Volume Two: The Lord and His Grandson Chapter 82: Friend or Foe
Grandfather nodded, and Wei Fufeng spoke gently once more, “Now that the first battle is over, you should focus on reassuring the city, Grandfather. Please tour the city, oversee the reconstruction, and let the people and soldiers see your calm demeanor. That will keep everyone steady.”
Grandfather nodded, gratified by his grandson’s understanding. He himself had not wished to come to the city wall, but the morale of the first battle needed encouragement, so he had forced himself to come despite his anxiety.
“Fufeng, the city’s defense will be a hardship for you,” Grandfather said kindly.
Wei Fufeng nodded, then added, “While you’re inspecting the city, Grandfather, please do not come near the laborers or the militia. It will suffice for you to tour with your guards and direct the officials on what should be done.”
“Rest assured, I have always been cautious,” Grandfather replied with a smile.
Wei Fufeng smiled in return, then said, “There is also one matter I did not report, Grandfather, because I didn’t want to cause you worry.”
“Oh? What matter?” Grandfather asked.
Wei Fufeng explained his strategy regarding Jun Prefecture. Grandfather was astonished, “You mean the fifth uncle is going to seize Jun Prefecture first?”
Wei Fufeng nodded. “In terms of agriculture, Jin Prefecture is far inferior to Jun Prefecture. If we can take Jun Prefecture, Jin Prefecture will be truly strengthened. But this is only my expectation—the Prefect of Jun Prefecture may not actually send troops.”
Grandfather nodded thoughtfully. “I did not expect you to have designs on Jun Prefecture so soon. In truth, Jun Prefecture is an independent military district. If the Prefect of Jun Prefecture joins the attack on Jin Prefecture and we then occupy Jun Prefecture, we can petition the court to appoint a new prefect.”
Wei Fufeng smiled. “That is exactly what I was thinking, Grandfather. However, the matter of appointing a prefect for Jun Prefecture requires a man of reputation.”
After a moment’s reflection, Grandfather said, “If we take Jun Prefecture, your eldest uncle can be appointed there. He is a Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Rites, a prudent man, and can borrow the prestige of your great-grandfather.”
Wei Fufeng nodded, and Grandfather continued, “A Prime Minister remains respected, even after stepping down. And as you said, having your eldest uncle in Jun Prefecture will also safeguard the ancestral shrine.”
Wei Fufeng was momentarily startled, but then understood and nodded. Appointing his eldest uncle as Prefect of Jun Prefecture would truly lay the foundation for the Wei family of Jin Prefecture to branch out and flourish.
...
Grandfather left the city wall, descending the ramp surrounded by guards, his expression composed and unruffled.
The militia lining the main street watched in silence as this great figure passed by. As ordinary men, they naturally felt awe.
Upon returning to the Prefect’s office, Grandfather saw more than a dozen people coming to meet him. His bodyguards immediately readied themselves.
Grandfather waved his hand, stepped forward with a warm smile, and saluted, “This humble official greets Your Highness, Prince of Xicheng.”
At the front of the group stood a handsome youth in a dragon-embroidered prince’s robe—the Prince of Xicheng, sent by Emperor Zhao to succeed the incense offerings at the Duke’s residence.
The Prince of Xicheng was Emperor Zhao’s nephew, a son of King Ji, Li Bao.
When Emperor Xizong lay dying and could no longer speak, the court ministers resolved that the virtuous and elderly King Ji, Li Bao, should inherit the throne. But Yang Fugong, who held military power, supported the Prince of Shou’s succession. Thus, for Emperor Zhao, Yang Fugong became a great founding meritocrat.
The Prince of Xicheng looked anxious. Facing the Jin Prefecture Prefect’s salute, he only nodded and blurted out, “Governor Wei, I have heard that seventy thousand troops are besieging the city—is this true?”
Grandfather answered serenely, “Do not be alarmed, Your Highness. There are twenty thousand soldiers in the city, with ample provisions and supplies. The enemy has just failed in an assault, and our troops are in high spirits. There is no cause for concern.”
“Governor Wei, there are seventy thousand enemy troops outside the city. I fear your stubborn defense is unwise. Would it not be better to negotiate sooner?” The Prince of Xicheng said nervously.
“You need not worry, Your Highness. You are of the imperial clan; even if the city falls, nothing serious will befall you. At worst you’ll be expelled—think about it, isn’t that so? Yang Shouliang would not risk the crime of killing a prince,” Grandfather soothed him gently.
The Prince of Xicheng thought for a moment, and Grandfather added, “Furthermore, for Yang Shouliang to act so brazenly near the capital—His Majesty the Emperor will not tolerate it. Reinforcements will surely be dispatched to lift the siege soon.”
The Prince of Xicheng nodded unconsciously. Grandfather continued, “I have overseen the reconstruction of the city and planned a palace for Your Highness. Tomorrow, I invite Your Highness to join me in discussing its layout. Please rest assured and observe calmly.”
...
The Prince of Xicheng hesitated, then nodded.
...
Xicheng County was besieged for eight days. Yang Shouliang’s army attacked thirteen times, losing nearly ten thousand elite soldiers.
Within the city, the Prefect of Jin Prefecture made daily inspections of the various construction projects.
The County Magistrate, Wei Xuan, was responsible for logistics, personally checking on the soldiers’ meals and visiting the wounded. Wei Fufeng’s second uncle remained at home, claiming illness.
...
At a construction site in the city, several dozen laborers approached the supervising official. Their leader asked, “Sir, when will we be allowed to leave?”
“Leave for what? You have food and drink here. Isn’t working in the city better than by the riverbank?” the overseer, a robust man from Shang Prefecture, replied sternly.
“Sir, we’re worried the enemy will break in,” one laborer said.
“What has that to do with you? If they come in, just crouch down and hold your head—you’ll be fine,” the overseer retorted.
“Sir, the Prefect has treated us too well. We don’t want the enemy to take the city. May we join the militia?” one laborer called out, and immediately a dozen others voiced their agreement.
The overseer nodded. “Good men. Though our forces are sufficient for now, I’ll report to the Prefect. Those willing can sign up as reserves and perhaps earn some pay.”
“Alright.” Over twenty laborers registered, but most drifted away.
...
In the enemy camp outside the city, Yang Shouliang sat in his tent, his face as cold as ice.
Many officers stood before him. A burly general fumed, “What is Li Ziqi doing? We’re throwing lives away assaulting the city, and he’s just lazing about inside?”
“Could he have been captured?” another officer murmured hesitantly.
“Damn it! Four thousand troops—even if Li Ziqi is dead, are the other commanders fools? With a thousand men to coordinate inside, we could open the gates. Right now, we’re fighting alone,” the burly general cursed.
“Calm yourself,” Yang Shouliang commanded. The general fell silent.
Another officer spoke, “Sir, perhaps we should accept the Prefect of Jun Prefecture’s terms.”
“What? After so many of our men have died, you want to give up Jin Prefecture?” the burly general glared furiously.
“Jin Prefecture is too hard to take. We’re losing our best men. Let’s accept Jun Prefecture’s offer—once our patron in the capital is reinstated, we can always try again,” the officer explained.
Yang Shouliang frowned, pondering, when another officer said, “Sir, cooperation with Jun Prefecture is wise. If we don’t, their troops will remain a threat on our flank.”
Yang Shouliang nodded. “Let the Jun Prefecture army attack the East Gate.”
...
On the border between Jun and Jin Prefectures, fifteen thousand troops from Jun and Fang Prefectures were camped.
The Jin Prefecture army’s incursion had drawn the hostility of Jun Prefecture’s Prefect, who mobilized eight thousand of his own men, plus seven thousand from Fang Prefecture, to the border.
Jun Prefecture’s Prefect, Feng Xingsi, received Yang Shouliang’s reply and advanced into Jin Prefecture.
...
Feng Xingsi, controlling Jun Prefecture, feared not so much the Loyalist Army of Xiang Prefecture, but rather Jin Prefecture, upstream on the Han River.
In wealth, Jin Prefecture was no match for Jun Prefecture, but strategically, it could easily threaten Jun Prefecture.
Feng Xingsi had always harbored ambitions for Jin Prefecture, hoping to break away from the Loyalist Army and become a regional warlord in his own right.
He was indeed a formidable and cunning man, holding sway over Jun Prefecture for more than a decade. Lin Qingxue had no idea that Feng Xingsi was, in fact, her family’s true enemy.
During the Huang Chao Rebellion, a certain Yan, Commander of Troops, passed through Jun Prefecture. Feng Xingsi used Yan’s name as a pretext to exterminate the prominent Lin clan.
Yan merely received some riches, thinking it a gesture of goodwill from Feng, never knowing he’d been made the unwitting scapegoat for the massacre.
Feng Xingsi was bold but cautious. His deployment at the border was mainly for show, but when he learned of Yang Shouliang’s offensive against Jin Prefecture, he became uneasy—if Yang Shouliang took Jin Prefecture, Jun Prefecture would be in grave danger.
Thus, Feng Xingsi took the initiative to propose an alliance, his condition being the reward of Jin Prefecture.
The spoils and grain after the city’s fall would go to Yang Shouliang, who, in return, would recommend Feng Xingsi as military governor over Jin, Jun, and Fang Prefectures.
Before moving his troops, Feng Xingsi discovered that Jin Prefecture’s main force had retreated into the city, and scouts reported no large enemy contingents elsewhere.
Feng marched into Jin Prefecture, reaching the East Gate of Xicheng County, and launched a fierce assault the next day.
Feng Xingsi sought a swift victory, for his base in Jun Prefecture faced threats from both the Loyalist Army and Tongguan forces.
His troops were formidable, far superior to Yang Shouliang’s, boasting three thousand armored soldiers and two thousand archers.
Once the assault began, they seized the ramparts several times, and the fighting surpassed even the intensity at the West Gate.
Wei Fufeng was shocked, having underestimated the strength of Jun Prefecture’s forces. Fortunately, the Fufeng Army, stationed at the county office, responded immediately to calls for reinforcements and rushed to the East Gate, soon followed by Amber’s father and a hundred armored warriors.
...
As soon as Feng Xingsi’s army entered Jin Prefecture, the Jin City general—Wei Fufeng’s fifth uncle—sent a messenger galloping to Chang’an, to Li Xi’s residence, seeking him to accuse the Prefect of Jun Prefecture of colluding with Yang Shouliang.
They requested that the emperor dismiss Feng Xingsi and appoint Wei Zun, Wei Zhaodu’s son, as Prefect of Jun Prefecture, both to assert imperial authority and to boost the morale of Jin Prefecture’s troops.
The proposal for the eldest uncle to become Prefect of Jun Prefecture was not originally Wei Fufeng’s idea; in fact, he had considered his second uncle for the post.
Not out of fondness for his second uncle, but out of respect for seniority. His grandfather’s proposal to use the eldest uncle was, in comparison, more suitable.
The fifth uncle’s actions stemmed from his own preferences, yet coincided with the intentions of the Prefect—their motives differed, but their ends aligned.
...
Out of caution, the fifth uncle estimated that the Jun Prefecture army was nearing Xicheng County, so he led his troops southeast along the north bank of the Han River.
Crossing the Jin Qian River in Shang Prefecture, he conducted a forced march through most of Shang Prefecture, then entered Jun Prefecture’s Yun County, reached the Han River, and then raced downriver to assault Yancen City.