Chapter 560: Hawk and Owl

The feifei — shaped like a man, with a long face, black lips, a hairy body, and heels reversed, it laughs when it sees people. In all the world, there is only one place that produces this strange beast: Shandu County in Nanyang Commandery. "Shandu" is in fact the elegant name for the feifei.

Deng County and Xiangyang are as close as lips and teeth, but their defense is still not perfect. Only by bringing Shandu County, several dozen li northwest of Deng County, into the fold can it be flawless and complete.

Shandu County is important because it lies on the upper Han River. Think back — when the Qin general Bai Qi launched the Yan-Ying campaign, he struck straight from Wu Pass to Shandu, then took the water route, landed behind Deng County, and slaughtered it in one blow!

This county is also currently under Deng Feng's control. He knows Shandu County's importance, so he entrusted it to his best friend, Zhao Xi, stationing three thousand troops there to ensure nothing could go wrong…

The very day after Deng Feng sent his own uncle off to his present master, a small party of riders arrived from northwest of Deng County — it was none other than Zhao Xi and his company.

"So it's General Zhao from Shandu. General Deng has long been waiting for you inside the city."

Since this had been arranged beforehand, the garrison suspected nothing. The drawbridge over the moat was lowered and the great gates opened. Yet once this group galloped into Deng County, they ignored everything and charged straight for the General's residence. The red-horse young officer at the lead moved fastest — clad in iron armor, a pair of crossed short spears on his back, he bowled over one soldier after another who, realizing something was wrong, rushed to block his way.

And before the General's residence, facing the astonished questions of acquaintances, this young officer with a dark-green headwrap simply brandished his spear and shouted: "Where is Deng Fengxian? There is a grave matter that must be settled face to face. If not, let him die beneath my spear!"

"Zhao Xi has turned? Zhao Boyang has turned?" The Deng General's residence instantly fell into chaos. They numbered in the hundreds, yet faced with Zhao Xi arriving alone at their door, they were beside themselves with tension! They dared not charge forward to seize him, yet could not let him pass, and could only stand deadlocked before the residence gate.

Some Jingzhou men who had lately come from Nan Commandery to serve Deng Feng did not understand and asked about this Young General Zhao. Those nearby cast scornful looks and began recounting this man's legendary exploits.

"Young General Zhao is the sole grandson of the Zhao clan of Wancheng."

"In his youth he was already famed as a knight-errant. At fifteen, when his elder cousin was murdered, Zhao Xi held that one does not sheathe one's blade over a brother's blood-feud, and day and night he searched for the killer, sword in hand."

"When he finally found the enemy, Zhao Xi discovered the man was ill — so ill he could scarcely rise from his bed."

"Then wasn't that the perfect chance to kill him while he was weak?"

"Not so. Zhao Xi believed that avenging oneself while another was sick was not the act of a benevolent man. He actually let the enemy go, agreeing to settle it in a death match once the man recovered."

"After the enemy was healed, he came to Zhao Xi's door bearing heavy gold to beg forgiveness, but Zhao Xi paid him no heed. He merely handed the man the five weapons and told him to choose. In the end, they fought blade to blade, and Zhao Xi slew his foe!"

Once this story spread, Zhao Xi's fame soared. By the time the Greenwood men rose against Wang Mang, it had reached the point where if some county magnate refused to surrender, merely having Zhao Xi show his face and offer his trust was enough to make them open the gates.

Compared to those who boast of themselves and carefully cultivate their reputations, Zhao Xi's renown and virtue were earned through genuine skill! He fought in the great battle of Kunyang, standing shoulder to shoulder with Liu Xiu, and slew enemies without number. While still young, he became a General of the Household and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Valorous Deeds — fully worthy of the name "the Thousand-Li Colt of Nanyang."

It was precisely such a Thousand-Li Colt that men both revered and feared. Just as everyone stood at a complete loss, laughter rang out from within the General's residence.

"In this season when warmth just returns but the cold still lingers, the wine has barely been heated — and here comes Zhao Boyang?"

Deng Feng, dressed today only in everyday clothes and draped in a bearskin cloak, strode out. The moment Zhao Xi saw him, he raised the short spear in his hand: "Deng Fengxian, I hear you seized your own uncle, Lord Deng, and sent him off to Xiangyang?"

Deng Feng knew Zhao Xi was a man of his word, a true stalwart. He remembered how, when the Red Eyebrows entered Wan, everyone else abandoned Liu Xuan and fled — only Zhao Xi faithfully carried out his duty, escorting Liu Xuan to the border of Nanyang and fulfilling the bond between lord and vassal. Then he resolutely stayed behind to follow Deng Feng, resolved to fight for the last shred of dignity and interest of Nanyang's great clans!

Since then, Zhao Xi had been Deng Feng's most vital comrade and aide. Deng Feng held Deng County and entrusted upstream Shandu to Zhao Xi with full confidence. The two had supported each other through these chaotic times for two years now.

Zhao Xi and Deng Feng were the closest of friends, sworn brothers. In their youth, Zhao Xi had often visited the Deng clan of Xinye and had been on good terms with Deng Chen as well. Yet such a kind and honorable elder had been harmed by Deng Feng, his own nephew! When Zhao Xi heard the news on the road, how could a man who valued loyalty and bonds above all not fly into a towering rage?

Deng Feng, however, seemed utterly unconcerned. He merely smiled and asked: "In our youth, Boyang and I read the Zuo Commentary together. In Wei there was a pure minister, Shi Que, who, for his lord's sake, executed his own son who had betrayed the state. Today I serve the King of Chuli, yet my uncle sought to persuade me to betray my master and surrender to Han. I seized him and delivered him to my lord — should Boyang not praise me for 'placing righteousness above family'?"

"Fengxian is steeped in martial arts and military strategy, but his grasp of the classics remains half-baked."

Since the other party wanted to argue principle, Zhao Xi — accomplished in both pen and sword — was not about to back down. Just as he had once faced a sick enemy and chosen to stay his blade, the young general put away his short spear and declared in a ringing voice: "The ancients said: 'Human nature serves three, and serves them as one. The father gives life, the teacher gives instruction, the lord gives sustenance.'"

"Lord Deng raised you — he was like half a father. He taught you to read and trained you in martial arts — he was also like half a teacher. Father and teacher are one, and they come even before the lord!"

Deng Feng retorted: "So what you mean, Boyang, is that I should cast aside the King of Chuli, heed my uncle's counsel, raise the Han banner in Deng County, and become a turncoat? Does the Thousand-Li Colt of Nanyang now urge a man to betray his master?"

"Of course not!" Zhao Xi proclaimed. "Does Fengxian still recall the story of Shi She, the Lingyin of Chu, from the Zuo Commentary?"

"Shi She was upright and just, yet his father committed murder. Unable to fulfill both loyalty and filial piety, Shi She released his father, then went to King Zhao of Chu to beg punishment. He refused King Zhao's pardon and then fell on his own sword and died."

"Fengxian should let your uncle go, then go to the King of Chuli and beg punishment. If the King of Chuli wants you dead, you should face death calmly, and then…"

At this suggestion, Deng Feng did not know for a moment whether to laugh or curse.

The words Zhao Xi spoke were indeed as young and naive as his twenty years of age: "I am merely guarding Shandu on Fengxian's behalf for now; I have not formally pledged allegiance as a subject to the King of Chuli. If you die, it will be my duty to avenge my friend — and then I shall take my own life before Fengxian's grave!"

Truly an open and honorable gentleman. Deng Feng believed Zhao Xi would do exactly as he said. But in these chaotic times, a man as rigidly idealistic as Zhao Xi simply could not survive!

So Deng Feng sighed and extended a hand, inviting Zhao Xi into the residence: "Does Boyang know why I absolutely had to hand my uncle over?"

Although Zhao Xi had come to demand an accounting, in his heart he had been making excuses for his friend all along, persuading himself that Deng Feng must have had no choice. Hearing this, he said: "Could it really be as I guessed — that Fengxian could not bear to betray his lord, and so sent your uncle to plead with the King of Chuli on your behalf? If the King of Chuli agreed to submit to Han, then Fengxian would follow his master in changing banners?"

"As expected of Boyang." Deng Feng laughed heartily. That was indeed what he had told Deng Chen — and that foolish uncle of his had surely believed it completely!

Yet the real reason was five or ten times more complicated than that wishful plan.

"But the King of Chuli will not be submitting to Han."

Deng Feng's expression turned grave as he sighed: "Because he intends to surrender to Wei!"

…

On the road to Xiangyang under escort, in the cabin of the boat crossing the Han River, Deng Chen — his bonds slightly loosened — had been turning his nephew's words over and over in his mind, pondering how he should persuade Qin Feng…

As far as Deng Chen knew, Qin Feng was no petty warlord who had suddenly popped up in recent years. The man was a scion of a great Jing-Xiang clan and, like Liu Xiu, had once been a student at the Imperial Academy in Chang'an. After completing his studies, he had returned home to serve as a county clerk.

As early as the second year of Dihuang, when the Red Eyebrows and Greenwood men were just rising, while Liu Xiu was still traveling through Yingchuan and Diwu Lun had only just gone to Wei Commandery (AD 21), Qin Feng — fed up with Wang Mang's severe pay cuts — simply raised troops in his hometown and rebelled.

Qin Feng initially raised the Greenwood banner. In two or three years, he captured twelve counties including Yicheng, Jiangling, and Xiangyang, becoming the dominant power in Nan Commandery. For a time he submitted to Liu Xuan, but when the Gengshi Emperor refused to make him a king, he angrily broke away.

But the Greenwood Han regime was on the verge of collapse by then and had long had no leisure to look south. Qin Feng married his two daughters to Tian Rong, the "Floor-Sweeping Grand General" of Yiling, and to Deng Feng, who had fled south — thus gaining two great generals to guard his northern and southern gates. He then grandly declared himself king, hoping to join the contest for all under Heaven.

A pity, though — this Qin Feng may have risen early, but he arrived late to the feast. Just as he was preparing to gleefully swallow the Greenwood legacy, seize southern Jing, and push north into Nanyang, he ran straight into the Han army's western campaign. After several battles, Qin Feng was beaten back to his original form by Feng Yi and could only hold his own in Nan Commandery.

And now, he could not even defend his last territory. As Han and Cheng moved their troops in succession, at this very moment Feng Yi would already be advancing north up the Han River, while Gongsun Shu's towered warships and marine forces were issuing east from the Three Gorges, and Cen Peng in the north was also eager to join this hunt…

The boat stopped. Deng Chen was led out. Before him stood a city wall that could hardly be called towering — this was the earliest version of Xiangyang city, still a simple rammed-earth structure. Had Qin Feng's great army not garrisoned it, it would have been nothing more than an utterly ordinary county seat.

Deng Chen thought to himself: "In truth, as early as last year, His Majesty sent envoys to Xiangyang to invite Qin Feng, hoping to ally with him against Diwu Lun."

"But Qin Feng was shortsighted and thought far too highly of himself. He actually wanted to stand as an equal with Han, and the envoy returned empty-handed…"

Since the civil approach had failed, Liu Xiu could only resort to force. Deng Chen had never imagined that he would be forced to rely on his not-so-agile tongue to try to persuade Qin Feng once more.

If he failed, he would die!

"But now may be the best moment."

As he was escorted into Xiangyang city, Deng Chen raised his head and seemed to see the anxiety and fear on the defenders' faces. Their lord must surely be sitting on pins and needles right now as well, no?

With three great powers moving at once, no one could withstand it. Qin Feng was facing a moment of life and death. If he could gain one of the three sides as a friend, he would surely be glad — one could only hope that it was Jiangdong that had extended a helping hand first.

By the time they reached the "temporary residence of the King of Chuli" — which was really just a few slightly taller tiled-roof houses — Deng Chen had already worked out his argument.

"I might as well present Feng Yi's troops as reinforcements coming to help Chu resist Wei… and promise him a feudal lord's rank. Perhaps Qin Feng can be swayed…"

If he succeeded, not only could he save his own life, but his nephew Deng Feng would also, as promised, resist the Wei army to the death, allowing Feng Yi to reach Xiangyang in time and complete the strategy of Liu Xiu and Deng Yu.

Yet what Deng Chen never expected was that he would not even get a chance to speak — the moment he arrived, he was thrown into a cell. He spent the whole night in pitch darkness, and only the next day was he dragged out, dazed and groggy.

When Deng Chen was shoved into the room, he saw everyone else in the hall standing; only two men sat upon the couches.

The one in the center was a king dressed in ceremonial robes, with a thick, full beard and the short, slight build typical of a southerner, his belly slightly protruding — this had to be Qin Feng.

The other man wore a feathered fan and silk headscarf, with a few wispy strands of beard and a pair of triangular eyes; his frame was somewhat taller and leaner…

The moment this man spoke, it was in the pure, refined accent of the Five Tombs in Guanzhong. He shot a glance at Deng Chen. "King of Chuli, what is the meaning of this?"

Qin Feng laughed heartily and raised a hand to point. "Better to arrive at the right moment than to arrive early. This is a pivotal figure of the Eastern Han court — Liu Xiu's brother-in-law, the Commandant of Justice, Marquis of Xihua, Deng Chen himself! He came west to persuade Fengxian and me to surrender to Han and jointly deal with the Son of Heaven in Shangbang."

"This is my token of sincerity, and also Deng Fengxian's apology for his earlier insult to your noble state's envoy."

Qin Feng actually descended from the dais in person and, facing the visitor — the Grand Messenger of Wei, Feng Yan — bowed slightly with clasped hands.

"Lord Feng, do you now believe that this humble king sincerely submits to the Great Wei Emperor and is content to be a Marquis?"

……

"That is how things stand."

In Deng County, north of Xiangyang, Deng Feng described the treacherous twists of the past few days to Zhao Xi: "I received word that just as Cen Peng was mobilizing his troops, a high minister of Wei secretly traveled south a few days earlier, deliberately bypassing Deng County."

Deng Feng said, "My eyes and ears in Xiangyang are not highly placed, so I do not know whether it was the Embroidered Uniform Commandant Zhang Yu or the Grand Messenger Feng Yan. If it was the latter, he is a master strategist of the highest order, and he chose a perfect moment…"

The Wei envoy had picked an exquisite day. They had tried to persuade Qin Feng before but were refused. Now, however, the combined assault of Chengjia and Eastern Han was already taking shape, while the Wei army deliberately slowed its pace. The moment the Wei envoy disclosed the treaty between Han and Cheng to partition Jingzhou and Chu, King Qin Feng of Chuli, facing such overwhelming foes, had no choice at all…

"In my view, Qin Feng's only path to survival now is to submit to Wei and pin his hopes on drawing Cen Peng south to resist the armies of Chengjia and Eastern Han."

Deng Feng sighed. "I humiliated the Wei envoy earlier. If I do not make some gesture now to convince Qin Feng that I stand united with him, even a son-in-law will be cast aside — offered up as a gift to the Wei army. When that time comes, you, me, the thousands of Nanyang men in Deng County and Shandu — we will all be doomed captives!"

Kin can never be trusted — this was Deng Feng's lifelong creed, whether uncle and nephew, nephew and maternal uncle, or father-in-law and dear son-in-law!

He showed not a trace of shame. "Therefore, I would rather betray my own uncle than let everyone follow me to a pointless death. Though the world may revile and mock me, through this act I have at least won Qin Feng's trust."

Zhao Xi had not imagined matters could be so convoluted. He stood stunned, at a loss for words, and only after a long pause asked in confusion, "If what Fengxian says is true, and things have come to this, are we then to willingly follow Qin Feng in surrendering to Wei?"

As one of the great houses of Wancheng, Zhao Xi had also heard what had happened in Nanyang. Cen Peng and Yin Shi, those two traitors to Nanyang, had, on Diwu Lun's orders, destroyed the foundations that the Nanyang powerful families had painstakingly built up over centuries.

Only then did Deng Feng lay out his true plan in full.

"I have long known Qin Feng's character. Throwing in his lot with Wei is a move of desperation. Diwu Lun treats those who surrender most harshly and has made no promise of a vassal king's title. Qin Feng will surely regret it afterward… No, rather, from the very start, he will keep a wary eye out and leave himself a path of retreat."

Deng Feng said, "Although Qin Feng will join forces with the Wei army, at most he will provide grain and fodder and let the Wei troops march south to strike Feng Yi, but he will absolutely refuse to hand over Dengcheng and Xiangyang. He will also do his utmost to protect me. The cities and the soldiers will still be in our hands…"

Zhao Xi, however, thought this unlikely. Dengcheng blocked the westernmost water route from Nanyang into the Han River, and the Xiangyang region faced all the Nanyang rivers to the east. With such a vital water-land chokepoint, how could a man of Cen Peng's insight ignore those two places?

"If the Han army presses close to Xiangyang, Cen Peng will fear a reversal and will have no time to deal with us — he can only hurry south."

It was at this very juncture that Deng Feng saw the opportunity he had been waiting for. "Boyang, I asked you here precisely to discuss this campaign. Qin Feng's surrender to Wei is now unavoidable, but when the Wei army pours out in full force and marches south to contend with Han and Cheng for Jingzhou — you and I shall accomplish a great deed!"

Zhao Xi understood at once and grew excited. "Seal the water and land routes from Dengcheng, then dispatch troops to harry their rear, and together with the Han army, destroy the Wei forces? And then together pledge allegiance to Liu Wenshu? Fengxian, ah, Fengxian, you have finally seen the light!"

Zhao Xi had, after all, fought at the Battle of Kunyang, and the memory of Liu Xiu's god-of-war feat — routing three hundred thousand with three thousand — was still fresh in his mind. He had also heard that Liu Xiu treated his former master Liu Xuan quite well, enfeoffing him as a king to live out his years in peace. In his heart, he still yearned for the Eastern Han.

Yet Deng Feng shook his head resolutely. "No!"

He clapped a hand to his own chest. "You were praised by Liu Xuan as a Thousand-Li Colt, and I pride myself on being a hawk-owl among men!"

"Since we are both men of outstanding talent, why must we be loyal to anyone? The folly of Liu Bosheng, the mediocrity of Liu Xuan, the dullness of Qin Feng — have we not had enough? Must we search among all the realm's powers for the next master? Even a heroic sovereign — could he truly treat us, treat the gallants of Nanyang, with a sincere heart?"

Though Deng Feng was grateful to Qin Feng for taking him in and giving him his daughter in marriage, he had long since resolved never again to place his fate in another's hands!

"The ancients said, 'The bird chooses its tree.'"

"Then I, this hawk-owl, shall refuse to perch on those rotten timbers!"

Deng Feng rose proudly to his feet and pointed above his head. "I choose the cliff's edge, the mountain's summit!"

"Boyang!"

Deng Feng grasped Zhao Xi's hands and spoke with earnest intensity. "Once Cen Peng has marched far south on his campaign, his rear will surely be empty. You and I should rise up with nearly ten thousand Nanyang men and strike north against the current."

"Retake Nanyang in one stroke! Return to our homeland!"

Zhao Xi stared at his friend in astonishment. In Deng Feng's eyes blazed a ferocious ambition. "What we shall be is our own kings!"