Chapter Thirty: Liu Wuzhou (Part One)

At the moment that shout rang out, all eyes turned to the stockade atop the city. In this critical instant, Liu Wuzhou, Commandant of Jianwu in the Grand Sui, Captain of the Heng'an Eagle Guard, finally appeared!

In his youth, he was famed for his gallant spirit, forging ties with the frontier's boldest men. When the Emperor of the Sui launched his campaign against Goguryeo, Liu volunteered for the army and journeyed far east across the sea. Following the renowned Sui general Lai Hu'er in a surprise assault beneath Pyongyang's walls, Liu Wuzhou was ordered to cover the retreat when Lai Hu'er, overconfident, suffered defeat; Liu barely escaped with his life, earning the emperor’s recognition and the personal bestowal of the Jianwu Commandant title. Thereafter, he accompanied the imperial retinue for years.

When the emperor resolved to leave for Jiangdu and made arrangements for northern affairs, he sent Liu Wuzhou back to his homeland to command the Heng'an Eagle Guard, intending to counterbalance Wang Ren'gong, who had long held dominance in Mayi County. Since the Han dynasty’s institution of the “Three Rotations” policy, officials seldom governed their native lands, yet Liu Wuzhou was entrusted with elite troops at home—a testament to the emperor’s favor and trust.

At a time when great clans monopolized officialdom, Liu Wuzhou, of humble origin, had climbed so high through his own merit. He was the idol of countless spirited youths along the border. After taking charge of the Heng'an Eagle Guard, he defended the frontier against Turkic incursions, enduring years of bitter battle. Even as the clouds loomed over the land, the Turks were powerless before him; the major tribes pressing upon Yunzhong could do nothing to shift him. His beneficence to his homeland was deep and abiding.

Thus, even with his noble birth, his high office as Prefect of Mayi County, and his control over the region's revenues, Wang Ren'gong found dealing with Liu Wuzhou a most vexing affair. Many capable young knights, though courted by Wang, flocked instead to the Heng'an Eagle Guard, drawn by Liu Wuzhou’s reputation and personal charisma!

Now this celebrated hero of Mayi, the legendary Captain of the Eagles, stood atop the stockade wall, hands on his hips, face dark as iron, scowling fiercely at Yuan Junwei and his Eagle Guard soldiers.

Liu Wuzhou, in his mid-thirties, was of middling stature, with a square face and long eyes, his features weathered as any old frontier farmer. He wore only a tattered homespun robe, his waist bound with a simple leather strap, completely unadorned. He wore no cap; his hair was tied in a rough knot held only by a thornwood pin. His robe hung open at the chest, sweat beading on his brow—he looked every inch a man who had rushed here in haste.

Judging by appearances alone, who could imagine this was the man whose name resounded through Mayi, whom Wang Ren'gong regarded with deep wariness, whom the Turks could not overcome, and whose fame was known to all the northern clans?

At last Liu Wuzhou had appeared. Yuchi Gong, who had been anxiously covering his face beside Xu Le, immediately dropped his hands, his eyes nearly sparkling with excitement as he looked at Liu Wuzhou. The black-faced man turned and roared at Yuan Junwei, whose eyes were still red with anger.

“Yuan Si! Have you made enough trouble? Put down your bow! Whatever needs be said or done, Liu the Eagle will decide!”

Then, turning to Xu Le with a smile, he added, “Young master, put down your bow and arrows as well. Liu the Eagle appreciates brave men—he will see justice done. We are all folk of this land; what can't be resolved with a few words?”

With Liu Wuzhou’s appearance and his shout, the dozens of Eagle Guard soldiers behind Yuan Junwei exchanged glances, then dejectedly lowered their bows and arrows. Their ambush outside the walls had ended in such humiliation; now, certain punishment awaited them, especially after being so thoroughly beaten by Xu Le in front of the whole crowd. All were crestfallen.

Only Yuan Junwei still clenched his teeth, refusing to lower his bow, ignoring the shouts of Liu Wuzhou and Yuchi Gong. His bloodshot eyes seemed fixed solely on Xu Le.

Seeing this, Xu Le shook his head, likewise keeping his bow drawn as he sat astride his horse, the bow bent like a full moon. He turned and smiled at Yuchi Gong, “You can hardly blame me for this!”

Behind Xu Le, his household retainers and several young knights, including Song Bao, had already put down their bows. Watching Yuan Junwei and Xu Le continue to aim at each other out of stubbornness, Song Bao was so anxious he nearly stamped his feet on horseback.

Oh, Young Lord Le, Young Lord Le, why not just yield a little now? Would it cost you your life? With Han Yue at your side and your skill in wresting arrows bare-handed, could Yuan Junwei alone really harm you?

On the stockade wall above, seeing Yuan Junwei unmoved after his command, the honest-faced Liu Wuzhou was genuinely exasperated.

With none of the aristocratic restraint expected of a noble son, Liu Wuzhou angrily tugged at his collar and bellowed down, “Yuan Da! Seize your brother!”

The townsfolk of Yunzhong finally relaxed, and seeing Liu Wuzhou’s frantic, unceremonious manner, a wave of laughter rippled through the crowd.

To the people of Yunzhong and the sons of the Heng'an Eagle Guard, Liu Wuzhou was just this—a familiar, approachable figure. But at critical moments, the entire city’s soldiers and citizens would give their lives for him.

With a creak, the stockade gate opened, and several Eagle Guard soldiers rushed out, swiftly laying down planks over the moat and crossing it at speed.

The leader was a tall man in a spotless brocade robe, sharing some resemblance with Yuan Junwei in his features, but distinguished by three long, immaculately groomed whiskers, each hair gleaming. Such a splendid beard would inspire envy even in Chang'an or Luoyang. His slender eyes shone with commanding light, but there was a hint of cruelty that lingered in his gaze.

This leading horseman was none other than Yuan Junzhang, trusted confidant of Liu Wuzhou, companion on the eastern campaign to Goguryeo, and Captain of the Heng'an Eagle Guard!

Yuan Junzhang rode past without sparing Yuchi Gong or the others a glance, casting only a fleeting look at Xu Le before heading straight for Yuan Junwei. Dismounting, he faced his younger brother.

Seeing his most respected elder brother arrive, Yuan Junwei finally calmed somewhat. Yuan Junzhang said nothing, only fixed his younger brother with a cold stare.

Yuan Junwei tried to hold his brother’s gaze, but soon faltered. His hands slackened, the bow fell to the ground, and he hung his head in defeat.

Seeing this, Xu Le finally relaxed, returning his bow to its case. He sat quietly on horseback, waiting to see what would come next.

At last, Yuan Junzhang spoke, his voice deep and resonant—a far cry from Liu Wuzhou’s coarse, exasperated shouting.

“Dozens of you attacking one man, and you still couldn’t win. In the end, you resorted to a sneak attack with the bow and arrow... The Yuan family must be so proud!”

Yuan Junwei raised his red-rimmed eyes, pointing furiously at Xu Le. “He killed Chang Shuxin and a squad under my command!”

Yuan Junzhang waved him off coldly, “This matter will be judged by the Eagle Captain.”

“Elder brother!” Yuan Junwei protested.

Yuan Junzhang ordered coolly, “Take him! For disgracing the name of Heng'an, let him await the Eagle Captain’s judgment!”

Immediately, several of Yuan Junzhang’s personal guards stepped forward, seizing Yuan Junwei without a word. Before his elder brother, Yuan Junwei was as meek as a mouse before a cat—all arrogance gone—allowing himself to be led away without resistance.

Now Liu Wuzhou emerged from behind the stockade, unaccompanied by any guards and not on horseback. He walked directly toward Xu Le, who still sat mounted.

Yuchi Gong had already dismounted, bowing with cupped hands. Song Bao and the others scrambled to follow, dropping from their saddles and bowing even lower. “Greetings, Eagle Captain Liu!”

Xu Le glanced at Liu Wuzhou and offered a faint smile, finally swinging down from his horse to stand firm on the ground. Beside him, Han Yue leapt down as well, still holding his iron shield protectively before Xu Le.

Xu Le laughed and gave Han Yue a friendly shove on the shoulder. “With the Eagle Captain here, who could possibly harm me?”

After gently moving aside his loyal protector, Xu Le composed himself and bowed formally. “Xu Le, at your service, Eagle Captain.”

Liu Wuzhou, open-collared, regarded the bowing Xu Le and laughed heartily. “Even if I weren’t here, no one could harm you. Truly, you are a remarkable youth of our land!”