Chapter 109: Meeting Xue Ju Again

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Li Wenyuan gazed with great satisfaction at the newly renovated Chief Administrator’s Residence before him. This place was destined to become the political center of the Western Regions, so the renovation was extensive, encompassing the purchase of several neighboring estates to form a vast compound. Apart from housing the various departments that assisted Li Wenyuan in managing the Western Regions, he had also taken up residence here, making the Chief Administrator’s Residence his base in Dunhuang Commandery. The entire manor bore no lavish adornments; only a simple plaque hung by the entrance. Neither the stone guardian lions nor the entrance wall had been repaired. As Li Wenyuan put it, “The world is governed by righteousness; there is no need for pretentiousness.”

Within the Chief Administrator’s Residence were the Departments of Civil Affairs, Agriculture, Military, Rites, Commerce, Justice, and Public Works—those deemed essential for the current situation of the special region. The Department of Civil Affairs managed the registration and renewal of citizen identity tags, distribution of minimum subsistence grain, and all matters concerning the people's welfare. The Department of Agriculture oversaw farming activities, ensuring grain reserves during bountiful years and distribution during times of famine. The Military Department, as its name suggests, handled soldiers’ pay, recruitment, training of new troops, and matters relating to military discharge. The Department of Rites bore responsibilities akin to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, receiving envoys from various states and potential future powers. The Department of Commerce was in charge of finances under the Chief Administrator, similar to a treasury. The Department of Justice administered all legal affairs and judicial institutions under the Chief Administrator’s jurisdiction. The Department of Public Works managed the construction and maintenance of official roads, city walls, irrigation, and related infrastructure.

This was no modern era; the Great Wall still stood as an indispensable barrier. Regardless of circumstances, it was this shield that had prevented the people of the Central Plains from succumbing helplessly to nomadic invasions, unlike Europe. Li Wenyuan thus placed great importance on the Great Wall.

Officials from these departments had gradually moved from Wuwei Commandery to Dunhuang Commandery. Some key departments had swiftly advanced ahead with the army, such as Autumn Maiden’s Night Owl unit and the Finance Department. Now that the Chief Administrator’s Residence was fully renovated and ready for use, it was a timely coincidence that Xue Ju had passed through Guazhou and would soon arrive at Dunhuang Commandery.

Meanwhile, Autumn Maiden had successfully produced the canned food she had discussed with Li Wenyuan earlier. They were currently testing how long it could be stored without spoiling. From her expression, she was confident in the results. Yet Li Wenyuan had no time to dwell on this now; his esteemed guest Xue Ju was due to arrive today.

On the journey from Jincheng to Dunhuang, Xue Ju saw hardworking farmers under Li Wenyuan’s governance, soldiers brimming with high morale, and an endless stream of caravans along the official roads. Compared to the famine and desolation ravaging the Central Plains, the Western Regions under Li Wenyuan appeared to be an earthly paradise. This reassured Xue Ju that entrusting his second son to Li Wenyuan’s care had been a wise decision.

Xue Ju first arrived in Wuwei Commandery and met his son, Xue Renyue. Seeing his son promoted to the position of Commandery Governor brought him great joy. He admonished Xue Renyue to diligently serve by Li Wenyuan’s side. Although Li Wenyuan was not deeply scheming, his ambitions were vast. Hence, Xue Ju repeatedly urged his son to remain loyal and harbor no treacherous thoughts. Should any misfortune befall him when the time came to rise in rebellion, the Xue family would be left with only Xue Renyue’s branch.

Xue Renyue recounted to his father the affairs he had managed since taking office in Wuwei Commandery. Xue Ju nodded in approval, as he too admired many of Li Wenyuan’s policies. But he was unable to implement them himself, lacking Li Wenyuan’s freedom to break away from the influence of established noble families. With urgent matters prompting his visit, Xue Ju did not linger in Wuwei Commandery. After lunch, he mounted his horse again, hastening toward Dunhuang Commandery.

After seeing his father off, Xue Renyue watched the figure on horseback fade into the distance along the official road. During their conversation, he had refrained from asking why his father chose not to ally with Li Wenyuan, instead opting for the perilous path of acting alone. Having navigated the political arena for so long and endured two public trials, Xue Renyue understood clearly that his father’s hesitation was not out of unwillingness but because the factions backing him would never allow an alliance with Li Wenyuan. After all, there could be only one emperor in this realm.

Li Wenyuan moved with his army at a steady pace on the road, while Xue Ju, riding alone, reached Dunhuang Commandery relatively quickly. From afar, when he glimpsed the city walls of Dunhuang, he saw someone sitting astride a horse by the roadside, seemingly waiting for someone. Squinting, Xue Ju recognized the rider—not Li Wenyuan himself. Slowing his horse, he approached and greeted him with a respectful gesture from the saddle:

“Brother Wenyuan, how have you been lately? I heard you quelled the rebel Li Gui. As your elder brother, I’ve come to congratulate you on your victory.”

“Brother Xue, Li Gui’s rebels still hold Yiwu Commandery, so it’s too soon to claim victory. But the other three commanderies have come under the civilizing influence of our Great Sui. I believe Li Gui is merely clinging to life in Yiwu. In a few months, I will personally lead the army to wipe out the rebellion there. But this is no place for such talk. Brother Xue, please come with me to the Chief Administrator’s Residence, and we shall speak at leisure.”

Li Wenyuan gestured with his riding crop toward the city and then urged his horse forward, leading Xue Ju toward the recently renovated Chief Administrator’s Residence.

Inside the Western Regions Chief Administrator’s Residence, Li Wenyuan and Xue Ju sat side by side in the reception hall. On the table lay melons chilled in underground spring water drawn from a well. Although not yet called Hami melons—they were known as sweet melons in the Sui Dynasty—it mattered little now. Li Wenyuan casually picked up a piece, handed it to Xue Ju, and said,

“Brother, you mentioned outside the city that you came to celebrate my victory. But here, in this reception hall, it’s just the two of us. If you have something to say, speak plainly. We have shed blood together on the battlefield; what is there we cannot say frankly?”

Xue Ju accepted the melon, savoring the cool sweetness that instantly dispelled the weariness of travel. He then spoke solemnly,

“Brother Wenyuan, I have come this time to tell you one thing—I am going to rebel.”

(End of chapter)