Chapter Six: Punishing the Outlaw, the Hero Returns to Xijun, Restoring Order, the Pillars of Law Stand Firm Against the Eastern Qiang

Afterwards, Lao Ma quietly said to me: "The gentlemen come from prominent families, and the young ones also come from prominent families. One can imagine that the scions of noble families would wish to serve in the court, to secure titles and benefits for their wives and children. If the timing is not right, and one harbors resentment, there may be some cynical thoughts and some unconventional actions. However, if the court is willing to employ us, why would we not wholeheartedly align ourselves? True heroes exist only among the common people; within the real aristocracy, there have never been any true heroes." If the timing is not right, and one harbors resentment, there may be some cynical thoughts and some unconventional actions. However, if the court is willing to employ us, why would we not wholeheartedly align ourselves? True heroes exist only among the common people; within the real aristocracy, there have never been any true heroes.

The issue of the Shu bandits cannot be resolved for the time being, but the problem with the Qiang and Hu cannot be left to chance. Since the Han Dynasty, the Qiang people have been known for their unpredictable loyalty, often evolving into border troubles. What is even worse is that since the notorious killer Ma Chao entered Shu, the Shu bandits have clung to this lifeline without letting go. Zhuge Liang's military campaigns from Qishan often resonate with the Qiang people, and his act of capturing Jiang Wei from Tianshui to take him as a disciple is clearly aimed at winning over the Qiang— the Jiang family of Tianshui has maintained good relations with the Qiang due to their involvement in smuggling. Jiang Wei has invaded several times, and almost every time he first makes contact with the Qiang. Although not all the Qiang chieftains are foolish, most are reluctant to make clear statements and prefer to observe the situation first. However, it is certain that once the Shu bandits establish a foothold in Longxi, the Qiang and Hu will surely rise in response.

How magnificent! I applaud to encourage him, but I wonder how many people he needs to accompany him. Should he bring gifts? Su Duwei gently shook his head: "A large entourage would only raise the suspicions of the Qiang people; gifts, though good, are unfortunately unavailable as the treasury in the county is empty. I will only bring two subordinates and go empty-handed. Within three days, I will surely persuade the Qiang chieftains to send hostages to the court and submit to the king's rule."

Then, how can I achieve some results to show to the superior? First, internally, I need to recruit and pacify the displaced people, provide relief to the widowed and elderly, and develop production; this is the essence of the matter. However, these trivial tasks can be entrusted to the two Ma brothers, as I am too lazy to expend much effort on them. More importantly, I must establish good relations with the prominent clans and ensure public order, suppressing all those who dare to challenge my authority as the governor. I cannot allow these individuals to cause any disturbances; my esteemed position as the governor of Longxi must not fall into the hands of the Shu bandits or the Qiang and Hu tribes, nor should I allow these ruffians to take my head, as that would be utterly disgraceful. More importantly, I must establish good relations with the prominent clans and ensure public order, suppressing all those who dare to challenge my authority as the governor. I cannot allow these individuals to cause any disturbances; my esteemed position as the governor of Longxi must not fall into the hands of the Shu bandits or the Qiang and Hu tribes, nor should I allow these ruffians to take my head, as that would be utterly disgraceful

Only by knowing both oneself and the enemy can one achieve victory in every battle. I still need someone familiar with the internal affairs of Shu and the book thieves. I wrote to Governor Wang, asking him to introduce someone on my behalf, and he indeed sent a capable person to me. This individual is surnamed Liu, named Rui, courtesy name Jiming, originally from Jiangzhou. His father served as a counselor under the false Minister of State Li Yan in Shu. In the fifth year of Taihe, Li Yan was ousted by Zhuge Liang and exiled to Zitong County. Liu Rui's father, wishing to be a loyal minister, followed his master to Zitong. In the second year of Qinglong, Zhuge Liang died of grief, and shortly thereafter, Li Yan also passed away. Liu's father then returned to officialdom, reportedly rising to the position of Shangshu Lang. However, he continued to bear the blame for Li Yan's faction, constantly facing exclusion and encountering traps everywhere. One day, he accidentally fell into the water while escaping, and hurriedly took the familiar path through Badong to flee to Xincheng, submitting to our great Wei—this was probably in the ninth year of Zhengshi, which was about seven years ago.

It is said that Liu Jiming, in the prime of his youth, bears a striking resemblance to Li Yue in both appearance and stature. However, there are notable differences: first, his complexion is fair, as white as a fish's belly, indicating a life spent mostly in the study with little physical activity, which sets him apart from the gallant heroes and rascals who ride like flying eagles; second, his cheeks are covered with fine hair, likely due to never having been groomed or shaved, giving him the appearance of a half-grown child at first glance

Although Li Yuefei possesses exceptional martial skills, able to ride a poor horse and draw a strong bow, his literary talent is also remarkable, with eloquence flowing like a tide, reminiscent of a young horse... However, after hearing so much flattery, it becomes like a breeze passing by the ears, and one does not take it to heart, nor does it feel nauseating... Yet, he has always referred to me as "Old Sir," a title I have never been able to get used to... I am only a few years older than him, so what is there to be called "Old"? Yet, he has always referred to me as "Old Sir," a title I have never been able to get used to... I am only a few years older than him, so what is there to be called "Old"?

I had thought that Li Yue was a burly man with a strong build, but upon meeting him, I found him to have delicate eyebrows and bright eyes, with no beard beneath his jaw. Aside from a slightly dark complexion, he turned out to be a graceful young gentleman. However, considering his noble lineage, it was not surprising that he did not resemble a brutish beast or a bloated figure. What astonished me the most was that this hero, Li Yue, did not walk in to meet me; instead, he crawled in on his knees. Upon our first meeting, he bowed three times and then loudly proclaimed: "Your Excellency, I am Li Yue from this county. Today, I am honored to see your esteemed presence, and I am overwhelmed with emotion..." As he spoke, his brow furrowed, his handsome eyes glistened, and he truly began to sob.

However, it is one thing to merely sing praises; Liu Rui is also at fault for his greed, as he enjoys misappropriating public funds. In a letter of recommendation written to me by Governor Wang, it is clearly stated that when in Chang'an, the staff referred to Liu Rui as "the mouse," claiming he was a warehouse hamster that had accumulated years of cunning. Fortunately, the treasury in Longxi is currently empty, leaving him with nothing to steal for the time being. Nevertheless, it is wise to remain cautious around such a character.

So I asked Qin Rui and Duan Xia, "I have heard that there is a 'Hero Yue' in the county, who acts lawlessly and disrupts the order with his martial prowess. What kind of person is he, really?" I originally intended to capture this notorious individual first and set an example for the unruly populace, but to my surprise, the two replied, "This is a misunderstanding. This person does not bear the surname Yue; he is from the prominent Li family in the county, named Li Yue, courtesy name Chao Xing. He specializes in upholding justice and has always eluded the authorities."

This official has lived up to expectations. In less than three months since joining my ranks, he has gathered all the secrets of the enemy state that I wished to know, from the concubines of Liu Shan's harem to the timely payment of monthly salaries for officials at all levels, and even down to the latest dance trends in Hanzhong and how many chickens Jiang Wei consumes in a single meal, all of which are clear as day. The only regret is that he has never been able to uncover information regarding the defense of Hanzhong against the Shu bandits and the troop strengths of various armies.

Just as Commander Su had just left the city, full of vigor and confidence, Qin Rui rushed over to add his commentary: "Indeed, Su has served as the Protector of the Qiang, and the Qiang people respect him. But how old was Commander Su at that time? Could he understand the internal affairs of the Qiang? He is merely the biological son of Su Ze, and with the title of a clan nephew, would the Qiang people truly submit to him?" I nodded: "I almost forgot, you are of Qiang descent, so you should be more familiar with this..." Upon hearing my words, Qin Rui's face turned crimson: "The master knows, but the master does not hail from the Qiang. The surname Qin is a prominent surname from the Central Plains..."

This issue is quite important, and I first discussed it with the newly appointed Colonel Di Daowei. This Colonel has a significant background; it is said that he is a relative of the Duke of Su, named Su Chu, courtesy name Xiu Zhi, and he has served as a Colonel in several prefectures in the eastern regions. However, why would he leave the affluent eastern regions to come to the barren and desolate Long and Tushuo? There are only two possibilities: first, this person is indeed highly talented, and the court has appointed him to guard the western frontier; second, this person is truly incompetent or does not know how to flatter, barely maintaining his position through the protection of his ancestors, but has been assigned to a difficult post.

In order to pave the way for a prosperous future, I have decided to roll up my sleeves and work hard. As long as I achieve some results, there is a possibility of being transferred to a different county or appointed to a position in the capital. Thinking of the fertile and rich lands in the eastern region, if I could serve as governor there for a few terms, it would not only bring glory to my ancestors but also allow me to fill my own pockets. By that time, would I still need to constantly urge the old horse to treat guests?

The issue of internal strife must be addressed before we can confront external threats. I cannot prevent the attacks from the Shu bandits, nor can I transform Longxi into a non-frontline area—unless the court takes Hanzhong. However, that strategic pass has been repeatedly attacked since the time of Yuanhou Cao Zhen, and not once has there been a successful incursion, let alone an occupation. Although Jiang Wei, who currently defends Hanzhong, cannot be compared to Zhuge Liang, nor can he be compared to Wei Yan or Wang Ping, it seems that the current military leaders of the court on the western front, such as Chen Tai and Deng Ai, also cannot be compared to Cao Yuanhou.

The people of Xizhou have always been known for their fierce temperament, and Liangzhou is no exception. Following closely is Yongzhou, a situation that has persisted since the time of Qin Shi Huang... No, it has been this way since the era of Shang Yang. In Yong and Liang provinces, it has become common for mobs to riot, expelling or even killing the governor. Since the end of the Han dynasty, this has been a frequent occurrence. Just think of Ma Teng and Han Sui, or Wang Guo and Song Jian; the mere thought sends chills down my spine.

He spoke with great passion, yet I found it hard to believe. To say nothing of other matters, it would take at least ten days to gather the various Qiang chieftains for a meeting from here to Qiangzhong, yet he dares to claim it can be done in "less than three days"? However, I suppose the word "three" may not be a precise number, but merely indicates that it does not require too much time. At the moment, I cannot think of a better way to deal with the Qiang people. To impose authority upon them is necessary, yet with only over a thousand local troops in Longxi, there is no real power. As for bribery, the treasury cannot even produce ten bolts of silk at present, so what wealth is there? In this difficult situation, I have no choice but to temporarily believe in the ambitions of Colonel Su.

However, regardless of this person's true nature, the Commandant is only half a rank below me, and I cannot avoid discussing the significant matter of pacifying the Qiang and Hu tribes with him. I feel quite anxious in my heart, thinking that this matter is not easily resolved. Yet, the Commandant appears to be quite confident, stroking his beard and slapping the table, saying: "My lord, do not worry. My uncle was once the Protector of the Qiang and is well-acquainted with the internal affairs of the Qiang. I am willing to go alone and assure the Qiang people of our sincere intentions to welcome them, so they will no longer dare to communicate with those petty bandits from Western Shu."

I drove that imposter who pretended to be a Han out. If you truly had a way to win over the Qiang people, you should have come to me earlier to seek my favor. What is the purpose of speaking ill of the commander afterward? Oh, I see, he has long coveted that position of deputy and is eager for Deputy Su to fail, hoping to take credit afterward: "Look, my lord had already guessed that fellow was incapable!"

I was taken aback by what I heard and immediately changed my mind. A wandering hero, like a scattered soul or a ghost, can be captured or killed, and the problem is easily resolved. However, as a member of the largest clan in the county, the Li family, that is no longer a wandering hero but rather a local venomous snake or a powerful figure. Such individuals can only be appeased, not provoked. Thus, I quickly put on a different face and asked Qin Rui, "Are you familiar with him? I would very much like to meet such a chivalrous expert in person and commend him." Qin Rui nodded, "I have had a couple of encounters with him, and we have some rapport. Since the governor wishes to meet him, I will go find him right away."

I acknowledge that Old Ma's words are indeed very accurate, and thus I have decided to reinstate Li Yue. On one hand, such talents are much safer when brought into the government than when left in the civilian sphere; on the other hand, this provides an opportunity to win over the Li clan from Longxi. The essence of governance lies in understanding the sentiments of the people and issuing policies that can be smoothly implemented. Now that Li Yue is by my side, I will quickly learn of any demands from the local clans led by the Li family, and I will also be able to anticipate any imperial edicts that might infringe upon their interests. I can discuss these matters in advance with Li Yue to negotiate concessions, ensuring that everyone can avoid hardship. The essence of governance lies in understanding the sentiments of the people and issuing policies that can be smoothly implemented. Now that Li Yue is by my side, I will quickly learn of any demands from the local clans led by the Li family, and I will also be able to anticipate any imperial edicts that might infringe upon their interests. I can discuss these matters in advance with Li Yue to negotiate concessions, ensuring that everyone can avoid hardship.

I widened my eyes and looked at Qin Rui and Duan Xia standing beside me. The two nodded, indicating to me: "Indeed, it is this person." Ah, the so-called rumors from the people are indeed not to be trusted, and it turns out to be true. A hero is always at odds with the authorities; what the authorities protect, he seeks to kill; what the authorities capture, he seeks to hide; what the authorities strictly prohibit, he will act recklessly. However, this hero Li Yue seems to be quite obedient.

If the offense is not feasible, then we must rely solely on defense. First, recruit new soldiers, assigning the cavalry to Qin Rui and the infantry to Duan Xia and Li Yue, ensuring they are well trained. Qin Rui often expressed dissatisfaction, privately telling me: "Those two fellows command over a thousand troops, while my unit has less than a hundred. You are being too biased, aren't you?" I shot him a glare: "If you have the ability, go get more warhorses. There are only this many horses in the county; how many cavalry do you expect to lead?" Qin Rui fell silent, but it is said that thereafter he frequently sought out Old Ma, using flattery, coercion, and even threats, brandishing a knife to intimidate him into parting with some money to buy horses. Unfortunately, although Old Ma spent money like water, he was resolutely against using his private funds to fill the public coffers, even if it meant his life.

However, I admit that there is some truth in what this beast has said. I could only anxiously wait for Captain Su to return. Hey, I really didn't have to wait long; in just six days, Captain Su returned to Xiangwu City. However, when he left, he was on a tall horse, exuding authority, but upon his return, he was dejected, and even his hair bun had been cut off by the Qiang people

If we can win the hearts of the Qiang and Hu people, not only can we eliminate this potential threat, but we can also directly curb Jiang Wei's advance into the Longzhong region. If the Qiang and Hu are allies rather than enemies, and they present a pincer attack from the west, do you think the Shu rebels would dare to invade again?

When Liu Rui pledged allegiance, although he was still young, he must have heard quite a bit about the internal affairs of the Shu rebels from his father. Moreover, having grown up in Zitong and Chengdu, his fluent Southwestern dialect would surely serve him well in gathering intelligence and probing into enemy situations.

Although Liu Rui possesses such abilities, unfortunately, his mastery of flattery is not inferior to that of Xiao Ma or Li Yue. Sometimes I can't help but wonder why such individuals gather around me. It has always been the case that subordinates echo their superiors' preferences; am I inherently someone who enjoys hearing compliments? I do not think so. That is indeed quite dangerous.

The position of the governor of Longxi is certainly not a favorable one. The land within the commandery is barren, and the clans are arrogant. Outside the commandery, to the west are the Qiang and Hu tribes, and to the south are the bandits from Shu, all of whom are constantly on the lookout. With internal troubles and external threats, if any issue arises, I could be held accountable by the court and demoted back to my hometown—no, that would still be considered fortunate. If the bandits from Shu or the Qiang and Hu tribes were to conspire and attack the city, it is highly likely that I would lose my life.