Chapter 86: Uninhabited

Half an hour later, Shen Yi excused that he had something to do in the evening at the Northern Camp and would not eat at home, leaving only Old Master Shen at home. For the whole day, besides chanting sutras and taking walks with his bird, he did not know anything regarding the court or the inner palace, it was not convenient for him to keep his brother’s widow here for dinner, thus the pair of mother and child bid their farewell and left.

As soon as the two came to the door, they heard the guardian of Shen Manor speak again. The big hairy god looked at the small carriage of Third Madam and fluttered its wings, “Prostitute walking the lame dog, shameless!”

Shen Hui’s face turned black on the spot, and Shen Yi, who was enduring to see off the guests, rubbed his nose and hid a little smile from the corner of his mouth.

He always thought the bird’s mouth was filthy and annoying. He should have pulled it down, plucking its feathers and stew it some day. Unexpectedly, who would have thought it could be so brave in front of foreign enemies. He was so comforted that he decided he would make some rice and wine for it another day.

But on the surface, Shen Yi had to explain, “This animal hangs at the door all day long, it teases anyone that passes by. It even learns crude words from the streets, cousin, don’t take this animal to heart.”

Shen Hui, a black sheep of the family who was hollowed out by wine and indulgence, dared not become angry with the governor of the Southwest. He laughed dryly as if in pain and ran away.

Shen Yi watched the mother and son go far, then his face sank. He stood at the door for a moment and reached out to touch the tail of the parrot. He muttered, “I have heard of poor people can’t afford to eat selling their children for food, but have you ever seen someone running to the General’s manor to buy the general?”

The parrot did not distinguish between ally and enemy, it turned its head and gave him a mouthful. “Bah, stupid animal! Cannot even mend your own pants!”

Shen Yi: “…”

　　Let’s stew it.

He laughed at himself and turned back inside. Master Shen waved at him from far away with his cane. “Ji Ping, come here. I have a few words to say to you.”

Due to having outsiders here, Shen Yi was not able to get angry. At this time, he came closer with his features twisted, saying to Master Shen, “The Lu family is those that gave birth to the Royal Consort, I can’t afford to marry one of them. You can go marry them yourself, don’t mention Third Uncle’s kindness or anything of that sort, even if you want to repay a favor, you cannot ask someone to use their own life to pay.”

Master Shen was silent for a moment and said slowly, “You have been despised by both cats and dogs since you were a child, your father had not expected you to be able to rise to such a high price, I could also feel proud.”

“…” Shen Yi choked for a moment and said angrily, “You know nothing. Just quietly take walks with your bird and stop interfering with my business!”

“Although I’m already getting old, I still know a little about the outside world,” said Master Shen gently. “Starting with Emperor Wu’s dynasty, he had been especially afraid of civil and military officials becoming in-laws. I heard about grand generals with troops in their hands marrying princesses, but marrying daughters of noble families — that is rare. Not mentioning you, but even Marshal Gu, they have only just got engaged, didn’t the bride already die before marriage?”

His old man talked like a singing opera, with a drawn out long tone. Shen Yi’s eyelids twitched. He always felt that his tune contained an abundant amount of implications.

Master Shen ignored him, he shook his head and sighed, “Since the siege of the capital city, the Emperor was forced to return the Black Tiger Emblem to Marshal Gu. Nowadays, there are so many people in this world who don’t put the Son of Heaven in their eyes anymore.”

　　How did Gu Yun got involved in this?

Shen Yi thought about it for a moment, he was able to see some meaning in it. Since the Westerners besieged the city, Li Feng was forced to return the general power to Gu Yun first, then the Ziliujin hidden by the royal family for several generations in Jinghua pavilion was burnt down by the Westerners.

Even now the dilemmas on four sides remain unsolved. Emperor Long An’s powerlessness was seeping out bit by bit, Li Feng himself must be aware of it as well. Otherwise, with his damn personality, how could he take the initiative to repair the awkward relationship with Gu Yun?

“Yesterday, when I watched the stars, I saw Tan Lang’s light overwhelm Zi Wei*, the sea of stars were dim, the panic in people’s hearts are like wild grass, the deer had gone down to the Central Plains*. I fear that chaotic times is about to begin…”

*Taken from the phrase ‘deer came to Central Plains’. The word “deer” was often used to refer to the throne, the country.

*Zi Wei star symbolizes the Emperor, Tan Lang star could also symbolize greed among other things, what Papa Shen saw could be interpreted that someone greedy wishes to overthrow the Emperor soon

Shen Yi: “Dad, wasn’t it cloudy last night?”

“Ignorant child,” Master Shen did not look at him. “I ask you, what is the name of the current commander of the Imperial Guard?”

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment — the imperial army was filled with young masters, but according to the usual practice, although they also assessed qualifications, family history, the highest commander was generally someone with military merits transferred from the Black Iron camp.

However, when the capital was besieged, more than half of the elites of the imperial army and Han Qi, the former commander, had died in the western part of the capital. The ‘birth family’ Northern Camp was almost destroyed, the guards of the capital were badly injured, there was a shortage of talents.

Most of the remaining members of the imperial army were young masters type who was disdained by Han Qi that year, only staying at the base of the imperial city to complete the number. After this battle, these young masters all had military merits, their positions were raised with the rising tide*. For the first time, there was the highest Commander who had not been trained by the Black Iron Camp. He was a subordinate general under Han Qi, named Liu Chong Shan, and was the brother of Lu Chang’s first wife.

*idiom that means “to change according to the situation”

Shen Yi pondered for a long time before he could figure out the intricate relationship. His heart went cold. He took two steps forward, pressed down his voice and said to Master Shen, “Dad, one truly becomes wiser with age. Luckily you were here to give some advice. Just after Marshal Gu and Yan Wang left, the Lu family would do something like this, what are they thinking?”

Master Shen knocked his cane on the ground and hummed, “I only know how to walk my bird, I don’t understand anything. Aren’t you already grown up? What do you need advice for!”

Shen Yi was oppressed by Gu Yun every day. He had already developed a resilient temperament. He couldn’t hear the cool words poured into his ears. He frowned for a moment and asked in a low voice, “He’s only a small officer, how could he dare…”

“Small officer?” Master Shen looked up at him and said with a sneer, “General, Fang family is the teacher of half the court, Lu family with their broad in-laws and relatives, it is very easy for them to crush one soldier in the countryside in a remote area. Do you believe it? Do you think your position of a ‘Southwest governor’ is anything grand?”

Shen Yi: “I don’t believe it, there have been so many A Dou* Emperors since ancient times, yet nobody spent all day long trying to rebel, going against the Principle** like this…”

*A Dou is the son of Liu Bei, and an incompetent emperor.

**纲常, [gāng cháng] the three cardinal guides (ruler-subject, father-child, wife-husband) and the five constant virtues as specified in the feudal ethical code.

“Yan Wang had already left for the South, the Lu family will definitely make a move, would they be holding onto the Principle and wait for their entire family to be executed? Is the current Emperor an A Dou? Will he let anyone force him to abdicate?” As Master Shen said this, he hit Shen Yi’s left leg with his cane. “Go this way, it’s a dead end!”

Shen Yi instinctively shunned to the right side, Master Shen lifted his crane again, and firmly hit his right leg from the other side: “Go this way. As long as you dare to think and dare to do it, after a path to survival had been made, you can have immense authority — which step will you take?”

Shen Yi frowned: “They want to make use of Yan Wang…”

This thought was somewhat frightening. The imperial army had always been the Emperor’s heart and soul. If the heart and soul of the Emperor turned against him, without any precautions, it would be too late to summon the Northern Camp to the rescue.

And once Yan Wang compromised, being pushed onto the throne by them, what would Gu Yun do?

Would he be lenient with these traitors who robbed the national power because of his own personal feelings? According to Shen Yi’s understanding of him, Gu Yun definitely would not.

However, foreign enemies resembled preying tigers, half of the country had not been taken back. If Li Feng died, would Gu Yun fight against Yang Wang to return the power to the eight-year-old prince?

Shen Yi found that he dared not guarantee this.

… But no matter how Gu Yun chose, in this way, regardless of the kindness of father and son, the righteousness of friendships, or the selfish feelings of romance difficult to express to outsiders, it would all probably come to an end.

Shen Yi’s mind was turning fast… No, he could think of this, how could Yan Wang not? As long as he really respected Gu Yun, Yan Wang would never…

Master Shen cut in and said, “How about this, write a letter, think of a reasonable excuse, then go to the Lu family personally to delay this marriage.”

Shen Yi was shocked, “Rejecting is one thing, why delay? And if it is not to reject, why must I go there personally?”

Master Shen took a deep look at him, hummed, then ignored him all together.

A moment later, Shen Yi’s astonished look faded slightly, and his face appeared shocked. His father’s intention was for him to please both sides and not offend the Lu family at this key moment!

Shen Yi couldn’t help raising his voice: “Dad, I have never done such a two-faced thing to anyone except the enemy in the border battlefield. If I want to marry someone, I will go out and find someone to arrange dowry. If I don’t want to, I will reject them. I cannot put up a false pretense like this. What kind of person would I be then? Do you really think a lowly bunch can take down Yan Wang?”

Master Shen stopped and turned his back to Shen Yi. “Since Yan Wang entered the Grand Council, he first solved the shortage of the national treasury, then escorted the military supplies, pushed Black Iron Camp into the old nest of the Western Regions with one hand, stabilizing four sides, he had many achievements, but do you know what is in his mind?”

Shen Yi angrily said, “Yan Wang had never formed a party to plot private affairs and harbor personal ambitions. He only wanted to return peace to the world then be together…then retire from the court. He is still in his youth, is it easy to be this dedicated? Yet behind him still exist groups of presumptive old fools like you. You are simply…absolutely unreasonable!”

“Did I step on your tail?” Master Shen sneered, “With what Yan Wang has achieved until this day, does he still need to form a party? Loads of people are willing to follow him! Do you know what it is called ‘three men make a tiger’?”

“The first type is the new people who took office with the help of a Feng Huo ticket and the reform of administration. The second are the ones who truly want to bring peace to the country, doing something for the people – and the third type, the third type, is those who he had offended.”

“These people are all the same at the root of it all. The first two wished nothing more than to push him onto the thorn, while the latter wish to push him onto the fire, they are willing to pour oil in the mix, watching him have his scheme revealed and be punished for rebelling! Use your head, except for the crime of rebellion, who would be able to touch a Prince?”

Shen Yi’s lips moved yet he could not speak.

Master Shen: “Do you know what is called ‘a dam broken by pressure’? Do you know what is called ‘tree grown too high, the wind will destroy it’? People’s hearts are not like a calm water surface. Three men make a tiger*. You said ‘future’ – will the emperor allow him to retire successfully in the future? Who on earth is the fool here!”

*refers to an individual’s tendency to accept absurd information(tiger) as long as it is repeated by enough people(three men).

Shen Yi appeared as if he had fallen into ice and snow for a moment. He finally turned around, his face pale, and walked away without saying a word.

“What are you going to do?” Master Shen shouted.

Shen Yi answer without turning back: “Do what should be done! You can just go walk with your bird!”

The capital was filled with restless people.

At this time, Gu Yun and the others arrived at the Jiangbei frontline in secret, traveling at lightning speed, it was very satisfying. Unexpectedly, approaching the time of landing, there comes a problem — they came just in time to catch up with a tremendous thunderstorm. This air combat vehicle, in order to take into account the speed and fuel consumption, could not be too heavy — on cloudless days, it could travel a thousand miles, but when meeting with rain and wind, it was done for. The Large Eagle would then become a bald quail.

The whole Large Eagle was swept up and down by the wind at high altitude. Others could bear it, but Ge Chen, an important Ling Shu Institute member, fell down first. He was too airsick to climb up, Yan Wang wanted to relieve his symptoms by acupuncture. Who knew that when a needle had just plunged in, the Large Eagle suddenly tilted. He almost hit the foot of the bed, if Gu Yun did not quickly pull Ge Chen’s collar, the needle that had just entered the acupoint would have pierced in directly.

Under the guidance of Ge Ling Shu on his last breath, a group of soldiers had to revise the established direction, bypass the stormy area, spinning around in one place.

Gu Yun’s Qian Li Yan in his hand was covered by the heavy rain, unable to see anything, he had to command by mere sensation, “Down a little, down a little!”

Another thunderbolt split down and almost struck past the Large Eagle. In the wind, the Large Eagle shuddered as if on its last leg. The whole thing tilted to one side. Gu Yun staggered and fell into Chang Geng’s bosom. Chang Geng held him in his arm while grabbing the railing tightly with his other hand. His face was wet with the rain of Jiangnan.

Xu Ling grabbed a mast tightly beside him. He never wanted to go on air again in his life. He shivered and asked, “Marquis, can we still be alive to check those corrupt officials?”

“It’s all right,” Gu Yun laughed carelessly. “Master Xu can rest assured, everyone would have fallen off the Black Eagle at least several times. Don’t panic. I’m here to make sure that no one will die.”

Xu Ling: “…”

In the miserable wind and bitter rain, the soldier roared, “Fly ahead! Marshal, we can see the land! ”

Xu Ling took a deep breath, and before he could recite Amitabha Buddha, he heard another guard shout, “Marshal, Ge Ling Shu said that there might be a problem on the right wing. We are leaning too much!”

Gu Yun: “Wh…”

Before the word ‘what‘ could be let out, he felt a warm sensation on his neck. It was Chang Geng who took the advantage while everyone was shouting and struggling with the Large Eagle to lick his neck.

Amidst the noise, Chang Geng whispered in his ear, “To die together* like this, it would not be so bad, wouldn’t it?”

*What he said here meant to die together as lovers.

Gu Yun: “…”

　　Yan Wang, who remained composed even when Mt. Tai collapsed, even in this situation, he was still in the mood to do such a thing. Gu Yun already admitted defeat. Suddenly, he felt that Master Feng Han was right. His Highness did not know what it was to be anxious.

The guard roared, “It’s landing. Hold on tightly… Be careful!”

Gu Yun only felt the darkness in front of his eyes. The Large Eagle fell to one side, tilted and plunged into the ground. The people on board almost got thrown out. Chang Geng rolled three times with Gu Yun in his arms and collided with a mast before stopping. He could hear the breaking noise. He grabbed Chang Geng’s collar and threw him aside — the mast fell down and brushed past them dangerously.

The soldiers scattered around shouted in shock. Only then did Gu Yun find that he was entangled together with Chang Geng’s hands and feet, appearing very shady. In front of outsiders, he hurriedly cover up the trace with a cough, then got up and looked around.

It was late at night, the Large Eagle was situated in a deserted rice fields. The shore could not be seen at a glance. It was strangely quiet — there were no houses or villages, no barking dogs and chickens, only a few quiet cries of summer insects could be heard ——

Gu Yun suddenly had an ominous feeling in his heart: “Where is this?”

A personal guard staggered up, still breathless: “Marshal, we were not careful, it seemed we had crossed the river.”

Master Xu, who had not yet climbed up, stumbled and fell down again after hearing this.

They had landed on the enemy’s territory!

Chang Geng turned his head and laughed at Gu Yun, “Marshal, we flew too far.”

Gu Yun rubbed his nose in embarrassment. “Causing such a loud ruckus, hopefully it will not lead the Western soldiers here. Ask Xiao Ge, what should we do with his unreliable broken Eagle?”

The two guards began to dig out Ge Chen, who almost went to see the former Emperor. Ge Chen threw his arms and legs at the others beside him and said, “Nausea…”

“Don’t vomit,” Gu Yun took Ge Chen’s collar and refused to let him bow, forcing it on, “Tell me first, can this toy be dismantled?”

Ge Chen: “…”

He had heard that in a year, there were more than three hundred days where General Shen wanted to strangle the Marquis of Order. At this moment, Ge Chen understood him.

In less than half of an incense time, the guards around the Marquis followed Ge of Ling Shu’s instructions and broke down the power system of the Eagle into four pieces, carried by four people separately, leaving a pile of useless scrap copper and iron. Gu Yun poured a little Ziliujin into the barrel of the Eagle and took out the match: “I will count from one to three, run fast.”

Xu Ling was in confusion when he saw Yan Wang make a gesture. Two guards, one on the left and one on the right, picked him off the ground, the group ran their fastest speed against the wind.

Then there was a loud bang! — thick flame and smoke almost exploded the rainy sky, blending in with the sound of thunder in the air, the earth was shaking.

Gu Yun had blown up the wreckage to dust!

Xu Ling’s expression suddenly changed, he said, “Marquis, would it not invite the enemy troops here?”

“Nonsense, if we can’t attract enemy troops, how are we supposed to go back?” Gu Yun spoke shamelessly, “Can you swim across the river? Master Xu, it will be alright, just follow me.”

Master Xu could no longer believe him.

To be Continued…

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