Chapter 596: The Growth of Wang Yansheng

"Army Commander, the Dingnan Army has sent men, wanting to purchase salt!" Inside the official office built of bluestone and yellow earth, the market official in charge of the salt works and trading post personally presented a bowl of wine, and took the opportunity to report the matter to Wang Yansheng.

"Oh?" Wang Yansheng grew interested, staring at him: "I have long issued orders—if the Tangut want to buy salt, they pay with coin, silk, or horses, at market price. Everything follows the rules. Why report this to me?"

The market official explained: "This time the Dingnan Army wishes to purchase a great quantity of salt—fully five hundred dan. Moreover, the Tangut hope to have the salt price lowered for the sale. I dared not decide on my own!"

"Hmph! That Li Yiyin has quite the appetite!" Wang Yansheng muttered, thought for a moment, then asked: "Are the Dingnan Army's men still lurking around the salt works?"

"Far fewer now!"

Wang Yansheng said: "I think that Li Yiyin still harbors his old ambitions! This salt purchase is also a probe!"

"The Army Commander is astute!" the market official flattered.

Previously, although the salt works had been in the hands of the Tangut tribes within Yanzhou's borders, the Dingnan Army's influence ran deep behind them. The salt produced, though not great in quantity, was mostly shipped to Xiazhou. In truth, had Wang Yansheng not been stationed here, with the Tangut's steady infiltration, Yanzhou would sooner or later have been absorbed by the Dingnan Army.

Therefore, Wang Yansheng's actions upon taking up his post in Yanzhou were no small blow to the Dingnan Army—directly severing one of its major claws within Yanzhou's borders, and cutting off another source of revenue. Hence, since last summer, friction along the Yan–You border had been constant.

When presenting cavalry and horses to the Eastern Capital, Li Yiyin had also taken the opportunity to submit a memorial, impeaching Wang Yansheng.

"If I were astute, why would I be here—no wars to fight, having to manage these trading matters? Is this what a great general ought to do!" Wang Yansheng grumbled in his rough manner, then said: "I truly want to send troops, to seize those Tangut who dare flaunt their might right under my nose, and cut them down!"

"The court has matters requiring me to guard this place, yet it also binds my hands and feet! These barbarians—without the sword, without seeing blood, how can they be cowed!"

Not daring to respond to that, the market official asked Wang Yansheng for instructions: "May I ask the Army Commander, how should we reply to the Dingnan Army?"

Wang Yansheng scratched his head, thought it over seriously for a long while, then said: "Enough. The Son of Heaven wants to appease Li Yiyin with leniency, so I shouldn't stir up trouble—I'll bear it for now. Give him two hundred dan, send the envoy off, but not a single coin or bolt of silk less than what's owed!"

"Yes!"

"Send orders to all the garrison forts north of the salt lake—strengthen vigilance!" Wang Yansheng instructed the junior officers under his command.

"General, a report from the prefectural city—Chief Inspector Zhao Kuangyin of the Palace Command is passing through on an inspection tour!" A courier entered to report.

"Hm? This Zhao Kuangyin moves fast enough—he's already patrolled all the way to my Dingbian Army!" Wang Yansheng's thick brows shot up, a hint of resentment in his tone: "When I was already a great general, he was but a minor officer in the imperial army! A few years pass, and now I have to go pay respects to him! Where in this world is there such logic!"

"I won't linger here—back to the prefectural city!" Though he complained, Wang Yansheng's decision to return was decisive; he gave his instructions and left at once.

"Go slowly, Army Commander!"

Yanzhou city was the only walled town in the region—a small city of earthen walls and thatched houses, but kept quite clean, a symbol of the Great Han's rule here. Zhao Kuangyin entered the city and, in less than half an hour, had inspected every corner.

"This Wang Yansheng is rough in temper, but a true master at training troops! The Dingbian soldiers are all stalwart and capable, well-drilled by him. The city defenses are laid out with excellent order—I've looked it over and found no flaws. Worthy of a veteran general who has long weathered the battlefield!" Standing atop the wall, stroking the parapet, Zhao Kuangyin sighed in admiration.

"I think it's rather ordinary..." Zhao Kuangyi, standing nearby, muttered with his head lowered. Fortunately his voice was low, or Zhao Kuangyin would have given him another scolding.

In the distance, a troop of Han army cavalry came galloping. Each rider had a small banner planted on his back, and beside the great "Han" banner, one "Wang" banner was the most conspicuous, flapping loudly in the wind as they raced toward Yanzhou.

"That must be Wang Yansheng returning! Come, let's go down from the wall and greet this frontier-guarding general!" Zhao Kuangyin had sharp eyes; seeing this, he smiled faintly and led the way.

The prefectural office was not grand—indeed, it looked rather shabby—but heavily guarded. Inside the hall, a banquet had been prepared. Zhao Kuangyin was invited to take the seat of honor, but he declined, insisting on the guest's seat. This display of deference pleased Wang Yansheng greatly. However, given his status as the imperial envoy, he had to uphold the Son of Heaven's dignity and the court's authority, so he insisted Zhao Kuangyin take the seat of honor. Unable to refuse, Zhao Kuangyin finally sat in the host's position.

From this gesture alone, one could see that Wang Yansheng had grown considerably since his demotion to Yanzhou—at least in the past, when handling affairs, he would never have thought of the Son of Heaven's dignity or the court's authority.

"Yanzhou is remote and desolate. Though we have cattle, sheep, horses, and camels, there's none of the Central Plains' fine cuisine—only these coarse dishes to entertain Chief Inspector Zhao!" Wang Yansheng gestured at the meat and wine on the table.

Glancing over, Zhao Kuangyin gave a hearty laugh: "How is this coarse fare? When we fight in the army, what we crave most is to eat meat freely and drink wine by the bowlful. For this Zhao, a few bowls of fine wine is more than enough!"

"Good! A general favored by the Son of Heaven indeed—this bold spirit, I like it!" Wang Yansheng laughed loudly too, raised a bowl of wine, and fixed his eyes on Zhao Kuangyin: "Down the first bowl!"

"Cheers!" Without so much as a furrow of his brow, Zhao Kuangyin picked up the bowl and drank.

After draining the bowl in one gulp and wiping his mouth, Wang Yansheng looked at Zhao Kuangyin and said with feeling: "Chief Inspector Zhao, your future is truly bright! In the past, those who toured the frontier on behalf of the Son of Heaven were either chancellors or Military Affairs Commissioners!

Think of this Wang—over a decade in the army, ranging across battlefields, and I pledged myself to the Son of Heaven not late either. The highest post I reached was only Deputy Chief Commander of the Husheng Army! After the southern campaign ended, I was demoted here to Yanzhou to drink the northwest wind. Palace Chief Inspector—at this point, I can only dream of it..."

Hearing Wang Yansheng's words, Zhao Kuangyin maintained his modesty: "This Zhao is unremarkable, with shallow experience. I am fortunate to be entrusted with the Emperor's trust and given heavy responsibility! As for General Wang—you have guarded Yanzhou for less than a year, yet your fame has spread far and wide, and no barbarian dares not to fear you. The moment I entered your territory, I heard of your great reputation and felt deep admiration. This is something this Zhao cannot compare to!"

"You're too modest!" Pouring his own wine, Wang Yansheng said: "The Son of Heaven always values ability when appointing men. If General Zhao had no talent, how could His Majesty hold you in such high regard? Setting everything else aside—speaking of the campaign against the Southern Tang—I, Wang Yansheng, consider my own merits great, but I must admit, your Zhao Kuangyin's contributions are even greater..."

Zhao Kuangyin said: "The General flatters me!"

"This time you were ordered to tour the frontier, and you came quite quickly. Just a few days ago the official dispatch said you were still in Jingyuan!" Wang Yansheng continued to press the wine, saying: "And today you're already in Yanzhou!"

Zhao Kuangyin raised his cup in acknowledgment: "On the western frontier, the Son of Heaven's concerns lie with but two regions—one is Longyou, the other Shuofang. Having finished the inspection of Fengxiang, it was natural to come north!"

"Then tell me—I lead the Dingbian Army guarding Yanzhou. How are our defenses?" Wang Yansheng looked at Zhao Kuangyin.

Meeting his gaze, Zhao Kuangyin said: "Though this Zhao has just arrived and not yet made a thorough survey, walking through the city, I saw soldiers who are capable, discipline that is strict, and order throughout the town—all achievements of General Wang!"

These words pleased Wang Yansheng greatly: "Then you must report truthfully to His Majesty!"

"Naturally!"

"Come, drink!"

"Before leaving the capital, His Majesty specifically instructed me to convey his regards to General Wang, saying you have worked hard guarding the frontier!" Taking another drink, and following local custom by cutting a piece of meat and putting it in his mouth, Zhao Kuangyin said with feeling: "His Majesty thinks of the General constantly!"

"Truly?" Wang Yansheng perked up.

Zhao Kuangyin set down his knife and clasped his hands toward the southeast: "Would this Zhao dare to fabricate the imperial will!"

The smile on Wang Yansheng's face grew even broader. Zhao Kuangyin asked: "Yanzhou lies on the northwestern border, neighboring the Dingnan Army, with barbarian troubles ever-present. His Majesty is deeply concerned. General, in guarding this place, are there any difficulties?"

Hearing this, Wang Yansheng said directly: "None other than too few troops! Fifteen hundred soldiers are insufficient for full defense. If the Tangut rise in great force, I can fight one battle, but I cannot hold the city to the end.

That Li Yiyin of the Dingnan Army is never at peace. Since I took office, I've pushed hard on reforms and offended him. I say it's only a matter of time before we fight. I need reinforcements—at least three thousand troops. If the Dingnan Army rebels, I can guarantee holding Yanzhou until the court's pacification army arrives!"