Chapter 41: Raising His Sword in Fury for Her Sake (Part One)

Zhang Chi was unaware of the situation inside Jiankang, his heart anxious as he led his soldiers on a forced march. Now, the northern gate of Jiankang was already in sight.

Seeing Zhang Chi’s tense expression, Santong laughed and said, “Brother Zhang, don’t fret. The city gate is right ahead, and soon you’ll be inside, able to see Miss Wang. That will surely ease your longing.”

Though Santong was teasing, no one objected. Normally, if anyone joked about Miss Wang, Du Ximing would be the first to show displeasure. But if the target of the jest was Zhang Chi, things were different.

Everyone had long sensed that Miss Wang held special feelings for Zhang Chi. Moreover, after following him in battle, Du Ximing had come to admire Zhang Chi immensely. Despite his scholarly, frail appearance, Zhang Chi had repeatedly achieved victory against overwhelming odds, truly living up to his reputation as “Heaven’s Strategist.”

Miss Wang was unmatched in wisdom, and there were few men in the world worthy of her. At this moment, Du Ximing genuinely hoped that Miss Wang and Zhang Chi might one day become a couple.

“Indeed, Miss Wang commands with great foresight, and with the city’s strong defenses, there should be no trouble. I would advise you, sir, to enter Shu as soon as possible, for that is the grand plan. Miss Wang has painstakingly sought a path for you—do not disappoint her intentions,” Han the Scholar added.

Du Ximing nodded in agreement.

Despite their words, Zhang Chi could not shake an uneasy feeling, as if some ill omen hung over him, though he could not say what it was. He took a deep breath to dispel his anxiety and said, “Let me first return to Jiankang and see the situation, then I’ll head for Shu.”

Just then, Du Ximing raised his whip and pointed ahead. “Sir, look! Soldiers are fleeing from Jiankang.”

Far in the distance, the city gate stood open, and many battered, defeated soldiers were streaming out. Zhang Chi exclaimed, “This is bad—something must have happened in Jiankang. Quick, follow me and let’s question them.” With that, he prepared to spur his horse forward.

“Such a small matter need not trouble you, brother Zhang,” Santong said. “You’re an officer now; let me go and ask them instead.”

Santong eagerly rode ahead, intercepting several fleeing soldiers to question them.

Moments later, Santong galloped back in alarm, shouting before he even reached the group, “Brother Zhang, it’s truly bad! The Five-Peck Rice Sect has rebelled—they’ve taken Jiankang, and Miss Wang has likely been killed!”

The words struck like thunder, throwing the group into turmoil. Du Ximing refused to believe it. “Impossible! Miss Wang’s brilliance is unmatched—how could the Five-Peck Rice Sect’s treachery succeed?”

“I said the same, but those soldiers claim they’re from the Xie family. According to them, the city gate was opened by Wang Guobao, letting the imperial guards in. But who would’ve guessed General Canghuai was one of the Five-Peck Rice Sect, who then seized the opportunity to storm the city, slaughtering the Xie family’s troops and killing Miss Wang. Now, they’re marching on the palace.”

“That must be a false rumor!” Du Ximing, though deeply shocked, refused to accept it.

“I doubt it’s false. The soldiers said Miss Wang’s body is hanging before the Vermilion Bird Gate. She’s dead—it couldn’t be more certain,” Santong replied.

Du Ximing, hearing that Miss Wang was dead, lost all composure. He hoped someone would voice disbelief, giving him a sliver of hope. But Santong’s words dashed that, and anger flared: “Did you see it with your own eyes? Miss Wang’s wisdom is unmatched—how could she be dead?”

Santong was about to argue further, but Zhang Chi interrupted, “Enough! Whether it’s true or not, we’ll know when we enter the city.”

Though Zhang Chi was shaken by the news, he was far calmer than when he’d been rushing toward Jiankang earlier. Perhaps when he received Miss Wang’s letter, he’d already sensed something amiss.

“‘Though the horizon stretches far, each returns to their own home. I travel a thousand miles, planting pear blossoms here.’ Could that poem truly have been prophetic?”

“Do you truly mean to enter Jiankang?” Ding Yizhi suddenly asked.

“Of course,” Zhang Chi replied. “How can I know the situation without going in?”

“But now, everyone believes you’re ‘Heaven’s Strategist.’ If those soldiers are right and Jiankang is controlled by the Five-Peck Rice Sect, they’d want you dead. Would you walk into their trap?” Ding Yizhi cautioned.

Ding Yizhi was right. With so few men, entering Jiankang as it was described would be suicidal. All eyes turned to Zhang Chi, awaiting his decision.

Du Ximing, though worried for Miss Wang, couldn’t urge Zhang Chi to enter hastily. Ding Yizhi’s reasoning was sound, and Du Ximing, overwhelmed, watched Zhang Chi’s face, hoping for a wise choice.

Zhang Chi hesitated, but after a moment, he spoke decisively: “We’ll enter the city!”

“Brother,” Ding Yizhi pressed, “if Jiankang is as those soldiers say and Miss Wang is truly lost, what could you possibly accomplish? Miss Wang has prepared your escape—why not go to Shu, build power in the west, and plan for the future? Endure now, avenge later—that is the way of heroes.”

Ding Yizhi always analyzed rationally, and in truth, this was Zhang Chi’s best course. But what Zhang Chi lacked most was calmness and reason. Before and after his arrival in this era, he always acted on impulse, never scheming or enduring.

He wasn’t oblivious—he felt Miss Wang’s affection. But as a newcomer, he hadn’t yet blended into this world, and his actions were tinged with uncertainty. Before his crossing, encountering a woman of unmatched beauty and wit, he would never let such a possible romance slip away.

He had long held feelings for Miss Wang, but her special status held him back. Now, hearing she was dead, he realized the depth of his own heart.

Whether she lived or died, he had to see Jiankang for himself to be at peace.

What ought or ought not be done, he believed was dictated by temperament. If he didn’t enter Jiankang today, he wouldn’t be Zhang Chi.

Thinking thus, Zhang Chi declared, “Cousin, no need to persuade me further. In my view, winning glory and titles on the battlefield doesn’t make a hero. But risking all for friendship and love—even if blood is spilled—is true heroism!”

To Zhang Chi, even if he someday gained fame across the land or founded a dynasty, that would pale beside the heroic spirit he felt in uttering these words. For him, this was true heroism.

His words rang powerfully—Ding Yizhi could not argue further.

“Brother Zhang is indeed a man of loyalty and courage!” Santong applauded. “I want to follow you in such bold deeds—even if I die, I won’t regret it!”

Santong was straightforward and loyal. He had followed Zhang Chi because the latter had risked his life to save him from the Hu cavalry. Now, seeing Zhang Chi make such a decision, Santong was the first to voice support.

Du Ximing, meanwhile, was conflicted.

He knew if the city was as those soldiers claimed, Zhang Chi’s entry would likely mean death.

Du Ximing had been a central army general and could see things clearly. From the start, Miss Wang had deliberately elevated Zhang Chi, preparing a path for him to claim power in Shu.

Zhang Chi was a humble scholar, yet Miss Wang raised him to stand among the mighty, showing how much she valued him.

But if he died in the city, would that not betray Miss Wang’s careful plans? Du Ximing respected her deeply and hoped Zhang Chi would heed her wishes, safely enter Shu, and achieve great things.

Yet he also hoped Zhang Chi would enter the city and see for himself. If he didn’t witness Miss Wang’s body, he’d never believe she was dead.

He said, “Sir, you are the commander-in-chief—should you risk yourself so lightly? Why not wait outside while I go in alone to check the situation? If things can be salvaged, I’ll signal from the city wall with fire. If you see flames within an hour, storm the city. If not, take your troops to Shu.”

“Nonsense!” Zhang Chi roared. “You think only you’re a hero? Am I not?”

“Even if you’re fearless, sir, you must consider your men,” Du Ximing said.

“What’s there to consider?” Santong interjected. “Brother Zhang is loyal—we brothers mustn’t hold him back. He’s a hero, and we must follow suit!”

Dao Xuan also spoke up, “Indeed. Death is only a return to nirvana—what’s there to fear?”

Du Ximing, seeing their resolve, was deeply moved and glanced at Ding Yizhi. “And what does Young Master Ding think...?”

“My brother is so loyal—if I cling to life, what right have I to be his cousin?” Ding Yizhi replied. “Besides, his fate is heaven’s secret. If he does not fear, why should I?”

With the matter settled, Du Ximing looked around at everyone and said, “Miss Wang truly chose well!”

“Since no one objects, let’s enter the city,” Zhang Chi ordered.

“Hold, brother. Though we must enter, we should discuss our strategy first. Preparation prevents disaster,” Ding Yizhi advised.

That was true. Zhang Chi, though passionate, wouldn’t throw his life away. “Cousin, do you have a plan?”

“I wouldn’t call it a plan, but let’s review the situation in Jiankang to prepare,” Ding Yizhi said.

Everyone agreed, turning their attention to Ding Yizhi.

“Jiankang’s walls are strong. If Miss Wang were inside, with the Xie family’s troops defending, even ten times the Five-Peck Rice Sect’s numbers couldn’t breach the city,” Ding Yizhi analyzed. “But if the fleeing soldiers spoke truth, someone must have opened the gates.”

“You haven’t listened to me,” Santong complained. “I told you—the soldiers said it was Miss Wang’s father, Wang Guobao, who opened the gates.”

“But why would Wang Guobao let them in?” Ding Yizhi pressed.

Santong was stumped. Ding Yizhi continued, “To know who’s behind this, the simplest way is to see who benefits. In chaos, only one gains—Huan Xuan of Jingzhou. He’s bided his time, waiting for turmoil to rise up.”

“But Huan Xuan is far away—how could he know Jiankang’s situation?” Zhang Chi wondered.

“Precisely because he’s distant, he must act through others. That person is General Che Yin, whom I mentioned before. Che Yin came from humble origins, studying by fireflies in childhood, and was promoted by Huan Wen, whose favor he never forgot. If we want to retreat safely from Jiankang, our fate may depend on him…”

…

After some time, the group finished their discussion and marched into the city.

Though Ding Yizhi’s analysis had given them a plan, everyone knew that entering Jiankang with five thousand men against the Five-Peck Rice Sect’s hundreds of thousands, plus the tens of thousands of imperial guards under General Canghuai, was a desperate gamble. Even the most thorough strategy could not prevent a fierce battle.

Previously, they had won outnumbered fights, but the odds had never been so dire. This time, it would be a fight for their lives.

The army reached the gate. The soldiers atop the city wall already had their bows drawn. Jiankang was in chaos, so the guards were rightly cautious. A commander shouted from the wall, “Who are you?”

Zhang Chi rode forward and called, “We are imperial guards under General Canghuai. I am Officer Zhang Chi. I am returning to report after defeating the Northern Army.”

The five thousand men with Zhang Chi were indeed originally from the Canghuai forces, chosen by Du Ximing after their wagered campaign against bandits. Zhang Chi’s rank was that of a new officer under General Canghuai, so he spoke the truth with no lies.

The guards were no longer Xie family troops. After General Canghuai captured the city and killed Miss Wang, he seized all four gates. Now, the gate guards were all his new troops.

They scrutinized the flags below and saw that these were indeed General Canghuai’s men. After a moment, they shouted, “Open the gate!”