Chapter 828: Chaotic Passions

While the Han Emperor basked in complacency, unrestrained and busy putting out fires to save face, his gaze once again turned to the southwest, where the rebellion in Shu continued unabated, and the Han army's suppression campaign was progressing with full intensity.

November was the stage when the Shu rebellion was at its loudest and the struggle most fierce. The Emperor's attitude and the Han court's decrees were like a clear spring in winter, warming the hearts of most ordinary Shu folk, and thoroughly cutting off the retreat of the rebel masses. For the rebels, that stern decree was a death warrant—pouring water into boiling oil naturally causes a violent eruption.

To be sure, over a hundred thousand rebels, spreading calamity across a dozen or more prefectures, made for no small show of force, but in the end it could hardly amount to anything—like a swarm of autumn grasshoppers, no matter how joyfully they hopped, it was nothing more than dancing on a grave, not destined to last.

In the early stage, the rebel nobles and powerful landlords could rely on their local influence, plus their deception of ignorant commoners, to gather crowds and stir up rebellion. But once the court's land policies were openly proclaimed throughout Shu, the common Shu folk's inclination to revolt immediately diminished.

The common people at the bottom have great endurance. They could survive even under the oppression and exploitation of the Meng Shu, so how much more so when the Han court had replaced it, and the new rulers were reducing their burdens and giving them hope? And in the dead of winter, how many would be willing to brave the biting wind and frost to do something that would cost them their heads?

Even a fierce tiger dozes off at times. The quality of the Han army was plain to see—once they pulled themselves together, they remained the mightiest army in the realm. The Han soldiers, with their pockets stuffed full, had all the more motivation to suppress the rebellion. For most mid- and low-ranking officers and men, the Shu rebellion was another fine opportunity to win merit and build their careers. And for the senior generals, driven and urged on by the Emperor, and seeking to make up for their earlier failings, they too naturally threw themselves into the task with great diligence.

And there was one group even more eager than the Han army entering Shu—those were the incorporated Shu troops. The single policy of granting land for military merit was enough to raise their enthusiasm for killing rebels and pacifying the disorder.

Thus, as they were about to cross into December, the rebellion in Shu began to turn from its peak into decline.

In the twelfth month, Chengdu was still somewhat cold for the locals, but for the Han troops from the north, it was nothing much. Most of the stationed Han soldiers had merely added a single layer of clothing, whether of silk or satin, flaunting a single word: "luxury."

Chengdu had already recovered its former tranquility. After Zhao Pu assumed his post, he carried out reforms with bold and resolute measures, building the Great Han's governing order, and so the people's hearts gradually settled. Most importantly, in the streets and markets, apart from patrolling soldiers, there was no longer any sight of Han troops running amok. The garrison troops in Chengdu were either confined to their barracks or dispatched out to suppress the rebellion.

Some things are just this strange: before the Shu rebellion erupted, the atmosphere in Chengdu was tense, the gentry and commoners panicked, and one even felt a sense of murky chaos. Yet when rebellions broke out frequently in the various prefectures, Chengdu instead became tranquil. Of course, this was partly because the Han troops had restrained themselves, and also because the gentry and commoners cooperated, playing the role of obedient subjects of the Great Han to avoid being caught up in the affair. Previously there had only been the risk of being plundered, but if one became entangled with the rebellion, the outcome would be the ruin of one's family and the loss of one's life.

Since the rebellion broke out in the tenth month, Xiang Xun had handed over the city of Chengdu entirely to Zhao Pu, while he himself moved his camp outside the city walls, setting up a separate command tent to issue orders and suppress the rebellion.

After a full month and a half of military action, the situation had come under control. The several larger rebel forces in Mianzhou, Zizhou, and Suizhou had already been beaten down, and favorable reports came in from most other prefectures and counties. The prefectures near Chengdu, such as Han and Jian, had been dealt with swiftly and decisively in the shortest time, with Wang Renshan leading troops to basically wipe them clean.

Inside the command tent, in the brazier, charcoal burned glowing red, releasing heat while also giving off dazzling light, accompanied by a crackling sound.

Xiang Xun, dressed in plain clothes, read through a military report, a hint of anger surfacing on his stern face as he coldly rebuked: "This Guo Jin, why is his bloodlust so heavy? He knows no restraint—is he treating the Shu people like savages to be slaughtered?"

After the Shu rebellion erupted, the senior generals of the Shu-pacification army had basically all been sent out. Zhao Kuangyin had gone to the north, responsible for unified command of the Han troops in the various prefectures suppressing the rebellion. This was the Emperor's wish, which Xiang Xun carried out, and it also made use of Zhao Kuangyin's good reputation to win over the people's hearts.

Wang Quanbin had taken the Fengguo Army south, stationed at Luzhou, and continued southward, extending influence to bring the vast region of southern Chuan fully into the Great Han's governing system. That was a hard assignment, but Wang Quanbin dared not complain, especially after learning that the Son of Heaven was already aware of his conduct in Chengdu. He could only rely on the merit of stabilizing southern Chuan to salvage his image.

The senior generals remaining in Chengdu were only Xiang Xun and Gao Huaide. Gao Huaide, his hands stretched over the brazier warming themselves, heard Xiang Xun's words and could not help asking: "What, has Guo Jin killed captives again?"

Xiang Xun put down the military report, rose, and walked to the opposite side of Gao Huaide. He too extended his hands, which had developed some frostbite, to warm them, flexing them a few times and letting out a comfortable sound. Looking at Gao Huaide, Xiang Xun said flatly: "That's not quite it. Although Guo Jin is bold, he wouldn't dare test the law. It's just that in Mei and Jia, with over ten thousand rebels, after three battles, the dead exceeded ten thousand, and fewer than three thousand were captured alive. The wounded were left unattended—he's built his achievements on the lives of over ten thousand people!"

After all, they were comrades-in-arms who had shared hardships together. Hearing Xiang Xun's words, Gao Huaide spoke up for Guo Jin: "Earlier, the rebellion raged fiercely and Chuanshu was shaken; only harsh measures could settle it and awe those who would defy orders. What Guo Jin did may have been excessive in killing and wounding, but the effect should be quite good. Meizhou should now be stable, the Shu people dare not rebel again, and the authorities can govern at leisure and clean up the mess!

Lord Xiang commands the great army, campaigning against the disobedient, and has also killed without number. How is it that your heart has now grown soft, full of pity for heaven and compassion for men? That could sap the morale of the generals!"

Xiang Xun sighed deeply, with a touch of self-mockery: "Perhaps it's that a man grows sentimental with age!"

Xiang Xun was, after all, no more than forty-six—for a commanding general, that was the prime of life—yet he repeatedly sighed about being old in front of others, which many found hard to understand.

Gao Huaide chuckled lightly: "If Commander Xiang speaks of being old, how are all the old ministers and veteran generals of the Great Han to bear themselves!"

Hearing his jest, Xiang Xun turned somewhat serious, pointing at the military report from Meizhou and saying with feeling: "In this pacification of Shu, what His Majesty urgently desires is cities, land, able-bodied populations, and arms. Our northern route army, from the first battle at Sanquan all the way to entering Chengdu, fighting and advancing the whole way—the lives lost on both sides in total numbered just over ten thousand.

Yet now, in Meizhou alone, the dead exceed ten thousand. The pacification campaign in the north has already claimed many lives, and adding the Shu folk who perished in the war's devastation, the count is beyond reckoning.

What I worry about is that even if this Shu rebellion is successfully suppressed, the casualties among Shu's people will be too heavy, inevitably draining its vitality. In the future, it will be hard to account for this before His Majesty and the court!"

After hearing Xiang Xun's concerns, Gao Huaide fell silent, pondering for a while before sighing with admiration: "Lord Xiang cares for the state and worries for the people—truly a great commander!"

"I dare not accept such praise!" Xiang Xun waved his hand.

"Fortunately, the rebellion broke out in winter, and not too many common folk joined in. Otherwise, if it had coincided with the busy farming season and delayed the plowing and sowing, the consequences would have been even more severe!" Gao Huaide continued: "If we wish to reduce the destruction in Shu and the casualties among the Shu people, the only way is to swiftly wipe out the rebels in each prefecture. The longer the disorder drags on, the greater the harm and losses it causes!"

Xiang Xun expressed agreement: "Well said!"

"Perhaps you could issue a commander's order urging the troops in each prefecture to press the attack on the remaining rebels and quell the calamity! The New Year is approaching, and the national celebration is also near—we don't have much time left!" Gao Huaide suggested.

"A urging order isn't urgently needed. Zhao Kuangyin is a man of insight who knows what is important and what is urgent; I trust he will handle it well. His Majesty truly has an eye for people!" Xiang Xun said, his tone not lacking in appreciation for Zhao Kuangyin.

Gao Huaide nodded, agreeing on that point. He walked over to the military map marked with the rebel situation and mused: "After this month or more of suppression, the rebels within Jianzhou have been wiped out, and the rebellion in Mianzhou has also weakened. The only remaining serious threats are Zizhou and Suizhou. Once the rebels in Mianzhou are completely eliminated, after a brief rest, we can concentrate our forces for two battles and settle the matter. If Zi and Sui are secured, the rest are not worth mentioning!"

Hearing his analysis, Xiang Xun considered for a while, then returned to the commander's desk, picked up a brush to write out a military order, and summoned the junior officer before the tent to arrange for it to be sent to Zhao Kuangyin, who was overseeing the suppression in the north.

It was not an order urging haste, but rather a re-emphasis, instructing the various suppression forces not to infringe upon civilians and to minimize killing as much as possible during the campaign.

War meant destruction and death—Xiang Xun understood that well. It could not be completely eliminated; he could only do his utmost to leave a bit more vitality to Shu...

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Governor Zhao of Chengdu has entered the camp and requests an audience!"

"Quickly, invite him in!"

Zhao Pu lifted the tent flap and entered, walking hurriedly, the chill on his body quickly dispelled by the tent's warmth. During this period, although the Han army's suppression was urgent, the busiest one was still Zhao Pu. Though he only held the post of acting Governor of Chengdu, his actual authority was great. As the highest-ranking official sent into Shu by the Han court, he could participate in the governance of all Chuanshu without any problem—the Emperor had given him discretionary power.

With however much power one holds in hand, one must bear corresponding burdens and pressures. Of course, for Zhao Pu, his tenure in Chuanshu was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in his official career, so he naturally fulfilled his duties with utmost diligence, never daring the slightest negligence.

"May I ask what matter Commander-in-Chief Xiang has summoned this governor for?" Upon entering the tent, not bothering with pleasantries, Zhao Pu asked directly.

"During this period, the stability of Chengdu and its surroundings has been thanks to your hard work, Governor Zhao!" Xiang Xun said with a gentle smile.

However, seeing his "I'm very busy" expression, Xiang Xun handed him the military reports from Mei and Jia, explaining his intention: "Guo Jin has sent a report of victory—the rebellion within Mei and Jia has been pacified, and the remaining rebels have been cleared. Governor Zhao can arrange for people to manage governance and demarcate the farmland!"

For the "land reform" matter, the Han court had urgently dispatched a batch of capable officials into Shu to "assist" the localities in sorting out the land. Those people were basically arranged uniformly by Zhao Pu. Hearing this, Zhao Pu took the reports and glanced through them, said nothing more, and immediately nodded in agreement.

Xiang Xun continued: "People can also be sent to the northern prefectures and counties!"

Zhao Pu was somewhat surprised and raised a question: "If this governor's information is correct, the rebellion in the north has not yet been pacified—the rebels are still gathering and putting up stubborn resistance, are they not!"

Xiang Xun smiled lightly: "Stubborn resistance is true, but their momentum is already on the decline, completely suppressed by our army. The disorder is under control. The front fights while the rear distributes land—there's no conflict..."