Chapter Six: Prince Li Daishan (Please Vote for Recommendations)

"Truly talented?"
"No, no, it's not that. It's the 'Zhen' from 'to distinguish,' not 'true or false.'"
"Ah, Zhen Yucai," Wang Pu said. "Now, let me ask you, where are you from?"
Zhen Yucai replied, "I am from Qinghe in Shandong. Three years ago, I was captured by the Jianzhou Tartars and brought to Liaodong. Because I was small and frail, they were going to behead me, but I survived only because I had studied privately for a few years and could read and write. Now, I serve as a clerk at Suda'er's manor, keeping accounts and doing sums. I don't have to work the fields."
"And who is Suda'er?"
"He's said to be a clan brother of their chieftain, but I don't know the details."
"Is that Suda'er's estate ahead?"
"Yes, this place used to be called Changyong Fort. Our Ming army once garrisoned here, but the fort was destroyed in the war. Now it’s Suda'er's manor."
"Changyong Fort? How far is it from Shengjing?"
"Not far. Another thirty li northeast and you'll reach Shengjing."
"Only thirty more li to Shengjing?" Scarface laughed loudly. "Who would have thought we'd stumble onto Shengjing itself! This must be heaven's will against the Jianzhou."
Wang Pu continued, "How many people are at the manor?"
"More than a thousand in total. Over seven hundred Han bondservants, three hundred Tartars, but mostly the old, the young, and women."
"Good," Wang Pu said. "In a moment, I'll take men to verify your story. As long as you tell the truth, you'll be fine. But if you lie, you'll die."
Zhen Yucai shivered, answering with trepidation, "I swear... every word is true."
Wang Pu turned to Xiao Qi. "Xiao Qi, take fifty men and stay to look after the horses. Keep an eye on this fellow. Make sure he doesn't escape."
"Don't worry, General," Xiao Qi grinned wickedly. "I'll take excellent care of this 'truly talented' gentleman."

Wang Pu then addressed Scarface, "Scarface, select four hundred brothers, divide them into four groups, and block each direction. If anyone tries to escape the manor, man or woman, young or old, let none go free. Remember: better to kill by mistake than let one slip away."
Scarface replied in a vicious tone, "Rest assured, General. Not even a fly will get through."
Finally, Wang Pu spoke to Big Beard, "Big Beard, gather the rest and come with me to the manor."
Big Beard growled, "I'll summon the men at once."
At Wang Pu's command, over a thousand retainers split into three groups. Xiao Qi stayed behind with the horses and the prisoner. Scarface took four hundred men to ambush around the manor, ready to intercept any who tried to flee. Wang Pu and Big Beard led the remaining six hundred directly toward the estate. Of course, Wang Pu did not fully trust Zhen Yucai’s story; to avoid alerting the manor, he ordered his men to advance in the dark without torches, even if it meant stumbling and bruising themselves.
This caution proved crucial.

Just as Wang Pu and his six hundred men neared the manor, something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, a blazing light flared within the estate and the tightly shut gates swung open. In the glare of torchlight, a large troop of red-armored Tartar cavalry burst out, charging straight toward Wang Pu and his men. Big Beard’s heart leapt into his throat as he sprang up, ready to draw his blade, but Wang Pu pressed him firmly down.
Wang Pu was a hardened leader, a man who had lived with death and blood for years. The more dangerous the situation, the calmer he became. He quickly realized that the red-armored horsemen carried only torches and no weapons—they weren't riding out to fight. In other words, they hadn't discovered his men yet.

"Stay calm."
Wang Pu kept a firm grip on Big Beard’s shoulder, forcing him back to the ground. The six hundred men behind them also flattened themselves in the darkness.
Sure enough, after galloping forward several dozen paces, the red-armored cavalry reined in their horses, then split into two neat columns on either side, as if forming an honor guard for some Tartar dignitary leaving the manor. Before long, another unit of red-armored cavalry emerged, this time slowly, surrounding a central rider like stars encircling the moon.
Big Beard, anxious and angry, whispered, "General, we've been tricked. There are already over a hundred Tartar cavalry here, and who knows how many more inside?"
Wang Pu nodded, but answered differently, "Judging by their banners, these are nobles of the Plain Red Banner—perhaps even a prince. We've caught a big fish this time."
Big Beard was stunned. "General, what did you say?"
Wang Pu commanded, "Big Beard, spread the men out. Hide them in the sorghum fields on either side of the road. No one moves without my order!"
Big Beard nodded and hurried off, bent low, to relay the command. The six hundred men who had been lying in the road quickly scattered into the tall sorghum, just as the noble of the Plain Red Banner, surrounded by guards, rode past. Wang Pu slipped quietly into the sorghum as well.

Today, Daishan’s bad luck was at its peak.

Daishan was Nurhaci’s second son—once one of the four great Beile regents, his position once above Huang Taiji’s. Unfortunately, he lacked Huang Taiji’s cunning. In the end, Nurhaci’s eighth son, Huang Taiji, succeeded to the Khanate. Daishan was made Prince of Li, honored to sit beside Huang Taiji to receive the court’s homage—a position of the highest prestige.

During the Battle of Songshan, Huang Taiji led the Eight Banners army in person, leaving Daishan and Prince Zheng, Jirgalang, to guard Shengjing.

Prince Zheng, Jirgalang, was Nurhaci’s nephew. His father, Surhaci, Nurhaci’s third brother, was executed early on for rebellion. Jirgalang’s elder brother, Amin, had also been one of the four great Beile regents, but was later demoted to commoner by Huang Taiji. Jirgalang then inherited Amin’s title and wealth, and thus remained fiercely loyal to Huang Taiji.

Recently, Daishan, bored and idle, decided to hunt in the mountains. Hearing that Suda'er had trained a fierce gyrfalcon, he traveled from Shengjing to Suda'er's manor to claim it. By the time Daishan arrived, dusk was falling. Xiao Qi had already left with Zhen Yucai, so Daishan was unaware that a force of Tartar cavalry had entered the manor after him.

A prince of Li coming personally to collect the gyrfalcon, Suda'er dared not refuse. He reluctantly handed over the bird he had so painstakingly raised, and escorted Daishan out of the manor, repeatedly warning, "Master, this gyrfalcon is fed on human flesh. If you feed it anything else, it will get angry."

"I know," Daishan replied impatiently. "Just human flesh? I have plenty of bondservants—slaughter one and it’ll eat for half a month."

"And another thing," Suda'er added, "it only eats the tender flesh of children under ten."

"Is that so?" Daishan frowned. "I have plenty of young bondservants under ten. It won't go hungry."

Suda'er gazed longingly at the gyrfalcon perched on Daishan’s shoulder, chattering anxiously, "Master, you must keep your word. Once the hunt is over, you have to return it. This falcon is my lifeblood. Without it, I can’t eat, can’t sleep, I might as well be dead."

"Enough, enough," Daishan waved him off impatiently. "Go back, go back."

Just as Daishan finished speaking, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past his ear, and behind him came Suda'er's muffled grunt. Daishan turned quickly to see Suda'er clutching his throat, eyes bulging, blood seeping through his fingers. Only then did Daishan realize that a short arrow was lodged in Suda'er's throat.

...

PS: During this new book’s launch, I urgently need your recommendation votes. Thank you!