Chapter 6: The City of Liangzhou
It turned out that on the day the caravan arrived in Ganzhou, Duan Jinke had received a letter delivered by one of his Second Uncle’s household servants. The letter contained two pieces of news: first, that his elder brother, Duan Jinyu, had returned to Chang’an to report on his official duties and would soon be reassigned to Qingzhou in Shandong after the New Year; and second, that the Dowager Princess of Prince Jing’s Residence was celebrating her sixtieth birthday during the twelfth lunar month, and both he and Cao Dening were instructed to return to Chang’an as soon as possible.
Seeing Duan Jinke lost in thought as he stared at the letter, Cao Dening softly asked, “Ke-ge’er, has Laoye ordered our departure?”
Duan Jinke tucked the letter into his sleeve and raised his voice, saying, “Prepare everything, we set off for Chang’an.”
Among the caravan’s goods were half a load of orchids and musk and frankincense, as well as a batch of prized Ferghana horses purchased in Dayuan. After inspecting the inventory, Cao Dening estimated they would need to bring seventy or eighty pack mules for the journey. Besides their own drivers and attendants, they hired Li Wei and his companions to accompany them. These familiar and reliable hands were essential to ensure the journey’s safety and preparedness against any unforeseen events along the way.
Traveling alongside the caravan were several dozen Hu women, purchased by a Hu merchant and bound for Chang’an. Yet among them, the strikingly beautiful Hu woman who had tended to Chun Tian was absent. When the others inquired about her, the merchant explained that she was the princess of the Hephthalites.
The Imperial Hephthalite kingdom, over 20,000 li away from Chang’an, was once a nomadic kingdom whose people had intermarried with the people of the Rouran Khaganate for generations. Decades earlier, the kingdom had been destroyed by the Turks, leaving its people scattered and displaced, wandering as refugees. One such tribe migrated to the region of Tokharistan, but relations between the Tokharians and the Hephthalites were hostile. Women and children of the Hephthalite tribes were often abducted. This princess had been captured by the Tokharians and eventually sold into the Central Plains.
When they first entered Ganzhou, the princess had caught the eye of a powerful local member of the gentry. The Hu merchant, hoping to transport her to Chang’an where her value would have significantly increased, was met with her unyielding refusal to travel eastward. Left with no choice, the Hu merchant sold her in Ganzhou instead.
In the Central Plains, rare treasures were highly prized. Golden-haired, blue-eyed Hu women with fair skin and striking beauty would fetch astronomical prices at the markets. Wealthy merchants and magnates often vie to keep such women as concubines, and if they possess noble lineage, their value would soar even higher. “A child of the heavens brought low, their nation fallen, now reduced to slavery—truly pitiful,” someone unknown murmured softly.
Duan Jinke said nothing, but the image of those sorrowful, resentful blue-green eyes surfaced in his mind, impossible to dispel no matter how he tried.
As the caravan traveled onward, the group engaged in lively conversations, their voices mingling with the sounds of the journey. In the distance, they glimpsed Mount Yanzhi, where the boundless white snow and the forest contrasted each other. Beneath the mountain lay an expanse of dry grasslands stretching endlessly, accompanied by the neighs of fine, spirited horses.
This place, the Damaying Grassland, was the largest Imperial horse pasture in the region, housing fifty thousand excellent steeds and countless cattle and sheep. It supplied warhorses to the military camps across all lands west of the Yellow River.
Liangzhou lay more than 500 li from Ganzhou, and the road was bustling with travelers. Tea stalls and wine taverns dotted the route, their lively chatter welcoming passersby. The caravan moved in fits and starts, pausing frequently. Just two or three days from Liangzhou, the sky darkened ominously as black clouds gathered overhead, and soon, a steady, chilling rain began to fall.
Winter rain, dense and chaotic, carried a biting cold that pierced through skin and into the bones like countless needles. The bitter wind left everyone shivering uncontrollably. The spices and medicinal herbs in their saddle packs were particularly vulnerable to the damp. On this day, the rain poured heavily, forcing the caravan to seek refuge at a nearby roadside inn.
In the center of the inn, a large fire burned in a brazier, its embers crackling and popping as they consumed a thick log. Sparks occasionally flew as it consumed the dry branches, illuminating the room. Surrounding the fire sat a circle of rain-soaked travelers, seeking warmth.
Somewhere among them, someone had removed their boots, leaving wet shoes hanging by the fire to dry. A pungent smell, sour and acrid, rose with the waves of heat, mingling unpleasantly in the air and assaulted one’s nose.
The pressing rain and cold winds along the road penetrated even through felt coats and fur cloaks, leaving the chill seeping into their very bones. Duan Jinke and his companions occupied several tables near the fire, drying their damp clothes. The innkeeper, hunched and nimble, bustled around to wipe down tables and pour hot tea. The fare at the inn was coarse—hard biscuits and roasted meat that ground one’s teeth—but the wine was a pleasant surprise, offering a selection of grape wine, distilled spirits, and fruit liquor.
Nearby, a group of burly men lounged idly, raised their heads and shot a glance at the newcomers. One of them, a scar-faced man with a thick beard, squinted his shrewd eyes at the newcomers. He lazily waved off a small boy carrying a basket of roasted chickens who had wandered too close, “”Move move move, don’t block your granddaddy’s view.”
Duan Jinke sat at the table with Helian Guang, Shen Wan and a few others. The three of them drank in silence, their heads bowed over their cups. Wei Lin, on the other hand, was a chatterbox, prattling about tea and water, calling for this and that.
Cao Dening had just ordered a few pots of hot tea to be sent to the guards watching over the mule train when he turned around and noticed a drenched, sallow-faced man with a shoulder pack stepping forward. The man approached hesitantly and asked, “Might I inquire, good sir, if your caravan is bound for Liangzhou?”
Cao Dening nodded. “Indeed.”
The sallow-faced man’s expression was one of bitter helplessness. He clasped his hands in a polite bow and said, with a note of difficulty, “To be honest with you, esteemed brother, this lowly one’s surname is Zhao, the third son in my family. I live in Liangzhou Prefecture, beneath the Shidun Bridge in Ping’an Alley. I was traveling back home these past days, but, alas, my mule was stolen on the road just yesterday. Seeing that your caravan is large and well-staffed, this lowly one has a rather presumptuous request: would you allow this lowly one to get a ride and to accompany you back to Liangzhou?”
Cao Dening sized him up for a moment before replying, “That’s not an issue. However, we’re in a hurry and will be traveling hard and fast. It might be quite taxing.”
“No problem at all, no problem,” the sallow-faced man said quickly, brushing his hand across his brow with a nervous laugh. “In that case, many thanks.”
Helian Guang, who had been nursing his drink in silence, set his cup down and slowly lifted his head and gaze. He spoke, seemingly to no one in particular, “A case of trying to sail a boat indoors and using an upside-down shell as a disguise.”
The scar-faced man nearby straightened his shoulders, fixing a sharp gaze on Helian Guang. The sallow-faced man’s expression instantly stiffened, smiling apologetically. “What is this esteemed brother saying? I don’t quite understand.”
Helian Guang flipped his wine cup upside down on the table, rising to his feet as his voice turned cold. “Using cold embers to kindle a fire, one cannot swallow the cooked rice.”
The sallow-faced man’s complexion turned ashen, his steps faltering as he tried to retreat. But before he could make it far, Shen Wen’s blade sang out with a sharp clap, the long knife drawn and barring his way. “No need to rush, brother, the wind and rain outside are harsh. Why not rest here a while longer and then head out with us?”
“No need, no need,” the sallow-faced man stammered, his voice rising with panic as he waved his hands in refusal. “I just remembered something urgent. I’ll take my leave now. Thanking esteemed brothers for your kindness.” With that, he spun and bolted out.
It wasn’t long before the scar-faced man from the inn also vanished without a trace.
Cao Dening, accustomed to such encounters, whispered to Duan Jingke, “They were a gang of brigands, likely planning to rob our goods. But they didn’t expect to run into professionals and had to slink away in shame.”
Duan Jingke chuckled. On this journey, they had already crossed paths with countless petty thieves and scoundrels. Even here, in a well-established place like Liangzhou, there were still those brazen enough to test their luck in muddy waters. Like maggots clinging to bones, these rogues were impossible to fully shake off.
The northern wind howled like a blade, slicing through the thickening clouds above. The gusts growing stronger and stronger Shen Wen coiled his riding whip around his arm, pulled a wine flask from his belt, and took a hearty gulp of strong liquor before tossing it to Li Wei by his side. “Looks like snow is coming,” he muttered.
Li Wei caught the wine flask.“Ahead lies Liangzhou,” he said.
Before he could take a sip, a whip lashed out from nowhere, and the flask was snatched cleanly into someone else’s hands. “Blast this wretched weather!” grumbled Qian Qing, a man who had come to Hexi from Sichuan when he was barely a teenager. Even after twenty years, he still couldn’t stand the winters of the northwest.
Somehow, the flask made its way to Duan Jinke. Accustomed to the smooth taste of mild wines, he took a swig and nearly choked, the fiery liquor scorching his throat and setting his chest ablaze. His frozen stiff fingers seemed to become more active and he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Good wine.”
Large flakes of snow, big as goose feathers, lashed against their faces, driven by a fierce wind that stung.
By the time they reached the gates of Liangzhou City, someone was already there waiting. A stable boy spotted Duan Jinke and grinned widely, hurrying forward to take the reins of his horse. “Young Master has finally arrived! This servant has been standing here for half the day–this lowly one’s neck was about to snap from all the waiting. ”
The inn was nestled within Liangzhou’s inner city. Inside, the brazier burned warmly, and food and drink had long been prepared. The innkeeper, a rotund man clad in silk, greeted Duan Jinke with a beaming smile. “Zheng da-ren gave explicit instructions to this subordinate to treat the Young Master and the caravan with the utmost care. Whatever food or supplies Young Master, simply give the word.”
Duan Jinke was unsurprised and returned the courtesy with a smile. “Many thanks.”
A layer of icicles clung stubbornly to the oilcloth coverings, frozen stiff and dangling from the eaves. Once the pack mules were settled, everyone sought out the comforts of the inn. After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Duan Jingke, accompanied by Wei Lin, stepped out into the city.
The doorkeeper handed over a visiting card. The Regional Inspector of Liangzhou, Zheng Taixing, had already prepared fragrant tea in his study. It had been several years since Duan Jingke last saw Zheng Taixing. As he entered, he noted that his Uncle Zheng looked unchanged—his fair face and elegantly trimmed beard showed no sign of age, not even a wrinkle.
Duan Jinke stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Your nephew greets Uncle Zheng.”
Duan Jingke’s father, Duan Zhiting, and Zheng Taixing had been close friends since their days as classmates. Although their political careers had led them to align with different factions, their personal friendship remained steadfast. After exchanging pleasantries, Zheng Taixing dismissed the attendant maids with a wave of his hand and gestured for Duan Jinke to sit. “How has the journey been?”
“Your father’s temperament hasn’t changed in all these years. Sending you here without even notifying this old man first—does he no longer hold me in any regard?”
“Not at all,” Duan Jinke replied with a laugh. “He simply grew tired of my idling at home. My being sent here is more punishment than privilege—an excuse to keep me from relying on the indulgence of my uncles.”
When Duan Jinke mentioned his elder brother Duan Jinyu’s new appointment, Zheng Taixing chuckled knowingly. “Jinyu has truly flourished since his days in the Hanlin Academy, earning the Emperor’s favor. With this new post, your father must be thrilled.”
He added, “It’s fortunate timing. Early next year, I’ll be accompanying several generals from the assault-resisting garrisons to pay tribute to His Majesty and the Crown Prince. When that time comes, we’ll all have an opportunity to meet again.”
“Uncle is heading to Chang’an?” Duan Jingke was very happy. “I’ll write to my father at once—knowing him, he’ll be so pleased he might not sleep for days.”
Zheng Taixing’s smile carried a hint of meaningfulness . “Indeed. The military provisions have been in short supply for months now. The generals from the assault-resisting garrisons are likely ready to dismantle the palace gates in protest.”
The situation came down to poverty.
A few years ago, the court waged a major campaign against the Turks, opening the Yiwu Route and reopening the Yumen Pass.
Soon after the Beiting Protectorate was established, successive southeastern floods and the Yellow River’s change of course added to the calamity. These events drained the national treasury so completely that not even a blade of grass could be plucked from it. The Minister of Revenue was nearly driven to madness, gnashing his teeth in desperation as he proposed auditing the Emperor’s private coffers.
While the national treasury was barren, the Emperor’s private vaults were far from empty, with plenty of silver and gold ingots. Yet, the reigning Emperor bewailed his own poverty citing that within the palace walls thrived a sea of Imperial relatives to support, not to mention the expenses of the harem—seven or eight royal offspring of marriageable age, alongside consorts whose cosmetics and silk robes demanded a steady stream of funds.
The Crown Prince, who also served as the Supreme Supervisor of Hexi, was deeply troubled by the need to support Hexi’s hundreds of thousands of troops. His thoughts inevitably turned to the funds in the Emperor’s private coffers. Yet, the Emperor remained unyielding, and the Crown Prince’s maternal family, being impoverished yet full of upright advisors, offered little leverage. With no better options, the Crown Prince called upon Hexi’s senior officials to return to the capital for discussions, hoping they might collectively devise a solution.
At the inn Cao Dening waited for Duan Jingke. Upon seeing the young lord and Wei Lin return, he stepped forward to greet them. “Welcome back, Young Master.”
The inn was stocked with fresh feed, provisions, and a change of strong horses and sturdy pack animals. The group rested in Liangzhou for a day, planning to set out the next morning. Their route would take them over Wushao Mountain, through Lanzhou, and eastward to cross the Yellow River.
Wushao Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist, its mountain ranges stretching endlessly into the horizon. Snow blanketed the towering peaks, and the grand westernmost mountains soared into the heavens, severing the path to the sky. The travelers were bundled tightly in felt robes, fur-lined hats, and leather boots, yet still felt the bone-piercing chill that made their bodies shiver uncontrollably.
It was a cold and desolate mountain, made even harsher by the relentless wind and snow. All around was an endless expanse of white, as far as the eye could see. As they urged their horses deeper into the mountains, the swirling sleet blurred their vision, the fierce gales biting to the bone. Heads lowered against the storm, every step forward felt nearly impossible.
In the mountains, the roads were frozen with ridges of ice, making the journey slow and arduous. After a full day of travel, they had barely covered fifty miles. The snowfall grew heavier, and the wind whipped the flakes against their bodies, stinging their faces and stealing their breath. The snow clung to their clothes as if glued on. At first, the group brushed it off with their hands, but as the journey wore on, they gave up and let their garments stiffen into frozen armor.
Pushing against the wind and trudging through the snow for several miles, everyone was worn to the bone. The howling wind scraped against the icy rocks, filling the air with a grating, discordant noise that cut into their ears. From somewhere in the distance came the faint sound of a horse’s whinny, carrying through the storm.
Through the swirling snow, a herd of wild horses appeared like phantoms, their manes streaming as they galloped with unbridled freedom. They raced past the caravan, hooves pounding, before vanishing into the blizzard’s white shroud.
“Those are the heavenly steeds of the Qilian Mountains.” Everyone sighed in awe.
Beneath Li Wei sat an unassuming gray horse, which gave a low, restless neigh and swished its tail. Li Wei soothed it, murmuring, “Chasing Thunder, once we return, I’ll let you run wild in the mountains.”
The days in the mountains were bitter and unyielding. When they finally reached the southern outpost of Wushao Mountain, the group heaved a collective sigh of relief. At the post station, they encountered a procession of flowing carriages traveling eastward. These carried the winter garments bestowed by the palace for the military outposts in Hexi, marking the recent Winter Clothes Festival.
After verifying their documents, the caravan prepared to continue toward Lanzhou.
TN: Hope everyone is doing well! Some of these regions of China are places I’ve never even heard about, but they sound absolutely stunning!
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