Chapter Thirty-Four: A Promise—If I Win, You Come With Me

Looking at the backs of the Feng father and son as they departed, Chen An took the two banknotes from inside his robe and handed them to Zhang Xiaojing.

“That much money?” Zhang Xiaojing froze when he saw the silver.

“This is a serious offense. If the Ministry of War or the Ministry of Personnel investigates, I’m afraid you won’t be able to explain it away with a few words.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiaojing caught a glimmer of confidence in Chen An’s eyes.

That light seemed strangely familiar.

“Could it be that you intend to—”

Zhang Xiaojing suddenly understood.

“Have you gone mad? Do you even know what you’re doing? Something could happen.”

Chen An waved his hand dismissively. “It’s nothing to worry about. As the old saying goes: if you don’t enter the tiger’s lair, how will you catch its cub?”

Not wanting Zhang Xiaojing to worry too much, Chen An even patted him on the shoulder in reassurance.

“Have Fool Wu make the trip. He’ll leave tonight and deliver it to Ergou by dawn. His enterprise has only just begun, and he needs money to keep it running.”

Even at the end, Zhang Xiaojing could not help reminding him, “You’re throwing mud all over yourself.”

“Those who remain spotless and blameless may be heroes. But with hundreds of brothers under our command, you and I can never become heroes. We can only be warlords.”

Chen An rubbed his stomach. “Brother, get something for supper. I’m hungry.”

“Very well. I’ll have the kitchen prepare something at once.”

“Don’t bother with meat. Save the money to pay the men. Plain rice porridge will do for me.”

The moon sank and the sun rose. Early the next morning, Zhang Xiaojing saw that Chen An had prepared a considerable number of gifts.

“What are you going to do?” Zhang Xiaojing asked.

Chen An handed him a book. Zhang Xiaojing remembered that Chen An had bought it from a street stall when they first arrived at You Mountain Pass the previous day.

Yet after only one night, the once-clean corners of the book had already yellowed from constant rubbing and had begun to wrinkle.

Judging by its condition, Chen An must have read it countless times.

“Why, I’m going to pay a visit to a man of great talent,” Chen An replied with a smile.

“A man of great talent? Where would we find one?” Zhang Xiaojing asked, utterly bewildered.

“People often say that fine horses are plentiful, but true judges of horses are rare,” Chen An said. “Didn’t we happen to meet a splendid steed yesterday?”

Only then did Zhang Xiaojing understand.

“Oh, you mean…”

…

You Mountain Pass, East Grove Lane.

When Yingying told him that someone had come to call, Zhang Juzhong was startled.

He had been planning to flee over the wall, but upon learning that the visitor was Chen An, he could only let out a bitter laugh.

“The debt collector has come knocking.”

Outside the thatched cottage, Chen An stood with his hands clasped behind his back.

Zhang Xiaojing stood behind him, armored and carrying a saber.

Zhang Juzhong approached slowly and bowed respectfully.

“This humble commoner, Zhang Juzhong, pays his respects to Lord Commandant.”

“I did not send word beforehand and have come without notice. I hope you will forgive me, Brother Zhang.”

“Your military duties must keep you extremely busy, yet you have still come in person. I am deeply honored.”

After two cups of plain tea had passed their lips, Zhang Juzhong finally voiced his curiosity.

“May I ask why you have come?”

“Oh, it’s nothing in particular. I was wandering the streets last night and bought a book. I found it rather interesting.”

Chen An handed over the book with a broad smile.

“I wonder whether you have ever read it, Brother Zhang.”

“Two or Three Affairs Between Myself and the Women of the Grasslands?”

Zhang Juzhong read the title with a complicated expression.

“The book is crude at first glance, full of vulgar language. I’m afraid I know nothing about it.”

“Is that so?” Chen An flipped through a few pages. “I cannot agree. There is much of value in it: marriage and funerals on the grasslands, herding and harvests, snow disasters and droughts, raising cattle and handling horses. If such knowledge were incorporated into military campaigns, it might even lead to extraordinary victories.”

“Lord Commandant Chen can see that much in the book. You truly are no ordinary man.”

There was now a touch more admiration in Zhang Juzhong’s gaze.

“However, the chapter that interests me most is this one.”

Chen An opened to a page whose corner had already been folded down.

“Here, the protagonist encounters a woman from the Western Regions. They exchange glances, and eventually even attempt to elope. Such a love story moved me deeply.”

As he spoke, Yingying happened to push open the door and enter.

A flush immediately spread across her fair cheeks.

Her reaction confirmed the last lingering suspicion in Chen An’s mind.

“I have come for two reasons. First, to pay my respects to the author. Second, to earnestly ask Brother Zhang to come out of seclusion and assist me.”

Chen An’s unequivocal answer finally ended Zhang Juzhong’s hesitation.

“How did you determine that I was the author of this book?” Zhang Juzhong asked curiously.

Chen An turned to the final page.

“The book was never completed—or rather, its ending was ruined. The hero and heroine arrive in a remote frontier town called You Mountain.”

“Moreover, the author writes under the pen name Ruoqing,” Chen An continued. “What is that old saying? ‘Lifting a heavy weight as though it were light.’”

Hearing Chen An’s reasoning, Zhang Juzhong could not help applauding.

“Excellent, excellent. After three years in seclusion, I never imagined that the one to unravel the mysteries hidden in my book would be an unknown commandant. Truly, fate toys with men.”

Yet the laughter soon faded from Zhang Juzhong’s face, replaced by sorrow.

“If even a commandant can find me, while those military and state ministers who pride themselves on their intelligence and authority pay no attention… It seems the realm is already descending into chaos…”

“That’s enough. Stop brooding,” Chen An interrupted. “Well? Are you coming with me or not?”

“Where?”

“Do you really need to ask? I’m going to conquer the realm, and you’re coming with me.” Chen An was utterly direct. “One day, sooner or later, I will march into the grasslands. When that day comes, I’ll need a strategist who understands them.”

“Have you come here to beg me, Lord Commandant?” Zhang Juzhong asked with a sly smile. “But I have already given my heart to the mountains and wilderness, withdrawing from the world to live among the fields. Why should I willingly throw myself into the furnace again?”

“A book reflects its author. If you truly wished to retire from the world, you could have chosen the water towns of Jiangnan, the wheat fields of the Central Plains, or the fertile lands of the southwest. Yet you deliberately chose the bitter, freezing frontier beyond the passes—the place you understand best.”

Chen An’s eyes shone like torches.

“Do not tell me that was all mere coincidence.”

“Hahaha. Some people spend decades together without exchanging a word, while others meet only once and feel they have found a lifelong confidant.”

Zhang Juzhong was visibly moved.

“However, though my head is not worth much, it is not entirely without value either. You have already demonstrated your insight, but there is still one thing lacking.”

“What is that?”

“Ability,” Zhang Juzhong replied. “If you wish to sweep across the grasslands, ambition alone will never suffice. What matters most is strength.”

“What do you want me to do?” Chen An asked.

“The ancients often said, ‘If one cannot sweep clean a single room, how can one sweep clean the entire realm?’”

Zhang Juzhong looked at him steadily.

“I want you to begin here and now, at You Mountain Pass. The Feng, Chu, Han, and Wei families are currently locked in a struggle for supremacy, and incidents like yesterday’s happen all too often. If you truly possess the necessary ability, then bring peace to You Mountain Pass.”

“Agreed?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Wait here without worry. One month—I need only one month.”

Chen An rose and prepared to leave. Before departing, he did not forget to remind Zhang Juzhong:

“Please pack your belongings in advance, sir. Otherwise, when the time comes, you may find yourself caught unprepared.”