71. Shuomo and Yan talk

Yan looked out over the army tents in the far distance. Even from here, on the border wall, he could see the many different flags standing amongst the tents. This could get very messy if they didn't stop actual war breaking out. He stood on a secluded and shaded part of the wall. His dark hooded cloak helped keeping him out of sight. "Did you find them?" Shuomo came from the shadows, Yan had already heard him so he wasn't surprised by Shoumo's arrival, besides they had arranged to meet here. "We found them and freed them. Are you sure we can trust your friends?"

"They are loyal to Beirong. I trust them."

"I'll reserve judgement until after this is resolved and the right people are apprehended." The two men fell silent and both looked out over the open plain directly in front of them and the encampment beyond the open plain. "If we don't stop them now a lot of soldiers are going to die." Yan continued.

"I know but she's got to make the first move so we can identify the Ghost soldiers. Where are the ladies, we might be able to put some pressure on them"

"They will be here soon I had to leave them in the forest. News had reached us that another lady had been taken, she was taken after I had left the capital. But we need her back first to make sure Madam Luan can't use her to beat a hasty retreat."

"Who is the lady?" Shuomo asked, curious who Madam Luan might consider important enough to kidnap. "A friend of the royal family." Yan replied shortly. He once more stared out over the dark field in front of him: "Tell me, has madam Luan returned to the Beirong army?" Shuomo nodded and then said: "Yesterday. She says she managed to fight her way out when the soldiers where distracted by something. She's also pushed for soldiers for Xuan army to save the princess. I've sent my own soldiers, which she didn't like. My soldiers are not travelling at speed."

"How long do you think you can stall her?"

"Four days before she is really going to stir up a fuss, I think. I've heard rumors spreading that I've been too slow and princess Yunchuan is already dead. Since she's back more rumors have been spread and especially from the Xuan army dissenting noises have been heard." Shuomo explained, thinking back to the conversations he had overheard in the encampment. Yan responded: "Four days is enough. We'd better make a good show. In two days come to me and demand from me to free the ladies and return them within two days. After these two days have passed knock on the gate. We'll meet in front of it for the final act." The two men fell silent and looked out over the Beirong plains. Each had their own thoughts and problems they had to consider. Each also turned their thoughts to their loved ones, for both of them a great motivation to end this rebellion.

And so it transpired: after two days Shuomo marched on the border town, demanding access to talk to Prince Qi. A large number of soldiers and madam Luan accompanied him while he was escorted to the market square where Prince Qi came from one of the inns situated on the market square. Yan had to admit that Prince Shuomo made an impressive display of an angry Prince demanding the safe return of his sister and demanding retribution. He could also see that madam Luan appeared impressed and satisfied. Yan for his part played the distraught prince asking madam Luan of she had more information. Happily she spoke of the cruelty of the Liang soldiers and even produced a dagger she had been able to take from on of the soldiers. Yan pleaded for more days to search for the missing females and Shuomo granted him two days. Then the Beirong Prince and lady left the border town again.

Later that night Bei Xieming came to Yan and handed a letter that one of his pigeons had brought. Shuomo told Yan in the letter lady Luan appeared satisfied with what she had witnessed in the border town. But she had mentioned the abandoned mine of the Tong family, lamenting that Liang had apparently not been able to find a new miner and maybe a Beirong family should try to buy the mine. When he folded the letter he related the content to Xie. "This is proof she knows of Xin Tong. Have you heard from my brother?"

"Not yet. Are you sure this will work? We aren't sure where they are right now." Looking out towards the forest where he expected the ladies to be Yan shook his head. "We have to trust them, your men and Shuomo's information. We need to finish this. If we ask for more time the Ghost Army will surely attack. I'll increase the guard. It wouldn't surprise me if the Ghost Army were to attack at night or in the early dawn. Prepare your men and yourself. If madam Luan believes things are not the way she expects them she might get desperate." In response Xie nodded and then left to instruct his troops. With his eyes Yan followed Brother Xie, who in such a short time had become one of his most trusted friends. He knew he worried about Rushuang, just like he worried about Su. Their plan wasn't as perfect as he would have liked, but this was the best they could do so they would follow this plan, including the uncertainty of where their wives were. Yan sighed and then returned to his room in the inn, from where he issued his orders. They had done what they could, now they had to wait and play the game to the end.

The next day felt like an eternity, everybody was on high alert and the tension was palpable.