Chapter 21: Taking Root

In recent days, Wu Hengyu was in high spirits, while Wu Fei felt uneasy. To borrow a line from modern poetry: the excitement belongs to them, but I just want to go home and plant sweet potatoes.

Indeed, Wu Fei sensed that the people here were not welcoming to him. The longer he stayed, the less good reputation he could gain. He thought it best to finish his role as the "white-faced" character sooner and leave the stage to Wu Hengyu, the "red-faced" one. The system had assigned him a task in the southern regions, which was the proper area for his expansion.

Yet now, it seemed his role as the white-faced character was growing ever larger.

Moreover, Wu Fei noticed that his uncle, Wu Hanluan, was behaving unusually.

A city belonged to the imperial court’s central authority. Only when a city was occupied by bandits or its local officials were killed could the military take control once new imperial officials arrived. As for Zhu Prefecture, the original appointed official had been recalled by the court. Only then could Wu Hanluan bring his personal guard into the city and hold friendly banquets with the local gentry. The main camp still remained outside the city walls.

Even so, this was a significant test of the court’s patience by Wu Hanluan. Were it not for his duty guarding the border and his decisive achievements in quelling bandits, he would have long since been reprimanded by the court for such conduct.

Wu Fei came to understand the current situation: the court’s reward for the Wu family’s military efforts in suppressing the bandits was insufficient. Naturally, the troops wanted to make some noise—otherwise, they were just working for free for the court.

Eight days after the banquet ended, imperial officials arrived at Zhushan City aboard an official carriage drawn by two dragon horses. These dragon horses had wings broader and bodies sleeker than Wu Fei’s own winged horse, radiating a majestic dragon’s presence.

The city, once seized by the ruthless grip of the military, was now suddenly brought under the order of imperial law.

After the officials took office in the prefectural government, they raised the imperial banner. The previously chaotic atmosphere within the city settled. Markets began to fill with people, the footsteps of pack mules became light and lively. Shop shutters were raised, the workshops filled with an even layer of dust now bore more frequent footprints. The blacksmith’s forge, when stoked with coals, quickly reached the proper temperature, as if the strong man had just finished a hearty meal. Crows that once perched on the flying eaves of government buildings took flight, and the government regained its dignity. Even the city wells began to gush with fresh, clear water.

These signs were like a city rebooting; the imperial official’s single banner planted before the government office seemed to serve as the key to restarting this urban heart.

Outside, in the camp, the army felt a repelling force as the city regained its solemn and prosperous appearance. Ordinary soldiers felt as if every brick of the city walls rejected their presence. The city gates, guarded by government constables, seemed like a “gate of life and death”—commoners and merchants could enter, but armed soldiers were forbidden.

For Wu Fei, a scion of a military family notorious for various misdeeds in Leizhou and Zhuzhou, now facing a city boiling with public resentment, the city felt like a mountain pressing down upon him, making it extremely difficult to maneuver his disruptive energy.

Back in the camp, Wu Fei donned his specially crafted Yan technique armor and lifted a twenty-kilogram stone lock. He tossed it into the air, spinning it a full 360 degrees at three meters high before catching it steadily and placing it back down.

Trying again near the city walls, Wu Fei confirmed his strength was intact. Yet, he felt as if he was exerting force underwater—his movements were sluggish and hindered. During his “agile parry,” the range of repelling force generated by his weapon and armor shrank, unable to repel blades and spears as before. He had strength but lacked defense.

Wu Fei suddenly understood a tale told by the great storyteller Dayao, about how the imperial scholars lured arrogant military officers into the city, then, brandishing a document listing “Ten Great Crimes” and the Emperor’s Sword of Command, executed the generals on the spot.

Warriors, drunk and satiated, caught unprepared without armor or weapons, once condemned by the charges, were subdued by the legal forces as if they were just flesh and blood with brute strength.

Returning to the camp, Wu Fei examined maps of Zhuzhou’s geography, which he had obtained through underworld contacts from the government archives. The maps showed “Yao calculations”—symbols representing yin and yang energies of mountains and cities—flowing and converging, ultimately concentrating at the seat of the prefectural governor.

The “Yao calculations” reflected the land’s vital energy flowing like blood toward this central point. The mountains and rivers were alive; the prefecture city was a “sea of energy” or an “acupuncture point” that could be used to impose “restrictions” on military and Daoist practices.

After the new official took office in Zhuzhou, he wielded the county’s “earth and human energies” to pressure the Wu family’s army to leave the prefectural seat.

Three hours later, Wu Hanluan returned to camp with a forced smile and no one dared to speak. Clearly, he was displeased with the behavior of the newly dispatched official.

Wu Fei thought: Normally, when asking a victorious army to withdraw, the court would at least show some courtesy—offering a hundred pigs and sheep, a few dozen jars of wine—for face. To drive out the army upon entry was utterly unreasonable, treating the soldiers like disposable wipes.

The prefectural official could still mobilize the “Yao calculation” power of the entire region to maintain peace, all thanks to the army’s efforts in quelling bandits. Had the Wu family’s army left even a few bandits hidden in the mountain passes guarding Zhuzhou’s entrances, the official’s ability to maintain peace would be suffocated, like a blocked nose struggling to breathe.

Bandits were unconcerned by this suppression; their rebellion stirred popular sentiment against the government, disrupting peace and throwing the “Yao calculations” into chaos, leaving the official powerless.

If one likened a province to a living body, bandits were tumors growing on it. The court’s deployment of the Wu family’s army to exterminate them was akin to a surgeon removing a tumor, restoring balance.

Wu Fei noticed a mysterious smile on the face of a Taoist attendant near Wu Hanluan and momentarily lost focus.

Considering the position of the imperial official: with the Wu family’s army stationed on the road outside Zhuzhou City, weren’t they like surgical instruments left inside the patient’s body after the operation?

The official, hoping to restore local livelihoods and implement reforms, likely resented the large, unruly army.

Wu Fei caught sight of Wu Hengyu, who stared at Zhushan City with a flash of murderous intent. Were it a time of chaos, he would surely have slain the official on the spot. His mighty strength, though suppressed, could still wield the sword’s edge to strike down foes.

Even the horse beneath Wu Hengyu pawed at the dust toward the city after entering the camp.

Wu Fei shook his head: suppression breeds resentment, but the Wu family’s army would never rebel.

Just as Wu Fei was musing, Wu Hengyu seemed to notice him and rode over.

This was the first face-to-face encounter since Wu Hengyu established his own camp. Sitting high atop his black steed, Wu Hengyu challenged him, “Yuan Chang, your fortune has been flowing lately.” The horse, sensing its master’s tone, exhaled a puff of white breath, covering Xuan Chong’s face. Wu Hengyu quickly pulled the horse’s head to stop it.

Wu Fei nodded proudly: “Indeed, but you’re still more imposing.”

Wu Hengyu fixed him with a sharp gaze: “But the locals harbor much resentment toward you.”

Wu Fei stared at the sword at his brother’s waist: “You’re not drawing your blade and pressing it to my neck?”

Wu Hengyu hesitated slightly: “You think I don’t dare?”

Wu Fei looked at him for a long moment, then stepped aside and said, “Alright, big brother, you’re right. But let me speak to Father Commander about this.”

Wu Hengyu paused, puzzled at how quickly Wu Fei backed down.

Perhaps feeling he had been too harsh, Wu Hengyu raised his hand, lifted Wu Fei onto his horse, and headed toward the main camp.

In such circumstances, internal conflicts within the Wu family’s army were inevitable, but overall unity remained paramount.

Upon hearing both Wu Hengyu and Wu Fei had arrived, Wu Hanluan set aside his book and sat upright.

He glanced at Wu Fei: “I was just looking for you both.”

He was truly after Wu Fei; Wu Hengyu had been guarding him closely with a sword all these days—any words would have come sooner.

In the tent, Wu Hanluan announced plans to withdraw the army. Then he looked at Wu Fei, seemingly waiting for a “retreat plan.” Over recent days, Wu Hanluan knew that in cunning strategy, even several of Wu Hengyu combined could not match Wu Fei.

Wu Fei looked at Wu Hengyu.

Wu Hengyu stared back wide-eyed: “What are you looking at me for?”

Wu Fei asked, “Big brother, have you heard what people say about me lately?”

Wu Hengyu frowned, hearing words he found hard to speak aloud.

Wu Hanluan smiled faintly and said slowly, “It seems Yuan Chang is aware of his recent reputation.”

Wu Fei responded gently, “The key lies in how big brother faces the storms. Those rumors weren’t whispered to me directly; I’ve never heard a single accusation to my face. And where there is speech, there is always a motive.”

Wu Hengyu said, “Brothers shall not quarrel. If we bear this oath—”

Wu Fei quickly interrupted, “No, no, no. Oaths cannot be made lightly. Our brotherhood is as close as hands and feet. How could we let money and empty fame come between us?”

Then Wu Fei took up the map and said, “The court offers no rewards now, only orders us to leave. That may be their way of punishing us. In my view, let the court punish as it wishes; we just need to avoid getting entangled in such messy affairs in the future.

“But uncle, since you no longer wish to be toyed with by the court, we must negotiate with them properly.”

Wu Hanluan’s current demand from the court was simple: two more noble titles. After all, their many military achievements had just reached the threshold. But the court’s attitude was uncertain, and the Confucian scholars immediately rejected the request.

Wu Fei said, “If the court wants us to withdraw, we will. But not empty-handed. We must leave something behind.”

He pondered briefly, then confirmed, “The prefectural seat of a city is absolutely off-limits—that is the ‘tendon’ the court uses to control the region, so we must keep our distance. But these few towns!”

He pointed to spots on the silk map marked with flowing streams—these were fertile river junctions, vital points for commerce.

Wu Hengyu impatiently said, “Those lands are already owned. Your recent forced purchases will come to nothing once our army withdraws.”

Wu Fei glanced at Wu Hanluan, who understood immediately. He stepped out, ordering soldiers to guard the tent’s perimeter—no one allowed within twenty paces—and then returned inside to speak with his nephews.

Wu Fei said, “These lands aren’t bought for my own sake.”

He looked at Wu Hengyu.

Wu Hengyu frowned, “If you have something to say, say it plainly.”

Wu Fei replied, “Big brother, do you know why those people praise you and curse me?”

He knew now was no time for hesitation, so he quickly explained, “Because I seize their wealth, while you are brave and magnanimous—they entrust you to drive me, the thief of their fortunes, away. Now, I hold these riches and forcibly purchased land deeds, which I can hand over to you at any time. And I myself can leave ahead whenever I choose.

“But may I ask, big brother, once you have these assets, how will you distribute them?”

Wu Hengyu was caught off guard. Suddenly he realized Wu Fei’s actions were paving the way for himself. He had only disliked Wu Fei for his greed, never considering how to handle the spoils.

Wu Fei continued, “When you led the charge into battle, did you have close attendants by your side? Did the families of our soldiers have shelter? Was the harvest abundant? Are the wives, daughters, and parents of those who died in battle properly cared for?

“The sages say, a gentleman’s virtue is like a precious jade. At this moment, you hold such a jewel. Tomorrow, if you drive me away, you will have given the local worthies an explanation. And if you distribute the spoils to those who fought alongside you, you will spread benevolence and righteousness throughout the land.”

Narrator: As for whether Wu Hengyu would be criticized for not sharing the loot with the injured local gentry—no, the local aristocracy had already invested heavily in Wu Hengyu’s “stock.” His core asset was his courage and reputation, and that value was not borne by him alone, but based on the “Hengyu Group” as a whole.

By sharing wealth with the local followers, Wu Hengyu was building his own reputation, using funds to enhance the value of his personal “stock.” Should the local elites quarrel over this small profit, not only would their money be lost, but their shares would vanish as well.

Wu Hanluan watched Wu Fei lecture Wu Hengyu and calmly refilled his tea cup. The family’s future affairs could now be entrusted to the younger generation.

Time rewound to when teaching aids were used as street lamps...

It was worth mentioning that recently, Xuan Chong had spent a night refining the blood reward formula, the upper half dedicated specifically to calculating rewards for Wu Hengyu’s recruitment efforts in Zhuzhou and Lianzhou.

Wu Hengyu’s troop incentives were straightforward: cash rewards and land grants, following the Wei soldier model. The Wei soldiers were famed for their elite prowess but had one flaw—they could only be effective for one generation, as no more land could be granted afterward, causing their combat effectiveness to decline.

However, the Wu family never intended to root themselves permanently in these two prefectures. Wu Hengyu’s troops were a venture of risk capital, meant for one generation only. One generation was enough! After all, these were not the Wu family’s ancestral lands. If after one generation the region deteriorated, the Wu family would have no reason to worry.

As for the Wu family army, Wu Fei had adopted a different system of rewards and punishments—Xuan Chong’s secret weapon.

Back to the present, after understanding Wu Fei’s explanation, Wu Hengyu slightly rose from the table and saluted him.

Wu Fei said, “Big brother.”

Wu Hengyu, towering over two meters, lifted Wu Fei up: “Brother Fei, I was unjustly harsh with you before.”

Wu Fei replied, “What need is there for harshness between us brothers?”

The bond between them was unbreakable.