In the third year of Yuanshou, Duan Xu received imperial orders to recruit troops and eliminate bandits plaguing the southern provinces. His army bore the name Returning Crane Army, with five to six out of every ten soldiers hailing from Shen State—men known for their fierce temperament and combat prowess. Within three months, they had crushed the mountain bandits into complete disarray, forcing many to surrender and accept amnesty. The Emperor granted special permission for these reformed bandits to join the Returning Crane Army, which swelled to a formidable force of 150,000 strong.
In the ninth month of the third year of Yuanshou, Duan Xu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Ningyi for his achievements.
In the fourth year of Yuanshou, Han uprisings erupted across Zhi's Wei State and Qi State. The rebel forces expanded with startling speed—civilians joined the Han army wherever they passed, spreading like wildfire through both territories.
In the ninth month of the fourth year of Yuanshou, Wei State's rebel leader Qian Chengyi, with crucial support from Yun State's Daliang army, occupied the entire Wei State and returned it to Daliang's control. For this feat, he earned the title of Loyal and Brave General.
In the seventh month of the fifth year of Yuanshou, Qi State's rebel leader Zhao Xing seized control of the entire Qi State.
In the third month of the sixth year of Yuanshou, an uprising ignited in Jing State.
In the eighth month of the sixth year of Yuanshou, Duan Xu received orders to lead his troops to the Yun State front to support the Jing State rebels.
"Third Brother! Third Brother!"
When Duan Xu's army reached the border between Yun and Luo states, he heard distant hoofbeats and shouts while mounted on his horse. Recognizing Chen Ying's voice, he casually loaded his crossbow and fired at the approaching figure barely visible through the rising dust.
The approaching youth dodged the arrow with a nimble mid-air sidestep before returning smoothly to his saddle—a display of skill difficult to imagine from a mere thirteen-year-old.
He reined in his horse before Duan Xu, complaint already forming on his lips. "Third Brother, I came to welcome you, and you're testing me?"
Three years had transformed Chen Ying. He'd grown taller and darker, no longer the frail, thin boy of before, but robust and solid.
This was entirely thanks to his Third Brother keeping him close these past years, tormenting him in countless creative ways, occasionally pulling stunts like the one just now. Initially, the weapons had been white fruits, and he couldn't dodge them, ending up black and blue with bruises. After he learned to evade those, the weapons escalated to bamboo poles, then unsharpened swords, sharpened swords, and finally small arrows. These tests infiltrated every aspect of his life, striking at any moment without warning. Worse still, he'd once been tricked by his Third Brother into running outside without pants when told there was a fire. Later, his Third Brother had solemnly explained this was to teach him not to easily trust others—including his Third Brother.
Chen Ying understood all too well what Duan Xu had meant when he said learning martial arts from him would be extremely difficult. This wasn't just difficult—it was life-threatening! That he was still alive felt like a genuine miracle born of tenacious will to survive.
Duan Xu laughed heartily and patted his head with obvious satisfaction. "You haven't neglected your martial arts during these few months in Yun State. Very good, very good."
Hearing these words of praise, Chen Ying's expression crumpled as if he might cry.
Four months ago, Duan Xu had sent him to Yun State to gain experience and broaden his horizons. He'd joined the Treading White Army at the border under General Han Lingqiu, who was also his Third Brother's former subordinate. His Third Brother had written to Han Lingqiu with instructions to personally supervise Chen Ying's martial arts training, and Han Lingqiu had dutifully accepted the task. Chen Ying soon discovered in mounting despair that Han Lingqiu's teaching methods were almost identical to his Third Brother's—except Han would politely add "excuse the offense" before each torment.
Truly, out of the tiger's den and into the wolf's lair. Here, while supposedly seeing the world, he was being tormented by Han Lingqiu to the brink of death. The only consolation was that his martial skills had indeed improved considerably. Han Lingqiu's veteran soldiers, all skilled in combat, marveled at his abilities despite his young age and relatively short training period.
While Chen Ying took secret pride in this progress, he'd written to Duan Xu tentatively asking if he could perhaps join General Xia's Chengjie Army, or General Wu's Tangbei Army, or even better, General Meng's Suying Army. Seeing the world from different places would be educational too—especially since Xia Qingsheng, Wu Sheng Liu, and Meng Wan were all former subordinates of his Third Brother.
Most importantly, he believed these generals' martial arts skills weren't as formidable as Han Lingqiu's, so they probably wouldn't torment him quite so thoroughly.
His Third Brother's reply had arrived swiftly, kindly crushing his beautiful hopes. Han Lingqiu's teaching methods were most similar to his own, Duan Xu explained, making him the most trustworthy instructor. If that wasn't clear enough, Han Lingqiu had also mentioned receiving a letter from Duan Xu instructing him to guide Chen Ying even more rigorously going forward.
Chen Ying felt as if he'd lifted a rock only to drop it squarely on his own foot, pulverizing it. He could only continue practicing martial arts diligently with a bitter expression and constant trepidation.
Duan Xu remained extremely satisfied with his sworn younger brother after four months of intensive training, showing absolutely no regret for his actions as he happily let Chen Ying lead him toward Yun State's capital city.
Duan Xu's arrival coincided with Fang Xianye's recall to the southern capital, so his welcoming banquet merged with Fang Xianye's farewell celebration. Zheng An had been completely sidelined by Fang Xianye a year ago and had angrily returned to the southern capital in defeat. Duan Xu had encountered him there, listening to bitter denunciations of Luo Xian's betrayal in helping Fang Xianye. Duan Xu had dutifully performed shock and regret, while also attending to his father who had fainted from fury.
Now Fang Xianye held the official position of Border Patrolling Envoy for both Yun and Luo states.
The hosting prefect was a local official who knew nothing of the grudge between Fang Xianye and Duan Xu. He eagerly arranged them in prominent seats not far from each other—one on the left, one on the right. Only when they were seated, neither greeting nor acknowledging each other, did the prefect belatedly realize these two might harbor mutual animosity.
He immediately broke into a cold sweat, his eyes darting nervously between them.
The banquet was substantial. Though not as luxurious as southern capital affairs with beautiful women playing music and dancing, there was plenty of fine wine and delicious food. Duan Xu was the first to break the heavy silence, raising his wine cup with an easy smile.
"Lord Fang has been in Yun and Luo for three years. Yun State's horse farms have been greatly expanded, breeding over 6,000 fine horses. The mines in Luo State operate smoothly, and the border soldiers' heavy infantry armor has all been replaced with light armor forged in Tianluo. On behalf of all military officers, I thank you, Lord Fang. Having such a talented person as yourself is truly Daliang's blessing."
Fang Xianye also raised his wine cup, replying with equal grace. "I dare not accept such praise. Yun State's horse farms owe much to Lord Zheng's efforts, and the mines benefited greatly from Princess Hualuo's guidance. I am unworthy of such acknowledgment. Three years without seeing each other, Brother Duan is now a marquis and a general, more distinguished than before."
"Not at all, not at all. South of the border, I merely eliminated a few nests of bandits and trained an army. Lord Fang here has supported the Han people's uprising against oppression, recovering Wei State without deploying a single soldier, and now two more states are rising with promising prospects of return. Shunxi truly admires you immensely."
After raising their cups and exchanging polite compliments, they drained their wine in unison. The prefect, observing that they were at least outwardly courteous, finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
As these long-time rivals set down their cups, they smiled simultaneously—mirrors reflecting the same calculated expression.
For men in their thirties, three years is neither short nor long.
During these three years, Duan Xu had grown slightly taller and now stood half a head above Fang Xianye. His skin, which never tanned despite daily exposure to wind and rain, remained as fair as Fang Xianye's—who spent his days in government halls. His eyes still sparkled with light when he smiled, captivating those who met his gaze. He seemed unchanged—still quick to laugh, speaking of everything lightly, like a youth who would never age.
Fang Xianye's appearance remained as before, though his demeanor had grown even steadier. If previously he resembled mountain mist, now he called to mind frost on grass—elegant and aloof in every movement, less sharp but infinitely more composed. He still appeared amiable, making it difficult to imagine he had once reduced so many court dignitaries to speechlessness in debate.
Many years without seeing each other. Old friends reuniting, yet unable to exchange genuine greetings.
As Duan Xu shook his head with a wry smile and drank, a tall figure appeared before his table. The man bowed deeply.
"Lin Jun pays his respects to General Duan."
Duan Xu looked closely and recognized the real Lin Jun—head of the Lin family, who had been impersonated by Xiaoxiao in Shuo State's capital. When they'd rescued Lin Jun, he had been on death's threshold and had spent months recuperating in bed. Coincidentally, Duan Xu had also been recovering from injuries then, and had seen the real Lin Jun only a handful of times before returning to the southern capital.
He'd spent far more time with the fake Lin Jun than with the genuine article.
"I didn't have the chance to properly thank you back then, General. Thank you for distinguishing between loyalty and treachery, and for rescuing me." Lin Jun bowed deeply again. Duan Xu rose and helped him up with a warm smile.
"Mr. Lin, there's no need for such formalities. The Lin family's strong support during the siege of Shuo State's capital is deeply appreciated by me. Oh, I can't call you Mr. Lin anymore; it should be Lord Lin now. I hear you'll be returning to the southern capital with Lord Fang?"
Lin Jun seemed somewhat embarrassed, but his excitement overshadowed any discomfort. "Thanks to Lord Fang's high regard, I, born north of the border and raised under Hu Qi oppression, can now go to Daliang's southern capital to serve the country. My lifelong wish has been fulfilled, and it still feels like a dream."
Duan Xu smiled and patted Lin Jun's shoulder with genuine warmth. "Lord Lin is loyal to the emperor and patriotic, generous and righteous. Your ancestors and your uncle would certainly be proud of you."
Lin Jun's eyes reddened at these words.
Duan Xu's former subordinates all attended this welcoming banquet. After conquering Yun and Luo states years ago, Duan Xu and Meng Wan had returned to the southern capital. The commanders he'd led in the Treading White Army and the Chengjie Army had remained at the border and were now leaders of their respective forces. After General Qin's downfall, there had been a wave of reshuffling and purging throughout the military. Although the position of Minister of War had gone not to Meng Qiaoyan but to the neutral Cao Ruolin, Meng Wan had still taken over the Suying Army that once belonged to General Qin and was now stationed at the border.
These were all men who had been besieged with Duan Xu in Shuo State's capital and later fought together to conquer Yun and Luo states, shedding blood and risking their lives side by side. Now that Duan Xu had been enfeoffed as a general leading troops back to command the border army, they were naturally delighted. After a round of enthusiastic greetings, Duan Xu looked around the gathered crowd.
"Why don't I see General Han?"
Chen Ying hurriedly answered, "The Tang General of the Jing State rebels needed support, so General Han went to Jing State to meet him. He just left a few days ago, unfortunately missing you, Third Brother."
Wu Sheng Liu, seated at a nearby table, slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. "No wonder Chen Ying has been so happy these past few days. He's finally escaped his suffering and can be lazy now."
"I haven't been lazy!" Chen Ying protested quickly.
The group bantered warmly around the table. The welcoming banquet ended in a lively atmosphere, with everyone drinking until they swayed on their feet before returning to their respective quarters. Originally, the prefect had prepared an elegant mansion for Duan Xu in Yun State, but Duan Xu had politely declined and gone directly to the military camp instead.
When he lifted the tent flap and entered, he immediately sensed someone was inside.
Something pressed lightly against his arm. Duan Xu fell silent for a moment before smiling. "Princess Hualuo honors us with her presence. Forgive me for not coming out to welcome you."
The visitor laughed and lit a lamp. In the dancing flame, one could see a beautiful face, with the rest of her body wrapped in black night clothes. It was Luo Xian—Supervisor of the Thirteen Mines in Luo State, and Princess Hualuo.
"Marquis, having been away from battle for so long, you're not as alert as before. What if I had been holding a sword?" Luo Xian balanced a scroll in her hand, a rather long one that reached her shoulder when stood upright on the ground. It appeared heavy, but she wielded it effortlessly with one hand.
Duan Xu walked to a chair in the tent and sat down with casual ease. "Although we haven't seen each other for years, I wouldn't mistake you for an enemy. I had planned to visit you tomorrow, Princess, but you've come tonight. What brings you here?"
"I've brought you a gift, though it's not from me but prepared by Lord Fang."
She handed the scroll to Duan Xu, who opened it across the table. It revealed the mountains, rivers, cities, and villages of Yun State, Luo State, Wei State, Qi State, Jing State, You State… all seventeen states displayed in a grand, meticulously detailed geographical map. At the location of Zhi's capital city, a small arrow had been drawn in vermilion ink.
"An arrow through the heart…" Duan Xu stroked the capital's position on the map, smiling as he rose to hang this geographical map on the tent wall. He stepped back to study the map—taller than a person—with flickering candlelight reflecting in his eyes like distant stars.
"This was drawn by Ziwei agents scattered throughout the seventeen states," Luo Xian said.
Ziwei. The third branch of Wensheng Pavilion that Luo Xian had established at the border over these years, specialized in infiltration, incitement, assassination, and serving as a central hub for intelligence flow.
Ziwei Star is the imperial star of the Han Dynasty. This name expressed the wish for the Ziwei Star to shine forever and for the Han people to recover their lost territories. In recent years, Ziwei's influence had been felt behind the Han people's uprisings in Wei, Jing, and Qi states. The Wei State rebel leader Qian Chengyi was a Ziwei member. Zheng An had believed Ziwei was his tool, never suspecting it would ultimately fall into Fang Xianye's hands.
"Fang Xianye was scheduled to return to the southern capital earlier, but he deliberately delayed until today, just to see you in Yun State. However, with too many eyes watching, it wasn't convenient to speak openly. He asked me to bring you a message: The remaining thirteen states are now entrusted to you."
Hearing this, Duan Xu smiled gently and nodded. "Very well. Please assure him not to worry."
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