Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 4: Royal hunting
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Edited by Angel Chua, 01 June 2019
The birthplace of the Great Summer Dynasty reaches the Hengshui River on the east coast of Hong Chuan. Their ancestors began living by the grasslands and adopted a nomadic lifestyle, which led them to practice martial arts and train strong soldiers. Their seasons shift from summer to bitter cold, and the harsh conditions of their environment limit their development. For thousands of years, the Summer people in the east of the Red River struggled to survive until the real Huang (meaning "Yellow黄") of the world was established by a powerful regime.
In the history of this regime, almost every chapter is written in blood and tears. The nomadic nature of the people fostered an indifferent relationship with the land, which, to some extent, caused them to face issues that the South Bian Tang and Oriental Huai Song did not. The latter regions were more inclusive and had larger pastures. Over hundreds of years, the Summer people continued to migrate westward, blending their culture with others and struggling to survive in their expanding territory. Now, after more than three thousand years of history, Bian Tang and the prosperous Huai Song have become the mainland's first military power.
The area has become the center of economic and political power on the continent. The high-rise buildings, busy streets, and wealthy dignitaries shuttle through the nine main streets, creating a lively atmosphere.
At dawn, the sound of a distant bell echoes through the city gates as they slowly open. The gatekeeper of the Zhuge Household, Huang Cheng, begins his day by following the imperial orders.
"Drive!"
Suddenly, the sound of powerful, rhythmic hoofbeats fills the air. A black horse with white hooves charges through the snow, leaving the followers trailing far behind.
"Yan Shi Zi! You're late!" Zhuge Huai mocked with a laugh as he faced Yan Shi Zi, a smirk playing on his lips. Yan Shi Zi's face, fresh like a spring breeze, bore a warm voice, and his eyes glinted with a sharp light. He wore an elegant purple and gold-lined Chinese Koi robe, adorned with a Wushan silver mink, exuding a sense of wisdom and sophistication beyond his years, despite being only thirteen.
Standing beside him were four young boys, aged eleven to thirteen, dressed in brocade costumes, with Ying Ting (meaning old-fashioned music) equipment slung over their shoulders. Hearing his voice, they turned and gazed towards the approaching crowd.
Yan Xun remained inside his house, calling out to someone as if on the verge of tears. Suddenly, a mysterious snowflake appeared, causing an uproar among the people. The snowflake landed on Yan Xun, who wore a deep purple suit adorned with long fur as white as clouds. His childhood playmate remarked coldly, "When Brother Zhuge Yue receives this news, it will be difficult for him to leave the house, as the eighth princess is inside."
"The woman seems to be very beautiful and is likely the reason for Yan Shi Zi's sleepless nights—a woman called Ya Xing," said a man in loose green pajamas, accompanied by a small boy. His voice was soft, and despite being eleven, the boy's smile carried a fox-like shrewdness.
Yan Xun's face turned serious as he responded, "If not for the little crown prince's joke at yesterday's banquet, I might have broken the princess's glass. Today, I have nothing but gratitude for the little crown prince."
Another prince's son smiled and said, "Don't worry," before turning away to speak to another boy in a blue and green robe. "See, Mu Yun, I told you Yan Shi Zi wouldn't give in. He had to make his move."
Mu Yun raised his eyebrows slightly. "This emperor is the reason for so much suffering. Yan Shi Zi's temper may be good, but it won't spare your household."
"Is it still better than this? If you want to chat, then go back," another boy wearing black pants interjected, his waist adorned with a bright yellow bow that signaled his authority. Yan Xun noticed him, dismounted from his horse, and saluted respectfully, "Your Highness, Seventh Prince, I did not see you."
Zhao Che glanced at Yan Xun and greeted Zhuge Huai. "I and my younger brother, the eighth prince, just finished dinner. We don't have much leisure time."
Zhuge Huai laughed. "Since Yan Shi Zi has arrived, let's begin."
The little crown prince clapped his hands, amused. "Zhuge Huai, why don't you show us something fresh and exciting?"
Zhao Jue, the eighth prince, chimed in, "I saw a shipment of animal cages arrive earlier. If we're not going to hunt, what's the point?"
Zhuge Huai shook his head with a smile. "Today, I've put a lot of thought into how you'll view me." He gestured toward a distant field covered in pale snow.
The hunting field was surrounded by fences. From afar, you could see Zhuge Huai's entourage leading horses into the paddock, where six large cages were arranged. Each was covered with a black cloth, hiding their contents.
The little crown prince, intrigued, remarked, "What's inside? Zhuge Huai, I suppose you aren't selling something today?" He chuckled, mocking Zhuge Huai.
Zhuge Huai smirked and waved toward his followers, signaling them to remove the black cloth. For a moment, the little crown prince paused, staring in shock, though he quickly masked it with a smile.
Everyone gazed at the cages, each filled with young girls around seven or eight years old. Each cage held about twenty children, all dressed in thick, coarse gowns resembling prisoners' attire. Their backs bore oversized inscriptions, indicating they were designated for the field hunters: Mu Yan, the little crown prince, Yan Shi Zi, Zhuge Huai, Zhao Che, and Zhao Jue. Having been confined for so long, the children squinted in the daylight, blindfolded and trembling like a group of frightened rabbits.
Zhuge Huai laughed. "These are the mechanics of the western hunting game I've been taught. When I give the signal, my servants will release the barbarian wolves, which have been starved for three days. You can shoot the animals, but you can also target the children in the cages. When a stick of incense burns out, the game ends. Whoever has the most surviving slaves will win."
The little crown prince clapped his hands, grinning. "What a thrilling game."
Zhuge Huai nodded. "Let's begin! Thirty arrows will be released, and each child will be shot." After his signal, the hunters turned towards their subordinates and commanded, "Open the cages!"
The servant executed the order, opening the cage door and releasing the children into the paddock. The children stood shivering in place, as if still trapped in their sleep, too afraid to move.
Suddenly, wailing and cries erupted as the servants untied the gate around the enclosure. Over twenty ferocious wolves, starved and vicious, were released and ran towards the paddock. The wolves' bloody mouths roared, amplifying the terror of the children, who scattered, running for their lives.
The children's screams echoed as they hastily gathered, attempting to find safety. At the same time, sharp arrows flew from outside the fence. The wolves tore through the enclosure and pursued the children, whose cries filled the air.
A strong stench of blood filled the sky, a witness to the children's mournful screams. Arrows pierced their frail shoulders, chests, and abdomens. Blood gurgled out, staining the ground like bright red flowers in bloom. The wolves, smelling fear, grew even more ferocious. One large blue wolf pounced on a child, biting her neck. She had no chance to scream. Another wolf tore into her thigh, and her head was half-devoured, brain matter splattering across the snow.
The scene became utter chaos, the air filled with relentless, violent screams. The pain seemed unending. Jing Yu'er, one of Zhuge Huai's children, was struck by sharp arrows, her body pinned to the ground. She struggled to breathe, clinging to life. A fierce wolf closed in on her, its predatory eyes gleaming, saliva dripping from its mouth. The next moment was gruesome: the wolf began devouring her soft cheeks.
Somewhere, as if the eyes of a god were watching the tragic scene, the child's eyes suddenly snapped open, sharp as knives. Jing Yu'er, in that moment, was no longer a timid, weak child. In a sudden, almost instinctual movement, she grabbed the wolf's jaw, repeatedly slamming its head. The onlookers were shocked when they saw her bite the wolf's tongue, forcing it to taste the agony of death.
A sharp howl pierced the distance, drawing everyone's attention. The wolf was nearly dead. The spectators, amazed and horrified, forgot the archery competition for a moment.
Zhao Che muttered, "This is the first child I've seen with a tongue that can 'cut' a wolf like that." Grinning, he took his bow, pulled back the string, and shot the wolf in the throat.
The wolf collapsed, crying in agony, while the rest of the wolves continued pursuing other girls. The scene was horrid, filled with wolves tearing apart bodies and ravaging limbs. The children's hearts screamed with terror. But Jing Yu'er, trembling, stood up. Her wide eyes were filled with determination, though her small, bloodied body seemed fragile and pale, like a blade of grass.
The sharp whisper of arrows was suddenly aimed at Jing Yu'er. Despite her injuries, she agilely dodged the fatal blows, though the other children were too weak to evade the attacks. Arrows pierced their legs, and blood flowed like rivers.
The little crown prince, amused, continued shooting his arrows.
Zhao Jue released a cold grunt, stretched his bow, and shot an arrow that deflected the crown prince's shot.
A wolf, carrying the stench of death, suddenly charged toward Jing Yu'er. Before she could react, the wolf had struck her injured leg, but was cut down by Zhao Jue's arrows.
"Is this person saving me?" Jing Yu'er wondered. Her sharp child's mind quickly calculated that if she stayed near Zhao Jue, he might save her again. It was her best chance for survival.
However, just as she took two steps forward, sharp arrows rained down and struck her feet. Startled, she stopped and looked up in confusion, frowning as she realized that the one who had shot her was a young man on a red horse, dressed in a cold black robe.
Zhao Che glanced at Jing Yu'er with cold disdain. His next arrow shot through another girl, no older than five or six, who screamed as she fell to the ground. Behind her, Yan Shi Zi's red-stained figure quickly approached, torn apart by a wolf.
Time passed quickly for the hunters, but for the children, it was agonizingly slow. Jing Yu'er stood still, her face cold. Suddenly, she bit her lip and ran toward her friend. Despite her injured legs, her movements were quick and agile. A wolf chased her, but she showed no mercy, finding no escape for herself or the wolf.
At the corner of the paddock was a pile of sticks used to feed the horses. Jing Yu'er grabbed one, swung it with all her strength, and struck the wolf on its side.
The wolf howled, staggered, and jumped to the other side, seriously injured.
"Come! Come!" Jing Yu'er shouted, crouching down to pick up two stones. As she rubbed them together, a crackling sound formed, and soon the wolves scattered as the dry weeds in the field caught fire. Holding the makeshift torch, she ran into the field, using the fire to scare off the wolves. "Come here!" she called out to the other children.
Crying, the young survivors limped toward Jing Yu'er. They were all injured, bitten by wolves and struck by arrows. The cruel hunting game had left fewer than twenty children alive, and the only one offering them any help was the brave Jing Yu'er.
The wolves, afraid of the fire, hesitated. Though they were starving, they dared not approach. Eventually, they retreated to feast on the bodies of the children they had already slain.
Zhuge Huai narrowed his eyes arrogantly. "Useless animals," he muttered. "Arrows, to the wolves. Go!"
A rain of arrows fell upon the wolves. Their howls filled the air as they collapsed, dead.
The surviving children, seeing the destruction with their own eyes, jumped for joy despite their injuries. They cheered, but their happiness was short-lived.
From the distance, another wave of arrows pierced their small bodies. The princes' sharp eyes did not tolerate even the smallest survivor. These hunters were bloodthirsty and unwilling to let any life slip away.
One arrow whistled through the air and struck a child's head, piercing her right eye and exiting the back of her skull. Her lifeless body collapsed to the ground, her hands still gripping the burning stick. The children's cries echoed in her ears as her world darkened, like a never-ending nightmare.
Few arrows remained, but the little crown prince and Mu Yun had hardly used any. With grins, they took up their bows again, aiming at the last girls.
Zhao Jue deftly shot an arrow, his face cold. He immediately moved to block Mu Yun's arrows, knocking them aside with his own. "When the crown prince was small, Mu Yun's bow was always knocked down," Zhao Jue said proudly.
Zhuge Huai laughed loudly. "Good shot!"
After the bloodbath, the voices faded, and all screams ceased. The north wind swept over the field, carrying the stench of death. The children's suffering had ended, but the bloodshed remained as a permanent scar. In the middle of the paddock lay a girl with matted hair and bloodstained clothes, leaning on a stick. Though the hunt was over, the hunter lords paid no mind, as if it had been nothing more than a game.
Zhao Jue said mockingly, "Seventh brother, you are so powerful. I'm out of arrows, so I suppose today's victory is yours."
The little crown prince raised an eyebrow, exchanging glances with Mu Yun and Zhuge Huai. "I have no more arrows," Zhuge Huai said, smiling.
"Is there any mercy yet unknown?" Mu Yun suddenly asked, drawing all eyes toward Yan Xun. Zhao Che coldly regarded him. "Yan Shi Zi always surprises us," he remarked.
A half-burnt stick of incense marked the passage of time. All the other hunters had used up their arrows, except Yan Xun. His quiver was still full, untouched.
Yan Xun, only thirteen, sat tall and straight on his horse. His sharp, indifferent eyes scanned the field. He slowly drew his bow and aimed toward the center of the paddock.
The wind blew through the child's tattered clothes and matted hair. She was only six or seven years old, stunted, her body covered in scars. She stood among the broken bodies, her eyes filled with cruelty and desperation.
Yan Xun aimed at her throat, his arms trembling slightly as he drew the bowstring. Her fragile form stood amidst the devastation, her gaze filled with hatred and disgust as she stared at the boy who had taken so much from her.
That day, on the fourth day of the four hundred sixty-sixth year, Jing Yu'er and Yan Xun met for the first time on the royal hunting grounds.
Time, in that moment, seemed to freeze. The two souls, who should never have met, found themselves connected by fate.
Yan Xun lightly raised an eyebrow and partially released his grip on the arrow.
The long arrow whistled through the air, and everyone watched as it flew toward the child.
The arrow grazed her neck, blood spilling forth. But what was truly remarkable was that Jing Yu'er only staggered back two steps, still half-standing.
"Haha! Congratulations, seventh brother!" Zhao Jue laughed loudly.
Zhao Che threw a contemptuous look at Yan Xun and sneered, "Yan Shi Zi spends all day buried in song and dance poetry. Has he already forgotten how to use a bow? Zhao ancestors knew how to shoot, but it seems their descendants do not."
Yan Xun put down his longbow, turned his head, and calmly replied, "Zhao ancestors knew how to shoot, and Yan Xun would not dare to pretend otherwise, unlike what Zhao's descendants have done today."
Zhuge Huai laughed, "Well then, with that, I declare today's game over. My household has arranged a banquet—let's go celebrate the New Year."
Everyone agreed, leaving behind the events of the field as if it were just another ordinary game.
The wind whistled, wrapping around the fluttering crowd in their large fur cloaks as they moved through the snow toward the warmth of the drumfire. However, some distance away, Yan Xun paused and turned back. He saw the child still standing in the wilderness, her figure small and fragile amidst the devastation. His eyes lingered on her for a long time. Frozen in place, he stared, unmoving.
AC's Afterthoughts
The name "Yan Shi Zi" is an alternate title for Prince Yan Xun. His royal friends call him by this name when referring to the Crown Prince of Yanbei, as the title requires respect. Throughout the novel, the author frequently uses the name Yan Xun, as it has become a household name.
Yan Xun didn't intend to actually harm Jing Yu'er, the child from Zhuge Huai's caravan, because it wasn't in line with his principles. He was concerned about not hurting the little girl, yet he had to appear as though he was following through with the hunt. His goal was to avoid causing her any real harm while making it seem like he was participating. By doing so, he hoped the other princes would leave her alone.
In my personal interpretation, Yan Xun showed genuine care and attention to Jing Yu'er. He had to take the shot, but at the same time, he aimed to miss, knowing that striking her fatally would go against his values. Despite enduring the insults about his shooting abilities, Yan Xun saved a life that day. He wished Jing Yu'er would survive, though the other princes believed she had perished.
It's as if, in his mind, Yan Xun whispered to her: "Let them believe you are dead, so you may live and be free."