Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 147 Balance
The night wind carried the lingering smell of gunpowder from the walls of Jinyang city and into the prefectural governor's mansion, which had just changed hands.

Inside the study, the flickering lamplight cast deep shadows on Zhang Xian's eye sockets and tightly pursed thin lips.

On the desk, documents piled up like hills, telling the story of the Wang family's centuries-long history and the suffocating complexities of Taiyuan Prefecture.

He had just stepped into the city when there was no grand entrance ceremony with banners waving, only a weary body covered in dust and a sharp glint in his eyes.

Although the flags had been changed on the walls of Jinyang, the shadow of the Luoyang palaces hung like a cold iron chain around his neck, tightening silently.

“My lord,” Xun Yu’s voice was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, calm yet stirring ripples.

He gently pushed a piece of plain silk across the table: "The downfall of the Wang family has shaken the foundations of a century, and there will surely be turmoil in the Luoyang court. The Ten Attendants are greedy and may be tempted for a while, but the mouths of the upright officials and the suspicions of the powerful cannot be silenced by gold and silver."

Zhang Xian's gaze swept across the silk, and one name after another came into view.

Wang Lie, Chen Ji... were all well-known figures in Taiyuan County, but for various reasons they were marginalized or even suppressed by the Wang family.

His slender fingers unconsciously tapped the hard rosewood tabletop, producing soft tapping sounds, as if he were playing an invisible game of chess, each tap of his fingertips striking an invisible chess piece.

“What Wenruo said hits the nail on the head.” He raised his eyes, and the candlelight flickered with a calm light in his deep, pool-like eyes.

"Shi Lin".

When he visited Jinyang this time, he only brought Xun Yu and Gu Yu with him. Guo Jia and Zhao Yun led eight hundred cavalrymen north to Qiangyin, leaving more than two thousand soldiers to guard the defense of Jinyang.

Han Ji relinquished his command and returned to Luchi to oversee the situation. Before Taiyuan was fully under his control, Luchi remained his stronghold, and he needed someone he could absolutely trust.

"Your subject is here." Gu Yu, who was standing to the side, immediately bowed, like a taut bow.

“The Wang family has accumulated countless rare and precious treasures over the past century. Please select a few,” Zhang Xian said in a calm and even tone.

"I want something so rare that the likes of Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong would be mesmerized and unable to look away, accompanied by the finest sable fur, fine horses, and sugar frosting from Bingzhou."

Gu Yu understood immediately: "My lord, rest assured, the treasury has been inventoried. Among them is a Hetian blood jade dragon-shaped disc, its color like congealed blood, with superb carving skills, and a gold-inlaid Boshan incense burner, with purple smoke rising, like a fairyland."

These items are enough to satisfy the lusts of those eunuchs.

“Good.” Zhang Xian nodded: “Then, under the pretext of ‘confiscating the property of the rebels and presenting it to the Emperor, humbly requesting the Eunuch to present it on our behalf,’ we will find the most inconspicuous yet safest passage and deliver it to the private residences of Zhang and Zhao.”

He pondered for a moment: "You shall draft the letter yourself. The words must be humble, praising those who serve Your Majesty day and night. We, the crude and uncouth warriors of the borderlands, can only rely on the eunuch to see clearly before the Emperor and 'guide us through the maze'!"
Remember, maintain a humble attitude and show great courtesy! At the very least, make the Emperor feel that this turmoil in Bingzhou was unavoidable, and certainly not an act of insubordination!

"Yes, sir!" Gu Yu cupped his hands in greeting. "I understand, and I will not fail in my mission!"

He turned and retreated into the deeper shadows, his footsteps silent.

Zhang Xian's gaze returned to Xun Yu, his calm eyes now filled with confidence.

"Wenruo understands the Luoyang court better than I do. Besides the eunuch faction, is there any other plan?"

Xun Yu already had a plan in mind, and he spoke lightly...

"In Luoyang, Yang Cigong, whose family has produced three high-ranking officials across four generations, is renowned for his virtue and prestige, and is regarded as the North Star by the people of Qingliu."

Liu Taogong, an advisor to the emperor, was known for his uprightness and integrity, and was called "the Phoenix."

Chen Dan held the high position of Grand Commandant, and although he was controlled by eunuchs, his prestige remained, and he placed great importance on border affairs.

"These three people may be able to understand the perilous situation on the frontier."

Zhang Xian pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.

"Only Wenruo can probably influence the minds of these three."

Upon hearing this, Xun Yu smiled humbly yet confidently, his sleeves fluttering slightly as he bowed respectfully: "For the sake of my lord, I will do my utmost."

He calmly took the plain white silk prepared on the table, concentrated for a moment, dipped the tip of his brush in thick ink, and his mind was already filled with profound thoughts.

"I, Xian, the General of the Xiongnu, respectfully present this letter to Grand Minister Yang (Grand Counselor Liu and Grand Commandant Chen). I am but a military man, and should not trouble you with trivial matters. However, the affairs of Bingzhou concern the nation and the border defenses. The people are in dire straits, and the situation is perilous. It is like a fishbone stuck in my throat, and I must speak out..."

Zhang Xian stood quietly to one side, his gaze following Xun Yu's brushstrokes.

"...The Wang family has lived in Taiyuan for generations and should have been protecting the northern frontier. However, they colluded with the barbarians and smuggled ironware, salt, and grain to supply the enemy with weapons! The flames of war at Yanmen Pass have raged for years, and countless loyal souls have shed their blood on the battlefield. The blood and sweat of the border people have all gone into Wang Ze's private coffers!"

The writing style abruptly shifts, describing the difficulty and helplessness of the choices made, before returning to a somber tone.

"...When the new policies were first introduced, taxes were reduced to alleviate the people's suffering, the 'Judicial Office' was established to seek justice, and talented people from humble backgrounds were promoted to broaden their career paths...I was extremely cautious and apprehensive, as if walking on thin ice, but I was also lacking in talent and virtue, and felt terrified."

"I humbly beseech Your Excellency, considering the perilous situation on the northern frontier and the suffering of the people, to generously bestow upon you wise strategies for pacifying the people and defending against the invaders. I, Xian, bow twice and respectfully await your instruction!"

Xun Yu finished his last stroke, the force penetrating the silk, and then put down his brush. The ink gleamed coldly under the lamplight, the accusations and pleas between the lines weighing heavily on the paper.

"This letter has been delivered," Xun Yu's voice carried a calm that seemed to have settled the matter. "Even if it cannot immediately gain the wholehearted support of the three of you, it is enough to show that we are not acting for personal gain, but have a truly unavoidable predicament and have made real achievements in securing the borders and protecting the people. The hostility of the Qingliu core may be dispelled without a trace."

Zhang Xian's gaze lingered on the silk for a long time before he finally nodded: "Excellent! Wenruo's writing is exquisite, every word a gem, combining reason and emotion, truly admirable."

"You flatter me, my lord." Xun Yu returned the greeting calmly, his gaze once again falling on the list that carried the future of Bingzhou.

Zhang Xian followed his gaze and looked over.
Xun Yu stood up and said, "The ministers all have plans for the Ten Attendants, but to silence the dissent of scholars, we still need to recommend virtuous and talented individuals with a good reputation."

"Wang Lie, a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Guo Tai, lived in seclusion in the countryside of Taiyuan, where he was renowned for his virtue and prestige."

Chen Ji, son of the famous minister Chen Shi, is currently a doctoral student at the county school, and possesses profound talent and ability.

These two individuals were respected enough to command respect, and they had no prior connection with the Wang family; in fact, they were subtly being ostracized by them.

Zhang Xian nodded and sighed, "One link after another is crucial, it's like walking on thin ice. Is Wenruo really confident in getting these two out?"

Xun Yu smiled confidently and bowed respectfully: "Your lord's recommendation is sufficient; leave the rest to me!"

"Then I'll leave it to Wenruo!"

Having said that, he took the official imperial edict and wrote it down himself. A true talent indeed; in just a few days, he grasped the crucial connections between Bingzhou and the imperial court and devised a plan.

In weighing the options, none of Lü Si's group could surpass Xun Yu. Even Han Ji, just as he himself had said, had to give way to Xun Yu's talent, even for him, Zhang Xian's most capable civil official.

Zhang Xian shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions, and began to write.

"Your humble servant, Zhang Xian, the General of the Xiongnu, is filled with trepidation and trepidation. I humbly submit this memorial to report... I have found two virtuous men in Taiyuan whose talents and virtues are sufficient for great undertakings. I humbly beg Your Majesty's grace to promote them, so as to bring peace to the region and demonstrate Your Majesty's benevolence..."

The brushstrokes lavish praise on Wang Lie.

"The late Wang Liegong, a leading student of the Imperial Academy and a distinguished disciple of the great Confucian scholar Guo Linzong, was learned in both heaven and man, and of noble character... In the past, he avoided the corrupt currents and lived in seclusion in the countryside... Your servant recommends Wang Liegong to be the Prefect of Taiyuan, to be in charge of education and to set an example for all, and requests that he be granted the honorary title of 'Grand Master of the Palace' to honor his virtue..."

He also praised Chen Ji generously.

"Chen Ji, courtesy name Yuanfang, is the adopted son of the late Chen Gong, the magistrate of Taiqiu, and a descendant of a distinguished family in Yingchuan. He has a profound family tradition of learning and possesses great talent and keen insight. In the past, due to his upright character and refusal to curry favor with the powerful, he was relegated to a low-ranking position, truly a pearl hidden in the dust. I have observed that he possesses exceptional talent and is resolute and decisive, fully capable of handling the complexities of a busy county. I earnestly request that he be appointed as the Chief Clerk of Taiyuan Prefecture to allow him to fully utilize his abilities..."

A few days later, Luoyang.

Deep within the private residence of Zhang Rang, a high-ranking official, incense burned in the warm chambers.

He repeatedly stroked a piece of Hetian blood jade dragon-patterned disc, its surface warm and smooth like congealed blood, in his well-maintained hands. The dragon pattern on the disc seemed to rise into the air under the candlelight, making his narrow eyes gleam with a sharp light.

Beside it, wisps of purple smoke rose from a gilded incense burner, emitting a fragrant aroma. On the table, there were also piles of fine Bingzhou sable fur and boxes of icing sugar.

"Tsk... Zhang Xian is quite sensible."

Zhao Zhong's voice carried a hint of languid satisfaction as his fingertips traced the smooth, watery tips of the mink fur.

“It’s rare to find such filial piety and insight among the border warriors. As for the Wang family in Jinyang… they’re a big and powerful family, so they’re bound to attract attention. If they fall, so be it. The important thing is that there needs to be someone who understands the situation to speak to the emperor.”

Zhang Rang smiled knowingly and carefully put the jade disc into the brocade box.

"That's right. Zhang Xian is sensible and knows who is truly discerning before the Emperor. However, it's also fortunate that he stumbled upon this opportunity. Recently, His Majesty has been greatly angered by those powerful families, and now, as soon as he gets angry, a loyal and virtuous person has come to vent His Majesty's anger."

"This guy is also a lucky charm!"

The study of Situ Yangcifu was filled with the refreshing scent of sandalwood.

The leader, whose family had held high office for four generations, unfolded the long letter written by Xun Yu. At first, he frowned slightly, but when he read about the Wang family's treason and aiding the enemy in providing iron and salt, his fingers, which were twirling his beard, tightened suddenly, and he actually broke off several strands of his gray beard!
A chilling anger rose from between his brows.

He suppressed his anger and continued reading. The letter described the precarious state of the border and the rampage of the barbarian cavalry. The new policies Zhang Xian had initiated, such as tax reduction, judicial reform, and employment of poor scholars, gradually eased his furrowed brows, and he fell into a long silence.

Finally, he slowly folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve. Facing the deep night outside the window, he let out a barely audible sigh: "The methods are ruthless... but judging from his intentions, he seems to care about the country and the border defense. If the new policies can really be implemented... it would be... a powerful remedy."

Although the hostility has not completely disappeared, the cold scrutiny has softened.

The residence of Liu Tao, the Grand Counselor, was quite different.

After reading the letter, the doctor, known for his fierce and impassioned manner, slammed his hand on the desk with a loud "crack," causing the brushes on the brush holder to jump up and splash ink onto his sleeves.

"Well done! That was satisfying!" His hair and beard bristled, his eyes blazing with fury. "That scoundrel Wang Ze! He colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, he deserves to die! Zhang Xian's actions were a righteous act of eliminating a traitor for the nation! It's a great relief to the people!"

He paced excitedly in the room, his eyes scanning the words in the letter such as "establish a 'Judicial Office' to redress grievances."

"Excellent! This new policy is exactly what I wanted! This young man has courage and a sense of responsibility! With such a person at the border, perhaps things can be a little more peaceful!"

His opinion of Zhang Xian changed from doubt to admiration.

Grand Commandant Chen Dan's focus was firmly on military border defense.

He repeatedly pondered the contents of the letter, his face turning ashen: "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! Wang deserves to die! Even being torn to pieces wouldn't be too much!"

Seeing Zhang Xian's swift actions in reorganizing the army and repairing the passes, his tense expression eased slightly: "He was appointed to a critical mission and acted decisively, showing considerable knowledge of military affairs... The border region is in such a state of disarray that perhaps... only such swift and decisive measures can bring order?"

He developed a subtle, almost imperceptible appreciation for Zhang Xian's decisiveness and border defense awareness.

Quietly, everyone's attention shifted to the Wang family's crimes, while the assassination of Wang Ze, the governor of Taiyuan, was overshadowed by a flood of other information.

Even though Wang Rou had been running around tirelessly, without Wang's help, he could hardly make a sound.

Meanwhile, rumors about Taiyuan Prefecture were quietly circulating among the scholars of Luoyang.

"Have you heard? Zhang Xian in Taiyuan dared to reduce land taxes by 30%! And he even wants to set up some 'Judicial Bureau' to handle cases of powerful people bullying ordinary citizens?"

"Really? If the Wang family falls, isn't he afraid of offending other powerful families?"

"It's said to be true! Also, he boldly appointed several scholars from humble backgrounds who were truly talented as officials, showing no regard for convention!"

"Hmph, what a show-off! But... if it could really be implemented, it would be a blessing for the border people..."

There was much discussion, with both praise and criticism.

But when Zhang Xian's memorial recommending Wang Lie and Chen Ji finally reached the Imperial Secretariat and was read aloud in court, the focus of the entire Luoyang court was instantly shifted by a powerful force.

"Lord Wang Lie? Guo Linzong's top disciple? He... he actually accepted Zhang Xian's invitation and is going to come out of seclusion?" An old minister in the hall exclaimed in disbelief.

“Heavens! Prince Wang has lived in seclusion for many years, his reputation as lofty as a mountain. He even declined the invitations from the Three Dukes. Now he is willing to serve as the Prefect of Taiyuan and preside over education? This…this…” another person murmured, deeply shocked.

"And Chen Yuanfang! The son of Chen Taiqiu from Yingchuan! A descendant of a prestigious family, yet he has been relegated to the position of county school scholar for many years? And now he has been recommended as a clerk?" Someone quickly grasped the significance of the other name.

"Old Master Wang is highly respected and virtuous. If he were to take charge of education in Taiyuan, the scholars would surely feel at ease! This is a good deed, a truly virtuous one!"

"Chen Yuanfang comes from a family with a strong scholarly tradition, and he is perfectly suited to govern Jinyang's premier county! Zhang Xian's recommendation demonstrates his keen eye for talent!"

"So it seems Zhang Xian wasn't just a snobbish and domineering person who rejected scholars? He was able to persuade Wang Lie to join him and also recognize and promote Chen Ji... This..."

The clamor in the court regarding Zhang Xian's "tyranny" and "arbitrary execution of ministers" quickly subsided like a tide hitting a reef in the face of the shocking news of the emergence of these two heavyweight talents.

(End of this chapter)