Chapter Seven: Seeking a Fine Steed to Gift a Hero

Before crossing over, Pei Min was from Guangdong. During the Double Eleven holiday, he had traveled to Taishan City, where there was a tourist attraction called the Wanchun Temple of the Thunder God. The main deity worshipped there was General Thunder Wanchun, known for driving away evil spirits. Next to the shrine was a stone tablet recounting his life: it recorded that the famous Tang general’s original name was Lei Zhen, but later changed to Wanchun.

Lei Zhen and Lei Wanchun were, in fact, the same person. Lei Wanchun’s fame had eclipsed his original name, leaving Lei Zhen largely unknown. When Pei Min saw the name, it struck a chord in his memory—he’d always felt Lei Zhen sounded familiar, but apart from thinking of Leizhenzi, he couldn’t recall anyone else. The moment he remembered Lei Wanchun, the memories of Lei Zhen surfaced, and everything became clear.

Lei Wanchun was one of the most formidable warriors of the Tang dynasty. When the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, An Lushan sent his favored general Yin Ziqi with tens of thousands of troops to attack Yongqiu and Suiyang, advancing south to cut off the Tang’s supply lines and seize their wealth as capital for a prolonged war. Because of this, the epic Suiyang defense unfolded: Zhang Xun held Suiyang against an army of 180,000 with barely 7,000 defenders, enduring for ten months and inflicting nearly 120,000 casualties. Lei Wanchun was Zhang Xun’s foremost champion, unstoppable in battle, wielding a pair of iron hammers with unmatched courage.

Records say that at the critical moment of Suiyang’s defense, Lei Wanchun was commanding atop the city walls. He was struck by six arrows in the face, yet remained standing, unmoved and unflinching, so much so that the enemy thought he was a wooden statue. Only when the city fell did they realize he was a living man.

Such heroic deeds earned Zhang Xun and Lei Wanchun the veneration of countless people, and they were gradually deified. Legend has it that Yue Yun, son of Yue Fei, learned the art of hammer-wielding from Lei Wanchun in Zhang Xun’s temple.

A figure like this could not be called anything less than a hero.

Pei Min, watching Lei Zhen disappear and glancing at Yan Gaoqing beside him, realized he had encountered two heroes who died in the An Lushan Rebellion, and felt deeply moved. In fact, it was three: Yuan Lüqian was another. He had helped Yan Gaoqing slay Li Qin and stabilize the situation in Changshan, and finally died with Yan Gaoqing. Yuan Lüqian was less famous than Yan Gaoqing. In ancient times, there were many loyal and righteous men; even with his memories of later eras, Pei Min only recalled those who had left a deep impression on him, and Yuan Lüqian happened to fall outside those memories.

Thinking of the future An Lushan Rebellion, Pei Min reflected that the once-mighty Tang dynasty began its decline due to that calamity, leading eventually to its downfall.

A sudden idea sprang to Pei Min’s mind: if, in the future, he happened to encounter An Lushan, and struck him down with his sword, sending him early to meet the Buddha, what would happen?

Pei Min’s thoughts began to wander.

The three left Zhuxian and resumed their journey through Youzhou.

Their second destination was the Western Mountains.

The Western Mountains were a branch of the Taihang range, known in ancient times as “the head of Taihang,” rising like a soaring dragon. In later generations, the Western Mountains were revered for guarding Beijing from the west, earning the title “the right arm of the capital,” but now Jicheng was far less renowned than Beijing, and the Western Mountains’ fame was accordingly diminished. Yet their vast forests, misty vistas, and perennial beauty rivaled Lushan and Huangshan in their own way, making them one of Youzhou’s notable attractions.

Pei Min, Yan Gaoqing, and Yuan Lüqian enjoyed themselves immensely. In high spirits, Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian each composed a poem to express their delight.

Poetry was Pei Min’s weak point, so he refrained from embarrassing himself.

After visiting the Western Mountains, they naturally headed north to climb the Great Wall.

The Tang dynasty’s Great Wall was even grander than the later one; in modern times, it’s merely a tourist site, but back then, though its function had been largely suspended, officials still maintained it as a defensive measure for emergencies. A genuine fortification was far more awe-inspiring than a mere scenic spot.

Eight days passed in a flash!

Pei Min, Yan Gaoqing, and Yuan Lüqian returned, satisfied, to Jicheng, awaiting the results of the provincial examination.

The Tang dynasty announced exam results by posting them in the most prominent spot at the government office, listing the names publicly. The quota for “recommended scholars” would be announced the following day.

That morning, the results were to be posted. Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian, exhausted, ate breakfast with weary faces.

Yan Gaoqing glanced at the time and said, “In another hour, the results will be out. Pei, Yuan, which of you would like to go? I’ll thank you in advance!”

Yuan Lüqian replied, “Brother Xin, you’re cunning—I won’t fall for your tricks. Drawing lots is most fair: whoever loses, goes.”

Though their eight days of leisure had been enjoyable, it had worn them out. Neither wanted to move, so they insisted on drawing lots.

Pei Min was also tired, but fared better than the other two. He waved his hand and said, “No need to argue. I have business at the Grand Marshal’s office anyway. On my way back, I’ll take a detour. You two just rest here.”

Yan Gaoqing and Yuan Lüqian were overjoyed, rising together to thank him.

Pei Min rolled his eyes at them both.

The matter of the traitor had long since been settled, and Xue Na had reclaimed the token that facilitated Pei Min’s errands. But everyone knew of Pei Min’s relationship with Xue Na; visiting him required no formal invitation—just a word, and the steward would receive him. Whether Xue Na was at home or not, Pei Min could enter freely and enjoy the hospitality. He made a point of arriving early to see Xue Na.

“As soon as the exam ended, you vanished. Did you go home to visit your mother?” Xue Na was eating breakfast, unconcerned about protocol, letting Pei Min sit beside him. After months apart, Xue Na was still vigorous as ever.

Pei Min shook his head. “I went traveling with friends. Once the results come out, I’ll return home to see my mother.”

Xue Na, chewing on a fried cake, mumbled, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Pei Min grinned. “Grand Marshal, you are wise. During this trip, in Zhuxian, I met a remarkable man—a true hero!” He recounted his encounter with Lei Zhen.

Xue Na’s eyes widened as he swallowed his food. “He really wields iron hammers weighing a hundred pounds in each hand and rides like the wind?”

“Indeed!” Pei Min replied. “Grand Marshal, do you doubt my judgment? From his bearing alone, his martial prowess is no less than our dynasty’s founding champions. It’s a pity his mother is ill, so he didn’t accept my recommendation. Regardless of whether he joins your command, he is a hero of the Tang. Today, I came to ask if you could grant him a warhorse. A man of his caliber cannot go without a good horse. Were my little chestnut suitable for him, I’d have given it myself.”

The little chestnut was best at long-distance raids; for a warrior like Lei Zhen, who excelled at close combat and short sprints, a robust Hequ steed was the perfect match.