Chapter 98: Becoming a Centurion
Zhao Zun truly deserves to be a Marshal skilled in leading troops and strategizing, mastering the art of overt fort-building and covert maneuvers seamlessly.
After a round of push-and-pull Tai Chi with Sun Wenyuan, Zhao Zun eventually prevailed with effortless ease. The hunting ground location was finally set far away in Fufeng County from Huachang County.
Fufeng County is the largest among the six counties and two cities of Canzhou. Though it spans a vast area, it lacks fertile land, consisting mostly of mountains and wasteland.
This is precisely why Sun Wenyuan liberally allowed Zhao Zun to build the hunting ground as large as desired.
Fufeng County’s land may be poor, but it boasts notable advantages. Several mined areas on the mineral map given by Han Lei to Zhao Zun lie within Fufeng County—salt, coal, lime, and iron mines.
Fufeng County cannot grow much grain, but it is ideal for constructing the various plants Han Lei mentioned in her letter.
Thus, Zhao Zun went through great efforts to negotiate with Sun Wenyuan to secure land in Fufeng County.
......My lazy dividing line......
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Yong’an City.
It was uncertain if Emperor Jing had calculated Zhao Zun’s arrival time in Canzhou.
While Zhao Zun was discussing the construction of the hunting ground and Prince Mansion with Sun Wenyuan, a royal decree from Emperor Jing had reached Cao Xiong, the newly appointed Marshal of Beiguan, in Yong’an City.
Cao Xiong felt mentally strained from Turkic cavalry harassment. Unable to bear it, he was forced to write a petition to Emperor Jing, requesting that another be chosen to replace him as Marshal of Beiguan.
To his surprise, the royal decree from Emperor Jing arrived at Beiguan soon after the petition was sent.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
With the eunuch’s sharp voice resonating in the military camp, Cao Xiong’s face immediately relaxed, unable to contain his joy after the decree was read.
Eagerly standing up, he fumbled around his coat, pulled out a large sycee, and, smiling broadly, stuffed it into the eunuch’s hands.
"You’ve traveled over mountains and water to Beiguan to deliver the decree, little eunuch. I hope you accept this as a small token of gratitude."
The little eunuch feigned astonishment, repeatedly saying, "This is inappropriate, inappropriate; Mr. Cao, you’re too kind."
Though the eunuch waved his hands dismissively, his eyes gleamed greedily.
After some back-and-forth, the gleaming sycee was reluctantly tucked away into the eunuch’s sleeve.
"Well then, Mr. Cao, I shall take my leave now."
The eunuch smiled cautiously, fitting the horsetail whisk into his elbow, bowed, and respectfully exited. Cao Xiong immediately ordered his trusted aide to escort the eunuch to rest.
Once the eunuch had gone far, Cao Xiong, clutching two royal decrees, turned and laughed heartily as he entered the central military tent.
"Hahaha... As expected, His Majesty is wise, His Majesty is wise indeed."
Receiving the decree, Cao Xiong instantly felt reinvigorated with confidence.
Emperor Jing stated in the decree: Zhao Zun has been named King of Cangzhou and stationed there. In the event of major conflict, Cao Xiong is authorized to summon Zhao Zun as his vanguard.
Among the two decrees held by Cao Xiong, one was to be handed over to Zhao Zun when summoning.
With these decrees from Emperor Jing, Cao Xiong had no need to resign, allowing him to continue as Marshal without worry.
At this moment, Deputy General Li Gang approached flatteringly, "Marshal, with His Majesty’s decree, you can rest easy now. You’ve endured hardship these days."
"Hahaha, indeed! Tomorrow, I shall return to Ling’an City’s Marshal Mansion for a good rest."
Cao Xiong laughed heartily, placing the decree on the desk with a "slap," then handing one of them to Li Gang.
"Keep this decree with you. When there’s an invasion at Yong’an City, you just deal with it. In case of major conflict, deliver this decree to Cangzhou Royal Mansion to order Zhao Zun."
"Yes! I shall obey!"
Deputy General Li Gang respectfully accepted the decree, visibly excited.
With Zhao Zun as a backup force in Cangzhou, even with Cao Xiong absent from Yong’an City, Li Gang felt reassured.
However, Li Gang soon showed signs of hesitation.
"Uh... Marshal, what if Zhao Zun refuses to serve as the vanguard?"
"How dare he!" Cao Xiong shouted angrily. "Even if declared king, Zhao Zun remains a minister of the Da Jing Dynasty. I doubt he’d dare defy the imperial decree."
Li Gang still appeared concerned: "But... what if the soldiers disapprove of Zhao Zun serving as the vanguard with his prince status? Wouldn’t the troops..."
Cao Xiong impatiently waved his hand, growing more irate.
"No need to worry about that. Throughout history, civil officials and military generals have not interfered with one another. From a territorial view, Beiguan is under Cangzhou’s jurisdiction. But the Beiguan Garrison only obeys the Emperor. Even being the King of Cangzhou, Zhao Zun cannot command the troops under my charge."
Speaking of this, Cao Xiong was fuming.
The joy from receiving the decree was instantly dispelled by frustration.
Zhao Zun had left the camp for two months, yet the soldiers still missed him, leaving Cao Xiong, the official garrison Marshal, with no authority.
"The Marshal makes sense." Li Gang agreed with Cao Xiong’s reasoning. "Zhao Zun once had high prestige in Beiguan, but now things have changed. Even if soldiers object, it’s His Majesty’s decree and has nothing to do with Marshal. You’re simply carrying out the Emperor’s orders."
"Good thinking."
Cao Xiong praised Li Gang, making a decision he’d regret for the rest of his life. "You truly put my interests first, as my deputy. Unlike Ma Cheng, who sides with Zhao Zun."
The more Cao Xiong thought, the angrier he became, continuing: "I now order you, as the guardian of Yong’an City, to guard it well in my absence."
Both Li Gang and Cao Xiong were close in age, straightforward, without guile. In the Capital City, they worked together in the Imperial Army. As deputy general, Li Gang followed Cao Xiong to Beiguan, and they maintained a good relationship, with Li Gang being the most trusted by Cao Xiong.
Upon hearing, Li Gang was overjoyed. Immediately clasping his fists, he knelt on one knee.
"Thank you, Marshal, for your nurturing! I shall guard Yong’an City diligently, living up to your expectations."
Li Gang’s voice was resolute. Then he thought of another issue.
"Marshal, what about Mr. Ma?" Li Gang hesitated to ask.
Ma Cheng was a formidable general under Zhao Zun, courageous and relentless. Slightly older than Zhao Zun, he was promoted from centurion to the guardian of Yong’an City under him. Zhao Zun valued and respected Ma Cheng highly while serving as Beiguan’s Marshal.
Since Cao Xiong arrived at Beiguan, Ma Cheng’s attitude towards him was cold and indifferent, like other soldiers, without mutual fondness.
Emperor Jing’s decree seemingly made Cao Xiong too elated to care about Li Gang’s query, casually issuing an order—
"Ma Cheng, let him serve under you as a centurion!"