Chapter Forty-Nine: An Invitation to Visit the Great Marsh

As soon as they entered the land of Lu, the scenery transformed—vast plains grew more frequent, spreading wide under the open sky. What would Mengdi look like? Meng Di felt a twinge of nervousness, the familiar anxiety of approaching one’s homeland. According to their plan, they would enter Lu under the pretense of returning home to visit relatives.

“Will the State of Lu truly agree to grant Mengdi as a fief?” Meng Di still found it hard to believe that a surname alone could secure such a large territory.

“My lord, you may not know—the steward Yang Hu governs as a companion minister, yet his heart is troubled. With your strength, he surely sees you as an ally. Mengdi is but a trifling matter.”

After the chaos of the Three Huan, the government of Lu was dominated by the Meng, Shusun, and Ji clans. At present, the heirs of all three families were young, and Ji’s steward, Yang Hu, had seized the opportunity to take control by holding the young master, Ji Sun Si, as his hostage.

The Ji clan was the largest family in Lu, and Yang Hu had become the state’s most powerful minister, effectively ruling Lu. Yet he was well aware of his humble origins and his precarious position. He feared that the young heirs would soon mature and become harder to control, so he constantly sought outside support to cement his power.

“If we count the days, that batch of bronze swords should be arriving in Yang Hu’s hands soon.”

The bronze swords were indeed with Yang Hu.

“Meng clan?” Yang Hu stared at the bamboo slip in his hand.

“The people of Mengdi are mostly descendants of the Meng clan,” replied Ji Wu, who sat respectfully across from him. Ji Wu was a collateral member of the Ji family, close to Yang Hu.

“So this visit home to honor ancestors must be genuine?”

“It should be true. The Meng clan descendants, lacking proper sense, offered a hundred bronze swords to the ruler, but in the end, they came to Yang Zi.”

Yang Hu waved dismissively; a hundred bronze swords were nothing to him. They were from the remote region of Wu and Yue, so their ignorance of Lu’s affairs was understandable.

“Have you heard of the land of Han?”

“Never, but I imagine it’s a barbaric place.”

“Do not underestimate them. To casually offer a hundred bronze swords and travel with two thousand soldiers—they must be formidable.”

“So, Yang Zi wishes to win them over?”

Yang Hu pondered for a while before speaking. “I hear, Wu, that you are acquainted with Liu Xia Zhi?”

“Acquainted is too strong—I’ve met him a few times,” Ji Wu replied awkwardly.

Liu Xia Zhi, known as the Robber Zhi, had gathered several thousand refugees, roaming the territory of Lu as a bandit. The court of Lu found him a headache; if word spread that a Ji family noble consorted with him, his reputation would be ruined.

Yang Hu understood well and instructed, “Tell Liu Xia Zhi that visitors from Yue have arrived, carrying thousands of jin of fine gold and countless treasures, all ripe for the taking.”

---

“Why let Liu Xia Zhi have it?” Ji Wu wondered aloud. “Why not seize it ourselves?”

“Hmph!” Yang Hu’s cold snort silenced Ji Wu, who straightened and dared not speak further.

“The noble Ji clan must not stoop to banditry! Take more armored soldiers and keep watch. Ensure the bandits do not harm the Meng clan descendants.”

Teng City lay in the south of Lu. The Yellow Emperor had twenty-four sons; fourteen were granted lands and surnames. His tenth son was enfeoffed at Teng—thus the name Teng first appeared here, on the route north to Qufu, the capital of Lu.

“My lord, ahead in the canyon, thousands lie in ambush, their armor in disarray—likely bandits and refugees.”

“My lord, there are watchers on the hill, their numbers unknown.”

After passing Teng City, they entered the heart of Lu. Several dozen li from Teng, the scouts returned with reports.

On this journey, Meng Di had brought all the horses from Han—just over a hundred. Scouts rode ahead and behind, circling constantly, a habit cultivated in a previous life.

Clearly, this was the work of those with intent. Meng Di exchanged a glance with Ji Ran.

“Thousands, armor disordered—could it be Liu Xia Zhi?” Ji Ran stroked his beard, deep in thought.

Meng Di had heard of Liu Xia Zhi, the “Robber Zhi,” skilled in warfare, leading thousands of refugees and bandits west of Qufu, rampant in the swamps and wilds of Lei Ze and Da Ye Ze.

The terrain there was complex, full of lakes and hollows, with countless small hills perfect for hiding men, unsuited to large armies. Robber Zhi exploited the internal strife of Lu and the aggression from Qi, pillaging everywhere. The major towns defended their walls, the small ones sought refuge; countless people suffered.

With two thousand elite soldiers, Meng Di could easily defeat this rabble, but charging headlong would mean unnecessary losses.

To detour would add over a hundred li, and if they avoided these bandits, the people of Lu would surely look down on them.

“Do you know of any places nearby that are easy to defend and hard to attack?”

“To the east is an abandoned village.”

“Good. Han Zhan, take fifteen hundred soldiers and hide near the village. Jing Chuo, take five hundred and come with me into the village.”

The village was close by, surrounded by a half-height earthen wall—likely built to keep out wild beasts. Such familiarity with Lu’s villages impressed Meng Di greatly.

Since they dared plot against him, he might as well use this opportunity to give Lu a demonstration.

Liu Xia Zhi was a burly man; his age was hard to tell by appearance alone. He had brought over three thousand refugees, waiting quietly on both sides of the canyon.

“Chief, could Ji’s family be setting a trap?” a lieutenant whispered, cautious because this was not their usual territory, fearing an ambush.

“Relax. Ji’s family is now controlled by Yang Hu, busy dealing with the Three Huan, no time for us,” Liu Xia Zhi waved his hand. “Send someone to scout—see where the Yue men are.”

---

Soon after, word came back: the Yue men had camped in an abandoned village.

“Camped? The day is still young—what are those Yue men up to?” Liu Xia Zhi was puzzled.

“Chief, shall we keep waiting?”

“Wait for what? Let’s go have a look.” Liu Xia Zhi glared at his clueless subordinate. “Did you find out how many there are? How many armored soldiers?”

“Uh…” The scout scratched his head, unable to answer.

“Forget it. They’re just transporting treasures—surely not many men.”

With a flourish, Liu Xia Zhi led the way. Used to swaggering in Lu, he had little regard for ordinary soldiers unless he faced the official army of a state.

They soon reached the Han soldiers’ camp in the village. The troops stood ready with swords and bows, keeping watch behind the earthen wall.

Clearly, news had leaked and the Yue men were prepared.

Liu Xia Zhi frowned, circling the village. When he saw that inside were at most a few hundred, many with families, he burst out laughing. Such meager strength, and they dared hope the low walls would hold them off? With a wave, his men surged forward and surrounded the village.

“Ahem.” Liu Xia Zhi cleared his throat, hands behind his back, and strolled to the wall, speaking politely, “Liu Xia Zhi of Lu pays a visit. May the master within answer.”

Ji Wu had also brought armored soldiers nearby and shook his head at the sight. He hadn’t expected Liu Xia Zhi to value this shipment so highly, bringing three or four thousand men. It seemed he would have to plead in person to ransom the Meng clan descendants.

Meng Di and his companions stood atop the village, smiling quietly. Liu Xia Zhi was a capable commander; his bandits were at least disciplined, obeying orders and moving as one. If only their weapons were not so poor, they could almost pass as a formidable army.

No one replied. Liu Xia Zhi’s expression did not change; he raised his voice and repeated his greeting.

Jing Chuo leaped onto the wall with a grin and cupped his hands. “All right, all right. My lord asks what business you have?”

Seeing such disrespect from the Yue men, Liu Xia Zhi’s anger simmered, though he kept his smile. “I, Zhi, am honored to be a Lu man. With guests from afar, how could I be rude? I invite your lord to visit the Great Marsh.”

Jing Chuo pretended not to understand and waved his hand. “Not going, not going. My lord says we’re carrying precious treasures, eager to reach Qufu and pay respects to the Marquis of Lu. No time for marshes, great or small.”

At the mention of precious treasures, Liu Xia Zhi’s eyes gleamed. He laughed, “There’s time. Visit the Great Marsh first, then see the Marquis of Lu. Boys, invite our guests!”

“Yes!” came the chorus behind him. Without further ceremony, they surged forward, charging at the earthen wall.