A handsome flag bearing the imposing and mighty "Pei" name was fluttering in the wind.
The 300,000-strong army had high morale, vast and mighty.
Some cheered, some shed tears. Clothing, shoes, and dry rations were being constantly handed to loved ones and spouses who were about to enter a life-and-death battle. Bowl after bowl of wine was emptied and refilled. Of wine, won't you drink one last cup with me? West beyond Yang Pass, no old friends you'll see![1]
Su Qiuchi thumped on his own battle armor and laughed to Jiu Jue, "Impressive, right?" Similarly dressed in military attire, Li Zhun sneered at Su Qiuchi and said, "I don't know who was scared to the point of not being able to speak clearly in front of the emperor!"
"I was just too excited!" Su Qiuchi corrected her firmly.
Last night, they made the biggest decision of their lives. Determined to face the inevitable, Li Zhun took Su Qiuchi with her and returned to the imperial palace. She offered a humble apology to the emperor for sneaking out of the palace. Before Empress Wu could make a move, Li Zhun took the initiative to ask the emperor for permission, pleading with the Emperor of Great Tang to allow her, a princess, to don armor and ride into battle, joining General Pei Xingjian in going outside the pass to wipe out the Turks, in order to atone for her crimes. If she failed to achieve military exploits, her body would be buried outside the pass and never return to the Central Plains[2]. Su Qiuchi also volunteered at the same time. As a subject of Great Tang and a descendent of the prime minister, he must kill the enemy and serve his country.
It was high-sounding, fair and reasonable. The emperor had no reason to object, and neither did Empress Wu. The expedition against the Turks was dangerous, and few could return unscathed. It was just and honorable, and also took care of a sore point for her, without any need to worry about idle gossip; it would naturally be approved.
Soon, all the officers and soldiers surrounding the Su Mansion and the Prime Minister's Residence withdrew completely. The clouds of disaster rumbling over the two mansions the night before vanished after the bold move of requesting imperial permission to join the army.
"This is going to war, not going for a drink." Jiu Jue looked at Su Qiuchi's proud look and asked with a smile, "No regrets?"
"Maybe I'm suddenly sick in the brain. Haha. But doing this is not just to bail out my family. I think it's also time to genuinely do something serious." Su Qiuchi scratched his head hard, "If we can defeat the Turks this time, I think my father and grandfather will never scold me as a wastrel again. After wiping out those Turk ba*tards, I'll be the true Little Overlord of Chang'an! Isn't that right?"
Jiu Jue nodded with a smile, and the thousand things he wanted to say to them turned into a single gesture. He gave Su Qiuchi's shoulder a firm pat and said, "Return victorious soon."
"When we return to the capital in triumph, you must prepare a few jugs of good wine. We'll celebrate with drinks and songs, and laugh about the world again." Li Zhun mounted her horse, her silver-white battle armor shining brightly. She smiled sweetly at Jiu Jue, "The time in the black bamboo forest cannot be matched, not even as an immortal. We are just ordinary people with flesh and blood. If such a life is falling from grace in the eyes of the gods, then I would rather stay in the world of mortals, beyond help."
"Well said." Jiu Jue waved at her with understanding. "I'll be waiting for you to come back and drink that jar of wine."
"Hey, I made a vow." Su Qiuchi suddenly took out the Dancing Horse Holding Cup silver flask from his luggage, shook it a few times, and said loudly, "I won't touch wine again until I defeat the Turks. I'll take this flask with me and just wait to fill it with the celebration wine you've prepared for us when we return."
Jiu Jue took the wine flask, pulled out a thinly rolled piece of paper from his pocket, stuffed it into the jug, and handed it back to Su Qiuchi with a smile, "Following the fragrance from a thousand miles, smiling at the reflection in the wine. Take care!"
The army departed, leaving dust in the air. Those who came to bid farewell wiped away their tears only when they could no longer see the hints of their loved ones. With the uncertainty of death separating them, they dared not think too much about whether it was a temporary parting or a permanent farewell.
[1] 劝君更尽一杯酒，西出阳关无故人. From "Song of Wei Town" (Farewell to Yuan Er on His Mission to Anxi) by Wang Wei, a Tang dynasty poet. Translated by Frank C Yue.
[2] China. The Central Plains is the area on the lower reaches of the Yellow River which formed the cradle of Chinese civilization.
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