Wuxia: The Super Slave Master

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Luo Chen arrived at the courtyard based on her memory. It was very quiet, and there was no one in sight.

"Teacher..." Luo Chen called softly in a hoarse voice outside the courtyard. There was no response. It was too quiet; Luo Chen even felt that there was no one inside at all.

"Teacher!" Luo Chen's voice was a little louder.

The wooden door creaked open, and a woman with delicate features stepped out. Cai Wenji.

"A student has come to pay respects to his teacher," Luo Chen said, bowing deeply.

Cai Wenji was naturally somewhat alarmed upon seeing Luo Chen.

"Your Majesty... My lord... My father has gone to the Luo River to enjoy the autumn scenery... My lord, you may rest for a while..." she said, and went out to open the door.

"Then... what about Yesso?" Luo Chen asked the question he wanted to ask.

“He also went with my father… My lord, I’ll go make some tea…” Cai Wenji said.

Luo Chen shook his head silently and left.

It's interesting to think about now. Who would have thought that rescuing this woman was one of the reasons Luo Chen started the war? Of course, there are many hidden reasons. The "evil spirit" in the Northwest has probably been found—the Grassland Wolf Legion. With the Grassland Wolf Legion under his command, it's unknown what kind of sensation this powerful killing machine will cause when it enters the Central Plains.

The woman now lives a peaceful life. The 500,000-strong army that rescued her is still on the grasslands, preparing for a final blow against the Xiongnu army.

"Go to the Luo River!" Luo Chen said to Huo Qubing. Time was indeed tight; more than half a month had probably passed by the time they went back and forth. They couldn't track down and send battle reports to Luo Chen, but the main force might have already begun fighting. Xu Da might have already completed the encirclement and annihilation of Zhong Ping, so the task of pacifying the Xiongnu tribes would become even more important.

After bypassing Luoyang, Luo Chen and his group arrived at the banks of the Luo River. The Luo River is a tributary of the Yellow River. Luoyang was located where it forks from the Yellow River, hence the name Luo River. Luo Chen found a boat and planned to travel south to negotiate peace, hoping to encounter Cai Yong and his party there.

It's quite interesting that, a few years from now, one of Cao Cao's talented sons will write a timeless masterpiece by the Luo River. He will see the Goddess of the Luo River, and he will admire her exquisite beauty and her ethereal, misty charm. He will be filled with melancholy and sigh. It's hard to imagine that such pure reflections on life and love would arise in this turbulent era of iron and blood. It's also understandable, though. It seems that what fascinates him most is not how to fight, but rather his own experience in this era and the world, and his personal and societal circumstances.

I departed from the capital, returning to my eastern fiefdom, passing Yique, crossing Huanyuan, traversing Tonggu, and ascending Jingshan. The sun was already setting, and the carriage and horses were weary. Then I unharnessed the carriage at Henggao, fed the horses at Zhitian, lingered in Yanglin, and gazed upon the Luo River. Suddenly, my spirit was moved and my thoughts scattered. Looking down, I saw nothing; looking up, I beheld a wondrous sight. I saw a beautiful woman by a cliff. I then turned to my charioteer and said, “Have you seen her there? Who is she, so beautiful?” The charioteer replied, “I have heard of the goddess of the Luo River, named Mi Fei. Could it be that Your Majesty has seen her? What is her appearance like? I wish to hear.”

The author was walking along the Luo River in the capital when he encountered this beautiful woman on the riverbank.

I told her: Her form is like a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon, radiant as autumn chrysanthemums, and flourishing as spring pines. She appears as if light clouds veil the moon, as if drifting snow in a gentle breeze. From afar, she shines like the rising sun at dawn. Up close, she glows like a lotus emerging from clear water. Her figure is perfectly proportioned, neither too slender nor too plump. Her shoulders are like those of a sculpted figure, her waist as slender as a silken thread. Her neck is long and elegant, her skin fair and radiant, needing no adornment or makeup. Her hair is piled high like clouds, her eyebrows are long and delicate, her lips are bright red, and her teeth are white and gleaming. Her eyes are bright and expressive, her dimples charming, her beauty captivating, her demeanor serene and composed. Her gentle charm is evident in her every word. Her attire is unique and unparalleled, perfectly matching her features. She wears a shimmering silk robe, adorned with jade and precious stones. Her head is adorned with gold and kingfisher feathers, and her body is studded with pearls. I tread the embroidered shoes of a distant journey, my light skirt trailing like misty silk. A faint fragrance of orchids wafts through the air as I linger at the mountain's corner. Suddenly, I leap forth, to roam and play. To my left, a colorful banner hangs; to my right, a cassia flag provides shade. I stretch my fair wrists along the sacred riverbank, gathering dark fungus from the rushing rapids.

· 0 flowers requested ··· ······

What did the Goddess of the Luo River look like? Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon. Her hair was like a misty haze, her robes snow-white, fluttering like snowflakes blown by the wind. Her face was like the morning glow, her eyes like autumn waves, clear and full of affection. Her shoulders were slender as if carved by a knife, her neck graceful, her exposed skin as smooth as dew. Her eyebrows were long and elegant, her lips crimson. She had bright, captivating eyes; she was incomparably beautiful.

......... ....... ...

……

Luo Chen peered out from the bow of the boat, wondering if such a beauty truly existed. Unfortunately, it was late autumn, nearing winter, and fog blanketed the river, making it difficult to see even a human figure, let alone a beauty. But perhaps this was for the best; even without seeing a beauty, he could still feel the solitude of an old man in a straw hat and raincoat on a lone boat. Having just experienced a political upheaval, Luo Chen relaxed, forgetting his worries about the capital, the situation in the north, and especially the difficult battles in the south. Seeing the misty river, he felt a sense of peace and tranquility, a feeling of oneness with nature.

"So I turned my back on the high hill, my feet went but my spirit lingered. I left behind my feelings and imagination, looking back with sorrow. I hoped that my spirit would return to its original form, and I would ride a light boat upstream. I floated on the long river and forgot to return, my thoughts lingering and my longing growing stronger. I couldn't sleep all night, and the heavy frost covered me until dawn. I ordered my servants to prepare the carriage, for I was going to return to the eastern road. I took the reins and raised the whip, but I lingered there, unable to leave."

Finally, the lovelorn young man stood by the riverbank for a long time, but the Goddess of the Luo River had vanished. Beautiful things are fleeting, truly something that can be encountered but not sought. He rowed his light boat, he rode his swift carriage, up and down the river, but the Goddess of the Luo River was nowhere to be found. He could only feel deep sorrow.

Chapter 210 Should he leave the mountain?

Meanwhile, Luo Chen, along with Huo Qubing and the others, traveled south along the Luo River. Seeing not a soul on the river, Huo Qubing couldn't help but say, "The fog on this river is so thick, we can't see a single person. How are we supposed to find anyone...? Perhaps we should find an inn to rest first, and then ask around along the way..."

Luo Chen hesitated for a moment. It was early morning, and the fog and wind were strong, making it difficult to find. Just then, they faintly heard singing.

"The grasshoppers chirp and the locusts leap; before I saw my lord, my heart was filled with sorrow. Now that I have seen him, now that I have met him, my heart is at peace. I climb that southern mountain to gather ferns; before I saw my lord, my heart was filled with anxiety. Now that I have seen him, now that I have met him, my heart is joyful..."

Upon hearing this, Luo Chen immediately felt a sense of familiarity. This was no ordinary poem about autumn from the Book of Songs!

Luo Chen then received: "I climbed that southern mountain to gather its ferns; but I did not see my lord, and my heart was filled with sorrow. Now that I have seen him, now that I have met the '827', my heart is at peace."

The singing stopped abruptly, followed by hushed murmurs, as if they were discussing something. A moment later, the sound of oars could be heard, indicating a boat was slowly approaching. A rather weathered voice said, "May I ask who this esteemed person is? Perhaps my legendary student!"

Upon hearing the voice, Luo Chen was overjoyed: "Student Luo Chen! Comes to pay respects to teacher!"

The two boats were about to dock when, through the thick fog, the two figures at the bow of one boat gradually became clearer. One was an elderly man with white hair, and the other was a young man.

Luo Chen bowed deeply: "Sir, it's been a long time." Cai Yong hurriedly returned the bow: "Prime Minister Luo, I am but a commoner, paying my respects to my lord!" Luo Chen bowed deeply to the young man beside him and said: "Mr. Yesuo, we meet again."

It was clear that although Yesuo was very polite, he was obviously guessing Luo Chen's purpose in coming. Even Cai Yong, who smiled and said, "Prime Minister Luo, the battle at the front is urgent and you are very busy. What brings you here?"

Luo Chen smiled, unsure whether he should speak directly. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "I've come to ask you some strategic questions for the future."

Cai Yong laughed heartily: "Prime Minister Luo, why would you ask me for advice on strategy? I, Cai Yong, am no longer capable of teaching you. Prime Minister Luo is now a true strategist; do you still need to consult me?"

Seeing that Cai Yong had seen through his excuse at a glance, Luo Chen had no choice but to tell the truth: "Our campaign against the Xiongnu has been quite successful, and we have achieved a basic victory. The local main force has suffered a near-devastating blow." He glanced at Yesuo as he spoke. Yesuo showed no change in expression, as if it were none of his business. Perhaps living an ordinary life by Cai Yong's side had made his heart quite peaceful and undisturbed.

"Most of the Xiongnu tribes have now been occupied by the Luo army. However, the occupying army has a problem: how to govern these tribes and get them to submit. If not handled properly, it will be detrimental to both the Xiongnu and our army, and may even lead to conflicts with heavy casualties. I have come here to ask Mr. Yesuo for advice."

"Oh!" Cai Yong laughed heartily. "I knew Lord Luo Chen was a busy man, and it's impossible for him not to have an urgent purpose! Hahaha!" It was rare to see that Cai Yong, despite his age, was still quite robust and quick-witted.

"Following the will of the people wins their support," Yesso said calmly. "Wherever your army goes, do not burn, kill, loot, or impose harsh policies, but respect local customs. In this way, your army will gain the support of everyone."

"Our army never loots, and we forbid burning and killing," Luo Chen said solemnly. "However, General Xiahou Yuan, who is in charge of governing these tribes at the front, wrote to me that the Xiongnu tribes are too hostile to our army, and have even launched attacks on our army. The rift between the army and the people is too great, and it is impossible to return to normal in a short time. General Xiahou Yuan suggested that only by inviting you out to serve as the Xiongnu Chanyu can we win the hearts and minds of the Xiongnu people."

Yesso was taken aback, clearly not expecting Luo Chen to make this suggestion.

Cai Yong, on the other hand, was quite cheerful and laughed heartily, saying, "Yesuo! Your good fortune has arrived! Lord Luochen invites you to be the Great Chanyu!"

Yesso hesitated for a moment, then said, “This… Logically speaking, my lord has spared my life and given me a second chance, so I, Yesso, should repay him and obey his every command. However… if Yesso remembers correctly, my lord told me personally on the walls of Wuwei that I could leave the war and the grasslands and go to the Central Plains to live a peaceful life.”

“Yes…” Luo Chen said, somewhat embarrassed. “But the problem is indeed serious now…”

Yesso remained silent, as if waiting for Luo Chen to make a further statement. After all, a promise is a promise, especially since Luo Chen was a lord and the Grand Chancellor. How could he easily overturn or deny what he had said?

"I've been thinking about this for a long time since I came here..." Luo Chen scratched his head. "I know I made a promise first, so you are perfectly free to refuse me. I've only come to plead with you, hoping you can handle this predicament. If you are unwilling, I, Luo Chen, will have no objections..."

Luo Chen's words were quite sincere; he was clearly not there to command or threaten, but to plead. Yesuo hesitated. He didn't want to return to the steppes, where he had achieved remarkable feats, but the political struggles had exhausted him. He opposed war with the Han army, but war was inevitable. He opposed direct combat with the main Han forces, but was therefore transferred. After he left, the steppe army was annihilated, and the Xiongnu tasted the bitter fruit of their arrogance and ignorance. He didn't want to go back; he only wanted to bury those experiences deep within his heart and let them fade away. He only wanted a quiet, peaceful life. But now, to return to the front lines, to power, and to deal with those exhausting matters again was something Yesuo was indeed reluctant to do.

"The Xiongnu people trust you greatly, even more than Zhongping," Luo Chen continued to persuade. "The Xiongnu have just experienced a major war. General Xiahou Yuan told me that they are generally short of labor and food is a problem. Everything is in ruins, but only Mr. Yesuo can maintain the stability of the Xiongnu tribes without shedding blood. Currently, we have captured over 1.8 Xiongnu soldiers in the grassland war, and they are awaiting their fate. We hope that you can personally escort them home to promote stability among the Xiongnu."

"Those prisoners of war? You plan to release them directly?" Yesso asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes,” Luo Chen said.

Yesso was lost in thought.

"Only you, sir, can maintain stability in the Xiongnu tribes and prevent bloodshed!" Luo Chen's voice was somewhat urgent. "Unrest is frequent now, and General Xiahou Yuan cannot stand idly by. He has no choice but to quell the rebellion by force. Although these people have taken up arms, they are not true soldiers. General Xiahou Yuan is unwilling to continue this so-called war!"

Yesso's lips twitched slightly; he was making his final thoughts.

"Please, sir! For the sake of the Xiongnu people, for the sake of no bloodshed!"

"I'll go," Yesso sighed, speaking softly.

Chapter 111 Various Aspects of the Xiongnu's Submission to the Han People

Many years later, people will see a well-organized and progressive article. In this article, the author details the various events following the Xiongnu's submission to the Han people.

Luo Chen wrote two widely circulated articles. One analyzed how cavalry could learn from northern ethnic minorities to improve their combat effectiveness, and how to professionalize the cavalry legions of the interior, turning them into true spearheads. The other article is this one. Of course, the flourishing state of governance after the Xiongnu tribes submitted was undoubtedly due to the rule of Yesuo.

After the Southern Xiongnu submitted to the Han Dynasty, they received generous treatment from the central government. They said: "Since my late father returned to the Han Dynasty, we have been protected and the borders have been peaceful. The army has supported us for forty years. We have lived in the Han lands and relied on the Han for food. Every year, we are rewarded with hundreds of millions of coins. Although we have lived in peace and have no worries, we have not been able to repay the Han Dynasty and we feel ashamed."

After the war, the Xiongnu generally returned to peace. This peaceful and stable environment was conducive to the development of social production among the Southern Xiongnu. Furthermore, from the time they entered the Central Plains, the Southern Xiongnu not only distributed themselves along the borders but also intermingled with the Han people. The phrase "more than five thousand Xiongnu settlements settled in the various prefectures of Shuofang, living among the Han people" refers to the Southern Xiongnu during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The Xiongnu "settlement" (落) meant household, and each settlement (户) was counted as five people. At that time, two or three out of every ten prefectures had Southern Xiongnu people, a considerable number. These Southern Xiongnu people, living alongside the Han people and distributed along the borders, frequently interacted with them and were naturally strongly influenced by Han culture. Therefore, after about forty years, due to the development of social production and the influence of Han culture, their socio-economic structure, social organization, and class relations underwent significant changes.

The social organization of the Xiongnu was originally a combination of production and military organization. The *Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Xiongnu* states, "The able-bodied men who could bend a bow were all made into cavalry." They were nomadic herders in peacetime and mounted warriors in wartime; the herders were the cavalry, producers and fighters were one. However, after the Southern Xiongnu entered the Central Plains, around 90 AD, a system of "victorious soldiers" emerged. At that time, the southern Xiongnu achieved consecutive victories, capturing and accepting surrenders, and their population reached its peak, with 34,000 households, a population of 237,300, and 51,700 "victorious soldiers." These "victorious soldiers" were standing troops who were detached from production and only served in combat. At this time, a tribe with a population of over 200,000 had already differentiated into more than 50,000 standing soldiers, averaging about one standing soldier for every five people. The able-bodied men, the elderly, the weak, women, and children outside the "victorious soldiers" were engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture, and handicrafts. There are approximately three reasons for the emergence of the "victorious soldiers." One was the further development of social production. Secondly, agriculture began to occupy a significant proportion of the social economy, and thirdly, it was influenced by the military system of the ruling dynasty. The first point is the most important. Because one in five men was a soldier, it meant that in addition to supporting the original ruling class, the surplus labor of five men could potentially support one more person. This reflected the further development of production in Xiongnu society. Secondly, because agricultural labor differs from pastoral labor, it requires a relatively stable workforce and mastery of certain farming techniques to manage effectively and increase yields. Therefore, some people were drawn from the ranks to serve as soldiers, while others specialized in animal husbandry or agriculture (or a combination of both), which was beneficial to promoting social production. This division of labor between cavalry and farmers/herders marked the beginning of the separation of production and military organization among the Xiongnu people. It was a phenomenon of progress in the social system of the Southern Xiongnu, a result of the development of Xiongnu social production, but in turn, it propelled social production forward.

As the Xiongnu submitted to the Han Dynasty, many tribes also submitted. The Xiongnu people, originally distributed in Xihe, Shangjun, and Shuofang, moved further south, with most of them concentrating in the Fen River basin in central Bingzhou. This provided a favorable environment for their later shift from a pastoral economy to an agricultural economy.

Luo Chen, through his appointed officials such as Yesuo, implemented the following effective measures against the Xiongnu: First, he absorbed the Xiongnu's upper class into local government positions, completely severing their ties with their tribes. Second, he conscripted able-bodied Xiongnu herders, organizing them into "righteous followers" and "brave and strong officers and soldiers," distributing them to various regions for garrison duty or warfare, while their families were relocated to Ye City. Third, he encouraged the remaining ordinary Xiongnu civilians to participate in agricultural production. Through these measures, Cao Cao effectively controlled both the upper and lower classes of the Southern Xiongnu. Historical records state that from then on, "the Chanyu (Xiongnu ruler) was respectful and obedient, the kings bowed their heads in homage, their troops served and performed their duties, becoming like ordinary citizens; the borders were pacified, the people spread across the fields, agriculture and sericulture were diligently promoted, and orders were strictly enforced." The previous situation where "the Hu and Di (Xiongnu) were arrogant and domineering within the borders" was reversed.

Luo Chen personally participated in Yesuo's inauguration ceremony with the various Xiongnu tribes. At that time, Xu Da had already discovered Zhong Ping and his remaining regular troops, who were engaged in a final battle. However, Luo Chen believed that Yesuo's appointment was far more important than Xu Da's battle. Therefore, he did not go to the front lines to command, but instead accompanied Yesuo to his new post.

More than 153 Xiongnu prisoners of war, led by Yesuo, slowly marched across the vast grasslands. Luo Chen was accompanied by only a hundred guards, and no generals. Huo Qubing had been sent to Xu Da, while Yan Qing remained in Chang'an. Luo Chen traveled alone. On the long grasslands, the prisoners marched along a long route. Far ahead and far behind, to the horizon, soldiers like black ants continued their trek. Some rode horses, perhaps because they had behaved well in the prisoner-of-war camp. The damage to horses from the grassland battles was enormous; probably less than half of the prisoners received horses. These Xiongnu soldiers, who had been so fierce before, had become so docile in just a few months. They quietly followed Yesuo, knowing that General Yesuo would send them home and lead them to rebuild their shattered homes.

Wherever Yesuo went, cheers resounded throughout the villages, completely drowning out Luochen. Yesuo was always extremely humble towards Luochen, constantly introducing him to his people: "This is Lord Luochen!" The Xiongnu people looked at Luochen with curiosity and awe, not daring to approach him personally—this was the legendary fierce Han emperor. Yet he was like an ordinary person, even more handsome than most, exuding a commanding presence. He was not the burly, three-headed, six-armed demon people imagined.

Regardless, the Xiongnu people cheered and celebrated Yesuo's return. Whenever Luochen announced before the village that Yesuo had succeeded as Great Chanyu, the cheers always resounded through the sky.

Chapter 112 Qi Jiguang's Southern Expedition

The hot-headed Qi Jiguang traveled a long way to Jiangxia to find Fa Zheng. The things he saw along the way broadened his horizons, and listening to the boasts of boatmen, innkeepers, and other travelers gave him a quick understanding of the current state of the country.

The current situation is clearly a two-superpower, two-strong power structure. There are two superpowers, Luo Chen and Cao Cao, and two relatively powerful regional forces, Sun Quan and the Xiongnu. Of course, the Xiongnu are barely clinging to life and won't last much longer.

Qi Jiguang first traveled south to Huang Zhong's place in Shangyong. Huang Zhong was greatly surprised to hear that a captain wanted to see him, thinking the man must be crazy. However, a letter delivered by a soldier astonished him; it was a personal edict from Luo Chen: all generals along the way were instructed to assist this hothead and ensure his safe arrival at Fa Zheng's place! Huang Zhong was somewhat bewildered, but he met with him. He noticed that Qi Jiguang was asking many questions and seemed quite interested.

"Yizhou is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. There is a lot of timber in Yizhou. General, are you planning to build ships?" Qi Jiguang seemed quite interested in the matter of shipbuilding.

"Um..." Huang Zhong became increasingly suspicious, but after examining Luo Chen's edict and seal several times, he found nothing wrong with either the handwriting or the seal. He could only say, "Master Xu Shu has already made arrangements for this matter. It's not your responsibility, so you shouldn't concern yourself with it..."

"Who is Xu Shu?" Qi Jiguang asked.

Huang Zhong's jaw nearly dropped. How could someone so high-ranking as a captain in our army not even know Xu Shu? Huang Zhong immediately stood up and shouted, "Who are you? Who sent you? Guards! Seize him!"

Qi Jiguang was no pushover either; he wasn't about to surrender easily. He roared, "You bastard! Didn't you see the lord's handprint?! How dare you arrest this general so casually!"

It seems this guy doesn't see himself as a captain at all, but as a general!

"Arrest him!" Huang Zhong shouted sternly.

Having no other choice, Qi Jiguang had to take out the edict that Luo Chen had personally written to Fa Zheng. In essence, it was that Qi Jiguang had sent him to his side, in order to send him, in Liu Bei's name and according to the conventions of the Sun-Liu alliance, as a low-ranking officer to Zhou Yu for a discussion.

Huang Zhong glanced at the writing and was certain there was nothing wrong with it. Moreover, it bore Luo Chen's personal seal and his own seal as the commander-in-chief of the three armies. Furthermore, the writing style and manner were completely consistent with Luo Chen's habits. This left Huang Zhong utterly bewildered. What the hell! Why would Luo Chen personally write these two incomprehensible orders for this lowly captain?!

Huang Zhong racked his brains, then suddenly thought of Chang Yuchun. This guy had been suspicious at first too; Luo Chen personally ordered him to take up a post, and two months later he was promoted to Lieutenant General. At first, this guy seemed quite naive, always talking about how to fight the Xiongnu, showing an insatiable interest… Huang Zhong decided it was best to be cautious; who knew this kid might transform into a general commanding troops independently in a few days?

Huang Zhong scratched his head and said, "This young general... since that's the case, I apologize for any offense. You should hurry to Master Fazheng's place. I'll send a boat to take you. But be careful, there are strict checks in the Baling section, we can't pass through there, you can only disembark and ride a horse. After passing the Jiangling section, you can find another boat and then go to the Chibi section of the river. You definitely can't cross the Chibi section, you can disembark there and find Liu Bei's office in Wu."

Seeing that Huang Zhong was quite wary of him, Qi Jiguang dared not arrest him, but was also unwilling to answer his questions. He could only shrug, eat a meal, and then board the ship and left.

Winter had arrived, and Qi Jiguang listened to his soldiers boasting on his boat. Cao Cao and Zhou Yu had been locked in battle for a long time, neither able to gain the upper hand. Currently, Cao Cao's army held no naval advantage over Wu's. It was said that the renowned Southern scholar, the famous "Phoenix Chick" Pang Tong, had been invited to Cao Cao's court and had proposed a series of brilliant strategies, putting Wu's army in imminent danger.

"Oh?" Qi Jiguang was very interested and asked the soldier rowing the boat, "What strategies has Mr. Fengchu come up with?"

"I don't know..." the soldier said. But since Qi Jiguang was listening attentively to his boasting, he still told him everything he knew that was even remotely related: "I heard that Cao Cao's army has now nailed together large ships on the river, making them super-large ships. People can walk on them as if on flat ground. If they attack Jiangdong like this, Zhou Yu's small boats will not be able to stop them at all!"

"Nail it up?" Qi Jiguang exclaimed in surprise. He immediately imagined what ships and aircraft carriers looked like. "That's really powerful. Just ram it." Qi Jiguang nodded. "But we have to guard against fire attacks; fire attacks are deadly."

The soldier didn't quite understand, but seeing that Qi Jiguang agreed with his point of view, he repeatedly echoed Qi Jiguang's opinion: "Yes! Yes!"

As expected, upon reaching Jiangling, both banks of the river were entirely Jingzhou territory, infiltrated by Cao Cao's army. The checkpoints were numerous and heavily fortified. Qi Jiguang bid farewell to the two soldiers, disembarked, stole a horse, and traveled around the area overnight. He then stole a small boat from Dongting Lake and rowed it across the deserted, chaotic lake to the riverbank. Sure enough, after passing Jiangling, there were many fast boats specifically for short-distance passenger transport between Jiangling and Chibi. Qi Jiguang boarded a boat and soon arrived at Chibi. He disembarked and went to the Wu army camp.

Qi Jiguang was quite straightforward. Upon seeing a Wu army outpost, he swaggered over and said, "Brothers of the Wu army! I have been sent by Lord Luo Chen and Lord Liu Bei! I need to see Liu Bei's office in the Wu army so that they can arrange for me to see Master Fa Zheng!"

The Wu soldier was completely bewildered. What were Luo Chen, Liu Bei, and Fa Zheng all about? He asked, "Are you working for Luo Chen or Fa Zheng?"

Qi Jiguang immediately lost his patience and shouted, "What nonsense! Aren't Luo Chen and Liu Bei allies? Why do you care so much! With Cao Cao's army facing a formidable enemy, I need to get back to Jiangxia immediately. Don't delay me!"

The soldier thought it made sense, so he informed Dong Xi. Upon hearing this, Dong Xi thought, "Last time, a young master named Fengchu and a master named Yiji came from upstream. What important person is coming this time (Qian Wanghao)? We must treat him well!" So he hurried over and saw a young general with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a sword at his waist, looking around.

Dong Xi hurriedly ran over and asked, "General, are you one of Prime Minister Luo Chen and Imperial Uncle Liu's men?"

"Exactly!" Qi Jiguang replied without hesitation, and returned the greeting slightly.

"May I ask the general... what is your specific identity... so that I can inform Commander Zhou Yu and Mr. Lu Su?" Dong Xi asked.

Qi Jiguang understood immediately and took out his military ID: "There's no need to inform Commander Zhou Yu and Mr. Lu Su. I heard that the Imperial Uncle's office in Wu is nearby, run by his relative Mi Zhu. I can see him myself."

Dong Xi took the military tag; it turned out to be from the Luo Chen army, clearly stating: Qi Jiguang, Captain. Dong Xi, of course, knew who the captain was, and immediately flew into a rage. "Damn it! A mere captain dares to be so arrogant!"

Chapter 113 Zhou Yu is Seriously Ill

Cao Cao's officers and soldiers all craned their necks to watch, pointing and saying that Gai had surrendered. Gai released all the ships and set them on fire at the same time. At that time, the wind was strong and fierce, and the fire spread to the camps on the shore. In a short while, smoke and flames filled the sky, and many men and horses were burned or drowned. The army was defeated and retreated to Nan Commandery. Liu Bei and Zhou Yu and others pursued again. Cao Cao left Cao Ren and others to guard Jiangling City and went north himself.

—Biography of Zhou Yu, Records of the Three Kingdoms

A mere captain has managed to get this full-fledged general to come running over here like a lapdog, and even intend to report to Commander Zhou Yu and Mr. Lu Su! Commander Zhou Yu would surely berate a low-ranking officer to death for that!

"You scoundrel... You're just a captain, wouldn't it have been easy to follow the normal procedures!" Dong Xi was greatly displeased. "You actually had to alarm this general!"

Qi Jiguang was baffled: "Damn it, I didn't ask you to come! You came on your own, how can you blame me? Hurry up, I need to see that Mi Zhu, don't delay my business."

Seeing his rudeness, Dong Xi immediately flew into a rage. When had a mere captain dared to be so arrogant in front of a full-fledged general? Dong Xi, burning with fury, yelled, "You bastard! 783 doesn't know his place!" and raised his leg to kick him. Qi Jiguang, having retrieved his military badge, was about to leave to find the office when Dong Xi kicked him from behind. Caught off guard, he was kicked squarely in the buttocks. He stumbled and fell to the ground. This was unacceptable to Qi Jiguang. He instantly flew into a rage, throwing a powerful punch that struck Dong Xi squarely in the face, drawing blood from Dong Xi's nose. Dong Xi staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

The soldiers at the checkpoint were all stunned by what they saw. They had never witnessed such a dramatic scene before.

Dong Xi cried out in pain and, enraged, drew his sword, ready to kill. But Qi Jiguang was no pushover; he instantly drew his sword as well. The soldiers at the outpost, sensing danger, drew their swords and spears and surrounded Qi Jiguang.

Qi Jiguang realized something was wrong. "Damn it," he thought, "I came to the office, how did I get into a fight with Wu's officers and soldiers? Besides, we're on their territory now, and I might not even be able to complete my mission." With that thought, Qi Jiguang sheathed his sword and said, "Brothers of Wu's army, I'm here to see General Mi Zhu, not to fight you! Don't delay my business! I'm not fighting you!"

Dong Xi was not about to let it go: "A mere captain! He's practically rebelling! How dare he punch this general! Seize him!" A group of men swarmed forward. Helpless, Qi Jiguang could only charge at a soldier and smash his head against the soldier's head with the back of his sword. The soldier was shocked and fell to the ground with a thud. Qi Jiguang stepped on his face, swiftly mounted his horse, and rode away.

"Someone! Don't let him get away!" Qi Jiguang heard the chaotic shouts behind him and happily rode his horse towards the Wu army camp.

Qi Jiguang galloped for a short while before spotting the Wu army's central camp. He dismounted, patted the horse with the back of his sword, and it turned back. Qi Jiguang addressed the soldiers outside, "I am a captain of the Luo Army. Lord Luo Chen has sent me to find Master Fa Zheng to serve Liu Bei! I need to see Liu Bei's office in the Wu army!" He then showed his military insignia and letter. The soldier, seeing that the documents were genuine and noting his low rank, led him to Mi Zhu.

Before long, Dong Xi arrived, looking furious.

Qi Jiguang entered the Wu army camp, looking around anxiously. A messenger on horseback nearly trampled him to death. "Get out!" the messenger cursed, turning away without looking back, and galloped off as if something serious had happened. He then saw several generals coming and going, looking worried, completely unaware of Qi Jiguang's strange expression.