Fish Meat – Chapter 131
by Little PandaThe First Year of Zhao Wu
The Path of Ten Thousand Directions (10)
The State Preceptor held onto Mengda Khan’s hand firmly, while Mengda Khan kept looking back fearfully at Zhen Wenjun. Zhen Wenjun stood motionless, ignoring Mengda Khan’s plea for help until Wei Tingxu gave her a push from behind her waist, forcing her forward.
“My Lady!” Mengda Khan forcefully broke free from the State Preceptor and threw himself into Zhen Wenjun’s embrace.
“My Lady?” The State Preceptor immediately looked at Zhen Wenjun with suspicion, her gaze scanning across her face before turning to the people behind her. Upon discovering that most of these people had Central Plains features, she reacted as if seeing deadly venomous creatures, shouting out as the infantry and cavalry behind her immediately surrounded them.
“Seize these foreigners! Throw them into the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts!”
“Yes!”
With that, the soldiers and cavalry raised their spears and lances at Zhen Wenjun’s group, letting out a unified battle cry as they prepared to attack.
Zhen Wenjun drew her sword while protecting Wei Tingxu behind her. Though she didn’t understand what the State Preceptor was saying, the meaning of weapons drawn needed no translation. She was eager to battle these mysterious Liuhuo Kingdom soldiers, curious to see how these foreign warriors differed from the Da Yu and Chongjin warriors, and what unique skills they might possess.
Zhen Wenjun was tall with long arms, and though she lacked the burly, bear-like build of a seasoned warrior, her mere presence embodied the spirit of “one warrior guarding the pass against ten thousand enemies” (meaning an impenetrable defense). Wei Tingxu, standing behind her, felt completely secure, believing no one could get past her to cause harm.
“Stop!” Mengda Khan cried out desperately, rushing in front of Zhen Wenjun and gesturing wildly at the State Preceptor and her guards. “You must not harm my Lady! If you dare hurt her, I… I will die with her!”
The State Preceptor, who thought she had misheard earlier, now heard Mengda Khan emphasize the most crucial point again: “Your Majesty, what did you say? You called this foreigner ‘My Lady’? Could it be that you and she…” The State Preceptor, seemingly struck by some realization, pointed her ceremonial fan at Zhen Wenjun with a trembling tip, her face turning alternately pale and dark.
Zhen Wenjun stood rigid with her sword, slowly turning her eyes toward Mengda Khan. Though she couldn’t understand the words, she could read the atmosphere – clearly, she had become the target, and this wasn’t something that could be resolved with mere force of arms.
Zhen Wenjun nervously said: “Don’t say nonsense.”
Sure enough, Mengda Khan lived up to her concerns, pressing himself against Zhen Wenjun’s embrace with a reddened face, saying shyly: “I am already Wenjun’s person… she has taken me as spouse, so she is now the ruler of the Liuhuo Kingdom.”
Zhen Wenjun: “What exactly are you saying?”
The State Preceptor let out a shriek as if about to explode on the spot, suddenly switching to fluent Da Yu language: “Filthy foreign woman! How dare you defile our king! Kill her! Kill them all!”
The situation completely spiraled out of control.
Not only did the soldiers and cavalry before them surge forward, but from the distant gates of the Liuhuo Kingdom, endless streams of soldiers poured out, quickly outnumbering Zhen Wenjun’s group by more than two to one.
“Yes!”
Of the retinue brought from Da Yu, fewer than two hundred remained, but they were Da Yu’s elite forces, capable of both attack and defense. As long as Xiaohua could protect Wei Tingxu, these “motley crowd” (refers to a disorganized group lacking unity and discipline) from the Liuhuo Kingdom didn’t concern her at all.
With a single glance, she observed that both infantry and cavalry of Liuhuo Kingdom wore complete suits of armor that were extremely cumbersome. While good for defense, it greatly compromised their agility and range of motion. It resembled Da Yu’s outdated battle armor from a hundred years ago – Da Yu had long since switched to much lighter yet sturdy chainmail. The chainmail, described as “armor like linked rings, impenetrable to arrows” (historical description of chainmail’s effectiveness), could defend against common arrows and swords. Both Ah Xin and Wei Jing’an wore chainmail in battle. There was also the lighter heart-protecting garment worn under outer clothing that could minimize fatal wounds while being virtually undetectable – Zhen Wenjun was wearing one now.
In comparison, Liuhuo Kingdom’s weapons and armor were quite primitive, proving true the claims about their closed-door policy.
It was time for this backward nation to open its gates and see the outside world.
Despite being greatly outnumbered, Zhen Wenjun and Zuo Kunda had mastered their tactical formations. The two of them charged through the enemy lines, breaking through the Liuhuo Kingdom’s army faster than expected.
Though Liuhuo’s soldiers had impressive presence and decent individual strength, their battle formations were woefully outdated. The methods to counter them had been recorded in Da Yu military texts decades ago. To Zhen Wenjun, Liuhuo’s elite forces were like inexperienced recruits who had never seen real battle, arranging formations based purely on theory – they were “paper tigers” (refers to something that appears threatening but is actually harmless) that collapsed at the first push.
The State Preceptor had anticipated these Da Yu people would be formidable, but not to this extent – winning so easily without casualties. The Liuhuo soldiers, who had charged in like tigers moments ago, now scattered like loose sand, retreating step by step.
As the State Preceptor sweated anxiously, a deep battle cry came from behind.
A mountain-like warrior riding a brown horse charged at Zhen Wenjun, wielding a meteor hammer. Mengda Khan shouted:
“My Lady, be careful! She is Liuhuo’s greatest warrior!”
“Greatest warrior?!”
Mengda Khan’s warning had the opposite effect – it immediately made Zhen Wenjun turn her horse to face the greatest warrior head-on.
How could Mengda Khan have imagined that Zhen Wenjun, looking as thin as a monkey, would dare to face the greatest warrior directly!
Mengda Khan was worried sick about her – he had warned her about the greatest warrior, yet she advanced instead of retreating! Such a reckless woman! Mengda Khan wanted to stop the duel and save Zhen Wenjun!
“Don’t go getting yourself killed and hindering Wenjun’s fight,” Wei Tingxu, who was about to enjoy watching Zhen Wenjun’s heroic display, saw Mengda Khan rushing toward the battlefield holding up his long robes, and had Xiaohua carry him back.
Mengda Khan: “But she-!”
Wei Tingxu calmly said: “Just watch quietly.”
Zhen Wenjun was drenched in sweat, her eyes flashing like lightning. The closer she got to the warrior, the more excitement surged in her heart. Her left hand gripping the sword was completely sweaty, and now the warrior was within arm’s reach. The meteor hammer was raised high, spinning rapidly in the air, stirring up whooshing winds.
Of course it was dangerous, Wei Tingxu understood.
But compared to the danger, Wei Tingxu saw more of Zhen Wenjun’s strength and confidence – the infinitely brilliant light radiating from her being.
The commanders engaged, their war horses converging.
The warrior’s meteor hammer struck toward Zhen Wenjun’s face. As Zhen Wenjun leaned back to dodge, she thrust her sword toward the warrior’s waist. The waist was the weakest point in the warrior’s armor, the greatest vulnerability. This seemingly certain strike was unexpectedly deflected by the returning meteor hammer, its chain firmly entangling Zhen Wenjun’s blade. The horses’ swift intersection was brief – the warrior had stripped away Zhen Wenjun’s sword. After riding past each other and turning around, Zhen Wenjun’s hands were empty.
“Look!” Mengda Khan shouted at Wei Tingxu, tears streaming down his face.
Wei Tingxu remained unmoved.
The warrior let out a triumphant laugh, spurring their horse toward Zhen Wenjun again. Despite being unarmed, Zhen Wenjun showed no fear. The louder the warrior laughed, the louder Zhen Wenjun shouted, charging straight at her!
Mengda Khan’s heart was in his throat, how could Zhen Wenjun fight empty-handed against the warrior? Wasn’t this suicide?
The warrior shared Mengda Khan’s doubts, slowing their horse’s pace. Yet Zhen Wenjun rode faster without hesitation.
They converged again, the warrior’s meteor hammer striking at Zhen Wenjun’s chest. If aimed higher, Zhen Wenjun could dodge by leaning back; if lower, she could even jump over it. This middle height was the hardest to evade. The warrior, experienced in horseback combat, knew exactly where the limitations lay and where to strike most effectively.
The warrior watched to see how Zhen Wenjun would resolve this crisis, but unexpectedly, she made no attempt to dodge, raising her arm to block instead!
This person must be mad! Blocking with bare hands – surely she didn’t want to keep that arm!
To everyone’s surprise, not only did Zhen Wenjun’s arm not break, but she actually deflected the warrior’s meteor hammer. When the hammer struck her arm, it produced a terrifying sound of metal striking metal. Before the warrior could process this, Zhen Wenjun had grabbed the iron chain of the meteor hammer, using its momentum to leave her horse and soar through the air, landing behind the warrior! As the warrior turned back in terror, Zhen Wenjun spread her arms and wrapped the chain around her neck, forcefully yanking her off the horse.
She rolled in the yellow sand, with the warrior failing several attempts to stand. Zhen Wenjun held her neck firmly in control, but not wanting to take her life, she used measured force – just enough to prevent successful struggle.
Seeing the greatest warrior’s face turning increasingly red, the State Preceptor hurried forward to intervene: “Stop! Do you intend to take someone’s life?”
Zhen Wenjun casually released the warrior, standing up and shaking her painfully shocked arm, glancing at the State Preceptor: “Who exactly was trying to take whose life?”
“In a duel between two people, you secretly wore protective gear – isn’t that playing dirty?”
Zhen Wenjun laughed heartily, pointing at the warrior who had barely managed to stand: “Why don’t you mention her full suit of armor? If you’re afraid of death, next time why not wrap yourself completely head to toe without showing any skin? Oh no, better yet – staying at home would be safest.”
The warrior seemed not to understand Zhen Wenjun’s meaning, but the State Preceptor did. The State Preceptor looked around with a darkened face – all of Liuhuo’s elite soldiers were here, yet all were defeated… Even their greatest warrior was easily unhorsed. These Central Plains people clearly had ill intentions.
Mengda Khan, who had been anxiously shouting earlier, never imagined Zhen Wenjun could be so formidable, instantly turning the tide of battle! He rushed toward Zhen Wenjun intending to jump into her embrace, but just as he opened his arms, she stopped him with a hand to his forehead.
Mengda Khan: “?”
Mengda Khan frantically waved his arms and legs but couldn’t reach Zhen Wenjun.
“Just stay there, don’t come closer,” Zhen Wenjun said with disdain.
Already growing accustomed to Zhen Wenjun’s coldness, Mengda Khan wasn’t discouraged at all. Relishing her earlier heroic display, he became more certain that she was the spouse he wanted! Mengda Khan nuzzled against Zhen Wenjun’s palm, indulging in their unique intimacy. Zhen Wenjun felt tingles from her palm to her back from his nuzzling and quickly withdrew her hand. Mengda Khan, losing his support, nearly face-planted into the yellow sand.
“What exactly is your purpose in coming to Liuhuo?” The State Preceptor helped Mengda Khan up, taking the opportunity to shield him behind her while questioning Zhen Wenjun warily. “Liuhuo has been isolated for many years, having no contact with the outside world, and is deep within Ku’erjianshi. Without deliberate searching, it would be difficult to find. You must have put in considerable effort to locate this place.”
“The State Preceptor speaks truly,” Wei Tingxu stepped forward unhurriedly, bowing to the State Preceptor, “We come from Da Yu, carrying the Da Yu Empress’s imperial decree to reopen the Road of Ten Thousand Directions.”
“Reopen the Road of Ten Thousand Directions?!” The State Preceptor’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing this.
Seeing her reaction, Wei Tingxu didn’t pursue that topic, instead saying: “Your king encountered bandits in the desert, and we happened to pass by and protect him. Now our people and horses are exhausted. Might we borrow a place to rest briefly? Whether the Road of Ten Thousand Directions opens or not requires careful discussion – if your country doesn’t grant trading rights, we can’t force the matter.”
The State Preceptor saw this person as their leader. This Da Yu woman appeared so frail, nothing like how a woman should be. However, she seemed much more refined and agreeable than the fierce woman who had fought their warrior.
Of course, the State Preceptor was a thousand times unwilling to let these Da Yu people set foot in sacred Liuhuo. But with their elite forces defeated and even their greatest warrior easily overcome, the State Preceptor was utterly dejected and had no choice.
These Da Yu people didn’t actually need permission to enter the city gates – what difficulty would they have in forcing their way in? Since ancient times, the Central Plains people had conquered far and wide, their “iron hooves” (metaphor for military might) trampling vast lands. Was there any place they didn’t wish to conquer? Now they were willing to negotiate peacefully – if denied, there might be more bloodshed.
The only option was to step back, let these Da Yu people into the city, and pacify them to prevent them from using force.
Once they were inside the city, there would be a hundred ways to eliminate them.
The great gates of Liuhuo slowly opened – the veil of this mysterious ancient kingdom was about to be completely lifted.
If not for the vastness of the Ku’erjianshi Desert and how easily one could get lost, Liuhuo Kingdom would actually be quite easy to find.
From far away, one could see a dazzling bright spot in the desert reflecting blinding golden light under the scorching sun. Upon closer inspection, the sixty-foot-high city gates were made of pure gold, their facade studded with precious stones of various colors, even including extremely rare and expensive diamonds. Getting closer still, it was almost impossible to look directly at it in the sunlight – whether the gates themselves or the jewels adorning them, even the smallest piece pried off would be worth a city’s fortune.
Zhen Wenjun could barely keep her eyes open from the glare. After carefully confirming that these were indeed gold gates inlaid with precious stones, she marveled in disbelief. It was hard to believe there existed a country so casual about gold and jewels, and equally unbelievable that a country could have such terrible aesthetic taste.
The State Preceptor and Mengda Khan seemed quite proud of their magnificent and wealthy gates, but what lay beyond them inside Liuhuo was even more jaw-dropping. The moment Zhen Wenjun stepped into this country, she instantly understood why countless people would risk the dangerous desert journey to reach this place.
Golden ground, golden buildings and skywalks, jewel-encrusted carriages and people, an endless stream of people dripping with gold and silver and radiating with pearls and treasures passed before these foreigners’ eyes, leaving Zhen Wenjun staring in amazement.
“There really… really is such a country.” Ah Xi’s heart had been racing like “hanging on a wild horse” (metaphor for extreme excitement) since they approached the gates. When she decided to find Zhen Wenjun, she never imagined she would one day set foot in Liuhuo. This world truly had a place where “rotten grain turns red and gold and jade pile up” (describing extreme wealth). No wonder her father risked his life to find Liuhuo. Just a small piece of this place could provide for a lifetime.
The State Preceptor had been watching these Da Yu people closely, with Liuhuo’s elite guards forming an outer circle, secretly surrounding them.
The State Preceptor had stated beforehand that Liuhuo hadn’t allowed foreigners to enter their territory for nearly a hundred years, and they didn’t intend to let foreign “odors” contaminate their pure land. Therefore, after entering the city, all Da Yu people must wear hats and veils to cover their heads, not showing their faces to avoid causing disturbance. Only by agreeing to this could they enter.
There was no reason to refuse – Zhen Wenjun’s group currently held the advantage and absolute initiative. Entering Liuhuo was just the first step; the second was to consolidate Mengda Khan’s throne. They certainly wouldn’t make their move in the marketplace.
“I want Liuhuo intact,” Wei Tingxu had instructed Zhen Wenjun before approaching the gates. “We want the country’s wealth and the people who create it, without harming them in the slightest. If we can control Mengda Khan and use him to regulate the government, that would be best. If not, we’ll find an opportunity to replace him too.”
Zhen Wenjun nodded with slight hesitation.
“What, feeling attached?”
“That’s not it. I’m just thinking – such a wealthy nation yet without elite troops or generals, and their so-called greatest warrior proved to be all show. Liuhuo is like “unguarded fat meat lying on the ground” (metaphor for easy target). Forget others, even those Kelayi bandits, known as the demons of Ku’erjianshi who roam the desert freely – how could they not find this place? Finding Liuhuo might make stripping it bare difficult, but taking a few pieces would not be too challenging. Yet look at these citizens, Zizhuo – all well-fed and carefree, not at all like people who face frequent external threats.”
“You mean to say that Liuhuo might not be as weak as we see, that it has the ability to protect itself?”
Zhen Wenjun nodded in strong agreement, watching the State Preceptor’s back: “Their ‘killer mace’ (meaning a decisive secret weapon) might not have been revealed yet. Zizhuo, we must proceed with caution.”
Mengda Khan had returned again, caught and brought back again. His eighth attempt to flee the country had ended in failure, but this time he didn’t return empty-handed – he brought back a spouse.
Upon returning to the palace, Mengda Khan immediately ordered preparations for a grand wedding. The servants were all astonished – His Majesty was getting married? To whom?
“She is an extraordinary person, strong, mighty, and handsome… Oh, and she easily defeated our greatest warrior! Now she is Liuhuo’s greatest warrior! Unrivaled!” Speaking of Zhen Wenjun, Mengda Khan’s eyes filled with admiration as he endlessly recounted how she defeated the Kelayi and easily overcame their national warriors.
Seeing his mystifying description, the servants all screamed and gathered around to hear about his adventure. Mengda Khan covered his face, refusing to say more, but the servants wouldn’t leave until he revealed all the details.
“Ahem!” The State Preceptor’s stern cough frightened the gossiping servants back to their positions. Her narrow eyes swept across the servants’ nervous faces before stopping in front of Mengda Khan.
“Your Majesty. I know this is all difficult. Asking you to govern the country like a woman, to become a wise ruler is indeed challenging, but you are Liuhuo’s only hope…” At this point, the State Preceptor was deeply moved, with tears even appearing in her eyes.
“Why me?” Mengda Khan asked her. “Why must it be me? I’m just a man, why must I bear all this?”
“Your Majesty must not speak such nonsense. Although historically men have lived in seclusion and rarely appeared in public, since the previous ruler, there have been efforts to elevate men’s status in the country. Men can also engage in commerce and become officials, men can have grand ambitions! These are rights that men must have. Your Majesty must have heard the previous ruler mention that only when men have the same rights as women can a country of equal rights be one where all citizens can live and work in peace.”
Mengda Khan remained silent, just curling up on his throne with vacant eyes.
Just as the State Preceptor was about to leave, Mengda Khan spoke: “I will marry Zhen Wenjun.”
The State Preceptor said: “Our country’s men cannot marry foreigners. Moreover, given Your Majesty’s special status, how could you casually marry a strange woman?”
“I am already hers. If the State Preceptor deliberately obstructs this…” Mengda Khan turned to look at her with a sinister expression that made the State Preceptor’s heart tremble.
“Then the State Preceptor won’t see the day an heir is born.”
He was threatening her.
The State Preceptor stared steadily at Mengda Khan, who began laughing strangely, lying shamelessly across the throne, eating a slice of honeydew melon, not sparing her another glance until she left the hall.
It’s all because of that Da Yu woman called Zhen Wenjun!
The State Preceptor quickly descended the palace hall steps, clutching her divination fan tightly.
It’s all her! It’s this wild woman who has bewitched His Majesty! They want Liuhuo’s wealth, they want to drain Liuhuo’s gold and jewels!
The State Preceptor stepped on the gold and diamond-paved ground, her eyes turning fierce.
They must not succeed.
Mengda Khan stubbornly ordered the servants to prepare for the grand wedding, commanding the entire nation’s citizens to hang lanterns and festive decorations to welcome the royal wedding ceremony.
The State Preceptor led the court officials in opposition, but Mengda Khan angrily struck the throne and rose in fury, producing a knife from somewhere and holding it to his own neck: “Do you want to force your king to death? Whoever wants to become Liuhuo’s eternal sinner, step forward and let me see! Let me remember your face!”
The gleaming knife could slice Mengda Khan’s delicate neck at any moment – no one dared step forward.
Zhen Wenjun, hiding behind a jade pillar, noticed Mengda Khan’s abnormal behavior, yet surprisingly, everyone present, including the State Preceptor, showed no sign of finding it strange.
“Mengda Khan’s soul-leaving condition is very serious,” Zhen Wenjun said upon returning from the hall, finding Wei Tingxu sitting in the courtyard pavilion. “He’s threatening suicide for marriage – I’ve never seen such a king.”
“Has the wedding date been set?” Wei Tingxu asked her.
“I don’t know, I don’t care, I never intended to marry him.”
“Three ‘I’s in succession – it seems Wenjun’s will is absolutely firm.”
Zhen Wenjun’s heart fluctuated – sometimes she really hated that clever mouth of hers. If words wouldn’t work, perhaps she should seal it.
The State Preceptor finally relented – Mengda Khan’s death threat had won him the right to marry Zhen Wenjun!
He excitedly went to Zhen Wenjun’s residence, only to see Zhen Wenjun embracing that Da Yu woman called Wei Tingxu, and they were… they were kissing!
Mengda Khan nearly collapsed to the ground in a daze.
Impossible… impossible!
Mengda Khan had no memory of how he left, feeling only that the world was spinning and his heart was shattering.
In the cool night of the desert kingdom, while Zhen Wenjun was sleeping soundly, a dagger was pressed against her throat.
Had the State Preceptor finally made her move?
Zhen Wenjun opened her eyes to see that the person holding the knife wasn’t the State Preceptor, but Mengda Khan.
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