Taiheiki

Chapter 255 Unlucky guy

"As you said, General Feng has the highest rank, yet he has achieved nothing despite his long service, while Wei Cong is merely a Left General of the Household, yet he has made great contributions in suppressing the bandits. I'm afraid these two are—"

"I'm afraid of what?" Zhang Huan asked.

"I'm afraid this will create a rift between us!"

Zhang Huan snorted coldly. Wang Fu's words were actually a conservative assessment. Military men vying for credit was a traditional practice after a victory for the Han army. Given the vast difference in status between Wei Cong and Feng Kun, for Feng Kun, finding a pretext to punish Wei Cong, or even kill him, and thus steal the credit, was undoubtedly the most tempting option. And considering what Wei Cong had done in Jiaozhou and Yuzhang over the past few years, he was certainly no saint. This clash between the two was truly a spectacle.

"Since there is no one else available, Prefect Wang may speak frankly!"

"When the clam and the crane fight, the fisherman benefits! In my opinion, this is a golden opportunity for General Zhang!"

Zhang Huan remained silent; Wang Fu had already been quite blunt. In the campaign to quell the Moth Rebellion, Zhang Huan was a latecomer. Logically, when it came to rewards, he'd be lucky to receive even a scrap. But if, as Wang Fu said, Wei Cong and Feng Kun were truly locked in a life-or-death struggle, then he, the latecomer, could swallow the lion's share of the credit, making the highest office and a marquisate easily within his grasp. Thinking of this, Zhang Huan's breathing became heavier.

"Brother Ranming!" At this moment, Wang Fu could not help but add fuel to the fire, saying, "If I remember correctly, you were born in the sixteenth year of Yongyuan, and you are already fifty-six years old this year. In your early years, you studied under Grand Commandant Zhu Chong, and studied the Ouyang Shangshu. You also edited and wrote the Mou Shi Zhangju, and you were quite famous for your literary talent. You were recommended as a virtuous and talented person, and you ranked first in the policy questions. Later, you were appointed as the Commandant of the Dependent State, where you quelled the rebellion of the Southern Xiongnu and made great contributions to governing the people. You can be said to be both a scholar and a warrior, and your future is limitless."

Unfortunately, it was General Liang Ji who initially recruited you into officialdom. After the Liang clan was destroyed, you were implicated, dismissed from your post, and imprisoned. Apart from Huangfu Gui, who was also from Liangzhou, no one dared to speak up for you. Although it was later verified that you had no connection with the Liang clan, your career naturally suffered. Prefect of Wuwei and General Who Crosses the Liao River were both arduous posts in the border regions. Why, then?

"Isn't it because you're from Liangzhou? If you were from Yingchuan, Runan, the Three Auxiliary Regions, or Henan, would no one speak up for you when you encounter trouble? Ultimately, you owe your current position to the Xiongnu, Xianbei, Qianghu, and Ezekiel. Without their constant disturbances, you wouldn't have been given such arduous positions as Prefect of Wuwei, General Who Crosses the Liao River, Protector of the Qiang, or Commander of the Southern Xiongnu; you would have been sent back to Liangzhou to retire long ago!"

Upon hearing Wang Fu's words, Zhang Huan's face turned pale, then red, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions, bitter and difficult to express. Wang Fu's words touched upon a crucial phenomenon in the political arena of the mid-to-late Eastern Han Dynasty—the military advancement and marginalization of Liangzhou scholars. The Eastern Han Dynasty, founded on Confucianism and with its capital in Luoyang, gradually shifted its political center eastward from the Guanzhong region of the Western Han Dynasty to the more economically and culturally prosperous Guandong region. The Liangzhou scholars, originally from good families in the six commanderies, skilled in martial arts and archery, and serving the emperor, lost their previously important position in the empire. Coupled with the costly Han-Qiang wars since the mid-Eastern Han Dynasty, voices calling for the abandonment of Liangzhou emerged within the imperial center. This undoubtedly caused a subtle shift in the position of Liangzhou scholars within the Eastern Han Empire. On the one hand, the prolonged Han-Qiang wars increased the proportion of Liangzhou scholars in the imperial armed forces; on the other hand, their position in the political center became increasingly marginalized.

The fate of the "Three Masters of Liangzhou," representing the Liangzhou literati, serves as a typical example. Huangfu Gui, Zhang Huan, and Duan Jiong were not only outstanding generals but also devoted considerable time to classical studies. Huangfu Gui and Zhang Huan, in particular, were prolific writers, established schools, and dedicated themselves to teaching and lecturing, considering themselves Confucian scholars. However, despite their exceptional talent and numerous achievements, all three experienced setbacks in their official careers. Zhang Huan and Duan Jiong both attained high-ranking positions and were ennobled only by acting as intermediaries for eunuchs; one later resigned voluntarily, and the other was imprisoned and died as a result. Clearly, this was related to their identity as Liangzhou literati.

Seeing that he had failed to persuade Zhang Huan, Wang Fu continued, "Look at Wei Cong. First, he took advantage of the uprising of the Moth Rebellion, leading tens of thousands of unruly thugs south into Jiaozhou, seizing Panyu, and then defeating the county troops one after another. These are all capital offenses! Why did the court not only not punish him, but also recognize him as the governor of Jiaozhou and even grant him a marquisate? Isn't it because he curried favor with the Yuan family of Runan? He bribed Yuan Wei? With such a useful military man as a lackey, not only will you have no chance of advancement, but I'm afraid that in the future, even scholars in Liangzhou who want to become military men will not be able to do so!"

"Alright, stop talking!" Zhang Huan interrupted Wang Fu's persuasion, his eyes already filled with murderous intent: "I'm asking you, what are your intentions in telling me all this?"

"What are your intentions?" Wang Fu laughed. "I just feel sorry for you, Zhang Ranming. You've fought against the Qiang, Hu, and Xianbei in the border regions for half your life, and you've made countless military achievements. In the end, you still have to grovel before a junior who is not even thirty years old!"

"What does that have to do with you?" Zhang Huan sneered. "Besides, even if I did as you suggested and just watched Wei Cong and Feng Kun fight each other, whether or not they are granted titles in the end is still up to the court."

"Is that so?" Wang Fu sneered. "Even at this point, you still think the imperial court has the final say? If that's really the case, what is that Young Master Dong doing in Jingzhou today?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you understand?" Wang Fu shook his head: "This Young Master Dong is here on the Emperor's orders!"

"The Emperor's decree?" Zhang Huan finally understood: "Could it be that the Emperor wants to borrow foreign troops?"

"You're not completely stupid after all! The Emperor already wants to take action against the Grand General, but he has no one else he can rely on, so he has no choice but to bring in foreign troops to the capital for reinforcements! This Young Master Dong came to Jingzhou for that very purpose!"

“General Dou is a renowned scholar!” Zhang Huan’s expression turned ugly.

"So what?" Wang Fu sneered. "Don't forget you're from Liangzhou. When General Dou selects people, the first thing he looks at is reputation. How can you, a Liangzhou native, possibly compare to the famous scholars of Ru and Ying? Besides, aren't the good families of the six prefectures already the emperor's lackeys? Since they're lackeys, why bother trying to align themselves with the famous scholars?"

This time, Wang Fu finally hit the nail on the head regarding Zhang Huan's innermost thoughts. Zhang Huan lowered his head and remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "You want me to sit back and watch the tigers fight?"

"That's right! That young master Dong is definitely planning to choose one of you, Feng Kun, and Wei Cong as an outside helper. As for who it will be, we'll have to see who's left in the end! Do you understand?"

——————————————————————————————

Wancheng Post Station.

Sitting on the couch, already somewhat tipsy, Dong Zhong was having two maids soak his feet. The two maids were both in their prime. They filled a wooden tub with hot water, sprinkling it with dried mugwort and ginger slices. Dong Zhong felt as if countless tiny needles were pricking his feet, an intensely pleasurable sensation. This comfortable feeling made him squint his eyes.

dong dong!

There was a knock at the door. Who could it be at this hour? Dong Zhong asked with displeasure, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Kuai Sheng's voice came from outside the door. Dong Zhong sighed helplessly and gestured for the maid to dry his feet: "Please come in, Lord Kuai!"

The door was pushed open, and two people entered. Behind Kuai Sheng was a tall and robust man with a square face, a three-pronged beard, and an air of authority between his brows: "I am Deng Zhong from Nanyang, paying my respects to Young Master Dong!"

"So it's Young Master Deng!" Dong Zhong recognized Deng Zhong's identity and quickly stood up to return the greeting: "What brings you here so late at night?"

"A letter from Marquis Wei himself! Please, young master!" Deng Zhong took out the letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "So fast!" Dong Zhong took the letter with surprise and doubt. He had only been in Wancheng for a day, how could Wei Cong have a letter?
"This was left here by Marquis Wei earlier. He said he would present it to you as soon as you arrived in Wancheng!" Deng Zhong said with a smile.

Dong nodded, opened the letter and began to read it. The letter was short, only forty or fifty words in total, and could be summarized in one sentence: "Support the emperor's personal rule. Anyone who opposes him is a traitor and should be punished by the whole world!"

"Good, good! I understand Marquis Wei's loyalty to the Emperor!" Dong Zhong nodded happily. "After I return to Luoyang, I will definitely report Marquis Wei's loyalty to the Emperor, and the Emperor will be very pleased!"

"Young Master Dong!" Deng Zhong said with a smile, "If I may be so bold as to say this, it was easy for you to come out this time, but if you go back, it will be difficult for you to come out again next time!"

Dong Zhong sensed the hidden meaning in the other party's words and asked, "Young Master Deng, please speak frankly!"

"It's very simple. Right now, the capital is vulnerable, while a large number of troops are stationed outside, making it a case of a weak trunk and strong branches. Dou Youping is just an empty shell; he'll break easily, and he won't dare to go too far in many matters. But if a few months pass and the troops from the Three Rivers and Five Schools who went out to quell the rebellion return to their respective garrisons, then Dou Youping, with his righteous cause and the troops at his disposal, will indeed be able to make decisions on many things with a single word. By then, it will be too late!"

Dong Zhong instinctively looked to Kuai Sheng for help; he had long been accustomed to relying on this man. Kuai Sheng said, "Young master, what Lord Deng said is very true. As long as the Moth Rebels are not quelled, General Dou will be unable to do anything. Time is of the essence; you must not delay!"

"Then, what should I do?"

"Summon Zhang Huan, Feng Kun, and Wei Cong to one place as soon as possible, and then read the Emperor's secret edict aloud in front of them. Those who obey will be rewarded, and those who disobey will be executed. With their army at your command, you will be invincible!"

"I understand!" Dong nodded. "Then let's do as Master Kuai says. Tomorrow I will go to see Zhang Huan and express my intention to go south, and see if he will follow me!"

"Young master is indeed exceptionally intelligent!" Kuai Sheng said with a smile.

————————————————————————

Xiakou.

After their greatest victory, a sense of complacency pervaded the Wei army. Even the most strict officers began to turn a blind eye to their subordinates' misbehavior. The soldiers, their pockets bulging, started discussing rewards and longed to return home, lay down their weapons, and resume a comfortable and peaceful life.

Of course, among the small group of people around Wei Cong who knew the core secrets, the atmosphere was quite different. They had been told about Wei Cong's next plan, and after being shocked by the inside story, they admired their leader's ambition and vision even more. They firmly believed that it was no accident that Heaven would bring someone like Wei Cong into the world; he was destined to do something that would shake the world, and they would be the lucky ones to be remembered in history.

"General, Feng Charioteer's messenger has arrived!" Huang Ping said.

"Okay, let him in!" Wei Cong nodded.

The messenger was a eloquent young military officer. After congratulating Wei Cong, he presented Feng Kun's handwritten letter with both hands. The letter was simple. In it, Feng Kun first congratulated Wei Cong on his recent victory and then invited him to Xiangyang in seven days to attend a banquet to celebrate the victory in suppressing the Moth bandits.
"Go and rest for now! I'll have someone give you the receipt!"

"Here!"

As soon as the messenger left, Wen Sheng asked, "General, what did Feng Kun write in his letter?" "Nothing much, just some platitudes!" Wei Cong yawned. "And he also invited me to a banquet in Xiangyang in seven days!"

"Attending a banquet?" Wen Sheng immediately tensed up: "General, you must be careful! I'm afraid Feng Kun is playing tricks!"

"Playing tricks?" Wei Cong turned to Huang Ping: "What do you think?"

"I'm not quite sure!" Huang Ping hesitated for a moment. "I know very little, so I can't say who's right and who's wrong. But it's true that one should always be wary of others!"

"Hmm!" Wei Cong turned to the others: "What about you guys? Feel free to speak your mind; no one is guilty of speaking out!"

“Godfather! I don’t know if Feng Kun has the same idea, but a son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof. Your life and safety are now tied to the lives of millions of soldiers and civilians in Jiaozhou. You cannot afford to make any mistakes!” Nie Sheng said, “Why don’t you let me go to Luoyang in your place? You can stay in Xiakou and say you are ill!”

"Young master, this is a good idea!" Li He clapped his hands. "You are the general's adopted son, and you are the closest of father and son. If you go in the general's place, no one will have anything to say about you!"

"Ah Sheng, you're going?" Wei Cong frowned. "If Feng Kun really wants to harm me, wouldn't you regret it for the rest of your life if you went in my place?"

"Godfather, Feng Kun will only harm you, not me. Otherwise, if he harms me, he will have to face your wrath himself. He would never do such a foolish thing!"

Wei Cong nodded. He understood what Nie Sheng meant. As long as he was alive and had the ability to retaliate, Feng Kun would not harm Nie Sheng or do such a foolish thing that would harm others without benefiting himself.

"Then I'll trouble you to make the trip, Ah Sheng!" Wei Cong nodded. "Just tell them I've caught a cold and won't get better anytime soon. Please inquire after Commander Feng on my behalf!"

"Here!"

"Also, news of our great victory at Xiakou should have reached Wancheng by now. The imperial court will have to send someone to give an explanation, and that young master Dong must have taken this opportunity to come to Jingzhou! That's our chance!"

(End of this chapter)