The first thing Han Yang did was find a way to get Chief Clerk Ling’s corpse out. He couldn’t do much else, but this he could do. He found a proper place and buried him himself, then stood before that small grave mound for a long while, feeling an indescribable sorrow in his heart.
He had followed Marquis Dingyuan and obeyed his words entirely out of contempt for his father Han Zhengqing, and because he wanted to protect his mother. Truth be told, he didn’t have such lofty thoughts about righteousness for family and country. Although he hated the Tatars, before learning that his father Han Zhengqing valued some illegitimate son of unknown origins more highly than his legitimate sons—treating them worse than dogs—he hadn’t had much opinion about his father’s actions. But now, he truly and viscerally felt Han Zhengqing’s depravity.
True depravity. How many soldiers had fought bloody battles and died wrapped in horsehide to keep the Tatars beyond those thick city gates? Yet he had so easily let these hungry wolves back in again.
His expression complex, he kowtowed three times before the grave mound, then walked along spitting on the ground as he went.
The first spit—this was truly disgusting, having such a disgusting father.
The second spit—Chief Clerk Ling, you were truly unlucky, ending up with such a conscienceless descendant of dragons and phoenixes who doesn’t even care about his own subjects.
The third spit—just you wait. Sooner or later, this land and rivers will still belong to our Great Zhou. Those Tatars who invaded—he would make them slink back to their grasslands with their tails between their legs.
He dawdled for two days before going to find Marquis Dingyuan and Han Yu. Where before he’d had some selfish motives, now he had none at all. His whole person seemed reborn—he’d even forgotten to crack jokes. He spoke straightforwardly about Prince Gong’s instructions, and additionally emphasized Han Zhengqing’s reply letter: “From Prince Gong’s tone, Han Zhengqing doesn’t seem very worried about losing Suzhou, nor does he care much about Prince Gong’s failure in the capital. He just says he still has backup plans and tells him to sit and wait for news.” As he spoke, he glanced at Han Yu, his eyes full of bloodshot veins, and sighed: “We need to act quickly. Jinzhong probably can’t hold out much longer.”
Prince Gong had attacked Jinzhong several times, but first, Huang Yiqing’s side had tied up part of his forces and he hadn’t gotten control of Weihai Guard’s men. Second, Guangning Guard had some problems. Third, Hu Yingming and the others in Jinzhong were literally fighting for their lives to defend it. That’s why Jinzhong had been able to struggle on for several months until today.
But now, Han Zhengqing’s side was advancing with overwhelming force. Prince Gong’s pressure had suddenly decreased tremendously, so naturally he could free up his hands to deal with the Cui family and Prince Zhennan in Jinzhong.
Moreover, under such heavy siege, Jinzhong’s food supply was probably insufficient. Since ancient times, before troops move, provisions must go first. No matter how capable the Cui family, Hu Yingming, and Prince Zhennan were, even a clever housewife cannot cook without rice. If this continued, Jinzhong would probably descend into chaos from within.
Han Yu also nodded: “I heard news on the street before too. It seems Wu Qianli’s twenty-some thousand men camped outside the city are about to head to Jinzhong?”
If they went, with such a disparity in forces, Jinzhong wouldn’t need to fight anymore. It would just be death—they could be besieged to death.
Marquis Dingyuan slapped the table: “He told you to select your own men. Have you chosen them yet?”
Getting down to business, that pent-up resentment in Han Yang’s heart eased considerably. The knot in his chest finally loosened, and his eyes carried some glimmer of excitement as he nodded: “I’ve chosen them. Never mind the others—Bai Qun is definitely needed.”
To subdue White Stork’s men, who could be more suitable than White Stork’s own grandson?
Marquis Dingyuan nodded, thought for a moment, then circled several more names and said to him: “These people—bring them all too.”
Han Yu took the list and looked it over, somewhat dumbfounded: “So Marquis, you’ve been running around the city recently to know yourself and know your enemy!”
Marquis Dingyuan’s skills at disguise were first-rate. Those who didn’t know might think he’d been a scout. During this period when Han Yang was busy badmouthing people to Prince Gong, Marquis Dingyuan had been busy wandering around the city gathering information.
Marquis Dingyuan smiled. After watching Han Yu hand the list to Han Yang, he said: “Before you leave, go have a proper farewell with the prince.” He instructed Han Yang: “Say a proper goodbye, speak of your devoted loyalty, and remind the prince well—tell him to be careful, not to be deceived without even knowing it.”
Han Yang blinked, then blinked again. He instantly understood what Marquis Dingyuan meant. He gave a laugh and carefully examined the list Marquis Dingyuan had just given him, then happily tossed it in his mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed it. His eyes shone with amusement: “Right, I should go have a good talk with the prince, tell him to be careful not to be betrayed by petty men and still help them count the money.”
Ever since Wu Feng had killed Chief Clerk Ling, Han Yang looked at him no differently than roadside garbage. He only wanted to kill him too and be rid of the eyesore, never missing any opportunity to make trouble for him.
He turned to leave but was called back by Marquis Dingyuan: “Help me with one more thing.” He said: “Help me send a message to the capital.”
Han Yu thought he wanted to report Cui Shaoting’s capture of Suzhou and shook his head: “Marquis, there are plenty of eyes watching him. For such a big matter, Commander-General Cui’s side will surely be able to send news back. Why should you be anxious?”
“It’s not that matter.” Marquis Dingyuan sighed: “It’s to give the people in the capital another warning.” He glanced at Han Yang: “Didn’t you just say that in the letter Han Zhengqing sent to Prince Gong, he said he still had backup plans in the capital? He spoke so confidently—we should send a warning there.”
Han Yang made an “oh” sound, then scratched his head: “But who should we send the message to? Nobody in the capital pays attention to us.”
Marquis Dingyuan swept aside his robe and sat in a nearby chair, removing the jade pendant from his person and handing it over: “There is someone. Among the men under your command, I’ve been observing coldly for many days—they’re all reliable and clever. Pick two to enter the capital. If they can make it back to the capital alive, have them find Prince Consort Ye. He’ll know what to do.”
Han Yang solemnly agreed, trotted out the door, and galloped back to the prince’s manor. After drafting his speech mentally, he went to see Prince Gong.
He first spoke about selecting his men, then poured out his heart to Prince Gong about Wu Feng, saying that Wu Feng’s eagerness to kill Chief Clerk Ling surely meant something was amiss. He also said he’d long since noticed that Wu Feng looked unfavorably upon him and Han Zhengqing. He didn’t stop until Prince Gong’s face turned pale and flushed alternately. Then he sighed and grumbled for a while longer before leaving.
After leaving, he first went to find Bai Qun, explained everything and told him to prepare. Then he headed straight for his own group of men, called them all up, got everything tidily sorted, and the next day they left the city.