Heirate einen Beamten der Nördlichen Song-Dynastie

Kapitel 23

"My people's homeland, which was invaded by the Liao army, is even more beautiful than this! Would you like to go and see it, sir?"

Xingge was secretly alarmed. You want me to help you attack Liaoji?!

"Hehe, such a beautiful view has already captivated me, but something even more beautiful would probably make me drunk to death!"

"So you're afraid of getting drunk, sir!" Tuolanxi smiled with a complex expression, her gaze sweeping over the elegant profile before landing on the floating clouds in the sky.

Three days later, the military cavalry arrived at the royal court. Xingge was settled in the Fourth Prince's residence, and the long-lost 'Li Sao' was finally back in his arms. Due to the delicate situation, Xingge could only pass the time by playing the zither in the residence, and the Fourth Prince also took time out of his busy schedule to drink and talk with Xingge. People from the Central Plains were rare here, and it was a rare treat to have a handsome gentleman who could speak the Northern Jurchen language. Moreover, his master had given him his beloved zither. The curiosity that surged throughout the residence made Xingge feel as if he were a rare and exotic creature from another land!

The matter proceeded very smoothly. Within seven days, the Northern Jurchens decided that their fourth prince would lead an army to Kucha to negotiate peace, and they set off the following day.

On the return journey, Tuolanxi made a special arrangement to stay in the Tianshan Mountains for two days.

The night was still and the moonlight was bright. Two men sat on a mountain terrace, drinking and chatting merrily. A gentle melody of "Moon over the Mountain Pass" lingered in the air. After a long while, the Fourth Prince opened his eyes and smiled at Xingge.

"To travel the world hand in hand with such a wonderful person as you, sir, would be the greatest joy in life!"

"Oh, you don't want the country anymore?!" Xingge joked.

"When you were young, you earned the title of 'Musical Demon' with your piece 'Wandering the World'. It is said that this piece can captivate people's souls. Please enlighten us, sir."

"Aren't you afraid of having your soul captured?"

"Haha, if that's really the case, then I'll follow you to wander the world!"

"If this song fails to bewitch the Fourth Prince, then it's fine not to listen to it. But if it truly captures his heart, then with Liaoji still unconquered, it will only add to his troubles. Perhaps I should wait until the Fourth Prince conquers Liaoji before I try to bewitch his heart?"

"Alright! You mustn't go back on your word then!"

They sang songs and raised their cups in toast, enjoying each other's company immensely.

"I have a question to ask you, sir."

"Please speak, Fourth Master."

"Why did you go down into the valley that day?" Fourth Master narrowed his slightly drunken eyes, his gaze sharp.

Xingge paused for a moment, then said, "I want to protect someone!"

"Young General Dou?"

Xingge nodded with a faint smile, "He is my senior brother. He is determined to fulfill his duty as a soldier. I consider him family and can't let him go!"

The Fourth Master remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "This is General Dou's choice, sir, you need not take it to heart!"

Xingge downed the strong liquor in his cup in one gulp. "I don't understand either. Why weren't you captured that day? Why did you have to coerce me later?"

"How dare you bring this up, sir! This is my biggest regret! I didn't know you were so important back then, so important that Prince Qing actually went down into the valley to rescue people! If the prince had died on the battlefield, who would have compensated me for the loss of my 90,000 troops! If I hadn't brought you here, who knows what other extraordinary things the prince might have done!"

Xingge chuckled dryly, "Your Highness is too kind to appreciate talent. Please forgive me, Fourth Master. I'm just keeping you company here in the mountain breeze!"

Seeing that Xingge was indeed rather thin, Fourth Master tossed his cloak over Xingge's shoulder, still making a teasing remark.

"They truly value talent! They cherish it to the point of risking their lives!"

Xingge, appreciative, pulled his cloak tighter around himself. "Is Fourth Master already drunk?"

Fourth Master laughed dismissively, "Sir, have you ever been drunk?"

Xingge paused slightly, noticing the jade cup before him shimmering with a soft blue light, its surface reflecting a crescent moon, serene and distant. A wistful smile crept over him.

"Speaking of which, I haven't been drunk since I was ten years old!"

"Hahaha," Fourth Master laughed heartily, his drunken eyes slightly narrowed, "There are two kinds of drunkenness. One is limited by one's alcohol tolerance, which is physical drunkenness. The other, in your Central Plains terms, is drunkenness of the heart, not of the wine. Have you not encountered any people or things that have made you drunk all these years? Or are you unwilling or afraid to get drunk?"

Xingge felt a slight pang in his heart, but his face wore a half-smile. "Since Fourth Master is willing and dares to get drunk, I will certainly keep you company!"

“When I drink with you, sir, I always get drunk. Sir, guess whether I’m drunk in body or in heart?” Fourth Master suddenly leaned closer, looking directly into Xingge’s deep, dark eyes.

Xingge felt a warm breath, tinged with the smell of alcohol, brush against his face. The person before him, whose light brown eyes had turned deep brown, seemed to have two playful flames leaping and shouting at their ends. Xingge raised an eyebrow! You damned barbarian! Today I'll make sure you're nothing but a pulp, hmph!

"Tsk tsk tsk! Are you annoyed, sir?" Fourth Master suddenly laughed, seemingly drunk but not quite, and said, "Such a beautiful night, drinking with you, sir, I wish to be drunk in body and mind! Come!" He downed the strong liquor in his cup in one gulp.

The moon boat quietly glided across half the night sky, and Tuolanxi sighed softly, "Sir, are you still unwilling to get drunk?" He then slumped to the ground, drunk.

He sang and drank silently until the wine was gone and the jar was empty. He couldn't help but laugh. It turns out that the more you want to get drunk, the more sober you become!

Ever since the incident at Tianshan, Fourth Master has been calling Xingge by his given name, persistently persuading Xingge to acknowledge him as his fourth brother. Xingge then discovered that behind Fourth Master's deep and sophisticated demeanor lay a wild and unrestrained heart. If he hadn't been born into an imperial family, he would surely have been a dashing and romantic wanderer. Xingge couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with him.

Upon arriving in Kucha, the generals of both sides were busy negotiating peace. Xiao Ran had already been sent back to the capital by the prince. Dou Huai had been given a grand burial as a great general at the southern cliff of Tian Gou. Xing Ge went to the southern cliff every day to chat with Xiao Dou. Kucha town was bustling with activity yet peaceful.

The armistice agreement was finally signed, the two countries became allies, and Xicang was filled with the sounds of prosperity.

The fourth prince of the Northern Kingdom returned to the royal court, and the generals of both countries went to see him off.

Tuolanxi pulled Xingge aside.

"Have you thought it through? You really don't want to come with me to see an even more beautiful grassland?"

"Heh, Fourth Brother knows I'm afraid of getting drunk!"

"If you're bored at Prince Qing's place, come to my place! I guarantee you'll have a fight to fight with!"

Xingge curled his lip, "From one heated kang to another!"

"So stubborn?! Having a choice is better than having none!" Tuolan looked at Xingge reluctantly, then suddenly his eyes lit up and he grinned mischievously. "Since you won't come with me, come, let me give the prince a few words of advice."

Xingge thought to himself, "This is bad!" and hurriedly followed.

“Prince Qing, now that our two nations have formed an alliance, why not exchange marriage proposals? Prince Qing is a young and talented man, and my younger sister is seventeen years old, with a beautiful appearance, and is a perfect match for you. What is your opinion, Your Highness?”

It is common for two countries to form alliances and marry each other, but the incident happened so suddenly that everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Jiu Ru smiled and bowed, "Thank you for your kind offer, Fourth Prince. I am the youngest son, and there is no younger sister in my family who would be a suitable match for you. Please allow me to report to my father and make further plans."

"I have a request. I get along very well with your army's strategist, Ye Xing. I humbly request that Prince Qing recognize Ye Xing as his younger sister. This would be a win-win situation."

Xingge's murderous gaze pierced Tuolanxi, only to be met with a mocking smile in return. This joke had gone too far!

Everyone fell silent. Although they had always felt that Military Advisor Ye was somewhat androgynous, they had never spoken out about it because the Prince had never said so. But now that the Fourth Prince of Northern Jurchen had brought it up himself, and considering how intimate the two of them had been just now, sigh! This was so improper!

Jiu Ru still had a smile on her face. "I have remembered the Fourth Prince's kind intentions. Marriage is a major event that should be decided by parents. This matter still needs to be discussed in detail!"

"Your Highness, please take your time, there's no rush!" Tuolanxi turned to Xingge with a mischievous grin, feigning intimacy, and said, "Remember our promise at Tianshan!" Then, with a faint smile, he bid farewell to everyone and set off on his journey with ease.

As the group that saw them off returned, Xingge was almost riddled with holes by the strange looks from everyone along the way!

"I'm innocent! I'm innocent! Your Highness, you must do justice for me and clear my name!" A mournful song echoed from the inner hall.

Jiu Ru knew that the Fourth Prince was familiar with Xing Ge and that he was extremely unruly. Sure enough! Thank goodness! It was just a joke!

“If we’re talking about who’s compatible, I’m much more compatible with Brother Mo than with those barbarians!” Xingge moved closer to Mo, who jumped back three feet as if he’d seen a ghost.

"Hey, why are you running! If you run again, I'll tell Zijuan you have a lover outside!" Xingge said jokingly as she saw Mo fleeing in a hurry.

"Young master, save me! I'd rather be killed by Zijuan's jealousy than associate with this androgynous, shameless, and promiscuous woman!" Mo hid behind Jiuru, deliberately using the gossip outside to mock Xingge.

"Ah! I'm innocent! I'm innocent..."

With the initial pacification of Xicang, General Dou, having distinguished himself in battle, was awarded the title of Marshal and ordered to return to the capital to assume his post. Young General Dou and Deputy General Zhao heroically sacrificed their lives and were awarded the titles of Grand General and General, respectively. The families of the fallen soldiers received generous compensation. General Lin, formerly of the Southwest forces, was promoted to Grand General of Xicang, and 100,000 troops from the Southwest remained to garrison Xicang.

Xingge stood before the general's tomb on the southern cliff of Tiangou. "Little Bean," he thought, "I must return to the Central Plains and can no longer visit you every day. Oh, but you won't be lonely, for your soldiers are with you!" Looking into the distance, he saw the soldiers' graves standing on the southern slope of the cliff, silent except for the sound of the wind…

"What is it?" Jiu Ru put down her pen and looked up at Xing Ge standing by the door.

"Your Highness, Xicang has been pacified, and I must ask for leave."

"how long?"

"January"

"What is it?"

"Some personal business, I'll go to Jingzhou first, and then return to Linzhou while I'm at it. I'll return to the capital in a month."

When do we depart?

"tomorrow"

After thinking for a while, Jiu Ru said, "The day after tomorrow!"

Xingge didn't feel any difference between tomorrow and the day after; everyone was too busy to be seen. Only Mo came to see him off as he set off, his expression strange.

Dressed in youthful attire, carrying a bundle, I rode my horse with a whip cracking, the rising sun and gentle breeze carrying my thoughts as I sang. I could hardly remember the feeling anymore—the free wind, the free clouds, the free birds flying freely, the free flowers blooming contentedly…

After traveling for more than an hour, they arrived at the fork in the road leading to Jingzhou. Xingge, referring to the map, found an inn at the intersection where they could rest.

"Waiter, bring me a pot of fine tea! And another one..." Xingge froze, stunned. It must be a hallucination! The young man in black robes sitting across from her was staring at her with a warm smile...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editor's Note:

The war is finally over. Writing this volume was a real ordeal!

Fortunately, you all accompanied me through this. I earnestly request that you share your thoughts on the article with me. If you like it, give it a round of applause; if you don't, give it a good scolding. Please let me know! Writing is a lonely and solitary experience! Communicating with you all is my greatest motivation.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this article.

Aside

The idea for this volume came from a friend who had traveled to Dunhuang. A fan of martial arts novels, he spent several hundred yuan on a taxi to see Yangguan Pass, dozens of kilometers from the city. All he saw was a dilapidated earthen mound bathed in the setting sun. However, what shocked him most was a vast expanse of wasteland he passed along the way, densely covered with countless small mounds, appearing mottled, pitted, and grimly ugly from afar. Locals explained that this area had once been an ancient battlefield, and these were all nameless graves, sculpted by years of wind and sand, leaving behind only these small mounds.

War is humanity's most helpless and heroic act!

Recently, a friend discussed with me that Xingge's image in this battle was not glorious enough, nor was he compassionate enough! In my heart, Xingge has never been a heroic figure. He has been involved in the secular world since childhood, and has seen the coldness of the world. The fate of his family made him understand the cruelty of imperial power.

The Emperor, being old, requested a swift resolution to the Xicang issue.

General Dou and his subordinates had followed King Li for many years, and when necessary, they would either be transferred or their numbers reduced.

If Xicang is a liability to the Northern Jurchens, it is certainly the same for the Celestial Empire. Only through peace can prosperity be achieved, which would be of great benefit to the country and to the nation in the long run.

The war ended with the sacrifice of tens of thousands of lives; if the war had continued unabated, the death toll would have been far more than tens of thousands.

For Xingge, the only regret was not being able to protect Dou Huai, whom he considered family. Given Xingge's personality, he would have respected anyone else's choice and applauded their success. But with people and things he cared about, he couldn't let go. Even though he risked his life to protect them, he ultimately had to let go! Suffering makes one grow!

Dou Huaizhong was upright, magnanimous, and a respectable soldier, but in the struggle for power and interests, he could only end up in tragedy. As the saying goes, life and death are up to one's wishes, and he could be said to have gotten what he wanted.

Unfortunately, due to my limited writing skills, I probably failed to capture the essence of the scene. I'm ashamed!

I welcome everyone to share their thoughts with me! Communication leads to progress!