Chapter 760: Consider for What?

Xi'an, known in ancient times as Chang'an, has served as the capital for thirteen dynasties. The Ming founder, believing that "among all the mountains and rivers under heaven, only the central Qin region is truly perilous and secure," ordered Regional Commander Pu Ying to oversee the expansion of Xi'an's city walls upon the foundations of the old Tang imperial city.

In the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign, the Xi'an city walls were completed. The perimeter stretched twenty-seven li, the walls stood twelve meters high, and the base was fifteen to eighteen meters wide—the thickness of the walls actually exceeding their height. Four gates were opened, each with a triple gate-tower complex: a sluice tower, an arrow tower, and the main tower. Outside the walls lay a deep, wide moat, and with corner towers and enemy platforms densely arrayed, the city could be called as solid as a mountain.

On this day, high officials gathered densely outside the Anyuan Gate. Led by Shaanxi Provincial Governor Feng Shikong, they included Surveillance Commissioner Huang Jiong, Administration Vice Commissioner Tian Shizhen, Xi'an Prefect Jian Renrui, Xi'an County Magistrate Wu Congyi, Guard Commander Cui Eryuan, Regional Military Commissioner Qiu Congzhou, and Assistant Guard Commander Wang Zhengren. All braved the wind and snow, assembled outside the north gate to welcome the arriving party of Viceroy Sun.

Though the weather was bitterly cold, the welcoming crowd stood in silence. Sun Chuanting was a man of peerless talent and martial skill, able to shoot with either hand—truly accomplished in both civil and military arts. Yet his temperament was harsh, decisive, and not to be trifled with. During his previous tenure as Provincial Governor in Shaanxi, he had carried out reforms with thunderous speed, and whether powerful gentry or military officers, all had been cowed by him.

So unyielding was his character that even his own mentor, the then Tri-Border Grand Coordinator Hong Chengchou, had to yield to him somewhat. There was a certain flavor of "those who obey prosper, those who oppose perish" about him. When Sun Chuanting served as Provincial Governor, many lamented that the days were hard to endure, and when he was dismissed from office, many clapped their hands in delight.

No one expected Sun Chuanting to return, and as Viceroy no less. Now even more people lamented that there would be no good days ahead.

Shaanxi Provincial Governor Feng Shikong stood with some anxiety. He was originally a military man, a Metropolitan Graduate of the forty-fourth year of the Wanli reign, who had successively served as Secretary, Vice Director, and Director in the Ministry of Justice. In the early Tianqi years, he was appointed Prefect of Zhending, later promoted to Vice Military Defense Commissioner of Jingxing, then returned home for mourning. In the second year of the Chongzhen reign, he was appointed Military Defense Commissioner of Lingong, later transferred to Guyuan, and again returned home for mourning.

Feng Shikong actually had little interest in an official career and only wished to remain idle at home. Unexpectedly, this year an imperial edict sought frontier talent, recommending the realm's worthies for regional posts. Feng Shikong was unlucky enough to be recommended. In the sixth month, he was promoted to Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, replacing Cai Guanzhi as Provincial Governor of Shaanxi.

His temperament leaned somewhat soft, always prioritizing conciliation. Only once did a subordinate kill civilians to claim merit, presenting a woman's head for reward. Feng Shikong flew into a great rage and had that soldier executed. Having just assumed office, he was now about to encounter such a harsh superior as Sun Chuanting, and he did not know whether the days ahead would be easy or hard.

Beside him, Administration Vice Commissioner Tian Shizhen looked over and hesitantly said, "Lord Feng..."

Feng Shikong shook his head and said in a low voice, "No need for many words. Wait quietly for Viceroy Sun's arrival."

At mid-morning, a galloping horse reported: "Viceroy Sun's troops have arrived."

Everyone immediately roused their spirits, and the wind and drum players struck up with vigor. Then came the neighing of fine steeds, and orderly banners appeared as a large column of advancing cavalry emerged through the wind and snow. They rode several abreast, advancing with a thunderous rumble, every man helmeted and armored, their presence as deep and heavy as a boundless sea, yet brimming with thick, murderous intent.

Seeing their uniformly robust horses, the cold gleam of the large copper rivets on their cotton armor flashing, their cloaks billowing in the icy wind, and the chilling killing intent that pervaded their bearing, all the officials stared dumbfounded. This... where had Viceroy Sun obtained such elite troops?

The closer they came, the denser the hoofbeats grew, like a sudden downpour, and the oppressive force they exerted grew ever stronger. Watching these troops approach in perfect order, many officials felt as though they could scarcely breathe, and even the wind and drum players, who had been playing with all their might, unconsciously stopped.

Then they saw Sun Chuanting, clad in a scarlet official robe, riding forward on his horse, followed by a large group of advisors, all covered in the frost, wind, snow, and rain of the journey. Feng Shikong hurriedly led the officials forward and said in a loud voice, "We, your subordinates, respectfully welcome Viceroy Sun's arrival... Sun... Sun..."

But they saw Sun Chuanting's two thick, high eyebrows arch, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. He waved his riding crop and pointed, saying, "Enter the city."

Instantly, the words that had filled Feng Shikong's belly were squeezed back down. He watched Sun Chuanting ride past without a second thought. Feng Shikong and the officials exchanged glances, and Feng Shikong said, "...Enter... everyone enter the city."

To welcome Sun Chuanting, the main road to Gulou Street had long been cleared. Dense rows of government office runners and militia blocked the way, herding the commoners to both sides. When they saw Sun Chuanting's troops enter—uniform iron-clad cavalry, banners dense, their presence terrifying—everyone was struck with awe.

They asked each other in low voices: since when did Viceroy Sun's personal battalion have such elite troops?

Watching the troops flow past in an unending stream, many hearts felt either joy or worry.

Soon, the officials entered the Viceroy's government office, located south of the Drum Tower, while the Provincial Governor's government office was situated north of the Drum Tower, the two offices facing each other north and south.

The area around the Drum Tower was also the heart of Xi'an's government offices. North of the Drum Tower lay the "Chief Surveillance Bureau," to the northwest the "Regional Inspector's Bureau," to the southwest the "Surveillance Commission," southeast of the Drum Tower was "Xi'an Prefecture," directly east was the "Provincial Administration Commission," and east of the street were government offices such as the "Grain Tax Circuit" and the "Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office."

Entering this ancient and imposing place, after the officials paid their respects, Feng Shikong stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "My lord, you have come from afar, and the journey has been tiring. I have prepared a modest banquet with my colleagues, solely to welcome you and wash away the dust of travel. Moreover, a Daizhou opera troupe has newly arrived in Xi'an, which I hear is quite renowned in your lordship's native region. I have engaged them at great expense..."

Sun Chuanting grunted in acknowledgment and said flatly, "I have troubled you, Lord Feng."

He said, "That will be all for today. All officials are dismissed. Lord Feng, remain."

The crowd looked at each other, none daring to say more. They all withdrew on tiptoe, leaving Feng Shikong sitting there somewhat at a loss.

Sun Chuanting rose to his full height. He paced the hall with his hands behind his back and noticed a bow on the wall, of several dan in strength. He casually took it down, drew it to a full moon, then replaced it, and said flatly, "Where is He Renlong now?"

Feng Shikong started in alarm and said, "At present, he is in Xianyang."

He continued, "After Viceroy Wang perished, He Renlong was stripped of his rank but allowed to remain in office to atone for his crimes. He is stationed permanently in Xianyang to guard against calamity, keeping watch day and night. Your lordship submitted a memorial stating: 'Renlong is my former subordinate; I wish to pardon his offenses and allow him to serve under me to redeem himself.' His Majesty approved, and Renlong has since felt somewhat at ease and no longer keeps watch day and night..."

He asked with some alarm and doubt, "What does your lordship mean by this?"

Sun Chuanting's lips carried an icy smile as he said, "He Renlong's family is in Mizhi, and many of his clan are among the bandits. Therefore, this Viceroy could not act rashly and submitted a memorial to feign leniency. Does he think he can escape the law's punishment?"

His expression grew even icier: "Rioting and retreating at Kaixian, abandoning his commander and fleeing first when encountering the enemy, causing the successive deaths of two Viceroys—should I wait for him to abandon me and flee again, ending up like Fu Zonglong and Wang Qiaonian?"

He barked, "Even if he is my former subordinate, how could I tolerate him?"

Feng Shikong was even more alarmed: "What does your lordship mean?"

Sun Chuanting said coldly, "His Majesty has a secret decree: execute He Renlong! This Viceroy has long wished to do so!"

Feng Shikong nearly jumped up in shock: "Execute He Renlong? This matter is of grave consequence!"

He said, "He Renlong is the Shaanxi Regional Commander, and from the same county as Li Zicheng. He has repeatedly slain bandits with merit, and many rebel generals and fierce bandits have surrendered to him. If the three armies erupt in uproar, the situation will be beyond repair... Moreover, though Renlong's crimes warrant death, he has also repeatedly broken the bandit hordes with merit. Consider for his sake... consider for his sake..."

Sun Chuanting said sternly, "Consider for what? Consider that he ignored three summons, that his troops rioted and retreated west, that he abandoned his commander and fled first? Fleeing time and again, making the nation's affairs ever more beyond repair. If such wretches do not die, who should?"

He said bitterly, "These rat-like warlords, relying on having some troops, put their selfish interests first and treat the great affairs of the dynasty as child's play. Do they think that because they have soldiers in hand, we dare not kill them? Do they think that with soldiers in hand, they can remain safe and unharmed?"

He said coldly, "This Viceroy intends, before all the generals, to enumerate his crimes one by one, bind He Renlong, and behead him, as a warning to others!"

He added, "I only regret that Zuo Liangyu is not under my jurisdiction! At the Battle of Zhuxianzhen, how many Ming officers and soldiers did he cause to die? If he were in Shaanxi, this Viceroy would behead him as well!" (To be continued...)