Chapter 447: Winning Hearts Is Paramount

In the Tang dynasty, Taiyuan City was the famed Jin Yang City of the Northern and Southern Dynasties; by the Tang era the walls had not moved an inch, being directly inherited and renamed Taiyuan, designated as the "Northern Capital".

Based on the original Jin Yang City, many expansions were added.

The city stretches east–west, divided into West City, Central City, and East City.

The West City houses the palace and the Jiedushi's office; the walls stand four zhang high and include Luo City, Fu City, Daming Palace City, Xin City (the Jin Yang administrative city), Cang City, and so on. Its north–south length is about 13 li, east–west about 9 li, making it the core of Taiyuan City.

Central City spans the Fen River (later rerouted), featuring a ferry crossing, a dock bridge where transport ships berth, and water gates. The transport ships can sail directly into the city without docking.

East City is where ordinary civilians live, and of course it also includes the military families of Hedong Town.

With such a scale, Taiyuan City is as renowned as the Western Capital Chang'an and the Eastern Capital Luoyang, and must not be underestimated.

Of course, defending such a massive city is not easy; even tens of thousands of troops placed on the walls cannot fill every rampart, so the so‑called defense is really "mobile defense".

Ensuring the city does not fall involves great knowledge; it is a profound technical art.

Fang Chongyong had just arrived at Taiyuan City when Yan Zhenqing ushered him into the Hedong Jiedushi's office in Xin City for a meeting to discuss strategies for governing Hedong.

Should we launch an offensive, adopt a defensive stance, combine both, or simply abandon peripheral outposts and hold Taiyuan City to the death?

These difficult matters require a backbone to make the final decision.

"Yan Sir, how are the Hedong troops now?"

Having just taken his seat, Fang Chongyong asked calmly.

A large official map exclusive to the Jiedushi's office hung in the main hall, with every city in Hedong marked on it.

Even the areas occupied by Huangfu Weiming's rebel forces were marked with special ink.

This ink can be ground from vines, dragon bone, southern powder, hundred‑herb dew, bird droppings, etc., into powder; after slight moistening it can be erased without damaging the map material.

At a glance, the eastern side of Hedong Dao is largely already fallen.

"The current situation isn't very good."

Yan Zhenqing let out a long sigh, stood up, picked up a slender wooden stick, and pointed to the map: "East of Taiyuan City lies Yuci County, where the rebel army of Cai Xide has entrenched heavy troops. To the southeast of the city is Dongwo Post, originally a garrison of the Imperial troops, now a rebel stronghold blocking Taiyuan's southern supply route."

As for farther places, Yan Zhenqing said nothing, apparently deeming it unnecessary. The west is a great mountain range with no safe marching routes, leaving little to discuss.

In short, only to the north does Taiyuan City have Yangqu County and Chitang Pass as depth; in all other directions, Huangfu Weiming's rebels could appear.

"Taiyuan City is large and populous; the daily consumption of provisions is a huge figure.

Cai Xide has been sweeping the outskirts of Taiyuan City but hasn't attacked; this is a typical siege‑to‑aid scenario, hoping for relief forces is unrealistic."

Fang Chongyong said in a calm tone, indicating he now roughly understood what Cai Xide intended.

This senior general under Huangfu Weiming does not seem eager to capture Taiyuan.

"Jiedushi, given the current plan, how should we respond?"

Yan Zhenqing asked sincerely, showing no hint of a "Sir" demeanor, as if already prepared to hand over command of Taiyuan.

Everyone fell into contemplation, even the most reckless He Changqi did not step forward to voice an opinion.

In fact, the Tang forces in Taiyuan total several tens of thousands, not powerless against Huangfu Weiming's rebels.

But the current battlefield is extremely complex; every regional inspector's allegiance raises a question, truly unsettling.

If we stubbornly hold Taiyuan City, the rebels will sweep away surrounding prefectures, resulting in a slow death.

If we proactively engage the rebels in field battle and lose, Taiyuan City would almost certainly be lost in an instant.

Advance or retreat concerns the lives of hundreds of thousands in Taiyuan; no one dares to guarantee their decision is flawless.

This decision is truly difficult; especially He Changqi and others feel they cannot shoulder the responsibility.

"Jiedushi! Jiedushi! The rebels shot a letter into the city with a bow! I have retrieved it!"

Just as everyone was at a loss, Guan Chongsi, on duty guarding the walls today, hurried into the office hall, holding an arrow with a paper tied to it.

"It's not for someone else, it's for Sir Yan."

Fang Chongyong skimmed through it in a glance, then handed it to Yan Zhenqing with a smile: "I am already listed on the anti‑rebellion edict, unworthy of the rebels' recruitment."

He truly didn't know whether he meant honor or sorrow.

Yan Zhenqing took the letter and found it was Huangfu Weiming's own handwriting, urging him to open the city and surrender, or call it a 'rebellion' if you prefer.

He also promised high official rank and generous salary, even the position of Chancellor. He pledged that the troops and civilians of Taiyuan City would be spared, and he would only kill those like Ji Ge's "die‑hard loyalists".

People like Fang Chongyong.

"Just a petty trick, trying to sow discord between me and the Jiedushi, preventing us from unitedly defending Taiyuan.

Expecting me to surrender is like dreaming in broad daylight."

Yan Zhenqing casually tossed the letter aside, saying indifferently.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod, his face unchanged, but his heart was far less optimistic than Yan Zhenqing's.

Huangfu Weiming is far more formidable than An Lushan, even knowing how to wage political warfare!

Such an opponent is hard to deal with!

This divide‑and‑win tactic is useless in Taiyuan City, but that doesn't mean it fails elsewhere!

"Everyone, please hear a word from me."

Fang Chongyong clapped his hands and looked around at the crowd.

Those whispering and speculating about what Yan Zhenqing refused to show them in the letter sat upright on cushions, listening to the instruction.

"All of you have families, many even residing within Taiyuan City; I, this Jiedushi, fully understand your feelings.

If anyone wishes to join the rebels or return home to avoid disaster, you may leave now. The Central City ferry today allows only departures, not arrivals; those wishing to go may do so, and this Jiedushi will not hinder you.

But starting tomorrow, if anyone defects to the rebels, acts as an insider, or shirks duties, once discovered by this Jiedushi, the light punishment is immediate beheading, the severe is extermination of three families.

Everyone may disperse, return and contemplate the defense strategy; we will discuss again another day."

Fang Chongyong's gaze swept over everyone's face, especially the local officials of Taiyuan Prefecture; some felt a chill and involuntarily lowered their heads.

These people were unsure whether to step forward and pledge loyalty or avoid being a target, and went back to ponder the meaning of Fang Chongyong's words.

After everyone had left, Yan Zhenqing finally frowned slightly and asked Fang Chongyong: "What did your earlier words mean? From the perspective of Taiyuan Prefecture's local officials, the rebels are not entirely…"

He didn't want to go on. What Fang Chongyong had just said was practically encouraging those people to defect to Huangfu Weiming.

"The great wave washes away the sand. Now those of weak resolve have left, and those who remain are all willing to live or die with Taiyuan City.

Some people simply cannot be kept. Rather than forcing them to fret day and night within Taiyuan City, it would be better to let them leave.

They can be at ease, and we can be at ease too."

Fang Chongyong said with a long sigh.

"Alas, the state has its laws. Now is a time of crisis—how can this be allowed..."

Yan Zhenqing shook his head helplessly.

One could imagine that officials were probably leaving Taiyuan City right now. He had previously issued a death order: anyone who dared leave Taiyuan without cause would have their entire family killed!

He hadn't expected Fang Chongyong to open such a huge breach the moment he arrived.

Yan Zhenqing believed that as officials of the court, drawing salaries from the court, it was only right and proper to devote oneself to serving the nation.

But clearly, Fang Chongyong did not see it that way. His thinking was more pragmatic.

With victory and defeat still undecided, who were the "imperial troops" and who were the "rebels"—that was not yet certain!

Fang Chongyong had no expectation that everyone could "devote themselves to the nation"!

"Taiyuan City is too large. It cannot be held by defense alone.

We cannot hold it rigidly. We must find a way."

Fang Chongyong said in a low voice.

Yan Zhenqing had no desire to comment on these "correct but useless words." The elderly literatus, already past fifty, asked patiently, "What way?"

"One word: stall!"

Fang Chongyong held up one finger and said.

That was it?

Fang Chongyong's single remark left Yan Zhenqing bewildered. He reflexively asked, "Stall? How do we stall?"

"This can't be explained in a few words. Let's discuss it in a few days. There are still some things I haven't figured out yet."

Fang Chongyong stood up and walked out of the yamen.

By now the land of Jinzhong was already warm with spring flowers in bloom, the sunlight gentle, the air fragrant, birds singing, and everywhere one could see trees putting forth tender buds.

It was once again the season for spring plowing, but alas, the common folk of Taiyuan City could not leave the city to work the fields. This year's spring plowing was likely ruined.

What could be foreseen, then, was that military rations for autumn and winter this year would be very difficult to gather.

As for the common folk of the Hedong Circuit, it was even worse—no spring plowing meant no autumn harvest. Would it come to people eating people?

Once war broke out, everything became beyond anyone's control.

"In rise and in fall, the common people suffer."

He couldn't help but sigh. This wave of war—who knew how many would have to die before it came to an end.

Fang Chongyong left the prefectural yamen, gathered a few trusted aides and a band of personal guards, and went to the ferry dock in the central city of Taiyuan. From here, one could board a boat and pass directly through the water gate within the city, then leave Taiyuan City along the Fen River.

The group stood quietly beside the deserted pier, waiting for people to flee Taiyuan with their families in tow.

After waiting half a day without seeing anyone arrive, He Changqi clasped his fists in a salute to Fang Chongyong and asked, "Jiedushi, when people do come, should we capture and kill them?"

"No, no, no. Just let them leave. Do not create needless bloodshed."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand lightly, looking quite casual, as if he didn't care which way the fence-sitters leaned.

They waited and waited. Only after the better part of a shichen did the group see a cluster of people approaching with their families in tow. From the look of them, they had clearly agreed on this beforehand.

Fang Chongyong noticed that one person seemed very familiar. Only upon drawing closer did he realize that this person was actually Wang Wei!

Wang Wei's official rank was no small matter at this point—he had already become the Governor of Taiyuan! He was the top administrator of civil affairs in Taiyuan City!

Originally, it would have been impossible for him to be posted to Taiyuan as an official. But because the political situation in Chang'an was chaotic, and Princess Yuzhen took relatively good care of Wang Wei, she had him return to Taiyuan City, which was close to his hometown, to serve.

Wang Wei's ancestral home was in Puzhou, Hedong. Puzhou was not very far from Taiyuan, making it quite convenient to go home to visit relatives.

Who would have thought that Wang Wei would actually try to flee!

"Governor Wang, once you leave, it will be far more difficult to return to office in the future."

Fang Chongyong noticed that Wang Wei was entirely alone, not even a single junior family member with him. The people behind him all seemed to have their own companions and were not traveling with him, so Fang Chongyong spoke with a puzzled expression, trying to persuade him.

"Jiedushi Fang is magnanimous. I, Wang, now only wish to return to my hometown in Puzhou and live in seclusion in the countryside. That is all.

As for what happens after the war ends, I am not afraid of the Jiedushi laughing at me—I have grown weary of officialdom's infighting. I might as well not serve as an official at all.

I beg the Jiedushi to show mercy and let me pass."

Wang Wei, already nearing sixty, had long since gone gray in hair and beard. Both in body and spirit, he looked like an old man in his twilight years.

At this moment he was no longer wearing official robes, but had on a coarse hemp gown, looking rather down and out.

The group of officials behind Wang Wei were basically all local officials of the Taiyuan Prefecture. Many among them had wanted to leave Taiyuan to escape the chaos, but had been too frightened by Yan Zhenqing's prohibition to dare move.

Today, shocked to hear that Fang Chongyong was actually "leaving the net open on one side," these people brought their families and headed for the ferry dock within the city.

Once they left, it was essentially a permanent farewell to their official careers. Of course, if they fled to Huangfu Weiming's side, they might still manage to land some minor post. A thousand people, a thousand faces—each person's calculations were different, and Fang Chongyong had no way to distinguish among them.

"Gentlemen, the transport boats are behind me. Once you board, the boatmen will take you to Que Shu Valley.

The water there is swift and shallow, and the transport boats cannot pass. After that, you are on your own."

Fang Chongyong waved his hand broadly, signaling Wang Wei and the others to board the boats, and did not stop any one of them.

"The Jiedushi's great kindness today, I can only repay in the next life."

Wang Wei sighed deeply, recalling his life's rough official career, and how he had also been trapped by love—he had accomplished almost nothing.

The aspirations in his heart had, with the squandering of the years, dissipated like smoke.

His heart swirled with a hundred emotions. He dared not look at Fang Chongyong again and hurriedly boarded a transport boat, his figure disappearing into the cabin entrance.

After everyone had boarded, the transport boat slowly left the ferry dock within the city and headed south along the Fen River.

"Jiedushi, even the Governor of Taiyuan has fled. What's the point of defending this Taiyuan Prefecture? We might as well take the army straight to Chang'an!"

He Changqi leaned in and complained in a low voice.

"If we return to Chang'an now, every officer in the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army, you and I included, will lose our heads."

Fang Chongyong said with a calm expression.

He watched the distant sunset redden the Fen River and felt a certain indescribable tragic grandeur.

"Jiedushi, how can this be allowed?"

He Changqi was startled; he truly did not think Brother Ji would dare to strike them down ruthlessly.

"The reason a Sage is called a Sage is precisely because he is ruthless and merciless, without any scruples.

If a man isn't ruthless, he can't stand firm. You all are only ruthless in hand, whereas he is ruthless in heart. You are far beneath him.

Understand?"

Fang Chongyong could not even be bothered to explain to He Changqi what "political scheming" meant. These soldiers, more often than not, thought about problems far too naively!

"Even so, that's letting those people off too easily. If it were me, I'd definitely collect a sum of money — whoever pays gets to leave!"

He Changqi said indignantly.

He felt that Fang Chongyong was simply too easy to deal with. Those spineless cowards — when everyone had to defend the city, they were the first to run.

Simply not worth mourning even if they died!

He Changqi had the least tolerance for people like that!

"Among them, there will certainly be someone who leaks Taiyuan City's defense deployments to Huangfu Weiming.

That way, our true deployments and plans won't be leaked."

A cold glint flashed in Fang Chongyong's eyes as he spoke unhurriedly.

"Huh?"

He Changqi was completely bewildered, unable to figure out what Fang Chongyong was really up to.

……

Crack crack crack crack crack!

With a teeth-grating sound, the city gates of Yecheng in Xiangzhou swung wide open!

An old man nearing eighty, wearing a red official robe, came out supported by Du Fu.

He was led before Huangfu Weiming and bowed with hands clasped in greeting. Then Du Fu handed over the official seal and credentials of the Xiangzhou government office to the latter, before stepping to one side without speaking.

"This old man wishes to take those who do not wish to submit to Commander Huangfu and leave Xiangzhou for Luoyang. I wonder if the Commander can accept this?"

The old man scrutinized Huangfu Weiming with clouded eyes and asked.

His name was Wang Tao, the Inspector of Xiangzhou, and also a renowned physician.

Huangfu Weiming hurriedly returned the courtesy politely, saying, "You are too courteous, Master Wang. If you wish to leave Yecheng, please do as you please. If others wish to leave as well, that is also fine. This commander raised arms only to clear the sovereign's side of evil ministers and to support Prince Rong's ascension to the throne. I will not force anyone."

Wang Tao hastily expressed his thanks, was helped onto a carriage, and headed south. Leaving together with him were over a hundred local Xiangzhou officials.

"You rendered service in persuading the Inspector of Xiangzhou to open the city gates. This commander appoints you as Left Reminder, to campaign with this commander!"

Huangfu Weiming looked at Du Fu and laughed heartily, clearly in excellent spirits.

However, Li Guiren beside him was somewhat dissatisfied, and complained to Huangfu Weiming, "Commander, we could have flattened Yecheng in a mere day or two. Not slaughtering the city is already being courteous enough. Why let those officials go?"

It would have been better if he had not spoken, but once he did, several generals beside Huangfu Weiming chimed in agreement.

"The people we release today will open city gates for us in the future. This is called subduing the enemy without fighting!

The highest of the high!"

Huangfu Weiming waved his hand and said this, having no desire to waste more words on these soldiers whose heads were full of nothing but killing.

He had already anticipated what those people would say to their friends and relatives.

The Great Tang has millions of households and tens of millions of able-bodied men. Can they all be killed off? If you kill them all, who will govern the country, who will provide tax revenue?

Even a shepherd doesn't slaughter all his penned sheep at once!

Winning hearts and minds in war is the superior strategy. Advancing step by step to capture cities and seize territory is, by contrast, the inferior approach.

Huangfu Weiming pondered to himself: he had now bestowed considerable "grace" in Hebei, but once they crossed the Yellow River, it would be time to demonstrate some might!

Applying grace and might together would surely make him invincible in every battle!

"Pass orders to Shi Siming, have him accelerate his campaign against Hedong.

This commander will attack Luoyang westward from Hulao Pass, and he will attack Luoyang eastward from the three Heyang garrisons. Advancing from both east and west, we will surely conquer it in one stroke!"

Huangfu Weiming instructed the messenger beside him.

(End of this chapter)