Where Immortals Once Walked

A few years ago, Great Yuan underwent several rounds of reforms, some of which were rolled back, leaving the bureaucracy still in a state of flux. Even so, the office of the governor-general remained the highest authority in the land, holding both the reins of military command and civil administration. If the Inspector of Jin Province[1] were to see his former subordinate now, he would surely find himself consumed with envy.

He Lingchuan had never imagined it. His father, after so many years of obscurity and frustration, had suddenly soared straight into the clouds. The leap was simply staggering.

Taking down rebels and snatching the Generous Pot was just that much of a monumental achievement.

Cutting down Sun Fuping was merely secondary, yet it was still incredible.

The post of state preceptor had always been reserved for those most loyal to the throne and most accomplished in divine techniques, even to the point of being able to influence a state’s very fate. Sun Fuping’s betrayal, therefore, struck Yuan like a thunderbolt. It rattled soldiers and common folk alike, shaking the foundations of confidence in the state.

And no one knew how many earth-shattering secrets he had carried to the grave. Just one or two, if leaked, could have rocked the entire kingdom.

In politics and power, scandal was the rule, not the exception. The imaginations of common folk alone could conjure up dozens of lurid tales, enough to stage a fresh drama every day without repetition.

With Sun Fuping dead, however, the monarch of the state, the King, had finally been relieved of a significant burden. At last, he could sleep more easily at night.

He Chunhua, shrewd as ever, had set his eyes squarely on these two massive merits and fought for them without hesitation.

“There’s still a long way from heaven, but this is a great step forward nonetheless!” he remarked lightly, though the glow on his face betrayed the true elation within. “Xia Province may not be rich, but its location is critical. It lies much closer to the capital than Jin Province or Qiansong Commandery.”

The nearer the land, the greater the royal attention. By contrast, his old seat in Qiansong Commandery had been nothing more than a remote backwater, cursed with bitter cold, scorching heat, and barren soil. It was a place the truly powerful disdained to even approach.

It was precisely because the region was so inhospitable that the King had once sent convicts to the commandery to toil in exile. He Chunhua himself had been one of them.

He Lingchuan quickly offered his congratulations.

Indeed, Xia Province was unquestionably superior in position; otherwise, his father would not be grinning so broadly, teeth nearly showing. And as governor-general, his authority would be immense. In fact, “covering the sky with one hand” would hardly be an exaggeration.

The great tree behind him had grown taller and broader. Leaning against it, He Lingchuan felt safer and more at ease than ever. Wonderful, just wonderful.

“Still, Nian Zanli has risen in rebellion.” He Chunhua’s smile thinned. “He’s raised his banners in Xun Province, throwing his lot in with the Minister of War.”

He Lingchuan slightly raised an eyebrow and looked at his younger brother.

Well? Called it, didn’t I?

Yet He Yue only said, “No wonder the royal court rushed to appoint you Governor-General of Xia Province. They want you at the front lines as quickly as possible.”

“The former Governor-General of Xia Province died in office three months ago. With the royal court consumed by war, the post has lain vacant till now.” He Chunhua nodded. “You’re right. They judged that I’d proven myself against border raiders, foreign foes, and in promoting agriculture and trade. Now, they expect me to march north and put down Nian Zanli’s rebellion.”

Despite the apparent mountain of work coming his way, He Chunhua rubbed his hands together, barely able to contain his excitement as he continued, “At last, I can leave Heishui City behind and, with full legitimacy, spread my wings!”

It was hard to make one’s name in times of peace. Only in chaos did heroes rise.

He had carried lofty ambitions for years, but he had been trapped in the backwater place that was Qiansong Commandery. To abandon his post then would have been a grave crime. But now, with the royal court’s transfer order in hand, he could finally enter the passes in service of the state and pursue his dreams.

How many years had he waited for such a rare chance?

He Lingchuan ventured curiously, “But if you’re to march north, Father, you’ll need troops. You’ve only just taken office. Will Xia Province’s soldiers really answer your command?”

He did not know their mettle—whether they were brave or craven.

“The core officers will naturally be drawn from Heishui City. I’ll build my own cadre first.”

“Uh, but aren’t Heishui City’s troops meant for border defense? If you take them away...”

“At present, our relations with the western states are peaceful, and the season of mad sand won’t be ending anytime soon. With the Panlong Desert as a natural barrier, there will be no border troubles for at least another three or four months. The royal court has already accounted for this,” said He Chunhua with a smile. “We’ll lead the troops north, and Heishui City’s affairs will be handled temporarily by the deputy administrator. As for the city’s garrison, he’ll handle new recruitment to fill the gaps. That’s not something you or I need to worry about.”

He paused, then looked at his two sons. “The war is urgent. I must choose men to march north. You should make your own preparations. We will depart in three days.”

Madame Ying smiled and said, “Tomorrow night, we’ll be hosting a banquet. Yue’er, you help draft the invitations, and they must all be delivered before morning. Lingchuan, you’ll help with the delivery.”

Both sons assented. He Lingchuan had just polished off two big bowls of lamb-noodle soup and a plate of scallion-and-pork potstickers. Wiping his mouth, he left the side hall with He Yue.

Behind them, peals of laughter echoed. The He husband and wife had not been this joyful in a very long time.

After they had walked a good ten yards, He Yue finally let out a long breath. “Sure enough, the moment news of Nian Songyu’s death reached the capital, Nian Zanli rose in revolt.”

He Lingchuan chuckled. “Don’t pin this all on us. If Nian Zanli hadn’t already harbored rebellion, why would he have sent Nian Songyu to seize the Generous Pot? Father merely... gave him a push.”

“He has a blood debt with us for his son’s life. Soon enough, we’ll face each other on the battlefield, and his hatred will burn all the hotter.”

He Lingchuan asked, “How much do you know about the northern campaign?”

“After retreating to Wu Province, the Minister of War won two straight victories. His troops’ morale soared. At least, that was the case until twelve days ago, when Wei Ao dealt him a setback, and he lost a general. As for the Provincial Governor of Xun Province, all we know is that he stands firmly behind the Minister of War. But... Haah, we’re too far away. Any intelligence we get is already outdated.”

He Lingchuan grinned. “Well, now you’ll have the chance to see the north with your own eyes.”

“That day was bound to come. I’m ready.” He Yue glanced at his older brother. “And you?”

“Me?” He Lingchuan feigned carelessness. “What’s there for me to prepare?”

“Brother, you’ve practiced martial arts for years. Don’t you want to seek a military post? Only with military merit can you rise in rank. Look at all the great figures stirring the winds across Yuan. Every one of them built their name on victories.”

An official career? For a moment, He Lingchuan was at a loss. The body’s former owner had been ignorant of such matters and had never made plans. But now that the He Family was moving closer to the heart of Yuan, no longer content with a remote corner, where was his own road meant to lead?

He could keep living as a pampered heir, of course, but...

Unbidden, he recalled last night’s dream, that battlefield of blood and terror, of hope tangled with despair.

If he were sent to the northern front, might he truly face battles like that? Only this time, it would be real.

“You’re right.” After a moment’s silence, he said, “I’ll think about it.”

The brothers parted, each to their own business.

Watching his older brother’s retreating back, He Yue could not shake the sense that something about him had changed. Just a subtle impression, impossible to put into words.

* * *

After a brief rest following the meal, He Lingchuan had servants set up a target in the training yard and bring him a war bow, a one-handed crossbow, as well as some arrows and bolts.

Everything was quickly prepared.

In the past, he had treated martial arts training as a hobby and largely neglected ranged weapons. However, the expedition to the Panlong Desert had taught him that any weakness needed to be shored up quickly.

He seized the bow, drew it, and let loose an arrow.

The former He Lingchuan had been strong since childhood, and later trained in martial arts. With the aid of true qi, he could draw a six-stone bow, which had a draw weight of about a hundred and eighty kilograms. Of course, for practice, a three-stone bow, which had a draw weight of about ninety kilograms, sufficed. After all, using true qi against targets would wear them out needlessly.

1. Inspectors were basically supervisors appointed by the central government. Commandery Administrators were placed under their scrutiny and inspection. ☜