Chapter 619: Rebellion

The reason Shang Jianxiong had cursed Wu Gongshan as a rebellious minister and traitor was simple: Wu Gongshan had also been one of Prince Ning’s former subordinates, much like Shao Dengyun. Faced with the imperial court’s purges, he had been forced to establish himself independently in order to protect himself. The difference was merely that Shao Dengyun had not found a patron quite so powerful at the time and had therefore needed to rely on outside strength, ultimately defecting from Yan.

Wu Gongshan, by contrast, had managed to attach himself to Tongxian Pavilion. The two sides hit it off immediately. Backed by Tongxian Pavilion’s connections, and with Zijin Cave tacitly allowing it, Wu Gongshan occupied Cangzhou and maintained his own army there.

Tongxian Pavilion had originally been much like Tianyu Sect in earlier years. It had cultivated relationships with all three major sects and occupied one small patch of territory in the east of Yan and another in the west, its sphere of influence scattered in fragments.

Where it surpassed Tianyu Sect was in the sheer number of those scattered holdings and in its much greater strength. Such piecemeal territory had long ceased to satisfy Tongxian Pavilion’s appetite, but with Zijin Cave pressing down on it, the sect had not dared act recklessly.

Then Wu Gongshan came to them. His troops were all former men of Prince Ning, hardened and powerful enough to dominate an entire region. That gave Tongxian Pavilion the foundation it needed to establish itself as a power in its own right.

Tongxian Pavilion quickly smoothed things over with Zijin Cave. It then traded away its scattered holdings and consolidated them into one contiguous territory: all of Cangzhou, where it could stand independently.

Tongxian Pavilion’s rise had certainly benefited from the influence of Zijin Cave’s previous Sect Leader. More broadly, however, the three major sects also needed secular powers capable of checking secular imperial authority. That was why several places in Yan had developed situations similar to Tongxian Pavilion’s: behind them all stood the influence of one of the three major sects.

Without the tacit consent of the three major sects, it was difficult for any such force to establish itself. Tianyu Sect, for example, had needed the three sects’ approval before it could take Nanzhou.

As for men like Wu Gongshan who maintained armies of their own, almost all such figures within Yan were old subordinates of Prince Ning.

When Prince Ning was still alive, he had specialized in bringing every defiant power in Yan to heel. Through campaign after campaign north and south, he had beaten every warlord with an independent army into submission. Cultivation sects throughout the state likewise obeyed the rules. For a time, Yan became strong enough that all its neighboring states feared it.

Precisely because the realm had finally been unified and seemed free of internal danger, and because certain people at court resented having been suppressed by Prince Ning, those people had done everything they could to incite Shang Jianxiong against him. Tong Mo and men of his kind were among them. Shang Jianxiong had gradually been stirred into action against Prince Ning.

The result was that once Prince Ning died, the old subordinates unwilling to sit still and wait for execution established themselves independently one after another, here and there across the state. That was how Yan had become what it was today.

The three major sects privately blamed Shang Jianxiong for his incompetence. Shang Jianxiong privately blamed the three major sects for being the root of the disorder.

People entangled with people, interest with interest. The relationships were exceedingly complicated, and the truth of it could never be explained in a few sentences.

Whatever humiliation Shang Jianxiong had just suffered under the pressure of the three major sects, the moment he heard that Qu Yunkong had been assassinated, he immediately became highly vigilant and realized the affair was far from simple.

After all, he was still the Emperor of Yan. Whatever else could be said of him, he was the man guarding the inheritance of his ancestors, and no one wanted to see Yan fall apart less than he did.

If something happened in Cangzhou while foreign enemies were watching Yan like tigers, it could only be disastrous.

The atmosphere in the great hall changed at once. The three major sects began moving, and Shang Jianxiong likewise ordered the Intelligence Directorate into action, demanding a rapid investigation of the situation in Cangzhou.

The three Sect Leaders temporarily remained in the imperial palace instead of returning to their sects. This allowed their side and Shang Jianxiong’s to exchange information immediately and analyze the situation with a complete picture.

In the end, less than two days passed before there was no longer anything to analyze.

Cangzhou had rebelled!

Leaving aside the suspicious circumstances of Wu Gongshan’s death, his younger brother Wu Gongling had originally served as his deputy general and already controlled a significant share of Cangzhou’s military power. He too had been a general under Prince Ning. Now he took complete control of Cangzhou’s army, killed a number of Wu Gongshan’s trusted followers, and marched his forces against Yuanzhou in Yan.

At Tongxian Pavilion, an elder named Shan Dongxing temporarily assumed the duties of Sect Leader. He then exterminated the wife and children of the late Sect Leader Qu Yunkong, together with a group of Qu Yunkong’s trusted disciples.

The stated reason was vengeance for the Sect Leader. Shan Dongxing claimed that Qu Yunkong’s wife had intended to seize control of the sect and had conspired with others to murder her husband.

Whether outsiders believed this explanation or not, Tongxian Pavilion itself seemed to accept it. Once vengeance had supposedly been carried out, the sect immediately joined Wu Gongling’s army in attacking Yuanzhou.

Behind all of this appeared the cooperation of people from the major sects of Han and Song.

In a roundabout way, the matter even had something to do with Niu Youdao. The people involved were none other than his sworn elder brother Quan Taifeng and sworn elder sister Hui Qingping.

The two had failed to achieve their aim in Nanzhou, but after turning toward Cangzhou they succeeded, stirring up a storm inside Yan.

Yuanzhou naturally resisted the attack at once.

But Yuanzhou, like Dingzhou, had already transferred large numbers of troops to the borders as part of the military deployments against Han and Song. In that condition, how could it withstand veteran troops once commanded by Prince Ning? Yuanzhou’s forces were beaten back again and again. They could only avoid direct battle and resort to harassment tactics, delaying the rebel army while waiting for reinforcements from the imperial court.

The uproar in Yanjing over Nanzhou’s attack on Dingzhou had barely begun to settle when another wave rose before the first had subsided. Cangzhou had now rebelled as well, and the capital fell into agitation.

Before summoning the ministers for a council, Shang Jianxiong first called Tong Mo to the Imperial Study.

For Tong Mo to have held such a commanding position at the center of Yan’s government for so many years, Shang Jianxiong naturally trusted him deeply. Whenever a major matter arose, the Emperor would first call him in to discuss it and form a general plan.

The ruler and minister spoke in private. Tong Mo was deeply worried. There were wolves before them and tigers behind: the Dingzhou matter had not yet been resolved, and now Cangzhou had erupted into rebellion. He first asked how Shang Jianxiong intended to settle the affair in Dingzhou.

Shang Jianxiong did not conceal anything from him. He explained that the three major sects had forced him to cede three commanderies to Nanzhou, something he hated bitterly.

After hearing this, Tong Mo considered for quite some time before saying slowly, “The great armies massed on the borders against Han and Song are the foundation of the state. Whatever happens, they absolutely cannot be disturbed. Once those forces loosen, Great Yan will descend into complete chaos!”

Shang Jianxiong said, “Prince Ning’s former troops are an army of tigers and wolves. Yuanzhou cannot withstand them, and neither can the forces from the neighboring regions. If we simply sit and watch, I fear the situation will change catastrophically.”

Tong Mo replied, “Then it is time for the three major sects to contribute their strength.”

Shang Jianxiong did not understand. “Explain.”

“They blame Your Majesty for provoking the military disorder in Nanzhou. Can Your Majesty not blame them in turn?” Tong Mo said. “Cangzhou itself is a latent disaster raised by Zijin Cave. Your Majesty can use that argument to demand an answer from Zijin Cave. Cangzhou is now openly rebelling. This is precisely the moment for Your Majesty to reason with them, and they will find it difficult to shirk responsibility.”

“At a time like this, the regional lords whom the three major sects have indulged in maintaining armies of their own should also be made to contribute.” Tong Mo’s eyes narrowed slightly and his voice lowered. “The great border armies absolutely cannot move. Instead, use this opportunity to weaken the secular powers backed by the three major sects.”

Shang Jianxiong fell into thought and understood. He nodded faintly. “The border armies remain where they are. The forces around Yuanzhou do everything possible to delay Cangzhou’s rebels. Meanwhile, we pressure the three major sects into forcing those regional lords with private armies to send troops and suppress the rebellion. Let them and the rebels bleed each other dry!”

Tong Mo nodded. “Is Shang Chaozong not supposed to be such a capable fighter? Then this is the finest possible reason to employ him. If the battle turns against us, pressure the three major sects into forcing Nanzhou’s army to go suppress the rebellion. We can use the opportunity to wear down those remnants of Prince Ning as well!”

“Excellent. We’ll do exactly that!” Shang Jianxiong nodded. Then concern returned to his face. “No matter how hard we pressure them, they may agree to provide troops but not the money and grain. I fear the court will still have to supply the provisions. State affairs are difficult. The burden of raising military supplies will have to trouble the Grand Minister of Works once again.”

Tong Mo bowed. “This old minister cannot shirk such a duty. I will think of every possible means. It is only that the people of Great Yan must suffer again.”

After their private discussion, Tong Mo departed first. Shang Jianxiong also had to attend the emergency court council.

As Tian Yu helped straighten his robes and headwear, he said, “The last nationwide mobilization of heavy forces to the Han and Song borders already placed an unbearable burden on the common people when all that grain was gathered. Dingzhou’s war squeezed them once more. If we levy supplies again now, there is nothing left to squeeze from ordinary households. This time, I fear the Grand Minister of Works will have to turn his knife toward the wealthy families of Yanjing and the various prefectures and provinces.”

Shang Jianxiong said, “Other men cannot make those great houses and wealthy clans spit anything out, but he knows every door and every path. He has no shortage of methods, scruples be damned. If he wants to preserve his position, he has to do it!”

“There are some things loyal ministers simply cannot accomplish. The moment a loyal minister tries, the backlash would be too fierce. It is different when Tong Mo does it. He can still keep those people pressed down and prevent disorder.”

Tian Yu nodded. “That is true.”

...

Incense smoke curled through a quiet room. Shao Dengyun, his hair already graying, stood silently before a table and looked at the portrait of Prince Ning hanging on the wall.

A knock sounded at the door, followed by Steward Yang Shuang’s voice from outside. “Master.”

Shao Dengyun said, “Come in.”

The door opened. Yang Shuang first poked his head in and looked around, somewhat surprised. Normally, his master did not allow business to be discussed in this room. What was different today?

He entered, shut the door again, walked behind Shao Dengyun, and saluted before reporting, “Master, according to reliable information, there should be no further upheaval in the Dingzhou campaign. The three major sects have already forced Shang Jianxiong to cede those three commanderies to Nanzhou. There was no public imperial edict, however.”

Shao Dengyun said, “The Young Prince’s wings are fully grown now.”

He had been worried throughout the campaign. If the fighting took some unexpected turn and Shang Chaozong ordered him to respond from here, Shao Dengyun would be trapped between two impossible choices.

The key was that responding would be extremely difficult. First, his own forces carried the heavy responsibility of confronting Han. If his army marched south, an enormous gap would open in Yan’s defensive line against Han, threatening the entire state. Second, Tianyu Sect would never allow it.

Fortunately, from beginning to end, Shang Chaozong had shown no intention of mobilizing him. Now that the situation had settled, one of the two great burdens weighing on Shao Dengyun’s heart could finally be put down.

As for the other, it was not his son Shao Pingbo.

He was already exhausted by that son and had long since let him go his own way.

He could not control the boy anyway. His son was more capable than he was. Shao Dengyun believed there was no need for him to worry. Whether Shao Pingbo fared well or poorly in Jin, he no longer wished to meddle.

What worried him was Cangzhou.

When he heard that Wu Gongshan had died, Shao Dengyun had been deeply moved. They had both once served under Prince Ning and fought shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield. How could there be no friendship between them?

“How are things in Cangzhou?” Shao Dengyun asked.

Yang Shuang replied, “Still the same. They’ve entered Yuanzhou and are beating Yuanzhou’s troops back step by step. Yuanzhou’s forces have been forced to avoid battle and switch to harassment tactics to delay them. They’re probably trying to hold out until imperial reinforcements arrive. For now, there hasn’t been any major change in the situation.”

Looking at Prince Ning’s portrait, Shao Dengyun could not help letting out a long sigh. “What has happened to us all? Back then, one after another, we shed our blood and risked our heads for Great Yan. So many men died after a hundred battles, their bodies wrapped in horsehide. Every one of them rendered meritorious service in pacifying Great Yan.”

“How did it change in the blink of an eye? How have those of us still alive somehow all become Great Yan’s rebellious ministers and traitors?”

“Were we the ones who were wrong?”

“Your Highness... why can Great Yan no longer tolerate us?”

He raised his face toward Heaven and closed his eyes. Tears slipped down in silence.

[End of Chapter 619]