Volume Two: Grandfather and Grandson Lords Chapter 46: Shock and Regret

Wei Fufeng was completely unaware that he had caught the attention of the county constable Li Yun, nor did he care about a mere constable.

Early the next morning, Wei Fufeng left the inn with sixteen of his subordinates, leaving four behind to protect his father.

This journey was for the sake of the city gate official. Wei Fufeng, deeply concerned about the survival of Chuannan’s foundation, felt a sense of urgency in his actions in Jinzhou that brooked no delay. He led his men to the east city gate.

The gate guards were actually from the militia; though they belonged to the same group, each had their own duties and would not let anyone pass simply because of shared affiliation.

Upon Wei Fufeng’s arrival, the leader of the guards ascended the city tower to report to the gate official.

The gate official descended and, upon seeing Wei Fufeng, was momentarily taken aback.

Wei Fufeng took the initiative to salute, respectfully saying, “Sir, we are now colleagues. I have been honored by the Prefect to serve as a yaya under the command of the Adjudicator.”

The gate official nodded lightly and smiled, “Young man, you are fortunate, indeed.”

“Thank you, sir. I hope that in the future you will look after me, as I know very few people in Jinzhou,” Wei Fufeng said sincerely.

“That’s easily done. Where are you headed now?” The gate official asked kindly.

“Oh, I am under orders to leave the city to receive an important official,” Wei Fufeng replied.

“Which official?” the gate official inquired further.

“I do not know who exactly, only that he is from Chang’an,” Wei Fufeng answered.

The gate official nodded, and after glancing at the pass Wei Fufeng handed over, returned it and watched as Wei Fufeng took his leave, leading his men out through the east gate.

Watching the departing group, the gate official beckoned a soldier and instructed, “Quickly report to the Commandery Prince’s mansion that the Prefect’s envoys have gone to receive an important guest from Chang’an.”

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn had barely passed before Li Yun arrived at the east gate with fifty prison guards.

Li Yun, a local strongman and constable, did not require a formal writ to leave the city. Stating he was on official business, he walked past with no hindrance, especially as he and the gate official belonged to the same faction.

Once outside the city, Li Yun and his men broke into a run. He intended to kill Wei Fufeng’s group; Wei Fufeng’s actions had already aroused his suspicions of a Wei family incursion, fueling his murderous intent.

Wei Fufeng, not long after leaving the city, also began to run. He was anxious to rendezvous with his troops, who were lying in wait twenty li away at Qingfeng Hill per his orders.

With Wei Fufeng’s group moving faster, and Li Yun’s men in pursuit, it wasn’t long before, ten li from the city, one of Wei Fufeng’s men spotted their pursuers.

Wei Fufeng was shocked: had his plan been exposed? But if so, why had he been allowed to leave the city?

A wave of fear and regret swept over him, especially at having left his father in the city. Regret and anxiety warred within as he sprinted with all his might, desperate to join forces with his troops and return to rescue his father.

Wei Fufeng’s frantic dash was mirrored by his panicked subordinates, who assumed he was fleeing for his life.

Behind them, Li Yun gritted his teeth with a savage grin, striding after them with his blade ready. His men dared not fall behind, knowing Li Yun’s reputation for brutality.

Ten li passed quickly in this mad chase.

At last, as Wei Fufeng glimpsed the wooded hill ahead, his bloodshot eyes caught sight of the agreed-upon signal: a broken tree leaning at the edge of the woods.

He plunged into the forest, his men swarming after him. Thirty meters behind, Li Yun bellowed in rage and charged in as well, his panting guards following as best they could.

Within the woods, Li Yun thundered after them, his boots pounding the earth like a wolf chasing a herd of deer.

Fifty meters, one hundred, two hundred—suddenly Li Yun stopped dead in his tracks, horror flickering in his eyes. Before him stood a formidable line of spear-wielding soldiers.

Then, from both flanks, the sound of boots trampling rose, as brightly armored sword-and-shield troops and archers in coarse tunics emerged, surrounding Li Yun and his fifty men.

“If you value your lives, drop your weapons and lie flat with your limbs spread,” a sergeant shouted menacingly.

“Who are you people?” Li Yun demanded, his face ashen.

“Archers!” the sergeant called. At once, all the archers drew their bows.

With a clatter, some of the prison guards immediately threw down their weapons and prostrated themselves. The rest quickly followed suit, and even Li Yun, knowing what was best for him, dropped his blade and lay down.

The Wei Fufeng Army’s spearmen stepped forward, their weapons poised at the vital points of the captives, who were then securely bound. The leaders, including the constable, were taken away by squad commanders for separate interrogations.

Wei Fufeng sat on a rock, his face ashen, not participating in the roundup. The remorse raging within him filled him with dread at what might come; he wanted to sob aloud, but forced himself to bite his lip in silence.

A short while later, Squad Commander Zhang Tianyu hurried over to report the results of the interrogation. Wei Fufeng’s eyes widened as he leaped to his feet in disbelief, exclaiming, “Are you certain?”

“I dare not mislead you, sir,” Zhang Tianyu replied respectfully. He found the acting governor’s loss of composure odd, but held Wei Fufeng in both awe and admiration.

“Execute Li Yun for me!” Wei Fufeng roared, humiliated and enraged.

Zhang Tianyu started in surprise, saluted, and rushed off to carry out the order.

Wei Fufeng exhaled deeply, his legs buckling as he knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, a profound joy welling up within as he murmured, “Father is safe. As long as Father is safe.”

A short while later, his emotions once more calmed, Wei Fufeng began to deploy his forces: two hundred sword-and-shield soldiers, together with sixteen strong militiamen, would accompany him to the west city to carry out their mission.

...

Near noon, the sentry atop the east gate spotted a long column of troops approaching in the distance and hurried to report to the gate official.

The gate official came out to the wall, leaning over to look. He saw five soldiers running ahead, led by someone he recognized—the yaya who had left that morning.

“Let them come up. Prepare to raise the drawbridge,” the gate official ordered with caution.

Wei Fufeng and his four strong subordinates entered the east gate and were directed by the guards up the horseway to the city tower.

Upon seeing the gate official, Wei Fufeng said urgently, “Sir, the arriving officer is the Commander of the Yushan Army, sent to Jinzhou by order of the Privy Envoy. Please, do not offend him.”

“The Yushan Army?” The gate official was momentarily taken aback, then nodded.

“Sir, allow me to guide them in,” Wei Fufeng said, taking his leave in haste.

The gate official turned his gaze to the approaching troops, gradually making out about two hundred men, all in bright armor. He mused to himself, “I’ve heard the Yushan Army Commander is the adopted son of Privy Envoy Yang Fugong. The arrival of two hundred Yushan soldiers must be meant to bolster the new Prefect’s authority.”

As the armored column drew near, the gate official hesitated, then decided against going down to meet them, fearing misunderstandings with the Commandery Prince’s household. To descend would mean putting on a show of deference; better to avoid the encounter entirely.

Wei Fufeng was surprised by the absence of the gate official, but the two hundred armored guards marched openly through the east gate.

The normally overbearing gate guards now stood at rigid attention, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Wei Fufeng, acting as guide, led them straight along the main street to the prefectural office. Ten Commander Zhang Tianyu played the role of commander for the occasion, though his credentials were not tested at the gate, and their way to the office was unimpeded.

Wei Fufeng hurried ahead to the gate guards, saying, “Gentlemen, I am the prefectural yaya, ordered to receive the Commander of the Yushan Army. Is the Prefect currently in the West Garden?”

The guards, surprised and flustered by the arrival of so many armored men, nonetheless recognized Wei Fufeng.

The leader immediately replied, “The Prefect is in the residence, sir. I will go and announce your arrival.”

Wei Fufeng gestured behind his back, prompting Zhang Tianyu to stride forward arrogantly, declaring, “I am a close friend of Lord Yang Shoubo. What need is there for an announcement?”

The gate leader was taken aback, a look of suspicion crossing his face—he was a trusted member of the Divine Strategy Army from Chang’an, familiar with Lord Yang’s acquaintances.

Wei Fufeng realized instantly that a mistake had been made and quickly interjected, “Sir, I am acting on the Adjudicator’s orders, sent out to receive the Army Commander. Here is the order.”

He handed over the pass to distract the leader while signaling his men. The gate leader, as expected, reached for the pass.

Zhang Tianyu strode into the residence, mounting the steps, with the soldiers following behind.

“Wait, please!” the gate leader called, trying to stop them without being too forceful.

“Enough, go make your report,” Zhang Tianyu replied impatiently, not slowing as he walked into the residence, the leader’s protests trailing behind.

“Please go quickly,” Wei Fufeng urged.

The gate leader, pass in hand, instinctively followed, but as soon as he entered the residence, several armored soldiers seized him, covering his mouth, and slit his throat.

The other nine gate guards, seeing the armored troop pass before them, were oblivious to their leader’s fate, believing he had gone to make a report.

Once inside the prefectural office, one hundred of the armored guards fanned out to secure the area.

There were already many militia guards present, and as the new arrivals took up positions, the resident guards watched in confusion. But lacking any countermanding orders, they could only stand by, mixing with the newcomers.

Wei Fufeng was the last to enter. He left the nine gate guards outside untouched; replacing them might arouse suspicion, and delay was advantageous.

Walking with measured steps through the residence, Wei Fufeng felt a rush of power at the sight of his armored men standing guard, a sense of command over all. He passed the screen wall, entered the main hall, then proceeded to the Chief Secretary’s office.

The position of Chief Secretary in Jinzhou was vacant. Yang Shoubo, upon assuming the role of Prefect, had compelled the previous secretary to resign and installed a trusted confidant as adjudicator to manage civil and military affairs.

Yang Shoubo’s authority extended only to the running of the office; he could not legally replace subordinate officials, as appointments to high office remained the prerogative of the imperial court.

Inside the Chief Secretary’s office stood four guards, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood. Two armored corpses lay sprawled on the floor.

A middle-aged man in a red robe, ashen-faced, trembled on the ground. Two maidservants cowered together in a corner, their heads lowered.

“Sir, the seal,” a guard respectfully presented the official seal.

Wei Fufeng nodded and accepted it. Suddenly, the red-robed man threw himself to the floor, kowtowing frantically in terror, “Master Wei, spare my life! I am willing to surrender, willing to serve you!”

Wei Fufeng cast a cold glance at the Adjudicator Qian, then turned to leave. At the door, he said icily, “Kill him.”

As he stepped out, a despairing scream and the terrified cries of the maids echoed behind him.