The Qilin Child of Tianshui 2

The observer simultaneously becomes known to the observed.

While Zhang Ran was hearing about Jiang Wei’s identity from Wang Si, Jiang Wei also realized Zhang Ran had come.

“It really turned out just as the Chief said.”

“You’ve been with the Chief for more than a day or two, but you were still doubting?”

“I’m telling you, you just need to believe.”

“No, I’m not saying I didn’t believe…”

As Jiang Wei’s plan succeeded, those following him made a commotion.

They were subordinates who had been with Jiang Wei through thick and thin since he inherited the position of Zhonglang after losing his father Jiang Qiong at a young age. They were well aware of Jiang Wei’s brilliant intellect.

They had only been half-believing whether it would work on someone as important as Zhang Ran. But Jiang Wei once again did not disappoint their expectations.

“Chief, what should we do now?”

To the subordinate who asked with even greater trust and respect, Jiang Wei’s answer was disproportionately anticlimactic.

“Nothing.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s nothing more to do. Just wait quietly.”

From the point Zhang Ran came to Tianshui, Jiang Wei’s plan was as good as complete.

The fact that she had come this far was proof that she understood the message Jiang Wei had sent and was interested in it. She would surely do something to call him out.

And as Jiang Wei expected, change came.

Near the trees where Jiang Wei and his subordinates had hung jade stones instead of fruits, a signboard was hung in front of an ordinary tree they hadn’t touched.

The signboard had the characters “Fuchang Tree” written on it. As if it were this tree’s name tag. Seeing this, Jiang Wei said to the subordinates who had come with him:

“You all go back now.”

“Huh? What about you, Chief?”

“I have to wait.”

Jiang Wei looked up at the tree where he had hung jade stones. Though the jade stones he had hung were all gone, making it no different from an ordinary tree, somehow to Jiang Wei’s eyes it looked as if a nest had been built on it.

“For the luan bird to come.”

After sending his subordinates back, Jiang Wei sat leaning against the trunk of the tree named Fuchang.

The high autumn sky was clear, and as the gentle breeze blew, the leaves rustled, spreading a soft melody.

They say Jiang Taigong sat by the ferry and cast his fishing rod to fish for time. Then he would try whistling with grass and wait for the luan bird. It was quite fitting for him who shared the same surname Jiang.

The sound of the grass whistle joins the chorus of wind and vegetation. While letting time flow with his eyes closed, Jiang Wei realized a shadow had fallen over his face and lifted his eyelids.

And what came into view was a beauty blossoming like a flower in full bloom. At the figure of a woman transitioning from girl to woman, refreshing yet alluring, Jiang Wei couldn’t react properly even though he already knew.

Every time the wind blew through her hair, the faint fragrance it spread along with the scent of grass erased Jiang Wei’s thoughts.

Perhaps his face, blankly staring at her face, looked funny. She smiled softly and said:

“Are you Lizhu?”

The Yellow Emperor, who treasured the jade trees, sent his minister Lizhu to guard the Fuchang trees growing nearby.

Just as Jiang Wei had invited Zhang Ran by imitating the Emperor’s legend, Zhang Ran also quoted it to summon Jiang Wei. Knowing this meaning, Jiang Wei stayed at the place where the “Fuchang Tree” signboard was seen.

Jiang Wei opened his mouth as if entranced, still in a daze:

“Yes. I called for you.”

“Why?”

There was no resentment or anger in Zhang Ran’s voice towards the bold youth who had called her out. Though her tone was firm, it was warm with consideration, and though her vocal range was low, it was clear and transparent, even giving an excited feeling.

And above all, it was just pleasant to hear. To the point of being simply happy just that she was speaking to him.

Therefore, Jiang Wei forgot he should stand up and overlapped his voice on top of hers that still seemed to linger in his ears:

“Because I wanted to make myself known.”

It wasn’t simply seeking fame and fortune.

Rising to high office? Good. But that’s not the only thing.

Spreading one’s name widely? Good. But that alone is not enough.

Jiang Wei desired something even greater.

Immortal honor.

Everlasting fame.

He wished to be as lofty as Jiang Taigong’s reputation that would never be forgotten.

He wished to be as noble as Jing Ke’s assassination attempt that would stir up admiration in all men.

He wished to be as beautiful as Zhang Liang’s touching stories that all people would want to emulate.

This was the distant dream Jiang Wei harbored.

Thus Jiang Wei poured out his true heart that he had never told anyone, down to the very bottom that even he couldn’t look into. And Zhang Ran listened to it all the way through. Seriously and reverently, fulfilling her duty as a listener.

When Jiang Wei’s mouth closed, the positions of speaker and listener reversed.

“Ten years ago. There was a brazen girl. I don’t know what youthful impulse it was, but in front of those the world called heroes, she said this. That she would become a general known by her own name, not someone’s wife.”

“That’s…”

“Yes. It’s my story. But that wasn’t my true heart. I harbored an even loftier dream. Just like you. In that sense, we’re quite alike.”

Saying that, Zhang Ran suddenly extended her hand towards him. Only then realizing he was still sitting leaning against the trunk, Jiang Wei quickly grabbed her hand and stood up.

Their gazes intersected. When his eye level that had been looking up came down, Zhang Ran asked:

“I still haven’t heard your name.”

“Ah, Jiang Wei, I’m Jiang Wei. My courtesy name is Boyue.”

Hearing his courtesy name, Zhang Ran rolled the pronunciation over her tongue a few times.

“The first promise… Did you want to not forget the promise you made to yourself?”

“That’s right.”

“Then make a second promise with me.”

“A promise…”

“Yes. A promise to achieve great things together and engrave a name in history that will last long. What do you say, will you join me?”

That promise was the purpose for which Jiang Wei had called her to Tianshui, and the dream he harbored. Jiang Wei did not hesitate. There was no reason to hesitate.

As strength entered their clasped hands, Jiang Wei revealed the resolve rising from his soul to the world:

“Gladly, I will join you.”

“It’s a promise then. These two hands we’re holding now are the ritual of our promise.”

The second promise made by clasping hands (Woshou Ci Yue).

Now if they let go of these hands, this promise would remain moved into their hearts.

Feeling the warm temperature disappearing from his hand, Jiang Wei felt regret. Though it was a rough touch, that warmth had enveloped not just his skin but his heart as well.

But Zhang Ran heartlessly pulled her hand away as if she didn’t feel much regret, and placed it on her waist.

“Is your mother in Qizhou?”

“Yes. But how did you…”

“Why? I’m taking her son away, so shouldn’t I greet your mother?”

Zhang Ran pushed his back with words, telling him to quickly lead the way.

In the original history, he joined Zhuge Liang and went down to Shu, turning his back on his family, which gave him the bad reputation of being an unfilial son, but here it would be a different story.

At Jiang Wei’s home they visited like that, Zhang Ran saw Jiang Wei’s mother and greeted her:

“Hello. Are you Jiang Boyue’s mother?”

“Y-yes, but… who might you be, young lady…”

“Ah, I am.”

Just as Zhang Ran was about to introduce herself, Jiang Wei followed in with a hesitant attitude unlike his usual confident self.

Seeing her son’s behavior different from usual, his mother let out a cry close to a scream and quickly ran out.

“Oh my! My boy! You’ve finally grown up. Yes, it’s filial for a man to marry quickly and show grandchildren, filial!”

“M-Mother, that’s not…”

“That’s enough, you boy. Oh my, I’ve shown an unseemly sight. You look like a young lady from a noble family… This isn’t the time. I should quickly bring something. We only have water to drink, what should I do…”

Witnessing his mother’s words and actions clearly treating Zhang Ran as a potential daughter-in-law Jiang Wei had brought, Jiang Wei shouted as if he was about to foam at the mouth:

“Mother! This person is the Rear General of Great Han! She’s not the kind of person you’re thinking of!”

Zhang Ran chuckled as she watched Jiang Wei and his mother bickering from a step away. But only for a moment. Before the mother-son argument caused by the misunderstanding got too heated, Zhang Ran stepped in herself to stop the two.

The mother belatedly recognized Zhang Ran’s identity and sought forgiveness, but Zhang Ran lightly brushed it off, saying there was nothing to apologize for.

“So I came to ask your permission to employ your son.”

What parent would stop their child from taking office? Unless it was serving in the enemy country rather than one’s own.

Though he had once received a salary from Wei, what did that matter? Rather, Jiang Wei’s mother, who had been worried her son might not be able to advance due to his past record, welcomed Zhang Ran’s words with both hands raised and rejoiced.

After receiving permission like that and coming out, Jiang Wei carefully said:

“I’m sorry. You must have been uncomfortable.”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry too much about this kind of thing, I don’t really mind. Oh right, how about moving your mother to the safer Nanjing?”

It wouldn’t happen, but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare in case Qizhou is taken back by Wei. Thinking there’s no need to unnecessarily follow in Xu Shu’s footsteps, I brought it up, and Jiang Wei showed a positive reaction.

“Would that be alright?”

“Of course. I’ll tell Shengzong separately.”

Zhang Ran spoke with a constant smile.

I heard she wasn’t that prone to smiling. Jiang Wei said with some puzzlement:

“By the way, Rear General. Is it really alright to give me the position of Assistant to the Rear General?”

“Don’t I have the authority to appoint staff for the military department?”

“But I’m no different from a new official who hasn’t shown anything yet.”

Zhang Ran withdrew her smile and opened her eyes drowsily. As if asking, “You really aren’t confident?”

“I pride myself on having a good eye for people.”

“That’s famous.”

“A phoenix’s daughter (luan) has appeared in the world, but a dragon’s son (qilin) is not yet visible.”

As a phoenix gives birth to a luan bird, and a dragon gives birth to a qilin. These were said to bring peace and herald the birth of a sage.

“But.”

In Zhang Ran’s eyes looking straight at Jiang Wei, there was some kind of intense and firm trust, full of something even Jiang Wei himself couldn’t understand.

“Not anymore.”