Chapter Eleven: The Princess Becomes a General of Capturing Life
With a loud crack, the ropes binding Lu Hu splintered, and his radiant armor fractured into several pieces, clattering to the ground. Blood and energy surged wildly through his body, sweeping through his five viscera and eight meridians like a tidal wave, and his martial prowess soared from the realm of refining qi to the realm of refining spirit.
Lu Hu himself felt nothing unusual, tearing open his robe swiftly to bandage his father’s wound. Lu Song gritted his teeth, trembling all over, and stammered a few words through pale lips, “Don’t panic, don’t be afraid, it’s nothing, it doesn’t matter.”
He had sensed the connection between Yana Li and his son, and feared Lu Hu might act rashly. This lovely girl, for the sake of his son, dared to face many foes alone, risking her life—a rare and precious devotion.
One cannot blame others for one’s own misfortune; besides, in that moment, it was either injury or ruin, all dictated by fate.
In the chaos, no one noticed that the magistrate had already stepped out from the county office, followed by a retinue of attendants and guards, and soon stood before Lu Hu.
“Take Lu Guoyi to the medical hall at once. Let the best physicians treat him immediately, and see to it there is no mistake,” the magistrate said, his expression grave, issuing orders to the government soldiers.
Several soldiers helped Lu Song away. Lu Hu was about to follow when the magistrate stopped him, “Lu Hu, your father will be attended by skilled physicians; your presence will be of no use. Come with me for now.”
His tone brooked no argument.
Lu Hu had no choice but to follow the magistrate toward the county office.
“Reporting, sir! This criminal killed my subordinate, hacked through the city gate with a foreign blade, intent on rebellion. I beg your discernment—seize this traitor!” The gate guard, already catching up, bent low behind the magistrate, eager to lay blame.
The magistrate slowly turned, stroking his three long whiskers. “In broad daylight, with the city gate wide open, there was nothing to prevent passage. Why did he break it down?”
“Sir, we shut the gate ourselves.”
“Why did you close it?”
“Sir, the criminal was trying to kill us.”
“You are tasked with defending the city, yet one man chased you away. So timid—what use are you?”
“Sir, the criminal was ferocious, aided by a fierce companion. We were no match, so we fled.”
“If these two had no cause, why would they pursue you?”
“We suspected them of being spies, and when we searched them, one was killed.”
“Why did you search them?”
“……”
“Do you know why these two came to the city?”
“The pass stated it was at your summons, sir.”
“If you knew it was my summons, why suspect them as spies? Why search them?”
The gate officer was dumbfounded, speechless.
The magistrate pressed the issue, “You dare suspect those summoned by the protector as spies? By your reasoning, does that make me a spy as well?”
“You accuse them of rebellion—does that not make me the mastermind behind traitors?”
The gate officer was drenched in sweat. With a thud, he fell to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly until the floor echoed, “Spare me, sir! Spare me! I was reckless in my suspicion, I know my mistake!”
The magistrate released his whiskers, pointed at the gate officer, his eyes blazing, “You guard the city gate, but neglect your duty to inspect, only thinking of lining your pockets—like a knife cutting flesh, extorting the people and merchants alike. The more you extort, the bolder you become, finally daring to tamper with the protector’s military supplies. What punishment do you deserve?”
“Death, sir! I deserve death! Please spare me this once—I will never dare again!”
“Take him away—fifty strokes, and forfeit three months’ salary.”
“Thank you, sir! Thank you for sparing my life!”
“Death may be forgiven, but living punishment cannot be avoided—after fifty strokes, you’ll ride patrol through the streets.”
“Thank you, sir!” the guard shouted, cursing internally: Damn your ancestors for eight generations, may all your family’s women’s waistbands loosen, may all your men be struck by thunder—how cruel you are! My poor backside will be beaten into a rotten peach by you…
Inside the county office’s main hall, the magistrate ordered everyone out, leaving only Lu Hu and Yana Li.
A servant brought in a tray, pouring tea for all three. The magistrate waved her away, and she backed out, bowing deeply.
The magistrate lifted his teacup, gently scraping the floating leaves with the lid, sipping and saying, “General Lu, you are indeed a talent of both wisdom and courage. This mission has yielded great results; you have accomplished much, and I am gratified.”
Such a high-ranking official’s opening words already gave Lu Hu tremendous face.
Lu Hu adopted a grateful, tearful demeanor, seizing the opportunity to flatter, “All thanks to your sagacity, sir. I rely on your divine might and am honored not to have failed my duty.”
“I have never misjudged a man. Work diligently, and your future will be boundless.”
Work hard, risk your life—but whether his future would truly be limitless was uncertain. Yet following the right person was the path to true success.
Such a sturdy leg was right before him—not to grasp it would be foolish.
Lu Hu rose and bowed deeply to declare his loyalty, “Thank you for your guidance, sir. I am willing to serve at your command, even if it means braving fire and water.”
“Good, good! You do me great honor.”
Now that he was one of their own, his own people’s people were, naturally, his own people.
The magistrate, seasoned in officialdom, understood these subtleties well. “This lady has shared both hardship and joy with you, and her affection is deep. From where does she hail?”
“Yana Li, daughter of King Erolent Davo. Our success in reclaiming the foreign blade was entirely due to her aid.”
“A fine woman. I shall appoint her as a ‘capturing general’—what do you think?”
A capturing general was at least a sixth-rank martial officer, with salary and status—a pleasing prospect.
Since the founding of the Great Sheng, there had been female soldiers and officials, but never a female general, let alone a capturing general. Ordinary male soldiers rarely attained such rank, much less frail female warriors.
If both husband and wife became capturing generals, they would be like two tigers from the same litter, catching prisoners with ease—a grand future indeed…
Never before, nor after, such as those who ponder the vastness of heaven and earth—whoever resists, will be beaten…
Lu Hu beamed, signaling Yana Li to thank the magistrate.
Yana Li was still remorseful for having accidentally injured her future father-in-law, her beautiful eyes lost, unresponsive.
Lu Hu had to kneel and thank on her behalf, “Thank you, sir, for your grace. The two of us are at your disposal.”
“Your family has just moved to Danjiang County a few days ago. Go home and rest for several days, reunite with your kin, and come to Binzhou Prefecture in ten days,” the magistrate said, lifting his teacup.
This was the cue to depart; Lu Hu pulled Yana Li up and took leave.
Lu Hu led Yana Li by her soft, warm hand, turning right out of the county office onto the main avenue.
The layout of Great Sheng’s government offices was similar everywhere: to the left were the civil officials’ offices and residences, to the right the military areas and martial officials’ residences.
Officials of rank need not buy homes—the government builds dedicated quarters, especially for martial officers, who must reside in assigned homes.
To be an official is to lose freedom; for freedom, one does not become an official.
Officials could not live as common folk did, buying homes wherever they pleased.
If one lived at random, how would they be found in emergencies?
In this era, communication relied on feet and shouts; battles depended on wit and skill; entertainment was gambling; illumination was by wax and oil…
Yana Li walked with head bowed, heavy-hearted and dispirited.
Lu Hu’s own heart was a jumble of emotions:
Yana Li had inadvertently injured his father so badly—how would she face his family once inside? Especially his mother, proud and sharp-tongued, who had never approved of him; how could she possibly treat Yana Li kindly…
His mother, Sun Guiying, was born into a wealthy family, the youngest daughter, doted on by parents and siblings, which fostered her proud and stubborn nature.
Yet despite her pride, she had high aspirations—skilled in needlework, martial arts, literacy, and reading, capable in everything.
With the family’s wealth supporting her, her talents were wasted in the secluded boudoir.
Sun Guiying earned her place as a cadet in the women’s military academy by merit. For her fine calligraphy, she was assigned as chief clerk in the armor depot.
At the founding of Great Sheng, the Taizu emperor faced a shortage of troops, enemies on all sides, and hardship at every turn.
His daughter, Princess Pingyang, recruited thousands, waged campaigns all around, and achieved great honors.
After the founding, she was made Princess Pingyang, permitted to command a division of female troops, known as the Women’s Army.
As nobles, their army’s prestige rivaled the Imperial Guards.
Through generations, the Women’s Army’s influence spread throughout the empire.
Sun Guiying’s position as chief clerk in the armor depot meant she managed the entire Imperial Guards’ arsenal.
Lu Song came from a poor family, and by local custom, married a peasant woman early.
Yet after marriage, life grew even harder, so he left his family for the military, earning honors on the frontier through sheer effort.
By chance, a superior who appreciated him transferred into the Imperial Guards and brought him along, appointing him as Left Center Guard in the Right Imperial Guard.
The Imperial Guard were the emperor’s personal troops; even a prime minister’s household servant ranked third grade—let alone the emperor’s own soldiers, who were regarded with high esteem.
They spent their days in the emperor’s presence; perhaps, with luck, they might catch the emperor’s eye and leap from obscurity to glory.