Chapter Seven: Shi Heng’s Great Fortune

Two posthouse attendants were murmuring quietly to each other when they saw someone approaching. The older of the two lazily raised his head and asked, “What business do you have?” Upon seeing that the newcomers were a frontier soldier and a filthy old beggar, both were taken aback—what manner of people were these?

Before Lu Qing could reply, the eunuch Guo screeched in his shrill voice, “I am the Guardian Eunuch of Datong. Quickly, summon your supervisor!”

The Guardian Eunuch of Datong?

This identity left the two attendants staring at each other in astonishment, tongues tied. The younger one was skeptical, glaring at Guo and thinking, what kind of person is the Guardian Eunuch of Datong? This old beggar dares to boast so shamelessly—he should at least look in a puddle and see himself. With that demeanor, could he possibly be the Guardian Eunuch? He was about to curse, but the elder nudged him, and the words died in his throat.

Though the elder attendant was suspicious, he was not rash. Upon hearing the claimed identity, his instinctive knowledge of eunuchs made him glance at the man’s face. He noticed that the dirty face was indeed beardless, and beneath the tattered rags there was a hint of a red robe. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stopped his brother from making a mistake.

As posthouse attendants, their job was to receive and send off officials, relying on their ability to read people—otherwise, there would be much suffering. Some officials loved to put on a show, always surrounded by a retinue; there was no need to check credentials to know they were important, and not to be offended. However, such officials were generally easy to serve; though they appeared arrogant, they had broad minds and were easygoing. Escorting them out was enough.

Other officials, though, had peculiar temperaments, especially those who had endured ten years of hardship for the civil examinations and finally achieved distinction. Whether their minds were muddled by years of study or scarred by past injustices from the government, they carried a belief that only they were virtuous, and all others corrupt. They looked down on everyone. They dared not provoke those above them, nor could they challenge their equals, so they took out their frustrations on subordinates.

Such officials usually traveled with only a single servant, dressed plainly to highlight their integrity and simplicity. But to the attendants, it was clear they were merely posturing, eager for recognition. Their low-key appearance was meant to attract unsuspecting subordinates to serve as foils for their authority, hoping to earn a reputation among the ignorant populace. Over time, their renown grew.

The elder and younger attendants were cousins, surnamed Zhao, known as Zhao the Elder and Zhao the Younger. Zhao the Younger had secured his position just last year, while Zhao the Elder had served for over twenty years, honing a keen eye for people. He served those posturing officials with utmost deference, more respectfully than he would his ancestors, because such men were petty and vengeful—any slight would be met with immediate retribution.

The sages warned to avoid petty men in the kitchen, but for posthouse attendants, it was the seemingly virtuous officials who needed to be kept at a distance.

With his skills in reading and handling people, Zhao the Elder was the chief under the posthouse supervisor, Old Sun. When Sun was absent, Zhao the Elder was in charge. Upon hearing that the northern Tatars had breached the Great Wall, the two brothers were discussing whether to return home and relocate their families to avoid disaster. They were interrupted by the arrival of someone claiming to be the Guardian Eunuch of Datong.

Relying on years of experience, Zhao the Elder sensed that this beggar-like old man might truly be the Guardian Eunuch of Datong. Palace eunuchs were not easy to serve; a misstep could cost one’s head. There was no time to hesitate—true or not, since the man asked for Supervisor Sun, it was best to let Sun deal with the matter.

With this in mind, Zhao the Elder quickly donned a respectful smile and said cautiously, “Your Excellency, please wait. Supervisor Sun is inside; I will fetch him at once.” Turning to leave, he paused, glanced back, and hesitated, “Would Your Excellency care to come in and sit? I can have someone bring you fine tea.”

“I am entrusted with the Emperor's orders and cannot afford delays. Fetch the supervisor quickly, so I may give instructions and be on my way.” Though Guo the eunuch longed for a respite, the urgency of the journey forced him to abandon the thought.

“Yes, yes…” Zhao the Elder replied hurriedly, jogging into the posthouse.

With his brother gone, Zhao the Younger felt awkward, no longer daring to stare. Seeing that Guo paid him no mind, he quietly lowered his head and retreated a couple of steps.

Lu Qing noticed a willow tree by the gate, beneath which stood a long bench. He helped Guo the eunuch to sit and rest in its shade.

Seated, Guo nodded gratefully to Lu Qing, “I owe much to you for your help along the way. Should I survive this ordeal, I shall reward you handsomely!”

Lu Qing merely smiled, saying nothing more.

A moment later, hurried footsteps sounded—Supervisor Sun Yousong, in charge of the posthouse, had arrived. Seeing Guo seated beneath the willow, Sun approached swiftly, about to bow, but paused awkwardly, replacing the gesture with an embarrassed smile. “Does Your Excellency have proof of identity?”

Guo snorted but did not trouble the humble supervisor. He drew a rectangular waist token from his bosom and handed it to Lu Qing, indicating he should show it to Sun.

Lu Qing glanced at it; nine characters were engraved on the iron token: “Imperial Inspector, Chief Guardian Eunuch Guo.”

Sun Yousong received the token and inspected it carefully, visibly tense. Upon confirming its authenticity, his hand trembled as he returned it.

Behind him, Zhao the Elder stole a look at the token, growing more alarmed with each glance, silently thankful he hadn’t made a careless mistake—for offending Guardian Eunuch Guo would surely cost his life.

Having returned the token with trembling hands, Sun Yousong could no longer stand. He knelt and saluted, “Your humble servant Sun Yousong greets Your Excellency Guo!”

Zhao the Elder hurried to kneel as well. Zhao the Younger, watching from afar, was so frightened he knelt too, forgetting he was standing at quite a distance.

“Rise.”

Guo the eunuch had no wish to waste time with the supervisor. Massaging his right leg, he commanded, “I have urgent business. Prepare two swift horses for me, the finest Mongolian steeds you have. I need them immediately.”

“Horses?” Sun Yousong’s face fell, stammering, “This…this…”

“What is it?” Guo was unprepared for the supervisor’s hesitation and grew furious, springing up to curse, “Do you not respect my authority? Why are you dithering?”

“No, no… Please, Your Excellency, calm yourself!” Sun Yousong, terrified by Guo’s anger, kowtowed anxiously. “I mean no disrespect. The truth is, our posthouse has no horses left.”

“No horses?!”

At this, both Lu Qing and Guo were startled. Guo erupted in rage, shouting, “The posthouse has no horses? You are truly derelict—deserving of death!”

Sun Yousong’s face turned pale with fear. He explained, “Your Excellency, half an hour ago, Deputy Commander Shi led his men and requisitioned all our horses. There is not a single steed left in the posthouse!”

“Deputy Commander Shi?” Guo was surprised. “So Shi Heng survived—he didn’t perish at Yanghe.”

Shi Heng?

Hearing the name, Lu Qing too was stunned.