Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandson Chapter 79: A Grave Oversight in Military Intelligence

Six days later, the Jincheng Army arrived near the military camp of the Fufeng Army. Fifth Uncle, without informing his subordinates, brought only two hundred personal guards to meet Wei Fufeng. After their discussion, the two hundred guards joined forces with the Fufeng Army, marching to the garrison at Xicheng County. There, the personal soldiers guarded the camp gates, preserving the secret of their ruse.

Soon after, three thousand Jincheng troops took up quarters at the Fufeng Army’s station. Wei Fufeng avoided meeting with the Jincheng officers, secluding himself in a small courtyard to await Lin Qingxue. Fifth Uncle permitted Lin Hu to come alone for a visit.

When Lin Hu arrived, Wei Fufeng explained his uncle’s intentions, and then their conversation turned to Junzhou. Wei Fufeng produced a rough ink sketch of a Daoist temple, drawn in idle moments based on Lin Qingxue’s descriptions of the mountain’s contours.

Seeing the towering gate, the soaring eaves, and the multi-storied halls rising in terraces with the mountain, Lin Hu’s first remark was, “Brother-in-law, are you building a Daoist temple?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Wei Fufeng replied with a smile.

Lin Hu shook his head. “If you build according to this design, it might rival the imperial palaces of Chang’an. How much silver would that require?”

Wei Fufeng hesitated, then nodded, admitting that the style of the painting indeed bore traces of Daming Palace. “It can be built step by step. Even if it takes more than a decade, it can be completed.”

“You say that as if you truly intend to take Junzhou,” Lin Hu replied, his tone tinged with expectation.

“To set foot in Junzhou is no easy feat. At present, our greatest enemy is Yang Shouliang of Hanzhong,” Wei Fufeng answered.

Lin Hu nodded, but added, “Jinzhou cannot afford to ignore Junzhou either. The governor of Junzhou is an ambitious man.”

“Oh? Why do you say he’s ambitious?” Wei Fufeng asked, alert.

Lin Hu explained, “Feng Xingxi, the governor of Junzhou, was once a military officer in Junzhou. Nine years ago, when several thousand volunteer soldiers from Fangzhou marched north to seize Junzhou, Feng Xingxi pretended to surrender, then killed the rebel leader and seized military power, rendering the governor a mere figurehead.

“Afterwards, Liu Jurong, then the military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit, recognized him as the governor of Junzhou.

“Later, Liu Jurong was defeated by Zhao Kuangyan, a subordinate of Qin Zongquan, and fled. The man-eater Qin Zongquan was destroyed by the court, and Zhao Kuangyan surrendered to the imperial government, becoming the military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit—also known as the Loyal and Righteous Army. Feng Xingxi, the governor of Junzhou, then submitted and paid tribute to the Loyal and Righteous Army.”

Wei Fufeng listened gravely. “So, the governor of Junzhou and the Loyal and Righteous Army’s commissioner are only nominally subordinate. In truth, they’re independent.”

Lin Hu nodded. “Junzhou belongs to Feng Xingxi. The only prefectures truly controlled by the Loyal and Righteous Army are said to be Dengzhou and Xiangzhou. Both have larger populations than Junzhou, but Feng Xingxi is fierce and skilled in battle, commands ten thousand troops in Junzhou, and is allied with the governor of Fangzhou.”

Wei Fufeng frowned, pondering silently, “I told Grandfather of my intentions to move on Junzhou. How could such crucial information have slipped his mind?”

Lin Hu continued, “Feng Xingxi needs to support his troops in Junzhou, and it’s said he must also pay tribute to the commissioner. The taxes and levies are so harsh that many people can’t survive and have fled to Mount Wudang, where nearly ten thousand impoverished souls have taken refuge. Over the years, Feng Xingxi has tried to suppress them, killing many.”

Wei Fufeng nodded, realizing his earlier assessment was mistaken. He had believed the Loyal and Righteous Army controlled Junzhou, and thus thought that even if they stationed troops at the border, they would simply sit back and watch others fight. But if Junzhou is solely under Feng Xingxi’s command, the outcome is entirely different. Should the Jincheng Army cross the border, it would fatally threaten Feng Xingxi’s survival. If Yang Shouliang attacks Jinzhou, Feng Xingxi may well join forces with him.

Wei Fufeng asked Lin Hu to return and request Fifth Uncle’s presence. When Fifth Uncle arrived, he greeted him with a smile, “Boy, what’s on your mind?”

Wei Fufeng nodded and described the situation in Junzhou, concluding, “I mentioned to Grandfather in the Western Gardens my intention to advance on Junzhou, yet he failed to warn me of these matters.”

“Perhaps the old man simply didn’t know,” Fifth Uncle replied with a wry smile.

Wei Fufeng could only nod. “Since Junzhou and the Loyal and Righteous Army are independent, things may change. The governor of Junzhou might well join forces with Yang Shouliang.”

Fifth Uncle let out a quiet sigh, his expression growing serious.

Wei Fufeng continued, “If the governor of Junzhou attacks Xicheng County, his own rear in Junzhou will be left undefended. Uncle, please select a team of soldiers to go to Yancen City in Junzhou, and have them infiltrate the city, one by one.”

“You mean to seize Junzhou while it’s vulnerable?” Fifth Uncle asked in surprise.

Wei Fufeng nodded. “If the governor attacks Xicheng County, the distance will cause delays in communication, making it impossible for him to return quickly.”

Fifth Uncle pondered this. “Planting insiders costs nothing if it fails, but even if we take the city, holding it will be difficult. Would the Loyal and Righteous Army simply stand by? They’re sure to seize the opportunity to send troops to Junzhou.”

Wei Fufeng replied, “Master Li Xi is still Minister of Appointments, and Prime Minister Du Rangneng once helped Grandfather become governor of Jinzhou. If the governor of Junzhou attacks Jinzhou, we can appeal through Li Xi or Du Rangneng to have the emperor dismiss Feng Xingxi and appoint a new governor. With imperial authority on our side, the Loyal and Righteous Army would have no legitimate reason to act, and the likelihood of them invading Junzhou would decrease.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. “You’re a shrewd one.”

Wei Fufeng smiled. “Uncle, have some Junzhou soldiers who are familiar with the area return, but first ask whether the city’s defenders recognize them. If they’re known to be former bandits, it could ruin everything.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. Wei Fufeng added, “I myself have visited Junzhou and saw that the city walls are being reinforced with blue bricks. Perhaps we can use construction as a pretext to slip men inside, or pose as groups of merchants from Xiangzhou bringing goods to bribe the guards, so they aren’t conscripted into the army and sent home.”

Fifth Uncle nodded again. Wei Fufeng continued, “I’ll assemble two thousand militia from southern Sichuan as reserves. If the Jincheng Army succeeds in capturing Yancen City with inside help, the militia can take over its defense, freeing the Jincheng Army to maneuver elsewhere. If the attempt fails, don’t force an attack—withdraw and wait for another opportunity.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll see to it.”

...

Two days later, Lin Qingxue and Xiaoxue arrived at the Fufeng Army’s station by carriage, accompanied by ten followers. Wei Fufeng immediately set out for Chang’an.

Entering Chang’an under a false identity, Wei Fufeng reached Qinglong Ward, seeking to befriend the garrison soldiers and gather information about the city. After meeting with them, he visited Qu Pond.

Qu Pond had undergone simple repairs and was no longer a desolate sight. The water was clear, sparkling in the evening sun, the embankment neat and winding, and newly transplanted willows flourished along the shore.

The next morning, Wei Fufeng and Lin Qingxue arrived by carriage at Baoning Ward, located in the southern part of the city, adjacent to Anyi Ward, where Wei Fufeng’s relatives lived.

The family residence of Wei Zhaodu had originally been in Wuben Ward, near Daming Palace, but after returning from Shu, they had moved to Baoning Ward, now far from the northernmost Daming Palace.

Stepping out and gazing at the clearly dilapidated earthen walls and the gate, whose peeling paint revealed the wood beneath, Wei Fufeng sensed the desolation in his great-uncle’s heart.

Yet the four armored guards standing with swords at the entrance declared the status of the house’s master. Wei Fufeng guessed that the guards were not for display of authority, but for deterrence and self-protection—so many soldiers who had marched on Western Sichuan never returned, and their families might well bear resentment toward Wei Zhaodu.

Approaching the gate, Wei Fufeng said calmly, “Please inform Minister Wei that his grand-nephew Wei Fufeng has come to pay his respects.”

“Please wait a moment,” one of the guards replied, then entered the residence.

After a while, a middle-aged man in a round-collared robe emerged, followed by the guard. He regarded Wei Fufeng and asked, “From which branch of the family are you? Legitimate or collateral?”

Wei Fufeng felt a flash of displeasure but answered evenly, “I am of collateral descent. My father is Wei Xuan, and we come from Jinzhou.”

The man gave a little “oh,” and asked, “Are you here on imperial orders?”

“No, I have come simply to pay my respects to my great-uncle,” Wei Fufeng replied.

The man frowned. “The master has decreed, no idle visitors. You should go.”

“Oh? Yet my great-uncle told me in Western Sichuan that if I came to Chang’an, I should not forget to visit,” Wei Fufeng replied calmly.

The man was taken aback. “What nonsense is this?”

“If you refuse me, it is not I who am discourteous. Please tell my great-uncle that Fufeng has called,” Wei Fufeng said, and turned to leave.

“Wait a moment—I’ll ask the master,” the man said hastily, turning back inside.

Wei Fufeng waited. Though Wei Zhaodu had lost his office as Minister, those around him still retained much of their pride.

Soon, the middle-aged man returned, his face dark. “The master will see you. Come in.”

Wei Fufeng, expression calm, entered with Lin Qingxue. They passed along the corridor into the main hall. There, at the seat of honor, sat an elderly man and woman, with two maids standing by.

The man wore a loose hemp robe, with a refined but slightly weary face. It was indeed Wei Zhaodu.

The woman was clad in a patterned skirt, her features dignified, her hair streaked with white.

Wei Fufeng stepped forward and knelt, Lin Qingxue kneeling beside him. “Grand-nephew Fufeng pays his respects to Great-Uncle and Great-Aunt. May you enjoy good health.”

“Rise. It is good to see you again,” Wei Zhaodu replied gently.

Wei Fufeng bowed once more and rose. He turned to introduce, “Great-Uncle, Great-Aunt, this is my betrothed, the second daughter of a noble family in Junzhou. Her grandfather once served as governor of Junzhou.”

Wei Zhaodu looked surprised, and Wei Fufeng continued kindly, “Qingxue, pay your respects to Great-Aunt.”

Lin Qingxue knelt once more. “Your junior pays respect to Great-Aunt.”

“Good, come here,” Great-Aunt replied with a smile.

Lin Qingxue rose and went to her, and Great-Aunt took her by the hand. Rising, she left for the inner chambers with Lin Qingxue and the maids.

Wei Zhaodu said warmly, “Be seated.”

Wei Fufeng thanked him and sat at the guest seat to the left. The middle-aged man who had come with them sat opposite. Wei Fufeng glanced at him and asked politely, “Great-Uncle, may I ask if this is my uncle?”

“This is your Sixth Uncle, Wei Gen,” replied Wei Zhaodu.

Wei Fufeng stood and bowed. “Greetings, Sixth Uncle.”

Sixth Uncle only nodded in response. Wei Fufeng sat down again and turned to look at Wei Zhaodu.