Chapter 57: The Imperial Court's Foundation

Inside the military barracks, seeing Zhao Ji enter, Zhao Yan also stood up and stepped forward.

At the well-lit doorway, he took Zhao Ji's hand and carefully examined the armor he wore, saying, "Splendid! Ah-ji looks truly formidable!"

Zhao Ji also displayed the various details of his armor. Zhao Yan walked around him in a full circle, nodding repeatedly, and instructed his personal attendant, "Go and prepare some food."

"As you command."

The attendant responded cheerfully, bowed, and retreated.

Han Shu, who had accompanied them, stood outside the doorway holding Zhao Ji's zhanma sword. Inside the room, Zhao Ji removed his helmet and said, "Lord Zhao, this subordinate has already handed over the horses to Xu Gongming."

"Ah."

Zhao Yan took his seat and said to Zhao Ji, who sat beside him, "I was worried that the Huben Camp would be reluctant to part with these horses, but it seems they all have the affairs of the state at heart. It appears I worried needlessly. How many horses remain in the camp now? And how many horsemen has Ah-ji brought?"

"This subordinate leads four hundred and eighty-seven Huben cavalrymen, with an additional twenty-five Huben horsemen currently blockading the mountain pass along the imperial highway; they will join the ranks as we move south. In addition, there are sixty-five cavalry slaves, fifteen of whom belong to this subordinate. These cavalry slaves are drawn from captured bandit retainers and Han-Hu tribesmen, and their wives and families remain under our control."

Zhao Ji paused for a moment before adding, "Aside from the one hundred and thirteen horses handed over to Xu Huang, there are seventy surplus horses remaining to replenish military supplies. If Lord Zhao wishes to form a personal guard here, thirty of these can be allocated for your use."

"Very well. Yesterday Ma Zhi also made this suggestion, and today we have already selected a hundred robust men from the commandery troops and Xu Gongming's subordinates to serve as my bodyguards. With another thirty horses, that will be quite sufficient."

Zhao Yan did not object to this "contribution" of thirty horses; reinforcing and building up a security detail was a necessary step.

The Huben were the Emperor's imperial guards, and without special imperial decree or permission, no one was permitted to use Huben troops as personal escorts.

Naturally, Zhao Yan did not want to be criticized over such details, so he turned the conversation and asked, "I saw Xu Gongming waiting outside as well. What does Ah-ji think of this man?"

"A fine general of our times, fit to be the claws and teeth of the state."

Zhao Ji praised him sincerely, which greatly surprised Zhao Yan. He looked Zhao Ji up and down and asked, "I never expected our Ah-ji to have such discernment. Upon what do you base this judgment?"

"To be able to retreat safely after crossing the river to rescue the sovereign, and then to distance himself from Anyi to return home and recruit troops, shows that not only is this man well-versed in military affairs and adept at combat, but he also possesses a grand sense of loyalty and refuses to associate with the White Wave generals. It is merely a pity that he is constrained by others and his talents are buried."

Hearing this, Zhao Yan stroked his beard and said, "I originally thought that since Ah-ji achieved success at a young age, he would inevitably be arrogant and conceited, yet I never expected you to possess such an eye for talent."

While praising him, Zhao Yan was also observing Zhao Ji's reaction. Zhao Ji remained calm; he simply recognized Xu Huang's ability as a matter of course, without any empty flattery or mutual praise.

Zhao Yan was in high spirits, though he tried not to show it too plainly. He then asked, "Yesterday Pei Xiu, Wei Gu, and the others refused to attend the banquet to discuss matters. Has the Huben Camp reached any decision regarding the southern expedition?"

"We and the rebellious ministers are irreconcilable."

At this point, Zhao Ji produced the memorial prepared by Jia Kui—a folded piece of silk fabric—and presented it with both hands, saying, "Please take a look, Lord Zhao."

Zhao Yan had originally expected it to be a vow to punish the rebels, but upon picking it up, he was surprised to find it was a substantial memorial offering gold and silk.

He narrowed his eyes immediately and said, "Five hundred jin of gold, two thousand bolts of silk? Ah-ji, just how vast is the Hou family's wealth?"

"The wealth of the Hou family is beyond what Lord Zhao can imagine."

Zhao Ji's tone carried a hint of helplessness. "We, too, are caught in a dilemma. We wish to offer gold and silk to relieve the court's distress, yet we fear implicating partners like Wei Zhongjian. Under the present circumstances, our only course is to exterminate all the White Wave generals and pin the blame upon them. Only then can the Wei and Fan families prove their innocence."

"What innocence could they possibly have?"

Zhao Yan folded the silk fabric and placed it on the desk, but feeling that was not entirely secure, he simply handed it back to Zhao Ji. "It is inconvenient for outsiders to know of this. Bring it back to me after we have dealt with Han Xian."

"Understood."

Zhao Ji took it back and continued, "Lord Zhao, the Storehouse Official Jia Liangdao and his brother-in-law devised our plans, and their contributions are profound. After we suppress the White Wave generals, we intend to drive out the northern Xiongnu, but we worry there is no one to speak for us at court. This subordinate wishes to request that Lord Zhao recommend Jia's brother-in-law, Liu Fu, as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, which would facilitate communication between higher and lower levels."

Zhao Yan frowned. "Are they that important to you?"

"Yes. When the Huben forces gathered, Jia Kui and I swore an oath: he would help me stabilize the interior, and I would help him expel the Xiongnu."

Zhao Ji's expression was earnest. "His brother-in-law is also a diligent and capable official, but Jia Kui possesses exceptional statecraft talent. Since I have sworn an oath with him, I will naturally give it my all."

"Gentleman of the Secretariat..."

Zhao Yan stroked his beard in contemplation. "Given the Liu family's lineage, starting out as a Gentleman of the Secretariat is inappropriate. He can be summoned as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gates, and once the Emperor has grown familiar with him, he can be transferred to the Imperial Secretariat."

Having made these arrangements, he looked at Zhao Ji and asked, "Are there any others?"

Zhao Ji thought for a moment and replied, "No others. With the majority of the Huben forces heading south to suppress the rebels, Lord Zhao may seek out worthy talents; if they are useful to the state, simply employ them. After we pacify the White Wave, I fear that my Huben troops and I will suffer heavy losses heading north to drive out the Xiongnu."

"Is expelling the Xiongnu strictly necessary?"

"Yes. The Xiongnu are currently suffering from disasters as well and have lost their footing. If we delay for a few years, we will no longer have the strength to expel them."

Zhao Ji paused, then added, "Every time we break a faction of the Xiongnu, we can rescue many captured commoners and border residents, and also recruit Han-Hu tribesmen for our own use. Should the military campaign face setbacks, we still have the Fen River and Jishan Mountain as natural barriers, so Anyi will not be implicated."

"You may lead five hundred Huben south, but when you head north again, I will only be able to let you take three hundred."

Thinking of the situation in Anyi, Zhao Yan's expression turned serious. "Perhaps you will only be able to take a hundred men. The Emperor and the court are in urgent need of reinforcements. The surrendered soldiers we recruit can be given to you, but as for money, grain, and taxes, the court currently has no means to assist."

"A hundred men will suffice. But I must take Xu Gongming with me; he alone is worth five hundred cavalry."

"Very well, I can make the decision on this matter."

Recalling the attitudes of Yang Biao and the others, Zhao Yan continued, "Since you are going to drive out the Xiongnu, fight with your hands free and do not be bound by rigid morality. For the court, driving away the Xiongnu will also count as a major victory. From then on, once Taiyuan, Xihe, and Yanmen commanderies are cleared and opened up, the court's prestige will naturally be greatly restored."

Pondering further, still feeling it was insecure, he said, "The two rebels Li and Guo in Guanzhong are mutually hostile; even if they were to conceive a desire to unite for a time, it would be difficult to accomplish quickly. Once we suppress the White Wave rebels and there is no one left to meddle, the court will naturally pacify Duan Wei. With Duan Wei garrisoning Huayin, it can buy you half a year of time. Furthermore, the former Administrator of Zuofengyi, Jia Xu, courtesy name Wenhe, is currently living as a refugee in Duan Wei's camp. I shall dispatch an envoy to summon him and ask him to advise you on military strategy; that way, you will have a much greater assurance of success."

"He is still in Huayin?"

Zhao Ji was immensely astonished, his eyes wide open.

Zhao Yan was equally surprised and scrutinized Zhao Ji. "Ah-ji knows this man?"

"Yes. When I was at Jishan Mountain, I rescued two fleeing scholars from Taiyuan and heard them discussing Jia Xu, cursing him as Wenhe who threw martial arts into chaos, a poisonous strategist from Xiliang."

Zhao Ji fabricated a reason and frowned. "Why is he still in Huayin? Could it be that he still holds hope for the court?"

"Ah, Ah-ji, you must not listen to the words of the men of Taiyuan. They harbor an irreconcilable hatred for the people of Liangzhou because of Wang Shishi's affair, and naturally resent Jia Wenhe; yet Jia Wenhe merely acted to protect himself. After Wang Shishi, Jia Wenhe advised Li Jue and showed a great deal of protection and rescue toward the Emperor and the ministers, rendering profound kindness."

When Zhao Yan spoke thus, his expression was peculiar. He continued, "Jia Wenhe is the Administrator of Zuofengyi, and his official seal is still in his hands. If the court has any hope of resurgence, Duan Wei can rally the multitudes of Hongnong, and Jia Xu can also gather the officials and people north of the Wei River. If these two join forces, they will be sufficient to serve as the western barrier for the court."

With that, Zhao Yan stood up, fetched a roll of sheepskin map, and spread it out. He pointed out locations and the corresponding relationships of various commanderies to Zhao Ji, focusing particularly on Taiyuan. "Ever since the court relocated to Anyi, to say nothing of Wang Yi, the Administrator of Hedong, even Liu Xuan, the Administrator of Xihe, could send envoys to pay respects. Only Taiyuan, despite being wealthy within its borders, refuses to communicate with envoys. In February, the court dispatched a new administrator, who was intercepted and killed by the Xiongnu on his way to assume office in Pingyang. By driving out the northern Xiongnu, the court can gain the material resources of Taiyuan."

He traced the Fen River with his hand. "Money and grain from Taiyuan can flow down the Fen River and immediately relieve our present distress. In truth, even if Ah-ji had not spoken of crusading against the Xiongnu, the court had already harbored this intention. We old fellows discuss military affairs in our spare time, but constrained by the White Wave rebels, we harbor grand ambitions yet find them difficult to execute!"

Zhao Yan could be said to have spoken through clenched teeth, carrying a hatred as if he could devour these warlords alive. Seeing this, Zhao Ji felt a sympathetic resonance in his heart.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "What if the people of Taiyuan refuse to offer money and grain?"

Zhao Yan was slightly startled, then calmly rolled up the map, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. "How does the wealth of the Hou family compare to the various families of Taiyuan?"

Zhao Ji understood. One truly could not use previous perceptions to interpret this current batch of high ministers who had crawled out of a sea of blood.

They hated the two rebels Li and Guo; they hated the White Wave generals—could it be that they did not hate the powerful figures across various regions who stood by with folded arms, watching the spectacle like monkeys?

The various fierce warlords of the East of the Mountains were presumably already listed on the court's blacklist.

Once they truly expelled the Xiongnu entrenched in the Pingyang region, acquired such military might, and held the righteous cause of the court... if the various families of Taiyuan still failed to know what was good for them, they would truly have to consider sweeping the nests clean and replacing the occupants.

Fortunately, this generation of high ministers was dwindling in number and had no successors.

Otherwise, relying solely on military merit to compete with so many ruthless men, it would be extremely difficult for him to stand out.