Zhang Gu said, “The situation at Empress Chu’s side is also critical. What good would telling her do? Have her deploy troops to aid us? Then what about the border?”
The courier fell silent for a moment. This reasoning made sense. General Chu was gone, and the Empress was facing the Xi Liang King—who knew how mentally and physically exhausted she was? She truly couldn’t spare attention for the capital.
Zhang Gu looked toward the northwest. “I hope when the Empress learns the news, she won’t be too anxious.”
The courier nodded, then sighed. “I hope Old Wang and Erxi can succeed. This is Erxi’s first time going to the border. He’s just a country boy who doesn’t understand much.”
Zhang Gu said quietly, “He’s young, but he’s worked at the country courier station for many years. He’s not truly ignorant of everything. Moreover, not understanding too much is actually better. Now the route is filled with checkpoints. Someone who least resembles a courier might have the best chance of breaking through.”
Though the court wasn’t transmitting news of the capital’s crisis to the Empress, and though they also worried this news would make her anxious, both Empress Chu and Xie Yanlai had instructed them before leaving: regardless of what news came from the capital, whether or not the court sent messages, Zhang Gu must transmit it promptly and as quickly as possible.
Therefore, sensing something was wrong, before the proclamation officials departed, with courier communications severed, Zhang Gu had privately dispatched two couriers who had already left the capital.
Given the current situation and the imminent warfare, the journey certainly wouldn’t be smooth.
Zhang Gu and the courier said nothing more, looking toward the northwest with worry and hope.
The New Year festival had dispelled no cold. The farther northwest one traveled, the harsher the early spring winds became compared to deep winter.
But no matter how cold the wind, it couldn’t freeze the gurgling flow of blood.
Young soldier Ding let out muffled sobs. His whole body trembled. He wished he could remove all his clothes to wrap his companion’s wounds.
His companion was covered with arrows. He didn’t know where to start wrapping the wounds.
When they rushed through the checkpoint, his companion had tightly shielded him in front, blocking the rain of arrows from behind.
“Erxi,” his companion grabbed his hand. “You country boy, haven’t you seen death and injury? What are you crying about?”
Country courier stations never saw death and injury—they barely saw any people at all. Young soldier Erxi sobbed twice. “Brother Wang, Brother Wang, you can’t die! If you die, what will I do?”
Courier Wang cursed, but without strength, it had no force.
He took several deep breaths and said, “Never mind whether I die or not. Go quickly, or they’ll catch up and no one will escape.”
Erxi continued frantically wrapping wounds, shaking his head desperately. “I can’t—I can’t do it alone.”
Old Wang cursed. “You’re going to anger me to death.” He grabbed Erxi’s hand. “Boy, listen to me. Don’t forget what kind of couriers we are. We’re the ones Her Majesty the Empress trusts most. If you came to work with us, then you can do it.”
Erxi continued shaking his head. “No, when I joined you all, you hadn’t been trusted by the Empress yet. Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t even know me.”
Old Wang laughed despite his anger. “Then you, boy, use this chance to prove to Her Majesty the Empress that you’re very capable!” With that, he reached for the arrow lodged in his heart and pressed hard. “Now get lost!”
With this shout, his last breath ceased. No more sounds.
Erxi also let out a cry, covering his face with his hands, sobbing. But the next moment, he stumbled to his feet and rushed into the dense forest in the cold wind, disappearing from sight.
What happened afterward, Erxi couldn’t remember clearly.
Even in dreams, he only repeated past days.
Crouching at the country courier station watching passing couriers, so imposing and impressive—though in others’ eyes, couriers were all dust-covered, bitter, and exhausted.
Or he had joined the capital garrison, become a courier, feeling immensely joyful.
Following Chief Zhang to tour the capital, seeing so many people, so much delicious food, even seeing someone paraded through the streets being beaten, a man wielding a whip to strike that young person.
Chief Zhang pushed him, saying go quickly.
Go where? Go forward? No way—he’d get hit by the whip.
He didn’t want to watch the spectacle anymore. He wanted to go home. He desperately retreated, but Chief Zhang pushed him. He stumbled forward, and that man raised the whip and swung it down at him—
Erxi shouted, covering his head with both hands. Sharp pain pierced him. Someone held his hands. Noisy voices surrounded him.
“—He’s awake.”
“He’s alive.”
“Quickly tell the Empress.”
Empress? Erxi’s consciousness gradually cleared. That’s right—Chief Zhang told him to find the Empress. What was it about? Erxi fumbled over his body—the message, where was the message—
Someone else grabbed his hand.
“I have the message,” a clear female voice said. “You can rest easy.”
She got it?
Did she really get it?
Brother Wang died! Brother Wang died! He couldn’t do it—how could he deliver it alone?
Seeing the courier becoming agitated again, Chu Zhao held his hand and said to the physicians, “Let him rest more.”
The physicians came forward to administer medicine, watching the courier slowly sink into deep sleep.
“Miss, A’Jiu has returned,” A’Le said quietly at the doorway.
Chu Zhao glanced once more at the sleeping courier before walking out.
Xie Yanlai had already strode over. “From Zhongshan Prefecture to the capital, all courier stations have been seized.”
At this point, he glanced toward the inner room.
“For this boy to tunnel through—not easy.”
This was the first time she’d heard him praise someone else. Chu Zhao glanced at him, then heard the next sentence.