Chapter Fourteen
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The term “Wokou” broadly refers to the pirate groups from the Fusang Isles. Besides raiding coastal areas, they were also engaged in maritime smuggling and trade.
It is said that in their early days, the Wokou were mainly local prominent families, village officials, and warriors from the coastal regions of Fusang. Most of them belonged to the Youniao ethnic group. Due to the prolonged division and warfare between the northern and southern parts of the Fusang Isles, the defeated southern Youniao chieftains, seeking to maintain stability, organized Youniao samurai to plunder the coastal areas of China to supplement their dwindling economy.
Before the fall of Kyoto, the previous dynasty had focused on maritime defense and once completely annihilated a Wokou invasion along the eastern coast. After Kyoto fell, the realm split into two regimes, Northern Zhen and Southern Han. Taking advantage of this, the Youniao allied with the Northern Zhen and frequently raided the eastern and southern coastal regions. Coupled with the current emperor’s negligence in maritime defense and the treacherous prime minister Qin being a Northern Zhen spy, Wokou activities have become increasingly frequent and brutal in recent years.
Binhai Ancient Town, located along the southern coast, is the hometown of Magistrate Li of the southern province.
In recent years, Wokou often visited Binhai Ancient Town, causing casualties among its residents each time they invaded.
Two years ago, it was reported that fifty-three Wokou raided from the eastern to southern coasts, plundering three provinces, attacking over twenty prefectures, and wreaking havoc for more than eighty days. They burned, killed, and looted, causing over twenty thousand civilian casualties. Binhai Ancient Town alone suffered over two hundred casualties.
After this devastation, although Binhai Ancient Town formed a civilian militia that refused imperial aid to resist the Wokou, it was small—only a few dozen men—lacking funds and proper training, and thus of limited effectiveness.
After returning to Binhai Ancient Town, Lou Mingxuan and Li Muwen heard of this militia and both mother and son joined it.
The Li household, being official, often donated silver to purchase weapons for the militia. Lou Mingxuan and Li Muwen frequently trained the village volunteers, teaching them the myriad sword techniques as well as archery.
Curiously, ever since Lou Mingxuan and Li Muwen joined the militia, the Wokou seemed to have stopped raiding Binhai Ancient Town.
Whether this was true or not, the townsfolk at least knew that the Fifth Madam of the Li household and her son were skilled in martial arts.
One day, Li Muwen saw the latest imperial examination results posted by the government. Among the names, the third place in the first rank, Gu Yusheng, seemed familiar. That night, he secretly tore down the notice and brought it home for his mother.
Lou Mingxuan carefully examined the list from start to finish, then again in reverse. She discovered not only were her two sons on the list, but also her junior apprentice brother Qi Wei’s son, Qi Guang.
Overjoyed, tears streaming, she murmured, “Heaven truly blesses the Gu and Qi families!”
Li Muwen softly asked, “Mother, who is Gu Yusheng, third place on the list?”
Excitedly, Lou Mingxuan pointed at the name, “Gu Yuren and Gu Yusheng are your half-brothers by the same mother but different father. Gu Yuren is the eldest, Gu Yusheng your second brother. You also have a half-sister, Gu Yuru. The Qi Guang on the list is the son of the salt merchant Qi Wei, your mother’s junior apprentice brother. You’ve met them before.”
Hearing this, Li Muwen said, “Mother, my two elder brothers have passed the imperial examination and will soon be appointed officials like father, serving the people! But your youngest son missed the exams for three years consecutively. It seems he can only live a secluded life here in this coastal town, lonely and forgotten, never to rise!”
With that, he slowly left his mother’s room.
Lou Mingxuan watched her son’s retreating figure, her heart aching at his despondency. She called out softly, “Muwen, don’t be like this. The three years of mourning will pass soon…”
Yangcheng. Qi Family Salt Shop.
Since her engagement to Gu Yusheng, Qi Yaoyao had grown suddenly affectionate toward Gu Yuru, calling her “sister” sweetly every day. Whenever free, she sought out Gu Yuru, and whenever she had treats, she remembered to save some for her. If Gu Yuru was absent, she would set aside a portion for her to eat later. When Gu Yuru returned, Qi Yaoyao often personally handed her the food, watching until she finished before leaving.
This is what they call “love for the house and all within.”
In truth, Qi Yaoyao had gradually fallen for Gu Yusheng, though she refused to admit it.
Everyone at the Qi salt shop noticed all this.
One morning, just after Gu Yuru finished her grooming, Qi Yaoyao stopped her and said, “Sister Yuru, come shopping with me today?”
Gu Yuru was about to visit her sister-in-law Qi Qiongqiong and replied, “Sister Yao, my sister-in-law is about to give birth; I must stay home to care for her!”
Qi Yaoyao took Gu Yuru’s hand, “Mother is at home; don’t worry! Let’s go, we’ll only be gone an hour.” With that, she led Gu Yuru out the town gate.
The bustling streets before Qingming Festival were alive with vendors selling paper money, firecrackers, mountain goods, seafood, incense, candles, sweets, and melon seeds amid throngs of people. The cries of hawkers and the haggling of customers mingled in a noisy chorus. A peddler laden with colorful toys shouted as he walked, followed by snot-nosed children, their parents unwilling to buy but unable to stop their longing stares.
Qi Yaoyao and Gu Yuru weaved excitedly through the crowd until they reached the Fabric Market, a paradise for women. They admired the vibrant, myriad fabrics, fondling this and that, until finally stopping at a large stall. Qi Yaoyao picked up a bright red floral cloth, holding it against herself, and asked Gu Yuru, “Sister Yuru, is this fabric beautiful?”
Gu Yuru examined it closely, rubbing it in her hands, “This fabric is really good!”
Delighted, Qi Yaoyao said, “Great! Then, boss, please tailor two dresses for this young lady with this fabric!”
Gu Yuru quickly stopped her, “Sister Yao, I don’t have any silver with me…”
“Don’t worry, I have it! This is my gift to you.” Qi Yaoyao pulled some silver coins from her sleeve to pay for the material. She had dropped “Sister” and called herself “older sister.”
Gu Yuru kept apologizing and stood straight while the tailor measured her. Suddenly, Qi Yaoyao exclaimed, “Sister Yao, look! A girl in purple over there…”
Gu Yuru pointed across the street to a well-dressed woman in purple selecting vegetables at an old man’s stall. The purple-clad girl stood upright, tossed a silver coin into the old man’s basket, then bent down to take a large cabbage.
“Buying vegetables? What’s so surprising?” thought Qi Yaoyao. Suddenly, she shouted, “A trick!” and hurried across to inspect the coin—it was a small stone painted with silver powder!
“She’s a female swindler!” Qi Yaoyao chased after her, shouting, “Stop! Put the vegetables down!”
The girl halted, “Why? I just bought these!”
Qi Yaoyao waved the fake coin, “Because of this!” Then threw it at her.
The girl caught it and sneered, “Who are you? Why do you meddle?” Without waiting for an answer, she moved forward.
“Stop right there!” Qi Yaoyao pursued.
The girl disdainfully said, “I won’t! Catch me if you can!” and dashed away.
Qi Yaoyao suddenly leapt over her head, flipping backward and landing firmly before her, drawing Lou family’s treasured sword with a sharp “clang,” commanding, “I told you to leave, but the vegetables must stay!”
The purple girl laughed playfully, “Ha! Meddlesome one, want some rotten cabbage leaves too? Fine, take it all!” She hurled the cabbage violently at Qi Yaoyao.
Qi Yaoyao swept her sword, shattering the cabbage into pieces that fell like green snowflakes.
The girl cursed, “You brat, you broke my vegetables! Pay me back!”
Qi Yaoyao retorted, “A liar deserves no compensation from me!”
“Unreasonable!” The girl drew her sword with a “clang” and lunged at Qi Yaoyao.
Qi Yaoyao raised her sword to block the swift, light figure like a swallow.
The girl asked, “Are you serious?”
Qi Yaoyao replied, “Who plays tricks with a female swindler?”
The girl said, “Then don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
In the street above, a red shark and a purple dragon darted back and forth in midair—onlookers watched as clashing swords rang out but saw only shadows, unable to tell who would prevail.
Suddenly, the girl stepped out of their duel circle, calling, “Stop! You also know this sword technique?”
Qi Yaoyao landed and said, “Surprised? This is the Lou family sword style taught by my parents!”
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The girl in purple asked, “And who are your parents?”
Knowing few knew the Lou sword style, Qi Yaoyao answered, “Salt shop owner Qi Wei and his wife Yin Yuanyuan.”
The girl laughed, “Ha! So it’s a case of the fish mucking up its own pond—family not recognizing family!” She slashed the air with her sword and sheathed it.
Qi Yaoyao guessed the girl was also a fellow disciple and asked, “Who are you then?”
The girl glanced and smiled mysteriously, “Me? You’ll know when you take us back to Qi salt shop.”
Qi Yaoyao nodded, “You must be my fellow apprentice sister then?”
The girl smiled radiantly, “More than sisters!”
At that moment, two young girls came out from the woods and asked the purple girl, “Miss, do you admit defeat this time?”
She nodded, laughing.
One girl happily said, “Sister Chunhua, the red comb is ours now!”
The other said, “Fair bet! Miss, please hand over the red comb?”
The girl replied, “I admit defeat today! But I’ll give you the red comb once we get to Qi salt shop.”
They both exclaimed, “Miss is reneging again!”
The girl said seriously, “This time I’m serious! Qiumei, take these two taels of silver to the old vegetable seller as compensation.” She pulled two small silver coins from her sleeve and gave them to Qiumei.
Qi Yaoyao snatched them, “Let me see first! Don’t tell me it’s fake silver again?”
By noon, Qi Yaoyao and Gu Yuru led the purple-clad girl and her two attendants back to the Qi salt shop.
Upon entering, the three knelt before Qi Wei and Yin Yuanyuan, loudly greeting, “Future father-in-law Qi Shishu and mother-in-law Yin Shishu, your future beautiful daughter-in-law, Sima Jiannan, daughter of Princess Zhao Chuoyun of Bashu, pays respects!”
Yin Yuanyuan asked, “So you are Sima Jiannan?”
Sima Jiannan replied, “Indeed! Here is the red comb bought by Shishu Qi as proof.” She handed over the comb with both hands.
Qi Wei smiled, “This is the comb I bought you as a child. You’ve kept it all these years?”
Sima Jiannan said, “It’s a token from Shishu Qi; I dare not lose it!”
“Rare indeed!” Yin Yuanyuan helped the three up. “My dear Jiannan, Bashu is far from Yangcheng. Your journey must have been difficult?”
Sima Jiannan said, “To be honest with my future mother-in-law, yes.” She took back the comb from Qi Wei. “After last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, I bade farewell to father, traveled by boat, carriage, and finally on foot, arriving at Yangcheng outskirts at dusk yesterday and entered the city as soon as the gates opened today.”
Yin Yuanyuan pulled her into an embrace, “My poor Jiannan, it’s all Shishu Qi and Yin Shishu’s fault! We should have come for you sooner!” She cast a glance at Qi Wei, who lowered his head guiltily.
Yin Yuanyuan carefully appraised Sima Jiannan from head to toe, “You resemble your mother Zhao Chuoyun so much! Our future daughter-in-law is truly a peerless beauty!”
Hearing “Zhao Chuoyun,” Sima Jiannan sobbed, tears dripping onto Chunhua. Yin Yuanyuan quickly hugged her, soothing her like a child, “Hush, Jiannan, don’t cry! My son, don’t cry!”
Sima Jiannan wept aloud.
Yin Yuanyuan clapped her mouth, “Jiannan, stop crying! Haha, it’s all because of Yin Shishu’s loose tongue…”
Sima Jiannan chuckled through tears with a sparkle in her eyes.
Qi Wei asked, “Jiannan, it has been years since you last saw your father. Is he well?”
Sima Jiannan wiped her tears, “After mother disappeared, father remarried a woman named Zhu Xiaoyin, also a wanderer of the martial world, who loves father and me dearly. Though father is currently unemployed at home, with her care, he is in good health.”
The salt shop’s hall was full of people: Qi Qiongqiong, Qi Yaoyao, Gu Yuru, shop clerks, and maids. They all realized that Qi Guang had been of age for years but no marriage arrangements were made because he was already betrothed as a child—a secret until now.
Qi Yaoyao sighed, “True acquaintance comes from conflict! My brother’s future wife and I first met in a fight.” She looked carefully at Sima Jiannan, liking her more and more, thinking, “Jiannan is indeed beautiful! My brother is lucky to have such a wife.”
Qi Qiongqiong, learning of her brother’s engagement for the first time, thought, “Jiannan is a spirited woman! My honest brother is in for a lifetime of hardship with this wife!”
Yin Yuanyuan introduced the others to Sima Jiannan: “This is your eldest sister Qi Qiongqiong, now the wife of your senior uncle Gu Datong’s eldest son; this is your second sister Qi Yaoyao, with whom you had your first fight, now betrothed to Gu Datong’s second son; this is your senior sister Gu Yuru…”
As Sima Jiannan greeted each, she thought, “Father once said our founder, the old hero Lou Sanfeng, taught only six disciples, three men and three women. Now these six have become three couples, and their children mostly connected by marriage. Our founder must have been extraordinary, and the Lou sword style is rarely taught outside.”
While pondering, her eyes scanned the hall but found no young men dressed as a gentleman.
Blushing, she asked Yin Yuanyuan, “Shishu Yin, where is he?”
Yin Yuanyuan paused, “Who? Oh, you mean Qi Guang? He has gone to the capital for the imperial exams…”
Since Sima Jiannan’s arrival, Yin Yuanyuan had been overjoyed, thinking, “This child is handsome, open-minded, a little mischievous but meticulous and brave—so much like me!”
Affection bred care, and she was attentive in every aspect of daily life, always first thinking of Jiannan’s needs before those of Qi Qiongqiong, Qi Yaoyao, and Gu Yuru. Often, she would visit Jiannan’s room late into the night, chatting until the wee hours, sometimes until her husband Qi Wei sent a maid to fetch her away.
That evening, Yin Yuanyuan, Sima Jiannan, and Chunhua Qiumei discussed the customs from Bashu to Yangcheng, focusing on running out of money during their journey.
Yin Yuanyuan asked, “Oh, my mischievous Jiannan, you said you ran out of silver halfway. What did you do then?”
Sima Jiannan replied, “Without money for a carriage, we walked.”
Yin Yuanyuan inquired, “What about meals and lodging?”
Chunhua quickly said, “We tricked people! Our Miss is expert at swindling!”
Yin Yuanyuan was surprised, “Really? Were you ever caught?”
Qiumei said, “Almost a few times, nearly got taken…”
Their conversation was interrupted when Gu Yuru hurried in, saying, “Shishu Yin, my sister-in-law is in labor!”
Yin Yuanyuan sprang up, rushing out, “Qiong’er? My dear daughter, don’t worry! I’m coming!”
Inside, Qi Qiongqiong lay groaning in pain.
The midwife urged, “Young lady, push!”
Qi Qiongqiong obeyed but to no avail, moaning in pain, “Ah… hurt so much… Gu Yuren, where are you now?”
Yin Yuanyuan comforted, “Rest a moment, gather strength…”
Qi Qiongqiong cursed loudly, “Gu Yuren, you wretch, why aren’t you back yet? Ah…”
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The midwife shouted, “Push! Push hard!”
With Qi Qiongqiong’s cries, a baby’s wail came from the delivery room window—a new life had arrived.
The midwife joyfully said, “Congratulations! It’s a healthy boy!”
Qi Qiongqiong, pale and sweating, reached out weakly to touch the baby’s soft face, smiled at Yin Yuanyuan, and soon fell asleep peacefully.
The next morning, Qi Qiongqiong awoke to see a rising red sun painting the Qi salt shop in crimson. She drank a large bowl of red sugar ginger tea made by her mother and fell asleep again. At noon, she was awakened by the sound of approaching drums and gongs—it was the Yangzhou prefectural exam announcers coming. Gu Yuren, Gu Yusheng, and Qi Guang had all passed the new imperial exam, with Gu Yusheng achieving the top scholar!
Joy filled the Qi salt shop.
In the delivery room, Qi Qiongqiong, Gu Yuru, and Sima Jiannan were ecstatic. Gu Yuru wept tears of joy for her two brothers. Suddenly, she thought of her mother Lou Mingxuan and wished she could share this happiness with her. But her mother had left when she was an infant. Her husband was now a magistrate in Yangcheng and could have reunited them, but his primary wife had died back home, and he had returned for the funeral. Gu Yuru didn’t know where Li Magistrate’s hometown was or what her mother looked like. She thought, “I really want to see mother!” Tears streamed down her face as she cried loudly, frightening the others.
They asked, “Gu Yuru, why cry on such a joyous day?”
She stopped her tears and smiled, “I’m crying from happiness that my brothers passed…”
Qi Yaoyao, now almost the fiancée of the future top scholar, was also overjoyed but her sensitive nature added a layer of worry. She had heard of the capital’s trend of “catching grooms from exam lists” and feared Gu Yusheng might be taken away. Though he had always loved her secretly, people change, and with so many beauties in the capital, he might fall for another. Besides, he was still unaware of their engagement! What if… “No! I must go to the capital to find him…” she whispered.
Gu Yuru and others asked in unison, “Who are you going to find?”
Anxiously, Qi Yaoyao said, “I must find mother…” and hurriedly left the delivery room.
Qi Qiongqiong, Gu Yuru, and Sima Jiannan exchanged surprised glances.
That night, Qi Yaoyao argued passionately with her father Qi Wei, mother Yin Yuanyuan, and senior uncle Gu Datong until late into the night, voices carrying through the hall.
The next morning, Qi Yaoyao and Gu Yuru, each carrying bundles and astride fine horses, bid their family farewell and set off for the capital to search for kin.
Sima Jiannan leaned against the doorway, her longing eyes shining with envy.
Magistrate Li’s hometown lies in a coastal town of the southeastern province, thousands of miles from Yangcheng.
After the primary wife of Magistrate Li passed away at home, Fifth Madam Lou Mingxuan, under her husband’s command, took the Li family’s children and grandchildren back home for the funeral. Several dozen family members traveled by horse and carriage for over three months before arriving.
Lou Mingxuan was a clever and capable woman who managed the funeral affairs with order. As a concubine dressed in mourning clothes, she performed tea offerings, paper burning, and ritual bows before the shrine. Outside, she managed affairs tirelessly. Since tomb construction required time, the primary wife was not buried until November of that year.
By February of the new year, the saying goes, “The spring wind of February is like scissors.” The land of Binhai Ancient Town turned green, apricot blossoms poised to bloom. It was a land rich in fish and rice, with gentle rains and silky waters; stone-paved roads, bridges, and city walls; bustling fishing ports with boats returning full each day; fisherwomen with towels on their heads busily weaving between docks and nets.
Every morning, Li Muwen, observing mourning at home, practiced swordsmanship on the grass beneath the willow trees. After practice, he often enjoyed a bowl of hot black sesame porridge from a nearby stall as breakfast.
One morning, just as he was sheathing his sword, a cry rang out: “Run for your lives! The Wokou are coming!”
People poured out of their homes, the streets crowded with fleeing masses, scattering east and west.
Li Muwen grabbed a middle-aged man fleeing and asked, “Where are the Wokou?”
The man replied, “Young master, run quickly! The Wokou are pillaging and burning the village ahead; they’ll be here soon…” Without finishing, he ran on.
Li Muwen gripped his sword, standing at the street entrance. Suddenly, his mother Lou Mingxuan galloped in on a black horse, shouting, “Muwen, mount quickly! Let’s go kill the Wokou together!”
Li Muwen responded, “Yes!” and leapt onto his mother’s horse behind her, shouting to the fleeing villagers, “Don’t run! Follow my mother to fight the Wokou!”
The Wokou had disembarked the night before, invading villages, stealing valuables, killing, burning, raping, and abducting children and young women.
Fifth Madam Lou Mingxuan led her son and the townsfolk to the front village, where the Wokou were still pillaging.
Lou Mingxuan shouted, “Stop! You bandits!”
The Wokou laughed and raised their blades at her.
She called out, “Villagers, kill them!”
Immediately, the clash of battle rang out throughout the village. Lou Mingxuan and Li Muwen wielded their long swords like slicing melons; Wokou heads rolled across the ground. From morning until noon, Lou Mingxuan led the villagers in battle for over four hours. As more villagers from nearby settlements joined, the Wokou, seeing the tide turn, retreated.
After the fight, Lou Mingxuan looked around but did not see Li Muwen, calling out, “Muwen, where are you?”
He emerged from the crowd, “Mother, I’m here!”
Lou Mingxuan saw her son covered in blood, the “White-clothed Young Master” nearly turned “Red-clothed.”
Several Li family retainers had died in the battle. Lou Mingxuan took out her private funds to cover burials and compensate the families.
Meanwhile, the Li household also had a legitimate government official—Li Muwen’s elder half-brother, Li Mushi, the recently retired chief clerk of Fuli County.
He was the son of the late primary wife and was in mourning at home. Timid and apprehensive, fearing household trouble, he approached Lou Mingxuan after she returned from battle, saying, “Fifth Madam, you’ve wounded so many Wokou; they must be furious and will retaliate! What shall we do?”
Li Muwen comforted him, “Big brother, don’t worry! If worse comes to worst, we’ll fight them to the death!”
Li Mushi replied, “Muwen, I’m a weak scholar with no martial skill. How can I fight?”
Lou Mingxuan patted his back, “Don’t be afraid, Mushi! I have a plan. Rest assured!”
Li Mushi said, “Good! I always trust Fifth Madam.”
Lou Mingxuan looked at Li Mushi and said, “Eldest son, I need to trouble you with something, if you don’t mind?”
Li Mushi asked, “What is it, Madam?”
Lou Mingxuan said, “The Wokou in my hometown are rampant. I want to report to the court. You’re an official and can handle the matter more easily. I want you to deliver a memorial I’ll write to the prefect.”
Li Mushi shook his head, “I can’t do that… I’m still in mourning! If I am seen…”
Li Muwen stepped forward, “Mother, let me go! I’m just a commoner and not afraid of consequences!”
Lou Mingxuan smiled, “Good! Be careful on the road. Go quick and return quick. Don’t hesitate; I’ll write the memorial first, and you change your clothes.”
Li Muwen replied, “As you command, mother!”
Back in his room, Li Muwen changed out of his bloodstained clothes. A male servant named A Gui brought him a basin of water. After washing off the blood and donning clean white clothes, he found his mother waiting at the door with the written memorial. Apologetically, he took the memorial, grasped the reins A Gui handed him, and mounted his horse. The sound of hooves echoed through the Li household as Li Muwen and A Gui rode swiftly toward the prefectural government office.