"Thus spoke the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, having received the edict of Emperor Wu. He was to meet the Hu in open battle."
"In ordinary times, who would not feel a drum beating in his chest when given such an order? But this time, the Grand General could hardly wait to assure the Son of Heaven. Your Majesty need only await good news."
"Why? Because our Great Han's divine general, Huo Qubing, had finally turned eighteen and could ride to war."
The storyteller's voice rose and fell with practiced rhythm. The tea stall filled quickly. Yet when he began revisiting yesterday's tale, dissatisfaction rippled through the crowd.
"What is He Lao San rambling about yesterday for? Those who missed it can make it up themselves. We paid for today's tea, not to treat absentees."
Murmurs of agreement spread.
The storyteller did not flinch. He reached down and slapped the ring pommel saber at his side onto the table. The blade and rough scabbard vibrated with a low hum. The stall fell silent.
"The Grand General sat in his tent and called out. Summon Colonel Piaoyao, Huo Qubing."
"The youth, not yet nineteen, strode in with head high. What do you want with me?"
"It was still cold that spring. The Grand General poured him a bowl of mutton broth and handed him a stuffed flatbread bursting with meat. I plan to give you two thousand men to strike the Xiongnu."
"Huo Piaoyao was a true hero. He finished that meat stuffed bread in two bites and said calmly. That will not do."
The storyteller paused to sip tea. Instantly the crowd buzzed.
"Was he afraid?"
"Afraid? The Champion Marquis?"
"One jin of meat. That would not fill him. Three jin at least."
When the noise swelled again, the storyteller smiled faintly. With a sharp metallic sound, he drew the saber halfway from its sheath.
"Who was Huo Piaoyao? The Great Han's killing star descended. He did not even furrow his brow."
"I do not need two thousand. One thousand is too many. Give me eight hundred. If I return without a thousand enemy heads, punish me."
Cheers erupted.
Good hero. Divine general.
As excitement peaked, the storyteller described the eight hundred li raid. His blade flashed in arcs, slicing the air as if cutting through mounted foes. Applause and laughter filled the stall.
The uproar almost erased memories of three months earlier, when all of Xuchang trembled and none dared speak of Liu. Six months earlier, people had still whispered that the Chancellor would quell rebels in an instant and restore order by dusk.
Many had fled when war loomed. Others stayed, unable to abandon homes and ancestors' graves. They placed their hope in the Imperial Uncle's reputation for benevolence.
So far, that reputation proved true.
There had been no bloody siege, no massacre to cow the city. Instead, after entry, orderly proclamations followed one by one. Grain prices stabilized quickly. Veteran soldiers took charge of suppressing theft. Order returned with surprising speed. The shadow of war lifted.
Among the onlookers, Zhao A reached into his robe. He placed several fine Wu Zhu coins on the table.
"Tea money. The rest is for him."
The server beamed and prepared to announce the tip, but when he turned back, the two men who had paid were already gone.
He rubbed the coins thoughtfully.
"The Imperial Uncle's people are reasonable."
Leaving the tea stall behind, Zhao A walked through Xuchang's streets beside Commander Zhao Lei.
Zhao A was no longer the naive farmer from Zigui.
At Fancheng, he had manned boats and crossbows, watching Han men clash amid heaps of bodies.
Near Wancheng, he had escorted grain in urgent relief, watching Cao's forces scatter and the people rejoice.
After leaving Jing Province, he joined the surprise assault that shattered Cao's elite and strengthened General Guan's wings.
With Cao captured and fighting in Jing and Yu concluded, Zhao Lei and his trusted subordinate finally tasted rare leisure.
"Commander," Zhao A began after a time, "I heard Cao's son still commands an army. When will we…"
"Too late," Zhao Lei said.
"Cao Pi indeed led troops. He struck at Hulao Pass, held by Strategist Lu Su. He could not break it."
"General Huo Jun sailed down from Mengjin by night, struck Cao's camp, and coordinated with Lu Su from within. Cao Pi was captured."
Zhao Lei added thoughtfully,
"I heard the Chancellor himself petitioned Xuande to send Cao Pi here to Xuchang."
"So father and son share affection," Zhao A muttered. "Not as heartless as rumors say."
Zhao Lei gave a faint smile.
"Affection does not win battles."
Zhao A frowned.
"Those were Hebei elites. Defeated so simply?"
"Have you forgotten how ingenious Strategist Zhuge's devices are? And Lu Su held a strong pass. It would be stranger if Cao Pi had won."
He lowered his voice.
"General Guan also said that amid the chaos, Lu Su rescued a young kinsman of Zhuge, barely in his teens. He has taken him as a disciple."
Zhao Lei looked amused.
Zhao A showed no interest in that gossip. He pondered instead.
"If so, then who remains to earn merit? Hebei? Jiangdong?"
Zhao Lei shook his head.
"After Xuande entered Guanzhong, Ma Chao of Xiliang pledged himself. While we campaigned in Jing and Yu, Ma Chao broke Shangdang and entered Hebei."
"As for Jiangdong, Sun Hou has already sent congratulatory memorials. With Lady Sun there, war is unlikely."
Zhao A fell silent.
"So the realm is nearly settled. Then I…"
He hesitated.
Zhao Lei understood. He punched Zhao A lightly on the shoulder.
"Have you forgotten what we heard just now? Or what General Guan often said in Jing?"
Zhao A nodded slowly.
"Han men fighting Han men is no great merit. Since ancient times, true merit lies beyond the frontier. Strike the Hu. Expand Han lands."
Zhao Lei looked north.
"Within, the realm settles. Without, there is always distance to cross."
Zhao A's eyes brightened again.
The tea stall's cheers still echoed faintly behind them. Ahead lay open roads.