Chapter 1

In the Lingnan region, about twenty miles northeast of Shaoguan, there lies an unnamed valley. The valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and even the only exit, a narrow valley path, is blocked by a small hill. One must climb over this hill to reach a vast, open space, revealing a different world.

In the third year of the Xianheng era of the Tang Dynasty, suddenly, more than a hundred people from eleven families, under the arrangement of the local government, came to this secluded valley. They cleared the grass, leveled the ground, cut down trees, and built houses, forming a small village in just a few days, which they named Taoyuan Village.

Due to its hidden location, Taoyuan Village had little contact with other mountain dwellers. However, as woodcutters and hunters frequently passed through, they gradually learned a bit about this small village surrounded by mountains. The villagers here were different from ordinary mountain people. Most of them were well-mannered and well-educated. Although they farmed and wove like others, the village often echoed with the sound of reading and even the music of zithers and flutes.

At first, the mountain people found this strange and often discussed it, but over time, they became accustomed to it.

Eleven years later, on a day in the second year of the Yongchun era of the Tang Dynasty.

It was late spring, and the valley was lush and green. A few acres of mountain fields were hidden among wild grass and thorny bushes. The valley was dotted with dozens of households, with bamboo fences and wooden eaves, all nestled in the greenery, occasionally revealing a corner, like a poem or a painting.

A young girl carrying a bamboo basket was leading a child under ten years old up a small hill outside the village. The girl wore a green short jacket and a light pink long skirt, dressed in the simple style of the mountains. Her cheeks were dark, with a rosy hue from working in the fields, but she exuded a natural grace, far from the ordinary mountain girl.

She was about fourteen or fifteen, in the bloom of youth, with a tall and slender figure. Her slim waist was straight and supple, and she moved like a flexible bamboo swaying in the wind. Her bright eyes, straight nose, and rosy lips made her very attractive.

The child walking beside her was probably her younger brother. Although he had the same dark skin as other mountain children, he lacked their sturdy build. Instead, he was slender, with an oval face that resembled his sister's, clear eyebrows, large eyes, and a pointed chin.

The girl's name was Yue Rong, and the boy following her was her younger brother, nicknamed Ah Chou. Ah Chou was usually very active and adventurous. If left unsupervised, he would run into the mountains, climbing trees like a monkey. He was known as the best tree climber in the village.

However, as the old saying goes, those who are good at water often drown, and those who are good at riding often fall. Three months ago, while climbing a tall tree to fetch bird eggs, Ah Chou fell and broke his head and a leg, despite the branches breaking his fall and the soft ground.

His parents, who doted on him like a precious gem, were terrified. As the eldest daughter, Yue Rong was scolded for not taking good care of her brother. Ah Chou stayed at home for three months, and although he had recovered and could walk, his parents still forbade him from going out.

Today, Yue Rong went up the mountain to gather wild vegetables. Seeing her brother, who was used to being active, moping around at home, she felt sorry for him. Previously, he could play with his friends after finishing his studies, but now he could only sit by the window, watching his friends run around in the mountains. She pleaded with her parents to let her take him out for some fresh air, with the condition that he must stay close to her.

In a small courtyard with a bamboo fence, a girl two years older than Yue Rong was embroidering. Seeing Yue Rong and her brother, she smiled and greeted them, "Yue Rong, little Ah Chou, are you going up the mountain?"

"Yes, I'm taking my brother to gather some wild mushrooms and vegetables. Are you preparing your dowry, Xiu Xiu?"

"Of course not, I'm just embroidering for fun."

Xiu Xiu blushed and hid her embroidery behind her back, making Yue Rong laugh.

An old man playing chess under a locust tree looked over and called out, "Ah Chou, is your leg better? Ha, don't be so mischievous in the future!"

Yue Rong politely greeted them, "Uncle Qiu, Uncle Fang."

The other old man, who was about to lose, looked angry and urged his opponent to make a move. The old man then stroked his beard and turned away.

Ah Chou, who prided himself on being the best tree climber, felt embarrassed by the old man's words. He kicked a small stone, which hit a large white goose.

The goose, walking proudly like a general, suddenly became furious and stretched its neck, flapped its wings, and honked as it charged at Ah Chou.

"Ah Chou, you're being naughty again!"

Yue Rong said, pulling Ah Chou's hand and running. The goose followed, flapping its wings and honking, while a nearby shepherd boy laughed at the scene.

"Ouch! Sister, my leg still hurts a bit."

Ah Chou complained as they ran. Yue Rong scolded him, "You little rascal, the goose is the fiercest in the village, and you have to provoke it." She then took off her bamboo basket, squatted down, and said, "Get on, I'll carry you."

"No, I'm too heavy, and I'm a big boy now, sister can't carry me."

"Stop it, you're still a little kid. I used to carry you over mountains and through valleys when you were younger." Yue Rong picked up her brother, put the basket on her back, and ran up the mountain, with the goose still chasing them.

Ah Chou felt his sister's back, which was flat and soft, with a slight sweat, but it smelled good. After struggling a bit, he stopped when his sister slapped his bottom.

The goose chased for a while, then returned to the village proudly. Yue Rong, seeing the goose stop, slowed down, but didn't put her brother down.

"Ah Chou, when we get to the mountain, don't run around. We don't want your parents to worry. I'll gather some wild vegetables and then take you back. Mother is making bone soup for you. Drink it while it's hot, and your leg will heal faster. You love wild vegetables with sauce, right? I'll make it for you."

"Then... the sauce needs to be fried."

"Okay, I'll fry it."

"And add an egg."

Yue Rong laughed, "Alright, I'll add an egg. You little glutton."

The siblings climbed the hill, and Yue Rong put Ah Chou down. "Sit here and wait, I'll go gather... what's that?"

Yue Rong looked out of the valley and exclaimed, "Why are there so many soldiers?"

Ah Chou stood up to look, but being short, he had to stand on tiptoe to see through the tall grass. A group of soldiers was gathering in the valley. They were Tang Dynasty soldiers, wearing battle jackets, carrying quivers, and holding crossbows and sabers, mounted on warhorses.

There were over three hundred soldiers and horses, standing silently.

At the front of the group were two horses. One rider wore a battle jacket, and the other wore a robe. The one in the robe was a general, wearing leather armor with lion and tiger patterns on his robe.

The other was a civil official in a blue robe, who turned his horse and spoke to the soldiers. As he spoke, the soldiers drew their sabers, and the sunlight glinted off the blades, creating a chilling effect.

Ah Chou was curious. He had seen soldiers before when he went to Shaoguan with his father, but they were just a few old soldiers on the city walls, not as intimidating as these. Their uniforms also seemed different.

"Big sister, where are these soldiers from, and what are they doing?"

"Trouble!"

Yue Rong, though unsure of the soldiers' intentions, sensed danger. She quickly put Ah Chou down and instructed him, "These soldiers might mean us harm. Ah Chou, you can't move well, so hide here. I'll go back to the village to warn everyone. Stay here no matter what, do you understand?"

Yue Rong pushed Ah Chou into the bushes, picked up her basket, and ran. After a few steps, she returned and covered him with some grass. Ah Chou, buried in the grass, watched his sister run towards the village, confused about what was happening.

This was the land of the Tang Dynasty, and the people here were Tang subjects. Why would the Tang army harm the villagers? They weren't bandits or outlaws. Ah Chou, unable to understand, followed his sister's instructions and stayed still.

The sound of hooves and rolling stones echoed as two horses led the charge up the hill. From Ah Chou's perspective, he could only see the civil official on a black horse. The general on the other side was blocked by the civil official, but Ah Chou could see his red cloak fluttering in the wind.

Yue Rong waved her green scarf and shouted, "Father! Mother! The soldiers are here! The soldiers are here!"

"Kill! Kill them all! Not one must be spared!"

A chilling voice rang in Ah Chou's ears. He turned to see the civil official on the horse, a tall, thin man with a long, narrow face, sunken eyes, and a sharp nose, exuding an aura of authority.

As he gave the order, he turned his head, and his face came into full view. Ah Chou could clearly see his sharp nose, the deep lines on either side, and his thin lips. The chilling command came from his mouth.

The general, whose robe was adorned with lion and tiger patterns, slowly drew his sword, the sound of metal scraping against the scabbard sending shivers down Ah Chou's spine. The general raised his sword, spurred his horse forward, and shouted, "Kill!" before charging down the hill.

The soldiers, wielding their sabers, followed in a frenzy.

Ah Chou watched as his sister ran desperately, her figure darting like a deer in the mountains. The general, riding his horse, pursued her like a hunter. In moments, he caught up to her, and Ah Chou's heart raced.

"Thud!"

The sword rose, a flash of cold light, and blood splattered.

"Mother, the soldiers are here..."

Yue Rong's voice was cut short. The sword sliced through, and her head flew into the air, her blood forming a mist. The general, wielding the bloody sword, rode past her. The soldiers trampled over her body and charged into the village.

"Big sister!"

Ah Chou's vision went black, and he fainted.

The sound of hundreds of soldiers marching and the rolling stones covered his faint cry.

The civil official stood on the hill, coldly watching the village, a cruel smile on his lips. He pointed with his whip and repeated his order, "Kill! Kill them all! Not one must be spared!"

The next day, the government of Shaoguan posted a notice, declaring that a major epidemic had broken out in Taoyuan Village, and all the villagers had died. To prevent the spread of the epidemic, the entire village was burned, and the people were warned not to enter Taoyuan Village to avoid infection. Taoyuan Village, which had appeared mysteriously, disappeared just as mysteriously.

No one dared to enter the valley again. A few years later, no one remembered the name Taoyuan Village. People only remembered that there was a Plague Valley about twenty miles northeast of Shaoguan, and many didn't even know the origin of the name...

Note: Some terms that were too anachronistic, such as calling the father "brother" and using "you" and "thou" for the second person, and "he" and "she" for the third person, have been adjusted to modern usage for the reader's convenience.

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