The Young Swordsman of Dalu

"Sang Ziqi, how's the border defense battalion doing lately?" Wenjie asked.

“A few days ago, General Shangguan arrived in the northern frontier to take up his post. After arriving, he reorganized the border troops, and the results were quite good. Discipline has become much stricter,” Sang Ziqi said.

“General Shangguan used to be a fourth-rank imperial bodyguard, following the late emperor in his campaigns. He was a true general, unlike that scoundrel Yao Yuan,” Wenjie said.

"I heard Yao Yuan died in prison," Sang Ziqi said.

"How did you know?" Wenjie asked.

“There are no secrets in this world. No matter how far Beijiang City is from the capital, news will still get through,” Sang Ziqi said.

"He's gotten more capable, hasn't he?" Wenjie said.

“You don’t even know what I do for a living; gathering information is my forte,” Sang Ziqi said.

“Things are not peaceful in the court lately, but they will pass soon and things will get better,” Wenjie said.

"With war about to break out, how can things possibly get better?" Changsheng said.

"Chang Sheng, have you picked up your young master and started talking nonsense too?" Wen Jie said.

"Young Master, I won't say anything more." Changsheng quickly shut his mouth.

“Brother Sang, look, Second Brother is bringing up me again,” Wenfei said.

“I’ve experienced your second brother’s lecturing skills firsthand,” Sang Ziqi said.

"Sang Ziqi! I'm going to the border defense camp now," Wenjie said.

“What’s the point of going there? The security there is very tight now, and it will be difficult for us to get in again,” Sang Ziqi said.

“This time we’ll go in openly and honestly; I’m going to see General Shangguan,” Wenjie said.

“I’ll go with you,” Sang Ziqi said.

“No need, I’ll go alone. You stay home and watch over these two people, don’t let them leave this gate,” Wenjie said.

“Okay,” Sang Ziqi said.

"Keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully, Sang Ziqi and Wen Fei. Don't try anything funny," Wen Jie said worriedly before leaving.

"Go on, my ears are about to explode," Sang Ziqi said.

After Wenjie left, Wenfei asked, "How did Brother Sang and my second brother become friends?"

“That was a long time ago. Let’s not talk about us. What are you young people doing in this Northern Frontier City?” Sang Ziqi said.

“We were originally going to the territory of the Northern Dynasty to find my master, but we were stopped by my second brother,” Wenfei said.

“Your second brother stopped you in time. It would be even more dangerous if you went into the territory of the Northern Dynasty. If you’re not careful, you could be arrested as spies and that would be terrible. What was your master going to the Northern Dynasty for?” Sang Ziqi said.

“My master loves to travel the world. Recently, he wrote to tell us that he went to the territory of the Northern Dynasty, and we came here out of curiosity,” Wenfei said.

“In that case, you should stay here and wait for him to return. Don’t go to the Northern Dynasty,” Sang Ziqi said.

Wenjie rode his horse to the gate of the border camp. After dismounting, he said to the guards at the gate, "Please inform General Shangguan that an old friend has come to visit."

"General Shangguan is busy with military affairs. He went to inspect the border early this morning and hasn't returned yet," the guard said.

"I'll wait here for a bit." Wenjie led his horse to a nearby teahouse, ordered a pot of tea, and sat down to wait.

It was evening when Shangguan Chenxing and his subordinates finally returned from the border, weary from their journey.

Wenjie stood up and quickly walked towards Shangguan Chenxing: "General Shangguan, wait!"

Shangguan Chenxing looked over, overjoyed: "Wenjie, how did you end up in Beijiang City?"

"General, it's a long story," Wenjie said.

"Let's go inside and talk." Shangguan Chenxing pulled Wenjie through the gate of the border camp.

Upon entering the border defense camp, Shangguan Chenxing, disregarding his fatigue from the day, pulled Wenjie to sit down and asked, "Wenjie, why did you return to Beijiang City again? Is there something I need to resolve? If so, just tell me, and I, Shangguan Chenxing, will do my duty to help you."

“General Shangguan, I actually came to the Northern Frontier this time by following my fourth brother. We were supposed to go back after catching up with him, but when we entered the city of Northern Frontier, we found that the city's defenses were tense. I heard that 200,000 troops have been stationed on the border. Has the situation really developed to the point where we have no choice but to fight?” Wenjie asked worriedly.

“The current situation is extremely tense, with unrest within the court and His Majesty in a difficult position. As his subjects, your father and I can only share the burden,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

“General, I want to go to the Northern Dynasty. My martial uncle, Ji Wuchang, has gone to the Northern Dynasty. My fourth brother came here because of him. In order to avoid any complications, I want to go to the Northern Dynasty to find my martial uncle and inquire about his situation,” Wenjie said.

“Going to the Northern Dynasty is very dangerous now. They are very vigilant against people from our side. I have also heard about Senior Ji’s trip to the Northern Dynasty. Strangely, nothing has happened since then. I wonder what he is up to,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

“Prince Zhou has been causing quite a stir lately. Are there still any of his men in the border defense camp?” Wenjie asked.

“There are one or two, after all, we have to save face for them. It’s not time to completely break ties yet. I know what I’m doing,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"General Shangguan, do you think my Uncle Ji is still in the Northern Dynasty? Or has he already returned to our Great Lu territory?" Wenjie asked.

"I think Senior Ji should still be in the Northern Dynasty. It's the young emperor of the Northern Dynasty who wants to wage war, while the Empress Dowager wants to maintain the status quo. Haven't you heard the story of Senior Ji and the Empress Dowager of the Northern Dynasty?" Shangguan Chenxing said gossipy.

"Do they have any connection? What kind of story could they possibly have?" Wenjie asked, puzzled.

"A man who isn't romantic in his youth is a wasted youth! When Senior Ji was young, people only knew him as a martial arts fanatic, but they didn't know he was also a romantic fanatic!" Shangguan Chenxing said with a smile.

"Is that so? I've never heard my master mention this to me before. General Shangguan, please tell me!" Wenjie also started gossiping.

"Back then, I only heard bits and pieces here and there, so I only had a general idea. I can't really explain it in detail," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"It's alright, tell me, General Shangguan!" Wenjie said.

"It is said that back then, Elder Ji searched for masters all over the world. Once, he came to the territory of the Northern Dynasty and found Zheng Shouyi, who was highly skilled in martial arts at the time. He insisted on having a match with him. Zheng Shouyi rarely made a move, but when he did, it was sure to injure someone. Elder Ji was young and arrogant, which forced Zheng Shouyi to make a move. In the end, he was injured by Zheng Shouyi's series of attacks. It is said that he was seriously injured. If it weren't for the rescue by Princess Jin Yuanying of the Northern Dynasty, he would have died." Shangguan Chenxing said.

“Jin Yuanying is the current Empress Dowager of the Northern Dynasty,” Wenjie said.

“Yes, times have changed. In my opinion, when Elder Ji goes to the Northern Dynasty at this time, he wants to stir up the stagnant waters.” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"Is Uncle Ji trying to rekindle his old passion?" Wenjie asked.

"Hahahaha!" Laughter echoed from the gate of the border defense camp.