The encampment was located in a mountain hollow southeast of Chenzhong City, adjacent to a rural patrol inspection office compound.

Among the eight hundred tribal slave soldiers in the military camp, besides the lowest-ranking soldiers, the eight squad leaders promoted to lead teams and other commanding military officers were also all servants and slaves sent by the Yang clan from Sizhou to do work.

The supervisory training team of over a hundred men led by Xi Fa’er, Dou Rong, Han Bao and others had spent nearly the past two months with roughly two supervisory military officers responsible for each commanding officer, teaching them hand-by-hand how to lead teams in drills and training.

Nearly two months of time, doing just this one thing.

When Feng Yi brought Yang Hu, Fu Gengwen, Han Chengmeng and others over and submitted the military order signed by Han Qian, Xi Fa’er assembled the eight hundred tribal slave soldiers and organized them into formation in the drill ground at the center of the camp.

At the same time, Xi Fa’er also handed over the personnel roster for Yang Hu and the others to inspect. He, along with Dou Rong and Han Bao, led the hundred-man supervisory training officer team to assemble as well, ready to withdraw at any time after Yang Hu took command of these tribal slave soldiers.

“Young Lord, what do you say—hasn’t our Xuzhou taken advantage of your Yang family, has it?” Feng Yi asked with a smile as he stared at Yang Hu.

The eight hundred tribal slave soldiers currently only had simple military equipment, mainly half-body leather armor and simple sabers, spears and shields. They had no bows or crossbows, much less large bed crossbows or scorpion cannons and other war machines.

Since previous drills had mainly used bamboo and wooden sabers and spears, the actual weapons and armor had only been distributed in a rush last night. Most soldiers were still adapting, showing somewhat irrepressible excitement that made the formations appear somewhat disorderly.

Not to mention Yang Hu, Fu Gengwen and the others—even if Xi Shepeng were here, he couldn’t make anything of it.

Yang Hu could generally see that most of the servants and slaves who two months ago had been sallow and emaciated, timid and fearful, now had much better spirit and vigor, their bodies also considerably more robust. It was evident that over the past two months, Xuzhou had not mistreated these servants and slaves in terms of food and lodging.

Although when Han Qian had ordered the detention of these servants and slaves, the overseers originally sent by Sizhou to supervise had first been isolated, then sent back to Sizhou in the first batch, fortunately among Yang Hu’s retinue were two people who had previously been specifically responsible for these matters.

Yang Hu consulted privately with these two attendants for a while. At least he could confirm that among the commanding officers standing in the front ranks, most were familiar faces, with no agents secretly planted by Xuzhou among them. After all, there had been a batch of servants and slaves who were either quick-witted or physically strong who had been relatively conspicuous before.

As long as there were no problems with the commanding officers, and they also had a list of the servants and slaves, further personnel verification would be rather tedious, but there was no fear of any omissions.

Seeing Yang Hu discuss quietly with his attendants for a long time without reaching a decision, Fu Gengwen also looked over inquiringly and asked: “Well? Will the Young Lord take them over directly, or temporarily leave these troops in Xuzhou to continue being supervised by the Marquis of Qianyang and the others?”

Fu Gengwen’s meaning was also very clear. Xuzhou wasn’t saying they absolutely had to return these people to Sizhou at this time. If he didn’t have complete confidence, he still hoped Yang Hu wouldn’t rashly take them over.

In this remote corner, eight hundred servants and slaves causing a mutiny was no laughing matter. With the slightest carelessness, the eight hundred tribal slave soldiers could tear them to shreds.

Yang Hu hesitated for a long time before saying to Feng Yi in a consultative tone: “Could we first have Commander Xi dispatch two hundred Chenzhou tribal soldiers to relocate near the encampment, while I transfer some military officers from Hujian Pass to take over these servants and slaves?”

“How long would that delay things?” Feng Yi asked somewhat impatiently.

Fu Gengwen somewhat understood Yang Hu’s thinking. Replacing the commanding officers within Xuzhou’s territory—if these slave soldiers truly mutinied, Xuzhou would bear responsibility for suppressing them. With Hujian Pass as a barrier, it also wouldn’t affect the situation within Sizhou’s territory.

Moreover, if something went wrong within Xuzhou’s territory, the Marquis of Qianyang Han Qian couldn’t escape responsibility no matter what, which would be much safer than directly bringing these troops into Hujian Pass before reorganizing them.

“If Lord Feng finds it inconvenient, I’ll go request the Marquis to be accommodating?” Fu Gengwen still had to speak up for Yang Hu in this matter.

Now wanting to delay time, and seeing Yang Hu had taken the bait, Feng Yi put on a full show. He beckoned someone over and had them rush to the city to request Han Qian’s instructions.

Han Qian’s directive also came back quickly. He agreed to temporarily leave the troops within Xuzhou’s territory for Yang Hu to transfer people from Sizhou to take over, but food and lodging would also temporarily be guaranteed by Xuzhou, to be settled with Sizhou after the war.

Besides this, he also specially sent someone to inquire Xi Shepeng’s opinion—would the Chenzhou tribal battalion also temporarily remain to rest and reorganize, or first go to Sizhou to suppress the bandits?

Chenzhou’s willingness to send troops to assist in suppression was mainly because they didn’t want to see Xuzhou have an opportunity to annex Sizhou.

Currently, seeing the situation at Panlong Ridge was quite stable, and Sizhou had eight hundred new soldiers to supplement their combat strength, how could Xi Shepeng possibly directly lead Chenzhou’s elite to the frontlines for bloody combat?

After Xi Shepeng consulted with his father Xi Ying, they finally hoped that Chenzhou’s thousand-plus elite would first cross the Chen River to join with the tribal slave soldiers, then advance west together after the Yang clan successfully took control of these slave soldiers.

…

…

After two days of negotiations, Han Qian agreed to many conditions proposed by Yang Hu and Xi Shepeng, first arranging ferries to transport Chenzhou’s thousand-plus tribal soldiers to the south bank of the Chen River.

However, by the time Yang Hu summoned through Hujian Pass over forty veteran soldiers loyal to the Yang clan from Sizhou to rendezvous, it was already the twenty-fourth of September.

Given the many inconveniences of communication in this era, plus the dangerous mountains and险峻 terrain of Chen, Xu, Ye and Si, this efficiency could already be considered extremely high.

Once Yang Hu had transferred his men over, the eight hundred slave soldiers still couldn’t depart immediately.

The commanding officers needed to be replaced, the new officers needed to familiarize themselves with the soldiers below them, further personnel verification was needed, basic reorganization was needed, and they had to confirm whether these slave soldiers would obey control. In between, there were also three days of autumn rain. By the time Yang Hu felt he had sufficient confidence and formally requested leave from Han Qian to bring the troops back to Sizhou, another ten days had passed.

With the Chenzhou tribal battalion in front, eight hundred tribal slave soldiers in the middle, and Han Qian personally leading one thousand Xuzhou troops bringing up the rear, they set out westward from the south bank of the Chen River. Naturally the speed couldn’t be fast. It took two days just to reach the village opposite Gaoyi Gorge.

Ferrying nearly three thousand troops across the river to the north bank took another day.

By the time An Jixiang, Fu Gengwen, Han Chengmeng and others followed Han Qian to lodge at the rural patrol inspection office compound below Gaoyi Gorge, it was already the sixth of October.

At dusk, standing in the open ground in front of the patrol office compound, watching Kong Xirong and others direct over a thousand cavalry and infantry to enter the temporary encampment to the left of the compound in orderly fashion, while farther away on the post road, Yang Hu and Xi Shepeng led the tribal slave soldiers and Chenzhou tribal troops to continue advancing toward Hujian Pass, An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen finally truly relaxed and smiled at each other.

They were mainly afraid that Xuzhou harbored sinister intentions. They didn’t believe the Sizhou civil unrest could truly amount to anything—Fu Gengwen’s temporary decision to accompany An Jixiang to remain east of Hujian Pass without hurrying to Sizhou was also due to this concern.

Now that Han Qian’s side was behaving properly, and Sizhou had gained nearly two thousand fresh troops, in their view, they should be able to show some spirit and successfully inflict heavy damage on the rebel forces. They believed they would soon be able to return and report.

Early the next morning, after confirming that Yang Hu and Xi Shepeng had already led their troops into Hujian Pass to rest and reorganize, Fu Gengwen was about to ask Han Qian for leave so he and Han Chengmeng could first go to Sizhou to observe the progress of suppressing the civil unrest, when unexpectedly Yang Hu suddenly returned and delivered an intelligence report that shocked them greatly.

“How can this be? Shu army crossed the temporary boundary line the night before last and entered the Wuchuan River valley?” After Fu Gengwen received the intelligence report and read it, his voice trembled somewhat as he spoke.

“Xuzhou delayed time in every way possible, waiting for this moment when the Shu army would advance, so he would have an excuse to send troops into Sizhou!” Yang Hu said in exasperation.

“Whether that’s the case, let’s not rashly speculate. We should first go see the Marquis of Qianyang.” An Jixiang’s expression was grave. With the Kingdom of Shu currently sending envoys to negotiate a bilateral alliance treaty in Jinling, and now with this large-scale border crossing by Shu forces, the situation was truly extraordinary. He didn’t dare make arbitrary judgments and decided to see Han Qian first.

Yang Hu was convinced that Han Qian’s handover of the slave soldiers was to delay the Chenzhou tribal battalion’s entry into Sizhou for combat. Going with An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen to see Han Qian, he had no pleasant expression, opening his mouth to directly denounce Xuzhou’s sinister intentions.

“Outrageous!” Han Qian slapped the long table, extended his hand to point angrily at Yang Hu, and rebuked: “Just for these wild words of yours, today in front of Commissioner An and Commissioner Fu, I could have your blood splattered on the spot, your head separated from your body, and do you think the court would criticize me for improper handling?”

Hearing Han Qian’s angry rebuke, Kong Xirong, Han Bao, Dou Rong and other accompanying military officers advanced with murderous intent, drawing their sabers, ready to detain Yang Hu.

“Your lordship, please calm your anger. Young Lord Yang also spoke rashly in his anxiety.” An Jixiang also stepped forward in alarm to mediate for Yang Hu.

“You all step back first.” Han Qian waved his hand, having Kong Xirong and the others withdraw, but his face still showed no decrease in anger as he stared at Yang Hu with murderous intent. “When Liang army invaded Jingxiang, I devised the strategy to repel the enemy. When the Ma clan caused chaos in Hunan, I devised the strategy to pacify the vassal. During the Jinling crisis, I risked my life to reverse the dangerous situation. My loyalty to Great Chu is unwavering. Even His Majesty addresses me as ‘Teacher Han.’ What are you that you dare speak such nonsense before me, slandering me as colluding with the enemy? If I truly wanted to take your Sizhou, would I need to conspire with the Shu army? Is Shu’s King Wang Jian also a heroic figure of his generation—does he have no designs on Sizhou himself, yet would kindly help me plot for Sizhou? You absurd wretch, what filthy things are filling your head?”

When Yang Hu entered with An Jixiang, Fu Gengwen, and Han Chengmeng, Feng Yi was just bringing Guo Rong over to have tea with Han Qian.

At this moment he was still holding his tea bowl without putting it down, his eyes wide as he looked toward Guo Rong.

If he hadn’t been involved in the planning from the start, he would have almost truly believed all this had nothing to do with Xuzhou.

“Your lordship, please calm your anger, please calm your anger.” Fu Gengwen saw that outside the hall were all Xuzhou’s armed guards, and seeing Han Qian so enraged, he was also frightened to trembling, saying: “Right now the situation in the Wuchuan River valley is unclear. Everyone is anxious for Great Chu’s state and altars. We must not damage our harmony.”

Only now did Yang Hu feel his legs going somewhat weak. Seeing An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen exchanging glances with him, he could only first submit and apologize: “It was Yang Hu who spoke rashly in anxiety. I beg your lordship’s forgiveness.”

Han Qian’s anger did not subside. He continued pointing at Yang Hu’s nose and rebuking angrily: “What absurd words did you just speak? What timing was I delaying? If I truly colluded with the Shu army, wouldn’t it be most advantageous for Xuzhou if the Shu army crossed the border when the Xi family, Yang family and rebel forces were locked in bitter combat, both sides suffering heavy losses? At that time, who would have an excuse to prevent Xuzhou from sending troops into Sizhou to block the enemy? Now you have two thousand troops stationed within Hujian Pass, able to deploy to northern Shiqian County at any time to block the Shu army’s southward advance. The situation is still within your control. With two thousand elite troops, can’t you rely on the advantage of mountain and river terrain to block the Shu army’s southward steps? You worry I harbor sinister intentions? I’ll lead my troops back to Chenzhong right now. The Pacification Commissioner should have arrived in Tanzhou to assume his post by now. You can send people to request instructions from Commissioner Huang, and deploying Shaozhou troops into Sizhou would only take half a month. You shouldn’t be unable to hold out for even half a month!”

Han Qian’s various delays were actually because Feng Liao had hurriedly gone to Yuzhou to persuade the Marquis of Changxiang. With both sides blocked by mountains and rivers, they fundamentally couldn’t coordinate closely in timing.

Otherwise, if they first let the Chenzhou troops pass through but the Shu army couldn’t mobilize for a long time, Xuzhou would fall into a passive situation where they could neither advance nor retreat.

How could Yang Hu, An Jixiang, and Fu Gengwen possibly figure out these connections? At this moment they were rebuked by Han Qian into speechlessness.

Han Qian didn’t care what expressions Yang Hu, An Jixiang, and Fu Gengwen wore. He angrily told Gao Shao and Kong Xirong: “Muster the troops. We’re going back to Chenzhong. Xuzhou won’t bother with this mess anymore.”

An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen stood there rigidly, quite at a loss, worried that if they spoke to try to keep him it would fall into Han Qian’s trap instead. They could only watch helplessly as Han Qian departed in anger.

Next they saw Gao Shao, Kong Xirong and others gallop westward to the temporary encampment to transmit orders. Soon they saw over a thousand troops assemble at extremely fast speed and march toward the ferry below, as if truly about to return to Chenzhong with Han Qian.

Watching Xuzhou’s officers and officials all depart with Han Qian, leaving only a few minor clerks from the rural patrol inspection office in the courtyard, with the great hall empty except for the few of them, Fu Gengwen asked An Jixiang at a loss: “Commissioner An, what should we do?”

Yang Hu was also somewhat dazed, standing there not knowing what to say.

Although Han Chengmeng couldn’t see through the situation clearly, his mind was slightly more settled. He suggested: “Why don’t we first go to Hujian Pass? Governor Yang of Sizhou should perhaps already be at Hujian Pass by now?”

An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen looked toward Yang Hu.

Yang Hu nodded, indicating that his father Yang Xingfeng was indeed at Hujian Pass at this time. Moreover, after receiving news that the Shu army had occupied the Wuchuan River valley, he had led three hundred elite troops to reinforce Hujian Pass at the fastest speed, really worried that Xuzhou troops might seize the opportunity to cause trouble and fight for control of Hujian Pass.

An Jixiang didn’t dare to stand aside at this time. He decided to first go with Fu Gengwen to see Yang Xingfeng. Before leaving, he also told Han Chengmeng: “Chengmeng, you go see the Marquis of Qianyang first and persuade him to consider the greater situation, not to be angered by the Young Lord’s wild words.”

Seeing that An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen were still worried that Han Qian was using a strategy of feigning retreat to advance, Han Chengmeng said nothing and took two family servants to pursue toward the ferry.

When Han Chengmeng reached the ferry, Han Qian had already crossed the river first with his guards, Guo Rong, Feng Yi and others.

Fortunately Kong Xirong didn’t make things difficult for him and arranged a boat to send him across first.

Han Chengmeng was delayed somewhat after all. Hurrying urgently all the way, he entered Chenzhong County almost on Han Qian’s heels, but Han Qian had no intention of seeing him at this time, so he could only first stay at the guest house.

After nightfall, Fu Gengwen, who had gone to Hujian Pass, sent someone to see him.

Only then did Han Chengmeng confirm that the thousand-plus Xuzhou troops stationed at Gaoyi Gorge had all successively ferried back to the south bank of the Chen River and were currently withdrawing along the south bank post road back toward Chenzhong. After An Jixiang and Fu Gengwen met with Yang Xingfeng, besides first dividing part of their forces to rush to Shiqian County, they also decided to first send people to Tanzhou to see Pacification Commissioner Huang Hua.

The person Fu Gengwen sent back was to borrow passage through Chenzhong to go to Tanzhou.

After much hesitation, once he had seen off Fu Gengwen’s messenger, Han Chengmeng decided to steel himself and go see Han Qian.

This time Han Qian didn’t refuse him at the door, sending someone to lead him in.

Passing through halls and courtyards into the rear residence, he saw Zhao Ting’er just taking Wenxin from Han Qian’s hands to withdraw. He cupped his hands in greeting to Zhao Ting’er. After there were no other outsiders around, he said: “Commissioner An and Commissioner Fu have already sent people to Tanzhou to transmit a message. Their meaning is also to advocate first deploying Chenzhou troops and slave soldiers to Qianjiang, then suggesting that Pacification Commissioner Huang Hua deploy troops from Shaozhou to advance westward…”

Han Qian glanced at Han Chengmeng and said: “That’s just perfect. It saves Xuzhou the effort of getting no thanks for its work, and also getting covered in stench.”

Han Chengmeng could only speak this far. After chatting about some family matters, he stood up to take his leave.

“Han Chengmeng at this time still suspects you’re feigning retreat to advance, wanting to persuade you not to be too clever for your own good. Should we send someone to see Tan Yuliang? At this time, Tan Yuliang should be able to persuade the Heaven Balance Army generals to agree to deploy an elite force into Shiqian County’s territory.” Gao Shao suggested.

The eight hundred slave soldiers had unstable hearts, but closely monitored by the Chenzhou tribal troops and Sizhou forces, they could hardly accomplish anything. They needed Tan Yuliang to persuade the insurgent leaders to deploy elite forces to break away from Panlong Ridge and rush over to coordinate, in order to thoroughly stir up the situation within Sizhou’s territory into even greater chaos.

“The more it comes to this time, the more we must remain calm.” Han Qian shook his head and said: “Even Han Chengmeng doesn’t believe we can dissociate ourselves, so we especially can’t act rashly at this time.”

“Huang Hua is not easy to deal with…” While Han Qian said remaining calm easily enough, Feng Yi was somewhat unable to sit still, thinking that given their temperament, with Xuzhou so far from the emperor in these remote mountains, what was there to fear if they truly raised troops to annex Sizhou?

Han Qian paid no attention to Feng Yi’s urging.

Feng Yi exchanged glances with Guo Rong.

After contemplating for a while, Guo Rong asked Han Qian: “Does your lordship conclude that Huang Hua cannot mobilize the troops under Chai Jian’s command?”

Han Qian nodded and said: “With the Shu army suddenly causing trouble, no one knows how long troops deployed to Shiqian will have to garrison before the crisis can be resolved—even without considering how difficult it would be to supply provisions for several thousand troops, how could Chai Jian not worry that after these troops are garrisoned in Sizhou long-term they would slip from his control? You mustn’t forget that reactivating the Hunan Provincial Department and appointing Huang Hua and others as Pacification Commissioners puts a golden band not just on our Xuzhou but also on Chai Jian’s head. Can he be comfortable with that? The regular provincial battalions in the Hunan provinces have had their able-bodied men completely drawn out by the Imperial Guards, leaving mostly elderly, weak and disabled soldiers. The only elite combat forces Huang Hua can mobilize locally are the Chenzhou troops, but would Xi Ying dare let Chenzhou be left empty?”

Chai Jian served as Commander of the Left Divine Martial Army and concurrently held the position of Shaozhou Regional Inspector. His status was originally equivalent to Gu Zhilong (stationed in southern Zhejiang), Zheng Hui (based in Xiangdeng and Jun), Zhang Xiang (based in Jingzhou), and Li Zhigao (based in Shuzhou responsible for military operations against the Anning Palace rebels). He only needed to report directly to Emperor Yanyou and the Privy Council.

Reactivating the Hunan Provincial Department to have Huang Hua, Wu Zun, Chen Fan and others control military and civilian pacification, criminal investigation, and financial transport affairs for the Hunan provinces actually lowered Chai Jian’s status by one level, requiring him to follow the Provincial Department’s control in all matters.

It wasn’t hard to predict that the Hunan Provincial Department and Chai Jian, as well as the Marquis of Xinchang’s household behind Chai Jian, would inevitably produce some disputes over control of the Left Divine Martial Army going forward.

If it were someone else, they might comply with the court’s arrangements, but for the Marquis of Xinchang’s household, Li Zhigao wasn’t one of their people. The Left Divine Martial Army was the only troops they directly controlled.

Having been so urgently wanting to grasp military authority in their hands all these years, would they dare easily take the risk of having a portion of their troops slip from their control?

Thinking of this, Guo Rong couldn’t help but sigh and laugh: “It’s truly a matter of timing and strength. The Marquis of Xinchang’s faction has been openly and covertly contending with your lordship for many years. This time, openly and secretly, they might truly end up lending your lordship a helping hand!”

Han Qian smiled slightly. Emperor Yanyou using Huang Hua to garrison Hunan was beyond his expectations, but as long as his sending Feng Liao to Yuzhou successfully persuaded the Marquis of Changxiang to send troops to occupy Wuchuan, and Sizhou had no choice but to divide forces to defend Qianjiang, the initiative would fall back into his hands…