Why Does Mr. Xie Favor Me? Chapter 2
byChapter 2 Bloodied Blade and Burning Incense
What if you catch a cold?
Three days later, at the start of the hour of the Rabbit.
Twenty li outside the city of Guzang, at the camp of the Northern Frontier Army’s Left Wing. The morning mist had not yet dispersed, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and rusted iron.
The camp was simple, but the security was tight. The patrolling soldiers had sharp eyes and steady strides.
A plain green-canopied carriage, devoid of any insignia and escorted by several guards in plain clothes, silently approached the main gate.
The curtain was lifted, and Xie Heng, dressed in simple everyday robes, stepped down. He wore no crown, his hair secured only by a jade hairpin. Though his attire was modest, he could not hide the noble aura that surrounded him, looking entirely out of place in this dusty military camp.
Xiao Jue had already received his orders. Clad in full armor, he stood waiting at the gate.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and stepped forward to kneel on one knee. His armor clattered as he saluted. My lord, General Xiao Jue welcomes the Secretariat Vice-Director.
His voice was slightly strained from tension. The man before him was the one who had decided his life and future three days ago. His personal arrival at this lowly place placed a heavy weight of pressure on Xiao Jue.
Xie Heng’s gaze swept over him indifferently. He said nothing more than, Lead the way.
Inside the central command tent, the surroundings were even more sparse. There was only a rough wooden desk, upon which sat a meticulously crafted sand table map. It depicted the mountains, rivers, cities, and passes of the Jiuquan area with vivid detail.
Please look, my lord. Xiao Jue led him to the sand table. The nervousness he felt earlier vanished the moment he touched upon his area of expertise, replaced by a sharp focus. He picked up a thin wooden rod and pointed to a bend in the Jingchuan River.
The main force of the Hu cavalry is here. Relying on their numbers, they will be eager to cross the river and strike directly at our key stronghold, Linquan. The rod moved, his voice steady and powerful. I do not intend to simply defend the city.
Xie Heng’s brow twitched slightly.
I am willing to personally lead a thousand light cavalry, carrying three days of rations, to take this small side path and hide on the north bank. The rod pointed toward an area marked as a marsh. Once they are halfway across the river, our main force of two thousand will hold the line on the south bank. I will then launch a surprise attack from the flank and rear, targeting their supply train and horse herds.
His pace quickened, his eyes shining brightly. The Hu formation will fall into chaos. At that moment, the main force at Huiliusha will counterattack. Caught between two sides and exhausted from their journey, their formation will shatter into a rout.
Silence filled the tent, broken only by Xiao Jue’s slightly heavy breathing from excitement. He looked at Xie Heng, only to find the man expressionless, staring intently at the sand table. Xie Heng’s long fingers traced a light path between Jingchuan and Huiliusha.
After a long silence, Xie Heng raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Xiao Jue’s face. Huiliusha is crisscrossed with waterways and infested with mosquitoes. Do you know what kind of suffering a thousand men must endure to hide there for three days?
I know, Xiao Jue replied without hesitation. I shall share the hardships with my soldiers.
What if the Hu scouts discover you first?
I have already sent scouts to map out several hidden paths. We will move by night and hide by day; I can guarantee our safety.
What if they do not split their forces to cross the river, but instead charge their main force directly at your hiding spot?
Then their flank will be exposed to our main force on the south bank. I can retreat quickly and join the main force to strike their side!
Question and answer followed like clashing sword blades, handled with ease.
Xie Heng’s questions were precise and cold, pointing directly at every possible risk in the plan. Xiao Jue’s responses were swift and firm, clearly the result of deep thought rather than momentary bravado.
Xie Heng stopped questioning. He paced slowly around the sand table, his hem brushing against the mud-stained corner of the tent.
He stopped and stood with his back to Xiao Jue, watching the silhouettes of the soldiers training outside. Suddenly, he asked a seemingly unrelated question. Are the army’s provisions sufficient?
Xiao Jue was startled, then answered solemnly, Reporting to my lord, we can sustain ourselves for half a month. However, the consumption of arrows is immense, and replenishment is not keeping pace.
Xie Heng nodded slightly and said no more.
He turned around and looked at Xiao Jue again. In those deep eyes, something seemed to have settled. He offered no praise, only saying calmly, Set out for Jingchuan. The sooner, the better.
Having finished, he did not linger and walked straight out of the tent.
Xiao Jue stood frozen in place. It wasn’t until the sound of Xie Heng’s footsteps faded that he suddenly snapped back to his senses.
That order meant he had been given his chance.
The next morning, the frost on the walls of Guzang had not yet dried.
Xie Heng sat upright in the main hall of the military office, motionless. Only the flickering candlelight danced across his handsome profile.
His brush moved across the Xuan paper, the ink still wet, when the sudden sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the window.
Report!
A scout knelt before the steps, his shoulders still damp with the cold dew of dawn.
The Hu cavalry has begun crossing the river.
The tip of the brush paused slightly on the paper. Xie Heng slowly set it down. Proceed according to the plan.
As he rose, his sleeves carried a faint, cold fragrance. The morning light filtered through the window lattice, falling exactly upon his well-defined hands.
When reports from the direction of Jingchuan began to arrive, Xie Heng was reviewing the grain and fodder ledgers.
General Xiao has led his troops to the north bank.
The enemy’s supply train is crossing the river.
The hand holding his pen remained steady, though when he heard that the Huiliusha marshes were plagued by mosquitoes, the stroke of his brush faltered for an imperceptible moment.
Xie Heng stayed at the military office for two days. It was not until dusk today, as the shadows lengthened, that a fast horse shattered the setting sun.
The messenger practically threw himself into the hall, his voice hoarse yet unable to hide his wild joy. A great victory! General Xiao has crushed the Hu cavalry!
The candles in the hall seemed to flicker with the news. Xie Heng slowly closed the ledger, his fingertip tapping lightly on the cover. Prepare the carriage.
The setting sun was like blood, staining the banners at the gate a dark gold.
The victorious army emerged from the twilight. The young general at the head of the column practically ran forward.
This subordinate has fortunately not failed his mission!
Xiao Jue knelt on one knee. Though his voice was raspy, it carried an irrepressible cheerfulness.
Xie Heng reached out to gesture for him to rise. Stand up.
His gaze swept over the blood-stained bandages on the youth’s arm and the scratches on his armor, finally landing on that vibrant, youthful face.
After days of lurking in the marsh and a day of bloody combat, the light in the boy’s eyes had not diminished; instead, it burned even hotter.
This battle was well fought.
His tone remained flat, but he saw the corners of Xiao Jue’s lips lift into a brilliant arc. That smile was so radiant that Xie Heng looked away without a trace.
Tomorrow there is a banquet at the Orchid Pavilion in my manor. Since you have military merit, come along. He turned and walked away first, his black wide sleeves fluttering in the evening wind.
Light footsteps followed immediately behind him. Xiao Jue hurried to keep up, maintaining a proper distance while unable to hide his desire to get closer.
The next morning, light filtered through the carved windows. Xie Heng sat alone in the water pavilion playing the zither, his fingertips rising and falling across the seven strings.
There was a gathering at the manor today. He had made a point to wake early, wanting to use this rare moment of peace to organize his thoughts—mainly regarding the young general who had just achieved military glory.
The music was cool and clear, the water undisturbed. A sudden rush of footsteps broke the tranquility.
My lord.
Xie Heng’s fingers paused, and the music stopped abruptly. He looked up to see Xiao Jue standing outside the pavilion. He was wearing a brand-new set of indigo everyday robes, worn very properly. He had clearly dressed up for the occasion, but because he had arrived too early, there was a fine sweat on his brow.
I have arrived early. Xiao Jue bowed somewhat awkwardly, his eyes unable to stop glancing at the zither.
It is no matter, Xie Heng said softly. Since you are here, take a seat.
Xiao Jue carefully sat on a stone stool by the pavilion, his posture as stiff as if he were riding a warhorse.
Xie Heng continued to play, but he heard the faint rustle of fabric beside him. The youth was secretly adjusting his posture, trying to mimic Xie Heng’s upright manner.
The music missed another beat.
My lord, this zither… Xiao Jue finally couldn’t help but speak. The sound is truly beautiful. It is much clearer than the war drums in our camp.
Xie Heng remained silent.
If these words had come from the son of a noble family, it would have been a deliberate provocation. But coming from this youth, it carried a sincere clumsiness.
This zither is named ‘Crying Crane.’ It was a gift from the late Emperor. He broke his rule and offered an extra sentence of explanation.
Xiao Jue’s eyes lit up, and he moved a bit closer. Can I touch it?
As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them and hurried to pull his hand back. Xie Heng looked at his chagrined expression and suddenly remembered the rumors of this youth capturing enemies with his bare hands. Those hands, accustomed to holding swords and blades, truly should not touch these delicate silk strings.
The gathering will not begin for another hour. Xie Heng stood up. Follow me to the study to sit for a while.
He deliberately slowed his pace. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Jue following closely behind, looking curiously at the bamboo curtains under the eaves and the koi in the pond. He looked very much like a small wild beast that had accidentally wandered into a royal palace.
Once in the study, Xiao Jue found everything even more novel. He stared at the celadon brush rest on the display shelf for a long time, whispering, This stone has a very unique shape…
The hand Xie Heng used to hold his brush paused.
That is a brush rest, he said calmly. It is for setting down the brush.
Xiao Jue let out an Ah, his ears turning red. He quickly backed away two steps, only to accidentally bump into the bookshelf behind him. A scroll of The Art of War fell. He scrambled to catch it, his movements so fast they stirred a gust of wind.
Looking at his flustered state, Xie Heng suddenly felt that the study today was a bit more lively than usual.
An hour later, the guests began to arrive.
Xie Heng sat in the seat of honor, watching as Xiao Jue was led to the lowest seat. The youth was clearly not used to kneeling on the floor; he occasionally adjusted his position in secret, yet he constantly strove to keep his back straight.
After three rounds of wine, the undercurrents at the table began to stir.
I heard General Xiao recently crushed the Hu cavalry? Wang Chun, sitting at the upper end, spoke slowly. I wonder which great master the general studied military strategy under?
The question was pointed. Everyone knew that children from humble families could not afford famous teachers.
Xiao Jue answered honestly, This subordinate did not study under a famous master. It was all learned on the battlefield.
A few barely audible chuckles sounded at the table.
Xie Heng lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine, suddenly speaking up. Sun Tzu said: ‘Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.’ General Xiao’s battle the other day was in deep accord with this principle.
The entire room fell silent. Everyone could tell he was defending Xiao Jue, so no one spoke further.
The conversation moved into deeper waters, shifting from Laozi and Zhuangzi to the principles of the I Ching. The scholars traded words, their wits clashing.
Xie Heng did not speak much, but whenever he did, the entire room fell silent to listen. However, an unnatural flush gradually rose to his face, and his breathing became slightly hurried. He calmly took a red pill from his sleeve, placed it in his mouth, and washed it down with wine.
It was Cold Food Powder.
The guests were not surprised; this was the style of the refined gentry. Only Xiao Jue’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
About fifteen minutes later, the drug took effect. Xie Heng’s originally cold eyes became clouded with a misty haze. He suddenly pushed away his zither and stood up. Gentlemen, please remain seated. I… need to go walk off the heat.
His steps were somewhat unsteady as he walked toward the courtyard outside the pavilion. His wide robes fluttered in the wind, looking as if he might ascend to immortality at any moment.
The scholars knew the state one entered after taking the powder, so they continued their laughing and talking without concern. Only Xiao Jue stood up abruptly, grabbed a sable fur cloak that had been prepared nearby, and hurried out after him.
Xie Heng had left in a hurry, not even putting on his wooden clogs. It was now late autumn; his bare feet stepped on the ground, the skin already turning red from the cold.
Xiao Jue stepped forward quickly and draped the sable cloak over Xie Heng’s shoulders without a word. His voice was filled with confusion and heartache. My lord, why is there no one attending you? What if you catch a cold?
Xie Heng turned his head. The drug made his gaze blurry, yet he still forced himself to maintain control. He looked at Xiao Jue and suddenly smiled, a smile with a kind of broken beauty. Is it you who has come?
The way he addressed him was extremely intimate.
Xiao Jue could no longer care for etiquette. He took off his own wooden clogs and knelt on one knee. Using his sleeves to support Xie Heng’s feet so as not to touch his skin directly, he carefully helped him put on the clogs that still held the warmth of his own body. Then, he left the gathering barefoot.
Xie Heng’s eyes were dazed and blurred. He reached out to steady himself, only to realize the person had already walked far away.