Han Qinhu arrived alone in Chang'an and stayed at the posthouse in Daxing City, not daring to move an inch. It had been ten days since he submitted his memorial, yet he still hadn't been summoned by the emperor, which made him extremely anxious. Historically, generals commanding troops outside the capital would never enter the capital for an audience unless it was for a matter of great importance. This time, he had rushed to the capital at full speed without even bringing any personal attendants, knowing full well that nothing good awaited him. But what exactly was the emperor's urgent matter? It was hard to guess.
In his memorial, Han Qinhu, who had never been one for elaborate writing, carefully chose his words, fearing that a single mistake could lead to charges of deceiving the emperor. After much deliberation, he concluded that the emperor might be upset with him for making the decision to send the young master to Shu (Sichuan) on his own. However, based on the letter from Sun Simiao and the information from the Yuan brothers that Zhangsun Sheng had already returned to Chang'an from Shu, it seemed that the emperor had tacitly approved of the young master following Sun Simiao. Thus, the emperor likely wouldn't hold this against him. However, the emperor was no longer the brother-in-arms he had known in the military; he was now the Son of Heaven of a great empire. The fact that he had been left to wait in a posthouse filled with the smell of fresh paint for ten days suggested that trouble was brewing.
What stuck in Han Qinhu's throat the most was the emperor's order for He Ruobi to take over as the commander of Luzhou and the military affairs of four provinces. The Han family army, from top to bottom, had fought tooth and nail to get to where they were today. How could the emperor just hand it over to someone else with a single decree? If it were Yang Su taking over, he might have accepted it, but this He Ruobi was arrogant and jealous of talent. He had often slandered Han Qinhu in front of Yang Jian.
Nevertheless, the Han family had been generals for generations, and they always put the law first. Even if the emperor misunderstood him, a subject could not overstep his bounds. Three days ago, Crown Prince Yang Yong had personally visited Han Qinhu at the posthouse. When the posthouse clerk came to report, Han Qinhu did not go out to greet him, instead sending a message: "Without the emperor's decree, a general outside the capital dare not privately meet with the crown prince." Yang Yong had no choice but to leave in disappointment.
That night, the stars were shining brightly. Han Qinhu stood on the upper floor of the posthouse, looking out at the brightly lit city of Daxing, which was thriving with prosperity. Along the way, he had learned that Chang'an, in addition to the relocation of all the government offices, had also issued decrees to attract commoners into the city. The residents of the old city naturally wanted to move away from the abandoned capital, and the aristocratic families and merchants from Luoyang, Jinyang, Chengdu, and other major cities had followed suit. The national treasury was also being filled by the gradually rising prices of land and houses. The establishment of a new capital had greatly boosted the confidence of the people and had also stirred the orderly flow of money and grain. Han Qinhu couldn't help but admire Yang Jian's grand vision and talent.
Suddenly, there was a faint sound behind him. Han Qinhu turned around and saw Yang Jian.
Yang Jian was dressed in plain gray robes, slightly overweight, and looked tired, with strands of silver hair faintly visible at his temples. However, his eyes still shone like the stars. Han Qinhu quickly straightened his clothes and knelt down: "Your guilty subject, Han Qinhu, did not know Your Majesty was here. I failed to welcome you properly. Please punish me!"
Yang Jian turned to Yang Xiong, who was standing behind him with a hand on his sword, and said, "I will speak with Zitong (Han Qinhu's courtesy name). A-Xiong, you may leave."
After Yang Xiong left and closed the door tightly, Yang Jian smiled and said, "Rise, Han Qing. I've been busy with court affairs these past few days and haven't had time to summon you. Tonight, I happened to be leaving the Eastern Palace and heard that the crown prince wanted to see you, but you refused to meet him. So, I came to see you myself."
Han Qinhu stood up, bowing his head and bending at the waist, and said, "Although the crown prince is the heir to the throne, Your Majesty has not yet issued an edict appointing him as regent. Therefore, as a general commanding troops outside the capital, I dare not privately meet with the crown prince."
Yang Jian sat down on the couch and gestured for Han Qinhu to sit as well: "Zitong, you act according to the rules, putting the law first. You are a model for others, and I am very pleased. If all civil and military officials put the law first, why worry about the world not being well-governed? Yong'er (Crown Prince Yang Yong) broke the rules by privately meeting with a general commanding troops, which was inappropriate. However, he has already confessed his mistake to me, so I can forgive him... Tonight, I came to see you, Zitong, partly to catch up and partly to seek your advice on how to handle the current situation in the north and south."
Han Qinhu naturally knew that, since ancient times, the relationship between a ruler and his subject was as distant as heaven and earth. What "catching up" could there be? It was just polite talk, and he shouldn't take it seriously. He prostrated himself on the ground again: "Since I began following Your Majesty, I have worked diligently, but I have always been slow-witted and have inevitably said and done the wrong things. Previously, I was fortunate to encounter the young master... At that time, the situation was critical, and I made the decision on my own to send him to Shu..." Han Qinhu was usually straightforward and often spoke without thinking, but tonight, as he spoke of this matter, he stammered.
Yang Jian waved his hand: "Qing, there's no need to say more. I already know about this matter. You had your difficulties, and I have my own circumstances. As the saying goes, 'Even a vicious tiger does not eat its own cubs.' That child is, after all, my flesh and blood. However, the empress's temperament is something you know well. She cannot tolerate this lonely child. If I were to make this matter public, it would not be good for the court and could easily become gossip among the people, damaging my reputation. Now that Mr. Sun has taken him in, it is very appropriate. What you did, Zitong, was exactly what I wanted. You have preserved my descendant, given the censors no grounds to cause trouble, and spared the people from unnecessary slander. I should be thanking you."
Hearing this, the stone in Han Qinhu's heart finally fell. However, Yang Jian's next words made his heart race again: "However, with your intelligence, Zitong, you should have sent a capable person to escort him. Instead, you sent your young nephew to escort him over a thousand miles, and many troubles arose. The son of Minister Gao, the crown prince, the Prince of Jin, the envoy from Liang, General He Ruobi, and others have all submitted secret memorials, claiming that your nephew caused many problems along the way. He conspired with bandits to kill more than a dozen soldiers of the Great Sui, leaked state secrets, seduced the princess of Liang, and plotted with the traitors Xiao Yan and Xiao Huan... If it were just one person accusing him or one-sided words, I naturally wouldn't believe it. But with so much evidence, I have no choice but to believe it!"
Han Qinhu felt his vision darken. No matter how much he had calculated, he never expected that the ultimate victim of this matter would be his nephew, Sanlang! Earlier, he had received a letter from Sun Simiao and had a rough idea of Li Jing's situation, but he never expected it to cause so much trouble. He knew full well that any one of these charges was a capital offense. However, he was also well aware that these people weren't targeting a child. They were simply using Sanlang's actions to attack him. Why were they secretly attacking him? It was because he held military power, had no backing in the court, and the only person who could save him was the emperor! Thinking this, he broke out in a cold sweat and kowtowed three times, his voice trembling as he said, "Your Majesty! My nephew Sanlang is just a child who knows nothing of the world. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare his life..."
Yang Jian remained seated and sighed, "Zitong, according to the newly established laws, a boy over the age of twelve must be punished. If I show mercy, how many criminal cases will come to me for mercy? Wouldn't the laws of the Great Sui become a joke? You are his uncle, a collateral relative, so you can avoid being implicated. But Li Quan can no longer serve as an official. I have already dismissed him from his position as governor."
Han Qinhu knew that since the emperor himself was handling this matter, there was no point in saying more. He could only hope that his nephew would escape capture. So he said, "Your Majesty's great kindness is something I can never repay, even with a hundred deaths! I will obey Your Majesty's wise judgment and willingly accept punishment."
Only then did Yang Jian stand up, help him to his feet, and gently pat his back: "Zitong, you and I have been through life and death together. In name, we are ruler and subject, but in reality, we are brothers! How could I not know of your unparalleled loyalty and righteousness? However, the country is in a state of rebuilding, and we cannot let personal feelings override greater principles, nor can we disregard the laws of the state. You are well-read in the classics and history. Since the Eight Princes' Rebellion during the Western Jin Dynasty, the Five Barbarians have thrown China into chaos, and the country has been divided for three hundred years, with the people displaced and suffering. I have been working tirelessly day and night for what? It is to see the people living in peace and to restore order to the world. Now that the Great Sui has just been established, half of the southern territory is still not unified, the northern Turks are repeatedly invading our borders, and even the Tuyuhun in the west are stirring. This family of mine is not easy to manage. I sent you to guard the north of the Yangtze River and oversee the military affairs of four provinces, hoping that you would prepare the troops and recover the south, unify China, and create an eternal prosperous age!"
Han Qinhu was filled with fervor: "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will spare no effort to repay Your Majesty's trust! However, the northern war is urgent. If I can serve on the battlefield, I beg Your Majesty to issue the decree immediately. I will—"
"Not so fast," Yang Jian raised his hand to stop him. "The Turks are strong, and with the current strength of the Great Sui, we cannot confront them directly. We can only try to sow discord among their tribes and let them fight among themselves. The southern Chen is wealthy, and Chen Shubao is young and inexperienced, indulging in pleasures and incapable of ruling. That is the place we should take first. Zitong, you have been in the military for many years. You know that the most important thing in war is money and provisions. The lands south of the Yangtze have always been the breadbasket and treasury of the nation. Only by pacifying the south can the Great Sui have enough resources to support the north. When the time comes, with the north and south unified, abundant troops, and ample provisions, why worry about the Turks not being destroyed? As for the Tuyuhun and other small countries, they are nothing more than minor irritations."
Han Qinhu deeply admired his reasoning. Previously, some generals had been dissatisfied with Yang Jian, believing that he had only established the new dynasty through the power of a regent. However, Han Qinhu knew in his heart that Yang Jian had a grand vision and could be considered a wise ruler. He bowed again and said, "Every time I listen to Your Majesty's teachings, I feel as though I have gained more than from reading a thousand books or traveling ten thousand miles. I will understand Your Majesty's intentions, set aside my personal thoughts, focus on the greater situation, work diligently, and serve the country, Your Majesty, and the people!"
These words were spoken with great conviction. Yang Jian, moved, took his hand and said, "Zitong, you are a tiger general of this era, and I have full confidence in you. However, the south relies on natural barriers, and even though Chen Shubao is incompetent, the southerners have long been accustomed to enjoying their wealth in peace. I, too, have fought on the battlefield. How can I believe those memorials claiming that 'the southerners long to return to the north'? I have read the *Spring and Autumn Annals* and deeply understand the principle that the strong rule. Without military conquest, the principles of the sages are nothing more than the foolish opinions of scholars. Therefore, the war to conquer Chen will be extremely difficult. In the past, Cao Cao was defeated at Red Cliffs, and Fu Jian was defeated at Fei River. These are lessons from history. Zitong, you are well-versed in military strategy and have a thorough understanding of the terrain. Do you have a plan to pacify the south?"
Han Qinhu replied, "Your Majesty's foresight is far beyond what I can match. In my humble opinion, the main obstacle to conquering the south is the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. If we build a large fleet of ships, like Wang Jun's navy in the past, and sail down the river, clearing the banks as we go, the south will surely be terrified. However, wars between the north and south throughout history have been extremely costly. I believe that the navy sailing east and the forces from the northern provinces along the Yangtze should attack simultaneously, aiming to disperse Chen's main forces, especially those in the capital, Jiankang. Once Chen's main forces are scattered and the capital is left undefended, a elite force can launch a surprise attack on Jiankang and capture Chen Shubao. At that point, even though Chen's forces are still fighting elsewhere, with their ruler captured, they will have no choice but to surrender. If we do this, we can conquer the south with fewer sacrifices and more benevolence, and the world will surely rally to us."
Yang Jian clapped his hands in praise: "Zitong, you truly are a great general! Such a plan cannot be achieved overnight. The methods of shipbuilding have been passed down from Wang Jun's time, and although they are only copies, they should be accurate. However, the strategy of a surprise attack to capture the ruler, while feasible for ordinary cities, is difficult for Jiankang, the southern capital. Since the time of Sun Wu, Jiankang has been the capital for six dynasties. It is well-stocked, its markets are more prosperous than Chang'an's, and each dynasty has reinforced its walls. With the Yangtze and Huai rivers as natural barriers, even if we reach the city gates, Chen Shubao can defend the city and wait for us to tire ourselves out. It will be extremely difficult to breach. Zitong, do you have a brilliant plan?"
Han Qinhu was momentarily speechless. The emperor's words touched on his greatest concern. Jiankang was indeed the most fortified city in the land. If the siege dragged on, Chen's scattered forces would surely return to defend the city, and they would be caught between the enemy inside and outside the walls, risking total annihilation.
Seeing Han Qinhu remain silent for a long time, Yang Jian smiled and said, "Even the most fortified city has a way to be breached. Zitong, you are well-read in the classics and history. Do you know of Mozi, who was famous during the early Warring States period?"
Han Qinhu naturally knew of him. The Li family of Sanyuan was a branch of the Mo school that had gone underground. However, he didn't want to reveal this and instead replied, "Your Majesty, Mo Di was skilled in defending cities. It is said that Gongshu Ban invented siege equipment like cloud ladders, but he could never break through Mo Di's defenses."
Yang Jian said, "The world knows that Mozi was skilled in defense, but they don't know that he was even more skilled in offense. After Mozi's death, the Mo school split into three branches. The branch in Qin helped the Qin king conquer cities, which is why Qin was able to conquer the six states and unify the world. However, Qin Shi Huang, fearing that the Mo school's methods of attack would spread among the people and cause trouble, secretly executed most of the Mo disciples after achieving victory. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, the Mo school has disappeared, going underground. Among them is a manual called *The Secret Manual of Tunneling*, which summarizes the techniques of mechanical traps and secret gates. No matter how fortified a city is, it can be breached."
This was the first time Han Qinhu had heard of this. He asked, "Your Majesty must know where this *Secret Manual of Tunneling* is?"
Yang Jian sighed, "I ordered Zhangsun Sheng to investigate everywhere, but he still hasn't found it. It is said that after the Mo school split into three branches, one branch went underground and hid in the Central Plains..." He then glanced at Han Qinhu, "If this is true, it has some connection with you... The branch that hid in the Central Plains is the Li family of Sanyuan in Guanzhong."
Han Qinhu was shocked and immediately replied, "It is true that I am related by marriage to the Li family of Sanyuan, but I know nothing of any connection between the Li family and the Mo school..."
Yang Jian smiled, "Zitong, there's no need to panic. Your marriage to the Li family is a good thing. Besides, although Li Quan has been dismissed, he is still a meritorious official of the Great Sui. Your eldest nephew, Li Duan, is still fighting the Turks in the north. We cannot judge the entire Li family based on the mistakes of the third son. However, the descendants of the Mo school have always been secretive, and even in-laws may not know. This matter concerns the greater plan to conquer the south. If I issue an edict to question the Li family, it would be inappropriate. Therefore, I ask you, Zitong, to go and feel them out. If this manual exists, there's no need to present it to the court. You can keep it for your own use. When the time comes to pacify the south, the greatest credit will still belong to you. Why worry so much?
So, after all this, the emperor wanted him to go to the Li family to investigate the secret manual of siege warfare. Although it wasn't explicitly stated as an imperial decree, how could he dare to disobey the emperor's will? Thus, he bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject will go to the Li family tomorrow to inquire about this matter. If such a manual exists, I will surely present it to Your Majesty."
Yang Jian helped him up and said, "Zitong, since I am meeting you privately, it is because I do not want a third person to know about this matter. I am not certain that the Li family possesses this manual, but exploring every possibility increases our chances. Not only you, but I have also ordered Guang'er (Yang Guang, the Prince of Jin) and Zhangsun Sheng to investigate the other two branches separately. Zitong, if you wish to achieve a great feat, this manual is indispensable. I am only telling you this, not asking you to find it and hand it over to me. I possess the entire world—what use do I have for an ancient secret manual? You and I are ruler and subject, but we are also one. I am sharing this secret with you because I have no doubts about you. If you can obtain the manual, keep it for your own use and do not let a third person know. If you cannot obtain it, and if I acquire it, I will secretly pass it on to you. Just like the *Wang's Ship Manual*, after I obtained it, I gave it to Yang Su and ordered him to quickly prepare the navy. When employing someone, I do not doubt them; if I doubt them, I do not employ them. You will remain the commander of Luzhou and oversee the military affairs of the four provinces north of the Yangtze. The edict will be issued tomorrow morning. The night is deep, General. Rest well and prepare for the journey ahead. Do not let my efforts go to waste."
Han Qinhu dared not say more and prostrated himself in a bow.
Yang Jian left the posthouse, with Yang Xiong following closely behind, his hand on his sword. They walked toward the imperial palace under the moonlight. After walking the distance of an arrow's shot, Yang Jian stopped and asked Yang Xiong in a low voice, "He Ruobi secretly reported that Han Qinhu has rebellious intentions, and the Prince of Jin claims that he has been secretly colluding with the state of Liang. A-Xiong, what do you think of this?"
Yang Xiong cupped his hands and saluted, "Your subject dares not make presumptuous remarks. From what I have observed, General Han is discerning and loyal to the state. It is like walking at night—one always follows the light. How could one walk into darkness?"
Yang Jian laughed and said, "A-Xiong, you are truly a fine son of the Yang family! Since ancient times, how could a noble person abandon the light for darkness? Zitong may be impulsive at times, but his heart is in the right place. However, those who hold military power must still be carefully watched to prevent disaster."