HMHSE - 60

After leaving that Taoist temple, it wouldn’t be long before they could leave all of Tanzhou.

Shen Rong sat in the carriage, still recalling Du Xinnu, whom she had just met, when she suddenly heard the sound of horses reining in outside. She collected herself and looked up.

A voice from the front said: “General Zhou Zhen of Tanzhou and his new wife, having learned that Lady Changsun is passing through Tanzhou, have specially prepared a farewell banquet to entertain you. They sent this humble one to invite all esteemed guests.”

Changsun Xin then rode his horse beside the window, looking into the carriage: “Ah Rong, the invitation has an official seal, so it is indeed from Tanzhou General. What do you say?”

Shen Rong was not in high spirits: “Whatever you decide.”

Pei Shaoyong also rode to the window: “Although Tanzhou is not a vital border defense area, I hear that this General of Tanzhou has also fought many times in the Youzhou region. Perhaps it will be useful for my policy paper. Why don’t we go meet him?”

Changsun Xin now felt he was more determined than ever and smiled: “Second Elder Cousin is truly dedicated. Let’s go then. It won’t delay us much anyway.”

Shen Rong indeed had little interest in accepting Zhou Jun and Zhao Fumei’s hospitality, leaving it entirely up to them.

Tanzhou was not as large as Youzhou. Even though this shortcut they took had bypassed Tanzhou City, it wouldn’t take long to return.

________________________________________

The General’s Residence was in the west of the city, even smaller than the official residence of the Youzhou Military Commissioner.

When Shen Rong alighted from the carriage, Zhou Jun was already waiting at the entrance, dressed in his usual bluish barbarian robe, his narrow eyes watching them. Beside him was Zhao Fumei, whose hair was styled in an official wife’s bun.

“Thank you all for your presence,” Zhao Fumei spoke first, bowing, then stepped forward to invite Shen Rong: “Lady, please enter.”

Now that she was a provincial general’s wife, she no longer addressed Shen Rong as “esteemed one.”

Shen Rong glanced to the side before entering.

Zhou Jun bowed to Changsun Xin and Pei Shaoyong, inviting them in, but still looked at their entourage, as if expecting someone else.

She pretended not to notice and entered the mansion with Zhao Fumei.

Wine and food had already been prepared in the hall.

Zhao Fumei invited the three to be seated, her hands clasped in her sleeves, appearing somewhat ill at ease, merely because they were distinguished guests from the capital, fearing that the preparations were not adequate.

Only when she saw Changsun Xin and Pei Shaoyong gracefully and rather gently take their seats did she finally relax.

Shen Rong sat beside Changsun Xin.

Zhao Fumei saw that Shen Rong had maintained a distant expression from their meeting until now. For some reason, she recalled Shan Zong’s distracted expression when bidding him farewell at the Prefectural Residence.

“Sit,” Zhou Jun suddenly said.

Zhao Fumei collected herself, lowered her head, and went to sit beside him at the head table.

Pei Shaoyong, seated at the small table next to Shen Rong, had already proactively begun asking Zhou Jun about the situation in Tanzhou.

“Young Master Pei is joking; Tanzhou is certainly not comparable to Youzhou,” Zhou Jun said: “That’s why this region’s Nine Provinces would only use the title of Youzhou Military Commissioner in the past, not Tanzhou Military Commissioner.”

Pei Shaoyong was momentarily stunned by this. Not knowing Zhou Jun, nor whether he was joking, he chuckled first: “Youzhou hasn’t had a Military Commissioner since Li Xiaogu, the last one, died, so naturally, there’s no comparison.”

Shen Rong glanced over. Zhou Jun’s face always seemed to lack any gentle expression; even now, during the banquet, it was gloomy.

Even his words were unkind, sarcastic. She found him increasingly intolerable.

It seemed what Zhao Fumei had said earlier was true: he truly had his heart set on that Military Commissioner position.

Changsun Xin was not interested in these matters. While Pei Shaoyong and Zhou Jun were discussing border defense, he leaned closer and whispered to Shen Rong: “I’ll return to Youzhou after this. Do you have anything else you need to tell me?”

Shen Rong had barely touched her chopsticks, and at his words, she stopped moving them entirely.

Changsun Xin looked at her, frowning: “Ah Rong, you’ve been too preoccupied lately.”

Only then did Shen Rong pick up her chopsticks again: “No.”

Changsun Xin whispered: “I’m your elder brother. Why are you putting on a brave face in front of me?”

Shen Rong said nothing, her face cold and expressionless.

Changsun Xin glanced left and right, and decided to say no more. He was also worried that if she returned to Chang’an like this, their parents would be even more concerned.

Suddenly, he heard Zhou Jun from above ask: “Why is the Youzhou Military Commissioner not here to see you off this time? I thought he might have left Youzhou again.”

Shen Rong instantly looked over. Even Zhao Fumei beside him cast an astonished glance at him.

Zhou Jun’s narrow eyes fell on Shen Rong, as if he were asking her.

Pei Shaoyong’s brows furrowed upon hearing the title. He quietly glanced at Shen Rong.

Changsun Xin reacted quickly and chuckled: “I presume General Zhou Zhen asks this because of his deep friendship with Envoy Shan. Our Changsun family has sufficient personnel for travel, so there’s no need to trouble Envoy Shan.”

Zhou Jun said grimly: “Secretary, you’re mistaken. I have no friendship with that kind of person. We’re more like enemies.”

Everyone was taken aback. Zhao Fumei softly reminded him: “Husband...”

Zhou Jun, however, didn’t look at her, his face showing a hint of mockery.

Only Shen Rong watched coldly.

So, when he looked at her entourage before entering, he was checking if Shan Zong was present.

It seemed this was a banquet meant to target Shan Zong, but it was they three who arrived.

Pei Shaoyong looked at Shen Rong again and couldn’t help but ask: “General Zhou Zhen, what do you mean by ‘that kind of person’?”

Changsun Xin was also somewhat surprised. He wasn’t sure if Zhou Jun was referring to Shan Zong’s annulled marriage and abandonment of his wife. If so, he’d rather Zhou Jun not mention it, lest it displease Shen Rong.

“What kind of person?” Shen Rong suddenly asked.

Changsun Xin abruptly turned to look at her. She had been silent moments ago, but now she suddenly spoke.

She stared at Zhou Jun: “What kind of person is he? Why don’t General Zhou Zhen speak openly?”

“Lady,” Zhao Fumei felt the atmosphere was wrong. Her hands were clenched in her sleeves. She forced a smile: “My husband has had a few too many drinks, it’s nothing.”

Zhou Jun sneered. He hadn’t planned to say anything, but now that she asked, his pale face turned back to her. His mockery deepened, making his face appear pale with a greenish tinge. He said each word distinctly: “Since the Lady wishes to know, I will speak plainly. It’s also good for the Lady to see his true colors.”

The mockery on his face grew stronger, making his pale face appear tinged with green. He articulated each word: “No matter how illustrious the Shan family’s past, it’s merely a pretense for fame. Back then, when he fought alongside me, he didn’t even show up. He’s a coward who fears death, the kind of timid person we soldiers hate the most.”

Pei Shaoyong and Changsun Xin exchanged glances, both shocked, and almost simultaneously looked at Shen Rong beside them.

Shen Rong sat upright, looking coldly at Zhou Jun, her features, on the contrary, appearing even more striking. After a long silence, she actually let out a cold chuckle: “If you were to say anything else about him, I might believe it. But to say he’s a coward in battle, that’s laughable.”

She abruptly stood up and walked away: “You’re nothing more than that yourself.”

Zhao Fumei quickly called out: “Lady!”

Shen Rong walked out the door without stopping.

Pei Shaoyong looked at her in astonishment, then rose and chased after her.

Not far outside the door, he was stopped by Changsun Xin, who had followed closely: “I’ll go find her.”

Pei Shaoyong stood still in the courtyard, still surprised by Shen Rong’s reaction just now.

Inside the hall, Zhou Jun’s face turned pale and then green, solely due to Shen Rong’s remark, “You’re nothing more than that yourself.”

Zhao Fumei, beside him, whispered urgently: “Even if husband has a grudge against Envoy Shan, how can you say such things in front of others? How could Envoy Shan be that kind of person?”

His narrow eyes slanted: “She asked, so I answered. It seems you don’t believe it either. No wonder you even specifically bid him farewell before the wedding.”

Zhao Fumei was stunned, not expecting him to have seen it all.

Zhou Jun said coldly: “It’s useless if you don’t believe it. What I said is the truth. Otherwise, how do you think my enmity with him came about?”

Changsun Xin walked all the way out to the mansion gate and saw Shen Rong stepping onto the mounting block and entering the carriage without looking back.

He waved to Zirui by the carriage door, then followed directly into the carriage. He lowered the curtain and turned to ask: “Ah Rong, what were you doing just now?”

Shen Rong sat, her face still cold, her chest heaving slightly: “Nothing. Zhou Jun offended me, and I just can’t stand him.”

“Nothing?” Changsun Xin lowered his voice, his expression stern: “You were clearly defending Shan Zong just now!”

Shen Rong pursed her lips, then spoke: “He’s not that kind of person. If he were, he wouldn’t have gone outside the pass to find me.”

Nor would he have, as Du Xinnu said, ventured alone and traveled a hundred li overnight, relying solely on that thread of a clue from the Green Forest to find her.

Changsun Xin looked at her in disbelief: “Ah Rong, don’t forget, you only wanted to make him regret it. What’s happening now? Are you planning to get serious with him?”

Shen Rong bit her lip, silently.

She hadn’t forgotten, otherwise she wouldn’t be leaving.

________________________________________

Mount Wangji.

After an urgent whistle alarm, another sounded.

Figures moved swiftly through the mountain forest.

Shan Zong stood amidst the dense mountain forest. Since arriving here, he hadn’t left, nor had he closed his eyes.

At his feet lay several foreign enemy soldiers, dressed like people from the Central Plains, scattered haphazardly, long since dead, almost all killed by a single strike.

The tip of his saber rested on the ground, dripping with blood.

This time, the foreign forces had actually sent a group of elite soldiers to infiltrate, perhaps because he had gone beyond the pass.

________________________________________

Several soldiers from the military camp jogged over. The leader clasped his fists: “Chief, all have been intercepted, not a single one left.”

Shan Zong lifted his saber: “Search again, strengthen the defenses. Don’t let them discover the mine.”

Those around him clasped their fists and followed orders.

Shan Zong turned and left the forest.

Near the mine shaft, several Ministry of Works officials had been instructed by Changsun Xin to continue mining and smelting. Now, due to the sudden commotion in the mountains, they had all moved away.

Only the group of serious criminals remained there, gathered in one spot, squatting like beasts, their eyes sinisterly fixed on him as he approached.

Shan Zong stopped and glanced over. Because he had dispatched men to intercept the foreign enemy soldiers, the regular soldiers had dispersed to guard the outer perimeter, preventing the enemy from approaching and discovering the mine.

Now, none of them held tools; the tools were merely at their feet. They also showed no intention of going down into the pit to continue working, simply gathering together.

He tapped the ground with his blood-stained saber, his eyes chilling: “Who allowed you to gather together?”

A sinister chuckle came from the pile of men, from Wu Weishen, who was squatting in the very center of the group: “What, afraid of us old men?”

Shan Zong’s saber moved slightly: “You can ask my saber.”

Wu Weishen moved with a grotesque chuckle, but was pressed down by a dirty hand. It was Jia Chen San, with graying temples. He spoke grimly: “We want to see the other four.”

Shan Zong’s face grew even colder and more grim: “On what grounds do you negotiate with me?”

Wu Weishen let out a grotesque sound, barely suppressed, the white scar above his left eye twisting: “Son of a bitch! This is a gold mine! Such a huge mine, we might not even get out alive. Who knows what you’ve done to the four of them!”

“So what?” Shan Zong’s eyes were as deep and dark as a pool.

Instantly, their bestial nature seemed to ignite. All the serious criminals stood up, their shackles clanging.

Wu Weishen chuckled sinisterly again: “You bastard! What are you so fierce for? You’ve been killing people for so long, are you running out of strength? We’ve endured for so long, just waiting for this moment!”

Shan Zong moved his stiff arm: “I still have strength to kill you.”

Jia Chen San tried to block him but failed. Wu Weishen, unable to hold back, charged forward.

Shan Zong held his saber horizontally. Suddenly, a pickaxe flew from his side.

The other serious criminals also moved.

A sudden riot erupted. The distant soldiers, hearing the commotion, quickly rushed towards them.

Shan Zong was surrounded. Wu Weishen, reckless, wrapped a chain around his arm, trying to choke him, almost maniacally laughing wildly: “You son of a bitch, Shan! I have nothing anyway! If you’re so brave, tell your soldiers to kill us! At worst, we’ll all go down together!”

Suddenly, the crowd split, a gap forming. The chain reversed and wrapped around Wu Weishen. Shan Zong, with one arm, seized Wu Weishen, kicked away a beast-like criminal who lunged at him, slammed him hard onto the ground, then pressed himself over him, gripping his neck. He plunged a saber into the side of Wu Weishen’s face, half its length.

The surrounding instantly stopped their movements, retreating warily.

Shan Zong’s barbarian robe was torn at the chest. He was panting continuously, staring into Wu Weishen’s sinister, bloodshot eyes, his own eyes also bloodshot like a beast’s, as if stained with blood: “Come on! I have nothing either! You’re destined to waste away here with me, let’s see who dies first!”

Wu Weishen could no longer make a sound, his face flushed, even the grimness in his eyes couldn’t be maintained.

The soldiers arrived, all daring not to speak, for none had seen the Chief in such a state. They stepped forward in awe to apprehend the serious criminals.

After an unknown duration, Shan Zong finally released his hand, his knuckles cracking from the effort.

________________________________________

When Hu Shi-yi arrived in the mountains with his men, he felt it had been too long and couldn’t help but rush over.

Just as he was about to enter the mountain, he saw Shan Zong walking out from inside, dragging his saber, the bloodstains on the blade not yet dry. His barbarian robe was torn at the chest; he seemed like a different person.

“Chief?” he called, a little fearfully.

Shan Zong looked up: “Where are they now?”

Hu Shi-yi reacted quickly this time: “They’ve passed Tanzhou. They should be reaching Hedong territory soon.”

Shan Zong’s lips twitched, then pressed tightly together. He gazed into the distance.

Thick clouds obscured the sun. The wind came from the horizon, blowing from outside the pass into the Central Plains.

After Hedong, it would quickly be Luoyang, and then Chang’an.

He truly had nothing.

“Assemble some men for me.”

Hu Shi-yi was stunned by the command: “Chief, what do you need men for?”

Shan Zong chuckled lowly, his voice hoarse: “To go after them.”