Where There's Milk, There's a Mother

Han Xian and Yang Feng's armies, numbering more than ten thousand, marched north. They had behaved themselves in Xiapi, but once they entered Pengcheng, their fangs came out.

They began plundering the counties of Wuyuan and Fuyang, then finally headed northwest into Liuxian.

At first, Han Xian and Yang Feng only plundered villages. But near Liuxian, they went straight into the county seat and looted the government storehouses. Lu Bu's control over the commanderies and counties outside Xiapi was weak at the time, and he tacitly condoned their actions, so the troops responsible for keeping order in the county were little more than a sham.

Taking what you wanted felt far more satisfying than begging for it. Once the ugly desires in human nature were unleashed, they were hard to rein in.

The counties and villages they raided were thrown into chaos. People who had only just found a measure of peace thought another massacre was underway, and fled with their entire families, young and old alike.

In early November, Yang Feng's forces reached Guangqi County first, just a stone's throw from Xiaopei, where Liu Bei was stationed.

After plundering all the way there, Yang Feng felt Lu Bu had burned the bridge after crossing it. Besides, Lu Bu had gained control of Xu Province through a scheme. So Yang Feng sent an envoy to Xiaopei to meet Liu Bei, the "wronged party," intending to join forces with him to attack Lu Bu and seize Xu Province.

At the time, many refugees had fled to the area around Xiaopei, and Liu Bei had no choice but to set up porridge stations to help them settle in.

Yang Feng's envoy had spent the whole journey plundering, and his air of arrogance had yet to fade. He even seemed rather proud of himself as he spoke with Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was deep and measured. Though displeased, he kept his expression unchanged, arranged for the envoy to stay at the Post House, and said he would discuss the matter with his officers before deciding what to do.

"Elder Brother, that fellow's so arrogant. Why won't you let me kill him?" Zhang Fei said angrily.

Liu Bei furrowed his brow. "Though Yang Feng has fallen on hard times, his men are all battle-hardened veterans, and he has far more troops than we do. If we make an enemy of him, Xiaopei will be plunged into misery again."

"Elder Brother, Yang Feng has been plundering the people along the way. How many families have been torn apart because of him? Judging by his route, it seems he was heading for Xiaopei all along. We can't afford to let our guard down," Guan Yu analyzed.

"I loathe Yang Feng's character. Now that he's near Xiaopei, I'd like nothing more than to get rid of him. But I'm worried about his men," Liu Bei said gravely.

"Elder Brother, why not ask sister-in-law to visit Gan Family Village?" Guan Yu suggested.

"Second Brother, you mean..." Liu Bei seemed to understand.

"Exactly." Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded.

Zhang Fei stared at the two of them, utterly bewildered, then scratched his head. "Elder Brother, Second Brother, what are you two talking about? I can't make heads or tails of it. Are we going to Lan Tian's place for drinks again?"

"Third Brother, have someone go to the market and buy some meat. I'll have my wife take it to her uncle's home," Liu Bei instructed.

"We're really going? Then I'll go buy it myself!" Zhang Fei said with delight.

Liu Bei shook his head. "Yang Feng's troops are now stationed in Guangqi. Second Brother and I have to stay in Xiaopei. Third Brother, you can escort my wife there."

"Sure thing!"

After Gan Qian left Xiaopei, Mi Zhen found her elder brother, Mi Zhu, and complained. "Elder Brother, the situation's so tense, yet she's gone back to Gan Family Village again. I heard Third Uncle even bought meat and wine to take along. Lately, Husband seems to be taking especially good care of her family."

Mi Zhu smiled. "She's from Gan Family Village, so what's wrong with her visiting now and then? If our home were outside the city, I bet you'd go back every day."

"I don't mind her going home. But why use our money to buy meat and wine? She has no shame."

Because of Lan Tian, Liu Bei had been treating Gan Qian with particular warmth lately, which made Mi Zhen, his principal wife, somewhat uncomfortable.

Mi Zhu understood a woman's heart and comforted her. "I've heard that Lady Gan's sworn younger brother is a man of great talent. Yang Feng's envoy is still in the city, and our lord hasn't made a decision yet. He's probably sent her to ask for advice. How could she go empty-handed?"

"Ah? If Husband values this man so much, what will become of you, Elder Brother?" Mi Zhen asked anxiously.

Mi Zhu shook his head with a smile. "I've observed Xuande's character. He would never let me down. Otherwise, why would I have given him everything I had?"

Seeing Mi Zhen hesitate, Mi Zhu continued to advise her. "Little Sister, you're our lord's principal wife. You should have the magnanimity of a senior wife. Don't fixate on competing with a concubine for his favor."

"I understand," Mi Zhen said, lowering her head.

As Zhang Fei escorted Gan Qian back to the village, there was hardly anyone to be seen in the fields.

"Sister-in-law, it used to be bustling here whenever I came by. Why can't I even hear a dog bark today?" Zhang Fei asked, puzzled.

Gan Qian shook her head. "The refugees from Liuxian and Guangqi must have brought news. The villagers have probably all hidden in the Sanctuary. Look, no one's even tending these crops."

"What good is that cellar going to do? They'd be better off picking up their blades and spears and fighting back!" Zhang Fei said, eyes wide.

"If those farmers were as brave as you, Uncle, they wouldn't need to hide in the Sanctuary. But they have no choice," Gan Qian sighed.

They chatted as they walked, and before long they arrived at her home. Lan Tian was sitting in the courtyard reading. The weather had turned cold, and he was bundled up in thick winter clothes. His round, padded appearance made Zhang Fei laugh.

"Lan Ziyu, your old Zhang's here for a drink again! You just don't drink enough. Look at me—I'm not afraid of the cold at all." Zhang Fei thumped his chest.

Xu Province was flat, with no hills to block the cold air. Once winter came, it grew bitterly cold.

Lan Tian didn't have much to do with other people, so he didn't care about dressing up. He wore whatever felt comfortable.

"Where's Father?" Gan Qian asked.

"He saw the villagers hiding and went to hide in the Sanctuary too. I couldn't talk him out of it," Lan Tian said helplessly.

"Oh dear, it must be so cold down there now," Gan Qian said, worried.

Lan Tian shook his head. "I just couldn't get through to him. But they took several quilts down. You can try talking to him again later."

"Mm. Let's cook first, then we'll go get him once the food's ready," Gan Qian said.

"Mm, I'll go start the fire." Lan Tian turned and went inside.

When Zhang Fei saw Gan Qian heading in too, he hurriedly called out, "Sister-in-law, do you have any broad beans to go with the wine? I'll have a couple of bowls first to warm up."

"Just a moment, Uncle. I'll get some."

With wine and food, life was heavenly.

Zhang Fei knew Gan Qian had something to discuss, so he didn't go into the kitchen to bother them.

Lan Tian started the fire in the stove, while Gan Qian washed and cut the meat. The siblings seemed to have returned to the days when they had depended on each other for survival.

"Little Brother, Yang Feng's bandits are heading this way. If they reach the village, we'll be in trouble. Everyone's only just managed to get back on their feet," Gan Qian said, as if in passing.

"If it comes to it, everyone can hide in the Sanctuary. To stay safe from the soldiers, we'll have to suffer some losses," Lan Tian sighed.

"Yang Feng has sent an envoy to Xuande, saying he wants to make a pact to attack Lu Bu together. Xuande loathes the man's character and plans to use a scheme to get rid of him, but he's worried about Yang Feng's arrogant and fierce troops, so he hasn't been able to make up his mind," Gan Qian said.

"Did he ask you to come and sound me out?" Lan Tian asked.

"This man has brought disaster to the countryside. Ziyu, do your part to rid the people of this scourge," Gan Qian urged.

Lan Tian had finished building the fire and was adding water to the pot to boil the meat and draw out its gaminess. He thought for a moment, then said, "Since General Liu has a plan to eliminate the bandits, he should go ahead with it. Why hesitate and keep looking over his shoulder?"

"If Yang Feng dies, what if his ten thousand proud troops seize the moment to rebel? Xuande only has three thousand men," Gan Qian pressed.

Lan Tian smiled faintly. "Sister, have you heard the saying: 'Where there's milk, there's a mother'?"

Gan Qian: ???

Thank you to Di Wu Bian for the tip, and thanks to everyone who voted.