Taiheiki

Chapter 323 A way out
How much support do they have? A bitter smile crept onto Zhang Huan's lips—seven thousand infantry, two thousand cavalry, and four thousand archers. That was all the force he had taken from Luoyang.

This was not because Luoyang lacked more troops available for conscription at that time. In fact, after quelling the Eren bandits, Wei Cong was able to settle tens of thousands of meritorious soldiers around Luoyang by dividing the imperial gardens and confiscating the land of the Yuan family and eunuchs. This not only quickly filled the original garrison shortage in Luoyang, but also increased the potential number of troops in the central government several times over, bringing the central strength of the Eastern Han Empire to its historical peak.

Zhang Huan's decision to bring only this many troops was entirely his own—having spent many years in the border regions of Bingzhou and Youzhou, he was well aware of the local grain storage situation. Due to the dry and cold climate and the rise of powerful clans, large areas of military settlements in the northern border regions during the Western Han and early Eastern Han dynasties had disappeared, and the local population had also decreased significantly, consequently reducing the number and size of the army that could be maintained. Zhang Huan was well aware of this.

"We can only bluff!" Zhang Huan thought to himself. "The upper echelons of the Southern Xiongnu tribes should still be loyal to the Han Dynasty. After all, it has been more than 120 years since the Southern Xiongnu established their Khanate in Wuyuan in the 24th year of Jianwu. In these 120 years, the noble chieftains of the Southern Xiongnu tribes have eaten Han grain, worn Han silk, and been granted titles and intermarried with the Han. They are no longer the barbarians who drank blood and ate raw meat as they once were."

These are things that Tanshihuai cannot provide. Even Xiutuge, it is likely, fled to the borderlands because he failed in his struggle for the throne and feared being harmed. As long as his safety can be guaranteed, he will naturally return to Han. After all, who would want to suffer on the grasslands when they can live a good life in Han? But the lower classes of the Southern Xiongnu tribes are a different story. In the end, they will not receive the rewards from the court, but they will still be exploited by the tribal chiefs, yet they cannot plunder southwards. Perhaps some of them want to follow Tanshihuai, like the former Great Chanyu of the Xiongnu—”

"General, general!"

The sounds from outside interrupted Zhang Huan's thoughts. He sat up abruptly, his right hand already gripping the sword beside his pillow: "What is it?"

"An urgent messenger has arrived from Jinyang!"

"Let him in quickly!"

When the messenger entered, Zhang Huan was already wearing the bearskin cloak and sitting in the exquisite folding chair that Wei Cong had given him: "What happened in Bingzhou?"

"Four days ago, the Southern Xiongnu tribes of Yunzhong County were lured by Xiutuge, killed their chieftain, and rebelled and fled north from the border. When Ren Xiao, the Southern Xiongnu General, learned of this, he led his troops to pursue them."

"And the result?" Zhang Huan asked anxiously.

"There was no result when I set out!" The messenger raised his head, revealing his dust-covered face.

Zhang Huan sighed deeply, setting the letter aside. His worst fears had come true, but he didn't read it. In the winter of the 26th year of Jianwu, the Southern Xiongnu suffered a setback in their war against the Northern Xiongnu. Emperor Guangwu relocated them from Wuyuan south to Meiji County in Xihe Commandery (north of present-day Nalin Town, Jungar Banner, Inner Mongolia), and appointed a General to lead troops to garrison the area, protecting and monitoring the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu. His forces included "two thousand cavalry and five hundred convicts," the convicts likely serving as soldiers. The Southern Xiongnu were then dispersed to Beidi Commandery in Liangzhou, Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, Yanmen, and Dingxiang Commandery in Bingzhou, and Dai Commandery in Youzhou, forming the first line of defense for the Northern Frontier of the Eastern Han Dynasty, along with Xihe Commandery where the Khan's court was located. The defection of the Southern Xiongnu tribe in Yunzhong Commandery meant a gap had appeared in this line of defense, further weakening the Han Dynasty's position.

"Go and rest well. Tomorrow at dawn, change to another horse and head to Luoyang to report this matter to the General!"

"Hello, I am Fan Yang. This is the 'Baihu Tongzhengyi' that I borrowed from you. This is a copy that I made. Please take a look!" Fan Yang carefully opened the package, revealing the original and the copy inside.

"Oh, oh, it's Mr. Fan, isn't it!" The steward looked at the neat handwriting on the cover of the copybook and his eyes lit up. "Good, good handwriting. How about this, you wait here for a moment while I take it to the owner to take a look, and then I'll bring you the payment for copying the book?"

"Thank you very much!" Fan Yang said with a smile. "I am studying at the Imperial Academy. If there is any copying work in your household, could you please give it to me? Firstly, it will allow me to learn more, and secondly, it will provide me with some extra money for firewood and rice!"

"Understood, understood!" the steward laughed. "Luoyang Residence is not easy to come by! There aren't many Imperial Academy students as diligent as you these days. Don't worry, if there's anything that needs copying, you'll definitely be there!" With that, he took the book and walked into the courtyard.

"Thank you for your trouble!" Fan Yang bowed slightly to the steward's retreating figure and waited patiently. In ancient times, before printing, copying books was a way for scholars to support themselves. The money earned from copying this copy of *Baihu Tongzhengyi*, after deducting the cost of ink and other expenses, was enough for Fan Yang's expenses in Luoyang for nearly two months. He was just calculating what to buy after receiving his payment when he heard a series of footsteps. Looking up, he saw the steward had arrived. He quickly smiled and said, "Steward, you've worked hard!"

"Enough!" The steward's face was as if it were covered in paste, cold and hard: "Your name is Fan Yang? From Youzhou?"

"That's right! I am indeed from Zhuojun in Youzhou!"

"This is your payment for copying books!" The steward threw a blue cloth bag in front of Fan Yang: "Don't come here again!"

"What, why is this?" Fan Yang was taken aback and quickly picked up the bag and offered it to Fan Yang: "Could it be that there is a mistake in the book I copied? If so, I absolutely dare not accept this money!"

"You don't know the reason?" The steward had a half-smile on his face. "Then forget it, go back and think about it carefully! Also, not only here, but I doubt any other place will give you the chance to borrow or copy books!" With that, he closed the courtyard gate and left.

"Won't other places give me the chance to copy books?" Fan Yang was skeptical. He picked up the money bag from the ground, carefully put it away, and tried going to two places where he used to borrow and copy books. Sure enough, as soon as he gave his name, the other party's attitude changed drastically. He was refused whether he wanted to borrow books or copy books to earn some money for firewood and rice. The servants and stewards on the other side also showed a kind of contempt that they tried their best to hide.

"Could this matter be related to everything that happened at the tavern that day?" Fan Yang thought for a moment, but then felt that it shouldn't be that likely. If he had to say he had offended anyone, it would only be Bian Rang and Liu Fan. These two people have such great abilities that they could prevent him from even borrowing books. It couldn't be that serious, could it?

Fan Yang walked back to his residence, lost in thought. Just then, he heard Wang Kuang's familiar voice from outside: "I'm furious! This is simply outrageous!"

"Wang Kuang?" Fan Yang asked Wang Kuang, who stormed in, "You were making such a racket outside just now, what happened to you?"

"What else could it be? It's just those snobbish bastards!" Wang Kuang angrily picked up the water jug ​​from the table, gulped down a bellyful of water, wiped his mouth, and said, "I was going to listen to the *Book of Rites* at Biyong's place today, but as soon as I arrived, a few clueless bastards blocked my way, saying I was Wei Cong's lackey and didn't deserve to listen to the *Book of Rites*. If it weren't for the inconvenient location, I would have drawn my sword and killed those two bastards!"

“Actually, what they said isn’t entirely wrong!” Fan Yang laughed. “You are now an assistant officer to the Commandant of the Capital Region, receiving an annual salary of two hundred shi of grain. What else could you be but Wei Cong’s lackey and henchman?”

"Nonsense! I am clearly an official of the court. General Wei is in charge of the Imperial Secretariat, wielding immense power. From the Three Dukes down to the lowest clerk, who doesn't obey his orders? Are all the civil and military officials Wei Cong's lackeys and henchmen?" Wang Kuang angrily retorted, "Take Liu Fan for example. His father was just transferred to the position of Vice Minister of Agriculture by imperial decree. What is his father? A lackey and henchman too?" "What I mean is that you received a salary from Wei Cong, so it's only right that you get a few scoldings." Fan Yang plopped down on the bed. "Look at me, I only said a few kind words, and I've already suffered collateral damage!"

"What happened to you? Did you go to Piyong today too?"

"I'm going to return the book!" Fan Yang recounted how he had just gone to return the book, only to be refused entry after giving his name, and how he had been turned away at several other places he frequented.

"This is outrageous!" Wang Kuang roared. "This is too much! It was just a few words, why should someone be put to death? Not letting me attend lectures at Biyong is one thing, but even suppressing your earnings from copying books is like driving someone to their doom! Brother Fan!" He grabbed Fan Yang's arm. "When Pan Yang summoned you to serve Wei Cong, you hesitated. But he doesn't care about such things. If you're not an ally, you're a mortal enemy. Why don't you just go serve Wei Cong like me? At least you'll get your annual salary of two hundred shi of grain, enough to fill your stomach!"

Fan Yang thought about it and realized that he couldn't think of a way to support himself while studying. Moreover, judging from Liu Fan and Bian Rang's attitude, he knew he had a lot of hardship ahead of him. He had no other way out but to join the Sili Commandant's office like Wang Kuang.

"Well, that's all we can do!" Fan Yang said with a wry smile. "I just hope that Pan Yang will still want me!"

“Brother Fan’s talent surpasses mine tenfold. Pan Yang originally came looking for you that day. Now that Brother Fan has come to your door, how could he refuse him?” Wang Kuang said with a smile.

Having made up their minds, the two immediately left and headed towards the Sili Commandant's residence. Wang Kuang took out his waist token and led Fan Yang through the gate, passing through a long corridor to a secluded courtyard: "Brother Fan, please wait a moment while I go and inform him!"

"Thank you for your trouble!" Fan Yang cupped his hands in greeting.

Wang Kuang came out again shortly after entering, made a gesture, and led Fan Yang into the courtyard, to the left wing. There, Fan Yang stood beside a young man in black robes, speaking respectfully. Wang Kuang tugged at Fan Yang's sleeve and bowed to the young man, saying, "Military Advisor Qin, the man has been brought!"

Fan Yang reacted quickly and hurriedly bowed as well: "Fan Yang greets Military Advisor Qin!"

"No need for formalities, stand up and speak!" The young man in black gestured, looked Fan Yang up and down, and suddenly asked, "Are you from the border region?"

"I am from Zhuojun in Youzhou, which is more than a hundred li away from the border region!" Fan Yang replied cautiously.

"Can you ride a horse?"

"Yes!" Fan Yang answered decisively this time: "I have several inferior horses at home, which I have been used to riding since I was a child!"

"Very good!" the young man in black laughed. Fan Yang was somewhat confused. What did his ability to ride a horse have to do with working for the Sili Commandant's Office? Weren't they planning to have him as a spy among the Imperial Academy students?

"Then leave these two to me!" the young man in black said to Pan Yang. "I have some things to attend to, so I'll head back first. Tell them to get ready and report to my place this afternoon!"

"Understood, sir!" Pan Yang respectfully saw the young man in black to the door, only returning after the man's figure had completely disappeared. Fan Yang asked, somewhat bewildered, "What's going on? Wang Kuang and I are nothing, why are we being passed around like this!"

Pan Yang wasn't annoyed. He chuckled and went back inside to sit down, pointing at Fan Yang and saying, "You're a lucky man! Do you know who that was just now? That's Military Advisor Qin, the General's confidant. He's always in and out of the mansion and sees the General quite often! He came here looking for a few servants and picked you two out at a glance. Hey, who knows, in a couple of years, I might still be relying on you two for my services!"

"Military Advisor Qin? The General's confidant?" Fan Yang frowned. "His demeanor doesn't seem like it!" Although he came from a powerful family in a county, he had spent several years in Luoyang and broadened his horizons. He could naturally tell that the young man in black robes just now lacked the dignified and elegant bearing of a scion of a noble family. This was undeniable.

"Not surprising!" Pan Yang waved his hand. "The Great General rose from humble beginnings, and many of his entourage were only average in this regard. But this is also a good thing for you, otherwise you wouldn't have had the opportunity to rise!"

At this point, he realized he had misspoke and quickly laughed, "Just pretend I didn't say anything. You two should be careful in front of Military Advisor Qin, or don't blame me for not teaching you a lesson!"

Wang and Fan hurriedly nodded. Pan Yang then helped Fan Yang complete the registration and retrieved his robe and waist tag. After the two returned home and tidied up, they headed to the General's Mansion.

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The General's Mansion.

"The empire is collapsing!" Wei Cong put down the letter in his hand and let out a long sigh.

As a time traveler, Wei Cong was probably the most pessimistic about the defense of the Han Empire's northern borders. He knew very well that the real difficulty of this crisis was not how powerful the military forces of the northern barbarians were. On the contrary, at least in Wei Cong's lifetime, the military forces of the Xianbei, Wuhuan, Qiang, Shi, Jie, and Xiongnu barbarians were nothing to the Han Empire.

In a sense, these barbarian tribes never intended to destroy the Han Empire; they were already accustomed to being vassals and dependents of their own empire. Liu Yuan, a member of the Southern Xiongnu, even considered himself a successor to the Han Empire in history.

(End of this chapter)