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Although Ma Yan still didn't fully grasp the deeper meaning behind Fei Qian's words, he at least understood one thing: Fei Qian's approach to the Hu people wasn't driven by blind kindness but was part of a broader strategic plan. Therefore, he refrained from dwelling further on the issue of whether the Hu were good or bad.
Fei Qian gave his long spear another couple of shakes, finding that executing the spear flourish was still somewhat challenging. While he could form the motion, it lacked smoothness and elegance.
"When you twist your wrist at the end, there's a slight hesitation…" Ma Yan observed Fei Qian's posture closely before offering advice. "Don't focus too hard. One part solid, one part empty. Don't overthink the flourish—just relax a bit."
Fei Qian closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and followed Ma Yan's advice, letting go of deliberate effort and calming his mind.
Beiqu, located at the edge of the Loess Plateau, was not yet as heavily eroded as it would be in later times during the Han Dynasty. Many areas were covered with trees, growing tall and sturdy without human interference, preserving the soil and preventing erosion. As a result, the breeze here still carried the fresh scent of spring, unlike the overpowering dusty smell of later eras.
The wind rustled through the treetops, creating a soothing sound. Fei Qian listened to the breeze, gradually emptying his mind. With a flick, twist, and turn of his wrist, the spearhead sprang from the ground with a whoosh and traced a perfect, flawless circle in the air.
Ma Yan clapped his hands and laughed, "Well done!"
However, this fleeting moment of triumph was short-lived. When Fei Qian tried to replicate the perfect spear flourish again, he found he couldn't. If Ma Yan hadn't been there as a witness, Fei Qian might have doubted whether he'd ever achieved it at all.
Ma Yan, however, reassured him, saying that a good start was enough and that with time, Fei Qian would master it. There was no need to rush. After all, despite Fei Qian holding the military title of Biebu Sima (Captain of a Separate Command), he leaned more toward civil administration. If Fei Qian were to charge into battle with a spear, what would be the point of having a true martial officer like Ma Yan around?
At that moment, Huang Cheng approached with a grim expression. He saluted Fei Qian, nodded to Ma Yan, and then said slowly, "A batch of our cargo has been stolen!"
"What?!" Fei Qian and Ma Yan exclaimed in unison.
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"There!" Huang Cheng pointed to a spot in the sky where a flock of carrion crows and vultures circled.
It was clear that the incident had occurred some time ago. Not only had scavenger birds arrived, but wild wolves and stray dogs were also feasting. They tore open the chests and abdomens of the fallen soldiers, some devouring hearts and organs, others tugging at intestines and severed limbs.
Huang Cheng drew his bow and shot an arrow, pinning a snarling wild dog to the ground. Only then did the animals realize the danger, letting out reluctant growls before fleeing into the woods.
The scene was gruesome, with most of the bodies mutilated by the beasts. Dried bloodstains and scattered remains were strewn about, creating a horrific sight.
The site of the robbery wasn't far from the Beiqu camp. By the time Fei Qian, Ma Yan, and Huang Cheng arrived with their soldiers, the cargo had been completely looted. Only broken crates and collapsed wagons remained. The weapons and leather armor of the fallen soldiers had been stripped, leaving their bodies exposed.
Ma Yan surveyed the scene, frowning as he pieced together what had happened. Pointing to a nearby grove, he said, "The attack started here. They first used archers to take down the vanguard, and then…"
He turned, his brow furrowing further as he looked to the side and rear. There, an old, dried-up riverbed was visible, where a river had once flowed before changing course. Hoofprints stretched from the riverbed toward the site, indicating that another group had attacked from that direction.
It was a perfectly executed ambush.
The archers in front had drawn attention, allowing cavalry to strike from the side and rear. Fei Qian and his group hadn't noticed anything amiss until much later, when scouts finally investigated and discovered the scene. By then, the attackers had vanished without a trace.
Even so, the attackers had left behind various clues.
Huang Cheng dismounted and inspected one of the bodies. Suddenly, he used his knife to cut open a wound, reached inside, and pulled out an object before returning to Fei Qian.
Fei Qian looked down and saw a bone arrowhead. It was brittle and had broken off inside the body when the arrow was removed.
From the numerous hoofprints and this bone arrowhead, it was clear that the ambush was likely the work of Hu people. The only question was which specific group of Hu was responsible.
Fei Qian remained silent for a long time before asking, "Has Rinagu from the Qiang tribe arrived yet?"
The last time they visited the market, Rinagu, the leader of the nearby Burning Qiang tribe, had been the closest Qiang tribal leader to Beiqu. The ambush site wasn't far from Rinagu's grazing lands, so Fei Qian had sent someone to notify him.
"Not yet," Huang Cheng replied. "By all accounts, they're closer than we are and should have arrived first. Should we send someone to urge them again?"
Fei Qian thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No need. We'll wait here."
After a while, Rinagu finally arrived with some Qiang tribesmen, moving leisurely.
"What's this?!" Rinagu looked around, feigning surprise, though a trace of schadenfreude flickered in his eyes.
"Dear brother of the White Stone God, have you not noticed anything? Could you help us find some clues?" Fei Qian glanced at Rinagu and asked. It didn't seem likely that Rinagu was responsible, as his expression was mostly that of an onlooker enjoying the spectacle—a look Fei Qian had seen countless times in later eras on the faces of gossiping crowds.
Rinagu chuckled, shaking his head wrapped in a white turban. "I truly don't know anything about this. Besides, so many people live in this area—how could I possibly know which pack of mongrels did this?"
Fei Qian sighed and gestured for Rinagu to walk with him. As they moved forward, he said, "Dear brother of the White Stone God, there's something you may not know. These goods… these items were originally intended as gifts for you."
Rinagu froze mid-step, then hurried to Fei Qian's side, his eyes wide and mouth agape. "By the White Stone! Fei of Shangjun, are you serious?"
Fei Qian sighed again, pointing to a smashed, empty wooden crate nearby. "This crate was supposed to hold twenty pounds of tea bricks, produced by the finest tea house in Sili. The tea is fragrant, robust, and fresh—made from the highest quality leaves, each brick wrapped in fine silk…"
Rinagu's face darkened.
"And this wagon," Fei Qian continued, "was carrying twenty bolts of hemp cloth. You know I wouldn't give my White Stone brother anything less than the best. This cloth wasn't woven by ordinary women but by unmarried maidens, thread by thread. When you wear it, you can almost smell the fragrance of those maidens…"
Rinagu's teeth ground together, his eyebrows twitching uncontrollably.
"And this," Fei Qian went on, "I won't bore you with the details of the other ordinary goods, but this one I must mention. This was a carefully chosen gift for my dear brother of the White Stone God—a bowl inlaid with silver threads. Each pattern was crafted from the purest silver, meticulously fused with the copper bowl. The entire bowl looks like a blooming white flower. I thought to myself, if this bowl were given to my dear White Stone brother for use in offerings during the White Stone God rituals, surely the White Stone God would be overjoyed…"
"Aaah!" Rinagu let out a furious roar, waving his fists, his face contorted with rage. "They dared to steal my… I mean, Fei of Shangjun's goods! These damned thieves! They should all be hanged! Hanged!"
After venting his anger, Rinagu gritted his teeth and said to Fei Qian, "The White Stone God teaches us to help our brothers. So this matter… the sons of the White Stone will definitely assist you!"