In Qinghe, Ding Shao, the Inspector of Ji County, was not in the government office but on his sickbed.
“Cough, cough, thanks to General Yi’s assistance, we were able to break free from the siege,” the man lying on the bed said with difficulty, suppressing the cough in his throat.
His appearance was not bad, and there was a hint of heroism between his eyebrows, but now it was overshadowed by the pallor of illness. He had defended Xindu until the city fell, and the provincial soldiers had bravely escorted him out. Unfortunately, they encountered rebel soldiers on the way, and Ding Shao, fighting desperately, was shot by an arrow. Combined with excessive anxiety, he fell ill upon reaching Qinghe. The only company he had was Yiyan, whom he met on the way.
Facing the ailing Inspector Ding, Yiyan surprisingly did not wear a cold expression and advised, “Inspector, taking care of your health should be your priority. The rebels have been defeated, and Qinghe is now secure.”
However, this consolation did not satisfy Ding Shao. He struggled to sit up, saying, “Many rebels have escaped; they will not give up easily. I’m afraid there are still cities in Ji County that will suffer from their attacks. Alas, I, who consider myself on par with Wang Pengzu and Gou Daojiang, couldn’t even resist a band of rebels.”
He was referring to Wang Jun and Gou Xi. These two individuals were renowned for their military achievements, and top-notch generals in the imperial court. Ding Shao, too, had risen to prominence through military exploits, governing the province fairly and resolving disputes. Yet, unexpectedly, a sudden invasion of rebels had thrown Ji County into chaos. Now, bedridden and seriously ill, Ding Shao felt restless and resentful.
“This time, the leader of the rebels is extraordinary. The local military might struggle to handle it. If it weren’t for the Inspector’s assistance, I would not have been able to defeat them,” Yiyan added.
Yiyan’s words were not mere excuses. When he left Zhao County, he originally planned to directly attack the enemy’s main camp, taking advantage of their recent capture of Xindu and their lax defense. However, with the intelligence reports, he discovered that the leader of these rebels was more formidable than expected. Even during the chaos of the city’s fall and looting, the rebels’ main camp showed no vulnerabilities; each unit carried out its duties meticulously, and their defense was exceptionally tight. With limited forces, Yiyan adjusted his strategy, contacting Ding Shao in Qinghe to collaborate on a plan to divide and conquer.
No matter how skilled a warrior was, there was only one of him. By separating him from his large army, there was an opportunity to exploit. The troops under Yiyan’s command were originally a group of bandits turned rebels. In a fair fight, each of them could be a valiant soldier, but in the chaos of battle, if the formation was disrupted, and command was lost, defeat was highly likely.
This was reminiscent of the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Han Dynasty. Tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels were scattered by a few thousand cavalry, and the warlords who rose to power, every one of them achieved success using similar tactics. For this reason, Yiyan dared to act boldly, twice defeating stronger forces with weaker ones, seizing the opportunity. Of course, his confidence also stemmed from the five hundred sets of horse armor left to him by his lord, which he had seized from Liu Cong.
All these horse armors were taken to Ye City by him alone, a feat that others would find impossible.
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Looking at the Jie general in front of him, who remained unperturbed in the face of honor and disgrace, Ding Shao sighed deeply, “I’ve heard that many of the fleeing bandits are mounted troops. I will order each county to defend its cities. However, catching up with this group of thieves will be difficult.”
Cavalry rely on speed for city assaults, and with pursuers behind, they probably won’t attack cities that are well-defended and not easily conquered. If each county governor can hold a strong defense, reducing the chances of the city being breached is not difficult. However, the rebels are too fast, and Yiyan has only two thousand cavalry at his disposal; inevitably, they won’t catch up. The threat from this roving band of rebels remains significant.
“Wang Jun may not necessarily ignore it. As long as the bandits disturb You County, it will inevitably attract the Xianbei cavalry,” Yiyan had long prepared a plan for this.
Ding Shao fell silent for a moment and suddenly asked, “I heard that General Yi has pacified several counties in Zhao County?”
The conversation abruptly shifted to this topic, addressing the issue of Yiyan’s intentions to seize power. Yiyan raised an eyebrow without concealing anything, “Indeed. If the bandits in the city are not eliminated, the people will never feel secure.”
After a few coughs, Ding Shao said with difficulty, “I ask General Yi to lead the troops and help me stabilize Ji County.”
Does this mean he tacitly approves of his actions? Yiyan couldn’t fathom the other’s thoughts, but he didn’t bother to speculate and simply nodded, “Inspector Ding, just focus on recuperating. Ji County is the bulwark of Si County, and I will do my best.”
Observing the solemn expression of this Jie person, Ding Shao sighed inwardly. How could he not know about Wang Jun’s ambitions for Ji County? Now, there was another Yiyan, likely related to Liang Zixi, the Inspector of Bing County, behind him. Comparatively speaking, Ding Shao found it easier to accept the “assistance” from Yiyan.
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Although Wang Jun’s military strength was formidable, the Xianbei cavalry was notoriously rapacious. When they captured Ye City and Chang’an, the devastation they caused was immeasurable, leaving the people in misery wherever they went. On the other hand, Yiyan’s troops were not of the same ilk. Stabilizing the counties, and accommodating refugees – these were genuine relief efforts, not plundering. In just this aspect, the distinction between the two was evident.
Ding Shao had high self-esteem and considerable talent, always aspiring to be a leader renowned throughout the four seas. This defeat greatly shook his confidence, and his severe injuries proved difficult to heal. Moreover, he felt that his time was running out. If he had to choose, Ding Shao would undoubtedly pick someone capable of pacifying and comforting the people, someone who would not betray his lifelong convictions. That person, without a doubt, would not be Wang Jun!
Fatigued, he closed his eyes and nodded slowly, “General Yi, I appreciate your efforts.”
Exiting the room filled with the scent of medicine, Yiyan also released the pent-up frustration within him. The Inspector Ding reminded him of someone far away in Bing County. Perhaps not all officials in the states and provinces were like Wang Ping and Pei Dun, selfish and harmful to the people. However, they lacked the broad-mindedness and skills of his lord.
Qinghe city remained unconquered, presenting a rare scene of stability. Though pedestrians on the streets seemed a bit unsettled, there was no visible misery or fear of being displaced. Yiyan had witnessed many heart-wrenching scenes on his journey—women lying dead on the roadside, children starving in their homes, and even animals devouring anything edible, driven to such extremes to survive. Why should the innocent and virtuous suffer such calamities?
Someone had to put an end to this chaotic era.
The desire to kill the rebel leader of his kind hadn’t diminished, but it was no longer Yiyan’s primary concern. How to eliminate the rebel army and save more people were the tasks at hand. And these tasks were not solely for the sake of his lord.
As his gaze swept across the bustling streets, Yiyan took another step, heading towards the outskirts of the city.
※
Even with mountain paths and swift messengers, news from Ji County would still take a considerable amount of time to arrive. These days, Liang Feng was practically restless! Logic told him that Yiyan wouldn’t act recklessly and must have a plan for sending troops. However, the anxiety in his heart did not diminish a bit.
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If Shangdang sent troops, the connection between him and Yiyan would be exposed to the people in Luoyang. But at this moment, who cared about that!
After waiting for seven or eight days, the confidential message finally arrived on his desk. When he saw the content of the letter, Liang Feng felt like he had stepped into thin air, revealing a wry smile of both amusement and helplessness.
Zhang Bin sighed deeply, “General Yi is truly invincible, unexpectedly winning under such circumstances!”
Indeed, facing tens of thousands of troops, Yiyan had twice emerged victorious against superior numbers, defeating the detached forces, breaking through the main camp, and forcing the bandit leader to flee far away. Just the surrendered soldiers alone numbered over ten thousand! In the letters that he sent, Yiyan only mentioned one important matter—sending money. The treasures found in the main camp were loaded onto carts and transported along the Fuku Pass to Jinyang. The amount of gold and silver alone was no less than ten carts!
This group of rebels practically emptied the treasury and mansions of Ji County, and now all those riches were falling into their hands.
“Boyuan asked for provisions in the letter; it seems the situation in Ji County is not good.” Suppressing the initial excitement, Liang Feng finally composed himself and continued reading.
In addition to sending money, Yiyan also requested provisions. Despite capturing a considerable amount of supplies after breaking the main camp, it seemed they still couldn’t sustain the people who had lost their homes. Waiting for the court to allocate provisions might take a while, and if it couldn’t catch up with the summer planting season, Ji County would be completely barren.
“Sneak some provisions over there.” Liang Feng wouldn’t hesitate about this. Coincidentally, Zhao County was also under Yiyan’s control, and if transported from Leping, even the court might not notice.
“I heard that Inspector Ding also greatly appreciates General Yi. With this, occupying the southeast of Ji County should not be difficult.” Zhang Bin smiled, calmly expressing his thoughts.
In normal circumstances, Inspector Ding’s favor would be a cause for concern, as Yiyan was currently a lone force outside the city. If another Inspector, trusted by him, appeared, anyone would be anxious, fearing that he might defect. However, the wealth in those carts dispelled all doubts. Zhang Bin was now certain that there was no possibility of distrust between his lord and General Yi. Mutual understanding between ruler and minister was the most stable foundation for a great cause. With this fundamental premise, everything else was secondary.
Liang Feng nodded in agreement, tacitly accepting this viewpoint. The letter also contained various details, including Yiyan’s next strategic plans. Essentially, he intended to follow the rebels, driving them into You County. Wang Jun had always coveted Ji County, and now with this additional excuse, he probably wouldn’t let it slip through his fingers. However, the unexpected cunning of the rebel leader might pose a problem if Wang Jun failed to detain him.
Liang Feng sighed lightly, “I never expected the leader of the rebels to be a Jie person. I wonder if Wang Jun can eliminate him?” He couldn’t help but feel a bit fortunate now. If he hadn’t picked up Yiyan, would he have ended up among those rebels, using his outstanding military talent on the opposite side, burning, killing, and looting?
Zhang Bin said, “Under Wang Pengzu’s command, the Xianbei cavalry is not to be underestimated. Moreover, with General Yi by his side, Ji County will eventually stabilize.”
At that time, it would be the moment for the two provinces to engage in battle. How could Liang Feng not be aware of the situation that Bing County was about to face?
“The anti-locust campaigns in each county should be carried out early. Next month is the Buddha’s birthday, and we can take advantage of it to hold religious ceremonies to stabilize the people’s hearts.” With his thoughts back in focus, Liang Feng shifted his gaze to the present.
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Zhang Bin didn’t believe in Buddhism, but he understood its role in calming the people, especially pacifying the non-Han people. Naturally, he wouldn’t object, “I’ll take care of that. However, there’s one thing, my lord must not underestimate. In Ji County and Yan County, many talented individuals often do not respond to the court’s conscription. If we can recruit these virtuous people, then the grand enterprise can be expected!”
Liang Feng’s heart skipped a beat. Right, doesn’t this era have renowned and distinguished military commanders? Where is he now? Who is he serving? In this era, while the aristocracy may be decaying, there are still many individuals leaving their mark in history. Does he have the courage and ability to control these capable and virtuous officials and generals?
Looking at the radiant eyes of Zhang Bin in front of him, Liang Feng felt a surge of pride in his chest. He gently stroked his knee and smiled, “Meng Sun’s reminder is quite insightful. We should send people to explore and seek talents in the wilderness!”
Zhang Bin actually had some concerns, fearing that having the Imperial Examination as a channel might lead his lord to seclude himself. Now that he got the nod, joy couldn’t help but surface on his face, “I will spare no effort to recruit talents for my lord!”
In Qinghe, Ding Shao, the Inspector of Ji County, was not in the government office but on his sickbed.
“Cough, cough, thanks to General Yi’s assistance, we were able to break free from the siege,” the man lying on the bed said with difficulty, suppressing the cough in his throat.
His appearance was not bad, and there was a hint of heroism between his eyebrows, but now it was overshadowed by the pallor of illness. He had defended Xindu until the city fell, and the provincial soldiers had bravely escorted him out. Unfortunately, they encountered rebel soldiers on the way, and Ding Shao, fighting desperately, was shot by an arrow. Combined with excessive anxiety, he fell ill upon reaching Qinghe. The only company he had was Yiyan, whom he met on the way.
Facing the ailing Inspector Ding, Yiyan surprisingly did not wear a cold expression and advised, “Inspector, taking care of your health should be your priority. The rebels have been defeated, and Qinghe is now secure.”
However, this consolation did not satisfy Ding Shao. He struggled to sit up, saying, “Many rebels have escaped; they will not give up easily. I’m afraid there are still cities in Ji County that will suffer from their attacks. Alas, I, who consider myself on par with Wang Pengzu and Gou Daojiang, couldn’t even resist a band of rebels.”
He was referring to Wang Jun and Gou Xi. These two individuals were renowned for their military achievements, and top-notch generals in the imperial court. Ding Shao, too, had risen to prominence through military exploits, governing the province fairly and resolving disputes. Yet, unexpectedly, a sudden invasion of rebels had thrown Ji County into chaos. Now, bedridden and seriously ill, Ding Shao felt restless and resentful.
“This time, the leader of the rebels is extraordinary. The local military might struggle to handle it. If it weren’t for the Inspector’s assistance, I would not have been able to defeat them,” Yiyan added.
Yiyan’s words were not mere excuses. When he left Zhao County, he originally planned to directly attack the enemy’s main camp, taking advantage of their recent capture of Xindu and their lax defense. However, with the intelligence reports, he discovered that the leader of these rebels was more formidable than expected. Even during the chaos of the city’s fall and looting, the rebels’ main camp showed no vulnerabilities; each unit carried out its duties meticulously, and their defense was exceptionally tight. With limited forces, Yiyan adjusted his strategy, contacting Ding Shao in Qinghe to collaborate on a plan to divide and conquer.
No matter how skilled a warrior was, there was only one of him. By separating him from his large army, there was an opportunity to exploit. The troops under Yiyan’s command were originally a group of bandits turned rebels. In a fair fight, each of them could be a valiant soldier, but in the chaos of battle, if the formation was disrupted, and command was lost, defeat was highly likely.
This was reminiscent of the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Han Dynasty. Tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels were scattered by a few thousand cavalry, and the warlords who rose to power, every one of them achieved success using similar tactics. For this reason, Yiyan dared to act boldly, twice defeating stronger forces with weaker ones, seizing the opportunity. Of course, his confidence also stemmed from the five hundred sets of horse armor left to him by his lord, which he had seized from Liu Cong.
All these horse armors were taken to Ye City by him alone, a feat that others would find impossible.
Advertisement
Looking at the Jie general in front of him, who remained unperturbed in the face of honor and disgrace, Ding Shao sighed deeply, “I’ve heard that many of the fleeing bandits are mounted troops. I will order each county to defend its cities. However, catching up with this group of thieves will be difficult.”
Cavalry rely on speed for city assaults, and with pursuers behind, they probably won’t attack cities that are well-defended and not easily conquered. If each county governor can hold a strong defense, reducing the chances of the city being breached is not difficult. However, the rebels are too fast, and Yiyan has only two thousand cavalry at his disposal; inevitably, they won’t catch up. The threat from this roving band of rebels remains significant.
“Wang Jun may not necessarily ignore it. As long as the bandits disturb You County, it will inevitably attract the Xianbei cavalry,” Yiyan had long prepared a plan for this.
Ding Shao fell silent for a moment and suddenly asked, “I heard that General Yi has pacified several counties in Zhao County?”
The conversation abruptly shifted to this topic, addressing the issue of Yiyan’s intentions to seize power. Yiyan raised an eyebrow without concealing anything, “Indeed. If the bandits in the city are not eliminated, the people will never feel secure.”
After a few coughs, Ding Shao said with difficulty, “I ask General Yi to lead the troops and help me stabilize Ji County.”
Does this mean he tacitly approves of his actions? Yiyan couldn’t fathom the other’s thoughts, but he didn’t bother to speculate and simply nodded, “Inspector Ding, just focus on recuperating. Ji County is the bulwark of Si County, and I will do my best.”
Observing the solemn expression of this Jie person, Ding Shao sighed inwardly. How could he not know about Wang Jun’s ambitions for Ji County? Now, there was another Yiyan, likely related to Liang Zixi, the Inspector of Bing County, behind him. Comparatively speaking, Ding Shao found it easier to accept the “assistance” from Yiyan.
Advertisement
Although Wang Jun’s military strength was formidable, the Xianbei cavalry was notoriously rapacious. When they captured Ye City and Chang’an, the devastation they caused was immeasurable, leaving the people in misery wherever they went. On the other hand, Yiyan’s troops were not of the same ilk. Stabilizing the counties, and accommodating refugees – these were genuine relief efforts, not plundering. In just this aspect, the distinction between the two was evident.
Ding Shao had high self-esteem and considerable talent, always aspiring to be a leader renowned throughout the four seas. This defeat greatly shook his confidence, and his severe injuries proved difficult to heal. Moreover, he felt that his time was running out. If he had to choose, Ding Shao would undoubtedly pick someone capable of pacifying and comforting the people, someone who would not betray his lifelong convictions. That person, without a doubt, would not be Wang Jun!
Fatigued, he closed his eyes and nodded slowly, “General Yi, I appreciate your efforts.”
Exiting the room filled with the scent of medicine, Yiyan also released the pent-up frustration within him. The Inspector Ding reminded him of someone far away in Bing County. Perhaps not all officials in the states and provinces were like Wang Ping and Pei Dun, selfish and harmful to the people. However, they lacked the broad-mindedness and skills of his lord.
Qinghe city remained unconquered, presenting a rare scene of stability. Though pedestrians on the streets seemed a bit unsettled, there was no visible misery or fear of being displaced. Yiyan had witnessed many heart-wrenching scenes on his journey—women lying dead on the roadside, children starving in their homes, and even animals devouring anything edible, driven to such extremes to survive. Why should the innocent and virtuous suffer such calamities?
Someone had to put an end to this chaotic era.
The desire to kill the rebel leader of his kind hadn’t diminished, but it was no longer Yiyan’s primary concern. How to eliminate the rebel army and save more people were the tasks at hand. And these tasks were not solely for the sake of his lord.
As his gaze swept across the bustling streets, Yiyan took another step, heading towards the outskirts of the city.
※
Even with mountain paths and swift messengers, news from Ji County would still take a considerable amount of time to arrive. These days, Liang Feng was practically restless! Logic told him that Yiyan wouldn’t act recklessly and must have a plan for sending troops. However, the anxiety in his heart did not diminish a bit.
Advertisement
If Shangdang sent troops, the connection between him and Yiyan would be exposed to the people in Luoyang. But at this moment, who cared about that!
After waiting for seven or eight days, the confidential message finally arrived on his desk. When he saw the content of the letter, Liang Feng felt like he had stepped into thin air, revealing a wry smile of both amusement and helplessness.
Zhang Bin sighed deeply, “General Yi is truly invincible, unexpectedly winning under such circumstances!”
Indeed, facing tens of thousands of troops, Yiyan had twice emerged victorious against superior numbers, defeating the detached forces, breaking through the main camp, and forcing the bandit leader to flee far away. Just the surrendered soldiers alone numbered over ten thousand! In the letters that he sent, Yiyan only mentioned one important matter—sending money. The treasures found in the main camp were loaded onto carts and transported along the Fuku Pass to Jinyang. The amount of gold and silver alone was no less than ten carts!
This group of rebels practically emptied the treasury and mansions of Ji County, and now all those riches were falling into their hands.
“Boyuan asked for provisions in the letter; it seems the situation in Ji County is not good.” Suppressing the initial excitement, Liang Feng finally composed himself and continued reading.
In addition to sending money, Yiyan also requested provisions. Despite capturing a considerable amount of supplies after breaking the main camp, it seemed they still couldn’t sustain the people who had lost their homes. Waiting for the court to allocate provisions might take a while, and if it couldn’t catch up with the summer planting season, Ji County would be completely barren.
“Sneak some provisions over there.” Liang Feng wouldn’t hesitate about this. Coincidentally, Zhao County was also under Yiyan’s control, and if transported from Leping, even the court might not notice.
“I heard that Inspector Ding also greatly appreciates General Yi. With this, occupying the southeast of Ji County should not be difficult.” Zhang Bin smiled, calmly expressing his thoughts.
In normal circumstances, Inspector Ding’s favor would be a cause for concern, as Yiyan was currently a lone force outside the city. If another Inspector, trusted by him, appeared, anyone would be anxious, fearing that he might defect. However, the wealth in those carts dispelled all doubts. Zhang Bin was now certain that there was no possibility of distrust between his lord and General Yi. Mutual understanding between ruler and minister was the most stable foundation for a great cause. With this fundamental premise, everything else was secondary.
Liang Feng nodded in agreement, tacitly accepting this viewpoint. The letter also contained various details, including Yiyan’s next strategic plans. Essentially, he intended to follow the rebels, driving them into You County. Wang Jun had always coveted Ji County, and now with this additional excuse, he probably wouldn’t let it slip through his fingers. However, the unexpected cunning of the rebel leader might pose a problem if Wang Jun failed to detain him.
Liang Feng sighed lightly, “I never expected the leader of the rebels to be a Jie person. I wonder if Wang Jun can eliminate him?” He couldn’t help but feel a bit fortunate now. If he hadn’t picked up Yiyan, would he have ended up among those rebels, using his outstanding military talent on the opposite side, burning, killing, and looting?
Zhang Bin said, “Under Wang Pengzu’s command, the Xianbei cavalry is not to be underestimated. Moreover, with General Yi by his side, Ji County will eventually stabilize.”
At that time, it would be the moment for the two provinces to engage in battle. How could Liang Feng not be aware of the situation that Bing County was about to face?
“The anti-locust campaigns in each county should be carried out early. Next month is the Buddha’s birthday, and we can take advantage of it to hold religious ceremonies to stabilize the people’s hearts.” With his thoughts back in focus, Liang Feng shifted his gaze to the present.
Advertisement
Zhang Bin didn’t believe in Buddhism, but he understood its role in calming the people, especially pacifying the non-Han people. Naturally, he wouldn’t object, “I’ll take care of that. However, there’s one thing, my lord must not underestimate. In Ji County and Yan County, many talented individuals often do not respond to the court’s conscription. If we can recruit these virtuous people, then the grand enterprise can be expected!”
Liang Feng’s heart skipped a beat. Right, doesn’t this era have renowned and distinguished military commanders? Where is he now? Who is he serving? In this era, while the aristocracy may be decaying, there are still many individuals leaving their mark in history. Does he have the courage and ability to control these capable and virtuous officials and generals?
Looking at the radiant eyes of Zhang Bin in front of him, Liang Feng felt a surge of pride in his chest. He gently stroked his knee and smiled, “Meng Sun’s reminder is quite insightful. We should send people to explore and seek talents in the wilderness!”
Zhang Bin actually had some concerns, fearing that having the Imperial Examination as a channel might lead his lord to seclude himself. Now that he got the nod, joy couldn’t help but surface on his face, “I will spare no effort to recruit talents for my lord!”
