Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Struggle for Power (Part Three)

Atop the city walls, the Heng'an Eagle Battalion soldiers were stationed everywhere. Though the cavalry that had earlier suppressed the encampments of the steppe tribes outside the city had already withdrawn, the garrison remained vigilant after such a disturbance. Who could say what else might happen today?

The Eagle Battalion men stood at their assigned posts according to their units, all defensive equipment at the ready. They should have been on high alert, yet every neck was craned—everyone watched as Xu Le was escorted back.

Even the officers of various ranks leading their troops along the walls bore complicated expressions. Occasionally, their eyes met, and each shook his head in silence. A local son had fought the Hu tribes and even gained the upper hand—yet this was now deemed a crime? If that was so, then what point was there in waging war at all?

For those living on the frontier, the distinction between Hu and Han was not so deeply felt. Years of living side by side had made interaction common; everyone struggled to survive, simply wanting to live. But the sense of hometown solidarity burned fiercer. In this harsh borderland, if locals did not look out for their own, none would survive long.

Thus, when Wang Ren Gong—a man from another prefecture—led a group of outsider noble sons to oppress the local-born Liu Wu Zhou, it was no wonder that so many in Mayi Prefecture backed Liu, enabling him to hold his ground. When Xu Le caused a stir in Yunzhong, Liu Wu Zhou had no choice but to step in and restore order for no other reason than the simple fact that he was a son of Mayi’s own soil.

Today, news had spread that Xu Le had caused another ruckus, this time among more than a thousand of the Yue tribe, aided by local young heroes. The Eagle Battalion men themselves felt it unjust—why had Xu Le been arrested?

Still, all eyes watched, for everyone believed Liu Wu Zhou would take care of his own.

The city gates opened. Leading the way was Yuan Junzhang, followed by a dozen of his personal guards, all downcast, escorting Xu Le and his companions in single file.

Hundreds of flushed, spirited young heroes halted at the base of the wall, as though this commotion had not yet drained their overflowing energy. They simply craned their necks, calling up to the Eagle Battalion soldiers above.

"Master Le has brought pride to the men of Mayi. Isn't the Heng'an Prefecture afraid of chilling the hearts of its worthy sons by treating him so?"

"Everyone knows the pay is meager and the fighting bitter in Heng'an. That cursed Governor Wang is always looking for faults. Yet we, the sons of Mayi, still flock to join, just so our own people have someone to rely on. Let anyone else try and bully us! We trust Liu the Eagle. If anything happens to Master Le, we won't stand for it!"

"That's right! I thought to make some money at this autumn fair and join Heng'an Prefecture—not for riches, but for the pride of a man, to achieve something heroic. Now, I have to think twice."

"Indeed. We’ll never go to Governor Wang, but we might just try our luck with Lord Tang of Hedong! If Liu the Eagle loses his courage and won’t protect his own, we’ll all go our separate ways!"

The young heroes clamored noisily. The officers and soldiers atop the wall could only smile wryly.

To quarrel with these spirited youths would be pointless; they feared neither fighting nor dying, and any harsh response would only tarnish the reputation of Heng'an Prefecture. This autumn fair brought many such young men, many of whom were prepared to enlist immediately.

The young heroes of Mayi were not like those of the Central Plains; they endured hardship and cold, were fierce in temperament, and brave in battle. Used to banding together for survival, they also obeyed military discipline—ideal recruits. Since the Han dynasty, Yunzhong’s sons had been renowned as the finest soldiers.

If their loyalty was lost, it would be no small blow to the already precarious Heng'an Prefecture. May Liu the Eagle handle this well—Yuan Junzhang had truly mishandled matters!

The officers dared not interfere, and some of the soldiers even agreed with the youths. The crowd below the walls grew rowdier by the moment. Some began to whistle and sing bawdy tunes, their words increasingly disrespectful toward Yuan Junzhang.

At last, the officers’ faces darkened. They considered driving the crowd away, but hesitated—if things turned ugly, Heng'an Prefecture would be shamed even more.

In their helplessness, a thunderous shout rang out: "You pack of miserable wretches, what’s all this racket? Clear off for your Uncle Yuchi!"

With a roar like rolling thunder, a single rider charged up—the formidable Yuchi Gong.

His dark face was longer than his horse’s, and he thundered toward the gate with the momentum of a thousand troops. Yuchi Gong had been trailing Yuan Junzhang’s group, knowing he and Yuan did not get along. If he sought out Liu Wu Zhou to plead for Xu Le, he might only offend Yuan further. That would be his own burden to bear, but the prefecture could not do without its foremost general. Still, if Xu Le suffered for it, he would be to blame.

But when he saw the young heroes gathered and stirring up trouble beneath the city, Yuchi Gong finally resolved to act—he must secure Xu Le’s release! Otherwise, the prefecture’s reputation would take a grave blow.

Yuchi Gong’s arrival stilled the crowd for a moment, but then the clamor redoubled, with shouts directed his way: "Yuchi, you’d better get Master Le out! Otherwise we’ll never let it go!"

In the Eagle Battalion, Liu Wu Zhou had made his name befriending these young heroes, but now, risen in rank, he seldom mingled in the streets. Yuchi Gong was now the most approachable man in the prefecture. Whenever the young heroes called, Yuchi Gong would do all he could, even shamelessly begging money from Liu Wu Zhou to help a brother in need. At the end of his duty, he would drink with them in the marketplace or ride out hunting—such scenes were common. Of those who had recently joined the Eagle Battalion, half had come for Yuchi Gong’s sake.

On the battlefield, the Eagle Battalion men who had once been young heroes would follow Yuchi Gong to the death. Should he so much as twitch an eyebrow, even in the face of the Ashina clan’s golden wolf banner, they would charge without hesitation.

Now that Yuchi Gong had taken the lead, the young heroes treated him as a savior, shouting at him whether or not they knew him personally.

Yuchi Gong signaled for the gates to open, impatiently waving them away: “All of you squawking like birds—enough! You think your Uncle Yuchi doesn’t know what to do? Standing here making a scene for the barbarians outside to laugh at? Get lost, the lot of you!”

At his command, the young heroes acquiesced, glancing at each other, bowing, and departing with a laugh. In a flash, hundreds of riders scattered back to their companies.

As the gates creaked open, Yuchi Gong, without so much as a greeting, rode straight through, heading directly for the Eagle General’s office.

His mind was made up: no matter what, he would get Xu Le out, escort him from Yunzhong City himself, even borrow more from others if need be, and send Xu Le back to Shenwu County at once. If Yuan Junzhang had any complaints, he could take them up with Yuchi himself!

Full of resolve, Yuchi Gong dismounted at the office’s gate, ignoring the old gatekeeper who came to take his horse, and barged straight to the study where Liu Wu Zhou handled his affairs—Liu’s family did not reside here, and Yuchi was always free to come and go.

Outside the study door, Yuchi Gong raised his voice: “Liu the Eagle, you can’t take down Xu Le! The reputation of Heng'an Prefecture is at stake! The hearts of Mayi’s people are at stake!”

With that, Yuchi Gong strode into the study—and his eyes went wide.

There sat Liu Wu Zhou in everyday attire, facing Xu Le across a table, with Yuan Junzhang beside them. Xu Le was sipping a steaming drink, and even Yuan Junzhang managed a smile. There was no sign of anyone being arrested.

Xu Le turned and flashed a brilliant smile at Yuchi Gong, his white teeth gleaming. “Brother Jingde, we meet again.”