Chapter 60: Recognizing One's True Identity (Part One)

As usual, Deng Fan reported for duty on time, patrolling near the southern gathering point. Now that the situation had gradually become clear—Cao Cao's forces had withdrawn, Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao had reforged their alliance—Jiyang had settled back into its former tranquility.

Although Kuai Zheng had not lifted the conscription order, he had relaxed his grip considerably. Deng Fan found himself with plenty of leisure, patrolling with the main force and then wandering through the county town, returning to Deng Village by nightfall.

He had always been a loafer and a braggart in town, quick to quarrel and compete. Thus, his daily idling seemed nothing out of the ordinary. Deng Fan would drink a bowl of wine outside the county office, exchanging a few words—intentionally or otherwise—with the tavern guests, whether familiar or not, taking advantage of whatever opportunities arose. Satisfied, he would head home, all with an air of natural ease.

About three days after the reunion in Peach Orchard—on the fourteenth day of the first month in the second year of Jian'an—the Lantern Festival was approaching, and Jiyang County was beginning to bustle once more. Having escaped the ravages of war, the people of Jiyang were joyful, preparing to celebrate the festival. The New Year had passed in anxiety, threatened at any moment by the flames of battle; now, at last, they could look forward to a peaceful Lantern Festival.

After reporting in, Deng Fan strolled leisurely toward town. But outside Jiyang, he was surprised to find a troop had set up camp, though he could not say when they had arrived.

"Where are these men from?" he asked.

Ma Heizi glanced at the modest encampment and curled his lip. "They're from Jiunü Fortress."

"Jiunü Fortress? But the Governor and General Zhang have made peace—why send troops? Are they preparing for war?"

"Bah!" Ma Heizi waved his hand. "Don't say such things. If they meant war, this lot wouldn’t be all they sent... They arrived last night. Word is, they're here to escort the Deng Shusun family to Jiunü Fortress. Deng Shusun is truly unfortunate—not only has he died, but even his family can't find peace. I hear his wife is pregnant; if something happens, it will cost two lives."

Deng Fan frowned deeply.

"By the way, do you know who commands these men?"

"Who?"

Ma Heizi leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "I saw Ma Yu enter town this morning... Damn, that fellow's luck is something else. He was a convict, yet somehow managed to rise again! Judging by his attire, he's at least a captain. Used to greet me politely, but this morning he barely glanced my way, nose held high... It's strange, isn't it? Deng Shusun falls on hard times, and Deng Cai's family suddenly prospers.

Look at Deng Cai—useless as he is, now he's a scribe. Yesterday he kicked me... If I hadn’t been in a hurry, I’d have taught him a lesson. When Deng Shusun was around, he acted like a dog. Now... Why do good things never happen to me?"

Ma Heizi was popular, but prone to boasting. The others simply laughed, saying, "Ma Heizi, stop bragging. If you’re so tough, go teach him a lesson now."

"Heizi, take my advice—mind your words. Deng Cai’s family is riding a streak of luck. If those words reach his ears, you’ll be in trouble."

"He wouldn't dare!"

Ma Heizi glared, but everyone knew his bluster was hollow.

"Hei Ge, you all go ahead for drinks. I just remembered an errand... Wait for me, I'll join you soon."

"Young as you are, what business could you have? Or are you smitten with Old Wang’s widow?"

Old Wang’s widow ran a tavern beside the county office—the very one Deng Fan frequented for his daily drink.

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Madam Wang was only two years older than Deng Fan. She was beautiful, especially her eyes—like autumn waters, seductive and alluring. Many patrons came to her tavern mainly for her charm. Yet, Madam Wang kept herself pure; gentle in appearance, fiery in temperament.

Ma Heizi and his companions assumed Deng Fan had fallen for the widow. Deng Fan did not argue, merely chuckled and excused himself, bowing as he departed.

"Bear’s been acting strange lately!"

"Of course—entranced by the widow. Ma Heizi, mind your own business and your tongue."

Joking and laughing, the group entered the county town.

――――――――――――――――――――――――

Ma Yu had indeed returned, but now not as a convict, but as a captain of the main camp at Jiunü Fortress.

His fortune had turned. Although the gathering at Xiyang failed to eliminate Deng Ji, Cao Peng, and others, they did destroy the Yiyang martial troops. Wei Ping, resentful of Wei Yan, had long harbored rebellious thoughts. Upon arriving at Jiunü Fortress, he immediately defected to Chen Jiu.

Huang She wanted Cao Peng dead, while Chen Jiu sought to elevate Wei Ping and absorb the Yiyang martial troops. Thus, their interests aligned, leading to the mutiny at Xiyang. Ma Yu was but a pawn in Huang She’s scheme. Once Huang She understood the conflict between Ma Yu and Deng Ji, he secretly ordered Wei Ping and Ma Yu to collaborate.

Unexpectedly, Wei Ping died...

Though Chen Jiu gained the martial troops, he found they were no longer the formidable force they once had been. His ambitions faded, so he promoted Ma Yu to captain, giving him his own command.

Spring wind at his back, returning home in fine clothing—this was Ma Yu's state of mind. From convict, exiled to Jiunü Fortress, he had leaped to become an officer, a unit captain. His satisfaction was beyond words.

Back in Jiyang, he sought out Deng Cai.

"Little Yu, you’re back?" Deng Cai was surprised and delighted.

Ma Yu replied, "Brother-in-law, I’ve returned!"

As he spoke, Ma Yu trembled with emotion. The two gazed at each other, then rushed forward, embracing tightly.

They were small men from the lowest rung, rising and falling between peaks and valleys in a single month. In those thirty days, they had endured much.

"Come, let’s talk in my office," Deng Cai said, leading Ma Yu into the office that once belonged to Deng Ji. After Deng Ji was conscripted to Jiunü Fortress, Kuai Zheng recalled Deng Cai to take over his duties. Kuai Zheng had little choice in the matter.

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Originally, he intended to promote Deng Ji, but fate intervened. With Deng Ji gone, he had to employ Deng Cai again—after all, Deng Cai was part of the Kuai household.

Deng Cai and Ma Yu exchanged stories of their separation, recounting their trials in detail.

Ma Yu said, "Deng Shusun thought himself important because his brother-in-law was favored by the Pang family, and so he offended Huang, the military registrar. He never considered, given his status, how he could contend with Huang. See, once Huang acted, not even Lumen Mountain intervened. Deng Shusun is missing, likely dead... Huang sent me to escort Deng Shusun’s family."

He drew a command token from his robes and handed it to Deng Cai. Deng Cai’s narrow eyes narrowed further, a cold gleam flashing from within.

"Deng Shusun—he’s really dead?"

"His body hasn’t been found, but it’s likely... You know how chaotic things have been—death has become common. Huang will soon report to Xiangyang, so I must escort Deng Ji’s family. I suspect their fate is sealed."

Deng Cai considered, "But Magistrate Kuai seems to treat Deng Ji’s family kindly... I can handle the transfer, but I’ll report to Magistrate Kuai first. Let’s not delay—I'll dispatch someone now."

"Very well."

Deng Cai left Ma Yu in the office and hurried to the county office. But Kuai Zheng was absent; the gatekeeper said he’d gone out.

With Huang’s command token, Deng Cai felt sure Kuai Zheng would not object. He returned and signed the transfer order.

"Little Yu, when will you depart?"

"Tomorrow... I want to visit my sister before I leave. Once I return to Jiunü Fortress, I may follow Huang back to Jiangxia. Seeing my sister again may not be easy... But before that, I intend to humiliate Deng Shusun’s wife. It’s thanks to her that you and I suffered so much. Now, it's time to vent our anger."

Deng Cai smiled.

"If Madam Cao dresses up, she’s quite beautiful."

Ma Yu laughed, "Tomorrow, once we’re on the road, there’ll be no chance... I’ve fancied that girl for a while. Now Deng Ji is dead, I’ll have his woman—and I’ll do it in front of her father. Even in the underworld, Deng Shusun will thank me."

He laughed, "Brother-in-law, why not join me?"

"Ha, ha, ha—Little Yu knows my heart, truly knows me..."

The two exchanged lewd grins, arms around each other, and strode from the office, heading straight for the prison.

And so, these two scoundrels, arm in arm, made their way to carry out their vile designs.