Chapter 102: Hidden Intrigue

After the banquet, everyone departed. As Qin Bo exited the governor’s mansion, he furrowed his brow and shook his head quietly. Du Ximing, who was accompanying him, naturally noticed Qin Bo’s expression.

The two had faced life and death together from the very beginning, their bond like that of blood brothers, sharing everything without reservation. Du Ximing teased with a smile, “What’s this? Could it be that Master Zhang just arrived in Ba Commandery and took over your governor’s mansion, and you’re not pleased?”

“Not at all,” Qin Bo waved his hand repeatedly. “You must understand, I started as a mere soldier in the army, born poor and without any backing. Without Miss Wang’s promotion, even if I were alive now, I’d only be a lowly servant leading horses or carrying whips, never reaching the esteemed position of governor. How could I dare disobey Miss Wang’s last orders?”

Du Ximing pressed on, “Then why the frown?”

“Brother Du, we have fought together on the battlefield, risking our lives side by side. Calling our friendship one of life and death is no exaggeration. I won’t lie to you now,” Qin Bo’s face grew serious. “I think Master Zhang is nothing but a fragile scholar. With the current situation in Shu, I worry he won’t be able to hold the fort.”

Upon hearing this, Du Ximing laughed heartily. Having followed Zhang Chi through countless trials, if there was anyone he respected most besides Miss Wang, it was Zhang Chi himself. “Brother Qin, since Miss Wang gave such instructions, there must be a reason. You’ll see in time what makes Master Zhang extraordinary.”

Seeing Du Ximing’s confidence, Qin Bo asked, “So you’re fully confident in Master Zhang?”

“Naturally,” Du Ximing nodded.

“Ah,” Qin Bo sighed deeply. “Brother Du, you’re new to Shu and unaware of the full circumstances. These truly are troubled times for Shu. Not only do the northern and northwestern barbarians harbor intentions to invade, but Huan Xuan’s hold over Jingzhou is like a fierce tiger lying beside a bed, ready to strike at any moment. Even without that, the internal situation in Shu is precarious. Though the King of Chengdu rules Shu, military power has slipped from his hands, and officials and noble clans harbor their own ambitions. In such a situation, even with your great ability, what can really be accomplished?”

“I admit I have no solution,” Du Ximing smiled calmly. “But Master Zhang is not me. What seems an insurmountable problem to us might be easily solved by him. It’s like asking me to fight on the front lines—I can barely fight a hundred men before exhaustion. Yet Master Zhang can laugh and banter while driving back armies of millions. How can I compare to him?”

“Sigh.” Qin Bo remained unconvinced, shaking his head bitterly.

...

Zhang Chi had been wandering for days; now, resting in the governor’s mansion, he was comfortable and slept in late until well past mid-morning before stretching and rising.

By then, Du Ximing, Ding Yizhi, Qin Bo, and others were already waiting in the main hall. Since Zhang Chi was to take command of Ba Commandery, it was natural that he be briefed on the situation there.

“To the east of Ba Commandery lies Ba Dong Commandery, and to the northwest is Ba Xi Commandery. Together, these three commanderies are known as the Three Bas, all under Liangzhou’s jurisdiction. Though I am governor, I come from a military background and hold only military authority. Most local officials are appointed by the Inspector of Liangzhou, so my actions are often restricted,” Qin Bo explained to Zhang Chi.

Although Qin Bo viewed Zhang Chi as a weak scholar and was uneasy handing over Ba Commandery, Miss Wang’s orders were absolute. Like Du Ximing, before meeting Zhang Chi, the person he most respected in life was Miss Wang.

Spreading out a map, Qin Bo pointed to Ba Commandery’s location. “Ba Commandery has fourteen cities. It was once wealthy and populous, but due to years of war, the combined population of all fourteen cities is now only about 200,000 households.”

“How many troops does Ba Commandery have?” Zhang Chi asked.

Qin Bo shook his head, sighing. “After years of war, most remaining people are old, weak, or disabled. The army numbers just over ten thousand, with only eight thousand elite soldiers. These eight thousand are well-trained, formed when Miss Wang first sent me to Shu to organize a military force, intended for future use. Before her death, she ordered me to use these elite troops to assist Master Zhang in managing Shu.”

...

In such a large commandery, only eight thousand elite soldiers remained. It was clear that Shu had been embroiled in continuous conflict over the years.

Zhang Chi recalled that when An Ren was on the boat, he had mentioned northern barbarians invading and that local officials refused to send reinforcements. He asked, “I’ve heard the northern barbarians are about to invade Shu, and the six northern commanderies are in dire straits. Has Ba Commandery sent any aid?”

Qin Bo shook his head. “No troops have been dispatched from any commandery. I have only this small force, and they are reserved for your use in governing Shu, so I dare not act rashly.”

Zhang Chi nodded. “Ba Commandery has fourteen cities—how many troops are stationed in the main city?”

“Only the eight thousand elite soldiers I mentioned. They are presently training by the river,” Qin Bo replied.

“Good, then let’s visit the camp,” Zhang Chi said.

With that, Qin Bo led the group out of the city toward the military camp.

After a few miles, they reached the riverbank where the eight thousand elite soldiers were training on the opposite shore.

Crossing the river, Zhang Chi toured the camp, seeing the soldiers well-trained and disciplined. Though only eight thousand strong, they were undoubtedly a formidable force. Zhang Chi nodded in quiet approval, muttering to himself, “Miss Wang truly had foresight, preparing everything so thoroughly beyond my expectations.”

Ding Yizhi smiled. “What Miss Wang did for the elder brother is far more than this.”

Could Miss Wang have left other plans? Zhang Chi was about to ask when Qin Bo spoke up, “Indeed, Master Zhang, you should know that the ruler of Shu is the King of Chengdu. But he has only recently arrived in Shu. When he was still in Jiankang, he was a close friend of Miss Wang. Before you came to Shu, the King of Chengdu sent an envoy to summon you to Chengdu. The envoy, having not found you, returned to report but instructed that if you arrived in Shu, you must hasten to Chengdu to pay respects.”

Before Zhang Chi could respond, Du Ximing said, “There’s no rush to go to Chengdu. Better to wait until your leg injury has fully healed.”

As the saying goes, injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal. Though Zhang Chi’s wound was not severe, it would not be restored in just a few days. Moreover, Shu’s situation was unpredictable, with officials vying openly and covertly. Du Ximing dared not let Zhang Chi travel alone to Chengdu. No matter what, Dao Xuan must recover and accompany him; having a formidable presence nearby ensured some degree of safety.

“That makes sense,” Ding Yizhi agreed. “Besides, since the elder brother has just arrived in Ba Commandery, some arrangements must be made. Given the turbulent situation, conflicts could erupt at any time. We should expand the military. Recently, many refugees from the northern lands have migrated into Ba Commandery. Why not take this opportunity to recruit and build up forces in preparation?”

Preparing ahead was urgent. Whatever changes might come, troops were a vital asset. Zhang Chi nodded. “Brother Du, since you’re a general by training, why don’t you take charge of recruiting the refugees and organizing a new unit?”

Du Ximing agreed.

“Also, the thousand and five hundred remnants of the Rice Taoist sect you brought yesterday should be properly managed,” Qin Bo added.

Zhang Chi nodded. “I think it would be best to enlist them all into the army. Their temperament still reflects their Rice Taoist origins, so they need firm discipline to become a true fighting force. Thank you, Governor Qin.”

“No trouble at all,” Qin Bo waved his hands. “Rest assured, Master Zhang, I will not disappoint you and will train them into elite soldiers.”

...

After touring the camp and discussing details at length, they planned to cross back over the river to return to the city.

Before boarding, a stout monk approached along the riverbank. Short in stature, with an open chest and a large belly, he somewhat resembled the Amitabha Buddha statues Zhang Chi had seen in temples.

What caught attention most was the chicken drumstick in his hand, which he was greedily gnawing, leaving oil smeared across his face. Spotting the boat from afar, he chuckled, wiped his greasy hands on his robe, and without a word, waddled straight toward the boat where Zhang Chi and his companions were about to board.

The monk was filthy and disheveled. Soldiers guarding the area stopped him. “Where did this mad monk come from? The governor is inspecting here. Move along!”

But the monk refused to leave, placing his hands on his belly and yelling curses. “Can’t I go just because the governor is here? No wonder they call them dog officials. But a good dog never blocks the way!”

Seeing the monk insult them, the soldiers were about to strike.

“Stop,” Zhang Chi commanded, stepping forward. “Master, do you wish to cross the river?”

“Yes, yes,” the monk smiled. “Good sir, would you be so kind as to ferry me across?”

“Helping others is helping oneself,” Zhang Chi said, signaling the soldiers to stand down. “Please, Master, board the boat.”

The monk laughed softly and was the first to jump aboard.

The river was narrow; soon they reached the opposite bank, so no one entered the cabin.

At the bow, the monk suddenly chuckled. “The scenery on the river is truly breathtaking. It inspires a sudden poetic urge. Let me compose a poem.”

No one paid him much mind, thinking what good could a mad monk’s poem be? Only Zhang Chi responded, “Master, please recite it for us.”

The monk smiled and began:

“War’s chaos knows not when it began,
Drinking and wandering, a mad monk’s plan.
Beneath the boat surge waves before the prow,
The river gathers all mountains in its flow.
Three armies fly past Lingfeng’s pass,
Ten thousand horses halt at Jianjiang’s bay.
In days of old, Ba Mountains spanned miles wide,
A scholar turned soldier emerges from Liangzhou’s side.”

Upon hearing the poem, those nearby were truly moved, especially Qin Bo, who hadn’t expected such refined verse from the mad monk. The reflection of towering mountains mirrored in the river was indeed captured in “The river gathers all mountains in its flow.” Zhang Chi echoed, “Waves surge beneath the boat, the river enfolds the mountains—what fine lines!”

“You remember the wrong things and praise them endlessly,” the monk laughed, pointing. “But you seem reasonable, willing to ferry me across. Consider this poem my thanks. Remember the last four lines well—they will serve you in time.”

By then the boat had reached shore. The monk ignored Zhang Chi, jumped off, laughing heartily as he strode away.

The last four lines? Zhang Chi pondered silently:
“Three armies fly past Lingfeng’s pass,
Ten thousand horses halt at Jianjiang’s bay.
In days of old, Ba Mountains spanned miles wide,
A scholar turned soldier emerges from Liangzhou’s side.”

Could there be a hidden meaning within these lines?