Chapter 44 of 100

Chapter 44: Holding a Candle, Forgetful of Sleep (Part 2)

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"Even if they occupy it, we can take it back!" Han Gang, hands on his hips, waved and spoke with great confidence, while Wang Hou and Wang Shunchen clapped and cheered on the side.

"Lanzhou is a strategic pass. To the west, it connects to the Western Regions; to the south, it suppresses Qingtang; to the east, it shields Qinzhou; and to the north, it can directly strike at the soft underbelly of the Tangut! This is a place that military strategists must vie for. Once we control this area, the Western bandits will have to station three to five thousand men to defend it, or Empress Dowager Liang won't be able to sleep well! But how many troops do the Western bandits have in total?" Han Gang paused here, not continuing the topic, but instead looked with a wistful expression and said, "Lanzhou is by the Yellow River, where the river winds and the canyons are deep and continuous. It is said that its grandeur is no less than that of the Hukou and Longmen, and it rivals the Three Gorges."

Wang Hou nodded repeatedly, letting Han Gang change the subject as he pleased. His mind was completely absorbed in Han Gang's words, forgetting the purpose of his visit. He kept praising Han Gang, "You are indeed well-learned and well-informed."

Han Gang smiled and said, "A scholar need not leave his room to know what is happening in the world. Understanding one thing and inferring another, this comes from reading books. I am not one to read books blindly. I left home at a young age to study, walking from Qinzhou to Jingzhao Prefecture, and then back to Weizhou to follow Mr. Zhang Zai. I may not be able to boast about other places, but I know Guanxi like the back of my hand."

Wang Hou's expression turned serious and respectful, saying, "Truly worthy of being a disciple of Mr. Zhang Zai."

Han Gang nodded solemnly, "Without Mr. Zhang Zai's meticulous guidance, there would be no Han Gang today."

Han Gang's words were sincere and heartfelt. The vast knowledge of classics and articles, as well as the military and geographical expertise he inherited from his predecessor, all came from Zhang Zai's teachings.

Under Mr. Zhang Zai, they learned not only Confucian classics but also astronomy, geography, military strategy, and hydraulic engineering. To think that Song scholars only knew 'zhi hu zhe ye' would be a great mistake, especially in military strategy and geography, which were the focus of Zhang Zai's teachings.

In his youth, Zhang Zai once submitted a memorial to Fan Zhongyan, volunteering to join the local heroes to reclaim the old lands of Qingtang. Later, he was persuaded by Fan Zhongyan to abandon military pursuits and turn to literature. After more than a decade, Zhang Zai passed the imperial examinations and began teaching. Even so, his understanding of military matters was highly regarded by Cai Ting, the governor of Jingyuan Road and the military commissioner of Weizhou. Han Gang, thinking about this, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and finally remembered where he had heard Wang Shao's name!

Zhang Zai once served as a military judge in Weizhou and was highly esteemed by Cai Ting. In Weizhou, he taught students while helping Cai Ting reorganize the army and clear out empty positions. Last year, it was heard that Zhang Zai was helping Cai Ting revise the military regulations established by Fan Zhongyan. Before Han Gang returned, he also heard that the current Chancellor Cai Xiang's implementation of the military regulations had been effective and was highly regarded by the court, especially by the young emperor who wanted to enrich and strengthen the country, and by Chancellor Wang Anshi who was assisting him in reviving the Song dynasty.

At that time, there was also a guest in Cai Ting's entourage who was highly esteemed. He was also a jinshi (imperial scholar) and a fellow examinee of Zhang Zai from the Jiayou 2nd year (1057). However, unlike Zhang Zai, he failed the higher-level imperial examination and abandoned his official career, instead following Cai Ting to Shaanxi and traveling through the various states of Guanxi. He also discussed with Zhang Zai his plan to reclaim Qingtang. Zhang Zai once told his students that he had the ambition of Ban Chao and Ma Yuan, wanting to travel thousands of miles to spread the might of the Han dynasty. His name was Wang Shao!

After a pleasant conversation with Wang Hou, Han Gang felt it was time to probe deeper, so he asked, "I wonder if the Wang Jiyi of the Military Commission..."

Before Han Gang could finish, Wang Hou said, "That is my father!"

A faint smile appeared on Han Gang's face, and he said, "I have heard that your father intends to annex Qingtang and open the border in Hehuang. This is indeed the wish of our generation and the lifelong aspiration of my teacher. If your father succeeds, his achievements will not be inferior to those of Ban Chao and Ma Yuan, and he will be the first great achievement for the Song dynasty since the pacification of Northern Han. The tens of thousands of people in Qinzhou will also deeply appreciate your father's kindness."

"The Western bandits are watching closely, and the Tibetans are rebellious and powerful. Without the help of heroes and wise men, it will be difficult to achieve. Brother Han, with your extraordinary talent and insight, can you help my father to alleviate the suffering of our hometown? In the future, you can earn titles and honors, and no longer be bullied by small people." Wang Hou stared at Han Gang with burning eyes, waiting for his response.

Han Gang smiled but did not answer. He was willing, but Wang Hou was just a young official, not Wang Shao himself. His invitation would be meaningless without Wang Shao's approval. Han Gang hoped to receive an official invitation from Wang Shao, not just an invitation from his son.

Wang Hou was taken aback, about to persuade again, but seeing the faint smile on Han Gang's face, he suddenly realized. He understood that this should be said by his father. He changed his words, "If Brother Han has time tomorrow, could you visit the city hall? Wang Hou will be eagerly awaiting your arrival."

"City hall?" Han Gang shook his head and smiled, "I've already been there once today. If I go again tomorrow, I wonder if I'll be driven out."

"Is it to request an audience with my father?"

"No, it's because I have urgent military news to report, but no one is paying attention." Han Gang sighed, as if deeply pained.

"What military news?" Wang Hou asked.

"Ordered to escort military supplies from Qinzhou to Gangu, this afternoon, we encountered nearly a hundred bandits in Pei Gorge. Although we scattered them, the main road to Qinzhou is now blocked by bandits. It's not a good omen!" Han Gang pointed to the slightly raised left shoulder of Wang Shunchen under his robe, "Wang Jun's shoulder was hit by an arrow, but even with an arrow in his shoulder, he still shot down eleven men. One-third of the thirty-one heads on the cart outside are his doing."

"Shot down eleven men?" Wang Hou looked at Wang Shunchen in surprise, not expecting him to be so brave. He then asked urgently, "Thirty-one heads in total, what about the spoils?"

"Thirty-four bows, forty-one knives and spears, and one set of armor." Han Gang listed them like a treasure, knowing that to gain trust, details must be accurate.

With spoils and heads, Han Gang's words were undoubtedly true. "A hundred bandits fought until a third of them were killed before retreating. It was indeed a fierce battle." Wang Hou nodded, understanding the casualty rate of a battle, and asked, "How about your side's casualties?"

"Forty-one people in total, including myself and Wang Jun. Eight were injured, none were killed."

"Ah..." Wang Hou exclaimed, "No one was lost!"

Han Gang shook his head, "Two were lost!" He explained to Wang Hou, "These two tried to flee in battle and spread panic. I killed them myself, so they don't count as battle deaths."

Wang Hou was even more shocked. Not many scholars could kill with their own hands, and Han Gang spoke about it as casually as eating or drinking. But recalling Han Gang's actions in the market, shooting Xiang Ronggui, it seemed genuine.

Wang Hou, still a young man, admired Han Gang's actions, looking at him with admiration and deep respect. He stood up, raised a bowl, and toasted Han Gang, "Brother Han is truly a man of Guanxi! Let's drink to this!"

Han Gang drank heartily with him, put down the bowl, and smiled. The coarse wine made him feel a surge of heroism. He felt that the scholar Han Gang he met tonight was truly a hero of the age.

Han Gang then patted Wang Shunchen's shoulder, "Speaking of which, the greatest credit for this battle goes to Wang Jun! I only maintained internal order, while Wang Jun repelled the enemy. We were attacked from both sides, and it was Wang Jun who stood firm, shooting without missing, scattering the enemy. If not for Wang Jun, I wouldn't be sitting here tonight!"

Wang Hou carefully examined Wang Shunchen from head to toe, praising him repeatedly, "Indeed, a valiant general." He raised another bowl to Wang Shunchen.

Wang Shunchen's mustache stood up in pride, and he quickly raised his bowl in response, modestly saying, "Too much praise! Too much praise! Where, where!"

After toasting Wang Shunchen, Wang Hou filled another bowl and turned to Zhao Long, "Zhao Ganyong's spoils must also be considerable. He should drink a full bowl too!"

Zhao Long's face turned red with embarrassment, and he mumbled, "No... I'm just a city guard."

Han Gang helped Zhao Long out of his embarrassment, saying, "Zhao Ganyong's martial skills are no less than Wang Jun's. He just had bad luck and offended his superior. He was punished to guard the city. A pearl in the dust, truly a pity."

Zhao Long was deeply moved, his eyes welling up, almost crying, and he regarded Han Gang, whom he had known for less than half a day, as his greatest confidant in life.

Wang Hou nodded in agreement, forcing Zhao Long to drink and remembering his name.

Everyone sat down again, and Han Gang continued, "Pei Gorge is a key route, right next to Fugou City. Now that bandits have appeared, no one is taking it seriously. I wanted to see the deputy city commander, but was told to wait for a superior."

Wang Hou, hearing this, realized it involved his father, and quickly explained with a smile, "If City Commander Liu were here, this wouldn't have happened. But Deputy City Commander Li is eager to advance, and he set up a banquet to invite my father. My father refused, and he is now sulking, unwilling to handle official business."

"State affairs..." Han Gang shook his head, "If all the generals and commanders in Guanxi are like this, when will we be able to defeat the Western bandits?"

"Let's not talk about these troubles, let's drink! Drink!" Wang Shunchen raised his cup, and the three of them agreed loudly, drinking heartily together.

With the wine, Han Gang and Wang Hou continued to talk about heaven and earth, discussing ancient and modern matters, while Wang Shunchen and Zhao Long joined in, not feeling bored.

The four of them drank until they were drunk, unaware of the passage of time, until the rooster crowed three times and the sky turned white.

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