Chapter 106: The Rising Wind (Part Three)

Although it was the seat of the commandery, Shanyang City was still located in a frontier region and was not very large. Cities established on the border were rarely grand; this was a strategic choice—smaller, sturdier cities were far more defensible and difficult to conquer.

Within a single day, the astonishing news brought from Yunzhong had already spread throughout Shanyang. The man dispatched by Liu Wenjing was once a renowned light-armed chivalrous figure in Shanyang. Even when he had earned his living in Jinyang City, his main business involved trade routes to the grasslands—both legitimate and illicit—making his network quite extensive and well-versed.

Thanks to vigorous dissemination, almost everyone in Shanyang knew the news within a day.

The Prefect Wang had sent General Zhang Wansui to Yunzhong’s territory to devise a scheme against Liu Wuzhou, but Liu Wuzhou had uncovered the plot. Zhang Wansui was captured alive by a mysterious warrior from Shenwu County known as Lord Yuelao.

Liu Wuzhou had finally broken ties with Prefect Wang, appointing this Lord Yuelao as the vanguard general to march southward through the Sanggan River Valley, directly striking at Shanyang. A decisive confrontation was imminent. From now on, only one person would hold dominion over Mayi Commandery!

Though it was clear to everyone what Zhang Wansui’s mission entailed in Yunzhong—undoubtedly involving collusion with grassland tribes, possibly even the Turkic Zhiyi tribe—those in Shanyang remained bound in fortune with Wang Rengong. Officials, soldiers, and even common citizens of the commandery’s seat felt a certain superiority compared to other regions during these turbulent times.

No one wanted to dwell on what exactly Zhang Wansui and Wang Rengong were plotting.

What mattered now was how to respond to this crisis.

Despite the formidable Heng’an Yingyang troops being like wolves and tigers, Wang Rengong still held the upper hand overall. But if open conflict erupted, no one could afford to take it lightly.

From the latter half of last night, officials and soldiers had been summoned urgently to the prefect’s office. By daybreak, the Mayi Yingyang garrison was stationed atop the city walls, with troops guarding every street and alley. The city buzzed with restless activity.

Those unqualified to attend the prefect’s meetings but aware of the situation became the center of every conversation on the streets. Discussions flourished about the relative strength of the Heng’an and Mayi Yingyang forces, the temperaments of Wang Rengong and Liu Wuzhou, and the mountainous terrain between Yunzhong and Shanyang.

The speakers were passionate, and their listeners captivated.

After exhausting these topics, all attention focused on one pressing question: Who exactly was this Lord Yuelao? A native of Shenwu, yet elevated to a general under Liu Wuzhou, and the one who had captured Zhang Wansui alive. No prior hint had surfaced—where had this figure emerged from?

Although Shenwu County was home to a chivalrous youth named Xu Le, his reputation had never reached Shanyang. As discerning citizens of the commandery seat, few paid attention to a minor knight from Shenwu. Now, speculation ran wild, and countless fantastic tales about Xu Le were concocted—some even likened him to legendary figures like Zhu Jia and Guo Jie, hidden in a frontier commandery, poised to accomplish great deeds.

While rumors swirled in the marketplace, a different scene unfolded in the prefect’s hall.

At the head of the hall, Wang Rengong sat upright in a purple robe, his graying eyebrows framing cold, piercing eyes like lightning. The gentle old man of last night was nowhere to be seen.

Under his icy gaze, the officials and officers below sat rigidly, not daring to utter a word.

Having received news from Wang Zhongzeng that Zhang Wansui had been captured in Yunzhong, Wang Rengong had immediately begun making arrangements.

He believed the report to be about seventy to eighty percent true. Even if Liu Wuzhou would not immediately march south to challenge him, his own plans had been disrupted. That useless Zhang Wansui was surely now in Liu Wuzhou’s grasp.

This was a harsh blow to his pride. Did that despicable Liu Wuzhou intend to use Zhang Wansui to threaten him?

At this moment, only a hardline approach could suffice. If Liu Wuzhou truly wanted to break ties and fight, then Wang Rengong would respond with unrelenting force and crush him thoroughly.

He had originally hoped to preserve some strength in the Heng’an Yingyang troops—whether to guard the borders or bolster his future southern forces—but if it came to that, he would use decisive measures, regardless of his reputation in Mayi Commandery.

Before that, however, he would teach those who sided with Liu Wuzhou a lesson, to deter the restless elements within Mayi from strengthening Liu Wuzhou’s power.

In such chaotic times, weakness was self-destruction and a burden to one’s entire clan. The path to ascendancy and lasting victory could only be paved with blood and corpses.

Wang Rengong’s cold gaze swept repeatedly over his officers, causing cold sweat to break out on many. Only his eldest son, Wang Zhongzeng, seated near the front, maintained a composed expression, even displaying a hint of pride as he coldly observed the officers alongside his father.

Born of humble origins, diligence alone was insufficient; in critical moments, only those of noble blood, like himself, could truly be relied upon.

The reason was simple: although Wang Zhongzeng prided himself on his noble lineage, he was willing to mingle with the chivalrous youths of Shanyang. With these knights as his pawns, whether in song and revelry, leading hunts, or roaming the countryside, everything was far more convenient.

It was through these light-armed knights that Wang Zhongzeng had learned of Xu Le’s origins—a chivalrous youth in Shanyang from Shenwu.

Finally, Wang Rengong spoke heavily.

“There is no need for such solemnity. It is not yet time to go to war with Liu Wuzhou. I doubt he dares to lead soldiers here to pressure Shanyang. Most likely, he wishes to bargain with me, hoping I hesitate to act against him... We will leave that for later. As long as I have the will, I possess countless ways to reduce Liu Wuzhou’s forces to nothing.”

The assembly looked up, ready to echo and praise Wang Rengong’s words.

He raised a hand to halt them, his gaze growing even sharper.

“But that scoundrel Liu Wuzhou is skilled at sowing discord. He has drawn many unruly elements from the Mayi countryside to his side, emboldening him to defy the commandery’s authority. Is this still the Grand Sui Empire? Am I still the Prefect of Mayi Commandery? These unruly elements must be dealt with decisively! They must know who truly rules Mayi!”

The room fell silent, all awaiting Wang Rengong’s final command.

“...In Xu Family Lane of Shenwu County, those pests like Xu Le—habitual lawbreakers and rebels—have long defied order. Moreover, they have conspired treacherously against their superiors. Order the commandery troops to arrest and punish their household, making an example of lawbreakers within the commandery!”

Thus the decree was issued.