In late May, General Wang Yi, who had just been promoted to Vice Commander-in-Chief, returned to Zhangye with the Marquis of Yingchuan. Wang Yi remained to guard Zhangye, while the Marquis of Yingchuan stayed in Zhangye for one day, making some administrative and military arrangements, before leading the troops of the five garrisons of Ganzhou northward to Jiayuguan to support Commander Peng, who had been fighting fiercely with the Tufan for more than two months.
On the evening when the Marquis of Yingchuan was staying in Zhangye, Jin Yuanbao suddenly returned.
“Commander Lu, seeing Ninth Master’s excellent martial skills, appointed him as a scout. When Commander Lu was surrounded, Ninth Master was at Chen Family Dam, three hundred li away, while Yang Yucheng and his centurion were at Gao Family Stockade, one hundred li away. Ninth Master sensed something was wrong and, against everyone’s advice, took six willing men and rushed toward Commander Lu. Yang Yucheng and his centurion hurried over after receiving Commander Lu’s call for help. They met on the way. Yang Yucheng’s centurion died while rescuing Commander Lu. Commander Lu’s injuries were severe, and he drifted in and out of consciousness. At that time, Ninth Master held the highest rank and had impressed everyone with his fierce fighting, so naturally, they respected him as the leader.” Jin Yuanbao sat smiling on the armchair in Zheng San’s inner room in the west wing, drinking tea while recounting the situation. “Earlier, Ninth Master had felt that Commander Lu was too careless in this campaign, but Ninth Master’s position was too low for Commander Lu to take him seriously. Later, it turned out just as Ninth Master had predicted—they fell into the enemy’s trap. After being separated from my centurion during the battle, I remembered Ninth Master saying that Tianti Mountain had complex terrain suitable for both hiding and ambushes. I thought that if Ninth Master was defeated or injured because of Commander Lu, he would likely go to Tianti Mountain. Unexpectedly, I met Ninth Master halfway as he was taking Commander Lu to Tianti Mountain.”
His expression was full of gratitude and emotion, while everyone listened with surging excitement.
“Brother Yuanbao, why did the Marquis of Yingchuan make you his military scribe afterward?”
Jin Yuanbao was able to return home this time because he had become the Marquis of Yingchuan’s military scribe and would soon accompany the Marquis to Jiayuguan.
Jin Yuanbao’s face reddened: “Later, we met the Marquis of Yingchuan. After Commander Lu was settled, the Marquis summoned the Ninth Master for questioning. Ninth Master recommended me and Yucheng to the Marquis, saying that I was skilled in arithmetic and capable of allocation and accounting, while Yucheng was strong in martial arts and dared to move mountains and rivers. The Marquis then asked Ninth Master, ‘And what talent do you possess?’ Ninth Master smiled and said, ‘I merely have loyalty and righteousness toward my brothers!’ The Marquis laughed upon hearing this and kept me by his side as a scribe, while letting Yucheng stay with Ninth Master by Commander Lu’s side. He then asked Ninth Master, ‘Do you know why?’ Ninth Master replied, ‘When the lord is humiliated, the subject dies; the same applies to commanders.’ The Marquis nodded with satisfaction and sent Ninth Master with Yucheng to Commander Lu, while I followed a secretary surnamed Zhan by the Marquis’s side, handling registration and inventory matters.”
“Oh my, Brother Yuanbao,” Zheng San’s wife exclaimed with belated surprise, “does that mean you’ve been promoted?”
“No, no!” Jin Yuanbao waved his hands repeatedly in embarrassment. “I still receive a small flag officer’s salary; I’m just serving under the Marquis of Yingchuan.”
“That’s still very good!” Fu Tingyun smiled. “Following the Marquis means you’ll have more opportunities in the future.”
Jin Yuanbao said somewhat uneasily: “Regardless, I was brought up by Ninth Master, and if I must acknowledge anyone, it would be him.”
The world changes unpredictably—who knows what the future holds? But at this moment, Fu Tingyun believed that Jin Yuanbao was speaking from his heart.
Fu Tingyun alluded to the saying “When brothers work together, their strength can break gold,” then changed the subject: “Do you have news of San Fu and Shizhu?” No matter what, no one could prevent the changes brought by the passage of time.
A journey tests a horse’s strength; time reveals a person’s heart.
Jin Yuanbao believed he would not change, so he didn’t dwell on this issue. His expression darkened slightly: “There’s still no news of San Fu. Shizhu injured his leg and is currently recovering at Tianti Mountain. He should be well in two or three months.”
No news of San Fu… Fu Tingyun’s mind filled with that honest, simple face, and she couldn’t help but fall silent.
The others also grew quiet.
Seeing that the atmosphere had become somewhat somber, Fu Tingyun asked: “Do you know what Ninth Master is doing now?”
Upon hearing this, Jin Yuanbao’s spirits lifted, and he smiled: “Commander Lu owes his life to Ninth Master and trusts him immensely. For strategic deployments and supply allocations, he consults the Ninth Master. The capture of the Wuhe’er tribe leader was largely due to the Ninth Master’s bravery and skill in battle. Commander Lu now almost follows everything Ninth Master says.”
“Then why haven’t you been promoted when Ninth Master hasn’t?” Asen, having heard this, was quite dissatisfied and pouted as he questioned Jin Yuanbao.
“Rewards and promotions come after the battle is won.” Fu Tingyun smiled, putting her arm around Asen’s shoulders. “Don’t speak carelessly about things you don’t understand.”
Jin Yuanbao breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been afraid that Fu Tingyun and the others might misunderstand him.
Fu Tingyun was already smiling and asking him: “Can you stay at home tonight? When do you leave tomorrow?”
Jin Yuanbao and his companions’ room was next to Asen’s. These days, she had been sleeping in Asen’s room, and even then, she sometimes felt afraid, with Zheng San’s wife often coming to keep her company. If Jin Yuanbao stayed overnight, the room arrangement would become a problem.
“I’m afraid I can’t stay at home tonight,” Jin Yuanbao said somewhat apologetically. “After the Marquis meets with the officials at the Commander-in-Chief’s residence, he will gather the thousand men and centurions in the evening to discuss the deployment to Jiayuguan. Secretary Zhan asked me to help with the records later.” He added, “Tomorrow morning, the Marquis of Yingchuan will make sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and at the Loyalty Temple before departing at the Hour of the Snake (9-11 AM).”
“Then let me prepare some food for you to take along!” Fu Tingyun said. “If it’s not convenient to eat on the road, you can share it with your colleagues. It’s the sentiment of your family!”
Jin Yuanbao, being worldly-wise, didn’t refuse but thanked her with a smile.
Everyone got busy, while Jin Yuanbao and Fu Tingyun spoke alone in the room: “Ninth Master instructed me that once the fighting is over, I should find an excuse to go to the capital. I ask Miss Fu to be patient for some time.”
If there wasn’t that kind of anticipation in her heart, this should have been good news for her, right? But now… she felt a sense of timidity approaching home, wishing time could stand still, hoping that some matters need not be carefully considered.
Her fingers unconsciously caressed the vibrant peony flower on the teacup as Fu Tingyun became slightly distracted.
Jin Yuanbao, however, had other considerations. He pondered: “Miss Fu, I see the main door of the main house is tightly closed… Are you not resting in the main house?”
Madam Wang had not agreed to Concubine Feng’s request, causing her to make a scene, sitting disheveled at the entrance of the second hall, cursing and causing a commotion. Fortunately, Madam Wang didn’t consider herself the Vice Commander-in-Chief’s wife only after moving into the Vice Commander-in-Chief’s office, so she let her make a scene while those who were trying to curry favor with the new Vice Commander-in-Chief’s wife dealt with Concubine Feng. As a result, while Concubine Feng was arguing with those urging her to move out at the front hall, the former Vice Commander-in-Chief Liu, carried by two confidants, took his son and valuables and slipped away through the back door. When Concubine Feng returned to find Vice Commander Liu to stand up for her, all that remained in the back hall was the dying Feng Dahu and a room full of mess.
Concubine Feng ran like a madwoman from the Commander-in-Chief’s residence to the city gate, being pointed at and discussed all along the way, but when she reached the city gate, there was no trace of Vice Commander Liu.
She grabbed the uniforms of the soldiers guarding the gate, demanding to know Vice Commander Liu’s whereabouts.
A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken, let alone a concubine who had been borrowing someone else’s authority.
For the sake of the Marquis of Xiping’s household, no one gave her a hard time, but no one paid attention to her either.
Concubine Feng sat at the city gate, disheveled and dirty, staring blankly toward the southeast.
People entering and exiting the city gate couldn’t help but look at her twice.
Eventually, two old women who served her closely found her, hired a carriage using the name of the Marquis of Xiping’s household, and took Concubine Feng and her brother to Liangzhou.
The next day, this story spread throughout Zhangye City.
While people were talking about Concubine Feng, they also brought up the incident of Feng Dahu breaking into Chief Zhao’s home in Zhuanglang Garrison. They concluded that Chief Zhao came from a great household in the capital, and those who followed him were experts selected from the 800,000 imperial guards in the capital. Even with seven or eight men, Feng Dahu was no match.
This rumor spread from outside to the back street, and Fu Tingyun’s home suddenly became busy. Because people knew she had closed her doors, some came to borrow two liang of salt, others came to borrow two pieces of flint, all standing on tiptoe and stretching their necks to look at Zheng San before leaving.
After everyone learned the reason, they laughed at Zheng San for a long time.
Zheng San was very distressed: “This is terrible. If someone wants to target our household, they might first send someone who can deal with me.”
Asen disagreed and patted his small chest: “What are you afraid of? Don’t you still have me?”
Zheng San’s wife laughed at him: “Now that General Wang has become the Vice Commander-in-Chief, who would dare target our household!”
Almost everyone in Zhangye City knew about this incident. With Jin Yuanbao’s shrewdness and capability, it was impossible that he hadn’t heard any rumors.
Fu Tingyun didn’t hide anything from him and told him what had happened, finally instructing: “Don’t tell Ninth Master at all. Right now, he’s fighting alongside Commander Lu. After the fighting ends, I will naturally tell him myself.” She added, “See, we’re all fine now!”
Jin Yuanbao, accustomed to weighing pros and cons, nodded: “Rest assured, Miss Fu, I know what to do.”
Fu Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief.
Jin Yuanbao then said: “Why don’t I sell this house and buy another one nearby?”
“Everyone knows our house had a bloody incident; it would be hard to sell,” Fu Tingyun had thought about this too. “Besides, there are no suitable houses nearby to buy.”
Jin Yuanbao suggested moving his and Yang Yucheng’s belongings to the east room of the main house, where she used to live.
“We’re not afraid of this,” he smiled. “You can take advantage of the improving weather to connect these two rooms—one bright, one dark. The bright one can be the hall, and the dark one the inner room.” He added, “After all, we barely stay at home one day throughout the year.”
“There’s no rush,” unwilling to impose on others what she disliked, Fu Tingyun couldn’t readily agree. “Let’s wait until Ninth Master returns.”
Jin Yuanbao didn’t insist and left after sitting for a while.
The next day, before they left the city, Fu Tingyun had Zheng San deliver a basket of meat flatbread and twenty taels of silver fragments.
Colleagues around him, seeing the white gauze carefully draped over the basket, winked and asked: “Who is it? Not only sending food but also silver?”
Jin Yuanbao ate the meat flatbread slowly and deliberately, then said leisurely: “It’s my sister-in-law!”