Chapter 2: The Red Plum Pavilion

Han Wei then fell asleep again. In his dream, Li Huiniang from "The Red Plum Pavilion" appeared once more. This time, she stood in the middle of the Yellow Dragon River, gracefully walking on the water, gazing at Han Wei with a tender smile. Her pure white sleeves danced in the sky, and plum blossoms fell like snow all around.

In the glade, as the gusts pass, petals fall like snow, and a refreshing energy arises within the heart and mind

A melodious voice of Peking opera echoed from the pavilion: "A gentle breeze sways, bringing forth the spirit of a soul that perished."

Come in!" The deep voice of the elder brother.

Thus, Han Wei is very afraid of his elder brother, as the elder brother is applying this theory to deal with him, the younger brother, intending to cultivate him into the "Jewel Among Men" of the Yang family

The figure slowly turned around, revealing a pale face

The elder brother often says: "The descendants of the Yang family are all trained to become useful individuals."

Han Wei, supported by Hu Bo, reluctantly sat up and murmured, "Is it already dawn so soon?"

Han Wei noticed his elder brother looking at him with a gaze that seemed to carry the surprise of having not seen each other for three days, prompting Han Wei to introduce with even greater pride: "It now appears that the cause of death for the female corpse may be a crime of passion, revenge, or silencing, rather than robbery, as all the gold ornaments on the corpse are intact; as for who created the military secrets depicted in the plum blossom diagram, it can only be a few parties: the Red Bandits, the Japanese, and... and..."

"Are you going to call your elder brother this afternoon for something?" Han Chen asked casually

You should be more composed; being so careless, where is the demeanor of a young master? The elder brother could not help but reprimand him for his lively and restless nature

Han Wei's heart gradually grew cold, and his expression also darkened

Xiao Heizi rushed in upon hearing the sound and anxiously asked: "Young master, what happened?"

Young Master Hanwei, in deep slumber, looks like a big boy, cuddling a tiger-head pillow, lying bare-skinned on his side, soundly asleep under the quilt. His exquisite features resemble those of his beautiful mother, who was bought at a high price from Suzhou by the old master, known as the 'most beautiful woman in Jiangnan'.

The sight of the naked female corpse in the photograph left Han Chen utterly stunned. Suddenly, he looked up, and his gaze, sharp as a cold sword, shot towards Han Wei

From the moment he was born, my elder brother had the word "outstanding" inscribed on his forehead. At just five years old, he accompanied our father in the military. By the age of ten, he could hit the target with every shot. At twelve, he cleverly captured the White Wolf bandit, who had disguised himself to attack the Yang family, earning him a reputation in the army. At fourteen, our father falsely reported his age, allowing him to enter the Military Academy. When he graduated at sixteen, he astonishingly outperformed all his older classmates with top marks, winning the rare and highest honor awarded to outstanding graduates of the Southwest Military Academy—the "Military Spirit Cold Sword." Until our father's passing, Han Wei heard everyone describe my elder brother as "rigorous in style" and "meticulous."

Thinking of this, Han Wei could not contain his excitement. If this female corpse was indeed of such great significance, then if he were to solve this case and capture the spy behind it, it would be a remarkable achievement. Perhaps his elder brother would regard him, this younger brother, with new eyes.

A sharp reprimand from Hu Bo seemed to awaken Han Wei from his drowsiness. Rubbing his eyes, Han Wei stood outside his elder brother's study.

Huber pushed him and said: "It is the master who called you to the study"

Butler Hu Bo turned on the wall lamp in the Hanwei bedroom, and the dark room was illuminated with a dim yellow light

Sister, who are you? What do you want to tell Hanwei? Hanwei opened his mouth to shout at the woman in the center of the river, but no sound came out. Just as he was feeling anxious, he heard someone calling: "Young master, young master, wake up, young master."

Dragging his long tongue, Han Wei was startled and sat up with a loud "Ah!", drenched in cold sweat

Han Wei observed his elder brother silently toying with the pen in his hand, his serious expression already indicating his surprise and concern regarding the matter. He feared that his elder brother could not have imagined that he would handle this matter with such meticulousness.

Han Wei pondered: How strange. Just the day before yesterday, I watched "The Red Plum Pavilion" and lamented the beauty of the young woman Li Huiniang, who was killed by the treacherous Prime Minister Jia Sidao during the Southern Song Dynasty, marveling at her chivalry. Li Huiniang transformed into a vengeful spirit to return to the Jia family's Red Plum Pavilion to save her lover and seek revenge on Jia Sidao. How is it that just two days after watching this play, a female corpse with a plum blossom tattoo was discovered in the Huanglong River? What is this dream trying to tell me?

Thus, everything in life is systematically arranged by my elder brother, ... reporting a few years younger to enlist in the military, attending military training and studies, researching military texts and strategies, reviewing high school courses, practicing calligraphy, learning the piano, and studying English

Damn it, it must be that I was enchanted by the performance of "The Red Plum Pavilion" by the Dexin Society at the Golden Toad Grand Stage the day before yesterday

Heizi shook his head, seemingly just as disappointed as him, equally eager to reveal this astonishing secret discovered by the banks of the Huanglong River

All of this was achieved under the strict discipline of my father

Elder brother, what instructions do you have for Hanwei?

The woman in white danced faster and faster with her flowing sleeves. In the pavilion, a reclining figure was obscured by the railing, but when she rose again, she was clad in white gauze, fluttering in the wind, standing with her back to Han Wei. Han Wei stared intently at the woman, while she slowly shook off the gauze that covered her body to the rhythm of the Peking opera drums, revealing a back adorned with vibrant and dazzling plum blossom patterns.

The female ghost Li Huiniang in the play is dressed exactly like the female ghost in his dreams

"Come and sit down," the elder brother said, while placing a mountain-like pile of documents in front of Han Wei.

Brother, who could have sent spies to draw up the military deployment map of Longcheng? Today, I was still guessing. If we say that the Japanese spies are the most numerous and capable, their influence is in the Northeast; what use would they have for the military deployment map of Longcheng? The Central Army suffered a great defeat while eliminating the Red Bandits in the Luanzhou ravine outside Longcheng. Could it be that the Red Bandits are coveting the territory of Longcheng? It shouldn't be Premier He from the Xijing side, as his niece is already placed beside you as a key secretary. Would he need to go through such trouble to obtain a map?

I initially thought that this case was handled flawlessly and without any flaws, expecting my elder brother to offer some praise. However, I was taken aback when he suddenly changed his tone, his expression darkening as he instructed: "Weir, the matter of solving the case is to be handled by the police department. You must quickly hand over this case and refrain from further involvement. Your only task at hand is to graduate with excellent results from the military academy, for that is your battlefield."

Han Wei felt a deep sense of reverence for his elder brother, the young clan leader.

However, the good times were short-lived. Ever since the old master passed away a few years ago, the eldest young master Yang Hancheng took over the military and political power of Longcheng, becoming the head of the Yang family. The younger master Hanwei began to face hardships. In the face of his strict elder brother and the family rules, Hanwei's skills of acting spoiled and his eloquence seemed to have no room for expression.

"Xi Jing!" Han Wei exclaimed.

This time, during the military academy's holiday of over ten days, upon returning home, I will also be summoned by my elder brother to serve as a confidential secretary to transcribe documents, just like at this moment

Han Wei wanted to yawn but held it back, secretly lamenting that today's beautiful dream was not to be expected. Only two words came to mind: "Suffering---oh---"

"Elder brother, what are you thinking about?" Han Wei muttered, "This is the spy discovered this morning at the bluestone beach. The tattoo on the back of the corpse actually conceals the military deployment map of Longcheng. Elder brother, take a look..."

Reading books, what is the use of being a bookworm who only reads books?

Han Wei, with a curious glance, noticed a white-clad woman dancing gracefully in the pavilion adorned with the plaque inscribed with the words "Red Plum Pavilion." Her flowing sleeves, resembling clouds, swayed as she sang and recited amidst the elegant surroundings.

Han Wei pouted, his face showing displeasure, feeling resentful inside. The achievements of a busy day were casually dismissed by his elder brother with a single remark, which felt exceedingly unfair

Han Wei picked out a clear photograph, pointing to a pattern of plum blossoms that were competing in beauty and splendor. He handed the magnifying glass to his elder brother Han Chen: "Here, the branches represent the course of the Huanglong River, here is the bluestone beach, here is the 168th Brigade by the mountains, and here is Han Wei's regiment headquarters. Each flower symbolizes the distribution of the stationed troops. I have racked my brains to decipher the hidden meaning and have verified several locations. Elder brother, there are spies in Longcheng."

Ah? Han Wei let out a long, drawn-out sigh, and with a "bang," he fell back onto the pillow.

Han Wei's eyes lit up, unable to contain his excitement, and his eagerness to show off made him say only, "Elder brother, please wait a moment." He hurriedly ran out of the study and soon returned with a file, mysteriously spreading a stack of black-and-white large photographs on his elder brother's desk.

Han Wei gently pushed the door open and closed it behind him.

When Han Wei sleeps, there must be no sound around him, nor a trace of light. The thick crimson velvet curtains cover the window tightly throughout the year.

With a radiant smile, Han Wei proudly declared: "My younger brother has already sealed off the information; only Inspector Zheng from the police station is aware of the secrets behind the military and *map* book defenses hidden in the corpse's tattoos. We have been misleading everyone, claiming it to be a crime of passion, and we have conveyed the same to the reporters."

Compared to the three northeastern provinces and the key areas of Beijing and Tianjin, Longcheng is naturally insignificant. However, when it comes to the neighboring towns of Longcheng... Yang Hancheng spoke in a deliberate manner, carefully examining a series of photographs of female corpses in his hands.

The elder brother spoke with remarkable insight, noting that Longcheng is very close to the central city of Xijing. An attack on Xijing would inevitably require passing through Longcheng, and in the event of an evacuation from Xijing, Longcheng, being a strategically advantageous location that is easy to defend yet difficult to attack, would undoubtedly be the first choice. Han Wei had already heard these analyses multiple times from the military and political officials of Longcheng while being by the elder brother's side. This was also the purpose behind the central government's efforts, both soft and hard, to persuade and coerce Longcheng into changing allegiance and submitting to the central authority back in those years.

However, Han Wei secretly made up his mind; just because you won't let me investigate, does that mean I won't? This case has come to me, so I will definitely follow through to get to the bottom of it

The Yang family's ancestors were also considered high-ranking officials, having guarded the southern stronghold of Longcheng for generations. A few years ago, the great general of Longcheng, Yang Huandao, passed away, leaving the vast family estate to his eldest son, the young general Yang Hancheng, to manage. Two years ago, Hancheng changed allegiance from the Beiyang government to the central government in Xijing, and has since become the current governor of Longcheng Province and the commander of the military district.

Oh heavens, oh heavens! How I, Huiniang, have died without suffering! — With a soul in the garden, tears streaming down my face, I think of my fate, and my tears do not dry.

A detailed report on the events was provided. Han Wei added: "All the clues that can be investigated are currently being examined. First, there is the ferry that carried the female corpse downstream; we have already dispatched personnel to trace both banks of the river for its origins. Second, regarding the female corpse, the investigator is looking for someone to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death and the age characteristics. Third, we are examining the items on the body, such as earrings and necklaces; of course, more importantly, we need to uncover the origin of the plum blossom tattoo on her back"

In his dreams, Han Wei wandered in front of a pavilion adorned with blooming plum blossoms

Han Wei naturally understood his elder brother's character; even when faced with the collapse of Mount Tai, he would not easily show fear. This was a trait forged through years of youthful military training. However, the extent of his elder brother's astonishment was something only he himself could comprehend

"Young master, you are awake, you are awake. Look at this unpromising appearance; if you marry a wife in the future and still sleep in the nude, you will be laughed at until your teeth fall out." Hu Beru gently patted Han Wei, waking him from his dreams.

Huber knew that Young Master Hanwei had been pampered since childhood, being the beloved jewel of the old master. The old master, who had a son in his middle age, was blessed with a delicate and exquisite child, evoking affection from all who saw him. As he grew up, he became even more clever and well-behaved, winning the old master's favor. This old master, a formidable warlord who dominated his era, was extremely strict in his discipline of the family’s younger generation, yet reserved all his warmth for his youngest son, Hanwei.

Adjusting his attire and smoothing his hair, Han Wei respectfully bent down and lightly knocked twice on the study door, saying, "Elder brother, it is Wei Er. May I come in?"

Huber chuckled to himself, saying: "It's only one o'clock."

Han Wei took a deep breath, steadied himself, and drank a glass of water handed to him by Xiao Heizi. Just as he was about to lie down to sleep, he remembered his elder brother and asked Xiao Heizi, "Has the elder not returned home yet"

How many people are aware of the case? The elder brother's question contained a sense of reproach

Han Wei sat at the head of the bed, calming his mind: "No, nothing at all"

Han Wei believed that he did not need to specify it; his elder brother had already understood what he wanted to convey, which was "Central Xijing"

"Where are you going? Put on your clothes." Huber grabbed the soft yellow silk pajamas from the clothes rack by the bed and caught up with Han Wei, who was groggily heading out barefoot.

Han Wei exclaimed, "Who are you?"

After a long day of work, it is truly unfair that his elder brother wants him to hand over the case, which has just begun to show results, to someone else. When will his brother give him the opportunity to prove his abilities? Does his brother really see him as someone unworthy of trust?

Yang Hancheng carefully examined the photographs, showing no signs of shock or surprise

Indeed, a single sentence proved effective; Han Wei suddenly jumped up, and his head collided with Hu Bo's forehead, resulting in a cry of "Ouch".

The elder brother always treats him like a mere child, never acknowledging his maturity. At sixteen, he is already an adult; moreover, the elder brother graduated from the military academy and led troops into battle at the same age. This time, he is determined to solve the case to prove his capabilities to the elder brother

"Young Master, what happened?" Xiao Heizi, who was sleeping on the sofa by the door, rubbed his eyes and jumped up. Hu Bo glared fiercely at his son Xiao Heizi and scolded, "How are you doing your job? Your master has been taken away by thieves and you didn't even notice."