Yun Ye had never known that Luban’s wife was surnamed Yun. However, this was absolutely true. When Gongshu Mu was arguing with Yun Ye about future benefits, he mentioned it casually—that he and Yun Ye were related, and family doesn’t cheat family. Faced with someone who even brought out their ancestors as proof, Yun Ye had no resistance whatsoever.
Old Gongshu was already preparing to send people to Chang’an to see how the academy Yun Ye spoke of was actually built. However, this was a small matter. Since the Gongshu family had decided to emerge from seclusion, they wouldn’t care whether such a large complex of buildings could really be completed in three months. They were merely following the pride of a family of master builders and seeking verification.
Gongshu Jia was filled with longing for the lofty profession of teacher. Hands that had gripped a hoe for many years could finally hold a writing brush with legitimate reason. He was very excited, constantly asking Yun Ye what the students he would teach would be like. After learning the astonishing good news that they would all be children of meritorious officials, he sat alone on a stool in a daze of excitement.
Old Gongshu and Yun Ye held fragrant tea and talked about everything under the sun—from Luban’s wooden bird to immortals riding clouds and mist, discussing all manner of things. The various arcane studies hidden throughout the dynasties opened Yun Ye’s eyes. He learned that not only was there the theory of a round heaven and square earth, but also Zhang Heng’s theory of a round heaven and floating earth. What Yun Ye found incredible was that this theory was already very close to the truth.
Just imagine—Zhang Heng said: Heaven is round and envelops the earth; the earth floats on water. It’s like an egg: the shell is heaven, the yolk is earth, and the yolk floats in the egg white. As long as you replace the egg white with space, there’s no difference from modern theory.
“A foot-long stick, take away half each day, and it will never be exhausted even after ten thousand years”—this terrifying concept of the infinitesimal made Yun Ye break out in cold sweat. If he set aside the hodgepodge of knowledge he had learned in his later life under his parents’ nagging and teachers’ urging, he didn’t know how much he could still be proud of before the ancients.
From now on, he should show off less and capture more labor. Only catching four people from the Gongshu family was somewhat of a loss. He wondered if Li Er would come with red eyes to snatch people away if those legendary lunatics from the Mohist school, Daoist school, and Yin-Yang school were all brought to the academy.
Li Er had set up a useless imperial examination and claimed that all the talented people under heaven had fallen into his net. He really had the face to make such boasts! The old man before him would be more than qualified to serve as Minister of Works. Yun Ye could deceive those incompetents in the court to his heart’s content, but with Old Gongshu, there would never be an incident of buying four iron rods for several thousand strings of cash.
Host and guest parted in high spirits. Yun Ye used a carriage to send Old Gongshu and his son home, then pulled a sled to Chai Shao’s commander’s mansion.
Chai Shao, Xue Wanren, and Niu Jinda—the three of them surrounded the sled, looking left and right, clicking their tongues in wonder. Despite the darkness, they immediately ordered their personal guards to harness a horse and drove the sled out of the city. Under the moonlight, the personal guard drove the horse up slopes and down gullies, loaded it with stones, and tried again. Seeing that the pack horse still ran swiftly through the snow, Chai Shao laughed heartily and withdrew his troops back to camp.
Chai Shao was an honest man who didn’t press about the sled’s origins. He merely ordered craftsmen to work day and night—he wanted to make a thousand of these things.
“Grand Commander, it seems our plan needs to be revised. With this item, our great army can still sweep across the wilderness like the wind. This old man just calculated—with a thousand of these things, we can transport three thousand soldiers along with sufficient provisions and equipment. Xie Li’s calculations to use heavy snow to delay our army are probably just a pipe dream.”
Old Niu had never considered Yun Ye an outsider and began discussing military secrets right in front of him. Chai Shao also seemed unconcerned, squatting on the ground to discuss march routes with Old Niu and Xue Wanren. Yun Ye covered his ears, not wanting to listen, but could hands really block out Xue Wanren’s booming voice?
It was too late to leave now. Having heard military secrets, it was impossible not to participate.
“Hehe, Marquis Yun always produces the most crucial things at the most crucial moments. This is the good fortune of our Great Tang warriors! With just this one item, we can reduce military casualties by thirty percent. During the march, soldiers can sit on the sleds to conserve their strength, and when they reach the battlefield, they can engage in combat without rest, catching the enemy unprepared. Excellent, truly excellent!”
Chai Shao only praised verbally, but Xue Wanren expressed his joyful feelings with slaps and pats. After taking a heavy punch to the chest, Yun Ye could bear it no longer and shouted: “Old Xue, if you want to talk, just talk! Don’t use me as a punching bag—that punch nearly made me cough up blood!”
Old Xue laughed heartily: “Brother, this old Xue commands the Modao Battalion. Each man carries over a hundred catties of equipment, and on the battlefield we can only fight head-on. With this thing, we can finally taste what it’s like to launch a surprise attack!”
“Young man, this old man knows you still have good wine. I won’t ask for much—just one jar. We four can share it. Surely that won’t delay business. Tonight, let’s none of us sleep. We’ll gather around the brazier, drinking while we discuss matters, get everything clear, so the army can have a new plan.”
“General Niu speaks truly! Let’s do exactly that. Marquis Yun, don’t be stingy—contribute your good wine!” Chai Shao was also in high spirits.
Xue Wanren was already drooling, pulling Yun Ye along to get the wine.
The black ceramic jar was the size of a human head, its mouth sealed tightly with clay. Xue Wanren slapped away the clay seal with one palm, then tore off the hemp paper covering the jar’s mouth. A rich fragrance immediately overflowed. Chai Shao seized the jar, took a long breath, and praised: “Truly good wine!”
Without using bowls, he tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful, then passed it to Old Niu. Old Niu took a swig and laughingly gave it to Xue Wanren. Old Xue was honest by nature—once the jar touched his lips, it wouldn’t leave until Chai Shao kicked him in the leg. Only then did he carefully hand it to Yun Ye, still looking ready to snatch it back at any moment. Before Yun Ye could even drink, the wine jar was back in Chai Shao’s hands.
“Marquis Yun is young and should not indulge in wine, lest it harm your health. This old man need not worry about such things.” Having said this, he took another large gulp.
From the way Chai Shao clutched the wine jar, one could tell this fellow probably wasn’t any good in his youth either.
Little wine, many men—after Xue Wanche poured out the last drop with great regret, the happy period passed.
The military map was spread out. Chai Shao pointed to Xiang City, less than six hundred li away, and said: “Xie Li is wintering in Xiang City. According to scouts sent out, he destroyed the Hemo tribe in May this year and the Youran tribe in June. The Xueyantuo, Huihe, Bayegu, and Tongluo tribes have already formed an alliance to jointly resist Xie Li. It’s said they’re still sending troops to harass Hexi, but our Hexi forces are strong—they cannot shake them. Now he not only has a camp full of wounded soldiers, but has also divided his forces to attack Hexi, causing Xiang City to be vulnerable. With three thousand fierce soldiers, we could take it in one assault and capture Xie Li alive. Such a golden opportunity will vanish in an instant. We should not let this once-in-a-lifetime chance slip away.”
“Xie Li’s brother Tuli has already reached an agreement with our court. He can serve as our army’s guide to deceive Xie Li. However, there’s one point—we are all under the command of Li Jing, the Campaign Commander of Dingxiang. Without military orders, acting on our own initiative might invite criticism.” Niu Jinda was still somewhat worried.
“Old General Niu worries too much. As long as we capture Xie Li alive, even Li Jing will have nothing to say.” Xue Wanren patted his chest confidently.
“General Niu doesn’t know yet—His Majesty has already appointed Xue Wanche as Campaign Commander of Changwu. I’ve already sent someone to notify him. Once Old Xue takes office, we won’t need to worry about lacking reinforcements. This old man believes this campaign has great odds of success and is worth attempting.” Faced with the unprecedented merit of capturing Xie Li alive, Chai Shao couldn’t control the flames in his heart.
“This junior doesn’t understand military affairs, but I’ve heard that Li Jing has already advanced to Mayi, which is only six or seven hundred li from Xiang City. Hearing what the Grand Commander says, this junior believes Li Jing is probably entertaining the same idea.”
Yun Ye spoke tremblingly. He was truly afraid that saying something wrong would bring bad consequences. Chai Shao carefully examined the map again, fell silent for a long while, then heavily slammed his fist on the table, pointing to E’yang Ridge northwest of Xiang City and said: “If Li Jing wants to launch a surprise attack on Xiang City, he must first seize this place to have any chance of success. We need only wait quietly for military reports to know Li Jing’s intentions. Though he is the commander-in-chief, he doesn’t inform us of his battle plans. What is he trying to do? Does he intend to capture Xie Li single-handedly?”
“Grand Commander, please calm your anger. This old man believes Li Jing may think this matter involves military secrets—the fewer people who know, the better. It’s not that he wants to steal the credit.” Old Niu offered Chai Shao a few words of consolation.
“Our army now holds every advantage, especially the sleds献上 by Marquis Yun, which will allow our forces to approach Xiang City silently. This is a heaven-sent opportunity—if we don’t seize it, it will backfire. We’ll wait quietly for one month. If Li Jing still takes no action by the eleventh month, we’ll do it ourselves!” Chai Shao made up his mind.
“Marquis Yun, we each have our duties. We can only ask you to help manage the auxiliary troops well and make preparations before the expedition.”
Though Chai Shao spoke politely, in the military Yun Ye had not the slightest room to refuse. He quickly stood up to receive his orders.
The night deepened, and the four men each dispersed. Old Niu pulled Yun Ye aside to give him instructions, assigned his personal guard captain to assist Yun Ye, then returned to the military camp to rest.
The moonlight shining on the snow seemed especially bright. Yun Ye stepped on the snow beneath his feet, producing crunching sounds. He seemed infatuated with this sound, deliberately seeking out snow-covered places to step on, making his guard Old Zhuang shake his head—the marquis was, after all, still just a youth.
He didn’t know the joy in Yun Ye’s heart. From leaving Chang’an until now, only tonight had he been truly happy. There was no scheming, no troublesome social obligations, and he had found Old Gongshu’s whole family—this was like hitting the jackpot! This trip to Shuofang was going incredibly smoothly. He’d made money, and it seemed he wouldn’t lack for merit either. Even if Chai Shao had ambitions, he only simply wanted to leave his name in history—it wouldn’t involve matters of life and death.
He missed his old grandmother and Xiao Ya, and of course Xinyue. But when thinking of Xinyue, Li Anlan’s face always appeared, which was irritating.
He no longer missed everything from his later life. The shadows of his relatives gradually blurred, appearing only in his deepest dreams to meet with Yun Ye. Things had changed and people had moved on—even with a thousand words, they were difficult to speak.
In another month, the greatest war would occur. The Tang Dynasty would reveal its ferocious side. Yun Ye wanted to write his name into this segment of history, holding onto the faintest hope that through historical records, he could convey information of his existence to his relatives.
He only hoped that everything from his later life still existed.