The Wu Pass was built on a relatively flat elevated ground within a narrow valley, with its northern side leaning against the towering Shaoqi Mountain in the eastern section of the Qinling Range. It guarded the junction between Qin and Chu, commanding the strategic terrain of mountains and rivers. From here heading north, one could strike directly at the Guanzhong region through Nanyang and Xiangyang. Occupying the Wu Pass meant controlling the political situation north and south of the Qinling Mountains, so ever since its existence, it had been a contested strategic location for military strategists.
The route from Nanliang of Han through Chu to the Wu Pass was treacherous and difficult to traverse. Song Chuyi had originally estimated it would take over a month, but due to weather conditions, it took more than two months to barely reach this Qin fortress.
By this time, both men and horses were exhausted.
Song Chuyi gazed up at the majestic and towering mountains, feeling the vast and noble spirit that arose spontaneously between heaven and earth. It was magnificent and imposing beyond description. The wind swept through the valley, emitting a roar like a fierce tiger bursting from its cage, rolling the dry branches and fallen leaves into layer upon layer of waves, scattering the withered leaves in all directions.
“Sir, this is the Wu Pass of Qin!” Ji Huan shouted joyfully into the wind.
Not only because they had finally arrived after enduring countless hardships, but also because of such a magnificent sight – any man would have his fighting spirit stirred.
Longgu Buwang’s illness was almost completely cured, and he too wrapped himself in a fox fur cloak and stepped down from the carriage.
“Sir, let us enter the pass,” Ji Yu said.
Song Chuyi nodded. Ji Yu then called for the merchant caravan to proceed.
The entire journey was uphill, and the already exhausted men and horses moved extremely slowly. The higher they went, the steeper the slope became and the narrower the road grew – almost every ten steps required a rest.
White Blade ran at the very front of the group, followed by more than ten guards, with Song Chuyi and Longgu Buwang coming after them.
When they finally reached the gate of Wu Pass, everyone was instantly struck by the scenery before them, forgetting most of their fatigue. Looking down from Wu Pass, in the twilight, the vast land stretched all the way into the distance, meeting the boundless sky, chaotic as though without limit. On both sides, mountains rose and fell, extending for dozens of miles, like a giant ancient serpent winding and coiling. The rammed-earth walls followed the contours of the mountains, seeming to have no end.
A sudden surge of heroic spirit welled up in Longgu Buwang’s chest. He struggled to hold back a great shout, but still could not help letting out a low cry of amazement.
Seeing the familiar scenery again, Song Chuyi sighed inwardly. The landscape of Longxi was almost always like this, which was why the people living in Longxi had such bold and fierce personalities, and a fighting spirit that would rather die than submit.
Song Chuyi had always felt that the Marquis of Duanyang whom he served was a delicate and tender flower on this wild and untamed land of Longxi. From Qin to Wei’s west, there was probably only one man like him who lacked that fighting spirit.
“Let’s go,” Song Chuyi said, pulling the souls of the stupefied people back to their senses.
“Sir, no wonder the people of Qin are skilled in war. Even I, looking at such a vast scene, want to draw my sword and fight the enemy in joyous battle,” Longgu Buwang sighed.
Song Chuyi chuckled, straightened his robes and hat, climbed into the carriage, took out the documents and handed them to Ji Yu, then found the tally and held it in his hand. The guards on both sides opened the carriage doors so that those inside could be clearly seen.
White Blade happily jumped onto the carriage and rubbed against Song Chuyi’s leg before lying down.
Longgu Buwang also quickly climbed onto the carriage.
Only after Ji Yu finished arranging the group did they unhurriedly proceed toward the city gate.
Generally, merchants from various states preferred to enter Qin through the Hangu Pass, because the official road along the way was flat and could lead directly to Xianyang without wasting time on the journey. At this moment, the area before the gate of Wu Pass was completely empty, with no need to line up at all.
This was also one of the reasons Song Chuyi chose to enter Qin through this route.
When they reached the city gate, Ji Yu handed the documents in his hand to the armored soldier guarding the city.
Few people were literate in those days, but documents between states all bore special markings. Therefore, the soldier only took one glance before immediately accepting the documents and cupping his hands in salute, saying, “Envoys, please wait a moment.”
With that, he hurried inside holding the documents.
In a moment, he led a group of people back out. At the front was a scholar in black robes with broad sleeves and a wide cut, followed by two rows of black-armored soldiers.
Qin favored black – black armor and dark garments – so everywhere one looked there was a solemn austerity that made people instinctively hold their breath.
The scholar stopped before the carriage, and Song Chuyi stepped down holding the tally and the state letter.
When the scholar saw Song Chuyi, he was stunned for a moment and wanted to speak, but his gaze fell upon the tally in her arms. A flicker of disbelief passed through his eyes before finally settling into calm. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “I am Gan Peng, assistant official of Wu County, here to welcome the honored envoy.”
Song Chuyi bowed slightly in return. “I am the envoy of the State of Wey, Song Huaijin.”
Gan Peng stepped forward to receive the state letter from Song Chuyi’s hands. He carefully examined the sealed outer shell and confirmed that it was indeed the state letter of Wei before returning it with both hands. Smiling slightly, he said, “The county head is slightly unwell, and I am acting on his behalf. I ask the envoy not to take offense.”
Administrative units with more than ten thousand households were called county magistrates, while those with fewer than ten thousand households were called county heads. Although Wu County was a strategic stronghold, its population was not particularly dense.
“You are too serious,” Song Chuyi said, taking back the state letter and entering the pass with Gan Peng.
Once inside, however, Song Chuyi noticed that near the gate tower there were black-armored soldiers with cold blades, and the guards were more heavily stationed than expected. After thinking briefly, she knew a little about the new ruler’s iron-fisted methods – there should not be any internal rebellion… Could they be guarding against Chu? But along the entire journey, she had not seen any signs of activity.
After deliberating for a moment, Song Chuyi still probed tentatively, “The Wu Pass is so heavily guarded – could it be that Qin and Chu are uneasy?”
Gan Peng had been secretly wondering why Wei would send a youth not yet of age to serve as an envoy, but upon hearing Song Chuyi’s question, he smiled and said, “That is not the case. Shang Yang’s treason has been exposed, and his whereabouts are unknown. The ruler has ordered his execution.”
Not far north of Wu Pass was Shang Yang’s fiefdom, so Wu Pass naturally had to be tightly guarded.
“Shang Yang was once a pillar minister, and to think he actually rebelled – it is truly lamentable,” Song Chuyi said a few polite words, then changed the subject. “I have come this time on matters of great importance concerning Qin. I hope you will keep it confidential.”
“Since you have made such a request, I shall naturally comply,” Gan Peng thought to himself. A tiny state like Wey, so far from Qin – what matter of importance could there be? Nevertheless, hearing Song Chuyi say it concerned Qin, he did not dare brush it off carelessly. Better safe than sorry – he could not afford to make a mistake.
After a brief moment of thought, Gan Peng said, “In that case, I will not send a large force to accompany you. I will only dispatch a few dozen men in disguise to lead the way, so as not to expose you. Qin nowadays has no bandits in the mountains, so the honored envoy may set your mind at ease.”
“You have thought it through most thoroughly,” Song Chuyi said with a slight cupping of the hands.
Gan Peng led Song Chuyi and the others to the relay station to rest and reorganize the carriages and horses.
Song Chuyi soaked in the bath, washing away the dust all over, and felt refreshed from head to toe. Seeing White Blade covered in filth, she dragged it over and tossed it into the bath.
White Blade splashed about in the water trying to climb out, but when it grabbed hold of the edge of the bath, it seemed to decide the warm water was quite comfortable after all – and actually refused to come out. Song Chuyi chuckled, crouched by the edge of the pool, and helped rub its fur.
White Blade rested its head against the edge of the pool, squinting its eyes in comfort.
“You certainly know how to enjoy yourself,” Song Chuyi said, giving it a pat and shooing it out of the water. She rose and fetched a clean cloth. Just as she was about to wipe it down, White Blade gave a violent shake, splattering her all over.
“Ungrateful wretch!” Song Chuyi roared, flinging the cloth onto its head and calling for another set of clothes to be brought in.
After more than two months of continuous long-distance travel, both the people and horses were severely exhausted, so Song Chuyi ordered a one-night rest in Wu County, with departure at dawn.
Song Chuyi wrung the water from her hair and sat by the fire to dry it.
She was very tired, yet had not the slightest desire to sleep. After lying on the bed for a while, she rose, wrapped herself in a thick lambswool cloak, and went out to walk along the corridor.
Qin – that was the purpose of her journey.
In Wey, it would indeed be easier to secure a stable position, but there was basically little room for advancement. If the events of the past could not be changed, Min Chi would sooner or later defect to Wei. If she did not align herself with a state whose strength was on par with Wei, how could she contend against him?
Song Chuyi had spent five or six years between Qin and Wei in the past, so she understood the situations of both states better than anyone. Among the seven great powers of the present day, Qin was not the strongest, but Song Chuyi could see the vigorous vitality that Qin had radiated after just having undergone its reforms.
To use Qin – this fierce tiger – to advance her rhetoric of destroying states was the best possible plan. There was another, even more important reason she chose Qin – Qin’s decree seeking talent was still in effect. It sought talent regardless of origin, without rigid conventions, employing only the capable. In all the world, if even Qin could not tolerate her sex, then no other state could accommodate her.
Even if she could temporarily conceal her sex, what was fake was fake – there would always be the possibility of exposure.
This trip to Qin, Song Chuyi did not intend to pledge herself to service immediately.
She still looked too young now. Even if she entered Qin, she would not receive important appointment – perhaps they would set her aside for a period and then gradually forget about her, which would be far less useful than what she could accomplish in Wey. Therefore, for the time being, she was merely showing her face before the ruler of Qin, displaying herself appropriately, and later, once her plans began to be fully implemented, it would be easier for her to seek service in Qin.
Song Chuyi stood with her hands clasped behind her back. In the square courtyard, there were only two lamps lit at the main gate. A fierce wind swept through, and her face felt prickling cold. She reached up to touch it – fine snow.
“Master, you’re still up,” came Ji Yu’s voice from the other end of the corridor.
Song Chuyi nodded and asked, “You are not on night watch tonight – why are you still not resting?”
“I was just about to sleep when I saw the snow falling, so I came out to take a look.” Ji Yu habitually carried his sword with him. He approached a few steps and stood leaning on his sword not far from Song Chuyi’s side.
Song Chuyi looked at the vast black sky. “Rest assured, I expect it will not amount to much. The blizzards of Longxi are just like the temperament of the Qin people – fierce and violent when they come. How could they be as gentle as this?”
“You seem to understand Longxi quite well,” Ji Yu said.
Song Chuyi grinned. “Only just noticed? What I understand goes far beyond Longxi.”
On this point, Ji Yu agreed. He was silent for a good while, then said, “The way you look at Longxi is different from the way you look at other places.”
Song Chuyi smiled and looked Ji Yu over. No wonder Yi Shikui had taken him as a student – Ji Yu appeared burly and imposing, but was in fact coarse on the outside and fine within, unlike Ji Huan, who was coarse both outside and in.
“Yes… At first I thought this place was my lucky land, but it was actually the place where I was buried. Yet standing here again, everything is different,” Song Chuyi said slowly.
Ji Yu frowned slightly. These words came without head or tail, and he could not understand them, but he knew they touched on Song Chuyi’s private affairs, so it was not appropriate to press further.
