Volume One: The Southern Sichuan Command Chapter 28: Journey to Chengdu

Wei Fufeng deliberately announced his intention to present tribute to the emperor. Offering tribute to the emperor was a matter of course, and the dissatisfaction among the military and civilians was limited. The ability to present tribute signified the legitimacy of the Southern Sichuan Military Governor’s authority.

After issuing his orders, Wei Fufeng set out for Chengdu, his guard masquerading as the Rongzhou Militia. Wei Fufeng still wished to meet his granduncle, Wei Zhaodu, hoping that the elder was not an obstinate and self-important old man, and could heed his counsel.

Leaving Rongzhou, they passed through Jiazhou and Meizhou. From Meizhou, Wei Fufeng’s guards turned northeast toward Jianzhou. Jianzhou lay upstream of the Tuo River; Wei Fufeng intended to proceed from Jianzhou to Zizhou, then onward to Hezhou, where he would rendezvous with the grain ships before heading to Chang’an.

His guards secretly encamped in Pingquan County, Jianzhou, with Xiaoxue remaining in the army. Wei Fufeng changed back into his original robes, bringing only four Tiger Guard soldiers as he headed for Chengdu, smoothly leaving Jianzhou and entering the jurisdiction of Chengdu Prefecture.

Chengdu Prefecture, originally Yizhou, became the refuge of Emperor Xuanzong during the An-Shi Rebellion. Emperor Suzong, having ascended the throne in Lingzhou in the northwest, honored Emperor Xuanzong as the retired emperor and elevated Yizhou to Chengdu Prefecture, naming it Nanjing, though the capital designation was later abolished.

The seat of Chengdu Prefecture was in Chengdu County, yet the administrative headquarters of the Western Sichuan Military Governor lay in Huayang County, formerly known as Shu County, southeast of Chengdu Prefecture. Wei Fufeng entered Lingquan County, subordinate to Chengdu Prefecture, and then proceeded to Huayang County.

Along the way, he was questioned by officers and soldiers; Wei Fufeng claimed to be a relative of Wei Zhaodu, sent to deliver a family letter. Through their words, he learned that his granduncle’s headquarters were in Tangqiao Town.

Wang Jian’s administrative headquarters was established outside the East Gate of Chengdu, controlling the road to Pengzhou. Pengzhou belonged to the Weirong Army’s Military Governor; the rebel Chen Jingxuan’s strongest external support lay outside Chengdu.

By noon, Wei Fufeng arrived at Tangqiao Town, and the city of Chengdu was within sight. From afar, the city appeared majestic, sprawling endlessly; in terms of scale, only Chang’an surpassed it.

Wei Fufeng knew that Chengdu was actually divided into the inner city and Luocheng, the outer city. The inner city was the original old Chengdu; Luocheng was built not long ago, constructed by Gao Pian, who died in Huainan a few years past.

Gao Pian had served as Western Sichuan Military Governor, once crushing the Nanzhao Kingdom and slaughtering two hundred thousand, crippling Nanzhao so severely they dared not invade Bashu since. He later served as Jingnan and Huainan Military Governor.

After becoming Military Governor of Huainan, Gao Pian grew rebellious toward the court, kept his forces idle, and let Huang Chao’s army attack Tongguan and Chang’an, forcing Emperor Xizong to flee west, much like Emperor Xuanzong before him.

At that time, Chen Jingxuan was Western Sichuan Military Governor. With each change of emperor came a change of ministers; now Chen Jingxuan was a rebel during Emperor Zhaozong’s reign, trapped in a hopeless struggle within the city.

Luocheng, built by Gao Pian, was imposing, lying between the Fu and Jin rivers, with the inner river encircling the city’s south and the outer river winding north and east, converging at the southern Jin Bridge.

The moat and towering walls made Chengdu a fortress Chen Jingxuan could defend but was difficult to breach.

Wei Fufeng entered Tangqiao Town with his followers. His demeanor was calm, but his eyes darted left and right, observing the morale within the fortified town.

The results were grim. The officers and soldiers in town were listless, their faces pale.

There was a severe shortage of grain.

After hearing reports from the Tiger Guard and seeing it firsthand, Wei Fufeng still lamented the tragic state of Western Sichuan: everywhere was desolate and starved. The closer to Chengdu, the more destitute it became—nearly seven out of ten homes abandoned.

Wei Fufeng, led by the garrison, arrived outside the headquarters of the Suppression Commander—a residence with an obviously expanded gate, guarded by ten armored soldiers, resembling a military camp outside the city.

After a brief wait, a soldier who had gone to report returned and invited Wei Fufeng inside.

Wei Fufeng instructed his four subordinates to wait outside and entered alone. In truth, he did not want his men to know he was unfamiliar with Wei Zhaodu.

Passing through the gate, he followed the armored soldier within.

Ahead stood the main hall; the soldier led him through a side door beside it, entering a complex of interconnected rooftops, guarded by many soldiers.

“Master Wei, please,” the soldier said politely, continuing to lead Wei Fufeng to the door of a room guarded by eight soldiers.

One of the guards greeted him, stepped forward, and patted Wei Fufeng’s robes and legs.

Wei Fufeng quickly bent down, took out two daggers from his boots, straightened, and handed them to the guard.

The guard accepted them and said, “Please enter.”

Wei Fufeng entered the open door, with four guards following.

The room, resembling a spacious study, was simple and dim. Behind a wooden desk sat an elderly man with graying hair and beard, clad in a round-collared robe, thin-faced yet sharp-eyed, staring directly at Wei Fufeng.

Wei Fufeng stood respectfully and bowed, saying, “I am Wei Fufeng, grandson of Wei Jinxian. Greetings, Granduncle.”

“Oh, so you are Jinxian’s grandson. Jinxian sent you—how is he?” asked the man behind the desk, Suppression Commander of Western Sichuan, Wei Zhaodu, with warmth.

“My grandfather is well in Shangzhou. I came privately to Western Sichuan, hoping to serve you, Granduncle,” Wei Fufeng replied respectfully.

Wei Zhaodu was slightly taken aback; his face darkened. “Nonsense! Traveling without orders from your elders is a grave offense.”

Wei Fufeng was startled and quickly replied, “I sincerely wish to serve you, Granduncle. Please forgive me.”

“Serve? What can you do? Attack the city?” Wei Zhaodu’s tone was cold, clearly angry.

Wei Fufeng answered solemnly, “Granduncle, I believe Chengdu should no longer be attacked.”

Wei Zhaodu was surprised. “What did you say?”

Wei Fufeng continued, “Granduncle, as I traveled, I saw all of Western Sichuan in ruins, homes deserted everywhere. What shocked me even more was that Wang Jian has gained the allegiance of many local powers. Thus, attacking Chengdu is now pointless.”

“Nonsense!” Wei Zhaodu slammed the desk angrily.

Wei Fufeng pressed on: “Please calm yourself, Granduncle. I speak sincerely. Now Wang Jian’s power in Western Sichuan is so great that even if you capture Chengdu, he will seize it from you.”

“Outrageous!” Wei Zhaodu snapped.

“Granduncle, let me ask: if you capture Chengdu and obtain the Military Governor’s seal, can you command all the officials of Western Sichuan to submit to your authority?” Wei Fufeng countered.

Wei Zhaodu’s face immediately darkened, his eyes blazing as if salt had been rubbed into a wound.

After a long pause, Wei Zhaodu said coldly, “This army acts by imperial decree to suppress rebellion. Matters of state are not for a mere child to speak on.”

“Granduncle, precisely because these are matters of state, you must not betray the emperor’s trust. Wang Jian and Chen Jingxuan are both rebellious traitors who deserve punishment. Now that Wang Jian commands tens of thousands in Western Sichuan and is poised to replace Chen Jingxuan, you should petition the court to halt the campaign against Chen Jingxuan, allowing him to resist Wang Jian.”

Wei Fufeng presented his reasoning plainly.

“You would have this army petition for a traitor’s pardon?” Wei Zhaodu replied coldly.

“Granduncle, the situation has changed. If Chen Jingxuan falls, Wang Jian becomes master of Western Sichuan. History warns us—like Qin swallowing the six states—Wang Jian is the strong Qin. Granduncle should make peace with Chen Jingxuan to curb Wang Jian’s rise, thus easing the court’s burdens,” Wei Fufeng argued.

“Outrageous! Take him out!” Wei Zhaodu slammed the desk in fury. The guards seized Wei Fufeng and dragged him out.

Once outside the study, they released him. Wei Fufeng glanced back, bowed to a guard, and said, “Please tell Granduncle that I wish him to leave Western Sichuan safely when Chengdu falls. I now take my leave.”

The guard was startled. Wei Fufeng reclaimed his daggers and strode away. The guard thought to call him back but hesitated, then returned to the study to report.

Wei Zhaodu’s face turned pale upon hearing it, and he waved the guard away.

Once alone, Wei Zhaodu paced the room, his expression uncertain, muttering, “As a senior official, how could I commit acts that would stain my name after death?”

He paused, looking toward the door, and after a while, murmured, “Though young and reckless, he is a courageous and perceptive junior.”

...

Wei Fufeng left the headquarters, reunited with his men, and hurried away from Tangqiao, quickly departing Chengdu Prefecture to rejoin his army.

His haste was not out of fear that his granduncle would not tolerate him; even if angered, Wei Zhaodu would not kill his brother’s grandson.

Wei Fufeng feared being hunted by Wang Jian. His words had not been heard by Wei Zhaodu alone.

In truth, Wei Fufeng’s counsel lacked tact—he was blunt and factual, mainly because he did not wish to linger in Wei Zhaodu’s territory.

There were surely many traitors and spies within Wei Zhaodu’s headquarters.

On the road, they marched silently for twenty li, found a bamboo grove to rest overnight, eating dry rations together. Conversation was inevitable.

Tiger Guard Zhang Chong asked, “Sir, why didn’t we stay overnight at Tangqiao?”

“My granduncle did not allow it; he ordered me to leave Chengdu Prefecture swiftly. The reason is Wang Jian’s power here, and he might assassinate me,” Wei Fufeng replied.

Zhang Chong nodded. “Wang Jian controls Western Sichuan, reportedly with tens of thousands of troops. Most officials have submitted to him.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. Tiger Guard Zhao Lin asked quietly, “Sir, will Southern Sichuan send troops to Chengdu?”

Wei Fufeng shook his head. “Not for now. Our forces are no match for Western Sichuan’s. If we march on Chengdu, Wang Jian will surely turn against us, launching a preemptive strike.”

Zhao Lin nodded. “Sir, seeing Chengdu’s towering city, I estimate that without inside help, Wang Jian will have difficulty capturing it within a year.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “If Chengdu does not fall, Wang Jian cannot fully attack Southern Sichuan. Our forces, though insufficient for an expedition, can resist an assault of twenty or thirty thousand.”

Zhao Lin nodded. “Morale is usable, but we lack sufficient arms.”

Wei Fufeng nodded. “In these chaotic times, weapons and materials are hard to come by.”

“Sir, the south of Shu is rich in bamboo and lychee wood, which can be used for bows and crossbows. Bowstrings can be made from silk and hemp,” Zhao Lin said.