Volume One: In a Chaotic World, Is There a Path for Mortals? Chapter 34: A Tiger (I)

After the meal, Deng She said not a word about Wang Shicheng. Everything else was negotiable, but when it came to strategy and the larger situation, there was not the slightest room for compromise. He comforted Lady Wang gently, explaining that all the generals and soldiers unanimously demanded to march northeast. The orders had already been issued, and the army was about to depart; nothing could be changed.

“If you wish, Madam, I could select a few soldiers to escort you north,” he began, but Lady Wang refused resolutely. She would not repeat the past—another meal in the forest would frighten her to death. Gradually, she regained her composure; her woman’s intuition made her sense a shift within the army.

Deng She himself seemed unchanged, but the attitude of the generals toward her was vastly different. When she entered the command tent, none but Deng She rose to greet her; when the generals departed, including Monk Li, they saluted only Deng She, ignoring her entirely.

She was no fool; long experience with the army allowed her to quickly guess the reason. Deng She’s successive victories—first conquering Yongping, then defeating the Yuan forces—had established his authority among the generals and soldiers. News of Deng She’s defeat of the Danning cavalry had spread throughout Liaoxi; she had heard rumors on her way, tales recounted by refugees with the embellishment of legend.

Thinking of all this, an inexplicable terror seized her. Her close kin were dead; now, Deng She was the only one she could rely on. Like a vine craving the shade of a tree, like the blind yearning for light, Deng She was her tree, her light.

She thought further. Mao Gui, who had dominated Shandong with a hundred thousand under his command, a warlord in his own right, could not protect himself in these troubled times. Suddenly he was gone, erased from existence. Her husband Wang Shicheng and her brother Xu Jizu, whose fame was far less, she had seen last before the city fell. She had heard nothing since—alive or dead, she did not know.

She had to consider the worst: what if Wang Shicheng and Xu Jizu failed their breakout and were already dead? As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she made a decision.

Whether Wang and Xu were dead or alive, it would be wise to have a backup plan. She must change herself, and could no longer treat Deng She as she once did. She must be careful, never incite his displeasure or aversion. She even resolved to treat Deng She with half the courtesy she once reserved for Wang Shicheng. The thought made her eager to see Deng She’s startled expression, as though he were unexpectedly favored; only then would she feel at ease.

Collecting herself, she spoke softly, “General, your great affairs matter most; there’s no need to worry about me. I’ll follow the army as it marches. Since leaving Dongsheng, I am accustomed to riding, and need no carriage prepared by you.”

Her sudden reasonableness left Deng She baffled; he could not guess the cause, nor did he care to. Since she had changed her mind, all the better. He replied respectfully, “Madam, you are noble and delicate. Today is not as before—there are both infantry and cavalry, and the march is not swift. Preparing a carriage will not delay us.”

Not seeing the expected look of surprise, Lady Wang felt disappointed and uneasy. She rallied herself, fearing to offend Deng She, and no longer refused. “General, your reputation for valor is renowned throughout Liaoxi, and you are so gentle and attentive—I am deeply grateful.”

“There’s no need for formality, Madam, you embarrass me. The army is hurried, not like Yongping; I beg your forbearance.” As night fell, Deng She ordered his guards to prepare the tents, boil water, and invited Lady Wang to bathe and rest. There were no women’s clothes in the camp, but he selected clean and suitable garments and prepared to deliver them himself.

Lady Wang would not allow it; she reached out and took them herself. “The army’s affairs are weighty; such trifles need not trouble you.” She folded Deng She’s cloak, saying, “On the road in flight, I saw this cloak accompany you into battle. It must be imbued with your mighty spirit; wrapped in it just now, I felt especially at ease.” She smiled gently. “May I ask you to give me this cloak, so that I may sleep unafraid?”

Deng She was taken aback.

Lady Wang relaxed inwardly; she had at last seen the expression she wished for. Without waiting for Deng She’s reply, she placed the cloak atop the clothes and smiled again. “Thank you, General.” She paused, then pressed further, “Now that you command ten thousand, you stand equal to my husband. Please do not call me Madam any longer. My surname is Xu, and my childhood name…” She smiled, her eyes sparkling, and lowered her head slightly. “My childhood name is Shui-nu.”

Deng She was at a loss for words. He saluted, “Your noble name, Madam, I dare not use.” He signaled his guards to lead the way and escorted Lady Wang to her tent.

Returning to his own tent, he was utterly puzzled. How could she change so quickly, as if she were another person entirely? Perhaps the incident in the forest had unsettled her? Deng She shook his head, dismissing the trivial matter. The preparations for departure were not yet complete; he summoned the generals and discussed plans by candlelight.

The next morning, the entire army set out.

The weather was clear, the sun shining brightly. Nearby hills were tinged with green; distant waters glimmered with waves of jade. The vast plains stretched endlessly, broad and flat. The breeze was gentle and warm, the horses’ hooves sinking softly into the dark earth, making a rustling sound.

The army formed a long, winding column, stretching as far as the eye could see—no end in sight ahead, no tail behind. Countless footsteps, hooves, and wagons rolled over the land, raising clouds of dust. The steeds neighed and the carts creaked unceasingly.

After three days’ rest, everyone was refreshed; spears and halberds rested on shoulders, and as soldiers passed Deng She, they saluted in time with their officers’ commands. Many called out spontaneously, “General, mighty and brave!” These were mostly those promoted for merit three days earlier.

At the front was Chen Hu; Zhao Guo brought up the rear. Luo Guoqi and Guan Shirong guarded the flanks; the others marched with the main body.

Wen Huaguo rode beside Deng She, mouth agape, greedily inhaling the long-lost scent of spring. “All fine land!” he exclaimed, tugging at his reins and urging his mount to stomp the ground a few times, bursting into laughter.

The fragrance of the earth reached Deng She as well.

He recalled Deng San’s last words, praying silently, “Foster father, do you see from heaven? I am not as I once was!” If only Deng San had lived to see this day, how wonderful it would be. Deng She felt a pang of sorrow; surrounded by ten thousand soldiers, he nonetheless felt alone.

He roused himself and swore again, “Foster father’s spirit lingers—watch how I avenge you! The blood you shed on this land, I will make them repay a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times over!”

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“Last night, what did that woman say to you?” Wen Huaguo glanced at the carriage following behind them, lowering his voice.

Deng She answered lightly, “Just the chaos in Shandong; everyone knows now.”

As they spoke, a mounted guard from beside the carriage rode up. He handed over a bundle wrapped in coarse cloth and said, “Madam sent me to deliver this to the General.”

Opening the cloth revealed several pieces of horse meat, fragrant and still warm.

The guard explained, “Madam saw the General rise before dawn, busy with military affairs, unable to eat breakfast, and was deeply concerned. She said as the leader of the army, your health is paramount. She saved these pieces of meat this morning and sent them especially for you.”

Deng She recognized the guard; he had escorted Lady Wang back the previous night, and was most respectful. Deng She nodded, “Thank Madam for me; I am honored by her kindness.”

The guard turned his horse and left. Deng She frowned, staring at the meat for a long while. Except when on campaign, he rarely ate breakfast; since commanding the army, he was always busy, and had no time to eat. It was habit; he did not feel hungry. With the carriage behind, there was nowhere to discard it, so he ate it bite by bite.

Wen Huaguo was startled. “What happened last night? It’s the first time she’s sent you food, so attentive and caring. She She, don’t be fooled by my burly appearance—my heart is sensitive. I can tell!”

Deng She threw away the cloth irritably, ignoring Wen Huaguo. The oddities kept coming; he had no time to dwell on them last night, but now he could guess the reason. He thought it was time to send someone to investigate Wang Shicheng and Xu Jizu’s whereabouts.

If they were alive, he could quickly send Lady Wang to them; if dead, it was no matter—surely not all tens of thousands were wiped out. He considered whether he could use Lady Wang as a bargaining chip to attract their remaining troops. The more he thought, the more feasible it seemed. Wang and Xu’s forces in Liaodong were guests; Mao Gui was dead, and a snake cannot survive without a head. They would not want to be used as cannon fodder by Guan Duo.

These were veteran soldiers. If they were willing to come, he would treat them generously and absorb them into his ranks.

He ordered his guards, “Fetch two bottles of She’erbi and send them to Madam for refreshment.” She’erbi was a beverage from Yongping; Deng She had brought some and distributed it among the generals.

Wen Huaguo smacked his lips and looked at Deng She curiously. “I know you’ve been anxious and busy since you broke through Fengzhou, with no chance to relieve yourself. The woman you chose in Yongping, I heard you haven’t touched her either.” He said earnestly, “She She, don’t get any wrong ideas! That woman may be pretty and gentle, but she’s Wang Shicheng’s wife! Confucius said, ‘Women and petty men are hard to manage…’”

Deng She laughed helplessly and left Wen Huaguo still muttering, calling his guards to inspect the vanguard.

The troops of Danning and Xingzhou made no further moves. The march proceeded smoothly. A few days later, they approached Liaoyang. Along the way, many groups came to join them, the largest being two or three hundred, all tattooed. Upon inquiry, they were exiles sent to Liaodong.

The leaders were two men. The short one was Yang Wanhui, thin and bony, with two dragons tattooed on his arms. The tall one was Chen Paizi, muscular, with a mottled tiger head tattooed on his neck. The two made an odd pair, one tall and one short, one sturdy and one lean.

Chen Paizi spoke, “We come from Shui Dada. Hearing of chaos in the Central Plains and heroes rising, we seized the opportunity, killed our guards, set fires, and broke out of our station. After a journey of a thousand miles, we have come to join you.”

His words were clever; Monk Li snorted, “How did you know our army would pass this way? Are you spies sent by the Mongols, here to feign hardship?”

Chen Paizi prostrated himself, “To be honest, we intended to join Liaoyang, but Pan Pingzhang went to Shangdu, leaving Liu Pingzhang behind, who does not recognize talent. He only made us do menial work. Hearing travelers say the General recently defeated Liaoxi’s famous generals Zhang Jujing and Shijia Bao with few against many, we admire your valor and have abandoned Liaoyang to join you.”

So they first tried Liaoyang, but were dismissed, so now they changed sides.

Monk Li spat in his face. “When you couldn’t be a Taoist, you came to be a monk! What nonsense. I detest those who change allegiance and lack backbone.”

Deng She stopped Monk Li and dismounted to help up Yang and Chen.

Observing them, Yang Wanhui was resentful, holding back his anger; Chen Paizi remained calm, wiping off Monk Li’s spit without a change in expression. Deng She formed a preliminary judgment of the two, explaining, “This is a great general in our army, who has defeated the Mongols of Danning and Xingzhou. He has a bad temper, please don’t mind.”

Yang Wanhui ignored him, Chen Paizi tried to kneel again. Deng She quickly stopped him, and he said, “With such words, we are unworthy. As new arrivals, the general’s suspicion is understandable. I have always admired straightforward men.”

These two had killed their guards, traveled a thousand miles, changed allegiances, and managed three hundred exiles without chaos, earning their following. Not simple.

Yang Wanhui, short and lean, was fiercely proud. Among the exiles, many were burly and fierce, yet all submitted to him—surely his prowess lay in killing and intimidation, or he could not command such hardened criminals.

Chen Paizi, angry at Liaoyang’s neglect, changed sides, but faced Monk Li’s insults with calm. Deeply shrewd—likely the strategist of the group.

These thoughts flashed through Deng She’s mind. He feared neither pride nor cunning. If they had talent, he welcomed them. Whether he could win them over, he would see; if not, he could let them find another master.

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He said, “You two must be capable men, unwilling to accept menial roles. However, in my army, promotion follows strict regulations and is awarded only for merit.”

At this, Yang Wanhui reached for his sword and turned to leave. Chen Paizi pulled him back and answered, “Strict discipline is as it should be.”

Deng She pretended not to notice Yang Wanhui’s gesture.

As for cunning, his own three decades of experience, the upheavals he had endured, were extraordinary. Ten years in this world, he had never let slip the slightest flaw; he considered himself deeply reserved. He continued, “I see in you both extraordinary bones and heroic spirit, unlike ordinary men. If you are willing, each may command a hundred, and those who came with you remain under your command. When you have distinguished yourselves, I promise ample rewards and promotions.”

Chen Paizi, holding Yang Wanhui, smiled, “My brother is straightforward…” Yang Wanhui interrupted, “Not to deceive you, General, I am not only straightforward, but famous for being a fool.”

He vented his pent-up frustration, veiled insults at Monk Li. Monk Li was enraged and raised his whip. Deng She waved him back, laughing, “A true hero shows his colors, and genuine valor delights me.”

Both men prostrated themselves, “Your praise is undeserved; we will repay you with our lives.”

He ordered his guards to bring silver tokens and distribute them. These three hundred had no armor; few had weapons. Combined with others who had joined in recent days, they were allowed to select fitting armor and weapons. These three hundred formed a separate unit; others, by their origin, were assigned to various companies.

From Yang Wanhui and Chen Paizi, Deng She learned that the current commander in Liaoyang was Sha Liu Er. His surname was Liu, second in rank, Sha meaning “kill,” a nickname. Appointed as a provincial governor at the end of last year with Guan Duo and Pan Cheng.

The man was true to his name, bloodthirsty by nature. He was a fellow townsman of Liu Futong and a White Lotus adherent, having participated in the uprising at Yingzhou with Han and Liu. Fiercely brave. During the northern campaign, Liu Futong entrusted him with command, and he led the central army with Guan Duo. He was the third most powerful figure among the Red Turbans in Liaodong.

His background was extremely harsh, and he was a devoted White Lotus follower, unlike Huang Lvge’s wavering loyalty. He was generous to fellow believers, but never showed mercy to outsiders—a reputation known throughout the army.

Deng She did not wish to alert him; he ordered the army to find a place to camp early. At the third watch tomorrow, they would depart, bypassing Liaoyang by night. He prepared a heap of gifts—not only silver and jewels, but two sets of fine armor, delivered by a special envoy. Once the army had passed Liaoyang, these would be sent to Sha Liu Er. If asked why they did not enter the city, they would say they were fulfilling Guan Pingzhang’s order to deliver a proclamation to Goryeo, leading the vanguard across the Yalu.

That night, their scouts encountered Liaoyang’s patrollers and brought them to camp, treating them to meat and wine. They got them drunk, and kept them, so they could guide the gift-bearers the next day.

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1. The three-meal system.
In ancient times, the Han people commonly ate two meals a day, called morning and afternoon meals. Morning was at dawn, afternoon was between 2 and 5 p.m. With agricultural development, the Tang and Song dynasties saw three meals becoming more common; by the Yuan dynasty, Han people in agricultural regions generally ate three meals. These were called breakfast, lunch (midday meal), and dinner.

The Mongols originally ate two meals, preferring millet porridge or dairy drinks in the morning, and meat with plenty of broth at night. After entering the Central Plains, their eating habits likely changed.

2. She’erbi.
Similar to fruit syrup. Originally popular in Arabia, then spread to the Central Plains and China, it was a thirst-quenching drink made from various fruits. In Chinese, it was called thirst-water or thirst-quenching water.

There were many types, including lemon, papaya, orange, bayberry, grape, cherry, pomegranate, mulberry, etc. “All made from seasonal fruit juice, boiled like soup and drunk.”

3. Exiles.
Under the Yuan system: “Han people in the inner provinces or Jiangnan who were convicted of theft three times were exiled to Liaoyang; other ethnic groups and Koreans, exempted from tattooing, were sent to Huguang.” “Southern exiles were sent to the north of Liaoyang; northern exiles to southern Huguang.”

Southerners exiled to Liaoyang were generally sent to Nurgan, Shui Dada, Zhaozhou, etc. Shui Dada was located in the middle and lower reaches of the Songhua River, the lower reaches of the Heilongjiang, and the Ussuri River basin, inhabited by the Jurchen people.

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