Chapter 777: The Southwest Generals

A column of over a hundred riders galloped eastward at full speed along the main road south of the Wei River. In the height of summer, the air within Jingzhao's borders still carried a hint of tension—as the prefecture that had suffered the deepest devastation, the word "recovery" was not lightly spoken.

Still, the outlook had turned around after all. Across the fields they passed, one could clearly see farmers harvesting with great effort under the blazing sun. Watching their sweat-soaked movements, one could not help but feel a sympathetic dryness in the throat.

At every major crossroads, government troops and local militia still manned checkpoints, conducting spot inspections of travelers. However, upon seeing this galloping column of riders, they obediently let them pass, and even actively waved aside other travelers to clear the road for them.

"What a bold, what a mighty cavalry!" Watching the riders thunder eastward in a cloud of dust, a young militiaman in light hemp clothing at the roadside checkpoint sighed with both envy and longing.

"How could they not be mighty?" The middle-aged man beside him, apparently the leader of this militia unit, spoke up at once: "Do you know who just passed by?"

"Captain, you know who it was?" The cluster of militiamen immediately perked up with interest.

"You young lads are illiterate—can't even recognize the character 'Xiang'?" Basking in the attention of the crowd, the militia captain felt a swell of satisfaction and said with an air of worldly wisdom: "See that tall banner up there? In all of Guanlong, only one man can raise that standard."

Looking around at his audience, the captain's voice grew measured and dramatic: "That was Commander-in-Chief Xiang of the Southwest—the very man who defeated the Shu rebels, seized Qin and Feng, and commands tens of thousands of elite troops at the frontier. Tell me, is that mighty or not!"

"So the general in the middle just now was the legendary Commander Xiang?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

"That should be right!" The captain said with some confidence: "Just now, many around him wore fine armor and brocade robes—in the army, only senior generals may wear such things. If not Commander Xiang, who else could command such an escort?"

With that, the captain could not help but scold: "You ignorant whelps actually wanted to step forward and stop them for inspection—truly ignorant and fearless! Are those people for you to check? If I hadn't stopped you, you'd likely have lost your lives!"

"He certainly carries an imposing presence—when the Commander glanced at me just now, I was too frightened to move!" one militiaman said with lingering fear.

"Enough, stop loafing around here—go search those people!" The captain took the lead, beckoning the militiamen and pointing at the travelers who had stepped aside to wait.

"These days, where are there any rebels left? Even if there were, would they dare come out? Those people are obviously just passing travelers. The sun is blazing hot enough to bake a man—aren't we just suffering for nothing out here? Might as well go home and help thresh wheat..." One militiaman, holding his sword point-down, muttered under his breath.

His complaint was understandable—it was the season for threshing grain, and a grown man's labor meant a great deal to his household.

But hearing this, the captain smacked him on the head and cursed: "You dare complain? You think I want to be here? Who dares defy official orders? Remember this—the Son of Heaven is coming to Chang'an, and we're here to keep order, so no rebels can disturb His Majesty's progress..."

By the checkpoint, the passersby were mostly merchants. During the farming season, ordinary folk could not escape their fields and threshing grounds—of course, those bold enough to haul goods on the road right after great chaos were daring sorts indeed.

"You there, what's the meaning of this? Trying to bribe me?" Facing the lead merchant, who had offered up a small string of copper coins, the captain bellowed.

"I mean no offense—it's just that the weather is so hot and you brothers are working so hard. This little bit of money is just for you to buy some tea to quench your thirst..." The merchant wore a fawning smile and a practiced expression.

"You may not know the official prohibitions, but I do! Since you're being so eager, I'll have to check what goods you're carrying!" The captain seemed unimpressed, walking to the back of the packhorse cart—then deftly slipping the small string of coins into his sleeve.

"Just local goods and hides, bound for Chang'an to sell!" The merchant's tone was careful and deferential.

A moment later, the captain's voice rang out: "All clear—let them through!"

Just as the militia captain had guessed, the mounted column passing through was that of Xiang Xun, Commander-in-Chief of the Great Han's Southwest. Accompanying him, besides two squadrons of escort cavalry, were a host of senior Southwest officers including Gao Huaide.

"Commander, let's rest a while—keep running and even if the men can take it, the horses can't!" At Huxian, on the west bank of the Feng River, the party reined in their mounts, and Gao Huaide urged.

Because of the Shu rebellion in Guanzhong, Xiang Xun had personally arranged for stability maintenance and gone down to inspect the troops. By the time he received the edict summoning him to the Son of Heaven, he had already toured as far as Xingyuan Prefecture. But a summons from the Son of Heaven could not be taken lightly—he had hurried east at once to pay homage, while notifying all his senior generals.

Having ridden all the way, everyone was inevitably exhausted. Hearing the advice, Xiang Xun said: "We can't very well keep His Majesty waiting!"

But seeing everyone drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, Xiang Xun relented: "We're already at the Feng River—light cavalry can ford it easily. Let's rest a bit and drink some water!"

"Yes!"

The group walked to the shade of the trees by the water's edge to cool off. Pointing at his thighs, Xiang Xun said with a wry smile: "It's been a long time since I've ridden so hard—even the flesh on my thighs can hardly take it!"

Gao Huaide replied with a knowing tone: "Since the great battle of Qinfeng, we've all been resting for a year and a half..."

"It seems Cangyong is eager to make his mark!" Xiang Xun smiled: "This time when we see His Majesty, perhaps we can request a campaign!"

"Come to think of it, it's been a full four years since I last saw His Majesty!" Gazing at the Feng River glittering gold under the blazing sun, Xiang Xun sighed with emotion, a hint of gravity creeping into his eyes.

Commanding troops at the frontier and wielding heavy authority was certainly glorious and imposing, but as the years piled up, so did the worries—nothing like the easy, carefree days when he had served as an imperial army general and defender of the imperial city in the Eastern Capital.

The Great Han's frontier forces were massed in two main theaters—one in Hebei, the other in the Southwest. Compared to Hebei, the Southwest enjoyed far greater autonomy due to the preparations for conquering Shu, and likewise, Xiang Xun's power was considerably greater.

Though there was said to be a separation of military and civil administration, each with their own duties, how could the local officials afford not to show some deference to the Southwest Commander-in-Chief in their daily dealings?

Over the past two years, as his status and power grew heavier, so too did the unease in Xiang Xun's heart. He became ever more cautious and careful in his actions, daring not to overstep. Of course, having a sense of vigilance and knowing reverence was no bad thing—especially for someone in his position as a frontier commander and supreme army leader.

In the late afternoon, the sun hung low in the west, its light no longer so fierce. Inside the Prince Yong's mansion, there was a bustle of activity. In the courtyards front and back, a group of Southwest generals and commanders led by Xiang Xun had shed their armor and clothing, bathing and cleansing themselves under the attendance of palace servants. Indeed—when frontier generals arrived, Liu Chengyou had personally ordered the palace attendants to wait on them, washing away the dust of travel and relieving the summer heat.

Well-water warmed by the sun poured over their bodies, refreshing and invigorating—washing away not just the sweat and stench, but also the fatigue of the journey.

"Go fetch me some cold water!" Murong Chengtai, bare-chested and standing in the sunlight, could not help but call out.

A servant beside him reported carefully: "His Majesty has instructed that cold water harms the body and should not be used by the generals. However, we have already prepared chilled drinks—after your bath, you may enjoy them to your heart's content!"

Hearing this, the frontier generals remarked: "Who would have thought the Son of Heaven would be so thoughtful!"

As the sun set, the generals and commanders, now washed clean of dust and sweat and changed into the summer garments bestowed by the Son of Heaven, filed neatly into the garden and bowed together before Liu Chengyou. The atmosphere was not overly formal. Liu Chengyou sat comfortably on a stone stool, with low stools prepared on the lawn, and gestured amiably for the generals to take their seats.

"Well? Are you satisfied with my hospitality?" Liu Chengyou swept his gaze over the dozen or so neatly arrayed Southwest frontier commanders before him.

At the question, Xiang Xun took the initiative to reply: "Your Majesty, after receiving your summons, we galloped here without delay. The summer heat of Chang'an is fierce—for us, nothing could be more refreshing than a few tubs of bathwater and a few cups of chilled drinks!"

Hearing this answer, Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun and smiled: "As long as you don't find it too crude! If not for the Huaqing Palace having fallen into disrepair and decay over the years, I would certainly have invited you all to soak in the Huaqing Pool!"

"We're covered in sweat and stench—we'd only dirty His Majesty's imperial pool!" Xiang Xun said humbly.

"Xingmin, you speak wrongly!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "You gentlemen spare no hardship, fighting and guarding the frontier for the state. Even if we had the luxury of Huaqing, it could hardly match your contributions!"

"Your Majesty flatters us!"

Looking at Xiang Xun—in the prime of his years, with a much thicker beard than before—Liu Chengyou gestured at the generals present and said: "Among the generals here, some are familiar faces, and some I don't recognize. Xingmin, won't you introduce them to me?"