QingYu: A Wuxia Tale (Going Through Reediting)

Strategist

(Dayu's POV)

I don't need Captain Wang to tell me what is really going on. There are no better gossipmongers and busybodies than the helpers of this camp.

Within minutes of Mei leaving after escorting me to the uniform unit, three helpers already told me the whole gruesome scenario.

I gave the appropriate response of course. My eyes were huge, round and scared as I listen to a helper told me the whole "General Zhi" was dead for the sixth times.

And of course the state he was in when those soldiers found him.

Inside I feel happy when helpers say things like "he deserves it", "he finally got his fair judgement" and "I want to serve whoever did that to that pig".

And I feel elated when they all express their fear that someone entered the camp at the dead of the night to kill someone as big and as strong as General Zhi.

A little poison can level the playing field.

And as the whole camp panicked with the thought of someone entering their base to kill one of their generals, I have to think of a way to lure General Chein outside.

Variety...it's important to keep everyone guessing. 

Mei answered that problem for me. "Why do you have to lure him when we can easily take him?" Mei said as we meet after the midday meal. He used the excuse of Captain Wang wanting to check on me so we can talk.

"You mean,"

Mei smiled,  "That executioner all over again. Dayu, we took him right under the nose of his wife and guards. Taking one general from this camp will be a bit...challenging. But it can be done,"

The executioner who killed my father after being ordered by General Zong. I know the man was just doing a job so I didn't torture him much. I just sliced him in half in one strong stroke.

Then I hanged him like how he hanged his jobs.

Mei and I took that executioner so I can kill him. Is that possible for General Chein too? Of course!

I nodded. "Tomorrow then? Nighttime after the patrol?"

Mei nodded, "How about Captain Wang?"

I smiled, "He will be busy with the other Captains. Uncle Shu will do it for me,"

Mei shook his head, "You will be an invaluable strategist if you are on the war counsel of the Emperor. You are always one step ahead of everyone including me,"

I shrugged, "I may be one step ahead of you but make no mistake Mei, I am five steps away from the other people on this camp,"

"Captain Wang?" Mei arched an eyebrow.

My expression turn grim, "He remained my biggest threat. I cannot afford for him to know my plans and my true indentity. I may lose him and I won't be able to take that," to love is to have a weakness. And Captain Wang is my biggest weakness right now.

"Jiang told me that Captain Wang is suspecting "The Shadow" for what happen to General Zhi," Mei said.

I nodded, "I can understand that. He has been investigating about that assasin for too long. It will be stupid if that name won't come across the Captain's mind and we both know that Captain Wang is not a stupid person,"

Mei sighed, "Tomorrow night then? General Chein always go to the infirmary to get his daily mild dose of sleeping tonic. I will intercept him and take him where?"

I smiled at Mei, cold and cruel. "Take him somewhere where no one can hear him scream,"

(Qing's POV)

A day after...

"It's stuck?" General Zong looks like he can't believe what he is hearing. "Our supplies are stuck in a muddy trail just on the other side of town?"

Mr.Shu, looking cool despite being the bringer of a bad news, nodded. "The helpers can deliver the goods and supplies to us but I think it will be safer if they will have soldiers as guards. I only need a troop or two,

"Make it two troops," General Wang said. "Those supplies are important for the base to function. Qing ah gather your troops and Wei's too and go with Mr.Shu's helpers to escort those supplies,"

I nodded, a bit reluctant. "Should I go?" I asked the two generals.

"Yes," General Zong replied. "At least you and Wei won't botch this escort thing unlike the other captains. I wonder why the stubborn ones are the ones delivering rather than the obedient ones,"

I winced. Yes, their has been an incident before that soldiers was needed to escort the supplies back to the camp and they came back almost empty handed. Bandits still roam the land and we have to be careful with our supplies, they have to last us until the next batch can be delivered.

The camp have vegetables gardens and chicken coop but the rice and cotton plus spices and medicines are still being delivered from somewhere. Those are the necessities we can't afford to lose.

"I will tell Wei," I salute to the two generals while Mr.Shu said his thanks and we leave the office of the Master General.

On the way I saw Mei with Jiang discussing something. Jiang troops are on sentry duty today. While the other two troops are on patrol.

"Captain, Mr.Shu." Mei greeted us.

"Mei," I nodded at my second in command. "Two troops had to go with Mr.Shu to escort the supplies that had been stuck on the muddy road. Wei's and our troop will take the order."

"I will get ready then Captain," Mei started moving. I stopped him. "Mei," I guide him to have a bit of distance between Jiang and Mr.Shu. "You are not coming with me. I want you to stay here with Dayu,"

Mei blanched, "But Captain,"

"I know!" I sighed, "I know you didn't sign up to be a soldier so you can guard my lover but...I still don't feel good about the incident the other day. I know I need to calm down..."

"Sir," now Mei look worried. I patted his shoulder, "Just bear with me for a bit more. Once I calmed down you can go back to being my second in command and less of a nanny for my lover. I am sorry Mei,"

Mei reluctantly nodded, "I will do as what you need me to do Captain."

Ever the disciplined soldier. I nod at Mei. I think he understood that he is the only person here beside Jiang that I can trust to keep Dayu safe.

Maybe I should start teaching Dayu some techniques on how he can depend himself so I don't have to put a guard on him.

I said my goodbye to Jiang who nodded at me and wish me luck before I followed Mr.Shu.

I had a feeling that this escorting job will be easy and the real action will happen somewhere else. I just hope nothing will happen to Dayu.

Mei will be with him. They will be fine.