Chapter 32: Western Regions Part 2

Kunmo was also known Beyond the Frontier as “Hami.” Originally a village town in a basin at the foot of the Balikun Mountains, surrounded by oases, it had been the Wusun kingdom’s capital in Han times. Lying on the Silk Road, it fell into prolonged contention after the An-Shi Rebellion. In these days, the Song Court had little news of Hami, while the Liao Kingdom knew more.

Xiao Kun said, “Don’t cause trouble in the city. Follow my lead.”

Both Tubo and Uyghur vied for the area, and that year it was under Tubo control. As soon as Xiang Xian’s group alighted, they were questioned by people outside the city and drew many curious stares. Fortunately, Xiao Kun resolved each with Liao speech. The locals seemed somewhat disdainful of Song People but not hostile to Liao folk.

“Because of the wars in Longyou,” Xiang Xian said, “Song People and Tubo people clashed several times, breeding hatred.”

“Probably because they weren’t thoroughly beaten into submission,” Xiao Kun replied casually. “Tubo people think Song People like to scheme.”

As they passed a food stall, Xiang Xian heard a whistle but paid it no mind. Xiao Kun, however, whipped his head around.

Xiao Kun spotted a young man at a tavern entrance. Both showed shocked expressions, and the youth immediately turned and entered the tavern.

“You all go to the inn first.” Xiao Kun quickened his pace and followed into the tavern.

“Long Rang!” Xiao Kun called.

The young man stood at the door. Seeing Xiao Kun enter, he hugged him tightly. “Lord Xiao!”

Xiao Kun patted his back. This was the Right Martial Trainer from Yelu Dashi General’s Mansion—equivalent to an instructor. Back when they lived in Shangjing, he often shuttled messages between the Northern Court and the Great Liao Demon-Exorcism Division. They were not close, only acquainted through official business and brief greetings.

But now, all were exiles of a fallen kingdom. Meeting an old acquaintance brought sudden warmth.

“What are you doing here?” they asked in unison. The instructor named Long Rang laughed. “Sit down and talk.”

Xiang Xian peeked in from the door. Xiao Kun beckoned him inside.

Xiang Xian entered and sat on the floor. Long Rang’s face darkened. “A Song Person?”

“He’s my best brother,” Xiao Kun said without concern. “A lot has happened lately. Tell me, any news from the Northern Court?”

Long Rang eyed Xiang Xian with hostility. After all, the Maritime Alliance between Song and Jin had directly caused the Liao Kingdom’s fall—a blood feud Xiao Kun could set aside, but ordinary Liao People could not forget.

“Long Rang?” Xiao Kun’s expression soured, tinged with reproach, clearly displeased by the rudeness.

“I’ll head back first,” Xiang Xian said. “The others don’t speak Tubo tongue. I wanted to ask you, but no matter—we can gesture.”

Xiao Kun gestured for him to stay.

Long Rang sighed, his eyes reluctant. “General Dashi sent me here to gather intelligence.”

“Where is he?” Xiao Kun suddenly realized Yelu Dashi was alive. The last he’d heard, Yelu Dashi had rallied remnants and gone to Kedun City to regroup for a southward restoration.

“In Tingzhou,” Long Rang said. “He wants to negotiate with the Gaochang King for troops to fight back.”

Xiang Xian began drinking alone on the side.

Xiao Kun: “How many men under General Dashi?”

“Fifty thousand brothers,” Long Rang answered.

Xiang Xian thought Yelu Dashi had never intended to fight; once Shangjing fell, he fled with his men.

Xiao Kun sighed too. “Pass a message to General Dashi for me. I need to meet him.”

“And Prince Yali?” Long Rang asked. “Lord Xiao just escaped on your own?”

The word “escaped” grated on Xiao Kun’s ears.

“He protected your prince and left Shangjing,” Xiang Xian interjected in Chinese upon hearing “Yali” and “Dashi.” “What did General Dashi do next?”

Long Rang exploded. “What’s it to you, Song dog!” He drew his blade and slammed it into the table.

Xiang Xian: “Hey, nice knife. Ever stabbed yourself with it?”

Xiao Kun pulled Xiang Xian up. “Give me some face.”

Xiang Xian’s retort unfinished, Xiao Kun dragged him out.

Long Rang refrained from drawing steel on the spot but harbored resentment toward Xiang Xian.

“He was once my comrade,” Xiao Kun said to Xiang Xian.

“Fine,” Xiang Xian shrugged indifferently. “If you’re not angry, neither am I.”

“I must go see Yelu Dashi.”

“You said that.”

Xiao Kun: “But what after, I haven’t figured out. One step at a time.”

They went to the market for food. The next day, Long Rang was gone, but Xiang Xian noticed many hidden sentries watching them in Hami. Finding the Heart Lamp was urgent, and he had no interest in tangling with Liao People, so they left the city at dawn.

After Hami, their next goal was Gaochang City. February had arrived; though spring chill lingered, the weather gradually warmed.

The carriage rolled on. All around were barren flats and more Gobi, with occasional herds of wild camels galloping across the horizon. Otherwise, it was the endless wind-swept Silk Road leading afar.

They followed the ancient Wusun path westward, exiting the basin. Conditions turned harsh; most nights, they camped rough in the wild, unkempt and dirty. This was Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun’s first time in the Western Regions.

Even Chaosheng began to suffer.

“When do we reach Gaochang?” At night, Chaosheng leaned in Wu Yingzong’s arms by the campfire and asked.

“Tomorrow,” Wu Yingzong patiently replied. “Don’t you like the Western Regions?”

Chaosheng: “No trees or flowers. It just feels uncomfortable.”

A Huang stretched his wings. “Haven’t seen many birds around here to my liking either.”

Xiang Xian: “Sorry to delay your romance.”

Wu Yingzong teased, “Once we reach the Southern Tianshan, around Korla, lush water and grass might mean more beauties.”

“Beautiful birds,” Chaosheng laughed too.

Everyone chuckled.

Xiao Kun ruffled Chaosheng’s hair. “Sleep.”

Xiang Xian lay on a rock stargazing, saying to Xiao Kun, “It’s been years since you last measured the Shenzhou Great Land on foot.”

“True.” Xiao Kun lay beside him. “Since getting the dragon, a thousand li is a day’s journey. I’ve grown impatient, just wanting to reach destinations fast.”