Chapter 5, Various Schools and Their Methods

The bald and solitary Wu fiercely said: "If it were not for this rain falling at an inopportune time, we would surely have been able to capture those two little thieves and tear them to pieces."

For the prominent families, it is of no concern who becomes the emperor; what is most important is to preserve the family's superior status, without any feelings of sadness or regret. Their focus is on the continuation of the family rather than the rise and fall of the court, thus they can handle state affairs with a sense of ease and detachment, while the inheritance of the family must not be taken lightly. Therefore, among the scions of the prominent families during the Two Jin dynasties, it is exceedingly difficult to find loyal ministers, while filial sons can be found with ease, which is indeed a peculiar situation arising from the system of high-ranking families.

Before the person arrived, a powerful force had already pressed upon the body. More than ten personal guards on either side, caught off guard and with their weapons still sheathed, found the assassin with both hands spread wide, descending towards the crowns of Hu Bin and Liu Yu.

Huan Chong is of medium build, with a simple and rustic appearance. He is sixty-one years old this year, has a fleshy nose and prominent cheekbones, and his gaze is cautious yet resolute. Although his appearance is not particularly striking, he gives a good impression of being steady and reliable

Liu Yu's gaze was cast upon the northern bank of the Huai River, where the Ying River seemed to flow from an endless distance. Beside the bank lay an expansive and desolate plain. From this point northward, with his pace, he could reach the abandoned city of Ruyin in one night's time, and from there, after another two days of travel, he would arrive at Bianhuangji. A surge of ambitious and heroic spirit welled up within him, unbeknownst even to Hu Bin beside him, that this journey was not only related to the survival of the Jin dynasty but also to the rise and fall of Liu Yu's own life and career. He had been waiting for such an opportunity, yet he had never imagined that it would not be on the battlefield amidst the clash of armies, but rather a mission that seemed almost impossible, deep behind enemy lines.

The phrase of Qifu Guoren: "The knot used to tie the boat to the tree is a common technique of the Tuoba Xianbei people. Without Guoren having to say it, General Fu should have guessed who the person provoking us is."

Fu Rong's eyes immediately filled with a fierce killing intent

As night fell, a warship set sail from Shouyang, navigating north along the Feishui River. Upon entering the Huai River, it changed course to head west, sailing upstream towards the confluence of the Ying River and the Huai River at Yingkou.

Qifu Guoren said lightly: "No matter who he is, as long as General Fu approves of Guoren going after him, I guarantee he will not live beyond three days."

As the warship approached the shore, Hu Bin coldly said: "Go ahead, seek not for merit, but for no faults."

Liu Yu nodded slightly with a calm expression and said in a neither servile nor overbearing manner: "The subordinates have indeed been ordered multiple times to venture into the borderlands to gather intelligence."

Liu Yu patted the burden on his back, just about to leap up and jump onto the shore, when suddenly his hands trembled, and a warning signal abruptly appeared

Ying Shui was unusually calm, with no boats in sight, yet it was filled with a heavy sense of oppression that precedes a storm.

Huan Xuan was more than thirty years younger than his elder brother, having just turned twenty-seven. His appearance made him look even younger than his actual age; he was radiant, with well-defined features. However, his eyes, which were slightly small in proportion yet long and narrow, always gave him a somewhat sinister aura, as if endowing him with a certain mysterious power. His exceptionally high forehead clearly indicated his intelligence and talent. He was more than half a head taller than Huan Chong, with a slender and well-proportioned physique, and his skin was as fair as jade, possessing a remarkable quality that Huan Chong lacked, a distinctive endowment typical of the scions of noble families. Coupled with his splendid warrior attire and the renowned sword "Duan Yu Han" at his waist, he indeed exuded a captivating charm

Fu Rong's gaze returned to Qifu Guoren, and he pondered, "It seems that Yan Fei must have a close relationship with Tuoba Gui. What is his background? With his swordsmanship, he must be an extraordinary individual."

Hu Bin could not help but scrutinize him, driven by a surge of curiosity. This time, Liu Lao sent Liu Yu to the borderlands, which Hu Bin considered to be entirely unnecessary, as he had always been responsible for the critical military affairs at the front. Upon hearing of Fu Jian's southward advance, he had already dispatched scouts. The addition of another person would serve no purpose, especially since this young man was at most in his twenties and surely lacked experience. However, he did not dare to underestimate him, for Liu Yu seemed to possess an innate calm confidence that suggested he would not remain an insignificant figure in the future.

Fu Rong's gaze fell upon the speedboat abandoned by the river, revealing a contemplative expression. Accompanying him on either side were the formidable Xianbei warrior Tu Fa Wu Gu and the Huns' expert Ju Qu Meng Xun, two great generals of the Fu Qin camp. In addition to more than ten personal guards securing the rear, hundreds of soldiers were conducting a carpet search along both banks of the small river.

The sound of wings descended from the sky, as a mighty falcon landed on the left shoulder of Qifu Guoren. Without any visible action, Qifu Guoren had already retreated backward, seemingly floating in the air, and with a speed as swift as a ghost, evoked a sense of dread in everyone, including Fu Rong. Even though Yan Fei was the enemy, one could not help but feel a sense of unease at the humiliation destined for him.

Fu Rong wore a helmet, draped in a long robe, with a fur collar around his neck, and underneath he donned chainmail. His trousers were long and flowing, and he stood upright with his sword at his side, exuding an extraordinary presence. Although his physique was not particularly striking, the brilliance of his eyes radiated a fierce aura that commanded respect and made others wary of underestimating him

Yan Fei was still leisurely slicing the fragrant wolf leg meat, and said calmly: "Come out! Friend!"

Huan Xuan and Huan Chong exchanged glances for a moment, wanting to speak yet hesitating, ultimately leaving in silence, filled with indignation.

Huan Xuan moved beside Huan Chong, his eyes gleaming with a cold light, and said indifferently: "Elder brother, how can you resign yourself to fate? With your weighty words, all it takes is for you to nod, and I will immediately lead troops to Jiankang to meet the Emperor, earnestly laying out the pros and cons. Perhaps this could persuade the Emperor to change his mind, which would be a blessing for all the people"

Liu Yu was of a height slightly above average, with a square face and large ears. He was robust and sturdy, possessing an impressive appearance. His eyes were deep-set and not easily revealed, and his hands were particularly broad and thick. Although he did not exhibit any affectation, he always conveyed a peculiar sense of latent, explosive power.

Tu Fa Wu Gu and Ju Qu Meng Xun simultaneously displayed expressions of awe. Fu Rong's gaze shifted from the small boat to him, and with a renewed spirit, he asked: "Does Guo Ren have any new discoveries?"

Qifu Guoren let out a sharp scream, then, with a blank expression, said: "I will make him say even his mother's maiden name."

The two are half-brothers with the same father but different mothers, with Huan Chong being the elder and Huan Xuan the younger, yet they differ in appearance, demeanor, and temperament in every respect

Fu Rong looked up to the sky and laughed, saying: "This young man is heading south, and he must have some ulterior motive. If we can capture him alive, we should be able to force him to reveal the hiding place of the Tuoba bandits, who have been a great menace to my northern border for many years. Guo Ren, your tracking skills are unparalleled in the world; Yan Fei will certainly not escape your grasp."

Fu Rong said: "We no longer have time to entangle with him; we must cut through the chaos decisively, so that we can prepare for the arrival of the King. " Then he shouted in a deep voice: "Meng Xun, Wu Gu, you two immediately mobilize a division of troops from outside the city to encircle all the Xianbei people heavily, regardless of gender or age, leaving no one alive. It does not matter if we kill the wrong person; the most important thing is that no one escapes. I can guarantee that Tuoba Gui will be one of them; otherwise, how could he have rescued Yan Fei in time. " It does not matter if we kill the wrong person; the most important thing is that no one escapes. I can guarantee that Tuoba Gui will be one of them; otherwise, how could he have rescued Yan Fei in time.

Huan Chong still did not look at him and shook his head, saying: "Changing commanders in the face of battle is not something a wise person would do. Moreover, how could the generals of the Northern Army be willing to accept this? It would only throw the plan to resist the enemy into chaos, allowing petty individuals like Sima Daozi to take advantage of the situation, creating confusion and disorder. This matter is absolutely unfeasible"

Huan Xuan was momentarily taken aback, but he had always respected Huan Chong and did not dare to oppose him. He could only forcefully suppress the boiling anger within his chest and replied: "We have already reached the upper reaches of Jianping City, and another army is stationed in Xiangyang, forming a flanking position that threatens Jiangling. I have reinforced the defenses of Yidu and Jingling with additional troops. If the Qin forces dare to attack any city, our army in Jingling can swiftly come to their aid via the waterways."

Jingzhou, Jiangling, the Governor's Office, Inner Hall

Fu Rong furrowed his brows and said, "The one heading south must be Yan Fei, but who is the other person? These twin blades appear to be weapons that this individual casually took, presumably to conceal his identity, fearing that we might deduce who he is from the weapons. Thus, it can be confirmed that he employs a unique and renowned weapon, one that is easily recognizable and reveals his identity at a glance"

One cannot help but recall the conversation before parting ways with Tuoba Gui. Tuoba Gui considers himself well-versed in the current situation, yet his understanding of the Southern people is indeed lacking, as he has not spent a significant amount of time in the South like he has, and he lacks a deep understanding of the prominent families of Wu Yi.

The heavy rain has ceased, and although dark clouds still race across the sky, glimpses of clear skies can be seen through the gaps in the clouds, with occasional raindrops falling, restoring a clear view all around.

Huan Xuan burst in like a gust of wind, approaching Huan Chong, who was gazing out the window at the scenery of the courtyard, and indignantly said: "What kind of reasoning is this? Brother, you must judge for me. As the Duke of Nanjun, I find myself in a time of national crisis. I, Huan Xuan, voluntarily offer to lead three thousand elite troops back to defend the capital, ready to be dispatched by Xie An. Yet he refuses, saying we should rest assured, that three thousand troops are neither too many nor too few, and that the most important thing is to stabilize Jingzhou. Brother, what do you think we should do? Should we just sit back and watch Xie An bring disaster to the country and its people?"

The bald and lonely Yin smiled slyly and said: "This time, he actually dares to stir up trouble on the head of the Tai Sui; I will make him wish for death but be unable to attain it, and wish for life but be unable to achieve it"

Suddenly, a figure flashed by, and in front of Fu Rong appeared a tall and thin person, draped in a red long cloak, wearing a round-topped hat, dressed in a short jacket with a cross collar, and black trousers. This person had an extremely strange appearance. His face was as gaunt as that of a living skeleton, devoid of any human vitality or expression, and his deadpan eyes seemed to lack focus, yet they could instill a chilling fear in anyone who met his gaze.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, making it hard to associate with the storm that occurred two days ago

The prominent families represented by Wang and Xie were originally the elite of the Northern court, but after migrating south, they became a distinguished gentry class. Under the protection of the nine-rank system for selecting officials, they settled in the remnants of the Southern Jin dynasty, forming a lineage of wealthy families with a long history. Their descendants relied on their ancestral wealth, indulged in extravagance, and secured positions among the nobility, maintaining the family's influence, which allowed them to look down upon the commoners and newly risen gentry who relied on military achievements. Even emperors like Sima Yao, who could bestow titles and ranks upon commoners, were unable to elevate them to the status of gentry, as that was a legacy passed down through generations, not something that could be altered by a decree.

Seeing such pressure, Liu Yu still refused to utter a single word, which made Hu Bin feel angry, and he chose to remain silent.

At this thought, a sudden sense of alertness arose

Huan Chong continued to gaze at the beautiful scenery of early winter outside the window, as if he had not heard his words, and said: "What is the current situation of Fu Jian's naval forces coming downstream from Bashu?"

Yan Fei drew out a dagger, cut off a piece of wolf meat, and tasted it with great enjoyment, relishing every bite. He had not experienced the life of wandering in the wilderness for nearly a year, and suddenly felt a strong sense of nostalgia for those old pleasures. If it were not for the war, it would be such a delightful affair; he could do whatever he pleased. The gold he had obtained from Gao Yan was enough for him to live idly for several years, but unfortunately, reality was moving in the opposite direction.

Hu Bin and Liu Yuli stood at the bow of the boat, the latter keenly observing the situation on the northern bank of the Huai River with a glint in his eye

Even among the foremost aristocratic families of the Two Jin Dynasties, namely the Wang and Xie families, their family traditions were not entirely the same. The Wang family placed greater emphasis on Confucianism, while the Xie family’s descendants were more inclined to transcend worldly concerns, indulging in their emotions and disregarding propriety, and they revered the philosophical teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi. This led to the formation of a political interest group that complemented the Jin royal family yet existed outside of it, evolving into a conservative force that suppressed local gentry and newly risen commoners. Such a situation could not be altered even by influential figures like Xie An and Wang Tanzhi, and the Jin court was equally powerless. As the contradictions intensified, significant turmoil was inevitable. Therefore, the Southern Jin was likely not solely under the control of Fu Jian, although his days of prosperity were indeed numbered. It remains uncertain whether he hailed from the north or was a local hero emerging amidst the chaos.

The ship was filled with the personal guards of Hu Bin from Shouyang Town. Due to Liu Lao's repeated instructions, this matter must be kept in the utmost secrecy, with not a hint of information leaking out. The task was solely to escort one person to Yingkou, and regarding the purpose, even with Hu Bin's status as a prominent general on the front lines, he remained in the dark. What was most frustrating was that the minor officer Liu Yu sent was equally tight-lipped, refusing to reveal any clues, and the total number of words exchanged during their meeting was less than ten.

Huan Xuan said with great resentment: "Elder brother! Our Huan family must not make another mistake. Back in the day, father had already requested that Jin Zhi perform the 'Nine Proclamations' of abdication for him. If it were not for the persistent delays by Xie An, Wang Tan, and others, father would have long ascended the throne, and the world would no longer belong to the Sima family, but to our Huan family. I only regret that father passed away too soon, and elder brother has no interest in the throne. Now..." Huan Chong finally looked at him, his eyes shining with intensity, and shouted: "Shut up! What the Jin dynasty needs now is not internal strife but unity. We must fulfill our responsibilities, or we risk becoming slaves of a fallen nation. Get back to Yidu! If there is any mistake, do not blame me, Huan Chong, for disregarding brotherly affection. Get out immediately!"

The visitor turned out to be Qifu Guoren, a master whose reputation in the Xianbei tribe is second only to Murong Chui. Among the Five Barbarians that caused chaos in China, the Xianbei people had the most numerous tribes, each independently established and not under a single authority. The most powerful clans included Murong, Tuoba, Duan, Yuwen, Tufa, and Qifu, each named after their respective leaders.

Hu Bin said: "Once you enter the border wasteland, you will have to fight alone, as my men cannot be of any assistance. I truly do not understand the purpose of the military officer sending you to the border wasteland. The Han people there have all fled, and the Hu people kill any Han they encounter. Their methods are brutal, and if you are captured alive by them and reveal our secrets, it would be counterproductive."

Qifu Guoren relaxed his left hand, causing the two knives he was holding to fall to the ground with a clatter. In a tone that was unexpectedly gentle and melodious, he said: "The two parted ways here, one heading towards the direction of the remote gathering, discarding this pair of weapons along the way, while the other leaped across to the opposite bank, leaving shallow imprints on the muddy embankment, which were nearly washed away by the rain, likely heading south."

Huan Chong also sighed, seemingly in partial agreement with Huan Xuan's statement, and said with a bitter smile: "It is precisely because the great army is pressing in that we have no other choice. Xie An may not be as incompetent as you imagine, and Xie Xuan is indeed a brave general with both courage and strategy. Little brother! Do your best to help me secure Jingzhou, and for the rest, we can only rely on the fate of our great Jin."

The sound of torn garments echoed, startling the two individuals as they turned to the side. A shadow seemed to leap from the water's surface, rising over the left oar by several feet, and swiftly approached above them. The newcomer, clad in a wide gray robe, billowed in the river wind, resembling a bat with outstretched wings. A pair of eyes glimmered with a terrifying green flame, suggesting that the opponent's internal energy was unorthodox and bizarre.

Fu Rong coldly remarked: "Why do they not flee downstream, but instead choose to abandon their boat and disembark here?"

Qifu Guoren fell to the opposite bank and suddenly disappeared, vanishing into the depths of the forest

Huan Chong said in a deep voice: "If these two enemy forces were to unite and launch a direct attack on Jiankang, what do you think would be the consequences, my younger brother?"

It would be even more ideal to have a jar of snow stream fragrance

Juqu Mengxun said fiercely: "It must be that damned horse thief Tuoba Gui. He originally used dual halberds, and if he does not use halberds, he will switch to dual swords"

At the tip of the firewood flames, the juices dripped from the roasted leg of the wild wolf, causing the flames to flicker and crackle unpredictably

The warship slowly approached the right bank, while the Ying River surged in from the north, merging with the Huai River, and then flowing southward. The rainwater intensified the currents, causing the water to become turbulent and undulating, making the hull tremble slightly

Dangdang

Juqu Mengxun and Tubafu Wugou responded with a resounding agreement and departed upon receiving their orders

Liu Yu casually remarked: "The subordinates hold low positions and have limited knowledge of military affairs. Moreover, if they sense that the situation is unfavorable, they may choose to take their own lives first. General, please rest assured."

Hu Bin could not help but probe: "Liu Yu, are you familiar with the situation in the border regions?"

Bald and lonely, Wu Guwei was taken aback, while Ju Qu Mengxun nodded and said: "They must have secretly returned to the border wasteland to plot something sinister"

After two days of relentless travel, Yan Fei had already distanced himself from the border town and needed to stop and rest well, to satisfy his hunger. The Ying River flowed about half a mile away from him, and on the other side of the river lay the desolate ruins of Ruyin, situated between the border town and Yingkou. Although he still did not know how to face Xie Xuan, he had always been carefree, leaving troublesome matters to be resolved later in Shouyang. The most pressing issue at hand was to enjoy the delicious food he had hunted.

Huan Xuan indignantly said: "I am certainly aware of that, but with my elder brother guarding Jingzhou, Yangzhou is as stable as Mount Tai. I merely wish to serve the court with all my heart. Look! Xie An employs only his own family members; the commander is Xie Shi, and the vanguard generals are Xie Xuan and Xie Yan. In what way am I inferior to them? Since the age of sixteen, I have led troops against the enemy and achieved countless military merits. Now, with the army of Fu Qin pressing down, Xie An still acts according to his own whims, continuing to indulge in idle discussions. I acknowledge that Xie An is indeed a pillar of the court, but in military matters, he is as naive as a child. The generals on the front lines lack combat experience, and with the disparity in numbers, the consequences are easy to foresee; we will become slaves to a fallen nation!"