Volume One: The Southern Command Chapter 10: Wang Meng Offers a Strategy

Wei Fufeng observed all of this, dismissed the fire chief without further inquiry.

He surmised that Wang Meng was a military bully, a troublemaker whom Magistrate Yang had sent away from Hanzhong as a discarded pawn; if Wang Meng had been a trusted subordinate, Yang would not have let him go.

With this understanding, Wang Meng became a man who must be eliminated in Wei Fufeng’s mind.

Military bullies like Wang Meng were extremely dangerous, their presence akin to a lurking wolf, ready to turn against Wei Fufeng at any moment.

Wei Fufeng’s risky deception was for the sake of wealth and advantage; Wang Meng had already shown signs of rebelliousness.

As the saying goes, “When a general is on campaign, he need not obey the ruler’s orders.” Once far from Hanzhong, Yang’s power to intimidate Wang Meng would vanish.

In these chaotic times, it was commonplace for arrogant officers to turn on their commanders.

Wei Fufeng could never win Wang Meng’s sincere allegiance; even if Wang Meng weren’t a military bully, he was still Yang’s henchman, detrimental to Wei Fufeng’s plans.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, nearly two hundred soldiers began to ready themselves. Half an hour later, they departed the camp, heading west.

Old Feng and the woman in green, along with eleven subordinates, had already set out the previous day.

Wei Fufeng enjoyed the comfort of a carriage, while Wang Meng rode horseback. Their journey went smoothly, and around noon, they rested at the foot of a hill.

Wei Fufeng stepped out, watching the soldiers set up pots to cook. At that moment, Wang Meng approached.

“My lord,” Wang Meng saluted with a military gesture.

“Oh, General Wang, you’ve worked hard,” Wei Fufeng replied with a smile.

“My lord, I would like to speak with you,” Wang Meng stated directly.

“Very well, let’s go over there,” Wei Fufeng nodded, walking to the outskirts, away from the soldiers by several dozen meters, and sat with Wang Meng among some scattered rocks.

“What does General Wang wish to discuss?” Wei Fufeng asked gently.

“My lord, the seat of governance for the Southern Sichuan Commandery is Luzhou. I believe we should seize Luzhou first,” Wang Meng said.

Wei Fufeng was taken aback. “Seize Luzhou first? How could that be possible?”

“My lord, the East Sichuan region has changed hands frequently in recent years.

During the reign of Emperor Xizong, the eunuch Tian Lingzi, who now serves as the military overseer in West Sichuan, held sway over the court, appointing Chen Jingxuan as the West Sichuan commander, and another confidant, Yang Shili, as the East Sichuan commander.

Later, Yang Shili betrayed Tian Lingzi, and Chen Jingxuan dispatched troops from West Sichuan, ordering Gao Renhou to lead an attack that destroyed Yang Shili.

After Yang Shili’s death, Gao Renhou became commander of East Sichuan, but Chen Jingxuan, fearing Gao Renhou’s prowess, seized the opportunity to eliminate him.

When Gao Renhou died, the court appointed Gu Yanlang, formerly of the Divine Strategy Army, as commander of East Sichuan,” Wang Meng recounted.

Wei Fufeng nodded, “I know of Gu Yanlang, the commander of East Sichuan.”

“My lord, Gu Yanlang has only governed East Sichuan for three or four years. He has been cautious, reluctant to change the local officials drastically. The administrative seat, Zizhou, is in the north of East Sichuan, while Luzhou lies far to the south. Any change in Luzhou happens too far away for Gu Yanlang to respond quickly,” Wang Meng explained.

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “Even if Gu Yanlang cannot react swiftly, we lack the strength to seize Luzhou. Moreover, once Gu Yanlang responds, how could we possibly hold Luzhou?”

“My lord, the prefect of Luzhou was newly appointed by Gu Yanlang after forcing the previous prefect to resign. The new prefect has been in office less than half a year. If we launch a surprise attack and seize Luzhou, then request Magistrate Yang to feign an attack on East Sichuan, Gu Yanlang will not dare commit heavy forces against Luzhou,” Wang Meng argued.

Wei Fufeng considered this. “Your strategy aligns with military principles, but our troops are too few. Besides, this mission is led by the military overseer; he must decide.”

“Few troops require unconventional tactics. We can disguise ourselves as Gu Yanlang’s forces, enter the city, approach the Luzhou prefect, assassinate him, then declare Gu Yanlang dead and take command of Luzhou under the orders of the new East Sichuan commander,” Wang Meng said.

“That’s far too risky. It’s better to take control of Yuzhou first, then plan for Luzhou,” Wei Fufeng shook his head.

“My lord, if we enter Yuzhou first, we will lose the chance to seize Luzhou. Luzhou is upstream from Yuzhou along the river. If we take Luzhou first, we can lead Luzhou’s troops downstream to pressure Yuzhou, and only then will the Yuzhou prefect submit. Otherwise, two hundred soldiers arriving in Yuzhou will surely meet resistance,” Wang Meng said.

“If the Yuzhou prefect refuses to hand over military authority, would he not fear Magistrate Yang launching a punitive expedition?” Wei Fufeng retorted.

Wang Meng shook his head. “My lord, forgive my bluntness, but Magistrate Yang’s army never mobilizes lightly. When Wang Jian led thousands of militia to seize Langzhou without permission, Magistrate Yang, as the commandery governor, should have sent troops to quell the rebellion, even at the cost of losses—but he did not. Now, he is even less likely to send forces far from home to take Yuzhou.”

Wei Fufeng pondered this.

Wang Meng continued, “My lord, Yuzhou belongs to the Southern Sichuan Commandery. If Magistrate Yang sends troops, it would be an unauthorized military action. The Yuzhou prefect admitting allegiance to Southern Sichuan but refusing to relinquish military authority is an internal power struggle, not a rebellion.”

Wei Fufeng’s expression changed slightly. “So, if we go to Yuzhou, we cannot truly take control?”

“We can enter, but only as powerless figureheads,” Wang Meng replied bluntly.

Wei Fufeng fell silent, then shook his head. “Seizing Luzhou is too risky; the military overseer will certainly not agree.”

“My lord, the overseer need not take risks, but he must ask Magistrate Yang to feign an attack,” Wang Meng said.

“If the overseer does not go, would that not mean I must?” Wei Fufeng asked.

“You need not take risks either, my lord. You can wait outside Luzhou. I am willing to seize Luzhou for you, and even if I fail, it will not jeopardize your mission to Yuzhou,” Wang Meng replied respectfully.

Wei Fufeng considered this. “General Wang, I shall consult the overseer.”

Summoning four crossbowmen as escorts, Wei Fufeng went to see the military overseer, Yang Hui.

The two hundred soldiers were divided into three groups: the marching sergeant in front, the overseer in the middle, and Wei Fufeng bringing up the rear.

Upon requesting an audience, Wei Fufeng learned that Sergeant Wan Long was with Yang Hui.

After polite greetings, Wei Fufeng relayed Wang Meng’s proposal, concluding, “Overseer, I believe Wang Meng’s plan is worth adopting.”

“Worth adopting? That’s pure fantasy! The Luzhou prefect is newly appointed, and precisely because he’s new, the defenses must be tight, with at least a hundred elite guards,” Wan Long interrupted before the overseer could speak.

“Lord Wan, I say it’s worth adopting based on the risk-reward ratio. Wang Meng is willing to attempt a surprise attack; we can assign him three squads for this gamble. If he fails, it will not affect the mission to Yuzhou. I ask the overseer to decide,” Wei Fufeng said, looking at Yang Hui.

Yang Hui squinted and remained silent for a while, then quietly said, “General Wang’s willingness to achieve merit is commendable. I will send a courier to request Magistrate Yang to feign an attack. The burden falls to you, Lord Wei, to make the journey to Luzhou.”

“I am willing to go. But Wang Meng said not to credit him with the plan; otherwise, Magistrate Yang might reject the request,” Wei Fufeng said.

Yang Hui paused in surprise, then nodded, “I understand. The proposal will be attributed to Lord Wan.”

Wei Fufeng departed, and Wan Long remarked, “My lord, Wang Meng’s eagerness is clearly ambitious.”

“He aspires to be another Wang Jian, but it’s not that easy. Now that he’s willing to attack Luzhou for us, it’s to our advantage. In fact, the Yuzhou prefect may well refuse to hand over military authority, and if so, relying on Magistrate Yang to send troops is difficult. If we only request a feigned attack, I can obtain that,” Yang Hui replied.

“My concern is that if he seizes Luzhou, he may become an irreparable threat. Wang Meng is notorious in Hanzhong for his ferocity,” Yang Hui worried.

“You worry too much. Even if Wang Meng takes Luzhou, he can only remain under the Southern Sichuan Commandery for now; otherwise, he cannot establish himself in Luzhou. The prestige of the court may be waning, but in the minds of the common people, only court officials are legitimate. Anyone who rebels against the court is a bandit, and a fierce general with such a reputation cannot rally Luzhou’s officials and people,” Yang Hui replied calmly.

Wan Long could only nod in agreement, and then Yang Hui murmured, “If he dies in Luzhou, all the better.”

...

Wei Fufeng returned to the camp and greeted Wang Meng, “The overseer has accepted your proposal, though it cost me much persuasion.”

“My lord, thank you for your efforts,” Wang Meng responded respectfully.

“The overseer did not object. Lord Wan said your plan was pure fantasy—that the new prefect would have at least a hundred elite guards. He criticized your suggestion in front of the overseer, who hesitated briefly but ultimately agreed,” Wei Fufeng said, visibly displeased.

“My apologies for causing you trouble,” Wang Meng replied respectfully.

“Your proposal is somewhat fantastical, but precisely because it seems so, it allows for an unexpected surprise attack. Wang Meng, if you succeed, you may choose to serve as deputy commander or Luzhou prefect,” Wei Fufeng promised.

“My lord, thank you for your generous reward. I am willing to serve you,” Wang Meng responded.

Wei Fufeng smiled and nodded, “Though I am young, I hail from the prestigious Wei clan of Chang’an. As my subordinate, you need not feel slighted.”

Wang Meng replied respectfully, “I know of your noble origins, my lord; otherwise, Magistrate Yang would not value you.”

Wei Fufeng nodded, then heard hoofbeats. Turning, he saw a rider galloping toward Xingyuan Prefecture.

“That must be the overseer’s courier. Once he returns, I’ll inquire about the outcome. Come, let’s eat,” Wei Fufeng said.

“After you, my lord,” Wang Meng replied.

...

After the midday rest, the group set out again, traveling smoothly out of Nanzheng County, into Mian County, through Yangping Pass, and into Shunzheng County of Xingzhou.

Yangping Pass, also known as White Horse City, was a military fortress with a circumference of ten li and walls eight meters high. It was said to have been built by Xiao He, serving as a strategic gateway to Shu.

During the late Han, Liu Bei’s assault on Hanzhong from Shu was blocked at Yangping Pass for a year. Its military importance matched that of Baocheng, serving as a key barrier to Hanzhong.

Upon reaching Shunzheng County in Xingzhou, the party entered the city to rest, and Wei Fufeng was assigned to a guesthouse.

Old Feng and the woman in green arrived with their men. Now that they had subordinates, they traveled in sedan chairs crafted from chairs.

Getting off the sedan, Wei Fufeng introduced Old Feng to the group, “General Wang Meng, this is Feng Ke, the administrative officer of the Southern Sichuan Commandery, formerly a deputy commander of Tongguan’s garrison.”

“I have met Officer Feng before,” Wang Meng saluted.

“General Wang,” Old Feng reciprocated the salute, thus establishing a cordial acquaintance.