Chapter Sixteen: More Than Deserving of Death

Zhou Yunyi spoke simply, his tone almost casual, betraying no trace of emotion. Yet Lu Qing felt a chill run down his spine, his mind involuntarily conjuring the image of a swaddled infant, unaware of the world, wailing as a Tartar raised it high overhead. The thought that the child had been in this world less than a month, had not yet uttered “father” or “mother,” and would never do so, made Lu Qing’s heart sink. Looking at the two small, still-innocent Tartar heads, he was filled with disgust. Coldly, he spat out, “Evil upon evil, their deaths are more than deserved,” then turned away, fearing that otherwise he might not be able to resist slapping those severed heads and demanding why, why they could not even spare a baby.

None of the Night Raiders paid any attention to Zhao Er, who stood pale and speechless at the side. They busied themselves stringing the four freshly severed heads onto hemp rope, then waited for Squad Leader Zhou Yunyi’s order to depart.

Eunuch Guo, seeing Lu Qing and Zhou Yunyi’s party still lingering, grew impatient and urged them to move. Lu Qing hurriedly instructed the Zhao brothers to harness the cart, but the brothers hesitated. The two mules had barely rested half an hour and had yet to recover their strength; forcing them to pull the cart now might exhaust them entirely. If the mules broke down en route, the brothers would have no way to explain themselves at the relay station in Tianzhen.

Without the mules, how were they to travel?

Lu Qing was at a loss. Zhou Yunyi, seeing this, ordered the round-faced man to give up his mount for Eunuch Guo. Then he had the bearded man share a horse with Lu Qing, while the Zhao brothers led the mules and drove the empty cart by hand, sparing the animals undue strain.

This arrangement was excellent. Lu Qing quickly gave thanks and explained it to Eunuch Guo, who, though uneasy about riding at night, did not refuse. He figured that with his own riding skills, so long as he was careful, and since the night was not utterly dark, there should be no trouble reaching Yongjia Station.

In truth, while Eunuch Guo’s riding was not first-rate, it did not lag much behind that of the average border soldier. His horsemanship was a legacy passed down from the reigns of the Taizong and Xuanzong Emperors.

In the days when Emperor Taizong rose in rebellion, there was constant warfare with the southern army, and his entourage had to be ready to withdraw at any moment. Thus, every eunuch at his side had to know how to ride; otherwise, they could not keep up with the emperor’s movements. Should the southern army attack, there would be no escape for those on foot. Some eunuchs even charged into battle alongside the martial officers of the Prince of Yan’s household, earning immortal merit. The famous Three-Treasure Eunuch Zheng He, Eunuch Wang Yan of the Imperial Treasury, and Vice Envoy Wang Jinghong were among them.

After the success of the campaign, the tradition of eunuchs mastering horsemanship continued in the palace. During Taizong’s five campaigns against the Mongols, many eunuchs accompanied the army. In his youth, Emperor Xuanzong, as Imperial Grandson, was often taken by Taizong to witness and learn, even participating in northern expeditions. Like Taizong, he was a sovereign who could both lead troops on horseback and govern from the throne. Thus, during the Xuande era, the palace officials did not dare neglect horsemanship; when the opportunity arose, they would learn to ride, and some even practiced martial arts, hoping to emulate predecessors like Zheng He and achieve lasting fame.

Guo Jing was just such a eunuch. His appointment as overseeing eunuch for Datong owed much to his skills in riding and arms. After all, Datong was a crucial border town; the supervising eunuch often had to join military campaigns. If the court sent someone who could neither ride nor draw a bow, he would be looked down upon by the officers, undermining his authority.

The round-faced man was named Jiang Tong, a native of Wanquan Right Guard like Zhou Yunyi. His ancestors were military settlers relocated during Hongwu’s reign. He was deeply reluctant to lend his beloved horse to Eunuch Guo, but with the squad leader’s order, he had no choice. Nevertheless, when bringing the horse over, he deliberately did not squat to help Eunuch Guo mount, feigning ignorance and standing dumbly as though unaware he ought to assist.

Eunuch Guo only chuckled, then, holding the reins in one hand and the saddle with the other, placed his left foot in the stirrup and vaulted into the saddle in one nimble motion, leaving Jiang Tong staring, dumbstruck.

So, you wanted to see me make a fool of myself? Boy, you’re too green. I could ride a horse before you were even in the womb!

Having shown off before everyone, Eunuch Guo was quite pleased with himself, sitting tall in the saddle, feeling as vigorous as ever.

The Night Raiders, Zhou Yunyi included, were surprised by this display. Jiang Tong blushed and, not daring to show off further, slunk over to the slightly delicate-featured Night Raider with whom he would share a horse.

Lu Qing, after all, was only making use of Eunuch Guo. Though he could not avoid flattering him on occasion, he would never, in front of so many eyes, run up with a sycophantic grin to lavish hollow praise. After a brief pause, with no one stepping forward to cheer, Eunuch Guo found it dull and, making a gesture to Lu Qing, indicated that it was time to set out. Lu Qing quickly mounted the horse with the bearded man and led the way down the slope.

The rest hurried after. Soon, the clatter of hooves and the creak of wheels echoed along the official road.

...

No Tartar pursuers appeared along the way, nor was there any ambush. Still, Lu Qing was uneasy and asked Zhou Yunyi to send a man ahead to scout. Though Zhou Yunyi thought Lu Qing overly cautious, he said nothing and dispatched the white-haired man to ride ahead.

It was deep night; though not pitch black, one could see only a few dozen paces. Any farther and nothing could be made out, so the group kept to the pace of the mule cart to avoid accidents.

On the road, Lu Qing and Zhou Yunyi discussed affairs on the Xuanfu border. They learned that the Oirat’s Zhi Yuan Alata had pressed close to Xuanfu half a month earlier, yet had made no move: no attacks on passes, no raids, only drifting beyond the border walls. No one knew his intentions. Xuanfu’s outposts had sent many Night Raiders beyond the border to investigate, but they always returned empty-handed, unable to locate Alata’s army.

Zhao Er, overhearing their talk, mentioned the defeat of the Datong border troops at Yanghekou. Zhou Yunyi was shocked and pressed Lu Qing for details. Upon learning that Datong’s forces had indeed been routed at Yanghe the day before, his jaw dropped in disbelief. He now understood why the mighty overseeing eunuch of Datong was in such a sorry state—he had fled from the battlefield!

As a border soldier, Zhou Yunyi knew that while Xuanfu and Datong were under different commands, they were inseparable. If Datong fell, Xuanfu could not stand alone. Concerned for the situation, Zhou Yunyi wished to learn more from Lu Qing, but apart from the impending disaster at Tumu Fortress, Lu Qing knew little about the wider strategy and could not provide clarity.

Seeing that Lu Qing had little more to tell, Zhou Yunyi grew anxious and considered asking Eunuch Guo. But since Eunuch Guo had not spoken a word to them all this time, he did not wish to make a nuisance of himself. Instead, he pondered: the news of Datong’s defeat would soon spread, and then Alata outside Xuanfu would surely coordinate with Esen to strike. If the Tartars overran Datong and swept straight for Xuanfu, they would be caught between two fires. Once war broke out, all of Xuanfu would be plunged into devastation and slaughter.

No, I must report Datong’s defeat to the garrison at once, so they can prepare and avoid being caught off guard by the Tartars!

With this in mind, Zhou Yunyi’s heart was no longer set on escort duty. He only wanted to deliver Eunuch Guo to Yongjia Station quickly and then speed back with the news. But with nearly thirty li to go, and unable to travel faster at night, he dared not send a single man ahead for fear of Tartar attack. After much thought, he resolved to see Eunuch Guo safely to Yongjia and then race back.

Traveling by night was slow. Nearly at the hour of the pig, they at last reached the nearest town, all utterly exhausted. Lu Qing suggested to Eunuch Guo that they rest until dawn before proceeding to Yongjia Station—after all, a delay of one or two hours would make little difference.

Eunuch Guo, advanced in years, though feeling robust, was weary and welcomed the chance to rest. Lu Qing led the Zhao brothers to rouse the innkeeper of the town’s only guesthouse.

Most of the refugees from the defeat at Yanghe had fled toward Yizhou and Zijin Pass; few had come toward Xuanfu, so the townsfolk knew nothing of the disaster and had not begun to flee.

Awakened in the dead of night by pounding on his door, the innkeeper was full of complaints—until he saw border soldiers entering, at which point he was too frightened to speak. But upon learning that the formidable Eunuch Guo of Datong would be staying the night, his pallor vanished instantly, replaced by a brilliant smile as he called his staff to attend to them with the utmost care.

Eunuch Guo was preoccupied, and Lu Qing was not much better. Zhou Yunyi and his men were eager to return with news, and the Zhao brothers were anxious for home. No one had any mind for small talk. They took a superior room and two ordinary ones, then had the staff heat some gruel to suffice for a meal before all retired to rest. Soon, the sound of snoring came from the rooms, and the innkeeper and his helpers breathed a collective sigh of relief outside.

After two hours of undisturbed rest, dawn still some time off, Lu Qing rose early to wake Eunuch Guo and had water and breakfast prepared.

Being roused from sleep while still drowsy is never pleasant, but the Night Raiders were long accustomed to it and quickly readied themselves. The Zhao brothers, too, forced themselves awake for the journey.

The breakfast the innkeeper provided was generous—mutton soup with steaming white flour cakes, the aroma alone whetting the appetite. Eunuch Guo, having had nothing hot to eat for two days, was ravenous. Smelling the soup, he forgot all decorum and, with great gusto, devoured a cake and two bowls of soup. His wolfish eating was little different from Lu Qing’s men, astonishing the innkeeper and his staff, who could not help but think: Is this really a palace eunuch? He looks more like a starving soul reborn.

After the meal, Eunuch Guo showed no intention of paying, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief and preparing to leave. Zhou Yunyi and his Night Raiders also made no move to settle the bill, and the Zhao brothers, being mere attendants, would not pay either. Only Lu Qing knew enough to think of payment. Under the expectant gazes of the innkeeper and staff, he reached for his purse—only to stand there, mortified, for he had nothing but a few copper coins, nowhere near enough to cover the meal.

Fortunately, the innkeeper was quick-witted. Seeing Lu Qing’s embarrassment, he promptly waved it off, saying it was an honor to host Eunuch Guo and the border soldiers, and that the cost of rooms and food was nothing—not to be mentioned.

After leaving the inn, Eunuch Guo, without so much as a glance at Lu Qing’s flushed face, waved his hand and ordered the party onward. They traveled until nearly four in the afternoon before finally arriving at Yongjia Station. Before Zhou Yunyi and his men could bid farewell, Eunuch Guo, who had kept his eyes narrowed all along, suddenly opened them wide in disbelief at the sight of the crowd emerging from the station...

...

Author’s note: In Ming times, Mongols were called Tatars or Barbarians, and in the late Ming, the Jurchens were called Slaves or Savages—hence the phrase “northern barbarians, eastern slaves.” In this book, for convenience, all Mongols are referred to as Tartars or Tartar bandits.