Chapter 367: The Urge to Open the Frontier Is Not Yet Sated

"Many thanks for your guidance, Father-in-law. Without it, how would Heifu ever have learned so many court precedents and dynastic tales?"

After the Qinian Palace council, once they had left the great hall, Heifu caught up with the Intendant of the Capital, Teng, and offered his thanks.

The Intendant of the Capital looked at his son-in-law, stroked his beard, and said, "It was your own idea. I merely added a few refinements."

That was what he said, but Heifu knew that if he had not conferred with the Intendant of the Capital beforehand, the answer he submitted would have scored seventy at best. Ye Teng had taught him some phrasing and court precedents, making it far more persuasive—at least a ninety.

He thought to himself, "What I meant at the time was that my father-in-law could present the proposal in his capacity as Intendant of the Capital. As Intendant, putting forward a proposal to consolidate the lands west of the pass would be perfectly logical. But he told me to find my own chance to speak. Is he paving the way for me…?"

The Intendant of the Capital knew that, as a man of Han who had surrendered to Qin and helped destroy Han, he was hated to the bone by the Han people. The sole thing he could rely on at court was the Emperor's trust. The moment that reliance was gone, the Ye clan's fate would likely be dire.

He had no sons, only a single daughter. Among his clansmen there were a few nephews, but all were men of no talent. In this situation, his son-in-law Heifu, as a "half-son," had become the sole hope for the family's future.

It was precisely because he had spotted Heifu's rising potential that Ye Teng had not hesitated for a moment to agree to this marriage. He had a political foundation built over many years in Nan Commandery, and Heifu possessed limitless prospects—the two sides had hit it off immediately.

Now, he felt more and more that his decision had been correct. Heifu had once proposed establishing Yuzhang Commandery south of Pengli Marsh and building Nanchang City, so as to "make the southern frontier flourish"—that was merely a plan for one commandery. But during the journey accompanying the imperial procession west, Heifu had sought out the Intendant of the Capital and put forward the concept of "consolidating the foundation"—that could already be called a strategy for the whole realm!

However, the First Emperor, as was his old habit, did not agree on the spot. Instead, he ordered the various ministers to submit memorials expressing their views after they withdrew. He even sent an edict back to Xianyang, ordering the Chancellor, the Imperial Secretary, and the Commandant of Justice to join the deliberations.

It was, after all, a matter of state policy. Once decided, its impact would be enormous.

So Heifu was somewhat uncertain. After returning to his lodgings, he paid another visit to Ye Teng. Sitting down opposite him, he asked, "Does Father-in-law think His Majesty will approve this proposal?"

Ye Teng said, "You persuaded him using what His Majesty likes—swift advantage—and the matter you spoke of happened to strike precisely at the vital point. His Majesty will not take any aversion to it."

"As for whether he will approve, His Majesty generally considers two things. The first is His Majesty's own desire: once he decides on a matter, he will see it through to the end. The second is the views of the various ministers at court."

Next, Ye Teng demonstrated the formidable acumen of a veteran politician, analyzing for Heifu one by one which ministers at court would support this proposal.

"Those who will most ardently support this proposal are the old Qin aristocratic clans—the Meng, the Xi, the Bai, and the like."

For these native power blocs, the focus of the Emperor's state policy had long since shifted away from the lands west of the pass. Unifying the Six States was one thing, but after finishing off the Six States, they were being ordered to send their own sons and younger brothers to the distant, sweltering south. They found it incomprehensible, yet dared not resist, and could only set out reluctantly.

But now, Heifu—the very general who had originally been the foremost advocate of "garrisoning Jiangnan"—had broken away from the southern advance faction, which had never had much support to begin with, and instead advocated a western advance: first consolidating Longxi, Beidi, and Shang Commanderies, then going beyond the Long Wall to open up the lands of the Rong and Hu.

For the Qin people west of the pass, these places were practically at their doorstep. The local conditions and customs were all familiar—far better than going to Jiangnan. Moreover, once the western advance was set as state policy, their sons and younger brothers would have the chance to win merit using the chariots, cavalry, bows, and horses they knew so well.

That was why, just now in the hall, the three elders of the Meng, Xi, and Bai had vigorously seconded the proposal, and the looks they directed at Heifu had become exceedingly amiable. The Meng clan patriarch had even inquired whether he was married yet; only upon hearing that he had wed the Intendant's daughter did he leave, looking disappointed.

Whenever troops are raised on the frontier, good generals are always sought. The second group of ministers likely to support Heifu would be the frontier generals.

Ye Teng said, "The Commandant of Longxi, Li Xin—I hear that ever since his first campaign against Chu, when he lost his army and brought disgrace to the state, he has been sunk in gloom. Though only in his thirties, his hair has gone completely white. Although he won merit in the destruction of Yan and Qi, he has already lost the imperial favor and was packed off to Longxi to guard the border. He is probably the person most in favor of using troops against Hexi!"

"And then there is Meng Tian, who spent three years in Shang Commandery. During the destruction of Dai, he led the Di cavalry from Shang Commandery to Yanmen and confronted the Xiongnu Chanyu who was backing the state of Dai. During the time you and Ziqin were returning to Nan Commandery, he also submitted a memorial proposing to strengthen border defenses in Shang Commandery and contend with the Xiongnu for the lands south of the river bend."

"Barring any surprises, both of these men will submit memorials in support."

Heifu nodded. Li Xin was one thing, but as for Meng Tian, historically he had been the commander-in-chief when Qin campaigned north against the Xiongnu. It was just that, for now, the First Emperor had little interest in using troops in the north. Meng Tian was serving in the post of Deputy Director of the Privy Treasury, responsible for matters like standardizing weights and measures.

Heifu smiled. "Will Father-in-law also submit a memorial in support?"

"Naturally."

Ye Teng said, as if it were a matter of course, "If this old man were the Governor of Nan Commandery, I would certainly support the southern advance—garrisoning Jiangnan, campaigning against the Hundred Yue. But this old man is now the Intendant of the Capital. The south has nothing to do with me. On the contrary, consolidating the Guanzhong region, opening up the lands beyond the borders of the three commanderies, gathering provisions, and conscripting troops—in all these I would have ample scope to use my abilities!"

To advance from Intendant of the Capital to one of the Nine Ministers, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the posts of Imperial Secretary or Chancellor—all would depend on the coming few years!

Heifu understood. His father-in-law really was someone who put profit above all else…

Still, he had one lingering worry, and hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Ye Teng saw what Heifu was thinking and said with a self-deprecating laugh, "If I deliberately voiced opposition just to avoid suspicion, that would be far too contrived—His Majesty would see through it at a glance. Our relationship—who at court does not know of it, who does not know? Better to be open and aboveboard. What we are carrying out is an open stratagem, and what we are seeking is the great benefit of the state. Who can find the slightest fault?"

In any case, it was clear that the ministers at court who supported the western advance were in the majority. Judging from the general sentiment alone, the matter was already secure.

At that moment, however, Ye Teng said, "But don't celebrate too soon. I do know of one person who will certainly oppose this matter! At the very least, he will oppose campaigning against Hexi."

"Who?" Heifu asked.

Ye Teng, however, smiled and kept him in suspense. "All under heaven bustle about for profit; all under heaven hustle about for profit. Who do you think it is?"

Heifu suddenly saw the light. Lowering his voice, he said, "Father-in-law means… Wushi Luo?"

…

"Wushi Luo states that Qin has always been on harmonious terms with the various Qiang and the Yuezhi. Why attack them without cause? Exchanging silk and cloth for cattle and horses every year brings great profit to the Central Plains…"

Ten days later, inside Qinian Palace, the First Emperor put down the memorial in his hand, shook his head, and remarked, "As expected, no matter how great a merchant, he is still a merchant. In his eyes there is only the paltry profit right before him. Wushi Luo is far inferior to Tao Zhu!"

He turned to look at the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, Zhao Gao, who had been bent over the desk drafting edicts for him and, for ten days, had not expressed a single opinion on the Qinian Palace council.

"Zhao Gao, what do you think?"

Zhao Gao smiled. "This minor official dares not overstep his post and recklessly discuss matters of governance."

The Emperor's face hardened. "Heifu is a Deputy Director of the Privy Treasury. With my permission, he too can present proposals and offer counsel. Why can't you?"

Zhao Gao hastily begged the Emperor's forgiveness, then said, "This minister believes that the words of the Deputy Director of the Privy Treasury can be called seasoned and far-sighted, well-reasoned and well-founded. They truly do not sound like something a young man in his twenties could produce. And when I consider his background, I find it even more astonishing…"

The First Emperor caught the unspoken implication in Zhao Gao's words but paid it no mind. "Though Heifu does not excel in literary composition, his foundation is not poor either."

He pointed to the thick, thread-bound volume of hemp paper on the desk. "On this return to Xianyang, Heifu presented the revised 'Record of the Southern Campaign.' The entire book records over three hundred days and amounts to more than a hundred thousand words. Though the language is simple and unadorned, it was truly no easy feat. It is entirely thanks to this book that I have been able to understand the local conditions and customs of Jiangnan."

"Furthermore, ever since the deliberations on the imperial title, Heifu has frequently visited the archive chambers of the Imperial Secretary's office and has even become friends with the Archivist Zhang Cang. Through constant exposure, in just one year, his speech has actually become able to quote the classics. When I asked him how he managed this, he replied, 'During the previous debate on fiefdoms versus commanderies, Your Majesty ordered this minister to consult the books. After reading, I learned of the three rebellions of the Marquis of Shu. Ashamed of my own ignorance, I could only resolve to exert myself and advance.'"

Then the First Emperor pointed at Zhao Gao and said, "Speaking of which, this lad's eagerness to learn and advance is somewhat like you, my minister. Over ten years ago, I said your calligraphy was ugly, and so you practiced day and night, heedless of winter or summer, until you actually became one of the top three masters of calligraphy in the entire court!"

Zhao Gao smiled. "So that is how it is. Given time, Your Majesty may well have one more Erudite on his hands."

The Emperor, however, shook his head. "To take a man of both civil and martial talent and make him a useless Erudite—would that not be a waste?"

"Indeed. The Deputy Director of the Privy Treasury does harbor the ambition of being enfeoffed as a marquis."

Zhao Gao verbally assented with a smile, but in his heart, he grew even more wary of Heifu.

Yes—like him, of lowly origin. Like him, skilled at reading the Emperor's mind. Like him, full of drive and ambition.

But the difference was, Heifu had solid military merit, novel ideas, and strategic acumen that won the Emperor's praise—all things Zhao Gao lacked. At such a young age, he was already lecturing on state policy. In a few more years, what then?

Recalling the killing intent Heifu had inadvertently revealed back in Chenying, Zhao Gao shuddered with dread.

"If this man truly harbors the intent to kill me, when he reaches high rank and great power, would I not simply be waiting for death?"

Yet faced with Heifu's proposal, Zhao Gao discovered with dismay that it was truly watertight. Opening the frontier, swift advantage, long-range planning—all were matters the Emperor cared about. Add to that the politically correct strategy of "consolidating the foundation," and there was simply no opening to find fault.

So he could only go along with the Emperor's words. After lavishing praise on Heifu, he said, as if casually:

"This minister merely finds it strange. The Deputy Director of the Privy Treasury was originally a detached司马 who opened up Yuzhang and garrisoned Jiangnan. He built Nanchang City, petitioned to establish Yuzhang Commandery, and even once proposed enfeoffing imperial sons in Shanggan and Cangwu. He clearly supported the southern advance. So why, after marrying and making a trip back to Nan Commandery, has he suddenly changed his tune, now arguing that we should consolidate the Guanzhong region and give priority to expanding westward into the lands of the Rong and Hu? This defies common sense…"

At that point, Zhao Gao stopped himself, then apologized, "Your servant is overthinking — I beg Your Majesty not to take offense!"

Though he had merely touched on it lightly, that was enough. It would not be fatal, of course, nor would it even affect this decision, but it could plant a seed of doubt in His Majesty's mind: Heifu, too, has selfish motives — he is not entirely selfless in his loyalty to the state!

With patience, over several years or even a decade, slowly water that seed and let it sprout, and in the end it will grow into a vicious vine that can strangle a man alive!

Back in those days, it was precisely by this invisible, murderous method that he turned the meritorious officials of the Qinian Palace Incident against His Majesty, sowing discord until, triggered by various causes, they one after another betrayed the state! Afterward, His Majesty would only feel that his own deliberate or inadvertent reminders were proof of his clear-eyed discernment of treachery.

Qin Shi Huang glanced at Zhao Gao and pondered in silence for a moment, but did not bring the matter up again. Only when Zhao Gao was about to take his leave did the Emperor issue a verbal decree.

"The day after tomorrow, the imperial procession departs, passing through Long Pass and entering Longxi Commandery. Since we are leaving the Inner History territory, and Inner History Teng is advanced in years, he need not accompany the procession any further. Let him return to Xianyang."

(End of Chapter)