Chapter 865: The Strange Emotions of War

Shenjing, the Dali Temple official compound, Minister Wei Guanyao’s office.

The room’s furnishings were simple, with a row of bookshelves against the wall, stacked with all manner of documents, densely packed and impressive in volume.

Many scrolls bore bookmarks with brief summaries, facilitating quick retrieval.

The desk in the room was ancient and spacious, cluttered with case files, inkstones, brushes, paper, and ink, arranged neatly and solemnly, meticulous in every detail.

As head of the Dali Temple and one of the three judicial pillars, Wei Guanyao held high rank and immense authority.

Though occupying a lofty position, he rarely indulged in courtly pretense, handled affairs with meticulous diligence, and perfectly suited Emperor Jiazhao’s pragmatic style; four years ago he was promoted to Temple Minister and has since been deeply trusted.

He was reviewing a case file when Yang Hongbin entered to report; he knew at once it concerned the leak investigation, as the two had developed a Moqi in recent days.

Just now, Yang Hongbin and his three subordinate assessors had carefully deliberated inspection matters and assigned tasks according to the gravity of each suspicion.

He then brought the documents to the Temple Minister’s office, for Wei Guanyao had taken keen interest in the military supply leak case, and Yang Hongbin reported every discovery to him for guidance.

Wei Guanyao asked: “Hongbin, has there been any progress in the case?”

Yang Hongbin first gave Wei Guanyao a full account of the inspection strategy he had discussed with Jia Yuzhang.

He then briefly reported on the investigation into the eight implicated officials.

Wei Guanyao nodded slightly and said: “Jia Yuzhang is exceptionally gifted; his investigative methods are seasoned and astute—even veteran clerks of the three judicial offices fall three steps behind him in shrewdness.”

“Sometimes I wonder whether he learned from some profound master or was born with innate wisdom—he merely holds a nominal post in the Hanlin Academy, which is a waste of his talent.”

Yang Hongbin smiled without speaking; Jia Yuzhang’s unpredictable conduct had long ceased to surprise him, and others’ astonishment had become routine to him.

After a few casual remarks, Wei Guanyao returned to the matter at hand: “Of these eight implicated officials, based on your investigation and deduction, who is the most likely suspect?”

Yang Hongbin pulled out the file of Chen Ruichang and said: “After careful analysis with my assessors, Chen Ruichang, the second grandson of the Duke of Qi, merits the deepest scrutiny.”

Upon hearing the name “Duke of Qi,” Wei Guanyao’s gaze seemed to flicker slightly, but he said nothing.

…

Yang Hongbin gave Wei Guanyao a detailed report on his findings regarding Chen Ruichang.

He said: “I originally thought Chen Ruichang, as a noble scion, had endured battlefield wounds and traveled thousands of miles to deliver news—his suspicion of leaking secrets seemed low.”

“But Jia Yuzhang believes that among the four military officers involved, Chen Ruichang is the most deeply implicated and cannot be lightly dismissed.”

“Our investigation has revealed suspicious dealings with merchants, but we have yet to obtain concrete evidence.”

Wei Guanyao’s expression turned grave: “Jia Yuzhang is right—his suspicion is substantial.”

“Precisely because he is the Duke of Qi’s grandson, this matter grows more urgent and delicate—we must not let it slip; we must uncover the truth swiftly!”

Yang Hongbin looked startled: “Your Excellency, what do you mean?”

Wei Guanyao’s tone grew heavier: “You are unaware—on the day the court learned of the military supply loss, every official erupted in righteous fury; war has become unavoidable.”

Many generals volunteered on the spot to lead the campaign against the Tumang tribe’s Andahan, and Duke of Qi Chen Yi was among them.”

“In recent days, I have frequently entered the palace to report the progress of the leak investigation to His Majesty.”

“Those who join the warm pavilion for policy discussions are high officials from the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of War, and the Five Military Directorates—many have mentioned the selection of commanders for this war.”

“Duke of Qi Chen Yi is a seasoned general, serving as Left Commander of the Five Military Directorates, and holds great prestige among military officers.”

“In the warm pavilion, his name is frequently raised by His Majesty and the ministers; he is very likely to be entrusted with a major command in this campaign against the Mongols.”

“If his second grandson is found guilty of leaking military secrets, the consequences will be extraordinary and unpredictable…”

Yang Hongbin’s face darkened; as a sixth-rank official, he lacked the rank to attend court and had known none of this.

He said: “Your Excellency, though this matter is grave, my investigation of Chen Ruichang has only raised suspicions—no concrete proof exists.”

“To use these suspicions to influence the selection of commanders would be unjust and baseless, indistinguishable from the tactics of cruel prosecutors—our Temple would face fierce criticism from court and populace alike.”

“If the final investigation clears Chen Ruichang of leaking secrets, the Dali Temple will be unable to recover—officials from all ministries and Censorate inspectors will surely impeach us!”

Wei Guanyao sighed: “You are absolutely right—without concrete proof, we cannot act rashly, lest we create an unmanageable mess.”

“Even if Chen Ruichang truly is involved in the leak, Duke of Qi Chen Yi is a hereditary noble and a two-dynasty veteran; from his conduct, he would never collude with the remnants of the Mongols.”

“The prudent course is to fully investigate Chen Ruichang, obtain concrete proof as soon as possible, but take no action until clear signs emerge—do not alarm the serpent!”

“Even if we arrive too late, may His Majesty appoint a capable general for this campaign against the Mongols…”

…

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Palace.

The sky was overcast; the palace loomed vast and silent, suffused with an unnatural oppression, with only occasional palace maids and eunuchs hurrying along the central corridor.

Jia Cong, summoned by Emperor Jiazhao, followed a eunuch through the Chengtian Gate, walking the empty palace avenue and feeling a profound sense of insignificance and gloom.

When he arrived at Qianyang Palace, the surrounding grounds were heavily guarded—imperial guards had doubled in number, radiating a tense, deadly atmosphere.

This extraordinary security startled Jia Cong; such tight containment, if not impenetrable, would surely trap even a sparrow…

As Jia Cong entered the rear pavilion’s warm chamber, he encountered several court officials, also summoned as he had been.

Several were familiar faces: Grand Secretary Wang Shilun, Grand Secretary Cai Xiang, Minister of War Gu Yan, Marquis Shi Ding.

Duke of Qi Chen Yi, Minister of Personnel Chen Mo, and several others in military attire—Jia Cong did not know them, but noted their military badges; they were officers of the Five Military Directorates.

Having received two urgent military reports yesterday and now being abruptly summoned, Jia Cong had already guessed the nature of the matter.

Seeing these men present, his certainty deepened.

When the ministers entered the warm pavilion, lined up, and bowed to the emperor, Jia Cong saw Emperor Jiazhao seated behind the imperial desk.

Though his eyes were clear and his spirit sharp, his face bore visible pallor, faintly tinged with fatigue.

On the eastern wall of the pavilion, a map had been hung in advance, depicting the three thousand li of Great Zhou territory north of Shenjing, divided by the Nine Borders, extending to the vast northern steppes.

Emperor Jiazhao spoke solemnly: “Today I have summoned you all to deliberate and decide on a matter of state and military urgency!”

“Yesterday we received urgent news from the north: the Tumang prince Badu led tens of thousands of elite Mongol troops to ambush and besiege the key border town of Xuanfu.”

“The Xuanfu garrison held firm for three days, but the Mongols had planted spies within the city; under cover of night, they tricked open the southern gate, leaving Xuanfu surrounded and captured.”

“After entering the city, the Mongol forces slaughtered for nearly two days; over forty thousand soldiers and civilians perished.”

“After seizing Xuanfu, Andahan split his forces, personally leading tens of thousands of elite troops to concentrate at Donggang Town and advance southward, capturing Hongshuji—the critical grain transit point along the supply route.”

“His intent is to march south along the supply lines, his spearhead aimed directly at the capital—utterly audacious…”

…

Many ministers present already knew the military report, but Jia Cong and several Five Military Directorate officers, due to their low rank, heard it for the first time.

Yesterday, Jia Cong had seen the fast horses galloping into the city, riding wildly through the markets—his heart had known the northern front had changed, but he had not imagined the scale…

Emperor Jiazhao continued: “The barbarians are arrogant, treacherous, and have brazenly invaded, slaughtering our people—crimes too numerous to record!”

“As our nation faces war, we, sovereign and ministers, must unite as one, strive together, and utterly annihilate these invaders to avenge the forty thousand fallen of Xuanfu and uphold the glory of Great Zhou.”

“Troops from regional garrisons and elite units of the Five Military Directorates have already been assembled beyond the northern suburbs; defenses have been strengthened in the two northern prefectures to guard against Tumang attacks.”

“Now that troops and supplies are ready, we await only the appointment of loyal and valiant commanders to wage war for the nation and earn glory for me.”

“Regarding the selection of commanders for this campaign against the Mongols, I and the ministers have deliberated these past days and have now finalized all military appointments.”

After speaking, Emperor Jiazhao nodded to Minister of War Gu Yan, who stepped forward, standing to the right of the imperial desk, and unrolled a yellow imperial decree.

He intoned solemnly: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Great Zhou, blessed by Heaven’s mandate, enjoys peace across the four seas, and its people prosper—great governance is within reach.”

“Yet the three Tumang tribes, rebellious barbarians, feign peace while deceiving, break their oaths, invade our borders, and slaughter our soldiers and civilians—their crimes are heinous, condemned by gods and men alike.”

“I appoint Pingyuan Marquis Liang Chengzong, Regional Commander of Liaodong, as Regional Commander of the entire campaign against the Mongols; an urgent imperial edict has been dispatched via eight-hundred-li golden tablet, ordering him to return to the capital immediately.”

“Zhongjing Commander Shi Ding of the Five Military Directorates is appointed Deputy Regional Commander of the entire campaign, commanding sixty thousand elite troops of the Five Military Directorates and overseeing the defense of the Nine Gates of the capital.”

“Chen Yi, Central Commander of the Five Military Directorates, is appointed Deputy Regional Commander of the entire campaign, under the command of the Regional Commander, responsible for the defense of the two northern prefectures and ready to launch counterattacks.”

“Jia Cong, Inspector of the Imperial Firearm Bureau of the Ministry of Works, is appointed Commander of the Divine Mechanism Corps, under the command of the Regional Commander, leading six thousand elite troops of the Divine Mechanism Corps to mobilize to Tongzhou and await orders.”

“Bi Yunsheng, Left Commander of the Five Military Directorates, will lead ten thousand elite troops of the Left Division to mobilize to Tongzhou and await orders.”

“Liu Changyao, Right Commander of the Five Military Directorates, will lead ten thousand elite troops of the Right Division to mobilize to Yuanzhou and await orders…”

Gu Yan read the decree at length, naming over twenty commanders and civil officials involved in the campaign; more than half, due to rank or duty, were not present to hear it.

Jia Cong, upon hearing the decree, felt a quiet shock—he held the official rank of fifth grade, with honorary rank of junior fourth.

To be appointed Commander and given independent command of six thousand elite Divine Mechanism troops, directly under the Regional Commander, was a mark of exceptional trust.

It was not merely because Emperor Jiazhao valued the power of firearms, but because he recognized Jia Cong’s tactical brilliance in deploying them.

Last time, in Liaodong against the Jurchen tribes, commanding a thousand elite firearm troops, he had achieved miraculous victories, winning every battle.

Now commanding six thousand Divine Mechanism troops—not merely six times the number, but equipped with far superior and more abundant firearms than during the Jurchen campaign—