Chapter 33: Unrest in Ba Commandery

Zhao Estate.

Zhao Xi looked at Zhao Wei with a face full of joy. "Congratulations, Father, on your promotion to General of the Household. And a titled one at that—General of the Household of Harmonious Virtue."

Hearing his son’s congratulatory words, Zhao Wei shook his head. There was no joy on his face; instead, his brow was furrowed with concern.

The imperial edict had appointed Liu Zhang as Inspector General, concurrently serving as the Governor of Yizhou. With this, Liu Zhang became the legitimate Governor. Added to the position of Inspector General, all military and civil affairs of Yizhou now rested entirely in his hands—a title that provided Liu Zhang with immense convenience.

Of course, these were largely empty titles. Whether the court issued the edict or not, Liu Zhang already held the power of the governorship; the edict merely made his rule over Yizhou more legally unassailable.

What worried Zhao Wei was Liu Zhang’s behavior after receiving the edict. It was far beyond his expectations. Was this truly the Liu Jiyu he had known?

He had actually appointed Wang Shang as the Assistant Governor—a position that Liu Yan had clutched tightly and refused to release. Liu Zhang had bestowed it upon Wang Shang with such ease in front of all the civil and military officials of Yizhou.

Zhao Wei feared that after yesterday, the scholars of Shu would view Liu Zhang in a new light, distinguishing between the magnanimous Liu Zhang and the harsh Liu Yan. It was likely that many were already eager to seek an audience and pledge their loyalty to serve in Liu Zhang’s administration.

Furthermore, there was the matter of his own appointment as General of the Household of Harmonious Virtue. While Yang Huai and Gao Pei had only received the rank of General of the Household, his title carried the additional two words: "Harmonious Virtue."

In the eyes of the Yizhou officials, Liu Zhang’s favor toward him was profound. This boded ill for his future plans. If he were to rise in rebellion against Liu Zhang, he would surely be seen as an ingrate who repaid kindness with hatred, and no one would join his cause.

For a moment, Zhao Wei felt a headache coming on. Since taking office as Governor, Liu Zhang had acted with such impeccable stability that no one could find a flaw to exploit. His grand ambitions seemed unlikely to succeed.

Just then, the steward of the Zhao estate approached and handed him a letter—a letter from Ba Commandery.

Zhao Wei looked at the name on the seal; it was from Yang Ping, the head of the powerful Yang clan of Ba Commandery.

He and Yang Ping were both from Ba Commandery, old acquaintances from his hometown with some personal friendship. He wondered what news Yang Ping was bringing this time. He guessed it was likely another incident caused by Yang Ping’s family members in the commandery that required him to step in and smooth things over.

Thinking of this, he could not help but feel annoyed. This Yang Ping was truly tiresome. As a clan head, he could not even keep his own kin in check, allowing them to commit crimes and tarnish his reputation throughout the commandery.

Even with their personal ties, he should not be sending letters every time, expecting a high-ranking provincial official to constantly cover for him.

Sighing inwardly, Zhao Wei opened the letter and scanned it briefly.

"Assistant Governor of Jingzhou."
"Conspiring for a great cause."
"With Lord Zhao on the inside and us on the outside, we shall surely turn Ba and Shu upside down."

The contents of the letter left Zhao Wei perplexed. This was quite different from the previous messages; it appeared that the mediocre Yang Ping was actually planning something significant.

He stroked his beard and began to read the letter in detail.

***

The letter stated that a man bearing the seal of the Assistant Governor of Jingzhou was persuading the great clans of Ba Commandery to rise in revolt. At the same time, the main armies of Jing and Xiang would follow suit. If they succeeded, everyone would be ranked among the provincial officials, appointed to important positions such as Assistant Governor, Governor of the Province, or Commandery Administrator.

Zhao Wei, who had been gloomy all day, broke into a smile. Not just a smile—as he read on, he laughed aloud, disregarding his usual decorum.

This Yang Ping was truly a timely blessing. He never would have thought that a mediocre man like him would one day prove so useful.

"Father, what does Uncle Yang’s letter say?" Seeing his father’s uncharacteristic outburst, Zhao Xi was filled with curiosity and asked.

Zhao Wei quickly reined in his laughter, returning to his usual composed demeanor. Facing his only son's inquiry, he replied, "Your father will be heading out on an eastern expedition soon."

"An eastern expedition? To campaign against Liu Biao?" Zhao Xi asked. Everyone in Shu knew that Liu Yan and Liu Biao had a grievance; Liu Yan had once built imperial carriages, and Liu Biao had reported him to the court.

Although Liu Yan was now dead, the feud between Yizhou and Jingzhou remained, especially since the new Governor was Liu Yan’s son, Liu Zhang.

Zhao Wei only smiled and did not answer.

He calculated that within a month, the great clans of Ba Commandery would rise in rebellion. As for Yang Ping’s suggestion that he act as an inside agent, he scoffed at the idea.

A great man does not act as a stepping stone for others; Yizhou was his Yizhou, and those from Jing and Xiang had no right to lay a hand on it.

As for what he told Zhao Xi about the eastern expedition: when the rebellion in Ba Commandery broke out, who else but he could lead the armies of Yizhou?

Zhao Wei was originally from Anhan in Ba Commandery and was familiar with the geography. Now that he commanded troops, his subordinates, Colonels Pang Le and Li Yi, were both fierce warriors.

The cowardly Liu Zhang would likely have to come to his estate to beg him to lead the army. He squinted, as if he could already see Liu Zhang waiting at his doorstep.

"To pacify Ba Commandery, who is there but me?" A surge of heroic spirit rose in Zhao Wei’s chest.

Living in Chengdu, he felt like a bird in a cage or a fish in a net. If he were to lead an army east, it would be like a fish returning to the vast sea, no longer bound by anything.

Once he pacified the Ba region, he could then set his sights on Shu Commandery. Yizhou would be within his grasp.

***

"Niupi," Gan Ning said, pointing to a city in the distance from the deck of his tower ship, speaking to Shen Mi.

"Once we reach Niupi, Chengdu is not far. Then, Wenyuan, you shall see the true bearing of Governor Liu."

Shen Mi nodded with a smile. He and Lou Fa had been persuaded by Gan Ning to pledge their loyalty to the new Governor. However, they needed to meet Liu Zhang before making a final decision. Gan Ning had slapped his chest, promising to handle the introduction.

Shen Mi had left his troops under Lou Fa’s temporary command in Ba Commandery, choosing to accompany Gan Ning to Chengdu to assess the Governor’s character.

The closer he got to Chengdu, the more excited and, at the same time, the more nervous he became. His background was humble—not even comparable to Gan Ning, a man from a minor family, let alone Gan Jiu, the son of a maid. This made him worry that his origins might earn him Liu Zhang’s disdain.

He now hoped that Liu Zhang was as Gan Ning described: someone who ignored one's background and valued talent above all else.

Suddenly, a *mengchong* (assault ship) darted out from an angle, blocking the path of Gan Ning’s tower ship and forcing it to stop.

Gan Ning frowned and hurried to the bow to investigate, with Shen Mi following closely behind.

The long, narrow assault ship was not covered in oxhide, so there was no barrier to their view. They saw the men on board at once and recognized who they were.

Gan Ning immediately ordered a ladder to be lowered so the men could board the tower ship.

"Commander Gan, Commander Shen," Lou Qi, his skin tanned dark by the sun, boarded the ship. Despite his heavy panting, he bowed to Gan Ning and Shen Mi.

Seeing Lou Qi’s state, Gan Ning unhooked the wineskin from his waist and handed it to him.

Lou Qi did not decline; he took the skin and drank deeply, his breathing gradually steadying.

After Gan Ning and Shen Mi had departed, he had received orders from Lou Fa to track down their fleet. Piloting the fast assault ship, he had pushed hard and finally caught up to them.

"Is there trouble in Ba Commandery?" Shen Mi asked. He knew Lou Fa’s temperament; he was a man of few words who handled his own affairs and rarely sought outside help. For him to send someone after them, it must be something significant.

Lou Qi retrieved a letter from his tunic and said, "When my Commander sent me, he said this was highly confidential. I ask both Commanders to read it in private."

Gan Ning and Shen Mi had no objections. Lou Fa’s cautious attitude alerted them: something major was indeed happening in Ba Commandery.

A quarter of an hour later...

Gan Ning said to Gan Jiu, "Keep the troops in check; do not cause any trouble. Wenyuan and I will go ahead."

With that, Gan Ning and Shen Mi descended from the tower ship onto the assault ship and sped away, cutting through the waves.