Chapter 21: Taking Root
These past few days, Wu Hengyu has been carefree, while Wu Fei has been displeased.
To describe it with a line of “modern poetry”: The excitement is theirs; I just want to go home and grow sweet potatoes.
Indeed, Wu Fei felt that the people here were not welcoming toward him. The longer he stayed, the worse his reputation would get. He might as well finish playing the villain’s role quickly and leave the stage to the heroic Wu Hengyu.
The task the System gave him was to go to the Southern Region, where there was the space he needed to expand.
But now? It seemed like his role as the villain was only increasing.
And!
…Wu Fei felt that his uncle Wu Hanluan’s current reaction was somewhat unusual…
A city is the Imperial Court’s hub. Only when a city is occupied by bandits or the local official is killed, and they must wait for the new official appointed by the Imperial Court to arrive, can soldiers occupy the city battlement.
But the current Zhu Prefecture City belonged to the case where the original official was recalled by the Imperial Court, allowing Wu Hanluan to bring his personal guards into the city for a friendly banquet with the local noble families, while the main camp remained outside the city.
Even so, this was a great test of the Imperial Court by Wu Hanluan. If not for his responsibility to guard the Border and his great merit in cleanly suppressing the bandits, he would have been reprimanded by the Imperial Court long ago.
As Wu Fei understood the current situation: During this bandit suppression, the Imperial Court’s blood reward to the Wu Family Army was insufficient. Naturally, we martial men had to make a fuss. Otherwise, if it happened every time, wouldn’t we be working for the Imperial Court for free?
On the eighth day after the banquet ended, the Imperial Court official arrived at Zhu Prefecture City in an official carriage pulled by two Dragon Horses. These Dragon Horses had longer wingspans than Wu Fei’s, and their bodies were longer, with a more draconic appearance.
…A city seized by military strategists’ killing intent was suddenly taken over by the Imperial Court’s laws…
After the Imperial Court official arrived at Zhu Prefecture City, he raised the Imperial Court’s flag in the Prefectural Office. Following that, the previously chaotic atmosphere in the city stabilized.
Crowds began appearing in the marketplace, the steps of mules and horses became light. Shop partitions opened, footprints grew denser in the artisans’ workshops where dust settled evenly, and after the blacksmiths’ boilers were fed charcoal fire, it was like a strong man who had eaten his fill, quickly reaching forging temperature. On the eaves of the government buildings in the city, the black crows that had perched there flew away in alarm, the government office regained its majesty, and the wells in the city surged with clear springs.
Such phenomena were like rebooting a machine. The Imperial Court official merely raised a large flag in front of the Prefectural Office, yet it was as if this one flag was the key to starting up the entire city.
For the large camp stationed outside the city, once the city restored its treasured and solemn urban appearance, the army felt a repulsive force. Ordinary soldiers felt that every brick on the city wall seemed unwelcoming to them. And that city gate guarded by constables was even like a “gate of life and death”—peddlers and laborers could enter, but armored soldiers could not.
For someone like Wu Fei, a scion of a Military Family who had caused much trouble in Lei Prefecture and Zhu Prefecture, to the point that popular sentiment was now boiling over, the city felt even more like a great mountain pressing down on him, making it extremely difficult to circulate killing intent.
…Returning to the main camp…
After putting on his custom mechanical armor, Wu Fei lifted a twenty-catty stone lock, tossed it into the air, where it spun three hundred sixty degrees in midair at three meters high, then fell back down and was steadily caught and placed back in its original spot.
But when he tried it again near the city, Wu Fei confirmed that his power had not diminished, yet it felt like exerting force underwater—any large movement was filled with drag, and during the “agile parry,” the repulsive force generated along the weapon and armor had a smaller range, unable to shake his body and send flying sabers, spears, swords, and halberds like on the battlefield. Thus, he had power but no defense.
Wu Fei suddenly understood the stories told by the Da Yao storytellers about how the Imperial Court’s civil officials designed traps to invite arrogant military generals into the city, then revealed the “Ten Great Crimes” document and produced the Son of Heaven’s command sword to execute the general on the spot.
A well-fed and complacent general, caught off guard without armor or a handy weapon, after being declared guilty by the Legalist document and suppressed by their circulated power, was just a slightly stronger flesh-and-blood body, wasn’t he?
Returning to the main army, Wu Fei examined the maps recording Zhu Prefecture’s geography. These maps had been obtained by Wu Fei through Martial World contacts from the treasury. The maps showed the Yin Yang two energies symbols of “Yao Calculation” representing mountains and rivers and cities flowing and converging, ultimately gathering at the Prefect’s office in Zhu Prefecture City.
The display on the “Yao Calculation” reflected that the entire prefecture’s earth energy flowed toward this central point like blood. This land of mountains and rivers was alive, and the prefecture was an “energy sea acupoint” that could impose “bans” on military strategists and Daoists.
After taking office, the new official in Zhu Prefecture City used the prefecture’s “earth energy and popular sentiment” to pressure the Wu Family Army to leave the prefecture.
Three hours later.
Wu Hanluan returned to the main camp with a forced smile, and none of his attendants dared to speak. Clearly, he was very displeased by the behavior of the new official sent by the Imperial Court.
Wu Fei: Yes, logically, when asking the rebel-suppressing army to leave, they should at least show some goodwill—send over a hundred or so pigs and sheep, plus dozens of jars of wine. Make it proper on the surface. As for driving people out after entering the city? That’s too ungracious, treating the army like toilet paper.
The Prefect could still mobilize the prefecture’s Yao Calculation power to maintain harmony. Wasn’t that thanks to the rebel-suppressing army? If the Wu Family Army had left some bandits in the area, blocking the mountain passes in and out of Zhu Prefecture, the Prefect’s harmony mobilization would be like a stuffed nose from rhinitis, unable to breathe.
Bandits weren’t afraid of this suppression because they were “rebelling,” driving popular sentiment to clash against the government office, inherently disrupting harmony. The Yao Calculation would be a mess of chaos, leaving the Prefect with no “harmony” to mobilize.
Speaking of which, if comparing a prefecture to a living creature, poor governance producing bandits was like tumors growing on the body. The Imperial Court mobilizing the Wu Family Army to exterminate them was like using a scalpel to cut out the tumor, restoring balance to the area.
Wu Fei saw Xian Daoren beside Wu Hanluan with a mysterious smile, and he couldn’t help but be momentarily distracted.
Wu Fei thought again: From the perspective of that Imperial Court official, with the Wu Family Army now straddling the official road outside Zhu Prefecture City, weren’t they just like a scalpel left inside the “patient” after surgery?
This Prefect wanted to restore local livelihood and implement education and indoctrination, so he probably wasn’t pleased with the arrogant army in the prefecture either?
Wu Fei saw Wu Hengyu again. He was gazing toward Zhu Prefecture City with a trace of killing intent, probably thinking that if this were truly chaotic times, he would immediately behead this Prefect. With his divine strength that could lift a cauldron, even suppressed, he could still take the dog’s head with three feet of sword edge.
The horse under Wu Hengyu, after entering the camp, was kicking up dust at the city with its hind hooves.
Wu Fei shook his head: Being suppressed naturally makes one displeased. But the Wu Family Army couldn’t rebel, so…
While Wu Fei was shaking his head, Wu Hengyu seemed to spot him and rode over.
This was the first time the two had faced each other since Wu Hengyu set up his own camp. Sitting high on Wuzhui, Wu Hengyu looked down sternly: “Yuan Chang, you’ve been raking in wealth lately.” Wuzhui seemed to sense its master’s tone and snorted a puff of white smoke onto Xuan Chong’s face. Of course, Wu Hengyu immediately pulled Wuzhui’s head to stop it.
Wu Fei nodded upward from below the horse: “Yeah, not as prestigious as you.”
Wu Hengyu stared at Wu Fei: “But the locals harbor great resentment toward you.”
Wu Fei stared at his waist: “You won’t draw your sword and hold it to my neck?”
Wu Hengyu paused slightly: “You think I dare not!”
Wu Fei looked at him, and after a while, he yielded: “Oh, big brother, you’re right, but let me go speak to Father Commander first.”
Wu Hengyu paused, seemingly puzzled why Wu Fei backed down so quickly.
But feeling he had gone too far, he reached out, picked Wu Fei up onto the horse, and headed toward the main camp.
…In this situation, contradictions could exist within the Wu Family Army, but overall unity was crucial…
In the main camp, upon hearing that both Wu Hengyu and Wu Fei had arrived, Wu Hanluan set down his book and sat upright.
Wu Hanluan glanced at Wu Fei: “I was just about to send for you two.”
Actually, it was Wu Fei he wanted; these days Wu Hengyu had been by his side guarding with drawn blade, so anything to say would have been said already.
In the military tent, Wu Hanluan announced preparations to withdraw the army. Then he looked up at Wu Fei, seemingly waiting for the “withdrawal planning.” These days, Wu Hanluan knew that when it came to “clever schemes,” even several Wu Hengyus combined couldn’t match Wu Fei.
Wu Fei, meanwhile, was looking at Wu Hengyu.
Wu Hengyu glared at Wu Fei: “What are you looking at me for?”
Wu Fei asked: “Big brother, have you heard recent talk about me?”
Wu Hengyu frowned, because some of what he’d heard wasn’t easy to say.
Wu Hanluan smiled faintly and said slowly: “Looks like Yuan Chang knows his recent reputation.”
Wu Fei said slowly: “The key is big brother’s attitude toward all this gossip. Those rumors aren’t said to my face; I’ve never heard any direct accusation. And where there’s talk, there’s a demand!”
Wu Hengyu: “If brothers fall out, may we bear this oath—”
Wu Fei quickly interrupted: “No, no, no, oaths can’t be sworn lightly. You and I are brothers like flesh and blood; how could we let goods and empty fame come between us.”
Then, Wu Fei directly took the map and said: “The Imperial Court gave no rewards and just told us to get lost; it might be a warning. In my view, let them warn; in the future, we’ll just stay out of this muddy water.
However, Uncle, since you don’t want to be toyed with by the Imperial Court now, we must properly negotiate rewards with them.”
What Wu Hanluan now wanted from the Imperial Court was simple: two more ranks! After all, they had accumulated enough war merits over the years. But Emperor Shu’s attitude was unknown, and the Confucian scholars immediately rejected such a request.
Wu Fei: “The Imperial Court wants us to withdraw, so we must, but not withdraw empty-handed. We need to leave some leverage.”
Wu Fei thought for a moment and confirmed: “A prefectural city’s Prefectural Office is absolutely untouchable; it’s the Imperial Court’s ‘sinew’ for controlling localities. So we must stay away. But these towns!”
Wu Fei pointed to those points on the silk cloth map marked with flowing water lines; these fortified towns were fertile lands at river confluences. Traveling merchants always favored fertile lands.
Wu Hengyu said impatiently: “These lands all have owners. Your strong-arm buying and selling these days will amount to nothing once our army withdraws.”
Wu Fei looked at Wu Hanluan, who understood, then went out to call soldiers to guard the tent perimeter, allowing no one within twenty paces, before returning to the tent to watch his nephews speak.
Wu Fei: “I didn’t buy these fields for our family soldiers.”
At this point, Wu Fei looked at Wu Hengyu.
Wu Hengyu frowned: “Speak plainly if you have something to say.”
Wu Fei: “Big brother, do you know why they praise you and curse me?”
Wu Fei knew he couldn’t beat around the bush now, so he quickly gave the answer: “Because I seized the people’s wealth here, while you are brave and magnanimous. They hope you’ll kick out this wealth-seizer like me. Now, the goods I’ve taken and the deeds from strong-arm sales can be handed over to big brother at any time, and I can leave ahead of schedule.
But dare I ask big brother, once you have these goods, how will you distribute them?”
Wu Hengyu was stumped, suddenly stunned. At this point, he realized that everything Wu Fei had done was paving the way for him, and earlier he had only been displeased with Wu Fei and wanted him to stop seizing others’ goods. He hadn’t thought about handling the goods.
Wu Fei: “Big brother, during this campaign, when you led from the front, did you have personal attendants charging into battle with you? Are the thatched homes of our military officers and soldiers intact? Are their harvests bountiful? For those who died fighting beside you, are their wives, daughters, and parents provided for?
The Sage said, the virtue of a gentleman is like Treasured Jade. Right now, you possess this Treasured Jade. Tomorrow, if you drive me away, it gives the local worthies an explanation, and distributing the goods to your righteous followers broadcasts benevolence and righteousness here.”
Narration: As for whether Wu Hengyu not distributing the goods to the damaged local gentry would lead to backlash? No. The local great clans had already invested heavily in Wu Hengyu this stock. This stock’s core assets were his bravery and reputation, and this appreciation wasn’t borne by Wu Hengyu alone, but oriented toward the development of the “Hengyu Group.”
Wu Hengyu distributing money to the local followers was building his reputation, investing funds into appreciating his own stock. If the local great clans flipped out over this bit of interest, not only would the money not come back, but their original equity would be lost too.
Wu Hanluan watched Wu Fei schooling Wu Hengyu. He picked up the teapot in front of him to refill his cup. The family’s future major affairs could be left to the next generation.
…Time rewinds to when teaching aids were used as streetlights…
Worth mentioning: A few days ago, Xuan Chong spent one night perfecting the blood reward formula, the first half of which was specifically calculated for Wu Hengyu recruiting disciples in Zhu Prefecture.
The incentive for Wu Hengyu’s troop was very simple: reward with goods, grant fields. Just like the Wei Wu Zu model. The Wei Wu Zu elites were unmatched under Heaven, but the flaw was they only lasted one generation, as later there were no fields to grant, and combat power declined.
But the Wu Family had no intention of rooting down in these two prefectures in one step. Wu Hengyu’s troop was a venture investment— one generation, just one generation! Anyway, it wasn’t the Wu Family’s homeland; if after one generation the two prefectures became militarily feeble and unbearable, the Wu Family wouldn’t need to worry.
As for the Wu Family Army side, Wu Fei was building it under a different reward and punishment system. That was Xuan Chong’s own backup plan.
…Back to the present…
After understanding, Wu Hengyu stepped slightly away from the table and bowed his hands to Wu Fei.
Wu Fei: “Big brother.”
Wu Hengyu, with his two-meter frame, directly lifted Wu Fei: “Fei brother, brother wrongly blamed you before without cause.”
Wu Fei: “What ‘each other’ between brothers like us.”
