Chapter 326: The Chancellor

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Cai Jing sincerely admired Zhao Yu's grand strategic vision, knowing his judgment and decisiveness far surpassed ordinary men, especially in strategic planning and court control—areas impossible to match. Faced with Zhao Yu's thunderous methods and precise insight, he remained ever reverent, never daring to slacken or deceive.

Yet, though Zhao Yu's abilities were formidable, his energy was limited, requiring Cai Jing to manage state affairs and coordinate officials—providing Cai Jing a platform to realize his ambitions.

Before meeting Zhao Yu, Cai Jing had endured three rises and three falls; leveraging his jinshi background, administrative competence, and acute sense for power, he swung repeatedly between new and old factions, clinging to different powers and cultivating ties with the elite, gradually ascending from local official to the imperial core, laying the foundation for his later appointment as Chancellor.

Only after encountering Zhao Yu, after years of hardship, did Cai Jing finally receive the Emperor's favor.

Since ascending the throne, Zhao Yu had begun to appoint Cai Jing to key posts.

When the former Chancellor Zhang Dun retired due to old age, Zhao Yu promoted Cai Jing to Chancellor.

Cai Jing's spring had finally arrived.

But being Chancellor was no easy task—especially being Zhao Yu's Chancellor.

Zhao Yu valued systems and efficiency; Cai Jing could propose concrete plans for refining laws, rectifying officialdom, and developing livelihoods, leveraging Zhao Yu's authority to implement them and realize his ideal: "to elevate the sovereign to the level of Yao and Shun, and restore pure customs."

Yet Zhao Yu often controlled core power; though Cai Jing held high rank and authority, he must constantly gauge the "limit"—neither allowing himself to be dismissed for incompetence nor provoking suspicion by overshadowing his lord. Thus, Cai Jing deliberately tempered his sharpness, leaving "room for maneuver" on key issues: in military and diplomatic matters—fields Zhao Yu personally controlled—he focused on execution rather than decision-making, avoiding power clashes with Zhao Yu.

Zhao Yu's strength meant extremely high expectations of his ministers; any lapse in governance could invite severe accountability, even being labeled "incapable," placing immense pressure on Cai Jing.

Fortunately, Cai Jing's abilities were truly unmatched—he met nearly all of Zhao Yu's demands, never failing at critical moments.

Before becoming Chancellor, Cai Jing had already realized he lived in an era of a wise sovereign; if he aided Zhao Yu in achieving a golden age, he would be remembered in history as a "virtuous Chancellor," forming a celebrated "harmonious ruler-minister" bond; but if his mistakes or discord with Zhao Yu caused the collapse of Zhao Yu's governance, he might become a cautionary tale beneath the sage emperor's glory—thus he paid extraordinary attention to reputation and integrity.

In short, Cai Jing was more like "the operator of a precision instrument"—required to align with Zhao Yu's "overall coordination" while ensuring his own functions ran stably, seeking balance amid reverence, opportunity, and risk.

Cai Jing understood his significance to Zhao Yu; thus, regarding matters of Zhao Yu's sovereign authority, he was extremely cautious, meticulous—he did everything possible, and if impossible, he gave one hundred and twenty percent effort, terrified that a single imperial decree might send him "back to before liberation."

Therefore, for any task Zhao Yu assigned, whether right or wrong, Cai Jing executed it without reservation.

Like this relocation of the capital.

Without exaggeration, Zhao Yu had once again disturbed the vested interests of many nobles.

In Dongjing Bianliang, prosperity was like a dream—merchants gathered in crowds, the mansions of high officials stood shoulder to shoulder, every inch of land steeped in the scent of power and wealth.

The relocation of the capital was like a massive boulder cast into a calm lake, stirring waves of shock and turmoil.

Those nobles long rooted in Bianliang, with deeply entangled power networks, how could they willingly abandon this uniquely favored prosperity for an unknown new capital?

Cai Jing knew well this relocation would face heavy resistance, but Zhao Yu's resolve was firm—he could only give his all to accomplish it, proving to Zhao Yu his capability as Chancellor.

Cai Jing summoned Zheng Xiansu and Zhao Shou and his mother to gather the ministers, then spoke loudly:

"Today's discussion on relocating the capital is not a temporary change, but the foundation for ten thousand generations.

Though Bianliang is prosperous, it lies in the Central Plains, bordered to the north by powerful enemies, with no natural defenses. In past times, we annually paid tribute in silk and coin, humbled ourselves to seek peace—all due to geographical weakness. Back then, the state was weak, the army exhausted; we lacked funds to relocate, lacked strategy to defend—only enduring humiliation and bearing burdens.

Now, Your Majesty is divinely martial, the four seas are tranquil, our troops are strong, our treasuries full. Yanjing—on its left embraces the Bohai Sea, on its right rests the Taihang Mountains, controls the northern deserts to the north, embraces the Central Plains to the south—a land of strategic superiority, since ancient times the capital of emperors. Relocating here will fortify the northern frontier, repel barbarian cavalry beyond the Great Wall; facilitate trade with northern merchants, benefit customs and markets; concentrate the empire's finest troops, awe all directions.

If we cling to Bianliang, should northern invaders march south, a thousand li of flat land offers no fortress to rely upon—the dynasty's survival hangs by a thread!

The predicament of the past was not unwillingness to relocate, but inability.

Now, Your Majesty has granted us the opportunity: we have armies sufficient to guard the capital, treasuries sufficient to build a new capital, capable officials sufficient to pacify the people. If not now, when?

Relocating the capital will bring initial hardship, but for our descendants, for the ten-thousand-year future of Great Song—it must be done!

The Emperor's will is settled—who dares oppose it?

Those with objections must ponder the weight of the state—do not let personal interests mislead the nation!"

As Cai Jing finished speaking, Su Shi stepped forward to strongly support him:

"Your Majesty's decision to relocate the capital is a brilliant insight spanning millennia—only a sage emperor could make such a judgment!

In past times, our former sovereigns developed Bianliang out of necessity. We all know: Bianliang lacks mountain or river defenses; should enemies arrive, the capital trembles, the realm panics. This is no alarmist claim—the lesson of Chanyuan is still fresh!

I have traveled extensively in the north and know Yanjing's strength: it uses the Great Wall to repel northern winds, faces the Bohai Sea to welcome ships, internally controls the fierce troops of You and Yan, externally connects supply routes to the nine borders. Relocating here is not merely to avoid invasion—it is to project the empire's might to the north, making the four barbarians know Great Song harbors ambitions to encompass the world—not to settle for a corner!

Some say: Bianliang is prosperous; abandoning it is a pity.

I ask: is the luxury of one city more important, or the ten-thousand-li realm? Is the private property of nobles urgent, or the safety of millions?

Your Majesty, with the state as your heart, forsakes near-term gains for long-term vision—this is the act of Yao and Shun!

If anyone remains obstinate, sacrifices public good for private interest, obstructs relocation—they stand against all under heaven, against our ancestors!

Your Majesty, endowed with heavenly wisdom, has already seen clearly the advantages and disadvantages—who dares stand in the way? They will be spat upon by ten thousand generations!

Though I, Su Shi, am unworthy, I vow to follow Your Majesty, braving fire and water to accomplish this glorious legacy!"

He Zhizhong then echoed: "Your Majesty's decision to relocate the capital has been clearly stated: 'The Son of Heaven guards the nation's gate; the sovereign dies for the state!' Such vows shake antiquity and shine through time—only a sage ruler could utter them!

Your Majesty, in his dignity, is willing to risk himself.

For the sake of the realm, we ministers, who eat the state's rations and receive its grace—how can we shrink back?

If any still object, it is not because they fail to see the benefits of relocation, but because they cling to their private property in Bianliang, cherish their personal comfort!

Such thoughts serve not the state, but private gain—malicious intent, glaringly obvious. Those who serve the state must take Your Majesty's heart as their heart, the weight of the state as their priority. To defy the imperial decree and obstruct relocation is to betray ruler and country—who deserves to be a minister of Great Song?

Relocation has been sworn by Your Majesty—it is the will of heaven. Who dares oppose it? Death without pardon!"

The Chancellor and senior ministers all voiced their support, each with firm resolve, silencing those unwilling to relocate, leaving them unable to raise objections.

Seeing this, Cai Jing seized the momentum and, in the court's name, issued orders preparing for relocation: ordering the Ministry of Revenue to immediately recruit artisans and laborers; the Ministry of Works, under Vice Minister Li Jie, immediately dispatched to Yanjing to design the new capital and imperial palace; meanwhile, sent envoys to locate regions with the best raw materials to build cement plants, steel mills, brickworks—to supply materials for the new capital…

As the relocation order took effect, Dongjing Bianliang, like a pavilion with its central beam removed, gradually revealed its decline.