Chapter 634: Think More

After seeing Diwu Lun off south of Maoling city, Geng Yan straightened up again, glanced at his father — who had come with him to respectfully bid farewell to the Emperor's procession — and spoke with difficulty…

"Father, I…"

Geng Kuang simply waved his hand. "The wind and dust out here are too much; this old man can't bear it. Let's talk back at home."

Once they had entered the Geng family residence, Geng Kuang dismissed everyone else, leaving only father and son alone in the hall. Only then did Geng Yan say: "It is not that your son refused to heed Father's advice, that 'better to stop when it is full than to keep filling it.' But the sovereign's command is hard to disobey, and your son must once again go to war for His Majesty."

As he spoke these words, he feigned helplessness in three parts, but in his heart, seven parts were smug satisfaction: Well, Old Man Geng, since the Emperor himself came to summon me, refusing would be disloyalty — you can't blame me for being unfilial now!

Yet this little bit of cunning was all seen through by old Geng's eyes. Geng Kuang promptly laughed: "Little brat, did you think this old man would urge you to politely decline this matter?"

"Is that not so?" During his time back home recuperating, Geng Yan had been numbed by Geng Kuang's daily nagging about "deliberate carefully, act prudently, know when to stop, and leave room." He felt Geng Kuang had truly become timid and fearful of trouble.

Geng Kuang, however, shook his head. "The ancients said, no one knows a son better than his father, but a son does not necessarily understand his father."

"In ordinary times, I would naturally urge you more to act with caution, not to claim all the merit yourself, lest there be no reward left to give and suspicion grow between ruler and subject. But today is different — His Majesty actually came to our door in person! He held a closed-door, secret talk with you for a full hour. This shows the matter is urgent, extremely urgent!"

Urgent indeed — because of the great distance, ordinary people in Guanzhong still did not know about the battles in Hexi and Jincheng. Only now did Geng Yan learn that the four commanderies of Hexi were as precarious as a stack of eggs, and that Ma Yuan's Longyou garrison, while having to guard against Gongsun Shu and Wei Ao advancing north, could only do its utmost on the other front to hold Lingju Fortress and block the Xiongnu and Western Qiang from joining forces.

The northwest urgently needed reinforcements. Diwu Lun had already ordered Wan Xiu and Jing Dan to prepare troops and provisions. During these two years in Guanzhong, Wan Junyou had been mindful of danger in times of peace, preparing precisely for this day. Within a month, mustering a fifty-thousand-strong army would be no problem — but they sorely lacked a great general capable of commanding the soldiers and familiar with northwestern warfare!

Diwu Lun needed to keep Wan Xiu to guard against Gongsun Shu in Bashu, and after much thought, the most suitable candidate was naturally Geng Bozhao, who was resting at home!

Soon, the border war would no longer be a secret. Once Geng Yan explained to his father, old Geng Kuang — who had spent half his life on the Youzhou frontier — immediately understood the whole story.

"Where can I find fierce warriors to guard the four corners of the land… You truly should go."

Geng Kuang nodded slightly and, before his son left home, gave him his final exhortation: "When His Majesty came to our door, do you know what time it reminded me of?"

"It reminded me of two famed generals of the Warring States — Bai Qi and Wang Jian!"

These two were naturally the idols and benchmarks of all generals, both possessing illustrious battle records and almost never suffering defeat. Although they left no military treatises behind, Geng Yan had been fortunate enough to read the "Accounts of Three Generals" by Yan You, which, apart from Yue Yi, featured Bai Qi and Wang Jian — the three great generals of the Warring States universally acknowledged since the Han and Xin dynasties.

But what Geng Kuang wanted to discuss was not their achievements, but the different choices they made when facing similar circumstances!

"My son, do you know which battle was the pinnacle of Bai Qi's life's work?"

Geng Yan answered: "Naturally, the Battle of Changping!"

Geng Kuang said: "Bai Qi slaughtered the captives at Changping in order to destroy Zhao in one stroke. But at that time, discord arose between the general and the ministers, and coupled with the lobbying of the six states, it actually led King Zhaoxiang of Qin to replace Bai Qi."

"Afterward, when Qin's peace talks with Zhao broke down and they advanced on Handan again, King Zhaoxiang of Qin personally went to request Bai Qi's service. But Bai Qi believed the opportunity to attack had already been missed and disagreed with sending troops. King Zhaoxiang then appointed another as general. Yet Lord Xinling had already stolen the tally to rescue Zhao, and the state of Chu had also been persuaded by Lord Pingyuan and Mao Sui to send troops north. The Qin army suffered a crushing defeat at Handan — lands gained over decades were lost almost overnight!"

"King Zhaoxiang again ordered Bai Qi to go to war, but Bai Qi actually declined on the grounds of serious illness, thereby angering the King of Qin, who demoted him to the rank of common soldier, expelled him from Xianyang, and even sent a sword to force his suicide. A famed general of his age thus died in gloom at Duyou."

Duyou was not far south of Maoling; Geng Yan had visited it in his youth to pay his respects, feeling considerable indignation on Bai Qi's behalf.

"Now look at Wang Jian." Geng Kuang continued: "Wang Jian had already destroyed Zhao for Qin — his merit was no small matter. The First Emperor of Qin asked Wang Jian and Li Xin how many troops were needed to destroy Chu. Li Xin said two hundred thousand; Wang Jian, more cautious, said six hundred thousand were needed. The First Emperor thought Wang Jian old and feeble, no longer fit for use, and so sent him into retirement in his hometown."

"As it turned out, Li Xin was overconfident and suffered a great defeat. The First Emperor had no choice but to personally visit Wang Jian and ask him to command the troops. At first, Wang Jian also declined, but unlike Bai Qi, Wang Jian's refusal was actually feigned — his aim was to make the First Emperor truly give him the six hundred thousand troops and grant him full authority at the front! In the end, Wang Jian destroyed Chu for the First Emperor, enjoyed a peaceful old age himself, and the Wang clan endured together with Qin."

Bai Qi and Wang Jian — both had world-surpassing achievements, yet under similar circumstances, they made different choices, ultimately leading to diametrically opposite outcomes.

Unlike his usual perfunctory attitude toward his father's lectures, Geng Yan nodded heavily in acknowledgment: "Your son understands Father's meaning now. Be a Wang Jian, not a Bai Qi!"

Geng Kuang placed his hand on his son's shoulder, both gratified and resigned, and said: "Very good, very good."

That was what he said, but his son was too young — truly Li Xin's age with Wang Jian's achievements. This was precisely what worried Geng Kuang most. Sometimes, thinking the most venomous thoughts, he almost wished his son would injure an arm or break a leg, retiring to the second line like Wan Xiu and Jing Dan. But now the Emperor urgently needed young Geng as a sharp arrow — absolutely no refusal was possible, or else it would be seen as arrogant defiance, which would be even worse.

The old master's learning was broad and profound; it must be applied flexibly, never memorized rigidly.

Therefore, Geng Kuang intended to give his son one final safeguard. Once young Geng went to war, he would submit a memorial, earnestly requesting Diwu Lun's permission to move the entire Geng clan to Di County, which had just been designated the Eastern Capital. On one hand, this would set an example for the Emperor's policy of defending the Yellow River and protecting the Ji River; on the other, it would mean proactively moving away from Maoling, where their family's influence was deeply entrenched, thus setting Diwu Lun's mind at ease.

At this moment, Geng Yan raised his head again: "Father's words, your son engraves upon his heart. But your son believes that the fates of Bai Qi and Wang Jian, apart from the choices they made, were also tied to the sovereigns they encountered. Although both King Zhaoxiang of Qin and the First Emperor of Qin had the hearts of tigers and wolves, King Zhaoxiang was long sidelined by his mother, Queen Dowager Xuan, and harbored a sense of inferiority. Coupled with his advanced age, the moment suspicion arose, he was bound to strike a fatal blow! The First Emperor, on the other hand, was more self-assured and in his prime — no matter how great Wang Jian's merit, he felt he could keep him in check."

What fine insight! In this moment, Geng Kuang felt that his son, after his minor setback north of the Huai, had truly grown up. He merely chuckled quietly and asked him: "Then, in your view, does His present Majesty more resemble King Zhaoxiang of Qin, or the First Emperor of Qin?"

Geng Yan recalled the Emperor's attitude during his minor defeat north of the Huai, and simply said: "His Majesty is magnanimous, benevolent, and loving toward others — surpassing King Zhaoxiang of Qin. And his self-assurance is probably on par with the First Emperor of Qin! His Majesty is merely twenty-eight years old; his clan had no feudal enfeoffment — he built his enterprise entirely from scratch. In just a few short years, he swept across the north; the realm was divided in three, and two parts belong to Wei. He possesses the divine martial prowess of Han Gaozu, yet at the age of King Wu when he overthrew Zhou. Looking across past and present, no sovereign resembles him. He is truly a sage ruler who appears once every five hundred years."

Geng Kuang listened in astonishment as his son assessed Diwu Lun. In his early days following the Wei ruler, his son had still carried a trace of arrogance and disdain, making old Geng Kuang constantly worry that his eldest son might, through one careless misstep, become a Han Xin. Now, that disrespect had vanished without a trace, replaced instead by wholehearted admiration for Diwu Lun. To have tamed his son into this state — it was truly no simple feat.

"Hahaha."

Geng Kuang was instantly set at ease, and even began shooing young Geng away: "This old man won't ramble on. Words end here. Hurry to the capital and prepare — the road to Hexi is long!"

"Aye!" After agreeing, Geng Yan hesitated briefly, then decided to tell his father the battle plan Diwu Lun had worked out with him.

"But Father, when I take command of the Guanzhong troops this time, my destination is not Hexi, but Bing Province!"

Geng Kuang was stunned, but quickly grasped it: "Could it be… the strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao?"

The northern part of Bing Province was still occupied to this day by a puppet installed by the Xiongnu: the Hu-Han Emperor Lu Fang, who had long been locked in a standoff with Wu Han's Bing Province Army Corps but was gradually showing signs of exhaustion. To send reinforcements from Guanzhong to Hexi — the road was long, supply lines difficult, and the cost too great. Bing Province was different: there were repaired direct roads available, and New Qinzhong even had military farms with stored grain, which could temporarily meet the army's needs. The Xiongnu came and went like the wind, but the Hu-Han regime was built on commanderies like Wuyuan and Yunzhong — half-farming, half-herding, and not so easy to flee!

"The Hu-Han have been capering like clowns for five years, a constant thorn in Great Wei's back. It is indeed time to pluck it out."

This was truly the most suitable strategy. Geng Kuang felt even more at ease about this campaign, and merely laughed: "In that case, your little brother Geng Guang is serving as a Cavalry Officer under Wu Han in Bing Province. When you reach Bing Province, remember to remind him that his wife at home has happy news — she is due to give birth at year's end. Send a letter asking him how to name the new child, and don't forget to reply!"

Geng Kuang had many sons, and basically all had been appointed Palace Gentlemen through their father's and elder brother's influence. The youngest among them was called Geng Guang, only seventeen years old. His temperament somewhat resembled Geng Yan's — unwilling to follow this smooth path, he had actually, half a year ago, petitioned Diwu Lun for permission to go to the frontier and start from the ranks!

And Diwu Lun, appreciating his ambition, had approved the matter.

Geng Yan, however, continued shaking his head: "Little Brother is probably no longer in Bing Province."

"Though we wish to besiege Wei to rescue Zhao, that 'Zhao' cannot be left entirely unattended. His Majesty has already decided: I will take the Guanzhong troops to Bing Province to hold the line, while Wu Han will take the bulk of the Bing Province cavalry to rush to Hexi's aid and crush the Right Division. Knowing Little Guang's temperament, he has likely already marched out with the army!"

…

At this moment, in New Qinzhong in Bing Province, over ten thousand cavalry had already fed their horses and sharpened their weapons, preparing to march.

This "Bing Province Cavalry" had been founded single-handedly by Geng Yan, mostly using local men — defending Bing land with Bing men — and had won a great victory like the Defense of New Qinzhong. Later, Wu Han took command. Although the backgrounds and temperaments of the former and current generals differed greatly, Wu Han at least understood cavalry.

The Cavalry Officer of the Third Company of the First Battalion of the Bing Province Cavalry was none other than Geng Yan's little brother, Geng Guang. His appearance and features did indeed somewhat resemble his elder brother's. And just as Geng Yan had predicted, upon hearing that the Bing Province Army Corps was heading west to reinforce Hexi, Geng Guang immediately wrote to Wu Han requesting to join the campaign.

Wu Han initially refused, and even said to Geng Guang with sardonic undertones: "Going into battle to shed blood and kill the enemy is the work of common soldiers. You are a gentleman of the Geng clan — staying behind in the rear will suffice."

Geng Guang would not accept this and argued on the strength of reason: "On the battlefield, there are only comrades and enemies — what distinction is there between gentlemen and common soldiers? This humble officer followed his father and elder brother in Shanggu, riding sheep at three, riding horses at five, and able to shoot at eight. In the art of mounted archery, I dare not claim to be the best in the entire army, but I am first in the whole battalion!"

"Furthermore, this humble officer set aside the post of Palace Gentleman and willingly came to Bing Province to serve as a Cavalry Officer, enduring the same wind and sand as the common soldiers, precisely because I do not wish to rely on my family's shelter. A true man should win merit in distant frontiers — how can he sit idly like a feeble scholar? I wish to emulate Fu Jiezi of the Former Han: in this campaign, to go to Hexi and behead Xiongnu officers, and in days to come, even more, to rampage across foreign lands and once again sever the head of the King of Loulan, hanging it from the Northern Watchtower!"

This impassioned speech stirred even Wu Han. Looking at this big boy's innocent yet fearless eyes, he laughed and cursed: "Fine! It seems the Geng family has more than one hero. Granted! Now go down and prepare — tomorrow you march west with the vanguard!"

Geng Guang was overjoyed. He acknowledged the order and withdrew. Back in his tent, he ordered his household servants and personal attendants to immediately pack the carts, horses, luggage, weapons, and armor, while he himself bent over his desk, frowning at that family letter he had read countless times.

In the gaps between packing, his attendants stole glances and could see the graceful handwriting on the yellow paper, clearly that of a woman. The words were tactful and tender — love lines like "On South Mountain there are sparrows, on North Mountain nets are set; thinking of you, my lord, but alas the road is long" — filled entirely with longing.

This letter was written by Geng Guang's wife. She too was a refined young lady from a great Guanzhong family, a virtuous woman from Pingling, said to be well-versed in poetry and classics, and deeply affectionate with Geng Guang. A few months ago, after reluctantly seeing Geng Guang off, his wife discovered she was pregnant. Now she had written again, saying she had gone to the witch shrine to divine and pray; the shaman said she would bear a boy. She asked when Geng Guang might return, and if he could not, to at least tell her — how should the child be named?

Geng Guang was only seventeen, about to become a father, and naturally overwhelmed with a tumult of emotions. But he had not yet thought of a name, and had put it off until now.

We march for Hexi tomorrow. Who knows when this campaign will end? If I don't send a reply now, it will be even more hopelessly delayed — I might well miss the day my child is born...

So after mulling it over for a long while, he wrote: "Ever since the new Mang dynasty, the foul Xiongnu curs have grown ever more arrogant, raiding our border forts. This time, for Great Wei and for Your Majesty, I shall beat the Xiongnu back into docile submission — turn them into 'Docile Slaves'!"

Docile Slaves, good at... that name was changed by old Wang Mang himself.

Brimming with confidence, Geng Guang set down his brush: "To mark this occasion, if the child truly is a boy, he shall be named..."

"Geng Gong!"