Chapter 677: Sharpening the Blades Toward Jinghu

Zhang Ji followed behind Zhao Yan; he had long since recognized that this was the civil official who had attended the emperor that day. His pallid complexion bore an impressive meticulousness. After all, this was his future immediate superior, and he wished to build some rapport, yet did not know how to broach the subject.

As if sensing Zhang Ji's hesitation, Zhao Yan spoke first, his voice as steady as his bearing: "His Majesty must think highly of you. A zhuangyuan has no qualification to serve at Chongzheng Hall, yet you have come. I was the tanhua of the fifth year of Qianyou; when I was first selected for Chongzheng Hall, I was never given such personal instructions by His Majesty."

Zhao Yan's words put Zhang Ji somewhat at ease, and a hint of a smile crept onto his lips. Of course, what Zhao Yan did not mention was that within a few months of arriving at Chongzheng Hall, he had been appointed Academician of Chongzheng Hall, and later Chief Academician.

In the side hall, over a dozen Chongzheng officials each sat at their own desks, processing the memorials and documents in hand, a scene of bustling activity. When Zhao Yan entered, barely anyone looked up. The Chongzheng officials each had their own division of labor, each responsible for a portion according to the various ministries and local circuits and prefectures, plus military and political affairs, while Zhao Yan oversaw all matters.

The Chongzheng officials looked rather ordinary, without any striking features or handsome bearing—Zhang Ji's arrival actually raised the average looks. But these men's backgrounds were anything but ordinary. Not to mention Zhao Yan himself, among them were the son of Feng Dao, the son of Guo Wei, the son of He Ning, the son of Fu Yanqing...

Walking up to Zhao Pu, Zhao Yan said: "Academician Zhao, Zhang Ji will serve under you here! He is from Chuzhou; you may first try having him handle matters concerning the Two Huai!"

After Zhao Pu returned to the capital from his mission to Shu, his substantive post had been elevated. Now he was an Academician of Chongzheng Hall, formally surpassing all the others in the hall, and only one step remained from his short-to-medium-term goal.

"Rest assured, Chief Academician, leave it to me!" Zhao Pu was perfectly courteous toward Zhao Yan.

Nodding, Zhao Yan turned and walked to his own desk. Watching his retreating figure, the smile on Zhao Pu's face gradually turned restrained.

But it quickly bloomed again as he sized up Zhang Ji with a beaming grin: "So the tanhua has arrived! This is truly my honor, Zhao Pu. Please do offer me your guidance!"

One should know that Zhao Pu held no examination degree, and his learning was not outstanding. Had it not been for Liu Ci's recommendation back then, who knew what opportunity he would have had to wait for to rise—after all, the Zhao Kuangyin connection had been essentially cut off.

Therefore, toward those who had passed the imperial examinations, especially those with high rankings, Zhao Pu's feelings were somewhat complicated. Someone like Zhang Ji, who could go directly to Chongzheng Hall, was even more galling.

However, with Zhao Pu's depth of character, Zhang Ji could not detect any of it at all. Facing a superior with such a humble attitude, Zhang Ji hurriedly returned the modesty: "The Academician flatters me. I have just left the nest, with shallow knowledge and limited experience. You are the senior here; it is I who should look up to you with reverence and study earnestly!"

"The tanhua has boundless prospects!" Hearing this, Zhao Pu laughed.

For some reason, whenever Zhang Ji saw Zhao Pu's smiling face, his heart felt somewhat uneasy.

"That desk over there is yours!" Pointing at one of the empty desks behind him, Zhao Pu said.

"Yes!" Zhang Ji clasped his hands in salute, proactively showing himself: "Is there any matter in which this junior might share your burden? The Academician need only command!"

To his eagerness, Zhao Pu merely smiled in response: "No rush! No rush! I heard that when His Majesty went on an outing, he happened upon you in the marketplace—what good fortune! Would you care to tell me about it?"

Whether deceived by Zhao Pu's humility, or driven by that well-hidden trace of pride in his heart, Zhang Ji actually gave a simple account of what had happened that day.

On the twenty-seventh day of the third month, the Emperor visited Guangzheng Hall. All the chancellors, the Bureau of Military Affairs, and the commanders of the two imperial guard armies were present, civil and military together deliberating the matter of taking Jinghu.

"First, let's hear the situation in Jinghu!" Liu Chengyou sat down in his place, swept his gaze around, waved his hand, and said directly.

The one presiding over the meeting was Guo Rong. Obeying the order, with a trace of excitement in his brow, he said: "Jingnan's territory is narrow, its troops insufficient, its weapons hard to refine. Though harvests have been bountiful in recent years, levies have grown ever more oppressive. The ruler is indecisive and cowardly, fond of pleasure; his ministers face north and are losing their loyalty. Taking it will not be difficult."

From Guo Rong's attitude and tone, it was clear he did not hold the Gao clan of Jingnan in any regard, and the rest of the civil and military officials shared much the same attitude, wearing expressions of approval.

Noticing this, Liu Chengyou's brow furrowed slightly. Being too relaxed and harboring an arrogant heart was not good, so he said: "Though Jingnan's strength is weak, it still has over twenty thousand land and naval troops. Jiangling's walls are strong; if they choose to resist stubbornly, it would be no small obstacle. Even if we can break through, I fear it would delay our march south into Hunan, giving Zhou Xingfeng more time to prepare! We should not underestimate Jingnan!"

"Your Majesty is right! This minister was too dismissive!" At the Emperor's reminder, Guo Rong directly accepted it, for what was said did make sense.

Reining in his arrogance somewhat, Guo Rong continued: "The only concern in marching south is Zhou Xingfeng of Hunan. He has stationed ten thousand troops at Langzhou; his intent to resist in the north is already clear. Last year Hunan suffered a great famine, and he opened the granaries for relief, winning great popular support. Taking him without battle is nearly impossible—we must fight our way through. As long as we capture Langzhou, then take Tanzhou, Hunan can be settled.

According to reports, Zhou Xingfeng seems to have sensed the court's movements. He is secretly building up troops, mass-producing armor and weapons, and reinforcing his city defenses. The Military Intelligence Bureau has learned that Zhou Xingfeng has also secretly sent people to contact Fu Yantong, the chieftain of the Xuzhou barbarians, with the intent of drawing them in as support.

Additionally, since the start of the third month, there have been unusual troop movements in Tanzhou. Though conducted covertly, our spies still detected some traces—Zhou Xingfeng is transferring troops toward Hengzhou!

This minister and the colleagues of the Bureau of Military Affairs have analyzed this: Zhou Xingfeng may intend to first march south to take Zhang Wenbiao's Jingjiang Army, eliminating the threat at his back!"

Hearing Guo Rong's account, the expressions of the assembled senior ministers all turned somewhat grave. Jingnan was indeed of little concern, but Hunan, as things currently appeared, was not so simple—if they were not careful, it could prove thorny!

Wei Renpu said: "This Zhou Xingfeng is also a hero of his region, with a very strong sense of crisis! We wanted to use Zhang Wenbiao to stir up the situation in Hunan, but he has marched south first to eliminate the trouble at his rear, then fully deal with the court. Very decisive and capable!"

"We have already sent men to warn Zhang Wenbiao, telling him to raise his vigilance and strengthen his defenses!" Guo Rong continued, shaking his head: "However, in recent years, Zhang Wenbiao has grown increasingly lax, imposing exorbitant levies, alienating both superiors and subordinates, and stirring considerable popular resentment. Even if Zhou Xingfeng did not launch a surprise attack, but attacked with an open and righteous army, I fear the Jingjiang Army could hardly hold! Zhang Wenbiao is absolutely no match for Zhou Xingfeng!"

"I have also received a piece of intelligence! Zhou Xingfeng secretly sent envoys to Jinling, requesting to purchase grain from Jiangnan. Li Jing agreed, shipping thirty thousand shi of grain from Jiangxi in exchange!" Liu Chengyou spoke, his tone solemn: "The situation in Hunan is already quite clear. Zhou Xingfeng is not a man who will sit and wait for death. He is actively planning, intending to resist the imperial army and obstruct the Great Han's process of unifying the realm!

This absolutely cannot be tolerated! The Zhou clan harbors treachery, is domineering and fond of killing; their disloyal intent is plain for all to see. The situation grows ever more pressing—the court must take decisive measures to pacify and eliminate them, to relieve the plight of Hunan's people and restore peace and security to its scholars and commoners..."

Liu Chengyou could say such things without a trace of embarrassment, his face full of righteousness and glory, completely forgetting that it was he who wanted to march south and annex Hunan. Even at the tail end of the era of separatist regimes, Zhou Xingfeng's rising up to resist was hardly worthy of censure.

Of course, might makes right. Hunan's attempt to resist was, to the Han court, a crime deserving of annihilation and extermination.

"How stands the court's war preparation?" Liu Chengyou asked immediately after.

Guo Rong said: "The left wing of the Tieqi Army has already arrived at Xiangyang. The Husheng and Fengguo armies, over ten thousand troops, have reached Dengzhou. The Xiaodi Army has completed its preparations to march. Additionally, the five prefectures of Cai, Deng, Xiang, An, and Ying have assembled over ten thousand soldiers!"

Wei Renpu continued: "All the armor, weapons, and uniforms needed by the troops have been fully replaced and issued. Grain and military equipment have begun shipping south. One hundred thousand hu of grain has already been stockpiled in Xiangyang city, with continued replenishment—the aim is to prepare two hundred thousand hu!"

Xue Juzheng was very clear on his position and responsibility, and directly guaranteed: "The State Finance Commission will spare no effort in raising grain and pay to supply the army's campaign!"

"The Secretariat has already issued documents ordering all prefectures and counties to conscript thirty thousand civilian laborers for military use!" Fan Zhi said.

It was evident that the Great Han's war preparations had reached a fairly mature stage. The war machine had already been set in motion, waiting only to charge forward at full speed.

"The Secretariat should select and prepare officials and clerks to send to Jinghu, so that we won't be caught in a fluster after taking it!" After considering for a moment, Liu Chengyou looked at Li Tao and Fan Zhi, speaking arrogant words in a flat tone.

"Are you prepared to lead the army south?" He then said to Murong Yanzhao.

"Yes!"

"When to launch—does the Bureau of Military Affairs have a plan?" Liu Chengyou asked Guo Rong.

Guo Rong said with certainty: "Originally, the plan was to have Zhang Wenbiao raise troops in Guizhou, allowing the court to intervene under that pretext. But as things stand now, Zhang Wenbiao can barely defend himself, let alone actively stir up trouble. If we wait for Zhou Xingfeng to make his move, it would be beyond the court's control. Therefore, regardless of whether Zhou Xingfeng can make up his mind to deal with Zhang Wenbiao first, the court need only wait until troops, grain, and equipment are ready, and we can dispatch the army!"