Chapter 403: Shi Hongzhao Departs for the Frontier

On the plains of Henan, an official convoy of over a hundred men, accompanied by several horse-drawn carriages, slowly made its way westward along the Guyu Road. This was the party of Shi Hongzhao, the newly appointed Military Governor of Shuofang and Duke of Zheng, setting out from Luoyang for the distant northwestern frontier.

Aside from Shi Hongzhao's personal servants, his entourage consisted mainly of retainers and guards who had followed him for many years. In addition, Liu Chengyou had graciously issued a special decree, transferring several of Shi Hongzhao's former subordinates from the imperial army of the Eastern Capital for his use. The result was that the Duke of Zheng's imprint on the Great Han's imperial army faded yet another layer.

Ever since receiving the edict transferring him to Shuofang, Shi Hongzhao's mood had been poor, chiefly because the disparity in his fortunes was too great.

At the founding of the dynasty, he had been the Commander of the Imperial Guard, the top military commander—what power, what arrogance he had enjoyed then! In the first year of Qianyou, he had been sent down to serve as Defender of Luoyang. Even then, Shi Hongzhao had been indignant, but he could still console himself—after all, he controlled the military and civil affairs of the Western Capital, a frontier magnate with no small amount of power. Compared to Kaifeng, where there was a young emperor above and a host of assisting ministers below, at least he could act with greater freedom and ease.

And so, in Luoyang, Shi Hongzhao had enjoyed three years of relative comfort. But now—what sort of place was Shuofang? A remote, desolate corner of the northwest, a barren wasteland! And all because those flies and stinking bugs in the Western Capital had buzzed a few words, he, Lord Shi, had been exiled to Shuofang!

Exiled! In Shi Hongzhao's view, the appointment to Shuofang, though nominally a military governorship, was in reality no different from banishment.

Because of his foul mood, Shi Hongzhao had worn a cold, grim face throughout the journey, radiating an aura of murderous intent. Finally, during the midday rest, he exploded, cursing incessantly:

"Those people in the Western Capital must be feeling pleased with themselves now—I've finally been driven out by them! Had I known this would happen, I should have struck even harder back then!"

"Does the Son of Heaven simply let those civil officials and scribblers push him around? What is there to fear from a bunch of meritorious old officials in Luoyang who have neither troops nor power? That Fan Zhi—merely a leftover minister from the previous dynasty. When I held military power, what sort of figure was he? Did I take his family's land in Luoyang, or collect his tenant farmers?"

"In all my years in the Western Capital, how much land did I register for the court, how many households did I record, how much money and grain did I deliver? Can't the court see any of this?"

"That Jing Fan is nothing but a land-reclamation clerk. He can't control the meritorious nobles, can't suppress the powerful families. I had Luoyang just about sorted out, and he comes along to reap the benefits—there's no such thing as that kind of good fortune in this world. The moment he takes office, he'll show some favors to those old meritorious families, hand out some benefits—I expect they'll all be fawning over him..."

In his nearly three years governing Luoyang, Shi Hongzhao had made some progress. Though his temper hadn't improved, his political acumen had sharpened somewhat.

While Shi Hongzhao sprayed spittle in his tirade, his attendants kept their heads down, tending to the horses, eating and drinking, not daring to interject.

After venting, Shi Hongzhao shook his head, and that rough-hewn face softened a little. He laughed at himself: "Where does Lord Shi get all this grumbling? Things have come to this pass—making these womanish complaints will only invite ridicule if word gets out!"

"All of you remember this—what I just said is not to be repeated outside!" Shi Hongzhao nearly shouted at his retainers around him.

"Yes!" The few nearby answered quickly.

With his emotions settled, Shi Hongzhao tucked his helmet under his arm, ate some dried rations, and remarked with feeling: "Lord Shi was originally a great general, and now I return once more to the frontier, to repel invaders and guard the cities—that too is fitting. Enough. Let me consider it as guarding the realm for the late emperor, repaying his kindness in recognizing my abilities..."

Shi Hongzhao seemed to have made his peace with it. And once he donned the heavy armor, threw on the campaign robe, and mounted his warhorse, his nerves seemed to relax somewhat.

Sitting on a block of green stone, watching travelers pass by laden with burdens, he gazed into the distance. Two mountains faced each other like palace gates, and at the mouth of the pass lay a market town. Even from this far away, he could hear the clamor—the sounds of peace and tranquility.

During his tenure, Shi Hongzhao had inspected much of the area around Luoyang, especially the vast regions to the east and north. Basically, he had been targeting the lands, estates, and able-bodied men of the Western Capital's wealthy magnates. As for the area west of Luoyang, he had rarely visited.

"Clerk, what place is that ahead?" Shi Hongzhao asked.

A lowly scribe who felt his prospects were bleak hurried over and reported: "The two mountains ahead—the eastern one is Green Dragon, the western one Phoenix. At their mouth lies Quekou Market, situated on the east-west thoroughfare. It's a market that has sprung up in the last two years; villagers from a dozen li around come on market days to trade goods!"

"Haha!" Hearing this, Shi Hongzhao was amused: "They all say I disturb the people and harm the people—but aren't these common folk here living contentedly and peacefully?"

The clerk remained silent. Such matters were not for a nobody like him to comment on.

The spring sun was warm and pleasant, its rays comfortable on the skin. Shi Hongzhao sighed again: "The Lantern Festival is almost upon us, and yet I must still hurry westward..."

Just as the Duke of Zheng was letting out the occasional complaint, a small squad of riders came galloping from the east. At their head was an official in a green robe, handsome and spirited.

"Imperial army from the Eastern Capital!" With his keen eye, Shi Hongzhao immediately recognized the riders' origin.

The newcomer spotted Shi Hongzhao's large party and turned directly toward them. His purpose was clearly Shi Hongzhao himself: "May I ask if you are Duke Zheng, the Military Governor of Shuofang?"

Without moving an inch, Shi Hongzhao glanced contemptuously at the young green-robed official and asked dismissively: "I am the commander here. Who are you?"

The leading official dismounted, and noticing Shi Hongzhao's arrogant demeanor, a hint of displeasure flickered across his brow. He clasped his hands in salute and replied: "This official is Wang Zhu, Reminder of the Palace. I have come by order of His Majesty to see off the Duke of Zheng!"

"The Duke of Zheng lives up to his reputation for swift action—you move quickly indeed. This official chased over a hundred li before finally catching up with you here in Xin'an territory!" Wang Zhu said, neither humble nor overbearing.

Since this was an imperial envoy, Shi Hongzhao straightened his sitting posture somewhat—but that was all. He said: "I have to make room for others, you see! I didn't expect the Son of Heaven to still remember this old minister. Go on, what did His Majesty send you here for?"

Wang Zhu drew a sealed edict from his robe sleeve and presented it with both hands to Shi Hongzhao, saying: "This is a secret edict from His Majesty to Duke Zheng!"

Seeing this, Shi Hongzhao finally stood up and took it with one hand.

His attitude was clearly an act of contempt for imperial authority—a world apart from the reverence he had seen officials show the Son of Heaven in the Eastern Capital. Wang Zhu was angered, but dared not vent it at Shi Hongzhao.

While Shi Hongzhao opened the edict to read it, Wang Zhu, mindful of Liu Chengyou's instructions, stepped forward and spoke slowly: "Before this official departed, His Majesty gave me instructions to convey to Duke Zheng."

Shi Hongzhao put away the secret edict, a look of contemplation crossing his face. Listening, he fixed his tiger eyes on Wang Zhu and demanded: "What else does the Son of Heaven have to say? Speak up!"

"His Majesty said he knows that Duke Zheng has been wronged this time. You have rendered great service to the court, and everything you did in the Western Capital was for the sake of the state, beneficial to the court's governance. If your methods were perhaps excessive, or your actions improper, they are nevertheless forgivable."

"The transfer to Lingzhou came about because the meritorious nobles of the Western Capital rose up in a swarm, demanding that you be held accountable. The realm is vast, affairs are numerous, and governing the state requires guidance and compromise. As the saying goes, 'accumulated slander can melt bone'—sending you to Lingzhou is also a form of protection."

"His Majesty knows that Duke Zheng thrives in military affairs and is skilled at commanding troops, and that your talents should be employed at the frontier. At present, the barbarian tribes of the northwest are causing trouble—a time when force is needed. Please, Duke Zheng, endure the hardship for now, and in the future, when the opportunity arises, you will be transferred back to court."

"As for matters at home, Duke Zheng need not worry. His Majesty has already instructed officials to care for your household with kindness. Your son Dechong is a man of talent, upright and loyal in character. He has been appointed Prefect of Yunzhou and has already departed for Xucheng to take up his post!"

Hearing Wang Zhu's words, Shi Hongzhao's attitude finally became more proper. He lowered his head to look at the edict in his hand, then clasped his hands and bowed deeply toward the east.

Straightening up, he said to Wang Zhu: "You go back and tell the Son of Heaven that I understand his intentions. Tell him to rest assured—those barbarian tribes in Shuofang, I will certainly suppress them for him!"

"Also, in a few days it will be the Lantern Festival. His Majesty ordered this official to bring some gifts for Duke Zheng!" Saying this, Wang Zhu waved his hand and had the accompanying soldiers bring them forward: "Men, bring up the gifts bestowed by His Majesty!"

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty!"

Only after seeing off Shi Hongzhao did Wang Zhu lead his guards back eastward. Riding on horseback, he shook his head slightly and muttered: "I had long heard that Duke Zheng was arrogant and hard to control. Having seen him today, it is indeed so. This official is of low rank and humble position, but I am still an imperial envoy—and so lightly regarded. Receiving an imperial edict with such rudeness. If this continues, where will imperial authority stand? Where will national dignity stand?"

"When I return to court, I will certainly report this situation truthfully!" Wang Zhu resolved silently.

"Reminder Wang, what do we do next—return to the Eastern Capital?" asked the squad leader of the accompanying imperial guards.

"No, to the Western Capital!" Wang Zhu looked eastward and said: "His Majesty still has instructions to convey to Defender Jing Fan."

This Jing Fan—surely he would be easier to deal with than Shi Hongzhao. Ignoring his fatigue, Wang Zhu spurred his horse into a gallop, this thought surfacing in his mind.

Shi Hongzhao's behavior just now had made a deep impression on this young official close to the emperor. Though His Majesty appeared to hold the reins of power firmly, there were still many in the provinces who knew nothing of proper ruler-minister etiquette and held the Son of Heaven's authority in contempt. The decline of imperial power that had persisted since the end of the Tang and through three dynasties still awaited improvement.