Chapter 18: Allies

The meeting concluded, and the group set off together on their return. Jia Kui and his brother-in-law, Liu Fu, walked toward the stable, where they both unbuckled their belts to relieve themselves against the wall.

After hearing footsteps and confirming the others had gone some distance, Jia Kui finally asked, "Brother, what do you think of Wei Gu?"

"Though talented, he lacks courage—he’s merely a watchdog guarding a noble gate," Liu Fu replied, tightening his belt. "But Pei Qilang and Zhao Aji have resolve. Yet once the troops mobilize, the Li and Guo bandits and the various Xiongnu tribes will also move. Then Hedong will descend into chaos, with nine out of ten households emptied. How could we bear to see that?"

"Indeed. How many must die before order is restored?" Jia Kui felt lost and fearful as well. They had been fortunate to have wiped out the White Wave generals and, alongside the county troops, resisted the Xiongnu and the Li-Guo bandits. Yet nearby was Zhang Yang in Henei, and to the west, Ma Teng and Han Sui.

Once the two Yuans of Guandong resolved their conflict, the victorious side would surely intervene forcefully.

With the population in Hedong so sparse, how many battles could they even fight?

Jia Kui was from the northern part of the county, where most towns were already deserted.

Liu Fu hailed from Xie County, which had been a disaster zone when Niu Fu, Li Jue, and others confronted the White Wave Army.

Later, when the White Wave Army was pacified, many officials and civilians who had been coerced regained their freedom.

Then the Xiongnu migrated south, forcing many northern families to move south of the Fen River, bolstering the population there.

It wasn’t only they who felt the situation was dire; the heads of the various families felt it too.

Perhaps the safest course was to escort the court and the emperor peacefully out of Hedong.

Jia Kui was unwilling to accept this—it went against his education and personal principles.

To enter Wei’s service, to uphold the realm... even if it meant death, what was there to fear?

But his family...

With these conflicting thoughts clashing fiercely, Jia Kui sighed deeply, bid farewell to Liu Fu, and prepared to return to the small encampment where the Xiangling squad was stationed.

As he passed the Wenxi unit, he saw several men sitting cross-legged by the campfire, speaking softly.

They noticed him too, and their eyes met. Pei Xiu rose and approached the low wall of the fortification.

"Brother Liang Dao, you’ve arrived just in time. We’re brewing some sobering soup. Would you care to drink some before resting?"

"I don’t drink. Perhaps—"

Jia Kui was about to decline when Zhao Ji came up to the wall and said, "Brother, you should have some. There are few of us here, and we’re discussing important matters."

"Very well."

Jia Kui grabbed the low wall with both hands, pushed off, and nimbly vaulted into the camp.

Taking a seat by the fire, he glanced around and asked, "What were you discussing just now?"

Wei Xing stirred a suspended earthenware jar with a wooden spoon. Wanqiu Xing handed Jia Kui a handful of roasted millet.

"We were talking about the Xiongnu," he said.

"The Xiongnu?" Jia Kui turned to look at Pei Xiu’s profile. Pei Xiu whispered, "Yes, in just a few days, we’ve gathered over five hundred men. The former White Wave generals are wary and displeased but dare not openly defy the court’s decisions, so they won’t attack us proactively."

This was something they could be sure of. The White Wave generals came from powerful families whose core members had ties with the recruited Tiger Guards.

Conversely, the Tiger Guards who struck the White Wave generals only targeted the worst offenders—they did not slaughter them all.

Jia Kui realized this and then turned to Zhao Ji. "Do you think the Xiongnu will attack us?"

Zhao Ji smiled. "We all have families and property; capturing us would fetch a hefty ransom. Not just the Xiongnu—if I had a hundred strong men, I’d try to capture each squad of Tiger Guards for ransom. Brother, if we were seized by the Xiongnu tribes, could we establish ourselves?"

"Settle among the Xiongnu?"

Jia Kui ignored Zhao Ji’s jest about ransom and replied, "For others without skills, falling into the Xiongnu tribes means tending livestock, cutting grass, or farming; but stalwarts like Aji might marry noble Xiongnu women, and with descendants, could become minor chieftains."

Zhao Ji peeked at Pei Xiu beside Jia Kui. "Brother Qi, see, even if I fled to the Xiongnu, I’d have hope. If this plan fails, we might as well surrender to the Xiongnu, marry their noble women, then one day, kill their fathers, brothers, and kin, and rise among the Xiongnu kings. Then leading tens of thousands of elite cavalry to restore the Han dynasty wouldn’t be too late."

"You certainly dare to dream."

Pei Xiu spread his arms, resting one on Jia Kui’s shoulder. "Brother Liang Dao, as Aji has said before, the Xiongnu won’t leave on their own. After their population grows, they’ll first seize the ancestral lands of northern families. In other words, only after the northern families are broken will they come for us."

"Brother Qi, no need to elaborate. I understand well—our fates are intertwined. I have my own pride; no need to provoke me."

Jia Kui gave Pei Xiu a sidelong glance. "You and Wei Gu coerced me openly during the day, and together with others pressured Wang Zhi. Why at night do you come to talk about matters of life and death with me?"

"Wei Gu and Wang Zhi are selfish; they cannot be trusted with great responsibilities."

Pei Xiu’s expression was calm. "We want to accomplish something great, but the gentry of northern counties have no other choice. Brother Liang Dao, you wouldn’t want Xiongnu herders grazing cattle on your ancestors’ graves, would you? Besides, in these past two or three years, how many women dare venture beyond the city walls to gather herbs or enjoy spring outings?"

Jia Kui fell silent, rubbed the roasted millet in his hand, popped some into his mouth, and chewed crisply.

He took a sip from the water bowl Zhao Ji handed him before saying, "Lord Pei has determination. If you all are willing to risk your lives, I am no coward afraid of death. The realm is in turmoil, and the Xiongnu grow by the day—it’s simply a matter of dying sooner or later."

"You see clearly, Brother Liang Dao. Wei Zhongjian is truly a pity. But that’s understandable—his family is the wealthiest in the county. It would be extraordinary if he risked everything to fight."

Pei Xiu sighed, then asked, "Earlier we discussed Xiongnu raids. What is your opinion?"

"I believe the Xiongnu bandits attacking Jiangyi are not after us per se, but to intimidate the court and prevent them from passing Guanguan and Xing toward Henei."

Jia Kui elbowed Pei Xiu’s arm off his shoulder, shook it off, and relaxed before continuing, "It’s natural for the White Wave generals to collude with some Xiongnu factions. Stirring up a scattered Xiongnu cavalry to attack is no great feat. Since all of you are valuable, the Xiongnu will be eager and proactive."

He then looked at Zhao Ji. "Aji, as a garrison commander, do you have a response?"

"I'm worried about a night raid. Tomorrow, when the Jiangyi troops return, I don’t trust them. If the Xiongnu come by day, we can defend the camp with the garrison’s support—three to five hundred cavalry can be held off."

Zhao Ji stared into the fire. "If it’s a night attack, that’s very bad. Tomorrow, we’ll select four elite scout squads: two will patrol up the Fen River, two down. If they encounter enemies, they won’t engage but retreat swiftly to camp. We’ll strengthen the defenses for those left behind."

Jia Kui asked, "If the Xiongnu underestimate us, why not set a trap inside the camp? When they flood in, we could turn the tables and slaughter them."

Zhao Ji looked at Jia Kui, noting his serious expression—it seemed he genuinely contemplated this strategy.

Well, Jia Kui hadn’t yet served in the military or grown hardened; a bit of innocence was to be expected.

Even without military experience, Zhao Ji knew the difference between green recruits and seasoned veterans from observation and daily life.

Jia Kui felt awkward and explained, "We all have hearts willing to sacrifice for the nation. Do you doubt that at the moment of battle, Aji, we would break and flee?"

"Yes, our squads have just formed; the chain of command is unclear, authority unestablished. How can we order officers and soldiers to fight to the death?"

Zhao Ji sighed. "While a counter-trap is clever, it carries enormous risk. Even if the Tiger Guards in camp fight to the death and win, it’s only a minor victory. The Xiongnu come and go freely; we can’t capture them. If we can persuade Xu Huang to join, I’d be glad to cooperate. I’d fight to the death inside camp while Xu Huang attacks from outside. That would be a manageable victory."

The Xiongnu tribes allied with the White Wave generals were certainly not among the strongest factions.

Even if the White Wave generals had connections, they wouldn’t dare provoke or collude with the main Xiongnu forces—these veterans feared inviting disaster.

From the Xiongnu perspective, the White Wave generals were not to be trifled with.

During the emperor’s eastward transfer, they had endured too many battles; Zhao Ji estimated at least fifty thousand soldiers died.

Such heavy losses made the Xiongnu wary of further entanglement.

The larger Xiongnu tribes sought stability.

Only the middling Xiongnu tribes would resort to such desperate tactics.

Pei Xiu patted Jia Kui on the back. "Brother Liang Dao, the plan is yours, and we are willing to stake our lives. Can you persuade Xu Huang?"

"I’m seventy percent confident. If Brother Qi sends a letter, then ninety percent."

Jia Kui took a bowl from Wanqiu Xing, who was stirring porridge, and asked, "Where are Wanqiu Gong’s troops?"

Wanqiu Xing shook his head slightly. "The White Wave generals maintain a tight grip outside and within. My men can’t be deployed. We tried to encourage the Jiangyi garrison, but they don’t want to antagonize any side. A brief probe ended with nothing."

At this moment, Pei Xiu removed his sword from his waist and handed it to Jia Kui.

"This sword was given to me by my uncle. Presenting this sword to Xu Huang will be my greeting. If he comes, we become allies. If not, my comrades will not forget this day."

"Very well. I will present the sword when the opportunity arises. If words and the court’s righteousness can inspire him, I will keep the sword for you to give in person. Otherwise, it might seem like coercion and only breed resentment."

Jia Kui then asked Zhao Ji, "Aji, how many men do you think you could take on?"

"I don’t know."

Zhao Ji stirred his bowl and glanced at the four men around him. "If I wield a sword, I could kill all of you within seven steps."

He then looked at Pei Xiu. "Brother Qi, an attack could come as soon as tomorrow night. I’ll need a good set of armor and at least two long swords."

"Mm, I’ll ask the garrison to lend us armor and bows and crossbows."

Pei Xiu had just agreed when Jia Kui interrupted, "No, that would alert the Xiongnu. If Aji lacks good armor, I’ll borrow some. My brother-in-law is frail and cannot fight hard, but he has a good set of armor."

Seeing Pei Xiu nod, Jia Kui added, "These matters must remain among us. Wang Zhi and Wei Gu must not know. Nor should we discuss the selection of the four scout teams."

[end]