Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandson Chapter 80: Wei Zhaodu's Disappointment

Wei Zhaodu spoke gently, “Wei Yunqing is your elder brother. He visited some days ago and is gifted in learning.”

Wei Fufeng forced a bitter smile and replied with modest respect, “My brother’s talents far surpass mine.”

Wei Zhaodu smiled, “You are not lacking either. You have courage and insight, and managed to return safely from Western Sichuan. That eases my mind.”

“Grandson was delighted to hear that Great-Uncle safely left Western Sichuan,” Wei Fufeng responded.

Wei Zhaodu nodded, then grew melancholy. “If only I had heeded your advice, Luo Bao would not have met his end in Western Sichuan.”

Wei Fufeng uttered a soft sound. Wei Zhaodu continued quietly, “Luo Bao was my central army commander, a trusted aide. It’s a pity he could not return.”

“Great-Uncle is a gentleman, while Wang Jian is a rogue. In lawless Western Sichuan, your safe return is already a stroke of fortune,” Wei Fufeng commented casually.

Wei Zhaodu shook his head and murmured, “Three years away felt like a dream.”

“Father, it’s all in the past. There’s no need to dwell on it. His Majesty will surely call upon you again someday,” Sixth Uncle interjected, his tone tinged with impatience.

Wei Zhaodu ignored his son, turning to Wei Fufeng, and asked warmly, “Your grandfather must be very busy?”

Wei Fufeng nodded, “Grandfather is indeed busy. He once told me that when I paid respects to Great-Uncle, I should tell you not to worry about affairs in Jinzhou—just observe.”

“Oh, what might happen in Jinzhou?” Wei Zhaodu asked.

“Yang Shouliang of Hanzhong may attack Jinzhou. If Jinzhou is besieged, I ask Great-Uncle to remain calm and not act in Chang’an,” Wei Fufeng replied softly.

Wei Zhaodu looked at Wei Fufeng in surprise, then nodded. “I have been worried that Yang Shouliang would attack Jinzhou, yet you seem unafraid of his advance.”

Wei Fufeng nodded, “Grandfather and I hope Yang Shouliang attacks Jinzhou now. If he does, it will lead to famine in Hanzhong; without food to sustain his army, his forces will collapse.”

Wei Zhaodu’s expression shifted thoughtfully. He suddenly asked, “What if Jinzhou cannot hold?”

“With preparations, the city defenses are like iron walls,” Wei Fufeng answered quietly.

“Even if Jinzhou holds, how will it survive the winter after the chaos?” Wei Zhaodu pressed.

Wei Fufeng glanced at Sixth Uncle but said nothing.

Wei Zhaodu waved his hand, “Wei Gen, step outside.”

Sixth Uncle glared at Wei Fufeng, then rose and left. Wei Zhaodu gazed at Wei Fufeng.

Only then did Wei Fufeng say, “There is grain in Southern Sichuan that can aid Jinzhou.”

“Southern Sichuan? Is this connected to the Military Governor of Southern Sichuan?” Wei Zhaodu asked in surprise.

Wei Fufeng replied respectfully, “Great-Uncle never looked down on me for being born out of wedlock and opened the door to officialdom for me through marriage. I am deeply grateful and do not wish to deceive you. In fact, I am the Military Governor of Southern Sichuan.”

“Oh? How did you become Military Governor of Southern Sichuan?” Wei Zhaodu fixed his gaze on Wei Fufeng, astonished.

Wei Fufeng explained with some embellishment, concluding, “I originally intended to lead ten thousand militia to Chengdu, but the troops’ morale was unstable. So, I went with only a few guards. Upon arrival, I realized even with ten thousand militia, it would have been futile.”

Wei Zhaodu turned away, lost in thought, then sighed, “You are a prodigy, perhaps comparable to our ancestor, Wei Gao.”

“It was mere luck for me; ancestor Wei Gao was a great general, victorious in every battle. I cannot compare,” Wei Fufeng replied humbly.

Wei Zhaodu fell silent. After a while, he said, “I am a bit tired. You may go now; we’ll talk another day.”

Wei Fufeng rose, bowed, and said gently, “The repairs at Qujiang are nearly complete. The pond is clear, with fish in the water. Great-Uncle may fish there for relaxation—it is better than staying at home.”

Wei Zhaodu nodded vacantly. Wei Fufeng took his leave, instructed the servants to summon Lin Qingxue, and waited outside the residence. When Lin Qingxue came out, they boarded the carriage and departed Chang’an.

---

Wei Gen entered the main hall and saw his father sitting in a daze, startled and concerned. “Father, what’s wrong?”

Wei Zhaodu came to himself, glanced at his son, and said offhandedly, “He’s gone?”

“He’s gone. That boy is very rude, much worse than his brother,” Wei Gen complained, clearly unimpressed with Wei Fufeng.

Wei Zhaodu’s face twitched, as if he wanted to speak but refrained, then he murmured, “Prepare the carriage; I wish to visit Qu Pond.”

“Qu Pond? Father, the scenery there has long been ruined. I hear it’s occupied by the Fufeng Army,” Wei Gen replied casually.

Wei Zhaodu paused, “The Fufeng Army? You know they’re stationed at Qu Pond? Prepare the carriage.”

Wei Gen agreed and readied the carriage, accompanying his father to Qu Pond. Baoning Ward was nearby, and soon they arrived, but were stopped at the entrance by soldiers.

“Entry to Qu Pond costs two copper coins per person,” a soldier stated.

“Outrageous! Do you know who we are?” Wei Gen shouted angrily after stepping out.

“Our Lord, Marquis Fufeng, has ordered repairs by imperial decree. All must pay, except for the emperor himself,” the soldier replied coolly.

Wei Gen was stunned, but his father instructed, “Don’t cause trouble.”

Grudgingly, Wei Gen paid the fee for six people and accompanied his father into Qu Pond, with four armored guards behind. As they passed, the soldier warned them not to damage any property, else they’d pay compensation.

They toured the area, finally stopping at the willow banks. Wei Gen said angrily, “This is so-called restoration? It’s just been tidied up a bit.”

“The greatest value here is its memory of the flourishing Tang dynasty. True restoration is beyond one man’s power, and he wouldn’t be willing to shoulder it,” Wei Zhaodu replied calmly.

“Fufeng?” Wei Gen was surprised.

“The Wei Fufeng you considered much inferior to his brother today holds the title Marquis Fufeng, serves as commander of the Fufeng Army, Military Governor of Southern Sichuan, and Military Governor of Qianzhong. Do you think yourself superior?” Wei Zhaodu said placidly.

“What? Him? Impossible!” Wei Gen exclaimed in disbelief.

Wei Zhaodu sighed, “I fought bitterly in Western Sichuan for three years, utterly defeated, while he, barely more than a youth, gained the power of a governor through cunning alone. Now I understand—your uncle’s appointment as Prefect of Jinzhou was because Wei Fufeng seized Jinzhou.”

Wei Gen uttered a soft sound, and Wei Zhaodu continued quietly, “He is a monster—a prodigy born in Tang, surely not an auspicious sign.”

Wei Zhen thought for a moment, “Father, you’re no longer Prime Minister. Why worry about state affairs?”

Wei Zhaodu frowned, staring at Qu Pond for a long time, then said, “Prepare to leave. You’ll accompany me to Luoyang to assume office.”

“What? To Luoyang?” Wei Gen exclaimed.

“We cannot remain in Chang’an. We must go far to avoid suspicion. If we stay, the emperor will suspect me of involvement in the Southern Sichuan affair, and Wei Fufeng will also feel uneasy,” Wei Zhaodu explained.

“But in Luoyang, I fear we’ll be unwelcome,” Wei Gen fretted.

“I’ll retire quietly in Luoyang. The Military Governor of Heyang won’t cause trouble,” Wei Zhaodu replied coldly.

Wei Gen nodded and accompanied his father away from Qu Pond.

---

Wei Fufeng left Chang’an out of concern for his own safety and apprehension over the old man’s steadfast loyalty to the Tang emperor. His visit to Wei Zhaodu was both out of respect and to inform him not to seek help for Jinzhou in Chang’an.

---

Inside the carriage, Lin Qingxue played with a jade hairpin, her lips curved in a delighted smile, oblivious to the worry shadowing Wei Fufeng’s brow.

Wei Fufeng would never tell his beloved of the rift that might exist between himself and Wei Zhaodu.

At dusk, Wei Fufeng returned to the Fufeng Army’s camp and was promptly taken by the gate guards to meet Fifth Uncle.

Fifth Uncle dismissed his attendants and looked at Wei Fufeng with grave concern.

“What’s wrong?” Wei Fufeng felt tension rising.

“You were right. Yang Shouliang of Hanzhong has mobilized his army and should arrive tomorrow—seventy thousand troops,” Fifth Uncle breathed out.

Wei Fufeng nodded solemnly. Though he had anticipated Yang Shouliang’s attack on Jinzhou, now that it was truly happening, he could not help but feel a chill of fear.

“Fufeng, why don’t you and I stay on the outskirts?” Fifth Uncle suggested.

Wei Fufeng wanted to agree, but shook his head, “I must remain in the city. The Fufeng Army will fight best with me present; they won’t panic. If Fufeng Army is calm, so will the other troops.”

Fifth Uncle nodded. In fact, Wei Fufeng’s main reason for staying in the city was to avoid antagonizing his grandfather and father. Otherwise, being outside would make it easier to command according to the battle’s needs—but the morale inside the city truly required his presence.

After dinner, Wei Fufeng set out for Xicheng County overnight. Yang Shouliang’s army arrived sooner than expected, but such is the nature of surprise in warfare.

It was impossible to travel quickly at night, but the bright moon made the journey smoother, and he reached Xicheng County by dawn.

Xicheng County was peaceful, showing no signs of impending conflict. The guards at the gate went about their routine, and people passed in and out as usual.

Wei Fufeng entered the city and headed straight to the prefectural office, where he saw Amber’s father walking outside.

Upon seeing Wei Fufeng, Amber’s father’s tense face lit up with joy. “My lord!”

Wei Fufeng nodded with a smile. Amber’s father hurried close and whispered, “By your order, I am deploying troops into the city and taking over all gates.”

“Go ahead. Tell the officers that our army is in the city,” Wei Fufeng instructed softly.

Amber’s father nodded and led ten subordinates away.

Wei Fufeng entered the prefectural office and found his grandfather and Second Uncle in the main hall. He went over to greet them.

Grandfather was in good spirits and laughed, “I thought you wouldn’t make it back in time.”

“Grandson traveled all night—just thinking of a good sleep,” Wei Fufeng replied cheerfully.

“No sleep now. Come with me to the city tower,” Grandfather said.

Wei Fufeng nodded and followed his grandfather and Second Uncle from the office to the south gate.

Ascending the gate tower, they saw a large force approaching the city. Second Uncle exclaimed, “Are those Jincheng soldiers? Why are they coming?”

“To take over the gates. Hanzhong’s army is attacking; we must defend the city,” Grandfather replied.

“What? Hanzhong’s army? How many are coming?” Second Uncle cried out in alarm.

Grandfather frowned in displeasure, “No panic! Do not disturb the troops’ morale.”

Second Uncle nodded and forced himself to be calm, but hearing that seventy thousand soldiers were coming, his face changed again. He looked at his father, wanting to speak, but ultimately said nothing, since his father had already declared the city would be defended to the end.