Chapter 33: The Dusty Road and the Barbarian Troops (Part 2)

"In this world, only I would put in such effort. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be so dedicated." Wang Shunchen pulled a chicken bone out of his mouth, glanced at it for a moment, then tossed it back in and crunched it, "Damn it. I've been feeling uncomfortable with Chen Ju for a long time. You, Scholar Han, made him suffer a great loss, and I found it very satisfying. In the case of the military armory, do you know how much money Chen Ju spent to conclude the case before the Governor returned?"

Han Gang nodded, "More than 8,000 guan!" He paused and emphasized, "In copper coins!"

During the Northern Song Dynasty, copper coins were scarce, and copper was expensive, mostly produced in the southeast. Transporting them over long distances to Shaanxi and Sichuan was very inconvenient, so iron coins were often used in these regions. The value of iron coins was much lower than that of copper coins, with an official exchange rate of 1:2, or even 10:12 in some cases. In the market, it often took three to four iron coins to exchange for one copper coin of the same size.

"8,000 guan in copper coins!" Wang Shunchen shook his head and sighed, "Chen Ju, that scoundrel, spent more than 8,000 guan in copper coins just to bribe the officials in the state. He also spent over 10,000 guan to replenish the military armory's shortfall, and a large sum to settle Huang Daliu's family. The three arrows you shot in De Xian Fang made Chen Ju not just bleed, but cut large chunks of flesh..."

Han Gang nodded with a bitter smile. This was why Chen Ju regarded him as a mortal enemy, and he had no illusions about reconciling with Chen Ju. However, Chen Ju had spent 20,000 to 30,000 guan in one go, exposing his financial situation to the sunlight, and even Wang Shunchen knew the details clearly. With so many officials in Qin Prefecture, Han Gang didn't believe that no one would be tempted. However, they would find it difficult to take action in the near future, and Han Gang couldn't wait for the day when Chen Ju would be completely uprooted in Qin Prefecture.

Not wanting to talk about Chen Ju anymore, Han Gang changed the subject, "May I ask where you are from, Commander?"

Wang Shunchen replied straightforwardly, "I am from Yan Prefecture. My family has been in the military for generations, not as glorious as you scholars."

Han Gang was curious, "Since you are from Yan Prefecture, why didn't you join the army there, but came to Qin Prefecture instead?"

Wang Shunchen fell silent, his expression flickering in the dancing firelight. Finally, he suddenly tilted his head back and took a big gulp of wine, turning the alcohol into a sigh of regret, "If I hadn't committed a crime, I should still be in Suide City..."

Suide...

Han Gang remembered a saying in northern Shaanxi: "The women of Mizhi, the men of Suide, the stone slabs of Qingjian, and the coal of Wuyao." However, at this time, Wuyao Fort had not yet been built, Mizhi was in the hands of the Western Xia, Qingjian City was controlled by the Song, and Suide had always been under the control of the Tangut until three years ago when the famous Western Army general Zhong E forced the local commander Weiming Shan to surrender, thus occupying Suide.

Suide City, located on the banks of the Wuding River deep in the Heng Mountains, was the core of controlling the Wuding River basin and the surrounding Heng Mountains. Zhong E's capture of Suide was like driving a nail into the Heng Mountains, significantly expanding the Song army's control into the heart of the Western Xia.

"If I hadn't committed a crime, why would I have to hide in Qin Prefecture? If I had the support of Wu Lang, I would have been promoted to a palace attendant in a few years. After achieving more merits, becoming a third-class official would be no problem. My father once served under the old General Zhong, guarding Qingjian Fort and building Xi Yao City. Unfortunately, I was born too late to witness the old General's majesty." When Wang Shunchen spoke of the old General Zhong, the admiration and longing on his face were rare to see.

"Is the old General Zhong you mentioned Zhong Shiheng?"

"Is there another Zhong General in this world? The current Wu Lang doesn't deserve the title of General."

Han Gang finally understood: "So you are from the Zhong family of Fuyan. No wonder you have such a grand demeanor."

The old General Zhong Shiheng, who died over a decade ago, was a famous general in Guanxi and the former head of the Zhong family in Fuyan. Zhong Shiheng was the nephew of the famous hermit Zhong Fang, who, despite his reputation, was actually just a pretense. The phrase "a shortcut to the capital through the Zhongnan Mountains" was well-known to people of that time, as being a hermit in the Zhongnan Mountains was only to seek an official position. However, during his time, Zhong Fang was deeply favored by Emperor Zhenzong and held a high position.

After Zhong Fang's death, since he had no sons, his nephew Zhong Shiheng received the imperial favor and entered the military. Zhong Shiheng served as a general in Guanxi for decades, with remarkable military achievements. When Fan Zhongyan recommended Shaanxi generals to the court, he placed Zhong Shiheng second, with the first being Di Qing. Ouyang Xiu also wrote, "Since the war began, the only border generals we have gained are Di Qing and Zhong Shiheng," placing Zhong Shiheng and Di Qing, the Marquis of Wuxiang, on the same level.

However, Zhong Shiheng's official career was far less successful than Di Qing, who eventually became the Chief Military Commissioner. Although his reputation was high, his rank was not. Although he was known as the old General Zhong in Guanxi, he never rose above the rank of a seventh-grade official, the Director of the Eastern Dyeing Bureau, which was seven levels below the high-ranking generals and even further from the title of Grand General. Calling high-ranking generals "Grand Generals" was a custom, like calling the Governor "Governor." Yang Wenguang could be called a Grand General because he was the Deputy Commander of the Qin Prefecture Military, while Zhong Shiheng, in terms of rank and position, was far from qualifying.

Han Gang, being a scholar, had a natural sensitivity to the differences in rank and titles. In his memory, Zhong Shiheng was never called a Grand General; "Sir Shiheng" was already a very respectful title. However, now, speaking to Wang Shunchen, who revered Zhong Shiheng to the point of prostration, calling him "Grand General" was entirely appropriate.

"After the old General Zhong passed away, his eldest son went to the capital to file a complaint and committed a crime. My father then followed Wu Lang, but he died of illness two years ago. I grew up with Wu Lang's son, Shiqi, but this year, after a drunken brawl with an official's son, I had to leave Yan Prefecture and come to Qin Prefecture to avoid trouble. Wu Jiepan, who once supervised the wine tax in Yan Prefecture and was a friend of Wu Lang, took me under his wing."

Han Gang was not familiar with the internal ranking of the Zhong family, but since Wang Shunchen mentioned that Wu Lang was currently stationed in Suide City, he must be the famous Zhong E, one of the most renowned sons of Zhong Shiheng. If he could build a good relationship with the Zhong family, it would open up more opportunities for him. At least Han Gang was certain that until the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the Zhong family remained one of the prominent military families in Guanxi, thanks to the famous Zhong Shida.

Han Gang refilled Wang Shunchen's wine cup, "Since your father served the old General Zhong for a long time, he must have achieved many merits. Didn't he leave you a hereditary position?"

Wang Shunchen drank the wine in one gulp, angrily saying, "What hereditary position? It wouldn't even be my turn as the son of a commander. My father died in bed, so he didn't have that fate!"

A commander, if he was a commander of the upper four armies (Tianwu, Pengri, Longwei, Shenwei) in the Imperial Guard, would be at least a sub-eighth-grade major. However, if he was a commander of the garrisoned Imperial Guard, he might not even have a rank. To qualify for a hereditary position, one needed to be at least a sub-sixth-grade official. Of course, there was another way: to die in battle, and the court would grant a position to one or two of his sons as a form of compensation. Wang Shunchen's father did not meet either condition, so he could not receive a hereditary position.

Han Gang smiled and consoled him, "Forget it. With your talents, entering the officialdom is just a matter of time."

Wang Shunchen snorted, "You scholars are good at saying nice things, but you don't mean it."

Han Gang smiled, not taking offense. However, he was a bit puzzled. Zhong Shiheng died 24 years ago in the fifth year of Emperor Renzong's Qingli era (1045 AD), and Wang Shunchen said he wasn't born yet. Could he be only in his early twenties? Han Gang looked at Wang Shunchen's side face, which was covered in a thick beard, and it looked like he was in his thirties or forties!

Wang Shunchen shook his head, looking at the wine, and suddenly sighed, "It's still better to have a good background. You, Scholar, following Mr. Zhang, can easily pass the imperial exams, unlike us warriors who risk our lives and may not even get a position."

"Speaking of background, I have only been a disciple of Mr. Zhang for two years, and I have received little guidance from him," Han Gang sighed, "If it weren't for my humble origins, I wouldn't have been bullied by the likes of Chen Ju and Huang Daliu."

Wang Shunchen scratched his head, "Who cares about the length of time? One day of learning is still learning. Isn't there a saying about dying after learning in the morning..."

Han Gang smiled, "It's 'If I hear the truth in the morning, I can die in the evening.'"

"Right! Right! That's it. Shiqi mentioned it a few times, but I couldn't remember it." Wang Shunchen sighed again, "The old Secretary's articles were so beloved by Emperor Zhenzong, but by the time of the old General, they were much weaker. Now, in the fourth generation, only Shiqi's brother, Shijiu, has both literary and military talent. Shiqi is still a bit lacking in literary matters."

The old Secretary referred to the hermit Zhong Fang, who was posthumously granted the position of Minister of Works. He was the first generation, Zhong Shiheng the second, and the current famous generals in the Guanxi army, Zhong Gu, Zhong E, and Zhong Zhen (the third generation, also known as the second son, not mentioned by Wang Shunchen), were the third generation. The Shiqi and Shijiu mentioned by Wang Shunchen were the fourth generation. But which generation was Zhong Shida? Perhaps the fifth generation, Han Gang guessed. If he could find out the whereabouts of this future famous general, he would try to get closer to him.

"May I ask, what is the full name of the Shijiu you mentioned? If he inherits the talent of the hermit, passing the imperial exams should be as easy as taking something out of a pocket," Han Gang asked.

"Hey, you don't know him? Shijiu is also a disciple of Mr. Zhang, and should be your classmate!" Wang Shunchen's eyes, which had become somewhat hazy from the alcohol, suddenly became sharp, "Since you are also a disciple of Mr. Zhang, you shouldn't be unfamiliar with him, right?"

Han Gang's breath momentarily stopped. Wang Shunchen was not simple, his mind was much more intricate than his appearance suggested. His words were roundabout, and he was actually probing his background... Fortunately, he had inherited the memories of his predecessor, and that Han Gang was indeed a disciple of Mr. Zhang.

"Is he also a disciple of Mr. Zhang? Zhong... Zhong..." Han Gang softly repeated, a name he didn't recognize surfaced from the depths of his memory, and his eyes lit up, "Zhong Jianzhong! Is the Shijiu you mentioned Zhong Jianzhong, also known as Zhong Yishu?"