Book 10 Chapter 9 – Enemies On A Narrow Road

Xiangyang was located at the confluence of various rivers by the Han River. Following the River downstream, in one day one would reach a Hannan, a market town rather smaller in scale, and then in two more days one would reach Jingling.

Since Yang Guang was assassinated by Yuwen Huaji’s uprising, sharp changes have been happening in all parts of the country. The original hegemons proclaimed themselves king or emperor, taking advantage of the situation to expand their territory. Those who were former Sui officials adopted a wait-and-see attitude or unmasked their poles to rise up, becoming local power, safeguarding their own towns and villages, their homeland.

Xiangyang’s Qian Duguan was a classic example.

‘Double Sabers’ Qian Duguan was the big boss of Hanshui Pai [River Han Sect], his character was in between orthodox and heretical, he had quite a ‘face’ both in front of the local black and white circles. His main business was silk, and his family owned ample properties.

When the news of Emperor Yang’s death arrived, Qian Duguan arose with the people’s support. He was elected leader by local wealthy families and members of the gentry, as well as by the local gangs and societies. Driving out the Xiangyang’s district magistrate, he formed large militia and seized the power.

Although Qian Duguan himself knew he did not have enough power to contend for hegemony of the world, yet in this time of ‘rising wind and rolling clouds’, the world was in chaos, he was able to maintain Xiangyang’s autonomy without any need to look up to anybody else’s face. During the time where Li Mi, Du Fuwei, Li Zitong, and the other major powers were standing in opposition to each other, he was still able to strike water right and left, so much so that his business was flourishing, his trading brisk, majestic as if he was the local king.

By dusk, Shang Xiuxun and her party rushed into Xiangyang just before the city gate was shut; after paying glistening-yellow gold entry duty at the gate, they entered the city.

Xiangyang’s city wall was tall and thick. The wall was equipped with arrow-platforms and watchtowers, as well as bell towers and drum towers opposite to each other, giving up an air of grandeur, so that before even entering the city, they already had deep impression.

Upon stepping into the city, everybody entered the main street connecting the north and south city gates. Since it was already early evening, the lanterns were lit. Over the street were layer upon layer of towering arches and sky bridges connecting the unending row of store buildings from one side of the street to the other. The long street was simple and unadorned, with row upon row of residence buildings. Pedestrians and carriages traveled back and forth on the street, a picture of lively city in time of peace and security, making people forgot the fire beacon and dangerous situation on the outside.

From time to time, a group of three to five armed men in blue warrior outfit passed by, with overbearing attitude, hence it was clear that they were Qin Duguan’s men. They almost did not see any young women on the street; occasionally they saw a few out-of-towners, but they were all scurrying along with heads hung low.

Xu Yang, Luo Fang, and the others have been waiting for them in the city for quite a long time. Luo Fang has even prepared some rooms at a rather upscale hotel. After settling down, Kou and Xu, two boys remained in their room, waiting for Shang Xiuxun’s further instruction.

Kou Zhong laughed quietly and said, “Luckily just now we were sitting down, plus we are wearing stable hands’ attire. Otherwise, with our builds, we might be recognized by Ling Feng and Jin Bo, those two muddled-eggs.” [I know the official translation is ‘scoundrel/

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’, but I think ‘muddled-egg’ is funnier.]