Feng Yu Jiu Tian - Volume 7 - Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Feng Ming’s servants helped dress him and brought some dumplings along with congee for him to eat, telling him that it might be until the late afternoon that he could get some rest judging by the way 13th Captain deals with work. Feng Ming was dreading about what he has to deal with later, but made sure that he fully ate.

While walking pass the guest room, Feng Ming looked up and saw a familiar figure walking towards him. Feng Ming was about to call out “Empress Dowager” but stopped himself early and asked her why she is up early in this cold weather.

ED: The snow scenery is very beautiful so how can I ignore it. You are also up very early. FM: Your disciple’s fate is very hard, I have to examine different training method with 13th

Captain. Ah, 13th Captain is Jun Ting, also the daughter of Jun Ling Si, the person you saw yesterday. I have to go to the study hall right now.

ED: I want to go to the back courtyard, which is also along the way.

While walking to the study hall, Feng Ming noticed that everywhere they went there were attendants and guards around them so it was hard to say anything out of the ordinary. If they were to whisper, it would only lead to more suspicion. Feng Ming was wondering what Empress Dowager wanted to talk to him about. When they reached the middle of the path to the study hall and back courtyard, Empress Dowager suddenly lowered her voice.

ED: Although these recent years, your learning/efforts has improved, but I am still a bit disappointed.

FM: What? (Feng Ming innocently raised his head) Right, right, your disciple haven’t improved, request master for your guidance.

ED: You are already not young so I don’t want to keep lecturing you. It’s just yesterday, I saw that you went to sleep early and seem to have forgotten what I have taught you, which is to have the habit of reflecting your daily actions every night. It appears that young people who are as studious and diligent like Advisor are less and less nowadays, I feel it’s a pity that I was thinking of accepting another disciple.

FM: Master wants to accept new disciple?

ED: That’s right. The Art of War, I have fully taught you everything, however, “The Exclusive Art of War” you don’t have the ability and qualifications to learn the essence of it. Although I am someone who has gone through much practice/cultivation, I am not an immortal, and eventually there will be a day I’ll pass away. Finding someone with sufficient qualification and ability, teaching him/her the Exclusive Art of War is my greatest wish, and is also the main purpose why I have came down the mountains. Dong Fan is a kingdom who worships the gods, therefore among their people there must be many who have achieved intelligence/enlightenment bestowed by the Gods. I believe that at this place I can find my second disciple. Ming Er, is there anyone who is the best candidate? FM: The candidates...

ED: I feel that Advisor Lu Dan is very intelligent and spiritual and is a very good candidate. But the Art of War relies on someone with strong merits, which it seems the person who has the most experience on the battlefield to inherit the Exclusive Art of War is better suited. Jun Ling Si from yesterday is also not a bad choice, however, it’s a pity that he is at an old age...

Feng Ming was standing there with his mouth wide opened.

Heavens, this respected fake Sun Zi, you sure let out a huge bait. Yesterday, he just mentioned to her about the existence of the Exclusive Art of War and the next day, she takes advantage of it to the extreme. All four corners surrounding them within the inner palace are filled with spies. Within one hour, 80% possibility, all of the things they talked about will eventually reach Lu Dan and Jun Ling Si’s ears.

At the moment, Dong Fan already had a battle over who take over the assistant position between Jun Ling Si and Feng Ming, and now there is going to be another “battle over who will inherit the Exclusive Art of War.”

Does this lady really want to make Dong Fan, within a month, have a tense internal political battle be stirred around like a pot of rice? No wonder she is the mother of Rong Tian.

Feng Ming suddenly remembered he had an appointment meeting with Jun Ting and tried to excuse himself.

FM: Master, you can go and enjoy the snow scenery, your disciple has an appointment with Jun Ting in the study hall. If I don’t leave, she might cause a rampage. The military army of Dong Fan would punish someone by whipping him, it’s very scary, scary indeed.

ED: My dear disciple, you need to remember. You have to send someone to thank Advisor

Lu Dan. Advisor had sent someone to invite me to the inner palace of Dong Fan, served me with great care, and yesterday was planning on coming by at night to discuss about military strategies. Someone who is studious like that deserves many praises.

Feng Ming suddenly realizes why Empress Dowager wanted to talk to him. It seems like something happened to Lu Dan last night since he didn’t come by to talk with “Sun Zi” about the military strategies and judging by Lu Dan’s personality and interest, he would never let go of that opportunity.

If so, yesterday night, did something major happened? Feng Ming now understands why

Empress Dowager didn’t sleep last night and had to stop him midway.

Empress Dowager tells him to hurry off to the study hall, which Feng Ming ran off. When reaching the study hall, he didn’t walk in at first because he didn’t know how Jun Ting’s mood would be after having to wait for awhile so he rested against the window and peer through a small opening.

Inside the study hall, Feng Ming witnessed a scene with Jun Ting and another male soldier named Lin Yin.

LY: Be careful with the ink and staining your military clothes, look... JT: Let go.

LY: Let me help you clean it up.

JT: No need, let go.

Feng Ming noticed that Lin Yin was holding onto Jun Ting’s hand and won’t let go. JT: Lin Yin, I told you to let go, you dare to not listen?

LY: Ting Er, I...

JT: Don’t call me that! I already told you, don’t call me that. Let me go.

Feng Ming thought to himself that he can’t believe a person like Lin Yin would dare to chase after a female tiger like Jun Ting.

If it was Lu Dan or Rong Tian who had witness this, their first thought would be how to take advantage of this budding romance that no one has discovered to blackmail.

Lin Yin still had his back towards Feng Ming. No matter how much Jun Ting shouted out, he still wouldn’t let go of her hand.

LY: What would happen if you keep on shouting for the guards to come and then I’ll be executed by Jun Ling Si?

JT: (was shocked and a bit later said) My hands are familiar with holding swords, it’s rough and ugly, what’s so good?

LY: I just had a slipped of words, why are you still angry like this.. Jun Ting pulled her hands back and clenched her teeth.

JT: How funny, I am a Captain, why would I hold a grudge with my subordinate? This matter today, since it’s you...

LY: I know, I’m not compatible with you.

Jun Ting turned away.

Lin Yin looked at her for awhile and then finally said.

LY: Since it’s like this, I request to be transfer to the 12th army.

JT: Why? (Jun Ting was a bit shocked and turned around to look at Lin Yin) LY: Your subordinate wishes to follow the 12th captain.

JT: No!

LY: 13th Captain does not have the right to disapprove. I am a Lieutenant and have the right to directly speak to Jun Ling Si about this. Also, you don’t want to see me, finding another Lieutenant who is pleasing to the eyes would be better.

JT: Who said that I don’t want to see you?

As for Feng Ming standing outside, he thought: okay, now obediently exchanging romantic glances. If he knew this would happened, he would have slept in some more, with the situation like this, if he came by in the evening, Jun Ting probably would not be a tad bit angry.

If the situation like this was Rong Tian and Feng Ming, they would be having more sweet bickering, limbs entwining and performing strenuous physical exercise.

However, it seems that this Lin Yin is a terribly foolish guy, no where compared to Rong Tian. Seeing Jun Ting acting spoiled, he not only will not hit the snake with a stick, but just stood there stunned for awhile, watching her and said: “I’m not compatible with you, I’ve anger you, why stay in the 13th army. The other Lieutenant are better than me. The duties that I take care of other people can also have the ability to do them...”

Jun Ting was so angry, she gave Lin Yin a slapped on the face.

JT: What nonsense...Stand in the snow for me and carefully reflect for a bit. Jun Ting pointed her finger towards the door of the study hall.

Lin Yin turned around and walked towards the door.

JT: Stop! (she paused a bit and then said) Why are you going?

Lin Yin didn’t answer and lifted the curtains to walk out.

Feng Ming ran from behind the study hall and made his way around just in time to see Lin Yin.

FM: Mister, has 13th Captain been waiting a long time inside the room? I already quickly left the bed, dress up, and eat to arrive here, but I met my master along the way, hehe, it’ the person that yesterday Jun Ling Si personally came to the Great King’s quarters to request for her audience about the secret message found on the spy’s body....

Lin Yin placed his hand out to stop the forever never ending words of Feng Ming.

LY: 13th Captain has been waiting for Duke Ming for a long time, request that Duke Ming hurry up and enter.

Awhile ago, Feng Ming only saw Lin Yin’s back and now that he’s face to face, he discovered that this soldier was filled with a courageous aura to chase after Jun Ting, not the same any regular generals. Lin Yin has a certain naivety of a student, behind the façade laid a hidden melancholic feel, as if there is a lingering feeling, maybe this rare hazy aura among the army people is something that Jun Ting felt special about him.

LY: Captain does not like people who waste time. Duke Ming will need to arrive early next time.

Feng Ming lifted the curtains and walked inside the study hall. He saw the unpleasing face of Jun Ting standing in front of the desk with crossed arms, giving a punitive look as if to send punishment.

JT: Does Duke Ming know the punishment for arriving late to a military meeting? FM: I’m sorry, it’s because...

JT: You don’t need to explain to me! Every excuse is useless. Even though you are someone who the Great King gives permission to participate the military meeting, you cannot look down upon military regulations.

Feng Ming felt a bit upset that Jun Ting decided to pour all her anger out on him after she had an argument with her boyfriend. But of course, he couldn’t tell her straight out like that.

FM: 13th Captain, please ease your anger, I admit that I did arrive late a bit, but that’s because...

JT: Enough...Duke Ming does not need to explain anymore. It’s still better to begin writing the military training methods.

Feng Ming was still standing at one place, Jun Ting push the ink block forward: “Duke Ming?”

FM: Ah, I’ll write it down right away.

Feng Ming begins writing some pages and then Jun Ting questions him about certain things that she didn’t understand.

JT: The things that Feng Ming wrote, it doesn’t seem to training methods. Also, when in battle, there’s no order for the Generals to bring the soldiers to defeat the enemies, but to have the Generals follow the main commander, why is that?

FM: You’re the Captain in charge of the 13th army, is it true that the training of every soldiers is your responsibility?

JT: Of course, I can’t handle it, my subordinates are a total of 3000 soldiers, and how can I follow and train each one of them? It’s better to train as a group, one person in charge of one group, which is 50 soldiers.

FM: Well, that’s right. Bringing out the best of each soldier will make Dong Fan’s military force become powerful. In order to bring out the best of each soldier, you need to have the best chosen Generals, and start training from each level. The soldiers of Dong Fan are numerous; to train the army to be the best is not an easy task. I have a method that can help each general to train the soldiers efficiently...When in battle; the generals follow next to the main commander, from afar, examine the event of the battlefield. If during the battle, there is a soldier that ran off, investigate clearly who is the general in charge of that soldier. Afterwards, execute that general. Just like that, the regular generals will be motivated to train their soldiers to protect their lives. As a result, the training for each army division will improve tremendously.

JT: Thinking about carefully, it does make sense. However, I still think that Duke Ming will need to write a whole book of training methods. If it’s something simple like this, I’m afraid that you won’t pass my father’s test.

FM: You’re wrong. I wanted to write a second method, which is to not have so many different training methods for it will only hinder the generals’ ability and effort in the training... When we talk about teaching, the most important thing is to teach according to one’s talent. The soldiers are people, they all have their good points and flaws, and they came from different places. Because their backgrounds are different, some can climb trees, some are good on water. There’s too many strict regulations, those that you call training, better yet to request each of the generals to base on the ability of their soldiers to improve the training....

Feng Ming ends up explaining to Jun Ting and giving her a long lecture about training soldiers according to their ability and talents. Later there was a gust of wind that opened up the windows and they noticed that snow was falling down heavily.

Jun Ting excused herself, telling Feng Ming that she is leaving for a bit will return soon.

Feng Ming yelled out to her that he still haven’t finished and didn’t hear about her thoughts yet, but she just left.

Feng Ming inside the room by himself so he started talking to himself.

FM: Looking at her expression, it seems like she wasn’t enjoying my lecture. In fact, I’m not really some sort of god, I can’t know everything by heart, discussing about ancient period training method has nothing to do with me. If I knew this before, then that year I should have lessen my time reading (porn magazine) and read more (political science) magazines.

At that moment, the curtains lifted and Jun Ting returned along with Lin Yin who apparently stood in the snow just as he was told to. Because of how caring Jun Ting is about her “lover’s” condition, Feng Ming also thought about Rong Tian and how he would rather be frozen then to allow Feng Ming to sneeze one bit. Rong Tian would always hug him to prevent him from getting a cold.

Feng Ming slightly giggled a bit at the pair, in which Jun Ting asked him what he’s laughing about. Feng Ming decided to divert and said that he was thinking about the snow scenery and saying something about how the Advisor must have invited his master to enjoy the scenery as well.

Feng Ming brought up the topic about Lu Dan just to take notice of Jun Ting’s reaction. Jun Ting tells Feng Ming to think more about himself and Feng Ming asked her what she means by that.

JT: Duke Ming is being taken advantage of by the Advisor, being dragged into the battle for the assistant position between my father...Right now, the Advisor the strong pillar for Duke Ming to relay on, but the military division, does not have the ability to welcome Duke Ming into it. This important time right now, if something were to happen to the Advisor, how will Duke Ming take care of himself? Why don’t Duke Ming think about yourself some more?

FM: What you mean, if something were to happen to the Advisor that is beyond expected?

If something were to happen to the Advisor, how will the military division answer to the Great King?

JT: (shook her head and sighed) Duke Ming has misunderstood. We are not planning on getting rid of the Advisor, he is still the root of Dong Fan and the most trusted person beside the Great King. But according to the latest news we’ve got, the Advisor’s health is deteriorating, especially since the beginning of this winter, the palace physicians are usually lingering around the Advisor’s quarters.

Feng Ming’s heart beat faster.

In fact, Lu Dan’s sickness has become worse. This is also the reason why he wasn’t able to visit last night. Rong Tian had said before, this type of sickness is due to a long term of straining one’s mind, if it doesn’t exacerbate then it’s fine, but once it’s exacerbated then afraid that he won’t be able to pass the winter, as there are almost no cure.

JT: Even though I haven’t been with Duke Ming for a long time, but I still feel that Duke Ming is not a bad person. The priestesses have been defeated, and the Advisor held sole power in hand, standing in the back and not worrying about putting Duke Ming in harm’s way. This made it clear that he wishes for Duke Ming to replace his position in the courts of Dong Fan. But with pressure and struggle by the court officials, it would be hard to make Dong Fan a powerful kingdom. Dong Fan is already a mess as it is, there is no need for another scene of cruelty and bloodshed, internal struggle is not what the military division wishes for. If Duke Ming is willing to be neutral, we will not make it difficult for Duke Ming anymore.

LY: Those are the thoughts of Jun Ling Si.

JT: I have honestly told Duke Ming everything, can you give me a definite answer? Feng Ming was silent, he had mixed feelings and millions of thoughts flooded his mind.

Needless to say, people in the military must have noticed that something was wrong with Lu Dan and speculated that he must have serious illness. Feng Ming felt ashamed as Lu Dan had clearly told him about it and just not he finally remembers this...

It can be said that Jun Qing’s approach can be described as good intentions. They just don’t want Dong Fan state of affairs to fall into the hands of another traitor, which is to not having unanimity. To have all the forces in Dong Fan unite in harmony and maintain a combine national strength.

[ Most of this got a bit confusing, but overall I believe the military division doesn’t want Duke Ming to be the same as Lu Dan, to dominate the political affairs, but this is what Lu Dan had in mind if Feng Ming replace him ]

LY: When the time comes, Duke Ming should know what decision to make.

JT: I don’t want to force Duke Ming in giving me an answer, but I hope Duke Ming is clear about the situation. I request that you do not do anything careless as to disrupt the Dong Fan’s Bureau which is trying to move forward towards stabilizing harmony.

Feng Ming sighed heavily; he could not tell Jun Ting that he already reached an agreement with Lu Dan earlier. Also that fact that he wore the unparallel sword on his body and if he didn’t listen to Lu Dan, Lu Dan could easily give the other pair of sword to an unimportant person, kill him and indirectly Feng Ming would die too. Though he wasn’t sure if this rumor about the sword was true, but if it was true, then what would he do?

The important thing is that he is also not Duke Ming of Dong Fan, Rong Tian the person

whom he love I hiding somewhere unknown, and hopes that he could disrupt the peace of Dong Fan a bit. That’s right, if Dong Fan I stabilized, why do they still need to imprison Feng Ming?

FM: I understand now, Lieutenant Lin Yin is responsible for military secrets, no wonder he is covered in frost/snow upon coming back, and 13th Captain immediately presented the physical condition of the Advisor.

Lin Yin and Jun Ting’s face slightly changed; apparently they did not think that Feng Ming deduction skills were impressive.

LY: That’s right, I’m in charge of gathering information inside the palace.

Lin Yin just met with a spy who served for Lu Dan to confirm Lu Dan’s illness.

JT: Duke Ming can inform this to the Advisor whenever you feel like, but the Advisor is also very clear about this within the palace. In the palace, everywhere has spies. Not to mention, Lin Yin is also a subordinate under my care, I believe the Advisor would not dare to touch him as he like.

Feng Ming at this point realized that Lin Yin was not ordinary; no wonder he has the guts to pursue Jun Ting. He looks simple on the surface but is very impressive underneath. One end he is angrily quarreling and the next minute he calmly go investigate, a first class spy.

At that moment, Chang Yen came to inform them that they need to rush over the military meeting hall for they just caught another Bei Qi’s spy and again had a secret message on him.

Feng Ming was shocked, but he wondered what kind of message Rong Tian sent this time.