Hu Li V

Mountain Province Two, Heguri Empire

a Word with a Prince

Hu Li's feet crunched the autumn leaves on the dirt path. He had been running for almost an hour. The dirt was rough and sometimes damp from rain, but weeks of running hardened his feet. Li woke with the sunrise and ran down the dirt paths of Lord Tamura's Mountain Province Two like he had every other morning over the past few weeks.

The paths wove intricate patterns through the highland forests at the base of the Gods' Mountains, connecting the various provincial villages that sat in the mountain shadows. Freshwater reeds filled the river near the steep banks. Bright green plants and wet mossy rocks met the river on land. The dirt paths cut in and out of the forest, often along the river—small pools of clear green water formed around particularly sharp bends. Li could see trout and salmon gliding underneath the surface. The sound. of running water was never far.

Hardwood beech and maple trees filled the forest. Each tree shone brilliant red, or orange, or yellow, now that the weather turned. When Wada and Li needed firewood, they cut branches from the beech; it was sturdy and burned easily. In contrast to the bright canopy, the river was a cool green-blue. It was even clear to the bottom when you were close.

Li often went an entire run without passing another person. There were seldom travelers between villages. The information Li gathered from questioning villagers was consistent with the empty paths. Time and time again, villagers told Li that no young Daming girl passed through their village; and, more importantly, that they would know if she had. There had been no new information about the girl from the mountain villages. Li was beginning to question if she came west after crossing through the great Red River border city, Fuhua.

Still, it seemed the most likely outcome. And it was the only outcome that would lead to Li finding her. The girl would not have gone north through the dense forests directly north of Fuhua. That terrain was too desolate. If she went east, she was far enough ahead to reach the harbor city of Fujihoro on the eastern coast of the Heguri Empire. If she reached Fujihoro, she could be anywhere in the known world given the right passage. But if the girl went west, she would have to be somewhere here in the mountain villages. The Heguri land stopped at the great mountain range. No girl on her own could cross the mountains into western Heguri or the Hulan territory. Li wasn't even sure he could.

Little Fei could not cross the mountains, but Li often wondered if the girl could hide in them. The village warriors who descended to attack Lord Tamura and his men in Shinshiri were hiding somewhere in the mountains. If they could hide, so could Fei.

What if they found her? What if the rebels held her?

Li leaped over a fallen beech tree and landed softly on the damp dirt ground. Crisp cool air filled his lungs as he took a moment to breathe. Li saw a familiar clearing by the bend in the river ahead.

I'm getting close to camp.

Lord Tamura's three-week deadline was only a few days away. Li needed to decide whether to return south empty-handed or continue. He reread Governor Guo's letter in his mind as he ran; he knew it by memory by now.

I look forward to seeing you again when the snow falls over my estate and my imported Heguri maples turn red and fall over the snow. Until then, work hard, and good luck.

It was now autumn, but not winter and the snows had not come. And yet, Li felt he must return soon. He was nearing the conclusion of his search, and he owed Lord Tamura the message.

What kind of man is Guo Xue?

Hu Li's mind wandered back to his priors on Guo Xue.

Powerful Governor of the Duyun Province of the Xiao Empire. Rose quickly. Likely a very competent tax collector. Likely a very heavy-handed tax collector. Likely proud and arrogant. Unlikely to show his true face. Not loved by the working people outside the cities. Dangerous; a killer. Given what Gao Ju told me about how Guo Xue acquired Fei, it's also unlikely the story he told Duan He was accurate. Are her parents alive? Guo Xue is giving me time but likely wants results. Well connected within the Xiao Empire. Perhaps holds more power than his station would usually provide. Well connected within the south of the Heguri Empire, too, it seems.

Li wondered what would happen if he returned empty-handed. Governor Guo's letter was plain that he did not expect results. But given what he knew now, Li did not trust the words on the page; not anymore. And yet, the search for Fei was fruitless. He scoured the river cities of Sariju and Shimatari and then the thatched roof mountain villages. There was no sign, or word, of the girl. There had been no sign since Li found Governor Guo's roan in Yueyang.

When was the last time a target vanished without so much of a trace? Am I underestimating little Fei?

Li reached the clearing. It was a bend in the dirt path where the forest opened up onto the river. He was used to the river by now. The mountain villages didn't stray too far from its waters. It had not been very deep in the summer, and even during the start of autumn, autumn rains had made it swift and dangerous. It was still lovely and clean enough to drink. Li stopped to catch his breath. He admired the red and orange trees that covered the ridges on either side of the river. Across the river, a small mountain deer and its fawn crept along the river bank.

The Heguri countryside is beautiful. More mountainous than the plains back home. No wonder I needed a guide. I'd be lost without Wada.

Li scooped up some of the cool running water and drank. His lips were dry from the colder weather, but he did not miss the summer's heat and humidity. The sound of the river filled his ears. Li picked up a small stone and threw it over the water. It skipped twice before submerging below the surface.

Where are you, little Fei. If I find you, would I tell Guo Xue? What would he do to you if I returned you?

He wondered what Wada would do if he knew Li found the girl and withheld it from Governor Guo.

There must be a middle man between Wada and Guo Xue. But what does a man like Wada want? What is his motive in all this? He's too clever to be a simple soldier for hire.

Wada seemed fond of Li now that he was no longer drinking wine, exercising daily, and most importantly, sipping his tea. Li owed a debt of gratitude to Wada, he realized. He felt like a young man again. His mind was clear, and his stamina was high. Li was even sleeping deeper and waking earlier than ever before. He felt rested every morning.

Have I had it wrong this whole time? A life alone, on the road? Did I only need a good man with solid convictions to show me the right way to live?

The prospect of returning to a solitary life traveling the backroads of the Xiao Empire did not seem so nice now. He did not yearn for a night in a Yueyang tavern with the blacksmith Peng Shun. Li wondered if he would drink again without Wada; he wondered if he would return to the brothels. And yet, this dream of a clean life in the Heguri highlands could not continue forever. He was empty-handed and no closer to finding the girl. He would need to return soon. Perhaps bringing Lord Tamura's message to Governor Guo would grant him some favor even if he did not return with Fei. Li had already returned his beloved blue roan.

A clean break from the governor; that would be best. Then return home for a few weeks. Or visit Gao Ju, perhaps. Apologize to him for bringing him into this mess. I could always return to Fuhua to see Wada if I begin to lose control.

Li returned to the path and began the final stretch into camp. His mind took him back to his priors on the girl. The sounds of the running river receded in his mind. He thought about Fei constantly. By now, he could picture her in his mind. He felt he knew her, and yet he knew that could not be so. It was dangerous to settle your thoughts on someone before you truly knew them. It would lead him astray.

Chen Feiyan grew up poor in the east. She was kidnapped at a young age by Guo Xue and forced into his services. Her father and brothers were killed, and her mother died of illness. She still does not know. And the sister, was there a sister? Fei is smart to evade detection for this long. She rides well. She did not ride home. She stole a horse in Yueyang, crossed the Red River, and rode through Fuhua into Heguri territory. From there, she likely went west past Sariju and Shimatari and into the mountain villages. Somehow she rode these dirt paths without detection. She is beautiful. She's long gone.

Li caught a glimpse of smoke rising from the camp ahead. Wada had their breakfast cooking. His kettle would be hot.

She's gone. It's better that way. If there's anything I can do to make amends for my past life of drink, taverns, and brothels, it's to let the girl go and accept whatever fate comes to me.

Li slowed to a walk once he reached the edge of the clearing where they made camp. He startled for a moment when he saw Wada standing with a group of men beside the campfire. They seldom ran into other people in the forest, much less a group of armed men. The men had horses and dressed in the now-familiar Tamura blue plate with shining red accents. There was no sign of the helmet with the serpent; Lord Tamura was not with the men.

As Li started his approach, Wada looked up and began to signal to him.

"Li, come."

He walked past the fire. Steam was rising out of the unwatched kettle. Skewers of uncooked food still sat next to the small fire.

"Hello," Li bowed slightly.

“Hu Li, may I introduce Prince Tamura Naomoro, son of Lord Tamura Norimoto.

Li recognized the man in the front immediately. He had been one of the three men sitting in Lord Tamura's chamber when Tamura called on them after the incident in Shinshiri. Prince Tamura looked much like his father but slightly taller and a bit broader. Where the lord was bald, Prince Tamura kept his thick black hair cropped close. He wore no facial hair, like his father. Prince Tamura's jawline was strong. Hu Li wondered if Lord Tamura was as handsome as his son at a younger age. The prince could not have been much older than twenty years.

Li didn't recognize the other men but supposed they might have been riding with the Lord in Shinshiri. They were all young, like Prince Tamura.

"Hello, inspector Hu Li."

"Hello."

"We've met before; I was in my father's chamber when he called on you."

Li pretended to remember only now.

"Of course, of course. You sat seated to my left. With your blade at your side. Do you carry it now?"

Li gestured toward the blade sheathed at Prince Tamura's hip. The prince unsheathed a steel blade. The light blue metal shimmered even in the forest shadow.

"That's a beautiful blade."

"A forge in our province. My father prefers some of the older forges, but I don't think they come any better than these blades."

Prince Tamura handed the blade to Li carefully with two hands. Li took a closer look.

"It's hard to imagine a sword more impressive, Prince Tamura."

Li handed it back to Prince Tamura. He smiled and sheathed the sword again.

"I've been looking for you. You two have proven difficult to track. You cover ground quickly."

Li nodded towards Wada, "I'm lucky to have a Pathfinder."

"You are. However, it's you I want to speak with Li. Will you walk with me?"

The Prince began to walk towards the path from where Li had just come. Li looked to Wada, and Wada nodded, indicating he should follow. As Li moved to follow the prince, the prince's escort began as well until Prince Tamura signaled for them to wait behind. It was only until the two men were out of eyesight from the camp that Prince Tamura Naomoro began.

"I would have ridden out alone, but my father did not permit it. I don't need an escort. I find traveling alone to be a good way to clear the mind."

"I agree. I spend much of my time alone."

"I envy your life. Life in the countryside, alone to one's thoughts."

"This life has its benefits."

"So this arrangement with the pathfinder is unusual?"

"Unusual, yes. My employer arranged it."

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"Governor Guo Xue?"

Li nodded.

"I see. Still, no better guide through our lands than a pathfinder. Especially a pathfinder like Morokore Wada."

"Wada is very helpful."

"And how do you find our countryside? You must travel everywhere; I want to know how our humble province stacks up."

"It's wonderful. We don't have trees that turn colors like this in the south. We don't have this terrain."

"We're told your lands are flat south of the Red River."

Li nodded, "We're mostly flat plains and riverlands."

"I say humble, but our province may be the most beautiful in the entire empire; the forest, the mountains, the river. Some prefer the rich coastal waters of the east or the dense pine forests of the north. Some find our province simply too far from Tobe, tucked into the mountains, near the southern border. But we have everything we need."

"The large forest north of Fuhua? Does that turn these colors in the autumn?"

"It does, yes."

"It must be very beautiful."

"It is. It does not belong to our province, though, nor any province. It is the territory of the emperor. There are other stretches of natural beauty that fall under his control, too. To protect against men from ruining it, I suppose."

"Does anyone live there?"

"No, the Great Forest is too vast. It is too wild."

"I see. Does anyone travel through that Great Forest?"

“Only a man like Morokore Wada. It is rugged terrain to navigate. There are no paths. Perhaps an escaped prisoner."

Or anyone looking to disappear.

"Our girl, the one we're following, do you think she might be hiding out in the Great Forest?"

Prince Tamura looked amused, "No, no, I do not. I wouldn't waste your thoughts there. It's far too wild. And filled with all sorts of nasty beats: bears, boars, tigers, spiders. There are many ways to die there."

They walked for a moment before Prince Tamura continued.

"Speaking of the girl you're looking for, have you found anything of note?"

"Not recently."

"I see."

"And your father asked me to bring a message to my employer, as you remember. I fear I must return south soon."

"A shame."

There was more silence as they walked. Li was curious what Prince Tamura wanted to discuss, if not Chen Feiyan. He felt the prince almost begin to speak before holding himself back again.

"Inspector," the prince paused by the clearing at the river where Li had stood not long ago, "I am looking for a girl, too."

Let him do the talking.

"I see."

"My father says you come with quite a reputation from the south. To be hired by a man like Guo Xue shows that that is true."

"Lord Tamura is too kind."

"Throughout our villages, you've been asking if they've seen a girl traveling through, have you not?"

"I have, yes."

"And you ask about a Daming girl?"

"I do."

"I see. And no one has seen a rich Daming girl riding through our countryside?"

"None."

"I see. I wonder, has anyone spoken of a rich Heguri girl riding through our villages? Or perhaps, hiding out."

Li paused for a moment, unsure of how to proceed. He had not heard of anything but wondered what Prince Tamura wanted with the girl.

"Inspector Li, I assure you, no harm will come to her," he leaned in close and lowered his voice, "The Tamuras, we do not treat women like property. We keep no concubines in our castle. The girl, we were in love. At least, I think. I was in love."

So young.

"Prince Tamura, I'm sorry. I haven't heard anything of the sort."

The young man sighed and stepped back again. He looked out onto the river. The sound of running water continued in the background.

"This girl, who is she?"

“Iko, her name is Iko. Mori Iko.”

"What happened to her?"

"She ran off. She had to. My Father, he—"

The Prince continued to look out onto the river. Hu Li stepped to the closest tree and leaned against the nearest thick beech trunk. The forest was silent but for the sound of the river running past.

Let him speak. The boy doesn't know how to be discreet.

"We were in love, like I said," the prince turned to face Li now, "She was not high born. She lived in the Tamura Castle. Her mother worked for us for many years as an administrator."

"So she was not no one."

"No, not no one. But not high born."

"I see."

"She was caught in my chambers one night. She had been there dozens of times without being caught. I should have been more careful."

"Your father was not happy."

"No. I am to inherit my father's title should something happen to my older brother."

"Your brother lives in Tobe?"

Prince Tamura nodded, "Married to an aristocrat's daughter. He lives an easy life. He doesn't know anything about our land anymore."

"And so you need to marry higher than an administrator's daughter."

"I do. And my father blamed her for our affair. Only outwardly, of course. Behind closed doors, I took the blame. In truth, we both were to blame. He threatened to move one of my younger brothers ahead of me in our line of succession."

"And so she ran."

"Yes. For Iko's safety."

"Your Father takes virtue quite seriously, it seems."

"He does. We do, I mean. The Tamuras are an ancient house. We live by our customs. Or at least try."

"I'm sorry, Prince Tamura. I haven't heard any word."

"If you ever hear of her whereabouts, will you come to see me? I will make it worth your effort, I promise. I would love to see her again."

It never hurts to have another customer.

"Of course, Prince Tamura."

The walk back to camp was quiet. Neither man spoke for some while. Li wondered if the Prince was embarrassed for speaking so openly about his affair. But Li felt sorry for him. The young prince was naive to believe he could ever have a girl below his standing. He was also naive to speak so openly about it with Li. Li felt sorry for him but also sensed an opportunity.

"Prince Tamura."

"Yes?"

Tamura had been leading but slowed for a moment so the two could walk side by side.

"I fear I shouldn't ask, so please, if I overstep—"

"I will tell you if you do inspector, do not fear."

"Thank you—the villagers, back in Shinshiri, the ones who attacked. Were you there? Amongst your father's men?"

"I was."

"And those men at camp just now, they were too."

"No. Those are my men. My father's warriors rode into Shinshiri."

"And your father leads them into battles?"

"Of course."

"Back home, the leaders would not risk an heir in battle, much less themselves."

"If you do not risk your own life, how can those you lead to risk theirs?"

Li nodded, "A fair point. I suppose many in the Xiao Empire do not revere their rulers anymore."

Li noticed the Prince shake his head.

"If I'm honest, I fear we are beginning to lose that respect here."

Li was quiet now.

"That attack in the village, that wasn't an isolated incident. It's been happening more and more. Those men, they're unhappy with the emperor. They want more opportunities. They think the court at Tobe only takes care of its friends. Trade being an example. It's hard for a commoner to get a trading license into the Xiao Empire or access into certain provinces."

"A common thing for the small folk to complain about," Li baited.

"True. But there is some truth to the matter. The provinces used to get a larger share of the income from trade than we do now. The villages notice. They then blame us for holding out on them. The court's actions put my father in a difficult position."

"But the empire has been so stable for so long; a thousand years, surely this must not be the first time the commoners protested."

The handsome Prince laughed, "Hardly. That's the story we tell, but there are often rebellions and fractures and infighting in truth. Tobe always protects itself, and the emperor's line is unbroken, but some even dispute that."

"The emperor's line is disputed?"

"There have been many times in history where an emperor adopted a nephew in place of a son. Brothers assumed control from brothers, even a half brother. It is not always clean."

"And Tobe has always been defended?"

"Always, that much is true. It's isolated, and emperors keep their closest allies in charge of the surrounding provinces. Out here, an ancient house can hold a province for hundreds of years. Near Tobe, provinces can exchange hands with every generation. But I wonder, even with this upstart now in the west, if the empire lasts long enough to, someday, it must fall."

Upstart?

The prince stopped walking and looked at Li. He must have noticed the look of surprise on his face.

"You have not heard?"

"Heard what?"

"Wada has not told you? We're at war, Inspector Li," Prince Tamura grinned, "I thought you were good at finding out things; Wada has known since your first visit to our castle."

"I need to know what I'm looking for before I can find it."

The Prince continued to grin, "Ask Wada; I'm sure he'll fill you in on the specifics."

Prince Tamura turned back towards camp. Li let him walk ahead for a moment before following.

Heguri at war? With who?

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Wada poured himself another cup of tea. Steam rose from his cup while skewered meat sizzled over the cracking beechwood fire.

Wada shrugged, "Why should I?"

"It seems like an important piece of information."

"It's far from here, over the mountains. Near the desert at the Hulan border."

Li shook his head.

"What?"

"It's a major event."

"Is it?"

"You said the empire's line held over a thousand years, and now it's at war."

"War is too strong a word," Wada held out the kettle.

Li let him fill his cup.

"Prince Tamura called it war."

"Prince Tamura is a little boy. Let me guess, he asked you about his girl?"

"I cannot tell you what he asked about; it's my business."

Wada smiled and took a sip from his tea.

"So we both keep secrets from each other."

"Well, what should we call it," Li pressed.

"Call what?"

"The war, the fight."

"That girl didn't love him. I know the man that trained her. She's a fighter, not a lover."

"A fighter?"

"She knows the arts."

"I don't care."

"You don't want information about the girl you're trying to find?"

"He didn't hire me. He just asked."

"So he did want to know about the girl," Wada chuckled, "Silly boy."

"It doesn't matter. Wada, can you please tell me what's going on."

"It's a rebellion," Wada sipped from his cup and filled it again, "That's the best word. Can you grab my bag?"

"Get it yourself."

"There's a map in the bag. I'm going to show you where it is."

Li sighed and walked over to the saddlebags. The bags lay next to where Wada's white horse that stood tied to a nearby tree.

"Which one? This one?"

"That one."

"This?"

"No, no, that one. Right."

Li walked the bag back to the campfire. The men were sitting on a fallen trunk. Wada ripped a piece of fatty rabbit off the skewer before wiping his fingers on his hemp pants. Li handed him the bag, and Wada dug into it. It was very high-quality brown deerskin leather. Wada pulled out a neatly folded paper and unfolded it carefully. He placed on the ground in front of them, far enough away from the crackling fire.

"Here," Wada pointed to the province on the west side of the mountains, "Border Province Two."

"I see; it borders with the Hulan."

"That's what I said."

"Who rules?"

"The Yamadas."

"Another old house?"

Wada nodded, "You will find there aren't many young houses."

"What are their colors?"

"Yellow, the yellow poppy."

"And Lord Yamada, he rebels against the throne."

"No."

"Didn't you say rebellion?"

"I did."

"But Lord Yamada does not rebel?"

"It's messier than that, a peasant uprising," Wada handed Li a skewer and took another bite from his own, "Border Province Two has three towns along the river. They are one of the only provinces with natural grasslands. You've seen our lands, all mountains. That's why we're so different from you. But Border Province Two farms grains and grasses for the empire. Even some cattle and sheep. There are many farmers."

"I see."

"Lord Yamada raised taxes on the farmers. He's in financial difficulties himself. Trade is drying up with the Hulan warlord to the south, and court at Tobe takes a higher cut event still."

"And the farmers didn't take to the tax rise."

"Apparently, a senior farmer protested to Lord Yamada and that it did not go well. Some say he Yamada threw him in a dungeon at their castle, and some say they sent him to the tundra for hard labor. Some say they executed on the spot. Appeals to the lord are not allowed by Lord Yamada, like many lords."

"Coward."

"Yamada?"

Li nodded.

"I suppose. Either way, the farmers began to revolt. They won a few small battles against Yamada's guard and now hold two of the three towns."

"Interesting."

"Like I said, a real mess."

"Lord Tamura told you? He must be worried things may happen in his province."

Wada nodded, "Why do you think he sends word to Governor Guo."

"Governor Guo?"

"Tobe hasn't sent men to deal with the rebellion. They believe that if Yamada can't hold it himself, they'll appoint another old house that can."

"I see. And Lord Tamura is afraid he won't be able to hold a similar revolt. He asks Guo for support?"

"He does."

"But Governor Guo does not control the military; General Qi Hu controls the military in the Duyun Province."

"Your employer is a powerful man, Li. Don't underestimate him."

So there truly is a sense of urgency to Lord Tamura's request.

"We should return," Li said, "We should deliver Lord Tamura's message."

"As you wish. It's entirely up to you. I am your guide."

"Let's return to Fuhua. We can part ways there. I can make my way back to Governor Guo's estate outside Shaozou."

"Very good," Wada rose and threw the rest of the tea in the kettle over the fire, "It's still early. Let's get moving."