“Has Yongming already taken Fengyi? Good! Truly, he is our family’s exceptional commander!” Upon hearing the latest battle report, Liu Yuan couldn’t help but show his joy, praising loudly.
In these days, he constantly followed the developments on the Western front. Just a few days ago, he learned that Liu Yao had captured Chang’an in one fell swoop. Without hesitation, he dispatched an additional twenty thousand troops, intending to completely occupy Chang’an. To his surprise, before the reinforcements arrived, Liu Yao abandoned the city. Upon hearing this news, Liu Yuan was furious. Just as the anger in his belly had yet to erupt, news came that Liu Yao had taken control of Fengyi Commandery.
Chang’an was, after all, quite distant from Pingyang Commandery, but Fengyi Commandery was different. Not only did it directly border Pingyang but it could also encircle Hedong. Furthermore, with Tong Pass in their grasp, they now had a path to advance towards Hongnong. With this development, more than half of Si County would fall under the rule of the Han Dynasty, making it a more advantageous conquest compared to the isolated Chang’an.
At this moment, the accumulated anger was immediately dispelled, and Liu Yuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It seemed that losing Chang’an couldn’t be blamed on Liu Yao. Instead, this young man’s decisiveness had brought victory to the Han Dynasty.
“Congratulations to His Majesty for taking another city!” The Chancellor joyfully offered his congratulations, bowing. “Moreover, the attack on Chang’an this time took advantage of the solar eclipse. It appears there was something peculiar about the initial incident in Shangdang!”
This was one of the significant gains from the recent victory in Chang’an. Zhang Shuya, claiming himself as the Chief Astrologer of the Jin Dynasty had calculated the time of the solar eclipse, which allowed them to capture a formidable city like Chang’an in one fell swoop. Conversely, it made one wonder if, during the initial incident in Shangdang, the sudden military action that captured Yangyi was also planned based on a solar eclipse.
If that were indeed the case, that audacious youngster had extraordinary courage!
General Hu snorted to the side, “I heard that Liang Feng has been appointed as the Inspector of Bing County. That’s why he dispatched troops to capture Qixian. After he takes control of Jinyang, Bing County’s situation will probably become quite challenging. Your Majesty, why not act promptly and attack Shangdang again!”
Hearing such advice from a senior minister, Liu Yuan furrowed his brow slightly, “A solar eclipse can be deceiving for a while, but thunder always comes sooner or later. If we hastily raise troops, the soldiers may develop a sense of timidity.”
“This matter is certainly a scheme!” Huyan Liang exclaimed sharply. “That Liang Zixi falsely claims to be a Buddhist, and who knows if he has recruited some extraordinary individuals capable of performing magic. We should prepare some impure substances and filth in the army and, when the time comes for battle, throw them in front of the formation to dispel his illusions!”
This was not a bad idea, and the ministers below the dais agreed. However, Liu Yuan didn’t immediately agree and said, “There’s no need to rush. The Bing County war has been ongoing for several years, and there’s little benefit to be gained from capturing it, especially with the locust infestation in Lishi. But Hedong is different. Our top priority should be to seize Hedong!”
Hedong Commandery was indeed a land of abundance. Setting aside the fertile fields, the prominent families in Hedong were like juicy pieces of meat. The Pei family of Wenxi, the Wu family, and the Wei family of Anyi, which one of them wasn’t a major aristocrat? The Han Dynasty had no close relations with them, and if they didn’t surrender, there was only one path for them, death. Seizing the wealth and land of these influential families, the gains would be substantial.
Moreover, Hedong had salt mines! Currently, the Jin Dynasty’s military forces were concentrated in Jing County, engaged in a fierce battle with the usurper Emperor Sima Ying. Ji County was in chaos, Qing County and Yang County had rebelled, and Yong County had just turned into a mess and was occupied by Liu Yao in Fengyi. Where wasn’t the military stretched thin? Hedong was separated from Hongnong and Luoyang by the Yellow River, and even if the Jin forces wanted to return for reinforcement, they were powerless. It could be said that this moment was the best time to send troops. As long as Hedong was captured, it would be like capturing a substantial treasury and granary. The pressing troubles would instantly dissipate.
Wang Yu, the Palace Attendant, who had been silent for a long time, also spoke, “Aside from the importance of Hedong, just the title of Inspector held by Liang Zixi offers an opportunity. If this young man takes control of Jinyang, he may not be able to suppress the old officials, leading to conflicts with those leading the troops. At that time, without deploying a single soldier, we can plunge Bing County into chaos!”
This was exactly what Liu Yuan wanted to see. He stroked his beard with a smile and said, “The words of Palace Attendant Wang align with my thoughts. It is said that Liu Hu has recently shown an inclination towards joining us, and perhaps we can unite him with the Xianbei of the Bai clan to launch an attack on Jinyang from the rear. This way, once Hedong is secured, we can also deal with the Jin forces from Bing County more calmly.”
Liu Hu was the grandson of the Xiongnu Righteous King Qubei, belonging to the Tiefu clan. He had been minding his own business before, but now he might be considering aligning with the Han Dynasty due to its growing strength. If he could join forces with the Xianbei people to attack Jinyang, it would buy them considerable time.
With his decision made, Liu Yuan no longer hesitated and stood up, saying, “Order the troops to assemble! I will lead the army to personally capture Hedong!”
※
After several days of preparation, a force of around two thousand troops left Shangdang and headed towards Jinyang.
Given the wartime situation, it was not advisable to publicize their departure. Liang Feng left quietly, and even the city’s residents were largely unaware. This was, of course, for security reasons, as traveling with fanfare could expose them to ambushes shortly after leaving Shangdang.
However, as they traveled, Liang Feng’s mood worsened. Lu City was the heartland of Shangdang and the best-developed area. The farther they got, the worse the environment became. Upon reaching Nie County, there were scarce expanses of farmland, and Wu people seemed to cluster together. Crossing Nie County and truly entering the territory of Taiyuan County, the world before him underwent a complete transformation.
The roads had long been neglected, and faintly visible unburied skeletons could be seen in the fields. It was difficult to find a village or town within several miles. Occasionally, they encountered traces of people, who were fleeing refugees carrying their elderly and weak. Even with their sizable group and well-armed appearance, if it were a different group of travelers, they might have already fallen victim to the bandits hiding in the mountains.
The trade route he had ordered to be cleared years ago had long been severed. Nobody dared to invade Shangdang, but Taiyuan, a place that had been embroiled in a two-year-long conflict, had fallen into anarchy. Selling wives and children was not uncommon, it seemed.
Only separated by a few dozen miles, it had deteriorated to this extent. What would have become of Jinyang, which had been besieged for a whole year?
The further they went, the heavier Liang Feng’s heart became. This was the heartland of Bing County, the fertile Jizhong Basin, the most prosperous region in the Three Jin lands. If Taiyuan was in such a state, he could hardly imagine what the situation was like in other parts of Bing County.
Instead of heading directly to Jinyang, the procession came to a halt in Yangyi. The County Magistrate, Ge Hong, personally came out to greet them.
“It’s been half a year since we last met, and you’ve had your share of troubles, Zhichuan,” Ge Hong had not only slimmed down but had also darkened considerably. He no longer carried the demeanor of the recluse Daoist he once was. Liang Feng couldn’t help but sigh when he saw him.
“You, sir, look far worse, as if you’ve suffered from excessive fatigue,” Ge Hong didn’t hold back and almost wanted to grab his wrist and check his pulse.
He had heard about Liang Feng mistakenly taking Cold Food Powder, but he didn’t expect the illness to be so severe! All the care and rest over the past year had been in vain!
Liang Feng smiled at the sight and held onto Ge Hong’s sleeve, “Ji’en has come along too, so no need to hurry. You have plenty of time for consultations. First, tell me about the situation in Yangyi City.”
This time, Jiang Da also accompanied the procession, not just to treat Liang Feng but also to oversee Bing County’s epidemic prevention efforts. After a major war, there would inevitably be a major epidemic, and Bing County’s population had already been decimated. Adding a disease outbreak to the mix would be disastrous.
After all, Yangyi was also a labor of love for Ge Hong. As Liang Feng boarded the carriage, he carefully explained, “Currently, in Yangyi City, only the city walls have been repaired. Many houses within the city were destroyed during the battle to capture the city. I didn’t have them all rebuilt; most were turned into makeshift huts for use as quarantine zones to accommodate the passing refugees. After capturing Qixian, the refugees in the city were distributed and given farmland to cultivate. In a few days, we should be able to harvest a season of soybeans.”
As Liang Feng listened to Ge Hong’s account, he observed the scene in the city. Indeed, the population in this rundown small city was larger than what he had seen along the way. Although the people had a weary appearance, they were not entirely numb with fear. Ge Hong had multiple roles, including defending the city and taking care of the people, and he had not been overwhelmed; his health had significantly improved.
Upon reaching the county office and looking at the buildings burned on one side, Liang Feng shook his head, “It’s just a city, and it’s truly inferior to Zhichuan…”
This was a real ancient bureaucrat with integrity and talent. Moreover, he was a versatile talent who could lead armies, govern, practice medicine, and even become a recluse. Placed in a single city, it was really an underutilization of great potential.
A hint of red appeared on Ge Hong’s sun-darkened face, “Back when I was in the military, I only felt the dangers of warfare. I never thought that governing a region could be equally perilous. Over the past six months, Yangyi has accommodated a total of three thousand people, and those who survived are ultimately the people of Great Jin.”
Ge Hong was a fusion of a Daoist and Confucian, and his philosophy of life blended the genuine care for life from both Daoism and Confucianism. When he left the military back then, it was merely out of bitterness for not being able to advance through normal channels as a northerner, coupled with being marginalized by the upper officials, that he angrily resigned. However, now as a Magistrate governing a city, it immediately revitalized something in his heart that had been suppressed for a long time.
Seeing the expression on Ge Hong’s face, Liang Feng nodded with a smile, “Zhichuan’s noble intention is a blessing for the people. But on our journey to Jinyang, I will need your assistance.”
Hearing Liang Feng’s words, Ge Hong’s eyebrows couldn’t help but twitch slightly. This was an invitation to join his staff. Going from being a Magistrate to a Strategist for the Inspector was seemingly a lateral move, but it was, in fact, a significant promotion. However, could he navigate the political turmoil in Jinyang as he does now?
Seemingly understanding Ge Hong’s concerns, Liang Feng added, “Zhichuan, you don’t need to worry. You will assist only me. The intricate social aspects will be handled differently.”
Ge Hong was not a socialite; on the contrary, he had always been a bit reserved and stiff in his interpersonal relationships, possibly due to the influence of losing his father at a young age. Handling specific tasks, he was fully capable. But in other areas, it still required refinement.
Upon hearing Liang Feng’s assurance, Ge Hong finally nodded, “As long as you don’t abandon me, I will do my utmost, my Lord!”
With Ge Hong on board, there would be an additional source of support. Liang Feng breathed a sigh of relief, “In that case, I can rest assured and proceed to Jinyang. However, the immediate priority is to prepare a standing carriage.”
“A standing carriage?” Ge Hong repeated somewhat puzzled. Standing carriages were typically reserved for important state ceremonies like the worship of the ancestral temple. Only Three Excellencies, Nine Ministers, and officials of rank were allowed to use such carriages. Officials like Liang Feng, who were Governors, would typically use ordinary carriages. Why would he suddenly want a standing carriage?
Liang Feng chuckled, “When someone refuses to come out to welcome me, I’ll have to pay them a visit myself. Jinyang could use a breath of fresh air.”
“Has Yongming already taken Fengyi? Good! Truly, he is our family’s exceptional commander!” Upon hearing the latest battle report, Liu Yuan couldn’t help but show his joy, praising loudly.
In these days, he constantly followed the developments on the Western front. Just a few days ago, he learned that Liu Yao had captured Chang’an in one fell swoop. Without hesitation, he dispatched an additional twenty thousand troops, intending to completely occupy Chang’an. To his surprise, before the reinforcements arrived, Liu Yao abandoned the city. Upon hearing this news, Liu Yuan was furious. Just as the anger in his belly had yet to erupt, news came that Liu Yao had taken control of Fengyi Commandery.
Chang’an was, after all, quite distant from Pingyang Commandery, but Fengyi Commandery was different. Not only did it directly border Pingyang but it could also encircle Hedong. Furthermore, with Tong Pass in their grasp, they now had a path to advance towards Hongnong. With this development, more than half of Si County would fall under the rule of the Han Dynasty, making it a more advantageous conquest compared to the isolated Chang’an.
At this moment, the accumulated anger was immediately dispelled, and Liu Yuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It seemed that losing Chang’an couldn’t be blamed on Liu Yao. Instead, this young man’s decisiveness had brought victory to the Han Dynasty.
“Congratulations to His Majesty for taking another city!” The Chancellor joyfully offered his congratulations, bowing. “Moreover, the attack on Chang’an this time took advantage of the solar eclipse. It appears there was something peculiar about the initial incident in Shangdang!”
This was one of the significant gains from the recent victory in Chang’an. Zhang Shuya, claiming himself as the Chief Astrologer of the Jin Dynasty had calculated the time of the solar eclipse, which allowed them to capture a formidable city like Chang’an in one fell swoop. Conversely, it made one wonder if, during the initial incident in Shangdang, the sudden military action that captured Yangyi was also planned based on a solar eclipse.
If that were indeed the case, that audacious youngster had extraordinary courage!
General Hu snorted to the side, “I heard that Liang Feng has been appointed as the Inspector of Bing County. That’s why he dispatched troops to capture Qixian. After he takes control of Jinyang, Bing County’s situation will probably become quite challenging. Your Majesty, why not act promptly and attack Shangdang again!”
Hearing such advice from a senior minister, Liu Yuan furrowed his brow slightly, “A solar eclipse can be deceiving for a while, but thunder always comes sooner or later. If we hastily raise troops, the soldiers may develop a sense of timidity.”
“This matter is certainly a scheme!” Huyan Liang exclaimed sharply. “That Liang Zixi falsely claims to be a Buddhist, and who knows if he has recruited some extraordinary individuals capable of performing magic. We should prepare some impure substances and filth in the army and, when the time comes for battle, throw them in front of the formation to dispel his illusions!”
This was not a bad idea, and the ministers below the dais agreed. However, Liu Yuan didn’t immediately agree and said, “There’s no need to rush. The Bing County war has been ongoing for several years, and there’s little benefit to be gained from capturing it, especially with the locust infestation in Lishi. But Hedong is different. Our top priority should be to seize Hedong!”
Hedong Commandery was indeed a land of abundance. Setting aside the fertile fields, the prominent families in Hedong were like juicy pieces of meat. The Pei family of Wenxi, the Wu family, and the Wei family of Anyi, which one of them wasn’t a major aristocrat? The Han Dynasty had no close relations with them, and if they didn’t surrender, there was only one path for them, death. Seizing the wealth and land of these influential families, the gains would be substantial.
Moreover, Hedong had salt mines! Currently, the Jin Dynasty’s military forces were concentrated in Jing County, engaged in a fierce battle with the usurper Emperor Sima Ying. Ji County was in chaos, Qing County and Yang County had rebelled, and Yong County had just turned into a mess and was occupied by Liu Yao in Fengyi. Where wasn’t the military stretched thin? Hedong was separated from Hongnong and Luoyang by the Yellow River, and even if the Jin forces wanted to return for reinforcement, they were powerless. It could be said that this moment was the best time to send troops. As long as Hedong was captured, it would be like capturing a substantial treasury and granary. The pressing troubles would instantly dissipate.
Wang Yu, the Palace Attendant, who had been silent for a long time, also spoke, “Aside from the importance of Hedong, just the title of Inspector held by Liang Zixi offers an opportunity. If this young man takes control of Jinyang, he may not be able to suppress the old officials, leading to conflicts with those leading the troops. At that time, without deploying a single soldier, we can plunge Bing County into chaos!”
This was exactly what Liu Yuan wanted to see. He stroked his beard with a smile and said, “The words of Palace Attendant Wang align with my thoughts. It is said that Liu Hu has recently shown an inclination towards joining us, and perhaps we can unite him with the Xianbei of the Bai clan to launch an attack on Jinyang from the rear. This way, once Hedong is secured, we can also deal with the Jin forces from Bing County more calmly.”
Liu Hu was the grandson of the Xiongnu Righteous King Qubei, belonging to the Tiefu clan. He had been minding his own business before, but now he might be considering aligning with the Han Dynasty due to its growing strength. If he could join forces with the Xianbei people to attack Jinyang, it would buy them considerable time.
With his decision made, Liu Yuan no longer hesitated and stood up, saying, “Order the troops to assemble! I will lead the army to personally capture Hedong!”
※
After several days of preparation, a force of around two thousand troops left Shangdang and headed towards Jinyang.
Given the wartime situation, it was not advisable to publicize their departure. Liang Feng left quietly, and even the city’s residents were largely unaware. This was, of course, for security reasons, as traveling with fanfare could expose them to ambushes shortly after leaving Shangdang.
However, as they traveled, Liang Feng’s mood worsened. Lu City was the heartland of Shangdang and the best-developed area. The farther they got, the worse the environment became. Upon reaching Nie County, there were scarce expanses of farmland, and Wu people seemed to cluster together. Crossing Nie County and truly entering the territory of Taiyuan County, the world before him underwent a complete transformation.
The roads had long been neglected, and faintly visible unburied skeletons could be seen in the fields. It was difficult to find a village or town within several miles. Occasionally, they encountered traces of people, who were fleeing refugees carrying their elderly and weak. Even with their sizable group and well-armed appearance, if it were a different group of travelers, they might have already fallen victim to the bandits hiding in the mountains.
The trade route he had ordered to be cleared years ago had long been severed. Nobody dared to invade Shangdang, but Taiyuan, a place that had been embroiled in a two-year-long conflict, had fallen into anarchy. Selling wives and children was not uncommon, it seemed.
Only separated by a few dozen miles, it had deteriorated to this extent. What would have become of Jinyang, which had been besieged for a whole year?
The further they went, the heavier Liang Feng’s heart became. This was the heartland of Bing County, the fertile Jizhong Basin, the most prosperous region in the Three Jin lands. If Taiyuan was in such a state, he could hardly imagine what the situation was like in other parts of Bing County.
Instead of heading directly to Jinyang, the procession came to a halt in Yangyi. The County Magistrate, Ge Hong, personally came out to greet them.
“It’s been half a year since we last met, and you’ve had your share of troubles, Zhichuan,” Ge Hong had not only slimmed down but had also darkened considerably. He no longer carried the demeanor of the recluse Daoist he once was. Liang Feng couldn’t help but sigh when he saw him.
“You, sir, look far worse, as if you’ve suffered from excessive fatigue,” Ge Hong didn’t hold back and almost wanted to grab his wrist and check his pulse.
He had heard about Liang Feng mistakenly taking Cold Food Powder, but he didn’t expect the illness to be so severe! All the care and rest over the past year had been in vain!
Liang Feng smiled at the sight and held onto Ge Hong’s sleeve, “Ji’en has come along too, so no need to hurry. You have plenty of time for consultations. First, tell me about the situation in Yangyi City.”
This time, Jiang Da also accompanied the procession, not just to treat Liang Feng but also to oversee Bing County’s epidemic prevention efforts. After a major war, there would inevitably be a major epidemic, and Bing County’s population had already been decimated. Adding a disease outbreak to the mix would be disastrous.
After all, Yangyi was also a labor of love for Ge Hong. As Liang Feng boarded the carriage, he carefully explained, “Currently, in Yangyi City, only the city walls have been repaired. Many houses within the city were destroyed during the battle to capture the city. I didn’t have them all rebuilt; most were turned into makeshift huts for use as quarantine zones to accommodate the passing refugees. After capturing Qixian, the refugees in the city were distributed and given farmland to cultivate. In a few days, we should be able to harvest a season of soybeans.”
As Liang Feng listened to Ge Hong’s account, he observed the scene in the city. Indeed, the population in this rundown small city was larger than what he had seen along the way. Although the people had a weary appearance, they were not entirely numb with fear. Ge Hong had multiple roles, including defending the city and taking care of the people, and he had not been overwhelmed; his health had significantly improved.
Upon reaching the county office and looking at the buildings burned on one side, Liang Feng shook his head, “It’s just a city, and it’s truly inferior to Zhichuan…”
This was a real ancient bureaucrat with integrity and talent. Moreover, he was a versatile talent who could lead armies, govern, practice medicine, and even become a recluse. Placed in a single city, it was really an underutilization of great potential.
A hint of red appeared on Ge Hong’s sun-darkened face, “Back when I was in the military, I only felt the dangers of warfare. I never thought that governing a region could be equally perilous. Over the past six months, Yangyi has accommodated a total of three thousand people, and those who survived are ultimately the people of Great Jin.”
Ge Hong was a fusion of a Daoist and Confucian, and his philosophy of life blended the genuine care for life from both Daoism and Confucianism. When he left the military back then, it was merely out of bitterness for not being able to advance through normal channels as a northerner, coupled with being marginalized by the upper officials, that he angrily resigned. However, now as a Magistrate governing a city, it immediately revitalized something in his heart that had been suppressed for a long time.
Seeing the expression on Ge Hong’s face, Liang Feng nodded with a smile, “Zhichuan’s noble intention is a blessing for the people. But on our journey to Jinyang, I will need your assistance.”
Hearing Liang Feng’s words, Ge Hong’s eyebrows couldn’t help but twitch slightly. This was an invitation to join his staff. Going from being a Magistrate to a Strategist for the Inspector was seemingly a lateral move, but it was, in fact, a significant promotion. However, could he navigate the political turmoil in Jinyang as he does now?
Seemingly understanding Ge Hong’s concerns, Liang Feng added, “Zhichuan, you don’t need to worry. You will assist only me. The intricate social aspects will be handled differently.”
Ge Hong was not a socialite; on the contrary, he had always been a bit reserved and stiff in his interpersonal relationships, possibly due to the influence of losing his father at a young age. Handling specific tasks, he was fully capable. But in other areas, it still required refinement.
Upon hearing Liang Feng’s assurance, Ge Hong finally nodded, “As long as you don’t abandon me, I will do my utmost, my Lord!”
With Ge Hong on board, there would be an additional source of support. Liang Feng breathed a sigh of relief, “In that case, I can rest assured and proceed to Jinyang. However, the immediate priority is to prepare a standing carriage.”
“A standing carriage?” Ge Hong repeated somewhat puzzled. Standing carriages were typically reserved for important state ceremonies like the worship of the ancestral temple. Only Three Excellencies, Nine Ministers, and officials of rank were allowed to use such carriages. Officials like Liang Feng, who were Governors, would typically use ordinary carriages. Why would he suddenly want a standing carriage?
Liang Feng chuckled, “When someone refuses to come out to welcome me, I’ll have to pay them a visit myself. Jinyang could use a breath of fresh air.”
