Chapter 223: Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Gongsun Xun, the pig-slaughterer Song Yu, and He Jin the Grand General could be considered, in a certain sense, friends from humble times.

Leaving aside Gongsun Xun himself at that time, He Jin was still only a court gentleman, and his nephew the imperial eldest son Liu Bian was still in swaddling clothes — it was far from certain he would grow up... This was because the Son of Heaven's previous children had all died young, without exception. But more importantly, at that time the Son of Heaven's first wife, Empress Song, still sat securely on the empress's throne; the Song clan was deep-rooted, and the posture of the consort kin seemed even beyond the Son of Heaven's power to shake.

Therefore, back then truly few people paid any attention to He Jin He Suigao, let alone cared that his origins were so lowly.

But come to think of it, it seems Cao Mengde and Liu Xuande could both be counted as someone's friends from humble times... Quite a few, actually!

In any case, friends from humble times must not be forgotten, and He Suigao was an honest and sincere man — naturally he did not put on airs just because he had become Grand General. In truth, to be fair, on this point, it seems practically anyone would be three parts stronger than that Gongsun Zan waiting over on the other side of the Yellow River!

And so, needless to say, the two were overjoyed to meet, and that very night they even shared a bed in the main room of the Duting post station serving as an army camp, and in the course of it spoke many words.

In fact, while Gongsun Xun had come on this journey with something to ask of He Jin, He Jin for his part was hardly free of anxiety — did he not want to find someone reliable to ask how he ought to conduct himself? Think of it: a butcher who, in three or four years, had muddle-headedly become the foremost man in the dynasty, with now all the military officers and hereditary nobles of Luoyang under his command "repairing equipment" — was he not worried about doing the wrong thing and being laughed at?

Even more so, with great matters now pressing, the Yellow Turban rebels were still attacking on all fronts and seizing cities and territory; the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Chu Gong, had just died in battle, and the Luoyang that He Suigao was defending still appeared to be in imminent danger.

"In other words," under the candlelight, Gongsun Xun turned over and rose from the couch to analyze the situation for the other man, "right now, Brother Suigao need not overthink, nor need he speak much; so long as you put on the right posture and calm the hearts of the people in Luoyang, that can already be called fulfilling your duty to the utmost... Before the Yellow Turbans from Yingchuan and Nanyang outside can advance on Luoyang, the Son of Heaven will certainly raise the full army and march out from the passes; he will not let the fighting spread to Luoyang."

He Jin was faintly dazed: "I understand these words of Wenqi's, but being Grand General — even if I need not take part in the fighting, ought I not to do a bit more?"

"If Brother Suigao were not Grand General, then there would indeed be things to do if you wished to act," Gongsun Xun said with a mocking smile. "For instance, advising the Son of Heaven to lift the Proscription of Partisans, or advising the Son of Heaven to take the wealth of the Western Garden to use as military funds, and its horses to use as army mounts... These matters, given the present situation, are things that will naturally fall into place. However, anyone under Heaven could do these things — only Brother Suigao, having just assumed the post of Grand General, would do ill to easily declare a stance, lest it provoke misunderstandings from certain people."

Though He Jin was admittedly not gifted by nature, he was no fool either; hearing this, he immediately had another realization: "Is it because lifting the Proscription would displease the various Regular Attendants, and requesting the Western Garden's hidden wealth would cause the Son of Heaven to secretly bear a grudge?"

"What else?" Gongsun Xun's mocking smile grew even stronger. "Brother Suigao became Grand General far too early... It is a good thing, but it also lacks a stable foundation. Right now you should be cautious in word and prudent in deed, seeking to stand on solid ground. As for doing things — at the very least, wait until your wings are fully grown, wouldn't you say?"

He Jin once again nodded in convinced agreement: "Wenqi speaks most rightly. The post of Grand General came far too hastily, yet the responsibilities are exceedingly heavy; at this moment, the only proper course is to take stability as the highest priority, and one must not lightly fall into discord with the Son of Heaven or the Regular Attendants."

Gongsun Xun tilted his head back, laughed lightly, and lay down.

"However," seeing this, He Jin also broke into a smile, "now that I am Grand General after all, so long as I do not provoke the Son of Heaven and the Regular Attendants, nor stir the public wrath of the gentry, then in other matters I can certainly act as I see fit... Wenqi, speak plainly — do you have something to ask for on this occasion?"

"I only ask that after the rebellion is quelled, my village marquisate become a county marquisate, and then that I be exchanged to a large commandery," Gongsun Xun said indifferently, lying on his back.

"I thought as much..." He Jin immediately nodded.

It must be said, from a normal person's perspective, in this era, for someone at the two-thousand-bushel rank to advance further, these were universally the two pursuits: one was rank of nobility, which goes without saying, and the other was being appointed to a rich and large locality... This was because throughout the Han dynasty, a Grand Administrator's authority and responsibility were immense, akin to being the sovereign of a commandery or principality, and yet the disparities between commanderies were also enormous — some commanderies had only a few Battalion Commander and a few tens of thousands of people, and were on the frontier; while other commanderies and principalities had several hundred Battalion Commander and over a million people, and were right next to the central government, making their political status especially high!

In fact, even when the reigning Son of Heaven collected money for office, he was very particular about this — for example, poor commanderies would get a discount; rich commanderies and principalities would cost extra; and the Three Excellencies were especially cheap, because there were too few people qualified to buy the posts of the Three Excellencies, making it a buyer's market, and so on... From this angle, one can also see the additional political status of rich and large commanderies.

So in summary, when all under Heaven saw Gongsun Xun being so spirited and forward on this occasion, while they recognized his loyalty and earnestness, they also widely assumed he seemed to be seeking some personal fame and achievement — which was entirely an ordinary thing.

After all, throughout the Han dynasty, no one ever regarded rank, fame, and emolument as something shameful or negative, nor did anyone ever think these things were contrary to loyalty... Everyone, without concealment, sought to establish personal merit and a career while serving the state loyally.

"But if you want such a promotion, I fear you would have to serve as a commander of one route," He Jin also lay down, then tapped the edge of the bed with his hand and continued in a lowered voice. "And Wenqi, just now you explained the strategic situation to me, saying that the Yellow Turban rebels now have three in the south and two in the north, at most five route armies... I wonder which route you have your eye on?"

The so-called three south and two north, five route Yellow Turban armies, was a military situation analysis Gongsun Xun had arrived at after combining the intelligence he had just obtained from He Jin. Specifically, it was as follows:

South of the Yellow River, the Yellow Turbans had three main forces: one in Dong Commandery, whose local chieftain was called Bu Si; one in Nanyang, which had just killed the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Chu Gong, and whose leader was called Zhang Mancheng; and one more, the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans, whose leaders were Bo Cai and Peng Tuo — this route was currently the strongest, having essentially linked Yingchuan, Chen Principality, and Runan into one contiguous territory, and clearly still sharpening their weapons and feeding their horses, with the trend of joining forces with Zhang Mancheng of Nanyang to advance on Luoyang.

North of the Yellow River, according to Gongsun Xun's own observation and analysis, although the Zhang Jiao brothers had almost completely taken control of the three principalities of Julu, Anping, and Qinghe, making the Yellow Turban-controlled territory a contiguous whole, they were also clearly divided into a northern and a southern theater: one was the bulk of the main force led by Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang, currently striving to attack toward Wei Commandery; the other was the northern-line force led by Zhang Bao, currently setting up defensive lines in the northernmost part of Jizhou, attempting to serve as a rearguard for Zhang Jiao's main force.

And with these three south and two north, five main Yellow Turban forces, varying in strength and urgency, it was no wonder He Jin wanted to ask Gongsun Xun's intentions.

On this point, Gongsun Xun was of course long prepared: "It doesn't matter which one — if I can be the commander of one route, that will suffice for this campaign..."

He Jin immediately responded with understanding, and the two said no more, as if about to fall into slumber.

However, after a pause, Gongsun Xun could not help adding one more line: "Other things aside, only this — I come from Hebei and have seen with my own eyes that the people's hearts are unsettled around Zhang Jiao. If by chance I go there, I will need Brother Suigao to steady the situation for me at court."

He Jin immediately grew somewhat puzzled: "With Wenqi's ability, would you also find Zhang Jiao difficult to fight? Are those people truly so formidable?"

Lying on his back, Gongsun Xun gave a bitter smile: "Brother Suigao thinks too much. I am not afraid of Zhang Jiao, but of the Son of Heaven... Zhang Jiao's side occupies many large cities in Hebei and is quite adept at deluding the people. If they dig deep moats and build high ramparts, it will inevitably drag on for days, and the Son of Heaven, I fear, will grow impatient with that."

Only then did He Suigao understand: "In that case, I will do my utmost to seek a commander post elsewhere for Wenqi."

Gongsun Xun then set his mind at ease, and the two slept in their clothes at the Duting post station, with no further words that night — as if, from their earlier conversation, the post of route commander were already as good as in hand.

Yet the very next day, Gongsun Xun and He Jin rose early in the morning, took a little breakfast in the main hall of the Duting station, and the former was just preparing to take temporary leave of the other, to exit the Duting station and enter Luoyang to submit a memorial at the Public Carriage Office requesting to join the battle — when suddenly an uninvited guest arrived, scattering someone's little schemes into utter disarray.

"Grand General!" Although the visitor was within the army, he still wore a beam crown and a Confucian robe. Upon entering the main hall of the Duting station where He Jin resided, he merely gave He Jin a calm salute, then cupped his hands toward Gongsun Xun. "Wenqi, long unseen — your bearing grows ever more imposing."

"Brother Wenxian."

Both Gongsun Xun and He Jin, upon seeing the visitor, actually rose and made slight gestures in return salute... It turned out this man was a scion of a renowned clan of the dynasty, the legitimate son of Excellency over the Masses Yang Ci — Yang Biao. At this time, Yang Biao Yang Wenxian's office happened to be General of the Gentlemen of the Household for All Purposes, and he had no choice but to follow He Jin outside the city to "repair military equipment."

"Has Brother Wenxian come seeking Wenqi?" After the pleasantries were done and a seat had been offered to Yang Biao, He Jin then sat back down.

"Indeed." Yang Biao was quite direct. "I waited long before the gate, and when I saw you two had finished your meal, I directly sought an audience. I have words to speak with Wenqi... Grand General, if you have no other business, you may as well listen together."

"What matter does Brother Wenxian have to seek me for?" Gongsun Xun was also curious at heart.

"It is not exactly any official matter." Yang Biao had clearly come prepared. "It is merely that last night, as usual, my household servants delivered news from Luoyang, and among the items, I guessed one might pique Wenqi's curiosity, so I thought to come and inform you."

So he had come to offer a favor. Gongsun Xun and He Jin exchanged a glance, and both relaxed.

"Wenqi." Seeing this, Yang Biao could not help stroking his beard and smiling. "Do you know that Huangfu Song, scion of a military family from Liangzhou and Grand Administrator of Beidi, though he has yet to arrive in Luoyang, his memorial was a step quicker than yours, arriving first at the Public Carriage Office yesterday?"

"Huangfu Yizhen?" Gongsun Xun's heart suddenly stirred — he had naturally heard his mother mention this name once and knew of this General Huangfu's achievements in the Yellow Turban suppression. "Did he submit a strategy for defeating the rebels?"

"Exactly!" Yang Biao's smile grew ever stronger. "Yesterday, Huangfu Yizhen's memorial passed through the Public Carriage Office to the Masters of Writing, and then directly reached the Son of Heaven. In it, his words were earnest and sincere, requesting the Son of Heaven to lift the Proscription of Partisans, and also requesting the Son of Heaven to release the Western Garden's hidden wealth and stable horses for military use!"

Gongsun Xun and He Jin, upon hearing these words, reacted differently.

Grand General He, having heard Gongsun Xun's advice the day before, naturally let out a long breath of relief — with someone else doing this thing, it saved him trouble. As for Gongsun Xun, with his purple cord and gold seal, sitting upright in the main hall of the Duting station, upon hearing the other man report this matter, he suddenly saw the light, and for a moment shook his head and laughed ruefully... One could only say, no wonder this General Huangfu, in his mother's stories, had securely occupied the post of commander of one route in the suppression! On the strength of this deed alone, how could the court gentry not repay the favor?

Sure enough, Yang Wenxian over there was already speaking bluntly: "Wenqi's eagerness to fight is known to all, but this time, facing Huangfu Yizhen, I fear you too will have to yield three parts! I hear that yesterday, as soon as this memorial reached the Masters of Writing, the court gentry were all stirred and encouraged, and all took Huangfu Yizhen as a model of the military families, all saying that for this campaign to quell the rebellion, none but he would do! A pity — Wenqi previously annihilated tens of thousands of rebels in Zhuo Commandery, yet now must lose out to this one memorial."

Gongsun Xun immediately shook his head repeatedly: "What does that matter? This memorial is worth the merit of destroying a hundred thousand rebels. I willingly concede the inferior place."

There was not the slightest pretense in Gongsun Xun's words — he of course willingly conceded, because a political speculation of this magnitude, coming so early and so decisively, truly made one admire Huangfu Yizhen's excellence and resolution.

"Indeed." He Jin, having recovered his wits, likewise took it in stride. "If you cannot compare to Huangfu Yizhen, then so be it. After all, the rebels this time have five main forces, so there is no shortage of route commander posts — Wenqi can simply avoid Huangfu Yizhen and seek another route..."

"That too is hard to say!" Yang Biao suddenly interjected again. "Yesterday the household servants delivering the news also incidentally spoke of other circumstances in Luoyang. Judging by the court's intent, I fear there may not necessarily be so many strategies for dividing the forces. Given the situation before us, although the rebels are in many places, the Son of Heaven's intent is actually just to send out two armies, one south and one north — one route through Yingchuan to relieve the pressing danger, and one route through Hebei to deal with Zhang Jiao..."

"Even so," He Jin still took it in stride, "of the two routes, there should always be one for Wenqi, no?"

"Still hard to say." Yang Biao finally laid all his cards on the table. "Judging by the discussions among the central ministers, there seem to be three men sufficient to oppose Wenqi and contend for this second route or another route commander post."

Not only was He Jin momentarily at a loss, but even Gongsun Xun, hearing this, could not help turning solemn: "May I ask Brother Wenxian, who exactly are these three men?"

"One is the Remonstrance Grand Master Zhu Jun Zhu Gongwei, who has only recently returned to Luoyang." Yang Biao was quite direct. "Lord Zhu long ago quelled the rebellion in Yangzhou, and on this occasion has just returned from quelling the rebellion in Jiaozhou. My father... the court discussions hold that, in terms of military experience, Lord Zhu's experience may be no less than Wenqi's by even a fraction, and he is more advanced in years, so perhaps he is even more worthy of reliance. However, judging by the court's intent, there is actually the thought of dispatching him back to Yangzhou to recruit troops and come north to serve as a flanking force."

Gongsun Xun was momentarily speechless, but did breathe a sigh of relief, and could only press further: "And the other two?"

"The other two — one is Wenqi's honored teacher, the current Minister of the Ministry of Civil Service, Excellency Lu." Yang Wenxian spoke somberly. "Excellency Lu has many times undertaken the quelling of rebellions, and is also a renowned Confucian of the realm; the Son of Heaven and the court ministers largely intend to rely on him. The other is Wenqi's father-in-law, the current Superintendent of the Imperial Household, the Marquis of Shu, Excellency Zhao. Excellency Zhao, in his time in Liaoxi, had battle achievements renowned throughout the world, and is loyal, reliable, and has always been highly regarded by the Son of Heaven!"

Gongsun Xun and He Jin looked at each other, and finally were left speechless... Especially the former — he vaguely felt that he seemed to have rather overestimated his own importance.

"Merely a few tidings from Luoyang." Yang Biao rose at once, head high, and spoke. "I thought Wenqi might have concerns, so I took the opportunity to come and inform him... Even if I said nothing, Wenqi would learn of it upon reaching Luoyang today... Farewell."

Gongsun Xun seemed about to speak but held back, and in the end merely raised a hand in salute. He Jin, however, rose to see him off, and Yang Biao, unbothered, departed in haste.

"Wenqi." As soon as he turned back, He Suigao spread his hands helplessly in the capital pavilion's main hall. "Others aside, if your teacher and your father-in-law are the commanders, how can you contend with them?!"

"It is more than that." Gongsun Xun rose with a bitter smile and sighed. "If it were only my teacher, I might still follow Zhu Gongwei's example and lead a detached force. But if that father-in-law of mine is appointed a theater commander, given this dynasty's scrutiny and wariness of military matters, I fear I will not even be allowed to return to Zhuojun and bring Youzhou troops as reinforcements!"

He Jin, upon hearing this, took a long moment before nodding: "Indeed, how could there be a principle of two close kin serving as commanders at the same time?"

Gongsun Xun lowered his head and said nothing... Heaven have pity. When he set out, following those rough stories his mother had told, he had pondered carefully. At the time, he felt that since he had connected with He Jin's line, the only thing to guard against was replacing Lu Zhi and becoming the main commander facing Zhang Jiao directly. After all, one could vaguely glean from the stories that His Majesty likely lacked patience, and that Zhang Jiao's position in Hebei could not be quickly subdued. This had been faintly corroborated by what he saw and heard passing through Zhao on the way.

Yet after all those difficulties, what was the meaning of a father-in-law suddenly charging onto the scene halfway through?!

—————I am the somewhat flustered dividing line—————

"Huangfu Song, courtesy name Yizhen, was a man of Chaona in Anding, the son of Huangfu Gui's elder brother. His father, Huangfu Jie, was Governor of Yanmen. In his youth, Song possessed both literary and martial ambition, was fond of the Odes and the Documents, and practiced archery and horsemanship. He was first recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, then as Abundant Talent. The Grand Commandant Chen Fan and Grand General Dou Wu summoned him in succession, but he did not attend. Emperor Ling summoned him by public carriage and appointed him Court Gentleman for Consultation, then transferred him as Governor of Beidi. When the Yellow Turbans rose, Song submitted a memorial setting forth strategies to defeat the enemy, and also petitioned for the lifting of the Proscription, and for the opening of the Western Garden's stored coin and stable horses to bolster the army's strength." — Book of Later Han, Biography of Huangfu Song

(End of Chapter)