Light snow drifted down, the snowflakes swept away and submerged the moment they touched the surging river waters.
As dusk approached, several dozen Liang cavalry scouts galloped to the northern bank of the Han River.
Currently, Liang scouts frequently appeared on the Han River’s northern bank. The garrison forces in Fancheng’s direction made no moves, and naturally the Dragon Sparrow Army officers and soldiers on the southern bank also ignored them.
A youth in his thirties wore the ordinary armor of Liang scouts, with thick short whiskers on his upper lip, an aquiline nose and deep-set eyes. His appearance seemed ordinary, but the extraordinary martial bearing emanating from his very bones could not be concealed by any common clothing or armor.
However, wilderness stretched on all sides. In the twilight, the Dragon Sparrow soldiers on the southern bank could only see several dozen indistinct figures on the northern bank—it was impossible to observe this youth’s features in perfect detail.
The several dozen riders halted before the riverbank. The youth walked to the water’s edge, seemingly paying no attention to the Chu army encampment on the southern bank. He bent down and reached his hand into the water, feeling the icy temperature and the speed of the current. His expression grew solemn as he stared at the flowing water, as if contemplating what method could overcome this freezing river in the shortest time possible.
“The opposite bank is held by Zhou Shu’s forces from the Dragon Sparrow Army’s Third Battalion. Zhou Shu is a fierce general under Chu’s Marquis Xinchang Li Pu, capable of lifting a four-hundred-jin stone and skilled with a pair of iron maces. I hear that two days ago, Li Pu’s second son-in-law Chai Jian left the Marquis of Linjiang’sMansion’s side to join with Zhou Shu. He should also be in that encampment across the way right now—this Chai Jian is a strategic commander…” Yang Xiong, the Liang scout leader, walked over and spoke to the youth.
“Neither Chai Jian nor Zhou Shu are cause for concern, but I originally thought that among the Dragon Sparrow Army, only Shen Yang could be considered a notable figure. I didn’t expect that these two men, Li Zhigao and Han Qian, would truly not be ones to underestimate.” The youth sighed with feeling.
“This subordinate is incompetent!” Yang Xiong asked for forgiveness in alarm. Initially, it was he who had suffered setbacks before Canglang City, failing to forcefully capture this strategic point at the Dan River mouth.
“This was an error in my judgment—what does it have to do with you?” the youth said with emotion. “Some intelligence requires careful work to obtain—it’s not something military scouts can investigate! Especially this Han Qian—in the past I only paid attention to his father Han Daoxun and didn’t take much notice of him. I never expected to suffer a not insignificant loss at his hands.”
“Should we awaken two of the dormant Crouching Tigers to assassinate him?” A bearded giant of a man behind them came forward to ask.
“Crouching Tigers aren’t to be used that way, and there’s no need to take that risk,” the youth said with a cold smile. “Not only can this person not be assassinated—Yuanqi, if you get the chance to capture this man, remember, you must remember to keep him alive!”
However, neither the Liang scout leader Yang Xiong, the youth, nor the bearded giant realized that at this very moment, Han Qian was in the military camp across the river, completely disregarding the enormous crisis they faced, engaged in sharp verbal disputes over dividing the spoils after the battle.
The conditions finally agreed upon were that Han Qian would retain the Left Section, salt trade, and his operations in Xu Prefecture. After the battle, Li Zhigao would also be allowed to continue garrisoning the Dan River with his forces. However, when Jun Prefecture was newly established during wartime with the Third Prince as its nominal head, apart from Li Zhigao being able to serve as Prefecture Commander in charge of defense, the Chief Clerk and other positions managing affairs besides defense would be controlled by people sent by Evening Red Tower and Marquis Xinchang’sMansion. Even the Military Advisor commanding the local prefecture battalion would be appointed by Evening Red Tower and Marquis Xinchang’sMansion, only nominally accepting Li Zhigao’s authority.
The mountain stronghold mercenaries led by Zhou Dan would be supervised by Li Chong—in principle, all other troops the Dragon Sparrow Army exceptionally recruited on the western front, including the Xu Prefecture Battalion composed mainly of convict soldiers, should all accept the supervision of Recording Advisor Li Chong and Military Supervisor Guo Rong.
However, beyond preserving the interests of the Left Section and Li Zhigao’s forces, Han Qian also imposed other restrictions on Marquis Xinchang’sMansion and Evening Red Tower. The most critical point was that no one could attempt to control the Third Prince’s personal safety.
To achieve this, relying on mutual self-discipline would obviously not create mutual trust. The compromise solution was to give neutrals like Shen Yang, Guo Liang, and Gao Chengyuan sufficient respect, leaving them space to develop their influence.
Though stripped of military authority over the Guard Battalion, every time Chai Jian and others thought of this matter, their hearts ached faintly. But after the pain subsided and they reflected, while resenting Han Qian and Li Zhigao, they also could not help but engage in self-examination.
In fact, only this way could the Dragon Sparrow Army and Marquis of Linjiang’sMansion possibly accept more talented people and develop forces to contend with Anning Palace and the Crown Prince’s faction. Only then would the Third Prince truly have the qualifications to compete for succession.
As for Evening Red Tower’s true schemes, both sides carefully avoided mentioning them.
Having settled these matters, Han Qian rushed to Xiang Prefecture City with Chai Jian and Yao Xishui, also unaware of what kind of person was hidden among that group of Liang scouts appearing on the northern bank.
……
……
Xiang Prefecture City had somewhat of a festive atmosphere. A circle of red lanterns hung along the walls of Jinxing Ward, casting reddish halos of light.
Riding into Jinxing Ward, Chai Jian and Yao Xishui went to see Supervisor Zhang Ping of the Marquis’sMansion, while Han Qian went directly to see the Third Prince Yang Yuanpu.
“…This matter is a crisis for Great Chu, but precisely because of this, Your Highness must step forward to turn the tide. Only thus can Your Highness truly serve as Great Chu’s pillar!” During Shen Yang’s absence, Han Qian fully disclosed to the Third Prince that Prince Liang Yong Zhu Yu had secretly arrived in Wan City to oversee the Liang army’s western front operations.
Han Qian would rather yield some substantive benefits to Chai Jian and Yao Xishui, but still insisted on personally explaining this matter to the Third Prince. In his heart, he knew clearly that these matters, viewed favorably, meant they were loyally devoted, helping the Third Prince seize his life’s greatest opportunity. Viewed unfavorably, they were gambling big by staking the Third Prince’s life.
Only by personally returning to Xiang Prefecture City could he dispel the Third Prince’s doubts.
“Can this matter be discussed with Advisor Shen?” Yang Yuanpu asked.
Sometimes Yang Yuanpu deeply resented Shen Yang’s stubbornness and obstinacy, but he also had to admit Shen Yang’s impartial selflessness.
“Everything depends entirely on Your Highness’s decision, but if Advisor Shen learns of this, he will most likely advise Your Highness not to take this risk. After all, Advisor Shen must consider how devastating the blow to the court and His Majesty would be should Your Highness encounter danger. After knowing this, he will most likely suggest Du Chongtao replace Your Highness to oversee the overall situation on the western front,” Han Qian said impassively. “What Advisor Shen ultimately protects is still Great Chu’s foundation. Only when Your Highness sits in that position and it benefits Great Chu will Advisor Shen truly support Your Highness selflessly. But before that, Your Highness must first prove this point to Advisor Shen.”
“Are Chai Jian and Zhang Ping truly reliable?” Yang Yuanpu asked with considerable doubt.
“No one is truly reliable, and no one is completely unreliable. Even I—Your Highness should not trust me entirely. To speak honestly, my coming here to urge Your Highness to take this risk is also because I don’t want all my previous schemes and operations to turn to bubbles. I have private interests. Even while wholeheartedly assisting Your Highness in competing for succession, in my heart Han Qian hopes even more that what I’ve learned in life can be fully employed, ultimately leaving a modest name in the history books. As for true great impartiality and selflessness, Han Qian truly cannot achieve it—otherwise, Han Qian should not have come to urge Your Highness to take this risk.”
Han Qian leaned forward, his face full of sincerity as he spoke.
“As for Chai Jian, Zhang Ping, and even Marquis Xinchang’sMansion and Evening Red Tower—human hearts cannot withstand speculation. But as long as Your Highness can give them the benefits they desire, then they are reliable and can be trusted. On this point, what Shen Yang and I can teach Your Highness is actually quite limited. Your Highness truly must learn from His Majesty, must possess the breadth of mind that ‘those who can be used, whether loyal or treacherous, are all acceptable.’ Imperial authority must ultimately be controlled by Your Highness personally—it cannot be delegated to others. Your Highness should grasp as many people and matters as possible, balancing them against each other, so that ultimately no one can escape Your Highness’s control…”
Yang Yuanpu nodded deeply with feeling and said: “When the time comes, we’ll act according to your plan.”
At this moment, footsteps came from outside. Han Qian looked up toward the outdoors and saw Shen Yang striding directly toward them in great haste, with Chai Jian and Zhang Ping following behind.
Han Qian accompanied the Third Prince in standing up and going out to greet them, saying: “Han Qian pays respects to Advisor Shen.”
“…” Shen Yang, however, looked at Han Qian suspiciously and scrutinized him for several moments. He was quite doubtful about Han Qian bypassing him after entering the city to secretly meet alone with His Highness, and asked: “After you and Chai Jian returned to Xiang Prefecture City together, I just encountered Chai Jian and Zhang Ping. They both said they wanted to suggest His Highness tour the troops on the western front. What’s this about?”
“His Majesty has His Highness command troops because he hopes that one day His Highness can grow into an eagle that stands proud against wind, frost, thunder, and storms, not a small grass or flower hidden within buildings that cannot withstand breaking,” Han Qian said calmly. “The Dragon Sparrow Army’s several thousand officers and soldiers are serving loyally on the western front. If His Highness doesn’t appear from beginning to end, how can those several thousand officers and soldiers establish loyalty to His Highness?”
Shen Yang also knew that Han Qian and the Marquis XinchangMansion’s faction had very deep divisions, but seeing them stand together again on the matter of the Third Prince touring troops on the western front, he didn’t feel particularly surprised. After all, they had one thing in common—they both hoped the Third Prince could successfully compete for succession, even willing to use any means necessary to achieve it.
Shen Yang didn’t think deeply about it.
With Han Qian concealing the most critical information, what could he possibly guess?
Having initially thwarted the Liang army’s intentions at Canglang City and Iron Crocodile Ridge, welcoming the Third Prince to tour the troops now was indeed an excellent opportunity to further establish the Third Prince’s prestige in the army.
“Advisor Shen need not worry. When I go to tour the troops on the western front, at the latest seven or eight days, at the earliest three to five days, I’ll return to Xiang Prefecture City. During this time, I must rely heavily on Advisor Shen to manage affairs.” Yang Yuanpu consoled Shen Yang.
“I’ll accompany Your Highness there,” Shen Yang said.
By rights, Shen Yang should remain to oversee various matters, but he also deeply recognized that Han Qian was not the same type of person as his father Han Daoxun. His Highness touring troops on the western front wasn’t suspicious, but Han Qian standing together with Chai Jian and Zhang Ping again over this matter was quite suspicious.
However, since His Highness, Han Qian, Zhang Ping, Chai Jian and others all advocated touring the troops, Shen Yang couldn’t forcibly obstruct them. He could only go along as well.
“Since that’s the case, I must ask Advisor and His Highness to take leave from Commissioner Du. This matter should be done early and urgently. Before the Liang army launches another offensive on the western front, His Highness should return to Xiang Prefecture City,” Han Qian said impassively.
As Deputy Commander, the Third Prince was under Du Chongtao’s authority in Xiang Prefecture City. Naturally, leaving Xiang Prefecture City required Du Chongtao’s permission first.
However, with the Dragon Sparrow Army internally unified in opinion, and with the western front not yet particularly urgent, Du Chongtao had no reason to confine the Third Prince within Xiang Prefecture City.
After obtaining Du Chongtao’s permission, Han Qian, Shen Yang, Zhang Ping, Chai Jian, Li Chong and others, escorted by three hundred newly organized guards surrounding the Third Prince Yang Yuanpu, boarded boats and headed for Canglang City, leaving Military Supervisor Guo Rong alone and isolated, representing the Dragon Sparrow Army remaining stationed in Xiang Prefecture City…