Dragon Boat Race Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Chapter Five: A Turn of Events

Epigraph: The dark scheme is settled as the storm subsides, revealing the truth when the willows are dark and the flowers bright. It is not heaven’s special favor, but the result of clever calculations held calmly in the heart.

The air on the command platform seemed to solidify.

The Supervising Censor’s face was pale, cold sweat dripping down his temples. He stared intently at Qin Gong, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single coherent sentence.

“Supervising Censor,” Wu Ge’s voice was cold as ice, “where exactly did this letter come from?”

The sounds of fighting and war drums below the platform seemed to recede, and all eyes focused on the Supervising Censor.

“I… I…” The Supervising Censor suddenly raised his head, a flash of viciousness in his eyes. “Wu Ge! Are you interrogating an imperial envoy?”

He abruptly pulled a golden plaque from his robes: “Seeing this golden plaque is like seeing the Emperor himself! Wu Ge, are you planning a rebellion?”

The golden plaque shone blindingly in the sunlight. The generals on the command platform changed color, and even Wu Ge frowned slightly.

Qin Gong, however, stepped forward and said calmly, “The Supervising Censor misunderstands. The Commander merely wishes to know the truth, lest we wrongly accuse an innocent person and let the true culprit go free.”

He turned to the soldiers fighting fiercely below: “These soldiers are using their lives to protect the Great Sheng Dynasty. If the real spy is allowed to roam free, wouldn’t that break the hearts of our troops?”

The argument was reasonable and compelling, leaving the Supervising Censor momentarily speechless.

Just then, a fast horse galloped up. The rider was covered in blood, yet his excitement was palpable:

“Commander! The Di forces are routed! The Left Virtuous King has been captured alive by General Zhao!”

This news was like a clap of thunder, and the command platform instantly erupted in commotion.

“What?” The Supervising Censor exclaimed in shock, “General Zhao wasn’t…”

“General Zhao was indeed ambushed,” Wu Ge said flatly, “but that was false information I deliberately released. It was meant to make the Di people drop their guard.”

He walked to the edge of the platform, looking at the retreating Di forces on the battlefield: “We have won this battle.”

Cheers erupted from all parts of the battlefield, gradually merging into a deafening roar. The banners of the Northern Expedition Army flew high amidst the smoke of battle.

The Supervising Censor’s expression shifted repeatedly, finally forcing out an ugly smile: “Con… congratulations to General Wu on the great victory.”

“The joy is mutual.” Wu Ge turned, his gaze sharp as a torch. “Now, it’s time to discuss the matter of that letter.”

The Supervising Censor instinctively took a step back: “General Wu, this matter…”

“This matter is of great importance,” Qin Gong interjected. “Perhaps we should invite the Supervising Censor to the main tent to discuss the details?”

This suggestion seemed to save the Supervising Censor face, but in reality, it cut off any possibility of him escaping under some pretext.

Inside the main tent, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Qin Gong retrieved paper and brush, writing several characters in front of everyone, then comparing them with the secret letter.

“Please look, everyone,” he pointed to the two documents. “My character for ‘crossbow’ (弩) habitually has this stroke flicking upward. But the ‘crossbow’ character on the secret letter has this stroke pressed downward.”

He pointed to another character: “And this character for ‘camp’ (營)—my writing is also slightly different from that on the secret letter.”

The generals in the tent examined the documents closely and indeed found several subtle differences.

“This… what does this prove?” The Supervising Censor tried to maintain his composure. “Perhaps the strategist deliberately altered his handwriting…”

“The Supervising Censor has a point,” Qin Gong said unhurriedly. “Therefore, I have one more piece of evidence.”

He turned to Wu Ge: “Does the Commander still recall that three days ago, Adjutant Wang borrowed a manuscript from me?”

Wu Ge nodded: “That is correct.”

“That manuscript happens to contain these very characters,” Qin Gong said. “If we compare the handwriting, we should be able to see the truth.”

The Supervising Censor’s face grew even uglier.

Just then, Commandant Sun escorted a man into the military tent. It was Adjutant Li, whom the Supervising Censor had brought with him.

“Commander,” Commandant Sun saluted, “we found this in Adjutant Li’s luggage.”

He presented a seal. Wu Ge took it and his face immediately darkened.

“This is a special seal used by Di spies,” Wu Ge’s voice was cold enough to freeze water. “Supervising Censor, how do you explain this?”

The Supervising Censor dropped to his knees with a thud: “General Wu, spare my life! I… I was just momentarily confused!”

Tearfully, he confessed that a certain high-ranking official in the imperial court had instructed him to frame Qin Gong and weaken Wu Ge’s military authority. The secret letter had been written by Adjutant Li, who had imitated Qin Gong’s handwriting.

“Who is that high-ranking official?” Wu Ge pressed.

The Supervising Censor merely kowtowed, afraid to utter the name.

Qin Gong understood. The struggle within the court had become so fierce that they were willing to eliminate a commander on the battlefield—the waters behind this were truly deep.

“Commander,” Qin Gong whispered, “it is not advisable to investigate this matter too deeply.”

Wu Ge glanced at him, understanding his meaning. They were still on the battlefield; if they completely broke ties with the court now, it would be detrimental to the Northern Expedition.

“Supervising Censor,” Wu Ge finally said, “considering your voluntary confession, I can be lenient. However…”

He changed his tone: “You must write a full confession, recording everything you have said today.”

This was to keep leverage over him. The Supervising Censor’s face was ashen, but he had no choice but to agree.

After the Supervising Censor was led away, only Wu Ge and Qin Gong remained in the tent.

“Thank you for today,” Wu Ge looked at Qin Gong. “If you hadn’t spotted the flaw in the handwriting…”

“It was the Commander’s brilliant strategy,” Qin Gong said modestly. “If the Commander hadn’t been prepared, today might have been…”

They exchanged smiles, both feeling a sense of surviving a great ordeal.

“After this incident, the court will likely not act rashly for a while,” Wu Ge said. “However, this war must continue.”

Qin Gong nodded: “The Di forces have just been defeated; it is the perfect time to press the advantage.”

“You are right.” Wu Ge walked to the map. “Next…”

His words were interrupted by a commotion outside the tent.

“Commander! Commander!” General Zhao’s voice approached, filled with uncontrollable excitement.

The tent flap was thrown open, and General Zhao strode in, covered in blood but radiating energy.

“Commander! Strategist!” He laughed loudly. “The Left Virtuous King is willing to surrender! And he is willing to help us persuade the other tribes!”

This news was even more astonishing than the recent victory.

“What happened?” Wu Ge quickly asked.

General Zhao explained that after capturing the Left Virtuous King, he had not mistreated him, but instead treated him with courtesy. The Left Virtuous King was moved by his sincerity and expressed his willingness to submit.

“He said that the various Northern Di tribes were already dissatisfied with the Khan’s aggressive military campaigns,” General Zhao said. “If we are willing to promise the preservation of their tribes, he is willing to help us persuade the other leaders.”

Wu Ge and Qin Gong exchanged glances, both seeing surprise and delight in the other’s eyes.

This was the best possible turn of events. If they could divide and conquer the Northern Di through diplomatic means, it would be far more effective than simple military conquest.

“Bring the Left Virtuous King to see me,” Wu Ge immediately ordered.

When the Left Virtuous King was brought into the military tent, Qin Gong carefully observed the legendary Di general. He was about forty, with a resolute face, and though captured, he still maintained his dignity.

“Left Virtuous King,” Wu Ge got straight to the point, “I hear you are willing to submit?”

The Left Virtuous King nodded: “I… no, I am indeed willing to submit. However, I have one condition.”

“Please state it.”

“The Khan… my elder brother, please spare his life.” The Left Virtuous King’s voice was low. “He is… after all, my brother.”

This request surprised everyone.

Wu Ge pondered for a moment: “I can agree to that. However, he must relinquish his military authority and reside in the capital.”

The Left Virtuous King bowed deeply: “Thank you, General.”

After the Left Virtuous King was led away, General Zhao couldn’t help but ask, “Commander, do we really have to spare the Northern Di Khan’s life? He is…”

“Precisely because he is the Northern Di Khan, we must spare his life,” Qin Gong interjected. “Killing him would leave the Northern Di leaderless and cause more chaos. Keeping him alive can both appease the Northern Di people and also…”

He didn’t finish, but Wu Ge already understood his meaning. Keeping the Northern Di Khan alive was keeping a chess piece to restrain the other tribes.

“The Strategist is right,” Wu Ge nodded in approval.

In the following days, good news kept pouring in.

Under the persuasion of the Left Virtuous King, three major Northern Di tribes successively submitted. The Northern Di Khan, isolated and without aid, was forced to retreat two hundred miles.

The Northern Expedition Army recovered large tracts of lost territory without shedding blood.

That evening, Wu Ge hosted a banquet in the camp, both to celebrate the victory and to welcome the Left Virtuous King.

At the banquet, the Left Virtuous King specifically toasted Qin Gong: “I have long heard that the Strategist is resourceful and wise; seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved.”

Qin Gong raised his tea cup instead of wine: “Your Highness is too kind.”

The Left Virtuous King replied, “If the Strategist had not spotted the flaw in the handwriting and exposed the Supervising Censor’s conspiracy, the situation might be very different now.”

The words were meaningful. Qin Gong’s heart stirred; it seemed this Left Virtuous King was also quite knowledgeable about the court situation.

Halfway through the banquet, Wu Ge suddenly stood up and raised his wine cup:

“Gentlemen, today’s victory is entirely due to the dedication of our soldiers. I hereby announce that all participating soldiers shall be awarded ten taels of silver! Compensation for fallen soldiers shall be doubled!”

The tent immediately erupted in cheers.

When the cheering subsided, Wu Ge continued: “Furthermore, I must especially thank one person.”

His gaze fell upon Qin Gong: “If not for Strategist Qin Gong’s repeated brilliant schemes, we might have already…”

He did not finish his sentence, but everyone understood his meaning.

“To the Strategist!” General Zhao was the first to raise his cup.

“To the Strategist!” The generals echoed in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles.

Qin Gong stood up, feeling a warmth in his eyes. The hardship and danger of these past days were all worth it at this moment.

After the banquet dispersed, Qin Gong walked alone through the camp. Moonlight, like water, spilled onto the ground that had just endured battle.

“Why are you here alone?” Wu Ge’s voice came from behind him.

“Thinking about a few things,” Qin Gong said softly.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking… whether this war is coming to an end.”

Wu Ge was silent for a moment: “Yes, it is coming to an end.”

They walked side by side, neither speaking again.

After walking for some time, Wu Ge suddenly stopped: “Do you remember what I promised you?”

Qin Gong’s heart skipped a beat.

“When the war is over, I will send you home.” Wu Ge looked at him. “That promise is forever valid.”

Qin Gong looked at Wu Ge’s face, which was especially gentle in the moonlight, and suddenly felt that the distant modern world was perhaps not so worthy of nostalgia anymore.