Chapter 61: The Military Governor’s Mansion
The guest room contained a bathtub, with hot water prepared, and steam rising.
Xiao Yi finally removed the armor he had been afraid to take off for days and buried himself in the hot water, feeling an unspeakable comfort.
Looking down, the wound on his leg had scabbed over, and the soreness from the past few days had been replaced by solid muscle.
After washing away the dust and blood from the journey, he changed into clean fine linen undergarments and a thick brocade robe. A knock sounded at the door.
“Captain Xiao, the food has been sent to the main hall.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Xiao Yi was the last to emerge. As soon as he entered the main hall, Guo Xin thrust a wine cup into his hand and jokingly cursed, “So slow, just a quick wash would suffice. Come drink, warm yourselves up.”
In the main hall, low tables were pushed together, laden with a dazzling array of food, including large bowls of boiled mutton, roasted chicken, braised goose, white steamed buns, millet rice, and salted pickles…
Everyone sniffed, their mouths watering, but no one started eating, clearly waiting for him.
“Eat.”
“Damn it, it’s been so long since I’ve had white flour.”
“Haha, honestly, I’ve never even eaten a white steamed bun before.”
Wu Gouzi, with his mouth full of food, suddenly thought of something and asked Old Pan, “Are General Chen and the others also at the Guo Residence?”
“Of course not,” Xi Hou said with a grin. “No matter how great a general’s achievements are, it’s just a job. Unlike us, guarding the family of Commander Guo, that’s… Ow!”
Old Pan kicked him heavily, interrupting his words, and cursed, “Can’t even stuff your filthy mouth with all this food?”
Guo Xin laughed heartily and said, “Well said, this is loyalty and kindness. Come, I’ll toast you all!”
“Cheers! San Lang is righteous and heaven-sent, a true hero!”
Hu Deng had been secretly watching Guo Xin. Seizing an opportunity, he immediately raised his cup and praised him. After gulping down a bowl of wine, he said, “If I could serve under San Lang, I would willingly die!”
“Alright,” Guo Xin said readily. “General Chen and I will request you. What about you all?”
Xiao Yi took a shallow sip of wine, understanding Hu Deng’s intentions and Guo Xin’s lack of guile. Requesting an unknown soldier from Chen Guang Sui was not a problem at all.
He was more curious about the reactions of the others and observed them silently.
Hua Nong narrowed his eyes, saw that the chopsticks held a piece of chicken butt, and placed it in Hua Heng’s bowl. He replied, “This humble one already follows Xiao Lang and serves Commander Guo.”
Lu You, Fan Si, and Wei Liang immediately relaxed, saying “Exactly, exactly,” and buried their heads in drinking and eating meat.
Xi Hou quickly nudged Old Pan, saying, “Hu Deng and I, we also… follow like chickens and dogs.”
Wu Gouzi also looked hopeful.
Old Pan hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, “My family is all in Chan Prefecture…”
“No matter. Once my father meets Wang Yin, I’ll mention it. Haha, from now on, we’re all brothers, let’s drink.”
Xiao Yi glanced at Guo Xin, trying to discern if he intended to build a faction, but it was clear the young man hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Indeed, they were all just unknown soldiers.
He himself had overthought things, so he gave a self-deprecating smile, put his thoughts aside, and ate and drank at ease.
Guo Xin was in high spirits and kept urging them to drink. He toasted Xiao Yi for his skills, then thanked Hua Nong for taking care of his family. He then cursed Zhang Mantun for being disloyal and abandoning him. When he got excited, he stood on the desk, vowing to fight his way back to Kaifeng and chop off the heads of those treacherous officials to vent his anger.
Infected by his passion, everyone opened up, and the tension, fear, and exhaustion of the past few days were released, creating a fervent atmosphere.
Jiang Er Niang also raised her bowl and toasted Guo Xin and Xiao Yi, saying her husband was ignorant and asking them to guide him in the future, her eyes full of joy.
As night fell, Xiao Yi excused himself from the feast alone and practiced martial arts in the courtyard to aid digestion.
Guo Xin, shouting that he would sleep with Xiao Yi later, continued to boast to the others.
Accompanied by the laughter from the main hall, the night deepened. Xiao Yi finished his exercise and returned to his room to wipe sweat and rest.
He lay on the soft and comfortable bed, thinking that Commander Guo Wei was busy with military affairs and he likely wouldn’t see him today.
With this arrangement, his future prospects would likely not be too bad.
He unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
He slept soundly until he was woken by a clear knocking at the door.
Xiao Yi opened his eyes and saw that it was still deep in the night, assuming it must be Guo Xin.
“The door is unlatched, come in yourself.”
The door was silent for a moment, then a gentle, clear, yet undeniably tired voice spoke.
“This is Guo Rong of the camp, disturbing you late at night, I hope you will forgive me.”
Xiao Yi’s heart tightened, and he instantly woke up.
He actually knew who this person was, Chai Rong, more famous than Guo Wei in history books.
He got up, put on his clothes, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
A man in his late twenties stood outside the door. He was tall and sturdy, not in armor, wearing a semi-worn indigo fine linen robe over a black fur cloak. His face was regular and angular, with a short beard. His eyebrows were like blades, exuding a majestic and resolute demeanor, and his eyes were like stars, holding a gentle and magnanimous quality.
His face was pale, and his eyes were bloodshot, appearing extremely tired.
Xiao Yi was momentarily dazed, unsure how to greet him.
“I apologize for the intrusion. Thank you, Captain Xiao, for ensuring the safety of my relatives.”
Guo Rong actually took half a step back and bowed deeply to him, his gaze sincere but tinged with deep sorrow.
“Cao Wei said that my home in Kaifeng… has met with foul play,” he said, his voice low, almost word by word. He then asked, “But I still have a sliver of hope, perhaps it’s a rumor. My father is still alive, how dare they?”
“It is not a rumor.”
Xiao Yi shook his head.
Guo Rong’s expression dimmed, unable to hide his disappointment, but he still asked softly, “What about the survivors?”
“I’m afraid there are none. I was hiding in the Great Xiangguo Temple at the time and personally heard Liu Zhu order ‘no one left alive, not even chickens or dogs.’ Afterwards… I did not see any armored soldiers escorting survivors out.”
Guo Rong was stunned.
After a long while, he came to his senses, his lips moved a few times, and he took a letter from his embrace.
Xiao Yi’s gaze fell upon it. He saw that the handwriting on the letter was delicate, with some parts blurred by tears. He knew this was the letter Liu Shi had entrusted to him to deliver to Guo Rong.
The knuckles of the hand holding the letter were thick but trembled slightly.
“Did she… have any last words for me before she left?”
Xiao Yi remembered that day’s hurried movements, and Liu Shi hadn’t had time for more words.
He eventually shook his head.
Guo Rong was lost in thought. He sniffled, carefully put the letter inside his clothing, and forced a polite smile, his voice returning to a steady, though low and hoarse, tone.
“You’ve seen me at my worst.”
“My condolences.”
Guo Rong nodded, his expression turning serious, gradually becoming as unreadable as a rock.
“Father Commander was eager to meet you upon hearing of your arrival and to discuss the situation in the capital. However, he is still busy with military affairs at the camp. I had no choice but to trouble you to travel with me through the night to the camp.”
“Commander’s summons, how dare I be negligent? Please wait a moment, allow me to tidy my attire.”
Xiao Yi had not expected Guo Wei to want to see him overnight. He cupped his hands in a bow, turned back into the room, and looked at the military robe and armor.
He moved quickly, changing clothes and donning armor. As he was fastening the straps of his breastplate, Guo Rong stepped forward and lent him a hand.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
“You’re welcome.” Guo Rong spoke quickly, without deliberate warmth, but his words felt very close. “You protected my loved ones; your kindness is heavier than a thousand jun. If you don’t mind, you can call me ‘Elder Brother’ in private.”
“This…”
“I am more than ten years older than you. Presumptuously, how about I call you ‘Ah Yi’?”
“Yes, Elder Brother.”
“That’s right.”
In an instant, Xiao Yi had his clothes and armor neatly on. Guo Rong patted his shoulder and praised, “What a fine, heroic man! Come with me.”
“My few subordinates…”
“Someone will escort them to the military camp.”
The two quickly walked out of the courtyard to the stable, where guards had already prepared horses.
They mounted their horses and rode out onto the open street beyond the city gate.
The torches held by the guards swayed stubbornly in the wind, their halos tearing through the thick darkness of Ye Du.
Guo Rong’s fur cloak billowed in the wind like an eagle’s wings spread, exuding a solemn, killing aura.
“Ah Yi, tell me about what happened in Chan Prefecture.”
“Okay.”
The two rode side-by-side, and Xiao Yi recounted the entire journey to Chan Prefecture.
The biting cold wind, carrying snow, entered his mouth, yet he omitted no detail, even presenting Li Hongwei’s every facial expression.
He only omitted the matter of Wang Chengxun obtaining the Imperial Guard Military Tally and the Commissioner’s Seal.
However, Guo Rong did not let this detail slide and asked, “Where did you find the Talisman Seal? Tie Ya said it was taken by a member of the Imperial Guard on the night the Shi Residence was destroyed.”
“I tracked down that Imperial Guard.”
“Where was he heading?”
“Ye Du,” Xiao Yi replied. “He also intended to defect to you, my Lord, but unfortunately, he was severely wounded and died without recovery.”
“He was indeed a righteous man. Do you know his name?”
“The Imperial Guard instructor, Lin Chong.”
Guo Rong no longer pressed the issue. For now, Xiao Yi had covered for Wang Chengxun on this matter.
The topic then shifted to Cao Wei’s side.
“Father Commander had already sent someone to fetch you, but Cao Wei intercepted them. Do you know why?”
“No.”
“The incompetent emperor sent Cao Wei north to assassinate Father Commander and gave him a secret edict, ordering him to contact Guo Chongwei. This matter has not been resolved, and even Father Commander may not be safe.”
Xiao Yi asked, “Is it that Guo Chongwei who refused to serve the Khitan and resolutely abandoned his post to head south?”
“You know of him?”
“I saw his resume in the Shi Residence’s study. He once served with Commander Guo in pacifying the three garrisons and achieved repeated military exploits.”
Xiao Yi felt some respect for Guo Chongwei’s experience in resisting the Khitan. He added, “Presumably, he will not obey the incompetent emperor’s secret edict, will he?”
“He probably won’t.” Guo Rong’s tone held a hint of worry. “However, Father Commander did not involve me in this matter. The specifics will only be known upon arrival at the camp. If there are any changes, you will accompany me to protect Father Commander.”
“Understood.”
As they spoke, the city gate ahead slowly opened.
They spurred their horses out, entering the official road outside the city, and fell silent.
A short while later, the military camp was in sight, with the light of campfires reaching the sky.
As they rode towards the camp gate, the aura of iron and blood pressed down like a mountain. Yet, a surge of heroism welled up in Xiao Yi’s heart. He had gambled his fate in this life on Guo Wei, and now it was time to reveal his hand…
