Chapter 26: Xiliu (Part 2)

Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and Jiang Ningxue let out a delighted cry.
The most prominent features on the battle flag were two willow leaves, along with three large black characters reading “Xiliu Camp,” especially the character for “willow” in the middle, which stood out sharply.
This battle flag was far more eye-catching than the simple “willow” flag before, drawing everyone’s attention as they gazed at it.
Not only the people on this ship but also those from other cargo ships belonging to the Willow Camp now turned their attention to it.
“Xiliu Camp.”
“Huh? Aren’t we the Willow Camp?” Jing Shiyi raised this question among the crowd, “Why have we changed to Xiliu Camp?”
In fact, “Willow Camp” wasn’t an official name but merely a customary term. Many people had the surname Liu, so outsiders called them the Willow Camp, and eventually they accepted that name themselves.
Now, a few elders from the Willow Camp began to discuss, “We’ve been called the Willow Camp for ten years—why change it now?”
“Yes! The name Willow Camp is quite well-known.”
“It’s a shame to stop using it.”
Their voices grew louder. Someone noticed Liu Yu leaning lazily on the railing and immediately asked, “Commander? Why have we changed to Xiliu Camp?”
“Yes, I think Willow Camp is better.”
“Xiliu Camp seems fine too.”
“You should at least let us know in advance.”
This decision to make a new flag and rename it Xiliu Camp was entirely Liu Yu’s idea, sparking considerable debate within the Willow Camp.
Liu Yu remained silent. He simply looked at the flag of Xiliu Camp, and the murmurs grew louder.
Many people still had affection for the name Willow Camp. At that moment, Jiang Ningxue turned around and said loudly, “Why all this talk?”
“I follow Liu Yu; you follow me. From now on, we are…”
She stepped to the railing, faced the evening breeze, and called out to both banks, “Xiliu Camp…”
Liu Yu heard her beautiful voice echoing in his ears, followed by many people shouting the name: “Xiliu—Camp!”
Everyone immediately found the name pleasing. With time, they would surely get used to it. Countless voices echoed in unison: “Xiliu—Camp!” “Xiliu—Camp!”
Not only the people on this ship but also those on the other two ships shouted the name into the evening breeze: “Xiliu Camp!”
Before long, everyone understood the origin of the name. Those knowledgeable knew it was related to Zhou Yafu’s troops stationed at Xiliu.
It was a story recorded in the Historical Records: Zhou Yafu stationed his troops at Xiliu, and Emperor Wen went there to work alongside them. He was impressed by the troops’ strict discipline and unwavering order—so much so that even the emperor wasn’t allowed to enter the camp. Afterward, he praised them, saying, “Truly great generals!” It was a celebrated tale.
When Liu Yu chose this name, he shared the same hope: “This should not be just a camp belonging to the Liu family, but a Xiliu Camp like Zhou Yafu’s.”
Going against the tide of history wasn’t easy. One had to embrace diversity and gather heroes from all corners, rather than focusing on the success or failure of one family or surname.
Even those who had once opposed it now thought it was good. The more they said it, the more natural it sounded: “So there’s this story behind it—not bad at all.”

At the bow of the ship, Jiang Ningxue and Liu Yu leaned close to each other, whispering as they watched the waves roll by. “Ayu, I think the name ‘Xiliu Camp’ is really nice. I really like it,” she said.
Liu Yu smiled. “There will be a time when we can ride the wind and break the waves, setting our sails high to cross the vast sea. We really like these two lines. What do you think if we set up separate camps and use this name?”
Unaware that his dream would not come true, Jiang Ningxue gave Liu Yu a playful glance. “You don’t know—I’ve read more books than you.”
In Xiliu Camp, Jiang Ningxue was quite literate. Aside from a few like Jing Shi Yi, most of the camp consisted of semi-iliterate people. Liu Yu laughed and said, “When we get to Shanxi, I’ll teach you more characters.”
Having someone to share the company was also a pleasure. Moreover, Liu Yu had even more long-term plans in this regard, just like with the naming of Xiliu Camp.
The battle flag of Xiliu Camp fluttered high at the bow of the ship.
“There will be a time when we can ride the wind and break the waves, setting our sails high to cross the vast sea.”
…
China has a province called Shanxi, and Vietnam also has a province by that name. Not only that, but Vietnam has many place names that match those in China, such as Taiyuan Province and Gaoping Province—though Vietnam’s Shanxi Province is relatively small.
Vietnam’s system is similar to China’s: large provinces are governed by governors, while smaller ones by provincial administrators. The capital of Shanxi Province is also called Shanxi City, where the governor resides. It is only 35 kilometers away from Hanoi and can be considered the most strategic location in the upper Red River region.
Although called a province, in terms of China’s geographical concepts, Vietnam’s provinces are roughly equivalent to China’s counties, with the larger ones still not comparable to China’s prefectures or counties.
However, the administrative structure of these provinces, prefectures, and counties is almost identical to China’s, resulting in a large number of officials. In northern Vietnam alone, there are as many as eighteen provinces. Liu Yu chose this small Shanxi Province as his residence.
Though it was called a “provincial capital,” Liu Yu could clearly see from the ship that it was no bigger than a large county inland—just an ordinary county town. Yet in Vietnam, this was already a very prosperous area. People said that in northern Vietnam, “aside from Hanoi and Nam Dinh, the most important places are Shanxi and Bac Ninh.”
Along the way, armed boats often passed by to inspect them. They flew the Seven-Star Black Flag and stared curiously at the three steam cargo ships.
“Xiliu Camp?” they asked, intrigued by the name.
Although the Red River is a busy waterway, the difficult and dangerous route from Hanoi to Shanxi meant that few Western steamships came here. Even Liu Yu’s journey upstream was only possible after a heavy rain. What was stranger was the name of the camp.
“Xiliu Camp?” Even the well-informed Black Flag Army had never heard of it. But seeing the sophisticated weapons on these ships, they became curious.
“What kind of group are you?”
“We are Xiliu Camp.”
“Where are you going?”
“We’re going to Shanxi.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“We heard that Liu Er of the Black Flag Army is known for his righteousness, so we’ve come to join him.”
The Black Flag Army members were skeptical about these answers and tightly surrounded the three steam ships, sending people in small boats upstream as fast as they could.
Meanwhile, the Black Flag Army also appeared on the artillery positions outside the city.

Deng Cun nodded and smiled, saying, “Young Master Liu, this is Shanxi. I’ll go negotiate with Liu Er.”
He said proudly, “I’m quite close to Liu Er; I bought at least fifty guns for him.”
They arrived in Shanxi.