Chapter 105: The Marquis of Wuji
The next day, the first light of dawn appeared on the horizon.
That warm and radiant glow had not yet erased the stars of the previous night nor the lingering breeze.
No matter what, a new day had finally arrived.
In the Weiyang Palace, within the Xuanshi Chamber, the morning court was in session.
The officials and ministers knelt quietly on the ground, holding their bamboo slips, waiting for the assembly to begin.
“Thud.”
“Thud.”
“Thud.”
The clinking of armor and the stamping of iron boots echoed throughout the great hall.
Each resounding step made the hearts of those present tighten with unease.
At last, the footsteps paused briefly before the hall entrance. Dong Zhuo, broad-shouldered and imposing, clad entirely in black iron armor, strode onto the platform.
Liu Xie sat upright on the imperial throne, but upon seeing Dong Zhuo’s appearance, his heart skipped a beat. Composing himself, he first asked, “Grand Tutor… why are you dressed so?”
“Chang’an has been unsettled lately. I’m a cautious man, so I dressed heavily for protection,” Dong Zhuo said, grinning broadly, though his expression was grim. “Your Majesty, you must also take care!”
“Hmm… thank you for your concern, Grand Tutor.”
“Today, I have a matter to raise.”
“What is it, Grand Tutor?”
“I again petition Your Majesty to grant Zhang Yu the title of marquis.”
“What?” Liu Xie was taken aback, and Wang Yun, seated nearby, looked at Dong Zhuo in disbelief.
“Zhang Yu of Zhongshan has brought fine wine as tribute and shown great literary talent, with a renowned reputation. Moreover, he is Your Majesty’s elder brother; he ought to be ennobled as a marquis.”
“Grand Tutor… do you truly mean this?”
“Hmm?!” Dong Zhuo looked at Liu Xie. “When have I ever spoken in jest?”
“Then, very well! I shall confer upon Zhang Yu the title of marquis. But what about the fief? Has the court reached a decision?”
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yu hails from Zhongshan, which contains a county named Wuji. I propose granting him the title Marquis of Wuji,” Dong Huang, stepping forward from the ranks, said.
Though Liu Xie had already planned to make Zhang Yu a marquis, he thought a minor county marquis title sufficient and thus said plainly, “This is a county marquis—”
“I second that.”
Liu Xie was completely bewildered by Dong Zhuo’s behavior.
Wasn’t Zhang Yu the one who tried to assassinate you?
Shouldn’t you have torn him to pieces and exterminated his entire family?
Yet here you were, bestowing upon him a noble title—one of the highest among county marquises.
Is this really Dong Zhuo? Has he suddenly found a conscience? Or has some loyal spirit taken hold of him?
Seeing Liu Xie’s confusion and hesitation, Dong Zhuo frowned in displeasure. “Your Majesty, if you have objections, do speak them plainly rather than hesitate!”
“In that case, let it be as the Grand Tutor says. Grant Zhang Yu of Zhongshan the title Marquis of Wuji, with the fief of Wuji County.”
Having issued the decree, Liu Xie adjusted his posture slightly, preparing to begin the court’s deliberations, when Dong Zhuo suddenly added:
“Your Majesty, I have another matter to report!”
Liu Xie’s heart leapt. “Please speak, Grand Tutor.”
“Last night, the Marquis of Wuji, Zhang Yu, unlawfully slaughtered dozens of my Xiliang elite soldiers and then vanished without a trace. Such a crime is unforgivable and warrants execution according to law!”
The hall erupted in uproar!
……
Pain.
A slight chill.
A faint itch.
Zhang Yu’s delicately arched eyebrows twitched as if plucked like strings on a lute, but his half-closed eyes remained shut.
“Yu, my precious son, your father has long awaited the day you would awaken. How can you bear to leave your mother and me so?”
“Father, I—”
……
“Yu, my child, please don’t go. Please don’t leave your mother!”
“Mother, please don’t cry…!”
……
“Yu, your uncle has led the army here. Your second and third uncles will crush that treacherous Dong Zhuo to dust and avenge you, my dear nephew!”
……
“Brother-in-law! I’m shielding you from Lü Bu. You must flee!”
……
“Yu… Xiuer is not worth this. Rest assured, sister will risk her life to plead with Dong Zhuo to spare you!”
……
“Master, please don’t leave Ying’er and Yan’er behind. Ying’er won’t quarrel with you anymore. Ying’er will obey everything you say… Yan’er has been crying herself silly. Please come back soon!”
……
“Once having crossed the vast sea, no other waters will suffice; beyond Mount Wushan, no other clouds will do. Brother Yu, Luo’er waits for you to wed her…”
……
“Ah—!!
Where am I? Am I still alive?
What did I do? I cannot die!…”
“Master, Jing Shu will ease the pain. Please endure just a little longer…”
“Huh? She’s here too? And this scene is rather unique—ouch!”
Zhang Yu suddenly sat bolt upright on the couch, drenched in sweat, gasping heavily, his eyes wide as copper bells.
Such a dramatic reaction barely altered Jing Shu’s expression. Seeing Zhang Yu awake, her eyes shone with joy and respect as she hastily rose and bowed her head in salute.
“So you’re really alive…” Zhang Yu exhaled deeply, looking down at himself. His chest and arms were wrapped in linen bandages stained faintly with blood. The dressing on his shoulder had just been undone, exposing a wound emitting a strong herbal aroma.
“Jing Shu, you… were dressing my wounds?”
“Yes.”
“Where are we?”
“We are at Lord Wang’s residence, Master.”
“Wang Yun?”
“No, Master. It’s Lord Wang Yue. He was the one who saved you last night.”
Wang Yue!
Zhang Yu was stunned—this man was one of the great figures of the Three Kingdoms era.
“System, please retrieve information on Wang Yue.”
“Ding! Upon inspection, protagonist has not yet met [Wang Yue]. No data available.”
It seemed Zhang Yu would have to see for himself. He glanced around the simple, tidy room and asked, “Jing Shu, how long have I been unconscious?”
“Master—”
“No need to be so formal with me,” Zhang Yu smiled.
“Y-yes.” Jing Shu’s pale, almost translucent cheeks flushed swiftly at his smile before she quickly lowered her head again.
“You have been asleep since last night until now, nearly a full day.”
“Thank you,” Zhang Yu responded politely.
He had noticed Jing Shu’s beauty, but having just narrowly escaped death’s door, her looks stirred no particular emotion in him.
Shifting his gaze away, he recalled the faint words he had just heard, and saw a flicker of disappointment pass across Jing Shu’s brow.
Unconsciously, he realized how deeply entangled he had become with this world. Though desperate to rescue Diao Xiuer, he had chosen the most foolish path, nearly losing his life to adversaries and failing to even use his escape skills in time.
Fortunately, fate had smiled upon him—handsome, headstrong, and blessed with luck, he had survived great peril.
The voices of his closest kin echoed in his ears and heart, revealing that he was no longer a carefree bachelor, free to do as he pleased.
Indeed, it was time to grow more mature.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
There was a knock at the door.
Jing Shu tidied the bandages on Zhang Yu’s shoulder and quickly went to open the door.
“Lord Wang Yue.”
“Miss Jing Shu, thank you for your hard work.”
“Compared to Lord Wang Yue rescuing Master Zhang Yu, what I have done is nothing.”
“Heh, by caring so attentively for Master Yu, you have brought honor to your tribe.”
“Sir, please don’t say that. Taking care of Master Zhang Yu is my honor. I have no other thoughts.”
“Very well. How is Master Yu?”
Hearing Wang Yue’s question, Zhang Yu hurried to shift and get off the couch, the sound drawing the attention of the two at the door.
“Is this the Imperial Tutor Wang in person?”
“What Imperial Tutor?” Wang Yue smiled and quickly stepped forward to steady Zhang Yu. “I am merely a soldier named Wang Yue.”
“Your lordship’s righteousness far exceeds that of a mere soldier. Yu thanks you sincerely for saving his life!”
As he spoke, Zhang Yu raised his head to look at Wang Yue:
“Ding!
[Wang Yue (born 138 AD) from Yanshan, Liaodong.
Before reaching adulthood, he rode alone into the Helan Mountains, returning with the head of the Qiang tribe leader, feared by all. By age thirty, he toured various provinces, challenging all who wielded a sword. His martial prowess is unparalleled, the finest swordsman of his time.
Loyal to the Han dynasty, he seeks fame and honor, yet due to humble origins, he has never been favored by those in power...]”