Volume Two: The Feudal Lord and His Grandson Chapter 51: The Prefect of Jinzhou

Wei Xuan nodded and asked, "Father, how did you petition the court?"

Grandfather smiled at his son and said, "The very day you left, I sent someone to Chang'an to request a transfer to the office of Chief Administrator in Jin Prefecture."

Wei Xuan uttered a surprised "Oh," and said, "Father has burned his bridges behind him."

Grandfather shook his head. "Not burned my bridges, but rather, I knew when to take my leave. The war in the east grows ever fiercer; I've heard that Huainan is nearly desolate. No matter which warlord triumphs, they will greedily push westward to seize Shannan East Circuit and Jingnan. Moreover, Han Jian is a vicious man, impossible to reason with."

Wei Xuan nodded in agreement. Grandfather continued, "In my petition, I first questioned the bandit attack on the Prefectural Duke's estate, and second, I urged His Majesty not to let the estate's lands fall into the hands of traitors, but to have the Emperor send someone to take over the royal lands."

"What? To have His Majesty dispatch someone to take over the lands of Jin Prefecture?" Wei Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

Wei Fufeng remained silent, inwardly admiring Grandfather's shrewdness. This was a stratagem of seeking to capture by letting go—a lure to tempt the Emperor with the lands. By then, if the Prime Minister gave a recommendation, the Emperor would most likely accept. First, to give the Prime Minister face; and second, to send someone to take over the lands would not be easy without military strength—otherwise, it would be empty talk.

Before the use of force, the Emperor would surely first dismiss the Prefect. Only if the Prefect resisted the imperial edict could there be a campaign to suppress him.

All was discussed and set in motion. Grandfather and his party concealed themselves in an inn; until the court responded, no one in West County could know of Grandfather’s presence.

...

In Daming Palace, within the Hall of Yan Ying, Prime Minister Du Rangneng had a private audience with the Emperor, presenting several memorials with a solemn expression.

Among them was a letter written by Wei Xuan, and memorials from the Prefect of Jin Prefecture and the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture.

Not long ago, a private request for transfer from the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture had been dismissed by Du Rangneng as unworthy of attention. He might show respect to Wei Zhaodu, but what of his brother? In his eyes, he was but a mediocre man.

But the following memorial from the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture shocked him, and he immediately inquired if there was a memorial from Jin Prefecture as well. Indeed, there was one from the Prefect of Jin Prefecture. Comparing the two, Du Rangneng was so alarmed he went straight to see the Emperor.

Emperor Zhaozong read the memorials and the family letter, his handsome face dark as ice, his eyes burning with fury. Suddenly, he ground his teeth and spat out, "Traitors and rebels!"

"Your Majesty, the massacre of the royal clan cannot be tolerated," said Du Rangneng gravely.

"What does the Minister think should be done?" Zhaozong asked.

"Your Majesty, I have carefully considered. The Chief of Palace Security commands the greater part of the Shence Army and has many partisans. As we are about to campaign against Li Keyong, now is not the time for internal strife. I suggest we hold the Prefect of Jin Prefecture accountable for the calamity at the Prefectural Duke's estate and remove him from office," replied Du Rangneng.

Zhaozong nodded inwardly, biting his lip. He dared not yet break with Yang Fuke, but believed firmly that the massacre was orchestrated by him, which only deepened old resentments.

"Your Majesty, the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture who exposed the traitors is the brother of Lord Wei Zhaodu—a man who seems loyal to the court. I recommend his promotion to Prefect of Jin Prefecture, to replace the traitor," Du Rangneng suggested. He had originally intended to ignore the request, but now that there was benefit to be gained, he would handle it.

"Oh, Wei's younger brother? If he goes, it may be a wasted effort," Zhaozong hesitated, knowing that without military support, it might be a death sentence.

"Your Majesty, the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture is familiar with the affairs of Jin Prefecture and may yet achieve merit. For now, the court must focus all efforts on the campaign against Li Keyong; the matter of Jin Prefecture can be attended to later," said Du Rangneng.

Zhaozong nodded, considering, then said, "Very well. Issue an edict promoting the Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture to Prefect of Jin Prefecture, concurrently appointed as the Jin-Shang Regional Defender and Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture."

Du Rangneng was taken aback. "Your Majesty, Shang Prefecture is now under the jurisdiction of Military Governor Han Jian."

"I know. The post of Regional Defender for Jin-Shang was established previously, overseeing local militia affairs in both prefectures, subordinate to the Military Governor. Han Jian's own forces and Shang Prefecture's administration are separate from those of the Regional Defender," Zhaozong explained.

Du Rangneng was at a loss for words. Separate affairs? Impossible—there would surely be conflict.

The Emperor continued, "The Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture is Wei's brother and loyal to the court. I do not wish to make things difficult for him. If the situation in Jin Prefecture cannot be resolved, he may remain in Shang Prefecture and will have fulfilled his duty."

Du Rangneng understood and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty is benevolent and considerate of loyal ministers."

Zhaozong considered further. "Minister Du, may I confer princely titles upon Li Maozhen and Han Jian?"

"In these times, I believe it is appropriate," Du Rangneng replied.

Zhaozong nodded. "When announcing the investiture of princes, clarify the matter of the Regional Defender to Han Jian, to avoid complications."

Du Rangneng agreed, then asked, "Your Majesty, shall we send a letter to the Military Governor of Wuding to explain the matter of jurisdiction?"

"The Military Governor of Wuding? Inform him that Jin Prefecture is not under his command," Zhaozong said coldly.

...

In West County, three generations of the Wei Fufeng family waited patiently for ten days.

At last, Wei Fufeng’s fifth uncle arrived on horseback from Shang Prefecture, bearing the imperial edict, the seal of Regional Defender, and the purple robe of a third-rank official.

Grandfather received the edict, unrolled it, and read it carefully, his excitement and joy evident. Suddenly, he burst into laughter—a loud, though slightly hoarse, laugh tinged with sorrow.

Those around were startled by Grandfather's laughter. They had thought the arrival of the imperial edict and the purple robe was a cause for joy, not for such a display.

The fourteenth uncle was the first to speak, worried. "Father!"

Grandfather ceased his laughter and waved his hand. "I am fine, merely overcome with emotion after so many years of idle living—joy beyond measure."

"Father, what is the matter?" asked Wei Fufeng's second uncle, who had been kept in the dark all this time.

Grandfather looked at his second son and smiled. "Your tenth brother and I were striving for Jin Prefecture, and the outcome was uncertain, so I said nothing."

The second uncle nodded. Grandfather instructed, "There are militia uniforms and spears inside; change into them, all of you, and follow me out of the city."

The others obeyed, and Grandfather turned to Wei Xuan. "Tenth son, make your preparations in the city."

"Rest assured, Father. I shall await good news," Wei Xuan replied respectfully.

Grandfather nodded, then rode out with his kinsmen to the east gate. Once they had left the city, he donned the purple robe and continued on.

Upon reaching a wooded hillside, a force of spearmen in coarse clothes emerged from the trees, their leader clad in mail—it was Lu Tao.

Lu Tao stepped forward, saluted, and said, "I am under orders to report and await your command, sir."

"Very well, march with the army," Grandfather replied calmly, spurring his horse onward. The family looked on in astonishment, startled by this sudden show of military strength.

Three hundred Fufeng spearmen followed Grandfather to Yinghu Town Fortress. By afternoon, they arrived outside the fortress, and Grandfather sent a messenger to call out. Soon, the official in charge appeared atop the fortress wall.

Grandfather rode alone to the moat and called out, "I am the newly appointed Prefect of Jin Prefecture, here by imperial command to punish the traitors who slaughtered the Prefectural Duke’s family. Are you kin to the Prefectural Duke? Send someone out to hear the imperial decree."

The official promptly sent his trusted aide out, who, after paying respects to Grandfather, received the edict and examined it carefully, then inspected the seals of the Jin-Shang Regional Defender and Chief Administrator of Shang Prefecture before returning to report.

Before the aide had returned to the official’s side, Grandfather called out loudly, "Since you are kin to the Prefectural Duke, quickly bring your troops to seize the county seat with us. If the traitors catch wind, they will surely strike first—act quickly!"

The official, cautious, did not reply immediately, but after hearing his aide’s report and consulting with those around him, finally decided to mobilize his troops.

He led 1,500 soldiers out of the fortress, 1,100 of whom had come from the county seat.

As for Commander Zhang Tianyu, he had fled with twenty subordinates the morning after the coup.

Nearly two thousand troops marched to West County, arriving at dusk outside the western gate.

The defenders were the original city guards plus the prison warders. Grandfather ordered the militia who had previously guarded the western gate to go and persuade the defenders to open the city.

Two militia soldiers shouted up to the gate, and after conversing with the gate officer, the recently raised drawbridge was lowered and the gate opened to welcome the new Prefect—a man already close to the Prefectural Duke’s family.

Two thousand troops entered the city, advancing unopposed. Gao Yan led several hundred militia to join the new Prefect’s force, and soon Magistrate Wei Xuan brought the warders to surrender as well.

In the street, Wei Xuan led his men to greet his father, bowing deeply and proclaiming, "This humble official welcomes Your Excellency, pledging obedience to the imperial will and the command of the new governor."

"Good. March with the army to the prefectural yamen and strike down the traitors," Grandfather replied loudly.

Thus, several thousand troops advanced on the yamen in great procession.

At the same time, a large number of armored sword-and-shield troops suddenly burst from the yamen, escorting a carriage in a panicked flight to the east gate, where they joined the guards and fled.

Grandfather’s army arrived at the yamen, where the acting militia commander—recently appointed by Wei Fufeng’s orders—led his unfamiliar men in surrender to the new Prefect.

At this point, Grandfather’s direct forces outnumbered those of the official in charge of the Prefectural Duke's estate.

The official, not a fool, grew suspicious at how smoothly everything had gone—there were too many signs of arrangement. He hastily ordered a retreat, only to find his route blocked by several hundred militia.

"Lord Li, come into the yamen with us," Grandfather’s voice called out.

The official forced himself to remain calm. "Your Excellency should take charge of the yamen. I am returning to the Prefectural Duke’s estate to settle affairs."

"You are only a distant collateral of the family—what right have you to settle its affairs? I act by imperial command; His Majesty grieves for the tragedy and has decided to select a main branch from the clan to continue the line. Await further orders," Grandfather said coolly.

"Nonsense! I am of the bloodline and ought to inherit the estate," the official retorted in anger.

"How dare you slander His Majesty! Seize him!" Grandfather immediately seized on the words to flare up.

At his command, chaos erupted. The militia who had been together now leveled their spears at each other. Most were bewildered and unsure what to do.

"How dare you stand against the Prefect and Regional Defender of Jin Prefecture? Are you rebelling?" Grandfather shouted, pointing at the official.

The official’s men grew anxious; first the city gate militia slipped away, then the estate’s private guards, who were not close to the official, began to leave in groups. Before long, all had surrendered.

Grandfather ordered the official detained, taking no action against the others for now, but had the scattered men temporarily assigned to other militias, to be reorganized and reformed the next day.