The Innocent Heart - Chapter 36

After days of consistent training, Guan Yueyao gradually grew accustomed to riding on horseback, feeling the rhythm of the horse’s movements through the jolting, and rising and falling with the beat. Perhaps this rhythm made him feel relaxed; he stretched his limbs, and before he even realized it, he naturally learned to “post” (move with the horse’s trot).

His courage was always great. Once that initial, unbearable jarring sensation for beginners disappeared, Guan Yueyao, carried away by the thrill of riding, let go of the reins and spread his arms wide, feeling the coolness of the air.

“Hahaha, this feels great! Qubing, when do you think we can ride like this across an endless grassland!” Separated by a short distance, Guan Yueyao had to shout at the top of his lungs to his friend.

Huo Qubing, who had consistently ridden ahead of Guan Yueyao, heard the voice and turned his head, momentarily stunned by the sight of Guan Yueyao.

What a scene it was: the youth, dressed in riding attire, his hair not neatly tied up high like others, but simply gathered into a ponytail. Guan Yueyao’s figure was not particularly robust, and the riding attire looked slightly large on him, now puffed up slightly by the wind. Because the fabric was too light, his clothes and his hair were both supported by the night wind, floating in the air like dancing butterflies.

Huo Qubing watched blankly, involuntarily pulling on the reins, and seeing him pass right before his eyes. His laughter was so extravagant and unrestrained that Huo Qubing was genuinely envious. In his eyes, Guan Yueyao seemed like the freest being in the world, unburdened by any worldly person or matter. But no sooner had this thought arisen than a sense of fear surfaced in his heart.

No, he had only just found a friend he liked and got along with so well; he could not lose him!

“Ah Yao, wait for Me!”

Huo Qubing urged Benxiao again, galloping in Guan Yueyao’s direction.

After this sudden “sports meet,” Guan Yueyao’s life gradually returned to normal. Every day, he went to the Northern Army camp to guide the soldiers in physical training and swordsmanship, and he also participated in equestrian training with them.

Guan Yueyao’s personality was cheerful and direct, and perhaps because of his past experience as a mischievous youth, he had quite a knack for dealing with these rough men. Unconsciously, in Wei Qing’s 400-strong elite force, he subtly began to gain momentum as the “boss.”

When conflicts and arguments arose among the soldiers, they often came to Langzhong Guan for arbitration. Guan Yueyao also enjoyed the unspoken trust and reliance the others showed him. He began to devote most of his time and energy to his military life. The people here were passionate and sincere; long-term association fostered an indescribable bond in his heart. They were comrades-in-arms, brothers to whom he could safely entrust his back when on the battlefield.

Guan Yueyao even entertained the idea of moving into the barracks.

“Absolutely not! How can you go live with those soldiers?!” Huo Qubing strongly objected when he heard his friend’s idea.

“Why? Isn’t living in the barracks good? It would be much more convenient for bonding with the soldiers and training together. I’m not a noble’s son like you; I don’t have so many demands for daily life.” Guan Yueyao curled his lip, somewhat unconvinced by Huo Qubing’s attitude. He naturally assumed Huo Qubing just didn’t want him to suffer hardships in the military camp.

“You already spend enough time in the barracks every day. The most important thing in commanding an army is establishing authority and ensuring strict obedience. Why bother getting so deep with those soldiers by befriending them?”

If the bonds become too deep, it will be even harder to bear when they lose their lives on the battlefield one day… Huo Qubing secretly added in his heart. Only by viewing both enemies and one’s own soldiers as grass can one calmly analyze the military situation and weigh the pros and cons. This was a belief he deeply held after observing and learning from Liu Che during his long stay beside the Emperor. The nation was the chessboard, and all living beings were the pieces. They wanted victory; as for the gain or loss of a piece or two, since it was inevitable, it was difficult for them to grieve over it.

“How is this ‘befriending’? Humans are not made of wood or stone; how can they be heartless? Besides, they are all living, breathing people. Like Cen Zhao; he said his family has already arranged a marriage for him, and he’s just waiting for leave to go home and get married. He even invited me to his wedding feast then. And Zhang Lao’er; his wife gave birth to a big, plump baby boy last month. Whenever he has free time, he carves wooden swords in his tent, saying they’re for his son to play with when he grows up. And also, Lei Ming; he says all he wants now is to fight on the front lines and earn military merit. His mother is old and has trouble walking, and he wants merit to exchange for a few acres of poor land and a servant so they can wait on his mother at home.”

Guan Yueyao counted on his fingers the circumstances of the ordinary soldiers’ families in the camp, recounting them like precious treasures. In his words, the soldiers whom Liu Che and Wei Qing regarded as tools for killing were husbands, fathers, and sons. Most of their reasons for joining the army were not lofty; more often, they simply hoped to exchange their sweat and blood for a more prosperous life for their families.

Huo Qubing looked speechlessly at Guan Yueyao. Life in the military camp seemed to have changed him greatly these days. The initial wild spirit was gradually fading, and he seemed to be slowly becoming distant from Huo Qubing.

However, before the good friends could discuss and resolve the issue of whether Guan Yueyao should move to the barracks, a dispute erupted in the court because Liu Che proposed using military force against the Xiongnu in the early spring of the following year.

The question of whether to continue the policy of the previous dynasties toward the Xiongnu—sending women, silk, and valuables as tribute annually—or to respond to the Xiongnu’s border incursions in autumn and winter with a tougher approach was a well-worn topic in the court at this time.

Following the previous failure to lure and attack the Xiongnu, Han Anguo, the pillar of the peace faction, had even stronger arguments. It also strengthened the perception that the Xiongnu were invincible, both among high-ranking court officials and ordinary people far from the capital.

“Fighting the Xiongnu a thousand li away yields minimal benefit. Furthermore, the Xiongnu are nomadic and hard to control. Gaining their land is not enough to expand our territory, and gathering their people is not enough to strengthen our nation. However, if the Han [army] fights for gain thousands of li away, both men and horses will be exhausted. The Xiongnu will use their full strength to take advantage of our weakness, and the situation will inevitably be perilous. It is better to use the peace through marriage  policy.”

Because the debate was only held in the Xuanshi Hall among a select few of Emperor Wu of Han’s confidants, Wei Qing and Guan Yueyao, as part of the minority war faction, were fortunate enough to be present. The troops Wei Qing commanded included many people from the northern border regions of the Han Dynasty, or Han people who had escaped back to the Central Plains from the Xiongnu. Guan Yueyao had long heard from these people about the Xiongnu’s actions in enslaving and plundering the Han people.

Listening to General Han’s suggestion, Guan Yueyao couldn’t help but frown deeply. Although his education level was not high, he still knew what Heqin meant. Sacrificing an innocent woman’s entire life in exchange for a few months of peace—if the court truly did this, then what was the point of expending so much effort raising warhorses and training the army?

He turned his head slightly to look at Wei Qing. He was also deeply furrowed in the brow, showing disapproval. However, Wei Qing was habitually cautious; he seemed unwilling to speak rashly without first understanding the Emperor’s true intentions.

Guan Yueyao, however, was different. He felt an unknown fire burning in his chest with no outlet for release.

“Wei Qing, what do you think of General Han’s proposal?” In the great hall, Liu Che’s cold voice rang out. Guan Yueyao couldn’t help but look toward the young man. He did not seem surprised. When named, he calmly stood up.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe that serving the Xiongnu with women, gold, and silk is no different from the Six States serving Qin with territory. Serving Qin with land is like embracing kindling to put out a fire; if the kindling is not exhausted, how can the fire be extinguished?”

“This is truly laughable. The Xiongnu people do not engage in production, yet their nobles are greedy for the wealth and women of My Great Han. Our Han silk, once it leaves the passes, is worth more than gold. Over time, the Xiongnu upper classes will gradually become addicted to pleasure and lose their ambition. What threat will they pose to My Great Han then?” Han Anguo retorted, highly unconvinced by Wei Qing’s words.

“Furthermore, to exchange one or two women for the stability of the Great Han border, sacrificing themselves for the country—is this not an honor for their families?”

Wei Qing bit his lip, about to refute, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice next to him.

“Your subject Guan Yueyao requests to marry General Han’s daughter to the Xiongnu in a Heqin marriage!”

As soon as Guan Yueyao’s words fell, a collective gasp echoed in the hall. Wei Qing turned his head in disbelief to look at Guan Yueyao, who was kneeling right beside him. The usually flippant expression on the youth’s face was gone; he was looking up with a serious face, meeting Han Anguo’s angry gaze.

“Puff,” Liu Che, sitting on the main seat, almost clapped his hands in applause for Guan Yueyao’s statement, barely suppressing his laughter. But constrained by the setting, he briefly composed his desire to laugh and reluctantly maintained a serious expression: “Yueyao, court discussions are serious matters; no jesting is allowed.”

Liu Che characterized Guan Yueyao’s statement as a joke. Han Anguo, with a livid face, glared fiercely at the youth, but ultimately did not speak again.

Yet, who knew that Guan Yueyao would ignore the lifeline Liu Che offered? He loudly replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Your subject is not jesting. General Han intends to tie the dignity of My Great Han and the safety of the border to a few women. What? Is General Han’s daughter unable to bear the burden of My Great Han’s dignity?”

“You are presumptuous!” Faced with Guan Yueyao’s continuous provocation, Han Anguo finally couldn’t tolerate it any longer. Disregarding the fact that they were before the Emperor, he sprang up, quickly walked to Guan Yueyao’s front, and tried to grab him from his kneeling position.

But Guan Yueyao’s movement was faster. He stood up himself and forcefully slapped away Han Anguo’s outstretched hand, which sought to restrain him.

“My Great Han raises 400,000 horses with the strength of the entire nation. The soldiers in My camp train day and night without slackening, resting on their weapons, only for the day when they can eat the flesh of the barbarians when hungry and drink the blood of the Xiongnu when thirsty. Your Majesty, the territory of My Great Han can be guarded by brave, passionate men; there is no need for women to sacrifice their lifelong happiness to humble themselves before the Xiongnu. Compromise may buy a night of peace, but Your subject believes true dignity only comes from the point of the sword, and truth lies only within the range of the arrow’s flight!”

This unplanned speech flowed freely and passionately. Guan Yueyao felt a great release of the pent-up frustration in his chest and felt much better. When he regained his senses, he realized that the Xuanshi Hall was now silent. Even General Han was staring at him blankly.

Clap, clap, clap—a few claps suddenly echoed in the hall.

“‘True dignity only comes from the point of the sword, and truth lies only within the range of the arrow’s flight.’ Well said! Han Anguo, did you hear that? This is the voice of the entire army! By fearing and refusing battle, where do you place My dignity, the dignity of the Great Han, and the dignity of the entire army?”

“Your subject… Your subject would not dare…” Han Anguo knelt down, his face pale upon hearing Liu Che’s question.

“From now on, anyone who dares to lightly mention the matter of Heqin, just as Yueyao said, I will send that person’s female relatives to marry the Xiongnu!”