20demayo Chapter 65 Guangling
Chapter 65 Guangling
October 18th, thirty li outside Guangling City, Jiangdu.
The Han army camp stretched for more than ten miles, with banners obscuring the sun and watchtowers standing guard.
Dou Ying and Zhou Yafu's main forces have reached this point and joined forces with Han Tuidang's troops, who had previously swept through the counties north of the Yangtze River.
On the river, hundreds of warships of various sizes, drawn from Sichuan and Jiangling, are gathering and training, their banners waving and their momentum magnificent.
However, the order to cross the river and attack the city was not issued.
Crown Prince Liu Qi's instructions were clear: surround the city without attacking, first win hearts and minds, then attack the city.
In recent days, countless arrows bearing proclamations have been shot into Guangling City. Furthermore, soldiers with loud voices have been reading out imperial edicts from the high ground outside the city every day: "Only the chief culprit Liu Bi will be executed. Those who are coerced into joining the cause will be generously rewarded!" The number of arrows shot from inside the city has gradually decreased, while more and more soldiers and minor officials have been surrendering by lowering themselves down the city walls in baskets late at night.
Inside the command tent, Dou Ying, Zhou Yafu, Han Tuidang, Zhang Keran, and the officials who had just arrived from Chang'an and were about to take over Jiangdong were discussing matters.
According to reports from surrendered soldiers and spies within the city, when Liu Bi fled back to Guangling, he had less than 8,000 remaining soldiers, most of whom were old and weak.
Dou Ying pointed to the defense map of Guangling City, "Due to the loss of Juye and Wanqu, and the fact that our army has cleared the outer perimeter, the city's food and provisions are estimated to last only a little over a month. More importantly, the morale of the army has completely collapsed. Many officers and soldiers have been secretly in contact with me, waiting for the main army to attack the city so they can capture Liu Bi and hand him over."
Zhou Yafu replied, "General, although a direct assault may take the city, the casualties will be heavy. Moreover, Guangling is a major city in Wu, with strong fortifications. A direct assault would damage it and make post-war reconciliation difficult. I have a plan that may allow us to subdue the enemy without a fight."
"Oh? General Zhou, please speak."
"Liu Bi's only reliance now is the natural barrier of the Yangtze River and the aid of Dong'ou and Minyue," Zhou Yafu said. "The envoys from Dong'ou and Minyue, arranged by Zhang Shaofu, have already contacted their leaders, explained the advantages and disadvantages, and offered them large sums of money. Seeing that Liu Bi's situation is hopeless, they have wavered and promised not to aid the rebels, but they are still observing. My suggestion is to postpone the attack on the city, concentrate the navy, conduct a large-scale military exercise on the river, and send an envoy into the city to give Liu Bi an ultimatum, demanding his surrender within three days. At the same time, spread rumors that Dong'ou has been officially recognized by the court and will send troops to aid us. Liu Bi has no food supplies and no reinforcements; with his followers turning against him and his allies deserting him, internal strife is inevitable!"
Zhang Keran said, "General Zhou's plan is excellent. We can also have the powerful local magnates and Liu Bi's former subordinates who have already surrendered write letters and shoot them into the city to persuade their relatives and friends. By removing the fuel from under their own fire, their power will collapse on its own."
Dou Ying stroked his beard thoughtfully, then nodded and said, "Very well! Let's set a three-day limit. At the same time, all armies should prepare for the siege, in case they resort to desperate measures. General Zhou will be in charge of this matter, with Junior Tutor Zhang assisting."
"promise!"
Guangling, the palace of the King of Wu.
The once bustling palace is now deathly silent. Most of the palace staff have fled, leaving only a few trembling old eunuchs.
Liu Bi sat alone on the empty throne, his hair disheveled and his appearance emaciated. The hall was cold, but he wore only a single garment and seemed oblivious to the chill.
On the table lay the final ultimatum, recently shot into the city, along with several letters of surrender from his former subordinates who had now turned to the light. He didn't even glance at them; he simply stared intently at the gloomy sky outside the hall.
Footsteps sounded, and Ying Gao staggered into the hall, his face filled with a last glimmer of hope and barely concealed panic: "Your Majesty! There's news! The King of Dong'ou has replied!"
Liu Bi turned his head abruptly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "He's willing to send troops? When will they arrive?"
Ying Gao's lips trembled as he presented a simple bamboo scroll: "The King of Dong'ou said... that he was grateful for Your Majesty's past friendship and originally intended to come to your aid, but his country is small and his people are poor, and his strength is insufficient... Moreover, the Han Emperor has already sent an envoy to bestow upon him the royal seal and explained the greater good... He, he advised Your Majesty... to follow the will of Heaven..."
"Submit to fate? Hahahaha!" Liu Bi burst into a raucous, desolate laugh that echoed through the empty hall, sending chills down everyone's spine.
He grabbed the bamboo slips, slammed them to the ground, and stomped on them until they were pulverized. "How much gold, silver, jewels, and precious stones have I given him? How much salt, iron, and bronze? When I was powerful, he wagged his tail and begged for mercy like a dog! Now that I'm in trouble, he thinks he's just following fate? Bah! A pack of ungrateful wolves!"
His laughter stopped abruptly, and he began to cough violently, bending over as if he were coughing up his internal organs. Ying Gao rushed forward to help him, but was pushed away.
"Where's Liu Ju?" Liu Bi asked, panting.
"General Ju... he was wounded by a stray arrow while patrolling the city yesterday. After returning to his residence, his subordinates... his subordinates have gone out of control. Some of them are threatening to... to kidnap him and take him out of the city to claim credit..."
"Good, good, good indeed!" Liu Bi laughed bitterly. "Betrayed by all, abandoned by all! Is this the Wu Kingdom that I have painstakingly built up over forty years? Is this the army that I have relied on as my trusted confidants?"
He stood up unsteadily, walked to the side of the hall, and took down a precious sword hanging on the wall.
That was the sword he used when he followed Emperor Gaozu to fight against Ying Bu. It had drunk the blood of countless enemies, but now its scabbard was covered in dust.
"Mr. Ying, you may leave." Liu Bi, with his back to Ying Gao, spoke in an unusually calm voice. "Take my imperial seal with you, leave the city, and present it to Liu Qi. Tell him... that I am willing to die to spare the people of Wu from the ravages of war, and to give my clan... a way to live."
"Your Majesty!" Ying Gao knelt down and wept bitterly.
"Go!" Liu Bi shouted sharply, turning around abruptly. "While there's still a chance! Do you want to be tied up and taken to Chang'an with me, to be torn to pieces in the middle of the city? Go!"
Ying Gao kowtowed three times, tears streaming down his face, picked up the golden seal of the King of Wu from the table, and staggered out of the palace.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Liu Bi slowly drew his sword. The blade remained gleaming, reflecting his haggard and distorted face.
He walked to the palace gate, gazing at the overcast sky and the distant lights of the Han army camp.
"Liu Heng... Liu Qi... Zhou Yafu..." he murmured these names, each word imbued with deep-seated hatred. "You have won... but I am Liu Bi, the King of Wu! The King of Wu personally appointed by Emperor Gao! Even if I die, I will die in this Guangling City, on this throne of Wu!"
He held the sword to his neck, but hesitated to cut it.
Dying also requires courage.
Especially when he actually faced it, his past ambitions, hatred, fear, resentment... a thousand emotions surged into his heart, and his hand holding the sword trembled slightly.
"boom!"
Just then, from the direction of the front hall of the palace, a deafening roar of battle cries, the clashing of weapons, and chaotic running and crying suddenly came!
"The Han army has entered the city!"
"Run!"
"Arrest Liu Bi!"
Liu Bi shuddered. Wasn't the three-day deadline still pending? Why was the Han army attacking the city? No, this wasn't the sound of an attack; it was... internal strife! It was those generals in the city who had long harbored rebellious intentions, and they couldn't wait any longer, wanting to use his head as a pledge of allegiance!
Even the last vestige of dignity has become a luxury.
The last glimmer of light in Liu Bi's eyes went out, replaced by a deathly gray.
Without further hesitation, he used all his strength to slash the blade across his neck.
Blood splattered, staining the mottled throne and the cold palace floor tiles red.
Liu Bi, the King of Wu who once dominated the southeast and was a powerful figure throughout the world, stared with resentment in his eyes as he slowly collapsed in the palace he had built up over forty-five years.
Outside the window, the faint sound of the Han army's bugle call to persuade them to surrender could be heard, mingling with the shouts of battle inside the palace.
October 21, Jiangdu Han Army Camp.
Liu Bi's head was placed in another lacquered wooden food box and delivered to Dou Ying and Zhou Yafu by Ying Gao and several Wu army generals who had voluntarily defected.
Also brought along were the King of Wu's golden seal, the keys to the Guangling city gate, and a long list of officials willing to submit.
Zhou Yafu verified Liu Bi's identity and immediately ordered half of the army to lift the alert and prepare to enter the city to accept the surrender. At the same time, a rapid report of victory was sent to Chang'an.
Upon hearing the news, Crown Prince Liu Qi personally crossed the river and entered Guangling. Standing before the Wu King's palace, looking at the bloodstains still not wiped clean on the palace walls, he remained silent for a long time.
"Issue the order," Liu Qi's voice rang out before the empty palace gates, "The rebel leader Liu Bi is to be beheaded and his head displayed. His body... shall be buried with the rites due to a commoner outside Guangling, and no grave shall be erected. The Kingdom of Wu is abolished, and Wu Commandery is established. All other vassal states that followed the rebellion are to be abolished and replaced with commanderies. Officials, soldiers, and civilians who were coerced into joining the rebellion shall be pardoned for their past actions. Those who have rendered meritorious service and surrendered shall be rewarded according to their merits. From this moment forth, proclamations shall be posted to reassure the people, granaries shall be opened to provide relief, and taxes in Wu Commandery and all newly established commanderies and counties shall be reduced or exempted for three years."
"promise!"
The Rebellion of the Seven States, which swept across the southeast, shook the world, and nearly shook the foundations of the nation, finally came to an end with Liu Bi's suicide by sword.
From the time Xu Han's head was sent to Chang'an to the fall of Guangling and the death of its ruler, only three months had passed. The speed of the pacification far exceeded the court's initial most optimistic estimates.
Early November, Chang'an, Weiyang Palace.
Following the grand and solemn triumphant ceremony was a court assembly to reward those who had rendered meritorious service.
For his outstanding contributions, Zhou Yafu was promoted from Prefect of Hanoi to Grand Commandant, granted the title of Marquis of Tiao, with a fief of 8,000 households, and given command of all the military forces in the empire.
In just a few months, he rose from a local prefect to one of the Three Dukes, wielding military power in the empire. The speed of his promotion and the generosity of his rewards shocked the court and the public.
But no one dared to object. The burning of grain at Juye, the ambush at Wanqu, and the bloodless capture of Guangling were all real and unparalleled achievements that could secure the country's rule.
For his meritorious service, Dou Ying was granted the title of Marquis of Wei Qi, his fief was increased, and he was retained as Grand General, assisting the Grand Commandant.
Han Tuidang, Luan Bu, Li Ji, and others were each granted titles and rewards.
Zhang Keran, the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Liang, was promoted to Marquis of Guannei for his merits of "advising on military affairs, understanding the enemy's situation, offering many good strategies, and stabilizing the rear." He was also granted an increased salary as Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince and continued to serve as the Grand Master of the Palace. He was also bestowed with countless gold, silk, and mansions. The imperial edict specifically praised him for "his keen eye for talent, recommending Zhou Yafu from humble beginnings, demonstrating the discernment of a national hero."
Prince Liang, Zhang Wuji, was stationed in the southwest, protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people, so that the court had no worries about the rear. He was also rewarded with gold and silk, and his guards were increased.
Chao Cuo was reinstated to his original position, and because he strongly opposed the proposal for compromise in the court, his loyalty and foresight were trusted and valued even more by Emperor Wen.
Faced with irrefutable evidence that the Rebellion of the Seven States had been swiftly quelled, the proposal to reduce the power of the vassal states faced no further resistance. After the court assembly, Emperor Wen issued an edict, using the rebellious states of Wu, Chu, Zhao, Jiaoxi, Zichuan, and Jinan as examples of punishment, and began to systematically implement the new policy of reducing the power of the vassal states. This policy revoked the power of the vassal kings to govern the people, appoint officials, and command troops, and placed them under the administration of officials appointed by the court.
It was a snowy afternoon in the twelfth lunar month at the Zhang residence.
Zhang Keran dismissed his attendants and sat alone in his study, gazing at the huge Han Dynasty map hanging on the wall.
His fingers gently brushed across Guangling, grazed Wanqu, stopped at Xingyang, and finally landed back in Chang'an. A few short months felt like a lifetime.
"Your Highness, Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu has come to visit," a servant announced in a low voice.
Zhang Keran was slightly taken aback, then said, "Please come in quickly."
Zhou Yafu was not wearing court attire, but only casual clothes and a black cloak, and strode in.
There was little joy in his expression; instead, he looked tired and solemn.
"Grand Commandant Zhou's presence graces my humble abode, bringing honor to my humble dwelling." Zhang Keran bowed respectfully.
"Lord Zhang, there's no need for such formalities," Zhou Yafu returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the map on the wall. He sighed, "Every time I look at this scroll of landscape, I realize the weight on the shoulders of a general. It is certainly gratifying for a general to achieve success, but when I think of the withered bones beneath the walls of Wanqu and Guangling, my heart is filled with unease."
"One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand," Zhang Keran personally poured tea. "The Grand Commandant's concern for his soldiers is a blessing to the nation. However, in chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary. If it weren't for the Grand Commandant and his generals fighting valiantly and swiftly quelling the rebellion, the world would have been in turmoil, and the people would have suffered even more. The Grand Commandant's merit lies in bringing peace to the world, not merely in killing."
Zhou Yafu took the teacup, remained silent for a moment, and said, "I have come here for two reasons. First, to thank Lord Zhang for his recommendation. If it weren't for the trust and respect between Lord Zhang and His Highness the Crown Prince, how could I, a mere prefect, be where I am today?"
"You flatter me, Grand Commandant. True gold will eventually shine. I merely happened to be there at the right time and did my best," Zhang Keran said.
"Secondly," Zhou Yafu put down his teacup, his gaze sharpening, "there seems to be controversy in the court recently regarding how to deal with the former territories of Wu and Chu, and the subsequent strategy for weakening the vassal states. Minister Chao Cuo is ambitious and eager to seize this great victory to take control of all the vassal states' power in one fell swoop, which is too hasty. And His Majesty... seems to be quite supportive of this."
Zhang Keran understood.
Zhou Yafu was not a reckless man who only knew military affairs; he had keenly perceived the new political trends and potential risks in the court.
After gaining Emperor Jing's full support, Chao Cuo's methods of weakening the vassal states were bound to become more drastic, which would inevitably affect the interests of vassal states, including Liang, that had not participated in the rebellion or had even made contributions.
Zhou Yafu was a loyal subject, devoted to the court, but he also valued loyalty and adhered to rules. He probably harbored doubts or even resentment towards Chao Cuo's approach of breaking all rules to achieve his goals.
"I understand what Grand Commandant is worried about," Zhang Keran said. "My father wrote to me the other day, also mentioning the new policies of the court. Liang Kingdom will naturally be the first to implement them without any objection. His Majesty is wise, the Crown Prince is benevolent, and Grand Commandant is prudent. Although Minister Chao is anxious, with you gentlemen in court, the overall situation should be safe."
Zhou Yafu said, "Lord Zhang has profound insight. I hope it is as you say." He stood up, "I still have matters to attend to in the army, so I cannot stay any longer. Farewell."
"Ke Ran escorted the Grand Commandant."
"Lord Zhang, stop."
After seeing Zhou Yafu off, Zhang Keran returned to his study and looked out at the snow.
He recalled his father's admonition in his letter: "Our Liang region is located in the southwest. We do not contend for the power of the Central Plains, but only seek to protect our territory and people, and serve the Han loyally. However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. My son, in Chang'an, you should tread carefully, protect yourself wisely, and observe the situation calmly."
Yes, let's wait and see. Zhang Keran straightened his sleeves.
Winters in Chang'an are cold, but sometimes what's colder than the weather is the human heart. This newly appointed Marquis of Guannei and Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince has a long road ahead of him.