Chapter Eleven: Not a Good Persuader

Pei Min’s gaze fell upon the map at the point where the Tang army had clashed with the Xi forces, tracing the route of the Tang’s defeat and the path of the Xi’s advance. The battlefield lay just west of White Wolf Mountain, near Yingzhou and Liuzhou.

As he studied the map, Pei Min suddenly recalled the story of Cao Cao’s distant campaign against the Wuhuan during the Three Kingdoms era. Back then, the state of Wei had crushed Yuan Shao, swept across the North, and dominated half the realm. In order to eliminate the remnants of the Yuan clan and fully resolve the incursions of the Wuhuan, Cao Cao, following the advice of his strategist Guo Jia, set out on an expedition to the Wuhuan, whose main force was then gathered at Liucheng. Now, the Tang army’s objective was to retake Yingzhou and Liucheng, occupied by the Khitan and Xi, and their campaign route was precisely the same as that taken by Cao Cao.

That two-hundred-li march was fraught with peril. In those days, Cao Cao’s army had nearly been wiped out; had it not been for Tian Yu, it’s likely Cao Cao would have perished from exhaustion before ever meeting the Wuhuan on the battlefield.

Sun Quan’s abilities fell far short of Cao Cao’s; even with careful preparations, the Wei army only barely survived such a march. How much more reckless was Sun Quan’s impulsive advance, which was almost certain death. Precisely because the route was so treacherous, the Tang’s crushing defeat appeared highly suspicious. Even if Li Dahuo possessed the cunning of Zhuge Liang, he could never have precisely predicted the Tang forces’ every line of retreat. For him to dispatch troops with such decisive certainty, pursuing the Tang and never missing his mark in such harsh terrain, defied all logic. After a moment’s hesitation, Pei Min said, “Was there a leak of military intelligence?”

Xue Na’s face showed approval as he nodded. “There were two causes for this disastrous defeat. First, Sun Quan was ignorant of the art of war, yet sought only glory and advanced recklessly. Second, Li Dahuo’s use of troops was extraordinarily precise; each strike found the Tang army’s fleeing divisions. He first destroyed the cavalry, then isolated and crushed the infantry one by one. In just over ten days, exploiting his cavalry’s superiority, he annihilated our forces. In my years stationed in Youzhou, I had many dealings with Li Dahuo. The man is indeed a talented general, particularly skilled in cavalry tactics, but not to the point of such unerring foresight. There must have been a leak, causing our forces to lose the initiative at every turn and be routed utterly.”

Pei Min, still in the passionate years of youth, felt a surge of fury at the thought of a hundred thousand soldiers dying on the frontier due to incompetent leadership and treachery—a rage that made him want to tear the traitors limb from limb. After a pause, he hesitated and asked, “Is it your wish that I root out the traitor?”

Xue Na would not confide in a stranger without reason; whatever he sought must be closely related to this matter.

Sun Quan had been captured alive by Li Dahuo and presented to the Turkic Khagan, who was said to have killed him on the spot—a fate he well deserved. Yet there had been no further word of the traitor who leaked the army’s secrets, hence his suspicion. As for why Xue Na had chosen him, or why he alone was suitable, that remained a mystery.

Xue Na nodded in acknowledgment and stood. “Since the days of Empress Zetian, I have dealt with the Xi and Khitan. The slightest carelessness on my part, and they would seize the chance to invade. Each time we faced them on the field, it was as if they could see through my every move, leaving me on the back foot. I have long suspected a traitor in our midst and have investigated many times. But my position is sensitive—if I act openly, it would throw all of Youzhou into panic, and so my inquiries have always come to nothing. Later, I realized the traitor might not be a military officer at all, but could be a wealthy merchant, a powerful noble, or even a commoner with influence in Youzhou. Especially since Sun Quan liked to befriend all sorts, modeling himself after Lord Mengchang of old; all manner of petty thieves and rogues surrounded him, making it all too easy to infiltrate his circle, which led to unprecedented disaster.”

Pei Min was silent for a long while. Youzhou was vast, with countless people of influence; to find a single traitor among them was like searching for a needle in a haystack—a daunting task. Yet he knew the traitor must be found, though he could not imagine how he could be of help. “Do you have no clue at all?”

Xue Na shook his head. “I cannot investigate openly. If the hunt for a traitor were to throw all of Youzhou into turmoil, it would do more harm than good. I am constrained, and they are deeply hidden, seldom acting, so I have found no useful leads. But a fox will eventually show its tail, and your appearance may help us catch it. Tell me—do you know the identity of the man you killed in Huairou County?”

Pei Min recalled, “He was said to be Li Dahuo’s son, wasn’t he?”

“Exactly,” Xue Na replied. “To be precise, he was Li Dahuo’s only son capable of succeeding to the Xi throne. Among the Xi, ability is paramount; their leader must be one who commands respect and has the strength to rule. Of all Li Dahuo’s sons, only Li Moke was truly competent. In recent years, Li Dahuo had been grooming Li Moke for succession. This time, he sent him to raid Huairou County to win glory and prestige, but unexpectedly, he ran into you. Now, with his sole heir dead at your hands, do you think he will let this go? According to my intelligence, Li Dahuo hates you bitterly and has even put a bounty on your head: a hundred fine horses and five hundred fat sheep to the one who brings him your head. He despises you so, yet you are but a scholar neglected by the Pei clan, with no power or influence. How could he not seek revenge? Yet he is far away among the Xi, and his reach does not extend here; he will surely use his agents in Youzhou to strike. Once they make their move, we will have a thread to follow.”

Pei Min sprang to his feet in alarm. “Then my mother is in grave danger! I do not fear for myself, but how could my mother withstand an attack?”

“Rest assured.” Xue Na raised a hand to calm him. “Those involved in the betrayal have just carried out a major act. They will not stir again so soon. Even if they crave vengeance, they will not choose this moment. Your mother is safe for now. For her sake, and for the sake of the hundred thousand Tang soldiers slain near White Wolf Mountain, I hope you will help me uncover the traitor.”

Xue Na finished, looking at Pei Min with hope. He had long loathed the hidden traitor in Youzhou, but the man was too well concealed for him to act. Pei Min’s unexpected slaying of Li Moke gave him a glimmer of opportunity. Yet the task was dangerous, so he had first tested Pei Min. If Pei Min had failed his test and been caught off guard, Xue Na would have advised him to leave Youzhou with his mother to avoid an unjust death. But now, seeing Pei Min’s remarkable swordsmanship, he was filled with confidence and eager for his help.

Pei Min, observing Xue Na’s expression, had already made up his mind. He smiled and said, “You are a fine general, but not much of a persuader...”