This was the second time Shen Zechuan had heard the name “Gedale.”
Gedale lay to the east of the Chashi River, within the Bian Sha territory, originally a temporary base for the Zhongbo bandits. Shen Zechuan was certain he had never been there; his understanding of Gedale came solely from the portrait of Bai Cha that Lixiong had once mentioned. According to Haiguigu’s explanation, Shen Zechuan could even claim to be “the son of Zhongbo.”
“We are all sons of Gedale,” Haiguigu stood, eyes alert, scanning the Jin Yi Wei around him. He raised one hand slightly and said, “We have reason to sit and talk.”
“My brother died on the battlefield,” Shen Zechuan said, unmoved. “Until our words are clear, we are enemies.”
“Your enemy is the Bian Sha cavalry,” Haiguigu said, gripping his wound. “I am your enemy’s enemy. We can be friends.”
“Good friends,” Shen Zechuan replied. “What is it you want to discuss?”
Haiguigu pressed his lips together, pale, pausing a moment before saying, “We can join forces to kill Lei Jingzhe.”
Moonlight slashed across the carriage, and Shen Zechuan’s expression remained cold. He barely bothered to respond, but his meaning was clear: if Haiguigu continued to circle around, leaving his words incomplete, he would receive no reply.
“I know the emperor of Dazhou is dead, and now the emperor’s mother handles state affairs. You were expelled from Qudu, fled back to Zhongbo, and seek revenge, hoping to rise again,” Haiguigu said, his gaze complex. “You are consolidating Zhongbo.”
Shen Zechuan propped his elbow on his knee, leaning from the shadows to look down at Haiguigu. “Your intelligence is thorough.”
Haiguigu did not lower his hand; he seemed to soothe some beast. “I live within Zhongbo territory. Gathering this information is necessary; I hope you’re not offended. You’ve already built your walls in the west. Now you aim eastward—to reclaim Dun and Duan, even the Chashi Rift. But Lei Jingzhe blocks you. Without killing him, you’ll be in trouble. Brother, I also want him dead, so we can join forces.”
Shen Zechuan touched the side of his neck with a finger. “You all wear the same tattoo.”
“Because we are all sons of Gedale,” Haiguigu repeated. “Lei Jingzhe is a White Scorpion—he and his men serve Amur within Dazhou.” Haiguigu opened his shirt, revealing the scorpion tattoo on his neck. “I am a Black Scorpion.”
Fei Sheng observed carefully. “Your tattoos are identical.”
“We do not distinguish each other by tattoos,” Haiguigu said. “The tattoos are merely Gedale markings used by the Bian Sha.”
“Gedale is in Bian Sha territory, once under the control of the Liao Ying Division,” Shen Zechuan said. “How are you different from the Bian Sha?”
“If you know the origins of the Liao Ying Division, you’ll understand why we were set apart.” Haiguigu put on his shirt. “Before Amur, the Liao Ying were the eagle-slaves of various tribes, overseeing Gedale. The Zhongbo bandits did business in Gedale, selling women, highly sought after by the major tribes—the noble Henshe tribe especially favored Dazhou women.”
“But they were suppressed,” Fei Sheng said, tossing Haiguigu a water pouch. “These bandits along the Chashi River were rampant. The good families of Duan reported to Shen Wei, asking Dunzhou to intervene. The Dunzhou garrison commander Dantai Long led troops, striking Gedale and defeating them.”
“That was only temporary,” Haiguigu said, taking the pouch. “These bandits were under Liao Ying protection. They became Liao Ying slaves but were not respected. They remained the lowest class among the Bian Sha’s twelve tribes, gathering women for the Bian Sha. These women were sent to the tribes as exchange goods.”
Dantai Long had failed to completely annihilate the bandits. They soon returned to Gedale and established themselves.
“Children born to Dazhou women were called ‘Wumengyun,’” Haiguigu tugged his black hair. “A term for ‘bastards’ in Dazhou speech. These children could not survive in the tribes; as they grew, they threatened the pure-blooded herds. So the tribes drowned them in the Chashi River or returned them to Gedale.”
Fei Sheng, born to the Fei clan, could not comprehend. “These children carry the blood of the tribes; even if their mothers were not noble, drowning them seems extreme.”
“You know Hassan? He was the only son truly recognized by Amur. Unlike Dazhou, in the desert women controlled tribal reproduction and even livestock distribution. A noble mother determined a child’s fate. Amur’s sons, no matter how clever, lost the chance to contend with Hassan at birth because Hassan’s mother was the most noble of the Henshe tribe. Amur’s elite northern units owe their strength to her. The bastards were tattooed along with the bandits.” Haiguigu drank some water.
Shen Zechuan traced the timeline. “Since you divided Black and White, each must have a different role.”
“You must first understand: the so-called ‘Scorpions’ emerged after Amur’s rise. Before him, Gedale was a mixed-blood place. After Amur rose, Gedale became fully organized. White Scorpions, with Dazhou faces, infiltrate Dazhou itself,” Haiguigu said, twisting the water pouch, fingers making a crawling motion. “They penetrate deep, performing beyond expectation over the past decade. Black Scorpions remain in Gedale, trained by Amur to resist the Li Bei cavalry.”
“Black and White support each other,” Shen Zechuan suddenly understood. “The desert lacks iron; to arm those hammers, you must steal them from within Dazhou.”
“Yes,” Haiguigu tossed the water pouch back. “White Scorpions procure arms and supplies from Dazhou, also military charts.”
The military charts of Zhongbo’s six prefectures.
“Who gave Amur intelligence when he attacked Zhongbo six years ago?”
Haiguigu spread his hands. “I don’t know, I wasn’t involved. But I can tell you, Amur and Qudu have deep ties. That defeat was a test, and it worked perfectly. Li Bei was held in check. Years later, Dazhou even fractured.”
Fei Sheng inhaled sharply, looking at Shen Zechuan in astonishment.
“Why do you call me a son of Gedale?” Shen Zechuan’s jade earring glinted coldly.
Haiguigu tilted his head. “Because we were divided by Bai Cha—”
Before he could finish, a hidden arrow whistled through the air, lodging in the carriage. Yan Heru, who had been feigning death, shouted, “They’re chasing us!”
Fei Sheng yanked down the carriage curtain. “Mount up!”
Under the protection of the Jin Yi Wei, the carriage tore into the night. Yan Heru was thrown back inside. Dunzhou’s streets were wide, designed for merchants’ carriages, now bustling.
Yan Heru, disoriented, shouted urgently, “To the old Jianxing Prince’s Mansion! I rebuilt it into a private residence with over a hundred guards!”
Fei Sheng immediately turned the horses’ heads.
The glazed tiles of the Jianxing Mansion had all been removed. After Shen Wei’s self-immolation, only ruins remained. Yan Heru, valuing security, rebuilt it in the style of Qudu, with multi-tiered tall buildings. From the top, the entirety of Dunzhou lay visible.
Fei Sheng inspected the residence, marveling at Yan Heru’s precautions. Outer walls reinforced with bricks, arrow slits, mechanisms linking to parapets—thick enough to withstand siege engines.
“Doing business requires security; many would stab without hesitation. I value my life—without a fortified place in Dunzhou, I couldn’t rest easy.” Yan Heru invited Shen Zechuan upstairs. “This building, Fuxian Peak, is for elevation. From here, enjoy wine and music, and watch Lei Jingzhe scramble outside.”
Fei Sheng couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll storm in and lop your head off?”
Yan Heru laughed from the stairs. “Afraid? A real man doesn’t fear scars the size of bowls. At worst, the head falls, eighteen years later you’re still a hero!”
His tone was carefree, yet he truly feared nothing. Dunzhou’s merchants followed him for protection. Lei Jingzhe dared not kill him after tonight’s humiliation—he still had Hezhou as a shield. Lei Jingzhe’s pursuit was truly aimed at Haiguigu.
This kid was slippery.
Shen Zechuan guessed Lei Jingzhe and Haiguigu’s fierce struggle in Dunzhou was largely spurred by Yan Heru. Previously, Shen had supported Lei Changming but failed. By leveraging face, he kept his shops in Dunzhou. Others would have lost their trade; to curb Lei Jingzhe, Yan Heru funded Haiguigu and his Scorpions, keeping them in check, all reliant on the Yan family.
Servants filed in, lighting lamps in order. Heavy drapes lifted, revealing pearl-white fabric. A small gallery overhead, wisteria vines, slow streams, an open pavilion with a sloped rock garden—looking out, the stars seemed within reach, Dunzhou’s nightscape fully visible.
“This building is for elevation. From here, you can see the Chashi River like a jade ribbon; no other view compares,” Yan Heru said, leaning on the railing.
Shen Zechuan’s cloak flapped in the wind. Looking down, he saw Lei Jingzhe’s forces streaming through the streets. “You’re awfully confident.”
Yan Heru clicked his golden abacus. “Money makes the master. Lei Jingzhe has to call me ‘sir.’ I fear nothing. But Lord Shen, if the Cizhou garrison doesn’t intervene, you might be in danger.”
“I come and go without a trace,” Shen Zechuan said. “Leaving is simple.”
“You came for Bai Cha,” Yan Heru said with a smile. “Haiguigu knows everything. You nearly glimpsed the whole picture—you must be anxious. Bai Cha and the Scorpions—Haiguigu knows best. I’m sincerely here to discuss business; agree, and I’ll hand Haiguigu over for your disposal. Together, we kill Lei Jingzhe, seize the northeast, revive the trade routes, and money flows like water. Accounts in Chazhou will be cleared; Cai Yu’s death won’t be your responsibility.”
Shen Zechuan leaned over the railing and smiled.
Yan Heru’s smile faded, displeased. “What are you laughing at?”
“Lei Jingzhe came for Haiguigu. If you don’t hand him over, he’ll settle accounts with you. You want to trade a worthless pawn for business—nothing in the world is that profitable.” Shen Zechuan looked out over Dunzhou toward Duan Prefecture. “The Huai-Ci tea trade route is mine. If you want a share, you must make me want it.”
Yan Heru gazed at the empty nightscape, silent for a moment, then laughed. “At this point, Lord Shen, are you deceiving me? You have no troops—you’re a trapped beast. I won’t hand over Haiguigu, but I can hand over you.”
“You plotted to kill Lei Jingzhe tonight. Given his temperament, this debt is settled. He can endure you temporarily for silver, but he will never forgive you later. Besides, you played Haiguigu tonight,” Shen Zechuan said, chin lifted, the wind blowing. “Even if Lei Jingzhe forgives you, his twelve Bian Sha tribes won’t.”
Haiguigu was not alone; he brought Scorpions who had fled Zhongbo. Yan Heru funded them to curb Lei Jingzhe—this would be accounted for by the twelve tribes.
“At least I won’t die tonight,” Yan Heru said softly.
“Then we might as well perish together,” Shen Zechuan’s cold fingers tapped the railing. “Hand me over tonight, I die, Dun and Duan die, Zhongbo’s lost lands are forgotten. Qudu struggles, Li Bei and Qidong are stretched thin—this gateway will open for the Bian Sha cavalry. They refrained from attacking these six years because Zhongbo’s granaries were not ready. Now, Dazhou is fractured; this will inevitably become Bian Sha territory.”
“Xiao Fangxu won’t sit idly; this concerns the southeast battlefield of Li Bei,” Yan Heru said swiftly. “Qi Zhuyin is strong. You’re trying to scare me! Shen Zechuan, without you, Zhongbo is just a few wild kings; the grand scheme won’t change!”
“Then why go through all this trouble to negotiate with me?” Shen Zechuan raised an eyebrow.
Yan Heru cursed inwardly—he had been trapped by Shen Zechuan’s reasoning.
Their conversation was interrupted by a massive crash below. Yan Heru looked down, startled. “So many people…”
“Since entering Dunzhou, I’ve wondered—there’s a direct route to Duan, so why take the long way? Later, when he searched the city, his movements were skilled—I guessed he’d been ambushed before. The people hiding here are his heart’s concern,” Shen Zechuan said with a slight smile. “I can guess you funded Haiguigu. Lei Jingzhe couldn’t.”
Lanterns toppled, hooves clattered. Cavalry swarmed like dark clouds, obscuring the river of light. Lei Jingzhe’s forces outside aimed to eliminate Haiguigu decisively. Fei Sheng noticed the hawks circling above, clouds pressing down over Dunzhou.
“He won’t kill me,” Yan Heru said, panic creeping in, clutching his golden abacus. “Hezhou…”
The battering ram of Lei Jingzhe’s vanguard struck the gate. The metal-reinforced door groaned under the force; iron braces couldn’t withstand it. The horses’ labored breaths, hawks stirring the dark clouds, the stars dimmed—only the wind persisted.
A strong force without strategy.
These hooves had once trampled the heart of Zhongbo without hesitation; they could do it again.