"Fugui, don't be like this. It pains me, sister," said Lin Yue, trying to comfort Zhou Fugui, who was so angered he felt he might suffer internal injuries. "How could I possibly cut off your hands? Or kill you? However, there's no question of you returning south."
"I told you, you can only hold me for a while, not for a lifetime," Zhou Fugui said bitterly.
"I will hold you for a lifetime," Lin Yue replied with a charming smile. "Aren't you called Zhou Fugui? How about I bestow upon you a grand fortune? I'll appoint you as the Left Virtuous King, grant you riches, and proclaim it to the world. Would you still be able to return then?"
"Good, good. I admit I misjudged you before. You are truly wicked!" Zhou Fugui exclaimed, almost suffocating from anger again, pointing at Lin Yue.
The Left Virtuous King was indeed a position of great power and prestige, second only to Lin Yue, holding considerable influence in the grasslands. However, the price was the lives of Zhou Fugui's entire family. The reason was obvious: if the Yan imperial court learned that Zhou Fugui had betrayed their kingdom, they would surely not spare his family, and it might even implicate more people. The families of Zhou Fugui and his fellow villagers, and indeed all the residents of Lumen Township in Youzhou, would be affected. It was feared that rivers of blood would flow, and bodies would litter the plains.
Therefore, Lin Yue's scheme was undeniably vicious and insidious, its purpose being to retain the talented and capable general, Zhou Fugui, as a powerful asset.
This move effectively bound Zhou Fugui's hands and feet, making his escape impossible.
Lin Yue valued talent and sought every means to keep Zhou Fugui. But was Zhou Fugui someone who could be easily subdued by others?
"Fugui, you know Lin Yue wouldn't harm you. Why then do you call my actions wicked?" Lin Yue said softly.
"Let me think about it again, just let me think," Zhou Fugui said, stroking his forehead, appearing hesitant.
Zhou Fugui's attitude shifted, seeming less resolute. Lin Yue was secretly delighted. "Take your time and think. There's no hurry, we have plenty of time. Fugui, you were just a minor general in Yan, practically an unknown soldier. Why do you wish to return? What would you go back for? To be humiliated again? Here, you can have whatever you desire. As for women, there are beautiful women in the grasslands for you to choose from, as many as you wish..."
"Enough..." Zhou Fugui interrupted Lin Yue. "Am I that kind of person?"
"Aren't you? Like a wolf or a tiger, never satisfied..." Lin Yue chuckled softly, then suddenly her smile vanished. "Fugui, only you and I are here. What you say and do matters little. But when others are present, Lin Yue hopes you will choose your words carefully."
"Oh, I understand," Zhou Fugui replied, glancing at Lin Yue.
"Fugui..." Lin Yue nodded and continued, "You know, I want to keep you here not entirely for your talent."
...
The maiden from Chu does not return, her pillow beside the river in spring. The moon shines alone, the wind rises again, and the apricot blossoms are sparse. Jade hairpins hang askew, her cloud-like hair heavy, and golden phoenixes are embroidered on her skirt. Eight lines of writing, a thousand-mile dream, the geese fly south.
Even the geese know to return south, let alone a person.
Zhou Fugui yearned for his family and his homeland, but he was cruelly confined by Lin Yue to the desolate and frigid lands beyond the frontier. However, a few days later, a turn of events occurred.
"Fugui, you may go. Take your men and leave. Head south without looking back."
A few days later, in the dead of night, Jun Jin, Lin Yue's loyal subordinate and veteran general, brought Zhou Fugui and the officers of the White Tiger Battalion to the outskirts of Touman City. Jun Jin said to Zhou Fugui.
"Old General Jun, what is this...? Why are you doing this?" Zhou Fugui asked, utterly bewildered.
Zhou Fugui knew Jun Jin, of course, but their relationship was ordinary. Zhou Fugui felt neither liking nor dislike towards him, nor did he know him well, only that Jun Jin was Lin Yue's confidant and had always followed her.
Zhou Fugui never expected that when he was at his wit's end, Jun Jin would risk such great danger to bring them out of the city and intend to let them go.
Jun Jin was Lin Yue's trusted subordinate, loyal to her. He could indeed lead Zhou Fugui and his men out of the city, but why would he risk such peril?
Zhou Fugui was completely perplexed and asked.
Jun Jin nodded, pulled Zhou Fugui aside, and asked, "Fugui, what is your father's full name? And your family's."
"My late father's surname is Zhou, and his given name is Ming," Zhou Fugui replied. "My mother is Liu. My elder brother, Dashan, has passed away, leaving only my widowed sister-in-law and young nephew. Why? Does Old General Jun know my father?"
"Zhou Ming? Liu? Not only do I know him!" Jun Jin's face revealed a look of sorrow. Without further doubt, he said slowly, "In the fifth year of Zhenghe, when Ye City fell, your father and I each defended our lord and broke through the encirclement. From then on, we parted ways and never saw each other again. My brother... he passed away. Fugui, when did my brother die?"
"My brother? Old General Jun..." Zhou Fugui exclaimed in shock. "You are... my late father's elder brother? Zhou's paternal uncle?"
No wonder Jun Jin felt strange. It turned out they had such a connection. He was his own uncle? Zhou Fugui thought to himself. So, it made perfect sense that he was letting him go today.
"Fugui..." Jun Jin nodded, patted Zhou Fugui, and choked out, "My surname is also Zhou, and my given name is Jun. I am your paternal uncle. Zhou Jun and Zhou Ming were palace guards of the former dynasty. The former dynasty was destroyed by Yan, and my brother Ming and I parted ways and never met again. But I didn't expect him to... However, Fugui, with such a son, your father must be greatly comforted in heaven."
Comforted, my ass! Zhou Fugui thought to himself. Not only did he become a traitor to the Han, but after years, he achieved nothing. He couldn't even be with the woman he loved.
Both Uncle Zhou Jun and Father Zhou Ming were palace guards of the former Wei dynasty, which was also a dynasty founded by the Hu people. In that case, his entire family were Han traitors? It was truly a disgrace to his ancestors! Zhou Fugui sighed in his heart.
"Uncle, please accept this nephew's bow!" Zhou Fugui no longer had any doubts. He dismounted and knelt on the ground, kowtowing heavily to Jun Jin.
Zhou Fugui had no further doubts that Jun Jin was his uncle. The reason was simple: Jun Jin had no reason to lie to him.
"Nephew Fugui, please rise quickly. You must leave now, do not delay," Jun Jin said, dismounting and helping Zhou Fugui up.
"Hmm..." Zhou Fugui stood up and said to Jun Jin, "In front of my uncle, this nephew dares not speak falsely. The reason I insist on returning south is not for the sake of the Great Yan kingdom. I have no good feelings for this Great Yan kingdom. Uncle, our Zhou family are descendants of the Marquis of Han. Why doesn't Uncle return south with me? Let us find an opportunity to expel the barbarians and restore the Han dynasty!"
Zhou Fugui was concerned for Jun Jin's safety, hence his suggestion of "restoring the Han dynasty."
"You wish to restore the Han dynasty? Even... rebuild the Great Han empire?" Jun Jin found it almost laughable.
He wasn't afraid of his tongue wagging excessively, Jun Jin thought to himself.
Xia was a country founded by the Han people, but it had now been driven to Jiangnan, confined to a corner, and barely surviving. The empire and the land of the Han people were reduced to just the corner of Jiangnan. At this moment, how easy was it to restore the Han dynasty and revive the Han people's empire? Many upright and virtuous individuals had sought this goal, only to end up defeated and dead.
However, his nephew Zhou Fugui's ambition, or perhaps unrealistic wish, was commendable. Jun Jin couldn't bear to crush his spirit. Thinking this, he patted Zhou Fugui's shoulder with satisfaction and said, "Uncle is old and no longer wishes to pursue these matters. Moreover, the late emperor bestowed great kindness upon my brother and me, how could I break my oath? Pursue your aspirations, and even if you fail, your father and I will be exceptionally pleased. The Marquis of Han will be comforted in heaven with such a descendant. If you succeed, Fugui, you need not place our tablets in the ancestral shrine."
"Alas, Uncle, this nephew's abilities, don't I know them myself? This nephew said so only to persuade you..." Zhou Fugui quickly replied.
"There's no need to say more. Hurry and leave. Once dawn breaks, you won't be able to leave," Jun Jin said.
"Hmm..." Zhou Fugui then mounted his horse again, looking at Jun Jin.
He didn't know what oath Uncle Jun Jin had sworn that made him so loyal to Lin Yue. Zhou Fugui thought to himself that it was futile to say more, and it might even delay their departure south.
"Esteemed Uncle, this nephew departs now. Uncle, take care." Zhou Fugui clasped his hands in farewell with Jun Jin and led the White Tiger Battalion south at a gallop.
Jun Jin waved goodbye. Zhou Fugui and nearly a thousand cavalry rode away, and they could still faintly see Jun Jin's solitary figure.
"Stranger from afar, why won't you stay? Stranger from afar, please stay by my side. I will sing for you, dance for you, cook for you. Stranger from afar, why insist on leaving? Making it so we can never meet again..."
At this moment, a faint singing voice suddenly drifted from afar. The song was beautiful, lingering, gentle, and moving, inevitably breaking one's heart.
"Lin Yue..." Zhou Fugui looked back with tears in his eyes.
Zhou Fugui was also extremely reluctant to leave Lin Yue, but he was helpless and could only depart with tears.
In this world, unfortunate events constitute eight or nine out of ten. Sad events constitute eight or nine out of ten. Life is like a journey, with life and death, partings, bitterness, joy, and a mixture of flavors.
"Let's go, Fugui," Li Qing said to Zhou Fugui, who was staring blankly into the distance.
"Yes, let's go," Zhou Fugui nodded.
"Fugui, aren't you waiting for him?" Suo Dacheng asked.
"What are we waiting for that scoundrel for? Hmph, an ungrateful wretch," Suo Mancang said gruffly.
"Alas, when the heavens want rain, and a mother wants to remarry, let it be," Zhou Fugui sighed deeply and said.
After speaking, Zhou Fugui whipped his horse fiercely and galloped away. Nearly a thousand soldiers of the White Tiger Battalion followed him, galloping swiftly.
The Kunlun slave Pi E was strong and robust, with no horse to ride. Zhou Fugui found him a carriage pulled by two horses.