Chapter 19: A Reminder Before Departure

The county yamen was situated at the heart of Wanqiu City, with two broad, straight avenues leading directly to the city gates, and the remaining streets that stretched to the other gates were not far from it either.

Fu Zihou followed the Zhao brothers along the bustling streets, taking in the dazzling array of stalls and vendors, and the enticing aroma of millet cakes wafting through the air.

When his mother saw that her cousin-in-law was craving the cakes, she went herself to buy some for her. When she asked if Fu Zihou wanted any, he, like his cousin, shook his head in refusal.

Once his cousin-in-law had tasted the millet cake, the group continued on their way.

“What beautiful girls!”

“Indeed! They must all be from prominent families…”

From time to time, such comments drifted to their ears. Whenever Fu Zihou looked over, he saw groups of blossoming maidens, dressed in short-sleeved skirts and blouses, chattering and laughing together, occasionally stopping at a vendor’s stall.

It wasn’t just the Zhao brothers whose eyes lingered on the sight—Fu Zihou himself couldn’t help but glance a few more times.

He was not yet fourteen, after all, not forty, and his young body responded as it should in the mornings.

In the village, the women mostly helped with farm work, their skin tanned by the sun and wind, and with the times growing ever more troubled, few even ventured out. Thus, to see so many fair-skinned, beautiful girls, all dressed up with half-sleeved skirts, hairpins, and fine attire, was a sight that would make anyone look twice.

Now, because of the Xie family’s wedding feast, not only had noble ladies from elsewhere come to Wanqiu, even the daughters of prominent local families, with their families’ permission, came out together onto the streets.

The alliance between the Xie and Yang families brought benefit not only to them, but created opportunities for other noble clans as well.

“Ouch, ouch!” Suddenly, Fu Zhi cried out in pain. Fu Zihou, Zhao Han, and Zhao Gu all turned to look and saw Fu Zhi hopping on one foot, gazing pitifully at Tai-shi. The three of them couldn’t help but laugh.

The young ladies passing by on the street also giggled at the scene.

Perhaps the sound of the girls’ laughter emboldened Zhao Han, for just as Fu Zihou and Zhao Gu were still watching the commotion between Fu Zhi and Tai-shi, Zhao Han strode forward and stopped before the prettiest girl among a group.

“I am Zhao Han. May I ask the lady’s name?”

His action surprised not only the group of young ladies, but also the passersby and vendors along the street.

Fu Zhi and Tai-shi, forgetting their quarrel, stared; Fu Zihou and Zhao Gu exchanged a look, their eyes full of admiration for Zhao Han’s boldness.

“Wei Yanyu,” the girl replied.

She too was surprised that Zhao Han had approached her directly, but for some reason, she did not find his behavior offensive—perhaps because of the sincerity in his eyes—so she answered softly and with courtesy.

“Wei…” Zhao Han’s joy lasted but a moment before he froze in place.

The other girls burst out laughing, and a lively, youthful girl standing next to Wei Yanyu stepped forward and looked at Zhao Han.

“Sister Yanyu is from the Wei clan of Jingzhao!” she teased.

She was younger than Zhao Han and looked at him with a playful glint, as if to remind him to think twice before setting his sights so high.

“And may I ask who you are, miss?” Zhao Gu, seeing his elder brother being teased, stepped forward. He dared not be rude to the Wei clan, but he looked at the lively girl with some defiance and asked politely.

“Me? My name is Lai Ling. And which family do you think I’m from?” she replied softly, looking at Zhao Gu.

Zhao Gu was momentarily stunned, but seeing how she stared at him, he realized she must be from the Lai family.

Though the Lai family was not as illustrious as the Wei clan, it was far beyond what the Zhao family could compare with.

“Enough…” The other girls laughed even more, covering their mouths as they watched the two brothers. Fortunately, Wei Yanyu tugged at Lai Ling and quietly reminded her, so Lai Ling dropped her teasing.

Watching Zhao Han’s crestfallen expression as the girls left, Wei Yanyu, after a moment’s thought, nodded gently in farewell, but as she passed, she stole a glance back at Zhao Han.

“What is this Jingzhao Wei clan? And that girl named Lai Ling…” Fu Zihou heard his aunt Zhang’s puzzled voice behind him. He was not surprised she hadn’t heard of these families: in these times, common folk spent their lives farming and seeing to daily needs.

For ordinary people, life in one place, day after day, was a lifetime.

Wanqiu was not far from the village, but in all these years, apart from his father and uncle, no one else from the Fu family had ever come to the city.

At this moment,

Seeing Zhao Han’s downcast silence, Fu Zihou, though not in his shoes, felt he could well understand that sense of despair.

The Jingzhao Wei clan!

This was a family surpassing even the Xies; merely reciting the names and official titles of descendants of Wei Xiaokuan was enough to inspire hopelessness.

Though the famous “five distinguished surnames and seven prominent families” in later times did not include the Weis, in this era, those families could not rival the Wei clan.

“Perhaps, Zihou, you have a way to win your brother Han the heart of his beloved!” Fu Zihou, watching Zhao Han’s dejected figure and recalling the brothers’ kindness to him and his family, turned back to gaze at the retreating girls and then approached Zhao Han and Zhao Gu.

At his words, not only the Zhao brothers but also Grandfather, Old Liu, and the others were left wide-eyed.

“Hou’er, don’t speak nonsense!” This time it was not the outspoken Zhang, but Grandfather, who doted on his grandson, that spoke up. Zhang might not understand, but Grandfather knew well the reputation of the Jingzhao Wei clan.

Even Tao-shi shot her son a helpless look, quietly urging him not to boast.

Although Tao-shi, like Zhang, did not know what sort of family the Weis were, seeing the Zhao brothers’ demeanor, she realized the girls must be extraordinary.

To Tao-shi, the Zhao brothers had been nothing but kind and caring; how could her son deceive them?

“Zihou, that lady is of the Wei clan. I fear you may not realize who they are…” Zhao Han forced a smile, full of gratitude toward Fu Zihou.

Like the Fu family, the Zhao brothers thought Fu Zihou was only offering comfort; with such a gulf between their families, they could not believe he had any real means. In their hearts, Fu Zihou might not even know what the Wei clan represented, and any plan he had would be nothing more than trinkets or hairpins.

Even so, they appreciated his good intentions—for at least he did not laugh at them or mock them behind their backs.

“Wei Xiaokuan had six sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Wei Na, died young and was posthumously granted the titles of Envoy with Token, Three Excellencies, and Duke of Zhongping County.

The other five sons were: General and founding Duke of Rang County, Wei Chen; General and Prefect of Jingzhao, Wei Zong; Duke of Huo, Wei Shou; Vice Minister of Rites and Count of Anyi, Wei Ji; Minister of the Interior, Assistant Minister of Revenue, and Acting Minister of State, Wei Jin. The three daughters all married into families of power and influence.

Then, of Wei Zong’s line alone, there were seven sons and two daughters: the eldest, Wei Yuancheng, Duke Jing of Yun; second, Wei Kuangbo, Duke Yi of Shu; third, Wei Yuanzhao, who married Princess Fengning of Sui; and others—Wei Xianwan, Wei Xianhui, Wei Lianpei, Wei Lianbei, Wei Xianshen…”

Fu Zihou recited these names as if they were old acquaintances.

This was only a small part—yet each was a person of power and rank. If all the descendants of Wei Xiaokuan were added up, the magnitude would be terrifying.

And this didn’t even include the four other branches of the Wei clan.

His teacher had said that in Sui times, among the five branches of the Jingzhao Wei clan, the most powerful was that of Wei Xiong, then Wei Xiaokuan’s, followed by the descendants of Wei Xiaogu, Wei Ziqian, and Wei Shun.

On the street,

At Fu Zihou’s words, the Fu family was left in stunned silence.

“Hou’er, how do you know all this?” his mother asked.

Fu Zihou turned to her. “I heard Uncle mention it before, so I remembered,” he replied, glancing at his aunt.

As long as Aunt Zhang did not expose him, neither the Zhao brothers nor even Zhao Zi would suspect his teacher, since he had only recently become a pupil, while his uncle traveled widely.

At first Zhang was puzzled—when had her husband and nephew grown so close, and why hadn’t she heard of this? But catching Fu Zihou’s look, she realized what he was doing.

Fortunately, although Zhang was sharp-tongued, she always defended her own in front of outsiders.

“Fu Hong?” Grandfather and Old Liu both frowned in silence, looking toward Fu Zihou.

“Zihou, is what you said true?” Zhao Han, regaining his composure, could not help but hope, though he hardly dared believe it.

Zhao Gu also looked at Fu Zihou in disbelief, but it seemed Fu Zihou was well acquainted with the Wei clan.

“Zihou can only add flowers to brocade, helping Brother Han win her favor—at least a chance!” Fu Zihou turned to Zhao Han with a smile.

“If I could win the favor of Miss Wei, my life would be fulfilled! If you can help me, Zihou, I’ll be forever grateful!” Zhao Han’s heart raced at the thought of the lady. Whether or not he could marry her, just to earn her favor—he would have no regrets, even in death.

“Brother Han, could you fetch the travel pass for me? When we leave the city, I will tell you my plan,” Fu Zihou replied with a smile.

Everyone was curious about the secret Fu Zihou was keeping, but seeing Zhao Han had no complaints, they held their tongues and followed along.

Soon they reached the administrative office, and with the Zhao brothers’ help, the Fu family quickly obtained a pass approved by Wanqiu.

This pass would be needed for identification and to prove their purpose when passing through towns and checkpoints on the way to Tiao County.

After receiving the pass and leaving the yamen, Fu Zihou and the others walked to Wanqiu’s north gate, where, under the Zhao brothers’ escort, they departed the city.

Outside the gates,

The Fu family, all curious, watched as Fu Zihou pulled the Zhao brothers aside.

“Hey, hey, hey! Hou’er, are you treating us all as outsiders now?” Aunt Zhang complained first, but seeing Fu Zihou only smile and say nothing, she could do nothing but fume in vain.

Grandfather and Old Liu exchanged a glance, their eyes full of doubt.

Tao-shi, Fu Zhi, and Tai-shi also looked toward the three young men standing apart.

“Zihou, what’s your plan?” Zhao Han asked eagerly, his breath betraying his nerves.

Zhao Gu, too, stared at Fu Zihou. He truly could not imagine what method Fu Zihou had that would make the Wei beauty see his brother in a different light. That was harder than fighting for her with sword and blade a thousandfold!

“Brother Han, Brother Gu,” Fu Zihou began, making sure no one else was near, “when we were at the West Gate, I noticed something wrong among the entering townsfolk—some hurried, some looked anxious. Looking again at the soldiers on guard, I saw murder in their eyes. If I’m not mistaken, someone will take advantage of the Xie family banquet in the coming days to attack Wanqiu.”

If, when they entered the city, it was only a suspicion, after observing the north gate and comparing the people now with those seen before, Fu Zihou was certain the people he had seen earlier had infiltrated the city as inside agents.

“What?” “Attack Wanqiu?” Zhao Han and Zhao Gu were shocked, their young faces full of disbelief as they exchanged glances and stared at Fu Zihou.

At this moment, both wondered if Fu Zihou had lost his mind, talking about someone daring to attack Wanqiu, and during the Xie family wedding no less.

“Zihou! Who would dare such a thing?” Zhao Han asked, half laughing at the absurdity.

Zhao Gu’s expression was equally strange. He looked up at the clear, breezy sky—nothing seemed amiss but a chill in the air.

“If you trust me, Brother Han, mention this at the Xie family banquet. There’s no need to say it came from me; treat it as your own suspicion. That will surely make the lady take notice, and it will be a token of my goodwill. If you do not believe me…” Fu Zihou paused and bowed. “Then I ask that you at least tell Uncle Zhao, and make sure he posts men at the gates. As long as the gates hold, the city will have enough supplies to withstand a siege, or to parley if needed, and your family will be safe.”

Fu Zihou knew his words were hard to believe, but there were always those bold enough to attempt such things.

He’d said he could help Zhao Han win the lady’s favor because he’d noticed, when the Wei girl left, she’d glanced back at Zhao Han. That at least suggested he’d made a good impression.

If Zhao Han distinguished himself now, he might leave a glimmer of hope.

“This…” Zhao Han hesitated, uncertain.

Zhao Gu, seeing his brother’s expression, sighed and turned to Fu Zihou.

“Zihou, do you know who attends the Xie family banquet? Not to boast, but should anything happen to those guests here in Wanqiu, the world would have no place for the culprits to hide! Besides, as you said, Wanqiu is a commandery city, with troops and supplies. Who could manage such a feat?”

Zhao Gu spoke softly, not believing anyone would dare attack Wanqiu.

Though he liked Fu Zihou, these words were so outlandish that anyone who heard them would laugh. Even a random person on the street would find it ridiculous.

“I know, Brother Gu,” Fu Zihou nodded, but then asked, “but what if these people are not locals? What if they too have powerful backers? The Xie family banquet is the perfect opportunity.”

He looked at the two brothers, who now frowned in thought, recalling how they had pursued the Fu family to see them off.

“Normally, even if traitors infiltrated as inside agents, they’d have no weapons. But with this banquet, nobles from all over are coming to the city!”

Fu Zihou looked out at the soldiers checking people at the city gate, then back at the brothers.

“Today I considered who would dare attack Wanqiu, who was from a great clan, and who could attend the Xie family banquet. I thought of someone among those who have already rebelled.”

The brothers looked at each other, then at Fu Zihou.

“Who?” Zhao Gu asked.

Fu Zihou frowned and answered, “Lu Mingyue.”

Like the rebel Gao Shida, who now controlled Gaojibo and had first risen in Tiao County, Lu Mingyue had raised troops in Zhuo County, Zhuo Commandery.

Tiao County was the land of the Bohai Gao family, while the Fanyang Lu clan was also known as the Lius of Fanyang and Zhuo.

As his teacher once said, the great noble clans could not openly rebel against Sui, but if someone else of their surname did, what business was it of theirs? They had no ties to rebels, nor would they support them against the court!

“Lu Mingyue? Wasn’t he defeated by General Zhang Xutuo and fled, his whereabouts unknown?” The Zhao brothers were not unfamiliar with the name. Their father had mentioned it, especially General Zhang’s fierce officers, Qin Qiong and Luo Shixin, whom their father had praised highly.

Hearing this now, they were puzzled.

“Perhaps that’s why he would use the Xie family banquet as a cover to raise troops again in Huaiyang,” Fu Zihou replied.

“It’s getting late, and I must be on my way. Brother Han, if you trust me, act as I advised. If not, at least warn Uncle Zhao,” Fu Zihou said, looking at the brothers’ uncertain faces, then at his family in the distance. He took his leave with a bow.

As someone about to leave Huaiyang Commandery, the trouble in Wanqiu posed no threat to him personally, but he had spoken up for the Zhao family’s sake.

He knew well that the Zhaos were not like the great clans, and with the prefect of Huaiyang being Zhao Tuo, and tensions between Sui officials and refugees at their height, there was no telling whether, if Lu Mingyue took the city, he would use Prefect Zhao Tuo’s head to make an example.

He had said all he could; whether they believed him or not was for the Zhao family to decide.