Chapter Eight: Siblings Take All

"To kill a man every ten steps, to travel a thousand miles without leaving a trace. Once the deed is done, depart with a flick of the sleeve, concealing both oneself and one’s name." This verse by Li Bai encapsulates the elegance and panache of the knights-errant of ancient times.

Since antiquity, the land of Huaxia has revered the ideals of chivalry and righteousness; the culture of the knight-errant is deeply woven into the fabric of its civilization. There was Jing Ke, who, under the chilling wind by the Yi River, set out to assassinate the King of Qin and never returned—a deed that won him eternal fame as the most renowned assassin in history. There was Zhu Zhu, the master of creative subterfuge, who hid a dagger in a fish’s belly and sacrificed himself to strike down King Liao. There was Yao Li, the man of great righteousness, who severed his own arm, divorced his wife, assassinated Qing Ji, and then took his own life before the court.

There were also the valiant and loyal siblings Nie, and Yu Rang, who, out of a fierce sense of duty, disguised himself by painting his body and swallowing charcoal to change his voice, all to avenge his lord by assassinating Zhao Xiangzi. These individuals, each a star shining with their own unique brilliance, have been celebrated for generations throughout the river of history.

Yet, the roster of loyal and courageous heroes across the ages is far too vast to be contained in a few chapters of history books. Compared to these illustrious figures, the obscure deeds of the knight Han Long move Zhang Yu all the more.

The turmoil of the Xianbei began in 218 AD, when they first clashed with Cao Cao’s forces in Dai Prefecture, and did not subside until around 235 AD—a period of unrest lasting seventeen years. While the state of Wei unified the north, the Xianbei rose to power on the steppes, occupying the former lands of the Xiongnu and dominating the northern deserts. They became the most formidable enemy on the northern frontier, often raiding and pillaging along the border, with countless civilians suffering untold hardships.

This dire situation was brought to an end only when Han Long, single-handedly and at great personal risk, assassinated Kebineng, the Xianbei chieftain. It was not for revenge or personal grievance, but for the peace and stability of Huaxia’s borders and the safety of its people. He crossed the frontier alone, and with the strength of one man, pacified the northern border—a feat that far surpassed those of ordinary assassins.

Yet such a hero is mentioned only in passing in the "Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of the Wuhuan, Xianbei, and Eastern Barbarians": "In the third year, Xiong sent the brave Han Long to assassinate Kebineng and installed his brother in his place." No wonder Zhang Yu had never known of him.

"Such is history: a blend of truth and falsehood, rising and falling—who can say for certain? All I wish is to witness as much as I can in this life, to see more, and even more, so that my journey through time and rebirth will not have been in vain." Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, feeling as though fortune itself had smiled upon him; he lay joyfully and leisurely in a deck chair in the courtyard, basking in the gentle morning sun.

"If I see my big-eared uncle again, I must ask him to bring his second and third brothers to instruct Han Long, so the boy might grow quickly. In these chaotic times, safety is paramount. With the system in my hands, I, Zhang Sifan, refuse to live a mediocre life."

And so, as Zhang Yu lay there, he drifted off once more under the comforting warmth of the sun, only to be roused from his slumber some time later by someone gently shaking him.

"Ah, the sunlight is blinding..." Rubbing his bleary eyes, Zhang Yu realized something. "Ying’er... why is it always you? It’s not proper to be spying on your young master while he sleeps!"

"Young master, what are you saying! It’s nearly noon. If you keep lying here in the sun, you’ll get heatstroke. Please, return to your room and rest."

Zhang Yu sat up from the chair. Ying’er was already shading his head with a large fan. As he stood, he noticed Han Long and his sister standing not far away, gazing at him. The sunlight sparkled so brightly that he could not see them clearly.

"It's just a nap—why are you all staring at me..." Zhang Yu muttered inwardly, bemused as to why, ever since his transmigration, he was always surrounded by people when he awoke. Clearly, he would need to start locking his door during naps...

As he mused, the two figures emerged from the blinding light, and Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up as he took them in.

Han Long needed no introduction; in Zhang Yu’s mind, his importance was now paramount. After all, with the system’s revelations of his glorious deeds, his moral character and loyalty were beyond question. With a martial prowess peaking at ninety-five, he was every bit his own Erlai or "Tiger Fool"!

The boy was only ten years old, already nearly as tall as Zhang Yu, with a broad and sturdy build yet a lean, wiry frame. His sharply defined features radiated resolve and determination, and in him, Zhang Yu could glimpse the shadow of the legendary knight who, forty years hence, would be famed beyond the frontier.

But what surprised Zhang Yu even more was the little girl named Han Yan.

She did not dress like an ordinary maid, but wore a pale blue-white blouse and a coarse blue hemp skirt, lending her an air of unspoiled elegance. Her face, still round with baby fat, was a perfect oval, and her large, expressive eyes seemed to speak as they blinked at Zhang Yu. Though her complexion was a touch dark, it could not conceal the makings of a beauty.

"Aura—main character aura!" Zhang Yu was overjoyed. Although his system was of little practical use, good fortune seemed to follow him nonetheless; even opening his granaries to feed the people had brought him two new talents.

"Once these two grow up, one will guard my life, the other my kidneys—nothing could be better."

Patting Han Yan on the shoulder to encourage her, Zhang Yu instructed Ying’er to show her around the household, making her his personal maid from then on.

Han Long, standing by, showed no sign of displeasure. If not for this young master’s intervention, neither he nor his sister would have survived. To let his sister stay at the Zhang residence, even as a servant, was a blessing—at least they no longer had to worry about survival. If luck favored them, perhaps his sister might catch the young master’s eye and become a concubine, and he would benefit as well.

Satisfied, Zhang Yu thumped Han Long’s chest like a pillar, then walked off with a smile, heading to his room. He had just closed the door when he heard footsteps behind him, someone stopping outside.

"Who is it?" Even after I closed the door?

"It’s me, young master."

"...Why have you followed me to my room?"

"My duty is to protect your safety at all times."

Are you that dense? What, will you stand guard at the door while I consummate my marriage with your sister someday?

"You... There’s no need here—this is our own estate, nothing will happen! Go find Steward Zhang Shuo, ask him to arrange your lodgings, and when you’re settled, I’ll have some fitness equipment made for you. We’ll train together!"

"Yes!"

...

In the heat of summer, Zhang Yu found a midday nap absolutely necessary. Upon waking, he patted his gradually clearing head and, after a cough, saw Han Yan timidly enter with a tray of honey water, which she set on the table before bowing her head and standing aside.

Though she already showed hints of beauty, Zhang Yu was not so depraved as to tease a little girl. After wiping his face with a damp cloth, he made his way to his parents’ quarters.

"Father, mother," he greeted them with a nod, before explaining his purpose to his father.

"The courier station? Yes, there is one right here in Zhongshan City. All the major cities in Jizhou should have one, provided they haven't been ravaged by those rebel bandits."

"Can I use it, then?"

"In the past, it would have been difficult. But now, with the current state of affairs, if I provide some incentive to the stationmaster, it shouldn't be an issue. But what business do you have with the courier service, Yu’er?"

"This is in response to what you mentioned earlier, father—my solution to prevent crowds from swarming our granaries when we provide famine relief," Zhang Yu said with a sly smile. "If, in the future, our letters can be sent to every major city in Jizhou, then the crisis facing our Zhang family can be resolved."