Chapter Seventy-Six: Commanding the Realm (Part Two)

Silence, the kind so profound that not even a sparrow stirred.

Only the autumn wind carried the subtle fragrance of chrysanthemums, brushing gently past one’s nose.

Suddenly, Wang Han strode swiftly to stand before Zhang Qian, bowing deeply until his hands touched the earth. “In that case, though lacking in merit, I, on behalf of the men who fight for our Tang dynasty, thank you, Brother Zhang!”

“I too, though unworthy, thank you for our Tang’s valiant sons!” Zhang Ruoxu, taken aback, quickly followed suit.

“…Though unworthy, I thank you on behalf of the sons of our Tang army, Brother Yongzhao!” All around, voices of gratitude rose like a tide. Every young talent whose elders served in the army, or who aspired to train in the military themselves, stepped forward to bow respectfully to Zhang Qian.

Save for a few whose minds were less quick, none doubted that alcohol, at a concentration of seventy percent, could reduce the risk of wound infection. Zhang Qian had himself cut off any retreat, and publicly revealed the method for verification. With the caution of Zhang Shuo, Bi Gou, and others, they would surely send men to confirm his claim. Five days was not long—certainly not enough for Zhang Qian to sell his family property and flee!

“A mere trifling skill, sirs, there is no need for such ceremony! Brother Ziyu, it’s not necessary. Brothers, truly, do not stand on formality. I am overwhelmed!” Zhang Qian, never expecting that a casual mention—of an alcohol use long obsolete in the twenty-first century—would elicit such gratitude, blushed deeply. He quickly sidestepped, bowed in a circle, and steadied Zhang Ruoxu’s arm with both hands. (Note: Alcohol cleaning of wounds causes intense pain and was long since abandoned, though it is mentioned in Arab medical texts from 850–1050.)

“To save thousands of Tang warriors from dying in regret—how can that be a trifling skill?!” Zhang Ruoxu, barely able to contain his emotion, retorted with a trembling voice. “Yongzhao, do you realize, since the Empress heeded the words of the treacherous, abandoning the Western Regions, our Tang’s territory has shrunk eastward? Now, not only are the Arabs pressing relentlessly, but former vassals like Shuman, Tahastan, and Bukhara stir restlessly. Should the court decide to reclaim the Western Regions, how many soldiers will die from wound infections? Today, you have given us alcohol disinfection—like adding another layer of armor to our troops. Such merit… Forget the court; let me offer you my gratitude!”

With that, he bowed again, and the young talents followed his lead, saluting Zhang Qian in unison. Zhang Qian, flustered, hopped back and waved his hands. “Uncle, please rise. Brothers, please rise. Though alcohol disinfection is effective, its practical implementation and dosage must be explored by physicians. I merely pierced a paper window—do not honor me so!”

In the history books he had studied, Wu Zetian was the only female emperor in Chinese history. Her reign, if not surpassing Qin Shi Huang or Han Wudi, at least exceeded ninety percent of all male monarchs. She not only inherited the prosperity of Yongzheng’s rule but led the dynasty into the heights of the Kaiyuan era! Never had he read that the Tang’s power declined sharply under her rule, or that the dynasty lost control of the eastern Silk Road.

Thus, in Zhang Qian’s eyes, disinfecting wounds was merely a common use for alcohol. Witnessing Lu Ting’s folly was the main reason he brought up this method publicly. He could never have imagined, for Zhang Ruoxu, Wang Han, and other ‘military experts’, and for his passionate peers, the advent of alcohol disinfection marked the end of a period of humiliation for the court, heralded Heaven’s favor, and promised the restoration of Tang’s former glory.

“To Yongzhao, it’s a paper-thin veil. To us, it’s an impassable mountain range!” After bowing, Zhang Shuo took up the conversation, sighing to the now-desperate-to-escape Zhang Qian. “Had chrysanthemum spirits and alcohol disinfection appeared a year earlier, our Tang’s troops would have pressed their victory deep into Dafeichuan, giving the Tubo no chance to catch their breath, nor permit them to send marriage envoys to our court, spying out our lands and recruiting our craftsmen and physicians for their own recovery!”

“What? Did our army suffer defeat? Is that why the marriage alliance followed?” Zhang Qian was shocked, recalling the Tubo official, Lala Wan, whose foolish arrogance he had witnessed.

He had always believed Lala Wan’s arrogance was mostly tolerated by Tang’s lower officials for their own convenience. If officials like Zhu Liang remembered they served Tang, not Tubo, the people would teach Tubo a hard lesson without the court needing to intervene. He never imagined Tubo’s impunity in Chang’an was due not only to lazy officials, but to the entire Tang court’s lack of confidence when facing Tubo!

“Yongzhao, mind your words!” Fearing Zhang Qian’s ignorance might cause trouble, He Zhizhang approached, jug in hand, and explained with a smile, “Our Tang’s troops are unmatched in strength—how could we lose to Tubo? Since the first year of Jiushi (700), Tubo has repeatedly attacked our borders, never gaining any advantage! Last year, before the armies even clashed, their forces collapsed on their own. But Tubo’s lands are behind high mountains and cold, so our troops cannot stay long. Summer campaigns lead to infections among wounded men. Thus, our generals always punish Tubo, but never pursue them into their homeland!”

Though his words were tactful, the meaning was clear. For a decade, Tubo had been the aggressor, Tang the defender. Though Tang won each defense, it lacked strength to invade Tubo.

The reasons were twofold: Tang troops could not endure the highland cold in autumn and winter; summer campaigns led to wound infections. Thus, every Tang victory could not be expanded. Tubo, knowing Tang would not pursue, grew bold, raiding whenever opportunity arose!

This was infuriating. Even more so, just days before, Tubo’s official Lala Wan had, in Zhang Qian’s presence, spoken of ‘kinship by marriage’.

Now he understood how this ‘kinship’ was forged. Like bandits raiding a landowner until he, worn out, gave his daughter in marriage. But whether the bandits would restrain themselves and not return for more raids remained unknown. At any rate, the wedding gave them a chance to survey the landowner’s property, walls, and seize the village physicians and blacksmiths. Next time, with gifts from the father-in-law, equipped and armored, they might conquer the estate at a stroke!

“County constable Zhang, Grand Astronomer He, forgive me, but I cannot agree!” As Zhang Qian brooded over not having dealt harsher with Lala Wan, the barrel-sized Lu Ting squeezed in beside him.

He lightly saluted Zhang Shuo and He Zhizhang, then, heedless of their willingness to listen, spoke grandly: “Mencius once said, ‘To subdue men by force is not to win their hearts; force is insufficient. To subdue men by virtue is to win their true allegiance!’ Since our Tang’s founding, we have fought Tubo a hundred times, yet gained not an inch—why? The distance is vast, and Tubo cannot feel the virtue of our emperors! Thus, they resist our teaching, rallying to raids whenever their kings incite them. Even if our troops invade Dafeichuan and strike Tubo’s palace, we kill one king and enthrone another. The cold highlands force our troops to withdraw. Once we leave, the new king rallies his people with promises of loot, and quickly gathers thousands to raid anew. Thus, victory or defeat makes no difference—we lose soldiers and gain nothing!”

Surprisingly, despite being a fool, Lu Ting had memorized his family lore, catching many off guard.

Many furrowed their brows in thought, and Lu Ting pressed his advantage: “So, in my view, our Tang’s inability to subdue Tubo is not due to arms, but to victories as tasteless as chicken bones. This year, the emperor and empress have wisely agreed to the marriage alliance, whose power exceeds that of a thousand armies. I dare predict, when Princess Jincheng enters Tubo, it will be the day Tang’s virtue is felt by Tubo. Then, war will cease, and our four western towns will be secure!”

“Hmm—” Zhang Shuo’s beard quivered with anger, but he could not speak.

It was not that Lu Ting’s rhetoric was clever, but that he deliberately conflated Tang’s inability to pursue Tubo with the wisdom of the emperor and empress. If Zhang Shuo argued, Lu Ting would twist it into disrespect for the monarchs. Zhang Shuo, recently returned from demotion as county constable, could not risk another slip—lest he be sent to the ends of the earth.

“Heh heh…” He Zhizhang, less angry, ignored Lu Ting, refusing to let him gain fame, and walked off with his wine cup, snickering.

Lu Ting, seeing no rebuttal, felt elated, turning to Zhang Qian with a cold smile. “Thus, in my view, alcohol and its disinfection are mere trifles. Whether we have it or not makes no difference! Remember, to rule by virtue is the true path. If the emperor extends benevolence, even the enemy’s people will give their allegiance. In Shun’s time, the Miao were rebellious; Yu planned to attack, but Shun said, ‘No. One should not act by force without great virtue.’ He spent three years teaching, dancing with shield and axe, and the Miao submitted. Today, with our enlightened emperor and empress…”

As he spoke, spittle flying, Zhang Qian raised his wine cup and gently swirled it. “Brother Lu, this is also called the ruler of hearts!”

“With benevolence—” The shadow in Lu Ting’s heart suddenly grew larger, and his speech faltered.

Not giving him a chance to react, Zhang Qian swirled his wine cup again and smiled. “Brother Lu, your words are enlightening. Since Princess Jincheng’s entry into Tubo will let the emperor’s virtue be felt, given your learning, would you be willing to accompany her, spreading Tang’s virtue among Tubo’s people? Then, not only will our four western towns be secure, but your family’s reputation will shine in Tubo. Both Tang and the Lu clan will benefit! If you lack the courage… well, please take back all your words, wherever you got them!”

“Hahahahaha…” No one expected Zhang Qian’s simple “Would you act yourself?” to poke holes everywhere in Lu Ting’s long speech. The young talents, after a moment of surprise, burst into laughter.

To go to the highlands—even strong men like Wang Han might lose half their lives. For the pig-like Lu Ting, it would be certain death. Yet if he refused, all his words became empty bluster. He would have to swallow them all!

Lu Ting, indeed, lacked courage to go or to admit he had lied. His lips trembled, stammering “You, you…” before leaping up and swinging his fist at Zhang Qian’s chest.

But Zhang Qian, prepared, easily caught his fist, twisted it aside, and stepped forward, turning his body. “Brother Lu, as a grown man, you lack the courage to go, yet expect a princess, a frail woman, to do so? Where is your face?”

Not a drop spilled from his cup as Zhang Qian kicked Lu Ting’s ample backside, sending him headlong into the flowerbed. With a cold smile, he continued, “Few parents do not love their children. The emperor sent his daughter to Tubo out of love for his soldiers, and to spare our people further suffering from Tubo raids. Such great wisdom cannot be grasped by fools like you! Our Tang warriors must remember the emperor’s hardships, and, shamed into courage, thrash Tubo until they beg for mercy—only then will the emperor’s sacrifice be repaid. Thus, even if the princess is far away in Tubo, she remains our Tang princess, and none in Tubo dare treat her with disrespect.”

“You wretch! How dare you! How dare you!” Lu Ting, head down and feet up, cursed incessantly.

Zhang Qian, tipsy, ignored him, laughing and shaking his head. “If all Tang men were like Lu, thinking a marriage alliance could bring peace, Tubo would see us as weak, and treat the princess and her retinue as slaves, showing no respect!”

This was not the Tang of his dreams. The Tang he cherished should never be so.

He paused, looked around, and smiled again, raising his cup to invite all. “Thus, before the princess’s carriage even reaches Tubo’s palace, the raiders may already be at our gates. We would fail the emperor, the princess, and those siblings who accompany her, sleeping on sand and snow in the highlands. Gentlemen, I am ashamed—not daring to squander the princess’s sacrifice! Let us, shamed into courage, do our utmost, so that all Chinese families may never again send daughters to wolves. Whether emperor or commoner! Gentlemen, those who stand with me, drink!”

(Note: Historically, Tubo raided again soon after Princess Jincheng’s marriage alliance.)

“Drink!” Wang Han was the first to raise his cup and respond loudly. “May I do my utmost, so all Chinese families never again send daughters to wolves!”

“Drink!” Zhang Ruoxu, forgetting his age, raised his cup and shouted. “Let us, shamed into courage, do our utmost, so all Chinese families never again send daughters to wolves!”

“Drink!” Zhang Shuo bit his lip and threw himself into the moment, grabbing a cup and crying out.

“Drink…” The shouts thundered all around. Everyone, including the steady He Zhizhang and the white-haired Sima Chengzhen, raised their cups with passionate resolve.

“Thank you, gentlemen!” Amidst the chorus, Zhang Qian staggered, murmuring his thanks.

He knew he had drunk too much, and should not have been so reckless.

Yet he did not regret it, for otherwise, his journey to Tang would have been in vain.

“Thank you, Brother Yongzhao!” Faintly, he seemed to hear a woman’s voice whisper in his ear. Yet, searching around, he saw no trace of her.

Only the setting sun, burning the sky and clouds a deep red.