"General Xi, you have been patrolling Haixi, maintaining military discipline and readiness for war, and have achieved victories in suppressing bandits."
On this day, within the deliberation hall of the Grand Commander's Mansion in Donghai Commandery, Zhou Fugui spoke encouragingly to Xi Ben: "A general such as you should be a model for the entire army."
Upon being summoned back, covered in dust from his travels, Xi Ben was so pleased that he could only grin foolishly, unsure of what to say.
While Xi Ben was both delighted and proud, Zhou Fugui playfully punched his chest and chided him with a laugh, "You achieved merit, but it wasn't perfect."
"Gr... Grand Commander... what do you mean?" Xi Ben asked, surprised and stammering.
"Alas, the matter of brutal killing, do you think this Commander is unaware?" Zhou Fugui sighed. "Bandits should be killed, but not in such a brutal manner. Our Snow Bear Army is a noble army, a righteous army, and we will not allow any of you to tarnish the reputation of our Snow Bear Army. General Xi, in many instances, not killing is better than killing. Do you understand?"
Capturing a few pirates could indeed elicit some information. The pirates who had been harassing and plundering Haixi County, apart from those who escaped, were all killed by Xi Ben. Among them, many were brutally murdered. What Xi Ben had done was, of course, not perfect.
"The Grand Commander's reprimand is just. Your subordinate understands..." Xi Ben said, bowing his head in acknowledgment of his fault.
To see a formidable general acting like a student being lectured in front of Zhou Fugui made Dongye Han, who was standing by, extremely astonished.
A noble army, a righteous army? Were they truly like that? Dongye Han harbored doubts, yet was also somewhat amazed.
"Go to the Record Keeper's office to receive your reward. All the soldiers in your unit will be heavily rewarded," Zhou Fugui said, patting Xi Ben's shoulder with a smile.
"Your subordinate thanks the Grand Commander on behalf of my brothers!" Xi Ben exclaimed with joy and hastily expressed his gratitude.
"Rest in the city for a day. My brothers have worked hard. Eat something good and drink some good wine," Zhou Fugui added.
"Understood!" Xi Ben responded with a loud, cheerful affirmation. "Thank you... Grand Commander!"
"General Xi, I now promote you to Deputy Commander of the Battalion..." Zhou Fugui continued, speaking to Xi Ben. "However, let me be clear: you are only permitted to stay in Donghai City for one day. After that, you must immediately return to Haixi County to guard against further pirate raids. This applies not only to Haixi County but also to the villages and towns surrounding it. If you fail in your defense, harass the common people, all previous merits will be nullified, and I will pursue charges. You must be cautious!"
"Thank you, Grand Commander!" Xi Ben responded, thumping his chest and declaring loudly, "How dare your subordinate be negligent of the Grand Commander's orders? Please rest assured, Grand Commander. If those damned pirates dare to come again, this 'Grandpa' will ensure they never return!"
Xi Ben referring to himself as "Grandpa" in front of Zhou Fugui made Zhou Fugui laugh helplessly and chide, "Off with you!"
"As the Grand Commander commands!" Xi Ben placed his hand on his chest, knelt on one knee, saluted respectfully, and then departed.
"Dongye Han, from the noble general family of Langya, known as 'Little Sun Ce of Langya', am I correct? What do you think?" After Xi Ben left, Zhou Fugui asked Dongye Han with a smile, looking at him in the hall.
Zhou Fugui could easily inquire about Dongye Han's reputation. Did he not have over twenty personal guards?
"Your reputation, Grand Commander, is like thunder to my ears!" Dongye Han replied with a slight smile. "Your method of commanding generals, blending grace and might, instills both fear and gratitude in those under you, making them willing to die for you."
"They are all old comrades; they are loyal, but they can often become arrogant. Therefore, I must often remind them," Zhou Fugui said calmly. "Young Master Dongye, your journey south this time, are you intending to join the army? And the Southern Army, no doubt?"
Given that he came from a military family and left his home to travel south, it was not difficult to guess his intentions.
Dongye Han did not wish to conceal his purpose and nodded.
"I am of the Yan army. Are you not afraid that I will detain you here?" Zhou Fugui asked again, his tone calm.
"The Grand Commander would not do such a thing," Dongye Han replied, shaking his head. "Otherwise, you would not be the same General Zhou from Guangling Commandery back then."
During the battle for Guangling Commandery in the past, although Zhou Fugui was the first to lead his troops into the city, his duty as a Yan general was to attack the state of Xia's Guangling Commandery. However, his benevolent act of saving thousands of common people in Guangling Commandery was his virtue. Even after so many years, this deed was still widely circulated in Guangling and Donghai Commanderies.
It was precisely because of this reputation that Dongye Han had come to meet Zhou Fugui.
As expected, his reputation was well-deserved. Dongye Han, by observing a single detail, could infer the whole picture; seeing one leaf, he understood the deep autumn. He even felt a faint sense of dread.
If he were to join the Xia army, and later fight against this man, he would have no confidence in victory, Dongye Han thought to himself.
"Young Master Dongye!" Zhou Fugui stood up, cupped his hands towards Dongye Han, and said, "Haixi County was in distress, and you bravely intervened, truly a person who aids the endangered and succumbs to the distressed! Saving the common people from hardship, your chivalrous spirit and benevolence are deeply admired by this Commander! I also admire your abilities, which I have heard of! Young Master, this Commander cherishes talent. Why not remain in the army instead of going south to join the army?"
"The Grand Commander overpraises me!" Dongye Han hastily bowed in return. "However, crossing the river to join the army is my father's dying wish, and I dare not disobey."
If Zhou Fugui were a Xia general, Dongye Han might have joined his banner. But Zhou Fugui was, unfortunately, a Yan general, a Han traitor. Dongye Han naturally would not agree. If he joined under Zhou Fugui's command, the spirit of Dongye Han's father in heaven would surely gnash his teeth in hatred and curse Dongye Han as a "rebellious son."
"Oh, alright..." Zhou Fugui gestured for Dongye Han to sit, and after sitting down himself, he said, "Since you are determined to go south, this Commander will not force you to stay. Not only that, but this Commander will also prepare a generous gift for you and issue you a transit pass, to honor your merit in saving the people of Haixi County."
"Thank you, Grand Commander!" Dongye Han replied with great joy, raising his hands and cupping them in thanks.
Dongye Han did not care about generous gifts. What he cared about was Zhou Fugui's transit pass. With this document, they could smoothly cross the river to the south. Otherwise, they would have to move stealthily and cautiously, and even so, they might still be captured or killed by the Yan troops along the way.
"Heh heh, Young Master, don't thank me yet..." Zhou Fugui chuckled. "Before that, this Commander would like to ask for your advice: what strategy should we employ to deal with the pirates of Donghai Commandery? The pirates' depredations cause suffering to the people of Donghai Commandery, adding insult to injury. You wouldn't ignore this, would you?"
Zhou Fugui did indeed cherish talent, especially military talent, and military talent requires not only courage but also strategy. Therefore, before letting Dongye Han leave, he wanted to test his capabilities. If Dongye Han truly possessed talent, then Zhou Fugui would detain him in Donghai Commandery, even if it meant forcing him to stay.
Of course, this talent referred specifically to strategy. Zhou Fugui had countless brave generals under his command, and he himself was a fierce warrior on the battlefield. If Dongye Han only possessed courage without strategy, then Zhou Fugui would find him expendable.
"Allow me to think..." Zhou Fugui's smile was exceptionally sinister, causing Dongye Han to feel a sense of unease. Yet, Zhou Fugui's question compelled Dongye Han to respond.
To devise plans for a barbarian general, a Han traitor, Dongye Han was extremely unwilling. However, Zhou Fugui's pressure regarding the people of Donghai Commandery forced him to speak a few words.
Earlier, Zhou Fugui had lavishly praised Dongye Han for aiding the endangered and for his chivalrous spirit. Now, Zhou Fugui spoke of the suffering of the people of Donghai Commandery. How could Dongye Han refuse to offer some advice or strategy? If Dongye Han declined, he would be proven false, and might even anger Zhou Fugui, which would be a grave matter.
Unknowingly, Dongye Han had fallen into Zhou Fugui's trap.
How could a young noble of Langya be a match for the seasoned Zhou Fugui, who was experienced in the ways of the world?
"Heh heh, take your time and think. No rush," Zhou Fugui said, leaning his hands on the low table. "Someone, bring wine and food. Today, this Commander will have a good talk with Young Master Dongye."
Soon, guards brought in wine and food. They were simple dishes, and the wine was ordinary rice wine.
This was not because Zhou Fugui was stingy with fine food and wine, nor was it an intentional show of frugality. Despite the hardships in Donghai Commandery, Zhou Fugui, as its chief administrator, could afford a banquet. The simple fare was because this was Zhou Fugui's usual style, and in such haste, he did not have time to order fine delicacies.
Dongye Han nodded, indicating that he did not mind.
"Young Master Dongye, the pirates are rampant, what strategy should be employed against them?" Zhou Fugui raised his ear-handled cup, took a sip with Dongye Han, and asked again.
"Grand Commander..." Dongye Han placed his ear-handled cup on the low table and said slowly, "The pirates have been harassing for many years, not only Donghai Commandery but also the coastal provinces and commanderies. The Hu... Di..."
As Dongye Han spoke, he glanced at Zhou Fugui.
Zhou Fugui smiled and gestured for him to continue, indicating that he did not mind.
Zhou Fugui himself often cursed the Xianbei people as Hu Di in his heart.
"Not only are the Hu Di not being suppressed, but they are even colluding with the pirates, forming an unholy alliance," Dongye Han continued indignantly.
Zhou Fugui nodded in agreement.
Was not Murong Hong, the King of Donghai of Yan, like this? Colluding with the pirate Zhen Ao, he dared to attack the capital.
"Young Master Dongye, this Commander is not like those people. Protecting the borders and pacifying the people is this Commander's aspiration!" Zhou Fugui then said to Dongye Han.
Dongye Han nodded in agreement.
After Zhou Fugui took office, he quelled rebellious soldiers, controlled epidemics, and provided relief to the people. How could Dongye Han be unaware of this?
Dongye Han felt that Zhou Fugui, this Han traitor, was different.
"Before the Xianbei Yan, Xia did suppress pirates, but they were never eradicated despite prolonged efforts. Does the Grand Commander know the reason?" Dongye Han continued.
"What is the reason?" Zhou Fugui became increasingly interested. He took a sip of wine and asked with a frown.
"The Zhen Ao people are extremely formidable, having resided in Donghai for over a hundred years," Dongye Han replied. "However, they are not indigenous to Donghai, but rather from overseas. And over a hundred years ago, why were these Zhen Ao people able to establish a foothold in Donghai?"