Taiheiki

Chapter 295 The Newlyweds
"Recuperate?" Zhang Song chuckled. "How can recuperate and get worse? If you don't send me, a half-dead man, to the government for a reward, it would be a waste!"

"Brother Zhang, please rest assured!" Zhang Jiao laughed, "Your illness is more of a mental one. Your worries and anxieties have not been resolved, causing stagnation of qi and blood in your heart, leading to obstruction of the heart's meridians. This manifests as chest tightness, palpitations, chest and rib pain, a feeling of something stuck in the throat, and even heart and liver stagnation, irritability, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat. Am I right?"

Zhang Song was taken aback: "That's right, exactly. How did you know?"

"Hahaha!" Zhang Jiao laughed, "I know a thing or two about medicine. Don't worry, I'll write a prescription later and go to the nearby county to get some medicine. I'll decoct it into a syrup for you to drink, and you'll get better. But ultimately, mental illness must be healed by oneself. Worry, anger, and sadness are all thieves that harm the body, and must be dispelled as soon as possible!"

"Thank you, Daoist Master!" Zhang Song bowed to Zhang Jiao, who quickly helped him up, saying, "We share the same surname, so helping each other is only right. There's no need for such formality!"

So the group rowed to a nearby village. Zhang Jiao summoned a follower and, in front of the other three, handed him the prescription he had written, along with some money, instructing him to go to the county town to buy the medicine. Zhang Jiao was a seasoned traveler with extensive social experience. He knew that of the three on the boat, Zhang Song was a former notorious bandit with a large bounty on his head, already easily frightened. While he didn't know the other two's backgrounds, their demeanor suggested they were from wealthy families, yet their suspicious behavior suggested they were likely also on the run. If he went to the county town himself, he feared they would vanish the moment he left.

The four remained in the village, where Zhang Jiao's followers had already prepared a clean courtyard. Yuan Shu and Wu Jing, exhausted from their escape, ate two bowls of soup and rice before taking turns to sleep. When Yuan Shu awoke, it was already evening. The sounds of chickens and dogs filled the village, and the elderly and children alike bustled about. He felt a profound peace in his heart, much like the pond under the willow tree in his childhood courtyard.

"How leisurely!" Wu Jing exclaimed.

"Yes!" Yuan Shu smiled. "If we could stay and live out our lives here, that wouldn't be bad!"

"Really? Unless you don't have the surname Yuan anymore!" Wu Jing laughed.

"Hehe!" Yuan Shu laughed. "Yes, unless I no longer bear the surname Yuan!" He walked to the window, looked through the gap in the courtyard wall at the children chasing each other on bamboo horses outside, and sighed, "What a pity, this Yuan name is already engraved in my bones. Even in death, I will still be a member of the Yuan family!"

"That's good!" Wu Jing laughed. "This is the Yuan Gonglu I know. Are you after Zhang Song this time?"

“Indeed!” Yuan Shu didn’t hide anything: “Looking back now, we underestimated Wei Cong. We always thought this scoundrel was cunning and treacherous, using Feng Kun and Zhang Huan to capture Luoyang and seize power. Now it seems that’s not the case at all. Perhaps the mastermind behind the attack on Luoyang wasn’t him at all, but Feng Kun or Zhang Huan. After all, he made such a great contribution in suppressing the Eren bandits, and he would have been rewarded handsomely no matter what. Why would he take such a big risk? On the contrary, Feng Kun and Zhang Huan suffered repeated defeats and were beaten badly by the Eren bandits. Wei Cong is younger and more capable than them. They might have been worried about being punished by the court, so they simply dragged Wei Cong all the way to Luoyang!”

"That's right!" Wu Jing nodded. "Gong Lu, what you said makes sense!"

"Therefore, to deal with Wei Cong, we need generals who can lead troops into battle!"

"Is this why you want to win Zhang Song over?" Wu Jing asked. "But he's no match for Wei Cong at all!"

"This man led an army of at least 200,000 men all the way from Jiangdong to Wancheng, and the imperial court's reinforcements were repeatedly defeated. That's 200,000 men! What's the most you've ever led? A thousand men?" Yuan Shu asked.

"That's about right!" Wu Jing nodded. "Any more wouldn't be enough!"

"That's it!" Yuan Shu laughed. "Being able to command an army of 200,000 in marching and fighting is a great skill. I'm afraid there aren't many people like that in the Han Dynasty. It's not easy to find one, and he has a grudge against Wei Cong. How can we let him go?"

“You’re right! What about the Taoist priest?” Wu Jing asked, “Should we—” He made a downward chopping motion with his right hand, “to avoid any unnecessary complications!”

“This Taoist priest is not without his secrets, and this village is full of his followers, so it’s best to be careful!” Yuan Shu laughed. “Besides, I think that if we want to deal with Wei Cong, the strength of the scholars in the world alone is not enough!”

"Then what do you mean?"

"Don't you think this Taoist priest is quite capable? He can win over the hearts of villages by preaching and casting spells. He can make them go east or west. Don't you think this is very useful to us?"

"You want to use these Taoist followers to start a rebellion?" Wu Jing was taken aback. "Unfortunately, these are just a rabble; how could they be a match for Wei Cong's elite troops?"

"So what if they're a rabble? If there are enough of them, they can be quite terrifying! Not to mention, we're not just a rabble! If this Taoist priest takes in more disciples and spreads them across the land, and manages them for a few years, wouldn't the whole world be his followers? When that happens, if they all rise up together, even if Wei Cong has immense abilities, he'll be overwhelmed! Don't you think so?" As he said this, Yuan Shu's lips curled up, revealing white teeth. A chilling smile crept onto his face, as if he were wearing a mask. Wu Jing saw this and a chill ran through his heart.

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April of the second year of Chongguang (170 AD).

As the Luo River thaws, willow branches sway green in the breeze along its banks. Peonies bloom profusely throughout the city, their vibrant colors filling the air. Red-lacquered carriages rumble along the cobblestone streets, their bells jingling in the distance. Nobles, accompanied by their concubines, drift on boats or climb to high places for panoramic views. Ladies, their skirts like rosy clouds, adorn themselves with peonies, while noblemen, adorned with high hats and swords, serve them attentively. In just a few short months, the people of Luoyang have forgotten the recent war and are indulging in the riches and glory of their imperial capital. Indeed, no matter how much fighting or turmoil, Luoyang remains the center of the world. Treasures from all corners of the land converge here—a rule established over a thousand years ago when the Duke of Zhou founded Luoyang. Can the rules set by a sage be changed?

Of course, people's pride and confidence were not without reason—two things proved this: First, at the end of last year, Protector of the Qiang, Duan Jiong, had already defeated the remnants of the Eastern Qiang rebels at Shehu Valley, and the Qiang rebellion in the northwest had been completely quelled; Second, General Wei Cong married a noblewoman from the Dou family. This marriage had actually been arranged long ago, but because the late emperor had passed away, the officials had to observe mourning, so the marriage could not take place.

It was precisely for this reason that the marriage aroused much controversy. Many scholars and students of the Imperial Academy in the capital believed that according to the rites, the relationship between ruler and subject was like that between father and son, and that parents and children were of the same blood but different natures, one body but separate, and that they should not be separated until three years of mourning. Therefore, when the emperor died, officials should observe a three-year mourning period. Wei Cong's marriage during the mourning period violated the rites and was unbecoming of a minister, and he should resign and apologize. However, there was little opposition in the court. The reason was simple: if, as these people said, all ministers observed a three-year mourning period when the emperor died, then who would handle the affairs of state? Wei Cong's marriage was almost four months after the late emperor's burial, and attacking him for violating the rites was somewhat excessive.

The General's Mansion, bedroom.

He dressed alone in the dark, the soft breathing of his newlywed wife ringing in his ears. She must still be dreaming, Wei Cong thought to himself. Dou Yun was murmuring in her dream—it sounded like a name, but he couldn't quite make it out. Wei Cong nimbly slipped out of bed and rolled over.

As a wife, Dou Yun was flawless to Wei Cong: young, beautiful, elegant, gentle, and considerate. Dou Wu hadn't lied; she truly was a perfect wife. Wei Cong even learned from Dou Miao that Dou Yun was among the women chosen by the clan to serve Emperor Huan in the palace, only a year younger. Dou Miao entered the palace and became the current Empress Dowager, while Dou Yun became Wei Cong's wife. In Dou Miao's words: "Everyone said back then that Yun wasn't as fortunate as me, that she didn't get to enter the palace. But now that she's the Grand General's wife, it's hard to say who's more fortunate, her or me."

Wei Cong still remembers the wedding night. Despite his high position, he still had to face the "siege" of many guests, especially the Dou family, which was a large clan. As the ceremonies proceeded, he gradually realized that perhaps this marriage was just a transaction, an alliance, but the beautiful woman beside him had become his closest person, sharing his honor and disgrace, their skin touching, sharing the same bed in life and the same grave in death.

He put on his shoes, fastened his belt, hung his sword on it, and then walked out of the bedroom. He told the kneeling maid to rise and left the room. The sky outside was still dark. He took a deep breath of the cool air and said, "Go to the back hall and see if there's anything new!"

"General, you've arrived!" Huang Ping, who was on duty that night, looked at Wei Cong in surprise, then glanced at the sky outside: "So early—"

"I couldn't sleep, so I came to check on things!" Wei Cong feigned nonchalance: "How's the situation on the pontoon bridge?"

"It's going smoothly. The city on the sandbar has been built, and they've started laying the iron chains." He cautiously glanced at Wei Cong's expression and whispered, "General, is something wrong with the new lady? You shouldn't have come so early. She's newly married; you should spend more time with her. That would make the Empress Dowager happier!"

"You're meddling too much!" Wei Cong picked up a document and started reading: "What do you mean I shouldn't get up so early? If this continues, you'll start controlling how many sons I have!"

"General, you jest!" Having followed Wei Cong for many years, Huang Ping knew that the other party wasn't as angry as he appeared. "However, if possible, you should have your new wife give birth to a son as soon as possible!"

“I already have a son!” Wei Cong sneered. “And more than one!”

"Those are all illegitimate sons!" Huang Ping laughed. "The son born to this new lady is your legitimate son. Only he can inherit your legacy, and only then will we, your retainers, have someone to serve!"

"What do you mean by illegitimate or legitimate son!" Wei Cong looked at Huang Ping: "I didn't realize you were so particular!"

"I speak from the heart!" Huang Ping said, "This new lady is from the main branch of the Dou family of Fufeng. Her cousin is the current Empress Dowager, and her uncle is a former Grand General. Our dynasty has produced two Empress Dowagers and two Grand Generals, making her family extremely illustrious. You and her child will have been inextricably linked to the Emperor and nobles since birth, and will surely be able to lead us to even greater heights!"

Wei Cong remained silent, but he knew Huang Ping was speaking the absolute truth. As a time traveler, he was well aware that the empire was slowly but irresistibly transitioning into medieval society. Over the next seven hundred years, prominent aristocratic families would become the true rulers of the Eastern world, eclipsing even the emperor, who held supreme power. If he wanted to pass on the power he had gained through violence and cunning to future generations, the best way was to marry into one of these noble families and become a member. The Dou family was undoubtedly a good choice, but was this truly what he wanted?

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What a sweet dream! Dou Yun opened her eyes. In her dream, she was back in her old house in Fufeng, strolling and chasing with her companions in the back garden. Her lover, her former lover, was also there in the woods—

Dou Yun threw back the brocade quilt. "I must be brave enough to face everything before me." Wei Cong was no longer by her side. She had long since grown accustomed to it. This man was a light sleeper, seemingly always on guard against enemy attacks, and he rose very early, before dawn, either strolling in the courtyard or reviewing documents, receiving an endless stream of guests. Sometimes, the aroma of baked flatbread would lure him to the kitchen, where he would even eat it as he walked, talking to high-ranking officials like the Three Dukes.

Dou Yun pushed open the window, and the sudden chill sent shivers down her spine. Dark clouds blanketed the eastern horizon, allowing only a few rays of sunlight to penetrate. The morning mist made it seem as if a grand castle floated in the air. Flowing clouds formed walls, fortresses, and watchtowers, while wisps of cloud were like banners atop the castle, connecting with the fading stars. As the sun rose higher, the castle changed from black to gray, finally transforming into countless ribbons of rose, gold, or crimson, stretching endlessly before being dispersed by the gentle breeze. The castle in the mist gradually disappeared, leaving only the real General's Mansion on the ground.

The door opened, and two maids brought in hot water to bathe her. They were both elderly women who had followed Dou Yun since childhood.

"What time did the General get up today?" Dou Yun asked.

"It's not even dawn yet, it's probably almost the end of the Yin hour!" The woman who spoke had an oval face. She tested the water temperature with her hand as she said, "General, you're working so hard, getting up so early every day! You don't even spend as much time with me as you do!"

(End of this chapter)