Zhai Huang steered the chariot down the final bend in the road and along the last hundred yards to where the road turned off to the small compound. He pulled up on the reins and within a few minutes they’d come to a complete stop, their first since setting out that morning.
Wen stayed standing in the chariot as the cloud of dust from their wake drifted over them, obscuring their view, although his eyes were locked firmly on General Zhai Jue, who stood stock-still in front of the gate to the compound. After a few moments, when all seven chariots behind them had come to a stop and the dust had lessened, General Zhai Jue came into view. The man looked much as Wen remembered him, his long black hair tied into a neat top-knot atop his head, his beard and mustache trimmed neatly before flowing down his face and to his chest. The general chose to wear the simple robes that all soldiers wore, and there wasn’t a sign of ostentation about him. Wen stepped off the chariot and as he did so General Zhai Jue moved from his position and came forward.
“Marquis Wen, I’m honored that you’ve chosen to come at my request,” General Zhai said with a bow when he reached Wen.
“The contents of your message were of such importance that I had little choice,” Wen replied as he stared into the small eyes of Zhai.
General Zhai nodded. “I wish things could have turned out differently, with a death on the field perhaps, but alas, they did not. I hope that you’re not too dissatisfied with my choice in the matter.”
Wen shook his head. “Alarmed at first, but the more I’ve thought upon it, the more I’ve come to realize that the capture of Duke Kang will aid us more than it hurts us.”
General Zhai bowed his head. “Your words come as a great relief, Sire.”
“Is the Duke here?” Zhai Huang asked as he came up beside Wen.
General Zhai nodded. “We have him secured in a room inside. He’s been treated well, according to his station.”
“And Tai Tian and the other generals?” Wen asked. “Where are they?”
“Still outside of Linzi, as far as I know,” General Zhai answered. “I and a small force fled from the battlefield and came here as quickly as we could when Duke Kang was captured.”
“You told no one that you had Duke Kang, or where you’d be going?” Zhai Huang asked.
General Zhai shook his head. “No one.”
“Well, they know now,” Wen said. “When I received your message yesterday morning I immediately ordered messages sent to Marquis Lie and Marquis Jing to meet us here. I’ve no doubt they’ve sent messages off to their own generals by now ordering them to make all haste to this location. Tai Tian, too, I suspect will be on his way.”
General Zhai nodded. “You’re wiser than I in such affairs, Sire. I’ve tried to avoid all matters concerning politics during my career, although I’ve seemed to have stumbled right into them this time.”
“That you have, General!” Wen said with a laugh. “That you have.” He walked forward and clasped General Zhai on the shoulder and turned him about so that they were facing the compound.
“Now, General Zhai Jue, why don’t you show me to our illustrious political prisoner? I’m afraid you’re going to be given a crash course in political maneuvering over the next few days.”
Zhai Jue nodded as he and Marquis Wen began walking through the gate, not at all sure if he was happy with what he was hearing.
* * * * *
Duke Kang’s eyes shot up as heard footsteps from the hallway, then a key turn in the door’s lock. He straightened himself up in the room’s lone chair, stuck out his chest, and threw back his head. Whether it was the guards bringing him food or Zhai Jue calling once again with his bothersome check-ins, Kang meant to be defiant.
The lock finished its turn and the door swung open. The proud look upon Kang’s face vanished and was replaced by one of surprise as Marquis Wen of Wei stepped into the room.
“Duke Kang, I’m honored to meet with you once again, although I sincerely wish that it could have been under better circumstances.”
Marquis Wen stood staring at Duke Kang, a slight smile on his face, his arms folded across his chest and into his robes. Kang blinked a few times and then stood from the chair.
“Marquis Wen, I demand to be released from this unwarranted captivity which your general has placed me into!”
Wen simply shook his head, the same slight smile still upon his face.
“I’m sorry, Kang, but I simply cannot do that at this time. However, if you cooperate with me, then I’m sure we’ll have you back in Linzi in no time at all.”
Kang’s brows furrowed and he took a step back, placing his hand on the backrest of the chair.
“Cooperate with you? There is no reason why you should even be in Qi in the first place. Once King Weilie hears of this he’ll–”
Kang was cutoff by Wen’s upraised hand.
“I fully intend to inform King Weilie of what has occurred, or rather, you will yourself.”
Completely taken by surprise, Kang couldn’t help his mouth falling open.
“Well, that is…good then,” he managed to stammer.
Wen smiled a bit more. “Both Marquis Lie of Zhao and Marquis Jing of Han are proceeding to this location as we speak. Tai of House Tian will also be arriving shortly. Together we’ll sit down and come to a reasonable solution to the problems which have plagued House Jiang for more than a century.”
The defiance returned to Kang upon hearing Tai Tian’s name.
“I’ll not sit down with that traitor!” he said. “There’ll be no negotiation with House Tian as far as I’m concerned.”
Wen shook his head. “You were defeated on the battlefield by Tai’s forces. If it wasn’t for your failed attempt to flee, you’d be dead and not standing here right now.”
“If it wasn’t for your meddling in affairs which are no concern of yours then I would have won that battle,” Kang said.
“Tai Tian requested assistance from Marquis Lie, Marquis Jing, and I nearly a year ago,” Wen lied. “That request could just have easily been asked by you, and then perhaps it would’ve been Tai standing in this room and not you.”
“What happens in Qi should be decided by those living in Qi,” Kang pressed, “not players with nothing at stake in the conflict.”
“Oh, but I do have something at stake in the conflict,” Wen said.
Kang narrowed his eyes at that remark as Wen paused, but he said nothing.
“The future of the State of Wei is tightly wrapped up in what occurs here in Qi,” Wen continued, “and your capture has ensured that that can be a very bright future indeed.”
“I don’t think I understand,” Kang said after a few moments.
“Whether you continue to rule Qi or whether Tai Tian does is really of no concern to me,” Wen explained, “and I think that both Marquis Lie and Marquis Jing feel the same way. What all three of us do care about, however, is our standing within the Seven States.”
Wen moved over to the small window which looked down upon the road leading to the Qi border. He looked out for a few moments, and then looked down at the floor before turning to face Kang once again.
“I want you to meet with King Weilie, and you can air all your grievances against House Tian during that meeting, but first I want you to do one thing for me.”
Kang stared back at Wei, at a loss for words.
“I want you to tell King Weilie that you think it is time Wei, Han, and Zhao are declared the Three Jins.”
Kang threw his head back and laughed out loud despite himself, looked back at Wen and sobered, then laughed once again as he shook his head.
“So that is what this is all about? You still lust after that title after all these years.” Kang shook his head again and moved toward Wen and the window. “And what makes you think that King Weilie will listen to me on such a matter?”
“You and King Weilie have had a good relationship, not as good as your father had, but you certainly see him more often than many other rulers of the Seven
States.”
Kang scoffed and stared out the window. “Little good it has done me. Not once has he sent troops to aid me in my struggles here at home.”
Wen put his hand on Kang’s arm, drawing the man’s attention from the window to him once again.
“The battle that brought you here could easily have gone the other had my soldiers given the word,” Wen said. “I can suddenly decide to support you over Tai Tian, and also ensure that Marquis Lie and Jing do the same.”
“So you’re saying that in return for my endorsement of you three to King Weilie you’ll switch sides and fight against House Tian?” Kang asked skeptically.
Wen nodded. “We can guarantee that the threat from House Tian is finally ended.”
Kang brushed off Wen’s hand and moved away from the window. He stood staring down at the floor for several moments on the opposite side of the room before turning back to face the marquis.
“And how do I know that I can trust you?” he asked. “Already you’ve gone against me, what assurances do I have that you’ll not do so again once I meet with King Weilie?”
“I’ve always felt that actions speak louder than words,” Wen said. “Once the meeting with King Weilie has concluded the troops that Lie, Jing, and I sent to aid Tai Tian will then be used to aid you. If you like, we can easily arrange for more to be sent, ending all threats to House Jiang entirely.”
Kang looked back down at the floor for a moment then back at Wen.
“I’d like some time to think about this,” he said, and Wen nodded.
“And I’d also like some better accommodations and a chance to meet with the advisors captured alongside me,” Kang added.
Wen nodded. “That can easily be arranged, and I’ll give you until Marquis Lie and Marquis Jing arrive from Han and Zhao to think it over. But I’ll have you know that I want word sent off to King Weilie in Luoyang as soon as possible.”
“I understand,” Kang said.
Wen nodded. “Very well, then I’ll arrange for you to be moved to better quarters and for your advisors to join you.”
Kang nodded and Wen moved toward the door.
“Marquis Wen,” Kang said suddenly.
Wen stopped and turned back to face the unfortunate Duke. “Yes?”
Kang stared at Wen for a few moments as if searching for the right words to say before finally speaking.
“The fate that has befallen me and the State of Qi can just as easily befall you and the State of Wei,” he said. “Power can be a perilous thing, and no one expects that they’ll one day lose it. You’d do well to remember that, Wen, for perhaps one day you or one that follows you will be in a situation similar to the one I find myself in now.”
Wen stared back at Kang for several moments before nodding and leaving the room.
* * * *
Later that night the generals from Han and Zhao arrived at the small compound, each with a small contingency of troops. General Zhai Jue went out to meet them, and it was obvious right off that both were angry at being informed by messages from their respective marquis’ of the capture of Duke Kang and not from General Zhai Jue himself. Zhai tried to calm them as much as possible, explaining that things had occurred so quickly during the battle and stressing that the capture of Duke Kang had not in any way been planned. Neither men’s anger was lessened, but they had been ordered to the small border town and told to await the arrival of their marquis’, which was expected within a day or two, and to do nothing more.
Wen had just chuckled when he’d been informed of the generals’ arrival, glad that he didn’t’ have to deal with the two men. He’d chosen a small room in the compound and awaited the arrival of Lie and Jing as patiently as he could.
“He’ll say nothing of his decision?” Wu asked again for what seemed the tenth time since he’d joined his father in the small room.
Wen shook his head once again. “He says that he wants to wait until both Lie and Jing have arrived before making his intentions known.”
“Fair enough,” Zhai Huang said. “But I’m sure there can be no doubt as to the possible outcome.”
Wen nodded. “He really has no choice. Either he goes along with us or he dies at the hands of Tai Tian.”
“You’ll really turn him over to House Tian?” Liu asked.
Wen shook his head. “It won’t come to that, I know. Duke Kang is not stupid; he sees the logic in my proposal. I’m giving him the chance to end a century of war within Qi if he simply comes along with me to Luoyang and tells King Weilie to elevate my status.”
“And the status of two others as well,” Wu was quick to point out.
Wen waved his hand to dismiss the comment. “It’s better to have all three of us at the same level than to have two looking on in jealousy.”
“That would turn two allies into two enemies very quickly,” Zhai Huang pointed out.
“And if King Weilie doesn’t follow Duke Kang’s suggestion, then what?” Liu asked. “Are all deals with Duke Kang concerning House Jiang’s safety then cancelled?”
“And what of Tai Tian?” Wu added. “We’ve given our word to help him, and have done so. Can we so easily turn our back to him without consequences in the future?”
Wen nodded at both men’s word. “There are many questions surrounding these recent events, and I don’t have all the answers. I’ve tried to take a situation that sounded bad for us a day ago and turn it into one that’s beneficial. So far I think that I’ve succeeded quite well, but there are many things that are still out of my hands.”
“Tai Tian will arrive tonight or tomorrow,” Zhai Huang said. “He’ll not be happy to learn that we’re now negotiating with Kang.”
“No, I expect he won’t,” Wen said.
“You don’t fear what he’ll do when he finds out?” Zhai asked.
Wen shook his head. “House Tian and House Jiang both have been so weakened by their continual fighting that they can really be no threat to anyone but themselves anymore. If it wasn’t for King Weilie’s known friendship with Duke Kang then I’m sure Qi would have fallen some time ago.”
“And yet we’ve chosen to go against Duke Kang,” Liu pointed out.
Wen nodded. “I’ve always felt that King Weilie’s friendship was stronger with Duke Xuan than it is with his son.”
“That’s quite the assumption to pin Wei’s fate upon,” Wu said.
Wen stared back at his son. “When you take power you’ll have to make similar choices, Wu. Many times you’ll find that both choices in a matter are equally bad, but a choice must be made nonetheless. That is what a strong leader does.”
Wu nodded and said nothing and the room fell quiet as the men sipped their tea. In reality Wen knew that Tai Tian would be very angry when he learned what Wen had offered to Duke Kang. What was of more interest to him, however, was how Lie and Jing would feel about his decision. One or both could disagree and throw their continued support behind Tai, hoping that he’d defeat Kang once and for all, giving them a further base of power in the newly led state of Qi. Wen doubted it would come to that, however. Both men, even Lie who was still inexperienced in leadership, would realize that it be unwise to split their newly formed alliance because of a minor family’s lust for power. Both would surely recognize, as Wen had earlier that day, that their true desires lay not with Tai Tian but with Duke Kang and what he could do for them. While there was no way to know how King Weilie would react to the news of one of his longtime friend’s son’s capture, there was a better than average chance that he’d do something to ensure a good outcome for the man. And that good outcome would directly trickle down to Wei, Han, and Zhao.
“It grows late, and there’s no telling when Lie and Jing will arrive tomorrow,” Wen said after several minutes had passed. “Let us get what sleep we can. I feel that tomorrow will be eventful in many ways, and the day could very well end with us on the road to Luoyang.”
“Let us hope so,” Zhai Huang said as he got up from his chair and heade
d for the door.
The men rose and followed the Minister of War, each giving a final bow to Wen before leaving. Wen, despite his talk of the need for sleep, sat up thinking of the many possibilities that the next day could bring, finally retiring for the night just a few hours before the sun was due to rise once again.
FIFTEEN
It was already unusually warm when the sun began to rise the next morning, the day promising to be hot. The compound was astir with activity well before the first faint rays began to show over the eastern mountains, the many sentries, men from Wei, Han, and Zhao, moving about to secure their respective areas.
Despite his late night, Wen was up with the sunrise and out of his room as the first light began to fill the sky. He stood on the small wall overlooking the entrance to the compound and stared out at the road leading to the west, as if willing both Marquis’ Lie and Jing to arrive. Neither appeared, but he stood there regardless, and was still standing there an hour later when Zhai Jue came up beside him.
“Sire, can I get you anything to eat? A cup of tea, perhaps?”
Wen shook his head and continued to stare out at the road. “No, nothing just now, General.”
Zhai nodded but remained at Wen’s side. Several moments passed before he spoke again.
“Sire, I know of your plans to support Duke Kang over Tai Tian,” he said slowly.
“Oh?” Wen said, turning back to look at him for the first time since he’d appeared. While Wen had relayed nothing to the General of what he’d decided, he wasn’t surprised that the man had learned of the plans. Zhai Jue, while giving all outward appearances of not being too bright, was a resourceful man, one that relied heavily on his men to deliver all types of information to him.
The Warring States, Books 1-3 Page 15
