Chapter 287: Catching a Turtle in a Jar

Because this "State of Wei" was a makeshift operation, everything was kept simple. They took down the sign of the Yueyang County office and hung up the plaque for the "Imperial Counselor's Office." Since it was rushed, they hadn't even smoothed the splinters off the wood.

But Jing Dan couldn't be bothered with any of that. While everyone was still hanging the plaque and looking up to see if it was straight, he had already personally carried in a huge pile of bamboo slips and documents. He sat down at a desk in a corner and immediately threw himself into the work.

"The offices the King of Wei uses appear to follow the Qin system, but in truth they still inherit from the Han system."

Jing Dan knew that others would be desperate to proclaim themselves the true orthodoxy of the Great Han. Diwu Lun alone, holding to the mindset of "what others take, I leave," wanted nothing to do with the name of the Han system. Yet a look at the composition of his government showed it was no different from the time of Empress Lü and Emperor Wen, with Left and Right Chancellors established — wasn't this exactly the division of power between Chen Ping and Zhou Bo under Emperor Wen of Han?

People of the time also called the Chancellor's Office the "Greater Office" and the Imperial Counselor's Office the "Lesser Office." Although Jing Dan felt a slight regret at not becoming a Chancellor, he knew very well that the size of one's power never depended on the title, but on the reality.

"In the Han, the Chancellor was nominally the head of all officials, yet most of the time, it was just a title."

From what Jing Dan understood, since the reigns of Emperors Jing and Wu, Chancellors had mostly been mediocre and idle. The guest lodges in their offices were practically ruins, because with no real power, even those who came calling were few and far between. To put it bluntly, they were nothing more than human-shaped seals who stamped documents for the Emperor.

In contrast to the Chancellor's plight, the Imperial Counselor often played a vital role at court. During Emperor Jing of Han's time, Chao Cuo was promoted to Imperial Counselor. He petitioned against the feudal lords' crimes, reduced their territories, and seized their subordinate commanderies. When the memorial was presented, the Emperor ordered the ministers, marquises, and imperial clan to deliberate, and none of the hundred officials dared to challenge him.

And during Emperor Wu of Han's time, the Emperor held all power firmly in his own hands, making it even harder for the Chancellor to get by. His authority was even encroached upon by the Imperial Counselor. For a very long period, all affairs of the realm were decided by Imperial Counselor Zhang Tang. Major policies like minting wuzhu coins, implementing the salt and iron monopolies, and the wealth-reporting and tax-assessment laws were all handled by Imperial Counselor Zhang Tang acting on Emperor Wu's will. When attending court and presenting matters, it was also the Imperial Counselor who answered alone; the Chancellor merely filled a seat.

Now, the Right Chancellor's post was vacant, and Left Chancellor Geng Chun was far away in the east. Moreover, Diwu Lun, considering that this was a new founding in chaotic times, needed the new government to operate efficiently and powerfully, not to create mutual checks and obstacles. He hadn't even established an inner court, only having young men like Zhu Di serve as "Palace Gentlemen" responsible for transmitting documents. For the time being, the heavy burden of internal administration, especially policy decisions and personnel appointments, fell squarely on Jing Dan.

But this temporary state of affairs probably wouldn't last long. Once Hedong was taken and the east-west link was opened, if Diwu Lun transferred Geng Chun over, or finally decided to appoint someone as Right Chancellor, the power dynamics would shift, and internal administration would likely be split three ways.

So Jing Dan had to seize this moment to demonstrate his ability as much as possible, even if his post remained unchanged later...

"Though the Imperial Counselor is the Vice Chancellor, his actual authority can surpass that of the true Chancellor!"

Money, grain, and the economy fell under the Lesser Treasurer and the Superintendent of Grain, so Jing Dan didn't need to get too involved. At the moment, the most pressing task for the Imperial Counselor's Office was its core function: appointing and dismissing officials.

Unlike in Chang'an, where the old officials' posts were left unchanged, Diwu Lun carried out sweeping appointments and dismissals in the heartland of this "State of Wei" — the two commanderies of Liewei and Shiwei.

The ten counties of Liewei were relatively simple. Diwu Lun was quite familiar with them and had long had a list ready. Back when he was a Revenue Section Official, he had traveled through every township in the commandery to investigate, learning the successes and failures of local governance and the local strongmen. Those officials he had marked with a "√" back then were now boldly appointed. And those he had marked with an "×," who were still in their posts harming the people, were swept out in large numbers.

This judgment wasn't based on moral standards. For example, the former County Magistrate of Changling, Xianyu Bao, was a corrupt official, but he was also a capable county administrator. So he was brought back to serve as the Assistant Governor of Liewei Commandery.

Diwu Lun said privately to Jing Dan, "My recommender, Zhang Zhan, Zhang Zixiao, is a paragon of virtue. Xianyu Bao is an official with a stained record. But when it comes to the ability to govern a commandery, the former falls short of the latter."

What mattered more now was whether they could suppress bandits, pacify the populace, and not stir up trouble in the rear.

Jing Dan, on the other hand, was more familiar with Shiwei Commandery. Yet those promoted at the county level were mostly sons of the local powerful families. For one, those who could read and write mostly came from wealthy and noble households — if not them, then who? Secondly, the families behind them were mostly local power players, like the Sima clan of Xiayang and Li Bai of Zheng County, who had just carried out the betrayal of Tian Kuang. Now, with the State of Wei's rule still unstable and the primary goal being the attack on Hedong, it was far from the time for a major purge.

Jing Dan's work was meticulous and thorough. Diwu Lun approved most of the memorials he submitted. Occasionally, when there was something he didn't understand, he summoned Jing Dan to the Yueyang Palace to inquire, and there were no major issues. Only, in the list of promotions, not a single person from the Jing clan, the great family of Yueyang, was included.

Diwu Lun then said to Jing Dan, "In recommending the worthy, one does not avoid one's own kin. Sunqing, you must not be overly scrupulous."

Jing Dan merely bowed deeply and said, "The men of the Jing clan have little talent or strategic ability. They are not fit for office."

Diwu Lun was even extremely cautious about employing the various Di clans of Linqu Township. How could Jing Dan dare let his own clansmen rise on his coattails? If one or two of them started abusing their power, wouldn't that ruin his reputation and prospects?

Coming out of Yueyang Palace, Jing Sunqing's back ached, and he was preparing to return to his residence for a short rest when Geng Yan came to visit.

Because Jing Dan had once served under Geng Yan's father as a long-time "deputy," the two were relatively close. Geng Yan was usually proud and didn't mince words with others, but he was quite respectful toward Jing Dan. This time, however, he had come to say goodbye.

"The King of Wei has again assigned Wan Junyou to lead the main attack, while I am to head north to Shang Commandery."

Geng Yan had previously regretted missing the Battle of Linjin. At the meeting on attacking Hedong, he had actively volunteered, hoping to win the first victory. But Diwu Lun felt that a frontal river crossing wouldn't play to his strengths, so he ordered him to lead a flanking force.

That afternoon in Yueyang Palace, Diwu Lun had told Jing Dan that young Geng would surely come to complain to him. And indeed, here he was. Jing Dan smiled and said, "In my view, the path that can truly achieve great merit is precisely yours, Bozhao."

Jing Dan pointed north and said, "Now Lu Fang has declared himself Han Emperor and is drawing the Xiongnu to raid Bing Province. Xiongnu cavalry frequently appear north of Shang Commandery, making Ma Yuan, who was just enfeoffed as Grand Guardian, quite uneasy."

"Furthermore, Bozhao, you are under orders to reorganize the Yueqi Cavalry. The King of Wei has promised each rider an additional fine horse. But Guanzhong lacks horses, while Shang Commandery does not. This trip is perfect for replenishing warhorses. If you encounter small bands of Xiongnu raiders, you can even ride beyond the frontier to test yourselves against them — consider it training. The indolence of the Yueqi Cavalry is exactly what needs the frost of the northern frontier to temper."

"Didn't the King of Wei say at the meeting that your true great task, Bozhao, is to pass through Shang Commandery and compel the surrender of Xihe Commandery!"

This Xihe Commandery had been carved out of Shang Commandery during the time of Emperor Wu of Han. It had lands on both banks of the Yellow River, a total of eighteen counties, and was also a large commandery, belonging to Bing Province. To its north were Shuofang, Wuyuan, Yunzhong, and Dingxiang; to its west, Beidi and Shang; to its east, Taiyuan; and to its south, Hedong. Its position was extremely critical.

Jing Dan said, "Now that false Han pretender is posing as the house of Han, sending proclamations everywhere, and has already deceived Shuofang and Yunzhong into submitting. If Xihe also falls into his hands, the Xiongnu can drive straight in, threatening the Direct Road. Bing Province will be in peril, and Weibei will be in peril!"

The Grand Governor of Xihe under the Xin Dynasty was now also utterly bewildered, hesitating among three regimes: the false Han of Lu Fang, Wang Xun in Hedong, and the State of Wei in Weibei. Such a vital point — if our side doesn't strive for it, the enemy will. The frontier north is vast and the roads long; only Geng Yan and the Yueqi Cavalry under his command could be swiftly dispatched to compel Xihe Commandery to make a choice.

"And from Xihe Commandery, overlooking the Yellow River, crossing Mengmen, and reaching Lin and Lishi, one can then descend south into Hedong and push east to Taiyuan. This was the old strategy of Qin when attacking Zhao."

Geng Yan nodded. "The King of Wei did indeed say that my mission is a grand encirclement, a grand flanking maneuver!"

To circle around to the north of Hedong, to where the enemy's strength was weak. While Diwu Lun and Wan Xiu deployed troops at Longmen and Puban Pass on the Yellow River, drawing Wang Xun's main force, they would stab them in the back!

"Ma Yuan in Henei will also launch a fierce assault on Ekou Pass, making Wang Xun face enemies on all sides."

But Wang Xun, after all, commanded an army of seventy thousand. Though the quality of the Xin troops was worrying and morale was shaky, that number still demanded some respect. So, through Geng Chun's maneuvering, they had even called upon Bao Yong, who had now answered the call of the "Northern Han" and become the Governor of Shangdang — they would probably soon learn of Diwu Lun's assumption of the royal title. But assuming a royal title, compared to declaring oneself emperor, especially a Han emperor, was still a notch lower.

What Hedong was about to face was a pincer attack from four sides.

Jing Dan shared a parting drink with Geng Yan. "Wang Xun fears us. He didn't dare enter the passes to support Tian Kuang, hoping to flee into Hedong to preserve himself. Little does he know, what he's crawled into is a sealed jar. No wonder the King of Wei calls this campaign against Hedong..."

"Catching a turtle in a jar!"

A softshell turtle bigger than a human face lay sprawled on the ground. Its carapace was yellow-green, its plastron yellow, its four limbs scrabbling helplessly. And Diwu Lun was looking at it, frowning.

"Junior Guardian Shi, where did you find this thing?"

Junior Guardian Shi Chen of Great Wei, having no talent for military or civil administration, had utterly transformed into a sycophant, pandering to Diwu Lun's every whim. And so, having found this giant turtle from who-knows-where, he said obsequiously, "Great King, this is a Yellow River softshell turtle. Made into a stew, its flavor is exquisite."

He even recounted the allusion of the "dipped finger" to Diwu Lun, laughing at his own story. But the King of Wei did not laugh, nor did he pay him much attention. He only looked at the memorial Jing Dan had submitted, his fingers lightly tapping the desk. After a long moment, he said, "Since Duke Ling of Zheng and his minister fell out and died over eating turtle stew, what does the Junior Guardian mean by going to such trouble and expense to find this creature?"

These words so frightened Shi Chen that he dropped to his knees with a thud, saying only, "This turtle... was actually intended as a tonic for the King's grandfather."

This was Shi Chen, seeing that Diwu Lun had no taste for pleasure, changing his tactics and approaching the matter through Diwu Ba, whom Diwu Lun held most dear. But to his surprise, Diwu Lun still kept a stern face and said, "I am currently dispatching soldiers to search the Yellow River for a crossing point to attack Hedong, and yet you send men to fish for turtles to curry favor. If word of this gets out, what will the officers and men think?"

Shi Chen trembled with fear. "Your servant is guilty. I will go release the turtle at once!"

But Diwu Lun called him back. "Since you went to the trouble of catching it, why release it?"

He instructed Shi Chen, "Go find a skilled craftsman and have characters carved on its shell. The gist should be that the River Earl of the Yellow River has declared that in this campaign, crossing the river, Great Wei shall surely be victorious. Then find an opportunity to take this giant turtle to Puban Pass and let the patrolling soldiers discover it."

This was a matter of necessity. The soldiers were superstitious. The new recruits, who had never seen a river as wide as the Yellow River, were all trembling with fear. Even when the eight hundred veterans of the western crossing reasoned with them, kicked them, and slapped them, many still dared not board the small boats. Warriors who could fight bathed in blood at the Battle of Longshou Canal, once on a boat, had legs shaking like they were having a seizure.

After all, the risk of capsizing was real, and very high. Rather than lecturing them on science, a giant turtle hailed as the "River Earl's Messenger" would be far more effective.

And the "turtle" on the opposite bank wasn't idle either. Just as Diwu Lun was about to leave Yueyang and go to the Hexi front to personally oversee the war, Wang Xun, the former Grand Chancellor of the Xin Dynasty, sent an envoy to negotiate terms with Diwu Lun.

The man who came was named Tian Yi, the former Grand Governor of Zhaodui. Entrusted by Wang Xun, he came to pay his respects to Diwu Lun, and the first words out of his mouth were "Your Highness, King of Wei."

So they already knew about his assumption of the royal title. But what Tian Yi said next left King of Wei Lun unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"The Grand Chancellor sent me today because he wishes to form an alliance with the King of Wei!"

"An alliance?"

Diwu Lun laughed in spite of himself. "I rebelled against the Xin Dynasty and drove out Wang Mang — and is Chancellor Wang not a loyal servant of the Xin?"

Tian Yi replied, "Wang Mang recklessly altered the institutions, and the Grand Chancellor has long been discontent. Though constrained by his position, he could not raise troops together with the King of Wei, yet his heart yearned toward it. That is why, in the earlier battle in Hexi, he was unwilling to join forces with Tian Kuang and make himself an enemy of the King of Wei — he has already shown his sincerity."

"What is more, now that many Han states stand side by side — a Hu Han in the north, a Western Han in the west, a Green Han in the south, and yet another Northern Han north of the river — the realm has no master, and none can tell where it will end. The Grand Chancellor Wang wishes to divide the realm along the river with the King of Wei, each serving as the other's rear guard, standing independent among all the Han states."

"Therefore, he is willing to follow the example of King Hui of Wei and King Wei of Qi, who recognized each other as kings at Xuzhou during the Warring States period. He recognizes the King of Wei, and he asks the King of Wei to likewise recognize the Grand Chancellor's rule over Hedong and Taiyuan."

Diwu Lun thought he had misheard — Wang Xun wanted to declare himself king too? The man was far too confident in the seventy thousand men under his command, and in a hurry to get himself a new title to sever ties with the Xin Dynasty.

He kept his composure. "Oh? And what title does the Grand Chancellor intend to take as king?"

Tian Yi said, "Hedong is the old land of Jin — naturally, the King of Jin."

"Jin?" Diwu Lun stroked his chin and pondered. He did not know why that word ignited a nameless fury in him, but he slammed his hand on the table.

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"What my Great Wei strikes down — is precisely Jin!"

…

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

(Chapter 3 at 18:00.)