Chapter Sixty-Nine: Choosing Sides

As soon as Li Gui’s army broke camp and continued westward, Zhang Juntai received the news. He asked the scout, “Is there any response from the direction of Zhangye Commandery?”

The scout replied, “The gates of Zhangye are tightly shut. It seems they have reached some sort of agreement with Li Gui’s army, intending to hinder our pursuit.”

Zhang Juntai snorted coldly. “Overestimating themselves. Order the army forward; we’ll camp right under the walls of Zhangye.”

Inside Zhangye Commandery, chaos reigned as well. The prefect of Zhangye had summoned all civil and military officials within the commandery and addressed them solemnly, “Colleagues, we all owe our high positions to the patronage of Lord Li Gui. Now that Lord Li is in dire straits, it is precisely the time for us to step forward. How can we stand idly by?”

At this, one civil official spoke up, “Prefect, your words are not quite right. This is not a case of us standing by, but rather, Lord Li Gui’s uprising was too sudden. We are unprepared. In my opinion, we should feign submission to Li Wenyuan for now. When Lord Li Gui returns with his army, we can respond from within and open the gates to surrender.”

Hearing his colleague’s reluctance, the prefect grew angry. “Have you all forgotten who placed us in our current positions? Li Wenyuan has established the civil service examinations in Wuwei; do you truly believe that defecting to him will yield good results? Will you still hold your offices?”

He paused, then turned to the military officers, “Moreover, I hear that next spring, Li Wenyuan plans to hold a military examination as well.”

Ordinarily, the prefect would not even grant these military men a kind word, but now, with war imminent, the officers had become a force that could not be ignored. In truth, his earlier questioning of the civil officials was mere formality, a gesture of respect among colleagues; convincing the commanders with troops was the real priority.

These officers were well aware that Li Wenyuan would soon hold a military exam. Though all had been promoted by Li Gui, where there are people, there are factions, and where there are officials, there is politics. Not all those elevated by Li Gui were satisfied with their positions; resources within Zhangye Commandery were limited. Favoring some meant neglecting others. Thus, among Li Gui’s officers, some were discontent—loyalty was easy to profess in words, but when it came time to choose sides, some were unwilling to risk their futures on Li Gui, whose cause might end in ruin.

At the mention of Li Wenyuan’s impending military exams, a few officers began murmuring, “It’s said that in Li Wenyuan’s army, there is no favoritism; all promotions depend entirely on merit.”

The prefect’s face darkened at this. Several high-ranking officers, long accustomed to exploiting the local people, had also heard that Li Wenyuan was known for his harsh measures against corrupt and oppressive officials. Like Lu Su’s advice to Sun Quan in the Three Kingdoms era, others could surrender, but for them, even surrender would mean ruin. They had no choice but to step forward in support of the prefect: “Li Wenyuan, newly come to the Western Regions, rejects outsiders and promotes only his own. He has forced Lord Li Gui to rebellion. We owe our positions to Lord Li Gui’s favor; now that he is in danger, how can we abandon him? I am willing to lead my three thousand men to hold off the pursuers for Lord Li Gui. Any general willing to join me, come to the camp and rally your troops.”

With that, the commander strode out without a backward glance, followed by several officers who had long been his close associates and shared in the oppression of the people. The room quickly emptied, leaving only a few officers who hung their heads in silence.

These remaining officers were mostly commanders of the city’s patrol units, responsible for Zhangye’s defenses, or leaders of the northern patrols guarding against Turkic incursions. Normally, they were wary of the Turks besieging or invading from the north and rarely lingered in the city. They understood well that chaos in Zhangye would provide the Turks with ample opportunity. After a brief private discussion, they chose inaction—remaining at their posts, fulfilling their duties, and preparing to resist a possible Turkic invasion, rather than engaging in political strife.

Seeing that these officers did not follow those who had left to muster troops, the prefect’s face grew stern. “Generals, why do you linger here? Do you intend to side with Li Wenyuan and bear the name of traitors to your benefactor?”

Pressed by the prefect, the officers replied, “Prefect, let it be clear: our duty lies in defending against the Turkic invaders. We are soldiers of the Sui, tasked with guarding the frontier, not pawns in political struggles. It is winter, and the grasslands are heavy with snow this year—the Turks are likely to invade. We are simply doing our duty.”

With these words, they too departed, each returning to his post. The once-crowded hall was left with only the civil officials. The prefect looked around at those who remained. “You all know how Li Wenyuan deals with corrupt officials—I need say no more. Over the years, you have all profited well in Zhangye. Now we have no way out. Gather your families and possessions and join me at the camp; let us risk all for a splendid future.”

Thus, the civil officials packed their belongings and, with their families in tow, made their way to the military camp outside the city. The patrol commanders then ordered the gates shut.

At that moment, Zhang Juntai’s army reached the walls of Zhangye, arrayed in battle formation against the forces loyal to Li Gui. At his side, Wudelu asked, “General, shall we storm the city first or attack the enemy before us?”

Zhang Juntai, seated on horseback, shaded his eyes to survey the city. “Look: the banners atop Zhangye’s walls still bear the emblem of the Sui, but those outside belong to Li Gui. It seems the officials and officers of Zhangye have already chosen their sides—those remaining within the city are neutral, while those camped outside are Li Gui’s partisans. Once we crush these followers of Li Gui, Zhangye will open its gates to us once more.”