While Zhang Jing and his officials were in the midst of their deliberations, news that the Taiping Prefecture had submitted to the Imperial Court and that Zhang Jing had been appointed Governor of Yan Province spread across the Central Plains like a hurricane.
Countless commoners were astonished.
Once again, the attention of the realm’s warlords turned toward Yan Province.
Three days later, the Taiping Prefecture’s official decree was transmitted throughout its territories.
Upon receiving the order, the various generals immediately commanded that the city gates and mountain passes be reopened.
Ordinary citizens of the four commanderies could now leave through the checkpoints and travel elsewhere, provided they carried both their personal identification tally and the travel permit issued by the local government office.
Likewise, those entering from outside were also required to possess travel permits before they could move freely within the four commanderies.
………….
Wuyan City, Taiping Prefecture.
In an open training ground…
Zhang Jing, dressed in light martial attire, was completely absorbed in practicing his saber techniques.
“My lord.”
At that moment, Cheng Yu hurried over, his expression rather grim.
“According to reports from our Enforcers, the Chang’an court has issued a proclamation declaring that the Taiping Prefecture has submitted to the Imperial Court and that Your Lordship has been enfeoffed as Governor of Yan Province.”
“Countless commoners have accepted it as the truth.”
“The Han court truly has no shame.”
Stopping his practice, Zhang Jing frowned.
“Send orders to Le Jiu at Yuncheng.”
“When the Han envoy arrives, execute every one of them before the city gates.”
“Then hang their heads from the walls as a warning to all.”
At that moment, even Zhang Jing was thoroughly disgusted by the Han court’s actions.
After all, he himself hadn’t even known he had supposedly been appointed Governor of Yan Province.
“My lord is wise.”
Cheng Yu nodded in agreement and bowed.
Still not satisfied, he added, “However, I believe Your Lordship should send a letter to Yuan Shu and propose that we jointly attack the Kingdom of Chen.”
The Han court’s actions had angered Cheng Yu just as much.
With nowhere else to vent his fury, he turned his attention toward the Kingdom of Chen in Yu Province.
Its ruler, Prince Liu Chong, was a member of the Han imperial clan and commanded over one hundred thousand troops.
If the Taiping Prefecture were to launch an attack on Chen under these circumstances…
it would surely demonstrate to the world the Prefecture’s determination.
As for writing to Yuan Shu, that was even simpler.
The other four commanderies of Yan Province were under Yuan Shu’s control.
Moreover, their own lord had publicly praised Yuan Shu as the man destined by Heaven.
Cheng Yu felt it was only right to give this “Heaven’s Chosen” a little more to deal with.
“Prince Liu Chong of Chen will not be easy to handle.”
Zhang Jing’s expression grew serious.
“If we attack him rashly, it’s unlikely we’ll achieve much in the short term.”
“Still ,there’s no harm in giving it a try.”
“Even if we fail, we can simply treat it as field training for the troops.”
Prince Liu Chong was a classic example of someone who started brilliantly only to fade away.
He was something of an oddity in this era.
Despite commanding a powerful army he never joined the struggle for supremacy.
In the end, he was assassinated on Yuan Shu’s orders— a remarkably frustrating end.
Perhaps, he had remained too deeply immersed in the fading glory of the Han dynasty.
As a result, his ticket from the old era never earned him passage aboard the ship of the new one.
“My lord is most perceptive.”
Cheng Yu had never intended to destroy the Kingdom of Chen.
His objective was merely to make the Taiping Prefecture’s stance clear and to stir up Yuan Shu.
………….
The following day.
Runan Commandery, Yu Province.
Pingyu City, in a side hall of the Governor’s Residence.
“This is utterly outrageous!!”
Yuan Shu thundered in fury.
“The Han court has truly become shameless!”
“If the Taiping Prefecture had really submitted to that puppet emperor, would I, Yuan Gonglu, not know about it?”
“And another thing—”
“Yan Province is mine!”
“What gives that puppet emperor the right to dispose of my territory without even asking for my opinion?”
“I’ve had enough of being Left General!”
“I’m going to establish my own regime!”
“No one is taking what’s mine!”
Yuan Shu had already been looking for an excuse to openly break with the Han court.
Naturally, he had no intention of letting such a perfect opportunity pass him by.
“My lord, you absolutely must not!”
Yan Xiang, who had been quietly observing from the side, could no longer remain silent.
He immediately stepped forward to persuade him.
“The time is not yet ripe.”
“You must not commit such an act of usurpation.”
“Not ripe?”
Yuan Shu replied in a deep voice.
“I command six commanderies of Yu Province and five commanderies of Yang Province.”
“I have two hundred thousand soldiers under my banner.”
“If I establish my own regime, who in the realm would dare oppose me?”
“My lord.”
Yan Xiang answered solemnly, “If you overstep your station, let’s not even mention Liu Biao of Jing Province.”
“Prince Liu Chong of Chen alone would be the first to reject you.”
“The five commanderies of Yang Province have only recently been conquered.”
“The Shanyue tribes throughout the region have yet to be pacified.”
“When internal unrest and external threats arise simultaneously…”
“How will you deal with them?”
“Furthermore, You are currently the Han dynasty’s Left General.”
“Leaving aside your civil and military officials, will those newly surrendered local administrators still obey you?”
“The moment you show the slightest sign of weakness, everyone will turn against you.”
“What then will you do?”
“And there’s also—”
“Enough!!!”
Yuan Shu felt his scalp tingle from frustration as he snapped, “Then you tell me—when would the timing be considered ripe?”
“After we’ve taken Jing Province.”
Yan Xiang answered without hesitation.
He wasn’t afraid of Yuan Shu overstepping his station.
What he feared was Yuan Shu acting recklessly.
If the time truly came and Yuan Shu wanted to proclaim himself emperor, Yan Xiang would wholeheartedly support him.
“After taking Jing Province?”
Yuan Shu’s face darkened.
“Easy for you to say.”
“To conquer Jing Province would take at least two years.”
“Two years?”
Yan Xiang looked at Yuan Shu before replying, “If Your Lordship can conquer Jing Province within two years, then that would truly be—”
“My lord!”
Just then, an attendant carrying a bamboo message tube hurried into the hall and bowed respectfully.
“A letter has arrived from Yan Province.”
“Quick, bring it here!”
The moment Yuan Shu recognized the seal on the bamboo tube, his spirits immediately lifted.
He knew it had come from Zhang Jing.
The attendant acknowledged the order, broke the wax seal, and handed over the letter.
A moment late, Yuan Shu began reading.
“My worthy younger brother is truly thoughtful.”
A smile spread across his face as he read.
“The Han court is indeed despicable and shameless.”
“It certainly deserves to be taught a lesson.”
“Hm?”
“Wonderful!”
“‘How can one allow another power to sleep beside one’s own bed?'”
“What a magnificent line!”
“My worthy brother’s literary talent has improved tremendously.”
“He’s almost caught up to his elder brother!”
“Yan Xiang!”
After finishing the letter, Yuan Shu seemed as though he had been possessed by the God of War.
His gaze swept across the room with supreme confidence.
“I intend to launch a campaign against the Kingdom of Chen and thereby complete my control over Yu Province.”
“What do you think would be the best way to deploy our forces?”
“My lord, please reconsider!”
Yan Xiang had no idea what had suddenly gotten into Yuan Shu.
To think he wanted to attack Liu Chong.
At present, their forces were spread far too thin.
They simply did not possess the strength necessary to conquer the Kingdom of Chen.
Liu Chong genuinely commanded an army of one hundred thousand men.
Moreover, Chen was home to more than 1.5 million people, second only to the commanderies of Nanyang and Runan.
With Luo Jun assisting him, Liu Chong enjoyed immense popular support throughout the kingdom.
No matter how Yan Xiang looked at it, their chances of success were slim.
“Relax.”
“My worthy brother will be joining this campaign.”
Yuan Shu waved dismissively, his expression filled with confidence.
“Just as my worthy brother wrote—”
“How can one allow another power to sleep beside one’s own bed?”
“Yu Province is my territory.”
“Liu Chong refuses to acknowledge me, Yuan Shu.”
“Does he have any respect at all for me, the Left General?”
Truth be told, Yuan Shu had long wanted to move against Liu Chong.
He simply hadn’t possessed the strength before.
Now, however, he felt it was worth trying.
“My lord.”
Yan Xiang said helplessly, “Even if we intend to attack Liu Chong, we still need a righteous pretext.”
“Even with Zhang Jing’s assistance, conquering Chen will be extremely difficult.”
“I beg Your Lordship to think this through.”
“A righteous pretext?”
Yuan Shu pondered for a moment before waving his hand decisively.
“It is the autumn harvest.”
“Send someone to Liu Chong and demand grain.”
“If he refuses, I’ll charge him with defying military authority.”
— The end of the Chapter–
TL note : Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 50 chapters of the release :
https://www.patreon.com/DeCakraWnloverz
