Volume One Southern Commandery Chapter 9 Seizing the Initiative

The next morning, Wei Fufeng donned his official robe adorned with a purple jade belt and wore a plain cap upon his head. His entire bearing was as refined as a polished gem, exuding an extraordinary presence. Accompanied by five robust men, he set out to rendezvous with the military inspector. Neither Wei Fufeng nor the five sturdy followers had eaten breakfast, for his purse was embarrassingly light.

By rights, he should have been traveling by carriage, but he had none at his disposal. He was not one to seek ostentation, yet he could not afford to let the military officers from Chang'an overawe him with their bearing. To put it plainly, Wei Fufeng needed to assert his dignity and make a commanding first impression. Should he appear less imposing, the respect of the two hundred soldiers would inevitably tilt toward the military inspector, and thus, Wei Fufeng was compelled to parade through the streets in his official regalia.

The five men trailed close behind him, their garments worn and tattered, but beneath the imposing aura of Wei Fufeng's official attire, their presence became a forceful display of strength. Along the way, passersby hurriedly made way, none daring to obstruct them. Wei Fufeng was well pleased with his followers' effect; in truth, his request to Yang Yuntian for men was a calculated move, taking advantage of the situation.

Yang Yuntian and his son commanded many guards, but lacking official positions, they were now reduced to living off their dwindling resources. Supporting over a dozen strong men drained their savings swiftly. With grain at its highest price in these troubled times, Wei Fufeng's request for men was an offer Yang Yuntian’s father could hardly refuse, at least as it meant five fewer mouths to feed, even if only temporarily.

Wei Fufeng held a rather indifferent view of the Yangs. He had made it clear to Yang Yuntian that if he succeeded in securing Yuzhou, Yang Yuntian would be appointed as an officer commanding the troops. Yet Yang Yuntian had not joined him. To Wei Fufeng, one who sought only gain and shunned hardship was not worthy of deep trust or reliance; he kept such judgments weighed carefully in his heart.

Upon arrival at the post station, he proceeded to a secluded courtyard where he met the military inspector and his party. Seeing Wei Fufeng in his official robes, accompanied by five burly attendants, their expressions showed mild surprise.

"Greetings, Inspector," Wei Fufeng opened with a respectful salutation.

"Ah, the acting governor has arrived. Good, I have been waiting," replied Yang Hui, his round pale face stretched in a forced smile, his voice sharp and thin.

"I apologize for my tardiness," Wei Fufeng replied smoothly.

"Hmm, let us go," Yang Hui said blandly.

"Please, Inspector, after you," Wei Fufeng responded with a slight bow.

Yang Hui nodded and walked ahead. Wei Fufeng fell in step beside him, followed by six military officers and, at the rear, his five men.

In the front courtyard, five carriages had been prepared—two of them obviously makeshift. Because he stayed close to Yang Hui, Wei Fufeng rode in the same carriage as Yang Hui and Wan Long. Once they left the post station, Wei Fufeng sat beside Wan Long, with Yang Hui facing them.

Yang Hui regarded Wei Fufeng with a smile. "I heard, Acting Governor, that you visited Prefect Yang’s residence again yesterday."

"Indeed, I went to confide my troubles to Prefect Yang. He was quite helpless but in the end agreed that, should I secure Yuzhou, I may lead a hundred elite soldiers to Rongzhou for an assignment," Wei Fufeng replied.

"Oh? Prefect Yang is letting you command a hundred elite soldiers?" Yang Hui's voice rose sharply.

"Yes. Initially, Prefect Yang promised to lend me two hundred men. Inspector, you surely know the reason," Wei Fufeng said.

Yang Hui lowered his gaze, silent for a time, then replied, "After we enter Yuzhou, you may take your hundred elite soldiers away. Until then, do not act rashly."

"Prefect Yang warned me the same, and he also agreed to provide me with five sets of armor, which I must obtain from the army," Wei Fufeng added quietly.

Yang Hui merely grunted, closing his eyes, his body swaying gently with the carriage as if in meditation.

Wei Fufeng fell silent. Beside him, Wan Long sat upright, exuding a martial dignity.

Half an hour later, they arrived at a hilltop outside the city, where a military camp had been established.

Wei Fufeng already knew that Yang Shouliang claimed to command twenty thousand elite soldiers and forty thousand provincial troops. The elite soldiers were the main force of the military governor, enjoying the best equipment and treatment.

The carriage rolled into the camp, and as they alighted, Wei Fufeng was taken aback by what he saw. The camp was filled with soldiers, most clad in belted hemp trousers, the majority wielding long spears, a few with swords, but very few wore armor.

A burly officer, clad in bright armor and with a rugged face, strode toward Wei Fufeng, Yang Hui, and Wan Long.

Saluting with his arm across his chest, he declared, "I am Wang Meng, Deputy General and Chief Adjutant of the Central Army. I pay my respects to the Military Governor, the Inspector, and the Chief Marshal."

"General Wang, I am the acting governor. This mission is directed by Inspector Yang Hui," Wei Fufeng quickly interjected.

Wang Meng paused, then respectfully turned to Yang Hui. "Your humble servant greets you, Inspector."

"Hmm." Yang Hui nodded indifferently, then asked, "Chief Adjutant Wang, are these the two hundred elite soldiers under your command?"

"Yes, sir. I have been ordered to serve under the South Sichuan Military Governor," Wang Meng replied respectfully.

Yang Hui's brow furrowed, betraying his displeasure at the so-called elite soldiers.

Wei Fufeng also secretly lamented; these were hardly elite troops, but rather local militia. Few wore armor, and he saw no archers among them.

"General Wang, where are the five military crossbows Prefect Yang promised me?" Wei Fufeng asked at once.

Wang Meng hesitated, then answered, "They are in the armory."

"Bring them for me to see," Wei Fufeng requested.

Wang Meng gave the order, and soon five strong soldiers arrived, each carrying a crossbow.

Wei Fufeng gestured, and his five followers, who had just gotten off the other carriage, approached without ceremony and each took a crossbow and a quiver of bolts from the soldiers.

The five soldiers and Wang Meng were stunned.

"These are personally granted by Prefect Yang to me. Please do not take offense, General Wang," Wei Fufeng explained.

Wang Meng opened his mouth, his eyes filled with resentment.

Military crossbows were formidable weapons, far more powerful and accurate than ordinary bows, and much easier to master. To become a skilled archer required years of dedicated training, so expert bowmen were rare. An army outfitted with many crossbows was truly formidable, and any commander would treat such weapons as prized treasures.

Wei Fufeng, seizing the authority of Yang Shouliang, had timely secured the crossbows for himself, knowing full well this would offend Wang Meng. But had he missed this opportunity, it would have been impossible to obtain them later.

Yang Hui did not interfere with Wei Fufeng’s actions, though Wan Long, standing behind, seemed about to speak but held his tongue.

After his five men had taken the crossbows, Yang Hui called out in his sharp voice, "All company captains and vice-captains, come here."

Eight armored officers promptly assembled and saluted. "We greet you, Inspector!"

"Hmm. Chief Adjutant Wang, as the central army's chief adjutant, you will lead a detachment to guard the acting governor," Yang Hui commanded.

Wang Meng, masking his resentment, saluted respectfully. "Your humble servant obeys."

"You," Yang Hui pointed to another, "will now serve under the command of General Liang, Chief Marshal of the central army."

"Yes, sir," the officer replied with a salute.

"You, and you—each lead your units under the orders of Chief Marshal Wan Long," Yang Hui continued, designating two more officers, who both accepted respectfully.

"Very well. Once we have entered Yuzhou, there will be rewards in store for you. Should anyone defy orders, not only will they lose their heads, but their families will also be implicated," Yang Hui threatened sharply, wielding both carrot and stick.

"Yes, sir!" the officers responded in unison, the atmosphere turning grim.

"Good. We depart tomorrow. Return to your posts and prepare," Yang Hui ordered.

The camp was thus divided into three spheres of command: the inspector taking the best quarters, the acting governor assigned to the northwest corner, and the chief marshal to the northeast.

Wang Meng followed Wei Fufeng into a simple wooden hut.

Once they were alone, Wei Fufeng asked, "General Wang, did Prefect Yang give you any instructions?"

"He told me to obey your orders after we reach Yuzhou," Wang Meng replied.

Wei Fufeng nodded. "Don't take the matter of the crossbows to heart. They truly weren't meant for you. Prefect Yang personally granted them to me; it has nothing to do with the South Sichuan Governor."

Wang Meng was taken aback. "Not to enhance the Governor's forces?"

Wei Fufeng laughed. "The South Sichuan Governor isn't under Prefect Yang's command. Why would he want to strengthen it?"

Wang Meng nodded, and Wei Fufeng continued, "The crossbows are for something extremely dangerous. In time, you will understand. Had I not asked for them today, the inspector would have taken them for himself."

"I understand," Wang Meng replied respectfully.

...

Elsewhere, in another cottage, the inspector, the chief marshal, and the commander of the central army met together.

Before Wan Long could speak, Liang Fang blurted out anxiously, "Inspector, those crossbows should not have been given to the acting governor."

"They were a personal gift from Prefect Yang. We cannot take them," Yang Hui replied coolly.

"But sir, why would Prefect Yang give him crossbows? We must be wary," Wan Long suggested tactfully.

"That is Prefect Yang's concern. Our task is to enter Yuzhou. Once there, the acting governor must depart for Rongzhou. Should he refuse, he will be executed," Yang Hui stated coldly, offering no further explanation.

Yang Hui would not reveal the truth, for Wang Jian was widely connected in the Divine Strategy Army and held great prestige. With no direct interest at stake, Yang Hui naturally chose to remain silent.

...

After reassuring Wang Meng, Wei Fufeng inquired about their departure. He learned they would proceed to the Jialing River dock at Shunzheng County, where they would embark for Yuzhou.

The Jialing River ran from north to south, leading straight to Yuzhou (modern-day Chongqing).

Wei Fufeng instructed one of his men to leave a crossbow behind, take one soldier, and return to the city to serve under Old Feng. With subordinates in place, Old Feng would follow the plan, finding a way to smuggle two wine jars aboard the boat as a trap.

After the soldier left, Wang Meng also departed.

Wei Fufeng examined the crossbow with his remaining four followers. The bow's back was two feet wide, the mechanism made of bronze, finely crafted, and the engravings on its arms showed it was issued by the Imperial Arsenal in Chang'an.

After a while, Wei Fufeng summoned a squad leader.

The Tang military system was organized as ten soldiers to a squad, five squads to a company, two companies to a battalion, and two battalions to a regiment. The Divine Strategy Army also had positions like commanding officer and director, with a thousand men under a command, below which were officers in charge of troops.

In truth, after the An-Shi Rebellion, only the company and squad leaders could truly account for the actual number of troops.

A troop officer could theoretically command fifty men, five hundred, or even several thousand.

The squad leader arrived, saluted Wei Fufeng respectfully.

Wei Fufeng invited him to sit and began inquiring about the military strength of Hanzhong, subtly probing into the composition of the two hundred soldiers.

He learned that only the company and squad leaders were veterans; the rest were newly recruited refugees, with the leaders themselves promoted veterans assigned under Wang Meng’s command.

In conversation, it became clear the squad leader greatly feared Wang Meng.