Chapter 192: Assessing Merit

“Heh. Daoists of the mystic schools like counting time in sixty-year cycles, but ordinary folk like us prefer nice, neat numbers—fifty years, a hundred years.

“As the saying goes, a hundred years is one full cycle.

“Thinking about it now, that saying really isn’t wrong.

“Now listen—

“A hundred years ago, right here—right here in our own Yinlang Commandery—the first Marquis of Zhenbei led thirty thousand iron cavalry and shattered a five-hundred-thousand-strong Qian army!

“What an achievement that was!

“If the Great Yan Dynasty endured and survived, then the first Marquis of Zhenbei deserves the foremost share of the credit.

“And who could have expected—heh, what a marvelous coincidence—that a full hundred years later, today, the present Marquis of Zhenbei would lead two hundred thousand iron cavalry through Qian territory to borrow a road.

“The iron cavalry of Great Yan drove straight through South Gate Pass and struck into the Jin army’s rear!

“Those Jin troops were still fighting us around Horseshoe Mountain when—good heavens!—Great Yan’s tiger troops, black dragon banners flying, suddenly came charging out from behind them!

“Tch tch tch.

“That battle darkened Heaven and Earth!

“Mountains collapsed!

“Rivers flowed backward!

“Hadn’t the Jin always refused to accept it?

“Hadn’t they always said the claim that Great Yan’s iron cavalry were the finest beneath Heaven was nothing but empty boasting?

“That the true number one cavalry force of the age belonged to Jin?

“Fine, then.

“At long last, everyone had a chance to settle the question.

“Mule or horse—drag it outside and let it run.

“Real skill shows under the hands!

“And what did we discover?

“That paper tiger looked impressive but was useless.

“Under the command of our two Marquises, Great Yan’s iron cavalry swept a thousand li in ten days.

“The Jin army was chased until they pissed themselves in terror!

“The Marquis of Zhenbei personally cut down the Clan Head of the Helian Clan before the battle line.

“They say the Helian Clan Head had a strange beast beside him, a hundred zhang tall—higher than the walls of Nanwang City itself!

“It opened its mouth and could swallow the sun and moon!

“But our Marquis of Zhenbei cut off its head with one saber.

“With the second, he killed the Helian Clan Head.

“And with the third—he stabbed his saber into the earth!

“Someone nearby asked:

“‘My lord Marquis, why did you stop killing?’

“And the Marquis answered:

“‘I was afraid I’d accidentally kill them all. I still have to leave a few heads for the boys under me to share.’”

Snap!

The storyteller flicked open his folding fan and began fanning himself in the middle of winter.

He deliberately stopped at the perfect cliffhanger.

A young girl immediately began weaving through the audience carrying a bamboo tray to collect rewards.

Siniang tossed in a handful of copper coins.

Then she turned toward Zheng Fan.

“Master, is the Marquis of Zhenbei truly that powerful?”

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“I heard Li Fusheng mention it.

“The Marquis of Zhenbei suffered a serious injury when he was young. His blood and qi have been declining for years.

“The one who killed the Helian Clan Head was Qingshuang.”

“Ohhh. No wonder.”

Siniang cracked another sunflower seed.

Then asked, “Master, something about this feels strange.

“This servant heard that the commander-in-chief of the Jin campaign was actually the Marquis of Jingnan.”

By rights, the Marquis of Jingnan commanded the Jingnan Army.

Most of the men beneath him were local sons of Yinlang Commandery.

One could practically call them Yinlang’s own troops.

Yet the storytellers in Nanwang City spoke only of the Marquis of Zhenbei.

They had completely forgotten the Marquis of Jingnan.

Even the audience below behaved the same way.

True, the Li Clan of the Marquis of Zhenbei had also come from Yinlang Commandery a century ago.

But that had been a hundred years earlier.

How could that feel closer than one’s own local sons?

Zheng Fan shook his head.

“Ever since the Marquis of Jingnan annihilated his entire clan, the common folk have regarded him as a monstrous fiend.”

Tian Wujing had exterminated his own household.

He had shouted:

*The destruction of Great Yan’s great clans shall begin with my Tian Clan.*

In reality he had pushed forward and triggered the wheel that destroyed Great Yan’s aristocratic clans.

He had also created the conditions that allowed Yan to wage war against Qian and Jin this time.

On top of that, he had been commander-in-chief of the Jin campaign.

Fifty thousand Jingnan Army troops had participated in the fighting too.

Whether one spoke emotionally or logically the foremost merit should have belonged to him.

Unfortunately the eyes of the masses were blind most of the time.

The common people knew only that this man was ruthless enough to slaughter his own entire clan.

In their eyes he had lost all humanity.

He was worse than a beast.

Storytellers adjusted their stories according to what the market wanted.

Naturally, none of them would drag Tian Wujing out and make him the sole protagonist.

Siniang quietly cracked sunflower seeds.

Then said, “That really is suffocating.”

He had paid the most.

Sacrificed the most.

And in the end he could not even exchange it for a good reputation.

“Exactly.

“Too suffocating.

“That’s why I don’t want to become someone like Tian Wujing.”

Those words came directly from Zheng Fan’s heart.

A man had only one life.

If possible one should avoid making oneself suffer unnecessary grievances.

This life of his was already something he had gained for free.

Naturally, he wanted to live it in a freer and more comfortable direction.

At that moment, Zheng Fan turned toward A’Ming.

“Is the Blind Man still busy over there?”

“The Wen Clan has more than a hundred people altogether.

“He has plenty to keep him busy,” A’Ming answered.

When the Yan army withdrew, Qian still believed the main Yan force was lurking somewhere waiting for an opportunity.

Because of that the Three Frontier armies did not attempt to intercept the withdrawal.

They simply continued cultivating their supreme art of hiding inside turtle shells.

When the army passed Chuzhou City, Li Fusheng issued an order.

Anyone inside Chuzhou who wished to return to Yan with the Yan army could leave with them.

Wen Sutong was already a die-hard Qian collaborator.

Naturally, he had to leave.

Several Qian civil and military officials who had spent the recent period “committing every evil imaginable” had no choice but to flee north with the Yan as well.

True leaving one’s homeland was difficult.

But they understood perfectly well that if they remained behind, once the Yan withdrew, they would inevitably face a reckoning.

And there would be no surviving it.

So the entire Wen Clan migrated north together.

As the Wen Clan’s “grandson-in-law,” the Blind Man naturally had to run around handling everything.

After entering Yan territory, someone still had to arrange housing and food for such a large group of people.

Fortunately as a representative figure among Qian’s surrender faction, Wen Sutong would certainly receive lavish treatment from the Yan Emperor.

It probably would not be long before an imperial decree summoned him to Yanjing.

He would likely receive some honorable but largely ceremonial office.

“Still,” A’Ming continued, “I heard Old Master Wen plans to take only his household members to Yanjing.

“All the adult men of the clan, from sixteen to forty—around thirty people total—are supposed to remain with us.”

“Remain with us?”

Zheng Fan sounded surprised.

If those Wen Clan men entered Yanjing, given the Yan Emperor’s generosity, the family would almost certainly receive favor extending to its descendants.

Many of the adult males might even receive offices.

That would help the Wen Clan truly establish roots inside Great Yan.

Yet the old man deliberately planned to leave so many men behind.

That was interesting.

“He said they’re to join the army.

“And follow us.”

Zheng Fan smiled.

“I don’t even know where I’m going next.

“And he’s already entrusting all these people to me.”

Yes.

The reason Zheng Fan had come to Nanwang City this time was to have his merits assessed.

This great war was essentially over.

At least this stage of it was finished.

Yan had swallowed half of Jin’s territory.

It was unquestionably the greatest winner.

One could say that ever since Great Yan was founded, its strategic situation had always been poor.

To the west the barbarians had fought them for centuries.

A hundred years ago—

Qian had still dared launch northern expeditions from time to time.

To the east—

Jin had always watched like a tiger eyeing prey.

This time according to rumor, a secret decree from the Yan Emperor had made the Barbarian King too afraid to cross the border.

Northern Qian had been smashed to pieces.

Even with the wealth of Jiangnan, Qian would need considerable time to recover and train new troops.

Jin had been cut in half.

The Jin Emperor was already on his way to Yanjing to pay court to the Yan Emperor.

The Situ Clan still controlled eastern Jin.

But after watching the other two clans they had schemed against for nearly a century get swallowed in one bite they were scared half to death.

They hurriedly sought alliance with their old enemy Chu.

Everyone understood the principle that if the lips were gone, the teeth would grow cold.

But the Chu Emperor happened to die at precisely that moment.

So the Situ Clan had not yet dared declare independence.

Their nominal sovereign had already knelt.

For now, the Situ Clan could do little more than cower inside its own territory.

Of course, after so many successive battles, Yan’s results were impressive but its losses were severe too.

There was no need to mention the casualties suffered by Li Fusheng and Li Bao.

The Jin had not spent generations insisting their cavalry could rival Yan’s merely out of empty pride.

Even though the Yan had struck their rear, destroying the elite forces of the two great clans had still cost heavily.

So all three states were tired.

Everyone needed time to breathe.

As for Chu its old Emperor had just died.

The Princes were busy playing their own game of fighting for the throne.

For the moment the situation among the Four States had unexpectedly calmed.

Barring an accident, the dominant theme for quite some time would probably become peace and development.

Even so, defenses could not simply be abandoned.

Qian might be useless in many respects, but the elite troops of the Three Frontiers still could not be ignored.

The Situ Clan might become desperate and lash out recklessly.

The newly occupied Jin territories also required troops to suppress unrest and maintain stability.

Beifeng Commandery needed reinforcements to guard against the barbarians as well.

Because of that the classic scene where a victorious army marched into the capital to be reviewed and rewarded by the Emperor never happened.

Still the process of assessing merit and granting rewards did not slow.

“All right.

“It should be about time.

“Xu Wenzu’s banquet should be ending.

“Let’s go.”

Zheng Fan left the teahouse with A’Ming and Siniang.

They headed toward the Commander-in-Chief’s residence no.

It should now be called the Governor-General’s residence.

Fatty Xu had been promoted.

He was no longer Commander-in-Chief while concurrently serving as Prefect.

Thanks to his prewar allocation of military supplies and the decisiveness he showed when Qian began probing during the campaign he had accumulated great merit.

At present all the defensive arrangements against Qian along the Nanwang City front, together with all the troops stationed below were effectively pressed beneath his enormous bulk.

The Governor-General’s household was hosting a banquet today.

Zheng Fan deliberately arrived a little late.

And he brought no gift.

That had been Siniang’s suggestion.

Sure enough after the steward led Zheng Fan inside, Xu Wenzu appeared to have just lain down to rest after drinking at the banquet.

The moment he heard Zheng Fan had arrived he rushed out barefoot without even putting on his shoes.

Standing behind Zheng Fan, Siniang could not help muttering, “They both graduated from the Beijing Film Academy.”

“Brother Zheng!

“Brother Zheng!

“Hahahahaha!

“The ancients said:

“*Though humble in rank, never forget righteousness; though honored in position, never demand sentiment.*

“Brother Zheng truly possesses the bearing of an ancient benevolent gentleman!”

His meaning was obvious.

Zheng Fan had deliberately come only after the banquet ended and had not brought a gift.

That proved he genuinely regarded Xu Wenzu as a true friend.

Their relationship had not changed.

The flavor was still the same!

“Congratulations on your promotion, my lord!”

Zheng Fan offered his congratulations with great respect.

Fatty Xu was now genuinely a great official governing an entire frontier region.

“Same to you.

“Same to you!

“You’ve got something coming too.

“Come.

“Follow me.”

Xu Wenzu led Zheng Fan inside.

Then dismissed everyone else.

“Brother Zheng.

“Originally, the court’s reward for you should already have been issued.

“You were supposed to be promoted directly to Roaming General under Nanwang City.

“Then the two of us could keep working together.”

“To continue serving under my lord would be this subordinate’s good fortune!”

As a superior—

Fatty Xu truly was difficult to criticize.

Once he regarded you as one of his own, he would shamelessly cram benefits into your hands.

“Ah.

“But His Majesty read that *Zhengzi Art of War* you submitted.

“His Majesty praised you for possessing great strategic talent.

“Unfortunately—

“Zhao Jiulang has decided to put little shoes on your feet this time.

“He still remembers how you rode horses through the academy back then.

“He said that your *Zhengzi Art of War*, while seemingly precise and convincing, gives off a sense of clinging to rules and falling into rigid patterns.

“You’re still young.

“Yet you’ve already started writing books and establishing teachings.

“He worries you’ve become too old in spirit and may lose the drive to advance.

“So he suggested sending you to the newly annexed Jin territories—to serve as City Governor over one city.”

Xu Wenzu sighed.

“Isn’t that just screwing you over?

“Jin has only just submitted.

“Don’t look at the fact that we’ve taken the territory.

“The Situ Clan is still a camel starved nearly to death but bigger than a horse.

“There are wild-man settlements in the Heavenbreak Mountains too.

“And the hearts of the Jin people themselves are unstable.

“Going there to serve as City Governor—how could that possibly be as comfortable as staying here in Nanwang City and continuing to work with me?

“Within three years—this elder brother guarantees you’ll become a Commander-in-Chief!

“Hmph.

“That Zhao Jiulang.

“In the end, he still carries too much of a scholar’s temperament.

“Far too petty.

“In a few days, the two of us can submit memorials to His Majesty together.

“Don’t worry.

“His Majesty will not chill the heart of a meritorious minister.”

Zheng Fan did not join Fatty Xu in insulting Great Yan’s chief minister.

Inside his heart he instead let out a roar.

Holy shit.

Zhao Jiulang you are way too considerate!

...

“Achoo!”

“Now that the war is over, you’ve actually become even busier.

“It is We who have wronged Our beloved minister.

“We’ve worked you into illness.”

Zhao Jiulang hurriedly rose and smiled.

“Many thanks for Your Majesty’s concern.

“But this minister did not fall ill from official work.

“Last night, this minister suddenly gave in to youthful madness and overturned himself a few too many times with a concubine.

“That is how I caught this cold.

“Ah.

“A romantic illness naturally has to be cured by a wind-cold.”

“You shameless bastard.

“That part of you truly has not changed at all.”

The Yan Emperor laughed and scolded him.

“Your Majesty.

“This minister is anxious!”

“What are you anxious about?”

“Two noble ladies inside the palace were both recently diagnosed by the imperial physicians as pregnant with imperial offspring.

“This minister refuses to accept defeat!

“This minister is even one or two years younger than Your Majesty.

“I also wanted to toss around enough to produce another melon or fruit.

“Alas.

“Who could have expected this old body truly no longer had the strength?

“All I can do is envy Your Majesty.”

“Hahahahahahahaha!”

The Yan Emperor burst into laughter.

No man could hear praise about this particular matter and remain entirely without pride.

The Yan Emperor was no exception.

Both Qian women had become pregnant.

They had been promoted to Noble Ladies.

This was Ji Runhao’s way of announcing to all beneath Heaven that the Emperor of Great Yan remained vigorous and in the prime of life!

However, as he laughed the Yan Emperor suddenly began coughing.

A young eunuch serving nearby hurriedly brought over a silk handkerchief.

The Yan Emperor accepted it and covered his mouth while coughing.

When the coughing ended he discovered a patch of blood on the silk.

Clatter!

The frightened young eunuch knocked over a teacup.

The Yan Emperor silently clenched the handkerchief in one fist.

Then he looked toward Zhao Jiulang.

“Looks like sovereign and minister truly share one body.

“We have caught the wind-cold as well.”

“Drink some ginger soup.

“Sweat it out.

“You’ll be fine,” Zhao Jiulang said with a smile.

The Yan Emperor nodded.

Then said, “Enough.

“You and We have scarcely rested for months.

“Let us each clear one day for ourselves and replenish some blood and qi.

“We are tired too.

“You should return to your residence and sweat out the illness.

“If at the next court session sovereign and minister together infect all the officials with this wind-cold—now that truly would become a joke.”

“This minister thanks Your Majesty for this magnificent grace!

“This minister takes his leave!”

Zhao Jiulang withdrew in high spirits, a smile still hanging on his face.

Soon only the Yan Emperor remained inside the hall.

Along with Wei Zhonghe, who sat nearby helping review memorials, apply vermilion endorsements, and affix seals and the young eunuch.

The Yan Emperor leaned back slightly.

He placed the bloodstained handkerchief on the imperial desk.

Then slowly asked, “Who remains in your family?”

The young eunuch immediately dropped to his knees.

Terrified, he answered, “Reporting to Your Majesty.

“This servant still has an elderly mother and one younger sister.”

“Is your sister married?”

“No, Your Majesty.”

“We shall summon your sister into the palace and grant her the rank of Attendant.

“As for you—go below and receive death.”

The young eunuch trembled violently as he kowtowed.

Weeping, he said, “This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace!”

(End of Chapter)