Chapter 27: My Name Is Edison Chen

Bing’er had never suffered such humiliation in her life. Watching Zhang Chi ride away, she couldn’t help but feel her eyes sting with tears, nearly breaking down in sobs. In truth, though Zhang Chi had stormed off in anger, he hadn’t traveled half an hour before his stomach began to rumble in protest. He’d been unconscious for days, had not had a drop of water, and hadn’t even finished the rabbit leg earlier. Now, his hunger gnawed at him, and he began to regret his impulsiveness.

Miss Bing’er’s nature, after all, was just a sharp tongue masking a soft heart; her barbed words were mostly because he was a soldier, nothing more. She probably hadn’t thought much when she saved him in the first place.

But Zhang Chi was proud and headstrong. Since he’d already declared that he’d rather die than beg her for anything, he would never turn back to plead, no matter what. So be it—once the arrow is loosed, there’s no retrieving it. If the poison overtakes him and he dies, then so be it, he thought to himself.

Zhang Chi was always one to take things as they came. In any case, death was three months away; there was no point in worrying now. With that thought, he relaxed. What troubled him more was where he should go next.

He wondered how his comrades were faring—had they all managed to break through the encirclement? He thought to return to the battlefield to search for them, but realized that even if they had escaped, with Canghuai’s army so close, they’d hardly be foolish enough to linger there. With that, Zhang Chi decided to return to Jiankang City. Perhaps his companions had already gone back to the Sanwu Academy to look for him. With that, he mounted his white horse, Baixue, and set off for the city.

…

When Zhang Chi reached Jiankang’s South Gate, it was midday. Yet the city gate today was nothing like the bustling thoroughfare it usually was. The gates were tightly shut, and at the entrance, only those wishing to enter were gathered; none were leaving. The would-be entrants queued in a long line, while a general stood at the gate, questioning each person in turn. Zhang Chi watched for a while and saw that, despite all the questioning, not a single person was allowed through.

Zhang Chi led his horse to the end of the line and asked a scrawny man near the back, “Brother, why is everyone being questioned before entering the city today?”

“You’re a scholar come to Jiankang to study, aren’t you?” The city was full of scholars, so the question was understandable.

“It’s just that, judging by your plain blue robe, you must be from a humble family.” The scrawny man looked Zhang Chi up and down with open disdain, but then noticed the white horse behind him. In these times, only the well-off could afford such an animal. “At most, you’re a minor gentryman. But you won’t be getting into the city today.”

“Why not?” Zhang Chi pressed.

“No one knows why, but the city’s on lockdown—no one in or out unless on official business.” The man waved his hand impatiently. “These soldiers can’t see past their noses. Even I have to wait in line to answer their questions, so what makes you think you’ll get in?”

The midday sun blazed. The man shielded his brow and grew irritable. “Making me wait here all noon under this sun—when I get in, I’ll remember this.”

Seeing this, Zhang Chi looked around. Indeed, no one was getting through, but he had nowhere else to go, so he queued up behind the man.

Seeing this, the scrawny man sneered, “I told you, you won’t get in. Haven’t you seen—no one’s been let through all noon?”

“If we can’t get in, why are you waiting here?” Zhang Chi retorted.

“We’re not the same,” the man said with a sniff. “You might not get in, but that doesn’t mean I won’t.”

With nothing better to do, Zhang Chi played along. “You must have connections, then?”

“Of course. You probably don’t know who I am, do you?” The man looked down his nose at him.

“Might I ask your name, brother?” Zhang Chi said with a grin.

“Surely you’ve heard of Lord Wang Xun, the Imperial Secretariat? The Wang clan of Langya, a noble house for generations. I am a trusted retainer in his household. Even the soldiers call me Master Wang the Third!” He puffed his chest. “When I state my name, getting in will be a breeze. The soldiers will probably invite me in with honors.”

Zhang Chi smiled wryly. Listening to him, one would think he was some great lord, but he was merely a family retainer. Still, Zhang Chi played along, “With such a background, Master Wang, I will rely on your patronage.”

The man was delighted by the flattery. “Don’t worry. I can see you have some sense, and it’s not easy coming to Jiankang to study. Stay behind me, and I’ll see you into the city.”

Despite the crowd and the general’s questioning, each exchange was brief. Soon, the general came to the scrawny man. He barked, “Name and business?”

The man bowed and, grinning obsequiously, slipped a few coins into the general’s hand. “Thank you for your hard work in this heat, sir. Please have some tea on me.”

Normally such a bribe worked wonders, but today the general brusquely brushed him aside. “Enough nonsense! State your name!”

He forced a smile. “I am a trusted retainer of Lord Wang Xun, the Secretariat. I was sent out on business and request passage.”

He emphasized “trusted retainer,” fearing the general would mistake him for an ordinary servant.

“No entry,” the general said without looking at him, moving on to Zhang Chi.

Startled, the man grabbed the general’s arm. “Sir, please, I am a trusted retainer of Lord Wang Xun!”

The general shook him off so hard he nearly stumbled. “Enough! Even if you were the Emperor’s most trusted eunuch, you would not be allowed in today.”

Then he turned to Zhang Chi, “Name and business?”

Before Zhang Chi could answer, the general caught sight of his white horse—a steed of rare distinction. The general leaned in and whispered, “Sir, are you Zhang, the adjutant of the New Army?”

Zhang Chi nodded in confusion. The general, reassured, whispered, “Miss Wang has been awaiting your return.” Then, turning, he shouted, “Open the gates! This man may pass!”

Zhang Chi guessed that Miss Wang had arranged for the guards to be informed. He strode forward to enter.

The scrawny man hurried after him, clutching at Zhang Chi’s sleeve. “Brother, what about me? I must report back to my master. If I’m delayed, I’ll be punished.”

Finding him amusing, Zhang Chi said to the guard, “He’s with me.”

Without a word, the general shouted, “Let them both pass!”

As they entered, the man sidled up to Zhang Chi, giving him a thumbs-up. “So you’re the real man of influence! Your connections must be impressive.”

Zhang Chi smiled. “Whatever connections I have, they can’t compare to yours, Master Wang, retainer to the great Lord Wang.”

He deliberately stressed “the Secretariat” and “trusted retainer.” The man didn’t notice the teasing but waved his hands modestly. “Oh, I don’t deserve such praise! Don’t call me Master Wang anymore—I’m not worthy.”

Finding the man amusing, Zhang Chi asked, “So, what important business brought you out of the city for Lord Wang?”

The man, pleased that Zhang Chi now called him Third Brother, replied, “As a trusted retainer, of course I was on important business.” He pounded his chest, clearly wanting to boast, but recalling Zhang Chi’s treatment by the guards, he decided it was worth befriending him. He leaned in and whispered, “Let me tell you, but don’t let it spread.”

“Naturally,” Zhang Chi nodded.

The man looked around, then drew Zhang Chi aside to a secluded spot and confided, “Actually, my family name isn’t Wang. I’m Lin, third son, so everyone calls me Third Brother Lin. My parents died young, so I became a retainer for the Wang family and took their surname.”

Zhang Chi thought he was about to reveal some great secret, but hearing only this trivial backstory, he lost interest. Sensing this, “Wang Third” pressed on, “Don’t look down on me. Though I’m only a retainer, my brother is really something.”

“Oh?” Zhang Chi replied absently.

“My brother is a true hero. After joining the Wang household, Lord Wang saw his talents and sent him to the army. In two years, he’s become a commander and is now collecting military provisions in the Chushan region outside the city. It’s a lucrative post, and I benefit as well.”

At the mention of military provisions, Zhang Chi’s interest was piqued, though he kept a neutral expression. “So what was your errand outside the city, Brother Lin?”

“You don’t know—there’s talk of rebellion. Haven’t you seen the city is locked down? Even I could hardly get in or out!” Lin made a hushing gesture and lowered his voice. “My master said someone is plotting rebellion under the guise of ‘Heaven’s Mandate.’ My mission was to root out traitors.”

At this, Zhang Chi sensed he might be implicated, but he kept his composure. “Someone dares rebel? They must have a death wish.”

“Exactly! My master is astute and set a foolproof plan. I coordinated the operation, and by now, the traitor’s probably dead.” Lin grinned.

Zhang Chi was torn between exasperation and amusement. The “traitor” was likely himself. At least now he knew who was behind the effort to eliminate him. The general he’d encountered during the night raid was probably Lin’s brother—sadly, killed in vain.

As for Lin’s claim to have coordinated the operation, Zhang Chi doubted it. A mere family retainer could hardly have such authority; he was simply boasting. Still, Zhang Chi played along, “Brother Lin, you’re truly remarkable, ridding the country of traitors—a deed for the ages.”

Lin basked in the praise. “I was only following orders. But brother, may I ask who you are? What family do you serve, to be shown such favor by the city guards?”

“Uh…” This, Zhang Chi realized, was what Lin truly wanted to know. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “My name is Chen Guanxi.”

One couldn’t blame Zhang Chi for making light of the situation after his journey through time—he simply couldn’t think of another name on the spot, so he blurted out the one that came to mind.