Volume Two: The Ancestral Marquis Chapter 106: Winning Hearts and Minds
The next day, with the sun already high, Wei Fufeng rose lazily from bed. He told Mingyu to rest well, but she refused, insisting on getting up to help him dress.
After breakfast together, Wei Fufeng kissed his newlywed beauty goodbye, his spirits high as he set out to attend to his affairs. Today, he planned to visit Li Ziqi and some relatives of other generals; he would pay respects to his grandfather the following day.
When Yang Shouliang dispatched troops to attack Dongchuan, Li Ziqi secretly arranged for his family and some of his subordinates’ relatives to leave Xingyuan Prefecture and flee to Chang’an for safety.
Li Ziqi’s actions reflected his distrust of Yang Shouliang’s future and his intent to defect to the court.
Ultimately, Li Ziqi chose to side with Wei Fufeng. To show his sincerity, he voluntarily moved his relatives from Chang’an to Jinzhou, where Wei Fufeng’s grandfather arranged for their proper settlement.
Li Ziqi’s family lived in the East District, not far from the county government office.
Guided by a captain of the constables and accompanied by ten guards, Wei Fufeng arrived at the residence of Li Ziqi’s family.
The home was an ordinary dwelling, with earthen walls and wooden doors, appearing quite humble.
Wei Fufeng dismissed the constable and had his subordinates knock on the door. After knocking, the door opened, revealing a plain-clothed youth of about seventeen or eighteen.
“Who are you looking for?” the youth asked in surprise.
“I am a colleague of Li Ziqi, here to pay early New Year’s respects to the elder,” Wei Fufeng replied with a smile.
“Oh, my father’s colleague, please come in,” the youth said respectfully, stepping aside to let them enter.
Wei Fufeng nodded and stepped inside. Beyond the door was a courtyard of several dozen square meters, with three main rooms and four side rooms. The snow in the yard had been swept away, revealing the earth beneath.
Suddenly, people appeared from the main and side rooms—over a dozen men, women, young and old.
“Grandfather, a colleague of my father has come to pay early New Year’s greetings,” the youth called out.
Wei Fufeng looked toward the main room, where an elderly man in a blue robe emerged. With a respectful bow, Wei Fufeng said, “I am a colleague of General Li. Passing through Jinzhou, I’ve come to pay my respects to the elder.”
“Colleague of Ziqi, please speak inside,” the elderly man replied calmly. Though his hair was graying, his posture was upright and his face resolute.
Wei Fufeng nodded and entered the main room, two guards following him inside while eight remained in the courtyard.
Inside was a combined living and reception hall. The elderly man in the blue robe invited Wei Fufeng to sit, while six men, women, and children stood by.
The elderly man smiled and said, “Young sir, your face is unfamiliar. When did you come to know Ziqi?”
“I met General Li right here in Jinzhou. I am Wei Zheng, the Military Commissioner of Southern Sichuan,” Wei Fufeng answered plainly.
The elderly man’s expression changed, as did those of the six standing nearby, showing surprise. He rose and bowed. “So it is the arrival of Commissioner Wei. Forgive my earlier discourtesy.”
Wei Fufeng stood and offered a polite but unpretentious gesture. “Please, elder, no need for formalities.”
Turning to his right, Wei Fufeng raised his hand, and a guard handed over a wooden box.
Holding the box, Wei Fufeng said, “Elder, inside are four documents. First, a military commission for a Thousand Crane Camp guard, successor to the rank of a Southern Sichuan army officer. The successor must register with the Thousand Crane Camp to study military and civil affairs. Please send one of General Li’s sons to Southern Sichuan.”
The elderly man made a soft “oh” sound and asked, “Is the Thousand Crane Camp the personal guard of the Military Commissioner?”
Wei Fufeng explained briefly, then added, “Elder, you should choose the most capable descendant to go. If he proves unfit, Southern Sichuan’s army will send him back, and you may select another heir to command.”
The elderly man nodded. Wei Fufeng continued, “Second, a deed to a house in Jiangcheng, Yuzhou. Jiangcheng has long been a cultured and pleasant place to live, with residences similar to the noble quarters in Chang’an. You may move there or sell it as you see fit.”
The elderly man bowed his thanks. Wei Fufeng smiled and said, “Third, a commercial plot of land by the riverside near Bacheng. I am building a city on the southern bank of Yuzhong that resembles this new city of Jinzhou.”
The elderly man nodded again. Wei Fufeng added, “Fourth, a document confirming your appointment as Chief Historian of Yuzhou. I know you once served as an administrative officer in the Divine Strategy Army.”
The elderly man expressed gratitude once more.
Wei Fufeng spoke gently, “This is not charity, but a reward for General Li’s merits. After this, no debts remain between my army and General Li.”
The elderly man made a soft sound of acknowledgment. Wei Fufeng added warmly, “If you find the reward inadequate, please speak freely, and I will explain.”
The elderly man glanced at the wooden box, then looked up. “Commissioner Wei, I am accustomed to Chang’an. I may find it difficult to adapt to the climate and customs of Southern Sichuan. Could the reward be granted in Jinzhou instead?”
Wei Fufeng shook his head. “I’m afraid I cannot allow that. The local officials in Jinzhou and Badong are beyond my authority. I can only make decisions concerning Southern Sichuan and Qianzhong.”
The elderly man was slightly taken aback. “Are Jinzhou and Badong not part of Southern Sichuan?”
“They are within one family, but for the greater good, I must concede some interests. Jinzhou and Badong’s local officials are appointed by my grandfather. I only oversee military matters.”
“One family still requires concessions? Do you and your grandfather not see eye to eye?” the elderly man frowned.
Wei Fufeng smiled. “My grandfather and I understand each other and work together. But within the Wei family of Jinzhou, I cannot make concessions. If I did, family members might grow resentful and conspire with our enemies. When their interests are at stake, they won’t make foolish betrayals.”
The elderly man nodded. “Wise indeed, Commissioner Wei. No wonder my son chose to submit.”
Wei Fufeng said, “If you do not wish to go to Yuzhou, you may wait a year or two. After I secure Jingzhou, I will ask my grandfather to appoint you governor of Fangzhou.”
“Will Commissioner Wei campaign to seize Jingzhou within the next year or two?” the elderly man asked.
“We intend to, but first Jinzhou and Badong must be stable,” Wei Fufeng replied.
“When will you advance to Western Sichuan? I long for my son’s safe return,” the elderly man inquired.
“I cannot say for certain. It depends on the right opportunity,” Wei Fufeng answered.
“My son says the Southern Sichuan army numbers over a hundred thousand. The Fengxiang army occupies Western Sichuan but has not yet solidified its position. I believe the Southern Sichuan army should act swiftly; delay means lost chances,” the elderly man remarked.
Wei Fufeng responded, “If you were the emperor, hearing the Southern Sichuan army advance into Western Sichuan, what would you do? Tolerate and accept their occupation, or order Fengxiang, Xingyuan, Tongguan, and Dongchuan armies to unite in rebellion suppression?”
The elderly man paused thoughtfully, then said, “Commissioner Wei is wise; I am but a fool.”
Wei Fufeng smiled gently. “I too desire to seize Chengdu’s fertile lands, but maintaining control will be difficult. No need to hurry. As Fengxiang gains Western Sichuan, Li Maozhen’s conflict with the court will intensify. Even if he does not oppose the court, the court will find it impossible to rest and must deal with him.”
“The court likely lacks the strength to handle the Fengxiang army,” the elderly man sighed softly.
“The court lacks the power to suppress the Hedong army, yet they still form coalitions to oppose them. Li Maozhen’s occupation unsettles not only the court but also the Binning military commissioner to the north, as well as the Hedong, Tongguan, and even Xuanwu armies,” Wei Fufeng explained.
“So the court will inevitably use force against Li Maozhen,” the elderly man said.
Wei Fufeng replied, “Li Maozhen defies the court by attacking Xingyuan and seizing Western Sichuan, showing his arrogance and tyranny. The court fears his growing power, so their conflict will surely escalate.”
The elderly man nodded, then asked, “Commissioner Wei is a noble subject. Might you support the court in the future?”
Wei Fufeng said, “The world is in chaos; the court is ungrateful. The Hedong army has rendered great service defending the throne. Even if they are Shatuo, the court should not betray them out of self-interest. Yang Fugong, though corrupt, shows no sign of rebellion; yet the emperor seeks his life. Supporting the court will bring no good outcome.”
The elderly man sighed and shook his head. Wei Fufeng continued, “The fate of the Tang dynasty is waning. Now, we can only maintain our own territories, watch the situation, and dare not claim the role of loyal ministers restoring the realm.”
The elderly man nodded in understanding. Wei Fufeng knew that Li Ziqi’s position as marching quartermaster under Yang Shouliang had much to do with Li Ziqi’s father.
The elderly man had close ties to Yang Fugong’s elder brother, the former eunuch Yang Fuguang.
Wei Fufeng perceived the elderly man’s feelings as conflicted—he still cared for the Tang court but was deeply disappointed and resentful due to Yang Fugong’s downfall.
After cordial conversation, the elderly man summoned other elder relatives of the generals.
Wei Fufeng offered gifts and New Year’s greetings to each, the atmosphere warm. He then took his leave, escorted out by the relatives.
After Wei Fufeng’s departure, the elderly man gave Li Ziqi two family letters—one overt with normal greetings, the other covertly concerning his conversation with Wei Fufeng.
After the New Year, the youth who had opened the door went to Yuzhou with an uncle.
The uncle took possession of the Jiangcheng house, toured Bacheng, gathered much information, and returned to Jinzhou to petition his father to take office and settle in Yuzhou.
The elderly man did not go himself. Instead, he purchased a riverside plot outside Jinzhou’s outer city, building a residence and a tavern, actively participating in the development of Jinzhou’s outskirts.
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As the year’s end approached, Jinzhou was filled with a peaceful and joyous atmosphere. Thanks to the city’s construction projects, which provided work despite a disastrous year, the people of Jinzhou had no shortage of harvest.
The government encouraged merchants to buy large quantities of New Year goods through tax exemptions, enriching the city’s markets.
The newly built massive city was called Jinzhou City by the locals, while the old inner city was known as the West City.
Because of the city’s vastness, the outer city became primarily agricultural, while the inner city served as the administrative and workshop center.
Despite the festive peace, Wei Fufeng remained vigilant. After visiting Li Ziqi’s family, he paid respects to his grandfather the next day and thereafter inspected the inner and outer city walls daily.
He also selected the best from the Jinzhou militia to form a scout army, rewarding them handsomely for reconnaissance missions.
It was winter and nearing year’s end, a time when warfare was normally unlikely. Yet Wei Fufeng dared not be complacent; if great gain was possible, who would hesitate to deploy troops despite the season?
The rise of the Wei family in Jinzhou, along with the construction of formidable city defenses, had become a thorn in the enemy’s side, while also inflaming their greed.
Wei Fufeng believed Han Jian’s situation most urgently required the capture of Jinzhou; otherwise, the territories of Hanzhong and Yangzhou under his control would become isolated and vulnerable.