Chapter 12 Trapped

All was quiet for a moment.

No matter how beautiful Lady Zhao was, no one expected Liu Xun to take risks for his newly-married wife. These mountain bandits had always been despicable, especially now that Xu Guang’s villainous behavior had been fully revealed. Liu Ji and the others could not help but implore, “Please reconsider, Your Highness. We are willing to replace the Princess Consort as hostage!”

Xu Guang sneered, “It’s foolish to deceive my people. No one wants to exchange this woman for another person. I only want food!”

His hand pressed hard, and the sharp wooden spear nicked half an inch of the skin from the side of A’Shu’s neck. A string of fine red beads oozed down, slipping from her neck to the collarbone and disappearing behind the clothes.

A’Shu gradually grew numb with fear. She didn’t feel much pain but she was bathed in cold sweat. Her lips trembling, she rapidly weighed the current situation. Her elder brother would not be able to save her as these bandits were targeting Liu Xun.

Since Liu Xun was determined to be the epitome of benevolence and righteousness, he would not ignore her in full view of public.

Although these thoughts gave her a little relief, she still couldn’t help the frisson of terror running along her nerves. It was not until he offered to risk himself that her whole body shook.

She willed herself to be sober despite the danger. She would not naively think that he really wanted to save herself. Still, his calm and unassuming appearance in the face of danger seemed to prick a needle in her heart which somewhat bolstered her legs.

Zhao You’s face looked complicated. On one hand, he was worried about A’Shu, and on the other, he was surprised at Liu Xun.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Xun dismounted his horse and walked to one of his boxes. He took out a brush, ink and a piece of silk from the box. After scribbling on the silk, he stamped it with the prince’s seal. Once the ink dried, it was handed over to Liu Ji. He instructed him to assist Xie Jin to go to Shexian and order the county magistrate and the county commandant to allocate five hundred stones of official provision, and another five hundred stones in the neighboring county, totalling to a thousand stones.

Then, he calmly put down his sword and bowed to the generals at a distance, “I depend on you.” Having said that, he entered the enemy’s crowd empty-handed.

The Red Turbans watched Liu Xun’s unhurried approach. They were stunned for a moment but they unconsciously made way for him as he went straight to Xu Guang and A’Shu.

Xu Guang glared angrily at him. Fearing that there might be some tricks, he took two steps back with A’Shu and barked, “You—— don’t get close!”

Liu Xiao chuckled. “I’m empty-handed, for what reason do you still worry? Just please let go of my wife quickly.”

Xu Guang’s eyes narrowed. He was indeed worried. He wanted to send someone to search him but Wang Shu, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly snapped, “Enough! Second Brother, let the Princess Consort of Xiao go!”

He was, after all, the leader of Red Turbans. As soon as he spoke, Xu Guang and his brothers didn’t dare to test his limits, so they reluctantly let go.

A’Shu felt her legs go limp as soon as she was freed. When she was about to fall down, a pair of arms caught and held her firmly.

Liu Xun released his hand once she gained her balance. He gently lifted her chin, and carefully assessed the wound on her neck. In addition to the dried blood, there were finger pinches, leaving shocking mottled marks on the delicate skin.

He sighed secretly, and felt the palm holding her shoulder burned.

“Trust me, don’t be afraid.”

The gentle words hit her ears. She immediately tried to straighten her back, adopting a stubborn look.

“I’m not afraid.”

He chuckled. He looked up at Wang Shu and said, “Let’s go ahead and wait in the mountains.”

……

Liu Ji and the others were full of worry as they watched Liu Xun left with the rebel band. Seeing how easily the crisis could be temporarily resolved, Xie Jin busied his mind hatching escape plans.

Liu Xun went with the bandits, but he left the tricky matter of ration transfer to him. It should be noted that this place was close to Hebei where the imperial court’s orders often fail. Not to mention, the grain reserves around the country were almost depleted as a result of the severe drought last year. Because it was imperative to transfer a thousand stones, didn’t it mean he had to use a lot of his old face?

Liu Xun would probably not be able to return anyway. When the matter died down, he would go back to Chang’an to return to his previous life. He only had to say that the Prince of Xiao was incompetent and was killed by thieves.

Unluckily for him, Zhao You had already seen through his thoughts.

Zhao You was determined to save his younger sister. He couldn’t let Xie Jin escape. He drew his sword across his chest and said coldly, “Where is Lord Xie going? Let’s head to Shexian.”

Xie Jin whirled around but saw Liu Ji on the other side. The bright long sword in his hand appeared to be waving. He got so scared that his legs softened. After weighing the pros and cons, he finally hurried to Shexian under the vile threats of Zhao You and Liu Ji.

The magistrate of Shexian had already known that the Prince of Xiao’s army would be replenishing their supplies during their stopover so they had prepared the food and hay in advance. However, the provision was only enough for a few days for more than a thousand people. Suddenly, there’s a Xie Jin who opened his mouth, asking for five hundred stones of food. Naturally, he protested.

Xie Jin glared at the two people standing like wooden carvings on his left and right. Gritting his teeth, he utilized his skill of persuasion that he usually employed in front of Empress Dowager Zhang and Geng Yun. After using force and inducement, he got three hundred stones. He had no choice but to rush to Linxian without stopping and used the same tactic, collecting another three hundred stones.

It took five days to collect the six hundred stones of ration. Liu Ji and Zhao You decided to send them to the Western Hills first.

As per Wang Shu’s order, Liu Xun and A’Shu were locked up in a hut and prohibited to move around at will. A few men were also sent to guard them from all sides.

Fortunately, he originally intended to release them. Although he was forced by Xu Guang and others, he still treated them kindly. He ordered people to deliver them three meals a day and did not dare to neglect them much.

As there was a shortage of food in the mountains, there were only a few coarse and tasteless bean and wheat rice. When the food was delivered on the first day, some people even stayed outside the house to peep into their situation.

Liu Xun, however, did not mind about such chaff. After taking the food, he chewed and swallowed leisurely, as if eating a delicacy. A’Shu had never suffered such hardships all her life. However, their predicament and her empty belly compelled her to immitate him and ate a big mouthful as well.

But the grain of rice was too thick. The first time she swallowed, she choked as the rice stuck in her throat. Her cheeks flushed and even her eyes watered.

Liu Xiao laughed. He poured water in a wooden cup with a chipped mouth, patted her on the back and made her drink until her coughing gradually subsided.

“Don’t be greedy. I have long been accustomed to eating big mouthfuls of wheat rice to fill my stomach. You’re different from me so don’t force yourself.”

A’Shu raised her eyes and looked at his gentle face in the faint light. Her eyes gradually reddened and her nose felt itchy. Tears rolled down but she stubbornly picked up the rice bowl and began to eat again. She chewed and swallowed hard. She mumbled to herself, “I want to eat. Elder Brother is still waiting for me to go back. If I grow thin from hunger, he would feel sorry again.”

She was a pampered daughter from a rich family, but now she had to suffer in the mountains.

Liu Xun fell in a trance as he recalled his younger sister at home. His heart suddenly softened. Patiently, as if coaxing his younger sister, he wiped her tears. “Good girl, you will not look good if you cry.”

A’Shu managed to finish the few mouthfuls of wheat rice. She swallowed with difficulty, glared and sniffed at him. “Nonsense. I’m the most beautiful woman in Handan. How can I not look good?”

In the dark, Liu Xun gazed at her teary eyes. Suddenly, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Believe me, they will let us go in five days at most.”

Lacking materials in the mountains, Wang Shu could only send them a worn quilt.

The two had to share the narrow bed. A’Shu had always been sensitive to cold. At midnight, she was shaking hard due to the coldness and humidity in the mountains. Occasionally, she would sneeze which made her feel very embarrassed.

Liu Xun couldn’t stand it anymore. Struggling for a moment, he finally stretched out his arms and pulled her into his arms. He held her tightly and whispered in her ear, “There are no medical workers here.”

The warm breath brushed the side of her neck. A’Shu shivered. Her hands clutched her cuffs tightly. She closed her eyes and laid still. Gradually, she fell asleep in his arms.

Strangely enough, the two people lived together in this pattern for four consecutive days. Although they spoke very little in the limited space, they looked partly harmonious.

All of these naturally fell into the ears of Wang Shu.

After waiting for several days, there was still no sign of food delivery at the foot of the mountains. The Red Turbans were fast becoming anxious. It was said that Liu Xun’s elder brother was murdered. Could it be that although the Little Emperor granted Liu Xun the title of Prince of Xiao, he had no power at all and had long been abandoned? Thus, his silk book and stamp was ineffective and useless.

Xu Guang was even more flustered and annoyed. He was the one who made the first move. Facing the reproachful eyes of others, he couldn’t help but advise Wang Shu, “Elder Brother, Liu Xun seems to be useless. It’s better to go to Shexian with our brothers and grab as much food as we can. It’s better than sitting in the mountain and eating nothing.”

Wang Shu pondered, recalling Liu Xun’s calm and confident attitude. He shook his head and said, “No, it’s the worst move. There’s no guarantee that we can grab sufficient supply if we raid Shexian, but our fellow brothers will definitely lose a lot. The innocent women and children in the city will also suffer.”

After falling into poverty and becaming outlaws, the Red Turbans once lived with ample food and clothing for a few months by means of unrestrained looting. However, Wang Shu was righteous and did not want to hurt the innocent, so he set many rules, tying Xu Guang and others up. In recent days, Xu Guang had been living a frugal life again. He was already impatient, and when his suggestions were repeatedly refuted, he became more and more enraged. “Elder Brother, are you just going to let everyone sit in the mountain and starve to death just because you are scared? How could the Elder Brother who fought with us on that year became a coward now?”

Wang Shu took offense at his insults. He suddenly got up and said coldly, “Second Brother, don’t forget that other people’s lives are the same as yours and mine. Being mountain bandits- burning, killing and looting- isn’t the long-term plan.”

As if he had made up his mind, he solemnly said, “Go and invite the Prince of Xiao.”

……

Xu Guang had already stormed out in anger when Liu Xun entered the house. Wang Shu was alone. When he saw him entered, he bowed. “These days, the Prince of Xiao had to be wronged and live here temporarily.”

Although Liu Xun’s clothes were dirty, his face was clean and his appearance was neat. It looked as if he was born with an immaculate bearing. He shook his head and said, “I often eat and sleep in the open. I don’t feel wronged at all. It’s just that my wife, Lady Zhao, should not have been involved in her husband’s affair.” The gentle eyes stared at Wang Shu and carefully observed his demeanor.

Ashamed, Wang Shu sighed secretly. Liu Xun was indeed a responsible husband.

He tentatively said, “It’s just that the food hasn’t arrived for several days. Is the Prince of Xiao not worried that his subordinates will flee in all directions? What’s more, the military inspector Lord Xie seems to be as timid as a mouse.”

Liu Xun laughed. “You’re also a native of Dongjun. You must have heard of my Elder Brother’s reputation and mine? My brothers value loyalty the most. If our subordinates can’t be trusted, how can we achieve great things? Just wait and see, the food will arrive in two days.”

Then, in a blink of an eye, he looked worried again. “I can endure the difficulties myself, but the innocent must not be hurt, hence, I made this decision. But no matter what the result is this time, several county magistrates here will not stop. The Red Turbans are in danger.”

Wang Shu’s face stiffened.

In the past, he tried his best to restrain his subordinates from disturbing the surrounding counties. They only dealt with passing troops. He made sure that each county in this area was left alone to do their own things. The county magistrates all followed the philosophy of protecting themselves. As long as there was no chaos, they could set up a stronghold here.

However, once they were offended, they would probably join forces to suppress the bandits.

The current ration transfer would likely trigger the alliance.

Xu Guang and others did not know it, but Wang Shu had expected it.

“Such matter is irrelevant. It’s more important to feed my brothers first.”

Liu Xun instantly caught the grudging reluctance in his words.

He blinked and said solemnly, “This orphaned one had a way but it all depends on your sincerity.”

Wang Shu looked up. He could not help but feel awed when he saw Liu Xun standing tall and straight with his hands behind his back. The warmth on his face had faded, gradually showing the spirit of a Prince.

……

Xu Guang’s anger soared.

In the beginning, he was appreciated by Wang Shu for his bravery. He saved his life on the battlefield. Only then did he become a sworn brother and became the second leader of the Red Turbans.

But in the past few months, he felt that Wang Shu worried too much. Liu Xun only had a thousand people under his command but he was scared witless.

Didn’t Liu Xun give in easily when he seized Lady Zhao as hostage?

With this thought, Lady Zhao’s delicate figure and charming appearance flashed before his eyes. He raised his head and poured down a jar of the suffocating wine down his throat. He angrily cursed, “Damn him. If you are a prince, you can marry women as beautiful as fairies! This world is unfair!”

He dove into another round of angry drinking. The impulse and anger piled up high. He lost all his senses and became crazy. He threw away the wine jar and staggered towards the hut where Liu Xun and Lady Zhao were locked up.