Chapter 6, Dream Lover

Han Huaichu thought, "In this bleak autumn night, how could anyone play this piece? Could it be that this person compares himself to Nie Zheng, harboring deep-seated hatred?"

Zhang Liang then arrived at the reception hall and called for a servant to bring in the guests

***

Xiapicheng is located in present-day Suining, Jiangsu Province, and has been a strategically contested area since ancient times. During the Three Kingdoms period, the legendary hero Lü Bu suffered defeat at Xiapicheng and met his demise at Baimen Tower. In the Qin and Han dynasties, Xiapicheng was exceptionally prosperous, owing to its advantageous geographical position. To the south, it is bordered by the Si River, while the Yishui and Wushui rivers flow from the north, encircling the city and converging with the Si River. This not only provides convenient water resources but also benefits irrigation and fishing. The soil is fertile, and the area is rich in resources.

He lay on the couch, lost in thought, "The Zhang Liang I met today, we hardly exchanged a few words. Tomorrow I must take my leave; I need to have a few words with him, lest I miss this opportunity."

The young master of my family is named Liang.

The one who has arrived is the male protagonist Han Huaichu. Xieping is not far from Huaiyin; after traveling for several days, he appears somewhat travel-worn.

Han Huaichu casually remarked: "This was something I purchased in the market. I do not play it well, and I hope it does not cause you to laugh, Miss."

Han Huaichu met Zhang Liang and handed over a letter. Zhang Liang opened it and said, "So it is a letter from Lady Han Fei. Thank you, young sir, for your trouble. Please rest here for a day." He exchanged a few pleasantries with Han Huaichu, instructed the servants to prepare wine to entertain him, and arranged for Han Huaichu to rest in the guest room

***

Han Huai and Chu Sui walked into that garden

The sound of the zither suddenly transforms, becoming impassioned. The silver bottle shatters, and water splashes forth; iron cavalry emerges, with the clashing of swords and spears. It is as if a swordsman, in a fit of rage, charges forth, wielding the momentum of a white rainbow piercing the sun, staining seven feet with blood

Han Huai-Chu sat upright before the guqin, plucking the strings, singing as he played, and sang: "When will the spring flowers and autumn moon come to an end, how much do the past events know? The east wind blew again last night at the small building, the homeland is unbearable to recall under the bright moon. The carved balustrades and jade steps should still be there, only the rosy faces have changed. I ask you, how much sorrow can you have, just like a river of spring water flowing eastward."

Han Huaichu had seen her in his dreams, and how often had she not encountered Han Huaichu in her dreams as well

Zhang Ying poured wine for Xiang Chanzhen. Several people were seated around the table, expressing their sentiments, when a servant approached to report: "Young Master, there is a young gentleman outside who claims to have a letter from a friend of the Madam to deliver to her." Upon hearing this, Zhang Ying remarked in surprise: "My mother has been deceased for many years; I wonder which friend it could be?" Zhang Liang said: "Everyone, please stay here for a moment; I will go take a look."

The young girl let out a soft "oh," her enchanting gaze fixed on Han Huaichu. Although her face appeared nonchalant, her heart was in turmoil, experiencing an overwhelming surge of emotions.

The sound of the zither flows smoothly, the thick strings clamor like a sudden downpour, while the thin strings whisper softly like private conversations. The clamor and whispers intertwine as they are played, like large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate. The distant calls of orioles glide beneath the flowers, while the murmuring springs flow beneath the ice, difficult to hear. The icy springs are cold and harsh, the strings are frozen and silent, momentarily ceasing their sound. A different kind of deep sorrow and hidden resentment arises, at this moment, silence speaks louder than sound.

Han Huai and Chu had just seen Zhang Liang and had not yet inquired about his name. At this moment, he asked the servant, "May I ask how your young master is addressed?"

Indeed, it is a wealthy family; every servant here is courteous and well-mannered. Han Huaichu silently praised.

Thinking of how I have only recently begun learning the guqin and my techniques are still rather unrefined, how could I dare to show off in front of that young lady? Han Huaichu hesitated for a moment.

Han Huaichu pondered for a moment, made up his mind, and walked straight to the guqin, saying: "In that case, I shall embarrass myself." The young girl stood up to offer her seat, and as she looked up, she happened to see Han Huaichu's handsome face, instantly a flush of crimson crossed her delicate features

The young lady is none other than Zhang Ying, the eldest daughter of the Yu Yan Mountain Villa, and the sister of the young master Zhang Liang. Due to national grievances and family hatred, she has been determined since childhood to restore the great Han and rebuild the homeland. She often compares herself to Nie Zheng, wholeheartedly waiting for the opportunity to assassinate Qin Shi Huang

This is "Yu Mei Ren" written by Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang dynasty, with the melody composed by modern individuals. Han Huaichu, in order to elicit a smile from a young lady, had no choice but to present it.

"How can such a wonderful melody be found in this place?" The young girl, upon hearing this, was both intrigued and skeptical

Seated in that pavilion was the eldest son of King Dao of Han, named Cheng, who was in exile here. The young man was Zhang Liang, the son of Zhang Ping, the Chancellor of Han, and the young woman was his sister, named Zhang Yan. The Zhang family was a prominent clan of Han; their grandfather, Zhang Kai, had served as Chancellor under King Zhao of Han, King Xuan of Han, and King Xiang of Han. His father, Zhang Ping, had also held the position of Chancellor under King Li of Han and King Dao of Han. After the fall of Han to the Qin state, the Zhang family fled to the Chu region, settling in Xiàopí. Fortunately, their family was well-off, and they established a villa here, named Yuyan.

Han Huaichu was drawn by the sound of the zither, and could not help but stand up, pushing open the door to seek out the source of the music

Han Huaichu then rose and offered the qin table to Zhang Yan

The sound of the zither is melodious and haunting, while the singing is tender and lingering. Although Han Huai and Chu are slightly out of tune, the lyrics and the artistic conception have deeply moved the young girl beside them

Your young master is truly generous. I merely delivered a letter as a matter of convenience; how could your young master bestow such lavish gifts upon me

Xiang Chan bowed and said: "Thank you, Miss Yan."

Just as the two were immersed in the sound of the piano, a sudden shriek echoed through the night sky. To their astonishment, the sky not far away had turned red, illuminated by the flames. The sounds of horses neighing mixed with the clanging of metal.

The young master of my family is renowned for his generosity far and wide; it is nothing remarkable that a young gentleman has come from afar to deliver a message.

Before me sat a beautiful young girl with a delicate nose and jade-like eyes, gracefully positioned behind a wooden table. On the table rested a colorful seven-string guqin. As the autumn breeze swept by, the hem of the young girl's skirt fluttered, resembling a celestial fairy.

A servant led Han Huaichu to a side hall. The servant said, "Young Master, please wait a moment while I go instruct the kitchen to prepare the dishes. Once the wine is warmed and the food is ready, I will bring it to you to refresh yourself." Han Huaichu responded with a brief "mm" and sat quietly in anticipation. The servant then left.

The young girl said softly: "So it turns out to be the messenger of Lady Han Fei, my apologies, my apologies. I just heard Young Master Han sing, the melody was elegant and seemed to be in harmony. May I kindly request you to play a piece, Young Master?"

This was the young woman he had seen in his dreams countless times before traversing time and space. He never expected to meet her here and now! Upon seeing the woman, Han Huaichu's heart suddenly raced, pounding wildly.

Han Huai and Chu traveled through mountains and rivers for several consecutive days, feeling somewhat fatigued. After cleaning up, they collapsed onto the bed in the guest room and fell asleep.

The young girl, with an expressionless demeanor, took the beautiful goblet, filled it, and handed it to the man. She slightly parted her crimson lips and comforted him, saying: "Young Master Cheng need not be anxious. Rest assured and wait; the right opportunity will surely present itself."

By the banks of the brook stands an octagonal pavilion, where several crows perch, incessantly cawing in a manner that is quite bothersome. A few sturdy cypress trees surround the pavilion, their leaves having fallen, adding to the sense of desolation.

Zhang Ying Shishi sat down, gracefully raised her slender hand, and touched the strings of the zither, beginning to sing Han Huai Chu's "Yu Mei Ren". When she reached the line "The homeland is unbearable to recall under the bright moon", tears involuntarily streamed down her face, as if the tragic scene of a broken nation and lost home vividly appeared before her eyes

The man exclaimed, "Wait! Wait! How much longer must we wait? Our great land of Han has been under the tyranny of the Qin for over ten years. My father, the king, was exiled and confined in Qin, dying of grief and anger. When will we be able to avenge our national grievances and family resentments? Zhang Liang, tell me, what plans do you have to restore our country?"

The sound of the zither emanated from a small garden. Han Huaichu arrived here and paused at the entrance of the garden, listening intently to the zither's melody

Before long, a maid entered the hall holding a basket. Inside the basket were a fresh fish, a plate of beef, a pot of wine, a bowl of bone soup, a bowl of rice, and a set of knives and forks along with chopsticks. The maid placed the food and drink on the table and said, "Young master, please enjoy your meal at your leisure," before turning to leave.

Opposite the stone table sat a pair of young men and women. The girl, at the age of eighteen, was beautiful and charming, dressed in a long emerald green gown. The boy, still young, was handsome yet resolute, with a precious long sword at his waist

In the late autumn, a cold wind began to blow mournfully along both banks of the stream. The clear river water stirred into countless delicate ripples, resembling the marks left by time on a loving mother's forehead

He collected his thoughts and, bowing, said: "I am Han Xin, here to deliver a message from Lady Han Fei. Upon hearing the beautiful sound of the guqin, I could not help but be drawn here. If I have been presumptuous, I hope the young lady will forgive me"

Han Huaichu originally understood music theory and played the guitar exceptionally well. In university, he was a core member of the department's band, captivating many female fans. Upon arriving in the Qin Dynasty, he also learned the guqin from Lady Han. At this moment, he recognized that the piece being played on the guqin was the ancient famous tune "Guangling San." The piece narrates the story of Nie Zheng, the son of a swordsmith during the Warring States period, who, in order to avenge his father's murder, assassinated Han Kui, bravely facing death.

After listening carefully, Zhang Ying said, "I have memorized it. Young Master Han, please see if I played it incorrectly"

Upon first seeing that young man, apart from his handsome appearance, there seemed to be no remarkable qualities. To their surprise, that young man turned out to be Zhang Liang, leaving Han Huai and Chu utterly astonished

However, given the current situation, it would be impossible for me not to showcase my skills.

In the center of the small pavilion sat a man, approximately thirty years old, dressed in luxurious and elegant attire. His skin was fair, and he bore a slightly prosperous demeanor, with a hint of despondency and helplessness in his expression. One hand was playing with a beautiful goblet made of white jade. The goblet was crystal clear and of considerable value

The young girl clapped her hands in delight: "What a wonderful line, 'The homeland is unbearable to recall under the bright moon!' Where did the young master come by such a beautiful phrase? Such a marvelous tune?"

After finishing the meal, the servant returned and led Han Huaichu to the guest room. The room was spotless and immaculate, with freshly changed bedding. In front of the bed was a bucket of warm water and a towel for personal washing. In addition, there was a set of cotton undergarments and a silk robe laid out on the bed

When Han Huaichu saw the young girl, a sense of familiarity arose in his heart, as if he had seen her somewhere before, yet he could not recall where.

A cough echoed in the long corridor outside the pavilion, and a middle-aged man approached. He had a dark complexion, was tall in stature, and his face was weathered. The middle-aged man sighed, saying: "You of the Great Han wish to restore your nation; how can we of the State of Chu not desire the same? Though Chu has but three households, the fall of Qin must be at the hands of Chu. Alas, the power of the ruthless Qin is great, and their laws are severe; for the time being, no one dares to act rashly. What a pity!"

Han Huai and Chu secretly admired: "If she were to play this piece, it would transform the mundane into the extraordinary, far surpassing my own abilities."

This is a gift from the young master of my family to the young gentleman

In the midst of a deep sleep, a faint sound of a zither suddenly reached my ears. The music was sorrowful, mournful, and filled with a poignant sense of longing, possessing a power that could touch the very depths of one's heart

Suddenly recalled, it turned out to be in a dream

A winding stream, resembling a jade belt, gracefully lies across the lush, towering mountains. Countless withered yellow leaves float on the crystal-clear water, which is transparent to the bottom. The solitary drifting yellow leaves seem like wanderers roaming the world, lonely and desolate

The young girl said softly: "Young Master Han can be considered my confidant. That tyrant, the feeble ruler, has led our nation to ruin and our families to destruction. I only wish to transform into a man, to learn from the righteous hero Nie Zheng, wielding a three-foot sword, piercing the sun with a long rainbow, drinking the blood of that feeble ruler, to console my shattered mountains and rivers."

The sound of the zither suddenly ceased, and a woman's voice came from within the garden: "Who is it outside? Please come in."

Today, while playing "Guangling San" in the garden, I inadvertently revealed my innermost thoughts, which unfortunately were overheard by Han Huaichu, who had come to deliver a letter.

If what is recorded in the historical texts is true, then Zhang Liang would be the chief military strategist under Liu Bang, while Han Huai Chu himself would be the Grand General of Han and the overall commander of the three armies. They are all comrades in the same trench as Liu Bang, and sooner or later, they will have to interact. Han Huai Chu wishes to get to know him, but he is uncertain whether someone of Zhang Liang's status, as a prominent young master, would regard him with esteem given his current position.

Han Huaichu was stirred by the sound of the qin, his heart surging, and he could not help but sing in response from outside the garden: "Last night, the cold cicadas incessantly chirped, startling me from a thousand-mile dream, it is already the third watch. I rise alone and walk around the steps, quietly, the moon outside the curtain is dimly bright. For the sake of fame and fortune, the old pines and bamboos of my hometown have aged, obstructing my way home. I wish to entrust my thoughts to the jade qin, but there are few who understand me, and when the strings break, who will listen?"

Zhang Liang, like Han Xin, is also a renowned figure among the renowned. As the Imperial Teacher of his generation, the Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang skillfully strategized and assisted Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang in establishing the great Han dynasty. His deeds are known to all in later generations

After pondering for a while, I fell into a deep sleep

The youth known as Zhang Liang hesitated for a moment, sighed deeply, and said: "We can only wait for the day when changes occur in the world before we can seize the opportunity to raise an army"

***

The man suddenly extended his hand, striking the stone table with a loud "bang," and shouted, "When will this cursed day come to an end!" Although the fine wine was rich, it seemed unable to dispel the melancholy in the man's heart, as the exquisite wine spilled over, soaking the entire table.

Zhang Yan has only heard it twice, yet he can play it effortlessly, and the melody is precise, without any off-key notes

An old servant resembling a houseboy squatted in front of a charcoal stove, holding a thin fan, intently fanning the flames. On the stove was a small tripod, atop which sat a copper bowl containing warm wine, filled with a beautiful amber-colored liquor.

Han Huaichu recalled the piece the young lady had just played and inquired, "Miss, in the 'Guangling San' you just performed, I faintly heard the sound of slaughter. May I ask what is on your mind?"

"No way, could that young man be Zhang Liang? Am I encountering a celebrity again?" Han Huaichu, upon hearing that the young man's name was Zhang Liang, displayed a look of astonishment.

Xiang Chan was the illegitimate son of Xiang Yan, a great general of the Chu state. After Xiang Yan was defeated by Wang Jian and committed suicide, the members of the Xiang family were also pursued and killed by the Qin army. Xiang Chan fled and sought refuge in Xia Pi, where he was taken in and hidden by Zhang Liang.

Then Zhang Ying expressed her intentions and earnestly requested, "Young Master Han, could you play that piece once more?" Han Huaichu did not hesitate and played "The Beauty of Yu" again.

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The young girl said: "It turns out that Mr. Chan has arrived, Zhang Zhong, please prepare a few for Mr. Chan."