Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 34

As Puyang boarded the carriage, she remembered that she had not yet asked her teacher why Qian Wu was unfit for the task of pacifying the border.

She recalled that in her previous life, Qian Wu had first served as the Inspector of Jiangzhou. Three years later, he was promoted to Bingzhou, and before her father’s passing, he entered the capital to be appointed as one of the Nine Ministers. His career could be described as smooth sailing. A man like that, even if not exceptionally capable, should have been able to maintain stability. He shouldn’t have been as incompetent as her teacher described, to the point of becoming a “national disgrace.”

After her rebirth, many things were different. A slight change in the capital could affect the provinces. Puyang could no longer predict the course of events along the original trajectory, and she didn’t know much about Qian Wu. But for her teacher to be so certain, there must be a reason.

The Qiang and Hu had already taken several cities. The Rong and Di had been moved inside the pass thirty years ago, living in their own communities and often having discordant relations with the Han people. After so many years, they still wore their old attire, were fierce and untamable, brutal and inhumane, and physically stronger than the Han. Qian Wu had already lost the peace with the Qiang and Rong. If he could not quell the chaos, Liangzhou would be in peril.

An image of the map of Great Wei appeared in Puyang’s mind. If Liangzhou fell, the several provinces adjacent to it would lose their protective barrier. The Xiongnu would not just stand by and watch; their cavalry would press upon the border, and it would take a great effort to clean up the mess. How many tens of thousands would have their bl00d stain the land then?

As she was thinking, the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue was already in sight.

The Emperor was not discussing politics with his court officials but was speaking with Consort Li. He was older now and no longer treated his consorts as he did in his youth; whenever he had time, he preferred to handle more state affairs. Seeing Puyang arrive, he smiled and bade Consort Li to withdraw.

Puyang exchanged courtesies with Consort Li and, after seeing her out, stepped forward to voice her concerns. “Liangzhou is a vital territory. Inspector Qian only realized the urgency of the situation after the Qiang and Rong had massacred an entire city. I fear he lacks a deep understanding of the commanderies within the province. To order him to suppress the bandits now, I am afraid the same mistakes will be repeated.” She could not say it was Wei Xiu’s opinion. Wei Xiu had never made a name for herself, and the Emperor would not listen to the advice of a commoner on important matters of the court. She could only point out Qian Wu’s shortcomings.

The Emperor listened with a smile on his lips. When she finished, he shook his head. “He has only just arrived in Liangzhou; it’s natural for him to be a bit unfamiliar. But he has experienced war in his youth. There will surely be no problem.”

He did not take the matter of Liangzhou to heart. Just as Puyang was about to speak again, the Emperor added, “Liangzhou is guarded by a large army. Even if Qian Wu is incompetent, the border army can provide reinforcements. It’s fine. A few thousand Qiang and Rong cannot stir up much trouble.”

The Emperor was dismissive, not taking it seriously at all. Liangzhou had an army of thirty thousand, facing a few thousand rebels was like dealing with ants. But Puyang could not rest easy. Even if Qian Wu was not replaced, another army should be sent to assist. The Emperor found it strange. “Why are you so worried today? It’s just a few thousand men. Even if they are Qiang and Rong, they can’t make any significant waves.” He then comforted Puyang, “You have not experienced war and do not understand military affairs. A few thousand men, even if they take several cities in one go, their supply lines won’t be able to keep up. They are nothing but a disorderly mob, not worth your worry. Defeating the enemy will be easy. Instead of thinking about this, you should think about how to console the people of Liangzhou.”

As he spoke, the Emperor also grew compassionate. Tens of thousands of Han people, all subjects under his rule, had lost their lives to the butcher’s blade. How tragic.

In truth, there was another reason. Qian Wu was one of the Prince of Zhao’s men. He had just made a move against the Prince of Jin, which had already caused some alarm in the court. He had only managed to stabilize the situation by propping up the Prince of Jing. To move against the Prince of Zhao now would inevitably lead to political turmoil.

He did not say this, but Puyang had already thought of it.

It seemed some things could not be changed simply by guiding the situation. Puyang thought of Wei Xiu’s indifferent face and felt utterly helpless.

“Qian Wu is bound to fail in this battle. Tell Zhou Qi not to be hasty in seeking merit. Wait for Qian Wu’s defeat, then gather the routed troops.” Before Wei Xiu lay a map, one just as detailed as the one hanging in the Emperor’s Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, even showing some military deployments.

Yan Huan respectfully acknowledged the order.

Wei Xiu raised her hand and placed it on the territory of Liangzhou. Her fingertips paused slightly, then moved eastward, tracing the most direct line of attack. If the Qiang and Rong could conquer Liangzhou, their cavalry could pass through Pingyang and Shangdang, enter Mengjin, and reach Luoyang in just three days.

A fire ignited in Wei Xiu’s eyes. Her fingertips tightened, trembling. This was a perfect opportunity. If the Qiang and Rong had more men, it was highly likely they could set the lands within the pass ablaze with the fires of war.

The pain in her leg suddenly intensified, as if trying to drill straight into her heart. Wei Xiu took a deep breath, managing to suppress that fervor and hatred. The Qiang and Rong forces were too small, and the court’s foundation was deep. Annihilating the rebellion was merely a matter of time. She should make good use of this opportunity, not act impulsively.

“There is an old general in Liangzhou named Jiang Tong. Under my father’s command, he was victorious in a hundred battles, but alas…” In today’s court, everyone vied for merit, a habit that extended to the provinces. The old general had no one to support him and had been pushed out of the command tent, neglected for years to the point where he could count on one hand the number of times he had even climbed the city watchtower.

Yan Huan knew she was thinking of the past. He wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but he was not good with words, and anything he said at this moment would only add to the sorrow. Wei Xiu shook her head and took a silk pouch from her sleeve. “Liangzhou is a vital territory. The Emperor will not trust Qian Wu alone; he likely has a backup plan. But the Liangzhou of today is not the Liangzhou of years ago. The Emperor is likely to miscalculate. Have Zhou Qi gather as many of the routed troops as possible and act according to the instructions in my pouch. This battle will surely make his name. The more disgracefully Qian Wu is defeated, the more world-shaking Zhou Qi’s victory will be.”

As she spoke, she pointed out locations on the map. Yan Huan listened with rapt attention, committing every detail to memory.

Wei Xiu had long anticipated that the Qiang and Rong, having been moved inside the pass, would sooner or later cause trouble. Otherwise, she would not have sent Zhou Qi and the others to enlist in the army there. After Yan Huan withdrew, Wei Xiu studied the map again, considering where the Qiang and Rong were concentrated. If this rebellion were to spread, and other groups saw an opportunity and joined in the chaos, what would be the best way to respond?

The Xiongnu would migrate to places with water and grass for the winter and return the following spring. When they saw the great chaos within the pass, they would likely not be content to sit by. They would surely push south and tear off a large piece of the Central Plains.

And if it came to that, what should be done?

If the states of Song and Qi were even slightly competent, they would seize this opportunity to march north and attack Wei. No matter how powerful Great Wei was, it would be stretched thin trying to defend on all sides. Such a perfect opportunity, what a pity.

Wei Xiu sighed and looked at the sun outside. Her cold gaze softened slightly. Her Highness should be returning soon.

Puyang did not return. As soon as she left the palace, she went to Chancellor Wang’s residence.

Chancellor Wang was her maternal grandfather. Empress Wang had died young, leaving behind only the little princess, Puyang. The entire Wang clan doted on her and took special care of her. As soon as she arrived at the Wang residence, Old Madam Wang came out to greet her, calling her “Seventh Lady,” treating her just like one of the family’s own young masters and maidens.

Puyang had come to see the Chancellor, but seeing her grandmother’s affection, she chatted with her for a while longer. At a certain age, marriage becomes an unavoidable, top-priority topic. The old lady tactfully asked about Puyang’s preferences, wanting to know what kind of man she liked.

Old Madam Wang was very kind. She thought that since Seventh Lady’s mother was gone, and although her father doted on her, he might inevitably overlook certain matters. As her maternal grandmother, she had to consider these things for her, to prevent a future where the princess and her consort were at odds, which would ruin her Seventh Lady’s entire life.

Puyang was usually very open when discussing her marriage, but now, as Old Madam Wang subtly brought up candidates for Prince Consort, the image of her teacher, Wei Xiu, unexpectedly appeared in her mind.

“Yes, my lord father has also mentioned this. I just said there is no rush, and that it depends on fate.” Puyang was poised and graceful, but her cheeks flushed just enough, like a young princess of her age.

No matter how startled she was inside, her expression remained perfectly composed.

Old Madam Wang nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing. “Well said. It is best when fate brings it about.” The imperial family was stable for now, so His Majesty did not need the princess for a political marriage. Seventh Lady could leisurely choose a Prince Consort who was her equal.

After speaking, Old Madam Wang smiled warmly and gently stroked Puyang’s soft hair.

Puyang, however, felt increasingly uneasy. The image of her teacher had appeared in her mind, and no matter what, she could not drive it away.

Before long, the old Chancellor arrived and invited the princess to his study to discuss matters.

The princess was his granddaughter, true, but she was also his sovereign and could not be slighted. Moreover, it was already nearing dusk. A visit to an elder should be announced with a formal card in the morning. The old Chancellor knew that Puyang’s visit was not just to see the old madam; she must have important business to discuss.

Thinking that the matter involved the Prince of Zhao, if Puyang were to insist on replacing Qian Wu, His Majesty might think she was getting involved in the struggles among the princes. But she could not just leave it be, so she had thought of the Chancellor, who oversaw all government affairs.

Her maternal grandfather was in charge of official administration and would surely have a deeper understanding of Qian Wu than she did.

The moment the old Chancellor heard her purpose, he sighed. “Your Highness has good judgment, but this is a matter I cannot interfere with.”

Puyang did not show any surprise, only saying calmly, “I ask my maternal grandfather to explain.”

“Qian Wu…” The old Chancellor hesitated for a moment, his white beard trembling, and sighed. “He is the Prince of Zhao’s man. His appointment as the Inspector of Liangzhou was the result of a power play between the Princes of Zhao and Jin. To replace him without reason, the Prince of Zhao would likely be displeased.”

Puyang naturally knew this; she had handled state affairs before. She quickly replied, “Is my maternal grandfather worried about instability at court? We can simply appoint another person from the Prince of Zhao’s faction to succeed him. The Prince of Jin has his hands full, the Prince of Jing is ultimately weak, and the Prince of Dai will not stick his neck out. Annihilating the Qiang and Rong is the priority.” Other things could be conceded. What matter could be more important than a national fortress?

The old Chancellor sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Puyang, wondering why the princess was so stubborn today. “It need not be so troublesome. Liangzhou is a key fortress. How could His Majesty entrust it entirely to Qian Wu? There is a famous general named Jiang Tong, a veteran of a hundred battles, who once served under…” He seemed to recall something, a look of pain and regret flashing in his eyes. He did not continue but said decisively, “If Qian Wu fails, he is there. Liangzhou will not fall into chaos.”

“But Qian Wu is the Inspector, the head of the province. Even if there is a general who is a genius at warfare, if the commander is incompetent, defeat is inevitable!” Puyang quickly pointed out the crux of the problem. The officials standing in the court today were all ministers of the previous dynasty. Were these ministers not wise? Why then did the world change hands? It was because the ruler was incompetent that the state fell into another’s hands!

The more Puyang listened, the more uneasy she felt. His Majesty and the old Chancellor were relying on the fact that the Qiang and Rong forces were small—a few thousand men who could not stir up much trouble. But if, as her teacher had said, Qian Wu was not suited for pacifying the border, then one incompetent general would be the death of thousands of soldiers!

Frustrated, Puyang returned to her residence, only to see Wei Xiu waiting in the courtyard.

The sky had already darkened. She was draped in a fox-fur cloak, sitting alone in the courtyard, surrounded by silent eunuchs and maids.

Puyang stopped in her tracks. Wei Xiu turned her head, and upon seeing her return, she smiled and bent down in a silent bow. Puyang thought of how, when her grandmother had mentioned candidates for Prince Consort, the first person who had come to her mind was her teacher. Seeing Wei Xiu now, her heart began to beat erratically.

She composed herself and walked over, saying softly, “It’s cold outside. If you needed me for something, Sir, you could have just sent someone. Why come yourself?”

Wei Xiu looked at her less-than-bright expression, shook her head, her eyes showing concern. “I was worried Your Highness might be troubled and disheartened, so I came especially to offer some comfort.”

She was indeed disheartened.

Puyang pushed Wei Xiu into the inner chamber, ordered two braziers to be lit, and then recounted the results of her trip to Wei Xiu. Wei Xiu listened attentively. Hearing that she had immediately gone to the Wang residence to see the old Chancellor, she smiled. “Your Highness is resourceful. It’s just that a few thousand Qiang and Rong are indeed not enough to make the court take it seriously.”

In a time of peace and prosperity, a few thousand vagrants causing trouble would certainly be a major event. But the Great Wei had been founded not long ago, and just thirty years prior, there had been constant warfare. Mobilizing tens or even hundreds of thousands of troops was a common occurrence. Most of the high officials in the court had experienced it. Both the Emperor and the old Chancellor had been on the battlefield themselves, with the old Chancellor even serving as a commander-in-chief. In their eyes, what was the difference between a few thousand Qiang and Rong and a swarm of ants?

During the previous dynasty, there were frequent wars with Qi and Song. To prevent the Yi tribes in the rear from causing trouble, the Chancellor of that time had moved large numbers of Qiang, Hu, Rong, and Di people inside the pass to settle them. This had indeed eliminated worries from the rear.

After decades of contact with the Han, in the court’s eyes, no matter how fierce these barbarians were, with fine wine and delicious food to erode their will, they should have integrated with the Han people, and their fighting strength must be greatly diminished. Besides, it was only a few thousand people. Liangzhou alone had thirty thousand elite soldiers, and the border army had another eighty thousand. With such a numerical advantage, why should the Qiang and Rong rebellion be of any concern?

Puyang’s gaze was downcast, and she was very frustrated. “A pity my words carry little weight.”

Wei Xiu saw her dejection. Her demeanor was mature, but her seventeen-year-old face still looked childish, like a little princess facing her first setback. She could not help but smile, her voice unconsciously becoming exceptionally low and gentle. “Your Highness, don’t be discouraged. The day when your words carry great weight is just around the corner.”

Puyang looked up and saw her face, which could rival the finest jade in brilliance, and found she almost did not dare to look for too long.

Author’s Notes:

Wei Xiu smiles.

Puyang (curiously biting her finger): You look a lot like my Prince Consort.