Chapter 518: Guo Wei Contemplates Retreat

While the Emperor toiled over state affairs in the palace, laboring in his chambers until late into the night without rest, beyond the imperial walls, among the vermilion gates and noble mansions, social intercourse was likewise unavoidable.

The great victory in Huainan and the Son of Heaven's return to court affected the situation of the entire realm, but for the high officials and heavy ministers of the Eastern Capital, the changes in the Northern Han court were of greater concern, for they touched them personally. Yet amid the rolling tides, those who could keep a clear head and far-sighted vision were ultimately few.

After accompanying the imperial carriage back to the capital and handing over their official duties, Guo Rong, Li Chongjin, and Zhang Yongde called at the Guo residence one after another to pay their respects. Not to mention old subordinates and former retainers—these three, a son, a son-in-law, and a nephew, were the most outstanding of the Guo clan, especially Guo Rong.

At this time in the hall, Lady Zhang, as the principal wife of the Guo household, personally received the three men, ordering fine wine and food to be prepared for their enjoyment, to relieve their fatigue.

"The Eastern Capital is still more comfortable—after months of fighting, both body and mind are exhausted!" Li Chongjin grabbed a whole leg of lamb and tore into it fiercely, saying with a mouth full of grease: "The roasted meat in this household has a flavor like no other!"

"Then eat more! If it's not enough, I'll have more prepared!" Lady Zhang responded with a smile from the host's seat, saying to the three: "While you fought in Huainan, the Chancellor worried day and night, thinking of you constantly. Now that you've returned safe and sound, he can rest easy!"

Hearing this, Guo Rong rose and bowed with proper ceremony to express gratitude, and Li Chongjin and Zhang Yongde followed suit with their own bows.

"Baoyi, this time in the Lu and He prefectures, you captured five cities, attacked seven stockades, and broke over ten thousand Tang troops—no small merit!" After drinking some wine, Li Chongjin glanced at Zhang Yongde and said with a beaming smile.

"How could I compare with Brother Chongjin!" Seeing the posturing on Li Chongjin's face, Zhang Yongde smiled slightly and said modestly: "Among the southern expedition army, in terms of fierce battles, bitter battles, and desperate battles, none surpassed the Husheng Army. The hard fights were all finished by you, Brother Chongjin; the remaining Tang troops were nothing but a motley rabble, and the cities fell at the mere sending of a proclamation—how dare I claim merit!"

Hearing Zhang Yongde's humility, Li Chongjin was pleased, laughed loudly twice, and couldn't help glancing at Guo Rong on his right, a hint of complacency showing on his face.

Noticing Li Chongjin's gaze, Guo Rong nodded and said: "In this campaign, the Husheng Army indeed fought well. I heard of it in both Hao and Si—the Husheng Army is the foremost of all the armies!"

But Zhang Yongde looked at Guo Rong with an expression of admiration and said: "It's still the elder brother who has both civil and martial brilliance, able to hold his own front alone, defeating multitudes with a small force. In the Battle of Lai'an, you broke thirty thousand enemy troops and shook the realm with your might. The achievements of the armies under the Huainan eastern command rival those of the Shouchun field headquarters..."

"A small measure of achievement is no grounds for arrogance! Baoyi, some words must not be spoken carelessly!" Guo Rong looked at Zhang Yongde and said in a tone of admonishment.

Zhang Yongde's nature was inherently good, cautious and humble in conduct. Hearing this, he understood and quickly said: "This younger brother forgot himself—I accept your instruction!"

The smile on Li Chongjin's face slightly faded; his earlier self-satisfaction was shattered by Zhang Yongde's words. No matter how bravely he led the Husheng Army on the western front, he was merely a man driven by the field headquarters, and those military merits amounted to nothing compared to Guo Rong's.

Seeing Guo Rong putting on airs, Li Chongjin couldn't help saying: "Baoyi was only offering sincere praise—why be so cold and unfeeling?"

Guo Rong looked at Li Chongjin, did not argue with him, and merely sighed lightly. This reaction instead made Li Chongjin feel embarrassed.

Seeing this, it was Lady Zhang who spoke up to control the scene, saying: "Look at you all—returning from a hundred battles, rarely getting to visit this household or come home, and yet amid food and drink you still can't stop discussing matters of state and war..."

With Lady Zhang smoothing things over, everyone had to give face, and the atmosphere naturally improved. Seizing this opportunity, Lady Zhang said to Guo Rong: "In past years you were always serving away from the capital, and last year when you suffered that fall, you didn't stay long before being sent to Xuzhou. Now that you've returned to court, I intend to hold a family banquet on an auspicious day—you and your wife should bring Yige and the others. We're all one family; let's gather together!"

Hearing this, Guo Rong hesitated slightly, but meeting Lady Zhang's somewhat expectant gaze, he still answered: "Yes!"

Guo Wei returned very late, and just then saw the scene in the hall, with servants still attending. Everyone rose to greet him, except Li Chongjin, who had drunk too much and could not be persuaded, swaying unsteadily.

Guo Wei swept his gaze over the three men twice, furrowed his brow, and said: "Just returned to the capital, and the three of you come together—I fear... enough!"

His gaze fell on Li Chongjin, who had somewhat recovered from his drunken state but still could not fully compose himself. Guo Wei grew slightly angry and ordered the servants: "Send him back to his residence first!"

"You two, follow me to the study!" He left another sentence behind as Guo Wei headed toward the rear quarters first, and Guo Rong and Zhang Yongde, not daring to delay, hurried after him.

In the tidy study, the three took their seats, servants served tea, and Guo Wei said directly: "Regarding the southern expedition, I expected the Great Han would surely win, but I never imagined that in a mere half year, all of Huainan would be taken and Jinling would submit."

"Your Majesty labored with single-minded devotion, the court planned for three years, and Jianghuai was unprepared—when that vast power erupted at once, the false Tang naturally could not resist!" Guo Rong, having personally experienced the war, did not find it particularly surprising.

"After this campaign, Your Majesty's might extends to the four seas, his momentum unites the realm, the trend toward unification is complete—heaven's timing, earthly advantage, and human harmony are all in place, and it cannot be stopped. Amid this great tide, our Guo family cannot but make early considerations!" Guo Wei's words were blunt.

Zhang Yongde seemed to misunderstand his meaning, was startled, and hastily said: "What does my father-in-law mean? What plans do you have?"

"I rose from humble origins, following the Grand Ancestor, and only then achieved something. In the old days in Hedong, my name was not yet known; when the state was founded, I was trusted by two generations of Sons of Heaven, entrusted with the Bureau of Military Affairs, given heavy authority, and reached the pinnacle of ministerial rank!" Guo Wei narrated with a calm expression: "Over the years, members of the Guo clan and old associates—in the court, in the military, in the provinces—number over a hundred serving as generals and officials, with resounding prestige."

"This time, you three and the Guo clan's old subordinates campaigned in Huainan and earned no small merit, and the court will grant further rewards and promotions. At this point, among external ministers, in terms of power and position, I fear none can surpass our household!"

Speaking thus, Guo Wei could not help sighing with emotion: "Yet there is the saying that when things reach their peak they decline, and the doctrine that fortune and misfortune depend on each other. With high position and heavy authority, great fame and resounding honor, our household must nonetheless be cautious, cherishing gratitude for our blessings.

Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the old Hedong ministers—Shi, Yang, Wang, and the two Sus—who once had high friends and guests thronging their gates, now face desolate twilight years, a lamentable sight. The Guo family cannot but take this as a warning.

The Son of Heaven grows older by the day, his power grows heavier, his position more secure, yet his thoughts become ever harder to fathom. Attending upon him is like tending a fierce tiger—if one cannot grasp when to advance and when to retreat, disaster will surely come sooner or later..."

Guo Wei spoke at length, pouring out his innermost thoughts and making his intentions clear. Guo Rong and Zhang Yongde were both intelligent men and could both grasp Guo Wei's intent.

Guo Rong said: "I have long had this concern, but in my view, although the Son of Heaven's actions may seem cold, his capacity is vast, his aspirations lofty, his ambitions grand. As long as we serve him wholeheartedly, devote ourselves to the king's affairs, and restrain our conduct, we should not bring disaster upon ourselves. At present, it is far from the point where merit overshadows the sovereign!"

Zhang Yongde, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief and followed up: "The elder brother is right. We have no other intentions—we serve with full devotion and open hearts, so there is naturally nothing to fear!"

Seeing this, Guo Wei shook his head, his old eyes showing deep thought: "Within three to five years, we should be safe. But what of five years from now? What of ten years from now? Though there is no immediate worry, we must have long-term foresight! Our household's power being too great is not a good thing!"

Hearing Guo Wei say this, Guo Rong thought for a moment and asked: "What plans does Father have?"

Guo Wei looked directly at Guo Rong and said: "Previously, there were rumors in the court that our Guo family held two commissions in one house and enjoyed the rank of duke or marquis. Though our merits match our titles, it is inevitable that petty men will be jealous. And I have headed the Bureau of Military Affairs for many years, deeply rooted—yet the more deeply rooted, the more I fear being pulled up by the roots.

These past days I have thought it over again and again, and I feel that father and son should not both be in the court at the same time!"

Pausing, Guo Wei said: "You have spent many years away, serving as a military governor, shouldering both military and civil duties, accumulating merit. Judging by Your Majesty's intent, he will keep you at the center. I intend to request leave from my post voluntarily, to serve as an official in the provinces, to spend a few years in the localities! In this way, you can serve with peace of mind in the Eastern Capital, seeking peace for the sovereign and peace for yourselves!"

When Guo Wei finished, Guo Rong shook his head repeatedly and said: "Father is already advanced in years—how could a son bear it? It should be I who leaves the capital!"

Hearing this, Guo Wei laughed and said: "Though I am old, I can still do some work for the court and build some achievements. It's just that there is no suitable post for me in the court—you need not do this!"

Seeing Guo Wei's demeanor, Guo Rong finally nodded. Thinking it over, he could roughly guess Guo Wei's intentions. In fact, if he wished to retreat and avoid suspicion, Guo Wei could simply submit a memorial requesting retirement, but given his age and health, he had not yet reached that point.

And Guo Wei himself had not yet abandoned his ambition for achievement. Wealth and honor he already had, but on the pages of history and the red books, he still had things he sought. Retreating at the height of glory took courage and wisdom, but in the end it would be a pity.

Transferring to another post in the court would not necessarily yield good results—better to go to the provinces and do some practical work, and avoid courting attention and drawing eyes in the capital.