How Can I Yield to the Traitor! - Chapter 10

Although they were at a distance and his face was hard to see, the man’s silhouette and the habitual way he slightly arched his back while speaking looked exactly like a scholar Qi Zhan had encountered several times in the palace a man named Tian Fan!

Tian Fan was a middle-level official known for his intellect and upright character, but because he was poor at playing political games, he had always remained overlooked.

Fu’an was internally shocked. Why is he here? And still wearing the Qi official robes?

“Young Master, that is Dr. Tian Fan.”

Upon hearing the name, Qi Zhan’s heart rate suddenly accelerated. It wasn’t strange to find old officials here, as there were still remnants of Qi influence in the southeast. The key was that Tian Fan’s reputation was one of unwavering integrity. Perhaps…

A bold idea rose in his heart.

“Fu’an,” Qi Zhan whispered, his eyes sharply scanning the surroundings. “Watch the horses here and wait for me. I’ll be right back.”

Fu’an was startled. “Young Master, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to try my luck.” Qi Zhan took a deep breath and pulled his hat lower, ensuring the dust covered as much of his face as possible, leaving only his clear eyes visible.

He didn’t walk toward the checkpoint. Instead, he waited until Tian Fan seemed to give up on his argument with the officer and turned down a secluded path in frustration. Qi Zhan quickly descended the other side of the slope and followed him silently.

The alley was deserted.

Tian Fan was walking with a face full of sorrow when he suddenly heard a deliberate, low, and clear voice behind him:

“Dr. Tian, have you been well?”

Tian Fan spun around to see a dusty boy standing in the shadows of the alley. Though grimy, the boy’s stature and grace were hard to hide. He was dressed plainly and held a sword.

Tian Fan froze for a moment, then frowned and asked warily, “Who are you?”

Qi Zhan slowly raised his head, letting more light fall on his face. He looked directly into Tian Fan’s eyes and spoke each word clearly and slowly:

“Does the Doctor remember mid-spring of last year? During a political debate in the Qi Palace, a young child ‘arrogantly’ claimed that ‘the King’s way values the people.’ He was dismissed as absurd by the other scholars, yet Dr. Tian remained silent.”

Tian Fan’s pupils dilated instantly, and the color drained from his face as if he had seen something utterly impossible, even terrifying. He stared at Qi Zhan’s face, his lips trembling. That buried anecdote known only to a few in the palace about a child he had privately thought was insightful but born in the wrong era…

“You, you are…” His voice shook so violently he could barely utter the noble title.

Qi Zhan took a step forward, fully exposing his features. He whispered, “An old friend has fallen on hard times. Is the Doctor willing to lend a hand?”

Tian Fan seemed pinned to the spot. It took several long breaths before he snapped back to his senses. He looked around frantically to ensure no one was watching, then grabbed Qi Zhan’s arm and pulled him deeper into the shadows. His voice was filled with horror and excitement:

“Your… You, why are you here?! Everyone outside is saying that you’ve already…”

“I’m not dead,” Qi Zhan interrupted him, concise and direct. “Doctor, this isn’t the place to talk.”

Tian Fan nodded vigorously, his eyes reddening with emotion. “Yes, yes! Follow me! Quick, follow me!”

At this moment, he had no more doubts, nor did he care why the Prince appeared here in such a state. A near-instinctual loyalty and a protective urge took hold. He led Qi Zhan through a series of winding paths, avoiding all eyes, until they reached the inconspicuous back door of a residence. He knocked several times.

The door creaked open a crack, revealing the puzzled face of an old servant.

“Open up, quick!” Tian Fan urged, pulling Qi Zhan inside. The old servant, though confused, immediately bolted the door shut.

The residence was modest but tidy. Tian Fan led Qi Zhan into the inner room, then suddenly fell to his knees with a thud. His voice was choked with emotion. “This subject, Tian Fan, kowtows to the King! Your Majesty has suffered!”

Looking at the man’s genuine display of emotion, the tension that had been gripping Qi Zhan finally relaxed slightly.

He had won his gamble. In this vast, chaotic world, he had finally found his first potential sanctuary. Although the future remained uncertain, he was at least no longer alone.

Inside the inner room, Tian Fan’s excitement had yet to subside; he continued to mutter about “Heaven having eyes” and the “legacy of the kingdom not being severed.”

Qi Zhan felt relieved, but a nagging feeling that he’d forgotten something made him uneasy. Then, he suddenly slapped his forehead and let out a low cry: “Oh no!”

Tian Fan was startled and quickly stopped talking. “Your Majesty? What is wrong? Are there pursuers?”

“No, no,” Qi Zhan said with an embarrassed expression. “It’s Fu’an! My eunuch, Fu’an he’s still on the slope outside the town watching the horses and waiting for news!”

In his excitement, he had forgotten his companion. In this wilderness filled with soldiers and bandits, Fu’an was alone with two horses and all their gold and silver. If he ran into trouble…

Tian Fan let out a breath of relief but quickly grew tense again. “I see! Do not worry, Your Majesty. I will send someone to fetch him immediately!”

He didn’t dally, calling over the loyal old servant who had opened the door. He gave low, urgent instructions: “Uncle Tian, go out through the back door immediately. Circle around to the eastern slope outside the town and look for an attendant named Fu’an with two horses. Be extremely careful and discreet. Bring him here safely at once!”

Though elderly, Uncle Tian was very capable. He didn’t ask questions, simply nodding gravely. “Don’t worry, Master. This old man knows what’s important.” He hurried out.

Qi Zhan’s heart steadied, but he couldn’t help but worry, his gaze frequently drifting to the window. Tian Fan comforted him: “Rest easy, Your Majesty. Uncle Tian has lived here for many years and knows the terrain perfectly. He is steady; he will bring Fu’an back safely.”

The wait felt exceptionally long. Qi Zhan sat restlessly, worrying about Fu’an’s safety and fearing that Uncle Tian’s movements might be noticed by the soldiers at the checkpoint.

About half an hour later, a soft knock came from the back courtyard. Tian Fan hurried to answer it.

When the door opened, there was Uncle Tian, followed by a terrified yet visibly relieved Fu’an, who was tightly clutching the reins of the two horses.

“Young Master!” The moment Fu’an saw Qi Zhan, his eyes turned red and his voice cracked. “You scared me to death! I thought when I didn’t hear from you for so long…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay now,” Qi Zhan stepped forward to comfort him. “It was my oversight. I’m sorry I left you worried.”

Uncle Tian whispered from the side, “Master, Your Majesty, the mission is accomplished. When I found them, there were already scattered deserters wandering nearby. It’s lucky I arrived when I did.”

Fu’an added with lingering fear, “Yes, yes! There were several soldiers who looked like no-goods staring toward the slope. Thankfully this elder arrived quickly and we circled around through the other side of the forest.”

Hearing this, Qi Zhan was even more grateful for Tian Fan’s presence. He bowed solemnly to Uncle Tian. “Thank you, elder.”

Uncle Tian bowed back hurriedly. “I don’t deserve such thanks, Young Master. You flatter this old man.”

Tian Fan signaled Uncle Tian to take the horses to a hidden spot in the backyard. Then he turned to Qi Zhan and Fu’an. “Your Majesty, Eunuch Fu, though this place is temporarily safe, it is no place to stay long. The Colonel guarding this town is not an acquaintance of mine, and I’ve heard he has dealings with the State of Yan. Your identities must not be revealed in the slightest.”

His expression grew grave. “My residence is humble; I can only ask Your Majesty to rest here for the moment. Tomorrow, I will find a way to arrange a more secure destination. About a hundred miles to the southeast is Qingya Fortress. The Fortress Lord was once a general of the Qi border army a man of loyalty and courage. Perhaps you can take refuge with him.”

Qi Zhan nodded. “I will leave the arrangements to you, Doctor.”

Master and servant finally had a moment of respite from their life as fugitives. In this modest room in a remote town, they found a brief chance to breathe.

Tian Fan’s residence was small and plain, with peeling wall paint that hinted at his modest lifestyle, yet it was meticulously tidy. He gave the only decent inner room to Qi Zhan and squeezed onto a straw mat in the outer room with Uncle Tian.

The night was quiet. The oil lamp flickered like a bean. Qi Zhan couldn’t sleep. The occasional sound of patrolling soldiers’ footsteps and barking dogs outside made his heart tighten every time. Fu’an was on a floor bed nearby; though he tried to be still, his heavy breathing revealed that he was just as alert to the sounds outside.

“Your Majesty,” Tian Fan entered with a bowl of hot soup and a few pieces of coarse bread. “My home is simple; I only have this rough food. Please have some to warm yourself.”

Qi Zhan was indeed hungry. He took a bite of the bread; the texture was rough against his throat, but he ate quickly. To have a roof over his head and food to eat was a great blessing.

“You needn’t be so formal, Doctor,” Qi Zhan said after swallowing. He looked at Tian Fan’s respectful, almost fearful expression and softened his voice. “I am no longer the King. I am just a displaced person of a fallen nation. That you risked taking me in is already a great kindness. If you don’t mind, just call me ‘Young Master’ so as not to attract unwanted attention.”

Tian Fan’s eyes reddened again as he bowed his head. “Yes… Young Master.” He paused, lowering his voice further. “About tomorrow we must be extremely cautious. The guarding Colonel, Hu Biao, is not a good man. He is greedy and violent. My argument with him today was because he wanted to forcibly requisition the town’s grain to entertain the Yan troops that might pass through, with no regard for the townspeople’s lives.”

“Your Majesty, the situation here in the southeast is complicated.” Tian Fan sighed. “In name, it still belongs to Qi, but in reality, various factions have entrenched themselves. There are loyal men like the Lord of Qingya Fortress, but there are also men like this Colonel  double-dealers who secretly correspond with Yan, Wei, and even Chu, seeking only their own survival or waiting for the highest bidder.”

“The State of Yan has its hands in this too?” Qi Zhan frowned. He knew Wei was the main force taking advantage of the fire, but he hadn’t expected Yan to move so quickly.

“Yes,” Tian Fan nodded. “The cavalry of the Yuwen clan of Yan is fierce. Although their main force hasn’t arrived, their scouts are appearing frequently at the border. I fear they intend to march south. In these chaotic times, might is the only right… sigh.”

His words were full of a scholar’s helplessness.

Qi Zhan’s gaze sharpened. “In that case, we truly cannot stay here.”

“Precisely.” Tian Fan nodded. “The Lord of Qingya Fortress is named Gao Sheng. He served as the General of the Far-Reaching Guard. He is upright and has a group of loyal men under him. However…”

His face showed some difficulty. “However, the only road from here to Qingya Fortress passes through a gorge. I fear it has already been seized by Hu Biao’s men or the Yan army. The inspections will be strict. Even with the dust on your faces, your extraordinary bearing, Young Master, will be hard to hide.”

Qi Zhan pondered for a moment, then looked at Tian Fan. “Does the Doctor have a plan?”