Chapter 17: Farewell to Gan Ning

The next day.

Outside Chengdu city.

Strolling along the southern riverside outside the city, workshops of various sizes for weaving brocade lined both banks. People were washing brocade in the river, and from afar, the shimmering fabric resembled clouds tinged with rosy hues—a magnificent sight.

“Xingba, how do you plan to get to Bajun?” Liu Zhang inquired as Gan Ning prepared to depart for Bajun; he had come out of the city to see him off.

Gan Ning replied, “My lord, I intend to first head to Niubi, then follow the Tuo River downstream to Jiangyang, proceed along the river to Jiangzhou, and from there travel upstream via the Dangqu waterway to rally my former troops.”

Liu Zhang nodded. In Yizhou, waterways were the most efficient means of travel; even with the fastest chariots, water routes were unrivaled. Even in modern times, waterways remain the primary transportation arteries. Gan Ning’s chosen path naturally prioritized river travel.

The two walked side by side for a while longer before Gan Ning stopped, cupping his hands respectfully. “My lord, we have already passed two li outside the city. It is an honor to escort me this far. Beyond this point, I fear you would be reluctant to part ways.”

Liu Zhang smiled, acknowledging that he had gone too far already. He nodded in agreement. “Very well, this shall be as far as I send you.”

He reached out, plucked a willow branch from the roadside, and handed it to Gan Ning. “Xingba, return soon.”

“I will wait for you in Chengdu,” Gan Ning replied.

Taking the branch, Gan Ning bowed and said, “Rest assured, my lord, I will depart swiftly and return promptly.”

With that, Gan Ning and Gan Jiu mounted their horses and galloped away.

Watching their figures grow smaller in the distance, Liu Zhang withdrew his gaze and examined the willows lining the road. Many bore marks of broken branches.

The custom of breaking willow branches as a farewell gift.

There is an ancient verse: “When I left, the willows swayed gently; now, as I return, snowflakes fall thickly.” Willow branches came to symbolize parting and sending off.

The most famous example was the farewell at Ba Bridge. The ancient text Sanfu Huangtu records: “Ba Bridge lies east of Chang’an city, spanning the water. Han people would break willow branches at this bridge to bid farewell to departing guests.”

Because this custom was so widespread, especially around Ba Bridge—the most popular spot for farewells—the low-hanging willow branches nearby were all plucked bare, so much so that even tall people struggled to find branches to break.

Climbing into his carriage, Liu Zhang called to Pang Que, “Ziman, let’s return to the city.”

“Right away,” Pang Que responded, flicking the reins as the horses turned back toward the city.

***

Pulling his gaze back, Liu Zhang saw Chengdu city sprawled like a primeval beast resting on the plains. Since Qin’s conquest of Bashu, Chengdu had been constructed as the capital. The appointed Prefect of Shu, Li Bing, had combined northern and southern hydraulic engineering techniques to build the Dujiangyan irrigation system, fundamentally solving the Chengdu Plain’s flooding issues.

For over two millennia, the city’s location and name had remained unchanged.

During Emperor Wu of Han’s southwestern campaigns, Chengdu rose to become the political, economic, and cultural center of the region.

In the fifth year of Zhongping, when Liu Yan, Liu Zhang’s father, first arrived in Yizhou, he relocated the provincial seat to Mianzhu. As a newcomer without absolute confidence in holding Chengdu—a city steeped in history—he chose to settle in Mianzhu to appease the eastern residents and build strength.

In the second year of Chuping, after defeating the governor of Jianwei, Ren Qi, and his assistant Jia Long, Liu Yan secured full control of Yizhou. Subsequently, it was natural to move the provincial seat back to Chengdu.

Since Qin’s construction of Chengdu, the city’s layout had remained mostly fixed. But during Emperor Wu’s reign, with Chengdu as the nucleus, the southwest frontier was developed. A great influx of officials and soldiers arrived, and the old city no longer sufficed.

In the second year of Yuanding, Emperor Wu ordered the city to be rebuilt. The new city encompassed both the Qin-era small and large cities, expanding chiefly northward and eastward. It was said, “The city gates number twenty-nine, with over four hundred wards. Two rivers surround the market, and nine bridges adorn the waterways.”

At that moment, Liu Zhang was crossing Wanli Bridge, then Jiang Bridge, before entering through Chengdu’s Jiangqiao Gate.

Shortly thereafter, Liu Zhang and his party reached the city center. Riding through the Han dynasty’s Chengdu, the orderly shops, residences, and mansions stood in neat rows.

The roads were especially broad and well paved. Even the four-horse chariot Liu Zhang rode in traveled smoothly and steadily.

Liu Zhang observed the peaceful and harmonious ancient marketplace with keen interest.

***

Back at his residence, Liu Zhang glanced at the sun’s position—it was still before noon.

With leisure to spare, he decided to visit the annex courtyard.

Outside the courtyard, the laughter of children rang like tinkling bells, accompanied by clear, melodious female voices that brought a refreshing coolness amid the summer heat.

The child was his son, Liu Xun. As for the woman’s voice, he had a good guess. Pushing open the door, he saw a young woman dressed in palace attire playing cuju with the child. The ball was made by wrapping silk cotton inside, bound with hemp ropes woven into a spherical shape.

Seeing Liu Zhang enter, Wu Xian smoothed her wrinkled clothes from the game and bowed politely. “Your servant greets the commander.”

The four-year-old Liu Xun opened his arms and toddled toward his father, calling joyfully, “Father!”

Liu Zhang scooped up his precious son and turned to Wu Xian, nodding with a smile. “Sister-in-law, please don’t be so formal. You may call me Jiyu, as before.”

Wu Xian demurred, “I dare not. When you first arrived in Yizhou, your prestige preceded you.” She recalled how just yesterday Liu Zhang had executed Li Da, making her realize that this Jiyu uncle was now the governor of Yizhou, wielding immense authority. As she spoke, her head tilted slightly to the right.

Despite the tilt, Liu Zhang immediately noticed five bright red finger marks on Wu Xian’s right cheek. No matter how much makeup she wore, such vivid marks could not be concealed.

Wu Xian was historically Empress Mu of Shu Han, sister to Shu Han’s General Wu Yi. Due to a prophecy by the mystic Dong Fu that she bore the signs of great nobility, she was chosen by Liu Yan to marry his elder brother Liu Mao. Yet, following her brother-in-law Liu Mao did not elevate her status. It was only after Liu Bei arrived in Yizhou and married her that she rose in rank.

Judging by the current situation, living with her brother-in-law Liu Mao brought not nobility but domestic abuse, which deepened Liu Zhang’s disdain for Liu Mao—adept at internal strife, inept at external warfare; handling one’s own kin was no great feat.

Grateful for Wu Xian’s recent care of Liu Xun and noticing the finger marks on her face, Liu Zhang felt some sorrow and said, “There have been many affairs at the mansion lately, so I have little time to look after Xun. Sister-in-law, thank you for your care.”

“My brother has been acting somewhat mad of late, behaving erratically. Perhaps he will improve after some time. Sister-in-law, it might be best to stay in Xun’s courtyard and avoid provoking him,” Wu Xian advised.

“Understood.” Wu Xian’s eyes dimmed as she responded. She knew Liu Zhang’s meaning. Liu Mao was irate due to the governorship, lashing out at those around him. Best to stay clear. But on this matter, she could say little; after all, Liu Mao was her husband.

She shifted the topic. “I heard that a few days ago, commander, you defended a young woman in the market and gifted her a bolt of Shu brocade.”

“That is true.” The news traveled fast, and Liu Zhang nodded in acknowledgment.

“Commander, are you interested in this young woman? In Shu customs, brocade is traditionally given as a betrothal gift,” Wu Xian inquired. As the elder brother’s wife, she felt obliged to consider a suitable match for the widowed uncle serving as commander. “If you agree, I can find a matchmaker.”

An image of that young woman, Huang, surfaced in Liu Zhang’s mind. She was indeed quite pretty but appeared only fifteen or sixteen. Memories from his past life stirred, and he immediately shook his head, denying, “No, no. That girl is too young.”

“Too young?” Wu Xian questioned, then blurted out, “Commander, do you prefer someone older, more mature?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Wu Xian felt they were improper. Her cheeks flushed deeply, and she lowered her gaze demurely. After a moment, she looked up, attempting to change the subject, but noticed Liu Zhang’s eyes scanning her face. Her blush deepened, and she lowered her head again.

“Damn it,” Liu Zhang cursed silently. He was not the type to be rooted to the spot by a beauty. His examination of Wu Xian was purely observational—curious to see what charm she held that made the renowned and virtuous Liu Bei, despite the pressure of her prior marriage to Liu Mao, marry her. After watching her, he had to admit Wu Xian was truly stunning, a breathtaking beauty.

But Liu Zhang believed that Liu Bei’s greatness was not easily swayed by mere beauty. His marriage to Wu Xian was more about her brother Wu Yi’s position as an Eastern Prefecture scholar. Through this marriage, Liu Bei could swiftly rally the Eastern scholars of Shu to his side—a common and effective political strategy.

Returning his thoughts to the present, Liu Zhang observed the shy Wu Xian hiding her face and felt he ought to adjust his demeanor. Since crossing over, he had regarded himself as a mere outsider in the waning Han era, freely scrutinizing every detail without restraint. He had forgotten that the woman before him was his nominal sister-in-law—and even if she were not, it was improper to stare so openly.