Fish Meat – Chapter 233
by Little PandaThe Third Year of Shunde
Jointly Chasing The Lost Deer1 (29)
In the summer of the second year of Shunde, the Liu and Geng clans were annexed by the Zhen-Wei allied forces. The vast territory south of Julu, connecting to Huaiyang Commandery, was officially incorporated into Zhen-Wei’s domain. Zhen Wenjun did not halt her steps; while annexing Julu, she monopolized all the ironworks in the south, except for those in Nanya. Henceforth, in the supply of southern materiel2, the Zhen family alone held sway3. Zhen Wenjun continued to recruit troops and expand her strength4.
Simultaneously, the Yao family of Nanya sent a hundred carts loaded with rare treasures, signifying their intent to seek peace.
Wei Tingxu and Zhen Wenjun had long been waiting.
After annexing Julu, the immediate priority was to link up with Huaiyang and launch an all-out assault on Runing. Consistent with the Yao clan’s thinking, they temporarily did not wish to waste further time on the equally matched Yao clan; continuing the stalemate would only make Runing increasingly difficult to conquer. Therefore, after the Yao clan sent gifts, they chose to reciprocate with gifts, maintaining a superficial peace with the Yao clan. In reality, both sides had merely temporarily turned their blades towards other sheep awaiting slaughter5.
The Son of Heaven enfeoffed Gong’er as the Marquis of Nanling6; Nanling7 was located within the borders of Pingcang.
Ostensibly, the Geng and Liu clans had spread rumors that the Wei clan poisoned Emperor Min. Now, the Wei clan, disregarding past grievances, had rescued this grandmother and grandchild pair from the blades of the Yan clan and settled them appropriately, seemingly clearing themselves of the suspicion of regicide8. In reality, however, Wei Tingxu had brought the two firmly under the control of her own sphere of influence, leaving them no possibility of causing further trouble.
Empress Dowager Geng grew frailer day by day; it was said she suffered a severe illness in late summer, and whether she could survive the autumn became uncertain—Empress Dowager Geng was no longer a threat to be feared. Yet Wei Tingxu remained uneasy, still having people record the minutiae of the pair’s daily lives and report them to her in detail.
“You are worried about Gong’er.”
Beneath a solitary lamp by a cool desk, two figures cast shadows in the room.
Wei Tingxu passed the sheets of paper to Zhen Wenjun after flipping through them. Zhen Wenjun guessed Wei Tingxu’s thoughts after scanning them rapidly.
“This Gong’er might be the most formidable figure in the Li clan after Li Xu.” Wei Tingxu didn’t sound like she was joking. If Li Xu hadn’t killed his brother to seize the throne back then, leaving behind endless future troubles, how would they have all these complex entanglements of love and hate today? Li Xu had changed the lives of many people, even the trajectory of Da Yu; his prowess had to be acknowledged. For Wei Tingxu to compare the young Marquis of Nanling to him indicated she regarded this Gong’er quite seriously.
“Zizhuo feels this girl is intelligent, and might grow into a major problem someday?”
“A problem she is, but if controlled properly, she could become someone else’s problem,” Wei Tingxu said. “Her desire to survive today isn’t because she fears death, but because she’s unwilling to die just like this, wanting to keep her life to seek revenge someday. Just like me back then in Rangchuan. At that time, only hatred sustained me. Every day, I would tell myself a thousand times, just let me keep this life, and someday I will make those who harmed me repay it manifold. It’s just… putting you in such a predicament, making you suffer so much hardship, that was my mistake. I’m sorry, Wenjun.”
This was the first time Wei Tingxu had apologized for her past actions. There was no calculation, nor was it to achieve some goal; Zhen Wenjun could see her sincerity.
“No need to say these things.” Zhen Wenjun grasped her hand. Just as Wei Tingxu was slightly surprised by her understated9 reply, she heard her continue, “Anyway, once you accomplish your great undertaking, I will take your life. No matter how much you say now, I won’t show mercy.”
Wei Tingxu’s expression flickered through various emotions, finally unable to suppress a laugh. “Fine, fine, fine, you must do as you say10. To be honest, I have two lifelong wishes. The first, you know. As for the second… everyone must die eventually.” She held Zhen Wenjun’s hand, the burning flame long unseen in her eyes clearly visible. “And that is to die by your hand.”
Zhen Wenjun looked at her, the tide within her heart relentlessly crashing against her chest.
Wei Tingxu’s voice grew lower and sweeter. She nestled into Zhen Wenjun’s embrace and whispered something in her ear. When she pulled away, a bit of cherry-red lip rouge stained Zhen Wenjun’s ear cartilage—two tiny red dots, the exact shape of Wei Tingxu’s lip bead11.
Zhen Wenjun’s throat moved slightly as she wrapped an arm around Wei Tingxu’s waist.
“I guess what Wenjun is thinking right now is—where on earth did this thief’s peculiar personality come from.”
Zhen Wenjun shook her head. “I was thinking, searching through the three realms and six paths12, could I find an existence more special than my wife.”
“Sweet talk won’t save you from eating my cooking for another ten days.” Wei Tingxu squinted, smiling happily. “We agreed back then, the punishment for you getting fat from eating the spy’s food—we have to fulfill it item by item.”
Zhen Wenjun raised an eyebrow and readily agreed, “No problem.”
“Such confidence.”
“I imagine I must be the only person able to eat the soup you’ve personally made. I should cherish it properly.”
Wei Tingxu, thoroughly satisfied, sat on her lap, facing her.
“Let me taste if this mouth has been smeared with honey tonight, it’s so sweet.” Wei Tingxu hooked her arms around Zhen Wenjun’s neck. A long-missed passionate kiss burned from their lips and teeth into their hearts. Zhen Wenjun carried her to the bed; the sounds of pressure on the bedstead were clear in the quiet night.
“My lady is getting impatient…” Wei Tingxu panted slightly, her chest rising and falling noticeably, her gaze becoming hazy. “Has it been so long that you’ve forgotten?”
Zhen Wenjun propped herself up with one hand, using the other to open a wooden box by the bedside. She took out a small, green-glazed porcelain vial with a narrow mouth, bit open the cork stopper, and poured a small, entirely lustrous white pill onto Wei Tingxu’s chest.
Wei Tingxu felt the coolness, but she definitely wouldn’t strain to look down at it; that movement would inevitably make her expression slightly contorted, something Wei Tingxu would never permit herself, not even on the bed facing Zhen Wenjun. Besides, she knew what it was without looking.
Wei Tingxu said, “You’ve actually been researching this stuff all along, and even carry it with you?”
Zhen Wenjun chuckled at her words. “Are you talking about the Jile Dan13? This isn’t Jile Dan. It’s a type of refreshing medicine I developed later. Taking it before practice14 can clear the mind, awaken the brain, dispel impurities, and detoxify15. It can also stimulate the senses and sharpen the sense of touch, and it has minimal toxicity. The time available for practice is getting shorter and shorter; I carry it because I want to achieve twice the result with half the effort16.”
“I’ll believe you for now,” Wei Tingxu said. “Feed me. Let me see if it can truly sharpen touch and stimulate the senses.”
Zhen Wenjun pushed the pill between Wei Tingxu’s lips. As their two bodies merged into one, ceaselessly thrusting and folding17, the pill gradually scraped away the thick, numb barriers, revealing the original tender vulnerability.
“Wenjun, you are clearly a goddess…” Wei Tingxu clutched Zhen Wenjun’s back, burying her face in the crook of her neck.
Shallow then deep again, fragrant sweat dried then dampened anew.
After several rounds of unrestrained galloping18, it wasn’t until the third watch19 that the two, utterly exhausted, embraced and fell asleep.
The next morning, when Zhen Wenjun opened her eyes, it was already light. Wei Tingxu was not beside her.
Pushing aside the bed curtains, she stepped barefoot onto the floor. In the height of summer, the scorching sun should have already reached its zenith, making the room unbearably hot. Yet, blocks of ice had been placed in the four corners of the room. The south-facing window was open, directly facing a rolling waterwheel outside. Water falling from a height stirred up gusts of cool breeze, which, combined with the chill from the ice blocks, rushed towards Zhen Wenjun, instantly refreshing her and filling her with delight.
Just as she was about to dress, wash up, and go find Wei Tingxu, she saw her enter carrying a wooden tray. The tray seemed somewhat heavy and difficult to carry steadily. Ah Zhu followed beside her, opening the door for her. Ah Zhu wanted to help, but Wei Tingxu shook her head, insisting on doing it herself.
As Zhen Wenjun quickly took the tray, her eyes accidentally met Ah Zhu’s. Ah Zhu’s expression held much awkwardness and embarrassment. After calling out “Furen”, she left.
Remembering how Auntie Ah Zhu had thrown herself wholeheartedly into the act back then, Zhen Wenjun, in high spirits, couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“If you’re going to laugh, wait until Gugu is farther away. Really, such a little monkey20.” Wei Tingxu shook her head.
Zhen Wenjun had expended considerable energy last night and was already so hungry her chest felt stuck to her back21. Besides the newly attempted pea congee, Wei Tingxu had brought a plate of evenly fatty sliced white pork with garlic sauce and a bowl of stewed lamb22 emitting a rich aroma. Zhen Wenjun knew it would be delicious just by looking.
“The first time you cooked, you also made these two dishes. Back then, they were burnt into a mess, daunting to behold23, but now their color and fragrance are enticing.”
“Your memory is truly good, to even remember the dishes I made so long ago.” Wei Tingxu then reconsidered, “Could it be that they were so unappetizing and ugly that they left a deep impression?”
Zhen Wenjun hastily clutched her chest, thinking her inner thoughts had been too loud and Wei Tingxu had heard them clearly.
“Let’s not talk about it, let’s not talk about it, I’m too hungry. Allow me to eat first24!”
Zhen Wenjun alternated between spoon and chopsticks, eating with great enjoyment. Wei Tingxu sat beside her, seeing her eat without the slightest difficulty, appearing quite genuine in her enjoyment, and felt a bit distressed for her: “Alright, alright, just eat a few bites to humor me. I know my own cooking skills. Don’t upset your stomach; you still have many things to do.”
Wei Tingxu tried several times to stop her but couldn’t halt Zhen Wenjun’s growing enthusiasm for eating; in the end, she actually finished everything.
“It’s truly delicious, really delicious. Zizhuo, you know, true deliciousness doesn’t need overly complicated adjectives to describe it; the word ‘delicious’ suffices!”
Wei Tingxu leaned towards her, gazing at her with a smile. “Are you saying these nice things to coax me because we… exerted ourselves too late last night?”
“If I coax you more, can I eat such delicious food every day from now on?”
Wei Tingxu frowned slightly in a smile, still half-believing, half-doubting.
After having someone clear away the dishes, Wei Tingxu had Zhen Wenjun sit properly and helped her put up her hair25.
In the bronze mirror, the scar on Zhen Wenjun’s brow was conspicuous. Wei Tingxu supported her long hair with one hand while the other hovered over Zhen Wenjun’s eyes, gently stroking the scar.
“This is the injury from collecting grain taxes in Sudu.”
“Mm.”
“To be injured in such a place.”
“It’s nothing serious. If anything, it makes me look a bit fiercer, which is convenient for managing the troops.”
“We’re about to attack Runing. Wenjun, are you prepared?”
“Mm,” Zhen Wenjun said. “I’ve been prepared for three years. Does Zizhuo have any clever stratagems for this siege?”
Wei Tingxu separated Zhen Wenjun’s dark hair into two strands and smiled. “Are you afraid I’ll make you act again?”
“Aren’t I just? That time dealing with the Yao clan was truly life-threatening.”
“But you acted so well, even Auntie Ah Zhu believed it was real and cried in anger.”
Mentioning Auntie Ah Zhu with her rolling pin sent the two into another fit of laughter. Just then, Auntie Ah Zhu came in with chilled tea. Seeing the two with faces flushed from laughing, she felt surprised but also relieved.
Ah Zhu retreated from the room. The maids waiting outside asked her curiously:
“Have the Lady and Furen completely reconciled then?”
Ah Zhu said, “Let’s hope so. Only when Furen is here can the Lady be so happy.”
The final days of summer, spent recuperating and building strength26, drew to a close. In the autumn of the second year of Shunde, Zhen Wenjun, Wei Jing’an, and Zhangsun Wu joined forces to breach Runing city, ending nineteen months of arduous siege and slaying the defending Chongjin Great General, Feng Erke.
However, their victory was rather short-lived.
In the spring of the following year, Runing, having barely had a chance to breathe, once again faced a powerful assault from the Chongjin.
The Chongjin leader personally led an army of five hundred thousand south to attack the city. The two sides clashed in a major battle in the outskirts of Runing.
The great battle lasted for three days and three nights, stretching from Runing all the way to Yanxing. Along the hundred-li long road, wails of the displaced filled the wilds, bones lay exposed, entrails trampled underfoot27; casualties numbered over a million. This battle would become the most tragic in the history of the Da Yu state.
The Battle of Runing ultimately concluded with the Zhen-Wei-Zhangsun alliance defeating the Chongjin and slaying the Chongjin leader.
This battle also raised the curtain on the long prelude to expelling the Huzei28.
In the third year of Shunde, the Son of Heaven appointed Zhen Wenjun as Second-Rank General of Cavalry, Marquis of Yuanbei29, and Commander-in-Chief of Meng30 and Liang31 Military Affairs, leading troops on a Northern Expedition, aiming to completely annihilate the Chongjin and eliminate the threat forever.
Zhen Wenjun launched three successive Northern Expeditions over five years, finally completely eradicating the Chongjin clan that had harassed the northern borders for many years, resolving a major affliction that had plagued Da Yu for decades.
When she returned to the capital in triumph, it was already the eighth year of Shunde.
Footnotes
- 失鹿共逐 | shī lù gòng zhú | Lit. “Lost deer, pursued by all”; An allusion to the Records of the Grand Historian, referring to the fall of the Qin dynasty. The ‘deer’ symbolizes imperial power, and its loss signifies that the realm is up for grabs, leading to widespread conflict.
- 辎重 | zīzhòng | Military supplies, provisions, equipment.
- 一方獨大 | yī fāng dú dà | Lit. “one side is solely large”; Meaning one party dominates or holds a monopoly.
- 招兵買馬 | zhāo bīng mǎi mǎ | Lit. “recruit soldiers and buy horses”; To expand one’s forces, raise an army.
- 待宰之羊 | dài zǎi zhī yáng | Lit. “sheep waiting to be slaughtered”; Helpless victims.
- 南嶺侯 | Nánlǐng Hóu | Marquis is a rank of nobility. Nanling is the associated fiefdom.
- 南嶺 | Nánlǐng
- 弑君 | shìjūn | The act of killing one’s sovereign.
- 輕描淡寫 | qīng miáo dàn xiě | Lit. “lightly sketch, faintly write”; To mention something casually, to downplay.
- 說到做到 | shuō dào zuò dào | Lit. “say arrive, do arrive”; To keep one’s word, to follow through on what one says.
- 唇珠 | chúnzhū | The central protrusion of the upper lip, considered an attractive feature.
- 三界六道 | sān jiè liù dào | Buddhist/Taoist cosmology: the Three Realms (Desire, Form, Formlessness) and Six Paths of Reincarnation (gods, demigods, humans, animals, hungry ghosts, hell-beings). Refers to the entire universe/all existence.
- 極樂丹 | Jílè Dān | Lit. “Pill of Ultimate Bliss/Ecstasy”. I forgot what I initially translated this to.
- 練功 | liàn gōng | To practice martial arts, cultivation, or other skills requiring training.
- 明神醒腦辟穢解毒 | míng shén xǐng nǎo pì huì jiě dú | A string of effects: clarifies the spirit, awakens the brain, wards off filth/evil, resolves poison.
- 事半功倍 | shì bàn gōng bèi | Lit. “half the work, double the effect”; To be highly efficient.
- 雙體合一不住沖折 | shuāng tǐ hé yī bù zhù chōng zhé | Original: 雙體合一不住沖折. “Two bodies merge as one, ceaselessly thrusting/colliding (沖 chōng) and folding/bending/tormenting (折 zhé)”.
- 幾番縱橫馳騁 | jǐ fān zònghéng chíchěng | Lit. “several rounds of moving freely horizontally and vertically, galloping”.
- 三更 | sān gēng | The third of five night watches in traditional Chinese timekeeping, roughly 11 PM to 1 AM.
- 皮猴子 | pí hóuzi | Lit. “skin monkey”; Colloquial term for a mischievous or naughty child.
- 前胸貼後背 | qián xiōng tiē hòu bèi | Lit. “front chest sticks to back”; An idiom describing extreme hunger.
- 胹羔 | ér gāo | A type of stewed lamb dish. The exact preparation might be specific, but “stewed lamb” conveys the likely meaning.
- 望而生畏 | wàng ér shēng wèi | Lit. “look and feel fear”; To be intimidated by the sight of something.
- 先吃為敬 | xiān chī wéi jìng | A playful phrase mimicking “先干为敬” (drink first as a sign of respect), meaning “I’ll start eating first out of respect (for the food/hunger)”.
- 绾發 | wǎn fà | To coil or arrange hair, typically into a bun or knot.
- 養精蓄銳 | yǎng jīng xù ruì | Lit. “nurture essence, accumulate sharpness”; To conserve energy and build up strength for a future task.
- 哀鴻遍野曝骨履腸 | āihóng biànyě pù gǔ lǚ cháng | Original: 哀鴻遍野曝骨履腸. A graphic description of devastation after battle. 哀鴻遍野 (āihóng biànyě) means “wailing wild geese fill the plains,” metaphorically referring to the cries of refugees or suffering people everywhere. 曝骨履腸 (pù gǔ lǚ cháng) means “exposed bones, tread upon intestines.” The phrase depicts extreme carnage and suffering.
- 胡賊 | húzéi | Lit. “Barbarian thieves”; A derogatory term used historically by Han Chinese for various non-Han peoples, particularly nomadic groups from the north. Here it refers to the Chongjin.
- 淵北侯 | Yuānběi Hóu | Marquis of Yuanbei.
- 孟 | Mèng
- 梁 | Liáng
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