Well, I've been a bit confused lately, and I can't remember a lot of things. Maybe I've made up so many stories that I've forgotten them myself, like the character Wei Xiaobao in the Chen Xiaochun version, who needed Shuang'er to remember which lies he told and what multiple identities he had. I don't have a maid (QIER once said she would help me serve tea or something, but I'm afraid I can't afford to support her), so I'll just remember it myself.
① The eleventh year of Zhenguan (the fourteenth year of Yanshou)
In the dead of winter, Huan and Li met. They faced the perilous journey across the vast sea to survive.
② The twelfth year of Zhenguan (the fifteenth year of Yanshou)
In early spring, I rested in Dahai Village, climbed Chishi Mountain, visited the capital of Gaochang, and headed north to Tanhan Mountain, but failed on my first attempt.
From late spring to early summer, I attended the funeral of the special agents, competed in archery with Si Lifa, and forged iron.
In midsummer, he climbed Tanhan Mountain twice, obtained a spiritual stone, and returned. Heshuo City fell, and Li was captured and sent to Jiaohe.
In early autumn, Qu broke his own arm bone.
In late autumn, Li fell into a well and, while bathing for the second time, realized Huan's love.
In winter, we brew tea and hug trees.
③ The thirteenth year of Zhenguan (the sixteenth year of Yanshou)
In summer, grapes ripen, and wine is made.
In autumn, Qu went to Chang'an.
④ The fourteenth year of Zhenguan (the seventeenth year of Yanshou)
In the spring, Qu Fo Temple was punished with caning, and Qu Li moved to the capital, where he discovered Li's true identity.
In autumn, on the Qixi Festival, Huan and Li reunite.
In the seventh month of autumn, the Tang army reached Qikou. Qu Wentai died.
In early August, the Tang army captured Tiandi in just one day and advanced on the capital of Gaochang overnight.
On August 8th, Qu Zhisheng opened the gates of the city and surrendered, and the Kingdom of Gaochang fell.
(I'll stop here for now and add more later.)
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Li Weiying said, "Huan Lang, the Tang army has breached the city." Huan She didn't react much. She kissed his lips again and was shocked to find them icy cold. She realized he was seriously injured and had lost a lot of blood, and needed immediate medical attention, or his life would be in danger. She got up and saw that the exit and windows of the room were blocked by large stones, so she couldn't get out.
Even if the Tang army entered the palace, they couldn't possibly search every room thoroughly in a short time. Qu Zhixiu's residence was in a remote location and had been badly damaged by falling rocks; even if the Tang army passed by, they might not be interested in searching it closely. Huan She was already in imminent danger, and Li Weiying anxiously climbed to the rooftop to look out. She saw the Tang army's figures and cried out for help, but they were too far away for the Tang army to hear her cries. Suddenly, she remembered the jade flute she had casually given to Qu Zhixiu and regretted it; otherwise, she might have been able to play the flute so that the Tang army could hear it.
(Actually, I originally wanted to write that Xiao Qu left the jade flute at his residence, and Wei Ying found it and played it. Then the sound of the flute reached Cao Ling's ears from afar, which would lead to another crazy scene. But after thinking about it, I felt that there were too many of these kinds of plots. A more recent example is Rose blowing her whistle to summon the rescue ship that was rowing away in Titanic.)
If she were to be lowered down from the top, the roof, apart from the trellis for drying grapes, had no pillars or beams and could not withstand the weight of the object. There was also no rope long enough for her to use inside the dwelling, and besides, she was too weak to lower herself. She rushed back downstairs to find ink and brush to write a plea for help, but Qu Zhixiu's study had already collapsed. Seeing Huan She barely breathing, with a pool of blood on the ground, she suddenly had a plan. She grabbed a silk curtain, dipped her finger in the blood, and tried to write a few words, but the half-congealed blood on the ground wasn't enough. So, she sketched a simple five-petaled peach blossom on the white silk, then returned to the roof, dismantled the trellis, extended it into a long pole, and hoisted the silk banner high. The white banner with red flowers fluttered in the hot wind. Still fearing that the Tang army wouldn't see it, she tried her best to tear out some Buddhist scriptures from under the collapsed bricks and stones as a starting point, and dragged them, along with the bedding and straw mats in the room, onto the roof and burned them.
***
“Meng Han, Bo Ji is ill and has been working hard for a long time. Please sit down and rest with him.”
"You're too kind, Steward. Just call me Lu Shuang."
General Niu Xiu of the Left Army smiled and said, "We are all officials in the same court, and these two young talents have repeatedly made outstanding contributions in the recent battle of Gaochang. I dare not be disrespectful." Lu Shuang replied, "Sir, you treat my late father and Uncle Cao as equals. I wish to be your nephew, and I hope you will cherish me." Niu Xiu was very satisfied: "You are well-mannered and teachable. In that case, I will call you Shuang'er." Lu Shuang bowed respectfully, "Shuang'er humbly requests your guidance, Uncle."
Cao Ling sat with his head down, remaining silent, letting the two men talk like uncle and nephew. Suddenly, he coughed heavily. Lu Shuang patted his back, "Didn't you take your medicine today?" Cao Ling said, "What nice things have you said besides telling me to take medicine? I'm going to die, why are you all watching me and blocking me? Back then, when the Grand Steward dragged me to Pinggaochang, I reluctantly took some medicine. Now that it's all over, why are you still paying attention to me!" His voice was hoarse but stubborn and obstinate.
Niu Xiu and Lu Shuang were both angry and speechless. Cao Ling continued coughing, "Where's the fire? It's so choking." Niu and Lu looked around and saw faint smoke in the distance. Lu Shuang said, "You can smell smoke from that far away?" Cao Ling sneered, "Don't you know that I, a dying man, am all-seeing?" Lu Shuang was speechless, and looked at Niu Xiu with a bitter smile. Niu Xiu frowned, "Your lungs are weak and sensitive, you can't stand smoke and wind. We were just asking you out of kindness. Cao Ling, your temper is getting more and more eccentric. Hmm, that flag is a bit strange." Lu Shuang looked closely and said, "White with red flowers, five-petaled plum or five-petaled peach? Steward, is this what the flag of the King of Gaochang looks like? Bo Ji, tell me." Cao Ling didn't even look up, "You two have forgotten your ancestors. Doesn't the 'Peach and Plum Chapter' sing: 'Peach and plum blossoms, the Empress circles Yangzhou, winding through the garden. Don't speak carelessly, who says it's true!' This must be the remnants of Gaochang changing their flag and surrendering."
Niu Xiu, holding the second rank, was far superior to Cao and Lu, and being an elder, he was quite displeased by Cao Ling's words. Lu Shuang quickly intervened, saying, "Cao Ling is a bit impatient due to his illness, please don't take offense, General. His words remind everyone of the Sui Dynasty prophecy, 'Those who inherit the throne will rule.'" Niu Xiu didn't believe him: "Even if we were to emulate Emperor Gaozu's uprising, we should have used half white flags and half red flags, arranged in the shape of peach blossoms. Besides, if you've surrendered, you could simply come to the army; why make such a show of it? I think this tattered flag is just some palace children playing around with." Cao Ling coughed as he stood up, "Where would one find so many red and white flags in such a hurry? Since you don't believe me, please take a look and see if I'm right or you're right."
A dilapidated little house stood with a huge rock in front of it. A wisp of warm blue smoke rose from the roof, and a piece of white silk fluttered in the wind. The sunlight was dazzling and the five-petaled peach blossoms painted with blood were clearly visible. The group of people who had rushed there felt a strange sensation in their hearts.
Niu Xiu said, "This flag was hastily made; the peach blossoms seem to be painted with blood. This is neither a surrender nor a child's play, but a cry for help. Lu Shuang!" Lu Shuang responded, "Yes," and ordered her men to quickly move the huge rock blocking the entrance to the house. Niu Xiu, Cao Ling, and Lu Shuang stepped into the house and, upon seeing the man and woman inside, suddenly exclaimed in unison:
"Your Highness!"
"Qin'er!"
"Huan She!"
Li Weiying was kneeling beside the prostrate Huan She, one hand supporting his chin and gently lifting his head, the other hand tenderly stroking his cold face. Hearing voices, she looked up, slightly startled, and then hurriedly called to Niu Xiu, "My lord, please quickly summon the army physician to treat him!" Cao Ling had already rushed to Li Weiying's side and tightly grabbed her shoulders, saying, "Qin'er, you're still here!" Li Weiying's shoulders slumped, "Don't touch me!" Her hands were still wrapped around Huan She's head, afraid that any movement would hurt him again.
Cao Ling trembled, slowly released her, and stood silently. Li Weiying glanced at Cao Ling, her voice strained: "He has broken ribs and cannot move rashly. Please don't ask me why I am here. Please quickly summon a physician. Hurry, his internal injuries are severe, and he has vomited a lot of blood. Please find a physician quickly, please! Save him!" Her voice was already filled with sobs.
A soldier rushed to fetch a physician, but Cao Ling suddenly pulled out a hairpin and stabbed it at Huan She. Li Weiying cried out in surprise and swung her arm to block, but her hand was immediately cut open. Cao Ling paused, then thrust the needle down onto Huan She's Dazhui acupoint on the back of his neck, and then into his Neiguan acupoint on his forearm, all the while shouting, "Weiying, press down hard on his philtrum! Lu Shuang, quickly bring my medicine and decoct it: Angelica sinensis 10 qian, Astragalus membranaceus, Rehmannia glutinosa, Spatholobus suberectus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Lonicera japonica 6 qian each, Cinnamomum cassia, Prunus persica, Carthamus tinctorius, Bambusa textilis 2 qian each, Glycyrrhiza uralensis 2 qian."
(A warning to children watching: This recipe is purely a random combination; please do not imitate it, as it could be fatal.)
Under the intense stimulation of the acupoints and the forced administration of a heart-strengthening decoction, Huan She regained a slight consciousness. The physician also arrived, took her pulse, inquired about her condition, and said, "Fortunately, Vice Minister Cao treated her urgently and acupunctured her acupoints. Although the combination of the various medicinal herbs was not entirely suitable (it was my own doing), it was fortunate that it was timely; otherwise, I'm afraid she wouldn't have survived." He then prescribed other formulas for his attendants to prepare and repositioned Huan She's bones to treat her injuries.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Weiying was drenched in cold sweat, her body icy cold. Her legs gave way, and she was about to collapse when Cao Ling caught her in his arms and held her tightly. Li Weiying burst into tears at the thought of having narrowly lost Huan She again. Cao Ling held her silently, but felt as if his own heart, which had been dead and withered, forever plunged into the abyss, had been rekindled, and was being torn apart and discarded bit by bit by her sorrowful cries.
After a long while, the physician finished his treatment, and Niu Xiu ordered that Huan She be taken to another room in the palace. Several sergeants hurriedly lifted Huan She onto a stretcher. Li Weiying quickly broke free from Cao Ling's embrace and said repeatedly, "Wait, wait, please be careful and move gently." She held Huan She's hand tightly and followed him out.
Niu Xiu and Lu Shuang also left with their followers. After taking a few steps, Lu Shuang noticed that Cao Ling was still standing there, so he said, "Bo Ji, aren't you coming with us?" Cao Ling sat down blankly on the ground, which was covered with rubble and splattered with blood. Seeing that his expression was not right, Lu Shuang helped him up and said, "I know you lost your composure when you saw the princess. What can a death row inmate like him take from you?" Cao Ling looked up at him, and Lu Shuang said, "If you want to know the details, come with us first."
After settling Huan She to bed, Niu Xiu invited Li Weiying to eat some rice cakes and pastries. Niu Xiu cautiously said, "Your Highness has been gone for nearly three years. I know that the journey has been quite complicated, but I dare not ask the princess for details. However, the tattoo on this young man's face is not good. Is it...?" Lu Shuang whispered, "This is Huan She, a fugitive who committed a capital crime in our Guazhou army."
Li Weiying had already heard Cao Ling call his name. She looked up and stared at him: "Are you Lu Shuang?" Lu Shuang respectfully replied, "Your Highness, I am the Commandant of the Guazhou Garrison, and I have come with the army to conquer Gaochang." So it really was him, the one who had disfigured Huan Lang. It seemed he had won his struggle against Chen Ti, being promoted from Right Commandant to Commandant. Li Weiying remained silent. Lu Shuang sensed a sharp edge in her calm gaze and felt uneasy. He thought to himself that the princess and Huan She seemed very close, and this prospect was extremely unfavorable. Li Weiying then remembered how he had memorized every word of the many medicine names Cao Ling had hurriedly mentioned, and how quickly he had prepared and brewed the medicine, saving Huan She's life. Yesterday's events, today's misfortunes, grudges and grievances—how could they all be explained in a short time?
She bowed to each of the three men, saying, "Thank you all for saving him." Niu Xiu and Lu Shuang quickly returned the bow, saying, "We dare not accept it." Cao Ling remained standing, while Li Weiying lowered her eyes and said, "Cao Ling, thank you so much." She then sat down next to Huan She and said, "I know that Huan Lang has some involvement in Guazhou, but for the past three years, while I have been wandering in the enemy's court, I have relied entirely on him to save and protect me repeatedly, risking his life. I implore you all not to investigate further now, but to wait until he is feeling better before proceeding."
Niu Xiu immediately said, "Rescuing the princess deserves great merit. Other matters can be dealt with upon returning to the army. Your Highness has worked hard; please rest early. Commandant Lu and I will take our leave now. Please instruct Vice Minister Cao to handle any other matters. Cao Ling, do not leave without the princess's permission." After the two of them withdrew, Cao Ling knew they had deliberately kept her behind. She sighed, walked to the window, and watched the twilight descend, unable to shake off her loneliness.
Li Weiying gently wiped the cold sweat from Huan She's forehead as he lay unconscious. Looking at Cao Ling, she recalled the last time she saw him; he was drunk and passed out on the streets of Chang'an. His drunken madness still wounded her heart. Three years of separation had left him increasingly thin and sickly. Even though he turned his face away, she could still feel his pain and sorrow. The past, like smoke, lingered in her mind. Lost in thought, she heard Cao Ling whisper, "I scratched you earlier, does it still hurt?" Li Weiying shook her head slightly, "I don't know how to thank you. You…" Cao Ling coldly replied, "Princess, don't ask me. I'm a fool; I don't know anything about such things." Li Weiying thought of her panic and struggle when Cao Ling saved Huan She, and now his feigned indifference; he must still be haunted by those past years.
She sighed, then suddenly remembered Qu Zhixiu, and asked, "Why didn't the Turkic army come to Gaochang's rescue?" Cao Ling replied calmly, "After Generals Jiang Xingben and Ashina She'er finished building the siege equipment in Yiwu, they joined forces with General Qibi Heli and the vanguard army to attack Khan Futu City from the north. The Western Turkic Yabghu dared not resist and surrendered the city. When the six armies met at Liugu, Yugushe (Yibi Dulu Khan) was so frightened that he fled more than a thousand li to the west."
Indeed! The Western Turks, having acted as overlords in vain, have once again tricked Gaochang. Qu Zhixiu slid down the city wall overnight to seek reinforcements, but the reinforcements have fled a thousand miles away, and no one knows where he is now. Given his stubborn pride and serious injuries, what will he do once he discovers that even this last hope has been shattered?
Cao Ling straightened his clothes and said, "I have said all. Does Your Highness have any further questions?" Li Weiying's heart clenched at his tone. Cao Ling didn't allow her to ask any more questions and interrupted, "May I return to camp? Your Highness's silence means you have granted my request. Thank you, Your Highness. I take my leave." Li Weiying called out to him, "Cao Ling!" Cao Ling turned and left, leaving behind the words, "I am no longer on duty. Your Highness shouldn't have called me."
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P.S.: I bet you were confused by some of the names in this article.
It is more polite to address others by their courtesy name, but it is more humble to refer to oneself by one's given name.
Huan She: courtesy name Zishen.
Cao Ling: Her courtesy name is Boji (芰), which means water chestnut (I'm secretly pleased that I actually remembered the meaning of 芰, and I can use it right away).
Li Weiying: There is no given name. A woman only gets a given name when she gets married, so she is "ungiven name" or "waiting to be named in her boudoir".
Qu Zhixiu: It wasn't mentioned that he had a courtesy name. I plan to call him Rongchang if there's a chance in the future. Xiu means to cultivate, and cultivation also means tall and long.
Lu Shuang: Her courtesy name was Meng Han, which means "autumn dew, autumn chill, frost descends" ^-^. The order of birth is Bo/Meng, Zhong, Shu, Ji, so both Cao Ling and Lu Shuang were the eldest sons in their families.
Niu Xiu: His courtesy name was Jinda, but historical records refer to him more often as Niu Jinda, hence the saying "he is known by his courtesy name." Strangely, this renowned general, who repeatedly distinguished himself in major battles against Wang Shichong, the Liao people, the Tubo, Gaochang, and Goguryeo, and was buried alongside Emperor Taizong of Tang in the Zhaoling Mausoleum, has no dedicated biography in either the Old or New Tang Histories. His birth, death, place of origin, and other deeds are unknown. It is a great pity that such a hero has been buried in obscurity. Therefore, I bring this great hero into our community, so that his brilliance may illuminate us, the people of Tang.
A folk song circulating during the Sui Dynasty, titled "The Peach and Plum Chapter," goes: "Peach and plum fruits, the Empress circulates around Yangzhou, winding through the garden. Do not speak carelessly, who would agree!" Another song, "The Peach and Plum Song," is similar: "Peach and plum fruits, do not speak carelessly, the yellow swan flies around the mountain, winding through the garden." The word "peach" (桃) is pronounced "tao," referring to the Tao Tang clan, the surname of Emperor Yao, while Li Yuan inherited the title of Duke of Tang. "Empress" (皇) and "Empress" (后) are synonymous; rulers of the Xia Dynasty were all called "Empress," such as Hou Yi, referring to a ruler named Yi. It was only during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties that rulers were called "King." "Winding through the garden" refers to Emperor Yang of Sui hiding in Jiangdu (Yangzhou) and never returning.
I believe that so-called prophecies are generally fabricated intentionally. For example, at the end of the Qin Dynasty, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang pretended to be foxes and said, "The Great Chu will rise, and Chen Sheng will be king" (it's rather absurd to deliberately fabricate a prophecy by pretending to be a fox; it's strange that anyone would believe a fox could talk). During the chaotic political period of the Han Dynasty, prophecies flourished, with folk songs and tales frequently appearing, such as "a large stone book falling from the sky." Later dynasties, whenever there was a change of dynasty, numerous children's sayings and nursery rhymes would emerge. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Li Xin helped Li Zicheng fabricate the prophecy, "When a beautiful woman dies, the great chaos ends; eighteen sons will rule the divine regalia."