Chapter 40: The Three Heroes of Luzhou

The "revolutionary" situation in Shangdang was in fact even more optimistic than Liu Chengyou had anticipated. Xiang Xun's report had actually still been conservative.

Before the former Military Governor Zhang Cong'en left for Bian, he entrusted all military and civil affairs to three men: Acting Military Governor Zhao Xingqian, Administrative Assistant Gao Fang, and Luzhou Patrol Inspector Wang Shou'en.

Of these three, aside from Zhao Xingqian, the other two both expressed dissatisfaction with defecting to the Khitan. Gao Fang in particular was a man of great national integrity—when Zhang Cong'en had first contemplated "changing allegiance" and surrendering to the Khitan, he had voiced clear and forceful opposition.

Since the Liang-Jin struggle for supremacy, the Central Plains regimes had changed hands several times, and in the process a powerful force had risen—the Hedong military clique. Especially after the destruction of Zhu Liang's Liang, the Hedong clique was no longer confined to Jin territory and began to spread across the realm. The rise and fall of dynasties was essentially the result of internal infighting and maneuvering within the Hedong military clique.

From the Later Tang to the Later Jin, and now to Liu Zhiyuan, the succession of Central Plains dynasties had never departed from the fundamental base of "Hedong."

And this Gao Fang was a member of the Hedong military clique, belonging to its most numerous stratum. He was a native-born Jin man from a military family—both his father and grandfather had followed the Jin prince Li Keyong and his son Li Cunxu in founding the realm. Though his position was not high and his reputation not illustrious, he had remained active in politics and the military throughout.

In Shangdang at present, military and civil affairs were both in the hands of Gao Fang and Wang Shou'en, the two men Zhang Cong'en had left behind to assist Zhao Xingqian. Wang Shou'en was also Zhang Cong'en's in-law, summoned during his mourning period to be entrusted with an important post—but after the Khitan envoy arrived, he had seized power and amassed wealth. Anger turned to hatred, and in conspiracy with Gao Fang, they had reduced Zhao Xingqian to a figurehead. When Xiang Xun made contact on orders, they pledged their allegiance without the slightest hesitation.

The only uncertain factor was Commander Li Wanchao of the Surui Army, who had over a thousand Surui soldiers stationed in Shangdang. But this man's stance was even harder than Gao Fang's—during the great battle at Yangcheng that year, he had led troops in bloody combat against the Khitan.

As for Acting Military Governor Zhao Xingqian, whether he was truly determined to defect to the Khitan and follow that path to the end was not at all certain. It was just that during the month or so he had served as Acting Governor, coordinating with Yelu Deguang's decrees and the Luzhou money-levying commissioners to extort wealth on a massive scale, he had offended too many people—countless soldiers and civilians in the city wished him dead.

Even the dullest person could sense the dangerous situation in Shangdang. With Hedong troops to the north eyeing the city hungrily and internal dissension festering within, Zhao Xingqian had no recourse whatsoever—he could only huddle in the governor's mansion with the Khitan envoy, desperately awaiting Geng Chongmei's arrival. By now, he could not even send out letters urging reinforcements.

In the dead of night, the land of central Jin was still shrouded in ink-black darkness when a cavalry force, riding under cover of night, hurried southward. Outside Shangdang city, they split into two groups: the main body passed by the city and continued south, while a small squad of a dozen or so riders, holding torches, rode directly toward Shangdang. At their head was Xiang Xun.

The previously tranquil city wall was immediately disturbed. The young officer on watch called out alertly: "Who goes there!"

Xiang Xun and his men reined in at a safe distance, catching their breath. Looking up at the towering ramparts, he directly identified himself: "I am a friend of Administrative Assistant Gao and Patrol Inspector Wang. Please trouble yourselves to report—I have ridden through the night to Shangdang with urgent news!"

Invoking the names of Gao Fang and Wang Shou'en proved effective—the young officer immediately sent someone to notify them. Before long, a gap opened in the city gate, and Xiang Xun and his dozen or so men were easily admitted.

Within the city, at the Surui Army encampment, Xiang Xun was welcomed into Commander Li Wanchao's military tent. Li Wanchao had a sturdy build and a hard-featured face, with a prominent scar across his head—clearly a veteran of many campaigns.

"Brother Xiang, rest a while in the tent—Lords Wang and Gao will arrive shortly!" Li Wanchao said, gesturing to the simply furnished tent and clasping his fists in salute.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony with the General!" Xiang Xun returned the salute with cupped hands, saying naturally: "The brothers who rode south with me—please trouble the General to arrange for them."

"Of course, rest assured, Brother Xiang!"

Xiang Xun's face was covered in unkempt whiskers, his eyes somewhat bleary, showing every sign of exhaustion—a thoroughly worn-out appearance. Having traveled north and south continuously with little rest, riding through the night over some two hundred li, Xiang Xun had indeed been through an ordeal. The moment he lay down, he fell into a deep sleep, his physical fatigue seeming to dissipate with each long, rumbling snore.

Xiang Xun was not allowed to rest long—in but a moment, Gao Fang and Wang Shou'en arrived at the Surui camp. Roused from sleep, Xiang Xun showed no trace of impatience on his face. After exchanging greetings, he forced himself to stay alert to discuss important matters with the three men. Li Wanchao had even thoughtfully prepared some food for Xiang Xun.

Though the meal was simple, Xiang Xun ate with relish. Paying no heed to propriety, he spoke while eating: "Gentlemen, upon learning of the situation in Shangdang, His Highness has decided to send troops south through the night. The First Army of Dragon Rest has already set out ahead—by my estimate of their pace, they should reach the city walls before dawn. His Highness's main force follows behind. As for Shangdang, it all depends on you three..."

With food in his mouth, Xiang Xun's speech was somewhat muffled, but the three men clearly heard every word. Under Xiang Xun's gaze, Patrol Inspector Wang Shou'en immediately declared: "We have longed for the imperial army as one longs for rain in a drought—we will surely deliver the city in surrender!"

As for Wang Shou'en, whether he had any real ability was doubtful. He was an exceptionally greedy man who, in every post he held, devoted himself to amassing wealth with absolutely no scruples. But his family was wealthy and noble—he had an extremely formidable father whose protection carried him smoothly up the official ladder.

His father, Wang Jianli, was a renowned minister who had risen with Emperor Mingzong of the Tang—an extremely formidable figure, severe in temperament and ruthless in methods. Though he had killed many, he was held in great awe, and had risen to the honor of being enfeoffed as a prince. Surveying the Five Dynasties, though there were no few who were enfeoffed as princes despite bearing different surnames, all who achieved such rank were heroes of their time.

Thus, among Wang, Gao, and Li, Wang Shou'en was tacitly the leader. After he finished speaking, Li Wanchao could not contain himself and took up the conversation: "Brother Xiang, rest assured. Zhao Xingqian and that Khitan money-levying commissioner have done evil, and soldiers and civilians alike are outraged. We have long been unwilling to be fish on the chopping block for the barbarian Hu—even if the imperial army had not come, we would have raised the banner of righteousness ourselves!"

Xiang Xun had long since ascertained the attitudes of these three men—otherwise he would not have dared to make contact. Hearing this now, he nodded and said solemnly: "His Highness's intention is to take the entire city without inciting unrest in Shangdang. Next, we must also deal with the possibility of Khitan troops advancing south."

"That is of no concern!" Gao Fang spoke up. This man had a steady, composed bearing that inspired confidence at a glance: "The troops in Shangdang are entirely in our hands—Zhao Xingqian and the Khitan money-levying commissioner cannot stir up any waves. As for that Geng Chongmei, His Highness's concern is well-founded; we must guard against him."

"With all of you working in concert, the great matter is certain to succeed!" Xiang Xun said with a smile.

"There is no time to lose! Let us raise our troops this very night, storm the governor's mansion, behead Zhao Xingqian and that Khitan barbarian chieftain, and deliver the city in surrender—how about it?" At this moment, Li Wanchao slapped his thigh and looked at the three men with blazing eyes.

Hearing this, Xiang Xun said nothing, merely glancing at Wang Shou'en and Gao Fang. The two exchanged a look; Gao Fang nodded, and Wang Shou'en made the decision: "General Li, you lead troops to attack the governor's mansion; I will take the city garrison troops and secure the entire city!"

"Gentlemen, I am utterly exhausted in body and mind. I leave the matter of Shangdang to you. I shall sleep a while more here in this tent—I hope that when I wake, the whole city will be filled with good news." Seeing this, Xiang Xun appeared quite relaxed.

Li Wanchao, greatly admiring Xiang Xun's composure, laughed heartily and rose to his feet: "Brother Xiang, rest well in this tent for the night!"