Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandson Chapter 53: Fifth Uncle Wei Liang

Nearly a hundred carts and militiamen formed a winding procession. Wei Fufeng and his Fifth Uncle walked at the head of the convoy, both on foot, neither riding nor in a cart, as nearly all of Jinzhou’s horses had been put to hauling grain.

After the line had settled into a steady rhythm, Fifth Uncle finally spoke to Wei Fufeng. “This journey is a grueling task.”

Wei Fufeng smiled. “Jinzhou is three hundred li from Chang’an. Though the roads are rough, we’ll be there in ten days.”

“Ten days won’t do it. The Kugu Route isn’t passable for grain wagons—we’ll have to take the longer Wu Pass Road. Fifteen days at least. All we can hope for is peace along the way. If we can’t reach a stopover before nightfall, it’s better to rest than press on,” Fifth Uncle replied.

Wei Fufeng paused, then said, “I’d heard Fifth Uncle often traveled outside—turns out you’re a real veteran of the road.”

“If I didn’t travel, what would your Second Uncle sell?” Fifth Uncle said offhandedly.

“So the salt Second Uncle sells is what you transport,” Wei Fufeng remarked.

“That’s right. You’re sharper than I am,” Fifth Uncle said.

Wei Fufeng smiled modestly. “I wouldn’t dare compare myself to Fifth Uncle.”

“Facts are facts. I’m not one for empty words. I know Jinzhou is your conquest. I know the family’s resources; we’re not made for grand schemes—mostly just reaping where others have sown,” said Fifth Uncle.

“Please, Fifth Uncle, let’s be careful with our words. If Grandfather finds out, it won’t be good,” Wei Fufeng cautioned.

“I only speak so openly with you. If I hadn’t learned to keep my wits about me out in the world, I’d be long dead,” Fifth Uncle replied.

Wei Fufeng felt a fondness grow in his heart. He instinctively studied his uncle: a burly man with a gaunt face, his beard and hair a little disheveled, his large hands sinewy and knotted, his whole being exuding a weathered, tough energy.

“No need to stare, boy. Your Fifth Uncle’s appearance can’t stand much scrutiny,” Fifth Uncle joked at his own expense.

Wei Fufeng smiled. Fifth Uncle then turned and asked, “Tell me, what post did your Granduncle give you?”

Wei Fufeng was speechless for a moment, a bit resigned, and replied with a teasing tone, “Acting Military Governor—do you believe it, Fifth Uncle?”

Fifth Uncle looked at Wei Fufeng in surprise, then nodded. “I believe it. You took Jinzhou by your own hand, planned every step. You’re a rare talent.”

Wei Fufeng was at a loss for words, so he said, “Fifth Uncle, please, let’s not talk about me. Grandfather is counting on me as a hidden force.”

“Hidden force? What do you mean?” Fifth Uncle asked.

“It means a surprise reinforcement. Grandfather’s strength in Jinzhou is clear to our enemies; if they attack, they’ll likely send twice our number. But as a hidden force, I can strike unexpectedly, join Jinzhou’s army, and together annihilate the invaders,” Wei Fufeng explained.

Fifth Uncle nodded. “You’re cunning—takes after your grandfather.”

Wei Fufeng was speechless. What kind of comment was that? Fifth Uncle continued, “No more about you, lest I bring trouble.”

Wei Fufeng nodded and changed the subject. “Where does Fifth Uncle’s salt come from?”

“Mainly from the salt ponds at Hezhong Prefecture. I’ve gotten some from Yun’an in Kuizhou too. Sea salt from the east can’t be brought here,” Fifth Uncle replied.

Wei Fufeng made a sound of acknowledgment. Fifth Uncle added, “Jinzhou’s salt supply can only rely on Kuizhou. With salt and grain, we can keep more people here, and the more people, the stronger we become.”

Wei Fufeng nodded in agreement. Luzhou was a borderland; without the devastating wars inland driving mass migration, there could never have been over two hundred thousand Han settlers. His greatest long-term fear was that people would return to their ancestral homes.

Once peace returned, Luzhou’s farmlands would lose their appeal for outsiders, and they would start longing for their native soil. Time—only time—could foster a sense of attachment to Luzhou’s fields, so the rule over southern Sichuan must be reinforced with the spread of misleading news, rumors of constant warfare elsewhere.

Wei Fufeng drifted off in thought, then heard Fifth Uncle’s voice again. “Boy, any idea what else I’m doing in Chang’an?”

Wei Fufeng turned, thought for a moment, and said, “To see the Emperor?”

“No, to see the clan leader. The old man’s sending me to ask the clan leader to let our line branch off, to become the Wei family of Jinzhou. Tell me, isn’t that just asking for a scolding?” Fifth Uncle’s tone was heavy.

“Grandfather mentioned it to me. I think it’s a win-win. If the clan leader is wise, he should agree,” Wei Fufeng replied.

“The problem is, the one in Chang’an isn’t easy to talk to,” said Fifth Uncle, helplessly.

Wei Fufeng comforted, “At worst, you’ll just get a tongue-lashing.”

Fifth Uncle nodded, then added, “Actually, the hardest to persuade is your Granduncle. This is really a matter between the two families.”

Wei Fufeng understood. Wei Zhaodu, the elder brother, owed his rise in officialdom to the family’s support. Yet Grandfather’s intentions were clear—he wanted to be the founding patriarch of the Jinzhou Wei. If Wei Zhaodu resisted, the brothers might split.

...

In the Daming Palace, inside the Yan Ying Hall, Emperor Zhaozong stared in surprise at the memorial from Jinzhou’s prefect.

The memorial stated that a thousand men from the Duke’s estate had been gathered at the town fortress outside the city, marched on the county seat, and received the surrender of the city militia at the gates. Once inside, more militia defected in turn. The traitor who had slaughtered the Duke’s household fled with nearly a hundred followers out the north gate and disappeared, taking the prefect’s official seal. The court was asked to issue a new one.

Further, the Duke’s line had been extinguished; His Majesty was requested to select an heir from among the kin to inherit the title and lands. Knowing the Emperor was at war with Li Keyong, the prefect also reported the requisition of three thousand shi of grain from the state granary to send to Chang’an.

“To think he could drive out the traitor and seize Jinzhou!” Zhaozong was amazed, yet the explanation was reasonable; after the slaughter of the Duke’s family, it was only natural for the militia to turn.

“Hmm, so despite disaster in Jinzhou, the new prefect can still send grain to the court instead of using it to build his own forces. Wei Qing’s younger brother is truly loyal,” Zhaozong thought with satisfaction.

He rose and paced, pleased as he continued to muse, “With a loyalist in Jinzhou, that’s an auspicious sign. I’ll have outside military support. Yang Fugong may not tolerate the change in Jinzhou—might he send his Hanzhong forces to attack in secret?”

Zhaozong fell into deep thought. Based on Wei Xuan’s earlier family letters, he believed the thousands who attacked the Duke’s estate must have come from Hanzhong.

Thus, Zhaozong’s heart was filled with bitter resentment—indeed, fear—at Yang Fugong’s audacity: for the sake of controlling local forces, he dared strike at the royal family.

After much anxious deliberation, Zhaozong could only shake his head. He wanted to uproot Yang Fugong’s power in Yangzhou (as Wuding Military Governor), but feared retaliation. Yang Fugong controlled the imperial Shence Army—capable of killing the sovereign and enthroning another.

...

Thirteen days later, the grain wagons passed through Lantian Pass into the territory of Jingzhao Prefecture.

Wei Fufeng took a hundred spearmen and left for Lantian County, while Lu Tao led the rest onward to assist Fifth Uncle, escorting the convoy all the way to Chang’an to deliver to the Ministry of Revenue, then returned to Lantian.

At the handover, Fifth Uncle was informed the Emperor summoned him to Yan Ying Hall.

Zhaozong commended the Jinzhou prefect’s merits and father-son loyalty, granting Fifth Uncle a fourth-rank honorary title—General of Loyal and Martial Valor, ennobling him as Baron of Shiquan, and appointing him commander of the Jincheng Army.

...

Wei Fufeng returned to Lantian County, rested three days while managing military and intelligence matters. The intelligence showed Chang’an was still preparing for war.

On the morning of the fourth day, Wei Fufeng left Lantian for Chang’an, entered the city through Yanxing Gate, and made his way to Xinchang Ward.

Upon arriving outside the Li family residence, he instructed the gate servant to notify the Fourteenth Lady. He intended to take her and Mingyu to visit Qujiang Pool.

A moment later, Mingyu came out alone, her delicate face lighting up with surprise and delight as she hurried to Wei Fufeng, greeting him joyfully, “My lord.”

Wei Fufeng smiled and nodded. “Are you well at the Li residence?”

“I am, my lord. Lady Fourteen’s mother intends to have me serve outside, to avoid trouble,” Mingyu replied softly.

Wei Fufeng was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. Households of officials had strict rules and complex hearts; if Mingyu stayed in the inner quarters, she might be at the mercy of the ladies—better to avoid that.

“My lord, Lady Fourteen has gone to seek permission from Madam,” Mingyu explained.

Wei Fufeng nodded. “Have you gone out these days?”

“No, my lord instructed me, but I thought it best to remain dutiful here,” Mingyu replied quietly.

Wei Fufeng nodded, then Mingyu asked with concern, “Have you been well these days, my lord?”

“I’ve just been drilling troops in Lantian,” Wei Fufeng answered with a smile.

“When will you march out?” Mingyu asked softly, her clear eyes filled with concern.

“In about half a month. Don’t worry, I won’t come to harm. If things go ill, I’ll withdraw,” Wei Fufeng reassured her.

“If you withdraw, won’t the court punish you?” Mingyu fretted. In her view, the court was like heaven, unchallengeable.

“The Fufeng Army is my private force, not state-supplied. I’m only helping the court suppress rebels; I’m not under their command. If I weren’t a concubine’s son, needing to enhance the Marquis of Fufeng’s prestige, I’d never go campaign in Hedong,” Wei Fufeng explained calmly.

Mingyu nodded. Wei Fufeng smiled. “I came today for two things: to go to Qujiang Pool with you both, and to buy a house.”

Mingyu blushed slightly and nodded. Just then, a maidservant came out from the mansion, looked at Wei Fufeng as he descended the steps, and greeted him respectfully. “Greetings, Master Wei.”

Wei Fufeng nodded lightly. The maid continued, “Madam asks me to say that unmarried daughters should not go on long outings with Master Wei. Please return home.”

Wei Fufeng was surprised. He knew that noble youths and maidens often went out together. He instantly felt that his future mother-in-law was being deliberately difficult and was inwardly displeased.

“Go tell Madam that I am about to march to Hedong, and a single outing with my fiancée is not a breach of propriety. I ask her to be accommodating,” Wei Fufeng said coolly.

The maid withdrew to relay the message. After a brief wait, Wei Fufeng saw the Fourteenth Lady come out. He smiled at the young woman, whose gentle features were just as he recalled.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting,” she said with innocent grace.

“I’m just glad you could come,” Wei Fufeng replied warmly.

“It’s thanks to my elder sister speaking on my behalf,” she said softly.

“Elder sister?” Wei Fufeng was surprised.

“My elder sister, the ninth daughter. When Madam heard the maid’s report, she seemed upset, but my sister persuaded her, so I was allowed out,” the Fourteenth Lady explained.

Wei Fufeng nodded, asking no more. He ordered his men to rent a few carriages, then invited Fourteenth Lady and Mingyu to walk with him. When the men returned with three carriages, the group of thirteen boarded and set off for Qujiang Pool in Chang’an.