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The Han Dynasty was indeed a feudal dynasty, but its centralization was imperfect, with significant local official power. Moreover, directly appointed subordinate officials by the imperial court were few; most aides were personally recruited, retaining strong Spring and Autumn and Warring States era legacies.
For example, a commandery governor like Wang Yi resembled a Spring and Autumn or Warring States era feudal lord, while their subordinates were like feudal lords' vassals. The relationship between them was less superior-subordinate officials and more liege lord and vassal.
Of course, Fei Qian himself now held the title of Shang Commandery Governor, so it was no surprise some subordinates began addressing him as Lord.
As Hedong Commandery Governor, Wang Yi, by convention, held power of life and death over Hedong's officials and represented the Han Dynasty in managing local powerful families.
But that was by convention.
Currently, land annexation across regions was extremely severe. Compared to Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu's era, free farmers surviving at thirty to forty percent was considered very good.
Therefore, land and farmers were in the hands of local powerful families. Han Dynasty commandery governors also adhered to avoidance rules—locals couldn't serve as local governors. So how could newly arrived governors like Wang Yi establish themselves in Hedong?
The more adept, like Liu Biao, allied or even intermarried with local scholar-official families to quickly gain footing. But that was in Jing and Xiang, with many scholar-official families for Liu Biao to choose from. Here in Hedong, due to various historical reasons, the scholar-official family was solely the Wei clan, dominating; others were merely local strongmen, utterly unable to rival the Wei clan…
So if Wang Yi didn't want to become a subordinate governor to the Hedong Wei clan, he could only both suppress and pull, opposing yet not overly forceful, compromising yet not following the Hedong Wei clan's arrangements in everything.
Initially, it likely went well. But after Fei Qian became Shang Commandery Governor and established camp in Anyi, something seemed to start changing.
First, the Zhang family inexplicably jumped out, then a commander acting without authorization emerged. This made Wang Yi realize his previously considered decent control over Hedong seemed starting to get thorny. To protect his interests and authority, and to warn other observant local strongmen, Wang Yi agreed to Lu Chang and Jia Qu's handling of the Zhang family.
Of course, the specific action was taken by Lu Chang.
Thus, Lu Chang died just like that.
Died on the road to Xiangling.
Yellow Turban ambush?
Hmph!
Anyi was Hedong Commandery's seat. Conventionally, this should be where the governor was stronger. But because the Hedong Commandery Governor position was granted to Dong Zhuo, who never actually assumed office in Hedong, it remained vacant for several years. During this period, Hedong Commandery was almost entirely under Hedong Wei clan's governance, including Anyi, the commandery seat.
Under current circumstances, how dared Wang Yi remain in such an unclear friend-or-foe place?
Wang Yi was very anxious. He had previously contacted Fei Qian, requesting support. But at that time, Lu Chang wasn't dead, and the situation wasn't yet rotten. So the initial idea was Lu Chang as main force, Fei Qian as support, jointly exterminating the Yellow Turbans.
But now he suddenly discovered he not only had to deal with external bandits but also internal traitors. And since they dared target a commandery assistant governor, would they spare him, the governor? Therefore, upon learning Jia Qu would withdraw from Anyi, he disguised and mixed into the convoy, left Anyi, and came to see Fei Qian.
Before meeting Fei Qian, Wang Yi had even thought: though meeting Fei Qian few times, Fei Qian was after all Cai Yong's disciple, and Cai Yong was undoubtedly a modest gentleman. So someone Cai Yong accepted as disciple, though literary attainments surely inferior to the great Cai Yong, should at least be similar in temperament…
So Wang Yi started by "seizing the initiative," displaying a gentleman's compassion for the world. Originally thinking even if Fei Qian inwardly disapproved, he'd at least pretend, sighing together a bit. Then he could climb up the offered pole, enthusiastically and earnestly invite Fei Qian to jointly rescue Hedong's people from deep water and scorching fire, strive for people's peaceful living and prosperous work. Would Fei Qian have the face to slap his own cheek and refuse?
Wang Yi even further thought of responses to Fei Qian's excuses. Wasn't it Shang Commandery? First settle Hedong, then help Fei Qian recover Shang Commandery. Then Fei Qian naturally would have nothing more to say…
But unexpectedly, this Fei Qian didn't follow the plan at all. After just a few words, he started ushering him out. Is this how you behave?
Wang Yi retracted his sad expression, sighed softly, and said: "Inspector Fei, may I ask your age?"
Fei Qian, though unsure why Wang Yi asked, answered truthfully: "Already wasted twenty-one springs and autumns."
Wang Yi exclaimed admiringly: "Ziyuan, at the age of capping, around twenty, holding a commandery governor position—in the past hundred years, none can match this!"
Fei Qian waved his hand, saying: "Merely acting; dare not accept such praise." Han Dynasty selection of commandery governors was very strict and prudent. Basically, they had to be around forty, steady and mature, deeply versed in balance before being dispatched as commandery governors.
But Fei Qian was special. First, no people; second, no land; third, no troops—just a bare title, even inferior to an actual county magistrate, and moreover acting commandery governor duties. So during appointment, no one saw any impropriety…
With this buffer, Wang Yi clearly set aside the earlier awkwardness, straightened and bowed with clasped hands: "I earnestly request Inspector Fei to lend me a hand!"
"Naturally! Hedong and Shang Commanderies are as close as lips and teeth. Commandery Governor Wang's matters are naturally also my matters!" Fei Qian thought: Wang Yi, you should have adopted this proper posture earlier. Earlier you acted like I had to beg for a chance to help you…
Fei Qian took a hand-drawn schematic from the desk, placed it centrally so Wang Yi could also see clearly, then pointing while saying: "Yellow Turban bandits heading south for food must travel along both Fen River banks…"
Fei Qian tapped the Xiangling location, saying: "Only unsure how Xiangling is currently. If not held, I fear hard to quell them." After speaking, Fei Qian stopped, quietly observing Wang Yi's reaction.
This question was very important.
Fei Qian wasn't asking whether Xiangling had been captured by Yellow Turbans, but whether Wang Yi currently had say over Xiangling, whether Wang Yi had control capability over Xiangling's troops…
After all, though Wang Yi currently seemed unable to beat the local snakes, he had been in Hedong for some time. Even if unable to control wealthy counties like Anyi, Linfen, Pishi, couldn't he control a few border counties like Xiangling?
If Wang Yi still had some control over Xiangling, even some manpower to adjust in counties like Puzi, then they could still fight. Seizing the opportunity when the White Wave Army moved south, whether they split forces or not, vulnerabilities would emerge, allowing a chance to defeat them in this Fen River area. Otherwise, if the White Wave Army continued south, dragging more commoners, it would become quite troublesome.
Of course, if Wang Yi couldn't even control Xiangling, merely a commander without troops, Fei Qian would without another word, after a laugh, immediately lead troops back to Beiqu, treating it as a wasted trip. After all, he alone couldn't sustain it, and he didn't have many troops, not worth investing into a completely uncontrollable situation.
Currently, Fei Qian and Wang Yi could be considered allies without an alliance treaty. So Fei Qian wanted to see what cards in hand Wang Yi still had. This was very important for Fei Qian's next direction and actions.
Therefore, Commandery Governor Wang Yi Wang, please tell me your cards in hand, to see if it's worth us jointly placing this bet…