Princess!
No, no, by their designation, a Gege.
I once again used my phone to search for information on Nurhaci, a good feature of Baidu is that for each emperor, their brothers, wives and concubines, and children are listed in great detail, and the closer to modern times, the more accurate the information.
According to my research, Nurhaci had 16 sons and 8 daughters. His successor, Hong Taiji, was the eighth son, and Dorgon, who was as famous as him, was the fourteenth son. However, the fifth daughter of Nurhaci, as recorded in historical materials, had no name. She was born in 1597 and died in 1613, with no cause of death mentioned.
This clearly contradicts the annotation written by Song Lei.
The Battle of Juhua Mountain took place in 1622. If Eji’ge were indeed the fifth daughter, she should have passed away nine years before the Battle of Juhua Mountain, so how could she have appeared in the battle?
However, it is also understandable. History is, after all, written by the victors. This "Manchu Old Archives" was compiled during the reign of Hong Taiji. For an event like killing one's own sister, it would naturally not be recorded truthfully in the historical records. Therefore, "Imperial Son" was vaguely used as a substitute.
Conversely, Song Lei's words may not be entirely credible. At least based solely on this "Manchu Old Archives," it is impossible to determine the truthfulness of Song Lei's statement. The reason he was able to write that passage should be supported by other historical materials. Only by finding those materials can we prove whether this fierce female Bayara was indeed Mujige.
It seems further information collection is necessary.
Since the new clue came from Song Lei's handwriting, I decided to visit his home to see if I could gain anything.
Closing the book, my ordered takeout coffee arrived. While drinking coffee, I called my classmate Cui Xiaohu to ask if he knew Song Lei's address.
Certainly not in Fanshen Village.
Xiaohu said he only knew that Song Lei's home was in Fucheng, but he didn't know the specific address. He thought for a moment and remembered another female classmate of ours, Chen Lu, who was from Fengtian Provincial City, adjacent to Fucheng, and was considered a fellow townsman of Song Lei. They both returned to Northeast China after graduation. It was Chen Lu who informed Xiaohu of Song Lei's death at the time.
"Ask Chen Lu, she might have attended Song Lei's funeral and knows his address. Chengfeng, why are you so idle researching Song Lei?" Xiaohu asked, puzzled.
"Uh... when we first graduated, Song Lei and I actually had a good relationship. Back then, when I encountered difficulties, he lent me five thousand yuan and said I didn't need to rush to repay it. I had almost forgotten about it. Now that he's passed away, I figured I shouldn't owe money to a dead person, so I came to Northeast China to return the money to his family."
I truly admire my on-the-spot adaptability; I almost convinced myself.
"So that's how it is. No wonder you said last night you were going to Northeast China to find Song Lei and even lied to me about attending his wedding, scaring me. Damn you, you owe me a drink when you get back!" Cui Xiaohu believed me wholeheartedly and cursed with a laugh.
"Okay, I'll be in touch. I'll ask Chen Lu."
"Do you have Chen Lu's WeChat?"
"Yes."
Chen Lu was the beauty of our class. I had added her long ago and would chat with her occasionally, but always kept it brief. I knew my place; she was so beautiful, and her family background was good. Her father was reportedly a general manager of a state-owned enterprise in the provincial capital, with both money and connections. She would never be interested in me.
My unchanging greeting: "Are you there, beautiful?"
She didn't reply. It was already half-past ten. At this hour, she might be out partying.
I opened the window, letting the autumn breeze cool my slightly swollen head.
Buzz, my phone vibrated. Chen Lu replied: "Yes."
Her unchanging response, too.
After a few pleasantries as usual, I got to the point: "I heard Song Lei passed away?"
Chen Lu: "You just found out? He passed away four years ago."
Me: "I heard from Xiaohu. I still owe Song Lei money. What should I do? I'll give it to his family. Do you know where they live?"
Chen Lu: "I know. I attended the funeral. You mean, you want me to help you pass it on to his family?"
Chen Lu knew I was in Jinling, very far from Fucheng, and kindly offered to help.
Me: "I'm on a business trip to Northeast China. I'll take the opportunity to visit Song Lei's home. Besides returning the money, I want to express my condolences, after all, we were classmates."
Chen Lu: "You're in Northeast China? Why didn't you say so earlier? Which city?"
Me: "Fucheng."
Chen Lu sent a sweating emoji: "Is it really such a coincidence?"
Me: "?"
Chen Lu: "I'm also in Fucheng, visiting my aunt."
Me: "Visiting your aunt?"
I asked, my brain momentarily short-circuiting.
Fortunately, Chen Lu didn't get angry.
"My mother's sister, my maternal aunt, lives in Fucheng."
After saying that, she sent me an address.
The urban area of Fucheng is not large. Her aunt's residential complex was less than a kilometer away from the hotel I was staying at...