An Dushan had failed to capture Wang Chong and had intended to march on Huangzhou, but his adviser Xun Hai dissuaded him. After all, the army's deployment had already been settled, and they were about to march on Chang'an. If they redirected their forces, there was no telling how much grain and fodder they would waste or how many days they would lose. Moreover, they would gain another enemy, to their considerable disadvantage.
At Xun Hai's urging, An Dushan sent an envoy to raise the matter of an alliance once more.
Wang Chong had not even wanted to receive An Dushan's envoy, but after Gao Gun learned the visitor's name, he advised Wang Chong to meet him. Only then did Wang Chong reluctantly host a banquet for the envoy.
The man An Dushan had sent this time was named Sun Ji, a former officer of Li Cunshou who had later surrendered to An Dushan. Gao Gun hoped Wang Chong would recruit him.
Although Wang Chong felt no particular aversion toward this sort of fence-sitter, he did not think there was anything remarkable about the man either. Still, since his teacher had spoken, he naturally chose to take the good advice.
Sun Ji was small and thin, with unremarkable looks, but he had been one of the eight commandants under Li Cunshou. He had risen from the ranks and accumulated military merits, earning Li Cunshou's regard and instruction in the Eight-Nine Fire Origin Art. Thus, his reputation had suffered considerably after he surrendered to An Dushan. He had been sent to Wang Chong because the previous envoys had all met with setbacks, and this wretched assignment had been dumped on him.
Life under An Dushan had gone extremely poorly for him, and his whole demeanor was subdued and withdrawn. He spoke