Taiheiki

Chapter 223 Meeting
"Quickly, quickly use the winch to lower the basket and pull up the man who was shouting from outside the city!" Before Prefect Han Chun could give the order, someone shouted. In no time, the man who had been shouting from below the city had already climbed up the city wall in a basket. As soon as he stepped out of the basket, he was pulled and dragged to the crowd: "Tell me quickly, where did these reinforcements come from?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty!" In his haste, the man still remembered to bow to Han Chun first: "The army coming from the river is the army of Wei Cong, the governor of Jiaozhou!"

"Wei Cong, the Governor of Jiaozhou?" Hearing this familiar name, Han Chun couldn't help but feel a little dazed. How much had happened in less than two years! The shrewd and capable thief Cao Yuan under his command was now a marquis and governor of Jiaozhou, with tens of thousands of elite troops under his command. Whether you like it or not, you have to admit that he is now qualified to join the top power game in the Han Dynasty.

"Are you sure you're not mistaken?!" Huang Wan forced herself to remain calm. "Jiaozhou is thousands of miles away from here, and the Wuling barbarians are in between. Transportation between us has been cut off for a long time. How could we suddenly be in Jiangling?"

"There's no mistake!" the man hurriedly said. "I took a closer look at the flags, and there's also an elephant corps from Jiaozhou on the shore. Think about it, where else could there be an elephant corps besides Jiaozhou!"

"An elephant corps?" Huang Wan was speechless. Although the Moth Bandits had a large army, he had never heard of them having elephants. However, Jiaozhou was indeed rich in elephants, so it wasn't surprising that Wei Cong had assembled an elephant corps. Kuai An coughed and said, "My lord, if it really is Deng Fangbo leading troops to our aid, we should still go out of the city to welcome him!"

Kuai An's reminder brought everyone to their senses. Wei Cong was now a Marquis and Governor of Jiaozhou. Although the Governor of Jiaozhou wasn't Han Chun's superior, his rank was definitely higher, and his noble title far surpassed those present. Moreover, he had led his troops on a long journey to provide reinforcements. According to both official procedures and etiquette, everyone should have gone out of the city to greet him instead of staying inside to wait for Wei Cong's visit.

"Indeed, Lord Wei has come from thousands of miles away to provide assistance; we should indeed go out of the city to welcome him!"

"Yes, the past is the past. Now that he is above us, we should go and greet him!"

Everyone chimed in, expressing their opinion that they should go and pay a visit. Just as Han Chun was about to agree, Huang Wan said in a deep voice, "The Prefect is the most important person in the prefecture. The situation outside the city is unclear. Although Wei Cong is the Governor of Jiaozhou, he is known for his unpredictable actions. We have not received any prior notice of his reinforcements. His sudden arrival is of uncertain fate. It would be better if I went ahead to visit him, ascertain the situation, and then make a decision!"

Those on the city wall looked at Huang Wan with strange expressions after hearing her words. Huang Wan's words, translated, meant that Wei Cong was a cunning man, and since they hadn't received any news of his impending reinforcements, who knew if he might be colluding with the bandits to deceive Jiangling City? It would be safer for her to go and scout ahead first.

Given Wei Cong's status as Marquis of Buqi and Governor of Jiaozhou, Huang Wan's words were extremely rude. However, most of those present had been Wei Cong's colleagues and knew all too well what kind of person he was before he raised his price: "General Zhang Bolu in Crimson Robes" had once run rampant in Jiangdong, and the government was powerless against him. How powerful he was! Somehow, someone offended him, so he first plotted an ambush on the river, then besieged his stronghold, and within a few days, Zhang's entire clan was slaughtered. Later, when he led troops to Baqiu, the county magistrate Wang Gui angered him, so he killed him in front of everyone and then abandoned his post and fled. Later, when the Moth Rebellion broke out, he gathered a group of desperados and went south from Yuzhang to Jiaozhou. In no time, he had risen to the position of Governor of Jiaozhou, Protector of the Hundred Yue, and Marquis of Buqi. No one knew how he had risen from a criminal who had killed an official to a governor of a prefecture and a marquis of the court. How many lives were hidden in his rise? Other officials are praised for their integrity, their ability to educate the people, and their filial piety. But Wei Mengde rose to power step by step over the corpses of millions. It's not an exaggeration to be wary of such a person.

"Lord Wei has come from thousands of miles away to provide assistance; he is a great benefactor to the people of Jiangling!" Han Chun said. "However, the city is in chaos right now, and it would be impolite to let him in so easily. I would like to trouble Brother Ziyan to go ahead first so that the city can make preparations!"

"Yep!"

"What you say, Your Excellency, is absolutely right!"

"Lord Wei also stayed in Jiangling. The current situation is truly outrageous. We should indeed make some preparations!"

Everyone spoke in unison, acting like hospitable hosts, though what they were really thinking remains unknown.

Wei army camp.

“We need to dig a trench over there, yes, all the way to the riverbank, to ensure the safety of our boats! Clear all the bushes, they'll be perfect for firewood!” Wei Cong stood on the hilltop, pointing to a patch of bushes in the distance.

"Yes, sir!" Wen Sheng responded and quietly ordered his subordinates to carry out Wei Cong's orders. He hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "My lord, Jiangling is not far from here. Why not send a messenger there to inform them?"

"What's wrong? Do you want to go into the city and get a good night's sleep?" Wei Cong asked with a smile.

"No, that's not it!" Wen Sheng smiled somewhat sheepishly. "It's just that, according to the rules, your official rank is much higher than that of the Prefect of Nan Commandery—"

“You know how I got this position as Governor of Jiaozhou!” Wei Cong smiled. “In Governor Han’s eyes, we are probably not much better than the Moth Bandits, so keeping a distance is better for everyone.”

"Are they wary of us?"

"Of course!" Wei Cong smiled. "These days, aside from fools, who wouldn't take precautions?"

"Then, then, didn't we come all this way for nothing?" Wen Sheng said angrily, "We traveled all this way with great difficulty, only to be treated like thieves!"

"We're not here for anyone else, we're here for ourselves!" Wei Cong rolled up the map on the table again and put it into the bamboo tube. "So there's nothing to be aggrieved about. The Moth Thieves' power is undeniable. If Han Chun and the others don't want to die and their clans wiped out, they have to rely on my power. Rather than meekly accepting their help, we might as well back down and let them come to me!"

Wen Sheng nodded. Just then, an officer ran over and said, "General, an envoy has arrived from Jiangling City. He says he is here on the orders of Prefect Han!"

"How about it?" Wei Cong laughed. "Take the envoy to the rear tent, closer to the elephant stables, and tell him I have something to do right now and will have time to see him later!"

Huang Wan sniffed, a strong, pungent smell rushing into his nostrils. Accustomed to a life of luxury, he instinctively covered his nose with his sleeve, but it was to no avail.

A loud roar came from outside the tent. He walked to the door and cautiously peered out. Not far away, five enormous, long-nosed beasts were by a pool, and a beast tamer was cleaning their backs with a brush. The beasts occasionally let out contented growls. Those things must be the elephants the scout had mentioned, and that strange smell must be coming from these giant beasts. A closer look was even more terrifying; it seemed Wei Cong had gained quite a bit of profit in Jiaozhou.

Huang Wan was not surprised by Wei Cong's disrespect. He was not stupid enough to be angered by such a small trick. Moreover, Wei Cong's status was now far higher than his own. Before he set off, he had prepared himself for the possibility that he might not be able to return.

Time passed quickly, and before he knew it, it was getting late. But still, no one paid any attention to Huang Wan. His stomach began to twitch slightly, so he found a clean spot in the tent, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Huang Wan heard a noise outside. He opened his eyes, but before he could stand up, the tent flap was lifted, and the light from the torches pierced his eyes. He squinted instinctively and heard someone say, "Brother Ziyan, why did they leave you in a place like this? Alas, my men are all rough men, please forgive them for offending you!"

"I wouldn't dare, this is already very good!" Huang Wan stood up. His eyesight had improved, and he saw Wei Cong standing in front of him, followed by seven or eight followers. Compared to more than two years ago, his skin was slightly darker, but his appearance hadn't changed much. However, the imposing aura of a superior holding the power of life and death was overwhelming, making Huang Wan feel somewhat dazed for a moment.

"A dragon enters the abyss, its scales and horns already formed; it cannot be replicated!" Huang Wan thought to herself.

"Ziyan, you have such a generous heart!" Wei Cong laughed. "There's no other way. With the army encamped, there's just too much to do. I've only just managed to find some time now. Since we're reunited, let's have a couple of drinks together!"

"I have come to apologize on the orders of Prefect Han!" Huang Wan bowed to Wei Cong. "Prefect Han should have come to greet me personally, but there is currently a war going on and many affairs in the city, so he cannot leave for the time being. He asked me to inform you now that he will come to pay his respects later!"

“We’re all old acquaintances, no need for formalities!” Wei Cong laughed and grabbed Huang Wan’s wrist. “Come on, let’s go to my place first. It’s too close to the elephant stables here, and the smell is pungent! A nobleman like you, who’s used to burning incense all the time, can’t stand it!”

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Compared to where Huang Wan had just been, Wei Cong's tent was like another world. The space inside was larger than the main hall of an ordinary house, filled with all sorts of luxuries: a soft cotton mattress and various silk pajamas, a charcoal brazier to ward off the chill of the night, a gilded incense burner, two leather folding chairs, a desk with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and various berries and dried fruits scattered on it; a ring of exquisite silver cups surrounding a pot of fine coconut wine; a pile of camphor wood chests filled with various changes of clothes, stacks of books, battle plans, a five-stringed zither, a horn bow, and a quiver of arrows; mirrors and a collection of meticulously crafted weapons hung on the walls, and two life-sized silver statues of maids stood beside the bed. Was this guy here to fight or on a trip? Huang Wan wondered to herself.

“I came by boat, so transporting these things is quite convenient!” Wei Cong saw through the other party’s thoughts and laughed, “Besides, there’s a lady living with me. Women naturally have more belongings!” Wei Cong patted the leather folding chair next to him, gesturing for Huang Wan to sit down.

Huang Wan looked at the leather folding chair. It was the first time he had ever seen such furniture. However, he still sat down in imitation of Wei Cong and immediately felt that his back and waist were supported. The comfortable feeling made his brows relax instantly.

"Pretty good, isn't it!" Wei Cong laughed. "If you like it, you can take one back with you."

"I wouldn't dare!" Huang Wan quickly refused. Remembering the true purpose of his trip, he hurriedly said, "Lord Wei, you just said you came by boat. I wonder if you went through Yuzhang, or—"

"It goes through the Ling Canal, then turns to the Xiang River into Dongting Lake, then out to the Yangtze River, and goes upstream to Jiangling!" Wei Cong laughed. "We've been lucky; the journey has been quite smooth!"

"Those Wuling barbarians?"

"Wuling barbarians?" Wei Cong laughed. "That cunning man didn't block the way. In exchange, I promised him that after the moth bandits are pacified, I will help him petition the court for amnesty!"

"Seek appeasement?" Huang Wan frowned. He was somewhat displeased with Wei Cong's audacity, but unsure if the other party had received authorization from the court, he thought for a moment and then asked, "That cunning man is notoriously treacherous—"

“I know that!” Wei Cong waved his hand, interrupting Huang Wan. “He wants me to go and fight the Moth Bandits to the death. If I win, he’ll ask the court for peace; if I lose, he’ll stab me in the back. I’ve already considered that. But it’s also a good thing for me. After all, the Wuling Barbarians have been causing trouble for more than a year or two. Even if I had 100,000 men, let alone 10,000, they’d just retreat into the mountains, and I wouldn’t be able to do anything about them. In the end, I’d still have to appease them, it’s just a matter of conditions. Since that’s the case, why not deal with the Moth Bandits first, and then deal with the Wuling Barbarians? In the end, the Moth Bandits are the real threat to our Han Dynasty!”

"What Lord Wei says is very true!" Huang Wan was now truly convinced: "Then what are your plans for pacifying the Moth Rebels?"

"I traveled thousands of miles from Jiaozhou to get here, mostly through wild and untamed lands. I know nothing about it, so how could I possibly make any plans?" Wei Cong laughed. "Besides, there are a hundred people in my family, and only one person is in charge. As for dealing with the Moth Bandits, whether I should follow General Feng's orders or General Feng should follow mine, the court hasn't given any answer yet. Isn't it a bit premature to talk about how to fight?"

Huang Wan forced himself to lower his head. Wei Cong's arrogance and insatiable appetite left him speechless for a moment. He actually believed he could compete with General Feng Kun for the supreme command in suppressing the Moth Rebellion—this was utterly audacious. General Feng Kun was the second-highest military commander in the Han Dynasty, after the Grand General. To attain this position, Feng Kun had shed blood and sweat for the Han Dynasty for decades; if one traced back to his ancestors, his family had been serving under the Han banner since the time of Emperor Gaozu. And Wei Cong? His current official position was already unworthy of his position.

"What's wrong? Brother Ziyan, do you think I'm not good enough?" Wei Cong asked.

"Your subordinate wouldn't dare!" Huang Wan lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with Wei Cong so that the other party would see his thoughts: "I just feel that such matters should be decided by the imperial court. As a subject, it is better to be humble and modest!"

(End of this chapter)