Chapter 116: What a Massive Fish

Dun Wu, intent on establishing his authority, struck with great force. Though the knight was no weakling, he had no chance to resist under Dun Wu’s hands. All he could do was thrust his hands above his head to brace against the ground, preventing himself from being driven headfirst into the dirt and breaking his neck.

Even so, he landed in a disheveled heap.

Seeing their companion bested, the other knights were enraged. They cursed and spurred their horses forward, attempting to trample Wei Ba and his companion.

Wei Ba stood motionless. With only two of them facing over twenty cavalrymen, fleeing would be suicide. Rather than run, it was better to charge before the horses could reach full speed. He stared fixedly at the Lieutenant, Tian, but Tian was not looking at him; his attention was entirely captured by Dun Wu. Hearing the shouts from behind, he raised a hand and bellowed, "Stop!"

"Lieutenant?!" The guards, eyes reddened with fury, shouted back.

"I said stop!" Lieutenant Tian roared, seemingly irritated by his men’s disobedience.

The knights were cowed by his anger. They glared viciously at Wei Ba but dared not act rashly. A few tore off their helmets and slammed them against their thighs to vent their frustration. Wei Ba noticed that one of the knights was shorn, his hairstyle not that of the Central Plains, and he could not help but be startled.

Dun Wu retreated behind Wei Ba and whispered a warning, "There are Hu people here. Be careful, Young Master."

Wei Ba acknowledged this with a subtle nod. The Hu grew up in the saddle, their horsemanship even more refined than that of the Han. The Wei army was known for its cavalry, most notably the Wuhuan突骑 (assault cavalry), hailed as the finest in the world. When Cao Cao contended with Ma Chao for Guanzhong, those five thousand Wuhuan riders were his greatest asset. This Lieutenant Tian was young, yet he commanded Wuhuan guards; it was clear he had significant backing, likely from a prominent general who had served long years on the northern frontiers.

However, Wei Ba had little interest in the Lieutenant’s family background at the moment. This man could restrain his emotions, proving he was no mere brute. Connecting this to the earlier ploy involving the "cannibal" ruse to force him into action, Wei Ba grew increasingly vigilant.

"To have such a warrior as your follower, your status must indeed be high—certainly beyond the ken of a lowly lieutenant like me," Lieutenant Tian said with a cold, mocking expression. "In that case, go and explain yourself to the General of the West."

Wei Ba cupped his hands. "My thanks. Lieutenant Tian is young yet composed, brave yet wise—a rare combination. May I ask your full name?"

Lieutenant Tian curled his lip, a flash of smugness disappearing as quickly as it came. "A mere surrendered captive has no right to ask my name."

Wei Ba smiled slightly, unbothered. The young man was, after all, young and arrogant.

After traveling a distance, they reached a courier station. Perhaps due to the Lieutenant’s improved mood or a sense of urgency, he had his men borrow two horses from the station for Wei Ba and Dun Wu, and they made haste toward the city of Chang’an.

It was deep into the night when they returned to Chang’an. Xiahou Mao was slumped on a silk couch, lost in a daze. Since the arrival of Princess Qinghe, he dared not touch his delicate young beauties, yet facing the fading beauty of the Princess day after day, he had no interest in her either. The Princess had no interest in him either, but she at least had company, while he was left to his own devices. The thought of those delicate beauties left him restless and agitated, unable to sleep.

Such days were truly unbearable, and he knew not when they would end. Xiahou Mao, usually lazy regarding official business, suddenly felt a desire to find some work to do; having a distraction was better than sitting in idle misery.

As luck would have it, just as the General wished for something to do, an opportunity arrived. Someone reported that Lieutenant Tian had brought back the two captives; judging by his tone, they were figures of significant importance.

Xiahou Mao instantly perked up. He rubbed his hands together, paced the room twice, and then, suddenly recalling something, hurried toward the inner courtyard.

Princess Qinghe had already retired, and Xiahou Hui was sleeping on a nearby bed. Both were roused from their slumber by Xiahou Mao, looking dazed and groggy.

"What are you doing, disturbing people in the middle of the night?" the Princess demanded, annoyed.

"Princess, it’s a big matter, a truly big matter!" Xiahou Mao stood outside the door, bowing and grinning. "You guessed right—the identities of those two captives were fake. They are important people."

Before the Princess could react, Xiahou Hui understood immediately. She quickly draped a robe over her shoulders, stepped off the bed, and whispered a few words into the Princess’s ear. The Princess nodded repeatedly. "Go, then. Assist your uncle. If you earn merit, your aunt will not treat you unfairly."

Xiahou Hui smiled. "Princess, we are family. Does that even need saying?"

Xiahou Hui’s father, Xiahou Shang, was Xiahou Mao’s cousin, and her mother was the younger sister of the Great General Cao Zhen. Though Cao Zhen was not of the true imperial clan, he was treated as such. Xiahou Hui’s mother and Princess Qinghe were childhood playmates; they were family through and through.

Xiahou Hui summoned a maid, lit a lamp, dressed, and went out. Seeing Xiahou Mao still standing at the door like a servant, peeking into the room, she leaned in and whispered, "The Princess has been in a bad mood these past few days. I will persuade her in a few days’ time."

Xiahou Mao shrank his neck and hurried away, smiling. "Yuanrong, I owe this to you. If not for your reminder, I would have let that brat slip right under my nose." He paused, then added angrily, "That little animal Jin Dongliu! He dared to hide this from me. When I see him next, I will surely settle the score."

Xiahou Hui’s eyes flickered, and she advised him calmly, "Jin Dongliu’s judgment is limited. He lacks your sharpness, Uncle. He likely did not see the man’s true nature."

Xiahou Mao rolled his eyes and laughed heartily. "Tell me, Yuanrong, you haven’t even married into the Sima family yet, and you’re already looking out for them? You’re even shielding a subordinate. If your uncle and the Sima family ever come into conflict, who will you side with?"

With her intentions laid bare, Xiahou Hui’s face turned bright red. Embarrassed, she pouted, "Uncle, if you tease me again, I won’t help you."

Xiahou Mao quickly grabbed her, offering conciliatory words. He knew his own limitations; without Xiahou Hui’s help, he would never be able to extract any real information.

Laughing and chatting, the two arrived at the main hall. Xiahou Mao took his seat, while Xiahou Hui sat behind a screen at his back. Xiahou Mao cleared his throat, put on the airs of the General of the West, and ordered Wei Ba and Dun Wu to be brought in.

After a day’s travel, Wei Ba was exhausted. His clothes were stained with blood, and he looked utterly bedraggled. Xiahou Mao was a man who valued status and decorum. Upon seeing Wei Ba’s condition and catching the pungent scent of blood, he frowned, raised a sleeve to his nose, and asked in a muffled voice, "Tian Fu, where did all this blood come from?"

Tian Fu—Lieutenant Tian—stepped forward and saluted. "Reporting to the General of the West, this is the blood left behind after he fought with mountain bandits."

Xiahou Mao’s face darkened in displeasure. "Fighting mountain bandits? In times of peace, where would such bandits come from? How many were there?"

Tian Fu clearly understood the General’s temper and quickly replied, "It was a group of bandits in Henei Commandery, nicknamed the 'Invincible Birds.' There were thirteen in total. Except for the leader, Shi Wudi, who escaped, all were slain by these two."

Xiahou Mao was startled. He had heard of the "Invincible Birds" leader. Though the group was small, they were fierce, especially the leader, Shi Wudi, whom the authorities had failed to capture despite multiple raids. To keep them from causing trouble, local officials had even paid them off. It was only after Lieutenant Tian arrived that they were driven into Henei.

Could these two really have killed twelve fierce bandits without suffering any major injuries? Xiahou Mao’s heart raced. If his own forces had such warriors, how wonderful that would be.

Behind the screen, Xiahou Hui heard Xiahou Mao’s silence and sensed his quickened breathing, guessing his thoughts. She gave a light cough. Startled out of his reverie, Xiahou Mao sat upright, gave a heavy cough to regain his dignity, and shouted, "Who are you? State your name at once."

Wei Ba had been training in martial arts for over half a year, and his senses were sharp. Though he could not see the person behind the screen, he heard the cough clearly. He immediately deduced that this person was Xiahou Mao’s strategist, the one who had likely seen through his disguise. Since they were sitting behind a screen rather than openly beside the General, it suggested the person was likely a woman—not a 'he,' but a 'she.'

Wei Ba felt a headache coming on. Why were the women of this era so clever? That ugly girl Peng Xiaoyu was the daughter of Peng Yang—good genes, her mother being a sister of the "Three Dragons of the Li family." She had grown up in the supply camp, a unique environment that fostered a dark, scheming mind. But why did Xiahou Mao’s house have such a person too? Xiahou Mao himself was not a clever man, and it seemed none of Xiahou Dun’s sons were particularly bright. Could it be that all the intelligence had been concentrated into his daughter?

Wei Ba sighed and looked around, especially at Lieutenant Tian, who was watching him with piercing eyes. He had refused to give his name earlier, and the Lieutenant was still simmering with frustration, waiting for him to speak.

"Could the General please dismiss the non-essential personnel?"

"Presumptuous! You think you can pick and choose when you’re here with me?" Xiahou Mao shouted with great official authority.

"If we leave and you attempt something against the General, what then?" Lieutenant Tian, sensing Wei Ba was targeting him, said with a mocking tone. Hearing this, Xiahou Mao was even more incensed. He slammed his hand on the desk and pointed at Wei Ba. "It seems that if I don’t show you some severity, you surrendered captives will never be honest. Men! Take him away and beat him—beat him severely until he speaks the truth!"