Chapter 396: The Clever and Proactive An Family Father and Son

Xiangzhou, Xiangyang, the Military Governor's headquarters, rear garden.

Winter plum blossoms in the corner of the courtyard were already blooming against the cold, their faint fragrance pleasant. By the still pond, shrouded in thin mist, a tall, lean old man was practicing swordplay against the wind—his movements plain, yet concealing sharpness within. Having held high position for many years, with military and administrative affairs weighing on him, he had rarely neglected his martial training. Only after a full half-hour did he stop.

A personal attendant waiting nearby immediately offered a towel, flattering him: "The Governor's valor is undiminished from his youth!"

Taking the towel and wiping the sweat from his brow, the old man smiled faintly: "That flattery of yours isn't clever. I've already passed the age of knowing Heaven's mandate—my strength is failing, not what it once was! Still, even if I were to return to the battlefield, I could still raise my sword and slay enemies!"

"Of course!" The retainer smiled along, saying: "The bathwater is ready, the maids have prepared it. Please enjoy your bath, Governor!"

"Mm!" The old man acknowledged. Beneath his tight-fitting training garments, he was soaked in sweat—an unpleasant feeling.

The old man was, naturally, An Shenqi, Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit of the Great Han, Grand Tutor, and Duke of Qi.

Compared to most military men of this era who rose from humble origins, An Shenqi came from a family with deep martial heritage—his father was An Jinquan, a valiant general who had followed Jin Prince Li Keyong in founding his realm.

And An Shenqi, like many of the famed veteran generals mentioned before, had also served as a personal guard to Li Cunxu, Emperor Zhuangzong of the Later Tang. Clearly, those who came from Zhuangzong's guard corps were guaranteed quality.

This man had courage and strategy, and administrative talent. His entire official career could be described as smooth sailing—no shortage of military merits, and a resounding reputation. He served through the Tang, the Jin, and the Han, rising a level with each dynasty, leaving his mark in the history of every era.

After the Great Han was founded, Gaozu Liu Zhiyuan appointed him Military Governor of Shandong East Circuit, stationed to guard Xiangzhou. When Gao Conghui sent troops north to take advantage of the situation, An Shenqi led his army to rout them, settling the southern threat. Though the victory was not spectacular, that single battle won him the trust of the Han court's sovereign and ministers.

After Liu Chengyou ascended the throne, he too had repeatedly praised An Shenqi—conferring merits, elevating his rank, and granting money and silks without omission. In these past few years, many military governors across the Great Han had been transferred or reassigned, but An Shenqi was among the few who remained long at one post.

After Gao Xingzhou was transferred to the Eastern Capital, among all the military governors of the Great Han, only Fu Yanqing could rival him in merit, seniority, and reputation.

After bathing and changing into comfortable casual robes, An Shenqi walked slowly into the second hall of the governor's office and began his daily review of official documents. In his headquarters, An Shenqi kept many staff officers and clerks to handle affairs for him, so the matters placed on his desk awaiting his decision were not many. His career as military governor was not particularly busy—he was a man who knew how to hold office.

Crisp, vigorous footsteps approached from afar, mounting the hall directly. Looking up, the visitor was a young commander in gleaming armor, bearing an imposing air.

"Xinchen has come!" An Shenqi's face was full of affection.

"Father."

This young commander was An Shenqi's only son, An Shouzhong, just eighteen years old. Of generous disposition, he had inherited his father's military acumen, and currently served as Commander of the Xiangzhou young lord's guard, leading troops with considerable competence already.

Bowing respectfully to An Shenqi, An Shouzhong reported: "The two thousand soldiers prepared for the court are fully assembled and ready to depart at any time. The selected troops are mostly strong and robust men—mostly single men or those from other regions. Though Lizhou is not far, I was concerned—I tried not to send men with family ties or who are only sons! This is the roster; please review it, Father!"

An Shenqi took it, scanned through it, and nodded in approval: "Mm, not bad! Your considerations are becoming more thorough by the day!"

"It's just that the soldiers have some complaints!" An Shouzhong said.

"That's to be expected!" An Shenqi remained very composed: "But in this great age of contention, as soldiers, one must willingly endure hardship—complaints are useless! Gather the men together and proclaim the court's decree once more. As for how to soothe the troops' morale, that will be up to the commander the court sends!"

An Shouzhong seemed to gain some insight, saying: "Father, this time you've given the court ample face!"

"What do you think of my decision?" An Shenqi looked at his beloved son and asked leisurely: "The realm has been in chaos for decades—heroes have risen, warlords have carved up territory. Even now, military governors everywhere still regard their troops as personal property, the source of power and wealth."

"I can only admire you, Father—your breadth of vision and far-sightedness!" An Shouzhong said with certainty.

"It seems you have some views on this matter as well. Let's hear them." An Shenqi said.

"Let me venture to speak!" A relaxed smile on his face, An Shouzhong said: "As Father said, the realm has been in chaos for decades, and the people have suffered long. But order and chaos move in cycles—now, the realm gradually shows signs of returning to order, awaiting only the appearance of a great sovereign. And the current Son of Heaven has been on the throne for only three years, yet his civil governance and military achievements already show the bearing of an enlightened ruler. Though young in years, he has a long future ahead—so long as he does not die midway, the unification of the realm will fall upon the current Son of Heaven."

"And thinking of the root of chaos since the late Tang—it is nothing but the scourge of the military provinces: the branches strong, the trunk weak. The Son of Heaven has grand strategy; in conquering the various states, he will inevitably also cut down the military provinces, extinguishing the source of calamity. And in these past two or three years, though he has not made major moves against the provincial governors, his intent to restrain and reduce them is clear. This time, ordering our Xiangzhou troops to march—is that not also an act of reducing power?"

"Now, the central government holds the Son of Heaven's strategy, the talents of civil and military officials, and the strength of the imperial army—no provincial power in the realm can resist! Father sees this clearly, and that is why he has responded this way."

After hearing An Shouzhong's fluent discourse, the satisfaction in An Shenqi's eyes nearly solidified into substance. He let out a sigh and said with emotion: "Though my son is young in years, with such insight, he is fully worthy to carry on the An family!"

"Father overpraises me!" An Shouzhong's still-youthful face showed not a trace of pride as he said modestly.

Nodding, An Shenqi instructed: "The An family has passed down its legacy through military merit. Even if the Great Han has the strength to unify the realm, there will be no shortage of wars and slaughter ahead—to the north is the powerful Khitan, to the west the Tibetans and various barbarian tribes. If you aspire to great achievements and to leave your name in history, you must still study diligently and master the art of war—do not slacken!"

"I will heed Father's teachings!"

"I have a question!" An Shouzhong suddenly said.

"Speak!" An Shenqi grew interested.

"If the Son of Heaven were dim-witted and incompetent, or if great power fell into other hands—faced with such a decree, how would Father respond?"

Hearing this question, An Shenqi could not help but laugh, his tone exceptionally confident: "If it were truly as you say—during the Ma Chu's internal turmoil, whether the court even had the strength to intervene would be the question. Even if a similar decree came south, what would that Eastern Capital court have that I should fear?"

Lost in thought, An Shouzhong bowed: "I understand now!"

His hypothetical simply did not exist...

The father-son conversation seemed quite satisfying. An Shenqi thought for a moment, and the more he looked at his son, the more delighted he became. Suddenly he said: "Your uncle Shenhui has developed an eye ailment and is recuperating in the Eastern Capital. I intend to have you go north in my place to visit him, and afterward remain in the Eastern Capital to secure a post in the imperial army. I hear the Son of Heaven favors the young and vigorous—with your talents, my son, you will surely catch his eye!"

"I will follow your arrangements!"

"By the way, after you go north, remember to keep little contact with those of the Buddhist school—that kind of world-renouncing, decadent thinking must not be embraced!"

"Yes!" An Shouzhong was somewhat embarrassed; he had always harbored sympathy for Buddhism.

"Report to the Governor—Dengcheng has sent word that Cao Yin, Defense Commissioner of Lizhou, has crossed the border!" A staff officer of the governor's office hurried in to report.

Exchanging a glance with An Shouzhong, An Shenqi rose and said calmly: "He's not slow in coming! At his pace, he should be reaching Xiangyang soon! Convey my order—all officers and clerks of the governor's office are to accompany me to welcome this Governor Cao. If we're giving face, we give it all the way!"

"At your command!"