Chapter 466: Should Loyalty Be Used the Same as Strength?

Zhang Lu’s sudden surrender truly caught Gongsun Xun somewhat off guard, but it was merely being caught off guard. After a moment’s thought, the General of the Guard immediately ordered Zhao Yun to enter Hanzhong and take command of the two commanderies of Hanzhong and Wudu, and also dispatched Yang Qiu with a thousand cavalry as support. And in the end, what caught Zhang Lu off guard in turn was that Gongsun Xun actually prioritized stabilizing the people’s hearts and still let this Zhang Tianshi remain as Grand Administrator of Hanzhong — not a single thing was changed.

Zhang Gongqi was of course moved to tears of gratitude, yet he obeyed the other party’s instructions and gave up the plan of following the General of the Guard into Chang’an. A day later, he set out together with Separate Division Major Yang Qiu, taking the Xie Road back to Hanzhong first to stabilize the situation, only preparing to send his younger brother Zhang Wei as a personal retainer and hostage.

Of course, that is a story for later.

“Gongqi, be at ease.” Before his departure, Gongsun Xun braved the cold wind, clasped his hands, and saw him off for ten li. “Since you have come today, I will never betray you in the future.”

To this, Zhang Lu could only bow repeatedly and take his leave.

From beginning to end, neither side mentioned the matter of Zhang Lu’s mother, nor the letter or the matter of the *Investiture of the Gods*. In fact, because of Zhang Gongqi’s arrival, the entire army had to halt briefly at Mei County for two days, which instead led some reckless men from Liangzhou to privately discuss that Zhang Lu and Gongsun Xun had a prior agreement and had deliberately chosen this place to flaunt their power — otherwise, why would he surrender precisely at Mei Fort, this major logistics base?

As for the reason, that goes without saying… Although Hanzhong is only a large commandery, its terrain and geographic position are far too critical. Historically, once a regime holding Guanzhong obtained Hanzhong, it could leisurely maintain pressure on Bashu and Jingxiang. And Zhang Lu surrendering at this moment would naturally make the hearts of the people in Guanzhong submit even more to the General of the Guard.

Of course, these people were somewhat overthinking it. San Pass faces Chencang, and the Xie Road faces Mei County — the very reason these key towns are key towns lies in geographic factors. Zhang Lu came from Nanzheng to catch up with Gongsun Xun; if he didn’t come to Mei County, was he supposed to go straight to Chang’an via the Ziwu Valley?

However, the current situation is sensitive, and all kinds of rumors and gossip are flying about — one more doesn’t make a difference.

“What do you mean?” In a private room of a tavern in Mei County, Xu Rong, who had just downed a cup of strong liquor, looked up in shock. “The Lord is going to become the Son of Heaven?!”

“Elder brother, keep your voice down!” His younger brother Xu Xing, sitting to one side, was so startled he nearly jumped up. “Is this something that can be spoken aloud here?”

“What can’t be spoken aloud?” Sitting opposite Xu Rong was Lieutenant General Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan. He twisted the small mustache he had grown on his upper lip in imitation of Gongsun Xun and gave a snort of contempt. “The Son of Heaven has fled. The eleven provinces and fifty-three commanderies and princedoms of Hebei… no, fifty-four commanderies and princedoms! Fifty-four commanderies and princedoms must have a master, after all. And in the old days, being enfeoffed as a king was merely being the master of one state. With fifty-four commanderies and princedoms, can’t he be the Son of Heaven?! If you ask me, we should just perform the Heaven Sacrifice right here in Mei County…”

“You behave yourself!” Another person at the table suddenly spoke up, a stern rebuke, showing no regard at all for the most unruly two-thousand-bushel officer in the army, Zhang Wenyuan. It was none other than Zhang Liao’s own elder brother, Zhang Fan, who had just recently been appointed Commandant of Jincheng and was now under orders to accompany the army with a thousand Qiang and Han cavalry from Jincheng. “Listen to what Major Xu has to say!”

Zhang Liao immediately lowered his brows and looked obedient, not daring to say more.

“Actually, I’ve been stationed at Mei Fort with Prefect Wang (Wang Xiu, Clerk of the General of the Guard’s Office), and these past few days I’ve heard quite a bit of talk.” Seeing that someone had reined in the tyrant Zhang Liao, Xu Xing finally spoke slowly. “First, it’s certain that the Son of Heaven abandoned Chang’an and fled, and there’s no need to say more about how killing the Grand Commandant and Imperial Tutor cost him the people’s hearts. And as General Zhang said, since the Son of Heaven has left and the Grand Commandant is dead, our General of the Guard, as the master of these eleven provinces and fifty-four commanderies and princedoms, must have some proper title to lead the people’s hearts…”

“So the Lord is to proclaim himself Son of Heaven? Like the Han replaced the Qin?” Zhang Fan asked cautiously.

“That’s not necessarily certain.” Xu Xing continued. “These days, among the lower ranks in the Sanfu region, things are still fine, but anyone with some background or official position has been making contacts and connections, so much so that rumors never cease. In just a few days, I don’t know how many people have come to see Prefect Wang… At first, people only said our Lord should make himself Grand Commandant and take charge of the Imperial Secretariat; then it became Chancellor; then it became Duke. A few days ago, when the Lord turned back to Chencang, there was talk of making him King. And by the time the Lord personally arrived at Mei County these last few days, there were already faint murmurs here that the General of the Guard should be the Son of Heaven!”

“I’ll say it again — if he’s to be the Son of Heaven… then let him be!” Zhang Liao stole a glance at his elder brother and spoke offhandedly. “What’s the big deal? Isn’t the Son of Heaven just that kind of thing? In this world today, whatever the Lord wants to do, is there anyone who can stop him?”

“Easy for you to say!” Zhang Fan replied coldly. “Do you think four hundred years of the Han dynasty can be overturned so easily? Some things simply cannot be rushed…”

“Worthy brothers, please pause.” Xu Rong suddenly interjected with another question. “If the Lord becomes the Son of Heaven, what benefit is there?”

The Zhang brothers and Xu Xing were all stunned. Was there even a need to ask? The Son of Heaven is greater than the General of the Guard, alright?!

“I mean, if the Lord becomes the Son of Heaven, what benefit is there for us?” Xu Rong may have realized the impropriety in his words and immediately corrected himself.

However, as soon as Xu Bojin said this, not only did his younger brother Xu Xing’s expression instantly change drastically, his breathing becoming labored, but even the Zhang brothers looked at each other more and more in dismay.

Still, after a brief pause, Zhang Liao forced a smile and replied, “General Xu, you may not be aware… Haven’t you always said that the Lord no longer favors you, so you don’t expect to be like Guan and Cheng, able to balance civil and military affairs, rank among the second tier, hold a region, and command a province — you only hope to seek another noble title… But have you ever considered that our General of the Guard has always been proper with rewards, so why has he never granted noble titles?”

Without waiting for Xu Rong to answer, and ignoring Xu Xing’s expression which had already turned extremely ugly, Zhang Wenyuan continued with a smile, “Isn’t it because the current Son of Heaven is surnamed Liu, so any noble title granted would still be a Han dynasty title?”

Xu Rong couldn’t help but suddenly see the light, and his heart stirred: “In other words, if the Lord becomes the Son of Heaven, noble titles will be forthcoming?!”

Zhang Fan suddenly gave a dry cough: “As we’ve said, the Lord may not be able to achieve it in one leap. However, since Major Xu invited us here today, he must have some ideas.”

“Indeed.” Xu Zixin answered with effort. “I intend to have my elder brother and you worthy brothers test the attitude within the army. Then, if there is no dissent throughout the army, I will go seek out a few of my former and current superiors… I can speak with both Prefect Wang and Military Advisor Xi.”

“Just ask directly!” Xu Rong grew even more impatient. “If noble titles can be granted, who in the army wouldn’t be pleased?”

Xu Xing remained silent.

The Zhang brothers sensed the awkwardness and both agreed and took their leave.

“Elder brother!” As soon as Zhang Fan and Zhang Liao left, Xu Xing could no longer contain himself, but he could only gnash his teeth, lower his voice, and speak with all his might. “Are you trying to get our entire Xu clan killed?!”

“What kind of talk is this?” Only now did Xu Rong notice his clansman’s expression, but he was baffled. “Weren’t you the one who brought this up first? And now that the Lord holds fifty-four commanderies, how could becoming the Son of Heaven bring disaster?”

“That’s not what I mean!” Xu Xing was furious and exasperated. “What I want to ask you is, don’t you know that our Xu family has been retainers of the Gongsun clan for generations and that we hail from Liaodong? Don’t you understand that in this kind of matter, we brothers can only vie to demonstrate our loyalty and have no room to bargain? What noble title — that’s something Zhang Liao and those people should think about! You should be guarding against people like him!”

“Why can’t I think about it, and why should I guard against him thinking about it?” Xu Rong was even more puzzled.

“Today I finally understand why elder brother could never reach the level of Han, Guan, and Cheng, and I finally understand why you were overtaken by a mere Zhao Zilong.” Xu Xing was almost exhausted. “In the current situation, that you’ve been able to preserve yourself until today is all due to the Lord’s grace!”

Yet Xu Rong still did not understand.

“At this point, I have only one thing to say to elder brother.” Xu Xing completely gave up on trying to communicate with him. “From now on, do not voice any complaints to anyone in the army… Do you think the Lord doesn’t know about your complaints? You think you haven’t been given important assignments because the Lord dislikes you, so you voice complaints when talking with colleagues; what you don’t realize is that it is precisely because these complaints reached the Lord’s ears that he gradually came to dislike you and not give you important assignments! Aren’t you afraid that one day you’ll end up like Wei Yue?!”

“I… why didn’t you say so earlier?” Xu Rong was suddenly terrified.

“How could I have known before that you were this unrestrained?” Xu Xing was truly helpless to the extreme. “But you needn’t be overly fearful… I reckon the Lord has also seen through you, knows you’re just loose-tongued but still fear and submit to him in your heart. Otherwise, with your carelessness, you should have died long ago and wouldn’t have lasted until today!”

“Xu Bojin will never amount to much.” In the street of Mei County outside the tavern, Zhang Fan suddenly reined in his horse and turned into a side alley, finally speaking. “Even if the realm is unified in the future and divided into thirty provinces, he’ll still just be the caliber of a miscellaneous-title general… You should also associate with him less! And even less should you listen to his wild talk!”

Zhang Liao nodded repeatedly with a smile from behind.

But at that moment, Zhang Fan, who had only spoken one sentence ahead, suddenly halted his horse and turned back, staring coldly at his own younger brother, yet saying nothing.

Zhang Liao was unnerved by the stare but dared not speak.

“Remember this!” Zhang Fan sighed. “Just now I wanted to turn around and slap you across the face, but seeing that you’ve grown up and become a general, it wouldn’t be proper, and I didn’t dare strike…”

Zhang Wenyuan grew even more terrified, yet he didn’t even dare dismount.

“Our parents died early, and I had to manage the household as a youth, finding it hard to discipline you. That’s why you grew up wild and unrestrained. And the success you have today rests precisely on your martial valor and your recklessness.” Zhang Fan continued. “But Wenyuan… on the battlefield and on the cuju field, you can be reckless, but toward certain people and certain matters, you cannot be reckless. On the contrary, you must fear them from the bottom of your heart until death! People say that among the generals under Ye, serving under you, Zhang Liao, is the most comfortable, while serving under Xu Huang, Xu Gongming, is the hardest and most grueling! I don’t understand military command, and I don’t want to judge your strengths and weaknesses… But do you know how Xu Huang responds to such complaints?”

“I know.”

“Speak!”

“He says he was originally a bandit from Hedong, and to meet an enlightened lord in his lifetime and be entrusted with an army — how could he not serve with all his heart and strength, and how could he care about personal reputation?”

“You were originally a surrendered general from Yanmen, and to meet an enlightened lord in your lifetime and be entrusted with an army — how can you not serve with all your heart and strength, and how can you care about personal gains and losses?” Zhang Fan spoke sternly in reply. “If I ever learn again that you spend all day spouting wild words in the army with people like Xu Rong, calculating gains and losses… I wouldn’t dare cling to you, General Zhang, and I also ask you to keep your distance from the Zhang clan of Yanmen in the future!”

Zhang Liao broke out in cold sweat on his horse, panting heavily.

“Return to the army and test the hearts of the soldiers! And I’ll give you one last instruction for today: if you encounter anyone in the army like Xu Rong who calculates official rank and rewards, regardless of their rank, just act as you would on an ordinary cuju field — throw a tantrum and beat him up!” Zhang Fan continued sternly. “If anyone openly objects, to the point of uttering treasonous words, as long as their rank isn’t high, you must risk violating military orders and being demoted to kill him, then take his head and go publicly before the General of the Guard to beg forgiveness!”

Zhang Liao hurriedly nodded, but then shook his head: “There will never be such a person in the army. The Lord’s treatment of the army…”

“It’s even better if there isn’t!” Zhang Fan turned his horse and rode off, leaving his younger brother momentarily drained. “In truth, the Lord must already have a decision on this matter, and we shouldn’t have gotten involved before the situation was clear. But since it’s been asked, then no matter what the Lord decides, the army must not have the slightest discordant voice… The entire army must understand from the very beginning that the General of the Guard can be the Son of Heaven! And only the General of the Guard can be the Son of Heaven! This is a principle you should have understood long ago!”

Zhang Liao could only bow his head and assent.

That evening, as the ornate lamps were first lit, inside the East City Relay Station of Mei County.

“Tomorrow the Lord will return east to Chang’an. What matter brings you here at this hour, Zhicai?” Beneath the lamplight, Clerk and Attendant of the General of the Guard’s Office, Wang Xiu, raised his head from the pile of official documents on his desk, somewhat puzzled.

“I just saw Major Xu leaving, and I had some doubts in my heart, so I came specially to see you.” Xi Zhong cupped his hands at the door.

“He came to see me to say that there’s agitation throughout the army, that the General of the Guard should be the Son of Heaven, and then asked me what to do… I chased him out.” Wang Xiu continued to lower his head and approve documents, answering calmly. “Speaking of which, Xu Zixin was originally your subordinate, Zhicai. He must have sought you out as well, I suppose?”

"Naturally." Xi Zhong let out a sigh. "This time the Son of Heaven fled in such haste — none of the lords from Yexia are here, and among the officials within the Three Adjuncts, there is no one... no one but Shuzhi to take the lead. They dare not go seek the Lord Marquis, so naturally they all wish to hear what Shuzhi has to say."

"Does Zhicai also wish to hear?" Wang Xiu still did not raise his head.

"Indeed."

"What a coincidence — I also wish to hear what Zhicai has to say." Wang Shuzhi finally set his brush on the rack, then raised his head behind the desk to face the man within the door. "In truth, all these years you have commanded intelligence and internal affairs under the title of Military Advisor, so much so that many have forgotten you are also an Attendant of the General of the Guard's office. By rank, you are second only to Chief Clerk Lü — the same as Han, Shen, Lou, and myself."

"I thought it could be done!" Two streams of white breath burst forth distinctly before Xi Zhong.

"I also thought it could be done — but it should not be done." Wang Xiu met the other's eyes directly.

"Why?"

"Zhicai originally only wished to hear my words. I have spoken — why ask why?" Wang Xiu's expression was calm and unhurried.

"Does Prefect Wang think I am too impatient?" Xi Zhong could finally hold back no longer. "Or do you think I am like those petty men who come and go endlessly at your place, harboring thoughts of using this to gain office and rank?! To the point of doubting my loyalty?!"

"I have never spoken such words." Wang Xiu remained as composed as before.

"Then you must harbor such thoughts!" Xi Zhong's face flushed with sudden anger. "Prefect Wang, do you think you alone are utterly loyal? Able to accomplish tasks, able to establish oneself with virtue, yet never bending to serve the lord, reputed as staunch and righteous?! When we do these things, are we then bending to become sycophants and traitors?!"

"Nor have I harbored such thoughts." Wang Xiu was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. "Military Advisor Xi... there are many kinds of loyalty. The manner in which one establishes oneself is not only chosen by us, but also chosen by the Lord Marquis — each fulfilling the other. For instance, the generals and soldiers in the army differ in temperament, each seeking different things, but to the Lord Marquis, he simply requires them to be loyal like blades. What does that mean? It means they are to follow as the arm points, yet not speak out of turn! And the Lord Marquis has gathered the great army today to intimidate the ministers in Chang'an, not to have them stir up clamor on their own! If you have them display their stance, even if by relying on them you could directly enthrone him as emperor here in Mei County, the Lord Marquis might not be pleased!"

Xi Zhong could not help but be stunned.

"And as for you and me — the Lord Marquis uses us each quite differently." Wang Xiu continued. "Take myself: the Lord Marquis uses me precisely to get things done, not to have me, as some chief of the Guanzhong officials, stir up clamor here about proclaiming emperor or king. As for you, sir, the Lord Marquis uses you precisely because he sees your loyalty that disregards self, and so has you advise and organize this matter... Only, at this critical juncture, you could not help but grow impatient and overstep your authority! And with such a great matter, no one's heart can remain steady, and you have no experience whatsoever — so even the Lord Marquis cannot harshly reproach you or the others in the army! Zhicai, I have a word from the heart..."

Xi Zhong, already long bewildered, hurriedly bowed in salute.

"My loyalty lies in being able to accomplish tasks; Xu Rong and Zhang Liao's loyalty lies in being able to wield martial might; your loyalty lies in disregarding yourself!" Wang Xiu spoke with earnest sincerity. "And there are also Marshal Han, Chief Clerk Lü, and even Shen, Lou, and the various military advisors and generals — each person's loyalty is not the same, yet the Lord Marquis is able to employ them all heavily. Beyond that, there are also men like Wang Jingxing, who clearly cherishes the Han house in his heart, and Hua Ziyu, who holds virtue as paramount. Does the Lord Marquis use these men expecting every one of them to be loyal to the point of disregarding their own lives? Quite the opposite — the Lord Marquis has come this far precisely because he clearly knows these men will not disregard their lives for him, yet can still be magnanimous toward them, and appoints each according to their talents... As the one who controls internal and external intelligence for the Lord Marquis, you should understand these things in your heart."

Xi Zhong grew increasingly ashamed: "Today I first erred in strategy, and then compounded it with discourtesy."

"It is no matter." Wang Xiu continued upon hearing this. "In truth, if you feel flustered and at a loss about today's situation, why not go and frankly consult the Lord Marquis himself? Does the Lord Marquis wish to become Son of Heaven, to become king, or to become Duke, to become Chancellor of State — why can you not ask him face to face? Others may have misgivings, but you should not, because the Lord Marquis has entrusted all confidential matters to you, clearly showing he knows your loyalty through and through! So what difficulty is there that you cannot ask face to face? Perhaps at this very moment the Lord Marquis is waiting for you!"

Xi Zhong was silent for a long time, then finally bowed once more in salute and took his leave. And just a short while later, the man entered Gongsun Xun's bedchamber.

"Zhicai has come at just the right time." Gongsun Xun was playing chess on the couch with Jia Xu. Seeing Xi Zhong arrive, he could not help but laugh. "I have been hesitating over two matters... one is whether to set up another Son of Heaven; the other is whether I should become Chancellor or simply proclaim myself Duke, and thereby establish a state and set up a government, calling myself the solitary and the widowed. Wenhe has been feigning ignorance, only saying there is no need to set up another Son of Heaven, but will not say which I should choose — Chancellor or State Duke?"

Standing within the doorway, Xi Zhong suddenly saw the light, and at the same time felt relief: "Lord Marquis... if you set up another Son of Heaven, naturally you must become Chancellor of State; if you do not set up a Son of Heaven, you can only establish a government and proclaim yourself Duke, and then govern at ease! Military Advisor Jia has already made the decision for our lord!"

"Is that so?" Gongsun Xun looked teasingly at Jia Xu, who sat with hands tucked in his sleeves, gazing at the chessboard in silence, and laughed. "Does Wenhe also think I should proclaim myself Duke and establish a government?"

"Not at all!" Jia Xu tucked his hands in his sleeves and replied with a solemn expression. "This minister believes that our lord should first hold the funeral for the Grand Commandant, and then issue an edict in the name of the Secretariat to Nanyang, telling the Son of Heaven that because he killed the Imperial Tutor, word has spread throughout the Three Adjuncts that like father, like son! Therefore, Cao Mengde, Liu Xuande, and Liu Jingsheng must personally escort the Son of Heaven — who murdered the Imperial Tutor — back to Chang'an, and clarify this matter before the ministers of Chang'an and the people of the Three Adjuncts... As for other matters, how can they be done at such a time? Who knows, the Son of Heaven might suddenly repent and truly return!"

Gongsun Xun threw back his head and laughed uproariously without cease.

————I am the dividing line of uproarious laughter————-

"The Empress (Xiaozhuang Wen) resided in Yexia. She once invited Lady Cai's father, Yong, to ride with her in the same carriage to the Grand Academy to observe a debate. At that time, it happened that the Han Emperor had killed the Grand Commandant and fled to Nanyang. A student of the Grand Academy blocked the Empress's carriage on the road and submitted a letter requesting that the Grand Ancestor be made Son of Heaven. The Empress read the document, smiled, and passed it to Yong, asking what should be done. Yong trembled with fear and dared not speak. The Empress then smiled, pointed at the one who had submitted the letter, and said: 'Does this child wish to set my son upon the fire to roast?!' Thereupon she burned the letter and pursued the matter no further, observing the debate as usual. When Yexia heard of this, all praised her wisdom!" — Old Book of Yan, Annals of Empress Xiaozhuang Wen

(End of Chapter)