Chapter 111: Without a Farewell

The river wind blew fiercely.

Zhang Yue’s face flushed slightly with embarrassment. Though he had lived two lifetimes, aside from arranged matchmaking, he had little experience dealing with young ladies. He pretended to be composed and glanced toward her, but when he looked back, the woman had already turned her gaze elsewhere. Only then did Zhang Yue’s awkwardness subside.

At this moment, Tang Jiu spoke up: "Reporting to the Young Master, although the river bandits have retreated, we are not yet out of danger. These bandits murder and rob; to ensure no word leaks out, they sink the ships and leave no evidence, sparing not even infants."

Wu Anshi asked with a serious expression, "In your opinion, Nine, what should we do?"

Tang Jiu replied, "The best course of action is to leave this place with all possible haste."

Wu Anshi smiled, "Rest assured, Nine. I have already sent men to find the local Military Inspector; we shall have word soon."

Tang Jiu hesitated, wanting to say more. Zhang Yue, noticing this, asked, "Do you have concerns?"

Tang Jiu said, "Many of these Jiang-Huai river bandits are local powerful gentry or smugglers of tea and salt. They collude with the authorities in peacetime, and some are even government soldiers acting as thieves."

Someone nearby sneered, "What? Do you truly believe these government soldiers would dare to rob and kill our Young Master Wu?"

Tang Jiu retorted, "It is possible. They need only leak our location beforehand or deliberately delay their arrival by a day. Besides, this trip back and forth will force us to wait here at least another night. There is no guarantee these bandits will not return."

Having said this, Tang Jiu picked up an arrowhead. "I found this from the river bandits last night. This arrow is crafted with such precision that even the military’s supply is inferior. If the bandits gather more men to attack, we are sitting ducks here on the riverbank."

The leaders of Wu Anshi’s guards agreed, "He is right. These men are not to be trifled with. They are not only skilled in water combat but also formidable in close quarters. They are likely seasoned brigands."

Wu Anshi said indignantly, "When I return to Bianjing, I will report this to my father and have the Imperial Court send a large force to wipe them out and vent our anger."

"So, Nine, what shall we do?"

Tang Jiu said, "To be safe, we cannot wait here for news. We must head downstream. We passed a *caoshi* (makeshift market) yesterday, and there were government soldiers stationed there to maintain order."

Wu Anshi clapped his hands. "Brilliant! The bandits will assume we are continuing west and will intercept us further ahead, never expecting us to turn back. Once we reach the market, we can reach out to the local authorities."

However, the attendants argued, "Young Master, if we all rush along the path, what if we get separated?"

Wu Anshi hesitated.

Tang Jiu urged, "Young Master, one must be decisive when the moment calls for it."

One of the guards snapped, "You wretched soldier, the Young Master has shown you favor, but you have no right to dictate our actions."

Tang Jiu withdrew and fell silent.

Wu Anshi turned to Zhang Yue and asked, "Third Brother, what do you think?"

Zhang Yue pondered for a moment before asking, "May I ask, Young Master, what are the pros and cons of staying here versus heading east?"

Wu Anshi replied, "Staying here to wait for reinforcements is sound in theory, but if we wait a day and they do not arrive, we will be in grave danger by nightfall. If we head east toward the market, we may indeed get separated, but we are certain to reach it within a day’s journey along the river."

Zhang Yue said, "Young Master, do you remember what we discussed at Xianxia Ridge?"

Wu Anshi slapped his thigh. "'To watch the situation and do nothing is to risk a disaster that cannot be salvaged; to rise and act firmly is to risk the skepticism of a world lulled by peace.' If we head east, at least our fate remains in our own hands!"

***

Wu Anshi consulted with the two women wearing veils, and it was decided that they would return south together.

The entire group set off, moving along the river through the reed thickets. The river wind was biting; in a better season, the reed catkins would be filling the air like snow, settling on one's clothes—a scene worthy of a poetic line about "brushing them off only to be covered again." But now, with the whereabouts of the river bandits unknown, everyone was heavy with anxiety. The shadowy reeds, buffeted by the early spring chill, made everyone jumpy at the slightest sound.

Many guards crowded around Wu Anshi to clear the path, while the maids and older servants, physically weaker, were constantly left behind, leaving the formation ragged. Zhang Yue noticed that Wu Anshi and the Lady Fan were being shielded by the guards and pushed forward quickly, while the others were left to fend for themselves. Tang Jiu stayed close to Zhang Yue, while Huang Haoyi and Ma Wu had been separated during the frantic march.

Zhang Yue walked in a hurry. People dropped out along the way; after traveling a dozen miles, only half the morning had passed. Only seven or eight guards remained around Young Master Wu, and the two ladies of the Wu family were left with only two or three maids.

Exhausted, the group came to a stop in a reed marsh to rest. They sat in a chaotic heap, hungry and thirsty, cupping river water in their hands to drink. Zhang Yue saw the maids wetting their handkerchiefs in the river; despite their fatigue, they remained composed and elegant, using the wet cloths to tend to the two ladies.

Zhang Yue overheard two guards complaining nearby. They seemed to blame Zhang Yue for dragging them along; they grumbled that if they had stayed put, they might have already been rescued by government soldiers without having to run until they were nearly breathless. Even Young Master Wu had twisted his ankle during the dash.

Everyone was exhausted, and it was clear they might turn their resentment toward Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue and Tang Jiu sat silently to the side.

Just then, a maid walked up to Zhang Yue, holding a pastry wrapped in a handkerchief. "Sir, this is from my mistress for you."

Zhang Yue was taken aback. He looked up and saw the woman walk away to talk softly with the other lady, not looking in his direction at all.

The maid said, "My mistress says she is very grateful for your counsel earlier. She also said that she dislikes those who seek to live without blame or praise. Since you chose to take this responsibility upon yourself, do not worry about gossip; just act with a clear mind."

Zhang Yue nodded, stood up, and bowed. "Please convey my thanks to your mistress for her words."

The maid smiled sweetly. "Then do accept it!"

Zhang Yue felt a bit shy. After accepting the pastry, he shared it with Tang Jiu.

After resting for a while, they continued east. Within a few miles, the silhouette of the *caoshi* appeared. Wu Anshi was overjoyed and stopped to gather his people. Once two-thirds had arrived, they headed for the market.

The Jiang-Huai *caoshi* had flourished since the end of the Tang Dynasty. The poet Du Mu once wrote in his records of river bandits: "Whenever there is a *caoshi* along the Jiang-Huai, it is always near the water, where the wealthy and powerful reside. For the past fifteen years, in both the south and north of the Yangtze, every famous market has been looted; some are hit every three years, and none have known peace for five."

Although the Tang Dynasty strictly forbade these markets, believing all trade must occur within designated cities, they had sprung up like mushrooms after the An Lushan Rebellion. By the Song Dynasty, the government accepted the existence of these markets, provided they could send officials to collect taxes. Consequently, many such markets still dotted the Yangtze.

Zhang Yue and the others entered the market, which consisted mostly of thatched huts. The bustle of the populace brought a sense of prosperity. Though the buildings and streets were dilapidated due to a lack of central management, there was a raw, vibrant energy everywhere.

Cargo boats were docked along the river, buying food and grain from the locals. Meanwhile, smugglers of tea, salt, and spirits walked through the market with blatant impunity. They were rugged men, wearing short tunics in the spring chill, weapons at their waists, pushing wheelbarrows through the crowd. Several minor officials leaning against a wall seemed not to see them, busy counting copper coins and keeping accounts at a small table.

Seeing this chaotic state of order, Zhang Yue and his companions finally felt at ease. No matter how bold the river bandits were, they wouldn't dare commit open murder and robbery within the market. After all, it was no longer the end of the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Anshi signaled his guards. One of them stepped forward and kicked over the table in front of the officials. To their stunned expressions, the guard commanded, "Call your person in charge!"

As it turned out, once the market official in charge learned that the travelers were the son and nephew of the current Vice Chancellor, he was terrified. He rushed out to kneel before them, offered his own office for Wu Anshi and his family to stay in, and immediately sent word for government soldiers to provide protection.

Hearing this, the group began to whisper among themselves. The terror and paranoia of the morning’s flight had vanished. Soon, a squad of armed local militia arrived to guard the entrance to the market office.

Wu Anshi nodded and entered with his family, while the others were settled by the officials. Gradually, everyone from the Wu household arrived; not a single person was lost, though several had twisted their ankles.

Huang Haoyi and Ma Wu caught up, and Zhang Yue and his companions were assigned to a lean-to. They lit a bonfire outside to ward off the cold and borrowed a pot to boil porridge. Watching the militia patrolling outside, the people in the lean-to began to laugh and chat, with some even buying wine and meat to celebrate.

When the porridge was ready, Zhang Yue, Ma Wu, and Huang Haoyi drank from wooden bowls. They had no spoons, so they sipped the hot porridge from the rims. No one complained. Suddenly, Huang Haoyi began to weep while drinking; he was likely thinking of the attendants who had died on the boat the night before. Zhang Yue, too, thought of those with whom he had been laughing and talking just the day before.

Zhang Yue and Tang Jiu sat to the side. Although no one came to thank them, they no longer cared. Reflecting on the day’s journey, having endured fear and terror for a full day and night, their hearts were filled only with the relief of having survived.

After finishing his porridge, Zhang Yue lay down in his clothes. His mind drifted back to the journey with the young lady from the Wu family—the fear, the panic, and the frantic running. She had even sent her maid to comfort him. Finally, he pictured her entering the market office with her brother; they had been in such a rush that they hadn't even exchanged a farewell. His heart felt strangely empty.

Zhang Yue thought to himself that it would have been nice to say goodbye; after all, it would not be easy for them to meet again.