Song of Autumn Reeds

The blurb for my next book, Love by Any Means, is now up. Please add it to your reading list.

For generations, the Qiu clan made their living as blacksmiths and weaponsmiths. Their secret ironworking techniques were unmatched, and their household was full of skilled craftsmen. They were famous far and wide, while their clan head, Qiu Zhengdao, was hailed as the Master Craftsman.

War came in wave after wave, and the world was ever-changing. After their country fell, the entire family moved south to Yuchi to make ends meet. They returned to their old trade, supplying weapons to the armies of Southern Chu year after year. Southern Chu's forces grew stronger and won battle after battle, thanks in no small part to the Qiu clan of Yuchi.

The Great Wei court grew wary. Twice, it sent envoys south to recruit them, but both attempts failed.

Wei King Zong Su was cold-hearted by nature, wanton and violent, and ruthless. He had run out of patience.

"The old fool refuses to take the easy way..."

At his command: "Go! Bring his wife and child to me!"

Qiu Zhengdao was widowed in middle age, and his only child was a daughter named Qiu Ying, an unconventional and delicate young blacksmith.

He and she met as spring sunlight meets autumn grass, a miraculous encounter.

As the saying goes, brine curdles tofu: there's always something that can bring another to heel.

She was a dandelion standing tall on an autumn branch, drifting like smoke when she moved and still as water when she was quiet, soft as fluff and light as dust...

She was a glimmer of light in the dark of night, a round moon reflected in water, forever beyond his reach.

Theme: Every ordinary and extraordinary today will become yesterday, gone with the wind.