At noon that day, Duan Wu carried a roll of carpet that was longer than her body and struggled to move out of the village entrance.
Yan Zi Jing’s group went to the sea and back on land, travelling along the Silk Road out of Yangguan. Eight thousand miles, followed by clouds and the moon, to Duan Wu, this is just like a baptism filled with heat and dust. In addition to selling slaves, Yan Zi Jing also dealt with other precious goods. After passing through the ancient road of Xiyu, the Western Regions, he did not go to the market dedicated to merchants, instead, he sent A Chang and the others to go rent donkey carts from the locals, then asked the villager to lead the way to the market to purchase goods. The carpet on Duan Wu’s back was purchased from a carpet-making widow. Judging from A Chang’s excited expression, Duan Wu knows he just snatched something with a good price.
Unsure if Yan Zi Jing intended to punish Duan Wu, but the other female slaves are peacefully resting in the room, and she’s the only one running errands with other servants. Duan Wu is sweating profusely but refuses to say a word.
The donkey cart arrived, A Chang looked at her and stretched out his hand, “Today’s goods have been collected, come up here to unload the stuff.”
Duan Wu bowed her body, grasped the back rail, and jumped on the cart herself. She pulled on her head cover, then sat down in the pile of silk fabrics. A Chang has something to say, but looking into those big bright eyes, staring right at him, he couldn’t continue.
A group of sheep came, and the coachman quickly moved the donkey cart to the side. The red willow in full bloom by the ancient road, sweetly fragrant. A Chang uses a dagger to cut off a section of the red willow branches, then hands it to her: “This plant only grows in the desert, its branch is very tough, and can be used as a horsewhip.”
Duan Wu silently took it from his hand. A Chang stammered, “I— You— Go to Hotan City, you have to pass through the largest desert.”
Duan Wu replied with a ‘Mhm’ sound. Even though she worked along with A Chang to collect the goods, she was always wary of Yan Zi Jing and his people.
They were surrounded by the sounds of sheep, birds singing, screaming, and whipping.
A Chang put the red willow branch on Duan Wu’s skirt, then hugged his knees and said: “Tonight, I have something to say to you…When I call for you, come out.”
Duan Wu quickly closed her eyes, her hand reaching out for the red willow branch, then started hitting the ground. She does not trust A Chang at all.
She doesn’t know what A Chang was going to say, but under Yan Zi Jing’s eyes, it would be foolish to harbour any illusions.
They arrived at the station, and A Chang immediately commanded the others to carry the goods. Duan Wu slowly walked back to the slave’s house with her tired legs. Yan Zi Jing put on his gray robe and listened quietly to the old man’s stories in the courtyard. All the camel riders with wooden expressions lined up behind him like walking corpses.
When Duan Wu entered the house, the door was immediately locked. Two young slave girls were kneeling on the bed, peeking through the tiny ripped window paper. The rest of the slaves were distributing water and bags on the table. These past few days, she watched Duan Wu ‘working hard’, so they decided to stay away from her. Duan Wu did not mind, she went to the corner of the room to shake off the dust. She patiently waited for the others to finish eating before walking over and collecting their leftovers, chewing them one by one.
She did not drink the water from the jar on the table, but instead went to the tank, using both hands to scoop up the water and drink it.
They suddenly laughed, and one of them said: “Why don’t you drink the clean spring water on the table? You’re just like a cat.”
“She looks more like a puppy, always running after men’s carriages.”
“She’s probably used to living a rough life, and very likely doesn’t even know the spring water is mixed with pearl powder, right?”
“Her skin is so bad, no point giving her pearl powder. This child is so dirty, who would want her?”
All of them laughed loudly.
Duan Wu thought to herself: When I was touching pearls, all of you were still cleaning your noses. Although pearl powder can help with skin tone, the nature of pearl can cause sickness, not suitable for young girls to consume it. Exchanging your health for beauty, to increase your worth in the eyes of the merchants. Unless I’m well-fed, otherwise, not my problem.
She did not bother to argue with them, only laughed: “I’m not as lucky as all of you. Before our farewell, all the sisters should drink more. Tomorrow, when you enter the brothel, it will be bitter to get pregnant right away.”
All of their faces quickly turned dark: “Brothel? Didn’t you say you were taking us to Hotan City?”
Duan Wu lazily lay on the bed, crossing her hands as a headrest: “You didn’t know?… Ha ha, forget it, just pretend like I didn’t say anything, so you don’t get beaten.”
Someone immediately came and tugged at her, “Speak up! What did you hear?”
Duan Wu responded: “Originally, we were going to Hotan City, but Yan Zi Jing worried that your slender and weak body wouldn’t be able to survive the big desert, which might cause him some losses. There’s an old man who runs a brothel outside of here and was looking to trade camels for some girls. I just heard about it, and it sounds like there’s a mutual agreement.”
Everyone was shocked. The slaves that were peeking at Yan Zi Jing quickly trembled and slowly said: “No wonder, he’s sitting there. After a while, and finally nodded…Then…Called A Chang to serve wine to that old man…”
The two female slaves quickly hid themselves, while the rest of them sat in a daze. It was dark, no one dared to light a candle.
Duan Wu closed her eyes and covered her mouth, secretly enjoying the moment.
Realistically speaking, passing that big desert is hard. After finishing taking revenge on them, she couldn’t help but feel bad for these fragile ‘flowers’.
Duan Wu thought about it but quickly fell asleep. In her dream, she heard a girl crying, which sounded like La La.
She was silent, and finally couldn’t help herself: “La La!” There was no La La beside her, only a girl in the same room, sobbing. She quickly went to check on her, “What’s wrong? Don’t cry.”
The girl cried miserably, Duan Wu panicked and said: “Regarding the brothel thing, I was lying. You thought I was serious?”
“No…I—My stomach is in pain…”
Duan Wu finally realized that pearl water is bad for young girls, especially when you’re on your period. It would cause extreme stomach pain.
She quickly grabbed the girl’s legs and pressed hard along several acupuncture points. La La always has this problem, so Duan Wu already has experience with this.
The girl said: “I want to drink hot water…” People in the room were awake, but they didn’t dare to move.
As Duan Wu was about to light a candle, she heard footsteps. Someone opened the lock and called her softly.
Because she wanted to get some hot water, she replied to the person and walked outside. The person was A Chang.
A Chang quickly locked the door and without saying anything, pulled her to the corner of the corner.
“Duan Wu — The Master has collected all the goods. He ordered me to go back to Dadu tomorrow…I—You…”
Duan Wu sneered, “You’re his servant, I’m a slave. What can we do? You want to take me away?”
A Chang sadly replied: “I— Be careful on your way back.”
“A Chang, give me some hot water.”
A Chang did not understand, Duan Wu bluntly said: “A Chang, why do you make us drink so much pearl powder water?”
A Chang softly explained: “That’s because the Master wants to pull strings with a Mongolian nobleman, and that person has recently come down with a strange disease. To cure his disease, the medicine guide requires a beautiful virgin girl with a pure yin, which can come from drinking a lot of pearl powder.”
Medicine guide? Mongolian people? How are they planning to consume this medicine? Eat them alive, boil them or drink their blood?
Duan Wu’s pupils shook as she took several deep breaths, then pleaded: “Alright, I understand. Give me some hot water.”
A Chang suddenly rested on her shoulders, “Duan Wu…”
Several beams of torch lights appeared in the darkness. A servant said, “A Chang, what are you whispering to that woman?”
Duan Wu was furious and said loudly, “I was begging him for a cup of hot water. Nothing else.”
***
Together, both A Chang and Duan Wu were brought to Yan Zi Jing’s room and were pressed down to kneel.
Yan Zi Jing — with his eyes closed, lazily asked: “A Chang, you have followed me for ten years. Do you know why I don’t like to open my eyes?”
“It’s— Master once said: With stupid people who don’t understand things, if your eyes don’t see it, your heart won’t hurt.”
“Are you someone who understands things?”
“I— Master, I didn’t do anything. I only said a few words to her…”
“You’ve brought her along with you, from East to West, still not done talking? Do I need to punish the keyholder? A Chang, are you crazy? Don’t you know who you are, and who she is?” Yan Zi Jing stopped talking, he looked at them coldly.
A Chang shivered: “Master, I was wrong! I am your servant, and she is a slave. I was wrong!”
Yan Zi Jing raised his hand, and in front of A Chang’s knees appeared a red willow branch, just like the one he gave to Duan Wu today.
“Do you know what this is?”
A Chang froze again, “I know. I deserve to be beaten fifty times.”
Duan Wu glares at Yan Zi Jing, coincidentally, he is also looking at her.
A Chang was about to hit himself, Yan Zi Jing suddenly said: “You’ve got it wrong.”
“Master?”
Yan Zi Jing continues, “Need I to say more? Use your actions to redeem yourself.”
Only now did Duan Wu realize that it was her that Yan Zi Jing wanted A Chang to hit.
Although A Chang was wrong, he’s still a teenager. He violated the rules, so he has to obey his words?
She gritted her teeth at the thought and deliberately laughed out loud, looked at A Chang and said: “A master is like a mother-in-law. Do you think I’m scared of being beaten? Beat me! You should beat me until I’m dead. You can kill someone with a nod, let alone get beat by this stupid branch.”
Yan Zi Jing’s face was expressionless, and A Chang grimaced and hesitated. In the end, raised the willow branch and swung it at Duan Wu’s back.
Duan Wu couldn’t help but scream ‘a’ and immediately stuff her fist in her mouth. No wonder this branch can be used as a horsewhip…the pain is burning…
Her knuckles were white after being whipped dozens of times. Her large eyes involuntarily dropped a few tears.
A Chang stopped. She clenched her fist, glanced at him, and said sternly: “I don’t owe you anything.”
Yan Zi Jing got up and walked towards the door. Before leaving, he turned and said to A Chang: “Remember, slaves are not for love, but for profit. Tomorrow morning, you will leave on time.”
Duan Wu spasmed in pain, she’s half conscious. Several men dragged her to the well and splashed cold water on her.
She was thrown back into the house, and the slave girls were shocked. After a long time, someone came and ordered, “Wash her with salt water and put on this medicine.”
Duan Wu secretly cursed Yan Zi Jing and his eight generations of ancestors. She lay face down, letting others ‘serve’ her.
It began with her wailing and screaming, then many inhales and exhales, and eventually, she fell asleep.
When it was almost dawn, she lazily said: “Hey…Give us some hot water, quickly!”
The female slave beside her wiped away the teardrop in the corner of her eye.
***
Yan Zi Jing stayed in the station for many days and seemed to be preparing his bags. Perhaps it was Duan Wu’s stubbornness, or perhaps it was the ointment side effects, but her wounds were scarred by the time they were ready to leave. The only discomfort is that the area around the wounds is always itchy.
Duan Wu was curious, as it was her first time riding a camel. She patted the camel’s leg, lightly pinched its hair, and whispered into its ear: “Lu Shan Jing, Lu Shan Jing!” Her jewel black pupils became even more dazzling. Even the old man leading the camel couldn’t help but smile while looking at her.
As Yan Zi Jing was about to give orders, he saw a white camel standing upright. Other camels also rose, making the bells of the camels continuously ring.
A curious Duan Wu was sitting on the white camel, looking around, unsure of what was happening.
Yan Zi Jing waved his hands, and the long line started moving, slowly entering the endless golden desert.
His people will cross the Silk Road of the South, passing through Loulan, Jingjie, along the bottom of the Northern Kunlun Mountains, until they reach Hotan City.
Millions of years have passed, and sands and rocks have buried generations of human traces, but hope remains for the next generation.
In Duan Wu’s eyes, there’s nothing but winds and yellow sands in this desert. No birds above, and there is no grass below, but there are many roots of red willows. All the traces are destroyed, and all the broken rocks represent the victory of the past. Along the way, Duan Wu picked up a broken comb, a few old coins, and a piece of blue and white porcelain. The sun burned her skin, and her sweat dripped onto the sand and quickly disappeared.
***
After a few days of travelling in the desert, they were always confronted with emptiness after emptiness and loneliness after loneliness. Duan Wu lay on the camel’s back, she could only entertain herself by telling countless make up stories. Although they had brought enough water, because of a few inconveniences from the camels, they didn’t have enough water. At the end, everyone was left with a small bag of water.
Duan Wu stopped telling stories, more like she doesn’t have the energy to do it anymore. She suddenly wants to see the green grass, the blue ocean and the waves.
Relying on her survival experience in the Pearl Collecting Division, she knew that water is life.
She wanted to drink some water, but she tried very hard to resist the urge and said to herself: Bear with it, just wait. You can wait longer.
Suddenly, a little slave girl in the group fell off the camel.
She ran wildly into the desert, and started taking off her clothes, frantically screaming: “I want water, give me water!”
Duan Wu shouted: “Come back!”
People started jumping off to chase after her. A moment later, she breathlessly lay on the ground. The old man said, “Don’t give her water.”
It seems like the girl won’t be able to wait any longer. Her eyes wide open waiting for death. Duan Wu couldn’t stand it anymore, so she took out her water bag and fed it to her.
The girl coughed a few times and then became lifeless. Duan Wu held her head, putting her hands on her eyes to close them.
Yan Zi Jing got off the camel, his thin lips were very dry, it started to crack and bleed. His body was covered tightly, and his eyes were coldly staring at the situation.
He remained silent while making a gesture.
“Come! The sand will soon bury her.” The old man advised Duan Wu.
Duan Wu helped the deceased to fasten her clothes, and placed an old coin, porcelain pieces, and wooden combs she had collected under the deceased’s hand.
Duan Wu got up and walked back to the group. She caught a glimpse of Yan Zi Jing watering his red orchid with his precious water.
They continued, going deeper into the desert. As everyone was about to sink into despair, someone pointed to the side: “Look!”
On the side appeared a view that Duan Wu had never seen before Thousands of snow-covered peaks, with green covering the bottom of the mountains. A village deep in the clouds.
There is a bright light shining up the place. There was a blue waterfall, and a farm of cows and sheep while geese were flying towards the sky.
On top of the mountain appeared a horseback rider’s shadow. His posture was courageous and confident as if he was summoned to cross the river of heaven.
The old man said, “It’s an illusion!”
This is an illusion? Duan Wu forgot about her hunger and thirst, and even her sorrow. She asked the old man: “If this place does exist, where would it be?”
The man looked at the people who were immersed in the illusion, and said: “This is the legendary place in Kunlun Mountains: An existing garden called Gul’dan.”
It is said that mortals can’t reach there, and angels live there. A poet once said: The place is filled with life, the grass is green, and the leaves flutter. When the cold winter passes, only the good days are left. People are kind and charitable, and couples love each other until their hairs are gray.
Duan Wu said: “That’s amazing! There are no slaves there, right?”
The old man smiled, his wrinkled face glowing with youthfulness: “No, but the slaves in the world are not just those who are called slaves.”
Duan Wu pondered for a while until the bell rang. Yan Zi Jing did not care about the illusion and continued off on his own, toward the sunset.
When the silver moon rose to the top, they reached the edge of the desert. Tomorrow morning, they should arrive at Hotan City.
Everyone was cheering each other on as they almost reached their destination when they unexpectedly encountered a gruesome scene.
The bodies of dozens of people lay across the road. Blood covered the body, not even the clothes could cover it. Money and other things are scattered around. The most miserable was a pregnant woman, still protecting her stomach.
Someone found some documents on the ground and gave them to Yan Zi Jing. He looked at it and said to the old man, “These people are traders from Quazhou, came here to buy jade…”
The old man sighed, “It’s the bandits of Kunlun Mountains. These demons deserved to be sliced into a thousand pieces!”
Yan Zi Jing’s eyes reflected the moon. He pursed down his lips and said loudly, “We can’t stay here anymore, let’s keep going!”
The old man hesitated for a moment and then explained to everyone Yan Zi Jing’s plan…
Although everyone was exhausted to the extreme, it was harder to sleep peacefully in this miserable desert.
Amidst the whining, everyone and the camel resumed their journey. Duan Wu caught up with the old man and asked about the bandits of the Kunlun Mountains.
The old man said: “Over the recent years, various big and small bandits have been appearing near the Kunlun Mountains. The two most famous bandit leaders are Ye Zhongxue and Hupo Guang!”
Duan Wu tried to make sense of the names in her head, and finally asked: “Ye Zhongxue and Hupo Guang, are these names or nicknames?”
“I don’t know. You want to join?” The old man asked.
Duan Wu quickly shook her head. The fear in her heart is still there, she couldn’t help but feel sick just thinking about them.
“No, I just want to know why they chose those names.” She answered.
At that moment, a thin horse caught up to them. The horseman sang in a clear child’s voice: Rolling the curtains to see the moon, suspecting it was Ye Zhongxue.
‘Ye Zhongxue, the bravest and most beautiful man in Yangguan.
The best swordsman in the West, with a bold and pure heart.
He is like the flowers on this earth, the shining star among the stars.
The pride of creation and the hope of the oasis.’
‘Fragrance wines from Lanling County.
A jade bowl filled with Hupo Guang. His sword is bloodthirsty and he’s the youngest son of the Demon King.
He is the cloud in the sky and the sand in his hand.
He can walk past Hell, but the god of the mountains.
When he rides his horse through withered grass, his trails create flames.’
Duan Wu’s eyes are fixed on the child, who is about twelve or thirteen years old, with curly red hair and slightly dark skin.
His figure was short, but his eyes were alive, like dancing fireflies.
He also looked at Duan Wu, then pressed down his hat. Duan Wu thought to herself: What an ugly hat.
The old man suddenly lost his smile: “Little Squirrel? Why are you here? Are you coming to Hotan City with us?”
Little Squirrel talks like he’s singing: “Master, there are two things that are an exception, not aligning with what we were taught: first, taking random medicines, and second, not travelling with a group, find your path. How could I not go with you?”
Duan Wu laughed: “I am Duan Wu.”
“People call me Squirrel because I’ve wandered without a home. People call me a beggar, but I just sing. I am a son of a poet and a grandson of a poet.”
Duan Wu thought about it for a moment, then followed his tune, “In the future, you shall be a poet’s father and a poet’s grandfather.”
“Thank you, beautiful. Your eyes are like flowers, were you frightened by the scene just now?”
The living went to the graveyard, and the dead never rose again. This is the world’s rule.
Duan Wu has never met a boy who is as entertaining as a squirrel. This meeting uplifted her mood.
***
There were still lights when they arrived at the bottom of Hotan City. Due to the threats from the Kunlun Mountains, the city always closed its gates before sunrise.
Yan Zi Jing doesn’t seem tired. He ordered people to go count the number of people and verify their items of luggage.
Of course, Duan Wu is also counted. At this moment, Little Squirrel realized that she was a slave, even though he felt disappointed, but did not dare to say anything.
The old man brought Little Squirrel to Yan Zi Jing: “This is Little Squirrel, always wandering around the famous Silk Road. Could you please let him join you, using your custom of declaration to bring him into the city?”
Yan Zi Jing looked at Little Squirrel and slightly frowned.
The Little Squirrel put on a beautiful smile and greeted: “Yan Zi Jing, the great merchant of Dadu. Must be the guest at the Khagan’s banquet. He’s splendidly youthful and beautiful. His traveling bag is precious and even his servants are beautiful. Like the snowflakes at night, flowing and falling nonstop.”
Yan Zi Jing did not react to Little Squirrel’s flattery words and turned his head away.
Duan Wu knows that’s his way of agreeing. A ray of morning light swept from behind the shoulders of the people, and shone on the ancient city.
A notice was hung on the city wall.
The old man said: “This is a notice published by the Khanat Royal Court. Whoever can bring back the heads of the bandits will get a reward, but if you can bring Ye Zhongxue and Hupo Guang’s heads, it will be the highest reward.”
Duan Wu nodded her head. Little Squirrel hummed in agreement: “One gold and one drum for a thief, and it’s two drums to welcome an official. Golden Gong seems to be all the same, and so are the officials and the thieves.”
Duan Wu clapped her hands: “Well said! There are many bad apples disguised as officials.”
Little Squirrel took out a pouch and handed it to Duan Wu: “This is for you. My brother gave this to me, but I didn’t dare to eat it.”
Duan Wu was very thankful and ate a little. It was pine nuts mixed with walnuts, very fragrant. She couldn’t bear to take other people’s things, so she poured a portion of it back into the pouch.
The city gates opened, and everyone rubbed their sleepy eyes and entered the city.
Although people said the bandits are very unreasonable, right now the city is bathing under the sunlight, and the road is clean, peaceful and quiet, with no signs of disturbance.
Little Squirrel followed everyone and arrived at a large inn, then waved goodbye to Duan Wu.
The Inn owner has already prepared hot water for them to wash off the sand. Duan Wu had a hard time getting cleaned up because she was so tired she couldn’t move her fingers.
As she was about to rest when she heard a voice: “Master is going to Yuchi’s Mansion, you come along.”
Duan Wu thought: This is no different than slavery.
She stomped downstairs, then slowed down her steps, and put on a very sleepy face.
After changing their clothes, the eight servants appeared to be completely different people. In fact, from a distance, they looked like white snowflakes floating around Yan Zi Jing.
The man lowered his head in contemplation, but still couldn’t hide his glow, a beautiful side face, making him unrecognizable.
The old man bid him farewell at the door. He took out a bag of coins and handed it to the old man. Even though it’s a simple gesture, it doesn’t diminish his beauty.
But right now, Duan Wu just wants to close her eyes and curse him and his eighteen generations of ancestors.
***
When they arrived at the gate of Yuchi’s residence, Duan Wu saw Little Squirrel again.
Little Squirrel was lying in front of the gate and started singing:
“Lord Yuchi, a man of greatness.
Lord of White Jade, the powerful among all.
In terms of lineage, he comes from the first line of the kingdom of Khotan, loved by all.
In terms of religion, he’s like the earth’s Buddha, loved by many citizens.
In terms of character, he is wise and deep like the sea, kind and generous…”
A manservant of Yuchi’s residence threw a few coins at him. Little Squirrel took the money and thanked him. He turned to wink at Duan Wu and slipped away.
Before Yan Zi Jing could say anything, the maidservant asked: “Are you Lord Yan Zi Jing? My master has been waiting for you.”
Yan Zi Jing raised his head, and the maidservant guided them all inside. Pillars are out of marble, with layers of mosaic, very Western-like.
“Lord Yan, please wait here. My master will meet you in the courtyard.”
Yan Zi Jing straightened his back and stared at Duan Wu. Duan Wu followed his action.
The inner courtyard had gorgeous vine flowers, emerald leaves hiding warblers, and an open area with a Persian-style clear water pool. The bird flapped its wings and flew into the thick shade of the grapevine. The sound of gurgling water is accompanied by the scene of flowers.
Yan Zi Jing stopped walking. He raised his head proudly, standing in the courtyard like a nobleman.
Duan Wu’s eyes are fixed on the Buddha statue by the corridor. The statue was looking thin and serious, the corner of the clothes riding with the wind.
On this elegant and calm Buddha face, there were teardrops. Looking into the phoenix’s eyes, it seems as if they are tears of sorrow.
“This family is so weird! Why is this Buddha statue crying?” She couldn’t help but question it.
“Duan Wu…!” Yan Zi Jing harshly scolded.
After travelling together for months, this was the first time he called her name.
Duan Wu stared back, innocently looking at Yan Zi Jing.
There were a few moments of embarrassment on his handsome face.
Amid the birds and flowers, someone said calmly, “This is the masterpiece of one of my family’s ancestors. The Buddha is crying, probably because of ‘what is difficult in the world, but afterward, the thought of it is all empty’.”
Duan Wu and Yan Zi Jing turned around at the same time, only to realize that there was a stone bed under the shade of green, on which sat a Buddha-like thin and beautiful man. He had an old book on his lap and was holding a jade pot in his hand, graceful and elegant, smiling like the light of spring.
Yan Zi Jing couldn’t help but think deeply as he locked eyes with the man for an instant.
In a flash, a phrase floated in Duan Wu’s mind: a humble gentleman is as gentle as jade.
Syublush 