Dragon Canon

Wei Yuan knew that the Xiang Marquis could not provide grain.

Considering the poor harvests across Western Jin, only civil officials and noble families possessed the power and influence to mobilize large quantities of grains at the moment. Not even the Eunuch Clique would be able to do it. The transportation of large volumes of grain was a major challenge for major sects as well, which was why the best route for the Xiang Marquis to draw grain was from Ningxi.

As it happened, Wei Yuan had purchased all the grain in Ningxi—both what was for sale and what was not—at twenty times the market price. If the remaining grain were to be sold, then the soldiers would go hungry.

The military ration pill was a marvellous item. In wartime, a single pill could stave off hunger for three days while also providing boundless energy, allowing one to fight continuously without sleep or rest. The Xiang Marquis had promised to provide 10,000 at once, a quantity equivalent to 500,000 catties of military provisions.

However, 10,000 military ration pills didn’t take up much space at all. An expert could deliver them in a single trip. What Wei Yuan really wanted to see right now was who could transport large quantities of supplies in Ningxi. Anyone who could do it wielded true power, whereas those who couldn’t were merely petty schemers.

As for the “opportunity” the Xiang Marquis mentioned, Wei Yuan didn’t really care about it. It was as intangible and elusive as a verbal biscuit[1], and the only biscuit he cared to eat was a real one.

Ever since he had defeated the old man by the princess’ side in a fair one-on-one battle, Wei Yuan had been feeling somewhat arrogant. He was now a man who could defeat even an Avatar, so of course his value was different from before. If anyone wanted to recruit him, they would have to pay more.

Indeed, Wei Yuan believed from the bottom of his heart that the battle had been entirely fair. It wasn’t his fault that the old man had neglected the princess’ presence, not to mention that she was born into fortune. It wasn’t his fault that the old man hadn’t channeled his full power from the get go and so was taken down in a single move either. Besides, who else but him could unleash a power equivalent to dozens of Dao Foundation stage cultivators in one go? Had it been that old man with his frail mystic body, he wouldn’t have lasted a single breath before his body exploded.

In truth, what Wei Yuan truly desired was a large quantity of spirit plants; preferably saplings. If that wasn’t possible, then he could accept seeds as well. However, the Xiang Marquis most likely would be able to fulfill the request and deliver the requested items right to his doorsteps. Not only would such a demand fail to serve as a warning, but also potentially expose his own needs. Besides, he could simply exchange what he needed at the merit hall, so as much as he wanted them, it wasn’t an urgent priority.

For his return route, Wei Yuan chose the stronghold garrisoned by Skirmish General Wang Kun; the one who had watched him kill Song Chao and did nothing to stop him.

Yue Jinshan had most certainly stationed an ambush force in Wang Kun’s military fort, but Wei Yuan was equally certain that the ambush force wouldn’t venture out into the open and engage him. As long as he didn’t attack the stronghold, he would be fine.

If Wang Kun really turned against him and tried to rescue the prisoners of war in his custody, Wei Yuan wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson. A field battle against 300 Dao Foundation-stage cultivators? Back then, Wei Yuan had cleared out a battlefield with 7,000 troops after deploying his seventh squad only, and he didn’t believe that Wang Kun’s garrison could hold 10,000 men.

In fact, the safest way back would be the stronghold garrisoned by General Liu. However, General Liu had proven to be a rare sensible general, and Wei Yuan did not want to accost the man of his position with too many visits.

Half a day later, a massive column of troops marched openly past the garrison. Wang Kun, watching from the ramparts, wore a blank expression on his face.

Wang Kun was as poised as a mountain, but the same could not be said for the commandant standing next to him. The man had suddenly grown agitated, pointing a finger at someone in the line of prisoners and exclaiming, “T-that’s Commandant Zhang Ming! Wasn’t he on duty in Bianning Commandery? How did he get captured?”

The others recognized a few more familiar faces as well. Wang Kun and Yue Qilin were close friends, and the officers under their command also got along well with one another.

“Should we mount a rescue, general?”

Wang Kun gave him a mirthless smile and asked, “What, are you thinking of going to Qingming and eating their rations?”

The commandant fell silent. He knew his general’s temperament well. If he pushed further, the next question would surely be, “How many do you think you can take on?” The commandant knew his own limits very well, and he wasn’t sure he could defeat even one of those masked riders. Rumors were already circulating that at least thirty of the Fifty Bandits of Heaven Fighting were Dao Foundation-stage cultivators. Although the commandant didn’t fully believe it, he knew there had to be at least a dozen of them.

For the next period, Wang Kun just stood on the wall watching the prisoners and cavalrymen until they were far off into the distance. Suddenly, he gave a self-deprecating chuckle and muttered to himself, “Feeding the enemy to strengthen oneself... Heh! I just fear these enemies will grow too fat too quickly, and there will come a time they won’t be satisfied no matter how much we give them.”

..................

Bianning Commandery.

Lee Weisheng pushed a stack of official documents toward Sun Chao’en and said, “Lord Sun, these are all the requests from Commandery Administrator Yuan asking for funds and provisions. What do you suggest we do?”

Sun Chao’en looked through them one by one and replied, “Administrator Yuan’s writing is truly masterful. I can find no reason not to grant him his request.”

Lee Weisheng merely smiled and said nothing.

Both men knew full well that they had no provisions to give at the moment, not unless every official was willing to cut back on their meals, not unless the commandery administrator, the vice administrator, the deputy general and more stopped hosting banquets at their home, not unless they subsisted on plain porridge and simple dishes every day. Thus, the commandery administrator’s request was simply impossible to fulfill.

Sun Chao’en then said, “To be honest, this matter is easy to resolve. It boils down to one saying: harbor the enemy to elevate one’s importance.”

“I’d like to hear the details.”

Sun Chao’en began his explanation, “Horse bandits are running amok in the commandery right now, so much so that even the Zhao delegation was robbed. I even heard that the princess was wronged....”

Lee Weisheng’s expression changed when he heard this. He leaned forward and asked in a low, conspiratorial voice, “Do you think those horse bandits succeed?”

Sun Chao’en leaned in as well. “I heard they got a bite of the jujube, though they might have swallowed it a little too quickly.”

“How quick are we talking about?”

“All in one gulp!” Sun Chao’en declared with absolute certainty, as if he had witnessed it himself.

Lee Weisheng let out a long breath, his expression a complex mix of worry and delight. “I wonder what it tastes like.”

Sun Chao’en replied, “It’s a jujube, and it was swallowed in a gulp. It might be delicious, but I’m sure the culprit had no idea what it actually tastes like.”

“What a pity, what a pity...” Lee Weisheng sighed repeatedly.

After that, the two officials sat up straight and continued discussing their business. Sun Chao’en continued where he had left off, “Horse bandits are running amok in the commandery right now. On one hand, we need to deploy heavy forces to surround and suppress them. Such a campaign would require funds and provisions. On the other hand, the supplies we sent to Ningxi are also vulnerable to raiding. Take Staff General Feng’s recent defeat for example. Half of General Yue’s core troops are gone just like that.”

Lee Weisheng knew exactly what Sun Chao’en was saying.

Everyone knew what Feng Lin was up to: he couldn’t afford to maintain a full complement of troops, so he had to eliminate a portion of them in order to continue drawing pay for empty posts—half of the total troops to be exact. However, Feng Lin failed to protect the delegation, and the Zhao princess he was responsible for protecting was furious. That was why Lee Weisheng had already thrown him in jail. It was likely he would have no chance of getting out ever again.

However, the spoils of Feng Lin’s effort were still present—it had simply all fallen into the hands of Lee Weisheng and Sun Chao’en.

Lee Weisheng mused, “The Heaven Fighting Gang is a little too notorious at the moment. A tree that stands tall naturally attracts the wind. It would be best to get a new name.”

Sun Chao’en replied, “I reckon they’re going to do that very, very soon.”

Lee Weisheng said, “The plan is sound, but there is one matter of concern. Administrator Yuan’s jurisdiction is peaceful and orderly, while ours is plagued by horse bandits. It wouldn’t look good when word gets out! Moreover, Administrator Yuan was originally a censor. I’m sure he’s already submitted numerous memorials to criticize us.”

Sun Chao’en gave him a small smirk and said, “I’ve submitted quite a few memorials myself.”

Lee Weisheng asked curiously, “Oh? Have you written anything recently? Might I have a glimpse?”

Sun Chao’en took out a stack of jade papers and handed them over. Lee Weisheng picked it up and glanced through it; they were all copies of the latest memorials Sun Chao’en had submitted. But upon reading the contents, the man’s expression turned peculiar.

“Your Majesty, how is your health today?”

“Your Majesty, your humble servant Sun Chao’en humbly wishes you boundless blessings and good health!”

“Your Majesty, your humble servant has discovered a treasure medicine and presents it with this memorial.”

......

“Your Majesty, how is your health today?”

......

Li Weishen set the jade papers down, his face a mix of amusement and exasperation. “What on earth have you written here? Do you have to force a memorial even when there’s nothing to report?”

“It’s just a little trick to make sure that His Majesty doesn’t forget me,” Sun Chao’en replied with a sly smile before turning serious. “I’ve heard that Commandery Administrator Yuan has relocated all the people of Willow Ash Town under his jurisdiction into the realm of Qingming. He’s the sort to take things to extremes, so he’s also driven the people scattered across the region to there. Therefore, there shouldn’t be many people left under his rule at the moment. Without people, there can be no taxes or provisions. Yet his army is very real, and their daily consumption must be a massive drain.

“You have allies in the court, so Commandery Administrator Yuan cannot touch you. Thus, you need only sit back and wait. Given enough time, those border generals will all come to realize that if they wish to eat their fill, they must come to you! Wouldn’t your reputation in the court then rise accordingly, my lord?”

Lee Weisheng pondered this carefully. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. He asked, “You really are a man of tremendous ability, Lord Sun. But why are you telling me this? If I am transferred for poor governance, wouldn’t you then become the new commandery administrator?”

Sun Chao’en replied, “I will also become a commandery administrator if you are promoted, Lord Li. Besides, this is a strategy only you can employ. As long as you remain in this position, Administrator Yuan can never dislodge you. On the other hand, I fear I would have been torn to pieces and devoured long ago if I was in your place. After all, I have no power base of my own. Sure, I’m technically under the Right Counselor’s protection, but the threshold to his door is too high for me. How can I possibly hope to step over it?”

Lee Weisheng nodded slowly and said, “It is a waste of your talents for you to be confined to this remote corner, Lord Sun. I believe it is only a matter of time before you enter the royal court. However, handling the court is not the same as governing a remote region. One must have strategies for governing the nation. I expect to remain in this position for some time yet, so you should take this time to give it some serious thought, Lord Sun.”

“To be honest, I have already devised a strategy for governing the nation, and I was just about to ask you for your assessment, Lord Lee.”

Lee Weisheng’s interest was piqued. “Go on, tell me.”

Sun Chao’en sat up straight, his demeanor growing increasingly dignified. In that moment, he no longer resembled a slick bureaucrat, but rather a young scholar fresh out of school, ready to offer his vision for the sake of the realm.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, “Let the virtuous fill the court!”

1. My personal translation for the term 画饼, meaning empty promises. ☜