Chapter 14: Brimming with Martial Virtue
Later, Pei Xiu and Guanqiu Xing each led several men out of the small camp, heading separately to the three smaller encampments at Anyi, Beijiang, and Nanjiang.
Beijiang referred to Jiangyi, and Nanjiang was Xinjiang, both located southeast of Mount Zijin, near the upper reaches of the Su River. These two Jiangs were separated from Wenxi by only a narrow strip of water.
Anyi was the administrative center of Hedong Commandery, situated south of Wenxi.
These men did not know who Wei Xing or Zhao Ji were, but they certainly recognized Pei Xiu and Guanqiu Xing.
Jia Kui hailed from Xiangling, near Pingyang in the north, an area that had been a main base for the White Wave Army and suffered severe destruction during the war.
Many local powerful families and county officials had been swept up en masse by the White Wave Army. After the army’s surrender and incorporation, they acquired official posts and took over the counties’ administration, including those officials who had staunchly defended their cities.
Especially during the previous righteous cause to support the emperor, no one dared resist the White Wave Army’s conscription.
Now, with the Xiongnu continually migrating southward, Hedong was subtly dividing along the Fen River north and south.
Large numbers of Xiongnu appeared within Jia Kui’s area of activity, and the counties around him, in their recruitment of elite troops, advocated deep integration and mixing precisely because they had suffered from fighting separately.
Only through this deep-level integration could the people of Hedong eventually unite as one, prepared to face the increasingly large and migrating Xiongnu.
This was the mindset of the gentry around Pingyang, but not of those in the south.
The south had the natural defenses of Jishan and the Fen River, conditions sufficient to resist the Xiongnu on their own.
Within the small camp where the Anyi team was stationed, over fifty recruited elite troops gathered, nearly half being retainers of the Wei family.
To become recruited elite troops, the brave men of each household’s private retinue were ineligible.
To be involved, one had to have a clean background, some savings, or be well-known in the commandery or county, and be freeborn.
Servants, retainers, or displaced persons were not considered.
No matter how destitute the emperor had become, proletarian troublemakers or household servants were not qualified to approach him.
The Wei family of Hedong was well-established, not lacking in subordinate families, including retainers, disciples, former official sons, or relatives by marriage.
The Wei family’s recruit here was Wei Gu, the family’s second son. Though the family fortune was vast, he held no inheritance rights; this was his chance to start his own career and enter officialdom.
Wei Gu was a year older than Pei Xiu, already having undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, with the courtesy name Zhongjian.
Inside the barracks, Pei Xiu briefly recounted the events of the previous night and asked, “Jia Liangdao’s vision is far-reaching, but our provisions and military resources are limited, making it difficult to drill and train the troops. The journey to Henei is fraught with perilous mountain paths and rampant bandits. The emperor is surrounded by fierce guards—how could he calmly let us enter his protection? Elder brother, you understand military affairs; you should bring order out of chaos and plan for everyone’s benefit. What are your thoughts?”
The two families were of similar standing; in terms of prestige, they were the first and second in the commandery, far surpassing the third, the Ma Shi family.
Compared to these three, the Jia and Guanqiu families ranked slightly lower, followed by the Liu and Fan families, and then the leading families and local gentry of various counties.
Wei Gu was handsome and heroic, surpassing Pei Xiu in appearance.
Sitting upright, he smiled and asked, “Your words suggest that Seventh Lord has already made a decision?”
“Yes, I have asked Guanqiu Xing to persuade Beijiang and Nanjiang. If successful, our four squads will be consolidated into one unit. Even if misfortune occurs, we can advance and retreat together, supporting each other—advancing to serve the emperor, retreating back to our hometowns.”
Pei Xiu’s expression was calm. “Wang Zhi has great ambitions, but I will not let him succeed.”
Wei Gu naturally disliked Jia Kui’s reorganization plan. His family had the most retainers, and if dismantled, his personal safety would be at risk. Yet Jia Kui’s vision was long-term, as even the Anyi military officer was left speechless by it last night.
After a moment’s thought, Wei Gu asked, “If we choose brave and capable men as the unit commander and Wang Zhi refuses, what then?”
“These matters now depend on you, Brother Zhongjian, and me. How can we let others dictate our fate?”
Pei Xiu clenched his right fist and gently waved it. “If Wang Zhi obeys, that’s good. If he dares to resist or rebel, Brother Zhongjian need only watch calmly. My younger brother Zhao Aji is brave and resolute, and with Wei Zi’ang and others, they will surely make Wang Zhi realize our capabilities!”
If this generation allowed Wang Yi’s nephews to control them, going backward, wouldn’t their fathers and elder brothers also be controlled by Wang Yi?
If action must be taken, just avoid killing Wang Zhi; his family will withstand Wang Yi’s pressure.
Wei Gu also had concerns—his family was based in Anyi.
But this was a matter of principle. If he yielded, he would find it hard to hold his head high among his peers and would be looked down upon by his elders.
The emperor had appointed Wang Yi as General Who Pacifies the North, ranking alongside Liu Biao, General Who Pacifies the South. Did Wang Yi truly believe he could emulate Liu Biao by killing clan leaders and seizing each family’s private troops?
From the moment Wang Yi received the gold seal as General Who Pacifies the North, every family treated him like a bandit and guarded against him.
Only the northern counties of the commandery, oppressed by the southward-migrating Xiongnu, eagerly sought to align with Wang Yi.
Wei Gu pondered carefully. His hesitation was not about participation but whether to accept the hollow title and influence.
He could not compare to Pei Xiu, whose father, Pei Mao, was a Censor-in-Chief and one of the emperor’s most important aides — a hero of the eastern relocation.
Thus, Wei Gu smiled: “If Wang Zhi is ignorant and stubborn, Seventh Lord can take action. If you cannot capture him, I will lead men to cut off his escape.”
“Brother’s noble resolve, I bow to you!”
Pei Xiu rose and bowed deeply.
Wei Gu stood and helped Pei Xiu up. “They do not understand their fate. For the safety of all our sons, I have no choice. I will send men to Beijiang and Nanjiang; with our combined strength, perhaps we can force Wang Zhi and Jia Kui to yield.”
“With your leadership, Brother, I believe this will succeed!” Pei Xiu praised, and Wei Gu, pleased, took Pei Xiu by the arm and headed out. “No time to lose.”
The small camps were adjacent to one another. While Guanqiu Xing was still persuading the recruited elite troops in Beijiang, representatives from Nanjiang burst in.
“What is there still to consider? The Taihang Mountains are full of bandits. Forming units with strangers is a death sentence! Do you want to stretch out your necks to be slaughtered?”
The Beijiang representatives looked troubled; they directly bordered the Xiongnu tribes north of the Fen River and knew well that to resist the southward-migrating Xiongnu, the counties must unite their forces.
Therefore, Jia Kui’s proposal resonated with them.
Nanjiang was different, located at the southernmost pass of the eight paths of Taihang, Zhi Pass, with the Black Mountain Army operating to the east.
Although Emperor Ling had pacified the Black Mountain Army, Zhang Yan was only their nominal leader and lacked the strength to effectively control or manage the various Black Mountain factions.
The Black Mountain Army, entrenched in mountain valleys, was much like the Xiongnu, pillaging during the farming off-season.
When traveling in groups of fellow villagers toward Henei, only by sticking together could most survive unforeseen dangers.
Mountain ambushes inevitably turned into chaotic battles.
The more tightly one grouped, the more bandits, who prey on the weak, would hesitate to press too hard.
If Jia Kui’s plan for deep integration were truly implemented, surrounded by strangers... it would be disastrous.
Traveling with fellow villagers meant that at worst, one might die, but companions would still bury or return the body home.
Seeing the three Beijiang leaders remain silent, the Nanjiang man Ximen Jian glared and said, “Jia Liangdao cannot even protect himself. When the Xiongnu raid, who will save you?”
Only Nanjiang and Wenxi could save Beijiang.
One man sighed and immediately stood: “Jia Liangdao’s ideas are good, but impractical.”
Another stood with a fierce expression: “If that’s so, let’s gather at the training ground and elect a unit commander!”
If Xiongnu bandits truly invaded and plundered, those in the north near Xiangling would barely have time to guard their own gates, let alone come to Beijiang’s aid.
Now the third man had no choice but to remain seated with his head lowered. His father had studied under the Jia family and was one of their disciples.
At such a time, his silence was tacit consent.
Guanqiu Xing breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Ximen Jian as they left together, “The Xiongnu’s sword is still the most effective.”
Ximen Jian smiled: “Not just the Xiongnu—the Black Mountain bandits are like wolves and tigers beside us. Our fellow villagers must stand united. If any harbor treachery, how could they survive?”
As they spoke, the small camp at Wenxi opened its gates. Wei Xing, with a red headband tied, strode out quickly, waving his arm and shouting, “Hurry up!”
Guanqiu Xing’s gaze fell on Zhao Ji, who stepped out briskly, carrying a bow on his back, a sword and quiver at his waist, and an iron halberd in hand.
Nearby, Yang Ji, Zhao Ji’s closest companion, wore a tattered cloak that concealed a heavy crossbow he carried.
Five county soldiers armed with spears and halberds stood beside the clerk Hu Ban within the walls.
Hu Ban’s eyes shifted toward the Anyi team, which was dispatching men rushing toward the camp gate.
The five stationed soldiers of Jiangyi guarding the gate immediately fled, running back toward their small camp.
An Anyi elite troop, who had lost his horse, charged ahead, shouting curses, “Where are the horse thieves?”
Shouting, he hurled a stone fiercely.
The soldier struck by the stone fell behind but turned to look, sidestepped, and ran frantically, passing two others.
In the open training ground, Zhao Ji stopped and scanned the surroundings, enjoying the sunlight and the spaciousness, his spirits lifted.
Catching the mood, he loudly told Yang Ji, “Our martial virtue is overflowing!”
Yang Ji was nervous; carrying a loaded crossbow was a grave offense.
Seeing his unease, Zhao Ji patted his shoulder: “We are in charge now. If any bandits dare to take Lord Wang Sima hostage in the chaos, hand me the crossbow immediately!”
“Yes, sir!”