Volume One: The Hidden Dragon Beneath the Abyss Chapter Twenty: Han Sui's Onslaught and the False Imperial Seal!

In the fourth year of Zhongping, during the third month, within the Left Fengyi Prefecture, Xun Yu stood with Zheng Hun, Du Ji, and others around a massive wooden table spread with maps detailing the irrigation channels of Left Fengyi. Liu Heng sat quietly to one side, holding a cup of tea, watching them intently.

“The expansion of the Yunyang Canal must be completed before the spring floods,” Xun Yu said, pointing to a marked spot on the map. “Several villages downstream suffered significant grain losses last autumn due to poor drainage. We must not let that happen again this year.”

Du Ji nodded. “The stone and timber are ready; construction can begin soon. However…” He turned to Liu Heng. “My Lord, this year’s spring plowing reports show insufficient draft animals across the counties. Moreover, the price of cattle has nearly doubled, and grain prices in the northern counties of Xiayang have soared several times over.”

“Wen Gong, you are to investigate this matter!” Liu Heng said without a hint of concern.

“See if any merchants are secretly manipulating prices,” he went on calmly. “In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are necessary. If we find those behind the manipulation, the first offense will result in confiscating half their property and selling it to farmers at fair price; repeat offenders will be sent to join the Yang family in exile.”

His tone was even, but Zheng Hun silently took notes nearby, eyes flickering with sharp resolve.

Clearing his throat, Xun Yu shifted the topic. “Water management, farming tools, and seeds are all arranged. But… have you given thought to the secret message from Liangzhou?”

His voice lowered.

Liu Heng nodded gravely. “The letter reports escalating internal strife between Han Sui, Beigong Boyu, and Li Wenhou, with violent clashes imminent. Should chaos erupt again in Liangzhou, the rebels will expand in search of supplies and will not remain confined to Longxi.”

Xun Yu moved his finger westward on the map. “The fertile lands of Guanzhong stretch for miles. Last year’s harvest was decent, but it risks becoming a target for bandits, much like the troubles in Zhongping’s second year.”

A solemn mood settled over the room. In Zhongping’s second year, the Qiang rebellion saw insurgents storm Right Fufeng, pillaging and burning, leaving devastation in their wake. Left Fengyi had received many refugees from Right Fufeng then; it was also when Liu Heng first arrived in Left Fengyi.

“What is your opinion, Wenruo?” Liu Heng asked Xun Yu.

Stroking his beard, Xun Yu pondered. “Liangzhou lies beyond Right Fufeng before reaching Left Fengyi. If the rebels advance eastward en masse, Right Fufeng will struggle to hold. Should they break through near Qixian, their forces could directly threaten Left Fengyi’s western counties like Yunyang. We must remain vigilant but avoid premature reactions that waste resources and unsettle the populace.”

“Agreed,” Liu Heng replied. “Spring plowing is essential and must not be neglected, but intelligence cannot lapse. Dispatch seasoned scouts disguised as merchants and refugees deep into Longxi. I want to know every move Han Sui makes—the strength of their troops, where supplies are stored, the relationships among commanders. Fund these spies from the treasury; Wenruo, arrange it.”

“I understand, my lord,” Xun Yu bowed in acknowledgment.

With the meeting concluded, Liu Heng stepped out of the Left Fengyi government office, inhaling the earthy air deeply.

From afar, the shouts of soldiers drilling on the training grounds drifted faintly, and beyond the city walls, though unseen, he imagined farmers diligently tending their fields—a dual foundation of stability for Left Fengyi. He wished this peace to endure longer.

Yet war never bends to Liu Heng’s will.

By late March, reports from Liangzhou grew increasingly alarming.

Han Sui had indeed orchestrated a banquet for Beigong Boyu, Li Wenhou, and others. At a signal, concealed troops struck, slaughtering them and their loyal followers, seizing their forces.

In an instant, Han Sui’s reputation soared across Longxi; his army, numbering allegedly a hundred thousand, sharpened their blades for war.

Scouts from Left Fengyi relayed urgent reports back to Gaoling.

“Report! Han Sui’s army has left Longxi, their advance aimed at the seat, Jixian!”

“Report! Governor Geng Bi of Liangzhou has mustered troops from six counties to confront them!”

“Report! The two armies face off at Didao!”

Each message tightened the tension within Left Fengyi’s offices.

Liu Heng ordered the spring plowing to continue as usual, yet western cities like Yunyang quietly strengthened defenses, inspected arsenals, and extended military drills.

In April, on a continuous rainy afternoon, devastating news galloped into Gaoling on a swift horse.

“Urgent dispatch! Liangzhou emergency!”

The scout, drenched and mud-splattered, nearly fell from his horse. “Governor Geng Bi was defeated! The six counties’ forces… utterly annihilated!”

“What?” Liu Heng sprang up, the table trembling as those present, including Xun Yu and Du Ji, turned pale.

Catching his breath, the scout took a towel from Liu Heng’s guard to wipe rain from his face. “Prefects Li Xiangru of Longxi and Huang Yan of Jiuquan betrayed their posts, colluding with Han Sui! The army disintegrated instantly; Governor Geng was killed by his own adjutant! The rebels have displayed his severed head atop a flagpole!”

A provincial governor and six counties’ troops shattered so easily?

In the following days, more scouts arrived with grim news.

“Report! Hanyang is in peril! Rebel leaders Wang Guo and Han Sui have united, amassing over a hundred thousand troops, surrounding the city!”

“Report! Hanyang has fallen! Prefect Fu Xie fought bravely and died for his country!”

Fu Xie dead?

The man who had once mingled with Liu Heng in Luoyang, with whom he had a good rapport—also fallen in battle?

A wave of chest tightness, mingled with inexplicable sorrow and fury, surged within Liu Heng.

“Report!”

A rider from Right Fufeng arrived alongside the messenger, bearing even worse tidings.

Zhang Lin, secretary of Right Fufeng, wore a grave expression. “Governor Geng Bi’s subordinate Sima Ma Teng has gathered remnants of the rebels and defected, joining forces with Han Sui and Wang Guo! The rebels have proclaimed Wang Guo leader and are recruiting widely. Their vanguard cavalry already raided near Qian County of Right Fufeng! Bao Fojun of Right Fufeng sends word to the court and requests that Liu Jun marshal troops to aid Right Fufeng’s defense!”

It was over—official forces in Liangzhou utterly crushed, the rebels united and reinforced by Ma Teng’s fresh troops.

Liu Heng’s vague recollection of history began to align with reality: Han Sui and others’ next target would surely be Right Fufeng.

Perhaps in Zhongping’s fifth year, Huangfu Song would lead forces to quell the rebellion, he recalled.

Within the prefecture office, the atmosphere tightened; all eyes turned to Liu Heng.

Closing his eyes, Liu Heng inhaled deeply. “Send Secretary Zhang to rest briefly. Soon I will send someone with him to the capital.”

After Zhang Lin left, Liu Heng nodded at Xun Yu.

“General Gongming! General Shuzhi!”

“We are present!” the two officers stepped forward and replied in unison.

“Immediately reorganize the Broken Qiang Camp and assign ten thousand militia. General Gongming will lead as commander, General Shuzhi as deputy. Advance westward, the main force to garrison Yunyang!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Keep your eyes fixed on Right Fufeng! Should any small rebel units cross the border to probe, do not hesitate—kill them all without orders. If a large force appears, hold the city firmly, light beacon fires to signal distress, and under no circumstances engage in reckless battle!”

Liu Heng rose to add.

“Yes, sir!”

Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi clasped fists and obeyed, striding out swiftly.

“Xun Yu!”

“Present!”

“Draft an urgent dispatch detailing the upheaval in Liangzhou and the rebel eastward threat. Zheng Hun, accompany Zhang Lin to Luoyang. The message must be urgent and clear—explain Governor Geng Bi’s defeat, Prefect Fu Xie’s sacrifice, Ma Teng’s betrayal, and rebel movements. Emphasize the peril to Right Fufeng and the Three Auxiliary regions. Request immediate reinforcements and emergency grain supplies.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Du Ji, Zhang Ji!”

“Present!”

“Prioritize treasury funds, arms, and medicine for the western army. Mobilize laborers to transport supplies to the front. All craftsmen within the city will cease nonmilitary work and focus solely on producing arrows, repairing armor, and manufacturing siege equipment!”

“Fa Yan!”

“Present!”

“Maintain order within the prefecture. Issue public notices explaining the situation and calming the populace. Rigorously investigate spies and traitors. Anyone spreading rumors or causing unrest shall be executed immediately!”

Orders struck down swiftly; officials moved with purpose.

Days later, as Xu Huang and Chen Shuzhi’s forces reached Yunyang to fortify defenses and arrange battle lines, a delegation from Luoyang bearing the emperor’s edict arrived in Gaoling.

The occasion was grand: an envoy holding the imperial scepter, symbolizing the emperor’s authority, entered the prefecture’s main hall, flanked by guards.

“To Liu Heng, Prefect of Left Fengyi and Marquis of Yangwu, receive the imperial decree!”

Liu Heng led his men in kneeling greetings.

“The emperor proclaims: The traitorous Han Sui, Wang Guo, and Ma Teng, rebels who have harmed loyal ministers and ravaged Liangzhou, now threaten the Three Auxiliary regions. Their crimes demand death. You, a scion of the royal family and guardian of the western border, have long ruled with might and benevolence. We place great trust in you. We hereby grant you a temporary imperial scepter, commanding all military affairs in Left Fengyi, Right Fufeng, and the western borders of Jingzhao. Act as you see fit. Urgently recruit and train elite soldiers, strengthen defenses, and funds may be drawn from the three regional treasuries as needed, with imperial replenishment to follow. You must halt the rebels outside Right Fufeng and safeguard the imperial tombs. Do not fail my expectations! By imperial decree—”

A temporary scepter! Full authority to act! Coordination of the three treasuries!

This decree was weighty—effectively granting Liu Heng the greatest autonomy and nominal resource control on the western front.

Yet it also laid a heavy burden squarely upon his shoulders. The promise of imperial resupply sounded hopeful, but anyone clear-eyed knew how little could be squeezed from the Luoyang court given the emperor’s temperament.

“I, Liu Heng, humbly accept the decree and vow to exert every effort to repay imperial grace and secure peace for the people,” Liu Heng said respectfully, receiving the edict and the symbol of life-or-death power.

The envoy completed his mission, exchanged brief pleasantries, and departed, clearly Luoyang was gripped by great anxiety.

After seeing off the envoy, Liu Heng gripped the scepter, feeling its cold touch, eyes sweeping over the assembled civil and military officers.

“Gentlemen, the court has granted us status but also laid this heavy burden.”

His voice was steady. “From now on, we must rely on ourselves.”

Xun Yu stepped forward. “My lord, while the power of the temporary scepter is great, coordinating the three treasuries will be fraught with difficulty. Jingzhao and Fufeng are hardly secure themselves and will not easily release vital supplies. Distant aid from the court cannot solve immediate needs. Recruiting soldiers and waging war will ultimately fall on us.”

Liu Heng sneered. “Wenruo speaks truly. The court intends to have Left Fengyi supply men, arms, and funds to hold back the rebels for them. Where in the world does such a windfall come without cost?”

He paced to the table, took up his brush. “They want to take it easy; I’ll give them some work to do. I’ll write this report myself.”

Swiftly, he wrote. First, a somber account of Liangzhou’s fall, the loyal dead, and the grave threat of the rebels, emphasizing the resolve of Left Fengyi’s soldiers to fight to the death.

Then, he shifted tone, laying out hardships: Left Fengyi’s limited land and poor populace barely self-sufficient last year; now, with sudden war, the costs of recruiting soldiers, settling families, provisioning troops, manufacturing arms, rewarding merit, and caring for the wounded and dead—funds long depleted.

At last, he revealed his demand: urgent dispatch of 300,000 shi of grain, 50 million coins in pay, 500,000 arrows, 5,000 sets of armor, and 1,000 crossbows, stressing these were minimum needs—without them, even with temporary authority, stopping the advancing horde would be impossible.

Finishing, he dried the ink and handed the letter to Zhang Ji. “De Rong, review and polish this. Send it by express courier over six hundred li to Luoyang immediately! Also copy the Grand General’s and the Three Dukes’ offices. Our cries for funds must outcry even the rebels’ advance!”

Zhang Ji’s lips twitched at the bold demands. Such a price might shock the court officials, but he knew it was both truth and strategy.

“I will handle it at once.”

Fa Yan stepped forward. “If the rebels’ main force advances east, Right Fufeng and Jingzhao will bear the brunt. This decree risks leaving Left Fengyi to stand alone, fighting for others’ benefit.”

His concern was starkly realistic: a confrontation with mismatched strength, lacking logistical and geographical advantages.

Liu Heng was silent for a moment, then slowly returned to his seat, fingers tracing the decree’s words. A bitter laugh escaped him.

“The court’s ministers likely plan for us to exhaust our resources while they clean up the mess later. They even keep Wenruo in Luoyang as an official. Too bad—Left Fengyi is no mere pawn.”

Xun Yu smiled. “Elevating Wenruo to Imperial Censor and keeping him in Luoyang is not necessarily bad. From afar, my lord can stay informed of capital affairs.”

Xun Yu’s words struck a chord. Liu Heng turned to his officers. “Wenruo’s suggestion reminds me—we should select a shrewd, loyal man to manage intelligence in Luoyang, overseeing information and protecting Wenruo.”

Though Left Fengyi had scattered spies, most were scouts doubling as informants.

Liu Heng wished to create a dedicated intelligence and even assassination corps. Though lacking a suitable leader now, Zheng Hun’s stay in Luoyang offered an opportunity to establish an intelligence unit as a prototype for future expansion.

The idea grew increasingly feasible to him.

Xun Yu agreed. “Your plan is sound. We can select personnel from the military or civilian ranks, but loyalty must be absolute.”

With the intelligence department settled, Liu Heng turned back to Xun Yu. “Proceed according to the established plan.”

Xun Yu nodded. “I will draft a proclamation to alert the entire prefecture.”

“Du Ji!”

“Present!”

“Issued immediately: this spring’s plowing shall be a military-agricultural mutual aid effort. Forts and stations will serve as units. The prefecture will dispatch soldiers to assist farmers in timely sowing, ensuring no delay in the agricultural season!”

“Zhang Ji, Fa Yan.”

“Present!”

“You two oversee grain and supply logistics and maintain order at the rear. Strictly control prices; anyone hoarding or profiteering during wartime will be executed and have property confiscated for military use!”

Orders issued clearly and decisively.

The officials departed swiftly, leaving only Liu Heng, Xun Yu, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei in the hall.

“Recruitment orders…” Liu Heng mused, then spoke to Xun Yu. “Wenruo, issue a proclamation in my name: Left Fengyi will now recruit brave warriors regardless of origin, ages eighteen to forty, physically fit. Upon enlistment, settlement pay is granted immediately. Those who achieve merit will receive land and homes, double the usual amount. Families of the fallen will be cared for by the prefecture.”

“Zilong, take my seal and hasten with the Black Armor Camp to Right Fufeng. Enter the city to meet Bao Hong, ordering grain distribution and mobilizing available troops to defend Chencang. Then lead your unit to station near Yong County, ready to respond.”

“Also, dispatch Gongming and Shuzhi with forces to Chencang. Han Sui and his men must first capture Chencang to invade the Three Auxiliary regions. As long as Chencang holds, Han Sui will retreat.”

This was no stroke of military genius, merely a recollection that Han Sui and Ma Teng later failed because they could not take Chencang after months of siege, eventually defeated by Huangfu Song and fleeing back west.

Liu Heng paused, voice rising. “Tell all who seek to make a life in Left Fengyi: here lie land and opportunity—but you must earn it with courage and sweat!”

“Yes, sir!”

The men responded solemnly.

Left Fengyi stood, weathering storm and siege, growing ever stronger.