Chapter 260: Off the Mark

"Your Highness the Crown Prince! This old minister has let you suffer grievous wrongs."

On the fifth day of the sixth month, the flowers atop Long Slope were only just blooming, yet at the foot of the hills in Long County they had already quietly withered. In a tasteful cottage surrounded by a grove of peach trees, Liu Xin — too aged to make the climb up Long Pass — prostrated himself before a blank-faced Liu Ying, paying obeisance with the full ceremony due a sovereign.

Liu Xin recalled that the first time he had seen Liu Ying, the boy was just two years old. Emperor Ping of Han had died young, and though there was a great pool of imperial clansmen and marquises fit to be chosen as heir, Wang Mang had used the pretext that they were of the same generation as Emperor Ping and thus unsuitable for the succession, instead plucking out Liu Ying — the youngest and weakest among the great-great-grandsons of Emperor Xuan of Han — and installing him as Crown Prince.

Yet throughout those three years, the one who had ascended the throne in practice was Wang Mang, the "Acting Emperor"; Liu Ying was no more than a tool in Wang Mang's hands.

When Zhai Yi rose in revolt, for instance, Wang Mang had clutched Liu Ying day and night, wailing and praying at the suburban altars and ancestral temples. Once the uprising was crushed and Wang Mang resolved to usurp the throne, he paraded Liu Ying back and forth during the ceremony, ritually declining for an age, until the hundred officials in attendance were all moved to tears.

Liu Xin had shed tears himself that day. Now, meeting the boy again after more than ten years, he saw that Liu Ying, already nineteen, still had the mind of a five-year-old child and could barely speak clearly — and the old man's tears streamed down anew.

"It is all because I, your minister, misplaced my trust in Wang Mang back then and walked the wrong path."

Liu Xin felt this was truly Heaven's will. He had assumed Liu Ying was trapped in Chang'an, his fate unknown. Though he knew Wang Mang's character well enough to guess the man would not kill him, in the chaos of war, who would protect him?

Now all was well: Liu Ying had been escorted here by righteous men. Hadn't Wang Mang once dispatched Huan Tan and others to proclaim to the realm that he would certainly return the government to Liu Ying? The words had turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What? He's too simple-minded? Liu Xin believed that the Child Ying's dullness was the result of being shut away too long by Wang Mang. Men are not born with knowledge; Liu Xin prided himself on being a teacher, and given time, he should be able to instruct Liu Ying back to a measure of normality. An emperor, after all, must not be too clever.

Liu Xin trusted in Heaven's decree and was already addressing Liu Ying as his sovereign. But there were dissenting views within their own ranks. Wei Ao was quite hesitant: "What of the Gengshi Emperor in Nanyang?"

Old Liu Xin saw the Child Ying as a sweet prize, but Wei Ao considered him a hot potato. If they enthroned Liu Ying, this most legitimate Crown Prince of the Former Han could indeed rally Longyou and even bring Hexi to heel with a single proclamation — but with two emperors standing east and west, they would absolutely come to blows.

Liu Xin was dismissive: "The Crown Prince of the house of Han is naturally more legitimate than a cadet branch from Chongling in Nanyang!"

Though the goal was to restore the Han, he longed even more to mend his regrets and errors with his own hands. But there was a problem even more pressing than the Gengshi regime in Nanyang. Wei Ao added: "And what is Diwu Lun's position?"

In Wei Ao's view, Diwu Lun, as the chief architect of Wang Mang's expulsion and the occupier of Chang'an, was someone without whose nod this could not proceed.

At this, Fang Wang, who had kept silent all along, burst out laughing.

"General of the Upper Army, Colonel Liu, forgive my bluntness — Diwu Lun's attitude does not matter."

Fang Wang continued: "Though Diwu Lun has now entered Chang'an, he is beset by enemies on all sides and has no leisure to concern himself with Longyou. We need only hold Long Slope securely and let Diwu Lun make foes everywhere, serving as Longyou's shield."

"While Diwu Lun is locked in a death struggle with the remnants of the Xin Dynasty to the east and the Greenwood rebels to the south, vying for Chang'an, Longyou, in the name of the Child Emperor, shall dispatch its generals to subdue Wudu, Jincheng, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang. Once we destroy Wang Xiang of Anding, the rest can be settled by proclamation."

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"After unifying Liang Province, with strong soldiers and sturdy horses, we can plot to take Yi Province to the south and seize Bing Province to the north. In a few years, holding the masses of three provinces, we shall strike at the exhausted lands within the passes, return to the old capital, and the great enterprise will be complete!"

This was the strategy Fang Wang had long pondered. He had been preening, waiting to be praised, but instead drew a scolding from Liu Xin: "Preposterous! Wang Mang is not yet destroyed — this is precisely the moment to pull together in the same boat. How can we engage in internal strife and tear the realm apart?"

Once Fang Wang's true colors as a political operator were revealed, he ceased to be a "righteous man" in Liu Xin's eyes. Liu Xin strongly demanded Wei Ao expel him, and added: "My nephew Erudite (Liu Gong), acting on my orders, set out eastward days ago to probe Diwu Lun's intentions. On the road he even encountered Fang Wang's party. He should be nearing Chang'an by now."

Old Liu Xin possessed an inexplicable confidence in persuading Diwu Lun. Stroking his beard, he smiled: "Jimen, set your mind at ease. Erudite was the first to recognize Diwu Lun's talent. Back then he was able to sway Diwu Lun, who was 'loyal to the Xin,' into turning against Wang Mang with a single letter slipped into a book. He can surely persuade him now to follow the great cause of righteousness!"

…

On that same fifth day of the sixth month, as Ren Guang and Song Hong distributed grain to the various wards, the army outside the city also transported a batch of firewood in. The famine in Chang'an was somewhat alleviated. Though there was no shortage of graft, double-dipping, and omissions, with Diwu Lun's soldiers standing by with blades drawn, it was at least far better than Wang Mang's relief efforts.

But people's attitudes varied enormously: the scholar-officials scorned it and refused to eat this "food handed out with contempt" — they still had surplus grain at home, after all.

The hard-to-please residents of Chang'an grumbled even as they collected their rations: Why not distribute more? This much grain would only last half a month. And because a neighbor's measure of rice was heaped too full, no few disputes broke out, some even ending in deaths.

The refugees outside the city, however, after watching many of their kin starve to death and swallowing plenty of dirt, finally got to eat the "yellow gruel" Wang Mang had promised them. They were filled with gratitude toward Diwu Lun. Many of them were the families of the forty thousand men under Diwu Lun's command, so they were treated equally. Once fed, they were escorted by troops and relocated to the banks of the Zheng Guo Canal north of the Wei River to find sustenance.

Alongside the grain distribution, a campaign to recruit worthy talent was also underway — the same old method from Wei Commandery: appointing solely on merit, regardless of whether a man had previously served Wang Mang or been convicted of crimes.

This move drew an enthusiastic response north of the Wei River, especially in Diwu Lun's home territory of Liewei Commandery, where his reputation was already excellent. The very first to offer his services was, surprisingly, the man who had once tried to appoint Diwu Lun as a village Filial Son — a post Diwu Lun had refused, thereby boosting his own fame — the County Magistrate of Changling, Xianyu Bao.

When Diba Jiao reported this, Diwu Lun laughed: "Xianyu Bao is a corrupt official. He was investigated and thrown in prison under Wang Mang, and lost his post."

"But he's also a capable administrator. I recall he governed Changling quite well for several years."

The two things were not contradictory. Right now Diwu Lun was not afraid of his subordinates being corrupt; he was only afraid they could do nothing but spout empty talk and accomplish nothing.

Such a "horse bone" naturally had to be treated well. Diwu Lun said: "Jizheng is currently serving as Grand Governor of Liewei but is often detained in Chang'an assisting me. Let Xianyu Bao fill the post of Liewei Commandery Assistant, as your deputy."

Beyond that, many sons of humble families — households much like the Diwu clan's own circumstances in years past — eagerly signed up. Diwu Lun no longer had to be as shabby as he was in Wei Commandery, able only to offer posts as subordinate clerks. He had already opened his headquarters, with no quota, taking men in freely. He had Diba Jiao and others assist in the selection before assigning them to duties.

"Zhang Zixiao still refuses to come out of retirement?" Xianyu Bao might have some ability, but his reputation was poor. Diwu Lun still needed a moral paragon to adorn his façade. His old recommender would do nicely.

Diba Jiao reported: "He has already returned to his family home in Pingling, pleading illness and refusing all visitors, never stepping beyond his door."

"There's no rush with Zhang Zixiao." Diwu Lun knew Zhang Zhan had a fine reputation but could not handle practical affairs. "Du Lin of Maoling has been recommended by the young Geng gentleman. He enjoys considerable renown in Confucian circles and could serve as Capital Commandery Assistant."

Diwu Lun was desperate for talent now, but in stark contrast to the enthusiasm north of the Wei, his recruitment decree met a cold reception south of the Wei and in Chang'an, with very few answering the call.

Diba Jiao told Diwu Lun the reason: "They believe that as soon as the General entered the city, before executing the people's enemies, he first killed Gongsun Lu and other venerable former Han elder ministers of high virtue and prestige. The scholars of Chang'an and south of the Wei cannot help but harbor certain thoughts."

Diwu Lun smiled: "Does Jizheng think so too?"

Diba Jiao nodded: "I believe it was indeed somewhat hasty…"

Diwu Lun felt all the more that he had not been wrong to kill them. Had that lot been left alive, brandishing the banner of public opinion and stirring up the scholars to make trouble for him every day, wouldn't that have been even more troublesome? At least now they were a scattered sheet of sand, unable to leap and scramble about.

The Guanzhong scholars who, for various reasons, had refused to serve Wang Mang's dynasty were mostly men who cherished the house of Han in their hearts. Non-cooperators abounded, and some had even fled — men like the great Ru scholar Shentu Gang of Maoling, all of whom had run westward. The Wei clan of Longyou had raised the banner of restoring the Han, which held far greater appeal for them.

Many who remained were also biding their time, not particularly optimistic about Diwu Lun's regime, which was "neither proper in name nor smooth in justification."

On this test, in the category of "scholar sentiment," Diwu Lun had basically scraped up very few points.

And as the young Geng, stationed at Wugong to the west to rest and regroup, sent back more intelligence, Diwu Lun also learned that the Wei forces had already taken Long Pass and Xiao Pass. The initiative now lay with the other side.

As reports arrived and the fog of war lifted, the present situation gradually became clear: according to confessions from Fang Wang's associates captured by young Geng at Wugong, Fang Wang of Pingling and others had fled west with the Child Liu, seeking refuge with the Wei clan of Longyou.

But between Longyou and Diwu Lun lay Lü Wei of Fufu Commandery. Judging by his posture, he intended to play both sides; San Pass and Xie Valley were both in his hands.

And Wang Mang, on his "tour of inspection" southward, should have already reached Hanzhong Commandery, which still professed loyalty to the Xin.

Directly to the east lay the two commanderies of Heshiwei and Yiwei — and Tian Kuang, the Hot-Spring Marquis, who after his great victory over Peng Chong now commanded over ten thousand troops and was single-mindedly bent on "rescuing the sovereign."

To the southeast were also remnant Xin forces: the Master of Fates General Kong Ren had fled to Hongnong with three thousand men of the Garrison Cavalry Camp and was holding Yao Pass. He had also joined forces with the Grand Governor of the Right Unit. This group showed strong signs of surrendering to the Greenwood rebels.

Beyond that, to the northwest, there was the Maoling gallant Yuan She, whom Wang Mang had appointed to a two-thousand-dan post. This man had no interest in rescuing the sovereign and was currently maintaining neutrality, observing the situation in Guan-Long.

The sole piece of good news was that in Shang Commandery (northern Shaanxi) directly to the north, the Mount Zeng Company Commandant Ma Yuan was a kinsman of Diwu Lun's maternal family and had already raised his banner in response. Shang Commandery's cavalry was a force Diwu Lun urgently needed.

In a word, the entire great Northwest had boiled into a pot of porridge.

The strategic terrain had splintered into fragments, carved up by warlords. Diwu Lun was instead trapped in the middle, and his plan to swiftly seize the various passes to buy time and space had also fallen through.

"As of now, it is not just Long and Xiao, those two passes."

"San Pass to the south; Yao Pass and Wu Pass to the southeast; the old and new Hangu Passes to the east; the Pujin Pass leading to Hedong — none of them are in my hands!"

Guanzhong, Guanzhong — first you must have the passes, only then do you have the center.

No barrier? Then it won't hold!

Diwu Lun's gaze roamed across the map. Opening six fronts at once was clearly inadvisable — it was time to distinguish primary from secondary. Which side was light, which was heavy? Which could wait, which was urgent?

Who were their enemies, and who were their "friends"?

Diwu Lun's orders were crisp and clear:

"In the south, hold. In the north, fortify."

"In the east, strike. In the west, talk."

On the sixth day of the sixth month, when Liu Gong of Longyou arrived outside Jianzhang Palace on the outskirts of Chang'an, Diwu Lun welcomed him with great warmth.

"I have been longing for your arrival, Grand Master Erudite!"

Diwu Lun brought out the silk letter Liu Gong had tucked into Huan Tan's New Discourses back in the State Preceptor's residence, inviting him to rise up, and said with deep feeling: "Looking back on these past half-month of flashing blades and shadows, it was truly perilous. Wang She and Dong Zhong proved incompetent and nearly ruined everything. It was only because the State Preceptor and I, one in the east and one in the west, both rose up that we were able to drive out Wang Mang!"

The implication was clear: they were all "comrades in revolution," still one family.

Liu Gong had been worried about Diwu Lun's attitude, fearing he might be arrogant, but seeing Diwu Lun as warm as ever, he finally relaxed a little.

On the road, he had encountered some great Confucian scholars fleeing west and had also heard that Diwu Lun had executed Gongsun Lu and other veteran officials of the Han Restoration faction. But all Liu Gong wanted to say was...

"Well done!"

The Han Restoration faction was full of rival cliques. Gongsun Lu had always looked askance at old Liu Xin and had once bitterly denounced him, hoping Wang Mang would kill Liu Xin too to appease the realm. Now that Diwu Lun's hand had disposed of such men, it was actually a happy turn of events.

Diwu Lun pointed at the tightly shut gates of Jianzhang Palace and Shoucheng Hall and said to Liu Gong: "I was fortunate enough to enter Chang'an first, but I have not dared to lay a finger on the palaces or their contents. I have registered the officials and populace, sealed the treasuries and armories, and awaited you, Lord Liu. The reason I dispatched officers to scout the west was to guard against bandits coming and going and Wang Mang's remnant partisans stirring up trouble. I am young, of meager virtue, and shallow learning — governing Chang'an has left me utterly exhausted. Truly, day and night I have longed for you, Lord Liu, to come to the capital and take charge of the greater situation."

Since Diwu Lun's attitude was like this, Liu Gong set his mind at ease and began to discuss Liu Xin's plan with him.

"My uncle believes that the present circumstances closely resemble a certain period in the Zhou dynasty."

"In the time of King Li of Zhou, Rui Liangfu gave his loyal counsel. The king trusted Rong Yigong to enforce monopolies — the mountains, forests, rivers, and marshes all became royal property, and commoners were forbidden to enter them to gather firewood, fish, or hunt. He also created the crime of slander to silence the people's mouths, so that in the capital, people only exchanged glances on the roads. In the end, there was an uprising, and King Li of Zhou fled..."

This was comparing Wang Mang to King Li of Zhou. But as for Rong Yigong — weren't you, Liu Xin, just the same? Diwu Lun merely nodded and listened. Then Liu Gong continued:

"At that time, the realm was without a ruler. Duke Mu of Shao and Duke Ding of Zhou jointly held the reins of state until King Xuan of Zhou succeeded to the throne and the Zhou house revived. Thus it was called the 'Gonghe Regency.'"

"The State Preceptor's meaning is..."

Liu Gong said: "Wang Mang may not be a Han emperor, but his tyranny is just like that of King Li of Zhou. Now Wang Mang has fled, the Guanzhong region is in chaos, and the realm is adrift without a master. My uncle believes that the meritorious ministers who drove out Wang Mang should jointly decide the great affairs, purge the vermin, pacify the borders, and await the rise of a King Xuan of Zhou!"

Diwu Lun more or less understood. Liu Xin did not want to fight either and was willing to talk. He wanted to pull Diwu Lun into restoring the Han together — Diwu Lun and Longyou cooperating to establish a "provisional government" as a transition!

That old academic despot Liu Xin — he opposed Wang Mang in words, but in truth, he was cut from the same cloth. Even at a time like this, he still couldn't let go of his archaism.

Seeing Diwu Lun silent, Liu Gong laid out their sincerity: "The Grand General holds the highest merit and should be the pillar. My uncle is willing to assist alongside the Wei clan of Longyou. You, my lord, shall be like the Duke of Shao, while my uncle and the Wei clan shall be like Fang Shu and Jifu — together we shall settle the great enterprise of the state and accomplish the primal merit of heaven and earth."

Model it on the Gonghe Regency, and put him at the head of it — Diwu Lun could not help himself. He nearly burst out laughing. So this provisional government, should it be called...

"The Diwu Republic?"

PS: Got up late. Chapter 2 at 13:00 (will be about an hour late).

(Chapter 3 at 18:00.)