Chapter 386: A Fallen Kingdom

Ma Yuan led his army into Qinghe as if entering an unpeopled land.

It was truly unpeopled. White bones lay exposed in the wilds; for a hundred li, no cock crowed. In Wang Mang's final years, Qinghe Commandery had already suffered grievously from the Red Eyebrows and roving bandits. After the Xin Dynasty fell, it became the backyard of the Tongma and other armies, without a moment's peace. Two years on, this once-populous commandery lay utterly desolate. Bandits and refugees occupied every county. The only patch of ground where anything resembling "government authority" still existed was a small ring around the commandery seat.

The army was not unfamiliar with Qinghe. Over the past year, Ma Yuan had been drilling troops and practicing archery in Wei and Henei, cutting bamboo from the Qi Garden to make over a million arrows. He had expanded his forces to twenty thousand men and also recruited large numbers of refugees who had fled from Qinghe into Wei Commandery, gaining over four thousand. Now he used them as his vanguard.

By the time Ma Yuan reached Qingyang County, the seat of Qinghe Commandery, the Qinghe Governor, Gu Gong, came out to welcome him, broom in hand. The local elders and powerful families following behind him were all gaunt and utterly dejected. Qinghe had seen no proper planting for two years running and had once been besieged by the Tongma army for months on end. Now their old grain was exhausted; the prominent clans in the city had slaughtered and eaten all their dogs and horses, and they had been reduced to drinking thin gruel.

Ma Yuan said with a hearty laugh, "Governor Gu, when you sent word to Wei Commandery asking for help in the past, I have come today bearing the King of Wei's decree to bring you that aid."

The corner of Gu Gong's mouth twitched. He managed, barely, to swallow his curses. He had asked Wei Commandery for help two years ago, back when Diwu Lun was still Governor! But Diwu Lun had only swept the snow from his own doorstep, paying no mind to the thick frost on his neighbor's roof tiles.

Still, belated relief was better than being ignored altogether. Though Gu Gong had once surrendered to the Northern Han, he held no lingering loyalty or devotion to the House of Han.

This Gu Gong's grandfather was the renowned Han envoy Gu Ji, who was killed by Zhizhi Chanyu — the act that triggered Chen Tang's punitive expedition. His father was the famous scholar Gu Yong. As a partisan of the Wang clan, Gu Yong ignored the domineering and overbearing Five Marquises of the Wang family, yet submitted over forty memorials specifically attacking Emperor Cheng and his inner palace — for instance, attributing natural disasters and portents to the fact that Emperor Cheng's favor had not been evenly distributed among his consorts...

Later, when the Xin Dynasty was established, the Gu clan also received favorable treatment. A man like Gu Gong would naturally have fared poorly if the House of Han were strong. But the Northern Han was weak and powerless, helpless against the bandits roaming Qinghe, and could not even send someone to replace Gu Gong in his post. He truly did not know whether to weep or laugh.

Now, Gu Gong had already come to regard Ma Yuan as his savior. As for this post of Qinghe Governor — whoever wanted it could have it. All Gu Gong asked was to quickly hand off this hot potato. He would rather return to Chang'an and live out his days as a wealthy man.

Ma Yuan also inspected the county seat's empty granaries; even the rats had been caught and eaten. He found himself in a quandary. He had originally intended to resupply in Qinghe, then advance north to Xindu and strike straight at the Tongma stronghold. But the entire city of Qingyang was sallow with hunger and even needed relief from their own field rations. It could not be relied upon at all.

When he further questioned Gu Gong about the situation in Qinghe Commandery, he did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"So, for the past half year, the territory Governor Gu has been able to control is limited to the commandery seat alone?"

Gu Gong showed no shame. Holding the commandery seat was already an achievement. "Qinghe Commandery has fourteen counties in total. Apart from Qingyang City, the other thirteen are all in the hands of local strongmen and various bands of bandits — the Youlai, the Qingdu, and the like."

"Three years ago, Qinghe had two hundred thousand households and a population of over eight hundred thousand. Those now gathered in the commandery seat are but a hundredth of that. Looking across the entire commandery, I fear less than half the people are still alive."

"Xindu and Hejian, north of Qinghe, and commanderies like Bohai in You Province — they are all the same!"

This matter gave Ma Yuan considerable headache. Under such conditions, marching an army through the once-wealthy Hebei was no different from crossing a desert. There was no fodder or provisions to be had along the way. It was even more dangerous, for once he divided his forces, they could be attacked at any moment by the various armed groups. For a mouthful of food, those people would do anything.

As for the Tongma army, they had no rear area to speak of. Now they simply followed Liu Ziyu blindly, swarming wherever there was grain. Once they had devoured the territories of the Prince of Zhending and the Prince of Zhao, their next step would likely be to head south.

"Attacking now brings no advantage. Better to hold our ground around the autumn harvest, waiting at ease for the weary enemy."

Though valiant, Ma Yuan also knew how to use strategy. Realizing that developments had exceeded his expectations, he immediately changed his plan. He left troops to garrison Qinghe so that he could observe the Tongma army's movements at the earliest opportunity.

At the same time, he had Gu Gong send men to the thirteen counties of Qinghe, and even to neighboring commanderies like Xindu and Bohai, to invite the various factions to send representatives here for a meeting to discuss the greater situation.

Since Hebei was now in utter chaos, whatever longing the local strongmen might have for the Han was far weaker than their desperate longing for peace. Just like Gu Gong, they would raise the banner of whoever could restore order to Hebei!

And Ma Yuan, having once been a bandit himself, understood the bandit mindset quite well. He knew what these men cared about most was their turf. "As long as the Youlai, Qingdu, and other bandits are willing to honor the King of Wei's commands, they can all be made Colonels."

Ma Yuan anticipated that the fate of Hebei would ultimately be decided between the Tongma and the King of Wei. The key to victory or defeat lay in which side the various neutral factions would lean toward and aid. Ma Yuan intended to start winning them over now.

Immediately after, Ma Yuan also promptly sent a memorial and letter to Chang'an.

"This time, on behalf of the King of Wei, I shall stake out territory with a galloping horse and bring the land to order by proclamation."

"He will have to hand out, in one breath, the seals and ribbons for several Governors, dozens of County Magistrates and Commandants — over a hundred official posts in total!"

In the sixth month, as summer neared its height, the State of Wei — which had long delayed opening its campaign in order to focus on internal construction — finally began to accelerate the King of Wei's process of unifying the north, after over a million dan of land tax from Weibei had entered the granaries.

In the east, Ma Yuan swept across the Hebei plains, taking Guangping and seizing Qinghe, and began to contemplate preparations for a more distant confrontation.

Meanwhile, Jing Dan had captured most of Shangdang, with only Zhangzi County still stubbornly resisting. This Front General now began shifting his forces toward Taiyuan. Although the route from Hedong through the Rat and Sparrow Valley was difficult, the road from Shangdang northward through the Shimu Valley at Mount Yangtou was much easier. But in this campaign, Diwu Lun waged war not only with arms, but also with diplomacy.

A special envoy, braving the unceasing drizzling rain of late summer, traveled from Shang Commandery through Xihe and secretly arrived at the Governor's residence in Taiyuan City, to pay a visit to the Northern Han Governor of Taiyuan, Guo Ji.

"Lord Guo, I trust you have been well since we last met."

The familiar Maoling accent belonged to none other than the King of Wei's Junior Preceptor, Du Lin, who was also a young fellow-townsman of Guo Ji.

Guo Ji was over sixty. Seeing Du Lin, he was quite delighted. Grasping his hand, he said with emotion, "Since I was appointed Governor of Bing Province in the Tianfeng era of the former dynasty, I have not seen you, Boshan, for many years."

Du Lin smiled. "Lord Xihou, you look more vigorous than ever."

"I am old," Guo Ji said. "I still remember the last time we gathered in Maoling, when you taught me the Old Text Book of Documents. Now, in my old age, I have forgotten nearly all of it."

"It was you, Lord Xihou, who condescended to learn, not dismissing a junior for his youth." Du Lin said, "The Master said, 'If one hears the Dao in the morning, one may die content in the evening.' Should you wish to read the Old Text Book of Documents again in the future, I will certainly not keep it to myself."

Guo Ji sighed with feeling. "Living in such troubled times, will there ever be such an opportunity again?"

He pointed at Du Lin. "You and I each serve our own master. Boshan, surely you have not come here to discuss the classics and reminisce, but to act as a persuader for the King of Wei."

"Lord Xihou misunderstands. I have come for no other purpose than to deliver a few letters to you."

Du Lin opened the bamboo tube he carried with him. Inside were letters made of paper, quite light and convenient. He first presented the first one.

"This is a handwritten letter from the great gallant, Chen Menggong (Chen Zun)."

Although Chen Zun was not a Maoling fellow-townsman of Guo and Du, he had always been chivalrous and righteous. He had once gone to Maoling to pay respects at the tomb of the heroic gallant Guo Jie from Emperor Wu of Han's time — and Guo Ji was precisely Guo Jie's great-great-grandson. The two had become acquainted through this. Their friendship now spanned decades. That Guo Ji rose to become Governor of Bing Province under Wang Mang was also due to Chen Zun's recommendation.

"I heard that Chen Menggong followed Wang Yi to Kunyang and feared he had perished there. Who would have thought he returned to Guanzhong and even became the King of Wei's Intendant of the Capital."

Guo Ji read the words in Chen Zun's letter and felt glad for his old friend. He added, "Chen Menggong commands respect from all sides, both righteous and underworld. The King of Wei using him as Intendant of the Capital to govern a difficult region — he has truly chosen the right man."

"My lord knows men well and employs them aptly. He would never let any worthy talent go to waste. Regardless of whether one held office or a noble title under the Han or Xin, as long as one did not mistreat the people, all past deeds are forgiven."

Du Lin awkwardly praised the King of Wei for a moment, then promptly presented the second letter. "This is a letter from the Privy Treasurer, Song Hong."

The first was from Guo Ji's old friend and patron; this second was from his colleague and predecessor. Guo Ji's post as Governor of Bing Province was the very one he had taken over from Song Hong.

Compared to Chen Zun's reminiscing and invitation to drink, the ever-stern Song Hong was not the least bit polite. In his letter, he gave Guo Ji a thorough scolding.

He rebuked him for failing to recognize the true Heaven-ordained and brilliant lord, instead surrendering to the impostor Liu Ziyu. Their own grandfathers and fathers had served as high officials under Emperor Cheng — could such tricks fool ignorant peasants and women, but deceive them? He harshly denounced Guo Ji for his muddled thinking!

Did Guo Ji not know this himself? But over half a year ago, the realm was in chaos. The Wei army had halted at Hedong, and the Prince of Zhending, Liu Yang, had beaten them to Taiyuan. At the time, Guo Ji harbored misgivings about Diwu Lun, a subject who had rebelled against his sovereign, and did not want Taiyuan to suffer the calamity of war. He had therefore submitted to the Northern Han, but Taiyuan remained firmly under his control.

After reading it, Guo Ji could only wipe away sweat. "Song Zhongzi is still so stern and unyielding. Reading his words, I cannot help but feel drenched in sweat."

Du Lin said, "But the King of Wei believes that Lord Xihou acted under duress at the time. The Maoling Guo clan's residences, fields, and clansmen — even the tomb of the great gallant Guo — have all been properly guarded and protected, suffering no violation even in these troubled times."

"I truly thank the King of Wei..." Guo Ji added, "But I have heard rumors that the King of Wei carried out a great slaughter of the powerful families in Weibei, wiping out over thirty clans..."

"They were all men who plotted rebellion to coordinate with Liu Bosheng. They deserved their deaths." Although Du Lin himself had some private criticisms of Diwu Lun's action, as a persuader, he had to hold his ground. He merely said, "The scholars of the Five Tombs are quite well employed. In the third month, over three hundred scholars were selected in the Palace Gentleman examinations, and men from the Five Tombs accounted for half."

"And we Maoling men are also heavily relied upon in the Chang'an court. Ma Wenyuan is State Commandant, Geng Bozhao is General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wan Junyou is General of the Guard, and even I have been added as Junior Preceptor. If you, Lord Xihou, were also there, at future court assemblies, the Maoling fellow-regionals could gather seven or eight strong."

This was an appeal to the bonds of regional fellowship — and it was precisely what gave a mere scholar like Du Lin the confidence to venture into Taiyuan. He knew Guo Ji cherished old ties.

Du Lin was, in truth, not a particularly qualified persuader. He could manage reminiscing about old friendships, but when it came to discussing the strategic situation, he could only manage a line or two. "At present, Hebei is in chaos. The false emperor Liu Ziyu has led the Tongma to slaughter cities. The Prince of Zhending and the Prince of Zhao are locked in ceaseless war. The people have no means to live. And the Front General, Jing Dan, has already brought his troops to the borders of Taiyuan. Lord Xihou, can you bear to let the people of an entire commandery have their brains dashed upon the ground?"

This was openly calling on him to surrender to the King of Wei. Guo Ji fell silent for a moment, then sighed. "Boshan, you know me. In my youth, Guo Ji also had great ambitions. During the reigns of Emperor Xiao'ai and Emperor Xiaoping, I was summoned to serve in the office of the Grand Minister of Works. After three promotions, I became Commandant of Yuyang, and once defended the frontier against the northern barbarians."

"After the Son of Heaven of the former dynasty supplanted the Han and established himself, I failed to die for the Han. I could not overcome my desire for success and profit, so I became Grand Governor of Shanggu, and later rose to Governor of Bing Province. I also once made the Xiongnu keep their distance in fear, not daring to enter the border forts again."

"When the Xin fell, I did not die for the Xin either, and became a Han subject once more. Even though the Restoration Emperor is most likely a false Liu Ziyu, if I were to betray the Han again and surrender to Wei, would Guo Ji not become a turncoat, reviled by later generations?"

Guo Ji also knew that the best course now was to surrender to Wei, but he still could not get past that hurdle in his heart. He felt that in the end, he would probably hand over Taiyuan and then retire from public life...

Du Lin, however, burst out laughing. "The King of Wei truly foresees things like a god."

While Guo Ji was still astonished, Du Lin brought out one final letter.

"This is a letter in the King of Wei's own hand. I venture to ask Lord Xihou to open it personally!"

Guo Ji took the thick letter and opened it. His eyes seemed fixed and drawn in as if by a magnet.

"In this world, there are those who bring ruin to a kingdom, and those who bring ruin to all under Heaven..."

"Changing the clan name and altering the dynastic title — this is called ruining a kingdom. Qin destroyed the Six Kingdoms, Han destroyed Qin, Xin supplanted Han, Wei destroyed Xin, and Wei destroys the various Han claimants — all these are the ruin of kingdoms. That is why Liu Bosheng calls me an enemy of his state."

Diwu Lun did not deny this. He truly intended to sweep away all the Han claimants and found a brand-new dynasty. To the Liu clan, he was an irreconcilable enemy of state and family, just like Wang Mang!

"Yet ruining a kingdom does not change the clothing, caps, or hairstyles, nor does it change the writing. It remains the realm of the various Hua Xia. Ruining all under Heaven, however, is not so!"

Diwu Lun raised an example of a near-"ruin of all under Heaven": "In the Spring and Autumn period, the southern Yi and the northern Di pressed in from both sides, and the Central States hung by a thread. Fortunately, Duke Huan of Qi preserved Xing and rescued Wei, resisting the barbarian tribes. Thus Confucius said: 'But for Guan Zhong, we should now be wearing our hair loose and folding our lapels to the left!'"

"And the situation today is even more perilous than in the Spring and Autumn period! Benevolence and righteousness are choked off; the realm is torn apart and shattered. The Xiongnu and Lu Fang seize the chance to drive beasts to devour men."

Diwu Lun enumerated how the Xiongnu were exploiting the Hu and Han peoples, invading south into New Qinzhong and Xihe Commandery, exaggerating the Xiongnu threat because he had heard that Guo Ji grew up on the frontier and deeply loathed the Hu brigands. Yanmen Commandery, north of Taiyuan, had also recently fallen to the Xiongnu's Left Worthy Prince. The barbarian threat was imminent. For Governor Guo, whose former jurisdiction was being overrun by barbarians, would his heart not grieve as well?

"My destruction of the various Han claimants is a war of ruining kingdoms. Resisting the Xiongnu is a war to save all under Heaven!"

Diwu Lun believed that if the Xiongnu and the Hu-Han forces had their way, the Hua Xia would likely face extermination and forced adoption of foreign dress, all folding their lapels to the left. He raised the great banner of the Han Confucian debate on Hua versus Yi, casting himself as the Duke Huan of Qi of the present age, declaring he would shoulder the heavy task of resisting the Hu invaders, and extended an invitation to Guo Ji.

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The reason he hoped Guo Ji would submit was not for the mere sake of Taiyuan Commandery, but because he hoped Guo Ji could use his experience growing up on the frontier to help Wei resist the Hu brigands together and win this war to save all under Heaven!

Guo Ji finished reading the letter with full attention, then set down the scroll and heaved a long, deep sigh.

"My breadth of vision, compared to the King of Wei's, is truly like a candle flame measured against the sun and moon."

"I was still tangled up in changing clan names and dynastic titles, while the King of Wei has already set his sights on the rise and fall of all under Heaven!"

Had the King of Zhending, the King of Zhao, Liu Ziyu — had any of them ever considered such matters? Guo Ji wavered no more. He knew what he had to do.

He bowed to Du Lin with clasped hands. "Guo Ji is willing to offer the twenty-one counties of Taiyuan and one hundred sixty thousand households of common people in allegiance to the King of Wei, to jointly resist the Xiongnu incursions!"

"Lord Xihou has saved the countless common people of Taiyuan. Most excellent!"

Du Lin said, "The King of Wei has already reached Hedong. He looks forward to Lord Xihou sending a dan of Taiyuan's fresh millet for him to taste when autumn arrives!"