Chapter 152

…

Zeng Bu and Zhang Jie inspected the grain depots and armories of Yongxing Army Road and Jingyuan Road, and confirmed that Zhang Jie remained reliable—his grain and armaments, though not abundant, were sufficient for several major campaigns.

This relieved Zeng Bu and convinced him that choosing Zhang Jie as commander-in-chief for the reconquest of Western Xia had been the right decision.

Then Zeng Bu went to Qin Fenglu, listened to You Shixiong's situation report in Fengxiang Prefecture, and personally inspected Qin Fenglu's grain depots and armories.

Fengxiang Prefecture's military readiness was also acceptable, better than Fu Yan Road and Huan Qing Road.

Zeng Bu asked You Shixiong why, and You Shixiong replied that he had purchased grain from Xi He Road to replenish the military grain depots.

Zeng Bu finally went to Xi He Road.

To Zeng Bu's utter astonishment, Xi He Road's grain depots were full, and though its armories were not full, they held far more than the other five roads.

Zeng Bu asked Lu Huiqing in confusion: "Jifu, why are your finances and grain so abundant?"

Lu Huiqing smiled: "Thanks to His Majesty's wisdom in fully reclaiming the Longyou Protectorate, my Xi He Road now enjoys ample grain and provisions."

Then Lu Huiqing added voluntarily: "If His Majesty launches the reconquest of Western Xia, my region requires no imperial support—instead, I can spare grain for Qin Fenglu, sparing the court the cost and labor of transporting supplies between our two roads."

This was excellent news.

Recall that transporting grain from Jiangnan to the six northwest roads often consumed ten to twenty times the grain delivered due to transit costs.

Even transporting grain from Jing-Xiang regions to the six northwest roads incurred enormous losses.

Even transporting grain from Shu and Hedong to Shaanxi's six roads involved heavy consumption along the way.

Thus, sourcing grain locally—especially achieving self-sufficiency—was the ideal outcome.

"His Majesty sending Jifu to Xi He Road was supremely wise," said Zeng Bu.

"It is not my merit, but His Majesty's strategy to eliminate Qingtang Tubo nobles and tribal chieftains—if not for this, how could Longyou Protectorate have nourished Great Song? Otherwise, it would be the norm," Lu Huiqing sincerely said.

Then Lu Huiqing gave Zeng Bu a detailed account of Xi He Road's situation.

According to Lu Huiqing:

Last year, Longyou Protectorate had a bountiful harvest; its grain could feed its people for three full years.

This year, Longyou Protectorate is again poised for a bountiful harvest.

Unless something unforeseen occurs, Xi He Road as a whole will soon no longer lack grain.

Moreover, since the Silk Road must pass through Longyou Protectorate and Xi He Road, commerce has flourished—merely collecting transit fees has filled their treasuries and enriched the people.

This has made Xi He Road, especially Longyou Protectorate, a bridge connecting East and West.

Now, whether Han or non-Han, the people of Longyou Protectorate have tasted the benefits of Zhao Song rule and fear being re-enslaved by Western Xia, reverting to slave society—they wholeheartedly support Zhao Song governance.

In short, Lu Huiqing stated that except for armaments, which still require time to prepare, every other aspect of his region meets the conditions for reconquering Western Xia; should Zhao Song launch the campaign, he can provide at least 200,000 laborers.

By the way, it was precisely because he understood Xi He Road's situation that Zhang Jie felt reconquest of Western Xia was feasible and thus agreed to the campaign.

Notably, Lu Huiqing proposed that, upon reconquering Western Xia, the same successful model as Longyou Protectorate could be replicated.

Although Zeng Bu believed Lu Huiqing's claims were true, he still personally visited Longyou Protectorate.

Upon seeing it, Zeng Bu realized Lu Huiqing had understated the truth.

This land, once ravaged by war and eroded by sandstorms, now pulsed with unprecedented vitality—golden wheat waves rolled across fields, heralding another harvest; people of all ethnicities labored in the fields, their faces radiant with satisfaction and happiness; villages rose with curling smoke, embodying peace and stability.

Zeng Bu then traveled to Longyou Protectorate's core region—the former Qingtangcheng, now Xiningcheng.

Here, merchants gathered in bustling markets, goods from East and West filled the stalls, weaving a vibrant tapestry of trade; camel bells rang, hooves clattered, envoys and traders from many nations paused here, exchanging cultures and wares, as if the entire world converged in this ancient city, witnessing the prosperity and openness of Zhao Song.

The people of Xiningcheng—whether Han scholars in Han robes or non-Han folk in felt hats—all wore smiles of contentment and joy; some busied themselves in market trade, others sat in teahouses sipping tea and chatting, enjoying the peace and wealth brought by peace; children chased and played in alleyways, laughter echoing through the ancient city, infusing the land with boundless vitality.

Accompanied by Wang Hou, Zeng Bu strolled through Xiningcheng's streets and lanes, his heart filled with profound emotion; he said to Wang Hou: "To exterminate Qingtang Tubo nobles and powerful clans, to reclaim Longyou Protectorate—this truly expands Great Song's borders, extending territory a thousand li; it revitalizes this land, granting it a rare millennium-spanning opportunity, henceforth enriching its people and restoring all things to flourishing order."

Wang Hou sighed even more deeply:

"Since I took up arms, I have endured countless battles. I recall the past—war raged, fire consumed all—and never imagined I would live to witness this land's transformation. Once Qingtangcheng, repeatedly ravaged by war, its people impoverished, displaced, corpses littering the fields.

Today, Xiningcheng is utterly different. Located on the Silk Road's vital artery, merchants and travelers flow ceaselessly; markets teem with activity. Han and non-Han coexist, Eastern and Western cultures intermingle, goods from all lands converge, merchandise piled high—it is truly a thriving metropolis.

Witnessing this scene, I deeply feel this is a sign of Great Song's prosperity, the very foundation of the people's welfare. May Great Song forever enjoy peace, may this land remain forever prosperous—I shall devote my life to defending our homeland…"

This journey to the northwest solidified Zeng Bu's resolve to support the reconquest of Western Xia, which had previously left him hesitant.

This also unified the consensus on reconquering Western Xia.

Of course, the conservative old-party officials in court did not count—they would never support launching an external war.

With major matters settled, Zeng Bu, accompanied by Han Shizhong—who had followed him since Fu Yan Road—and relevant witnesses and evidence, traveled to Jingzhao Prefecture to handle Accompanying Tong Guan's negligence.

Previously, Accompanying Tong Guan had accompanied Wang Hou in reclaiming the Qingtang region and, for his military merit, Zhao Yu promoted him to Palace Attendant of Jingfu Palace and Acting Inspector of Li Prefecture, while retaining his post overseeing the Inner Eastern Gate Office.

Later, Zhao Yu established the Shaanxi and Western Xia Pacification Commission and specifically appointed Accompanying Tong Guan as its Deputy Commissioner, primarily responsible for handling documents and administrative affairs, advising the Pacification Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, participating in military and political planning and execution, wielding authority second only to Zhang Jie and Lu Huiqing—effectively the third-ranking official of the commission.

Moreover, since Zhang Jie long stationed himself in Jingyuan Road and Lu Huiqing in Xi He Road, Accompanying Tong Guan, stationed at the Pacification Commission, was in effect its highest-ranking officer.

Clearly, Zhao Yu had placed great trust in Accompanying Tong Guan.

Yet shortly after taking office, Accompanying Tong Guan committed the oversight involving Han Shizhong—what could be done?

The evidence was undeniable; Accompanying Tong Guan had no defense.

Moreover, Zhao Yu had sent Zeng Bu personally to handle this matter, proving Zhao Yu's firm intent to pursue accountability—Accompanying Tong Guan could not possibly conceal it.

Accompanying Tong Guan, resolute, faced the irrefutable evidence and said: "I, Tong, was blind—I never imagined such a young hero as Han Shizhong truly existed; he is not yet of age, yet already leads armies in valor, achieves great merit, and thus I erred in inspection, betrayed His Majesty's trust, dishonored imperial grace, and willingly accept punishment."

After saying this, Accompanying Tong Guan kowtowed three times toward Dongjing Bianliang, then publicly received twenty military lashes without a sound.

Immediately, Zeng Bu, representing Zhao Yu, demoted Accompanying Tong Guan from second-rank junior minister to fourth-rank Defense Commissioner; and promoted Han Shizhong, previously unranked, seven grades to ninth-rank loyal training officer, making him a commissioned junior military officer.

Zeng Bu, per Zhao Yu's instructions, announced the outcome of this case to the entire army and solicited similar cases to rectify wrongful grievances and restore military morale.

To Zeng Bu's surprise, such cases were numerous in the Western Army—valiant soldiers buried due to humble birth, meritorious deeds ignored for lack of recommendation, and worse, brave warriors wronged by superiors who stole credit or rushed recklessly, leaving them disgraced and their ambitions unfulfilled.

In short, in the Western Army, without connections or patronage, promotion was extremely difficult.

Zeng Bu reported this truthfully to Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu erupted in fury, issuing an edict to investigate thoroughly and punish all involved without mercy.

As a result, most officers in the Western Army were demoted or fined in copper; General Miao Lu, for instance, was demoted nine ranks and fined one hundred and fifty jin of copper.

Fortunately, Zhao Yu's actual intent this time was merely to serve as a warning to others; he allowed these men to temporarily retain their original posts and redeem themselves through service, without imposing severe punishment or undermining the Western Army's overall combat effectiveness.

At the same time, a large number of outstanding soldiers, like Han Shizhong, who had been overlooked, received the promotions they deserved.

Later, Zhao Yu simply established a Military Merit Petition Office within the Jingzhao Prefecture to handle such cases, compelling military family clans within the Western Army to curb their influence and leave some upward mobility for ordinary soldiers without powerful connections.

As Chief of the Privy Council—the third-ranking chancellor of the Zhao Song dynasty—Ceng Bu could not remain in the northwest indefinitely.

After the autumn harvest ended and the six northwest circuits all recorded abundant yields, Ceng Bu returned to the capital to report to Zhao Yu.

After listening to Ceng Bu's report, Zhao Yu also breathed a sigh of relief. The situation in the six Shaanxi circuits, especially in Xihé Circuit, was far better than he had imagined. This further strengthened his resolve to recover Xixia.

Zhao Yu instructed Zhang Dun and Ceng Bu not to alter Zhang Jie's plan for recovering Xixia, and to mobilize grain and military supplies to the six northwest circuits as he had ordered.

As the saying goes: grain and supplies must precede the movement of troops.

How could the frontline soldiers possibly recover Xixia without adequate grain and military supplies?

Zhao Yu specially issued an imperial edict granting transporters of grain and supplies one-third more pay than market rates, ensuring that the promise of generous rewards would attract brave men and guarantee sufficient delivery to the front.

Officials and commanders whom Zhang Jie deemed unsuitable were all immediately replaced according to Zhang Jie's wishes.

Finally, Zhao Yu granted Zhang Jie full discretionary authority, relieving him of the need to submit memorials for every decision—even delegating to Zhang Jie the power to declare war on Xixia.

From Zhao Yu's decisiveness, it was clear he deeply understood the principle of "trust those you employ, doubt those you don't," and knew that on the battlefield, conditions changed in an instant; if every decision required the emperor's approval, it would not only miss critical opportunities but also crush the morale of frontline soldiers. Thus, he not only provided Zhang Jie with ample support but also fully unleashed the hands and feet of the Northern Song's most capable scholar-officials, allowing him to fully deploy his military talents.

At the same time, Zhao Yu ordered Zhang Dun and Ceng Bu to accelerate the construction of the Four Auxiliary New Armies, completing them this year and beginning rotational deployment to the frontlines next year for combat training.

After returning to the inner palace, Zhao Yu also instructed Li Lin to accelerate the construction and restoration of the Divine Mechanism Army, and to prepare for next year's joint deployment to the frontlines alongside the Four Auxiliary New Armies for combat training…

…

Zhao Yu was a man who could not sit idle.

And Zheng Xiansu was pregnant and unable to accompany Zhao Yu.

Thus, during the time Zhao Yu resided in the Kunninggong, every night Zheng Xiansu arranged women to attend him.

As a result, many women in the Kunninggong benefited; the number of women who received his favor soon surpassed those in Zhang Chun's palace and Cai Xuan's palace.

Among the women in the Kunninggong whom Zhao Yu favored was Qiao Shi, whom Zheng Xiansu greatly valued.

It must be said that Qiao Shi was not only beautiful, but also a rare enchantress; the key point was that she was also clever and quick-witted. No matter what techniques Zhao You taught her, she could master them at once—she was truly a very delightful woman.

Historically, Qiao Shi bore Zhao Ji seven sons, making her the consort with the most imperial princes among all of Zhao Ji's consorts.

Such a woman was a treasure to any man who desired sons.

Although Zhao Yu already had many sons, he would never complain of having too many; the New Continent was fifteen times the size of the current Zhao Song dynasty—how could he govern it if he didn't father more sons?

Based on this, Qiao Shi was among the few women Zhao Yu repeatedly favored.

That night, Zhao Yu ordered Qiao Shi and Zheng Xiansu's recommended palace supervisor Yan Zhengyi to attend him.

After the three engaged in one round of passion, Zhao Yu entered a state of detachment and suddenly felt listless.

Yan Zhengyi, whether because she resented being summoned yet was forced by Zheng Xiansu's command, remained expressionless throughout, uncooperative, neither crying nor calling out, leaving Zhao Yu with little sense of accomplishment.

Of course, Yan Zhengyi's demeanor offered Zhao Yu a different experience.

After all, a solemn woman gave Zhao Yu the feeling of being a teacher.

Thus, seeking varied experiences, Zhao Yu said nothing and took Yan Zhengyi as well.

But because of Yan Zhengyi's "passive" attitude, Zhao Yu had neither the desire nor the mood to repeat it.

As for Qiao Shi, Zhao Yu had recently favored her too often, and the novelty had worn off.

So Zhao Yu prepared to sleep.

Seeing that Zhao Yu was not fully satisfied, Qiao Shi whispered in his ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "Your humble servant has a close friend, eight feet tall, breathtakingly beautiful—shall I call her over for you to see?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu immediately thought of Wei Shi, mother of Zhao Gou.

Historically, after Qiao Shi gained Zhao Ji's favor and was made Noble Consort, she honored their earlier agreement by recommending Wei Shi; out of respect for Qiao Shi, Zhao Ji allowed Wei Shi to attend him once, and she became pregnant with Zhao Gou as a result.

During the Jingkang Humiliation, both Qiao Shi and Wei Shi were captured and taken north. Later, when the Southern Song negotiated peace with the Jin, Wei Shi was allowed to return south, but Qiao Shi was not. As Wei Shi departed, Qiao Shi gave gold to Gao Ju'an, asking him to escort Wei Shi back to Jiangnan, and sorrowfully declared she would never return, dying in the northern wastes. In truth, Qiao Shi hoped Wei Shi would arrange her rescue back to the Southern Song. But after returning, Wei Shi made no effort to save Qiao Shi.

From this, it is clear that Qiao Shi was far superior to Wei Shi.

Moreover, Wei Shi failed to plead for Zhao Huan's rescue by Zhao Gou, leading to her blindness, and murdered Princess Roufu to silence her—further tarnishing her image.

But if one thinks carefully, Wei Shi was also a victim of her era's tragedy; under complex political and historical circumstances, her fate was filled with helplessness and turmoil—her blame lay only with Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan, and Zhao Gou, as the poet Lady Hua Rui wrote in her poem on the fall of her state: "The king raised the white flag on the city wall; how could I, deep in the palace, know? One hundred forty thousand men laid down their arms—none among them was a true man."

Crucially, Wei Shi was Zhao Gou's mother and Zhao Ji's Empress—she carried status and allure.

Even more crucially, the thought of becoming Zhao Gou's father filled Zhao Yu with inexplicable excitement.

'Then I'll pound you eight times a day!'

Zhao Yu slapped Qiao Shi's buttocks: "You're truly loyal—but is your friend worth such effort?"

Qiao Shi hurriedly replied: "Absolutely! She's been so kind to me!"

Zhao Yu thought to himself, 'This silly girl… is truly innocent and charming.'

At that moment, Zhao Yu decided to favor Qiao Shi more often in the future—this woman deserved more of his affection.

So Zhao Yu told Qiao Shi: "Go and summon her."

Qiao Shi, without even putting on her clothes, ran bare-assed to call Wei Shi.

At that moment, Wei Shi had actually been pacing outside the door, waiting for Qiao Shi to recommend her to Zhao Yu.

Clearly, Qiao Shi and Wei Shi had long planned this day's affair.

Qiao Shi ran to the door and told her maid Qingyao: "Quickly summon Lady Wei to attend His Majesty!"

Zhao Yu watched Qiao Shi eagerly recommend her friend and smiled broadly.

What Zhao Yu and Qiao Shi did not see was the fleeting look of frustration on Yan Zhengyi's face.

In truth, Yan Zhengyi was not unwilling to attend him—she was simply nervous and shy, having never done so before; and because she had served as Palace Supervisor for so long, she had developed a stern demeanor, causing Zhao Yu to misunderstand her.

In fact, Yan Zhengyi also wished Zhao Yu would favor her multiple times, hoping to conceive an imperial heir and rise to the rank of phoenix, rather than remain the despised Palace Supervisor.

Now, this precious chance to be favored was being shared with someone else by Qiao Shi.

And the odds of conceiving a child from a single encounter were too slim.

So, Yan Zhengyi gritted her teeth, suppressed the nervousness and shyness in her heart, and without a care in the world flipped over and straddled Zhao Yu…

……

(End of chapter)