Chapter 68: Yong'an

Yong'an City leaned against the mountains and rivers, occupying a strategically vital terrain. The mottled scars on the city walls spoke of the vicissitudes of time and the cruelty of war. This once unassuming small city had, in recent years, become a major military stronghold due to its location at the border between Han and Wu. In the past, Yan Yu and Luo Xian had garrisoned the place; the city defenses were strict, and the military and civilians worked together. Now, however, Deng Ai was in command, yet undercurrents surged within the city.

It was early summer, and the humid river breeze carried a stifling heat as it swept through the streets and alleys of Yong'an City. Inside the study of the Yan residence, candle flames flickered, casting three shadows that swayed against the window paper.

"With the promulgation of the Land-Clearing Decree, thirty percent of our family's estates in Jiangzhou have been confiscated!" Yan Shuo, the patriarch of the Yan clan, slammed his palm heavily onto the desk. His wrinkles twisted with anger, and he let out a cold snort, saying, "Those lands were accumulated by generations of my Yan family, yet now they are confiscated on a mere whim!"

Whether they were truly accumulated over generations was something only they themselves knew.

Tian Yu, the patriarch of the Tian clan, slowly stroked his beard, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "The Land-Clearing Decree is just the beginning; the Household-Clearing Decree is even more fatal. They want me to hand over half of the tenant farmers in my family, claiming it is to reinforce the frontiers? How utterly absurd!"

Liu Qing, the patriarch of the Liu clan, lowered his voice. "Calm yourselves, both of you. I have received news that in Chengdu, the Prince of Qin, Liu Chen, is growing increasingly powerful, to the point where even His Majesty yields to him by three points. These new policies are most likely his doing."

"Liu Chen..." Yan Shuo snorted coldly. "A mere brash youth who grew arrogant after winning a single battle. What does he know about governing a country?"

Silence fell upon the study for a moment, broken only by the crackle of the candle flames.

Tian Yu suddenly spoke up, "I hear that Eastern Wu is paying very close attention to our Yong'an."

Yan Shuo and Liu Qing looked at him simultaneously, a trace of vigilance flashing in their eyes.

"What do you mean?" Liu Qing asked.

Tian Yu smiled faintly, "Sheng Man, the Administrator of Jianping Commandery in Eastern Wu, sent people to contact me last month."

Yan Shuo stood up abruptly. "Tian Yu, how dare you collude in secret with Eastern Wu?"

While he opposed Liu Chen, he truly did not have the audacity to betray the glorious Han dynasty.

"Sit down!" Tian Yu said coldly. "Do you have a better plan? Deng Ai is Liu Chen's man, and he executes the new policies without sparing any effort. If this continues, the centuries-old foundations of our three families will be utterly destroyed! Hah, even Master Qiao can only shut his doors and read books in seclusion now."

Liu Qing pondered for a moment and said, "What are the conditions from Eastern Wu...?"

Tian Yu lowered his voice. "Sheng Man promised that if we help Eastern Wu take Yong'an, not only will all our estates be preserved, but we will also be granted official posts and autonomy over Yong'an."

Yan Shuo frowned. "This is treason!"

"A country?" Tian Yu sneered. "When has Shu Han ever truly cared about us? In the eyes of the imperial court, there are only those aristocratic families in Chengdu! We border-city clans are nothing more than pawns that can be sacrificed at any time."

"Master Qiao only asked us to stir up some commotion; he never told us to commit treason!" Yan Shuo hesitated.

The three men fell silent, each weighing the pros and cons.

Finally, Yan Shuo let out a long sigh. "Allow me to consider this for a few days."

Deep in the night, Yan Shuo stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the waning moon in the sky, his heart torn by conflict. The Yan family had resided in Yong'an for generations and held deep affection for this land. Betraying Shu Han went against his wishes; yet the thought of their family fortune being utterly destroyed cut his heart like a knife.

"Father, why are you sleepless in the middle of the night?" A clear voice came from behind.

Yan Shuo turned back to see his eldest son, Yan Han. At twenty years of age, Yan Han had recently returned from studying abroad in Chengdu. Broad-minded and intellectually sharp, he was often able to offer unique insights.

Yan Shuo recounted everything—the discussion among the three families and his own hesitation.

After listening, Yan Han pondered for a moment and said, "Father, this must not be done under any circumstances."

"Why?"

"First, Sun Xiu of Eastern Wu is foolish and incompetent, and his regime will not last long, so his promises cannot be easily trusted. Second, even if Eastern Wu keeps its word, by inviting wolves into our house, we will inevitably incur the condemnation of the world. Most importantly..." Yan Han lowered his voice and said, "I see that the Prince of Qin, Liu Chen, is extraordinary. Although these new policies harm the interests of the gentry families, they may strengthen the foundation of the state. If Shu Han becomes prosperous, wouldn't we, as founding meritocrats, be far better off than guarding a border town for Eastern Wu?"

Yan Shuo nodded and said, "That may be true, but Yong'an is close to Eastern Wu. If we surrender to Eastern Wu, the Prince of Qin might not be able to recapture Yong'an again."

Upon hearing this, Yan Han scoffed disdainfully, "Does Father know who the Governor of Yong'an is? He is the former renowned Wei general, Deng Ai, who is now enfeoffed as the Great General of the Right Guard. Had the Prince of Qin not emerged, Deng Ai would have already led an army of thirty thousand to annihilate our glorious Han. No matter how many troops and horses we possess, we are no match for him."

Hearing this, Yan Shuo gasped sharply and exclaimed, "Then how can we resolve the present dilemma?"

Yan Han suggested, "Why not secretly send someone to see Deng Ai and inform him of this plot in exchange for some merit? Perhaps we can not only preserve our family fortune, but also reap some benefits."

Yan Shuo pondered for a long time, eventually stroking his beard and saying, "You go and see Deng Ai yourself. Remember, do not let anyone see you. I will stall the other two for now, so we can also figure out their plans."

As for whether this move violated morality, Yan Shuo did not care at all. As long as he could preserve his own life, how could he worry about anyone else?

Three days later, the three families held another secret meeting. Yan Shuo was ultimately persuaded by Tian Yu and Liu Qing, and they decided to meet secretly with Sheng Man, the Administrator of Jianping in Eastern Wu.

Late at night, a small boat quietly slipped away from the Yong'an dock, drifted downriver with the current, and entered the territory of Eastern Wu.

Inside the Jianping Commandery yamen, Sheng Man received the three patriarchs. Sheng Man was around forty years old, clean-shaven, with sharpness and ambition gleaming in his eyes.

"The fact that the three of you could come shows your utmost sincerity," Sheng Man said with a smile. "Eastern Wu is determined to take Yong'an. With the help of the three of you, we will achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Tian Yu asked, "What guarantees can My Lord Administrator give us?"

Sheng Man produced a scroll of silk. "This is written in my own hand. Once Yong'an is secured, the three of you shall jointly govern it, with hereditary succession. Not only will all the estates of your three families be preserved, but you will also be granted a thousand *qiong* of fertile farmland in the Jiangling region."

The terms were unbelievably generous. The three patriarchs exchanged glances, and Yan Shuo asked, "What do we need to do?"

Sheng Man smiled faintly. "It is very simple. Deng Ai has five thousand garrison troops under his command, all of whom are elite soldiers. A direct assault would inevitably lead to heavy losses. You only need to create chaos within the city, open the city gates, and lead the Eastern Wu army inside."

Liu Qing asked cautiously, "When shall we act?"

"On the night of the full moon half a month from now," Sheng Man said. "At that time, the river waters will rise, which is favorable for the advance of our army. I will personally lead ten thousand elite troops to lurk outside the city, using torches as a signal. When three torches flare up simultaneously, you will open the city gates."

The secret discussion lasted until dawn, and every detail was finalized.

On the boat ride back, the three patriarchs each harbored their own thoughts. Gazing at the approaching walls of Yong'an City, Yan Shuo suddenly said, "Are we being too rash?"

Tian Yu said coldly, "Things have reached this point, what is there left to hesitate about? Could it be that Brother Yan wishes to go back on his word?"

Yan Shuo remained silent for a long time before clenching his fists and saying, "So be it! It is not that we are unfaithful to Shu Han, but rather that Liu Chen pushes people too far! No one can blame us now."

Upon hearing this, Tian Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.