Chapter Seven, Brewing Wine at the Stockade at Night

Although Yan Fei in the water secretly rejoiced at the success of his clever plan, he was also shaken by the counterforce from the opponent, causing his entire body to be in turmoil. It is even more regrettable that, despite such a favorable situation, he still failed to eliminate the opponent. However, this was enough to make Qifu Guoren suffer, and for a period of time, he would not be able to pursue him again

Xie An did not answer him directly, but said: "From Wang Dao to me, Xie An, every time land distribution is implemented, it is essentially about seizing land and manpower from the hands of the gentry. Moreover, the Wang and Xie families are even more prominent among the gentry. Master, does this not seem very contradictory?"

After he became sensible, his mother always forced a smile, yet she had never truly been happy. Her love was entirely focused on him, while he continued to annoy her with his mischief. Now it is too late for regrets, and there is no way to make amends

Murong Wenzheng is one of the culprits responsible for the death of his own mother

Since leaving Shengle six years ago, to alleviate the severe blow caused by the death of his beloved mother, he devoted himself to the way of the sword, wandering the world alone with his sword, roaming freely, seeking out wise masters, and dedicating himself to the esoteric studies of alchemy. He aimed to expand the new realm of swordsmanship, eventually settling down in the borderland of Jian. After deep contemplation and refinement, on many clear nights with the bright moon hanging in the sky, he comprehended the principle of existence and non-existence, creating the grand method of the sun and moon illuminating the heavens. The sun and moon represent existence, while the sky represents non-existence; using existence to illuminate non-existence, the brightness returns to the sun and moon, while the darkness returns to the void, with the interplay of the real and the illusory. From this point, he began to glimpse the realm of the hall of swordsmanship.

A single sentence from Qifu Guoren stirred up his deep-seated concerns; it was not the fear of provoking the Murong Xianbei tribe's pursuit that troubled him, but rather the painful memories of his deceased mother that were awakened.

Zhi Xun listened in silence, not uttering a word

Qifu Guoren rushed to the eastern bank of the Ying River, where the long-flowing waters shimmered under the moonlight, sparkling and glistening. The shadows of the trees on the bank were cast upon the river, creating a contrast of reality and illusion, evoking a sense of doubt between the real and the surreal, yet the traces of the swallows in flight were nowhere to be seen

The Heavenly Eye Spirit hovered over a dense wild forest on the opposite bank, clearly still unable to grasp the location where Yan Fei was hiding. A branch as thick as a child's arm was drifting southward with the river water

Xie An entered the realm of music, where reality ceased to exist, and everything was purified by the music. The wind gently blew in from the west window, causing their garments to flutter continuously, resembling celestial beings. The sound of the zither was both clear and intense at times, and then suddenly melancholic and sorrowful. Regardless of its changes, it always managed to cleanse and refresh the heart, allowing one to completely forget the mundane world

Xie An set down his wine cup and, seemingly lost in thought, remarked: "The highest state is to forget emotions, the next is to allow emotions to flow freely, and the next is to be overly sentimental; what truly captivates the heart is precisely what we, as individuals, cherish. Just now, as I plucked the strings and played the zither, I suddenly recalled my own position, which gave rise to a sense of melancholy and sorrow."

However, he does not take it to heart. Since the passing of his mother, he no longer concerns himself with life and death. In this hopeless and chaotic world, death is merely the end of suffering. He does whatever his heart desires until the arrival of the end

Two years ago, he infiltrated the capital of the Former Qin, Chang'an, assassinated Murong Wen on the long street, and then withdrew unscathed

The root cause lies in the decline of aristocratic politics and the intrusion of the Hu tribes into the Central Plains. As the head of the gentry, I, Xie An, reflect on this and feel a myriad of emotions in my heart

He has never recovered from the blow of his mother's passing, and even the beauty of the sun and moon cannot help.

Once again pouring wine for himself, he continued: "From prosperity, one can see decline; from vitality, one can perceive death. The cycle of rise and fall, life and death, has always been this way. Why should you, Brother Xie, be overly concerned?"

Compared to the heavy responsibilities borne, the bloodshed within the fortress is utterly trivial

Xie An smiled calmly and said: "Why has Master Zhi Xun suddenly praised me, Xie An? I feel unworthy of such compliments. Since the Han and Jin dynasties, many distinguished figures have emerged; when has my name ever been counted among them? In my view, Master must have some other feelings, am I right?"

The establishment of the Jin dynasty led to the grand enfeoffment of the royal family, with royal princes dispatched to govern and command troops, sowing the seeds of the Eight Kings' Rebellion. Meanwhile, the prominent aristocratic families enjoyed privileges based on their ranks, allowing them to possess vast amounts of land and households while being exempt from state taxes and labor. The land reform was a crucial measure to reimpose restrictions on the privileges of the aristocratic families, and it was also a means to address the worsening issue of land usurpation by these families.

The dry branches shattered inch by inch, as a streak of blue light surged through the water, swiftly piercing the vital point beneath the waist of Qi Fu Guoren.

The monk shook his head and recited: "Externally unpretentious, internally refined like exquisite jade; like a hidden swan, brushing its wings against the clouds. Brother Xie, whether in seclusion or in office, carries himself with elegance; in seclusion, he is a distinguished gentleman, and in office, he remains a prominent statesman, leading a life of charm. Yet what I admire most is that Brother Xie, even in seclusion, does not forget his feelings for the world, and even in office, he does not forget his love for nature, truly deserving the title of the most charming figure throughout history."

Qifu Guoren set foot on the ground, immediately summoned the Heavenly Eye with a howl, and then slipped into the woods on the eastern bank

Zhi Xun, greatly astonished, inquired: "What do you mean by this?"

The moonlight gently splashed in through the broken window, and he could not help but recall a scene from his childhood. In the tent on the plain, the bright moon hung large and round in the sky, while his beautiful mother sat on a piece of felt outside the tent, making him new clothes and humming a lullaby of the grassland to lull him to sleep inside the tent

Seven years ago, the State of Fu was destroyed by the Qin of Fu, and his maternal grandfather, King Wen of the Dai, was captured and subsequently killed. He and his mother sought refuge with the tribe led by Tuoba Gui, which had split from the State of Fu, and although they were living under the protection of others, they managed to enjoy a somewhat peaceful life. Unfortunately, this good fortune did not last long. With the covert support of Fu Jian, Murong Wen launched a surprise attack on the Liu Kurun tribe, employing brutal methods to annihilate them. Liu Guangren was killed in battle, and his mother, Tuoba Yan, known as the "Xianbei Flying Swallow," was mortally wounded while protecting him and Tuoba Gui. After they fled to their relatives in the Helan tribe, Tuoba Yan endured for more than a month but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. They had enjoyed a somewhat peaceful life, but unfortunately, this good fortune did not last long. With the covert support of Fu Jian, Murong Wen launched a surprise attack on the Liu Kurun tribe, employing brutal methods to annihilate them. Liu Guangren was killed in battle, and his mother, Tuoba Yan, known as the "Xianbei Flying Swallow," was mortally wounded while protecting him and Tuoba Gui. After they fled to their relatives in the Helan tribe, Tuoba Yan endured for more than a month but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. He and Tuoba Gui became a pair of orphaned siblings, determined to seek revenge. Tuoba Gui was slightly better off, as he at least knew who his parents were, while he had no knowledge of who his Han father was. Tuoba Yan refused to reveal the secret until her death, and all those within the tribe who were aware of it perished one by one in the numerous wars.

When he sneaked into a shop that was likely a restaurant next to the main street in Northeast, crouching by a large west-facing window to look outside, the hundreds of soldiers from the Qin army were just entering the city, splitting into two groups, heading south along the street, without searching the premises.

The long sword plunged straight into the surface of the river, and Qifu Guoren let out a heart-rending scream that shook the heavens. His boots shattered, and blood splattered from the soles of his feet as he flipped three times in the air, being thrown back to the eastern bank.

Xie An said with a bitter smile: "It is precisely because I feel hopeless that I am filled with emotions. I am already aging, with little time left, and I can only place my hopes on my grandnephew. Just by observing how he organizes the Northern Army, I can tell that he is someone who dares to break conventions, disregarding the prejudices of lineage, and values talent above all. However, the current situation is clear: if we lose this battle, then everything is over. But if we win, the court will certainly suppress him in various ways, fearing that he may become another Huan Wen, threatening the imperial legacy of the Sima family. In such circumstances, it will not be easy for my grandnephew to maintain the family's status, let alone implement reforms in response to the current political situation. Alas! There is no hope left for the Great Jin."

Xie An calmly said: "The success or failure of this battle has been entrusted to the younger generation, and I, Xie An, will no longer concern myself with it. However, at this critical moment for the survival of the Great Jin, I find myself contemplating many things I had not considered before. When the path is exhausted, it must change; when things reach their extreme, they will inevitably reverse. This is the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, and no human power can hinder change." As he spoke the last sentence, a hint of bitterness and helplessness appeared at the corner of his lips.

At that time, he, who still carried his mother's surname, was unwilling to remain in the sorrowful place of his mother's passing. He changed his name to Yan Fei in memory of his deceased mother. Despite the strong opposition from Tuoba Gui, he resolutely embarked on a path of wandering, which continues to this day

As the toes touched the ground accurately, an unexpected change arose, and everything happened so quickly that even Qi Fu Guoren's ability to adapt was caught off guard, resulting in complete chaos in the ranks

Brother Xie is able to conduct a profound reflection on himself and his circumstances, which gives hope to the Great Jin

His internal martial arts techniques were developed based on the teachings imparted by his mother, combined with his own rigorous practice and innovation

The gentle and affectionate singing of his mother still seems to linger in his ears at this moment, and his tears uncontrollably fill his eyes. Since his death, he has never cried; tonight, stirred by the thoughts evoked by Qi Fu Guoren and moved by the scenery, he can no longer suppress the deep sorrow hidden in his heart

Xie An suddenly raised his hand to play the qin, and the clear notes flowed like water, singing: "It is not easy to serve you, and it is particularly difficult to be a good minister. Loyalty and faithfulness are not evident in service, thus there are suspicions and troubles..." The low, hoarse voice was filled with a sorrowful song of concern for the country and lament for the times, spreading far and wide.

Liu Yu emerged from the jungle path, and a dark little castle appeared before him under the bright moon. He did not find it strange; castles of this kind are scattered throughout the areas north of the Huai River, unique products of the era. However, the fortress before him had clearly been abandoned for a long time, with vines and weeds overgrowing, the outer walls crumbling, and not a single light to be seen. The entrance had turned into a black hole without any doors.

Zhi Xun understood clearly

His most brilliant move was to first borrow a tree branch to cross the river, then slip into the dense forest, provoking the heavenly eye to pursue into the thicket, and then secretly submerge back into the water, lying in ambush for the formidable opponent who sought convenience.

Qifu Guoren is recognized by his sword and swordsmanship. The truth cannot be concealed forever. If he survives this time, he will still have to deal with the revenge of the Murong Xianbei tribe, one of the greatest powers in the north.

In the Southern Jin capital of Jiankang, within the Four Seasons Garden of the Xie residence in Wuyi Lane, Xie An sat on the ground near the east window, playing the five-string guqin. The moonlight bathed the garden, and no lamps were lit in the pavilion; only the flickering flames of a small charcoal stove provided light. Not far from Xie An, a graceful and ethereal monk in white was leisurely fanning the fire to brew wine, exuding an air of tranquility and contentment.

Under the pale yellow moonlight, the birds startled and flew away, dust rising, and the torchlight flickering. He was a professional scout, and at a glance, he could tell that there were about several hundred coming, likely the vanguard of Fu Jian's army, heading towards the Huai River to prepare for the crossing, while also tasked with clearing obstacles along the way. He understood that such a force would not be a single group, but rather divided into multiple routes, advancing along the Ying River, enveloping the entire Ying River area. If he disregarded everything and headed north, he might evade the main enemy force, but there was a significant chance of encountering their scouts. Weighing the pros and cons, he had no choice but to hide within the city, waiting for the enemy to pass before continuing north. He was well aware that such a force would not be a single group, but rather divided into multiple routes, advancing along the Ying River, enveloping the entire Ying River area. If he disregarded everything and headed north, he might evade the main enemy force, but there was a significant chance of encountering their scouts. Weighing the pros and cons, he had no choice but to hide within the city, waiting for the enemy to pass before continuing north, especially since there were only about two hours until dawn, making it even more difficult to conceal his tracks after daybreak.

The destruction suffered by Ruyin City far exceeds that of the border settlements. The city walls are nearly non-existent, and more than half of the houses have been reduced to ashes. Only a few hundred shops and residences along the north-south main street remain largely intact, yet they too are in a state of desolation, with broken doors and collapsed windows, overgrown with wild grass.

Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated. He swiftly moved his body, heading east at full speed along the southern wall, then turned north towards the eastern wall. This was precisely where his cleverness lay; whenever an incident occurred, he could easily hide within the ruins, making it much more convenient to either strike or flee.

As he was about to cross the northeast corner of the Ru Yin abandoned city, the sound of hooves suddenly grew louder ahead. Liu Yu felt a sense of luck and hurriedly leaped onto a broken wall to his left, looking north from a height of approximately three zhang.

Liu Yu was extremely bold, lying in front of the window to closely observe the enemy's military appearance. He understood that scouts had already entered the city and thoroughly searched, thus this troop confidently entered the city without fear of ambush.

The sound of the zither abruptly ceases, yet it seems to linger on, still resonating around the beams of the pavilion

He could even clearly see in the light of the torch that the enemies all wore weary expressions, revealing the hardships of their relentless and long journey. Just as he was engrossed in this sight, a faint sound reached his ears from behind.

Liu Yu gazed into the dimly lit, eerie long street under the moonlight from the south, with the Ying River flowing outside to the right. A sense of impending danger surged within him, uncertain whether it was due to the shadow of the treacherous sorcerers or based on a soldier's keen intuition

This incident shook the North and also stirred up the overwhelming hatred of the Murong Xianbei. At that time, Murong Wen's younger brother, Murong Chong, and Murong Yong had mobilized all their strength to pursue him. Fortunately, he was well-versed in the arts of stealth and concealment, and ultimately escaped to the border wasteland, settling in Jian'an at the border, thus ending years of wandering and seeking revenge

Liu Yu had no impulse to enter the fortress and investigate the roots, nor did he wish to encounter the gray-robed sorcerer from the Taiping Sect. He merely glanced back and left at full speed, heading straight for Ruyin

Liu Yu was taken aback, and when he turned his head to look, he was instantly stunned.

Zhi Xun poured hot wine for Xie An and said: "You speak so elegantly. However, I am well aware that since the rise of Fu Jian, you have been preparing to face a decisive battle like this one. Not only have you conducted land surveys and reclaimed a large amount of land from the powerful families, but you have also recruited a significant number of able-bodied men to establish the Northern Army. Yet, you have always adhered to the principles of Huang-Lao governance, maintaining tranquility and not disturbing the people. Thus, it may seem that a skilled warrior has no remarkable achievements, but in reality, you have maintained peace and stability, strategized for the long term, and focused on the broader picture rather than minor details, imparting silent teachings to those below you. Your great skill appears clumsy; how can it be said that you have done nothing?"

Qifu Guoren let out a fierce shout, unleashing his ultimate skills, which were also a desperate measure for survival. He exerted himself to lift his right foot, which had been pressing down, and instead, he forcefully stepped onto the tip of the sword with his left foot, concentrating all his internal energy at the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of his foot

In a decisive moment, he chose to abandon entering the city and instead opted to bypass the southeastern corner of the ruins, continuing north along the Ying River. With the Ying River as his guide, even in the dark of night with strong winds, he would not lose his way. He initially intended to enter the city to search for the Han people who had escaped from the border wasteland, but upon witnessing the scene within the city, he realized that even if there were refugees hiding inside, it would require considerable effort to find them. Coupled with his fear of the Taiping cult, he decided that it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble and resolved not to enter the city.

Since the Yongjia Rebellion, the walled fort has become a refuge for the common people ravaged by war. Villagers or those sharing the same surname would cluster together, forming an armed self-defense unit protected by high walls, achieving self-sufficiency. Larger castles housed thousands of households, with their smoke rising in close proximity, living side by side within the fort. The building before us is a small fort, equipped with a watchtower and battlements on the walls, originally accommodating over a hundred households. However, that was a long time ago; now it stands empty, silently lamenting the suffering inflicted upon it by fate. The building before us is a small fort, equipped with a watchtower and battlements on the walls, originally accommodating over a hundred households. However, that was a long time ago; now it stands empty, silently lamenting the suffering inflicted upon it by fate.

Xie An raised his cup to invite a drink, and the two of them drank in one breath.

Since the fall of the Han dynasty, Xuanxue has emerged as a philosophical trend that centers around the "Three Classics" of Laozi, Zhuangzi, and the Book of Changes, integrating Confucian teachings to replace the intricate scholarship of the Han era. Its core concept revolves around the existence and non-existence of fundamental principles. In the context of martial arts, this has manifested into two major schools of thought: "All things in heaven and earth are based on non-existence" and "What is born must embody existence." Yan Fei has uniquely synthesized these two systems, creating an unprecedented martial philosophy. Although still in its nascent stage, its potential for development is limitless. It is precisely this potential for growth that makes him aware that Qifu Guoren will never let him go.

Qifu Guoren let out a cold laugh in his heart, knowing that Yan Fei would definitely throw himself onto the wooden bridge, then use the momentum to cross the nearly 6 zhang wide river, and subsequently hide in the dense forest to evade the keen eyes of the sky. With this thought in mind, there was no hesitation; he soared into the air like a large bird, aiming for the broken branch, perfectly calculating both the distance and the speed of the branch's floating.

Liu Yu let out a sigh, leaping towards the west of the broken wall, rushing towards the row of houses along the main street to the northeast, while observing the layout of the houses, silently committing it to memory, and determining his path of advance and retreat

Zhi Xun nodded and said: "Listening to Brother Xie’s琴音, one can discern that beneath Brother Xie’s carefree and relaxed exterior lies a profound sentiment, subtly imbued with sorrow over the prolonged internal strife and external threats, especially evident in tonight’s琴声. I wonder if you are indeed concerned about the impending great battle?" As he spoke, he lifted the kettle from the stove with one hand and picked up two wine cups from beside the stove with the other, and then he naturally sat down opposite Xie An.

Yan Fei was awakened from a profound state of tranquil meditation, where there was neither self nor other, and everything was void, by the sound of hooves entering the city. The various injuries within his body had healed without the need for medicine

Boom

Liu Yu suddenly quickened his pace and darted to the entrance of the fort. Peering in, he scanned the area and saw three individuals lying dead in succession on the main street leading out, each spaced about ten feet apart as if arranged by someone. The corpse closest to him clearly showed that its skull had been brutally crushed, a display of such claw strength that it was truly horrifying

Xie An said in a deep voice: "In the late Eastern Han period, there were successively the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Dong Zhuo Rebellion. Numerous heroes rose up across the land, engaging in mutual attacks, and the wars continued for years. Even to this day, they have not ceased. Over the course of two hundred years, only my Great Jin achieved a brief period of unification, lasting merely thirty-eight years. The Central Plains have long been in a state of division and fragmentation. The War of the Eight Kings certainly caused severe damage to the Great Jin, but compared to the subsequent chaos instigated by the various internal and migrating barbarian tribes, it is still not considered a significant matter. This has led to the plight of the common people, with the Central Plains in desolation, a thousand miles without smoke, suffering from hunger and cold, with ravines filled and the people unable to survive. Since the opening of heaven and earth, as recorded in books, such extreme chaos has never been seen before."

Yan Fei climbed up the west bank, took a deep breath, and hurried towards the direction of Ru Yin without daring to linger. His internal injuries were quite severe, and he needed to find a hidden place to evade the surveillance of the heavenly eye and recuperate. After recovering, he planned to return to Bianhuangji, and there was no place more ideal than an abandoned castle.