Chapter 45: Parting at the City Gate, Wheel Tracks Stretch Far (Part 1)

In the early winter morning, the breeze carried a bone-chilling cold. The ground outside the house was already covered with a thin layer of frost. The western sky was still a deep blue dotted with stars, but the east had already lost its beautiful, deep purple and was gradually turning red.

Birds chirped. The birds that could still stay in the northwest in winter were mostly sparrows with brown feathers and white bellies, flying and hopping around in Fugang City, where there was a large stock of grain and fodder, chirping as if responding to the bugle calls of the military camp.

By the time the roosters crowed, the civilian workers in the two barracks had already risen. They no longer needed Han Gang to urge them; they all packed their belongings on their own. After yesterday's battle, Han Gang had gained considerable prestige among the civilian workers, and no one dared to show any slack in front of the scholar. Zhu Zhong, who had gained some authority by treating the wounded, had unknowingly become the leader of the civilian workers. He was the first to pack his luggage and walked to the door of the officers' quarters.

Zhu Zhong looked at the thin, double-leaf wooden door, feeling a bit timid. Listening to the sounds inside, it seemed the drinking party had not yet ended. He was afraid of angering the scholar by disturbing him. Zhu Zhong hesitated, his hand raised, but thinking of the delay in departure and the potential trouble for Han Gang, he finally bit his lip and lightly knocked on the door.

There was not much alcohol in the quarters to begin with; the two jars they initially bought were quickly finished. Later, Zhao Long went out and found three more jars, and the four of them drank and chatted through the night. By now, Wang Hou was already drunk and dazed; Wang Shunmin and Zhao Long were half-drunk, half-awake. Only Han Gang, who avoided drinking and was burdened with heavy thoughts, appeared to drink frequently but actually drank very little. He had stayed up all night, and his eyes seemed even deeper and more profound.

Unaware that the sun had already risen outside, the four of them continued to chat intermittently. Hearing the knock on the door, they all looked towards it. Wang Shunmin jumped up and pulled open the door. When the door opened, he saw Zhu Zhong.

"What is it?" Wang Shunmin asked impatiently, his bloodshot eyes already exuding a murderous intent without even glaring.

Wang Shunmin was known among the civilian workers as a ruthless killer. Zhu Zhong trembled at his glance, his legs weak and involuntarily stepping back. But when he caught a glimpse of Han Gang behind him, he mustered his courage and cautiously reminded him, "Scholar, it's almost time to set off. If we delay, we might not reach Gangu City before dark today."

"That's true," Han Gang said without hesitation, standing up to bid Wang Hou farewell. After a night of deep conversation, their friendship had grown to the point where they could call each other brothers and use their courtesy names: "Brother Chudao, we met as if we were old friends. I wanted to drink with you for a few more days, but unfortunately, I have military orders and cannot delay. I must leave now. When I return from Gangu, whether in Fugang or the state capital, we will have a good drink together."

Wang Hou was taken aback, the alcohol suddenly leaving his system. "Yukun, aren't you going to see my father?"

Han Gang shook his head, straightened his clothes, and stepped out the door. "The mission I was entrusted with has a deadline; I cannot afford to delay. Gangu is not far from Fugang; the round trip will take no more than two days. We can discuss everything when I return from Gangu!"

Seeing Han Gang still determined to leave, Wang Hou chased after him, desperately thinking of reasons. "Yukun, you haven't slept all night. How can you set off now?"

Han Gang laughed. "When traveling, there are no such luxuries. Missing a night or two of sleep is no big deal. I can rest in the carriage if necessary."

"Yukun, don't you have military intelligence to report? Go to the city hall first!" Wang Hou continued to look for reasons to keep Han Gang.

"Didn't I already tell you? I have a severely injured civilian worker, and two more with minor injuries. They can stay behind as witnesses, and the captured weapons and heads will serve as evidence. Please, Brother Chudao, represent me. What could go wrong? Would you embezzle my credit?"

"Of course not!" Wang Hou shook his head vigorously.

"Then that's settled! With your help, I believe the strategist and the deputy city commander will not overlook the danger in Pei Valley. What else is there to worry about?" Han Gang said calmly.

Things easily obtained are not cherished. If something is obtained after great effort, even a shell or a few fragments of ancient writing will be carefully decorated and treasured. The same principle applies to talent. Without the effort of visiting a hermit three times, how could Zhuge Liang have been given such a prominent position by Liu Bei? If he had been recruited after just one night of drinking, how could he have sold himself at a good price? Han Gang was not in a hurry to meet Wang Shao but hoped Wang Shao would come to him.

At this moment, Zhu Zhong brought a bucket of well water and a towel, preparing the washing utensils for Han Gang. Han Gang thanked him, took the towel, dipped it in the icy well water, and rubbed his face vigorously. He then rinsed his mouth with the water from the bucket. The cold water invigorated him, and in the morning light, he looked composed and energetic, with no sign of fatigue.

Wang Hou frowned deeply, leaning close to Han Gang and lowering his voice. "Gangu City is in a precarious situation. Yukun, if you go there rashly, it could be dangerous."

"Everyone seeks good fortune and avoids misfortune. If no one did the country's work, who would do it?" Han Gang countered, looking up to see several wisps of smoke rising from the horizon, just as Zhao Long had predicted. He threw the towel to a civilian worker to clean up, his expression unchanged.

Seeing that he could not persuade Han Gang, Wang Hou looked to Wang Shunmin and Zhao Long for help. Both shook their heads; they followed Han Gang's lead and believed his actions were justified, offering no objections. Their headshakes only made Wang Hou more anxious, as he had finally met a capable person and did not want to let him go.

"Yukun, take your time packing. I'll go see my father." With that, he ran off like the wind.

Watching Wang Hou's back disappear through the camp gate, Han Gang's face showed a faint smile.

In the early morning, Wang Shao, dressed in a blue robe, was walking slowly in the courtyard of the city hall's guesthouse. His second son had not returned all night, but he was not worried. The two guards assigned to his son had reported that he was drinking and chatting with Scholar Han until dawn.

Wang Shao knew that the scholar who could use his influence to make the commander of the garrison apologize and keep his son, who was smart but naive about human nature, would not be difficult to retain. With some persuasion, he could even trick his son into asking for money or a position. As Wang Shao had predicted, after just two laps in the courtyard, Wang Hou suddenly ran in, shouting that he wanted to recommend Han Gang as a staff officer for the military governor.

Wang Shao continued walking along the wall, not turning his head, and asked his son, who was following closely, "Recommend Scholar Han as a staff officer for the military governor?"

"Exactly!" Wang Hou nodded excitedly. "Yukun is truly talented, knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, military affairs, and hydraulic engineering. His views on the Western barbarians and the Qingtang Tibetans are very similar to yours. As a disciple of Zhang Zishou, and since you have discussed the Hehuang region with Mr. Hengqu, it's no wonder he can explain the Hehuang region so thoroughly."

"Is that so?" Wang Shao's face showed a cold smile, but he continued walking.

His "Plan for Pacifying the Barbarians" had indeed been inspired by Zhang Zai, but the strategy for opening up the Hehuang region was not unique to Zhang Zai or himself. Any knowledgeable person in Guanzhong could explain it. Even military leaders like Xiang Bao and Zhang Shouyue knew the significance of the Hehuang Tibetans to the Song Dynasty.

Wang Hou, unable to see his father's expression, continued to recommend Han Gang enthusiastically. "Yukun is a man of integrity, intelligence, and courage. Yesterday, he led thirty civilian workers to defeat the bandits in Pei Valley, beheading thirty-one and capturing nearly a hundred weapons. Such a talented person should be recommended for a position. His achievements are enough to qualify him..."

"Wait..." Wang Shao suddenly stopped, turned around, and raised his hand to interrupt his son, frowning. "You said there were bandits in Pei Valley?"

Wang Hou nodded. "Exactly! Yukun..."

Wang Shao interrupted his son again, urgently asking, "Were they Western barbarians or Tibetan bandits? How many?"

"Bandits under the command of the Western barbarians! More than a hundred!"

"Beheaded and weapons captured?"

"I saw it with my own eyes! Yukun also has injured men." Wang Hou had not actually seen it, but he had complete trust in Han Gang and believed everything he said.

"This must be reported to Governor Li immediately. Fugang City and Xiyang Town must send troops!" Wang Shao said, heading back to his room to write a letter, to be urgently sent to Qinzhou City. This was no small matter; if a hundred Tibetan soldiers could be mobilized, it meant at least one tribe was involved. If this was just a precursor, it would be even more dangerous. The key routes from Qinzhou to the Wei River must not be compromised!

Wang Hou called out from behind, "Father, what about Yukun?"

Wang Shao turned around and asked, "Do you remember what I said yesterday? Han Gang is very cunning, and you are no match for him."

Wang Hou immediately responded seriously, "Father, you misunderstand. Yukun is a man of integrity. I wanted to invite him to the guesthouse to meet you, but he declined due to his duties. Would a small-minded person do that? If he were ordinary, he would have come to me without my invitation."

"Is that so?"

After hearing so much from Wang Hou, Wang Shao was genuinely considering recruiting Han Gang as his assistant. The Song Dynasty was not short of poets, but talented and courageous individuals were rare. Han Gang had managed to impress his proud son in just one night. More surprisingly, he had not been tempted by immediate gain but had shown his integrity, waiting for greater rewards. At around twenty, Scholar Han was not a simple person and might be truly useful.

"I will recommend him, but not now. I need to test him. Once he has shown enough in my service, I will recommend him." Wang Shao smiled. Dealing with someone too clever meant not giving in to their wishes, or they would manipulate you. "Talking about this now is premature. We'll discuss it when he returns from Gangu."

"Yukun is currently serving in the city hall!" Wang Hou called out urgently.

Wang Shao said indifferently, "A young man should endure some hardship; it will do him good. You were too pampered."

"Can you watch him walk to his death when Gangu City is in such a dangerous situation?"

"Don't worry, Scholar Han knows when to advance and when to retreat."

"Father!" Wang Hou suddenly raised his voice, shouting at Wang Shao in anger.

The guards, seeing the argument between father and son, stayed far away, not daring to approach. Wang Shao frowned at his usually obedient and filial second son, while Wang Hou met his gaze defiantly. Wang Shao's opinion of Han Gang improved slightly due to his son's defense, but his perception worsened. A friend who could provoke such an argument between father and son was not someone any father would want around.

Wang Shao pondered. His son's bias made him doubt the authenticity and reliability of the Pei Valley battle. He had always trusted his second son's abilities and judgment, which was why he had brought him out to learn. But now, Wang Shao could no longer trust his son as he had in the past. If he reported the Pei Valley incident without verification and it turned out to be a joke, it would be embarrassing for Qinzhou City. If it affected his reputation in the capital, the loss would be irreparable.

'Verification is necessary.' Wang Shao finally nodded. "Alright, I'll see him."

Wang Hou, unaware that his father no longer trusted his judgment and abilities, was overjoyed that his request was finally granted. He quickly called the guards to prepare for the trip, not noticing the cold expression on his father's face behind him.

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