Translated by Cyrrene and edited by Uhei.
[1]
On the road back to the capital, Luo Wei and Long Xuan each worked independently, not interfering with each other. Luo Wei travelled among the central force’s1 battle formation, while Long Xuan stayed in the lower army division. Since the journey began, the two of them rarely saw each other except during evening meals, where they mutually exchanged banal pleasantries while in the company of others.
In Great Zhou’s court rules, the military and government must not intermingle on the same path; for the various government offices of towns and cities along the way, all they could do to celebrate the triumphant return of the main forces to court was merely placing fine wine along the official road the army took when Long Xuan, Luo Wei, and the armed forces made their return journey from Yunguan back to the capital.
[2]
Perhaps because of Wei Lan’s meticulous care, Luo Wei followed the army all along the journey, eating from the army’s large pot of rice, and sleeping in the military tent; sometimes when the army marched urgently, he would just sleep in the wilderness with the sky for his curtain and the earth as his mat, windblown and dust-covered2, toiling as before, yet Luo Wei’s body did not succumb to sickness.
Imperial Physician Wei felt relieved. If Luo Wei continued like this, after returning to the capital, he could report his success to Emperor Xingwu.
Seeing how the capital was right in front of their eyes, Emperor Xingwu dispatched officials from the Ministry of Rites to the army to welcome them. Finally at dinner this day, Long Xuan stopped and called Luo Wei, “We will arrive in the capital city tomorrow. How about you wash up today.”
Everyone in the tent stared at Luo Wei. Along this journey, nobody within the marching army could keep clean and neat. Luo Wei was already considered better off than most. At least he had changed into fresh clothes, his face appeared to be spotless, not at all like someone accustomed to being in the army, who upon rubbing slightly would be able to rub off a ball of grime.
“However, tomorrow you are the subject who accomplished first-class merit,” Long Xuan indicated to Luo Wei to use the grey silk hair ribbon to bind up his hair, and said, “It’s not good to have dust in your hair.”
For many days, Luo Wei had no time and effort to wash his hair. He took a look at Long Xuan; this person was just like him—a layer of dust could be brushed from his hair. “Your Lordship Feng,” Luo Wei spoke to an assistant minister from the Ministry of Rites off to the side, “We’re all filthy like this, surely we should not enter the capital city yet?”
Lordship Feng did not wish to offend either Luo Wei or Long Xuan, and smiled, “Tomorrow his Majesty will personally leave the city to welcome the main army. All the common people of the city will also flush the streets with clean water, pave a path with loess, and quietly serve the army for their triumphant return. If at that time, each of you fellow generals appeared in bright helmets and gleaming armour, dashing and spirited, naturally, this would not be better.”
“Did everyone hear what his Lordship Feng just said?” Luo Wei said to the various generals inside the tent, “Today, everybody go wash yourselves.” After he spoke, Luo Wei cast aside the flap of the tent and stepped outside.
Lordship Feng had tried not to offend either of the two, but seeing Luo Wei’s attitude, he knew he had still offended the third young master Luo.
Long Xuan was unexpectedly merciful today. When he walked past Lordship Feng, he consoled this lordship who was sincerely apprehensive because of offending Luo Wei, “The third young master Luo is not someone who cannot differentiate right from wrong. He knows that your lordship’s words mean well, he wouldn’t blame you.”
[3]
Lordship Feng agreed noncommittally, and mockingly spoke a few more words to Long Xuan. He was born into poor and humble beginnings, without much privilege to let him move about freely within the court. Lordship Feng had always been an impartial public figure, and had resigned that contending for status was something he was unable to participate3 in himself. After seeing the situation today between Luo Wei and Long Xuan, it further strengthened Lordship Feng’s resolve; it was still better for him to not take anyone’s side.
The night quickly passed. The next day after dawn, this division of the army that had gone to battle set off towards the northern city wall of the capital.
Bringing his civil and military officials, Emperor Xingwu stood outside the capital’s northern gate. Luo Wei would be passing through this gate, so he naturally wanted to welcome Luo Wei back at this northern gate. From a distance, he heard the sound of the army’s bugle, and Emperor Xingwu immediately began to gaze into the distance at the army appearing within his line of sight. Following along with the triumphantly returning army approaching closer and closer to the northern gate, Emperor Xingwu only wanted to discern Luo Wei’s figure among this large army.
Luo Ze, who had already recovered from his injury, was currently guarding behind Emperor Xingwu. Looking at the army returning amidst the sound of triumphant bugle horns, Luo Ze’s heart was filled with admiration.
[4]
“Yuxuan,” Emperor Xingwu shouted at Luo Ze, “You take a look for Us4, where is Xiao Wei?”
Luo Ze said, “Your Majesty, Yunqi should not be in the upper army. You will not be able to see him here.”
Crown Prince Long Yu, who stood at Emperor Xingwu’s left-hand side said, “If Imperial Father wishes to see Yunqi, you can just send somebody to take him to the upper army.”
“He is the subject who earned first-class merit at Black Frost City, why would he not be in the upper army?” Emperor Xingwu was suddenly in an unpleasant mood.
The Third Prince Long Xing said, “Imperial Father, afterall, Yunqi is not enlisted as a general in the army. It would be inappropriate for him to proceed before the upper army division.”
“Zhao Fu, go and declare Our edict,” Emperor Xingwu ordered Zhao Fu, the personal attendant at his side, “Have Xiao Wei advance into the army’s upper army. We will generously reward him in everyone’s presence.”]
[5]
“Your Majesty,” Luo Zhiqiu heard these words of Emperor Xingwu, hurriedly stepped out of rank, and said, “Luo Wei is young in years. This (victorious) return from Black Frost City is also due to the meritorious deeds of all the various generals. For what reason should Luo Wei monopolise this significant5 merit?”
Even though Luo Zhiqiu assumed the role of Luo Wei’s father, saying these modest words of refusal was beyond reproach, yet Emperor Xingwu was displeased when he heard. “All right,” Emperor Xingwu said to Luo Zhiqiu, “Xiao Wei is also Our disciple. We clearly understand the measure of his contributions. Senior Chancellor need not say more. This time, We will generously reward all subjects that have rendered great service.” Emperor Xingwu stated to all the civil and military officials standing below.
“His Majesty is august and wise,” all the civil and military officials bowed together. With battlefield reports arriving one after another, the officials all knew that this time the return from Black Frost City looked as if there were no significant losses among the troops, but in reality the danger far surpassed two armies tearing and killing while directly facing each other with their swords. Everyone knew Emperor Xingwu doted on Luo Wei, and several days ago they all started to secretly speculate on what kind of reward Emperor Xingwu would bestow on Luo Wei.
While the emperor and his subjects were discussing, the main army’s upper army had already arrived below the northern city wall. Long Xuan vaulted off his horse, and joined the generals behind him. He took a few tight steps forward, and knelt in front of Emperor Xingwu.
“Rise,” Emperor Xingwu saw Long Xuan now, and was able to assume a smile. Luo Wei’s meritorious contributions were significant, and Long Xuan’s was similarly significant—regarding the pinnacle merit, Long Xuan and Luo Wei were both equally first-class contributors.
[6]
Long Xuan stood up and said to Emperor Xingwu, “Imperial Father, this son6 did not humiliate your sacred will, arriving with the army on a victorious return.”
“Excellent,” Emperor Xingwu beckoned for Long Xuan to approach, and examined this son of his from head to toe. From this bout of military expedition onwards, Long Xuan had tanned some, but his appearance was as handsome as ever; wearing a full suit of battle armour, his entire figure was extraordinarily striking. “Xuan’er,” Emperor Xingwu patted Long Xuan’s shoulder, “Thanks for your trouble. Upon Dark Frost City’s return, you have finally settled one of my Long Imperial family’s aspirations. Father’s heart is reassured.”
Ever since Long Xuan was young until now, had he ever received this kind of treatment from Emperor Xingwu? His heart held considerable rue, but nevertheless he said to Emperor Xingwu, “This time, the meritorious credit in (the expedition to the) remote Northern Yan belongs to the generals of the three armies. Long Xuan dares not covet this great accomplishment.”
“Humble while victorious—that’s befitting of Our son!” Emperor Xingwu was even more satisfied after this. While patting Long Xuan’s shoulder, he said to his numerous civil and military officials, “We have ten sons; this son is outstanding, how extremely to Our liking!”
When Emperor Xingwu spoke these words, quite a few glances furtively turned towards Crown Prince Long Yu.
“Second brother,” yet Long Yu’s face was filled with happiness. Looking at Long Xuan, he said, “You fought a brilliant battle.”
“Eldest brother has overly praised,” Long Xuan said modestly to Long Yu. Even after receiving such high praise from Emperor Xingwu, Long Xuan still maintained a polite and modest demeanour in front of Long Yu and Emperor Xingwu.
The arrival of hoofbeats sounded again. When the various people gathered had just turned their heads, they saw Emperor Xingwu raising his hand to wave, shouting loudly for the messenger, “Wei’er!”
Sorry for the wait!
1.In ancient times, the army is sometimes divided into three armies 三军, of which there is an upper division 前军, a central division 中军, and a lower division 后军. [Return]
2. 风尘仆仆: idiom meaning to be travel-worn and weary. [Return]
3.插一脚: literally stick his foot in. [Return]
4.朕: the imperial first-person pronoun used by emperors. The “royal we” will be used in this translation. [Return]
5.天大: literally “as big as the sky.” [Return]
6.儿臣: lit. son and subject; emperor’s sons address themselves this way, but shortened it to “this son” for readability. [Return]
One reply on “R:DSAT Chapter 220: We have Ten Sons, This Son is Outstanding”
I’m so glad for the update, I was afraid you would drop this novel with the recent events Q.Q
Thank you so much for the chapter~