Chapter Nine: Lu Xiaofeng’s Intentions and the Unbelievable Answer
Ming Dynasty, Jiayuguan Pass.
This magnificent fortress standing at the border of the Ming Empire has always been a crossroads where nations converge and turbulent winds blow.
The annual recruitment of new soldiers by the Imperial Military Commission, once just an ordinary conscription, has gradually evolved into a martial contest that captivates all the people within Shaanxi.
Though called a contest, it is essentially a selection process for recruitment.
But as attention increased, it has become a grand event.
Some attend hoping their sons might shine in the selection and make a name for themselves; some simply come for the excitement; others harbor darker intentions.
Inside Jiayuguan, within a tavern.
A strikingly handsome young gentleman with vacant eyes delicately sips his tea, saying, “Lu Xiaofeng, is this really the place you brought us to?”
“It does seem different from the rumors.”
“Of course it’s different. When I first arrived here, I was startled, nearly thinking we had returned to the capital instead of a border pass.”
Lu Xiaofeng’s expression was exaggerated beyond measure, but unfortunately, his companion was blind and could not see.
Ximen Chuixue’s indifferent voice sounded, tinged with surprise: “Several years ago, I passed through here when it was nowhere near this prosperous. Truly, seeing it surpasses hearing about it. This place is excellent.”
Lu Xiaofeng blinked. “Don’t you feel uncomfortable?”
A sneer flickered briefly across Ximen Chuixue’s cold face. “When Prince Su was trampling the martial world of the northern deserts, purging the unruly, I was there pursuing a sword-wielding murderer who killed indiscriminately. I even encountered the Imperial Military Commission then.”
“They targeted those who disrupted martial order and acted lawlessly.”
“I have neither broken Ming laws, slaughtered innocents, nor acted recklessly. Why would I feel uneasy?”
His words stunned everyone at the table.
Lu Xiaofeng’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You’ve met Prince Su?”
“Once, several years ago.”
Ximen Chuixue was usually taciturn, but facing his good friend’s curiosity, he nodded.
Though years had passed, he had not forgotten the heroic young prince's spirit, nor the supreme spectacle of swordsmanship he witnessed that day, which had captivated his very soul.
Even after all this time, the memory remained vivid.
“Why haven’t you ever mentioned this?”
“Why should I?” Ximen Chuixue countered.
Lu Xiaofeng awkwardly scratched his nose. This was typical of his friend’s reserved nature: silent to the point of stubbornness, never speaking unless asked, and sometimes not even then.
Like ice unmelting for a millennium, cold and aloof.
“Little Lu, what exactly brought us all the way to Jiayuguan?” Stealing the King’s Envoy, Sikong Zhaixing, could no longer contain his curiosity and asked, “You’ve been smiling mysteriously the whole way, but never say a word.”
“Now that we’re here, I suppose I can tell you.”
“I’ve received some news…”
Lu Xiaofeng raised a finger, somewhat proudly. “Master Zhang from Wudang has descended the mountain and is heading toward Jiayuguan. His target seems to be Prince Su.”
“Pfft! So that’s the news?” Sikong Zhaixing rolled his eyes, disappointed after such long anticipation.
Hua Manlou smiled gently. “I’ve heard about this too, Lu Xiaofeng. Don’t keep us in suspense.”
“Alright, alright,” Lu Xiaofeng chuckled lightly, then turned serious. “There are rumors that Prince Su is colluding with the Western Xia and the Mongols, intending to invite foreign forces into the pass to commit treason.”
“I was commissioned by someone to verify if this is true.”
Silence!
The small private room in the tavern fell into an eerie stillness.
Sikong Zhaixing opened his mouth but found no words.
“This is nonsense,” Hua Manlou suddenly understood and scoffed, shaking his head. “If it weren’t for Prince Su sacrificing himself to block the Mongol-Liao armies back then, would Jiayuguan and the Ming Empire be so peaceful today? Who would spread such ridiculous rumors? It’s utterly absurd.”
“Yeah, Little Lu, saying this is like claiming Hua Manlou was caught peeping on a maiden bathing,” Sikong Zhaixing chimed in. Neither he nor Prince Su had any dealings, but the admiration and respect from the people of Shaanxi, along with the peaceful prosperity here, were undeniable.
Even Sikong Zhaixing, a notorious liar and thief, did not believe Prince Su would betray his country.
Ximen Chuixue, a man whose heart belonged solely to the way of the sword, furrowed his brow deeply. “It seems Prince Su’s growing power has made some in the court want him eliminated. Or perhaps…”
He left the last suspicion unspoken, but all present understood it perfectly.
Among those most wary of Prince Su’s existence was none other than Minister Zhu Jinzhen.
Besides the civil officials in the court, only Emperor Zhu Houzhao feared him.
Lu Xiaofeng shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“But apart from Little Xi’s guess, I suspect those who want to get rid of Prince Su aren’t in the court.”
“You mean… the Mongols or the Liao?”
Before Hua Manlou could finish, Sikong Zhaixing and Ximen Chuixue immediately turned to look.
Lu Xiaofeng smiled and nodded. “Just as Sikong Zhaixing said, I might believe Prince Su would rebel, but not that he would betray his country. Unless, Hua Manlou, you really were caught spying on maidens bathing.”
Ximen Chuixue glanced at Hua Manlou, imagining the blind man sneaking peeks at bathing maidens, and almost lost his composure.
Hua Manlou took Lu Xiaofeng’s teasing in stride but asked curiously, “If you’re so certain, why bring us here?”
Lu Xiaofeng’s expression turned solemn. “Because the clues and some of the evidence I found are questionable. Do you know where the evidence and leads implicating Prince Su in treason came from?”
“Something so certain, yet you still come all this way and bring us along. Could it be the Six Doors? The Eastern Depot? Or the Embroidered Uniform Guard?”
With each guess, Lu Xiaofeng’s expression changed.
Though Hua Manlou was blind, Ximen Chuixue and Sikong Zhaixing were not. They immediately grasped the gravity of the situation from Lu Xiaofeng’s shifting demeanor.
“Why the silence?” Hua Manlou frowned.
“It’s not that I don’t want to speak, but I don’t know how.”
Lu Xiaofeng sighed. “Hua Manlou, how many guesses of yours do you think were right?”
How many guesses???
Hua Manlou’s face changed drastically, as if struck by lightning. He caught the extreme weight in Lu Xiaofeng’s tone and incredulously said, “Could it be… I guessed them all?”