Chapter 385: Current Affairs Make It Hard to Stand Without Fault (Continued)

It was year’s end, and Chen Gong, just as Cheng Yu had predicted, accepted the summons at the first opportunity. Then, without even waiting for the new year, he braved the wind and snow and hurried straight to Ju County. Unexpectedly, when he arrived, he happened upon a grand assembly of all the commanders in the city. Upon asking closely, he learned that Zang Hong, the Grand Administrator of Le’an, had conspired with the Tiger Tooth Commandant Liu Xun to rebel. The plot had failed, and they had been lured into the city and arrested. However, because Yuan Cheqi had always placed special trust in Zang Ziyuan, a special interrogation was being held in an attempt to salvage the situation.

Chen Gongtai, upon hearing this, expressed no opinion. He merely asked for the location of the parade ground, then descended directly from his carriage, walked with his hand on his sword, and strode with head high and chest out straight toward the parade ground. The messenger behind him was so alarmed that he hurriedly abandoned the official carriage and followed him the whole way, clearing the path ahead, and only then did they enter the grounds together.

When they arrived at the parade ground, they indeed saw two tall, imposing generals in full armor, bound beneath the rammed-earth command platform. Above on the platform stood a man in a high cap and a great cloak, his face square, clean, and upright, glaring indignantly straight down. On either side and behind him, the platform was nearly filled with men in high caps and surcoats, wearing swords and bearing seals, even lining all the way down below the platform — a sight of awe-inspiring authority, every inch the paragon of the realm, Yuan Benchu.

“Ziyuan!” Yuan Shao, draped in his great cloak, looked at Zang Hong bound in the snowy ground below the platform, unable to conceal his indignation. “Your father was recommended by my uncle. In your youth, you came and went before me. Now that you have grown to manhood, your talent is striking. Do you know how gratified I was when I saw your outstanding bearing at Suanzao? So much so that I directly entrusted the affairs of Qingzhou to you, a man not yet thirty. Later, when I came to Qingzhou in person, I disregarded the dissuasion of those around me and appointed you Grand Administrator of Le’an, giving you command over the military and administration of an entire commandery… Such grace and favor, and it earns only a single ‘I wish for a swift death’ from you?”

“Then what did my lord want?” The bound man below raised his head. It was indeed a young face, yet one that showed disdain — unmistakably Zang Hong, Zang Ziyuan.

“I seek nothing. I only wish to know: with the deep ties between our two families and the grace I have shown you, could it truly be that you cannot serve me loyally?” Yuan Shao’s tone grew increasingly indignant, clearly unable to quell the turmoil in his heart.

“My lord, these words I do not understand.” Zang Hong looked up and sneered at the man on the platform. “You assigned me to Qingzhou affairs. I went alone first into Jinan, taking over after the Yellow Turban army. You ordered me north to Le’an, and I immediately went to pacify Le’an, to prick at Gongsun Zan’s flank. Moreover, how could I not know that both I and my father have received great favor from the Yuan clan? If one speaks of the two words ‘Yuan clan disciple,’ none among the commanders east of the passes surpasses me, Zang Hong. Therefore, from the moment I was appointed Grand Administrator of Le’an, I took the lead in bowing my head and declaring myself a subject. In all letters and face-to-face audiences, I invariably called myself ‘servant’ and honored you as ‘my lord’… In the entire army, high and low, only I and Guo Gongze address you thus, is that not so? In sum, whether in name or in substance, how can you say I did not serve loyally?”

Yuan Shao laughed in extreme fury. “So, by that reasoning, loyalty was yours, and rebellion is yours as well? Just now you plainly admitted that you received Liu Xun’s letter, and that after hearing that Liu Gongshan had returned home and Kong Rong had entered the court, you did indeed entertain the thought of raising troops and turning away from me.”

“Indeed. Otherwise, why would it come to ‘I wish for a swift death’?”

“Why?!” Yuan Benchu flew into a towering rage and rose, drawing his blade. “The reason I stand here prattling with you in this snowy ground today is solely to ask this one question! Once I have a clear answer, you may go to your death — do you think I would soften my heart?”

“Why it is so — does my lord truly not know?” Zang Hong, his hands bound, still looked around to left and right with a smile. “Because you, the master, betrayed me, the servant, first. That being so, why can I, the servant, not betray you, the master?”

“I have never heard the phrase ‘a master betrays his servant.’” Before Yuan Shao could respond, a man beside the platform below felt a stir in his heart and suddenly stepped forward from the ranks, hand on his sword.

“Today, sir, you have heard it.” Zang Hong glanced at this man. Though he did not recognize him, and though he stood at the brink of life and death, he still addressed him as “sir” — impeccably courteous.

“Chen Gong of Dong Commandery greets Prefect Zang, and begs the Prefect’s instruction.” This man bowed his head in return amid the wind and snow. With that single self-introduction, he silenced the several men on the platform who had been about to shout rebukes.

“There is no other meaning.” Zang Hong glanced again at Chen Gong and answered frankly. “Though I am a subject, I am first a man, and only then a subject… On that day at Suanzao, when we swore our oath, I was the one who presided over the oath. I pledged common purpose with the lords of Suanzao — to punish Dong Zhuo and restore the House of Han. We also swore that those who took the oath would not betray one another. This matter is known to all under Heaven… Yet this lord of mine, knowing full well of this matter, first abandoned the campaign against Dong, and then proceeded to swallow up all the lords east of the passes…”

“Can the matter of punishing Dong be blamed on me?” Under the gaze of the crowd, Yuan Shao grew greatly agitated and retorted directly from the platform. “Dong Zhuo first poisoned the Young Emperor, stripping me of righteous cause, and then moved the capital to Chang’an, depriving me of a field for military action. Moreover, the General of the Guards came out from Hedong and Hongnong, cutting off communication — what could I have done? And was it wrong to turn and suppress the Yellow Turbans? Had I not gone to Mount Tai, Qingzhou would have become a wasteland!”

“For that reason, I had no thought of rebellion at that time either,” Zang Hong retorted, raising his head. “But what crime had the two Prefects Zhang committed? What crime had Prefect Qiao? What crime had Inspector Liu? What crime had the Chancellor of Jibei? What crime had the Chancellor of Beihai? My lord, in doing such ruthless deeds again and again, did you ever consider where that placed me, your servant? Do you not know that I once served as a Merit Evaluator under Prefect Zhang? Do you not know that I swore an oath with the commanders east of the passes for the sake of the state and for you, my lord? Do you not know that when I was ordered by you to pacify Qingzhou, I had a prior covenant with Kong Wenju? My lord, because of you, I, Zang Hong, have become a man neither loyal, nor filial, nor fraternal, nor honorable. Therefore, as great as my loyalty was in former days, so great is my resentment today… That is all. I wish for a swift death!”

Yuan Shao stood stunned for a long moment. He looked at Zang Hong, who awaited death with head held high, and then at Chen Gong, who stood to the side with his hand on his sword. For a moment, he did not know how to reply. He could only turn to the other man. “Liu Xun, is this your meaning as well?”

“Exactly my meaning.” Liu Xun, who had remained silent all along, also raised his head and spoke. “On that day, when you, Illustrious Lord, sent me to organize the alliance, I was the very person who contacted the two Zhangs, Liu, Qiao, and Bao… And now that you, Illustrious Lord, have done such things today, what am I? A petty man who betrayed righteousness? Or a fool who lured others into a trap only to fall into one himself? If I do not rebel against you, Illustrious Lord, how can I clear my own name?”

The depression in Yuan Shao’s heart reached its extreme, but he could only steel himself, descend from the platform, and approach Chen Gong to ask: “I did not expect you, sir, to arrive so suddenly… In such circumstances, is there anything you would teach me?”

By the end of his words, he had already reached out and grasped Chen Gongtai’s hand — a gesture of the utmost courtesy.

“I have nothing in particular to instruct.” Chen Gongtai looked at his own grasped hand and spoke bluntly, his face expressionless. “Only three matters…”

“Please speak.” Yuan Shao steeled himself and continued. The several trusted advisors who had followed him down from the platform could not help but exchange glances.

“First, since they have already rebelled, in these chaotic times, one must be decisive when it is time to be decisive. I ask the General of the Chariots and Cavalry to execute them swiftly, to uphold military law, and to fulfill their names.” Chen Gong spoke with composure.

“So that is how it is.” Yuan Shao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Second, the two Zhangs were the vanguard against Dong and renowned scholars of Yanzhou. To imprison them merely for a military defeat — the hearts of men under Heaven are largely dissatisfied. The General of the Chariots and Cavalry should not compound one error with another. I ask that you release them swiftly and make amends.” Chen Gong continued with forthright dignity. “Otherwise, men like Prefect Zang and Commandant Liu will only grow more numerous in the days to come… For when men’s hearts are dissatisfied, they grow restless, and when they grow restless, they contemplate change.”

Yuan Shao opened his mouth to speak, but in the end only let out a long breath and nodded heavily. The bound Zang Hong and Liu Xun, seeing this, also suddenly let out their pent-up breath and spoke no more.

“Third,” Chen Gong’s tone softened as well, “Illustrious Lord, in employing men henceforth, I ask that you know their character and use them accordingly. For the talents of the realm who are willing to follow you, Illustrious Lord, all have something they seek. Some seek loyalty and honor above life and death. Some seek wealth and goods without regard for shame. Some seek power and position by any means necessary. That righteous men like Prefect Zang and Commandant Liu came to such an end is not their fault. On the contrary, because the world esteems loyalty and honor, all will instead think that you, Illustrious Lord, are incapable of employing men. I ask you to take this as a mirror.”

Yuan Shao released the other man’s hands, stepped back several paces, and bowed deeply in the snow where the wind and snow had grown fiercer, to show that he accepted the teaching. Then he stepped forward again and took the other man’s hand. Immediately, the two of them, paying no heed to anyone else, left the parade ground hand in hand. Xin Ping and the others remained on the command platform to continue dealing with the prisoners. With an order given, blood splashed three chi, and Zang Hong and Liu Xun were lightly and swiftly dispatched from this world.

After the execution, however, Xin Ping and the others did not hurry to return. Instead, they lingered in the snowy ground and fell into idle conversation among themselves.

“Zang Ziyuan is truly a pity.” Guo Tu shook his head with a sigh. “Just thirty years old and already a Grand Administrator of a commandery. Moreover, he was a hereditary retainer who had served my lord’s family for generations. He could have had a boundless future, yet he died over such a matter. Is it not laughable?”

“What is there to laugh at?” Feng Ji disagreed. “He died a worthy death, without resentment. I believe he knew before he came that this journey meant certain death. He came specifically to meet his death… He can indeed be called a righteous man.”

“A petty righteousness, that is all,” Xin Ping lamented. “Now that the realm is falling into chaos and division, what is needed are heroes to rescue the imperiled and settle the disorder. For a man like this to disregard the greater situation for the sake of personal reputation — what qualification does he have to presumptuously call himself a righteous man? Only that he still possessed some measure of a pure heart, understanding that he should not implicate others, and came alone — that is perhaps worthy of praise. Had he been allowed a few more years to build his power in the region, would not thousands upon thousands of innocent people have died in vain for him?”

“Zang Ziyuan sought benevolence and obtained benevolence — why must you all speak further?” Xu You, draped in a white great cloak, sneered and stroked his beard. “What interests me more is: what kind of man do you all think this Chen Gongtai is? The moment he arrived, he seized the initiative and awed everyone — truly, he makes one look askance.”

“Upright yet full of wisdom, understanding the greater situation yet not constrained by petty formalities — he can be counted as a man of some stature,” Feng Ji said with a frown.

“That is not what I mean.” Xu Ziyuan shook his head. “I am asking: since he said that under our Yuan Cheqi’s command, some seek wealth, some seek position, and some seek honor — what, I wonder, does this Chen Gongtai seek on this visit?”

“What could he seek?” Xin Ping said dismissively. “Is it not simply to be valued?”

“What does ‘valued’ mean?” Feng Ji asked curiously.

“Naturally, it means that in all matters, he is listened to; in all matters, he is employed; in all matters, he is respected…” Xin Ping gave a scornful laugh. “Presumably, with his talents being what they are, and being a local notable of Yanzhou, and with our general now needing to pacify the hearts of the local people — this man’s visit is bound to achieve his wish.”

At these words, not only did Guo Tu and Xu You’s faces turn slightly cold, but even Feng Ji’s expression showed displeasure. Feng Ji sought employment; Xu You sought wealth; Xin Ping sought a secure place for his family in a foreign land; and Guo Tu sought all three. These four, it seemed, would find no favor before Chen Gongtai.

Yet, given the current situation, facing Chen Gongtai with his home-ground advantage and such a personality, there truly seemed to be nothing they could do for the moment. Otherwise, would they not be disregarding the greater situation?

“I only hope that when spring comes and the snow melts, we can depart early for Hebei,” Xin Ping said after a long pause, gazing at the snowflakes that had already completely covered the bloodstains on the ground, and letting out a soft sigh. “In Hebei, the men from Nanyang and Yingchuan have already begun to waver somewhat, because the General of the Guards has succeeded in his campaign against Dong.”

“Waver about what?” Guo Tu dismissed the notion. “The General of the Guards’ actions in the Guanzhong region treat the noble clans like cattle and sheep — is that a place where people like us can find a secure foothold? As for returning to Yuzhou, the General of the Guards has played a fine move there, so that Yuzhou is now divided into more than three parts. Once spring begins, it will likely be ceaseless warfare — how could we return there?”

The men grew ever more rueful, but in the end, they left the two corpses on the ground and turned back through the snow.

“Your servant thanks Liu Yuzhou for the grace of his rescue.” At that very moment when the advisors in Yuan Shao’s entourage were discussing the situation in Yuzhou, and likewise at the year’s end, before the county office hall of Fuli County in Pei State, a middle-aged scholar was slowly bowing to Liu Bei in the snow. “Had Liu Yuzhou not extended his hand to save me this time, your servant would scarcely have survived.”

“Why should Master Zibu take it to heart?” Liu Bei earnestly supported the man and spoke with a serious expression. “This time, Tao Xuzhou was merely deceived by treacherous sycophants and was momentarily confused. Even if I had not asked Lord Yang to make a trip to Xuzhou, he would have released you sooner or later… And moreover, if thanks are to be given, they should be given to Lord Yang.”

“Lord Yang must of course be thanked.” Master Zibu was none other than Zhang Zhao. He rose, grasped Liu Bei’s arm, and laughed. “But Liu Yuzhou must also be thanked. That is why, the moment I returned home, I came immediately here to see you, Lord Inspector.”

“It is fortunate that our residences are close,” Liu Bei said, also breaking into a rare smile. “That makes it convenient.”

Zhang Zhao looked thoughtful. The two men then entered the hall directly and took their seats as host and guest. Because Zhang Zhao was a top-ranking notable of Xuzhou, besides Lu Dai, who had escorted Yang Biao on his journey to Xuzhou, Zhang Fei, Jian Yong, and several local scholars and military officers who had come to offer their allegiance were all seated in attendance.

It must be said, Zhang Zhao’s visit had a backstory.

Tao Qian, that wretched old man, was already widely acknowledged to have a vile temperament. After he easily unified Xuzhou, he became even more unrestrained. For instance, he recommended Zhang Zhao as an Abundant Talent, but Zhang Zibu, probably feeling that he did not wish to stand out in chaotic times, declined the honor. Thereupon, perhaps to make an example of him, or perhaps because he truly felt that Zhang Zhao looked down on him — in any case, Tao Qian, on one hand, gave Xuzhou’s Abundant Talent slot for that year to Wang Lang, who had returned home with nothing to do, and on the other hand, had Zhang Zhao arrested and thrown into prison as a warning.

This matter was, of course, somewhat excessive. Everyone in Xuzhou urged Tao Gongzu to release the man. But in chaotic times, if Gongsun Xun could expel high ministers, and Yuan Shao could kill people to establish his authority, and even Liu Yan could build himself some carriages and indulge in fantasies of life’s peak — why should Tao Qian not be allowed to exercise his own arbitrary power for once?

So, Tao Gongzu set his face like iron, and for a time, no one could save Zhang Zibu.

However, it was precisely at this moment that Yang Biao, Yang Wenxian, who had come bearing a ceremonial staff, finally broke through the layers of obstruction set by his own brother-in-law, Yuan Shu, and arrived here at Fuli to meet Liu Bei. After Liu Bei received the imperial decree, he took the opportunity to ask Yang Biao to go to Xuzhou and rescue Zhang Zhao.

Yang Biao pondered the matter from all angles. Returning to Chang’an would mean enduring Gongsun Xun’s insolence, while in Xuzhou, everyone from Tao Gongzu to Wang Lang to the Chen Gui father and son were all old acquaintances. So he went with the flow, took up his ceremonial staff, and went to Xuzhou to spend the new year. As for Xuzhou, even if Tao Qian would give no one else face, he had to give face to Yang Biao, the son of Yang Ci. Only thus was Zhang Zhao fished out of the great prison.

And only thus did this meeting at Fuli come about.

Both parties took their seats and exchanged a few idle words. Then, suddenly, Zhang Zibu asked a pointed question: “Liu Yuzhou, you are the Inspector of Yuzhou, formally appointed by the imperial court. Lord Yang personally came bearing the ceremonial staff to confer the appointment. Why, then, do you only temporarily station yourself here at Fuli, on the border of Xuzhou?”

Liu Bei’s expression did not change. He answered calmly: “The times are difficult. Yuzhou has six commanderies and states. The General of the Rear now sends envoys throughout the region, and the two commanderies of Yingchuan and Runan both follow his orders — I cannot reach them. The State of Liang, the State of Lu, and the northern part of Pei State, being close to Yanzhou, all follow Yuan Cheqi, and thus the State of Chen is also cut off. After I returned from recruiting troops, I am already quite content to have found a temporary foothold in the six counties of central and southern Pei — Fuli, Zhi, Longkang, Qi, Guyang, and Xiang — half a commandery.”

“What kind of talk is this?” Zhang Zhao shook his head repeatedly. “A grand Inspector of a province, occupying only half a commandery? And what of that Inspector of Yuzhou in the northern part of Pei State and the State of Liang? I have heard that this man is not skilled in warfare. In the autumn, he went with you, Lord Inspector, to Danyang to recruit troops, but the troops he recruited mutinied and fled halfway, losing half their number. Instead, it was you, Lord Inspector, coming up from behind, who gathered them along the way… The only reason such a man can establish himself in northern Pei and the State of Liang is that he relies on his clan’s base in Qiao County, on the border of Pei and Liang, and has the name of a local leader. Why not attack and take it?”

“Master Zibu, there is something you do not know.” Liu Bei’s expression remained unchanged. “In the middle of the year, when we were defeated in the campaign against Dong, I swore a pact of life and death with Brother Mengde and Brother Wentai. Now, to turn around and, for the sake of territory, meet them with blade and spear — such a thing I, Liu Bei, cannot do. Why must you, sir, speak further of it?”

"When the time to act comes and you fail to act, you will suffer the chaos of your own indecision." Zhang Zhao continued his earnest counsel. "Lord Liu, you are the Inspector of Yuzhou, formally appointed by the imperial court. Moreover, Lord Yang has traveled a thousand li to deliver the court's mandate and establish your legitimacy — this is what is meant by having a clear title and righteous cause. Not to mention, you are hardly a man without foundations. First, you have the backing of the General of the Guard at court; second, you have the support of Tao of Xuzhou behind you; third, your own renown for resolve at Hulao Pass is known throughout the realm... And now, if you do not seize the moment while Cao Mengde is still unsteady and attack to defeat him, once he gains a firm foothold in Yubei, I fear he will turn around and swallow up your six counties."

"You need not persuade me further." Liu Bei waved his hands repeatedly. "In all matters, I follow the example of my brother Gongsun Wenqi. He says to take the people as the foundation, so I take the people as the foundation. He says never betray others, and I too cannot betray others today... If my two elder brothers, Cao and Sun, do not attack me, I will absolutely never take the initiative to send out troops."

Zhang Zhao could not help but laugh wryly and shake his head. "The General of the Guard would not be so foolish."

"I had thought you, sir, were a renowned scholar of Xuzhou." Hearing these words, even Zhang Fei, who had been standing to the side, could finally endure it no longer. "I expected lofty discourse, and so I have treated you with courtesy all along. I never imagined you would be nothing but a cunning persuader urging a man to betray his sense of honor... We men of Youzhou, even in death, can we ever abandon our honor?"

Liu Bei's expression remained unchanged, but he too shook his head without pause. "I have never heard of my brother doing anything treacherous or faithless."

Jian Yong said nothing at all. He simply spread his legs apart, leaned back, and lay down beside the brazier, no longer looking at Zhang Zhao.

"Lord Liu, General Zhang, and you, Master Xianhe, have misunderstood me." Seeing this, Zhang Zhao smiled again. "In truth, what I just said was merely to test you, my lord... In my view, a true man living in this world knows what he must do and what he must not do, and only then can he achieve great things. Your conduct, my lord, is certainly worthy of praise. If you were truly determined to send out troops recklessly against the season, I would instead be leaving. However, I do earnestly wish to remind you, my lord, that if you take the General of the Guard as your model, you must know that he would never sit still and wait for death! And now that the campaign against Dong is complete, if you wish to accomplish great deeds, can you truly just guard these six counties until the end of time? These six counties are so ruined that they do not even hold a hundred thousand people. Supporting three thousand soldiers has already reached their limit. Even self-preservation depends on Xuzhou at your back — how can you speak of establishing achievements and upholding virtue?"

"What exactly do you mean, Master Zibu?" Liu Bei and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, then once more asked with renewed seriousness.

"I will not hide it from you, my lord." Zhang Zhao sighed quietly. "Having offended Tao Gongzu this time, and with the situation in the Central Plains deeply unsettling, I had originally planned to take the route through Huainan and then move my entire family to Jiangdong to escape the chaos... Only because I have received your great kindness, my lord, which I cannot leave unrequited, did I come to Fuli for this visit, seeking to repay you."

Hearing these words, Liu Bei's heart was truly filled with astonishment and joy beyond words, but since Zhang Zibu continued speaking without pause, his expression remained unchanged.

"Your title is Inspector of Yuzhou, yet you refuse to attack out of a sense of honor — this is conduct worthy of praise. In truth, I also believe that in these chaotic times, those who can bring peace and stability to a region are the very best choices, not those who only know how to use force." Zhang Zhao continued speaking with earnest sincerity. "However, with the world having come to such a state, when heroes of a chaotic age establish their careers and bring peace to the people, why be constrained by official appointments? South of Pei, separated by a single river, lie Jiujiang and Lujiang. Though they nominally belong to the Rear General Yuan Gonglu, in truth bandits swarm unchecked and no one can control them. The common people can only build fortified settlements to defend themselves, and the two Grand Administrators in Huainan are also hiding in their cities, enduring hardship. If you, my lord, take pacifying the people and establishing your career as your foundation, why not lead three thousand elite troops south across the Huai River to sweep away the bandits for the two Grand Administrators of Huainan? On one hand, you can take in the bandits' soldiers and population to pacify the people; on the other, while you cannot expect to seize Huainan, the two Grand Administrators will certainly be so grateful that they will assist you. When the time comes and you turn back to face the situation in Yuzhou, you will have a bit more confidence."

Liu Bei was momentarily enlightened, astonished, and delighted, yet he still shook his head repeatedly. "What you say is true, but I am not familiar with the two Grand Administrators of Huainan. How can I send out troops without cause?"

"Allow me to make a journey on your behalf." Zhang Zhao bowed low, actually volunteering himself. "I will ensure that you can dispatch your troops by next spring, so that you may make preparations before the autumn harvest next year."

"Why before the autumn harvest next year?" Liu Bei hastily helped him up, then asked curiously.

"Because if my predictions are not wrong, after next year's autumn harvest, with military provisions secured, there will be great battles across the realm." Zhang Zhao answered frankly. "For instance, between the General of the Guard and the General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan in Hebei, or between the Rear General and Liu of Jingzhou in Jingxiang — these are all extremely obvious. And these four figures are the four strongest in the realm today aside from Tao of Xuzhou. Once war breaks out, the battle lines will stretch for thousands of li, drawing in all sides. As the saying goes, no one in the world will be able to escape... When that time comes, even if you wish to hide, my lord, caught in the waves, I fear you will not be able to avoid it."

Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Jian Yong, who had just turned back around, all changed color in unison.

"What place is that?" Amid swirling heavy snow, on the Guanzhong side of the Pujin Pass on the Yellow River, Gongsun Xun, utterly unaware of what his opponent was doing, was perfectly at leisure. He had come in person to welcome his mother to Chang'an for the new year. Standing by the newly completed pontoon bridge at Pujin, he looked left and right, then suddenly caught a distant glimpse of a strange object through the snow. "How do I not remember Pujin having such a tall tower... It is a tall tower, isn't it, right there on the opposite riverbank?"

"Reporting to the General." Zhang Ji, who had just braved the snow to return from the opposite bank, bowed low. "It is indeed a tall tower. When the old lady ordered the craftsmen to rebuild the Pujin pontoon bridge through work-relief, she had them build it there as a side project. It was just completed a mere ten days ago... It is called the Stork Tower."

Gongsun Xun threw his head back and laughed heartily. Only after a long while did he manage to continue asking, "A fine name. I only wonder if any poems have been inscribed in the Stork Tower? Shall I cross the river and compose one?"

"Your insight serves you well, General... On the second floor, there is indeed a strange little poem of only twenty characters." Zhang Derong continued his report. "However, not only is that poem completely unsigned, it is also childish and laughable. When the tower was completed, the great river was frozen solid, yet the poem actually speaks of the Yellow River flowing into the sea — so ridiculous. I imagine it should not hinder any fine composition of the General's."

Gongsun Xun's laughter came to an abrupt halt.

—————I am the dividing line where the smile gradually disappears—————

"In former times, when the Grand Ancestor pacified Guanzhong and seized all the lands of the Three Adjuncts and Hedong, seeing the severe devastation wrought by war, he personally oversaw Pujin, rebuilt the pontoon bridge, and used the surplus labor to construct a tiered tower, calling it the Stork Tower. When the tower was completed, its heights marked the azure sky, its reflection fell across the flowing current, standing alone in the Central Province to guard the gateway of Guanzhong and lock in the fateful energy of the Three Jin. The Grand Ancestor sighed in admiration and personally inscribed a poem upon it, which read: 'The white sun leans against the mountains and fades; the Yellow River flows into the sea. To stretch my sight a thousand li further, I climb one more story of the tower.' At that time, Guanzhong had just been pacified, and the soldiers of You and Bing were all carrying gold and pearls back to their hometowns. The officers and men all bore expressions of pride and complacency, constantly thinking of wealth and comfort. But when they passed through Pujin and heard the Grand Ancestor's inscribed poem expressing his ambition, they all felt ashamed of their own vulgarity and recited it to one another for self-encouragement. Thus the army's morale was restored to strength." — *Miscellaneous Notes of the Scholarly Grove*. Yan. Recorded by an Anonymous Author.

PS: 160k this month, barely passing. Taking the evening off to sort out my thoughts. Starting tomorrow, a new month, turning over a new leaf! Everyone, keep me accountable... If I'm still this listless, come straight to the group and curse me out! Leave me a little face in the review comments section.

(End of Chapter)