Chapter 553: Scheming at the Marshal's Headquarters

Fengxiang, Baoji.

As the seat of Fengxiang, this was already the second time since the founding of the dynasty that foreign enemies had invaded its borders, thrusting straight at its back. At the most dangerous moment, the Shu army had nearly breached the city. Fortunately, Military Governor Zhao Hui governed his troops well and defended against the enemy with sound strategy, preventing the enemy from making further progress and preserving the safety of the city's soldiers and civilians alike.

Moreover, with the Huai-conquest army returning and the court's attention turning toward Guanzhong, wealth and military strength were shifted westward, and the situation was thoroughly stabilized.

Within the city, the Military Governor's headquarters was also the command center for the Great Han's southwestern defense against the Shu bandits—the central command of thirty thousand troops across the Guanzhong prefectures. In the hall, Zhao Hui, Military Governor of Fengxiang; Yao Yuanfu, Military Governor of Baoda; and Xiang Xun, Southwest Relief Commissioner, sat in quiet conference.

Xiang Xun was just at the age of forty, but compared to the two governors Zhao and Yao, he was a generation younger. Thus, although he bore the Son of Heaven's commission, after arriving in the west, Xiang Xun treated both men with great respect and fully cooperated in their defense against Shu.

"Though it is over a thousand li away, the court weighs the situation with such keen insight!" Zhao Hui looked up, passed the Bureau of Military Affairs' military order to Yao and Xiang, and stroked his beard with a sigh: "The Bureau's order matches our own assessment—that the Shu army should retreat—and instructs us to seek an opportunity to fight a battle, not to let the Shu army withdraw in peace!"

"Then let's fight them!" The veteran general Yao Yuanfu didn't even glance at the order text. Though his temples were white as frost, his spirit blazed: "Is our dynasty a place where they may come and go as they please! The Shu barbarians know no lesson—we defeated them at Jifeng Mountain back then, and if they dare come again this year, then we'll hand them another defeat and teach them to remember!"

"Governor Yao's fighting spirit never wanes—I admire that!" Xiang Xun, having carefully read the military order through, returned it to the commander's desk and clasped his hands to Yao Yuanfu.

"Xingmin need not flatter this old man! I've fought wars my whole life—I merely wish to gallop across the battlefield once more while these old bones still hold!" Yao Yuanfu laughed, his face full of unrestrained ease.

Speaking of it, because of the Shu defense, the Han court had summoned the various garrisons of Guanzhong to send troops to Fengxiang in support, and all had obeyed. But only the veteran general Yao Yuanfu submitted a memorial, requesting to personally lead the Fuzhou yabing guards south.

Court officials debated, noting his advanced age and fearing he could not endure the hardships of military service, and recommended refusing. But after deliberation, the Son of Heaven Liu Chengyou, considering Yao Yuanfu's earnest words and pure sincerity, and unwilling to wound the old general's heart, approved the request and ordered the Hanlin Academy to compose a splendid edict praising him.

A very practical matter—at this time, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han had no spare sympathy for the aged among his subjects.

"Brother Yao, Xingmin, what do you think—how should this battle be fought?" Zhao Hui walked to the map and asked.

"Since ancient times, advancing is easy, retreating is hard. Looking at the Shu army's performance, they can hardly be called elite. As long as they withdraw, they will expose weaknesses. We need only send elite troops to pursue and strike from behind, and we are certain to reap gains!" Yao Yuanfu said.

Xiang Xun stepped forward, pointing at the map as he spoke: "The Shu army was previously driven back by Lord Zhao, retreating to the south bank of the Wei River, and then repulsed beneath Sanguan Pass. Suffering repeated setbacks, their morale has been badly damaged. Since they cannot advance and are merely wasting troops, money, and grain here, they must be planning to retreat. Examining their camp dispositions, the forces along the Sanguan–Chencang line have already been reduced, with troops shifted back to Gudao—clearly signs of an impending withdrawal."

"As Lord Yao says, the moment they pull back slightly, we send elite troops to strike them from behind! But there is one thing we must guard against!" Xiang Xun pointed at the Wei River: "We must beware of the Shu army destroying the floating bridge to cut off our pursuit!"

Yao Yuanfu saw this and laughed heartily, looking at Zhao Hui: "Last time the Shu army retreated south of the Wei, all the generals advised destroying the floating bridge to prevent the Shu army from crossing north again, but Brother Zhao refused. Thinking back now, Brother Zhao had long intended to strike the enemy, and so kept this passage open—for use on a day like today!"

Zhao Hui's aged face was full of composure, but the slight upturn of his lips already confirmed Yao Yuanfu's conjecture. Zhao Hui said: "The Shu army spent so much manpower and resources building that upstream floating bridge—wouldn't it be a pity to simply tear it down? It suits our army's use perfectly!"

"Send out more scouts, keep a tight watch on the Shu army's movements—report every half day, and report immediately at any change!" Zhao Hui gave crisp orders: "The city must also prepare pursuit forces, rouse morale, sharpen weapons and feed the horses, ready to sally at any moment. Gather all the cavalry together, then pick out elite soldiers, under unified command!"

"Also, notify Chancellor-Governor Shi of the Zhangyi Army to guard carefully against Han Baozhen's forces—the Shu army in Qinzhou must not be allowed to break through southward!" After a moment's thought, Zhao Hui added: "And send someone to notify the defenders at Sanguan Pass to have Wang Renshan continue holding fast, observing the enemy closely, guarding against any change. The closer we get to the moment, the more cautious we must be!"

"Yes!"

"Brother Zhao, this task of leading troops to strike the enemy—leave it to me!" Yao Yuanfu stepped forward ahead of time, requesting the assignment from Zhao Hui.

Before Zhao Hui could speak, Xiang Xun clasped his hands politely: "Lord Yao is nearly seventy, and war is fraught with danger. For the task of engaging the enemy, allow me to lead the troops instead!"

"What, you think I'm too old?" Hearing this, Yao Yuanfu was immediately displeased, his old eyes blazing as he glared at Xiang Xun.

Xiang Xun quickly explained: "This junior would never dare! I merely pity Lord Yao's pure loyalty and cannot bear to see you burdened with armor and hardship!"

"Spare me your pretty words!" Yao Yuanfu's eyes blazed and his hair bristled as he snapped at Xiang Xun: "A few dozen catties of armor—what hardship is that to wear into battle? I begged His Majesty to let me come to Qi, not to sit in a city and retire. If you doubt my age, take up a blade and step into the arena with me—see whether this old man still has strength to spare!"

Seeing the old general's forceful stance, Xiang Xun could only smile wryly and clasp his hands: "Lord Yao speaks too gravely—that was not my meaning!"

"If that's not your meaning, then don't contend with me for the command! You go command your river forces!" Yao Yuanfu looked to Zhao Hui: "Brother Zhao, surely you won't refuse this old man's wish to render merit for the state!"

Zhao Hui glanced at Xiang Xun, saw his helpless expression but no sign of anger, sighed inwardly, and said to Yao Yuanfu: "We'll decide according to the Shu army's movements. However, the sallying forces may be prepared and selected by the two of you together!"

Zhao Hui's words were spoken flatly, but brooked no argument. Sensing his tone, Yao and Xiang ceased their dispute and clasped their hands in acceptance.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall, drawing the attention of the three men. Zhao Hui's face stiffened: "What is all this noise?"

Immediately a junior officer entered to report: "A batch of grain has arrived from Jingzhao. The grain escort officer came claiming to have a letter for the commander, and without waiting to be announced, forced his way into the headquarters—hence the conflict. The man has been seized and awaits your judgment!"

"This fellow has quite the nerve—a mere grain escort officer, just execute him!" Yao Yuanfu said flatly.

"Bring me the letter!" Zhao Hui, unhurried, gave the order.

That grain escort officer was, naturally, Murong Chengtai, dispatched by Song Yanwo. And sure enough, no sooner had he arrived in Fengxiang than he started making trouble. The letter was quickly presented to Zhao Hui. After opening and reading it, his old brows furrowed slightly as he said: "Imperial Son-in-law Song Yanwo writes that the son of Murong Yanchao of Kaifeng Prefecture has been sent by imperial command to gain experience at the front. He has come with this grain shipment, and asks me to arrange a suitable post for him."

"No wonder—a relative of the imperial house, a spoiled scion!" Yao Yuanfu said.

Zhao Hui thought for a moment, then handed the letter to Xiang Xun, saying to him: "Xingmin, this man is yours to arrange."

Hearing this, Xiang Xun couldn't help but glance at Zhao Hui—this old marshal seemed rather inclined to push the trouble onto someone else. But there was no help for it; he clasped his hands in acceptance and withdrew.

"Brother Yao, why did you contend with Xiang Xun just now? Both of you serve the state. We are already in our twilight years—we should have less of that hot blood!" After Xiang Xun left, Zhao Hui looked at Yao Yuanfu.

"That's always been my nature. Everyone thinks me old, so I'm determined to prove them wrong. I haven't even reached seventy yet—even past seventy, I can still take up a blade, mount a horse, and command troops in battle. I will never let anyone look down on me!" Yao Yuanfu said.

"You simply refuse to admit your age!" Zhao Hui smiled at this, then self-deprecatingly said: "I'm not like you, brother. These past two years, I've felt my body growing weaker, my energy failing!"

In years, Yao Yuanfu was several years older than Zhao Hui, but in physique there was no comparison—the old marshal Yao's ruggedness far exceeded what anyone would imagine.

But his smile faded, and Zhao Hui said to Yao Yuanfu with some seriousness: "Regardless, Xiang Xun was dispatched by the court and is the Emperor's favored general—he must not be slighted. Had he been a man of narrow mind, your attitude just now would have bred resentment, and slanderous words would surely have followed. We are already advanced in years—we must not give petty men an opening."

Hearing Zhao Hui's words, Yao Yuanfu also grew somewhat more serious, and said thoughtfully: "From what I observe of Xiang Xingmin, he is gallant and decisive, brave and resourceful—not a man of slander and flattery!"

"I have a feeling that the Emperor sending Xiang Xun west is not merely about supporting the defense against Shu—it can't be that simple!" Zhao Hui said slowly, a peculiar gleam in his eyes.

"What do you mean by that?" Yao Yuanfu asked.

Zhao Hui said: "You must have heard something of the situation in Hedong. With Bingzhou as the seat, a State Finance Commission has been established, concentrating all authority. Hedong is the strongest military governorship under heaven, and the court has carved it up—sharply and decisively—without the slightest resistance. We cannot afford not to think ahead!"

Zhao Hui had always been a man of far-sighted vision. When he had first raised the righteous army against the Khitan and submitted to Hedong, that alone had shown his discernment. How could he fail to notice such a major move by the court in Hedong?

By comparison, Yao Yuanfu appeared quite relaxed, chuckling lightly: "Let them carve away. Wealth, rank, titles, honors for wife and children—I have them all. What more is there to want? As long as they let me keep leading troops in battle, nothing else matters!"

"Brother, your magnanimity shames me."