Chapter 104: To Fight or Surrender?

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These days, Du Ximing’s recruitment of refugees was going smoothly. With the recent turmoil in the northern territories, many refugees had migrated south. In just over ten days, they had managed to form a preliminary refugee army. However, for these refugees to become effective on the battlefield, much more training was needed.

Although Zhang Chi lived in the governor’s mansion in Ba Commandery, he spent his days idly. After all, he was not the governor of Ba. The fourteen cities of Ba each had their own officials appointed mostly by the Inspector of Liang Province. Even Governor Qin Bo only held military power; many administrative matters were beyond his control.

With Qin Bo and Du Ximing handling military affairs, Zhang Chi was content to relax, ignoring mundane duties. He lived in the governor’s mansion, served daily by wine maidens, enjoying his leisurely days.

Anren, whose injuries had healed about seventy to eighty percent, grew angry seeing Zhang Chi’s idleness. “You said you would persuade Prince Chengdu to send troops against the Hu, yet all you do is drink and enjoy yourself.”

“More haste, less speed,” Zhang Chi replied, his usual carefree tone unchanged.

Anren snorted coldly. “With such laziness, by the time you convince those corrupt officials to resist the Hu, their armies will already be at our doorstep.”

No matter what Anren said, Zhang Chi paid no heed. Two days later, Qin Bo came to report the latest military situation in the north: all six northern commanderies had fallen to the Hu. Their army was prepared to cross the Ba Mountains, with Wuping as the next target.

Wuping was a key city in northern Shu. If it fell, Shu would be in grave danger.

“Now is precisely the time for us to pay homage to Prince Chengdu,” Zhang Chi smiled and said to Anren, “Let’s depart for Chengdu immediately.”

...

Du Ximing, having just recruited new troops, needed to continue training them. The war was nearing an end, and sufficient manpower was the top priority—there was no time to waste.

Therefore, Du Ximing remained in Ba Commandery to train the troops and did not accompany them. Instead, Qin Bo traveled with Zhang Chi to Chengdu. As governor of Ba, Qin Bo was more familiar with the forces in Chengdu.

Zhang Chi initially did not intend to bring the wine maidens, but Qin Bo advised, “When we meet high officials and noble families in Shu, they are always accompanied by many attendants. It is proper for you to bring some attendants as well. Otherwise, who will pour the wine during meals? That would be impolite.”

Zhang Chi agreed and brought the wine maidens—those few women he had rescued in Kuaiji had all become his attendants and accompanied him on the journey.

Once arrangements were made, Qin Bo assigned a hundred soldiers to escort them, and they immediately set out for Chengdu.

Ba Commandery was located near what is now Chongqing, not far from Chengdu. To pass the time during the march, Zhang Chi asked Qin Bo about the situation in Chengdu.

Qin Bo, riding alongside, explained in detail, “The situation in Shu is quite complicated. According to imperial regulations, places with princes do not have governors but ‘internal officials.’”

Zhang Chi was aware of this. Prince Kuaiji Sima Daozi’s fief was in Kuaiji, so when Zhang Chi was there, he had met Wang Ningzhi, the internal official of Kuaiji, rather than a governor.

Qin Bo continued, “However, Shu differs from other regions. Although there is a Prince of Chengdu, each subordinate commandery has its own governor, and even the Yi and Liang provinces have inspectors.”

“What is the reason for this?” Zhang Chi asked.

Qin Bo pointed eastward, “It is because Huan Xuan had seized Jing Province. The court wanted to control Shu but lacked the strength, leading to bureaucrats in Shu holding both civil and military power. The Prince of Chengdu is of the Sima royal family and loyal to the court, but currently, he is only the nominal ruler with little real military power.”

“Then who commands the most troops in Shu?” Zhang Chi inquired.

“Due to years of unrest, Shu’s manpower is limited. The governors of Yi and Liang provinces have the largest forces, each commanding seventy to eighty thousand soldiers. The commanderies themselves have few troops. For example, Ba Commandery only has about ten thousand soldiers, of which only eight thousand are elite.”

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Zhang Chi asked questions as they traveled, learning much about the current situation and finding the march less tedious. They arrived in Chengdu late in the day. Qin Bo led them to an inn for rest, planning to visit Prince Chengdu the next morning.

The following morning, while others rested, Zhang Chi and Qin Bo went directly to the Prince’s mansion.

Whether nominal or not, the Prince of Chengdu was still the ruler of Shu, and Chengdu was his fief. The mansion was grand. Zhang Chi waited briefly at the gate before being announced. An official in fine brocade came out, clasped his fists and said, “You must be Young Master Zhang from Jiankang?”

When Lady Wang had sent someone to Shu to assist Zhang Chi, she did not know he would later go to Kuaiji. Zhang Chi did not confirm or deny. The official introduced himself, “I am Luo An, currently the Captain of the Shu Treasury. You have arrived just in time. Prince Chengdu and the other lords are currently in the hall discussing affairs. Please follow me.”

Luo An led Zhang Chi into the mansion and straight to the main hall. Zhang Chi had not expected such a warm reception upon arrival. At the hall’s entrance, Prince Chengdu himself descended the jade steps to greet him.

Zhang Chi had heard from Qin Bo and others that the Prince had only recently been enfeoffed and was not very old, having known Lady Wang back in Jiankang. But seeing him now, Zhang Chi realized how mistaken he had been—the Prince looked at least in his forties or fifties.

Prince Chengdu approached with a kindly face and a bright smile, supporting Zhang Chi as he entered the hall. “You need not be so formal, young master. I have been awaiting your arrival.”

With that, he linked arms with Zhang Chi, and they entered the hall together.

Inside, the hall was filled with cultural relics and ministers kneeling on both sides. Prince Chengdu introduced them one by one. There were many officials, and Zhang Chi could not remember them all. He only paid special attention to the Inspectors of Liang and Yi provinces, whom Qin Bo had mentioned earlier.

Both inspectors were around forty years old, with beards. The Inspector of Liang Province had a distinctive handlebar mustache, while the Inspector of Yi Province sported a goatee.

Although Zhang Chi wore only a plain blue robe, the Inspector of Yi Province was shrewd and noticed the unusual honors given to Zhang Chi. He wondered what background this young man might have.

After the introductions, Prince Chengdu arranged seats for Zhang Chi and took his own seat. He then asked, “You have arrived at an opportune moment. We are currently debating whether to send troops against the Hu. Some advocate war, others peace. What are your thoughts?”

Zhang Chi smiled modestly. “I am but a scholar, with no great insight. Let us first hear from the lords.”

No sooner had Zhang Chi spoken than a gruff voice shouted, “We must fight! How can the sons of Shu bear humiliation from the Hu? The Hu have already taken the six northern commanderies and are marching on Wuping. We must act decisively and send troops to resist. If Prince Chengdu orders it, I swear to build a Great Wall of flesh and blood to bar any Hu from crossing the Ba Mountains!”

Faced with a grave enemy, many were passionate and supported resistance. Others echoed, “We should fight! How can we accept defeat without battle?”

Prince Chengdu had introduced this speaker earlier, but with so many officials, Zhang Chi had not caught his name. His fervor was impressive, and even Zhang Chi nodded in approval, though unaware of his identity.

“Fight? With what?” sneered the Inspector of Liang Province, twirling his handlebar mustache. “The Hu have over three hundred thousand troops, with reinforcements. How many do you have—just a few thousand? Even if all Shu’s forces were combined, that would be barely one hundred thousand. How can we match the Hu?”

This view gained many nods.

Another man knelt before Prince Chengdu, “Your Highness, we must not fight. The Hu have more troops, better supplies, and superior cavalry and crossbows. They have taken six commanderies and their morale is high. If we fight, Shu cannot be saved. Better to send envoys to surrender, losing some wealth but sparing Shu and its people the ravages of war.”

The gruff man roared, “How can you speak such nonsense as a councilor? Only if Prince Chengdu orders war will Shu and its people truly be saved!”

The hall erupted with voices—some in agreement, others in anger. Officials argued wildly.

Prince Chengdu, overwhelmed and furrowing his brow, waved for silence and asked Zhang Chi, “You were recommended by Lady Wang. Surely you have a unique perspective?”

Having listened to the debate, Zhang Chi smiled and said, “Given the circumstances, I believe fighting will not succeed. It would be better to surrender.”

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Prince Chengdu was undecided but never expected Zhang Chi to advocate surrender. He was stunned.

“Nonsense!” barked the gruff man. “How can you say we cannot win?”

Before Zhang Chi could respond, the Inspector of Liang Province stroked his mustache and said, “No wonder Prince Chengdu honors this young man. He clearly understands the situation. With such a disparity in forces, we cannot win.”

He nodded subtly at Zhang Chi, showing friendly regard.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Chi said, “It is not the disparity in forces that dooms us. When Fu Jian was strongest, he commanded over nine hundred thousand troops against Xie An’s mere tens of thousands by the Yangtze. Yet at Bagong Mountain, Fu Qin was terrified by mere rumors and fled in disorder.”

“Exactly,” chimed the gruff man. “Fu Jian’s ninety thousand lost to Xie An’s few; we should surrender without fighting.”

Zhang Chi’s words puzzled the Inspector of Liang Province, who thought, Which side is he on? He first advocated surrender, now seems to argue for war. “Didn’t you say we can’t win?”

Zhang Chi smiled, “I said we can’t win, but not because of troop numbers.”

“Then why?” Prince Chengdu asked urgently.

Zhang Chi stood and scanned the officials, speaking firmly, “We cannot win because you, the lords present, cannot unite to resist the foreign invaders. Instead, you are selfish, cowardly, clinging to your offices and military commands. You refuse to send troops, even colluding with the Hu, undermining morale! Why else did the six northern commanderies fall?”

His words were righteous and powerful, stunning everyone. Before anyone could reply, Zhang Chi bowed to Prince Chengdu and said, “If you lack the resolve to resist, it is better to send envoys to surrender now—the sooner, the better. But if you are determined to fight, then act decisively. Do not hesitate or waver. Once committed, there is no turning back!”

His speech silenced the hall. Seeing Prince Chengdu still hesitant, Zhang Chi raised his voice, “Prince Chengdu, should you fight, even if you die, you remain the ruler of Shu, beloved by the people. Should you surrender, though you live, you and your people will suffer Hu humiliation and eternal disgrace. Will you fight or surrender?”

Though many officials held military power themselves, no one else dared speak to the Prince so boldly. Yet Prince Chengdu was not angry. He stood, bowed to Zhang Chi, and said, “Thank you for your counsel. I have been enlightened.”

Turning, he declared loudly, “My decision is made. We will send troops to resist the Hu!”

At this, the peace advocates in the hall erupted in protest. The councilor who had previously urged surrender knelt and wept, “Prince Chengdu, reconsider! Do not listen to this man’s treacherous words; he seeks to drag Shu’s officials to ruin!”

Prince Chengdu had little real power and had to consider his officials’ advice, causing him great distress. Zhang Chi saw this and stepped forward, smiling softly, “Prince Chengdu, if you are resolved to fight, I would like to borrow your sword.”

No one was allowed to carry weapons in the hall, so only Prince Chengdu wore a sword. He trusted Zhang Chi because of Lady Wang’s recommendation. Perhaps Zhang Chi wished to emulate the great generals who used symbolic acts to show resolve. After a moment’s thought, he handed over the sword.

The writhing councilor continued to weep and plead against war. Looking up, he saw Zhang Chi now standing before him with the sword and a smile. Fearful, he stood and asked, “What do you intend?”

Zhang Chi ignored him, thrust the sword through his heart, and upon withdrawing it, the councilor was dead.

“Since we fight, anyone who speaks of surrender,” Zhang Chi suddenly ceased smiling and commanded, “Will be killed!”