Beigu Mountain (Part Two)

"Chief Clerk Xun, you have gone to much trouble tidying up after me in Pengcheng. Drink!"

Inside Iron Urn City, on the gentler slopes south of Beigu Mountain, Grand Commander Chu Pou looked visibly haggard, but he could still muster the energy to preside over a banquet. Clearly, this man who kept his own Spring and Autumn judgments hidden beneath his skin had finally caught half a breath.

At these words, Xun Xian, courtesy name Xun Lingze, chief clerk of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office, rose. Two or three years younger than Xie An, he wore a warrior's cap, broad sleeves, and a sword at his waist. He raised his cup and drained it proudly, accepting the praise as his due, then sat down without a word or the slightest show of modesty.

Everyone around him, from the Grand Commander himself to the staff of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office and the officials of Southern Xu Province-including Xie An, who had labored for over a month-took it entirely in stride. They all felt that Chief Clerk Xun ought to behave exactly this way.

One clarification was necessary here. Xun Xian was indeed a chief clerk, but not chief clerk of any Grand Commander-in-Chief's Office. That was merely the popular designation. In fact, he was chief clerk of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office. It was his title of Northern Expeditionary General that allowed Chu Pou to establish an office and assemble his own staff, bringing in someone like Xun Xian as chief clerk, before assuming supreme command over military affairs in five provinces to undertake the Northern Expedition.

Still, whether the office belonged to a Grand Commander or a Northern Expeditionary General, Xun Xian's willingness to serve as chief clerk was itself a considerable favor.

When Chu Pou first received the title of Northern Expeditionary General, someone recommended Xun Xian, and he immediately summoned him, never imagining that the young man would accept so readily. Given Xun Xian's pedigree, reputation, and temperament, declining would have been the reasonable response... Such were the conventions of the age. Whoever became a great general, grand commander, one of the Three Excellencies, or a provincial inspector would routinely summon sons of eminent houses according to their reputations. At heart, this was an overture between families, a gesture of goodwill-the most unadorned political maneuver of this age of aristocratic clans.

Thus, sons of the very highest houses, whose families possessed political resources, often began receiving all manner of appointments at fourteen or fifteen, fifteen or sixteen, or even twelve or thirteen. Everything was available, from prestigious court posts to invitations to join the staffs of political power brokers.

These young aristocrats generally declined again and again. For one thing, like marriage alliances, such decisions depended on political winds and family interests; for another, the prevailing fashion required repeated refusals to cultivate one's reputation.

Yet Xun Xian had come.

Given his usual temperament, it was almost inconceivable. The only explanation was that Huan Wen's pressure had driven the court's two great factions to join forces.

"Xun Lingze... To put it simply, first there is his family background. Acheng, you know about that, don't you?" Amid the wailing, Liu Jili and Liu Acheng, vaguely sensing trouble ahead, abandoned their plan to exchange the silverware. Leading their mule, they followed the riverside inlet by the ferry landing east of Beigu Mountain toward Iron Urn City to the south. They tried to restrain their pace so they would not look anxious or panicked, yet could not help speculating about Xun Xian.

"A descendant of Minister Xun Wenruo, Chancellor Xun. What need is there to dwell on his pedigree?" Liu Acheng answered at once.

"True enough." Liu Jili nodded, then could not resist asking, "You actually know history? You even know Xun Yu served as minister?"

"I wouldn't say I know history. Back north, my father and grandfather told me some tales from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and stories of the struggle between Chu and Han. Since the late Han and Three Kingdoms were more recent, they talked more about Wei, Shu, and Wu." Even with the situation so murky, Liu Acheng did not miss the opportunity to build his persona. "I could name a hundred figures from the late Han and Three Kingdoms without repeating one, and tell you something about what they did."

"That is the right approach. Without knowing Spring and Autumn anecdotes, it is hard to converse with people. We are also the Liu Clan of Pengcheng, so we must know the stories of Emperor Gaozu. And the late Han and Three Kingdoms are the roots of our present dynasty, so we cannot avoid discussing them." Liu Jili sounded somewhat embarrassed. "But I only had time to master the Analects and the Spring and Autumn Annals. I am poor at history."

"I'm the opposite. I remember only a few lines of the Analects, and of the Spring and Autumn Annals I only know 'Duke Zheng Overcomes Duan at Yan.'" Liu Acheng offered a little consolation while adding to his persona. "I just remember more about the late Han and Three Kingdoms."

"That is the trouble. We cannot even preserve our family learning." Liu Jili grew more dejected. "If this continues, what can we do but become 'Elite Soldiers'?"

"Don't let the crying behind us unsettle your mind, and stop thinking about 'Elite Soldiers.' If there really is no escaping this, then there is nothing we can do." Liu Cheng quickly waved a hand. "Just tell me about Xun Lingze."

"His pedigree needs no explanation, but before that we must discuss his elder sister, Xun Guanniang." Liu Jili collected himself.

"Not his father?"

"His father certainly had some reputation, but his sister's name resounded throughout the realm. His father had her first, then waited twenty years before having the two brothers. He died when Xun Lingze was seven... His eldest sister was largely a mother to him. You must understand her temper before you can understand his."

"Was the twenty-year gap because of the War of the Eight Princes and the flight south?"

"Exactly. Xun Guanniang was born before the War of the Eight Princes; the brothers were born after the family crossed the river."

"What about his sister, then?"

"You know nothing about her? Everyone in the realm knows this story."

"I really don't..."

"During the War of the Eight Princes, when the north fell into ruin, Xun Lingze's father held Wancheng and was surrounded ten ranks deep. His daughter Xun Guanniang was only thirteen, yet she rode out through the siege and galloped first to Xiangyang. Xiangyang had no troops, so she improvised a forged letter to Zhou Fang, a famous general of our dynasty who was then administrator of Xunyang. In her father's name, she offered to become sworn brothers with him... Zhou Fang was a renowned general, but came from a humble family in Wu, whereas the Xun were one of the realm's great houses. Delighted by the letter, he immediately sent troops and lifted the siege." Liu Jili gave a rough account. "Now do you see why I mentioned his sister? And why do you know nothing about her, yet know his ancestor was a minister?"

Liu Acheng was dumbfounded and could offer no rebuttal.

"With a sister like that, Xun Lingze naturally developed a sharp, forceful temperament... He was seven when the Su Jun Rebellion broke out. All the aristocratic families were held hostage. Because he was clever and endearing, Su Jun held him in his arms and played with him every day. Yet in private, he told his family to give him a dagger, and he could rid the realm of that villain!" Liu Jili continued smoothly.

"Is that really true? At seven?" With Xun Guanniang's story, the route of her journey was clear, and she had at least been thirteen, so Liu Acheng could not argue. But a seven-year-old behaving like this instinctively brought out his argumentative streak. "Besides, how did something he told his family in private become public?"

"Even if it is false, if his family could invent such a story and everyone believed it, then together with his sister's conduct, can't you still imagine what sort of person he is?" Liu Jili sneered. "In that case, why quibble over whether this little story is true?"

"You're right. His sharpness really does rank first South of the Yangtze. No wonder you said the sons of Wang, Xie, Yuan, and Xi could not compare with him." Liu Acheng recovered and readily admitted his mistake. "What else?"

"After that comes the most crucial event... At fifteen, the court summoned him to become Consort Commandant, intending to marry Emperor Yuan's posthumous daughter to him. The moment he heard, he took to his heels. In the end, a Censor caught him at a riverside ferry landing and brought him back under guard to be married."

"That really is the style of a celebrated scholar." Liu Acheng felt something was not quite right. "But why is that crucial?"

"Because Emperor Yuan's posthumous daughter is the full younger sister of the current prince regent, Sima Yu, Prince of Kuaiji." Liu Jili finally reached the heart of the matter. "As I said before, the empress dowager and the Prince of Kuaiji share power at court. It is only because General Huan sits upstream that they must unite in good faith. And in my judgment, that is precisely why Xun Lingze came to serve as the Grand Commander's chief clerk...

"In fact, that is what puzzles me most. Acheng, your first guess-that Xun Xian arranged this to target the Grand Commander-certainly makes sense. The withdrawal unquestionably falls within his duties. He is clever, sharp-tempered, and exactly the sort of man who could do such a thing. Yet the two sides are allies, after all. He is also the foremost man in the Grand Commander-in-Chief's Office, with his position plain for all to see. Why insist on humiliating the Grand Commander so thoroughly? It makes no sense!"

"Then heaven alone knows." Liu Acheng shook his head. "We cannot even enter Iron Urn City. How could we understand the reasoning of those above us? Perhaps he has the airs of a celebrated scholar and does not care about their alliance. Or perhaps he is determined to carry out the Northern Expedition, resents the Grand Commander's defeat, and deliberately left the death notices and wounded until last to shame him!"

At this point, Liu Cheng could not resist one more question. "Do you think this will affect whether we get through the winter?"

"Surely not?" Dragged abruptly from affairs of state back to their own immediate concerns, Liu Jili was momentarily bewildered, but soon expressed his doubts. "Isn't the Grand Commander supposed to be generous-minded? Besides, you may not know this, but someone once described him as keeping his Spring and Autumn judgments beneath his skin. It meant that inwardly, like the Spring and Autumn Annals, he could judge people favorably or unfavorably, grieve or rejoice over events, while remaining perfectly composed on the surface and never readily showing his feelings. Perhaps Xun Xian knows his temperament and knows he will not become angry, so he seized the chance to mock him!"

Liu Cheng nodded, thinking, So this is where the idiom about keeping one's judgments beneath one's skin began. And originally it used 'Spring and Autumn,' too. But all he could do was nod. "Let's hope so! Why is getting through one winter so difficult?"

Liu Jili hesitated.

He had wanted to advise the other man not to react so strongly. Even if something lay behind this affair, it might not affect the refugee band they depended on; even if it affected the band, it might not affect the two of them. But then he recalled that Liu Acheng had been weighed down with worry ever since they distributed the cloth two nights ago. He must have invested more thought and feeling in this group, and could no longer let it go.

So, in the end, he said nothing.

As they talked, the two rounded the inlet. The crying was a little quieter here, but the waiting refugee leaders and low-ranking officials had long since noticed the disturbance. Most had no idea what it meant. A few more sensitive souls were already restless, but could not untangle what was happening.

Meanwhile, inside Iron Urn City, whether because the mountain blocked the sound or the buildings muffled it, those feasting in the hall heard at most a little sobbing... That alone was nothing. More importantly, three rounds of wine had already passed and everyone was slightly tipsy. With water on three sides of Beigu Mountain and the great river at its back, they actually thought it was the river wind howling.

Xie An thought so too.

"Gentlemen." Just then, Xun Xian suddenly set down his cup and spoke through a haze of wine. "Grand Commander, since today's banquet is to welcome me back, may I decide something?"

Everyone laughed. Chu Pou tapped the table and laughed as well. "Master Xun, Master Xun, when or where have I ever opposed a decision of yours? Tell us, what do you want to do?"

Xun Xian paused at that, then smiled faintly. He pointed outside the hall before sweeping his hand around to indicate Xie An. "I propose that, since the weather is fine and a celebrated scholar of Eastern Mountain happens to be here, we leave this hall and go up the mountain to discuss profound principles. I have been wanting to experience the subtleties of Xie of Eastern Mountain!"

Everyone cheered, while Xie An met the challenge with a smile.

In truth, winning or losing was not the important part of these discussions of mysteries and the Way. What mattered was who spoke with whom, and who listened. As long as the speakers had reputations and the listeners were willing to acknowledge their "subtleties," there were no losers.

Besides, Xie An had spent ten years on Eastern Mountain and seen plenty. His own skill at metaphysical debate was not particularly high, but with such accomplished figures as the monk Daolin and Sun Chuo around him, he felt that producing a few new Buddhist arguments would be enough to hold down this "Master Xun," supposedly the sharpest man South of the Yangtze.

After all, he had never heard of any outstanding metaphysical arguments from the man... At most, Xun Xian was capable of cheering on his friend Yin Hao.

With that thought, Xie An was ready to agree, though before speaking he could not help glancing at his brother-in-law. "I have no objection, but what about our Northern Expeditionary General? You have only just recovered. Can you withstand the river wind?"

Chu Pou slapped the table and roared with laughter. "Even if the wind blows me dead today, I must first hear the supremely subtle principles you two have to offer!"

There was the most important listener for their metaphysical discussion! Everyone laughed along more enthusiastically and rose in a bustle, calling to friends and helping one another up. At a signal, several high-class courtesans who had been playing music and serving wine helped Chu Pou to his feet. Surrounded by the company, he left the hall and headed up Beigu Mountain behind it.

Along the way, everyone chatted cheerfully. Xun Xian remained flamboyantly outspoken, brimming with vigor as he gestured at the landscape and expounded on affairs, forcing everyone to respond and keeping the noise incessant.

Only when they reached the summit did this finally cease.

Beigu Mountain did not yet possess the magnificent Beigu Tower of later ages. But as the hill behind Iron Urn City and the high ground at the Canal's outlet to the sea, especially after Eastern Wu's long development of the region South of the Yangtze, its summit had long since been leveled. The necessary beacon tower and a basic River-View Tower were certainly present.

Grand Commander Chu Pou took the lead without hesitation, climbing the tower with the courtesans' support. Several officers of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office followed, Xun Xian among them.

Before he had even climbed the tower, Xie An, who had fallen behind in his wooden clogs, suddenly noticed something amiss. This spot commanded the ground below but was also open on every side. The river wind carried the surrounding sounds clearly to him... That sobbing really did seem to be sobbing?!

At first, Xie An thought he might be mistaken. But he soon realized he was not alone. Several others trailing behind had noticed something wrong and were exchanging glances to confirm it.

"Who is crying?" Once he understood, perhaps because the wine still lingered, Xie Anshi remained somewhat bewildered and could not immediately grasp what was happening. Holding his jade-handled Dust-Tail Fan, he earnestly questioned the nearby officials.

"The soldiers' families, perhaps?" Langya Interior Minister Yuan Zhi pointed east uncertainly. "As far as I know, the families of the Northern Command troops live over there. Isn't that where the crying is coming from? The army happens to be returning today, and didn't they say the defeat at Daibei caused considerable casualties? It would be only natural for their families to weep."

Xie An froze, then suddenly shuddered awake, most of his drunkenness vanishing. He immediately tried to climb the tower, but the tooth of his wooden clog caught on the edge of a step, stopping him dead.

He calmed himself, realizing it was already too late. Slowly lifting his feet, he climbed the stairs and rounded the turn, only to find Xun Xian standing directly before him, watching him with bright, intent eyes.

The two exchanged a look. Neither spoke, and neither moved again.

By then, Chu Pou, still supported by the women, had spoken. "What is that sound? It isn't the river wind, is it?"

"Grand Commander." Xun Xian did not answer. The speaker was another senior officer of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office who had climbed with them. He bowed solemnly, frowning slightly, and it was impossible to tell whether he was pretending or sincerely reporting the truth. "It is indeed not the river wind. It appears to be crying."

"Where is the crying coming from?" Chu Pou was plainly startled, even showing a trace of fear.

"Grand Commander." The officer took a deep breath, remaining earnest and direct. "It should be the families of those killed at Daibei... Isn't today the final day of the withdrawal? Those families have finally learned that their fathers and brothers will not return."

Chu Pou stood stunned for a long time, letting the river wind and the crying wash over his face.

Standing by the stairs, Xie An blocked many people below from ascending. He opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but could not find anything to say. He could only stare at Xun Xian before him, while Xun Lingze remained motionless, proudly returning his gaze.

After an unknown length of time, Chu Pou finally forced out a few words. "I knew it. I have been deceiving myself... Three thousand men defeated, and the crying shakes the heavens, drowning out the river's waves. What, then, of the two hundred thousand in Hebei? Can I pretend they do not exist merely because I cannot hear them?"

At that, the Grand Commander who had been the first to launch a Northern Expedition after Shi Hu's death suddenly lost control, tears streaming down his face. "My old wife thought some ghost or spirit had afflicted me and made me ill... Only today do I understand: heaven, earth, men, and spirits are all enraged by my incompetence!"

Xun Xian finally moved, intending to support the Grand Commander and say something.

Xie An stepped half a pace forward, his Dust-Tail Fan in hand, subtly blocking him.

But Chu Pou raised a hand first, stopping them both. He looked around, neither descending nor turning east to listen more closely to the cries. Instead, he struggled free of the courtesans and walked a few steps north, barely managing to grasp the railing. Only then did he turn back, laboriously wipe away his tears, and speak slowly. "Shi Nu, clear the stairs. Let the officers of the Northern Expeditionary General's Office and the officials of the five provinces all come up."

Xie An stepped aside. Apart from the few already on the stairs, most below still did not understand what had happened. Yet almost everyone had unmistakably heard the crying downstairs, and many knew Chu Pou's temperament and how he had behaved earlier in Guangling. Seeing the Grand Commander's reddened eyes and unconcealed tear tracks, they all grew solemn.

Once all the officials attending the banquet had assembled, Chu Pou finally called a name. "Chief Clerk Xun. Master Xun. Come forward."

Xun Xian visibly paused, but still stepped proudly through the crowd.

Then Chu Pou pointed at him and looked around at everyone. "Gentlemen, gentlemen. Heaven, earth, men, and spirits all abhor me. I can no longer turn my gaze north toward our sacred land. But Master Xun possesses a spirit surpassing the multitude and will accomplish deeds that soar into the heavens. You should serve him well!"

Everyone stood dumbfounded. Why did this sound like he was entrusting his final wishes to them?!

Hadn't they all been enjoying themselves just moments ago?

Weren't they supposed to keep playing music and dancing?!

Wasn't it merely that some soldiers had died a few months ago and their families were crying?

Why?

In fact, even Xun Xian, the architect of today's events, finally lost his earlier proud composure and stared in astonishment at the Grand Commander before him... Was this really going so smoothly? And I only wanted you to relinquish more control over the Northern Command Army so you would not impede the Northern Expedition. Why go this far?!

Having spoken, Chu Pou seemed to have no regrets left. He merely turned to lean against the railing and gaze toward the sacred land, tears and mucus flowing without end.

Yet he was particularly concerned with appearances and truly did not want the many officers, officials, and celebrated scholars behind him to see him lose control. Even as he wept, he struggled to stop.

But the crying beside him crashed like river waves against the shore, and the river wind before him battered him like a hammer. Above all, he knew perfectly well that everything resulted from his own incompetence. The three thousand beside the Yangtze and the two hundred thousand on the banks of the Yellow River were all his responsibility!

Having committed such sins, and now driven into this corner by his allies in the righteous name of the Northern Expedition, he would probably never cross the river again in this lifetime to redeem his great mistake. How could he possibly stop?

Within moments, grief choked him and tears flooded his eyes. The sacred land before him blurred as though veiled in mist, and even his breathing faltered.

After a long while, he turned, only for his legs to give way. His whole body fell backward, head tilted up. Fortunately, the courtesans behind him hurriedly caught him.

At this point, everything naturally dissolved into chaos. Everyone carried the Grand Commander down in a flurry of hands and hurried toward the side courtyard where he usually stayed. For a time, only Xie An and Xun Xian remained in the River-View Tower.

Xie An had stayed deliberately. Such was his temperament: he would never willingly suffer utter defeat and surrender everything with both hands as his brother-in-law had. Or rather, even after utter defeat and surrender, he would grit his teeth and make his position clear!

As for Xun Xian, he had stayed specifically because he knew Xie An intended to rebuke him.

Sure enough, once the others had gone, the uneasy Xun Xian was about to speak when Xie Anshi raised a hand to stop him. "Xun Lingze, there is no need to say more... I know you would never deliberately seek my brother-in-law's life! You merely saw his incompetence, how he ruined the prospects of the Northern Expedition yet refused to release his grip on military power, and wanted to take matters into your own hands! I also know that if you managed the eastern front, you would have courage enough to take the field and could cooperate properly with Yin Yuanyuan (Yin Hao). You certainly would not flee in panic after one small defeat as my brother-in-law did, nor would there be anything so ridiculous as Chen Kui burning Shouchun and returning! In today's affair, and in the Northern Expedition, my brother-in-law was incompetent first and cowardly afterward. He brought this humiliation on himself! Moreover, he now understands his own limitations. His final generosity was no pretense: he sincerely hopes you will win distinction and make the Northern Expedition succeed! For that alone, I will not damage the relationship between our two houses in a moment of anger!"

Xun Xian had no answer, because the other man had said everything.

"Nevertheless, though my brother-in-law is magnanimous, I have something to say to you. Please remember it well." Clutching his Dust-Tail Fan, Xie An continued sternly. "Xun Lingze, my brother-in-law certainly cannot shoulder the words 'all the people under heaven.' But in my view, someone who merely talks idly like Yin Hao cannot shoulder them either. Even you, sharpest of all South of the Yangtze, may have underestimated those words!"

Xun Xian forced himself to listen patiently to the end. Seemingly unwilling to argue, he merely swept his sleeve and strode away.

Yet after passing Xie An and reaching the stairs, perhaps because he was still young and hot-blooded, he stopped, turned sideways, and sneered. "Xie Anshi, you speak exceedingly well. Your reasoning is as lucid and exquisite as your metaphysical arguments. But what of it? Leaving aside how you underestimate Yin Yangzhou and me, even if we take ten thousand steps back and grant that neither of us can shoulder all the people under heaven, with the world as it is, should I imitate you, idling on Eastern Mountain and abandoning those people to the jaws of the Hu Invaders? Today I acted too hastily and wronged the Grand Commander. I truly never imagined that merely hearing this crying would bring him to such a state... But since I have wronged him, I must shoulder those words all the more! Just watch from Eastern Mountain!"

With that, he left Xie An behind and descended proudly.

Beside the official road outside Iron Urn City, Liu Acheng, who had discerned something of what was happening from afar, had no idea that two men resembling the protagonists of their age had just staged a great drama at the heart of military and political affairs. He only knew that his feet were numb. He only wondered whether he could get through this winter.

Toward evening, Gao Jian's nephew Gao Heng came in person and gave them a definite answer. "An order from the Grand Commander-in-Chief's Office: the Grand Commander has caught a chill and cannot receive visitors. He will not receive any tomorrow either. All refugee leaders previously scheduled for an audience are to return and await government relief!"

After the commotion, the first to break the silence in Liu Rengong's little group was Liu Huzi. Pointing at the tiger hide on the horse behind him, he looked around blankly. "Then what is this supposed to be?"

No one answered him.

Amid the crying that had grown increasingly distinct since afternoon, Liu Acheng was almost the first person outside Iron Urn City to depart. Without a word, he led the mule away... After several dozen paces, however, he asked Liu Jili, the only person who had followed him, in a flat voice-the first time in three months that he had spoken with such indignation, "Why should it be this way?"

Liu Jili could not answer either.

PS: Many thanks to our new alliance leader, Lord Longdong Budiao, for becoming an alliance leader! I am endlessly grateful!