Has the Han Dynasty been restored today?

Chapter 95 Praise to Kill

Regardless of how Chen Zhi pondered alone in his duty room, Guo Huai and his eldest son Guo Tong also stayed overnight in Mei County, Guanzhong, about four or five hundred miles away from Mianyang, preparing to travel to Chang'an the next day.

Of course, Guo Huai only had one hundred riders with him when he traveled, which was far less grand than Sima Yi's entourage when he was in charge of Yong and Liang.

That night, Guo Tong tossed and turned in his room, unable to fall asleep. After thinking for a long time, he put on his outer robe, went to his father Guo Huai's room, and knocked on the door.

"Father, it's me," Guo Tong whispered.

"Come in," Guo Huai responded from inside.

After Guo Tong went inside, Guo Huai sat up, looked at Guo Tong's worried face, and raised an eyebrow, asking, "What time is it now?"

"It's probably past midnight." Guo Tong cupped his hands in greeting, sat down beside Guo Huai's couch, and said softly, "Father, I'm really worried, so I came to talk to you."

"What are you worried about?" Guo Huai asked softly, his expression unreadable.

Guo Tong sighed softly: "The messenger already told us this morning when he came to Chencang that His Majesty has granted my father the position of Left General and transferred me to the Central Army as a Lieutenant General, saying it's to reward my father for his prudent conduct in battle. If he hadn't stood out, it wouldn't have been so bad. General Xiahou..."

General Qin and his companion returned to Guandong respectively, and there was no news of any reward given to them, except for the father.

"At that time, the General-in-Chief—no, the Grand Commandant—had already instructed everyone at Mei'wu not to discuss merits. My father and I were both present then. Now that my father has been rewarded and I have been transferred to the Central Army, how could the Grand Commandant not suspect my father? He only needs to ask to find out that my father sought out Lord Xin!"

Guo Huai turned his head and glanced at his eldest son, asking slowly, "Are you worried about your future in Luoyang, or about me being ostracized by the Grand Commandant?"

Guo Tongdao said, "To be honest, Father, it's a combination of both."

Guo Huai shook his head: "I have been the governor of Yongzhou for more than ten years. The capital of Yongzhou is Chang'an, but I don't come to Chang'an very often. I am either in Chencang, or in Shanggui, or on inspection tours. Chang'an has become the capital of Yongliang. First it was Xiahou Mao, then Cao Zidan, and now it is Sima Zhongda. Oh right, he is now the Grand Commandant."

"The Grand Commandant doesn't want me to achieve merit, but I still want to earn it! He's allowed to be the Grand Commandant, but I'm not allowed to ask for a mere Left General position? Even if he's unhappy with me to my face, what can he do? I'll just go back to Longyou. He won't go looking for me there!"

Guo Tong lowered his head: "In the end, it doesn't look good on the surface—"

"An official should seek the truth, not the empty words." Guo Huai patted his son on the shoulder. "As for your trip to Luoyang, there's no need to worry. As long as I remain in this position of Governor of Yongzhou, no one in Luoyang will make things difficult for you, not even His Majesty!"

"However, speaking of which, I also have something to tell you."

Guo Tong replied earnestly, "Father, please speak."

Guo Huai said, "According to custom, officials of the rank of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measurement) appointed to official posts outside the capital, upon arriving in Luoyang, are granted an audience with the Emperor. If His Majesty were to ask you about the situation in Guanzhong, the war last year, or my contributions, how would you answer?"

Guo Tong was somewhat puzzled: "Tell the truth?"

Guo Huai shook his head: "I am merely fulfilling my duties and following orders. The affairs of Guanzhong are all thanks to the Grand Commandant's planning, skillful command, and brilliant military strategy. Everyone in Guanzhong, from top to bottom, respects and obeys the Grand Commandant without daring to disobey. If you are questioned further, just say that I and Prefect Xu of Liangzhou must consult the Grand Commandant on all matters."

"Did you understand?"

Guo Tong suddenly realized: "Father, do you want His Majesty to think that Guanzhong only knows the Grand Commandant and not His Majesty? Is that what you mean?"

"Hmm." Guo Huai said, "The Grand Commandant's rank is very high. I am not as high as him, but that doesn't mean we can't do anything."

I can't afford to offend him, and I don't want to be his enemy, so can't I at least think about sending him away? Once the Grand Commandant leaves Guanzhong, it'll be my turn to take charge of military affairs there!

Guo Tong bowed and sighed in admiration: "Father's judgment is wise; I admire it."

Guo Huai had served in Guanzhong and Longyou for more than a decade and was familiar with their geography, customs, and the Qiang and Hu peoples. Both Cao Zhen and Sima Yi, who had come to Guanzhong before, had to rely on Guo Huai for their work and military strategies.

On the one hand, Sima Yi, as the superior, would naturally suppress Guo Huai and seize some of Guo Huai's power as the governor of Yongzhou. Guo Huai would instinctively feel dissatisfied with Sima Yi, which is why Guo Huai himself said that he was only half a governor of Yongzhou.

On the other hand, Sima Yi wielded considerable power in the court, and Guo Huai had to maintain a high degree of respect and obedience to him, and even curry favor with him when necessary in order to gain advantages for his future.

This is a complex superior-subordinate relationship.

In the imperial court, no one's attitude is simply black and white.

Two days later, Guo Huai and his son Guo Tong arrived in Chang'an.

Guo Huai was the legitimate governor of Yongzhou, whose capital was Chang'an, so he would naturally have to come to Chang'an to receive the imperial decree.

Guanqiu Jian had already issued the imperial edict to Guo Huai, and having completed his official duties, he set off with Xiahou Xuan to return to Chang'an, carrying with him the letters of thanks from Sima Yi and Guo Huai.

Sima Yi also showed sufficient courtesy to the envoy who was to bestow titles, personally seeing Guanqiu Jian's carriage out of the East Gate of Chang'an before returning to his residence.

After the carriage left the city, Guanqiu Jian and Xiahou Xuan looked at Chang'an City, which was getting further and further away, through the carriage curtain. Neither of them had a smile on their face, and they were both sullen.

Guanqiu Jian was the first to ask Xiahou Xuan, "What are Taichu's thoughts on the matter of waging war against Liaodong?"

Xiahou Xuan remained silent for a long time before shaking his head and replying, "I am not very knowledgeable about military affairs and should not speak rashly. Please forgive me, General."

Guanqiu Jian sighed, "We still have to fight! If the Grand Commandant doesn't support this, then so be it. We can send the troops from Hebei to conquer him first. Does the country only have one great general like him?"

Xiahou Xuan remained silent, but the worry in his eyes never faded.

Guanqiu Jian then asked, "What is Taichu worried about?"

Xiahou Xuan said, "Can I tell the general this? I'm afraid this is something I cannot say to anyone else."

Guanqiu Jian raised his eyebrows and declared confidently, "What comes out of your mouth will enter my ears, that's all!"

Xiahou Xuan lowered his head and said, "The Grand Commandant asked me if I still had a future in Luoyang, saying that despite my reputation, I am still only a 600-stone Imperial Guard Supervisor. If His Majesty does not wish to employ me, he is willing to recommend me to be a general in Guanzhong, or to serve as a 2,000-stone prefect in Yongzhou or Liangzhou. However, I have doubts and dare not answer!"

Guanqiu Jian frowned and asked, "You are a member of the Xiahou clan, why would you need the Grand Commandant to find a future for you?"

"The general is right, but His Majesty uses me but doesn't truly value me." Xiahou Xuan hesitated excessively. "However, I also know that the Grand Commandant intends to comfort me regarding my sister's matter, therefore I am in a difficult position and cannot answer!"

"So you haven't answered yet?" Guanqiu Jian asked again.

Xiahou Xuan shook his head again.

Guanqiu Jian took a deep look at Xiahou Xuan's face, then sighed softly, sat up straight, and said nothing more.

At this moment, Guanqiu Jian already regarded Xiahou Xuan as a learned but cowardly and useless person, someone the king could not rely on.

Why should a man act so hesitantly?