Chapter 80

In a moment, the Hall of Proclamation was in an uproar, officials whispering to each other, discussions rampant.

Even Wei Qing frowned, stepped forward first, and said with a worried face: "Your Majesty, the situation in the Southwestern Barbarians' lands is complex, rebellions frequently erupt, and cannot be subdued without military force."

Although Dong Zhongshu is well read and erudite, he is merely a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken; how could he bear this heavy responsibility? I fear he cannot achieve merit on the battlefield or pacify the rebellion. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider and choose another capable general.

Immediately after, Jin Rizhe also stepped forward, bowed and advised: "Your Majesty, King Wei is quite right. The Southwestern Barbarians have always been fierce, repeatedly opposing our Great Han; to thoroughly pacify them we need a brave and wise general. Dong Zhongshu has always focused on academics and education, knowing little of military affairs; to send him rashly would not only fail to solve the problem but might also put him in danger, which would also be a loss of talent for our Great Han."

Other officials also chimed in, some saying: "A scholar going there would merely be talking strategy on paper; what could he accomplish?"

Others said: "Isn't this just pushing him into a pit of fire? The rebel Southwestern Barbarians won't show mercy just because he is a scholar."

Facing the officials' strong opposition, Liu Ju remained calm and unhurried, saying: "Beloved officials, I understand your concerns, but you only see one side of Dong Zhongshu as a scholar, overlooking his wisdom and foresight."

Although he is not skilled in martial force, he deeply understands people's hearts, knows how to educate the populace and unite all sides. I believe the rebellion of the Southwestern Barbarians is not merely a military clash, but also a collision of culture and thought.

If Dong Zhongshu can spread my ideas and the culture of the Great Han to the Southwestern Barbarians, letting them identify with the Great Han from their hearts, then the conflict will naturally be resolved and true pacification achieved.

However, the officials still wore doubtful expressions; an elderly official trembled as he stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, this idea is good, but how easy is it to put into practice? The Southwestern Barbarians differ greatly in culture from our Great Han; how could they readily accept our ideas and culture? This is probably just Your Majesty's wishful thinking."

Liu Ju slightly furrowed his brow, his gaze firm as he swept over the crowd, saying: "My decision is made. Although Dong Zhongshu lacks battlefield experience, he possesses firm conviction and extraordinary wisdom. I have bestowed these two books upon him, containing my many thoughts and ideas on governing the Southwestern Barbarians; I believe he will surely draw strength from them and find a solution."

Seeing Liu Ju's firm attitude, the officials, though unwilling, dared not oppose further and could only retreat one after another.

After receiving the order, Zhang Tang immediately arranged personnel and sent the books to Benefit Prefecture as quickly as possible.

Benefit Prefecture, Reed Sprout County, the governor's residence was in utter disarray.

Governor Wang Shang hurriedly came with all the officials of Benefit Prefecture to console Su Wu, wounded in the Southwestern Barbarians' surprise attack, and the accompanying merchants.

Upon entering the courtyard, Wang Shang saw the injured lying everywhere inside and outside the house, their painful groans intertwining, the air thick with the smell of blood.

Outside in the open space lay piles of tea brought by merchants; the bags holding Wu Zhu coins were torn open, coins scattered across the ground.

Under constant harassment by the Southwestern Barbarians' tribes, these goods and wealth, once vital for merchant caravans' trade, have become burdens.

Su Wu's face was pale; he forced himself to rise and salute Governor Wang Shang, his voice weak yet firm: "Governor, the Southwestern Barbarians' tribes have repeatedly invaded; we are trapped here in dire straits. They attack not only by day but also harass at night, leaving us exhausted from coping."

Wang Shang gazed at the grim scene before him, brows knotted, his heart full of remorse and worry, saying:

"Senior Secretary, it is my inadequacy that failed to govern Benefit Prefecture well, causing everyone alarm. But please rest and heal; I will surely consult with you all on countermeasures and give an account to His Majesty and to you."

For a moment, those inside the residence gathered in a circle, each voicing opinions, yet facing the Southwestern Barbarians' elusive attacks, they could never devise a foolproof plan.

Wuu wuu wuu!

A bugle call suddenly sounded from the distant mountains and forests.

At night, the moonlight was like water, a time that should have been tranquil, yet the Southwestern Barbarians surged forward again like starving wolves.

They brandished sharp blades, uttering savage shouts, charging into the residence to cut down anyone they saw and seize anything they saw.

The imperial troops and merchants hastily responded to battle, the scene descending into chaos.

Blades flashed, screams rang out incessantly, the imperial troops and merchants suffered heavy losses, blood staining the courtyard of the residence.

Because there were too many merchants lacking any weapons, Su Wu's Feathered Forest Guard was worn out from responding.

Just as everyone fell into despair, a sudden rush of hoofbeats came.

Zhao Chongguo led the Feathered Forest Guard down like heavenly soldiers, he himself at the forefront, spear in hand, charging into the enemy formation.

The spear danced, cold light flashing; wherever it reached, the Southwestern Barbarians collapsed one after another.

The Feathered Forest Guard followed closely, as fierce as tigers descending the mountain, fearless, coordinating spears and short guns, driving the Southwestern Barbarians back step by step.

At last, the Southwestern Barbarians were successfully repelled; Zhao Chongguo gazed at the disordered residence, his face filled with sorrow, yet his eyes firm as he said:

"I have greeted Senior Secretary and Governor; His Majesty ordered me to come suppress the rebellion. Do not fear, with us here we will surely protect everyone completely."

That night, with Zhao Chongguo's Feathered Forest Guard protecting them, everyone finally, after arriving at Benefit Prefecture, slept a sound sleep for the first time.

A few days later, Su Wu's wounds gradually healed, his pale face regaining some color.

That day, several merchants who had followed from Perpetual Peace came to him in haste; one older among them, face full of worry, voice trembling slightly:

"Mister Su, we are truly afraid; the Southwestern Barbarians are too terrifying. We do not wish to go to Brocade Official City, but want to return to Perpetual Peace."

In their words lay fear of this land and an urgent desire to flee.

Su Wu slightly furrowed his brow, looking at them sincerely, patiently advising: "Everyone, I understand your fear; the Southwestern Barbarians' attacks are indeed terrifying."

"But if we turn back now, would not all our previous efforts be wasted? Now General Zhao has repelled the Southwestern Barbarians, the situation is gradually improving; as long as we persevere, we will surely reach Brocade Official City safely, where endless business opportunities await us."

Just then, Zhao Chongguo and Wang Shang also heard the news and rushed over.

Zhao Chongguo, clad in military attire and imposing in bearing, spoke loudly: "Everyone, do not panic; my Feathered Forest Guard will surely escort you with all our strength. Though the Southwestern Barbarians are fierce, we have already grasped their weaknesses; the forthcoming journey will be much safer."

His words were firm and powerful, carrying a reassuring strength.

Wang Shang also beside them earnestly advised: "You are all bold merchants; you have followed this far to open trade routes and create wealth. To abandon the journey midway would be a pity. Benefit Prefecture's Brocade Official City is prosperous and rich; once this trade route is opened, future gains will be immeasurable."

However, the merchants remained hesitant; a younger one whispered: "Sir, we know what you say is reasonable, but the scenes of those attacks are still vivid in our minds; we are truly uneasy, and even the slightest danger makes us dare not take further risks."

In the end, despite Su Wu, Zhao Chongguo, and Wang Shang exhausting their arguments, some merchants had already made up their minds and chose to return to Perpetual Peace.

Watching their receding backs, Su Wu felt helpless, but could only let out a long sigh; he knew everyone makes their own choices, and he and those who remained still needed to press onward.

A few days later, Su Wu and Zhao Chongguo led the group once more onto the road to Benefit Prefecture's Brocade Official City.

However, the Southwestern Barbarians had no intention of letting them go, harassing and attacking them continuously along the way.

The Feathered Forest Guard remained vigilant at all times, yet the incessant harassment left them exhausted.

Zhao Chongguo knew this could not continue, but still had no clue.

At this moment Su Wu suddenly asked: "Why have we not seen Marquis Xuanwen Dong Zhongshu these past few days?"

When Su Wu asked, everyone then realized that Dong Zhongshu had actually silently disappeared.

"Could they have been taken away?"

Zhao Chongguo's worry happened to be everyone's speculation, and everyone began to worry.