The Great Ming in the Box-Chapter 1253 - 752: Worthy Brother Zilong

As the fleet drew closer to Ye City, the snowfall thickened by another measure, while the atmosphere aboard the ships grew three parts livelier.

The boy whom Lu Su had brought aboard quickly shed his earlier restraint. Though he still looked quite young, he seemed to have accurately sensed the curiosity these men from the south felt toward the northern lands. Soon he began recounting his own experiences, half voluntarily.

Two months had already passed since the great war ended. News from the various battlefields had gradually circulated among the different forces.

Zhang Liao, for instance, knew that turmoil had erupted in Ye City. Afterwards Cao Pi, the Deputy Chancellor, had led troops southward, supposedly to assist his father in suppressing rebels. Yet how that army had collapsed so swiftly at Hulao Pass, and how the defeat had occurred almost without a sound, was something Zhang Liao had never fully understood.

Now, the boy’s story neatly filled that missing piece.

Men were forcibly conscripted.

Formations were drawn up beneath the pass.

They were driven forward in assaults that ignored death.

Then came the naval surprise attack.

Cannons roared like thunder shaking the heavens.

Defeat arrived in the span of moments.

Yet in the boy’s telling, the battlefield itself was merely a minor episode. According to him, he had been swept along by a mob of soldiers and believed death inevitable. Only because General Lu Su arrived with troops and rescued them did he survive.

Because of that, he willingly followed General Lu’s side. Moreover, the general had not despised him and even taught him many things.

Hearing this, Zhang Liao sighed sincerely.

"General Lu’s righteousness remains as it always was."

Brushing snow from the brim of his hat, Lu Su shook his head and spoke quietly.

"I only saw that he had become separated from his family. I also wondered how a child not yet twelve could survive in the army. So I simply kept him by my side for the time being until he might meet his family again."

"Then why bring him to Ye this time?" Zhang Liao asked curiously.

Lu Su glanced toward the boy.

Having finished recounting his own story, the youngster had now begun pestering Ma Liang with questions about the customs of Jiangdong.

Lu Su smiled faintly.

"Dan’er is also of the Zhuge house from Langya. I have asked him about it. By the clan registers, he can be counted as Kongming’s younger kinsman."

Zhang Liao immediately understood.

Zhao Yun could not help but glance over as well, examining the boy more carefully.

At that very moment Zhuge Dan seemed to sense something and abruptly turned his head. Their gazes met for an instant before separating again.

"This child will surely make his name in the future."

Zhao Yun spoke softly.

Zhang Liao looked somewhat surprised. Yet when he turned again and saw the smile on Lu Su’s face, it was clear that he also agreed with Zhao Yun’s judgment.

Thus Zhang Liao could not help studying the boy again.

Unfortunately all he could see was the back of Zhuge Dan’s head as he laughed and chatted with Ma Liang.

"Could it be that everyone surnamed Zhuge possesses talent?"

Zhang Liao muttered.

The matter was set aside for the moment. Zhao Yun suddenly remembered another person.

"Strategist Fa did not travel with you?"

Lu Su accepted a cup of warmed wine that Gan Gui respectfully handed him. After nodding in thanks, he sighed faintly.

"Xiaozhi must remain in Luoyang, overseeing all matters of Guanzhong. He did write a letter for me to deliver to our lord."

"Zhongmiao must also inspect military affairs and supervise the military colonies at Xingyang. He could not come either, though he likewise entrusted me with a letter."

"The victory over Cao Pi at Hulao Pass relied heavily on Xiaozhi holding the rear and Zhongmiao’s fearless surprise assault. Yet in the end it is I who gained this empty reputation."

Zhao Yun nodded.

Then he quietly told Lu Su about Huo Jun’s repeated accomplishments in Yi Province and Hanzhong, and how despite such achievements he showed no arrogance at all. Truly a pillar of the Han.

Ma Liang, hearing this, began recounting old stories from the days when he had dealt with Huo Jun back in Gong’an County.

Thus the atmosphere aboard the ship grew even more cheerful.

The falling snow could not conceal the sound of laughter and conversation.

To the rhythm of the sailors’ chants, the fleet turned a bend and slowly entered the Yellow River, drifting westward with the current.

Far behind them, Hulao Pass remained only a silhouette beneath the darkening sky.

Another day passed.

The snowfall grew lighter.

That day Zhao Yun stepped out of the cabin to stretch his limbs and saw Zhang Liao already standing there, leaning against the railing and patting the side of the ship.

"We passed Yanjin last night. Ahead lies Liyang. From there we should enter the Bai Canal and head north toward Ye."

Zhao Yun came to stand beside him.

Following Zhang Liao’s pointing finger, he strained his eyes and barely made out a ferry crossing along the northern bank of the Yellow River.

Zhang Liao then shifted his hand and pointed toward the opposite bank.

"On the southern shore lies Baima Ford. From there you can travel south to Baima."

"Fourteen years ago I stood here covering the flank for Brother... for General Yunchang. I watched him cut down Yan Liang in a single exchange."

Those few words carried endless emotion.

Zhao Yun nodded.

"General Guan excels in battlefield command. He can lead infantry, coordinate cavalry, command fleets, and ride alone into enemy ranks. Whatever the situation demands, he seeks only victory. Among the generals I know, he is the purest soldier."

Zhang Liao nodded as well.

Yet the sigh that followed carried a trace of melancholy.

"Fifteen years already."

Zhao Yun understood.

Fourteen years ago Guan Yu slew Yan Liang and relieved the siege of Baima.

Fifteen years ago Lü Bu had fallen at Xiapi, and Zhang Liao had then entered Cao Cao’s service.

In those days the heroes of Bing Province had rallied under Ding Yuan, traveling to Luoyang with dreams of pacifying the world and winning fame.

Yet the winds and sands of the northern frontier could not compete with the prosperity of the Central Plains.

Within scarcely ten years, both Ding Yuan and Lü Bu had died. Of Zhang Liao’s old comrades, scarcely one in ten remained.

The wind at the prow grew colder.

Amid that wind Zhao Yun suddenly heard someone calling.

"General Zilong. General Gan says we will stop at Liyang ahead for half a shichen. Care to come ashore for a cup of hot wine?"

Turning around, Zhao Yun saw that Lu Su, Zhuge Dan, and the others had all emerged from the cabins. It was Ma Liang who had called out.

Zhao Yun glanced back at Zhang Liao, who was still lost in thought.

Not being a man of many words, he simply grabbed Zhang Liao by the arm and pulled him along.

"I’m coming."

"Zhang Wenyuan is coming too."

Zhang Liao struggled briefly, but from the distance he heard Ma Liang loudly asking whether he preferred stronger wine, while Lu Su was already calling for Gan Gui to hurry up after finishing his duties so he could accompany Zhang Liao for a proper drink.

Suddenly Zhang Liao did not feel much like struggling anymore.

Perhaps this was not so bad.

After resting briefly at Liyang, the fleet slowly continued north along the Bai Canal.

Once past Fanyang they rested another night, then turned west into the Huan River.

Half a day later they finally reached the end of their journey.

Changle County.

Gan Gui came onto the deck, directing the fleet as preparations began to unload cargo. While doing so he continued explaining.

"I would have liked to sail all the way to Ye itself. But that would mean continuing north past Fanyang for another two days, reaching Guantao before turning west into the Zhang River. Only the Zhang River flows past Ye."

"But that route would cost another seven or eight days. The weather grows colder each day. If the Zhang River freezes it will be troublesome. Better to unload here. Ye lies less than a hundred li to the north. People from Yangping Pavilion should come to receive us."

He pointed toward the shore.

"Look. Aren’t they already here?"

Following his gesture, Zhao Yun and the others looked toward the bank.

Indeed a group of riders had begun gathering there. They were clearly the party sent to receive the fleet and oversee the unloading.

Yet Zhao Yun’s eyesight was sharper than most.

Even through the falling snow he could faintly make out the leading figure’s silhouette.

The outline seemed strangely familiar.

Before he could confirm it, a booming voice exploded across the riverside. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Zilong, Zilong. Is my worthy brother there?"

In Zhang Liao’s eyes, Zhao Zilong was usually a reserved man, carrying the gentle bearing of a cultivated gentleman.

Yet at this moment none of that restraint remained.

The general’s face broke into an unrestrained grin. He rushed to the railing, waving his arms with no concern for dignity.

"Third Brother. Zilong is here!"