Novel The Great Game - The Young Master (Ch.308) [finished]

Thank you very much for your kind words!

 

“Bah-weep-Graaaaagnah wheep ni ni bong.”
--The universal greeting, ‘The Transformers’

Chapter 102 – Red ears

The Huang family went to receive the royal messenger, a young and fresh-faced eunuch who was quietly drinking some tea. When he saw Madam Li arriving, he hastened to put down his cup to salute her.


“The royal court sends its regards,” the eunuch said respectfully.


Madam Li nodded in return. “How can we serve the royal court?”


The eunuch bowed and reverently presented a scroll of yellow, tied with a red silk string. Upon seeing the document, the Huangs hastened to kneel. Satisfied at their obeisance, the eunuch unfurled the scroll and began to read:


“We have known the names of the Huangs. We appreciate the loyalty of Zheng and his valiant son Ke. Lately, we have heard of Ming, clever and resourceful in the campaign against Wei. We are pleased at his deeds, and hereby decree that he is to present himself to Court, so that we might see his talents ourselves.”


The eunuch then rolled up the decree and handed it to Madam Li. She received it passively, her face a mask. The air was still, the Huangs were still digesting the enormity of the royal summons.


“What? But I just got home!” Huang Ming complained, breaking the moment.


Madam Li sighed in exasperation and pulled on her son’s ear. “Have you taken leave of your senses?” she demanded as Huang Ming yelped in pain, while the other women looked on with smiles.


The eunuch couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. “Seeing the situation is so, I believe the court would understand if you were only to depart in another few days. The decree did not give a timetable, after all,” he said.


The Huangs thanked him for the leeway and rewarded him, thus the eunuch departed in good humour.


“Luckily for you that the king only heard the good parts about you,” Madam Li said in a teasing tone, but her eyes could not conceal the pride that she felt.


“Maybe it’s because he’s ill?” Huang Ming asked, remembering the rumour that Muge Jian had shared to him and Huang Lang before.


“Watch your tongue! You can afford to be casual with us, but please be mindful of others when you’re in the capital. You never know who might be listening,” Madam Li admonished.


“Mother is most wise and cautious,” Huang Ming mumbled, suitably chastened.


“You must be careful. Though Gao Fang is gone, there is still Tong Xuan. You will inevitably cross paths with him in court.”


“Understood,” Huang Ming nodded solemnly.


Usually, this would be the point where the discussion would stop; but because this was about Huang Ming, his family was unconvinced by his subdued answer.


“Little brother, it’s not that I do not believe you, but you did offend a lot of people in this city,” Cao Tianyun doubted. “Including my brother Ah Shuang,” she added with a smirk.


Huang Ming affected a hurt countenance. “I have made amends with your brother long ago. And I’m not who I used to be,” he said.


“I’m not sure if that’s an improvement,” Liu Yuchun muttered absent-mindedly. She of course remembered her own circumstances. Though Huang Ming had changed considerably since that ill-intentioned meeting, she couldn’t resist making a dig at him.


“We’ve already settled that,” Huang Ming said with a cramped smile as he felt his stomach churning.


“It is fortunate that Ah Lang is already in the capital. Once you get there, you must find him,” Madam Li said.


“What exactly is he doing there anyway?” Huang Ming demanded, eager to change the course of conversation.


Madam Li’s brows knitted, showing her worry. “You have heard of the fire at the residence of Minister Jun. Your brother is looking for evidence that would incriminate Tong Xuan.”


“Why? Who is this Minister Jun?” Huang Ming asked.


Cao Tianyun sighed. “He’s one of the few upright officials that had dared to oppose Prime Minister Tong openly in front of the king. I heard from my father that Minister Jun had sent a memorial reprimanding him, but then he died in a fire at his own residence. His family survived, though they are now in the ‘care’ of the Prime Minister.”


Huang Ming nodded, it was as Muge Jian had said so long ago. “And then elder brother decided to play the detective?” he grumbled.


“Perhaps it was a mistake to allow him to go. I feel as if Ah Lang is stirring up the hornet’s nest. Fortunately that Muge Jian went along with him, so I’m somewhat assured of his safety,” Madam Li said with a sigh.


Cao Tianyun put on a brave smile. “Yes, and there are relatives in the capital to support him as well. I’m sure he knows what to do.”


Madam Li gave Huang Ming a serious look. “You would do well if you could return home with your elder brother safe and sound.”


“I will, do not worry. I will depart in a day or two,” Huang Ming replied.


“Fine. Call Qiong Ying over, we’ll have a nice family dinner tonight,” Madam Li said.


“I, uh, planned to see her tomorrow,” Huang Ming admitted.


His mother narrowed her eyes. “You mean you didn’t tell her that you’re coming back either?”


“There was no need to,” Huang Ming replied with a faint smile.


As if on cue, a servant entered to announce, “Sir Quan has arrived.”


Huang Ming gave his family a self-satisfied look. “Show him in,” he said smugly, though the triumphant look disappeared when he saw Quan Lu’s face.


“Haha, Brother Huang Ming! Luckily my friends saw you, otherwise I would be kept in the dark about your return,” Qiong Ying said with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.


Crap.


“Ah, but I planned to surprise you tomorrow. Come sit down, I’ll serve you personally!” Huang Ming said smoothly.


Once Qiong Ying saw that there were no one else save the Huang family members, her eyes tightened. She reached out with her nimble fingers to twist Huang Ming’s ear. Fortunately, not the same one that his mother had pulled earlier.


“So difficult to write a letter in advance?” she scowled, much to the delight of the other women in attendance. Madam Li was especially pleased, she had wanted to pose the same exact question when he came home. The entire affair was made all the more comical due to the fact that Qiong Ying came in her male disguise, so anyone not in her secret would see a handsome young man pulling the ear of the kingdom’s newest hero Huang Ming.


“Mercy, please! I knew that you would find out on your own,” Huang Ming said, grimacing at the humiliation.


“Of course, but that’s not the point,” Qiong Ying huffed as she released him. Madam Li, Cao Tianyun and Liu Yuchun all nodded sagely in agreement, and Huang Ming had the sneaky suspicion that he was being ganged up upon by the women.


“How did you find out?” he groused as he gingerly rubbed his ear.


“I have eyes everywhere. First, a royal messenger arrives in the city. Then a servant of the Hall of Treasures and Antiquities randomly stopping a ‘tourist’, that was interesting enough to be made known to me,” Qiong Ying said. “Why are they looking for you anyway?”


“He owes Ms. Lin Hua a favour,” Liu Yuchun said helpfully, earning a glare from Huang Ming. She blithely returned his incinerating stare, daring him to say otherwise.


“What?” Qiong Ying and Madam Li chimed. Simultaneously their eyes narrowed. “Explain yourself,” they chorused.


Huang Ming’s eyes darted from one woman to the other.


‘So much for a quiet, relaxing day…’ he grumbled.

He is surrounded,
His problems compounded.​

 

Thanks for the chapter

 

I enjoy the back and forth between them.
Thanks for the chapter.

 

Also at: https://liberspark.com/read/the-great-game-the-young-master/103

This chapter is dedicated to Evelyn Halim. Thank you for your donation, and see if you can spot your cameo!

“Like a twig on the shoulders of a mighty stream.”
--Del Griffith, ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’

Chapter 103 – One after the other

Fortunately for Huang Ming, the proceedings were interrupted by the arrival of his friend Zhang Ping the Stone General.


The eyes of the broad-shouldered, muscular man flickered when he saw how Huang Ming was being cornered by the Huang family women and ‘Quan Lu’.


“Is this a bad time? I can come back later,” Zhang Ping said in a neutral tone.


“On the contrary, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” Huang Ming exclaimed hastily as he extricated himself from the ring of women. Liu Yuchun and Cao Tianyun sighed mockingly as if thwarted, and together with Madam Li they made as if to leave.


But then Zhang Ping greeted the matriarch with a respectful bow.


“My apologies; but my business with Brother Huang will be short. There is no need for you to leave on my account,” he said, much to Huang Ming’s annoyance.


Madam Li and her two daughters-in-law smirked when they saw Huang Ming’s ashen face, while Qiong Ying hid her own smile as she fanned herself like a leisurely young master.


“Thanks a lot,” Huang Ming growled.


“But I haven’t done anything yet,” Zhang Ping stated honestly, oblivious to his friend’s mood. “And this is something they should hear as well.”


“Oh?” Madam Li asked with an arched eyebrow.


“I have decided to join General Zhao Tong’s army so as to earn his approval,” Zhang Ping said.


Huang Ming was startled. “Did Little Hongqi ask you to do this?”


“No,” Zhang Ping said and shook his head. “This is entirely my own idea. I have courted Miss Zhao Hongqi for some time now, and I have come to the conclusion that I would need to prove myself to her father about my worth.”


“But you’ll be abandoning your family business. Do you have your parents’ approval?” Huang Ming asked.


“My parents love Hongqi very much and have encouraged me to pursue her wholeheartedly. And compared to what you have done for our country, I feel quite ashamed at my lack of merit,” Zhang Ping said.


“We’re all doing our bit in some way. Like Ma Jun, you already contributed by helping the construction of Tigertrap Fort,” Huang Ming pointed out.


“But the fort is now finished. I have completed what you had asked of me and I have been idle ever since,” Zhang Ping said. “My part is done, unlike Ma Jun who is continuously supplying food and wine to the troops. Even He Ding and Lei Yan are working for your father directly, how can I do any less?”


“But we’re only doing administrative work,” Huang Ming told him. “Sir Zhao Tong is a fighting general; he needs warriors and not administrators.”


“That suits me perfectly fine,” Zhang Ping said as he lightly flexed his shoulders. “Though the war with Wei is over, our country has suffered grievous losses. I must do my part.”


Huang Ming saw the gentle giant was resolute, and thus did not try to dissuade him further. Then he frowned as he realized something.


“Have you talked this over with Hongqi? Where is Little Hongqi anyway?” Huang Ming asked aloud.


And lo, at that moment the person returned. Zhao Hongqi had grown a few inches taller since the last time he had seen her, but the wahaha girl still had her hair tied in buns and was still wearing her red armour. Her playful eyes widened when she saw that Zhang Ping was present.


“You’re here! Wahaha!” Hongqi exclaimed in delight, to which Zhang Ping smiled benignly and nodded.


What they talked about afterwards escaped Huang Ming’s attention, for Zhao Hongqi did not arrive alone. Behind the little girl were two other women: Zhao Sunli the amazon, and much to Huang Ming’s shock; Lin Hua of the Hall of Treasures and Antiquities. From the way Sunli was smiling cynically, it was obvious that she had arranged for Lin Hua to come.


“You, you, you…” Huang Ming sputtered.


“Miss Lin Hua told me about how you owe her, so I escorted her here. No need to thank me,” Sunli said with a smirk.


Truth be told, she did not go out of her way to intentionally make trouble for Huang Ming; it was just happenstance. Sunli and Lin Hua shared a rapport over ‘peaches’, their codeword for ‘relationships between beautiful men’. Having returned to the city a little earlier, she went to visit Lin Hua to discuss their shared interest. When the dark-skinned woman heard Lin Hua grumbling about the long overdue, loaned box, Sunli suggested for her to confront Huang Ming about it.


“But he has just returned, wouldn’t it be unseemly?” Lin Hua had asked hesitantly.


Sunli waved a hand in dismissal. “Bah, you need to be direct with someone as shameless as him,” she replied.


Remembering how facetious Huang Ming had been when dealing with Nangong Xie and Shen He previously, Lin Hua agreed with her assessment and followed her suggestion to visit the Huang residence.


Cao Tianyun and Liu Yuchun couldn’t help but giggle at Huang Ming’s predicament while sneaking glances at ‘Quan Lu’ ghastly face. The entire affair was hilarious to them as bystanders.


Madam Li was also greatly amused as she noted the new arrival. “Well my son, it seems you actually have enough players for a full table of mahjong,” she remarked.


Huang Ming ignored the taunting looks from his family and instead turned to greet Lin Hua. “I assume you’re here about the box? I’m halfway done restoring it.”


Lin Hua was pleasantly surprised. “You mean you can fix it?”


“I’m doing my best, but I keep getting interrupted,” Huang Ming said blandly.


“Oh, I’m sure he will be done very soon,” Madam Li interjected. “He has to, because he has been summoned to the capital by the king himself.”


“What?” Sunli, ‘Quan Lu’ and Lin Hua chorused. The trio were taken aback by their synchronous exclamation, and exchanged surprised looks with each other. It only increased the hilarity felt by Madam Li and her daughters-in-law, it took much of their self control not to burst in laughter.


“When did this happen?” Sunli demanded.


“You just missed messenger delivering the edict,” Cao Tianyun informed them.


“When do you leave?” ‘Quan Lu’ asked.


Huang Ming gave them all a supercilious look. “As soon as possible,” he said, exaggerating his relief to be rid of all of them.


Qiong Ying and Lin Hua bowed their heads in thought, while Sunli rolled her eyes. The amazon instead turned to focus on Zhang Ping and Hongqi who were still discussing their future plans between themselves without caring what was happening around them.


“You are actually going to meet the king?” Lin Hua asked a moment later.


“So says the edict,” Huang Ming replied, nodding towards the rolled up decree that was still on the table. Lin Hua eyed the scroll with amazement; and a wide smile blossomed on her beautiful face.


“I intend to call in on the favour you owe me,” she announced.


Huang Ming’s forehead creased. “The favour was for me to repair the box, which I am already doing.”


She wagged a finger in response. “That is not enough, considering the numerous delays you have given me.”


Huang Ming groaned in a low voice, but unable to refute it. “Well, what is it you want?” he asked.


“Repair the box, and present it to the king. That should promote our name greatly,” Lin Hua answered with self-satisfaction.


Huang Ming’s eyes goggled at her. “You want me to shill for your Hall of Treasures and Antiquities?”


“Who better to do so than the newest hero of our kingdom?” Lin Hua said with a flattering tone.


“You don’t even know what the box does,” Huang Ming reminded her.


“I’m sure you’ll figure it out once you’re done repairing it,” Lin Hua said breezily.


“How would you know if I kept my word?”


“Oh, I’ll know. I have friends in the capital, including one who has a mania for dogs. Big, ferocious dogs,” Lin Hua warned.


“Alright, alright…” Huang Ming said in acquiesce.


‘Quan Lu’ snapped his fan shut. “I would come along with you. I too have friends in the capital, and I would like to take the opportunity to visit them.”


“Eh?” Huang Ming articulated.


Madam Li nodded in satisfaction. “Good. He needs a guiding hand lest he goes astray,” she said to her son’s chagrin.


“Ah, if not for my responsibilities here, I would go as well,” Lin Hua sighed. Her regret was genuine, but not entirely due to the reason that she had said. She saw how familiar Quan Lu was with Huang Ming, and she thought that they made a good pair of ‘peaches’. Lin Hua rued at the missed opportunity to observe these two ‘beautiful men’ together over a period of time.


“Go where?” Sunli asked, shaking off the distraction from Zhang Ping and Hongqi’s discussion.


“The capital. What about you? Are you going? Because if you are, I will trouble you for some books on peaches from the capital. I heard they have a wide range,” Lin Hua said, even as Madam Li, Cao Tianyun and Liu Yuchun were mystified at her request.


Sunli blinked when all eyes turned to her. She noted the mischievous glint in Qiong Ying’s emerald eyes, and somehow it was enough to provoke her.


“I will go,” the tall woman said firmly, and once more Madam Li nodded in approval.


Qiong Ying laughed as she flipped open her fan once more like a young master.


“Well, brother Huang Ming; it looks like we’ll have a nice trip ahead of us,” she said.


“Lucky me,” Huang Ming muttered.

Yet to start the journey,
Already he was worried.​

 

Thanks for the chapter (I think Ineed to re-read the story, I forgot at least half of the character)

 

Well you could always ask here. Maybe I should start a cast of characters...

 

Thanks!

 

@Lokumi who do you need a reminder on?

Thanks for the chapter! Should I read it on liberspark, do you get paid on views or something over there?

 

I didn't ask for any really, but I think the folks there would appreciate the clicks. My Paypal donation button is found there too.

 

Hmm then visiting I shall do.

 

Also at: https://liberspark.com/read/the-great-game-the-young-master/104

“Sorry, but a toll is a toll, and a roll is a roll, and if we don't get no tolls, then we don't eat no rolls. I made that up.”
--Little John, ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’

Chapter 104 – On the road

A few days later, a small caravan of horse-drawn carriages escorted by mounted guards made their way leisurely towards the capital of Wu, Gusu City.


Within the most luxurious carriage were Qiong Ying and Huang Ming, while Sunli remained outside on her own horse and appearing most valiant in her armour. The Amazon turned her nose when offered the use of a carriage and instead opted to act as the leader of the caravan, a role that she relished. Huang Ming had smiled wryly, realizing that the tanned woman was one of the sort who enjoyed a position of responsibility. Indeed, she took charge of the escorts detail, including where to stop and camp. The guards under her command knew full well of her capabilities from the recent war with Wei and followed her orders without complaint, there was no need for her to brandish her terrifying spear to demonstrate her skill.


As for Qiong Ying, she went in her Quan Lu disguise. Besides Sunli and Huang Ming, none of their entourage knew of the real identity of the ‘beautiful man’ who was sharing a carriage with their young master. All they knew was that Quan Lu was a dear family friend of the Huangs and they were to accord the proper respect to him.


Qiong Ying used her male disguise so as to facilitate her being in the same carriage as Huang Ming, but much to her disappointment the young master spent most of his time being lost in quiet thought while absent-mindedly fondling a small box in his hands. At first she thought he was worried about the appointment to meet the King of Wu, but eventually his distracted silence wore her out by the third day of their journey.


“I say, you ignoring me like this is wounding my pride as a woman,” she grumbled as she pinched his waist.


Huang Ming winced as the pain broke his stupor. Then he grinned as he gave ‘Quan Lu’ a frank once-over. “But you’re not a woman right now,” he said.


Qiong Ying snorted as she spread her hand-held fan open. “Your brows were so furrowed in worry that I thought of inserting coins in them. Were you thinking about your present to the king?” she asked, nodding towards the box in his hands.


Huang Ming looked down at it wistfully. In it was the music box from Lin Hua which he had repaired by burning the midnight oil. It was fully functioning, but he had not demonstrated it to anyone else. Despite fixing the box, there was no real joy in his accomplishment. When he had taken out the drum cylinder, he found a message crudely etched on it.


FIND ME.


Two simple words. Two simple, English words.


It was confirmation that whoever made the box came from Earth. Maybe not his Earth, but from Earth nonetheless.


There was no special placing or care in its writing, it was as if the author suddenly decided on a whim to scratch a scrawl on the metallic surface of the drum, an act of pointless vandalism on what was otherwise a work of mechanical art. In fact, Huang Ming imagined that the author actually wanted to write ‘FIGHT ME’ but had changed his or her mind partway.


Of course, it was an obvious leap for him to conclude it was the handiwork of Qiong Ying’s ‘sister’ Qiong Hua, now known as the Princess of Jin; the prime suspect to be his opposing Avatar on this world.


Huang Ming had been in a funk ever since the discovery of the message, because he now knew he had to kill someone who came from Earth. There were precious few Earthling Avatars over the course of his adventures, and it was always regrettable to kill someone from ‘home’. Previous suspicions could simply be brushed aside as mere assumptions, but the tangible presence of the music box was a physical reminder of his situation.


The message was a blatant challenge, a brash invitation from the opposing Avatar.


It meant he had to step up and make the necessary preparations against the Princess of Jin. She had a ten year start on him and from what he had heard, the country of Jin was transforming rapidly.


To be charitable, his own progress was quite remarkable. He had only been in this new life for a relatively short period, but he had already influenced the course of one war and was now in a position to actually meet the King of Wu. From there on he could influence national policies and decision-making so as to combat his adversary on a grand scale.


But as his mother had warned, there was still Prime Minister Tong Xuan; the corrupt official who was in control of the royal court.


Huang Ming would need to find a way to get rid of the prime minister’s influential presence, if he was to have any real say in the future of the kingdom of Wu. Since he had so propitiously arrived into a family of patriots that was the pillar of the country, he might as well help to prop it so as to stand against Jin. Besides, his brother Huang Lang was already determined to remove Tong Xuan to rescue the country from his grasp.


As the quote goes, ‘Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious’… while it was not wholly appropriately applicable to him personally, Huang Ming felt that a touch of viciousness would be required if the Kingdom of Wu was to be saved.


“Did you hear me?” Qiong Ying asked in annoyance when she saw Huang Ming lost in thought once more.


Huang Ming opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly the carriage halted with a rude jolt. Sounds of horses neighing in protest and men shouting followed thereafter, with Sunli’s voice cutting through the commotion as she gave rapid orders to mobilize the escort guards.


Puzzled, Huang Ming opened a window.


“What’s going on?” he asked.


“Bandits!” came Sunli’s terse reply.


Huang Ming did not know whether to laugh or cry, his father and Zhao Tong have made up bandit threats multiple times and here he was, actually facing real brigands.


Shaking his head, he exited the carriage. Qiong Ying of course did not want to miss out on the fun, and since her own life was in danger; she saw no reason to hide uselessly since she was in her male disguise.


They saw a motley crew of rough men barring the road. They were armed with peasant weapons: woodcutter axes, iron farming tools, crude spears. Their leader was a young man dressed loosely so as to bare his chest that was tattooed with twin tigers.


“Who are you? How dare you block the king’s road!” one of Huang Ming’s escort guard shouted.


The band of brigands laughed derisively. “Over here, I your father is the king!” the tattooed young man said.


While the two groups were shouting insults at each other, Sunli discreetly moved her horse closer to Huang Ming. She was already wearing her helmet and had unslung her spear, ready for battle.


“What do you think?” Huang Ming asked in a low voice, defering to the amazon’s judgment.


“A bunch of riff-raffs, they pose no real threat to us,” Sunli replied coldly.


“They must be really bold to be operating in this area,” Qiong Ying noted.


“Or desperate,” Huang Ming added. “Let’s hear them out and avoid bloodshed if we can.”


At Sunli’s signal, one of the escort guard shouted, “What do you want?”


By now, the tattooed young man noted the presence of Huang Ming and ‘Quan Lu’. Seeing the two ‘beautiful men’ only increased his contemptuous attitude.


“Two foppish young masters, travelling without a care! Now that you have deigned to step into my realm, you will need to pay the toll!” the young man said.


The escort guards were enraged. “Do you know who you’re talking to? That’s Master Huang Ming, hero of Tigertrap Pass!” they shouted, much to Huang Ming’s chagrin.


The cocky smile on the tattooed young man disappeared. “Huang Ming? Son of General Huang Zheng?” he demanded.


“That’s right!” the guards replied, seeing how his facial expression had changed. The brigands who were howling and whistling before were silenced, and the atmosphere became tense as they glared at Huang Ming.


“Not quite what I had expected,” he muttered, puzzled by the reception.


Then the tattooed young man roared, “Brothers, the heavens have favoured us! Huang Ming! Come out and face our fury!”


“Huang Ming! Come out!” the brigands chorused.


Huang Ming’s face was stricken as he recalled what his sister-in-law Cao Tianyun had said.


‘You offended a lot of people…’

A bump in the road,
Collecting what was owed.​

 

Thanks for the chapter!

 

Thanks for the chapter.

 

Thanks for the chapter!

 

“I'm only human after all, don't put your blame on me.”
--Rag’n’Bone Man, ‘Human’

Chapter 105 – Blame

Despite Sunli’s warning look, Huang Ming moved forward to have a closer look at the men who were blocking the road and angrily calling out for him. When he saw that their anger was not superficial, he erased all thoughts of bravado and nonchalance.


“I’m Huang Ming,” he said, affecting a serious mien. “What is your grudge with me?”


The youthful tattooed leader of the men gnashed his teeth and growled. “A hundred thousand men went into Wei, how is it that you were able to return while so many of our fathers and brothers fell?”


Then Huang Ming understood. The anger that these brigands felt was their grief for their lost ones from the ill-fated campaign.


The tattooed young man spread his arms in mock reverence of Huang Ming. “The Hero of Tigertrap Pass! The young master strategist! The new saviour of our kingdom of Wu!” he called out sarcastically.


“I have never heard of those,” Huang Ming muttered.


The young man didn’t hear him, and proceeded to rant in heartache, “Why! Why did you not bring our loved ones back with you? Do you know of our pain of not even having a corpse to bury?”


Huang Ming drew his lips into a thin line, recognizing the raw emotions the young man was showing.


Instead, he bowed deeply. “I am sorry,” he said sincerely.


“You-” the tattooed young man exclaimed, torn between rage and grief. His men stared at Huang Ming, their eyes in disbelief at seeing the so-called hero paying them deep obeisance.


When Huang Ming fell onto his knees, the bandits were struck dumb.


“I am sorry,” he repeated sorrowfully. “You are right. Our grand army went into Wei, only one in five returned safely. Because of my pitiful ability. Because I was not forceful enough. Because I was afraid of offending Marshal Gao. Alas, so many paid the price for my timidness.”


Those who heard his lamentation were greatly affected. Some of the escort guards who were veterans that had followed him and his father Huang Zheng into Wei had tears streaming down their faces.


“How dare you accuse the young master! What do you know of our plight in Wei?” one of them yelled indignantly at the bandits. “Where were you when we fought knee-deep in the blood and mud for our country? Where were you when we braved the hail of arrows and faced a storm of swords?”


The bandits were ashamed, none more so than the tattooed young man who was their leader. Quietly he ordered them to break up the blockade to allow Huang Ming’s entourage to pass. But Huang Ming then called out to the youth.


“You lot are fit and sturdy, why have you turned to this lawless banditry and harm ordinary folk?” he asked.


The tattooed youth shook his head bitterly. “What other recourse do we have? Our families are burdened by debt, our lands seized by the corrupt officials. Our fathers and brothers joined the Wei campaign to earn some steady income, but who knew that they were never to return home?”


Huang Ming sighed. Just moments ago he had dreams to reform the country to prepare against the threat of Jin, but listening to the resentful words of the youth made him realize the enormity of the task ahead.


“What is your name?” he asked.


“Tian Zhu. My friends call me Tattooed Tigers, as you can see why,” the youth replied. Huang Ming nodded in understanding, seeing the prominent tigers drawn on the young man’s body.


“It so happens that I am headed to the capital to meet the king. Come with me, we might find an avenue to voice your grievances to the court directly,” Huang Ming suggested.


Tian Zhu and his men were greatly surprised. “But why would the king believe us?” they asked.


Huang Ming smiled. “You did call me the Hero of Tigertrap Pass,” he pointed out.


The bandits took several minutes to confer among themselves before coming to a decision.


“We’re rough and illiterate men, and there are too many of us. But let Tian Zhu follow you, you may do with him as you see fit,” they said, much to Tian Zhu’s shock.


“But I’m your leader!” he complained, but the peasant bandits laughed loudly.


“We listened to you because of your fiery passion, but it is not your destiny to remain with us lowly lot. Follow the young master, you will reach greater heights!”


Seeing that he had no choice in the matter, Tian Zhu nodded. He cupped his hands towards Huang Ming to pay his respects. Huang Ming received him with a smile and told him to follow Sunli as an assistant. Tian Zhu was skeptical when he saw that the leader of the escorts was a woman, but his doubtful thoughts were extinguished when the guards told him of Sunli’s terrifying deeds.


Huang Ming then turned towards his escort guards to find the one who had rebuked Tian Zhu earlier. The guard was a seasoned soldier in his mid-thirties who bore his battlefield scars proudly.


“You have a way with words. What is your name?” he asked.


“Zhen Tian,” the guard said, slightly embarrassed at being singled out. “I was there in Dashan Plains, I saw how you and your father the Great General had tried to save us all. No one here belittles what you have done for us, we all know that the true criminal was that creature Marshal Gao.”


Huang Ming then tried to reward him, but the older man refused. It only increased Huang Ming’s respect for him.


The matter being settled, the caravan then continued its journey towards Gusu City.


Inside their carriage, Qiong Ying studied Huang Ming’s countenance.


“What is it?” Huang Ming asked, noting the look on her face.


“You’re recruiting people,” Qiong Ying stated.


“Yes,” Huang Ming said with a shrug. “I need talented people. This country needs help, and I can’t do everything alone.”


“You won’t be alone,” Qiong Ying said quietly. Then she tilted her head slightly. “You still manage to surprise me, I’m not sure what you did just now was real or not,” she said, referring to the moment when he had knelt before the bandits.


Huang Ming smiled faintly and he turned to look away. “It is. There are times when my father had wanted to save everyone, but I had told him that we could only focus on us and our own. Too many have been led astray by Marshal Gao; and there are times when I wondered if I could have done things differently.”


Qiong Ying squeezed his hand to comfort him.


“I have heard many things from my network. I know that you did your best under the circumstances.”


Huang Ming chuckled softly.


“Sometimes, my best isn’t good enough.”

Mocking his lack of ability,
Disturbing his tranquillity.​

 

You can't save every one ... but you may try to save everyone else

 

...somehow I unwatched this thread. I'm so late to read this. Thanks for the chapter! Btw @rdawv how is your father doing?

 

Your timing is spot on... He went for a follow up yesterday. The doc still recommends surgery, so after several months of optimism he is now under a dark cloud yet again...

 

Damn that sucks. Is he going to do the surgery this time?