Chapter 76: The Year Ends with the Whinny of Horses (Part 2)

"Too cold!"

Wang Hou rubbed his hands vigorously, his face frozen red, and his ears were covered with chilblains. In the freezing weather, he had ridden for hundreds of miles over three days, with the cold wind piercing through his clothes, making him shiver.

"It is quite cold," Han Gang replied casually. He wore a double-layered leather coat with a front opening, and his exposed skin was oiled, so he wasn't as cold as Wang Hou. Wang Hou had brought this upon himself; Han Gang had suggested he use some sheep fat on his ears, but he found it disgusting and refused. Now, after being outside, he had developed problems.

Wang Zhao ignored the two young men. He stood on the mountain path, looking down at the Wei River valley. A group of bodyguards, under Wang Shunmin's command, were spread out around him, carefully guarding Wang Zhao.

In over a month, Wang Shunmin and Zhao Long had gained Wang Zhao's complete trust, and their capabilities had been relayed to Wang Zhao by Wang Hou. Including Li Xin, who had just been appointed, three out of the four most trusted officers around Wang Zhao were recommended by Han Gang.

Wang Zhao was now selecting generals for the future campaign in the Hehuang region. He had a clear idea of the famous generals from the Qin-Feng circuit and even the four circuits of Guanxi. However, these generals transferred from outside would not be as easy to command as those he had personally promoted. Wang Shunmin, Zhao Long, and Li Xin were as helpful to Wang Zhao as Han Gang.

Below the mountain path lay the ancient Weizhai. Its location, nestled between mountains, was a wide valley and one of the few fertile lands in the upper reaches of the Wei River. From the Han to the Tang dynasties, a city or prefecture had been established here for over a thousand years without moving, due to its superior geographical conditions.

The frozen Wei River was a sheet of white, but against the snow on both banks, the ice was particularly noticeable. The ice surface was uneven, like rolling hills, formed by the turbulent flow of water as it froze. Due to the ice being squeezed and broken, there were cracks everywhere, and one could easily fall into the river below if not careful.

And Weizhai was built right by the Wei River.

Weizhai, as the name suggests, was the ancient Weizhou. Unlike the current Weizhou to the east of Qin Prefecture (modern-day Pingliang, Gansu), the Weizhou of the Sui and Tang dynasties was located where Han Gang now stood. During the Han and Jin dynasties, this place was known as Xiangwu, and it remained the seat of Weizhou during the Sui and Tang dynasties. Unfortunately, after the An Shi Rebellion, the Tibetan forces expanded and occupied this area, no longer under Han control. Since then, the location of Weizhou moved 500 miles eastward, a clear sign of the significant reduction in the power of the Han dynasty.

From a high vantage point, the details of the terrain were blurred, but the overall view was clear. The ruins of the Tang dynasty's Weizhou city, which were indistinguishable in the valley, were clearly visible from the mountain path. The city walls of the ancient Weizhou were completely destroyed, but the city foundation, even covered in snow, was still very noticeable. The large city, about six to seven miles long, was much more magnificent than the nearby Weizhai. Unfortunately, the bustling city of various ethnic groups from hundreds of years ago now remained only as ruins.

As they descended the mountain path, a troop of soldiers approached. Yang Ying, who led the way, was a local from De'an brought by Wang Zhao and was one of his close confidants. He held a position in the Military Commission as a bowman commander without actual duties. Following him was a cavalry unit led by the Western Circuit Inspector of Qin-Feng, who also served as the commander of Weizhai.

"Liu Changzuo pays respects to the Chief Strategist."

The Western Circuit Inspector, Liu Changzuo, who bowed to Wang Zhao, had a tall and robust build typical of a northern man. His face, though not handsome, had a stern and masculine charm. He wore a much thinner coat than Han Gang and Wang Hou, showing no signs of shivering in the cold wind, revealing his strong physique.

Liu Changzuo should be over forty, a few years older than Wang Zhao, but his appearance didn't show it. His father, Liu He, died in the battle of Dingchuan Fort twenty years ago, and he received a hereditary title as a ninth-rank Right Class Attendant, in charge of Weiyuan Fort. Over twenty years on the frontier, Liu Changzuo accumulated numerous merits and was recently promoted to Inner Hall Attendant, the same rank as Wang Zhao. However, due to the difference between civil and military officials, he still had to show respect to Wang Zhao.

Seeing the long bow on the horse behind Liu Changzuo, Wang Shunmin felt a bit eager. It was a famous bow in the Qin-Feng region, over four feet long, with a draw weight of three stones. The arrows used with it were specially made, about half an inch in diameter and nearly half a foot longer than the usual two-foot arrows. When Liu Changzuo drew the bow to its full extent, only such a long arrow could fit.

It was said that a four-foot-long bow could not be drawn on horseback, but Liu Changzuo, known for his archery skills in the Qin-Feng region, could do it. He was said to be able to shoot an arrow over a hundred paces and pierce a horse with one shot. The Tibetans who found his arrows would take them home and worship them as divine arrows.

Liu Changzuo and Wang Zhao exchanged greetings, and then he met Wang Hou. When he heard Han Gang's name, Liu Changzuo's body slightly trembled, and his eyebrows raised involuntarily. Han Gang's name was already well-known in the Qin-Feng region, a strategist who could make a tribal leader and a powerful clan disappear with a flick of his fingers, leaving Xiang Bao speechless. Liu Changzuo had heard of him. He bowed to Han Gang, "Han Fugou," but his expression was not very friendly, as Xiang Bao was his superior, and he dared not be too close to Han Gang.

Han Gang deeply returned the bow, "I have not yet received the official appointment from the Internal Selection Office, so I cannot be called by the title. Please call me by my name, Han Gang."

Liu Changzuo nodded and turned to Wang Zhao, "Chief Strategist, I have made preparations in the camp. It is cold and freezing, please come in and rest early."

"Thank you, Inspector," Wang Zhao replied and walked alongside Liu Changzuo. Han Gang and the others followed behind, heading towards Weizhai.

As the New Year approached, Wang Zhao would not come here for no reason, but his focus was not on Weizhai but on Qin Prefecture. The news of Weizhai being upgraded to a military garrison had already been leaked, and it would soon reach Li Shizhong's ears. He had to visit Weizhai to gain Li Shizhong's trust.

In the political arena, competing for credit and shifting blame were inevitable. In the current situation, with Li Shizhong hindering him, Wang Zhao had not made any progress in the Hehuang region. There was no credit to compete for, but the blame had to be shifted. The sin of deceiving the emperor and making him wait in vain, Wang Zhao could not and would not bear. Han Gang's strategy was to make Emperor Zhezong understand who was disrupting the Hehuang expansion plan.

Attacking Li Shizhong with a memorial would be meaningless, as the Governor's words carried more weight than the Chief Strategist's. The best strategy was to let Li Shizhong reveal himself to Emperor Zhezong. By proposing the establishment of a military garrison in Weizhai, then retreating to agricultural and trade policies, and further retreating to either agriculture or trade, if Li Shizhong refused to budge, who could blame Wang Zhao for the lack of progress? If Li Shizhong made any concessions, it would suit Wang Zhao's plans.

To be honest, coming up with a strategy that put his opponent in a dilemma, Wang Zhao felt that Han Gang was more like an experienced official who had been in the political arena for many years.

However, to make Li Shizhong fall for the trap, he had to believe that the Chief Strategist of the Qin-Feng Military Commission was genuinely interested in establishing a military garrison in Weizhai. It was almost the time to send off the Kitchen God, and in just six or seven days, the New Year would arrive. At this time, even if Li Shizhong was very shrewd and suspicious, he would not doubt Wang Zhao's true intentions.

'It's time to reveal my hand.' Walking beside Liu Changzuo, Wang Zhao made up his mind.

The wind howled, making the doors and windows rattle. Snowflakes were blown into the room through the gaps, and the fire in the brazier was pressed down by the wind, barely flickering on the surface of the charcoal, providing no warmth.

Wang Hou huddled by the brazier, his hands almost reaching into the center. Southerners were particularly afraid of the cold, and Wang Hou was no exception. During his years in Guanxi, he feared winter the most. His eyes followed Han Gang, who was pacing back and forth in the room, silently reading a copy of the Book of Songs he had brought.

"It looks like we'll have to spend the New Year here. Yu Kun, stop pacing, it's making me dizzy!"

Han Gang smiled, "With nothing to do, reading is the only way to pass the time." He looked at Wang Hou, who was curled up by the brazier, and added, "Chudao, you should get up and walk around. Sitting will make you even colder."

Wang Hou stood up and imitated Han Gang, pacing back and forth in the room. After a few steps, he complained, "This Liu Changzuo is truly annoying. You offered to help treat the wounded, but he just hummed and hawed and wouldn't agree. Otherwise, there would be something to do."

"He is afraid of Xiang Bao. Wait until the official appointment comes. Then I can act officially." Wang Zhao was resting in the inner room, and Liu Changzuo was wary of him, so Han Gang had nothing to do but read.

During the New Year, one should pay respects to heaven and ancestors. But being trapped in the military camp by the blizzard, these rituals were ignored. Without fireworks or firecrackers, the second year of the Xining era was about to end, and the third year was about to begin.

Hearing the noise from the military camp outside, Han Gang put down his book and pushed open the door. A gust of cold wind rushed in, making Wang Hou cry out in pain. Wang Hou was usually cautious and solemn in front of others, but he showed his true nature around Han Gang.

Han Gang smiled and walked out into the courtyard. The clouds had cleared, and the stars shone brightly in the sky. Han Gang stood in the courtyard, looking up at the vast and mysterious sky. Reflecting on the past, he felt a deep sense of emotion. In a few hours, it would be a new year, the first New Year he would spend in this