Chapter 69: Visiting the Wen Family

To travel from Hu County to Taiyuan, one needed to retrace the original path, passing through Chang'an and various other towns, journeying all the way back to the Great River, then heading north toward Fenyin and Longmen. Only after traversing Jiang Commandery, Linfen Commandery, and Xihe Commandery would one finally reach the territory of Taiyuan Commandery.

Fu Zihou drove his carriage. Along the way, as they passed through Jiang Commandery, he encountered no danger—thanks to Li Yuan's recent military campaign, which had pacified the local rebels in Jiang Commandery.

Later, he passed through Yubi and gazed upon the renowned and imposing heights of Mount Emei’s natural defenses.

The only regret was that, on the ensuing days, when passing through Pingyao County in Xihe Commandery, Li Chengzhi was not present. Though the sight of the grand city of Pingyao was impressive, Fu Zihou felt no desire to linger.

Pingyao sat north of Xihe Commandery; not far beyond lay Taiyuan Commandery.

Upon entering Taiyuan's territory, the first city along the official road was Qixian—ancestral home to the Wen clan of Taiyuan.

Following Old Li’s instructions, Fu Zihou arrived at the Wen family manor to pay his respects.

After explaining his purpose to the Wen family servant, he watched the man hurry inside.

Soon, three young men in scholar’s robes emerged with the servant, striding briskly toward him.

“I am Wen Wuyin; greetings to the young lord of the Fu family!”

“I am Wen Jin!”

“I am Wen Zhen!”

Wen Wuyin led with a courteous gesture, and Wen Jin and Wen Zhen followed suit.

“Fu Zihou pays his respects to the three young masters of the Wen family!”

Fu Zihou returned the bow. Seeing Wen Wuyin’s warm invitation and the friendly looks from Wen Jin and Wen Zhen, he nodded in acceptance. He knew he would need the Wen family’s support in the future, so he dispensed with excessive formalities.

Within the main hall of the Wen residence, Fu Zihou entered to see, on either side, rows of wooden tables behind which sat kneeling men—more than twenty at a glance.

So many members of the Wen clan were gathered; it was clear guests had already arrived.

But having come this far, Fu Zihou could not simply leave.

Introduced by Wen Wuyin, Fu Zihou first bowed to the elderly master of the Wen family seated at the head of the hall, then to the second eldest, Wen Daya, who knelt by a side table.

Wen Daya, age forty-three, was the son of Wen Junyou, now departed; the patriarch above was his uncle.

Wen Daya had two sons: Wen Wuyin and Wen Shiyun.

Wen Dayou had four: Wen Jin, Wen Zan, Wen Yu, and Wen Qu.

Wen Dalin had two: Wen Zhen and Wen Ting.

These were the descendants of Wen Daya’s three brothers, while the patriarch’s own line also numbered more than ten.

Fu Zihou understood, however, that only Wen Daya and his brothers and their descendants were close to Old Li; the rest of the Wen clan were not mentioned by Old Li, so likely could not be relied upon.

“Zihou, these are the uncles from the Wu family of Wenshui…”

From Wen Wuyin’s introduction, Fu Zihou learned that today’s visitors to the Wen house were the Wu family from Wenshui, near Qixian in Taiyuan Commandery: the brothers Wu Shileng and Wu Shihuo.

Hearing the name Wu Shihuo, the first figure to come to Fu Zihou’s mind was Wu Zetian.

Never had Fu Zihou imagined he would meet Wu Zetian’s father in such a setting.

“Zihou pays respects to the two uncles of the Wu family!”

Fu Zihou bowed.

Though unfamiliar with Fu Zihou, the Wu brothers had just learned from the Wen family servant that this youth was the grandson-in-law of Old Li Gang. Thus, they returned the bow with equal courtesy.

After the formalities, Wen Wuyin guided Fu Zihou to kneel at another table beside Wen Daya.

From this seat, it was clear that, thanks to Old Li, Wen Wuyin and the others were being particularly attentive to Fu Zihou.

“My dear nephew, is Old Li well?”

Once Fu Zihou was seated, Wen Daya inquired about Old Li’s health.

Wen Daya’s father had been close friends with Old Xue Dao Heng and Old Li Gang, and Wen Daya and his brothers owed much to Old Li. Naturally, seeing Fu Zihou, Old Li’s grandson-in-law, he wished to learn of Old Li’s wellbeing.

“Uncle, rest assured, Old Li is perfectly well!”

Fu Zihou replied respectfully, then produced a letter from Old Li from his robe and presented it with both hands to Wen Daya.

In the main hall, the Wen family and the two Wu brothers all sized up Fu Zihou—curious about the young man who, though not from a great surname, had become Old Li’s grandson-in-law. They wondered what set him apart.

Then, Wen Daya suddenly set the letter down in surprise.

“Nephew, are you going to Jinyang’s Eagle Command as a Commandant?”

Wen Daya looked at the youthful Fu Zihou in astonishment.

“What? Commandant?”

“He is a Commandant?”

At Wen Daya’s words, the patriarch and all present—Wen Wuyin, Wen Jin, Wen Zhen, and the Wu brothers—looked at Fu Zihou in shock, exchanging glances of disbelief.

“The young lord of the Fu family is a Commandant?”

The patriarch himself could not help but ask quietly.

“By fortune, I was recently granted the rank of Valiant Commandant by His Majesty and sent to lead troops at Jinyang’s Eagle Command.”

Fu Zihou explained to Wen Daya and the patriarch.

All at once, the eyes that had appraised Fu Zihou changed; even the patriarch and his relatives regarded him with much greater warmth.

Wen Jin, Wen Zan, Wen Yu, and Wen Qu exchanged wry smiles—who would have thought this young man was already a colleague of their father’s.

Long ago, their father Wen Dayou had, with Old Li Gang’s recommendation, served as a Cavalry Commandant in the Imperial Guards—now also commanding cavalry at Taiyuan’s Eagle Command.

“So young, yet already a Commandant; your prospects are truly limitless!” Wen Daya exclaimed, understanding now why the youth was chosen as Old Li’s grandson-in-law—indeed, appearances could be deceiving.

He then put away the letter.

“My second son is now in Jinyang, commanding the Eagle Command’s cavalry. When you arrive in Jinyang, present this letter to him. Once he reads it, he will surely tell you all about Jinyang.”

Wen Daya handed the letter back to Fu Zihou.

“Thank you, uncle!”

Fu Zihou received the letter with both hands, bowing in gratitude.

He had already surveyed Qixian’s defenses outside the city. For ordinary bandits numbering in the hundreds or thousands, the city walls would suffice, but for the hundred thousand rebels expected in three months, Qixian would be indefensible.

Moreover, unlike Zhang Jincheng, Wei Dao’er’s rebel forces, now exceeding a hundred thousand, had for years possessed large siege engines.

Fu Zihou knew he would have to bring the Wen family to Jinyang within two months.

As he was about to ask Wen Daya about the situation with the northern rebels, Wu Shihuo’s voice interrupted.

“Since Commandant Fu is also going to Jinyang, why not travel together for mutual support?”

Wu Shihuo, thirty-eight, suggested with a smile. Wu Shileng nodded in agreement; their purpose was much like Fu Zihou’s, though they had brought considerable gifts and wealth.

“Are you two also heading to Jinyang?” Fu Zihou asked with some curiosity.

“Nephew, you may not know: Fourth Young Master of the Wu family is also bound for Jinyang, to serve as Jinyang’s Armorer. No doubt you and he will have much contact in future!” the patriarch explained with a stroke of his long beard.

The local Armorer managed soldiers’ arms and regalia, typically ranked between seventh and eighth grade. Wu Shihuo, as Jinyang’s Armorer, was just one rank below Fu Zihou’s sixth grade—seventh grade upper.

“I see! I am unfamiliar with the road, so I must trouble you both for guidance.”

Fu Zihou bowed to the Wu brothers, showing no pride at being one rank higher.

“Commandant Fu, you are too modest!” Wu Shihuo returned the salute at once.

Witnessing Fu Zihou’s courtesy, always addressing them as uncles despite his own rank, Wu Shihuo’s appreciation deepened. At their age, and as colleagues, no one wished to be slighted by a youngster.

Afterward, as conversation continued in the main hall, the patriarch inquired about Fu Zihou’s family.

Learning that Fu Zihou’s father had been a merchant, the Wen family showed surprise, while Wu Shihuo’s eyes lit up with approval.

“Your father also traded?” Wu Shihuo asked with interest.

Already favorably disposed toward Fu Zihou, he became even more so upon hearing his father was a merchant.

“Yes! In order to support our family, my father often journeyed afar, enduring many hardships,” Fu Zihou said, raising his hand.

Fu Zihou saw no reason to conceal his father’s occupation—there are no secrets in the world, and even in Tiao County, people had investigated his family, let alone in the future. Better to be open and unashamed, fearing no one’s judgment.

“Such a man is a true husband,” Wu Shihuo pronounced.

This sentiment found little agreement among the patriarch and his line, but they were not surprised that Wu Shihuo would say so.

The Wu family of Tianshui were long-established merchants, their wealth accumulated over generations.

Wu Shihuo, leveraging his family’s riches, had frequent dealings with the Yangs of Hongnong, the Lis of Longxi, and the Nius of Anding.

It was even said that Li Yuan, much favored by Emperor Yang Guang, often stayed at Wu Shihuo’s home while leading troops in Linfen and Jiang Commanderies.

Coming from a merchant background himself, Wu Shihuo naturally did not look down on Fu Zihou’s father.

In the Wen residence, news of a youthful Valiant Commandant in the main hall aroused the curiosity of the womenfolk in the rear quarters.

The young Wen ladies, less constrained by propriety, quietly made their way to the back of the main hall, tiptoeing to peek through cracks and observe the scene inside.

Note: In history, Wen Dayou was recommended by Li Gang to serve as a Cavalry Commandant in the Imperial Guards. During Li Yuan’s uprising, he and his brother were often at Li Yuan’s side, though their loyalties were uncertain and they are not counted among the seventeen founding ministers, with scant records about them.

Additionally, sources indicate that Wu Shihuo became a close confidant of Li Yuan during the latter’s pacification of Linfen and Jiang, likely because Li Yuan valued the Wu family’s wealth.