Chapter Nineteen: Forced Acceptance

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Su Zihuan watched Fang Han storm off in anger, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him. He understood that Fang Han’s fury was genuine, yet the circumstances left them no choice. Without sufficient troops, they were like lambs awaiting slaughter. The current situation in Southern Xinjiang could not afford their arrogance. Fang Han was young and reckless, disdainful of bandits, but he had run out of options. The region had to be governed well if he hoped for promotion. How it was done mattered little; if the heavens fell, there was Fang Han, the Protector, to bear the weight. Even if the imperial court blamed them, as long as they were not the masterminds, their merits would outweigh their faults. Turning to the men from Xiyun County, Su Zihuan’s expression was complicated. “We can accept this, but the matter of stationing soldiers in the capital requires further discussion.” “Ha ha ha, Lord Su is still sensible. I shall return immediately to report,” the man said, then turned and left.

Within the Protectorate’s headquarters, Fang Han’s anger had already subsided. Liu San came forward to report, “My lord, Su Zihuan has agreed to Xiyun County’s demands.” “No matter. My aim was simply to get their agreement,” Fang Han replied. Liu San looked puzzled and asked, “My lord, what do you mean by that?” “Southern Xinjiang is in ruins; I naturally understand the importance of troops. The refusal was merely to lull the bandits into complacency.” In the Xiyun County government office, the county magistrate smiled smugly as he looked at the returning messenger. “The Southern Xinjiang Protector? Nothing but a greenhorn. The title of Southern Xinjiang King will be mine soon enough.” He sipped his tea lightly, eyes gleaming. “Send orders for Zhao Hu to lead a thousand soldiers and a thousand laborers to assist the Protector in the capital.”

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The next day, inside the capital’s government office, Fang Han’s face was ashen as he scanned the assembly of officials. “Su Zihuan, you have great audacity to collude with bandits. Are you next going to ask me to step down so that you may take the title of Protector of Southern Xinjiang?” Su Zihuan protested loudly, “My lord, I did not agree willingly. We simply lack troops. If bandits come to harass and destroy farmland, the loss would be irreparable.” Fang Han retorted angrily, “So you agreed with the bandits? They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, clearly aiming to control the capital. In the future, where will there be room for me, the Protector, to speak?” The officials were struck by Fang Han’s words, suddenly awakened to the bandits’ far-reaching ambitions — to seize the Protector’s position itself. “If the court discovers Fang Han is colluding with bandits, who will think I am better than Fang Li?” Chen Xing stepped forward. “My lord, do not worry. Southern Xinjiang is isolated; the court likely won’t learn of this.” “Maybe not now, but one day they will. Tell me, what then?” The officials whispered among themselves but found no solution. As Southern Xinjiang developed, news would inevitably spread. If it became known that officials and bandits colluded, settlers would be scared away. Without peasants, fertile land would be useless.

Fang Han pondered what to do. They could not be led by a small county like Xiyun forever. Today they agreed to let troops station here; tomorrow, they might dictate his appointments. If he were sidelined entirely, not even a deity could turn the tide. At that moment, Han Youxin spoke up. “My lord, why not elevate the Xiyun bandits to the rank of regional governor in your name?” Fang Han considered the proposal. Granting them official titles could conceal the truth while restraining other bandits. If enough were appointed governors, they would fight one another, exhausting their strength. The plan was sound but had to appear as a last resort, with no hint of suspicion. Fang Han’s face darkened as he coldly asked, “You want me to appoint bandits as officials? What if this is exposed later?” “Well…” Su Zihuan thought it over. “My lord, I believe it’s feasible. Xiyun County already has imperial officials. Given the chance, they would not refuse. They must simply be forbidden from calling themselves bandits henceforth.” Fang Han glanced around the officials. Seeing no better plan, he sighed, “Very well. Send word to Xiyun County.”

Several days later, five hundred Xiyun soldiers, led by Zhao Hu, marched into the capital with great fanfare. Laborers along the way stopped to watch and whispered. “Those are soldiers from Xiyun County? What are they doing here?” “I heard they’re here to assist the Protector in cultivating farmland.” “Isn’t Xiyun County full of bandits? Are they really so kind?” “Bandits managing farms—does that mean our own efforts count for nothing? Will they deny us land?” These rumors were deliberately spread by Xiyun to sow panic and expand their influence.

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Fang Han stood atop the city gate, watching the Xiyun troops enter the city, outwardly calm but inwardly alert. He turned to Fang Yuan and instructed, “Keep a close watch on every move of these soldiers. Report immediately if anything suspicious occurs!” Fang Yuan saluted, a spark of excitement in his eyes at this rare chance for practical training. Fang Han then summoned Liu San. “Under the pretext of skill training, separate the new soldiers from the existing laborers. Assign them to different work areas. Understood?” Liu San hesitated, “My lord, skill training? What does that mean?” Fang Han said meaningfully, “Teaching them how to reclaim wasteland. And make sure they understand labor-based distribution.” Though puzzled, Liu San obeyed, arranging the training details.

Fang Han sighed inwardly; it was not his desire to resort to capitalist tactics, but he had no other way. In truth, this ‘training’ was a disguised form of fatigue tactics, aimed at breaking their will and weakening their fighting spirit. As the saying goes, the first strike is strong, but the second falters. Once these men adapted to Fang Han’s management style, they would gradually accept it, starting with simple incentives: land, houses, silver, even women and status. As they grew dependent on these, they would become inseparable. After all, Xiyun County would not lavish such resources without reason. In times of chaos, soldiers fight for their livelihood; whoever feeds them commands their loyalty. It was thanks to Fang Han’s efforts that the Great Zhou’s productivity rose and Fang Li could quell the rebellion.

Night fell, and Fang Han summoned the earliest loyal followers who had come with him to Southern Xinjiang, including Fang Da, Fang Yuan, and several other soldiers bearing the Fang surname. They were now officers of the city defense battalion. “I have gathered you here for an important mission,” Fang Han said solemnly, his gaze sweeping over them. “My lord, please command; I, Fang Da, will surely accomplish it,” Fang Da replied earnestly.