Two smart people

In fact, there was no need for Gao Yuan to inform them at all; Governor Wang Chuan and Wang Fu had long since discovered the anomaly.

The troops of the Lingnan Circuit had recently been concentrating toward Duan Prefecture, and their target seemed clear: Guizhou.

This left the two of them in a state of confusion, and they had written several letters to Mao Biao and Song Ren requesting assistance.

Unfortunately, both Mao Biao and Song Ren were currently overwhelmed and unable to help.

As for the Luoyang court, not only could distant water not quench a nearby thirst, but more importantly, where would the court find the spare energy to worry about them now?

After reading the latest intelligence, Wang Fu felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, sweat pouring from his forehead.

"Brother Governor Wang Chuan, what do you think we should do?"

"There are only two paths left before us now."

Wang Fu grabbed Governor Wang Chuan's hand as if clutching at a life-saving straw.

"Then hurry up and tell me!"

Governor Wang Chuan sighed, pulled Wang Fu down to sit, and then spoke.

"The first path is naturally to mobilize troops to defend Guizhou to the death. This way, if we can hold off Feng Pu for two or three months, perhaps Commanders-in-Chief Mao and Song will be able to free themselves up."

"If we can't hold it, the two of us can take the opportunity to escape, but what follows would likely be..."

Wang Fu understood what Governor Wang Chuan had left unsaid—the crime of losing territory.

If the two of them died on the battlefield, they might at least earn a good reputation, and their families wouldn't end up in a tragic state.

"No, no, that path is far too dangerous!"

At this thought, Wang Fu shook his massive head like a pellet drum, the fat on his cheeks wobbling.

Governor Wang Chuan didn't want to choose that path either, so he stated the second option.

"The second path is to offer these prefectures to that person. That way, he will surely grant us a way out, and perhaps he might even provide us with a life of wealth and status."

"That person? You mean Diannan..."

Governor Wang Chuan nodded.

"There is still time. We can immediately send people to bring out our families."

"With the court unable to look after itself right now, there will surely be no problem as long as we act carefully."

Wang Fu couldn't sit still; he stood up and paced back and forth, muttering to himself.

"No, no... This isn't right, this isn't right..."

Finally, he suddenly slumped back into his chair like a deflated ball.

"It seems this is the only path left for the two of us. Do you think Commandery Duke Gao will treat us well?"

"He will. Look at those who followed him contentedly; which of them hasn't made a fortune?"

Wang Fu stroked the armrest of his chair, a look of reluctance on his face.

"Sigh... I'm really a bit reluctant to let go..."

Governor Wang Chuan reached out and patted his old comrade's shoulder.

"Back then, we only bought our offices by taking advantage of the late Emperor's drive to raise military funds. We never expected to become high-ranking provincial officials."

"After all these years, we've made enough profit. At least the next few generations won't have to worry about food or clothing. It's enough, quite enough."

"One must find contentment to be happy. If one is too greedy, they might even lose their head."

Wang Fu seemed to have come around, revealing a smile of relief.

"You're right, brother. Contentment is happiness. It's good to be content. Then I'll trouble you to send someone to County."

In fact, Governor Wang Chuan had already sent someone to County; he knew Wang Fu all too well.

This colleague of his was someone who excelled at pursuing profit and avoiding harm; he would understand with just a little explanation.

At the same time, he had already dispatched trusted death-sworn guards to Luoyang to bring out all of his and Wang Fu's family members.

In the fifth year of era name, just as August began, Great Qian suffered one heavy blow after another.

Chang Xingrong's army captured Yanzhou, while Lu Kuan's army captured Jizhou, resulting in the loss of thirty percent of the Hebei region.

The four guards of the imperial army stationed in Hebei suffered losses exceeding forty percent.

Meanwhile, Yangzhou and Runzhou fell, and Mao Biao's army was forced to retreat and defend the Xuanzhou and Huzhou areas.

In mid-August, the heaviest blow arrived: Feng Pu, the Military Governor of the Lingnan Circuit, refused the court's decree to mobilize troops.

At the same time, Feng Pu raised his banner, proclaimed himself the King of Nanyue, and officially rose in rebellion.

His army of fifty-eight thousand, claiming to be a hundred thousand strong, advanced from Shaozhou in two columns, their spearhead aimed directly at Chenzhou.

No matter how capable Mao Biao was, he couldn't be in two places at once. He could only head south with a small group of elites to provide relief after setting up defensive lines.

Meanwhile, in Cao Bang, where Gao Yuan's headquarters were located, Governor Wang Chuan met the renowned Jade-Faced Yama.

"Your subordinate Governor Wang Chuan pays his respects to the Commandery Duke."

"Governor Wang, you may dispense with the formalities."

Gao Yuan's attitude toward a man of the hour like Governor Wang Chuan was exceptionally good, and he helped him up.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I received the letters from Governor Wang Chuan and Envoy Wang last time."

The two took their seats. After the maid served tea and withdrew, Governor Wang Chuan spoke.

"Although Envoy Wang and I do not possess extraordinary talent, we have self-awareness."

"Knowing that we cannot withstand Feng Pu's rebel army with our own strength, we wish to ask the Commandery Duke to take over the responsibility of defending this land. It is truly our failing!"

Gao Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

"Rest assured, Governor Wang. With me, Gao Yuan, here, not an inch of territory will be lost to the rebels."

As Gao Yuan spoke, he took out an envelope and an iron token and placed them on the tea table.

"I have heard that you two are incorruptible, so I imagine you haven't much wealth to establish estates. This is a voucher for Diannan Bank—a small token of my appreciation. Please do not refuse it."

Governor Wang Chuan smiled so broadly that the wrinkles on his face could have crushed a mosquito. Without opening it, he tucked it directly into his robe.

"Then I shall thank the Commandery Duke on behalf of Envoy Wang. It is getting late; your subordinate will take his leave."

"Take care, Governor Wang."

Governor Wang Chuan did not leave alone; he was accompanied by Ma Song, Zhao Meng, and thirteen hundred soldiers from the Fourth Division of the Beiwei Army.

The two of them were going to take over and reorganize the troops under Governor Wang Chuan's command, striving to form a combat-capable force as quickly as possible.

Under Wang Fu's administration were eight prefectures, a scale not much smaller than a circuit, with a population exceeding eighty thousand households and nearly four hundred thousand people.

Furthermore, the local customs there were fierce; the famous West Yue Wolf Soldiers of later generations originated from this region.

Governor Wang Chuan had twelve thousand troops under his command, which were legitimate border forces of Great Qian.

Though their equipment might not be as sophisticated as that of the Southern Palace Imperial Guard, their combat effectiveness was certainly not lacking.

If they could be successfully integrated, Gao Yuan might be able to double the size of the Beiwei Army.

Upon returning to Region, Governor Wang Chuan and Wang Fu impatiently took out the voucher and envelope Gao Yuan had given them.

Wang Fu picked up the voucher, looked at it closely, and let out an exclamation.

"Five thousand strings of cash! Tsk tsk, this Consort Kin is truly generous!"

Governor Wang Chuan opened the envelope, and several sheets of paper fell out. When the two of them looked at them, they cried out in surprise.

"These are properties in Guangning and the method for solar sea salt production! Hahaha, we're going to be rich!"

Wang Fu excitedly pulled on Governor Wang Chuan's sleeve.

"It's all thanks to you, brother!"

"Yes, it was worth it!"

In early September, the liaison sent by Xian Xing arrived; the time to deploy the troops had come.

Unable to wait for the reorganization of the Region troops, Gao Yuan began advancing toward Lianzhou Prefecture with the Third Division of the Beiwei Army and the Xuanjia Army.

The entire Lianzhou Prefecture had four thousand defenders stationed across various counties, offering very little resistance.

Two thousand men were stationed in the prefectural city of Hepu. Theoretically, it was the toughest nut to crack, but Gao Yuan happened to have internal support.

The task of clearing the various counties proceeded smoothly, with almost no resistance encountered.

Most of the county defenders surrendered immediately upon seeing the scale of the force.

In less than a month, the prefectural city of Hepu was completely surrounded by Gao Yuan.

It was at this moment that Xian Xing suddenly struck. He not only set a trap to capture the Zhechong Commandant of Lianzhou and his associates but also seized control of the barracks.

Having done all this, Xian Xing finally opened the city gates and led Xian Ying, who had arrived in Lianzhou long ago, out of the city to welcome them.

Soon after, Leizhou Prefecture fell almost as easily. With Mu Shun acting as the intermediary, most of the counties surrendered directly.

Only in the prefectural city of Haikang County did the provincial inspector of Leizhou, Feng Pu's third son Feng Chengdao, refuse to surrender, preparing to fight to the bitter end.