War Prisoner Chapter 19

Watching Su Yi face death with equanimity, Zi Yan could not help but feel respect. Zi Yan was highly skilled in martial arts, her swordplay was masterful, and in addition, Su Yi was putting up no resistance. Hence she said: “The only thing I can do for you now, is to give you a clean and fast death. General, please don't mind me." The dagger flashed like lightning, about to accomplish its goal - the skin of Su Yi's neck had been pierced and a trace of blood was seeping out – when a panicky voice rang out: “Zi Yan, what are you doing?”

Zi Yan hurriedly put the dagger away, turning back to be met with the sight of a horrified Zi Liu standing at the door. Heaving a sigh for her efforts had all gone to naught, before saying smilingly: “General Su pleaded long and hard for me to fulfil his wish, I can’t bear to see him suffer such a great calamity so I wanted to release him from his predicament. I didn’t expect you to show up.”

Zi Liu gave a long exhale, and said sternly: “You are too reckless; there will be trouble if his Majesty finds out about this. You are normally an intelligent person, but you have committed a very foolish deed today.” 

Addressing Su Yi she said: “Your humble servant understands General Su’s feelings. Although you may say that life and death are merely two words, they still merit careful consideration. Even if you succeed in securing release for yourself, involving others would bring trouble upon them, could you really stand for that? Between heaven and earth, those who demonstrate the most courage are not those who seek death, but are those who have the mettle to rise from the most arduous adversity. As long as you are alive, there is still a sliver of hope that you could one day recover the hills and rivers of your country; that is the att.i.tude a real man should have.” Having said that, she pulled at Zi Yan and said: “Let’s go, his Majesty's procession to welcome General Yu is about to depart, we will be late if we don't hurry.”

After they had left, Su Yi slumped on to the bed in disappointment. Looking out the window, he could see that the sun had long set and the tranquil scene in the courtyard was now illuminated by moonlight. He thought to himself that Wanyan Xu must value this Yu Cang highly indeed, rushing off to welcome him back with no regards to the time of day. At the thought, he was reminded of the destruction of the Great Qi, and his own situation, where he had no path to life yet had no door to death. His felt like his heart had been submerged in a vat of boiling oil. Next he thought of Zi Liu's words. Although he knew that she hadn't carefully chosen her words before speaking, and had been only trying to dissuade him from seeking death, but somehow he still felt that a spark of hope had been kindled within him bringing with it a fresh surge of courage. With his emotions still turbulent, Su Yi lay down on the bed, and after tossing and turning for a while he managed to drift off into a light sleep. When he awoke, it was already the fourth watch of night [1].

The palace hall situated in front of the king's personal quarters was brightly lit, evidence that Wanyan Xu had already welcomed Yu Cang and was now holding a late-night banquet in his honour. Su Yi coldly looked in that direction, thinking of how the enemy that had vanquished his country was in there receiving congratulations from ten-thousand [2] people. Countless souls were being crushed under his iron heel; the hatred that Su Yi bore for the destruction of his country would not be so easily forgotten. Zi Liu was right, being a general of the Great Qi, he should not capriciously choose to die just so as to become a martyr for his country. That would be the act of a cowardly man; if he truly wanted to honour his country he should marshal all his resources and think of ways to restore the Great Qi. At these thoughts, he could not contain his emotions, which were roiling up like waves in his chest. He found paper and a writing brush; leaning over the table he finished writing in a continuous stroke. Upon reading what he had written, he found that he had composed a short poem [3].

A few beats of the night-watch drum, I am startled awake in the room, the candles have gone out, the dawn is cold. My dreams took me to Inner Mongolia, the sound of horses’ hooves still ring in my ear. Autumn [4] has come and the geese are travelling south. I can no longer find a path back to my home, but my feelings remain. My wings have been broken, but my spirit is untamed.

My life-long wish, I have spent my youth pursuing, not realising that my hair has grayed. The sentimental moon still shines upon that destroyed country. An old acquaintance is before my eyes, but upon inspection I see that there is no will left in his heart. Looking back at the road I have travelled, I see that although I my clothes have become soiled, the lands remain unchanged.

Tossing the brush aside, he laughed grimly and said: “Wanyan Xu, if you have heaven's a.s.sistance, I will be not be able to escape and thus will be unable to plot revenge. If not, the grudge I bear against you for destroying my country and my imprisonment must be repaid in full.” So saying, he peered out of the window and saw that a ray of sun had began showing in the east. He hurriedly pushed open the door and stepped out, but a few guards rushed forward to accost him, looking at him with alert eyes. Their leader said: “The General has arisen early, shall we send for the palace maids to attend to you?” Although his language was polite, there was a trace of harshness in his tone; evidently he was afraid that if Su Yi managed to escape, the King would have him answer for his failure with his head.

Su Yi said with a smile: “I wish to take a short walk, I shall return shortly.” Having said that, he began to leisurely stroll around the courtyard which was still misty with the fog of early dawn. The guard leader, together with a few of his men, followed him closely. The sun quickly rose in the sky; looking up, Su Yi saw a sheet of azure, it was a fine day indeed. Zi Nong’s soft and gentle voice was suddenly heard: “General Su, General Su.” Su Yi turned around hurriedly, to see Zi Nong emerging from the room. She smilingly said: “Where are you going, his Majesty will be arriving in a little bit. He said that he has neglected you for a whole night, and he feels very apologetic about it.” So saying, she hid her face behind her sleeve to hide her chuckles. 

Before Su Yi's face could even a.s.sume an unhappy expression, Wanyan Xu's voice rang out and Su Yi suddenly felt weightless, because he had been lifted by a pair of strong arms. Wanyan Xu gave his earlobe a soft kiss, saying with a smile: "Did you have an uncomfortable night? Were you thinking too much again? What am I [5] asking this for, with your character... aii... But the purpose of my visit today is to give you some good news. You still miss the Great Qi, right? How about I allow you to fulfil your wish? How will you reward me for this?"

Su Yi was greatly shocked, wondering in his heart: would Wanyan Xu really let him go? The two people had entered the room; Su Yi cast his gaze around saw that the poem he had penned was nowhere in sight. With haste, he struggled to free his body and said: “You... what did you say? You... You’re willing to release me and let me return to the Great Qi?"