Regardless of Duan Wumucheng’s ethnicity, he had previously relied on the Wei state, then on the Jin state, and nominally acknowledged the court as his sovereign. He was a Jin minister.
As a Jin minister, when facing Zhao Hanzhang, who represented the court, he had to bow his head, unless he wanted to fight, raise his arms and proclaim that he wanted to clear the traitors from the sovereign’s side—meaning Zhao Hanzhang—or directly raise a rebel flag saying he wouldn’t listen to the Jin court anymore. Otherwise, he had to defer to Zhao Hanzhang.
If he could truly make up his mind to fight, he would have crossed the river when Wang Jun was still alive and Youzhou hadn’t fallen into Zhao Hanzhang’s hands. Why wait until now?
Wei Jie also knew this, so as the vanguard of the negotiations, he adopted an accusatory posture. After Duan Wumucheng bowed, he asked him, “Why has the Duke of Liaoxi stationed troops here? Your fief is in Liaoxi Commandery, yet at this time you’ve crossed Beiping Commandery and gathered tens of thousands of mounted archers here. Could it be you also wish to follow Wang Jun in rebellion?”
Duan Wumucheng’s anger surged, and he was about to lose his temper when his son Duan Jilujuan gently tugged at him. He kept his face dark but said nothing.
Duan Jilujuan stepped forward and replied, “Your Excellency, please allow me to explain. My Duan clan has always been on friendly terms with Youzhou. Over a month ago, our tribe received a request for aid from Provincial Governor Wang, saying Youzhou was under attack by foreign enemies. My father was concerned, so he led troops to investigate.”
Wei Jie said, “Youzhou was indeed invaded by the Xiongnu, but now the Xiongnu state has been destroyed and the threat eliminated. The Duan clan can withdraw their troops. Also, regarding Wang Jun—though he was Youzhou provincial governor, he didn’t obey the court’s orders. Taking advantage of the crisis when the late emperor died, he spread rumors far and wide, attempting to seize the realm. He truly deserved death.”
This time even Duan Wumucheng fell silent.
Because Wang Jun had truly been very high-profile. He was probably too confident, believing he could sweep down from Youzhou and take the entire northern territory and Central Plains after Zhao Hanzhang and the Xiongnu destroyed each other. So he focused all his energy on building momentum and justifying his rebellion, going around telling people, “Hey, have you heard that prophecy from the two Han dynasties?”
“The one spoken by Emperor Wu of Han himself—’He who replaces Han shall be Dangtugao.’ My father was that Tugao.”
“Therefore, the true replacer of Han is my family. The Cao Wei, the Sima Jin—those were all imposters who appeared midway. That’s why their dynasties didn’t last long. Only a dynasty established by my family can be like Han…”
Although the Duan tribe Xianbei was in Liaoxi, they had also heard these rumors. Most crucially, Wang Jun had written to Duan Wumucheng to sound him out, something like: If I unify the realm and ascend the throne as emperor, you will surely be a great meritorious subject. You’re also my son-in-law, which to me is like a son…
How could Duan Wumucheng respond?
Of course he happily agreed.
His loyalty to Jin wasn’t much. The reason he served as a Jin minister was to gain the court’s support so his tribe could develop better. If his father-in-law could become emperor, he would naturally be happy. So no matter what Wang Jun said, he agreed to everything.
This kind of thing that didn’t require actual commitment—agree first and talk later. As for the rest, who cares?
But at this moment it became solid evidence of Wang Jun’s rebellion, and even potentially evidence of the Duan clan’s participation in rebellion.
Duan Wumucheng grew worried. Zhao Hanzhang wouldn’t have found some letters or such from Wang Jun’s place, would she?
Actually, she really did. But the items weren’t searched by the Zhao Family Army—they were found by Shi’s army. Zhang Bin specially collected them and submitted them to Zhao Hanzhang.
At this moment, Zhao Hanzhang took out the letter and said to Duan Wumucheng, “This general knows that the Duke of Liaoxi is far from the court and may have been deceived and confused by Wang Jun, unaware of the true situation, and unintentionally committed an offense.”
Duan Wumucheng’s heart was in turmoil. His gaze swept over Zu Ti and Shi Lei, then noticed Tuoba Yilu watching from the opposite mountain. A drop of sweat slid down his temple. In the end, he agreed, “Yes, the Grand General’s insight is penetrating. I was indeed deceived by Wang Jun…”
Put simply, it was all for the tribe’s interests. Cooperating with Wang Jun was for this, and since Wang Jun was already dead, with Zhao Hanzhang, Zu Ti, Shi Lei, and Tuoba Yilu all present—any one of whom he couldn’t defeat—it was better to go with the flow.
Duan Wumucheng weighed the pros and cons and admitted fault. But the advisors following him were unhappy. A Han literati-dressed man immediately rushed out and rebuked him angrily, “Duke of Liaoxi, don’t forget that the Duan clan Xianbei was able to establish a foothold in Liaoxi Commandery entirely thanks to Provincial Governor Wang. Provincial Governor Wang not only petitioned the court to enfeoff you as Duke of Liaoxi, but also married his beloved daughter to you. You are Youzhou’s son-in-law. How can you sit by and watch Youzhou be occupied?”
“Open your eyes and look—Zu Ti and Shi Lei together have only thirty thousand troops here. That Tuoba Yilu also only has thirty thousand, and he’s not of one mind with Zhao Hanzhang. Duke, as long as you send troops, you can immediately capture them, then advance to take Youzhou. Why submit to such petty individuals?”
Zhao Kuan was furious upon hearing this and shouted at Duan Wumucheng, “Does the Duke of Liaoxi have rebellious intentions like Wang Jun!”
Even Zu Ti and Shi Lei had fire in their eyes, staring intently at Duan Wumucheng.
Duan Wumucheng of course couldn’t admit it. He immediately had the literatus dragged away.
Zhao Hanzhang had been watching with a smile. Seeing the literatus about to be dragged away, she said, “This person, like Wang Jun, plotted rebellion and should be handed over to the court for judgment.”
The literatus, whose mouth had been covered, immediately struggled violently. Duan Wumucheng lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment. Under the angry glares of Zhao Kuan and the others, he finally nodded.
Personal guards immediately stepped forward to take the literatus. The man’s mouth was released, and he immediately shouted, “Zhao Hanzhang, do you dare say you’re a loyal minister—mmph…”
The personal guards also covered his mouth and, with three or four of them working together—some grabbing feet, some grabbing hands—dragged the man across the river to behind Zhao Hanzhang.
Once the person was brought over, Zhao Hanzhang finally showed a smile. She directly stepped on stones to cross the river, standing right before Duan Wumucheng, smiling, “Only now do I know the Duke of Liaoxi’s heart—it still leans toward the court. His Majesty will surely be very happy to know this.”
Because she crossed over, Duan Wumucheng and Duan Jilujuan tensed up. Only after seeing she made no other moves did the two relax.
Zhao Hanzhang had already turned back to beckon Zhao Kuan and the others, smiling, “Bring the fine wine we brought. Today, having resolved this misunderstanding, we must drink heartily with the Duke of Liaoxi.”
Zhao Kuan immediately restrained the anger on his face and respectfully acknowledged, then led a contingent of personal guards to carry over the bundles they’d brought. Zu Ti and Shi Lei immediately followed.
Duan Wumucheng immediately stepped back several paces, yielding the open space on the riverbank. The personal guards took cushions from the bundles and spread them out, along with braziers, wine, and various exquisite glass vessels.
Duan Wumucheng: …
He was now certain that Zhao Hanzhang really intended to host him for drinks right here.
Fu Tinghan found this very interesting and wanted to go over. Wei Jie, fanning himself, tapped him and smiled lightly, “Wait a bit longer.”
The Zhao Family Army personal guards moved forward unobtrusively, filling this half of the riverbank. Only then did Wei Jie leisurely walk over with Fu Tinghan.
Zhao Hanzhang sat down in the seat of honor first, then invited Duan Wumucheng to sit on her left.
Duan Wumucheng glanced at his son and sat upright on the cushion. Only at this moment did the peace talks formally begin. However, the Duan clan had ultimately lost the initiative. With weakened momentum, the subsequent negotiations revealed their disadvantage.
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