Chapter 594: The Guilty Subject of Puchuan

Traveling north from Longzhou to Weizhou, crossing the Jing River that was no longer clear, and covering a hundred li, Zhao Kuangyin and his party arrived at Linjing. After the spring began, he had been ordered to travel west to inspect the border, accompanied by several dozen riders, half of whom were mid- and low-ranking officers of the imperial army from the Eastern Capital—essentially forming an "officer corps."

This journey served both to inspect the border, observe military conditions, and understand the enemy situation, and also to support the Han army in the southwest. After all, the southwestern border troops had been newly reorganized and were short of officers; the court, aware of this, sent them to relieve the southwestern Han army's difficulties. Incidentally, this also allowed these young officers to gain experience at the border—after all, this was a place where arms would be used, and a great battle might erupt at any time.

Zhao Kuangyin had come west this time at the request of his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi, bringing him along and offering guidance at every turn. After all, since Zhao Hongyin had been posted to Guanzhong, Zhao Kuangyin had become the head of the household. With military affairs keeping him busy on ordinary days, he rarely had such an opportunity, so he took on the responsibility of educating his younger brother along the way.

"Second Brother, the court and the Meng Shu have massed troops on the border, with nearly a hundred thousand men stationed on each side. It seems a great battle could break out at any moment. But from Fengxiang to Longzhou, and then through Weizhou, why do I feel not the slightest tension of war? Does the court still have spare strength to implement military farming?" Gently urging his horse forward, Zhao Kuangyi could not help but ask his elder brother.

Zhao Kuangyin tilted his head and looked at his younger brother—a green youth of fourteen or fifteen, his face full of childish innocence, his bright eyes carrying confusion. Instead of answering directly, Zhao Kuangyin asked in return: "What do you think yourself?"

Zhao Kuangyi said: "I have considered many possibilities, and I think there is only one—the court has no intention of launching an attack on the Shu army in the short term. Otherwise, it would not be farming the land on the spot!"

"The fact that you could consider this shows you've put your mind to it!" Zhao Kuangyin's mouth curved slightly upward as he nodded.

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyi's eyes lit up, his enthusiasm growing even stronger. He said: "If that's the case, then why has the court, since last year, been massing troops on a grand scale in the southwest, making no secret of it, putting on the appearance of attacking Shu? Even the children in the Eastern Capital know the court intends to use force against Shu. Wouldn't that alert the Shu state and give it time to mobilize troops and strengthen its defenses? Doesn't that increase the difficulty of the court's campaign against Shu?"

"This concerns the court's military and political secrets, so I'm afraid I can't disclose it! However, you can think it over yourself. Once you've figured it out, I'll give you that horse you love so much!" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile.

Pouting, Zhao Kuangyi looked very eager, but he didn't press further. He only said: "Then you'd better say goodbye to that horse—I'm sure I'll figure it out!"

Zhao the Second looked very confident. But after thinking a moment, he raised another question: "Second Brother, as you said, the Shu army holds Qinfeng, with its back to the Qinling Mountains, occupying every strategic advantage, and can launch raids on Guanzhong at any time. Isn't the court afraid of being harassed by them while farming the border lands?"

On this point, Zhao Kuangyin was generous with his instruction. He said calmly: "Although the Shu army holds strategic positions and enjoys the advantage of terrain, the initiative in this war has in fact already fallen into the hands of the Great Han. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the one who initiates future battles will be the Great Han.

Looking at the Shu army's movements and deployments, they are purely defensive. In recent years, they have sent their army north twice, choosing good timing both times, but the results did not go their way—great defeats, heavy losses, generals killed and troops lost.

Now that the Great Han has turned its gaze to the southwest and devoted itself to military affairs, how would they dare to recklessly move troops to attack? The Shu army today is like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring, busy building its nest for defense, with no mind for anything else.

Moreover, with the abilities of Lord Wang and Army Supervisor Xiang, how could they be unprepared? The southwestern armies were formed by gathering the elite of Guanzhong and training them anew. If the Shu army truly chose to take the initiative and strike out, for the Great Han that might be exactly what it's hoping for!"

Listening to Zhao Kuangyin's explanation, Zhao Kuangyi wore an expression of having gained some understanding.

"Your subordinate Zhang Shi, Administrative Assistant of Yuanzhou, pays respects to Chief Inspector Zhao!" Before the city gate of Linjing, Administrative Assistant Zhang Shi, leading several clerks from the prefectural office, greeted him in obeisance: "General, you have worked hard on the journey!"

Zhao Kuangyin swept his gaze over the greeters without the slightest arrogance, dismounted from his horse, and returned the salute: "I've troubled you to wait long!"

"Chief Inspector Zhao is an envoy of the Son of Heaven; we subordinates naturally should come to receive you!" Zhang Shi said humbly, his face wearing a smile warm as a spring breeze.

Casting a glance around, Zhao Kuangyin asked: "May I ask where Prefect Li, the Governor, is?"

Hearing the question, Zhang Shi revealed a hint of embarrassment and said in a low voice: "The Governor is not in the city. He instructed us subordinates to receive and entertain you!"

Noticing his expression, Zhao Kuangyin seemed to sense something, but his face showed nothing unusual. He said mildly: "Then I'll trouble you!"

"A banquet has already been prepared at the guesthouse, to wash the dust from Chief Inspector's journey!"

"Please!"

Only after entering the city did Zhao Kuangyin learn that Li Ye was indeed not in the city—he had taken his attendants and gone out hunting.

It was not until dusk that he finally saw Li Ye. His Excellency Li, the imperial uncle, had clearly returned in high spirits. Seeing Zhao Kuangyin, he was very warm, taking his hand and asking after his health with great concern.

That night, he hosted another banquet at the government office, entertaining Zhao Kuangyin alone. In the manner of an elder, he lavishly praised Zhao Kuangyin's ability, knowledge, courage, and strategy, saying his future was boundless and so forth. The strange temperament and behavior Li Ye displayed made Zhao Kuangyin deeply uncomfortable.

Over the next two days, accompanied by the officials of Yuanzhou, Zhao Kuangyin made an inspection tour of the prefecture.

Near the Puchuan River stretched a plain of no small size. Looking out across it, under the dye of spring light, the grass and trees had already turned green, full of fresh vitality.

Galloping past on horseback, hooves splashing up grass clippings and dust, the air seemed filled with the fragrance of earth. Reining in his horse, Zhao Kuangyin gazed into the distance. By the side of the Puchuan River stood a camp enclosure, with the shadows of horses and livestock moving about within. Even from afar, one could see the horses were considerable in number, and though the distance was great, the neighing of horses and lowing of beasts could be heard.

Pointing with his horsewhip, Zhao Kuangyin asked: "There's actually a horse ranch of this scale here?"

Meeting Zhao Kuangyin's gaze, the accompanying prefectural official hurriedly explained: "The master of this place is Su Fengji, a chancellor from the founding years of the state. He was exiled to Jingyuan in the early years of Qianyou and settled here to raise horses. In the past two years, he has been able to present a hundred fine horses to the court each year!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin raised an eyebrow, a gleam flashing in his eyes. He chuckled lightly: "Is that so! Then this general must pay a visit to his door!"

The entire horse ranch was laid out very elegantly, with a cluster of courtyard houses built within for the herders to live in. In the main courtyard, Su Fengji was holding a book in hand, personally teaching his two grandsons to read. The childish voices were pleasant to the ear, but every time they studied the classics, it always brought a pang of bitterness to the old man's heart. It was still that day when the court had condemned him—three generations within, none could be employed in office...

When he was exiled that year, the Su family of more than ten members had migrated to settle in Jingyuan. Five whole years had passed since then.

Back when Shi Kuangyi was stationed there as the military governor, relying on a bit of friendship from the days when Su Fengji held power, he had provided Su Fengji with some money and grain and a few breeding mares. Su Fengji was a man of some ability. Relying on Shi Kuangyi's support, he slowly developed and built up this horse ranch within Yuanzhou's borders, gradually expanding it.

The first two years had been hard, but he had endured in the end. As time passed, he had gained some reputation in the Jingyuan region. In recent years, he had presented more than three hundred military horses to the authorities in total.

After all, he was a man who had once been chancellor. Though living in a remote place and bearing the weight of guilt, Su Fengji still paid close attention to the court. Whenever merchants from the Central Plains passed through, he would make extensive inquiries.

Watching the Great Han grow increasingly stable and the state increasingly powerful, Su Fengji felt many emotions in his heart—joy, but even more bitterness. Of course, toward the court and toward the authorities, Su Fengji had become ever more submissive. He seemed not to regard the horses he raised as private property, presenting them generously, exercising his talent for social maneuvering, currying favor with all levels above and below. All he sought with his whole heart was to remove that "shackle" bound upon the Su family.

Though Su Fengji was old, he still held a sliver of hope for his sons' and grandsons' futures, however faint. After all, the only one who could decide such matters was the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, and he, a guilty subject, was too far from the Son of Heaven. No matter how well he curried favor with local generals and officials, it was of little use—his deeds of "loyalty" could hardly reach the ears of the throne...

But Su Fengji still persisted. In these years, the happiest moment for him had been when Yang Bin was exiled to Jingzhou—not out of schadenfreude. At that time, Su Fengji had personally gone to welcome Yang Bin. When the couple first arrived, he had even supported them with money and grain to settle in, which greatly surprised Yang Bin.

Later, the two mortal enemies who had once schemed against each other in the court actually seemed to let bygones be bygones with a smile in this remote borderland. Yang Bin had bought a few mu of land in Jingzhou and lived by farming. And every year, Su Fengji would go find Yang Bin to drink and talk...

"Grandfather!" A young child with hair still hanging loose called out softly.

Su Fengji snapped back to his senses. Looking at the two little boys, their bright eyes filled with eager gazes, his heart softened involuntarily: "Finished reciting?"

"Finished!"

He waved his hand: "Go out and play! Run slowly, mind you don't fall!"

Before Su Fengji had even finished speaking, his two grandsons were already laughing and dashing out of the study. Seeing this, Su Fengji could not help but heave a deep sigh. His face was crisscrossed with furrows—he had aged far more than in those days. Fortunately, he had remained free of illness and disaster, and could still support this family for a few more years.

"Father! Father!" A middle-aged man came hurrying over.

"What is it?" Seeing his rash manner and impatient expression, Su Fengji said with displeasure.

His son reported: "Officials from the government have come!"

His brows knit together. He asked: "Is it that imperial uncle Li again, sending someone to demand horses?"

"No! It is said to be an envoy of the Son of Heaven, touring to Puchuan, who wishes to inspect the horse ranch!"

"What!" Su Fengji was startled, then overjoyed. He instinctively straightened his clothes, walking even faster than his son: "Quick, come with me to receive him!"

The ranch gate had been opened, and Zhao Kuangyin's party entered. Su Fengji, his old legs moving as swiftly as flying, stepped forward and knelt prostrate: "The guilty subject Su Fengji pays respects to the envoy of the Son of Heaven!"