192-193: THE RIVALS FIGHT IT OUT
Following the conquest of Anyang in July 192,
Liu Siyuan made a quick stop home before being summoned in front of Tao Shang. He was pissed at the idea of jumping back into the backstabbing court so fast, but had no reason to refuse. His cousin Liu He, the Prince of Pengcheng, also advised him to come. So he did, leaving his domain under the loyal protection of his trusted strategist Jiang Gong as he left for Xu Province. He knew that Mi Fang and his brother Mi Zhu were already there, slandering his name. When he arrived and presented himself in front of his lord, he was quickly made aware that the two hadn’t spared a minute to manipulate Tao Shang. While Tao Shang had declared that he would keep Anyang for himself, he appointed Mi Zhu as his estates’ manager there, giving him the town of Jiangting as his personal headquarter.
The general couldn’t understand this sudden decision until his cousin took him aside. Liu Siyuan was furious, asking his cousin why he didn’t stop this. Liu He slapped his cousin for his insolence, after which he simply responded by saying:
“I manage our lord’s army while Mi Zhu manages his finances. Which one do you think was he going to trust with his estates?” Liu He also explained how this was actually a ploy by the Mi brothers. By giving Mi Zhu some authority in Anyang, he might be able to support Mi Fang should the younger brother try to take Xincai. While Liu He insisted that it was just a theory, Liu Siyuan couldn’t get this idea out of his head. Having Mi Fang as his neighbour was difficult enough to endure. But now he had to worry about Mi Fang aiming after Xincai? His cousin told him to stop worrying and go back to their lord’s side. They were member of the Liu Clan. It was time to show that they were above the rest, their higher birth radiating on the less fortunate. These words had the desired effect, and Liu Siyuan was now good to go.
A few days later, Tao Shang summoned his court and his advisors. He told them that the recent wars had proven the strength of Xu, but that there were still people resisting his authority. Notably, he pointed out that many barbarians still lived in the south without paying him tribute. At the suggestion of his Commandant Liu He, he decided that by the end of the year they would launch a war against one of these tribes. Yes, it was time for everyone to rally together against the savages.
While he praised Mi Fang and Liu Siyuan (in the order) for their recent successes, he thought that this time the Commandant himself should lead the expedition, with Mi Fang and Liu Siyuan serving as his lieutenants. The Mi brothers cringed at this, but Mi Fang still accepted the appointment without flinching. Liu Siyuan also agreed, although he was surprisingly unenthusiastic. Liu He had expected that this would excite his cousin, the Liu Clan leading an army without Mi Fang being able to give him orders. But Liu Siyuan didn’t trust Mi Fang enough to be by his side anymore. He didn’t even trust his rival enough to leave his home. So when Tao Shang dismissed them and told them to go home to prepare for the start of the campaign in a few months, Liu Siyuan raced to Xincai as fast as he could.
Once home, Liu Siyuan talked with Jiang Gong about his current situation. If he left for campaign, he feared that this would leave Xincai vulnerable to an attack. Even if Mi Fang was with him on campaign, there was no saying what Mi Zhu might do. Jiang Gong advised him to stay in Xincai at all cost, or else he would lose his home to his enemies. While Jiang Gong had his own beefs with Mi Fang, most notably the fact that the general stole his city, he was saying this out of pure consideration for Liu Siyuan. The imperial scion agreed that he couldn’t leave like that. While he felt bad about disobeying his cousin, not doing so would undermine the position of the Liu Clan in Xu Province. Liu Siyuan thanked his advisor, who was simply happy that he could be of use. After all, Liu Siyuan had saved his live even though they were enemies, and had even gone as far as welcome him in his service. Serving him loyally was the least he could do.
Liu Siyuan then consulted his wife on the issue, but found ha lot less enthusiastic than Jiang Gong about the idea. Hao Huitong was the love of his life, which made his time away from her on campaign harder at times. He had hoped that she would be happy that he was now staying longer than planned. But once he explained to her why he was staying, her smile faded. Lady Hao was hesitant about this course of action. Wasn’t it wrong to disobey orders like that? She was worried that that her husband by be going down the wrong path, acting against the orders of his liege like that. However, she also reassured him that she trusted him. If this was the path he wanted to take, she would walk it with him. She trusted him to choose what was best for them. While shaken by his wife hesitation, Liu Siyuan still decided that it was better to remain in Xincai.
By the time the campaign against the barbarians was underway in late October 192, Liu Siyuan was recalled from his home. But instead of going, he sent a messenger saying that he couldn’t leave Xincai due to… hum… illness! Yes, he was too sick to command the troops. While Tao Shang bought the excuse, Liu He didn’t. The Prince of Pengcheng sent his emissaries to Xincai to verify his cousin’s story. In a stroke of luck, Liu Siyuan actually caught a bad case of the flu shortly after he sent his messengers. So when the emissaries arrived, they did indeed find the general sick in his bed. Obviously a man of such strong constitution would survive flu, but still.
When the emissaries returned and told them that Liu Siyuan was indeed sick, Liu He allowed his cousin to stay home, grudgingly accepting that Liu Siyuan was sick. Mi Fang did not such thing. He became convinced that Liu Siyuan was planning something, so he left the camp at night to return to Chengfu in case Liu Siyuan tried anything. Needless to say, both men then refused to leave their respective homes, preparing for what they believed would be nothing less than a war.
The flu had been opportune, but it did leave Liu Siyuan in a bind. He was too sick to really participate in the military preparation of Xincai, and his wife insisted that he didn’t train with the men or lead by example until he had recovered. So he left the preparations to Jiang Gong and instead turned to managing the daily affairs of Xincai, something he had had little time to do due to the wars and the court politics around Tao Shang. And as it turned out, he was actually pretty good at it. He ruled justly and did what he could to improve. Reports of his good governance were sent weekly to Tao Shang, who could only praise him in front of his court, to Mi Zhu’s annoyance. His wife also helped in this. While she wasn’t any good at administrative duties, she was extremely popular among the smallfolk of the county, who loved how she often gave them gifts and brought their concerns back to her husband.
By the early months of 193, Liu Siyuan decided that he simply couldn’t wait anymore. He needed to act, especially as Mi Zhu was currently at Tao Shang’s side, unable to help his brother. He had one final meeting with his wife to tell her that tomorrow he would act. She simply nodded and told him he would always have her support. The next day he informed Jiang Gong that he was going to lead troops against Mi Fang and take Chengfu. It should have been his after the war, and now it was time to fix that mistake. Jiang Gong was happy to hear this and began to make preparations to march as soon as possible. Lady Hao insisted that her husband use that time to recuperate, which he did.
In order to occupy his mind, he read the letters his father had sent him from Luoyang. It seemed that the imperial court was a mess. The emperor was surrounded by bickering courtiers vying for influence. One of them had already died, a barely veiled assassination. Liu Siyuan could only curse. These fools would not restore the glory of the Han. Only members of the Liu Clan like himself could be trusted to come to the Emperor’s rescue. He had tried to convince his father to join him in Xincai, but the old man had refused.
“Siyuan, my duty is to serve in the capital and protect the Emperor. I might not be able to do much, but nothing will come from abandoning the Son of Heaven.” Liu Siyuan could only agree.
As it turned out, not everyone was loyal among Liu Siyuan’s ranks. One greedy soldier rode to Chengfu and decided to tell Mi Fang of what was coming, hoping that he would be amply rewarded. Mi Fang instead had the traitor executed. A true loyal man would never betray his liege, even if his liege was a man like Liu Siyuan. After having dealt with the soldier, Mi Fang could turn his attention to what was coming. Now alert of Liu Siyuan’s plan, he decided that the best option he had was to attack first and take Liu Siyuan by surprise before the general as prepared.
He assembled his troops far faster than Jiang Gong could and entered his rival’s territories to the strategist’s surprise. Mi Fang was met by a small garrison in the town Zhanghuatai, where Jiang Gong was in the middle of assembling troops. When Jiang Gong learned of the approaching army, he immediately assembled the few dozen men he had at his disposal. He told them that he would not abandon them and would fight with them until the end of necessary. This galvanised the soldiers, who were now in good spirit even against these insurmountable odds. Still, Jiang Gong had the good sense of sending a messenger to Liu Siyuan, hoping that his lord could come as soon as possible. As it would turn out, the sooner would prove a few hours later, just as the battle was starting. Liu Siyuan had been too impatient and had chosen to go join Jiang Gong directly with the rest of the troops instead of waiting for his signal. This meant that Liu Siyuan surprised both Mi Fang and Jiang Gong when he appeared at the horizon to defeat Mi Fang’s army.
Unwilling to risk another fight in the open against his rival, Mi Fang retreated all the way back to Chengfu, where he prepared for a siege. He became horrified when he learned that people were celebrating Liu Siyuan arrival as he advanced toward Chengfu. As it turned out, many still had fond memories of Jiang Gong and his wise rule. They saw their former lord at Liu Siyuan’s side, praising the general and asking the people to rise up against Mi Fang and give Liu Siyuan their support. And they did, welcoming Jiang Gong and Liu Siyuan as heroes. But this also slowed down their advance considerably, with Liu Siyuan only reaching the walls of Chengfu in June.
It was around this time that both rivals received a surprising news. Chen Wen had annexed Jing Province into his territories and refused to give it to Tao Shang. In a last ditched attempt, Mi Fang tried to use this to convince his rival to abandon his foolish campaign. Chen Wen was unlawfully expanding, ready to strike at their lord at the first opportunity. They should be preparing to lead the armies of their lord instead of fighting. But Liu Siyuan refused. Mi Fang had been the one abusing him, stealing the glory and reward that should have been his. Mi Fang was the one in the wrong.
In the weeks that follow, some soldiers inside Chengfu began to wonder why they were fighting for Mi Fang. Clearly they should be helping Jiang Gong and Liu Siyuan instead. So in early July, some of them opened to gate and allowed Liu Siyuan to enter. Jiang Gong made sure that no soldier was harmed, and soon they were marching on Mi Fang’s mansion. He was as surprised to see them here as he had been oblivious to the treason among his ranks. Mi Fang coldly asked Liu Siyuan if he was going to kill him or simply imprison him. His rival simply answered:
“I shall do neither, as even you do not deserve such fate.” If Mi Fang agreed to recognize that Chengfu was his, he would allow Mi Fang to go free. Having no choice, the defeated general agreed to these terms.
While Liu Siyuan celebrated his victory, Mi Fang made it straight for Tao Shang’s court, where he told his liege how Liu Siyuan had treacherously forced him out of Chengfu. This needed to be punished, he insisted. Mi Zhu was quick to give back up his younger brother, pointing out that Mi Fang was the rightful magistrate of Chengfu. He also gave some “gifts” to his lord, which were clearly unrelated to the current situation. Obviously. To his credit, Tao Shang wished to hear Liu Siyuan’s side of the story, at Liu He’s request, but no one came to give it. Liu Siyuan had assumed that everyone would simply share his view that he was in the right here, and so did not dispatch a messenger to tell Tao Shang of what had happened. This sealed his fate in the eyes of Tao Shang, who wrote a letter to his unruly general.
Liu Siyuan was shocked when he read it. He was to give back Chengfu to Mi Fang and present himself in front of Tao Shang for punishment. Liu Siyuan could simply not accept these terms, not after he had just taken what was rightfully his. He sent a letter back to Tao Shang, which was read in front of his liege. It was a complete refusal to cooperate, explaining that he had full right over Chengfu, and pleading his liege not to be manipulated by the Mi brothers anymore. Now personally insulted, Tao Shang sent an ultimatum. He had a month to come to his court or he would be considered in rebellion. Liu Siyuan now found himself hesitant and shaken. His lord was telling him to come or else. His cousin was pleading him to come, as he believed the punishment would be light if he did. But presenting himself in front of Tao Shang would mean playing right in Mi Fang’s hand. For a first in his life, he found himself paralysed by hesitation, fully aware of the weight his decision would have on his future.
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Yang Weili nodded in thanks to the man who ordered the gates opened. The garrison commander had been quick to let them in once he was told of the reason of their visit. Good. Yang Weili had been afraid that they might be stuck outside waiting for hours until someone finally decided to let them in. Or worst, they might have been turned back entirely. But once they had proven that they weren’t here on Tao Shang’s orders and that their intentions were genuine, they were all allowed in within the hour. He could only hope that the coming meeting would go just as smoothly.
Tensions were high between his lord Chen Wen and Tao Shang. The Governor of Xu Province insisted that Jing Province should be his. What a joke. It was a fact that Chen Wen was the one who held authority over Jing, and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon if he had something to say about it. They all soon realized that war with Tao Shang was inevitable and that they had to prepare for it. But then Chen Wen took him aside and told him of the situation that General Liu Siyuan had found himself in. Everyone agreed that this was an opportunity. Liu Siyuan would have been one of the most dangerous commanders to face once they rose into revolt, but now he was finding himself on the out with Tao Shang. What if they instead convinced him to side with them against his lord?
Chen Wen asked him if he could do that. After all, the two of them had a relationship from their meetings during the campaigns of 190. Yang Weili admitted to his lord and friend that relationship was a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, he had met Liu Siyuan, and yes, both men admitted having respect for the other. Yang could only be amazed at the man’s ability to use his spear on the battlefield. But other than this professional respect and the fact that they got along, there was nothing between them. Yang Weili had hoped to keep a correspondence with the scion of the Han. Sadly, his duties to Chen Wen had preventing him from writing often. As it became clear that they would one day try to free themselves from Tao Shang, Yang Weili was told that it was better not to write to Liu Siyuan anymore. After all, the general might wonder why his messengers had to go to Jing Province even though Hefei was right next door. Never the less, Chen Wen insisted that they ought to recruit the great general to their side, and so Yang Weili was now in Xincai to do just that.
As they approached the mansion of the general, Yang Weili could hear the sigh of surprise of the man accompanying him.
“This is the home of the great Liu Siyuan?” Hu Zan asked, seemingly a bit confused.
“Yes. Did you expect something else?”
“Is it so… ordinary. I expected something grandiose, with golden gates and clear symbols of successes everyone. Instead it reminds me of my former home in Chunyu.”
“I heard that the interior is probably more to your expectations.”
“Still, don’t they keep a little bit for their own enjoyment?”
“General Liu is an imperial clansman.” Yang Weili reminded him.
“He has enough for whatever he or his wife would want.”
Hu Zan simply shrugged. Yang Weili took a moment to look at the younger man accompanying him. Chen Wen believed that his new officer could prove helpful. From what he had seen of the newcomer, Hu Zan was competent in most domains. Certainly, he also had a talent for court politics, something Yang Weili spend little time worrying about. From what he had been able to see, Hu Zan was clearly motivated by power and wealth. While the strategist had little interest in the former, he could understand what the interest in the latter. People might normally be worried that these characteristics would prove dangerous, but so far Hu Zan had proven loyal to Chen Wen’s cause. And if Chen Wen put his trust in Hu Zan, who was he to question the man’s dedication?
They dismounted their horses in the stables and walked the rest of the way to the mansion, leaving their bodyguards outside. The guards made it clear that only the envoys of Chen Wen would be allowed in, and neither man had time to waste arguing on the issue. Once they entered, Yang Weili could see that he had been right about the place. While the exterior was a bit rustic, the inside had drapes of high quality and recently made potteries as decorations. They were welcomed inside, where Lady Hao Huitong welcomed them. She was wearing a nice dress, worthy of a woman of the capital. Yang Weili had to admit that the woman knew what clothes looked good on her. Hu Zan certainly seemed to have a good reaction, murmuring a nice comment for his ears only.
“Lady Hao.” Yang Weili said as he bowed to the woman.
“Thank you for welcoming us into your home.”
“General Yang.” she said with a smile.
“It has been a few years since our last meeting.”
“Ah yes!” he laughed a bit before turning to Hu Zan, the younger ma already giving a polite nod to the lady.
“And this is Hu Zan, another loyal officer of Yang Province.”
“My pleasure.”
Hu Zan allowed himself a small wink. Lady Hao smile out of politesse, but did nothing to indicate that she appreciated the attention.
“How are your wives?” she asked.
“My wife is fine, thank you for your concerns.” Yang Weili informed her.
“She is currently in Xipingru awaiting our second child. As for Hu Zan, the man is sadly a widower.”
Hu Zan shot him a dark look, probably feeling like he had been looked down upon for some reason. Yang Weili couldn’t understand why. He had simply stated facts, after all. Hu Zan was a widower, so what was the issue with pointing that out.
“Lady Hao.” Hu Zan started, clearly intent on changing the subject.
“May I ask when we can hope to speak with the General?”
“My husband is currently training in the garden.” she informed them.
The two men gave themselves a look of confusion.
“Isn’t the general sick?” Hu Zan asked.
“Yes, but he needed a breather to get away from the current crisis we are facing, so I gave him the ok to go train this time.” Lady Hao explained.
“Would you like me to go fetch him?”
“We wouldn’t dream of interrupting his training.” Yang Weili interjected.
“But if you could just point us toward the garden…”
“Please, follow me.” she said.
Lady Hao led them through the mansion, finally stopping at the entrance of a small garden, right down the middle of the building. It was an open area, a little larger than a normal room. She nodded to them to enter as she left, wishing to give them some alone time. As Yang Weili stepped in the garden, he could see the muscular man practicing with a spear in silence, the only sound being the ones of the weapon piercing the air and the steps he took as he moved. Yang Weili could only be impressed by the talent Liu Siyuan was showing at the moment, moving that well even though he was sick. He noticed that Hu Zan had the same reaction. Once he turned back to Liu Siyuan, he found the spear right in front of his eye. Taken by surprise, Yang Weili fell back at the sight of the weapon.
“It seems I was too focused on my training to notice you.” Liu Siyuan said, offering him a hand.
Yang Weili took the hand and got up on his feet, still a bit shaken.
“Still as passionate about your weapon as ever, I see.” Yang Weili commented.
“One has to train to keep his skills.” the Liu clansman answered.
“It has been a while since our last meeting, General Yang.”
“Almost three years.” Yang Weili added.
“How time passes…”
Liu Siyuan was quick to turn his attention to the other man standing next to Yang Weili.
“And this is?”
“I am Colonel Hu Zan.” he presented himself.
“You might have heard of my exploits in Qing Province?”
“My mind has been solely focused on my duties, so I didn’t have much time to learn of events elsewhere.” Liu Siyuan answered.
Hu Zan’s face crisped. It was clear that this wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. He probably hoped that he could have the same kind of mutual respect with Liu Siyuan that Yang Weili shared with the general.
“Commendable.” Hu Zan said in a sarcastic tone,
“Too bad that you aren’t appreciated by your lord anymore.”
Liu Siyuan frowned at this comment. He turned around and planted his spear in the ground, making it clear he was finished with his training.
“So? Why are you two here?”
“We heard of the predicament you are in, General Liu.” Yang Weili informed him.
“And why are you interested in my situation?”
“Well, Inspector Chen Wen believes that he can help your situation.”
“How?”
It was clear that Liu Siyuan wasn’t that interested in hearing what they had to say, mostly asking out of politeness. It was also clear that he had yet to figure out why they were having this discussion.
“In a mutual way.” Hu Zan said, keeping the whole thing as nebulous as possible.
While Hu Zan seemed to have no problem hiding details, it wasn’t the case for Yang Weili. He wanted no part in that, and so instead chose to be straight with the general.
“General Liu, correct me if I am wrong, but it looks like you are headed right toward a fight with Tao Shang.”
“My fight with the Mi brothers, not Tao Shang!” Liu Siyuan insisted.
“Inspector Chen is also on a collision court with Governor Tao. My lord thus believe that we could cooperate toward that same goal.”
“It is Mi Fang and Mi Zhu that I wish to fight!”
Liu Siyuan was really insisting this specific detail.
“It doesn’t change the fact that Tao Shang listens to them, not to you. You need our help as much as we need yours.”
“It is treason that you ask of me, General Yang!”
“Tao Shang was the first to commit treason toward you.” Yang Weili countered.
“My cousin Liu He is loyal to Tao Shang. Do you want me to fight him too?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time Liu has fought Liu.” Hu Zan pointed out.
“Emperor Guangwu defeated the pretender Liu Penzi and the Genshi Emperor before he could unify the realm.”
“Do not speak of my imperial ancestor like he was a common thug.” Liu Siyuan warned him.
“I wasn’t. I was pointing out the sacrificed his late majesty had to do to restore the Han.” Hu Zan explained.
“Are you going to waver where he remained strong?”
“Explain.”
“I heard that you dream of saving the Great Han Dynasty from the corrupt officials and violent villains. But how can you achieve this goal if you allow yourself to be destroyed by Tao Shang?”
“I will find a way.” he said, although his resolves were wavering.
“Will you really allow Mi Fang to trap you against the wall like that? What about the Emperor?”
Liu Siyuan stopped to think, walking in circle as he considered all that Hu Zan had told him. Yang Weili kind only look in amazement. Chen When was right; Hu Zan indeed proved useful. Still, he felt a bit wrong using such manipulation against a man he respected so much.
“And why should I abandon one lord just to serve another one?” Liu Siyuan finally asked.
“Inspector Chen would never dare to ask you to serve him.” Yang Weili replied.
“He wants you to fight side by side with him, not under him.”
“And what after the war?”
“You can rule Xincai and Chengfu as you see fit, knowing that you have a friend, not a lord, in charge of Yang Province.”
Liu Siyuan fell silent once more. Yang Weili exchange a look with Hu Zan, wondering what was in the mind of this great warrior. Had they succeeded in convincing him? Or were there doubts now creeping in his mind?
“If you need time to think about it, we can…” but Hu Zan was cut off.
“No. I have already decided. It is clear that I am now at a crossroad. The road I now take will determine my destiny and how useful I will be to the Emperor. The fact that you two came here is nothing if a sign from Heaven. I must be free to act on my own if I want to save the Han. Tell Inspector Chen that I will fight by his side against Tao Shang.”
He offered Yang Weili a hand, which the strategist quickly grabbed.
“It will be a hard fight, but together I have no doubts that we will triumph.”
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PS: Happy Christmas everyone!