Chapter 5: Lin Chong and Shi Wengong
Dongjing, Third Age Year 1934
He yelled, "EXECUTE THEM!"
Unfortunately for Gao Qiu, there were multiple people in that entranceway, some of whom tried to unsheathe their weapons from their sides and back... only to awkwardly realize that they already turned in their weapons at the bottom of the stairs. As a result, it looked like they were patting their hip or back. The guards, unsure who they were supposed to target, shrugged and continued to look imposing guarding the Grand Marshal and the entranceways. The people grouping up at the other openings were quickly looking back and forth between the new Grand Marshal and the center entranceway. As for those who were already seated inside the hall, quite a few of them spat out their drinks or began choking on their food. Others within were making sure they did not die such an embarrassing death (Food and drink were incentives for people to come before the meeting started.)
A few seconds of "what?" "huh?" "who?" "ACK GUH-" "Achoo!" passed. Wang Jin stood still, her eyes wide open and with mouth agape. Finally, an official, carefully but decisively, stepped in front of her.
"The Head Arms Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000 has done nothing wrong! You dare try to murder them?!" the tall official yelled, pointing at Gao Qiu.
She was tall with high cheekbones and slightly sunken cheeks. Her eyes were sharp; her voice hinted at great strength and will. She was Lin Chong, the Lance Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000 soldiers.
"Lin Chong! You dare question the Grand Marshal?" General Tong Guan cried, already at his assigned seat, pointing at her.
"ACK! GRAH! Ohh, that's better... Orders can be questioned when given no reason, General Tong!" General Huyan Zhuo immediately retorted, still recovering from almost dying to a bean.
"... Mmm!" echoed a regal voice from the back of Wang Jin. A multitude of responses from "yes" to "indeed" to "arf!" was muttered by most of the instructors and generals. A few simply remained silent though, including an official with a slightly curved nose.
Gao Qiu was speechless, perhaps realizing that this may not have been a good way to earn respect from the military. His eyes darted back and forth everywhere, then settled on glaring and pointing at Wang Jin again (and by proxy, Lin Chong), as if blaming her for everything.
"Y-y-you!" Gao sputtered.
"Me?" Wang Jin calmly said as she stepped in front of Lin Chong, giving the Lance Instructor a brief look. The latter backed away slowly.
"Grand Marshal, you weren't very clear. Did you mean 'them' (他, ta) as in General Guan Sheng?"
"Mmm?" regally intoned General Guan Sheng as he stroked his exceptionally long beard.
"Did you mean 'them' (牠, ta) as in Constable Pubu?"
"Arf arf!" barked Pubu, the dog constable responsible for guarding the "dog gate" to Dongjing (each city had a much smaller gate where pets could enter and exit the city). The dog wore a miniature official outfit with a specially designed hat to comfortably fit on its head.
Wang Jin continued, "surely you didn't mean 'them' (祂, ta), the Gods of Agriculture and Destruction?"
The God of Agriculture, Mairon, and the God of Destruction, Sauron, stood on opposite corners of each other. The heavily portly Agricultural God, Mairon, looked carefree, bearded, half-naked, with the body of an extremely well-fed person (a very big belly), smiling ear to ear, holding aloft money in hand and a grain bag in the other. The God of Destruction, Sauron, in contrast, was tall and in full black armor with a menacing tower-like helm. He carried an obsidian mace. It seemed like even the Destruction God was glaring menacingly at Grand Marshal Gao Qiu.
The Elven scribe twitched as she was recording the conversation.
"But I see you meant me when you said 'them' (她, ta)," Wang Jin calmly concluded as if she were solving a mystery over a cup of tea, "why should I be executed again?"
"You... you beat me up."
"Half the people in this room have that in common, yet my head's still here."
Quite a few of the instructors and generals coughed as if trying to hide their laughter.
"That was before you were in the army!"
"Does not narrow it down much. Former suitor? You're still not my type."
"You... it was that time when... when..."
"When what, Grand Marshal?" Huyan Zhuo asked.
Tong Guan, who remained silent this whole time, looked at Gao Qiu with raised eyebrows.
Lin Chong looked at Gao Qiu expectantly.
Guan Sheng stopped stroking his exceptionally long beard.
Pubu wagged its tail excitedly.
The Elven scribe also looked at Gao Qiu in anticipation.
The statue of the Destruction God seemed to appear a little more menacing.
"Yes, remind me please, and say it clearly," Wang Jin asked with the same plain expression on her face, as if she was watching a very boring wrestling match, "I may be in my early thirties, but as they say, 'the hearing goes out first.'"
"...You mock me... I am your Grand Marshal! You are nothing more than an Instructor you dastardly... bumpkin... ruff-"
"Former Instructor," corrected Wang Jin.
"Former Instructor! You dastardly... bump- wait, huh?" Gao said in absolute surprise.
Silence reigned in the hall. Then immediately came the whisperings and utterings from nearly everyone inside as well as those who were waiting outside to come in.
"...WHAT?" yelled Lin Chong.
"Ruuu... ruuuuu..." whined Pubu.
"Mmmm-what?!" uttered Guan Sheng.
"... getting too old for this," muttered Huyan Zhuo.
The Elven scribe dropped her thin brush.
The God of Destruction's shadow appeared to loom larger.
"Why?" barked Tong Guan, "you're the best one we've had in years."
Wang Jin cast her eyes downward, her eyes dulling. Wrinkles were beginning to form near her brow and a saddened expression appeared. She waited for the din to quiet down, and then she spoke, "I was hoping to save this until later in the meeting but I might as well do it now.
My mother is in her last years and is close to passing away. I will do my filial duty and take care of her until that time comes. Until then, I officially resign my position as Head Arms Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000 soldiers."
Caring for the family was, at least among the upper class, a pivotal part of the Eastern Empire's culture. Just as good parents would care for and protect their children, it was the children's responsibility later in life to care for their ailing parents. To ease the pain of a family member's upcoming death, potential caregivers could immediately quit their employment and care for their dying family member. They would then be exempt from mandatory military service and labor for up to three years depending on their choice, as the grieving usually led to lower production rates and less military discipline. Unfortunately, these provisions did not apply to the frontier villages and rural communities.
"You can't just- You're doing this to spite me!" Gao Qiu exclaimed.
Wang Jin paused, then rolled her eyes at the Grand Marshal, "looks like you're getting older as well," she quipped. Gao Qiu turned even redder, beginning to open his mouth. But he shook his head vigorously, sitting down, muttering curse words to himself, and looked away, glaring at a wall.
With that Wang Jin turned his back on him, loudly speaking as she began exiting, her voice echoing through the hall "well! it looks like I'm retired! No need for me to delay the meeting. Keep up your training everyone and remember to get enough food and sleep! I don't want any of the 80,000 soldiers to slack off just because I'm gone! You never know..."
Quite a few of the seated generals and instructors stood up and rushed as best as they could toward Wang Jin, who had gathered a crowd of red-hatted officials surrounding her. Gao Qiu had promptly rested his face on his desk, still muttering obscenities.
Some said "Instructor, be well!" others cried "Master...Master... Don't leave us!" Another howled "aroooooo!"
"Oh come now, I'm not dying, you brats!" yelled an annoyed Wang Jin, her fists clenched, "now let me out of the Assembly Hall and attend your meeting before I give you one final painful lesson!"
A pause ensued. Then scattered mutterings of "yes, instructor," and "yes, master," were heard as people went back into their seats. More and more officials entered the hall through the other two entranceways, giving her enough space to leave through the central path.
All except Lin Chong, standing at the doorway with a grieved expression on her face.
"You too, Instructor Lin."
She too moved aside. Thus, the former Head Arms Instructor Wang Jin left the Military Assembly Building.
The Lance Instructor sighed, took a second to compose herself, and walked into the building, sitting in her assigned seat.
"... finally!" muttered Gao Qiu, "now we can start this meeting."
"I am still curious..." Huyan Zhuo pondered.
"What's past is past!" Gao Qiu quickly retorted, then cleared his throat, "I shall call upon your rank and you are to tell us any reports and updates. First, we'll start with me. I am your new Grand Marshal, Gao…"
… After she gave her report on the soldiers' progress with both horseback riding and the lance, Lin Chong seemed distracted, as if deep in thought. She did not like the new Grand Marshal for obvious reasons, but what could she really do about it? Lin Chong focused her attention on her desk, blinking and only pretending to hear and nod as the other generals and instructors gave their reports.
At least until Pubu gave their report. Such a cute little thing! Brave and loyal! Best constable! Best dog!
"Arf arf arf ruff!" Pubu reported, unveiling the current morale of the guard dogs at the dog gates.
"The children keep on bribing us with meat." the Elven scribe spoke aloud in a monotone, translating in an almost bored tone.
"Ruff ruff arf!"
"Delicious delicious meat."
"Arf arf aroo! Arooooooo!"
"They tempt us so. Raise our food salary. Aroo."
"... uhh, complaint noted," Gao Qiu said, "I will discuss this with the Minister of the Treasury. You may... return to your seat, Pubu."
With that, the dog constable walked back to their cushion, gnawing on the meat bone in front of them.
Lin Chong eyed the untouched food in front of her. Food was provided at every important meeting, as generals came from afar to attend.
"If you don't eat it, somebody else will take your muscles." lectured an annoyed Wang Jin.
A smile appeared on her face, remembering her days as a child, as she aimed to grab her chopsticks.
"Next up is a report from our Archer Instructor, Shi Wengong. Please make your report," said Gao Qiu.
The smile receded, and Lin Chong lost her appetite again. There was one conversation she needed to have after the meeting, and she dreaded it.
"Wengong! Wait up!" yelled Lin Chong after the meeting ended. raising the hem of her government official robes as she ran down the stairs. She was not going to fall down again like on her first day as an instructor.
That first day was memorable for all the wrong reasons. The drills went fine, albeit there were some awkward moments when she realized that she needed to slow her movements down and simplify them. There was also the matter of correcting stances and not taking too long for those who actually knew what they were doing. At the end of the day, her husband had waited for her. So, when she saw him, she tripped on the hem of her robes running down the stairs, tried an impromptu front handspring, realized that the stairs were a horrible place to do that, fell flat on her back on the stairs, and tumbled down until her body finally stopped at a landing. If she wasn't trained by Wang Jin on how to fall... that could have been her last day as an instructor. Her husband rushed over with a surprising speed, sputtering stuff and feeling guilty for some reason, and she had to persuade him that it was just a couple of stairs. Master Wang looked exasperated, Junyi looked concerned, and Wengong looked irate. Wengong spent some time lecturing about the number of people that were killed by stairs last month alone. Quite enlightening and quite annoying.
She missed those days. They were a real family back then. Her husband was still there of course, as he always was. But now Junyi left the capital, Master Wang had retired (for now), and Wengong… became a completely different person.
"Shi Wengong! I said to wait!" Lin Chong shouted, reaching the bottom of the stairs and running towards her, still raising the hem of her robes. The other people around them looked briefly at the pair, then went about their business not really caring.
Shi Wengong stopped. On her back was a longbow diagonally strapped, but instead of a quiver, a sabre was next to it. She looked around with eyes that were red in the corners. She was as tall as Lin Chong, but even under the hat one could see that her hair was more unkempt. The archer instructor's skin was pale and though she was still considered young, it seemed a shadow took all the light from her eyes, as traces of bags could be seen underneath. Her nose was slightly curved, as if not fully healed from being broken.
Lin Chong knew exactly why Shi Wengong looked this way, and it was not the news of their master's sudden retirement.
"Instructor Lin," she acknowledged, giving her pursuer a wearied look.
The Lance Instructor paused as if considering what to say, "I was wondering what gift we should give our Master for their years instructing us."
"Our roles are our gift. Students becoming instructors," she responded quietly, eyes averting Lin's, "what better way to thank a teacher?
"If that is all..."
"Maybe a weapon then," Lin Chong continued, trying to keep the conversation going, "oh, we can browse the weapon and blacksmith shops! See what they're selling. I hear they're trying to create some sort of 'fire lance.'"
Shi Wengong looked a bit more annoyed, "Our Master ends up selling those gifts. They already have their fair share. Might as well give some money."
"Or maybe some alcohol then."
"Since when are they ever out of it?"
"A matchmaker then!"
And as soon as those words left Lin Chong's lips, she knew she made a mistake. Shi Wengong's annoyed expression flared, a sudden fire lighting her eyes as her gaze became murderous. The way she glared at Lin Chong… Lin Chong recognized the expression, the look of someone willing to... as if any more wrong words would lead to...
But soon the fire left, and Lin Chong exhaled as she saw her friend's eyes relax back to their dull state. Without saying goodbye, Wengong turned her back to leave.
"Wait. We haven't really talked since...well... How about... we go to the tavern and drink our hearts out like old times? Eat some... good meat, drink some... good wine... reminisce... please don't leave," Lin Chong said, her words getting quieter with each departing footstep.
But Lin Chong heard words coming from her friend's lips as she walked away,
"The old days are gone... You're married; I see your husband in the distance waiting for you. Master Wang has to be with their mother now. And... well," at this point Shi Wengong's face turned around so that water could be seen gathering in her eyes, "fate happened."
"Well," Lin Chong mumbled in the middle of eating a baozi. The meat bun was still steaming on the inside, filled with minced pork that melted in her mouth. The oil within was not wet enough to seep through the white bun, but not dry enough to just be an empty filling. It sauced the meat perfectly with an added aroma that was both slightly sweet and slightly salty. Oh, it was quite a distraction, a lovely one to help Lin Chong not think more about the awkward conversation she just had.
This was a tradition that she had with her husband ever since they were children. He would wait outside, usually bearing some food, for Lin Chong to finish her training, sparring, drilling, instructional, and meeting sessions. They would talk together, eat snacks, and then go to their separate homes. But when they became older and had the same home, they would usually walk home, eat dinner, and then do... other things.
She took a few more bites out of the meat bun.
"I sh-till wonder how you 'eep this so 'arm. Even in the winter 'ime?" Lin Chong commented, mouth full of food.
"Magic, as usual," responded Lin Chong's Husband, who was carrying a double-decked container with both hands. The bottom contained water while the top contained the buns.
"I'm just 'lad to not get oil 'rippings on my clothes. 'ard to get off," she said, continuing to talk with her mouth full. It was an odd sight to see for a first-time observer: a government official in her red outfit and rigid red hat walking alongside a normal resident. But they got used to it when it happened every single day.
"Honey, you'll choke if you talk while eating." Lin Chong's Husband chided.
Lin Chong pouted, "mrmm frfr budemmph," she muttered. A minute or two passed as she comfortably finished eating the meat bun.
"Speaking of choking, General Huyan almost died today."
"What?! How? Why?"
"To a bean, no less. Almost choked to death."
"Ah... of course," said Lin Chong's Husband in a relieved tone, "you scared me, honey. General Huyan is one of the best generals in the Empire; even I know that."
"Of course you do, of course, you do. My egghead knows all," Lin Chong teased. In the old days, she would've then hugged him and dug one of her cheeks into one of his soft shoulders as they slowly walked to wherever they were going. But she was a part of the government now, as Wang Jin would say, and she needed to observe some propriety at the very least in public. That disappointed the Lance Instructor when she first heard it, and to be honest, she did not quite understand. She could beat most people up; her husband was scary with cleavers. But she heeded the words of her mentor. Wang Jin was right more often than not.
The key term was in public, of course. They could do whatever they wanted to in private.
Lin Chong's Husband then asked, "so how is Sister Wengong? I saw you two talking after the meeting."
"It wasn't really a good... conversation," Lin Chong responded, glad she already finished the meat bun, otherwise it would've gone cold by the time she felt like eating it again, "they are still the same. Hasn't gotten any better."
Lin Chong's Husband sighed, "Hard to imagine. Don't want to be in Wengong's shoes."
Lin Chong was glad he did not elaborate any further, lest someone was eavesdropping. Wengong made it perfectly clear that what happened to her was not to be spoken of in public. Even in private, as a matter of fact, such as when Lin Chong almost got too close to the subject.
"Pubu was the best today, though," Lin Chong said, changing the subject, "gave the most thrilling report about attempted bribery of dogs by children."
"Is that so? Always amazes me that a dog can join the government while most of us can't."
"Well if they're loyal, do their jobs, wag their tail, and look cute while doing it, who wouldn't be able to join the government?"
"Master Wang also retired today."
"What?! But why? Wait... Instructor Wang's mother..."
"...I guess so. Parent reasons."
For being a non-scholar, Lin Chong's Husband was quite perceptive. Hence why she enjoyed calling him, "egghead." It also fitted with his real name.
Lin Chong added, "oh and we got a new Grand Marshal today. Seemed to have a history with Master Wang."
"What type of history?"
"The history that gets you beat up."
"Mmm, could not take rejection well, perhaps?" asked Lin Chong's Husband, as he narrowed his eyebrows to think.
"Maybe. Maybe they stole Master's cow when Master was a peasant or something."
"That would make sense."
The pair continued to talk as they walked near a tavern, where someone was waving at them.
"Instructor Lin!" shouted someone with the standard topknot and black clothing. She did not wear a black constable hat, which meant that she was not working at this time. The off-duty constable was sitting outside a tavern with a bowl of wine in front of her.
"Deputy Constable Lu Qian!" greeted Lin Chong. Lu Qian and Lu Junyi were not related. Lu Qian had been a former aspiring actor before hard times fell upon her. One day, she and Lin Chong met, had a couple of drinks, and became merry friends. As a result, Lu Qian was recommended to be a Deputy Constable. Wang Jin had commented at the time that she needed to work on her off-hand in order to become a full constable.
"I heard the news," Lu Qian said out loud with a saddened expression, "I hope she comes back."
Lin Chong and Lin Chong's Husband stopped as they both walked closer to the Deputy Constable.
"I hope so too," responded the Lance Instructor.
"Mmm," Lu Qian said as she lifted her bowl of wine, "to the former Head Arms Instructor of Dongjing's 80,000 soldiers!"
Lin Chong pretended to raise her own imaginary bowl as nearby onlookers sniggered. Lin Chong ignored them; her mentor was worth 10,000 imaginary toasts!
"Aah! Refreshing," commented Lu Qian as she downed the bowl, "why not join me for some drinks, you two?"
"Oh, but we were walking home, maybe browsing the weapon and armor store along the way, and we're going to eat dinner," Lin Chong said with an air of disappointment, "my apologies, friend."
"Oh, no offense taken!" Lu Qian said, waving off the declined invitation.
"Actually," commented Lin Chong's Husband, "that would give me enough time to make a nice quality dinner. You should drink and catch up. That'll save us plenty of time for later."
"Aww, my egghead," Lin Chong cooed, no longer caring for public propriety, as she enveloped him in a hug, "you go off then. I won't take long." With that Lin Chong's Husband walked off alone back to their home.
Lu Qian looked as if she saw two tortoises mating in public.
"I wish my previous marriage worked out this well," she muttered then spoke louder, "need to drink more to wipe that memory away. Attendant!"
"Mmm, sorry you had to remember that," Lin Chong said in response.
"Ditching me for some male courtesan. Hmph! What did they see in them that my husband couldn't see in me?" Lu Qian muttered.
"Wrestlers are good at talking, are strong, and are quite flexible," responded Lin Chong, "they didn't even want the tax advantage?"
"Oh, I ended the marriage. Signed the divorce papers first. Not going to share," Lu Qian responded flatly.
"But enough about that (a container of wine please and an extra bowl for my friend)," Lu Qian continued, changing the subject, "with Wang Jin gone, who's going to be the next Head Arms Instructor?"
This was a topic Lin Chong did not want to think about.
"I don't know," Lin Chong responded.
"It's such a high-paying job. Everyone's going to want it. I would kill to have that position," commented the Deputy Constable, "yeah, a lot of work, but the money helps a lot."
"Master Wang did always complain about the job though (thank you! Here's a coin for your trouble)," responded Lin Chong.
"Complain and kept the job for years! Wait, let me pour that wine for you."
When the wine was poured into their bowls, they drank. A minute or so passed, and then Lu Qian said, "why don't you become Head Arms Instructor, Lin Chong? You've mastered quite a few of the weapons already..."
"Ugh, what was it? 18 weapon masteries to qualify as Head Arms Instructor? If Junyi were still around, then maybe they could. Wengong would make an excellent Head Arms Instructor if they felt like it. But me? Not yet."
"Oh, you doubt yourself too much, Instructor Lin. Why just the other day I heard from Xu Ning that..."
A few bowls later, and after saying goodbye to Lu Qian, Lin Chong walked home only slightly tipsy. Lin Chong was still very hungry and was not going to skip out on dinner. But as she walked closer to her home, Lin Chong noticed someone sitting on a chair right next to her residence.
"Well look who's finally back. I've been waiting for you, Instructor Lin."
Her eyes widened, for she saw someone that will be revealed in the next chapter.