The Last Concubine

feet. It made him feel a bit safer. Despite his training, Lan was very aware that he had no actual experience in war. His most devout hope was that he would not disgrace himself, Ning, or worst of all, Hüi Wei with his conduct in battle. He invoked his gods and omens to grant him the courage to face death bravely if that was to be his destiny.
    Silently, Lan listened to Hüi review plans and maps with his generals. It soon became clear to him that Hüi Wei had lied, either to her or to himself, about directing his troops from the rear, perhaps to dissuade her from accompanying him. Lan’xiu doubted that Hüi could forego the challenge and thrill of battle even at the cost of his own life. Jiang was there as well, refusing to be left behind at this critical moment and having left the reins of government in the hands of one whom he trusted above all else, his partner, Zheng Guofang. Between them, Lan felt humbly respectful at their ability to plan to meet different eventualities and strategize to turn them to their advantage.
    However, there was a part that he was there to play. Only he could prevent what the omens had revealed to him. Carefully, he had tried to speak to Hüi Wei about his visions.
    “You must keep to the flatlands,” Lan said. “If you venture into the hills, it is easy to get lost.”
    “I have never been lost,” Hüi boasted. “With the sun and the stars to guide me, how would I lose my way? I have never allowed an enemy to slip away and sit in comfort while he mocks me from the peaks.”
    “The weather in Liaopeh—”
    “—is much like weather anywhere else,” Hüi said firmly. “Do not be so fearful, my love. I will come to no harm.”
    Lan lay awake in his blankets late that night, long after Hüi Wei had gone to sleep. He wished he could edge closer and gain some warmth from being held in Hüi’s arms, but he could not compromise the general’s reputation that way. The rumor that the general had taken a young soldier as his lover was not one Lan wanted to generate.
    He could feel the ground move beneath him, and at first thought he might be getting dizzy, but then Jiang and Hüi sat up, listening. “They are coming,” Hüi said. And then he was gone, running for his horse.
    Jiang stood and told Ning, “Get your horses. They probably won’t attack until dawn, but better on horseback than on the ground.”
    Lan was already on his feet, rolling up the blankets while Ning went for their horses. Four of his guard stayed with him until his horse was brought to him. Servants collected the blankets and other items to load onto a cart while Lan sat astride his horse, pulling off the main roadway to allow the war chariots to roll past.
    Captain Wen looked as calm as always, but his horse fidgeted, as if some excitement from the man was communicated to the animal.
    “Captain Wen,” Lan said. “Listen to me. I know what your orders are from the general, but in battle you will take your lead from me. Those hills over there—” Lan pointed to the dark mountains, visible only in the night by the mists that hovered within the passes. “Those hills lead into the mountains of Liaopeh, my homeland. Ning and I have covered every inch of that land and we know it well. If we move, stay close by.”
    “Yes, my—sir!” Captain Wen said, although a slight frown creased his forehead. He looked at Ning, who gave him a decided nod.
    “I will try not to get any of us killed,” Lan said with a wry smile. “I thank you for your loyalty.” He stood in the stirrups and bowed to his guard. “I shall try to honor you by matching my courage to yours.”
    The guard raised their spears almost as one in salute. It moved Lan more than the loudest shout could have, and he was comforted, knowing they would have his back. He turned his horse to follow in the tracks the chariots had left behind. The heft of his spear was comforting in his hand.
    “Do you think he will come?” Ning asked quietly.
    “I know he will,” Lan said. “He will not suspect I am here, so I am not his target. But Wu Min knows the hills as well as I. He has some snare devised to keep Hüi Wei facing the west. The mountains look impassable from here, and I have not been able to convince Hüi that there are ways through them. Very well, Hüi may face the west. We will guard the east.”
    “Your mother was a very wise woman,” Ning commented.
    Lan bit his lip as he always did when reminded of his beautiful mother, who died too