Chapter 70: Heavenly Might (8)

Upon returning to the camp, Li Kuo assigned the task of escorting the merchant caravan to Zhang Yanji and Zhou Wuzui. Time was tight, and they needed to set off immediately. Both of them assured their commanders that the entire camp was ready and waiting to depart.

After briefing his men, Li Kuo headed straight for Ande Fang. It was already night. In Lane 23 by the lake, Li Lüshi was sewing a pair of shoe soles by the oil lamp. Her son Xiao Qi had done well, rising to the rank of company commander. With more achievements, he might even be promoted to general. After his grandfather died unjustly, the Li family declined rapidly. Relatives and friends who used to be close to them avoided him as if he were a plague, not to mention those so-called students—all opportunistic people. Over the years, due to his own lack of ability, he had caused his son much hardship. The boy had been intelligent since childhood, able to recite the Four Books by a young age and write neatly. If he continued his studies, he might even pass the imperial examinations.

But now… sigh!
“Mom, I’m back!”
Seeing no movement in the courtyard, Li Kuo called out loudly as he entered the back hall.
“Kuo, come here quickly. I’ve sewn a new pair of shoe soles for you. Come and see if they fit.”
Li Lüshi smiled at her son and waved him over.
“Oh!”
Li Kuo stuck out his tongue, took off his cloth boots, and climbed onto the bed. After comparing them for a while, Li Lüshi tapped his forehead lightly and scolded, “You silly boy! Your feet have swelled again in just a few months. Now I have to redo the soles.”
Li Kuo grabbed his mother’s arm and coaxed her, “It’s because the food in the camp is so good, right? Don’t worry. I’m old enough to take care of myself!”
“You!”
Li Lüshi tapped his forehead gently and shook her head.
“Oh, right. Mom, I’ve been assigned a task—to escort a merchant caravan to Longyou, and then go to Wuwei to take up a position.”
Li Kuo murmured softly and winked at his mother.
“Oh? When are we leaving? Has the Ministry of War issued any official orders?”
Li Lüshi replied softly, stroking her son’s head affectionately.
“It was ordered by General Gao. The Ministry of War hasn’t sent any orders. We need to leave tomorrow—time is very tight!”
“Ah!”
At these words, Li Lüshi’s face turned pale. “Why such haste? At least give me a few days to pack my things. How can this be?”

Li Kuo couldn’t bear to see his mother sad, so he comforted her, “Actually, there’s no need to bring anything—everything is available in the military camp. As a company commander, I should set an example for my subordinates. If I show up with loads of stuff, I’ll only be laughed at.” Though he said this, Lady Li Lu wouldn’t let her son set off in such poverty. She gritted her teeth and quietly went to the back room. After about half a cup of tea, she returned with a dark-colored bundle.

“The weather beyond the borders is extremely cold. Remember to pack more clothes. This cotton-padded jacket was made for you by your mother last year. It might be a bit small, but it’s definitely thick and warm.”

Lady Li Lu rolled up the jacket with its coarse brown lining several times before stuffing it into the bundle.

“We’re not going to live in the deep mountains. Brother Zhang and the others say Wuwei City is quite prosperous.”

Li Kuo shrugged, looking indifferent.

“Be careful with everything. Since your mother isn’t here, discuss any issues with your brothers. Your mother thinks those young men are honest and can be trusted.”

As she spoke, she sorted out the copper coins she had saved over time, along with the monthly allowance sent back by Xiao Qi, stringing each hundred coins together before carefully stuffing them into the gaps of the cotton jacket.

“Mother, I’m going to serve in the border regions, not to drink wine in Taibaiju. Why do I need so much money? Keep it for yourself. Since I’m not here, you need to save more for emergencies.”

Li Kuo felt headaches at the sight of those strings of shiny coins and protested loudly.

“It’s never a bad idea to carry some silver. There are many expenses when you’re away from home.”

But Lady Li Lu stubbornly packed those strings tightly away.

“Eat these dried foods when you have time on the road. I’ll put them on the side of the thick jacket—you’ll definitely see them as soon as you open the bundle!”

“Oh.”

Li Kuo responded half-heartedly, thinking that with such a bulky bundle, all the clothes would fall out as soon as he opened it. After thinking for a while, Lady Li Lu took out an old leather jacket from the bed and stuffed it into the bundle.

“Don’t put that leather jacket in. It smells so strong—I feel sick just smelling it!”

Li Kuo shook his head, took the jacket from his mother’s hands, and threw it on the bed.

“At least you’ll be comfortable. But don’t let your ears freeze off in Liangzhou.”

Lady Li Lu gave her son a disapproving look and muttered softly.

“I’m already an adult. I can take care of myself!”

The young man puffed out his chest, trying to sound tough.

“Sigh.”

Lady Li Lu let out a long sigh, holding her son’s hands as she urged, “Mother knows she can’t keep you here. You’ve always been proud since you were young. If you can endure it in the army, do so; if not, discuss it with your brothers. Young people are prone to anger—be understanding of each other. Don’t worry about mother. After you leave, I’ll move to your third brother’s house so I can have a heart-to-heart talk with Ziyan. As for you, since you’re in an unfamiliar place, seek your third brother if anything happens. After all, he’s a general and can take care of you. In our Li family, only you were born as the only child in three generations. If only…”
“Mother!”
In the dim light, the young man suddenly noticed streaks of gray hair at his mother’s temples and wrinkles around her eyes, signs of the relentless passage of time. Unnoticed, his sharp-witted and capable mother had grown so old.
The next morning, Li Kuo got up early, packed the bundle his mother had prepared, and carefully left home. After thinking all night, he decided not to bid farewell to A Tian. He didn’t know when he would return from Chang’an, so rather than endure the painful struggle of parting, he chose to leave quietly and swiftly.
Once resolved, Li Kuo patted Qingfeng and mounted the horse. Qingfeng seemed to sense the unusual day as well, snorting excitedly and stamping its hooves.
Mingde Gate wasn’t far from Ande Fang. By the agreed time, the caravan and troops were already assembled.
“Brother Kuo, everyone’s ready!”
Zhang Yanji rode forward eagerly, reporting to Li Kuo. Ever since learning about the task of escorting the caravan the previous day, he had stayed up all night excitedly. From now on, he, Zhang Yanji, would leave Chang’an City and live the life he desired on his own. From now on, he wouldn’t have to watch his grandfather’s every move like a puppet at someone else’s command. This was his life, and he would make it meaningful!
“Mm.”
Li Kuo nodded lightly and patted his friend’s arm to encourage him.
“Sir, the caravan is fully prepared. We’re just waiting for your order to set off.”
Guan, the shopkeeper, having a low status and not being familiar with Li Kuo, couldn’t afford to be too bold. He greeted him with a flattering tone.
Though Li Kuo found it amusing, he cleared his throat for the sake of the overall situation and said loudly, “In a moment, I’ll have the brothers split into two groups, front and back. You take care of the workers from the merchant firm and lead them in the middle. Make sure everyone stays close together and no one falls behind.”

The youth glanced at this hastily assembled caravan—mules, horses, camels of all kinds, with almost every animal laden to the brim with goods. The brightly dressed merchants joked around, telling silly jokes and boasting to their companions about the profits they expected from this shipment. Gods in heaven, travelers on earth—it was through their repeated trades that commerce flourished between the north and south, enabling everyone to access scarce goods. It was all for survival! Li Kuo sighed deeply and looked back at Chang’an. This was the capital city that had given birth to him, raised him, and educated him; it held sixteen years of his past and memories. Whether joyful or sad, irrelevant or significant, these memories were frozen in the youth’s heart. From today onward, he would leave this mighty city to carve out his own future. “Let’s set off!” Li Kuo felt a surge of ambition in his chest and waved his hand to signal everyone to start moving. The caravan slowly set off, the merchants’ joking voices accompanied by the clinking of camel bells and the ringing of horse hooves, composing a hymn to life. I can’t stop—Little Seven Brother is about to leave. I must see him one last time! Upon receiving news from Zhang Yanji, Du Jingtian rushed all the way to Mingde Gate. Out of breath, she ran through the market streets, past tea stalls, waving and shouting loudly to the departing youth, “Little Seven Brother, come back soon! I’ll cook your favorite scrambled eggs for you every day!” Du Jingtian forced a smile, trying to appear happy. But thinking about when she might see Little Seven Brother again, her eyes filled with tears, which slid down her cheeks. It’s Ah Tian! The youth turned his horse around at her call. In that glance, though his eyes were moist, his smile was as sweet as a song. Note 1: “Shiduo” is dialect for “to tidy up.” Volume 2: Guanhe Ling