Feng Zhi Wei remained silent, quietly looking at the river water that was sparkling in the sunlight, and finally said softly after a long while, “His Majesty has a verbal order for me to bring you– you are to recruit the old members of the Fire Phoenix Army in southern Minan and rebuild the Fire Phoenix Army.” 

Hua Qing’s eyes brightened and she smiled, “Yes, sir!” 

“Although my mother never mentioned a word about the Fire Phoenix Army back then, I knew she must miss her soldiers very much.” Feng Zhi Wei said softly, “As her daughter, it should been me who would go and fulfill her long-cherished wish but who knew it would end up falling on your shoulder.”

“You and me are one and the same. Besides, without your convincing, how would His Majesty be willing to give this edict?” Hua Qing smiled and patted her shoulder, “Besides, with your position right now, Fire Phoenix Army can’t have any connection with you on the surface. Don’t worry, with this verbal edict, I will definitely be able to build the Fire Phoenix Army for you.”

“His Majesty was very pleased with your petition requesting the establishment of the Fire Phoenix Army.” Feng Zhi Wei said, “His Majesty was very interested and said that women in the mountain regions of Minnan, because of where they live, are all very agile thus giving them great potential to be good fighters. The women in Chishui and Heishan counties of southern Minnan are especially outstanding. Most of the Fire Phoenix Army was recruited from that place. You might as well give that place a try.”   

Hua Qing listened carefully, nodded, opened her arms wide to the river in front of her and laughed, “Just wait, Zhi Wei, the Fire Phoenix flag will surely fly on the water of Min River!” 

Her head tilted up, both hands raised high, in an uplifting and proud posture. The sunlight hit her body straight on, splashing on her clear and firm jawline. Her black hair fluttered in the wind like a fluttering flag. Beside her, the equally outstanding woman smiled without saying a word. Under the setting sun, her eyes were as bright as the reflection on the river water, but her expression was vast and distant, waiting for the limitless mountains and the immeasurable lands to come to her. 

——————————————-

On the third day of the seventh month, under the escort of Tian Sheng’s Minnan Envoy and the welcome of Xiliang’s Ministry of Ceremony, Tian Sheng’s envoy crossed the river and formally set foot on Xiliang’s land. 

Getting down from the official boat and stepping onto the land of Xiliang which looked no different from Tiansheng, Feng Zhi Wei was a bit emotional- she had actually become the first person from Tiansheng to set foot in the enemy empire of Xiliang for more than a decade. She figured her name could get written into history books just on this fact alone. 

Xiliang sent a Minister of Rites to lead the local government to come to welcome them at the border. This level of etiquette was already quite polite towards them. When they arrive in the capital, there would naturally be a more formal reception with an even more elaborate welcoming. The fact the Prince Regent sent officials from the Ministry of Rites to cross most of Xiliang to welcome the Tiansheng envoys and then escort them all the way to the capital, that’s showing a lot of respect. 

When Feng Zhi Wei got off the ship, music and drums immediately sounded on the shore, accompanied by three shots of cannon fire. The crowds of commoners were stopped about 10 steps away as they curiously watched the “Tiansheng officials and Xiliang Officials” greet each other with all smiles. 

Xiliang’s Minister of Rites, Bai Deshan, who was in the lead, looked up curiously at the young man who got off the ship first. The person really was a young man, very young, only in his teens. He was thin and delicate but without the stale sour air of a scholar. He had a graceful and steady look about him, like a towering mountain covered with snow, making people forget his age after one single glance. The gaze in his eyes was also very special. Not sharp and piercing like many of the young men who had gained success early. Instead, his gaze was misty and gentle, unreadable. He had casually tossed a green brocade robe on his shoulder and got off the ship with an easy confident manner. It was apparent that he was used to big settings. The early autumn sunlight hit his shoulders, basking his whole body in a golden ray. 

This is the Tiansheng national scholar, whose name is unparalleled, the so-called genius Wei Zhi?

He is indeed…special. 

“Is that Wei Zhi?”

“So young….they all say he is a man talented in both civil and military matters. The most beloved minister of Tiansheng Emperor. Not sure if those things are true or not.”

“Of course it’s true, otherwise why would they send him? Is not like Xiliang and Tiansheng have ever been on friendly terms.”

“And he is such a handsome young man. Hehe…a perfect match to my daughter Tao’er.” 

“Bah, who is he and who is your daughter? A common village girl dares to dream of becoming a phoenix and marrying a dragon? You sure are bold in your dreaming!” 

“How come you guys all know this person?”

“Why wouldn’t we know? Back then, when he came to South Sea to suppress the bandits, a lot of the sea bandits were killed. My aunt’s family is by the southern border near the sea. She said their place became much quieter and safer afterward. All in all, us Xiliang also benefited from what he did! “

Some people were watching the excitement and talking freely among themselves, but some stayed far away, not getting close, and surveyed Tiansheng’s large envoy team with cold and vigilant eyes. 

Bai Deshan heard the excited muttering of the people behind him and abruptly realized that he too had been staring unblinkingly at the same person. What’s more, his posture of looking up in what looks like an act of admiring, can’t look too good for his empire’s prestige. Thinking of the Prince Regent’s admonition to “be respectful but don’t compromise” before he left, Bai Deshan promptly broke out in a cold sweat. 

He quickly went forward, stood about three steps away, and bowed slightly as the official in charge of ceremonies sang the greetings, “Greetings, Marquis Wei. You have come afar. Please forgive us for our humble greetings.” 

“It’s alright, it’s alright.” Feng Zhi Wei had already noticed the official’s loss of cool a moment ago. She smiled and shook his hand, “I am humbled to have you come from afar to meet me. Your country is rich in resources, the people are prosperous and the scenery is lovely. It’s really dazzling. I will have to trouble you sir to explain everything to me who is such a country bumpkin.”

Her tone was humble and her eyes were kind, causing people to like her at first sight. Minister Bai had heard a lot about the “great achievements” of this important official of Tiansheng, and had been on high alert and nervous about the meeting. However, Feng Zhi Wei’s friendly and pleasant attitude with just the appropriate amount of warmth, immediately caused him to relax with a smile. The two sides introduced their own respective officials, followed through with the rest of the etiquettes, and were finally able to continue on their way.

According to Bai Deshan’s original plan, they would rest here and then move on the next day but Feng Zhi Wei insisted on setting off immediately– this is the border between Minnan and Xiliang. The border area has always been the place with the most friction. After all these years, there would inevitably be resentment. Even without those, when her mother led the army to expel Yin Zhiliang from the hinterland of Tiansheng, the border of Minnan was where the war was the most intense. 

When she discussed this with Bai Deshan, her tone was gentle but her intention was firm. Bai Deshan wanted to follow the Prince Regent’s instruction to “respect but not accommodate” but found that negotiating with this Marquis Wei was completely futile. No matter what kind of intention you try to express, the conversation will eventually be led by him. This person just smiles faintly, listens until you finish talking, tells you that he agrees with your view, and then– does his own thing. 

Often before the conversation had even ended, you already feel that it was quite foolish to insist on your own view and that he was right all along.

All text copyright @ www.Ninja-Reflection.com

Related Posts