MSW Chapter32

67

In the blink of an eye, it was already late February. A sudden night rain came with the southern wind, and specks of green sprouted from the damp cracks in the city walls, only then did Mu Peizhi realize that spring was near.

 

Spring arrived early in Ruizhou, where warm weather could coax peach blossoms into bloom as early as January or February. However, Fengzhou, which was far from Ruizhou and with Wanzhou lying between them, was a completely different case. Perhaps the weather was acting strange this year, as it remained bitterly cold, with the wind hiding bone-piercing blades of chill, like being trapped in a long, endless winter.

 

Mu Peizhi did not like winter, especially harsh winters. It was as if the world had fallen into silence, with no sign of life to be seen.

 

Yesterday, he received a letter from Ruizhou, it was sent from Marquis Annan Mansion. It was written by Mu Jinyu. Since the incident, Mu Jinyu had often sat on his lap, learning to write under his careful instruction, stroke by stroke. After two years of practice, his handwriting had grown neat and proper, though it still retained a touch of youthful gentleness.

 

In the letter, Mu Jinyu obediently wrote that Grandmother, Mother, his younger brother, Uncle, and Aunty were all doing well at home and told his father not to worry.

 

As Mu Peizhi read, his heart softened. Unbidden, an image of his wife watching their eldest son write the letter surfaced in his mind, and a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

 

Mu Jinyu was born on the second day of the second lunar month. That day, the rebel forces came to besiege the city. With both sides locked in fierce battle, Mu Peizhi had been preoccupied with military affairs and completely forgot it was his eldest son’s birthday.

 

By the time he remembered, five or six days had already passed.

 

It was the first time he had ever missed celebrating his son’s birthday.

 

Mu Peizhi always indulged his two children, granting their every wish and spoiling them beyond reason. Even his wife, Lady Liu, could only shake her head helplessly and say, ‘How can you let the children have their way like this?’

 

Mu Peizhi smiled but said nothing.

 

Unlike Mu Peixuan, who was raised at their father’s side, he had seldom seen his father during his childhood, and when he did, it was usually just to be tested on his studies. In his younger days, Mu Peizhi had harbored jealousy toward Mu Peixuan, envying their father’s favoritism and his younger brother’s innate talent for military matters.

 

Mu Peixuan, for his part, had never been particularly close to him either. The two brothers had always shared a lukewarm relationship. But as the years passed and Mu Peizhi started his own family, that jealousy gradually faded.

 

It wasn’t until Mu Peizhi became a father himself that he perhaps began to make up for the regrets of his own childhood — by indulging and doting on his children all the more.

 

At the end of the letter, Mu Jinyu had written: Father, please stay safe on the battlefield. Mother, younger brother, and I will be at home, waiting for your return. Mu Peizhi rubbed the youthful, unpolished handwriting at the end of the letter, then carefully put it away.

 

This battle had been a difficult one. Sun Qing was a man of strategy, and the soldiers under his command were unlike the rebel troops they had faced before. Judging by their movements, they were most likely conscripts from the provincial armies of Fengzhou and Longzhou.

 

Inside the command tent, Mu Peizhi and the frontier army generals were engrossed in a serious discussion about military strategy.

 

A large map hung before them. Mu Peizhi said, “Everyone, judging by how Sun Qing has only issued challenges without launching a full-scale assault these past days, he must be aware that the granaries in the city are empty. He’s deliberately stalling, hoping to trap us within this city of Fuzhou.”

 

He swept his gaze across the room. “Does anyone have a well-thought-out plan to propose?”

 

With a grave expression, Zhou Ting pointed to a hill labeled “Wutou Ridge” on the map and said, “I believe we should send two units ahead to set up an ambush there.”

 

The warrior’s fingers were broad and calloused as he traced a spot on the map, pointing to another location. “Allow this general to lead the troops in a direct assault, driving the enemy into this narrow pass. With ambushes on both sides, we will undoubtedly be able to annihilate the main force under his command.”

 

Someone spoke up, “I believe Commander Zhou’s plan is excellent.”

 

Mu Peizhi considered for a moment, then asked, “Who will set the ambush?”

 

Zhou Ting paused in thought, then turned to look at Li Yue. As if sensing something, Li Yue stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Lord Marquis, this subordinate is willing to go.”

 

Seeing this, Xu Ying also stepped forward and said, “Lord Marquis, this subordinate is willing to go as well.”

 

Mu Peizhi looked at the two of them and smiled faintly. “Very well. In that case, the task shall fall to you both.”

 

The group continued discussing for a while longer. As they stepped out of the tent, the sky was shrouded in dark, heavy clouds, casting an oppressive gloom and signaling that rain was imminent.

 

Zhou Ting said, “Looks like it’s going to rain.”

 

Xu Ying muttered, “There’s been way too much rain this year, and it’s not even spring yet.”

 

Zhou Ting gave his shoulder a hard slap and scolded with a laugh, “What do you know? Spring rain is as precious as oil, it’s a good thing it’s raining. With spring plowing near, if there’s no rain, how are the common folk supposed to farm?”

 

Xu Ying gasped sharply, leapt two steps back, and rubbed his shoulder. “Commander, your strength is incredible. If you hurt me, I’ll have no choice but to report to Lord Marquis and request someone else to lead the ambush against the rebels.”

 

“With that thick skin and tough hide of yours?” Zhou Ting shot him a sideways glance, then turned to Li Yue, who was smiling quietly nearby. “Tomorrow’s battle is a big one. You two must be careful. As long as we take down Sun Qing, we can march straight to Anyang.”

 

Li Yue straightened his expression and said solemnly, “Yes, this subordinate understands.”

 

Xu Ying echoed, “Xu Ying understands.”

 

Zhou Ting smiled and said, “Once this battle is over, I’ll personally petition the court to reward you both.”

 

Xu Ying chuckled, “Many thanks, Commander!”

 

Li Yue added, “Sun Qing’s Modao[mfn]Modao is a type of long, double-edged sword with a long handle, used by the Tang Dynasty army in ancient China. It was one of the four types of Tang swords and was known for its length, weight, and intimidating presence, used to encourage Tang soldiers in battle.[/mfn] is not to be underestimated. Commander, you must be careful when facing him in battle.”

 

Xu Ying chimed in, “Exactly, let that brat see what a true veteran might look like!”

 

Zhou Ting laughed with a hint of irritation, shooting him a sharp glare. “Do I look old?”

 

Xu Ying grinned cheekily, “Old but still strong!”

 

Zhou Ting immediately kicked him in the rear, cursing, “You little rascal.”

 

In Ruizhou, at Marquis Annan Mansion.

 

Mu Peixuan suddenly jolted awake in the middle of the night, sitting up sharply. His eyes were wide, still haunted by lingering shock.

 

The noise Mu Peixuan made was enough to stir Duan Linzhou, who had been sleeping beside him. Half-dazed, Duan Linzhou reached out to touch Mu Peixuan, then relaxed when he realized he was alright. Sleepily, he called out, “Your Highness.”

 

Mu Peixuan didn’t speak. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of dread, as if something had happened. Duan Linzhou didn’t hear a response, so he opened his eyes and glanced at Mu Peixuan. Seeing him sitting upright, Duan Linzhou also sat up and asked, “Your Highness, what’s the matter?”

 

Only then did Mu Peixuan turn his head to look at Duan Linzhou and say, “I had a nightmare.”

 

Duan Linzhou was momentarily stunned. Noticing the cold sweat on Mu Peixuan’s forehead, he asked, “What did you dream about?”

 

Mu Peixuan closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them and said, “I can’t remember. It’s just that something doesn’t sit right.”

 

Duan Linzhou reached out and wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying, “What’s on the mind during the day will appear in dreams at night. Perhaps it’s because you’ve been overthinking these days.”

 

Commander Zhou Ting had joined Mu Peizhi on the campaign, leaving the deputy and Mu Peixuan in charge of all garrison affairs. Since Ruizhou remained without a governor, any provincial matters beyond Han Shiqing’s authority were also referred to Mu Peixuan for consultation.

 

Mu Peixuan had been so busy these days that he barely had time to rest. On one hand, he was managing the affairs of Ruizhou, and on the other, he was coordinating the supply of grain and provisions for Mu Peizhi’s campaign against the rebels. The tasks were tedious and overwhelming, and the youthful aura that once marked his features was gradually fading, making him appear increasingly composed and mature.

 

Mu Peixuan took hold of Duan Linzhou’s fingers, feeling the warmth of his touch. After such a long time, Duan Linzhou’s complexion had improved slightly. Mu Peixuan gently rubbed his fingers and said, “I woke you up.”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled faintly, yawning, and upon hearing the soft patter of rain outside the window, he said, “It’s raining.”

 

Mu Peixuan listened intently for a moment, then rose from the bed and closed the half-open window. “It’s coming down quite heavily.”

 

Duan Linzhou remarked, “This is the first spring rain of the year. Once it’s over, the people will begin their spring plowing.”

 

Mu Peixuan nodded and then poured a glass of warm water, offering it to Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou took a sip from his hand and shook his head. “I’m not thirsty anymore.”

 

Mu Peixuan finished the remaining half of the glass in one go. Since Duan Linzhou’s illness, Mu Peixuan had been taking extra care of him. From the initial awkwardness of their early days together to now, their care for one another had become instinctive. When it came to looking after Duan Linzhou, Mu Peixuan was almost as skilled as the passage of time itself.

 

Mu Peixuan returned to the bed, and the two of them lay side by side. Duan Linzhou said, “Let’s sleep a little longer.”

 

Mu Peixuan murmured, “You sleep.”

 

Duan Linzhou looked at him and asked, “You can’t sleep?”

 

Mu Peixuan hummed in response, resting his head on his arm. “I don’t really know why, but I feel a bit uneasy.” He paused, then added, “I wonder how my elder brother is doing over there.”

 

Duan Linzhou reassured him, “There has been constant good news from the front lines. There’s no need to worry too much.”

 

Mu Peixuan grasped Duan Linzhou’s slender fingers, gently stroking them, and gradually felt a sense of calm settling within him. After a while, he pulled Duan Linzhou closer into his embrace and said, “Let’s sleep now. Old Physician Ji said you need more rest.”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled softly. Since his illness, Mu Peixuan had taken Old Physician Ji’s advice to heart, treating it as an unwavering guide. When Duan Linzhou decided to establish the Wenfeng Yuan, Mu Peixuan hadn’t stopped him, but he had assigned Zhou Xing, his trusted subordinate, to assist him and even provided him with the necessary papers and support.

 

Zhou Xing was one of Mu Peixuan’s most loyal and capable men.

 

Duan Linzhou did not take direct charge of the Wenfeng Yuan but instead entrusted it to Liu Sanjiu. Liu Sanjiu was stunned for a long moment, and for once, a rare look of unease appeared on his face. In a low voice, he said, ‘How can Boss entrust something so important… to me?’

 

Duan Linzhou replied, ‘It’s precisely because it’s important that I’m entrusting it to you.’

 

Liu Sanjiu stared at Duan Linzhou in a daze. After a long pause, he dropped to one knee and said solemnly, ‘Sanjiu will not fail Boss’s trust.’

 

Duan Linzhou smiled, reached out to gently pat Sanjiu’s head, and said, ‘Don’t belittle yourself just because you’re a kunze, don’t trap yourself in your own prison. I told you long ago, what kind of person you are isn’t determined by the words tianqian or kunze. The only one who can decide your life, is you.’

 

He continued, ‘Just go ahead and do it boldly.’

 

Sanjiu’s eyes turned slightly red as he gave a firm, heavy ‘En.’

 

Outside, the rain pattered softly. Inside, the candlelight burned steadily. Duan Linzhou said, “Your Highness should rest too.”

 

He soothed him like coaxing a child, gently patting Mu Peixuan’s back. Mu Peixuan felt a little embarrassed, grabbed his wrist, and tucked it into his arms, saying, “Is Boss Duan coaxing a child now?”

 

Duan Linzhou gave a muffled chuckle and said, “Coaxing a child should come with a lullaby or two, too bad I don’t know any.”

 

Mu Peixuan replied offhandedly, “Is there really anything in this world that Boss Duan doesn’t know?”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled, “There are plenty of things that Boss Duan doesn’t know how to do.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Oh?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied with mock seriousness, “I can’t reach for the stars or the moon, can’t stop the rain outside, and I can’t seem to lift my sweetheart’s spirits either…”

 

His voice was low and lingering. Hearing him call him ‘sweetheart’, Mu Peixuan’s ears turned red. He clapped a hand over Duan Linzhou’s mouth, his palm large enough to cover half his face, and he said, “Boss Duan’s mouth is what works best.”

 

Duan Linzhou’s eyes lit up with amusement. He pulled down Mu Peixuan’s hand and said meaningfully, “How does Your Highness know that I’m good with my mouth? You’ve never even tried it—”

 

His eyes drifted toward Mu Peixuan’s crotch. Mu Peixuan felt a twitch under Duan Linzhou’s gaze, and the shadow that had clouded his heart instantly vanished. His eyes lingered on Duan Linzhou’s soft red lips for a moment, but remembering his frail health, he coldly covered Duan Linzhou’s eyes and said, “Just go to sleep!”