Chapter 129: The Archer General, Dugu Jiali

"This is General Dugu Jiali. Have you not yet paid your respects to Lord Long?"

Dugu Jiali immediately saluted, saying, "This subordinate greets Lord Long."

Long Chen scrutinized Dugu Jiali, thinking to himself: Such a beautiful female general must be brought under my command; there will be plenty of fun to be had later.

Seeing the lecherous look in Long Chen’s eyes, Zhang Qian cursed under her breath: "What a lecherous eunuch!"

"General Dugu, you are not from the Central Plains, are you?" Long Chen asked. Judging by her appearance, Dugu Jiali clearly hailed from the Western Regions.

Dugu Jiali replied, "In reply to your lordship, my mother was from the Western Regions, which is why my appearance is somewhat different."

Long Chen nodded and said, "That explains it."

Tang Na added, "I have heard that the sea pirates frequently travel by ship, and Dugu Jiali is highly skilled in archery, so I have arranged for her to accompany you."

Long Chen smiled. "General Tang has gone to great lengths. General Dugu, please prepare to depart with me."

Long Chen mounted his horse, while Dugu Jiali led a thousand elite soldiers from the camp to follow. As they set out from the camp, they headed east, with Long Chen in the center, Zhang Qian close by his side, and Wu Jian and Dugu Jiali leading the troops.

"If your mother was from the Western Regions, why do you bear a foreign surname?" Long Chen watched Dugu Jiali as she rode, her body swaying in the saddle, and found the sight rather captivating. He couldn't help but think that the horse should be replaced by himself, and Dugu Jiali could ride upon him instead.

"My grandfather was of a barbarian tribe who later migrated to the Great Zhou. The surname remained unchanged; it is still Dugu. However, my lord, rest assured, I am the third generation, and I am a loyal subject of the Great Zhou." Dugu Jiali had always been troubled by her appearance, as she looked like a foreigner and had to explain herself constantly.

"That does not matter. Others distinguish friend from foe by appearance, but I distinguish them by culture. As long as one identifies with our Great Zhou culture, they are a subject of the Great Zhou."

Dugu Jiali was stunned by his words, then exclaimed in admiration, "I have long heard that your lordship possesses extraordinary insight. What you say is truly different. I also believe that outward appearance cannot be the standard for distinguishing friend from foe; there are traitors within the Great Zhou as well. As long as one is loyal to the Great Zhou, they are one of our own."

Long Chen smiled. "Precisely. Your name is quite unique. What does it mean?"

Dugu Jiali explained, "My mother gave me my name. 'Dugu' is the surname, and 'Jiali' means 'fragrant'."

Long Chen asked, "Are you born with a natural fragrance?"

Dugu Jiali’s face suddenly turned red, and she said bashfully, "Yes, I was born with a unique scent, which is why my mother named me Jiali."

Long Chen deliberately twitched his nose and laughed, "I don't smell anything."

Dugu Jiali said shyly, "My lord, you are teasing me. I am wearing clothes; you cannot smell it from this distance."

Long Chen chuckled, "Then take them off so I can get a closer look."

Dugu Jiali flushed completely and turned her head away, remaining silent.

Zhang Qian felt her teeth itch, wishing she could kill Long Chen with a single slash. How could there be such a shameless eunuch in the world, trying to take advantage of every pretty woman he saw?

"Captain Wu, you have done a great service for the women of our Great Zhou," Zhang Qian said, turning to Wu Jian.

Wu Jian did not understand and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Zhang Qian shot a glare at Long Chen and said loudly, "It is fortunate that you castrated him; otherwise, with his lecherous nature, who knows how many innocent women he would have ruined!"

Uh... Wu Jian was speechless. He wanted to say: Actually, the young general was not castrated—he has it, he really has it!

Long Chen was also speechless. "What are you talking about? This is just my appreciation for beauty."

Dugu Jiali realized Zhang Qian was jealous. Having heard rumors about Long Chen, she felt even more uncomfortable.

Twenty miles from the capital, Long Chen stopped and said to Wu Jian and Dugu Jiali, "We will part ways here. You proceed according to the established plan, and Qianqian and I will go ahead."

Wu Jian knew Long Chen’s plan, but Dugu Jiali did not, so she asked hurriedly, "My lord, why must you go ahead?"

Long Chen explained, "The biggest problem with the sea pirates lies in their internal collaborators. We will enter the city first to assess the situation, and you can arrive later."

Dugu Jiali said worriedly, "I have heard this mission is very dangerous. Is it not too risky for you to go alone?"

Zhang Qian replied, "Don't worry. With a great beauty like you around, Lord Long would not dare to die."

Dugu Jiali was momentarily at a loss for words. Wu Jian held back a laugh. Long Chen smiled awkwardly and said, "A crude way of putting it, but true. Don't worry. Captain Wu, find two people to pose as me and Qianqian. We are leaving now."

Wu Jian nodded. "Take care, my lord."

Long Chen and Zhang Qian changed their clothes, disguised themselves, and then rode their horses toward Qianjiang Prefecture. It was a four-day journey from the capital to Qianjiang, and even riding fast, it would take Long Chen more than two days.

...

In the Imperial Study of the Southern Liang Palace in Jinling, the eunuch Zhong Gui entered the bedchamber holding an agarwood tray. Li Chengdao was busy reviewing memorials.

"Your Majesty, it is time to flip the tiles."

The practice of flipping tiles, invented by Long Chen, had spread from the Eastern Zhou harem to the Southern Liang imperial family. Although Li Chengdao favored Consort Shu, he could not show exclusive favor, as it would cause discord in the harem. Therefore, he followed the custom and chose his bedchamber companions by flipping tiles.

Li Chengdao set down his brush and randomly picked a tile, on which was written: "Consort Wei."

"I shall spend the night with Consort Wei."

Zhong Gui immediately went to inform Consort Wei to bathe and prepare. Just as Zhong Gui left, the eunuch Yu Fuguo walked in with small, hurried steps, bowing as he spoke, "Your Majesty, news from the Daughter City of Eastern Zhou: the Empress has sent Long Chengen to Qianjiang Prefecture to suppress the pirates. He has brought only a thousand troops, and only the minor general Zhang Qian accompanies him."

Li Chengdao’s face lit up. "Is the news certain?"

Yu Fuguo, rarely seeing Li Chengdao show such joy, immediately replied, "Certain, Your Majesty. Long Chengen is already on his way."

Li Chengdao stood up happily and paced the room. "Summon the Third Prince, quickly!"

Li Chengdao had four sons, each with different responsibilities. The eldest, Li Chengtong, had the highest cultivation—a Master of the Martial Emperor realm—and was the Crown Prince, assisting in state affairs. The second, Li Jiye, was skilled in commerce and managed the Southern Liang chambers of commerce, keeping ties with the World Society and the Dragon Gang. The third, Li Yuanying, was also a Martial Emperor-level expert, deep in thought and fond of schemes; he was in charge of the Southern Liang’s secret service, the Imperial City Department. The fourth, Li Wenji, was a talented writer and scholar, in charge of the Hongwen Academy.

Li Chengdao intended to assassinate Long Chen, so he summoned the Third Prince. Yu Fuguo went to deliver the decree to Li Yuanying’s residence. Before long, the Third Prince arrived in a hurry.

"This son greets the Emperor."

"Long Chengen is heading to Qianjiang Prefecture to suppress pirates, accompanied only by the minor general Zhang Qian. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You are to mobilize the best experts from the Imperial City Department immediately and ensure Long Chengen is finished off in Qianjiang Prefecture!"

Li Chengdao spoke with uncharacteristic excitement, which greatly surprised the Third Prince. Li Chengdao was usually composed and inscrutable, but now he was visibly agitated.

"This son obeys the decree!"

Li Chengdao added, "Remember, Long Chengen has struck twice, seizing Linjiang City and Caishi City, and killing two of our great generals. This man is a grave threat to our Great Liang; he must not be left alive! If you can bring his head back to Jinling, I will grant you a great reward!"

Li Yuanying was overjoyed, though he did not show it on his face. He bowed, "This son obeys the decree!"

Li Chengdao let out a long sigh of relief. "Go!"