Volume Two: Grandfather and Grandson, The Lord and His Vassals Chapter 61: Withdrawing
Sun Kui nodded and said, “So you’re telling me that Minister Wei is unaware that the Military Commissioner of Southern Sichuan is of the same Wei clan?”
“My great-uncle does not know,” Wei Fufeng replied.
“I’ve heard the campaign against the rebels in Western Sichuan has not gone smoothly. Is there any chance the Southern Sichuan Commissioner could send troops to assist Minister Wei?” Sun Kui asked.
“The Southern Sichuan Commandery is newly established and barely able to fend for itself. It has no power to intervene in the Western Sichuan campaign. To be frank with you, Vice Commissioner, if I were not of secondary birth and coveting the title granted to Fufeng, I should have returned long ago to assist my uncle in Southern Sichuan,” Wei Fufeng explained patiently.
“So, Magistrate Wei, do you consider yourself a descendant of the Southern Sichuan Wei clan?” Sun Kui continued.
Wei Fufeng nodded. “I am but a cadet branch of the Wei clan of Jingzhao, my status only slightly higher than that of a servant. For this reason, I yearn for the Emperor’s grant of title. With the rank of Marquis of Fufeng, I would finally have the standing to establish my own household.”
Sun Kui nodded in approval. With his marquisate and commandery rank, Wei Fufeng’s status had indeed surpassed that of most legitimate sons; he could sit as an equal to the clan head and was fully qualified to found his own lineage.
Wei Fufeng smiled and asked, “Does Vice Commissioner have any further questions?”
Sun Kui replied gently, “Forgive me if I have overstepped, Magistrate Wei.”
Wei Fufeng offered a faint, silent smile. He knew that without a convincing explanation, people would always suspect his ties to Yang Fuguang, and he certainly did not wish to be mistaken for Yang’s adopted son or grandson.
After a brief pause, Sun Kui continued, “To be frank, Magistrate Wei, my greatest worry is the army’s provisions. Might you have a solution?”
Wei Fufeng was taken aback—how could he possibly solve a shortage of rations?
Sun Kui continued, “Magistrate Wei cares for the common people, which aligns with my own ideals. Yet with the army stationed in Shizhou—if we do not levy from the people, then...”
Wei Fufeng thought to himself, “Why should I care if you plunder Shizhou? My main purpose for distributing grain was to soothe the populace and reduce their hostility toward us. If the people become antagonistic, the Fufeng Army will be subject to constant harassment and ambush.”
But such private thoughts were not for public airing. As Wei Fufeng was about to demur, inspiration struck—Sun Kui’s words seemed to carry a hidden meaning. Why would the matter of army rations be put to him?
He fell silent, then suddenly understood and asked directly, “Vice Commissioner, are you referring to the tribute rice from Southern Sichuan?”
Sun Kui nodded with a smile. “I know you are in charge of the tribute rice from Southern Sichuan. Do you think it could be escorted directly here to Shizhou?”
Wei Fufeng understood. He replied calmly, “The tribute rice is intended as an offering to His Majesty. If you wish to bypass the Privy Minister Yang Fuguang, you will need to petition the Emperor. With a direct edict, the rice can certainly be brought here.”
Sun Kui nodded. “Very well, I shall memorialize His Majesty at once.”
Wei Fufeng added, “Sir, the escort of these provisions will require the protection of the Fufeng Army.”
Sun Kui asked, “Does Southern Sichuan not have its own military escort?”
“The forces in Southern Sichuan are stretched thin. My Fufeng Army should have returned to garrison there already. If the escort continues to delay our return, I will be at fault,” Wei Fufeng argued, though inwardly he was pleased at this opportunity to withdraw.
Sun Kui hesitated. He valued the fighting strength of the Fufeng Army and, lacking military acumen and capable advisors, he wished to rely on Wei Fufeng.
After weighing the matter, Sun Kui agreed, “Very well—the Fufeng Army shall escort the grain.”
Wei Fufeng breathed a sigh of relief. With Sun Kui’s approval, the Fufeng Army’s departure from Hedong would be perfectly legitimate.
Sun Kui, too, had reasons for consent: he feared Wei Fufeng might usurp imperial troops, and the court’s forces were unstable, easily swayed by bribes and liable to mutiny. It was, perhaps, better for the Fufeng Army to leave.
Having reached agreement, and at Wei Fufeng’s request, Sun Kui wrote an order for the grain escort, as well as a memorial reporting the dire shortage of rations and requesting that the tribute rice from Southern Sichuan be sent directly to Hedong—both documents bearing the seal of the Deputy Campaign Commissioner.
Wei Fufeng took the orders back to his quarters and immediately summoned his officers to discuss the withdrawal, focusing on the route out of Hedong.
After deliberation, they decided to cross the Yellow River at Mengmen Pass, traveling west of the river to return to Chang’an.
The western route was chosen to secure a safer supply line. Since the Fufeng Army was now formally tasked with escorting the grain, this was necessary. Traveling east of the river risked ambush by Hedong cavalry.
While Wei Fufeng finalized these plans, Sun Kui drafted another memorial, this one detailing the campaign in Hedong—including his conversation with Wei Fufeng—and sent it by fast courier to Chang’an.
Three days later, the Fufeng Army and three thousand imperial troops set out from Lishi County, marching west to seize the Mengmen Pass ferry across the Yellow River.
Mengmen Pass was located in Dinghu County, Shizhou, serving as a vital crossing to the western bank. On arrival, scouts reported that the three hundred defenders had already fled at the news.
Mengmen Pass’s fortress was none other than Dinghu County’s own seat, much smaller than Lishi but still a five-hundred-meter-long riverside bastion. The Fufeng Army quickly secured the ferry; to their relief, the facilities were intact and there were even many sheepskin rafts.
The defenders, believing the imperial forces came to seize the city, had withdrawn strategically without damaging the city or ferry.
Five hundred troops stayed to garrison Dinghu, while the rest returned to Lishi. The Fufeng Army used the rafts to ferry across the Yellow River in groups.
On the far bank, in Suizhou’s Wubao, they entered territory belonging to the Command of Dingnan, whose military governor, Tuoba Sigong—a Tangut—had once aided the Tang court in suppressing the Huang Chao rebellion.
In years to come, the Tuoba-led Tangut Eight Clans would establish the Great Xia Empire, known to history as Western Xia.
At this time, the Dingnan governor acknowledged Tang imperial authority and governed his own domain independently. He had not joined the campaign against Hedong, but neither would he oppose the court.
Once across the Yellow River, the Fufeng Army enjoyed unimpeded passage through Suizhou, crossed the Wuding River, and marched south to Yanzhou (modern Yan’an), and from there through Danzhou and Tongzhou.
Yanzhou, Danzhou, Luzhou, and Fangzhou were under the Baoda Command, whose military governor was Wang Gong, son of Wang Chongrong, governor of Hezhong.
The territory of Hezhong bordered Hedong. In this campaign, the Hezhong army permitted the imperial troops to pass but did not participate.
Passing through Danzhou into Tongzhou, and then from Tongzhou back into the Jingzhao prefecture, Wei Fufeng and his army returned to garrison Lantian County.
The expedition to Hedong had accomplished most of Wei Fufeng’s aims, and he had gained over two hundred subordinates from Hedong as well as much military equipment.
...
Meanwhile, as Wei Fufeng was on his return journey, Emperor Zhaozong in the Daming Palace received Sun Kui’s memorial. Reading it, he was both gratified and troubled, inwardly cursing Yang Fuguang for ruining the state. Zhaozong had already received urgent pleas for supplies from Zhang Jun, the campaign commander.
The Emperor anxiously pressed for the movement of rations, but there were always reasons for delay. He knew Yang Fuguang was sabotaging matters behind the scenes, yet as sovereign, he could not personally oversee every detail.
Sun Kui’s memorial increased his frustration, especially the revelation that imperial officers were colluding with the Hedong army. Zhaozong realized the gravity of the situation and began to suspect Yang Fuguang of secret dealings with Li Keyong of Hedong.
“What should be done?” Zhaozong pondered in distress. Yang Fuguang controlled the Imperial Guards and had many supporters; a premature move against him would surely provoke retaliation.
Lost in thought, Zhaozong picked up another memorial—this one from Zhu Quanzhong, Military Commissioner of Xuanwu, requesting an appointment.
The Xuanwu Army, campaigning in the south against Hedong, had seized Luzhou—though in fact, the Hedong general in charge had surrendered, and Zhu Quanzhong was asking the court to send a high minister to take over Luzhou.
With the Xuanwu Army victorious in the south and a surprise force taking Shizhou in the west, these successes pleased the Emperor, but the main imperial force still failed to advance.
“Who should I appoint to this post?” Zhaozong wondered, reading Zhu’s request. There were few ministers he could truly trust, and the post in Luzhou required a capable official.
Since his accession, Zhaozong had tried to learn from past mistakes, favoring prime ministers in governance and military oversight—seeking to diminish the power of the eunuchs and curb the autonomy of the regional warlords, strengthening central control.
After much deliberation, Zhaozong summoned Li Xi, Vice Minister of Personnel.
Li Xi arrived at the Yan Ying Hall in response to the summons. After the formalities, the Emperor asked, “Minister Li, are you able to go to Hedong as Deputy Campaign Commissioner?”
Li Xi was caught off guard, and though inwardly unwilling to go, he replied respectfully, “Your Majesty, the Deputy Campaign Commissioner in Hedong is Lord Sun Kui. I am not his equal in military affairs and fear I might fail your trust.”
“The Xuanwu Army has taken Luzhou and asks the court to send someone to take charge. I intend to transfer Sun Kui to manage Luzhou, and send you to take over in Shizhou,” the Emperor said.
Li Xi was helpless. Given the Emperor’s confidence and favor, further refusal would doom his career, so he had no choice but to accept and began preparations.
With Li Xi sent to Shizhou and Sun Kui promoted to Military Commissioner of Zhaoyi, the Emperor ordered that when the Fufeng Army captain returned, he was to come at once for an audience.
...
Returning home, Li Xi discussed the appointment with his son Li Xian, admitting he lacked confidence in leading troops in battle. Li Xian suggested they enlist the support of the Fufeng Army and request its transfer from the campaign command.
Wei Fufeng’s future father-in-law, Li Ji, had already arrived in Fuzhou as its prefect. Having learned the relevant information, he sent a letter to Chang’an, so Li Xi and his son were well-informed about the situation in Southern Sichuan.
Li Xi believed that Wei Fufeng’s tenure as Southern Sichuan Commissioner would not last, and that he could not withstand Yang Fuguang’s encroaching influence.
Li Xian, however, advocated for a moderate approach, urging his father to wait and see, and not to reveal Wei Fufeng’s secrets to the Emperor.
Li Xi disagreed but accepted his son’s advice. Even if he reported the matter, it would bring little benefit and only offend Wei Zhaodu and the Wei clan of Jinzhou.
After receiving his orders, Li Xi dared not delay; after two days of preparation, he set out for Hedong, passing the returning Fufeng Army on the road.
The Fufeng Army reached Lantian County just as Li Xi arrived at Jinzhou, where he learned the Fufeng Army was at Shizhou.
...
Upon returning to his residence in Lantian, Wei Fufeng was immediately informed by his clerk of the Emperor’s summons.
Wei Fufeng considered the timing and surmised that Sun Kui must have sent a separate memorial to the Emperor; otherwise, how would the Emperor know of his return so soon?
He quickly bathed, donned his purple robe, and set out for Chang’an, determined to respond to the imperial summons as swiftly as possible.