Volume Three: Southern Campaign and Territorial Expansion Chapter 119: The First Barrier

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Wei Xuan’s expression revealed unease as he said, “If the court launches a campaign against Jinzhou, I wonder how many troops Fufeng can provide in support?”

“The intention of Fufeng has been to capture the ancient city of Changsha in Tanzhou in recent years,” the Jinzhou governor replied.

“Fufeng still aims to advance into Tanzhou? Wouldn’t that stretch their forces even thinner?” Wei Xuan remarked.

“To hold Wuling’s two prefectures, it is essential to occupy Tanzhou. The ancient city of Changsha in Tanzhou is easy to defend but hard to conquer, serving as a shield for Wuling’s two prefectures and increasing the pressure on the Jingnan forces,” the Jinzhou governor explained.

Wei Xuan nodded. The governor continued, “If the court were to attack us, besides their own forces, they would certainly leverage the Tongguan army, the Loyalist army, the Jingnan army, the E’yue army, and even the Southern Suppression army from Jiangxi to invade Wuling’s two prefectures. Hence, the strategic importance of capturing Tanzhou is immense.”

Wei Xuan nodded again. “Tanzhou might not be easy to seize.”

“Fufeng says that Zhou Yue, the Military Commissioner of Wuan in Tanzhou, has not yet secured his position and is not very strong. Compared to Jingzhou, he is easier to deal with,” the governor said.

Wei Xuan nodded. The governor added, “You need not worry excessively. Even if the court attacks, the main threats to us are the Tongguan and Jingnan armies. With the presence of Wuling’s forces and Badong’s troops, these armies will at most mobilize only half their strength.”

“Our Jincheng troops are elite; defending and awaiting reinforcements is no problem. Any invading enemy can only halt under the walls of Jinzhou city. The current Jinzhou city is not afraid of a siege.”

“What we can do now is to win the hearts of the people. At the start of spring, many families lack sufficient grain stores. We will provide low-interest relief with stored grain. Additionally, governance of the Han River must continue. You should travel outside, paying attention to the livelihood of those beyond the city walls.”

Wei Xuan nodded. “Your son is willing to go out and care for the people.”

“When you go out, do not entertain the wealthy households. I will give you some passes for the militia troops to lead you in visiting the military households. Your purpose is to let the people of Jinzhou see you as a good and caring official,” the governor said plainly.

Wei Xuan respectfully replied, “Yes, your son understands.”

The governor continued, “Do you know? Han Jian often personally attends to the people’s livelihoods, and Cheng Rui, the Jingnan Military Commissioner, also cares personally for the populace, which is why the territories of the Tongguan and Jingnan armies are relatively stable.”

Wei Xuan nodded. The governor said, “Tomorrow you will depart. Avoid the farewell ceremonies for the princess; I will arrange the military escort.”

...

Li Xuerou went with her mother-in-law to the rear residence and was settled in the east courtyard’s main room.

The elder lady introduced, “This is Fufeng’s birth mother. You should call her ‘Mother.’”

Xuerou respectfully performed a female bow. “Daughter-in-law pays respects to Mother. May you be in good health.”

Fufeng’s birth mother silently returned a half bow. The elder lady continued, “This is Wanyu, my daughter from my natal family and Fufeng’s favored concubine.”

“I, Wanyu, pay respects to the mistress,” Wanyu knelt respectfully.

“No need for such formality, just call me ‘Sister’ from now on,” Xuerou stepped forward to help Wanyu up with a bow, glancing at her delicate features—like a painting, alabaster skin—the epitome of a flawless beauty.

The elder lady went on, “This is Fufeng’s fiancée’s elder sister, Yang Lihua, from the prestigious Yang family of Hongnong.”

Xuerou turned and bowed respectfully. “Xuerou pays respects to Sister-in-law.”

“Lihua greets Her Highness the Princess,” Fufeng’s sister-in-law replied courteously.

This was a refined young woman of seventeen or eighteen, the legitimate daughter of the Yang family of Hongnong. At five, she was betrothed to Wei Yunqing and recently sent to Jinzhou to marry. Although no formal ceremony had been held, she resided with her husband’s family under the pretext of serving her mother-in-law.

After the introductions, the elder lady smiled lightly, “You have come a long way; please rest well.”

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Li Xuerou nodded softly, then turned to instruct her maid to fetch a parcel, which she carried with both hands. “Mother-in-law, this is the official seal of the princess’s mansion. Please appoint trustworthy individuals to official posts.”

The elder lady was slightly taken aback. “The appointments of the princess’s mansion should be decided by Your Highness.”

Xuerou replied quietly, “I have no one I truly trust to appoint. These official positions only grant official status. Please, mother-in-law, help me decide.”

The elder lady hesitated, then took it, passing it to Wanyu. The group then left the east courtyard, and Xuerou accompanied them to the gate.

Back in the main room, the beautiful maid Mingyue arranged the rough maids and supplies that accompanied her, while the maid Bingxin assisted Xuerou in changing clothes.

While serving, Bingxin whispered, “Princess, the family of the prince consort is kind.”

“The lady is from the Qingyang Marquis’s household. As a noble, she respects me. If we can get through this first hurdle, when we reach Yuzhou, acceptance will be natural,” Xuerou murmured.

Bingxin nodded, then whispered, “Princess said you regard Miss Jiu as the legitimate wife. The maid wonders if that’s unfair.”

“Miss Jiu has a calm temperament. Honoring her as the legitimate wife doesn’t hinder me. I respect her to avoid appearing overbearing. I want to gain the approval of the elder generation of the Marquis of Fufeng,” Xuerou explained.

Bingxin softly hummed. Xuerou added, “Don’t think my words are insincere. I truly hope Miss Jiu marries the Marquis of Fufeng. If he gives her up, then later he might abandon me too.”

Bingxin nodded and whispered, “From what I’ve seen, Miss Jiu really dislikes the marriage with the Marquis of Fufeng.”

“Miss Jiu’s dislike stems from two reasons: one, her mother’s influence; her aunt always values legitimate birth over concubines. Two, she inwardly resents competing with the fourteenth lady for the husband,” Xuerou answered.

“Even if the prince consort is born of a concubine, his title as marquis is more honorable than a legitimate son from a noble family,” Bingxin whispered.

“Only after losing something do you realize its value. Miss Jiu is seventeen. In a year or so, when she can’t marry, well, no more on that,” Xuerou murmured.

“How could Miss Jiu possibly not marry?” Bingxin was surprised and puzzled.

“Much like me, neither high nor low enough. Officials and nobles avoid bringing trouble on themselves. As long as the Marquis of Fufeng’s forces exist, officials and nobles won’t want to marry Miss Jiu,” Xuerou whispered.

As they spoke in private, a maid reported that Wanyu had arrived. Xuerou, now in casual clothes, was slightly startled and went to the door to meet her.

Wanyu carried a bamboo basket and paused upon seeing Xuerou inside.

“Mistress, my mother asked me to bring some pastries over,” Wanyu said softly, a little awkwardly.

“Come in, sister,” Xuerou smiled gently. Wanyu nodded and entered, then stayed behind to speak with Xuerou.

...

Three days later, Li Xuerou left Jinzhou city, heading west toward Hanzhong. The original 100 escort soldiers were replaced by a detachment drawn from the city gate troops.

The original 100 escorts remained in Jinzhou and were later ‘escorted’ to Yucen City in Junzhou, stationed at the prince’s residence built on the foundation of the Baoren Temple—still under the jurisdiction of the Princess of Jiangcheng’s forces.

The new escort troops were equipped similarly to the original: apart from the commanding officer and the fire captain carrying swords, the rest wore hemp uniforms and carried long spears, but their morale was notably disciplined and orderly, with hardly any slack.

The princess’s mansion now had appointments for the princess’s decree, the princess’s assistant, and the recorder—all trusted household slaves close to Wei Xuan and his wife.

In fact, it was the elder lady who made the appointments, granting household slaves official status—a single step to nobility.

Xuerou replaced her simple donkey cart with a finely crafted wooden carriage that could be carried at any time, finally possessing the dignity befitting a princess’s travels.

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The escort soldiers and officials accompanying her treated Li Xuerou with great respect. The escort soldiers considered her the wife of the Military Commissioner, and the officials followed the elder lady’s strict instructions.

The convoy smoothly entered the territory of Yangzhou in Hanzhong, passed through Yangzhou, and arrived at Xingyuan Prefecture. The Military Commissioner of the Southern Shanxi Western Circuit, Sun Kui, received news and personally came out to the east city gate to greet the princess with full courtesy.

Upon entering the city, Xuerou observed through the carriage window the worn clothing of the guards and few armored soldiers.

Once inside, she noticed the streets were sparsely populated and clearly desolate.

At the inn, Xuerou disembarked, and Sun Kui came forward to bid farewell.

Xuerou asked, “Commander Sun, I see the city’s condition is not thriving. Though it is still winter, it should not be so empty.”

Sun Kui was slightly taken aback. “Your Highness may not know, but Xingyuan Prefecture has suffered severe population loss. Initially, Yang Shouliang took away more than thirty thousand people by force, and tens of thousands of able-bodied men were detained during wartime and could not return. Later, many of their families fled—half reportedly to Western Sichuan, the other half to Southern Sichuan and Jinzhou.”

Li Xuerou nodded. “Population loss will surely affect spring sowing.”

Sun Kui agreed. “To be frank, Xingyuan Prefecture suffered a famine. With only twenty thousand troops, we can barely eat thin gruel. Our army plans to implement military farming.”

Li Xuerou nodded. “My military rations are self-sufficient; I won’t trouble you, Commander Sun.”

Sun Kui nodded and took his leave.

Xuerou sighed quietly as she watched Sun Kui’s retreating figure. She had brought only a limited amount of grain from Chang’an, intending to resupply in Xingyuan, but the prefecture was so desolate. Fortunately, the escort troops had enough provisions.

In Jinzhou, Xuerou had invited Wanyu to go out and explore. They witnessed the bustling inner city and the vast outer city with its waterways and commerce.

Historically, Xingyuan Prefecture (Hanzhong) was wealthier than Jinzhou, but now Jinzhou was more prosperous.

The next day, Xuerou left Xingyuan. Sun Kui dispatched five hundred troops to escort her out through Yangping Pass.

The princess’s escort entered Xingzhou, territory of the Fengxiang army. They were briefly questioned but allowed to pass. The escort hired boats to travel along the Jialing River.

The fleet sailed smoothly down the Jialing River, passing Lizhou, Langzhou, Guozhou, and Hezhou. As they traveled southward, the weather grew warmer, and the scenery along both banks became lush and green, with distant mountains verdant.

At last, the fleet reached Yuzhou, circled around Yuzhong Jiang City, and moored at the southern riverbank of Bacheng Water City Gate.

The princess’s escort troops were originally from the Southern Sichuan army, so returning home turf posed no unfamiliar concerns, and they easily entered the city.

After entering, following the princess’s instructions, the escort paused in a location out of the way.

The captain left to notify the Marquis of Fufeng. Half an hour later, he returned, reporting that the Military Commissioner was not in Yuzhou, and his whereabouts could not be ascertained.

Li Xuerou pondered the truth of this and believed the Marquis was indeed absent. She ordered the escort to proceed to the county office.

County Magistrate Wang Yu received word and came out to greet the carriage respectfully. “I pay respects to Your Highness the Princess. May I ask what orders you have?”

Xuerou took out a personal letter from Wei Fufeng and handed it to the carriage driver to give to the magistrate. She spoke gently, “I am acquainted with the Marquis of Fufeng. I wish to secure a residence in the outer city and a riverside commercial plot. I ask the magistrate to kindly assist.”