Chapter Fourteen: Profiting from Chaos

“This…” Zhou Yunyi was not a man of eloquence, and Eunuch Guo’s question was particularly sharp. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, his expression somewhat embarrassed.

Eunuch Guo saw this and felt immensely pleased. The defeat at Yanghe Pass had robbed Datong of its confidence to compete with Xuanfu, and it had diminished his own stature. Yet now, being able to assert himself before these Xuanfu soldiers brought him considerable satisfaction.

Beside him, Lu Qing noticed the look of triumph on Eunuch Guo’s face but was unimpressed. He thought to himself, Guo Jing, you are, after all, the chief eunuch stationed at Datong, representing the emperor—must you really stoop to quarreling with these border soldiers? Isn’t it shameful? I’m embarrassed on your behalf.

Having spent a day and night together, Lu Qing had come to understand Eunuch Guo’s temperament well enough. He knew Guo was very concerned with appearances; even in adversity, he clung to a competitive spirit. As long as his life was not at risk, he would insist on having the last word, as he had at the Tianzhen Post earlier. If he was not allowed a dignified exit, he would not let the matter rest. So Lu Qing refrained from intervening, instead observing quietly from the side.

Zhou Yunyi was tongue-tied, but behind him, a Night Watchman muttered in protest, “Eunuch Guo, you must understand, these Tartars are not spies sent by the Oirat, but members of small border tribes who slip inside the wall to rob and plunder. It happens often under various pretexts and isn’t such a big deal. The wall is so long—how can every inch be guarded? There’s a saying: a thief can act every day, but no one can guard against him every day. Our Commander Yang has already done a tremendous job keeping the Tartars’ main force outside the wall. If a few petty thieves sneak in, what’s that to worry about?”

“Whether thieves or soldiers, letting Tartars in is a dereliction of duty for you Xuanfu troops. Hmph, you even dare to argue! I don’t believe it; I’ll definitely report this before the emperor and see how Yang Hong is managing Xuanfu!” retorted Eunuch Guo.

The Night Watchman’s words greatly displeased Eunuch Guo, who sensed a hint of insubordination. Unable to let it go, he escalated the matter, threatening to speak ill of Yang Hong to the emperor. It seemed he truly intended to do so.

Guo Jing was, after all, the chief eunuch of Datong, long accustomed to authority within and outside the palace. His angry outburst made the Night Watchman immediately fall silent, and even Zhou Yunyi dared not speak. The atmosphere on the slope became strange—several men, still holding bloody heads, were cowed into silence by an old man. It was indeed odd.

From Lu Qing’s perspective, these Night Watchmen, hardened by years of battle with the Tartars, were not afraid of Eunuch Guo himself, but of the imperial authority he represented. Without the emperor’s aura, they would have cut him down and fed him to the dogs.

Seeing the tension, Zhao Er thought the Night Watchmen were his saviors and wanted to speak up for them. Yet, though he wanted to, he dared not open his mouth, unsure how to appease Eunuch Guo. Besides, he had not even cleaned himself up—if he approached Eunuch Guo now, he might get kicked down the slope.

Zhao Da also wished to mediate, but knowing his own insignificance, he looked to Lu Qing for help, hoping the trusted young officer could persuade Eunuch Guo.

It wasn’t good to remain in a stalemate. Since Zhao Da sought his help, Lu Qing seized the opportunity and stepped forward. He did not urge Eunuch Guo to forgive the Night Watchmen or ask him to overlook their words. Instead, he addressed Zhou Yunyi seriously, “Brother Zhou, I am Lu Qing, a captain of the imperial guards. May I ask, is what your comrade said true—that those thieves were not Oirat spies but merely robbers?”

Imperial Guards Captain?

This identity made Zhou Yunyi look at Lu Qing anew, puzzled as to why a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guards was in such a desolate place. Then he understood, thinking Lu Qing must be assigned from Datong to escort Eunuch Guo.

But why would the chief eunuch of Datong be out here, in such a forlorn state, with only one guard and two post riders for company? Had they been robbed by the Tartars?

Impossible. Even if those tribal Tartars had ten times the courage, they would never dare attack the chief eunuch’s carriage from Datong, unless they wanted their entire tribe wiped out by Ming forces. If not attacked, why was the chief eunuch so disheveled?

Zhou Yunyi did not know that several tens of thousands of Datong’s border troops had perished at Yanghe Pass yesterday, nor that Eunuch Guo had narrowly escaped death in service of the emperor. The more he pondered, the less sense it made, and he even began to doubt Eunuch Guo’s identity. But a man who killed Tartars without blinking dared not demand to see Guo’s credentials, so he said, “Brother Lu, you may not know—there are many small Tartar tribes outside the border, dirt-poor and with little means. They make a habit of robbery, sneaking in every year. These Tartars are opportunists, afraid of strength and bullying the weak. By day, when people gather, they dare not rob, but at night, they target the isolated. Sometimes, if they spot wealth during the day, they’ll take the risk, relying on their horses to escape quickly… Many are so poor they have no horses and hide in the wilds like Han thieves, preying on travelers lost or delayed.”

“So, those thieves were lying in wait here?”

“This place is remote, perfect for thieves. By the time soldiers hear, they’re gone. We happened to arrive in time; otherwise…”

Otherwise what, Zhou Yunyi did not say, but Lu Qing understood and quickly clasped his hands in thanks: “Brother Zhou and comrades, thank you for your timely rescue. We owe you our lives; your great kindness will never be forgotten!”

As he spoke, he glanced at Eunuch Guo. Sure enough, Guo’s expression softened, no longer as displeased, though he still bristled. After all, being contradicted by a border soldier was a blow to his dignity, but these men had saved his life—could he really quibble with his benefactors?

Lu Qing then formally thanked each Night Watchman behind Zhou Yunyi, and Zhao Da and Zhao Er hurried to express their gratitude as well. Zhao Er even praised the Night Watchmen as if they were heavenly warriors; murderous as they were, the Night Watchmen were nonetheless made uncomfortable by his flattery.

Eunuch Guo did not step forward to thank his rescuers. First, his status made thanks unnecessary; second, his pride would not allow it. He merely watched, his expression now thoroughly relaxed, with a hint of embarrassment in his gaze—he was, after all, somewhat human, not entirely petty or selfish.

With these thanks, the mood lightened. Zhou Yunyi, mindful of his duties, prepared to take his leave of Eunuch Guo. Though two Tartars had escaped, four corpses would deter the rest. They would not dare return, fearing the arrival of more soldiers, so Eunuch Guo and his party would be safe. He was about to speak when Lu Qing, looking troubled, approached him and said, “Brother Zhou, are you certain these Tartars were mere robbers, not spies sent by the Tartar army?”

Zhou Yunyi thought a moment and shook his head, replying honestly, “I really couldn’t say. Brother Lu, you must know—since word came in February that the Tartars would invade, the border tribes have been restless. Ten days ago, after Deputy General Wu of Datong was defeated at Mao’er Village, many Mongol tribes outside Xuanfu saw Ming as easy prey and were tempted to join the Oirat in raiding us. It’s said that the Oirat Grand Preceptor and Chief Alatu have seen many tribes defect to their army. Among them, many might aid the Oirat in spying on our forces, killing our messengers. To be frank, I am under orders to capture such thieves to prevent them from gathering intelligence on our army.”

After speaking, Zhou Yunyi turned to bid farewell to Eunuch Guo. As a mere soldier of Xuanfu, he had no say in what the chief eunuch did or where he went, nor did he wish to interact with the eunuch any further. Fighting Mongols seemed preferable to lingering here.

But Lu Qing asked again, “Brother Zhou, did you see any urgent messages from Datong to Xuanfu today?”

“What?” Zhou Yunyi was startled, then shook his head. “No, I have not.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Qing looked back at Eunuch Guo, who nodded slightly. Lu Qing then said to Zhou Yunyi, “Since many Tartars have slipped inside the border, for safety’s sake, Brother Zhou, could you and your comrades escort us to Xuanfu?”

“This…” Zhou Yunyi was caught off guard by Lu Qing’s request and was unsure how to respond.

Seeing this, Eunuch Guo’s expression darkened as he snapped, “What’s this? Are you refusing to obey?”

Lu Qing added, “Brother Zhou, as you see, Eunuch Guo is protected only by myself and the Zhao brothers. If we run into robbers again, my own life is of little consequence, but Eunuch Guo carries imperial orders. Should anything happen to him, I could never atone for the disaster. Please lend us your help; when we reach Xuanfu, Eunuch Guo will reward you generously… Besides, Eunuch Ge, the chief eunuch of Xuanfu, is an old acquaintance of Eunuch Guo. If he learns you refused such a small request, I fear he will hold it against you.”

Lu Qing’s words were both gentle and firm; it was necessary. Who knew how many Mongols had infiltrated, or how many were Oirat scouts? If they encountered another group, disaster could ensue. Zhou Yunyi and his Night Watchmen were skilled border soldiers; their escort would be far safer than traveling alone.

Zhou Yunyi was deeply unwilling, but with the mention of Chief Eunuch Ge of Xuanfu, he could hardly refuse. It was said eunuchs bore grudges; if Guo truly spoke ill of him to Ge, would Ge spare him?

Though a mere squad leader, Zhou Yunyi knew Chief Eunuch Ge was so powerful that even Commander Yang Hong deferred to him. A stomp from Ge could shake all of Xuanfu—dealing with Zhou Yunyi would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Damn it, he thought, he should have checked the almanac before leaving today. What a wretched turn of events; had he known, he wouldn’t have come out.

Zhou Yunyi sighed, seeing both Eunuch Guo and Lu Qing fixing their gaze on him. Knowing he could not refuse, he reluctantly nodded, “Very well, I’ll lead my men to escort Eunuch Guo. But I’m from Ximailin Fort; without orders, I cannot leave the fort. I can only escort you as far as Yongjia Post—after that, Eunuch Guo will have to continue on his own.”

Yongjia Post would suffice!

Lu Qing was secretly delighted, and Eunuch Guo likewise relaxed. He had feared Zhou Yunyi would refuse, as Zhou was a Xuanfu soldier, not under Datong’s command. If Zhou resisted, there would be nothing he could do; his credential named him as “Imperial Envoy, Chief Eunuch of Datong,” not “Chief Eunuch of Xuanfu.”

With that, Zhou Yunyi informed his four subordinates of the escort to Yongjia Post. The Night Watchmen were deeply reluctant, but their squad leader had decided; they had no choice but to obey, each gathering their horses and preparing to set out.