The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 36 The Stealing Order

Two candles were lit and placed on the table.

The cabin was a little brighter now.

The four sat down around the broken square table. Guo Zongyi looked at Hua Nong with a look of surprise in his eyes, as if he couldn't believe that this city guard had become one of their own.

Xiao Yi did not reveal his and Guo Xin's identities, not because he did not trust Hua Nong, but simply because there was no need to increase the risk.

"Hua Nong, you are a messenger. Can you find a way to temporarily open the city gates?"

Hua Nong's tears were still wet, but her expression was quite different. She nodded vigorously and said, "Yes, even though the city gates are closed, the documents and grain sent between the court must still pass through. In fact, they have been quite frequent these past two days, as long as there is an order from an official."

Are the warrants difficult to obtain?

“It’s not difficult. I often handle documents for Sun, so I just need to use his seal to stamp it. There are also the warrants for opening the city gate in the city gate tower.”

Xiao Yi decisively said, "I will pretend to be your brother-in-law and go to the city tower with you. Tonight, I will get the warrant and then leave the city after meeting up with my guard, Zhan Zhao."

"it is good."

"When we left the city, they disguised themselves as your two children, while the guards and I disguised ourselves as imperial messengers."

"it is good."

“Since your wife is outside the city and has no worries, she can come with us after we leave the city to go to Yedu.”

Hua Nong hesitated for a moment and glanced around the room.

Xiao Yi said, "There's no need to linger. Once you get to Yedu, you won't regret this decision."

"Don't worry, my lord, I have no regrets, it's just a pity about these books."

"There will be more books, many more than this."

"Will I be able to have a study in the future?"

"Not just a study, you can build a library if you want."

What is a 'library'?

"Let's talk again when we have time."

Xiao Yi turned to Guo Xin and Guo Zongyi and said, "You two wait here. Put out the candles and don't make a sound. We will lock the outer door."

"it is good."

"The sword is yours."

Xiao Yi left his sword behind, and after thinking for a moment, worried about being searched, he also left Li Tao's letter and the Shi family's token in his bag.

Shi Deyuan's jade pendant is no longer useful, but he can keep it with him and sell it cheaply after dawn. If there is a search, he can throw it away at any time.

Guo Xin asked with concern, "The injury on your leg..."

"It's out of the way."

"Wait, he still has the nerve."

Guo Wuniang took out the prepared medicine from her bag and smeared it on Xiao Yi's face.

"Alright, that won't attract so much attention. Give me your hand."

"You got your revenge?"

"Hmph, you deserve it."

"gone."

"Please wait a moment, my lord."

Hua Nong rummaged through her belongings and found a patched, worn-out military robe. She said, "This is my old uniform. Please wear it, my lord. It will make things easier when we reach the city walls."

Xiao Yi changed his clothes and saw a bamboo hat in the box, so he took it and put it on.

"All right."

"Please, my lord."

"I am now your brother-in-law. What is your wife's surname? Do you really have a brother-in-law?"

"Yes, my brother-in-law's name is Xu Feng. He lives in Wapo Village, more than 40 miles northeast of Kaifeng City. He has a few acres of poor land."

"I've noted it down. I injured my foot with a hoe while farming last month. I'm going to town to buy medicine and some New Year's goods... Lock the door."

As they spoke, the two had already left the courtyard and disappeared into the cold night of Kaifeng.

The night was as dark as ink, the wind and snow had subsided slightly, but the chill was even stronger, and the patrols on the streets were noticeably more frequent, with the sounds of clappers and footsteps echoing in the distance, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

Being so close, the imposing outline of Caomen's barbican soon came into view.

The city gate was brightly lit by torches, with many figures moving about. The sounds of armor clashing and officers shouting could be heard from time to time, indicating that the city was under heavy guard.

At the ramparts of the city wall, several guards huddled together, sharing a jug of strong liquor. Upon seeing Hua Nong, they said, "You coward, who did you bring?"

"brother in law."

"He's a cripple, huh? Did you send your wife back?"

"Please excuse my poor performance."

Climbing the steep horse trail to the top of the city wall, a cold wind blows in your face, and the view suddenly opens up.

The city lights spread out beneath my feet; every ten steps along the crenellations of the city wall stood a soldier with a spear; the watchman carried a lantern and walked around the city wall striking a clapper to announce the time; in the shadows of the arrow tower, the figures of archers appeared and disappeared.

The wilderness outside the city was pitch black and boundless, with only the distant mountains lying in wait like giant beasts.

Xiao Yi sensed a hint of freedom.

Four soldiers were lounging at the entrance of the city gate. When they saw someone coming, they stood up with their halberds in hand.

"Bullshit? Aren't you on duty this month? What are you doing here?"

"They said that Grandson had something to ask me."

"And who is this person?"

“Brother-in-law, I’m in Kaifeng buying New Year’s goods and I’m staying at your house. The team leader is short-handed tonight, so I’d like him to come and help.” “Go away, I can’t stand your noise. Go inside.”

Inside the city gate tower is an "工"-shaped building, divided into inner and outer rooms. The outer room is a general hall for soldiers to rest and treat their wounds, with staircases on both sides leading to the second floor. The inner room contains a table with official documents and maps piled on it, presumably for discussing military affairs on a daily basis.

Hua Nong raised her hand and pointed upwards, mouthing that Sun Tou's office was upstairs.

Xiao Yi nodded and peeked into the inner room, but didn't see anyone else at night.

He then gestured to ask if the seal was inside.

Hua Nong whispered, "There might be a warrant on the table to temporarily open the city gates."

The military officers were lazy and didn't bother to sign documents on the spot, so they didn't file the military order to open the city and just used it when needed.

The two then tiptoed into the inner room, lit candles, and began to examine the official documents on the table.

The sound of snoring came from above through the floorboards, adding a touch of tension.

Xiao Yi glanced at the two military orders at the top and picked them up.

"A traitor has fled and is causing serious harm. All departments are hereby ordered to search for and capture him. He is about twenty years old and handsome. If you see anyone like him in the streets, alleys, residences, temples, camps, or nearby areas, surround and report to the authorities. Do not let him go or make any mistakes. If he is carrying any valuables, you must seal them up when you catch him and bring him to the authorities together with him. Anyone who dares to harbor him or let him escape will be executed on the spot. If any subordinate officer fails to do so, he will be demoted and his family property will be confiscated."

It must be a manhunt for Guo Xin.

Then, when he read the second letter, he found that the content was roughly the same, but there were strange differences in the details.

"look."

Hua Nong pressed her face against the military orders and said, "These two military orders are the same."

"Do not."

Xiao Yi shook his head and pointed to the seal of Nie Wenjin, the Right Wing Commander, and the seal of the Right Wing Commander's Office on the first military order.

“Nie Wenjin was in charge of the right wing, but he sent the order to the left wing. Moreover, there was neither the seal of the Commander of the Imperial Guards nor the seal of the Privy Councilor. On the other hand, this one has the seal of Liu Zhu, the Deputy Commander of the Infantry, as well as the seal of the Imperial Guards. It is much more legitimate.”

"It really is true."

"Both military orders state 'escort the important items carried to this office,' but the problem is that the two 'offices' are different: one is Nie Wenjin, and the other is Liu Zhu."

"You mean...they're fighting for power?"

"Ah."

"Sun Tou'er summoned you here, presumably for this very reason."

"I see. So if he asks me whose orders I'm following, what should I say?"

"It's not too late to make things difficult for him after he catches the criminal. Why worry now? We should take this opportunity to consolidate our military power by mobilizing manpower. He can't read, so he'll need you to write the mobilization order. You can sign a warrant to leave the city."

"My lord is truly wise; I am filled with admiration."

Although Xiao Yi had a plan, he still continued to search for official documents that could be used to leave the city.

The two searched for a while longer when suddenly a voice called out from outside.

"Who's inside?!"

They immediately stopped what they were doing.

Xiao Yi handed the candle to Hua Nong, signaling him to deal with it.

"it's me."

Hua Nong then walked outside, saying as she went, "Sun Tou'er called me here, but I didn't see him."

"You coward, why are you so late? Commander Sun is asleep upstairs. Come up with me."

"it is good."

With the candlelight gone, Xiao Yi calmly sat down in the inner room and waited.

Not long after, the snoring on the floor stopped, and a rough voice, muffled by someone who had just woken up, rang out.

"Huh? Huh! The idiot's here. Hey, take a look for me. The higher-ups have issued a bunch of military orders. It's annoying to be promoted but can't read. Go take a look, yeah, that one, damn it, there are so many words!"

"..."

"No wonder! I was wondering why the same military order was issued in two different copies, like a double-yolk egg. Should I hand the prisoner over to General Nie or Prefect Liu? This is a real dilemma, a real dilemma!"

"..."

"Hmm! That makes sense. Let's do it this way. You've become much smarter, haven't you? You've finally got your eye on Old Zhao's position and are willing to put in some effort. Don't worry, hahaha! First, sign a few military orders for me. Just like you said, mobilize troops to search and arrest. Let's see which ones are disobedient. That's it."

A little while later, the sound of snoring came from the other side of the floor again.

When Hua Nong came down again, she had several military orders in her hands. She couldn't wait to put one of them in front of Xiao Yi, her face beaming with joy.

Xiao Yi looked over and saw that it was indeed a warrant to leave the city, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

It became.

Once we meet up with Guo Xin tomorrow, we can leave the city at any time by falsely issuing military orders.

Thus, Chai Shouyu's entrustment was considered to have passed the first and most difficult hurdle.

Those in power boasted that Kaifeng was heavily fortified, like an iron barrel, but in reality, the iron barrel was made up of countless ordinary people. If you could change their minds, the defenses would crumble on their own.

The two quickly left the city wall, inhaled the cold air on the city wall, and simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief.

"My lord is a man of brilliant strategy, and I am fortunate to have fulfilled my mission... I thought it would be difficult to obtain, but it was not difficult at all."

“Finding the right person is easy,” Xiao Yi said. “But if you find the wrong person, then there will be no turning back.”

Knowing that this was "utterly hopeless," he felt grateful and patted Hua Nong on the shoulder. He then saw that Hua Nong's narrowed eyes were full of longing for the future.

To be able to give up everything in the present to gamble on the future requires a decisiveness that is not easily achieved.

Xiao Yi wanted to tell him that today's efforts were definitely worthwhile.

But since they are close friends, everything is understood without words.

The moon hung like a hook, and beneath it, the city walls separated the city lights from the vast landscape. On the city wall, two people looked at each other and laughed heartily.

(End of this chapter)