Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandson Chapter 78: The Strategy of Substitution

Wei Fufeng arrived in Xicheng County by boat and, upon entering the town, found his Fifth Uncle, asking him to lead the Jincheng Army to Junzhou as reinforcements.

After hearing Wei Fufeng’s request, Fifth Uncle was taken aback. “You want your uncle to take three thousand troops to Junzhou as reinforcements? Isn’t that a provocation?” he asked.

Wei Fufeng replied, “The principle is to have just cause for deploying troops. Junzhou lies downstream along the Han River, with fertile lands and stable harvests, making it the most desirable region after Jinzhou. If we go there first to provoke them, the Loyal and Righteous Army might well station troops at the border.”

Fifth Uncle looked at Wei Fufeng speechlessly, then said, “I’ll follow your lead, but I worry this could escalate, bringing the Loyal and Righteous Army to attack Jinzhou.”

Wei Fufeng smiled. “If Yang Shouliang attacks Jinzhou, and the Loyal and Righteous Army intervenes for their own interests, it could actually benefit us.”

Fifth Uncle was puzzled. “Fufeng, why do you assume Yang Shouliang will attack Jinzhou?”

“Yang Fugong needs to threaten the court and force them to compromise and reinstate him. Only by capturing Jinzhou can he create enough panic and pressure for the court,” Wei Fufeng explained.

Fifth Uncle considered this and nodded. “That makes sense. Yang Fugong lost his court position, and only by seizing Jinzhou as a show of force can he intimidate the emperor into recalling him.”

Wei Fufeng continued, “Yang Fugong is, after all, a eunuch. What matters to him most is holding imperial authority, not carving out a territory like a regional warlord. If a eunuch became the supreme leader of a separatist regime, he would never be able to keep the people’s loyalty for long.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. “But Yang Fugong has been out of office for quite some time, and Yang Shouliang still hasn’t attacked Jinzhou.”

“Yang Shouliang turned his attention south to Chuannan, hoping to take it first, then move on to Eastern Sichuan. Seizing most of Bashu would be a direct challenge to the emperor. But his campaign in Chuannan failed, and the Eastern Sichuan Army is deeply rooted in their territory, not easily displaced.

Jinzhou borders Chang’an. If Yang Shouliang were to take it, the threat to the emperor would be much greater,” Wei Fufeng said.

Fifth Uncle nodded, and Wei Fufeng added, “Yang Fugong hasn’t ordered an attack on Jinzhou so far for two reasons: first, he was preoccupied with the campaign in Chuannan; second, he considered agricultural affairs.

Mobilizing troops now would severely disrupt farming. But Yang Fugong can’t wait for the season to pass—he’ll surely order Yang Shouliang to attack Jinzhou. Yang Shouliang, as the military governor of Hanzhong, naturally worries about long-term survival and thus resists sending troops, but can only delay with excuses and dare not openly defy Yang Fugong.”

Fifth Uncle agreed, “Indeed, it’s not the best time for war.”

Wei Fufeng said, “I hope Yang Shouliang attacks Jinzhou now, precisely because such a campaign would be unpopular and morale would be low, leading to disaster—Xingyuan Prefecture would likely suffer famine as a result.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. “If we provoke the Loyal and Righteous Army, aren’t you worried they’ll join forces with Yang Shouliang against Jinzhou?”

“The Loyal and Righteous Army has always been loyal to the court, paying tribute year after year, while Yang Shouliang would be attacking Jinzhou on his own initiative. The likelihood of them cooperating is slim. Even if they do, we’re confident we can hold the city for a hundred days. After that, once the Chuannan harvest comes in, we can send troops to break the siege,” said Wei Fufeng.

Fifth Uncle nodded. Wei Fufeng added, “We’re only going to Junzhou to pick up people, not to seize the city. At most, the Loyal and Righteous Army will mass at the border to make a show of force and send someone to question us.

If they do, it’ll complicate things for Yang Shouliang. If they actually help him attack, then we’ll have just cause to take Junzhou ourselves.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. “Bold words.”

Wei Fufeng smiled. “Let’s try a ‘substitute the plum for the peach’ strategy. After you fetch the people from Junzhou, have the Jincheng Army hide at the Fufeng Army’s base. You and the main officers, with the Fufeng soldiers disguised as the Jincheng Army, return to garrison Xicheng County.

If Yang Shouliang attacks, the Fufeng Army, disguised as the Jincheng Army, will defend the town, while you lead the real Jincheng Army from the base to strike when the time is right.”

Fifth Uncle said, “You mean to confuse Yang Shouliang and make the enemy misjudge our strength.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “Yang Shouliang isn’t a fool. Before attacking, he’ll definitely probe Jinzhou’s strength, maybe even bribe some officers, or send people disguised as commoners into the city. The Fufeng Army, disguised as the Jincheng Army, will take over all the gates and the defense of the county and prefecture offices.”

Fifth Uncle’s expression grew serious, and he gave a thumbs-up.

Wei Fufeng went on, “The Chuannan Army took Yuzhou so easily because they bought off the Ba County magistrate beforehand.”

Fifth Uncle lowered his hand, and Wei Fufeng’s tone became solemn. “We haven’t been in control of Jinzhou for long. Much of the military strength was once under the command of the former Duke, and those men are prone to betrayal. There may well be spies within the Jincheng Army already in Yang Shouliang’s pay, so you must not let your guard down.”

Fifth Uncle’s expression darkened as he frowned. Wei Fufeng continued, “Don’t go hunting for traitors—just keep our operations secret. Once you’re hidden at the Fufeng Army’s base, permit no one to leave. After Yang Shouliang’s defeat, the Jincheng Army will naturally be united.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. Wei Fufeng added, “Your main task outside the city is to strike at the enemy’s supply lines. It’s fine to let them pass once or twice, but then mount a surprise attack to seize their grain. Grain is the foundation of an army; destroying it is a waste.”

Fifth Uncle agreed. “Don’t worry—I know destroying grain is a sin.”

Wei Fufeng went on, “The people from Junzhou I asked you to fetch include three hundred strong men. They can’t be counted on in battle, but you can use them to guard gates and the perimeter, preventing any spies from relaying information to Yang Shouliang.”

Fifth Uncle nodded again. Wei Fufeng said further, “To prevent any trouble from within, you can say the Junzhou soldiers are unreliable for now and only fit to guard the gates. Privately explain the truth to Lin Hu, so he won’t be so ashamed as to lose heart.”

Fifth Uncle laughed. “I understand.”

Wei Fufeng stood and bowed. “Forgive me for being so long-winded.”

Fifth Uncle grew solemn. “This is a matter of life and death—how could I fault you for caution?”

Wei Fufeng smiled, feeling his affection for his uncle deepen.

Then Fifth Uncle grinned, “Let me nag you in turn—the city’s granaries should also be under the Fufeng Army’s control, and the sooner, the better.”

Wei Fufeng nodded gravely. Fifth Uncle continued lightly, “The granary is managed by your Second Uncle. Don’t argue—just send three hundred soldiers over. I’ll speak to him myself and ensure he manages the grain personally, letting no one else interfere.”

Wei Fufeng paused, detecting some resentment Fifth Uncle bore toward Second Uncle. As a junior, he could not comment, and simply nodded. “I have other matters to discuss with Grandfather.”

“Very well, I’ll see to this first, then you can meet with him,” Fifth Uncle replied.

...

Once Fifth Uncle led the Jincheng Army away, Wei Fufeng went to a secret meeting with his grandfather by the pond in the Western Garden.

As they talked, Grandfather suddenly asked, “Fufeng, your Fifth Uncle asked me to take over the granaries—was that your idea?”

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “No, Grandfather. Fifth Uncle told me, but I agree the Fufeng Army should guard the grain.”

Grandfather nodded. “The granary and treasury are managed by your Second Uncle. Lately, there was an argument about rewarding the Jincheng Army. I don’t want to see internal strife.”

Wei Fufeng was silent; he knew, without being told, the cause: one uncle wanted to generously reward the Jincheng Army’s achievements, the other feared that excessive rewards would breed resentment among the other troops.

By asking directly, Grandfather made clear he didn’t want Wei Fufeng to get involved in the elders’ dispute.

After a pause, Grandfather smiled. “So, you went all the way to Junzhou—why?”

Wei Fufeng gave his explanation. Grandfather listened, frowning, then sternly rebuked him, “All this for a woman? Utter folly.”

“I know I was reckless, Grandfather, but I didn’t want to live with regret. Still, I gained much from the journey—I secured the cooperation of the Wudang Daoists,” Wei Fufeng admitted respectfully, and then recounted the story of the miraculous sign.

Grandfather was silent for a while before responding, “Claiming the incarnation of Xuanwu’s divine general is plausible, but it’s a bit early.”

“Grandfather, you must know Daoism has great influence in Junzhou. If Jinzhou withstands Yang Shouliang’s attack, we shouldn’t be content with just Jinzhou. We should expand down the Han River. I’ve learned that Jinzhou, Shangzhou, Junzhou, and Fangzhou once had their own military governors. With Daoist support, we’d have a foundation to take Junzhou,” Wei Fufeng said.

Grandfather nodded. “I served many years as a county officer in Deng County, and I know Junzhou well. It’s a land of good fortune, rich in agriculture and medicinal herbs, but not easily seized.”

Wei Fufeng smiled. “Since you wish to have Junzhou, Grandfather, I’ll have a Daoist temple built first, using your likeness for the main deity’s statue, to lay the groundwork for future expansion.”

Grandfather neither agreed nor disagreed. He turned to gaze at the clear pond, then after a while said, “Of the two divine generals, the serpent general’s image can be based on your great uncle, but don’t tell him.”

Wei Fufeng bowed, “I understand.”

Grandfather turned back with a smile, “But I still prefer Jinzhou. Come—look at my plans for the city. You’ve built cities before; give me your thoughts.”

...

After conferring with Grandfather, Wei Fufeng left Xicheng County for the Fufeng Army’s base.

Lin Qingxue and Xiaoxue remained in the city for now to settle the incoming elders and villagers.

Upon arriving at camp, Wei Fufeng assigned Amber’s father to lead three hundred men to Xicheng County, while he himself stayed to await the Jincheng Army and Lin Qingxue.

Wei Fufeng planned to take Lin Qingxue and Xiaoxue to Chang’an to visit their great-uncle.

...

The Jincheng Army hired a hundred boats on the Han River, sending a thousand soldiers downstream, while the remaining two thousand marched to Junzhou on foot.

Two days later, the soldiers aboard the boats reached Fengli County in Junzhou, shocking the local garrison, who immediately reported the incursion up the chain of command.

Another day passed. The thousand Jincheng troops arrived by boat at Yun County, camping at the confluence where the Du River meets the Han River.

Four subordinates from Junzhou set off to find their comrades, and half a day later, they led them to the river mouth. Several hundred Jincheng soldiers and Junzhou’s elders and villagers embarked and returned to Jinzhou.

Lin Hu was appointed Battalion Commander and led several hundred strong men together with the Jincheng soldiers, marching back toward Jinzhou.

On the way, they encountered the two thousand marching Jincheng soldiers in Fengli County, and their combined force returned to Jinzhou, then headed to the Fufeng Army base in Xingwen County, Shangzhou.