Volume One Southern Sichuan Garrison Chapter 25 Hidden Worries

Xiaoxue shook her head. Wei Fufeng spoke softly, “Zhou He and his brother’s greed knows no bounds. His brother was once a petty scribe—I appointed him to the important post of Commissioner of the Transportation Bureau, giving him control over the Luzhou army’s finances. If I were to die, the two brothers would have a chance to dominate the Luzhou army, or at the very least, they would be able to amass great wealth.”

Xiaoxue exclaimed in surprise, “His brother is Zhou Long, the Commissioner of the Transportation Bureau?”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “The Luzhou army won a great victory. Zhou Long, as Commissioner, is merely a passing god of wealth, approving the flow of resources to the army, but only receiving the standard salary himself. A man who was once a petty official is steeped in the habit of corruption; if he becomes a high official, he craves power all the more.”

Xiaoxue nodded silently. Wei Fufeng continued, “I once said that the heights are cold and lonely. The position of military governor inevitably attracts those blinded by profit and ambition, who will stop at nothing to replace me.”

Xiaoxue nodded, her voice barely a whisper, “I understand.”

Wei Fufeng said no more. He did not wish Xiaoxue to think ill of him, and so he offered an explanation. In truth, he killed Zhou He mainly because Zhou He had behaved abnormally, displaying obvious nervousness.

Zhou He’s anxiety had aroused Wei Fufeng’s suspicion. After a victorious ambush, Zhou He ought to have been relaxed and joyful. He had not erred, so why did he grip his blade in tension?

Zhou He’s strange behavior led Wei Fufeng to recall his connections. Zhou He’s brother was Zhou Long, once a scribe in Jingnan’s Jiangling prefecture.

When Wei Fufeng first organized the army, appointments were made based on name rosters—he knew little about the true character of Zhou Long or Zhou He.

Wei Fufeng’s temperament was cautious. He would rather err on the side of excess than risk his life—one careless moment could cost everything. He believed that in the Luzhou army there were many who wished him dead.

With Luzhou’s great victory, southern Sichuan had entered the stage of reaping fruits, and internal conflicts of interest would soon surface.

“To kill Zhou Long should deter the ambitious, and make the Luzhou army understand that rank and power are granted by the military governor. If one does not know one’s place, one must be prepared to lose everything.” So thought Wei Fufeng, with ruthless resolve.

Upon reaching Dazu County, in the command hall of the army camp, Zhou Long, the Commissioner of the Transportation Bureau, was immediately seized and executed.

Sima Xi, the Field Commander of the Zhenfu Military Office, was transferred to the position of Commissioner of the Transportation Bureau. The bureau was ordered to cooperate with the military offices in rewarding the troops.

Next came the acceptance of prisoners, distribution of captured arms, retraining of troops, elimination of the old and infirm, granting of land to new recruits, and distribution of pay and rewards. Eight-tenths of the Dongchuan army’s captives surrendered.

While reorganizing the army, Wei Fufeng also conferred with his senior officers on the strategy of “civil contention”—that is, launching a diplomatic offensive.

The establishment of the Southern Sichuan military governorship was an imperial appointment; with this, they could censure the Dongchuan military governor for his aggression.

Secondly, they would propose peace, invoking the parable of the fisherman profiting while the snipe and clam fight, urging the Dongchuan governor to treasure harmony and lay down arms.

The Southern Sichuan governor guaranteed not to infringe upon Dongchuan’s salt revenues, and Wei Fufeng had already ordered the withdrawal of troops from Fushun County.

After these deliberations, envoys were dispatched to Zizhou. If negotiations succeeded, so much the better; if not, at least time would be gained.

Wei Fufeng also sent men to urge Prefect Gao to write to the Prefect of Yuzhou, requesting him to declare allegiance to Southern Sichuan and muster ten thousand local militia to Luzhou.

He then received the captured officers of the Dongchuan army who refused to surrender, trying his utmost to persuade them.

Pang Yu, the central army’s adjutant, agreed to capitulate, reasoning that even if he returned to Dongchuan, he would bear the primary blame for defeat.

Wei Fufeng granted him the rank of Commandant. Other officers were unwilling, mainly because their families remained in Zizhou; returning would allow them to remain officers.

Wei Fufeng tried to persuade them as best he could, aiming to stabilize the surrendered Dongchuan forces. The capitulation of officers would make the rank and file more willing to yield.

Half a month passed in a blur of activity, and there was no news from the envoys sent to Zizhou.

But one day, the messenger to Yuzhou returned, bringing back a letter in which the Prefect of Yuzhou acknowledged the authority of Southern Sichuan.

As for the ten thousand militia Wei Fufeng had requested, the Prefect of Yuzhou pleaded that banditry was rampant and could only send five thousand to Luzhou.

Wei Fufeng did not quibble over the shortfall. What he wanted was formal allegiance; he had no means to seize Yuzhou by force in the short term.

The Prefect of Yuzhou’s attitude was perfunctory and watchful, likely due to the threat of the Shannan Western Circuit’s military governor and Luzhou’s victory—he had no choice but to offer nominal respect.

Three days after the reply from Yuzhou, the envoys to Zizhou returned as well, bringing news that the Dongchuan military governor, Gu Yanlang, was willing to keep the peace.

Wei Fufeng was quite surprised, and questioned the envoy closely. The answers weighed heavily on his heart.

It turned out that Gu Yanlang, the Dongchuan governor, had summoned the envoy and asked most about Wei Fufeng’s origins.

The envoy replied he was of the Wei clan of Chang’an. Gu Yanlang then asked which branch of the Wei family, but the envoy did not know, offering vague replies—perhaps related to Wei Zhaodu, the military governor of Xichuan.

After dismissing the envoy, Wei Fufeng walked to the window, gazing at the distant clouds. As military governor, his headquarters was, for now, in a residence near the county office of Dazu.

The White Tiger Hall lay in the army camp outside the city; the Transportation Bureau worked within the county offices.

He stood for a long time before Xiaoxue approached, speaking gently, “Master, is it not a good thing that the Dongchuan governor wishes for peace?”

“Peace is good, but the envoy said I am connected to the Xichuan governor—this is not good for me.” Wei Fufeng replied quietly.

“Why is that?” Xiaoxue asked, puzzled.

Wei Fufeng gave a bitter smile. “To me, borrowing the prestige of the Wei clan of Chang’an is a double-edged sword. If the officers of the Luzhou army believe I am here at the Wei clan’s behest, it will become the root of my downfall.”

Xiaoxue said softly, “You fear the Wei clan of Chang’an might one day replace you as military governor.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “The Wei clan is an ancient and powerful family. Much of my success in taking Luzhou has depended on the weight of their name. Only with their prestige have officials and the people accepted the Southern Sichuan governorship. Otherwise, why would they willingly respect a youth of humble origins?”

Xiaoxue shook her head, objecting, “You were able to enter Sichuan because you were appointed military governor by the imperial court.”

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “Without the Wei family’s prestige, officials and people would scarcely believe I am truly an appointed governor.”

“But now you are in charge of Luzhou. The army will heed your commands alone,” Xiaoxue replied quietly.

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “People are never content; they always act for profit. If the Wei clan intervenes in Southern Sichuan’s rule, all they need do is buy off officials, and those officials will betray me, serving the legitimate heir instead.”

Xiaoxue said softly, “But the officials were all appointed by you. Most of them should feel gratitude.”

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “You are too naïve. There are many ambitious men in the Luzhou army, and some who secretly resent me. The military system I established has weakened the generals’ authority. Compared to commanders in other circuits, my senior officers lack real power—they will inevitably feel discontent. Gratitude cannot outweigh resentment. If the Wei family promises real authority, some officers may well betray me. If betrayal spreads among the officers, the whole system of checks and balances will collapse.”

Xiaoxue’s delicate features grew solemn as she nodded. “Master, do you have a way to deal with this?”

Wei Fufeng’s lips curled slightly. “The best way is time. If I rule long enough, my authority will become entrenched. But before long, the Wei family will learn of my position. A single letter from my great-uncle, and I will be in a terrible dilemma.”

Xiaoxue nodded. “If you defy the elders, you risk expulsion from the clan. That would be a great stain on your reputation.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “What I fear most is a letter from my great-uncle Wei Zhaodu. If I defy him, I will be beset by dangers inside and out. The Dongchuan army would attack again, Yang Shouliang of Shannan West would turn hostile, and internal dissension would tear us apart.”

“What should be done, then?” Xiaoxue asked, troubled.

Wei Fufeng smiled. “The only reason the Southern Sichuan governorship was established is the growing power of Wang Jian’s forces in Xichuan, which makes Yang Shouliang wary. Likewise, Gu Yanlang of Dongchuan fears Wang Jian’s strength in Xichuan. Gu Yanlang believes I am connected to the Xichuan governor, so he is willing to keep the peace. In his mind, Wang Jian is the most fearsome threat.”

Xiaoxue murmured her understanding. Wei Fufeng continued, “Therefore, as long as Wang Jian’s strength threatens Dongchuan, Gu Yanlang will not wish to attack Southern Sichuan. My next move is to send troops to seize Rongzhou, directing our campaign toward Xichuan.”

Xiaoxue nodded quietly. “If your army points toward Xichuan, the Dongchuan governor will naturally be pleased to see you contend with Wang Jian.”

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “I will only try to take Rongzhou. If Wang Jian responds with fierce resistance, I will have to withdraw.”

Xiaoxue nodded, then asked, “But if you go to Rongzhou, won’t you be nearer to your great-uncle?”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “I must indeed visit my great-uncle, but only as an ordinary junior, to see for myself his situation in Chengdu, and then decide what to do.”

Xiaoxue nodded. Wei Fufeng smiled. “You asked what I should do? My solution is to leave Southern Sichuan, and avoid the Wei family altogether.”

“You would leave Southern Sichuan?” Xiaoxue asked, surprised.

Wei Fufeng nodded. “I should leave. Here in Southern Sichuan, all eyes are on me. In Luzhou, every day has been a nightmare, ever wary of assassination. If I leave, at least I can sleep in peace.”

Xiaoxue nodded. “But if you are gone too long, will Southern Sichuan not descend into chaos?”

“I don’t know. My departure does not mean I give up control. Rather, I will rule from the shadows. The officials in Sichuan were all appointed in haste—I know little about them. From outside the province, I can monitor affairs through the military governor’s secret reports, and replace officials as needed.”

Xiaoxue nodded. Wei Fufeng added, “Once I am gone, the officials will inevitably form factions and struggle for power. I will watch from a distance, and if things spiral out of control, at least I can save my own life.”

Xiaoxue nodded again. Wei Fufeng sighed softly, “Ultimately, it comes down to my lack of long-term confidence in Southern Sichuan’s future. Perhaps it will not be long before Yang Shouliang attacks with a great army.”

Xiaoxue nodded quietly. “Yang Shouliang’s support for the establishment of the Southern Sichuan governorship was surely not out of good will.”

Wei Fufeng laughed, his tone warm. “Go prepare—we depart the day after tomorrow.”