Chapter 558: The Lurking Poisonous Snake

Since Huangfu Weiming's defeat at Hua Yin, Shi Siming, upon learning the news, immediately led his troops back to Youzhou.

This commander Shi neither reported the military situation to Li Wan nor surrendered to the imperial forces. After controlling Yi Zhou, Youzhou, Tan Zhou, Ji Zhou and other northern Hebei prefectures, Shi Siming quietly stationed himself in Youzhou and began recruiting soldiers and buying horses.

Like a lurking poisonous snake, Qian's affairs were utterly calm and expressionless.

No one knew what Shi Siming intended to do.

For the Hebei rebels, Huangfu Weiming's defeat had extremely serious repercussions. Li Guiren's remnants were beaten back at Zhi Pass and retreated to Yecheng in Xiangzhou to recuperate.

After learning that Li Baichen's great army had seized Luoyang and subdued Li Wan, Li Guiren submitted a memorial to Luoyang, requesting to be appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou, Zhaoyi Military Governor, and to command the military affairs of Xiangzhou, Xingzhou and Mingzhou.

This "execute first, report later" request enraged Li Baichen. For a moment, he even considered sending troops from Luoyang to attack Li Guiren.

However, this head‑first, butt‑neglecting idea was quickly opposed by his subordinates.

After some bargaining, Grand Marshal Li Baichen, on the advice of Left Prime Minister Li Shiyu, reluctantly added the titles of Inspector of Xiangzhou, Zhaoyi Military Governor, and commander of the three prefectures to Li Guiren.

Yet Li Guiren had to send his legitimate eldest son to Luoyang as a hostage. He gladly agreed, dispatched his son to Luoyang, and preserved the pretender emperor Li Wan's last shred of face, reaching a compromise.

Huangfu Weiming's failure turned the Hebei rebel forces from "united as one" into "harboring hidden treachery." Like malt fermenting, the situation in Hebei changed slowly but steadily.

One early‑autumn afternoon, not far south of the city of Longhuo, Shi Siming was touring the city with his primary wife, Xin.

Unlike An Lushan, Shi Siming was extremely loyal in marriage, caring for only his primary wife.

The scenery around Longhuo City was beautiful, the maple leaves red as February blossoms. Xin, arm‑in‑arm with Shi Siming, strolled on the grass outside the city; both were in high spirits, chatting and laughing.

Not a trace of cruelty could be seen on Shi Siming's face; this scene was worlds apart from his usual irascible, murderous temperament.

It was as if he were a different person.

"Ah Lang, you have achieved today's success; I foresaw it back then."

Xin said with some emotion.

Hearing this, Shi Siming felt extremely proud and laughed heartily: "Indeed, after winning you, my wife, promotions and blessings come aplenty; wealth and honor are unstoppable!"

When Xin was of marriageable age, her family sought a husband for her. After she met Shi Siming by chance, she told her parents she would marry no one else! Helpless, the family married her to Shi Siming, a "mixed barbarian."

Unexpectedly, Shi Siming's fortunes turned; he rose rapidly in rank, and even An Lushan's death did not affect his career.

Thus, Shi Siming adored Xin even more, as did his legitimate son Shi Chaoqing. Moreover, after Xin, Shi Siming took no more concubines; he stayed away from women, preferring to invite performers to tell jokes for amusement.

At that moment, a young man in his twenties approached the couple; his features resembled Shi Siming's, and he was the eldest illegitimate son, Shi Chaoyi.

"Father…"

Shi Chaoyi had just spoken two words when Shi Siming roared, "Did I summon you? What are you doing standing here? Get out now!"

He had come to report work, but unexpectedly was scolded for no reason; Shi Chaoyi felt anger surge, yet had to suppress it.

He clasped his fists in a salute to Shi Siming, then turned and left.

Seeing Shi Chaoyi walk away, Shi Siming patted his chest and promised Xin, "That dog‑thing, I'll eventually slaughter him, and later let Shi Chaoqing inherit my office; you need not worry."

Xin urged, "Ah Lang, even though Shi Chaoyi is an illegitimate son, denying him inheritance is one thing, but there's no need to beat or scold him constantly."

"Hum, I have my own plans; you may rest assured."

Shi Siming snorted twice, clearly not having taken the words to heart.

He blamed all the wasted years on Shi Chaoyi, deeming the son a pure disaster.

Shi Siming only prospered after marrying Xin, so he naturally regarded his former concubines and offspring as dead weight, eager to discard them.

Soon, the Military Governor's Judge Geng Renzhi requested an audience and was escorted by personal guards to Shi Siming.

Geng Renzhi was an old subordinate of Shi Siming, having served for many years and was highly valued.

Shi Siming's attitude toward him was far kinder than toward Shi Chaoyi.

"What's the matter that makes you so urgent?"

Shi Siming frowned slightly, asking with slight displeasure.

"Grand Marshal, people from Chang'an have been sent to solicit surrender."

Geng Renzhi leaned close to Shi Siming and whispered.

"Oh? Finally arrived."

Shi Siming nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised.

A faint smile played on his face, oddly mismatched with his stern countenance.

"Madam, please return to rest; I'll be right back."

Shi Siming gave Xin a nod of care and, together with Geng Renzhi, went to the city tower of Longhuo City.

Watching Shi Siming's departing back, Xin frowned slightly and sighed helplessly.

In Xin's eyes, Shi Siming was a good husband, but to outsiders, perhaps not a good man.

In Shi Chaoyi's view, Shi Siming might be worse than a typical enemy.

But what could Xin, a woman, possibly change?

Soon, in the detention hall of Longhuo City, Shi Siming met the envoy Li E sent by the Central Court.

Shi Siming flopped onto the main seat in the hall, said nothing, and gestured to his subordinates.

The scholar Wenshi Pinglie, the generals Niu Tingjie, Xin Wannian, Gao Juren, Luo Yue, Cai Wenjing, Xiang Gong and others quietly exited, leaving only Geng Renzhi waiting.

"Speak, what's the matter?"

Shi Siming, with a nonchalant attitude, looked at Li E and asked.

"The imperial edict is here, appointing General Shi as Military Governor of Youzhou; no need to send a hostage to Chang'an."

Li E said calmly, then handed the edict to Geng Renzhi, who passed it to Shi Siming.

"Originally I joined the rebels under duress. Now returning to the court is the proper course."

Shi Siming said calmly, not even feigning 'tears of gratitude'; it seemed as if he were saying: you are now begging me.

"General Shi truly understands the great principle, a model of our Tang warriors.

But …"

Li E suddenly paused.

Shi Siming asked in a deep voice, "Just what?"

"Just when does Jiedushi Shi plan to issue the proclamation against the bandits?"

Li E asked without deference nor arrogance, his eyes fixed on Shi Siming, showing no concession.

In ancient times communication was poor, travel between regions blocked, a messenger could take more than ten days for a round trip, so how could one judge a faction's political stance?

The answer is to issue a proclamation and post it everywhere.

Issuing a proclamation is similar to the "nationwide broadcast" during the warlord chaos of the Republic era.

A proclamation often represents political credibility; once issued, one cannot openly be fickle.

If one later intends to defect, another proclamation must be issued. Why were the Jiangdong forces that ambushed Guan Yu called Jiangdong rats? Because they wouldn't even issue a single proclamation before backstabbing.

Clearly, Li E is knowledgeable and not easy to fool.

Shi Siming laughed and said, "The matter of issuing a proclamation, this commander will discuss with the subordinates. Angel, don't be impatient; just wait for news inside Yuzhou City."

Issuing a proclamation is impossible; Shi Siming also plans to shuttle between the Chang'an court and the Luoyang puppet court to extract benefits.

Then how could one casually issue a proclamation?

Moreover, the officials in Chang'an with holes in their heads think that giving a name is enough to claim they've won them over?

Shi Simming does not think so.

Before Huangfu Weiming raised troops, he had already become the military governor of Pinglu, almost equal to Huangfu Weiming. Now the court still appoints him as the military governor of Yuzhou; then wasn't that uprising in vain?

Anyone's understanding of their own strength goes through a process. The central ministers in Chang'an have not yet fully realized that their power is already feeble.

In fact, Shi Siming does not know how strong he truly is, so his stance is ambiguous, hoping to determine his limits through repeated real‑world tests.

Li E said nothing harsh, but nodded to Shi Simming and said, "Then I will wait for Jiedushi Shi in Yuzhou for three days."

After speaking, he left alone.

After Li E left, Shi Siming finally asked Geng Renzhi, "What do you think?"

"Jiedushi, Li Wan is now controlled by Li Baochen, and Li Baochen is none other than Zhang Zhongzhi."

"He rose to power by sheer bad luck; when he previously served in Yuzhou, who ever took him seriously?"

"A true man lives under heaven; how can he languish beneath others for long! Li Baochen of that sort is not even fit to fetch shoes for Jiedushi Shi!"

"Now the court hands over a ladder, and the Grand Commander takes it. Yuzhou's mountains are high and the emperor far; even if Chang'an wants to act, it's beyond reach."

"If we don't jump ship now, it will be inconvenient to jump later."

Geng Renzhi said with an excited expression.

Clearly, Li Baochen previously gave the impression of being 'not very smart', and everyone was reluctant to work under this fool.

Not to mention that Shi Siming's starting point was already high, with strong support from the prominent Yuzhou Xin clan.

Claiming Shi Siming could unify the world is certainly a fool's dream. Yet he parcels out land to enfeoff kings, roams Yuzhou, and is more than capable.

Geng Renzhi's opinion was clear: firmly issue a proclamation to cut ties with Li Baochen.

"If we issue a proclamation, we'd fall into the court's sowing‑discord scheme."

Shi Simming shook his head and said.

He has cultivated in Pinglu Town for many years, deeply understanding the military and civilian conditions of the Youyan region.

The court previously often sent some Guanzhong officials to parachute into Youyan border towns as chief military and civil officers.

But these people could not take root locally, or were assimilated and compromised with local great families.

Some slunk back to Guanzhong, some outwardly obeyed but secretly defied the court, and some simply rebelled outright.

Unlike the northwestern border towns such as Liangzhou that reap huge benefits from the Silk Road and hope to hitch a ride on Tang's express, Yuzhou and farther north have always served as Tang's "firewall."

Guarding the border must be done, but there are no benefits.

In the Youyan region's separatist forces, no "great cause" is needed. Here, the "great cause" is naturally peace and independence! Elsewhere, separatists must find a legitimate "banner."

Either they establish themselves as kings or they support the court; there is no third option.

Shi Siming understood this, so he hopes to "silently" cut ties with Li Baochen.

"Anyway I will no longer raise a banner against the court, and I have accepted the court's surrender, but I will say nothing and just keep a low profile, like a chicken quietly eating plain rice."

Seeing Geng Renzhi still had doubts, Shi Simming continued, "Soon we will intensify recruitment and purchase of horses, then ask the Chang'an court for grain supplies to see if they will give. If Li Baochen sends an envoy, we will simply drive the envoy away."

Geng Renzhi wanted to say more, but seeing Shi Simming's resolve, he clasped his fists and bowed, saying, "I will strictly obey the Jiedushi's command."

After Geng Renzhi left, Shi Simming called the strategist Ping Lie inside.

"This commander wishes to expand the army, and the court has handed over a ladder to invite surrender; what do you think is the best course?"

"Yuzhou's grain and forage have always been supplied by other prefectures; how should we solve a shortage?"

Shi Simming asked, crossing his legs.

Ping Lie thought for a moment, then saluted Shi Simming, "Jiedushi leads troops south to Zhao Prefecture, Ji Prefecture, etc., then there will be no grain shortage. Since we have already seized the court's great cause, conquering cities and territories is the inevitable choice."

"Well said."

Shi Simming nodded slightly and said.

Ping Lie's idea basically aligns with his.

Shi Simming does not wish to issue a proclamation outwardly, but will use conquest to prove "loyalty" to the court! After all, any captured territory becomes his, so what does it matter!

"What do you think about issuing a proclamation?"

Shi Simming asked again.

Ping Lie waved his hand and said:

"There's no need. Although Li Baochen is not worthy of sympathy, the Jiedushi still needs him to check the Guanzhong court and prevent the court from cutting off the fiefdoms."

"At a critical moment, pulling Li Baochen up is also appropriate. Issuing a proclamation is like weaving a cocoon to bind oneself; it's unnecessary."

"Hmm, exactly."

Shi Siming nodded, deciding to leave Li E in Yuzhou City unattended for three days; once the time passes, he can simply return.

Send a damn edict!

"Jiedushi, why not send someone to Luoyang to demand jurisdiction over Zhao Prefecture and Ji Prefecture? If Li Baochen grants it, we'll block the troops coming from Hedong for him."

If he refuses, we'll have a perfect excuse to mobilize the army with a legitimate cause.

Ping Lie chuckled and suggested.

I have to say, scholars have endless fanciful ideas, and this round Shi Siming hadn't thought of it.

Speaking of that, accepting the court's investiture yet not issuing an edict, and asking Li Baochen for jurisdiction over the two prefectures, prepares both war and negotiation.

That move is indeed clever.

"Excellent, go arrange it; after the matter succeeds, there will be abundant rewards!"

Shi Siming was in high spirits and waved his hand directly.

"Jiedushi, rest assured; I will go arrange it right away."

Ping Lie took the order and left; in the sealed room only Shi Siming remained.

He propped his chin, pondering the current situation, and upon careful thought realized that Yuzhou's fiefdom was in an extremely advantageous position!

The Chang'an court's weak control over Hedong leaves the Hedong Tang forces in a semi‑independent state, no longer subject to court orders. Pressure on Yuzhou has thus greatly lessened.

Li Baochen blocked the Tang army from Guanzhong's eastward advance at Luoyang, placing Yuzhou in the strategic rear, allowing it to recruit troops and horses at ease.

Likewise, Li Baochen is already overwhelmed by the pressure of Guanzhong's troops, and Yuzhou can already grin without even backstabbing him; this Grand Marshal Baochen has no energy left to strike Yuzhou and deal with Shi Siming.

As for Henan, need not even mention it. It is likely to contest the court over control of the Grand Canal. Whether war or peace, it will draw much of Chang'an's attention.

No matter how you look at it, Yuzhou is a relatively idle region.

Golden Horn, Silver Edge, grassy belly—Yuzhou sits at the Golden Horn, its strategic advantage is unmistakable!

In this round of adventuring, the eventual winner turns out to be me?

"Could the so‑called Mandate of Heaven be placed on me, Shi?"

Shi Siming muttered to himself, his confidence swelling in an instant! He suddenly felt that his future ascension to the throne and proclamation as emperor might not be that far off.

How about founding a state later, with the name "Great Yan"?

Shi Siming's ambition surged in an instant.