A hundred li northwest of where the Huai River converges at Xiao County, there lies a ten-li-long embankment known as An Le Dike. Its construction began several decades ago. At that time, although the Han Dynasty was in decline, imperial power still held sway. The Governor of Xiao County mobilized laborers, and after three years of toil, the dike was completed. Whenever the Huai River flooded, this dike protected the downstream areas, including eight counties and seventy-two villages within Xiao County. To commemorate that governor, the local people named the dike “An Le” after his title.
After decades of erosion by the Huai River, An Le Dike had gradually aged and fallen into disrepair. Although it occasionally leaked during sudden surges of the Huai River, it still largely held firm. This dike was responsible for keeping the nearby populace safe.
However, today, this dike named An Le no longer lived up to its meaning of “peace and happiness.”
Yesterday, Xu Zhou’s Regional Inspector Xue Tai, while feigning continued siege to deceive Yang Xin, secretly dispatched two of his subordinate generals, Cao Xu and Zhang Biao, with a thousand troops. They quietly circled to this location, forcibly driving a large number of laborers to dig into the dike along its back slope.
These laborers were all residents, forcibly driven here. They knew that if the dike were destroyed, the surging Huai River would backflow, turning downstream homes and fields into nothing. Even more terrifying was the knowledge that once they dug open the required mile-long breach, the Huai River would immediately rush in. How could these two-legged commoners escape the engulfing flood? Since yesterday, the laborers have been constantly pleading. But Cao Xu and Zhang Biao refused to listen. Those who dared to argue or resist were killed and thrown into the Huai River. The remaining laborers, swallowing their anger and fear, were forced to continue digging into the dike. Despite the freezing weather, by today, a mile-long trench had been dug along the back slope of the once-intact dike. The Huai River could burst through these weakened spots at any moment, making the situation extremely precarious.
Near the dike, more and more villagers who had heard the news gathered, all weeping and kneeling, begging for mercy. Cao Xu and Zhang Biao turned a deaf ear, ordering soldiers to beat back the villagers while whipping those laborers who dared to stop digging.
At the foot of An Le Dike, shouts of anger and cries of despair mingled together, and the scene gradually descended into chaos.
Xue Tai had given Cao Xu and Zhang Biao strict orders to open the breach before nightfall today, allowing their forces to ascend to higher ground under cover of darkness. Seeing the sun slowly setting in the west, and these laborers starting to revolt with more and more nearby residents gathering, Cao Xu grew anxious. He saw an old man with gray hair moving slowly nearby, went over and kicked him to the ground, then viciously whipped him several times, gritting his teeth.
Zhang Biao, seeing nearby laborers stop working and looking over with fearful gazes, thought that killing one to warn a hundred would be most effective. He drew his sword and, amidst the crowd’s shocked cries, was about to stab the old man on the ground.
Just as his arm was descending, it was suddenly gripped from behind.
“General, you’re truly formidable, showing such cruelty to an unarmed old man,” said Lei Yan.
Zhang Biao didn’t recognize Lei Yan. Turning his head, he saw that although this man who had stopped him was dressed in civilian clothes, one glance revealed his military background. Zhang Biao considered himself quite strong, yet being gripped like this, he couldn’t bring his sword down. Embarrassed and angry in front of so many eyes, he said, “Who are you? How dare you interfere with my lord’s great undertaking?”
Lei Yan sneered, “After I take your head, I’ll tell you who I am!”
Zhang Biao flew into a rage, forcefully broke free from the grip on his arm, and began fighting fiercely with Lei Yan. Nearby soldiers hurried to help, but the two were locked in close combat, leaving no room for others to intervene. They could only stand by and cheer for Zhang Biao.
Unexpectedly, after a few exchanges, Zhang Biao let out a great cry as one of his arms was brutally severed.
Zhang Biao fell to the ground, clutching his severed arm and howling in pain. Cao Xu, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, was greatly alarmed and hastily gathered nearby soldiers to surround them.
Lei Yan showed no fear at all. He unfurled a golden Wei clan token in his palm and shouted, “I am Lei Yan, under the command of Duke Yan of the Wei clan from You Zhou! My lord and duke are passing through this area today with his army. He heard that Xue Tai, disregarding the law, for the sake of a small piece of land, is ignoring the safety of tens of thousands of common folk in eight counties and seventy-two villages downstream of the Huai River, plotting to breach the dike and causing backflow! Such perverse actions against heaven’s will cannot be ignored! Villagers fear not! My lord will handle everything!”
The crowd was utterly astonished, all turning their heads to look. They saw a man standing tall on a hilltop not far away. One hand resting on his sword, his expression solemn. Behind him stood over ten armed guards in neat formation. The strong wind blew against his clothes, further accentuating the man’s majestic bearing, emanating an aura of one who rules all under heaven.
The Wei family of You Zhou was not only known for generations of defending against the Xiongnu, but in this generation, Duke Yan Wei Shao had successively swallowed Ji Zhou, merged Bing Zhou, unified the north, and made a name for himself. In the past two years, his reputation had become known throughout the land.
Half a year ago, Xue Tai had allied with Chen Xiang to attack Yan Zhou. Unexpectedly, Wei Shao intervened and ruined their alliance, nearly causing Yang Xin to take over Xue Tai’s home base in Xu Zhou. The grudge between the two sides had long been established. However, until now, with one in the north and one in the south, they had never directly confronted each other.
Cao Xu had only recently heard news that not long ago, Wei Shao’s army had achieved victory in the battle for Shangdang. He never imagined that at this moment, Wei Shao would personally appear here. The other’s reputation was known throughout the land, and Lei Yan had mentioned he had brought troops. Cao Xu felt fear in his heart, thinking silently that with only a thousand men, they probably wouldn’t be a match if it came to a fight. It would be better to retreat first and quickly report to his lord about Wei Shao secretly leading troops south.
Having made up his mind, Cao Xu slowly backed away. When he had retreated several zhang, he suddenly turned, leaped onto his horse, and galloped towards Xiao County.
Wei Shao’s expression remained dignified and cold. He raised his arm to receive a large bow handed over by an attendant, nocked an arrow, aimed at the retreating figure on horseback, and suddenly released the bowstring. With a “twang,” an arrow was fired, chasing the wind and pursuing lightning, deeply embedding itself in Cao Xu’s back.
Cao Xu fell headlong from his horse, dead upon hitting the ground.
“I am Wei Shao of You Zhou! Today I lead a great army here! Xue Tai is without virtue, anyone may kill him! You soldiers lay down your weapons, and your lives will be spared!”
Wei Shao lowered his bow, gathered his breath against the wind, and projected his voice word by word.
Among Xue Tai’s soldiers, who didn’t know the name of Wei Shao from the north? Seeing him suddenly appear here, imposing and awe-inspiring, not one dared to approach. In just a short moment, Zhang Biao was wounded and Cao Xu died. First losing their leaders, then with morale crumbling, and considering that many of these soldiers had originally been forced into service, not all were utterly vicious people. Stunned by Wei Shao’s earth-shaking shout, they all became frightened. Weapons fell to the ground as soldiers turned and fled in all directions. On the dike, only laborers and villagers remained, gathering in increasing numbers. It’s unknown who started it, but suddenly whole groups began kneeling towards Wei Shao, loudly praising the duke’s great kindness, with countless people weeping bitterly.
Wei Shao descended from the stone platform and instructed the people to quickly fill back the excavated earth and reinforce it to prevent danger.
Reminded of this, under the guidance of water and soil craftsmen, everyone set to work together. At this moment, several laborers came running, their faces filled with fear, saying that water had suddenly started gushing from the back slope ahead, with quite a large flow, likely due to digging too deep.
Residents on both banks of the Huai River knew that water gushing from the back slope indicated the presence of underwater cavities on the riverside. If the cavities couldn’t be found and filled in time, under the force of the water, they would grow larger and larger, potentially collapsing and causing a breach, which was extremely dangerous.
The crowd paled, all rushing over. Indeed, on the back slope, turbid yellow muddy water was continuously gushing out, quickly gathering like a stream. People were anxious, climbing up the dike to search for the breach, but with the river’s surface surging, how could they find the hidden currents under the water?
Among Wei Shao’s entourage, there was a man named Chen Shao from the southern state of Chu, who was skilled in water. Seeing the situation, he immediately stepped forward and said, “My lord, you can tie a rope around my waist and let me go down to investigate.”
The water flow was bone-chilling, and if there were cavities underwater, the suction would be enormous. Sending someone down like this, even tied with a rope, was extremely dangerous if they were sucked into a hidden cavity by the current.
As Wei Shao hesitated, an old voice suddenly spoke from behind him: “This old man has a method! My lord need not send anyone down to risk their life!”
Wei Shao turned around to see an old man in traveler’s attire speaking. He carried a medicine bag on his shoulder and had the face of a child despite his white hair, and a long flowing beard. He strode towards Wei Shao, and upon reaching him, merely nodded slightly when Wei Shao looked at him. He then ordered people to quickly fetch cloth curtains or mats, tie them securely with ropes, weigh the lower edge with heavy objects, and then sink them into the water along the dike’s slope, pressing them close to the slope and slowly moving them.
People followed his instructions, and as they moved slowly, they suddenly felt resistance in pulling, and the water flow from the back slope outlet also diminished. Everyone cheered, knowing the leak had been found.
With the leak located, water and soil craftsmen had already brought people to fill it. After repairing the leak, the water gushing from the back slope gradually disappeared, and the rest of the people returned to continue filling in the earth. Earlier, when forced to dig, everyone had been utterly helpless. Now, they were vying to be first, fearing to fall behind.
…
With the danger averted, Wei Shao turned his head to gaze in the direction of Jiuli Mountain, hesitating. At this moment, he saw the old man in hemp clothes walking towards him with large strides.
The strong wind ruffled the old man’s white beard, giving him an air of otherworldly grace.
“This old man pays his respects to the duke,” said the old man, stopping in front of Wei Shao.
Seeing that this old man was extraordinary, with the bearing of an unworldly sage, Wei Shao dared not be arrogant. He performed a greeting befitting an elder and said, “I don’t know where the elder comes from or where he is going. Just now, it was all thanks to you that we were able to avert the disaster at the dike. I’m truly impressed.”
The hemp-clothed old man’s eyes fixed on Wei Shao, shining brightly as he smiled and said, “This old man knows a bit about medicine and divination. Seeing that the world is full of suffering, I wander the four directions, doing what I can to help. A few days ago, observing the night sky, I saw the Four Images and Three Enclosures aligned above this place. The Purple Forbidden Enclosure of the emperor was in the center, with the Supreme Palace and Heavenly Market Enclosures flanking it, a brilliant celestial display.
This old man thought it an unusual sign, so I came to investigate. By chance, I heard of the strange occurrences at An Le Dike and came here, unexpectedly meeting the duke. Having seen with my own eyes, the duke indeed possesses both martial prowess and wisdom and also has compassion in his heart. The common people of the world can now have hope.”
As the two of them spoke, villagers gradually gathered around, listening intently. They didn’t fully understand the old man’s words, but upon hearing “Purple Forbidden Enclosure of the Emperor,” they seemed to grasp something, looking at Wei Shao with reverent expressions and whispering among themselves.
Wei Shao, by nature, was fierce and violent, lacking innate compassion, and even prone to seeking revenge for the slightest offense. Otherwise, in his youth, he wouldn’t have earned the title of “Little Tyrant.”
When the Qin lost its deer, all under heaven pursued it.
Wei Shao was no exception. Being in his position, he had always harbored such burning ambition.
Domination, and even seizing the realm by military force, had always been the grand aspiration he was intoxicated with.
But over the years, he had also received constant reminders from Madam Xu, and with Gong Sun Yang advising by his side, as he grew older and traveled far and wide, witnessing the hardships of the common people, his high position imposed a sense of responsibility towards the people’s suffering, which gradually began to weigh on his heart.
The reason he changed course today was, firstly, to show favor to Yang Xin, and secondly, he was indeed moved by the miserable state of villagers he encountered on the road.
Unexpectedly, he met such an old man here.
He naturally understood the implications of the old man’s words. He couldn’t help but be slightly startled.
After finishing speaking, the old man gave him a deep bow and turned to leave, striding away just as he had come.
Wei Shao watched his retreating figure and couldn’t help asking, “May I ask the elder’s esteemed name and surname? Will we meet again?”
“This old man has a half-disciple of three months who is now serving under the duke’s command. If fate allows, we shall meet again. I hope the duke will not disappoint what this old man has seen today. If you bring blessings to the common people in the future, it will be a great fortune for all under heaven!”
The old man did not turn back. His words drifted back on the wind, his hemp clothes and wide sleeves fluttering as his figure quickly disappeared into the expanse of the Huai River bank.