124 A silent cry for help

Having moved further down stream, we entered the northerly stretches of the Back Lake, Suàng Yóu. It was early summer and the woods which surrounded us were full of life and fresh shoots. It was a larder of the very finest and if we walked a little inland, we were able to harvest fresh bamboo shoots to add to our fair.

Xin went off vegetable and early fruit picking whilst I headed to the water to collect some tasty fish. Again, the waters here teamed with life and we were spoilt for choice. Fresh water shrimps, crabs and small dabs swam in the shallows whilst their older, and much larger cousins swam in deeper waters nearer the middle. I swam to the middle, carrying my small, round net and cast it out. Pulling on the rope, I closed the net and pulled it towards me. Time to swim back and see what we would be eating....if anything.

I reached the shallows and was just about to inspect the catch when Xin came rapidly to the waters edge.

"I think you need to come and look at something. I haven't a clue how to deal with it, or what to do." With that, she turned and started back up the bank. "Come on, they were moving and I don't want to lose sight of them."

There was something urgent in the way she spoke, so without hesitating, I rested the closed net in the water and followed her.

As she silently ran, she explained. "I was in that bamboo patch collecting shoots when I heard something. It was the smell of fear which caught me, so I went to see what it was." She paused as she negotiated a fallen log, "it was only when I got the the edge of the bamboo I noticed a prison wagon full of women. They had been beaten by the looks of it and were in shackles. They looked terrified. I'm not sure, but I have a feeling they are being taken somewhere for sale?" She carried on and then, flagging me to crouch, she crawled the final distance to look over the rise.

In the clearing below, there was a cart, just as she had described, carrying at least twenty women of varying ages, some as young as eight or nine. There were two men on the cart and a further three on horse back following behind.

I was worried,  the day was still young and they wouldn't be stopping just yet. "We need to follow until they stop and watch their movements. The only time we can act is if they stop and make camp and that might not be for some time yet."

"But what about armory? Mine's still back at the camp and I know yours is too." She looked worriedly at me.

"It's okay. When they stop, one will stay and the other move." She nodded.

My brain was thinking, 'I'm missing a trick, what is it?' Xin said something but I stopped her. An idea was formulating in my mind but it needed a lot of luck and some rather old loyalties.

"Xin, you keep following and stay out of sight. If we need to communicate..."

"I know, we use our mother cat."

I nodded. " I have a kill to make and an offering to give. I want to see if old friends are stilll willing to give me face."

Xin stared blankly at me, but nodded. "Okay, just don't lose me, please. I'm not familiar with this area."

I smiled at her, " I trust you Xin, you'd find your way back instinctively now. I'm off. I'll see you later and I'll bring your bits and pieces." With that I was gone, leaving Xin to follow the wagon.

 "Gentlemen, we have gathered to discuss how to proceed. We have two functions; to escort the Mu army, what's left of them, back to their own land and to clear any remaining infiltraters on the way." Second Master looked at the men standing around the table. There were representatives of each province as well as each division.They looked toward their Commander, awaiting instructions, a large map of the area spread out on the table between them. Second Master continued, " I have asked Hàorán to join us as he is most up to date of latest activities along our borders." Second Master turned to Hàorán, "please, continue." He stepped back and gave room for Hàorán to explain, using the map.

" Thank you Commander. Now, the latest intelligence tells us there are very few of the men to the west of the river." He pointed to the Liú province across the water from Shipao. "Two reasons; the river is incredibly difficult to cross at these areas," he pointed to the land which bordered Shipao, "and unless they can get at the ferrymen who operate the boat at Shipao, there is no other safe place to cross."

"What about travelling up river?" One of the generals asked.

"For most of the year, the flow of the water is just too fierce which is why the ferry is a cable drawn one. If you're going to use the river, it tends to be one way, from Shipao down to Shuān Hé. If you are lucky you can get a berth at one of their jetties but they guard them jealously and wouldn't allow anyone without trade permits to land. So most of the movements have been along this corridor." Hàorán pointed to the way the Chen army had originally travelled and their representatives nodded in understanding. 

"It is the easiest but longest way. So what information have you gathered Hàorán?"

"Just south of Zhang Pass, there is a toll bridge which takes you into the furthest east portion of Shipao Province. They have moved freely here as there are few patrols. Its mainly farming land so they have plenty of food around and places to hide. So much so, the locals have learned to turn a blind eye on their stealing. There are homesteads, here, here and here." Hàorán pointed to three areas close to the terraces. 

"How do they get across at the toll? Did no one alert the authorities?"

"The original men on the toll have long since gone, killed probably. The Mu control the toll." He turned to Second Master, "You will probably have come across them when you marched up."

Second Master shook his head, "No, but that would explain why no-one was operating the toll."

Hàorán nodded, "mm, so I would suggest the bulk of the men move on this side of the river but I would advise you to move the Mu army on the other side. My reasoning is, if you use the ferry at Shipao it will be controlled. Once the men are across you can herd them towards their destination without the constant chance, Mu allies will come to their rescue. It will also free up more troops to flush out the remain Mu interlopers and herd them to a crossing somewhere past Shuān Hé. This you will have to create as there isn't one at the moment."

It seemed fair enough. Second Master looked round the table. There seemed to be general agreement all round. 

It was Bǎo who spoke next. "Sir, if I may?" Second Master nodded for him to continue. " I would suggest the bulk of the Liú command take the troops back. Its their area and they will be familiar with local idioms and looks. If there are interlopers they will spot them. They will require men from all divisions, Swords, Bows and the rest so this division will fragment some. I would suggest the Twin Blade Mercenaries go ahead and start flushing out problems, say one third this way," he pointed to the Liú side of the river, "and the bulk this way," pointing toward the farming land where they had entrenched. "We could then drop off any we find with the men following the main highway and surrounding areas, and then continue south."

Hàorán interjected, " there is one trade I have not mentioned and this piece of intel was given to me not so long ago. It is still to be  verified. The Mu men are rounding up women and girls and profiteering from their sale."

Hao Yang and Bǎo looked at one another. Trepidation and a burning hatred grew in their eyes.