[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-171":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Shao Song",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1558337,2024,"Chapter 171: Chapter Three: The Rivers and Lakes Are Full of Storms","shao-song-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>Faced with the sudden incident and a wave of court internal strife that seemed sudden but was actually long anticipated, His Majesty Zhao Jiu still chose to maintain the established policies and political structure, which meant the simplest patching up... In short, during a national war, internal stability always came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mutual forbearance for the nation, mutual forbearance for the nation—that was roughly the meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for sending Lü Yihao to the southeast, different people would certainly interpret it differently, but from Zhao Jiu's perspective, Lü Yihao was definitely the most suitable choice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, this man had ability and decisiveness; once he was in charge of a region, he could get things done. Moreover, he had been driven from Yangzhou by Li Gang, so he was very familiar with Yangzhou and the southeast, and could take charge immediately upon return. And at present, being able to get things done was the most important point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second came the so-called political considerations... Zhao Jiu was neither deaf nor blind; he naturally knew that this Privy Councilor Lü had recently incurred public wrath within Dongjing. Sending such a man to the southeast was both a protection for Lü Yihao and a certain punishment for him, a compromise with some officials from that day's court session, yet also a kind of warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Lü Yihao's journey to Yangzhou this time, like Li Gang's previous role in the southeast, was like a suspended sword, constantly reminding certain people not to stir up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Gang couldn't keep you in check, there was still Lü Yihao. Just do your work honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, overall, everyone still understood the bigger picture. Moreover, the prestige that His Majesty Zhao Jiu had just accumulated had not yet been completely exhausted. So the conflict in court that day was ultimately confined to the Chongzheng Hall and did not spread too far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it had spread, it probably wouldn't have mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that Dongjing at this time was nothing more than an empty city with fewer than two hundred thousand people, excluding soldiers. No matter how lively the discussions, they could not form any so-called public opinion, let alone cause political impact or incite Imperial Academy students to smash gates... because there were no Imperial Academy students left! In fact, any certified Imperial Academy student who returned would basically be directly admitted and then sent to various places in Henan to serve as officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the sudden incident was destined to be far-reaching and would inevitably have countless ripple effects. But if only the highest levels discussed it, the tone was set early and executed swiftly... To mention just one direct consequence, when the Jin envoy Gao Jingshan heard His Majesty Zhao Jiu's \"preconditions,\" he maintained his composure, merely smiled, said nothing more, and directly requested to take his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the Jin army was only testing the waters. Seeing the Zhao Song attitude so resolute, they simply gave up on negotiations, neither putting on a show nor issuing empty threats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could only be said that if the Battle of Huaishang had made only the three Jin high-ranking officials—Wanyan Wushu, Ali, and E'lu Bu—aware of the change in their opponent, then the recent major invasion had made the entire Jin state, from top to bottom, realize the transformation of the Zhao Song court from top to bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, at this time, putting on a show or issuing empty threats was meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, since they were escorting the princess back, Gao Jingshan and his party were not buried without cause in the ruins of Genyue. At the end of the third month, in the late spring season, this high-ranking Jin official came and went in haste, leaving the city almost simultaneously with Lü Yihao, then crossing the river at Huazhou, preparing to return to Great Ming Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this very moment, because the Zhao Song emperor had returned to the old capital, the Yellow River front was heavily garrisoned. Great Ming Prefecture was a key point for the Jin army's control of the Yellow River. To the left, it could support Liu Yu in Jinan, Jingdong; to the right, it could guard against the heavy troops around Dongjing; and in retreat, it could sweep the Hebei plain. Therefore, after the withdrawal and the formation of a military stalemate, following Nianhan's arrangements, over twenty Meng'an and four or five high-ranking generals were concentrated there, making it a frontline hub for the Jin army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, when Gao Jingshan arrived at Huazhou, people from the opposite bank had already sent a boat to pick him up... The one who came was none other than the former Wanhu Da? from under Changshe city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two crossed the river in separate boats. By the time they reached the opposite bank, it was already late, so they simply stayed at the ferry. They had someone fetch fresh fish from the river, found a house at the Hebei ferry, lit a fire, made fish soup, and then set out wine to drink facing each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be known that Gao Jingshan and Da? were naturally acquainted... Thanks to the great development during the Sui, Tang, and Khitan periods, Liaodong had become a cultural highland from a cultural perspective. But geographically, it was a frontier of civilization. There, Jurchen, Bohai, Goryeo, Khitan, Xi, Han, and even some Mongol people lived together in a disorderly mix, forming their own set of cultural characteristics and operational logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the reason the Jurchens were able to rise, aside from the decay of the Great Liao and Great Song and the heroism of Wanyan Aguda's generation, was that they had a civilized, or at least a militarily quite civilized, Liaodong region to rely on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, after Wanyan Aguda raised his army, he spent considerable energy and time integrating the various Liaodong tribes in the manner of a tribal alliance. As soon as the Jin state was founded, in the so-called basic Meng'an Mouke system, people from the Xi, Khitan, Goryeo, Bohai, and Han ethnic groups all held high positions. The saying \"Jurchen numbering less than ten thousand\" definitely did not refer to a single Jurchen ethnicity pouring out of the deep mountains and forests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Liaodong region was too chaotic, with civilization and barbarism, backwardness and advancement coexisting. This indeed led to a chaotic system within the Jin state, but this chaos was merely concealed by the Jin's continuous and powerful expansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, the Gao family behind Gao Jingshan—you could say they were Bohai, but you could also say they were Goryeo, because these two ethnic groups were essentially one family. The only difference was whether there was a political entity like the Goryeo kingdom to attach to... In fact, some of Gao Jingshan's clansmen had once raised troops in Liaodong to fight against Wanyan Aguda, trying to seize control of Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Da? and Gao Jingshan were definitely family friends, well-acquainted, and could even be barely called compatriots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Song people truly do not wish to negotiate peace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine, both were slightly tipsy. After a long chat about family matters, the young Da? raised his cup and asked the main question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They won't even discuss it...\" Gao Jingshan answered bluntly. \"That Zhao Song emperor is indeed tough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me say something offhand today.\" Da? sneered upon hearing this. \"Our Great Jin has been established for nearly fifteen years. Although we are invincible in attack, we absolutely cannot afford a war of attrition against a vast country like the Song with its hundreds of millions... They all say I lost fifteen Meng'an under Changshe city, but they don't mention how many people have been gradually worn down over the years fighting the Song.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is the truth.\" Gao Jingshan naturally knew the other man had resentment in his belly, so he quickly tried to console him. \"But it was a defeat after all. They just don't let you lead troops as a general. You're still a hereditary Meng'an, a garrison general at Great Ming Prefecture. This place is so critical. When war comes again, as long as you hold steady and don't make mistakes, you can always lead troops out again...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I naturally know that according to military discipline, I should have been beheaded long ago. This punishment now is only because my elder brother died for the country, and our Da clan is the foremost noble family among our Bohai people. If they beheaded me too, it might stir up more trouble, so they dealt with me lightly.\" Da? shook his head repeatedly. \"But General Gao, I still have two great grievances about this handling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan was older and more prudent, so he did not respond to this. Instead, he got up to serve himself some fresh fish soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da?, being younger and having inherited his brother's position, had a bit of a spoiled young master's air. After downing another cup of wine, he became even more unrestrained: \"General Gao, you be the judge. I naturally bear responsibility for that day's battle. But what about the Right Vice-Marshal? He was the actual commander on the battlefield that day. Why was I stripped of my Wanhu rank, my command authority, and fined gold and silver, while he didn't even lose a single official title?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are overthinking things, General.\" Gao Jingshan was relieved to hear this, but he put down his soup bowl and laughed. \"The Right Vice-Marshal's handling is the same principle as yours... You are the foremost noble of Bohai, he is a member of the Wanyan clan. Your elder brother died for the country, he is the emperor's brother and confidant. So you are only forbidden to lead troops, while the Right Vice-Marshal, despite still holding the title of Right Vice-Marshal, will certainly not be allowed to lead an army as commander next time! The two sides are actually the same!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you look at it that way, it is the same!\" Da? sneered. \"But what about Liu Yu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan, who had just raised his soup bowl, was slightly startled: \"What does Liu Yu have to do with this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't know yet?\" Da? sneered even more. \"A few days ago, State Chancellor Nianhan and the Great Crown Prince had a face-to-face discussion with the Emperor. If the Song people are unwilling to become vassals and cede Guanzhong and Jingdong, then they will make Liu Yu emperor... Jinan, Qingzhou, Zizhou, Laizhou, Dengzhou, Mizhou, Yanzhou—seven large prefectures will all be given to this surrendered Prefect to govern! And today, since you, General Gao, have returned, as soon as you enter Great Ming Prefecture, the Emperor's envoy there, upon receiving the news, will directly cross the river and gallop into Jinan to let that man become emperor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan's face remained unchanged, but his heart was shaken... Although this news had been flying around for a long time, now that it was imminent, these people were still deeply shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was an emperor! The ruler of a nation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Gao Jingshan, who lowered his head to sip his fish soup, quickly came to his senses. He put down his soup bowl, composed himself slightly, and said: \"There is actually some logic to it. In this major invasion, the Western Route Army achieved a great victory, taking all of Northern Shaanxi. But the Eastern Route Army returned without success, gaining not a single inch in Henan. The more this is the case, the more they need to hold onto Jinan as a foothold in Henan, to plan for future victory or defeat... On the other hand, in Northern Shaanxi, I haven't heard that Zhe Keqiu is going to become emperor, have I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They asked Zhe Keqiu, but he was unwilling, so they stopped directly.\" Da? replied casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes sense. The situation in the west is very good, so there's no need to establish an emperor.\" Gao Jingshan spoke earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Logic is logic, comparison is comparison.\" Da? finally faced him coldly, holding his cup. \"I'm not saying whether making Liu Yu emperor is right or wrong. But comparing this Liu Yu with myself and the Right Vice-Marshal, I can't help but feel disheartened...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan's heart stirred slightly. He hurriedly went to drink his soup again, but unexpectedly found his bowl empty. He felt awkward and could only turn to pour himself some wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da?, being young and hot-tempered, paid no attention to these actions. Taking advantage of the wine's courage, he directly spoke the words hidden in his heart:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Wanyan clan are the masters of the Jin state, that's fine. They can do whatever they want, I have no say. But they should at least be fair in rewards and punishments towards those below, right? Our Da clan and your Gao clan led countless Bohai and Goryeo warriors, rising with the Grand Ancestor until now. How many have died? Yet I haven't seen the Wanyan clan give our Da clan a princely title, or your Gao clan a Governor-General, and then each give us a prefecture to enjoy ourselves! How can a southerner who surrendered just over a year ago, only because he knows how to flatter, become an emperor and rule over seven such wealthy prefectures?! I'll speak plainly today: the Emperor (Wanyan Wuqimai), the State Chancellor (Wanyan Nianhan), and the several Crown Princes are unfair in their dealings!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan's mood was complicated, and he remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Da? knew he had met with a cold reception, but he didn't care. He had just wanted to vent to someone. Did he expect to form a coalition and force Yanjing to give him the post of Great Ming Prefecture Defender? So he simply sneered and drank his wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A night without words. The next morning, Gao Jingshan entered Great Ming Prefecture. He indeed saw the Emperor's envoy in the city, but paid him no heed. Instead, he rode lightly northward. After several days, he entered Yanjing and, in the old Liao palace, met with the Emperor, the State Chancellor, the Great Crown Prince Wanyan Woben, and the Fourth Crown Prince Wushu, presenting his report on what he had seen and heard in Dongjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, the four nobles paid no attention. They simply said \"hard work,\" and dismissed him from the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, which was already the turn of spring to summer, but Yanjing was plagued by constant wind and sand. Gao Jingshan went out again, this time privately visiting the Fourth Crown Prince, Wanyan Wushu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Da? said that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanyan Wushu had shaved off his beard, making him look somewhat younger, but his tone was even more mature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Gao Jingshan replied cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn't matter. It's normal for him to have grievances.\" Wushu stroked his smooth chin, sitting on a soft cushion, looking somewhat emotional. \"The key issue isn't Liu Yu. Liu Yu is just a trigger. The key is that we gained nothing from the defeat... As for Talan, I wish I could skin him alive, but the Emperor goes out of his way to protect him. My elder brother and I wanted to punish him, but the Emperor only cited the number of troops lost, saying I didn't lose much fewer troops than Talan, and also lost a Wanhu's life... But precisely because our Eastern Route Army suffered this defeat while the Western Route Army achieved a great victory, Nianhan is now arrogant and overbearing, and my elder brother has to go along with the Emperor's decisions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is the logic.\" Gao Jingshan sighed slightly. \"Traveling along the way, I did feel an undercurrent stirring... But as for the Liu Yu matter, Da? is not the only one in the army who is dissatisfied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\" Wushu continued, frowning. \"But there's no help for it... General Gao, you are a prudent man. I won't hide it from you. Last winter, when we went south, my fifth uncle, Xie Ye, suddenly fell ill. Now he can barely even mount a horse. I don't know how much longer he can hold on... This entanglement within the state is likely to drag on for a long time! At this time, we can only rely on Liu Yu to delay things for a while! Making him emperor is not just a reward for him, but also to make it impossible for him and the Zhao clan to coexist!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jingshan was extremely shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanyan Xie Ye was the fifth full-blooded younger brother of the Grand Ancestor and the current Emperor. He was also the legitimate Anban Bojilie, the true heir and Imperial Younger Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous political struggles among the three major factions had largely revolved around the succession among Wanyan Xie Ye, the direct line of Aguda (that is, Wushu and his brothers), and the sons of the current Emperor, Wanyan Wuqimai. Now that Wanyan Xie Ye was seriously ill, Yanjing was naturally in turmoil. No wonder the highest levels of the Jin state had let the responsible parties for this southern campaign off lightly. No wonder no one cared about war and peace, frontline matters, or the discontent within the army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the foundation of the Jin state lay in military affairs, and disputes at court were ultimately often settled by military successes or failures and the size of meritorious contributions on the front lines. In this matter, could the several Crown Princes truly contend with the Chancellor, Nianhan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You are the ones who lost the battle! And Nianhan's trusted men acted methodically, without a single flaw, directly seizing the entire northern Shaanxi region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you really expect a mere surrendered emperor to earn you military merits? But wasn't this emperor still snatched up by the Chancellor to install? What does it have to do with you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Gao Jingshan wanted to advise further, but for some reason, he forced the words back into his stomach. Instead, he put on a look of sudden realization, then calmly rose and took his leave... Why should he, a Gao whose clan's ethnicity was unclear, bother worrying about the Wanyan clan's affairs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you even worthy? If you were, why wouldn't they appoint you a Commander-in-Chief and give you a prefecture or commandery to enjoy?\u003C\u002Fp>",3053,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","88b7eacd1ae05ebbb957c8134585d085c43c20c3453eac771aa6337fce3e402d","shao-song-chapter-172","shao-song-chapter-170",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]