Volume One Southern River Commandery Chapter Two Getting Along

“Seventeenth Young Master.” A young servant in coarse clothing carried a food box into the small courtyard, calling at the door.

Wei Fufeng responded from within, rose, walked to the door, and opened it, reaching out to take the food box. “You may go,” he said.

The servant nodded and turned away. Wei Fufeng stepped back, set down the food box, closed the door, then picked it up again and brought it to the table. He opened it, taking out a large bowl of thin porridge and a plate of plain vegetables, which he placed on the table.

“Sister, come eat,” Wei Fufeng called softly.

The woman in green silently rose from the bed, came to the table, and sat down. She reached out with slender, delicate hands, took up the chopsticks and bowl, and quietly ate the porridge and vegetables.

Wei Fufeng sat at the left corner of the table, his expression calm as he gazed toward the door.

“You eat,” the woman in green said, setting down her bowl in a gentle voice.

“We agreed to share, half each. If you don’t eat, I’ll throw away the surplus,” Wei Fufeng replied, turning to look at her with calm resolve.

“A bowl of porridge is only enough for your hunger; I merely need a little,” she said softly.

“Half a bowl is enough to fill me. If you’re weak, you won’t be able to cope with emergencies,” Wei Fufeng answered gently.

She fell silent, then resumed eating. After a while, she pushed the bowl toward him.

Wei Fufeng silently ate, finishing the half bowl and vegetables quickly.

When he set down his bowl, the woman rose and tidied the dishes into the food box. Wei Fufeng took it and placed it outside the door, where a servant would collect it.

Returning to the table, he found the woman already holding a short sword, beginning to teach him close combat techniques.

Wei Fufeng studied earnestly, wielding a sheathed short sword with agile movements—sometimes reversed, sometimes thrust with the blade, his body moving lightly.

The woman in green gave quiet guidance and sparred with him in practice. The two moved silently around the room, their actions like butterflies dancing in the air.

After a session of instruction, fatigue set in, and they sat at the table to rest.

Once seated, the woman spoke softly: “Fufeng, you must have some foundation in martial arts.”

“Four years ago, I studied under a disabled old soldier, training in horse stance and spear technique,” Wei Fufeng replied.

“No wonder your steps are so light and swift. As a man, you should focus on military skills,” she said quietly.

“Military officers die easily. I don’t wish to charge into battle,” Wei Fufeng spoke softly.

Her lovely face showed a hint of surprise. He continued: “Though I dislike this era, since I must live in this world, I still wish to survive.”

She nodded, murmuring, “That is in harmony with the way of Heaven.”

“The way of Heaven? Heaven has not been kind to me,” Wei Fufeng shook his head.

“Not kind? Why is that?” she asked curiously. From the beginning, she sensed this young man was unusual.

“Better to be a dog in times of peace than a person in chaos. As the nephew of a chancellor, I would have been blessed in the prosperous Tang dynasty, but in these troubled times, even filling one’s belly is rare,” Wei Fufeng said bitterly.

She nodded, her voice wistful, “This era is unkind; everywhere you see people displaced by war.”

Wei Fufeng looked at her. She was beautiful, with an oval face, delicate brows, small lips, skin as fair as jade. Even in her melancholy, her bearing was graceful and refined.

Wei Fufeng quickly averted his gaze, worried he might offend her.

Beneath his calm exterior, he was inwardly anxious about her presence. How could anyone be fearless when encountering an assassin by chance?

“Do you have a way to help me leave?” she asked softly.

“Not yet. When the new governor arrives, the city will return to order,” Wei Fufeng answered.

“Why?” she asked, puzzled.

“When the new governor comes, the soldiers will make his protection their priority. The new governor won’t pursue the previous one’s killer, but will focus on reorganizing the military and replacing key officials,” he explained.

She nodded in understanding, then asked, “Will your grandfather be pushed aside?”

“No. My grandfather is the court-appointed chief historian, a powerless position in Shangzhou. Only the officials appointed by the regional commander have real authority,” Wei Fufeng replied.

She nodded silently. Wei Fufeng asked, “Sister, now that you’ve avenged yourself, where will you go after leaving Shangzhou?”

“I am a Taoist priestess. I will return to my temple,” she answered softly.

Wei Fufeng was surprised—he hadn’t expected her to be a Taoist. He fell into thought, then spoke quietly, “Sister, could you help me with something?”

“Tell me,” she replied.

“I wish to go to Chengdu in West Sichuan. Could you escort me?” Wei Fufeng asked gently.

“Chengdu? I heard Chancellor Wei is leading troops there to suppress rebels,” she said softly.

Wei Fufeng nodded. “Yes, my great-uncle has been campaigning in West Sichuan for nearly three years. I want to visit him, and if possible, find a post in the army.”

“The wars in West Sichuan are fierce. You said you didn’t want to fight—why go there? Once you join the army, you won’t be able to avoid battle,” she protested gently.

“I am sixteen, and a secondary son. Staying in Shangzhou, I will easily be drafted. I hear the fighting in Huainan and Henan is intense and will reach Shangzhou soon. I’d rather serve under my great-uncle than remain here,” he explained.

She nodded, thought for a moment, then said, “I will escort you, but these are dangerous times. I may not be able to keep you safe.”

“Staying is waiting for death. Leaving is at least a step toward survival,” Wei Fufeng replied calmly.

...

Wei Fufeng carried a book chest on his back—a kind of portable box with a sunshade on top, commonly used for travel, much like a modern backpack.

He walked through the city’s main street, packed with people. Many refugees from Huainan had gathered in groups, fleeing the devastation of war.

The influx of refugees made grain supplies in Shangluo County increasingly scarce, and their presence brought the threat of epidemic.

Wei Fufeng had long thought of leaving, but his original plan was to go to Chang’an.

He carefully avoided contact with refugees, making his way to Chongyi Ward in the West City, entering a dilapidated house.

Inside, he saw a sturdy young man playing with a wooden staff.

“Young Master,” the youth greeted him respectfully.

Wei Fufeng smiled and nodded. “Is Old Feng here?”

“He is,” the youth replied.

A deep, vigorous male voice sounded from the main room. Out came a man with messy hair and beard.

The man leaned on a crutch with his right arm; his right leg was severed at the knee.

“Old Feng, I’ve come to say goodbye,” Wei Fufeng said directly.

“Oh, Young Master, you’re going to Chang’an?” the man replied calmly.

“No, I wish to go to Chengdu,” Wei Fufeng answered.

“Chengdu? You shouldn’t go there—it’s not suitable,” the man said bluntly.

“Going to Chang’an would mean relying on others. I’d rather go to Chengdu and join the army,” Wei Fufeng explained.

The man shook his head lightly. “I told you before, your great-uncle won’t achieve glory. Going to Chengdu is unwise.”

“Watching and waiting is also unwise. I have made my decision,” said Wei Fufeng.

The man nodded. Wei Fufeng added, “Old Feng, I want to hide my moon crossbow in my book chest.”

The man nodded, turned on his crutch, and Wei Fufeng followed him into the main room.

Inside, Wei Fufeng moved quickly, opening a wooden chest. Beneath it was a hollow, from which he took out a crossbow.

The crossbow was small, only a foot long—half the size of military ones.

Wei Fufeng looked fondly at the weapon he had kept in secret for two years.

He opened the book chest, which was specially made with compartments.

He placed the crossbow in a compartment, then took twelve bolts from the hollow and put them in as well, finally covering the hollow with the chest.

Strapping the book chest on his back, Wei Fufeng turned to the man. “Old Feng, thank you for your years of guidance.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us. My survival is thanks to you, Young Master,” Old Feng replied calmly.

Wei Fufeng smiled and said softly, “Once I leave, I may never return.”

“If you don’t mind my burden, I am willing to go with you,” Old Feng said quietly.

Wei Fufeng looked at him and spoke gently, “I would like you to come, but I don’t wish to drag you into danger.”

“Young Master fears not death; as a cripple, I should fear it even less. If I stay, I’ll starve in Shangluo,” Old Feng replied calmly.

Wei Fufeng considered for a moment, then nodded. “Let’s go.”