisions. Wu Grain Shop, two streets away, is being resold. Go ask in advance. We can get at least eight carts there.

“I need them urgently. Don’t worry for now about how the shops will keep running. It is fine to shut down two of them. Everything I listed above must be bought.”

Ke Xin’an listened in a daze. He wanted to ask something, but it felt as though there was nothing left to ask, so he nodded. “All right.”

The road to the front lines was long and dangerous. The shop hands definitely could not handle it, so Wen Qing went to an escort agency.

At first, the people at the escort agency were very enthusiastic. But as soon as they heard he wanted to transport grain and provisions to the front lines, they immediately waved their hands and said they could not do it. Wen Qing said he could pay extra. The escort agency said they valued their lives.

Both sides were extremely firm, and things seemed to have reached a deadlock.

Then a valiant and heroic-looking woman flipped in through the window and said coolly, “How many carts, how many men, how much pay?”

The escort agency boss said angrily, “Lou Xiaoyu! At the escort agency, I’m the one who negotiates business for you. You can’t negotiate your own jobs. And you, you, you, you, what kind of entrance is it to come in through the window?!”

“Count it as me overhearing. Count it as your door being shut.” Lou Xiaoyu did not even glance at the escort boss. Her patience was poor. She continued pressing Wen Qing, “Quick. How much?”

Wen Qing hurriedly calculated and answered, “The exact number of carts isn’t certain yet. I need thirty people. I’ll pay one hundred thousand.”

One hundred thousand!!!

The escort agency boss and Lou Xiaoyu widened their eyes at the same time, both in utter disbelief.

The boss regretted it a little and wanted to change his tune. “Actually, we also…”

“Deal! When do we leave?” Lou Xiaoyu agreed immediately.

“Five days from now.”

“Good.” After saying that, Lou Xiaoyu turned to flip back out the window, as if returning by the same route.

“Wait. Why are you taking this job?” The negotiation had gone far too fast. Wen Qing felt a little uncertain.

Lou Xiaoyu stood with one foot on the window frame and looked back. “Huang Zhan is my father’s sworn elder brother. He’s at the front too.” After saying that, she flipped out.

The escort boss hurried to add, “Right, right, right. After General Huang was reinstated, he introduced Heroine Lou to our place. That team under her is all made up of experts from the Yanshan Sect. Their skills are first-rate…”

“This deal was negotiated by me personally. Don’t give the boss any commission!” Lou Xiaoyu shouted through the window.

The boss was so angry he ran to the window to argue with her, but unfortunately she had already gone far away. The boss could only shout after her, “Ungrateful, is that it?! We have rules here… Hey!”

The problem of transport personnel was solved. Next came the household registration certificates and the transport authorization document.

The household registration matter was easy enough. As a zhushi, household registers were precisely what Wen Qing oversaw.

While he was working overtime to prepare identity documents for those thirty people, Mu Ziyi came to call.

“Brother Wen, long time no see~” Mu Ziyi casually pulled over a seat and sat down.

It had indeed been a long time since Wen Qing had seen Mu Ziyi. Back then, Mu Ziyi had placed second in the imperial examination. The three of them had ridden on horseback through the streets together, spirited and full of pride. But afterward, Mu Ziyi claimed illness, did not even take up the official post, and then there had been no more news.

“Are you feeling better?” Wen Qing asked with concern.

“Hm? Ah, better, better.” Mu Ziyi seemed to have just remembered that claiming illness was the reason used for leave. “I missed the conferral of office, so now I’m serving as an aide to the Third Prince.”

An aide was a close retainer and strategist by a prince’s side, someone deeply trusted.

Wen Qing felt a little disappointed. Yuan Hao had never asked him whether he wanted to be an aide.

Mu Ziyi felt a little awkward too. She had come to handle business, after all. He ought to have followed up, but it did not matter. If he did not ask, she would say it herself. “Ahem, well, I heard that you’ve been purchasing grain and provisions lately. Is it to transport supplies to the front lines?”

“Yes.” Wen Qing knew the commotion he had caused was large, but his mother and grandparents had already moved to the estate, so it no longer mattered.

“You and the Third Prince have always been close. I have a secret letter here for the Third Prince. Would you be willing to deliver it?”

“Is it about military matters?”

“Military matters.”

“Is it important?”

“Urgent beyond measure. I only hate that I have no one under my command, and couldn’t get this letter to him earlier.”

Wen Qing accepted the letter, which counted as agreeing. After thinking a moment, he asked, “Is there a problem with Deputy General Chen?”

“Deputy General Chen?” Mu Ziyi had not expected him to suddenly ask such an abrupt question, but they were all on the same side, so she still answered frankly. “Stubborn, old-fashioned, average martial ability, no malicious intent, and no factional ties.”

“Good.” Wen Qing nodded. It seemed Yuan Hao had had another reason for killing Deputy General Chen.

Mu Ziyi rose and saluted. “I’m relying on Brother Wen for everything. The letter must only be read by the Third Prince. If anything changes, destroy it.”

“All right.”

The grain and provisions, the transport personnel, and the household registration certificates were all ready. The only thing still lacking was the transport authorization document. Wen Qing had naturally drafted one himself as well. What he lacked now was the seal of the Minister of Revenue.

On the evening of the fourth day after Yuan Hao’s departure, Wen Qing went to visit the Jiang residence.

Lord Jiang was very glad to see Wen Qing, but before they could exchange more than two pleasantries, Wen Qing got straight to the point. “Lord Jiang, this official calculated the amount of grain and provisions the Third Prince took when he set out and found it too little, not enough for the army’s consumption. I have therefore come especially to request, my lord, to approve the advance transport of supplies.”

Lord Jiang looked rather uninterested as he stroked his beard. “All of this has fixed numbers. It won’t be insufficient…”

“There will be another shipment sent in the middle?” Wen Qing cut in.

“Yes.”

“This official has also gathered some supplies on his own. Might they be allowed to leave early?”

Lord Jiang sighed. “Go write a slip. How much you’re donating, the source of the grain and provisions…”

“Along with the transport personnel, the household registration certificates, and the transport authorization document.” Wen Qing finished the sentence for him. Each time he named an item, he took one out, laying stack after stack of papers in front of Lord Jiang.

“All of these are ready. The only thing missing is the ministerial seal on the transport authorization document.”

Lord Jiang finally understood. Wen Qing had come fully prepared today to block his path. But he too was an old fox of officialdom. He could handle it.

He put on a smiling face. “What patriotic zeal for the country. Very well. Leave these here. If I see no problem, I’ll stamp it.”

“Yes. This official will wait here while Your Lordship reads through them.”

Lord Jiang’s expression darkened. “Wen Qing, know your limits.”

Wen Qing smiled once. He had come here today prepared to tear away all pretenses. He was already acting with the cauldrons smashed and boats sunk.

“In addition, my mother also has a letter she wishes to deliver to the Junzhu-niangniang. I have come specifically to ask Lord Jiang for an introduction.”

Lord Jiang shot to his feet. In the process, he accidentally swept a teacup to the floor. Servants came to clean it up, but he cursed them away and ordered that no one be allowed to pry nearby.

“You know already, don’t you?” Lord Jiang said in a low voice, somewhat viciously.

“Know what? This official has not opened my mother’s letter.”

Lord Jiang was furious. He was still pretending to be stupid! He was threatening him!

“What do you want?”

“This official came here to ask Lord Jiang to stamp the transport authorization document. If it can be done today, then this official still has to hurry off to handle the grain transport. If it cannot be done in time, then this official would also like an audience with the Junzhu, so that I may pass along my mother’s letter.”

The matter was now stated very plainly. Wen Qing had come to threaten him. Stamp it, and everything could be discussed. Refuse to stamp it, and he would immediately tell the Junzhu.

Lord Jiang sighed, and his tone softened too. “Things between you and me need not turn this ugly.”

Wen Qing looked at him, expression unmoved.

Soft tactics had failed, so he changed to intimidation.

“Who do you think I’m doing this for?! The road is long and dangerous. You’re a scholar. Soldiers, mountain bandits, wandering refugees, any one of them could take your life!”

“Then that would still count as dying in the same place.” Wen Qing replied coldly.

Lord Jiang kicked a stool in anger, only to smash his toe and hurt so badly he nearly lost it. But he was afraid of losing face, so he did not dare cry out and could only endure it.

Fuming, he strode into the study, took out the ministerial seal, and looked at Wen Qing. He still wore that same stubborn, mule-headed expression, exactly like his first wife.

What was the point of having a son like this? His heart was not on my side anyway. Let him live or die as he pleases!

Bang! Bang!

The transport authorization document was stamped.

Lord Jiang held the document up in one hand and stretched out the other toward Wen Qing.

Wen Qing naturally understood what he meant. Smoothly and compliantly, he handed over the letter and took the document.

Lord Jiang nervously snatched the letter away. It was a thick stack. He had thought it would be line after line of tearful accusations, listing eight hundred of his crimes. But in the whole stack, only the first page had any writing, and what it said was simple:

Greetings to Junzhu Changning.

He had been played. Lord Jiang recognized the handwriting. Wen Qing had written it himself.

Lord Jiang was practically furious to death. He could not understand it. Wen Qing had gone through such an enormous circle, spent money, spent effort, deceived his superior, all just to transport a bit of grain to the Third Prince? Did the Third Prince really lack this little bit of grain?!

Could it really be like the rumors said, that between them there truly was some… beginning and end?

“You! Does it really have to be him and no one else for you?!”

Wen Qing hurried out with the document in hand, not pausing for even a single step.

“Till death do us part.”