Volume 6, Chapter 38: Sovereigns Grace Weighs Heavily

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As the Duke had been arrested, the powerful Prime Minister ordered that the members of his faction be seized to control all generals and thus military authority. The Prime Minister planned slowly and carefully.

The eldest son of the Duke, Yun, was sixteen years old. He fought with Shi Guan across Huaixi, widely known as brave. Guan received extreme effort from him and even loved him. Guan had a daughter styled Yujin who was seventeen years old. She was also skilled in battle. Each time she went into battle, she wore silver armor, rode a white steed, and carried a spear and bow. Fighting side by side with Yun, it was impossible to distinguish who was better.

In the thirteenth year of Tongtai, the Queen Dowager tried to wed Yun to Grand Princess Shuning, who was well-known for her virtue. Everyone was jealous; only Yun was unwilling. He said to his father, I would like to marry a kindred spirit.

The Duke and Guan had long had an understanding and permitted it.

When the royal envoy reached Shouchun, the Dukes beloved daughter fled from the city. Guan tried to hand her over to the royal envoy in chains. Yujin was enraged when she heard. Ignoring her pregnancy, she carried the woman out of the city, her sense of justice venerable.

The royal envoy dispatched troops to pursue her, nearly all of whom became casualties. The two women both vanished without a trace. The envoy grew fearful, dreading that Yun wouldnt give himself up and impelled Guan to send troops to Zhongli.

Guan purposely delayed, waiting five days to dispatch troops. Upon reaching Zhongli, Yun had been waiting for a long time. Listening to the royal edict, he said, The Lu family is loyal. May it be taken as evidence by both the Heavens and man. Thereupon, he calmly let himself be arrested.

Afterwards, Yun led the Flying Cavalry and elite troops in triumph to Jianghuai. The army wished to halt there, but Yun admonished them and ordered them back to camp. None dared obstruct him given his present prestige.

Southern Chu Dynastic Records

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Biography of the Duke of Loyal Courage

Third day of the tenth month, Chuzhou.

Pei Yun stood atop the Zhenhuai Tower, distressed. The autumn scenery before his eyes had lost its luster. The result of the Battle of Jingxiang had reached his ear. The intricacies of the battle left him flabbergasted.

Lu Can had set out from Yiyang and availed himself of the opportunity to capture Xiangyang. Afterwards, he struggled long against Gucheng, deadlocked in Xiangyang. Each change made one cast a sidelong glance. The loss and recapture of Xiangyang was even more confusing.

Only once Pei Yun learned the king of Southern Chu, Zhao Long, had relieved Lu Can of command and recalled him to Jianye did he vaguely understand the bloody Battle of Jingxiang and Xiangyang changing hands was designed against Lu Can. But even though Pei Yun figured this out, he still grew ever more astonished.

The School of the Military

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once said:

Jingxiang is the most important region in the world. The Yangtze River cuts east and west, connecting the States of Wu and Shu. Following the great river leads to Xiang and Gan,

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very convenient and fast. The Han River winds north along Jiangxia to the northwest, and from the northwest of Xiangyang, flows into Hanzhong and Guanzhong. In the north, it flows into Nanyang and Luoyang. Whether on water or dry land, all are passages. If one desires to rule the world, one must possess Jingxiang.

Every time the world divides, when feudal lords declare independence, Jingxiang is always the first to bear the brunt of battle.

Within the region of Jingxiang, the towns of Xiangyang, Jiangling, and Jiangxia were all militarily important. And Xiangyang was the most important. If Southern Chu possessed Xiangyang, they could march north on the Central Plains. If Great Yong owned Xiangyang, they could terrorize Jingxiang.

When Great Yong was first founded, it constantly eyed Xiangyang, but at the time, Xiangyang was under the defense of the Prince of De, Zhao Jue, steady as Mount Tai. Time and again, the Yong armies were thwarted by the high walls and sturdy defenses of the city. An indeterminate number of brave soldiers broke their bodies and gave their lives. Xiangyang was the regret at the heart of Great Yongs troops and officers.

Finally, in the eighth year of Longsheng, Jiang Zhe came up with a scheme. By using the opportunity created by Yang Xiu capturing Huaidong and drawing their enemy north, they captured Xiangyang by taking advantage of the rift between generals. Once Xiangyang landed in Great Yongs hands, Southern Chu no longer had any chances to counterattack. Although Lu Can defended Jiangnan such that it was impregnable, he was powerless to jeopardize Great Yongs foundation.

Due to Xiangyangs import, not even the Yong emperor leading troops into battle would recklessly abandon the strategic town. However, Jiang Zhe turned the important location into bait, lightly giving it up. Although they eventually regained Xiangyang, all that was left was a ravaged and isolated city after the inferno. The citizens of Xiangyang had gone south across the river as well, so it would be difficult to return Xiangyang to its former glory for many years.

No matter how grand Jiang Zhes style was, for the moment, Pei Yun fretted over news he learned from Shaolin. Yong Emperor Li Zhi didnt know anything about this battle before it took place, as Jiang Zhe had issued falsified imperial orders. Putting aside the alarming danger of this battle, Jiang Zhes boldness appalled Pei Yun to the breaking point. If the Yong emperor condemned him, it would likely be difficult to snake out of the grave crime.

An uninvolved person might watch from the sidelines, but many people had long been unsatisfied with the immense favor given to Jiang Zhe. While the war was stuck in a stalemate, he was still frolicking among the mountains and rivers, disregarding military affairs, which resulted in the Yong emperors court filling with many more accusatory memorials. Now that hed committed this serious crime, not even the Imperial Princess of Ning, Princess Changle, could likely protect him.

Some people might even take the opportunity to kick him while he was down, but Pei Yun couldnt think this way. He had received extra care from Jiang Zhe these past few years, to say nothing of Jiang Zhes son, Jiang Shen, being the last disciple of his respected master.

Three years ago, Yang Xiu had attacked Chuzhou and Sizhou, and Pei Yun could be called the loser of both battles. And before this, the governor of Chuzhou, Luo Jing, was assassinated. This seriously offended the empresss elder brother, Gao Rong, and coupled with his defeats to Yang Xiu, many important ministers of the court petitioned the emperor, wishing to have him denounce and punish Pei Yun. If not for Jiang Zhes aid, as well as the Yong emperor remembering the rescue Pei Yun conducted for him, Pei Yun would likely be a criminal in shackles today.

For the past few years, Pei Yun had been recovering his strength, retraining his army. The Xuzhou Barracks had fully recovered its strength, itching for a fight. If Jiang Zhe were demoted, Pei Yun deeply feared he would be implicated. If he lost command, he would lose any chance to scrub away the humiliation of his defeats, so compared to the average person, Pei Yun was most worried about Jiang Zhes plight.

Serious concerns on his mind, Pei Yun didnt even hear Du Lingfengs footsteps as he ascended the tower. He only reacted when he heard Du Lingfengs voice reach his ear. He listened to Du Lingfeng report, General, a letter has reached Xuzhou. The Emperor handed down an edict reprimanding the Prince of Qi; His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince; and General Zhangsun. Marquis Jiang has been demoted two feudal ranks. Later, he also decreed that the Marquis was dismissed from his post as the adviser to the Jiangnan Command Post.

Pei Yun was shocked, but he concealed his worries. Face calm as still water, he replied, Such wrath from His Imperial Majesty is difficult to avoid. However, has nobody within the court vouched for him? Whatever else may be the case, Xiangyang is still in our militarys hands.

Du Lingfeng hesitated for a moment before saying, According to news from Changan, the Emperor exploded with fury when he read the battle reports. Although Prime Minister Shi and the ministers urged reconciliation, Xiahou Yuanfeng of the Bright Inspection Department took advantage to denounce Marquis Jiang as shirking his duties and even raked up his past, exposing his whereabouts for the past three years. Only then did rage show on the Emperors face, and he decreed castigations, wanting even to strip the Marquis of title and post. If not for Prime Minister Shi tirelessly pleading for leniency, Im afraid he wouldnt have even kept his title as marquis.

Pei Yun gave a mental sigh. Shifting his gaze, he looked upon Du Lingfeng to also see unease on his face. He smiled and said, Ever since you accompanied Marquis Jiang to Xiangyang, youve always trembled with fear when you bring up Marquis Jiangs name. Now, Marquis Jiang has committed a crime, so you should be delighted. Yet why are you in this state?

This cant be blamed on Lingfeng. Martial Uncle doesnt know that I still have lingering fears when thinking about accompanying Marquis Jiang to Xiangyang, Du Lingfeng said in embarrassment. At the time, Jingxiang still belonged to Southern Chu, yet Marquis Jiang spent many days loitering at Mount Xian. This disciple was constantly anxious. Marquis Jiang was injured, so if the Chu army discovered us, I was afraid it would implicate Master and the sect, not to mention how difficult itd be to save our lives. Yet Marquis Jiang refused to sympathize with us bodyguards, even gazing into the distance at Xiangyangs turrets. Even General Huyan and several bodyguards were trembling in fear, afraid something would happen. No wonder everybody says Marquis Jiang is a strange character. Lingfeng prays hell never have to attend upon him ever again for the rest of Lingfengs life.

However, Jiang Zhe has committed a crime, yet this disciple feels perturbed, but not because of giving thought to Martial Uncle. Martial Uncle has always viewed fame and wealth with extreme apathy. The Emperor also rather values Martial Uncle, so even if Martial Uncle is implicated, this disciple believes it likely wont be a serious problem. Its just that, for some reason, this disciple feels that if Marquis Jiang is dismissed, it will probably be more dangerous.

Pei Yun was surprised. He didnt expect his martial nephew, whod always been candid and lacked cunning, to be this astute. His master, Great Master True Compassion, once said that Jiang Zhe had a deep sea of knowledge, with thorough and secretive thinking, gentle and treacherous. He also had the expert Demonic Shadow, Li Shun, by his side serving him. If Jiang Zhe were not restrained and allowed to act as he pleased, he would likely create earth-shattering turmoil with a momentary slip-up.

They were fortunate he was working for the Yong emperor. Although the heroes of the world had it bad, the ability to effect the unification of the country was an otherworldly achievement. Moreover, that man could still eliminate many hidden threats even with restrictions on imperial power.

Just now, Pei Yun learned Marquis Jiang had been demoted, and he grew concerned. If Jiang Zhe became so estranged with the Yong court due to this that he fled into

jianghu

, it would likely not be a blessing for the world. He didnt expect Du Lingfeng to also vaguely reach this line of thought. It looked like his martial nephew was no longer the impulsive youth of the past due to many years of experience. With a smile, Pei Yun said, Come to my place for the next few nights. I want to see your progress.

Du Lingfeng was overjoyed. He knew his martial uncle was going to give advice on his martial arts. He couldnt help rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Pei Yun gave a mental laugh at the sight and said, All right, Im a little tired. Lets go to Dus for drinks. Ever since the startling changes in Chuzhou three years ago, the Du Family Restaurant became famous throughout Jianghuai. Zhuang Qingpu getting justice for his master and the Du Family Restaurants green plum wine were both eulogized throughout Jianghuai. Even Pei Yun loved the wine, but he was prestigious and illustrious now, so it wasnt appropriate for him to often visit the restaurant. He was despondent today, so he wanted to distract himself at the restaurant.

Although the Du Family Restaurant was famous throughout Jianghuai, it still looked the same as before and hadnt been expanded. No additional jugs of green plum wine had been brewed either. Proprietor Du may have been a merchant, but he was rather reclusive. If one werent a talented individual at some point, it would be difficult to buy a jug of green plum wine even if one offered a huge sum. But if one were an elegant and outstanding scholar, one could be gifted with vintage wine. In this fashion, the reputation of the green plum wine grew. Most of the many normal people who couldnt try the wine would drink several small cups of the Du familys aged wine.

The Du Family Restaurant was essentially packed with customers. If one did not reserve a seat ahead of time, one would be shown the door. However, Pei Yun wasnt concerned. There was a table upstairs set aside throughout the year, just in case of individuals like Pei Yun, or for famous Jianghuai scholars dropping by. It prevented a situation in which no seats would be available.

Changing into casual attire, walking on the street, Pei Yun felt his mood lift considerably. Proprietor Du heard of his arrival at the restaurant and went out to greet him, though a strange expression showed on his face. Pei Yun didnt pay it any mind. Right as he ascended to the second floor, he heard a sonorous and kindly voice sing:

Dawn mist shrouds Qin Tower,Again adding to the parting sorrow.Facing the wind, I pour one out for the country.Singing all of Yang Pass makes it hard to stay,This regret lingering.Green plums collected fill my sleeves,Light snow falling.Fermenting yearly into Du Family Wine.Drinking alone on a skiff,Until dead drunk.

The artistry of this poem by Zhuang Qingpu is far reaching. His skill is clear to see. Its a pity he was cut down in the prime of his life. Truly