Volume Two: The Grandfather and Grandson Lords Chapter 101: One Mistake After Another
Page (1/3)
The Tianwei Army rushed to Fengxiang Prefecture. Li Maozhen, military governor of Fengxiang, was pleased. Although many of the troops who defected were a disorganized rabble, it nonetheless demonstrated his military prestige.
Therefore, he treated them well and entrusted them with the defense of Chengdu city in Xichuan, while sending five thousand troops from Xichuan to Fengxiang Prefecture to strengthen his forces.
...
Inside the Yanying Hall, Emperor Zhaozong spoke with Chancellor Du Rangneng.
Du Rangneng said, “Your Majesty’s strategy is sound. Li Shunjie cannot be retained for long. Using the governor of Jinzhou to slay him is better than doing so in Chang’an.”
“I worry that the governor of Jinzhou will grow too powerful. He is cunning and clever, capable of easily outwitting Li Shunjie,” Zhaozong replied with concern.
“I believe the governor of Jinzhou is indeed shrewd, but Li Shunjie is merely a simple-minded soldier, which is why he was outmaneuvered. As for the governor, as long as he cannot control Badong, his influence remains limited,” Du Rangneng explained.
“Do not forget the military governor of Chuannan, a relative of the Wei family in Jinzhou. If they unite to scheme against Kuizhou, it will be difficult for Kuizhou to resist. Should Kuizhou fall, Chuannan and Jinzhou’s powers will reinforce each other. I regret granting the position of Badong overseer,” the emperor lamented.
Du Rangneng thought for a moment and said, “Badong originally belonged to the Jingnan military governor. If Your Majesty is concerned, you can issue an edict to return Badong under Jingnan’s jurisdiction.”
Zhaozong shook his head. “If I execute Li Shunjie, it is justifiable. But to revoke the order and lose face with the Jinzhou governor would be detrimental to the court’s authority.”
Du Rangneng said, “Your Majesty, the court’s overarching interests are paramount. Since Badong has not yet been brought under the governor of Jinzhou’s control, if you do not wish to rescind the order, I suggest establishing a Kuimen Defense Commissioner.”
Zhaozong replied, “The positions of Kuimen Defense Commissioner and Badong overseer are effectively duplications. This would be akin to deceiving ourselves.”
Du Rangneng respectfully said, “My suggestion is incomplete; please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
“You speak frankly; I bear no grudge,” Zhaozong answered.
“Your Majesty, the Kuimen Defense Commissioner post could be granted to the remnants of Li Shunjie’s forces in Badong. I propose bestowing the title of Prince of Xicheng to the royal duke, assigning him to Jiangling Prefecture, thus freeing him from Jinzhou’s control and making Jingnan, Badong, and Jinzhou his vassal territories,” Du Rangneng proposed.
Zhaozong’s face darkened slightly. The Prince of Xicheng was his elder brother’s son. His brother, Li Bao, had once been a contender for the throne. Suggesting the establishment of a vassal prince’s domain was a grave taboo.
His expression grew somber. “Do you believe that establishing a vassal prince’s rule can curb the Wei family’s growing power in Jinzhou?”
“I cannot say for certain. My proposal aims to create a balance of power—relocating the prince to Jiangling Prefecture to confer legitimacy. The Jinzhou governor’s Badong overseer position would be nominally subordinate to the prince, ostensibly assisting him in governing all his territories,” Du Rangneng explained.
Zhaozong considered it and nodded. Du Rangneng’s plan made the Badong overseer a titular role, while the Kuimen Defense Commissioner held actual authority. This arrangement allowed both the Jinzhou governor and the Jingnan military governor to exercise influence over Badong, while the Kuimen Defense Commissioner answered only to the vassal prince, despite ranking below the two governors.
Zhaozong said, “I understand your advice, but I worry the vassal prince might be coerced by rebels into rebellion.”
“Your Majesty, throughout history, rebels have not only arisen from royal family members granted vassal titles. During the An Shi Rebellion, many regional military governors acted as de facto princes, ignoring imperial orders,” Du Rangneng solemnly replied.
Zhaozong nodded gravely, raising an eyebrow. “Very well. Follow your counsel. Confer the title of Prince Xuan upon the Prince of Xicheng, establish his domain in Jiangling Prefecture, and dispatch envoys swiftly to Kuizhou to announce his appointment, preventing its forces from surrendering to the Jinzhou governor.”
Du Rangneng nodded. “I also worry about Kuizhou’s troops surrendering to the Jinzhou governor. The Kuizhou officers come from the Tianwei Army, while the Jingnan military governor is of humble origin; it will be difficult to compel the Tianwei officers to submit.”
Page (2/3)
Just as the sovereign and ministers reached this decision, news of the Tianwei Army’s rebellion arrived at Yanying Hall.
Emperor Zhaozong was alarmed and ordered the palace gates to be shut. His first thought was self-preservation.
...
An imperial edict was swiftly delivered by a court courier to Kuizhou. Wei Fufeng remained stationed in Kuizhou, while Gao Yan served as governor, managing Kuizhou openly.
The courier requested an audience with the deputy military governor of Zhenjiang but was taken to the prefectural office, where he met Gao Yan dressed in a bright red official robe.
Seeing the dust-covered courier enter, Gao Yan sat solemnly behind the official desk and asked, “Are you looking for the deputy military governor?”
“Governor, I have brought an imperial edict,” the courier replied respectfully, recognizing that the official was the governor, not the deputy.
“You are late. The deputy military governor died suddenly of illness. I am the Kuizhou governor and now the highest authority here,” Gao Yan said calmly.
“I pay my respects, Governor. Since you are the highest authority in Kuizhou, may I present the edict to you? May I ask your honorable name?” the courier politely asked.
“I am Gao Yan,” he answered with composure.
“Governor Gao, please verify the edict and then provide me with an official reply,” the courier said politely, handing over a bamboo tube.
Gao Yan took the tube but did not open it. He ordered, “Take this gentleman to rest.”
The guards escorted the courier away. Gao Yan then left the hall and went to the magistrate’s detention office to meet Wei Fufeng, handing him the bamboo tube.
Wei Fufeng instructed the guards to open it, took out the bright yellow imperial edict, glanced over it, and then handed it back to Gao Yan.
After reading, Wei Fufeng said calmly, “The emperor has reneged on the Badong overseer appointment, employing this method to curb Jinzhou’s growing power.”
Gao Yan nodded with a smile. “This edict seems advantageous to us.”
Wei Fufeng nodded. “It can counter Cheng Rui. After allying with him, we might turn against Cheng Rui, potentially causing him to lose Jingnan. The person advising the emperor is quite skilled in strategy, but their plans remain theoretical and may hinder the court.”
Gao Yan agreed. “The art of war depends on knowing oneself and the enemy. Making rash decisions without reconnaissance is indeed a fatal error.”
Wei Fufeng smiled. “You shall serve as this Defense Commissioner, responsible for communication with Cheng Rui.”
Gao Yan quickly shook his head. “I am fortunate to serve as governor. I cannot accept the Defense Commissioner post. Please assign someone else.”
“Someone else? Shall we appoint the Fourteenth Uncle? Or the Eighth Uncle? Why would our army recommend the Badong governor? It’s not for power, but fear of incompetence causing disaster. A poor commander endangers thousands of troops. Our army cannot afford defeat. Grandfather knows this. You know this. But the Fourteenth and Eighth Uncles do not understand. One misstep and all is lost,” Wei Fufeng said coldly.
Gao Yan smiled wryly. Wei Fufeng softened his tone. “Don’t fixate on a title. As long as we do not lose, it won’t be inappropriate for you to become a prince in the future. Our army needs your talent to contend with enemies. Grandfather and I share the same thoughts, but he must consider family honor, so I must play the villain.”
Gao Yan solemnly nodded and saluted. “I will dedicate myself fully.”
Wei Fufeng nodded and let Gao Yan leave with the edict. Gao Yan returned to the hall, summoned the courier, accepted the appointment, and was told the official documents and seal would arrive soon.
Page (3/3)
After sending off the courier, Gao Yan wrote a letter and sent a shrewd guard with a Chang’an accent as envoy to meet Cheng Rui, deceiving him into alliance with Badong.
He then wrote another letter to the Jinzhou governor, reporting and recording his conversation with Wei Fufeng, explaining why Wei appointed him Defense Commissioner, but omitted the part about his possible princely elevation.
Upon receiving Gao Yan’s reply, the court promptly implemented the vassal prince strategy, ennobling the Prince of Xicheng as Prince Xuan, assigning him Jiangling Prefecture, and appointing him as the Southern Capital’s military governor.
Jiangling Prefecture, established during Emperor Suzong’s reign in the second year of Zhìdé, was effectively akin to the Northern Capital’s Taiyuan Prefecture but failed to become a co-capital administrative center.
Prince Xuan’s domain included the vassal military governors of Jingnan, Zhaoxin, Kuimen Defense Commissioner, E’yue, and Wuzhen.
Gao Yan, serving as Kuizhou governor, was appointed Kuimen Defense Commissioner, General of the Golden Guards, Marquis of Zhenjiang, and commander of Prince Xuan’s forces, overseeing the military affairs of Badong and governing Kuizhou, Guizhou, Wanzhou, and Zhongzhou.
Cheng Rui was appointed Jingnan military governor, Prefect of Jiangling, Grand General of Huaihua, Duke of Jing, and Prince Xuan’s palace escort commander, commanding Jingzhou, Xiazhou, Fuzhou, and Shizhou.
The Jinzhou governor was promoted to Deputy Military Governor of Zhaoxin, Badong overseer, Grand Master of Purple and Gold, Duke of Yu, Prince Xuan’s palace registrar, commanding Jinzhou, Junzhou, and Fangzhou. The Jinshang Defense Commissioner post was handed over to the Jin Cheng Army commander.
Du Hong was appointed E’yue military governor and Prince Xuan’s Chief Secretary, Grand Master of Purple and Gold, Duke of E, commanding Ezhou (Wuhan), Yuezhou (east of Dongting Lake), Anzhou, Huangzhou, and Qizhou (bordering Huainan Circuit to the east).
Lei Man was appointed Wuzhen military governor and Prince Xuan’s Sima, commanding Langzhou (west of Dongting Lake) and Yanzhou (southeast of Dongting Lake).
The Wuzhen army’s territory lay south of the Yangtze River, bordering Shizhou to the northwest, and southward was the domain of the Wuan Army military governor in Tanzhou (Changsha, Hunan).
...
The Jinzhou governor received the imperial edict with a disdainful sneer. He knew all these changes followed Du Rangneng’s audience with the emperor.
The next day, the Jinzhou governor traveled by boat to Junzhou, ostensibly to pay formal respects to Prince Xuan and see him off, but also to inspect his own territory and indulge in the satisfaction of a superior.
As the boat entered Junzhou territory, passing Fengli County and entering Yun County, the governor was surprised to see a grand waterwheel towering twenty meters high on the northern bank of the Han River, with crowds on both shores busily building river embankments.
“This waterwheel is magnificently built. I shall take a closer look,” the governor ordered, directing the boat toward the northern shore.
Upon landing, accompanied by a hundred guards, the governor approached the waterwheel. The workers on the shore, hearing the arrival of the Zhaoxin military governor, scattered to observe from a distance.
The governor examined the massive waterwheel in the river.
The waterwheel was mounted on two “eight” (八)-shaped stone dams. The river water flowed into the narrow openings of the dams, striking the wheel to turn it, producing a roaring sound. A wooden water trough extended horizontally, connecting to the upper middle part of the wheel, channeling water further downstream.
“Who constructed this waterwheel?” the governor inquired. Officials were promptly summoned.
Page (3/3)