Wang Chong called over the subordinate who had wielded the blade for the prefect and asked with a smile, "Would you be willing to escort the prefect's family, along with all of Hejian Prefecture's wealth and provisions, back to Tongzhou Prefecture for me?"
Overjoyed, the man knelt and replied, "I would gladly die in your service, Brother Wang Chong." Everyone in Tongzhou Prefecture knew that His Highness the Prince of Yan liked people to call him Wang Chong. Some had also learned something of the Wen Family's attempt to frame "His Highness the Prince of Yan" and guessed that he meant to break with them. Thus, anyone with a little wit called him Brother Wang Chong.
Wang Chong said, "In that case, I hereby appoint you commander of both cavalry and infantry in Hejian Prefecture, with all its Xiang Army troops under your command. Once you return to Tongzhou Prefecture, have Senior Brother Xuangang, General Gan Ci, and General Qin Gao bring all their troops here. Leave Yuzao temporarily in charge of affairs in Tongzhou Prefecture. Take your own unit and see to it!"
The man answered loudly, "I will see it done properly." Then he rose and left in high spirits.
Not only this young man of respectable family, but everyone else in the hall was suddenly delighted. Before, Wang Chong had merely refrained from hoarding credit and been willing to share it, while rewards still needed the court's approval. Now that he had seized Hejian Prefecture, someone had received a promotion at once. Many hearts burned with excitement as they thought, If Brother Wang Chong really takes Ba Prefecture and Yanzhou-
Wouldn't every one of us become a dragon and soar into the heavens?
Wang Chong had given these men splendid prospects. Everyone felt there was a future