[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-214":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},1558380,2024,"Chapter 214: Many Small Problems (Continued)","shao-song-chapter-214",214,"\u003Cp>Now, when the Imperial Majesty came this time, his original intention was merely to hold a year-end symposium with the Imperial University students, to exchange views and soothe their hearts. Who would have thought that the moment he arrived, the Imperial Academy Chancellor Chen Gongfu would stump him with a question, leaving His Majesty momentarily flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, thanks to the tempering he had received from sparring with the various chief ministers, His Majesty could be considered battle-hardened. Maintaining an unchanged expression while his mind raced, he forced himself to speak first, saying something evasive:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter is complicated to discuss. The foremost consideration is naturally that the court is resisting the Jin in the forefront; nothing should lightly change our banner, otherwise it will shake people's resolve. The second consideration is that the way of war lies first in pragmatism. The New Learning's utilitarianism precisely suits this pragmatic ethos and should not be lightly discarded. As for Feng Dao of the Five Dynasties, although he indeed served four surnames and eight rulers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And would you believe it, speaking thus far, His Majesty suddenly thought of a direction for sophistry: \"As for Feng Dao of the Five Dynasties, although he indeed served four surnames and eight rulers, my learning is insufficient, and I truly do not know whether among those four surnames and eight rulers there was ever the Khitan Yelu clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gongfu was slightly startled, but then cupped his hands and replied seriously: \"Let Your Majesty know, the rulers Feng Dao served actually numbered no fewer than ten, but none were of the Khitan Yelu clan. And although he did once appear to negotiate with the Khitan when they destroyed the Later Jin, maintaining the situation, the consensus of historians is that at that time, Feng Dao's remonstrance to the Liao lord to restrain his subordinates and protect the Central Plains common people was actually one of his rare virtuous acts...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I disagree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhao Jiu immediately felt confident and interrupted the other grandly. \"I believe that the affairs of the world lie first in hierarchy, and second in internal versus external... And the affairs of the Five Dynasties lay precisely in hierarchy. At that time, those who held weapons at the top repeatedly ran amok, with no thought for the common people at their feet. Feng Dao preserved himself in chaotic times, serving ten rulers—while there were certainly things wrong with him, the fact that he could preserve himself while doing his utmost to preserve the common people beneath him can already be considered especially commendable. As for today's affairs, they lie precisely in internal versus external. The Jin are outside like tigers, and the Great Song faces the danger of national subjugation and racial extinction. At this time, we should set aside all disputes and focus solely on resisting the Jin. As for Prince Wang Shu's (Wang Anshi) discussion of Feng Dao, in my view, it was merely taking Feng Dao's pragmatic aspects, without any intention of glorifying him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this argument, Chen Gongfu smiled wryly and cupped his hands: \"Your Majesty's 'pragmatic' response—although I disagree with it, I must admit that Your Majesty's words form a coherent chain, creating their own reasoning. I have nothing more to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished breaking out in a cold sweat, Zhao Jiu felt secretly pleased with his quick wit. Seeing that the other man hadn't fixated on any orthodox lineage, he gained even more goodwill and smiled back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, this is what I often say—that no matter who, as long as they resist the Jin, I am willing to accept them. It is also the original intent behind my constant talk of superiors and subordinates enduring together for the nation's sake... Even now, Minister Chen, you disagree, yet I do not care, because as long as you too are willing to 'endure together for the nation,' I am willing to 'link' with you, Minister Chen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With His Majesty present, there was no tradition of a burst of laughter. Quite the opposite—this cold joke made even the originally relaxed Chen Gongfu turn serious. He instead straightened his robes, performed a formal bow, and then replied with dignified courtesy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty's words, I deeply agree with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu grew even fonder of this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, after this exchange, Zhao Jiu had grasped the key—namely, the two words \"resist the Jin\"... In fact, he had also figured out what he had come out here to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To soothe people's hearts by listening to their opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why soothe people's hearts? Wasn't it because, after seeing Zhang Rong control the Great River, the hearts of the people in the Eastern Capital had grown somewhat restless, and there were fears of a major battle, which might cause panic and create fluctuations in morale? So he had come to once again emphasize that the great cause of resisting the Jin could not be abandoned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, those words were also his true feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, this was not the first time he had emphasized resisting the Jin; he had been consistent all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to face the front, now that Zhao Jiu had grasped the core of this theoretical issue, and since the remaining Imperial University students, even when they stood up, were mostly trembling with fear, merely asking muddled questions before sitting down muddled, the rest went smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Imperial University students gradually realized that these theoretical discussions seemed rather meaningless after His Majesty repeatedly emphasized resisting the Jin. So, as many people calmed down, more and more began to ask detailed, practical questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn't all. As time passed, more and more people heard that His Majesty was conducting \"village school political discussion\" at the Imperial University. Many officials, both in and out of office, after obtaining His Majesty's consent and having their identities verified, began pouring into the Imperial University grounds, willing to stand and observe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the participation of these mid- and low-ranking officials, the quality of the questions steadily improved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this point, His Majesty's helpers also began to gather. The three chief ministers who had not accompanied him earlier, along with other high-ranking officials, upon hearing the news, also came flocking in. His Majesty directly arranged for them to sit by his side. Whenever he encountered a tricky question or one he didn't understand, he would simply toss it to these chief ministers, ministers, academicians, or even censors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right—Censor-in-Chief Li Guang, Investigating Censor Li Jing, and Palace Censor Mo Qixie were all summoned by His Majesty to his side... This was using the enemy's spear as one's own shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated. Especially since \"Zichan did not destroy the village school\" was a great principle in the Spring and Autumn Annals. And although the Annals' status had declined somewhat, it had been a recognized Confucian classic for countless years and remained an unquestionable part of the Thirteen Classics to this day. This provided a political legitimacy for His Majesty's actions today that was similar to, yet far surpassed, the classical lectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, many people felt a strong sense of ritual, and this ritual brought everyone a powerful sense of security and accomplishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention anything else, nearly thirty high-ranking officials, arriving early and late, all dressed in court robes—a sea of crimson and purple—were seated on the steps before the main hall of the Imperial University, arranged in order of rank and status. Even though the stools beneath them were crude, the fact that behind them stood Master Kong and Boss Zhao made the satisfaction of sitting together with the monarch, under the gaze of the sages, answering questions from low-ranking officials and Imperial University students, utterly indescribable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the low-ranking officials, Imperial University students, and scholar-officials on the opposite side were also excited and invigorated by the opportunity to directly communicate with the core power stratum of this vast nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this for a long time from behind, after having already tossed all the questions to his ministers, His Majesty developed a subtle feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't to say he was planning to establish some kind of parliament—although Zhao Jiu couldn't help but think of that at first, since it looked so similar—the real key was that this \"pragmatic\" ruler, who had been in power for over two years, keenly realized that this trip to the Imperial University had inadvertently achieved the \"sacrificial\" effect that Hu Quan had proposed during that palace examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is, to unite people's hearts through simple ritual activities that most people could recognize and in which many people participated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven have mercy, with Zhao Jiu's poor political common sense, he had initially only wanted to imitate a Spring Festival visit to soothe people's hearts. But to end up in this situation undoubtedly exceeded his imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless, if he detested extravagant and wasteful rituals with a superstitious character, then why not hold more of these Imperial University political discussions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for any parliament or assembly, he truly hadn't thought about it, nor did he have the theoretical level to make a judgment. It was just that, for now, this measure had an immediate effect. And given His Majesty's self-proclaimed \"pragmatism,\" he had no reason to abandon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything for the sake of resisting the Jin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even in such a harmonious village school political discussion, there were still troublemakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As evening approached, His Majesty had pointed to one person after another and was already preparing to stand up and declare this a successful meeting, when someone in the front row below could no longer hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing a gap, the man stood up directly, performed a bow on his own, and then raised his voice: \"Your Majesty, I have words to speak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing it was Hu Quan, Zhao Jiu smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it happened, His Majesty had been deliberately avoiding Hu Quan all along. But now, in his excellent mood, he was naturally composed and unhurried:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Hu, in village school political discussion, the principle is to speak freely. But if it is not orderly and courteous, then the words are without meaning... If you truly have remonstrance to offer, you may wait a moment. When I am on my way back to the palace, you may speak to me face to face. But for now, a speech made out of turn, I will not accept. Otherwise, all these many orderly and courteous people here today, who have conducted the ritual of political discussion, will have their proceedings disrupted by you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, many of the Imperial University students, who had already been somewhat dissatisfied with his attitude, now raised their heads proudly and cast slightly contemptuous glances at this discourteous man. It was as if they had instantly forgotten that this man had been the top scholar of the Imperial University for the past several months, a first-class graduate in this year's special imperial examination, and had written that ten-thousand-character masterpiece that had astounded them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the fearless Hu Quan was now extremely embarrassed and could only bow his head in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, this village school political discussion concluded victoriously in an unimaginable way. His Majesty personally stayed behind, leading dozens of high-ranking officials to share a meal in the hall with the Imperial University students and the many mid- and low-ranking officials who had rushed over upon hearing the news... It was not until evening, when lamps were lit, that Zhao Jiu led the high officials across the Bian River pontoon bridge on the Imperial Way, and ordered half of the Imperial Guard armored soldiers at the bridge to first escort the chief ministers and other high officials back to their respective residences. Only then did the matter truly come to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was only at this point that His Majesty summoned Hu Quan to his side, walking and talking, conversing face to face. By his side were only about seven or eight close ministers who seemed to be going the same way and had the pretext of accompanying him—namely, Academician Lin and a few other Hanlin Academicians, Fan Zongyin and a few other Secretariat Drafters, and Palace Censor Mo Qixie, who had specifically followed along—attending from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it about the official gazette?\" Zhao Jiu got straight to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Although he had endured the entire day, Hu Quan still maintained his initial eagerness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already read your memorial,\" Zhao Jiu confessed frankly. \"There is some truth to it. I was indeed somewhat frivolous...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, even Hu Quan, who had been full of loyal fervor and prepared to remonstrate vigorously with His Majesty, was momentarily stunned, because His Majesty had admitted his mistake right from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Lin Jingmo and Mo Qixie, who were following closely behind, couldn't help but exchange a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn't all. Having admitted his mistake, His Majesty still didn't stop:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I also thought it over. This matter is not merely a momentary frivolity on my part. More importantly, the official gazette is different from the Department of State Affairs. The Department of State Affairs has Supervising Secretaries who can review government decrees, but the official gazette lacks a 'Supervising Secretary'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan grew even more silent. He truly didn't know what to say. The several close ministers behind him were also stunned and lost in thought... because this brief sentence from His Majesty both revealed a huge amount of information and seemed absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the implied political information was essentially concentrated in the three words \"Supervising Secretary\" that His Majesty had casually mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Yuanfeng reforms, the Supervising Secretary was a fourth-rank official, historically the highest-ranking and most powerful position among the crimson-robed officials. This was because the person holding this position had the authority to conduct a final review of government decrees issued by the Chancellery. If they found a chief minister's decree improper, they could even halt or reject it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, this position, like the censors, was one of the few core posts that could check the power of the chief ministers. And considering that once a censor impeached a chief minister, it was a life-or-death struggle, the Supervising Secretary actually carried more weight in daily operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after His Majesty merged the Three Departments into one at the foot of Fangcheng Mountain, and in fact granted the chief ministers unprecedented and enormous executive power, rarely replacing them unless absolutely necessary, this position became even more critical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the greater the chief ministers' power and the more stable their position, the correspondingly greater the energy of this position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, perhaps precisely because of this, when the temporary court was in exile on the Huai River, the position was never established. It wasn't established in Nanyang either, nor was it established upon returning to the Eastern Capital. It was as if everyone had forgotten about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, His Majesty had blurted out the three words \"Supervising Secretary,\" and clearly knew the details of this post. This could only mean one thing—His Majesty was going to re-establish, or was considering re-establishing, the position of Supervising Secretary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this meant that the power structure within the court would undergo significant changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't that enough to make everyone take notice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relatively speaking, the Imperial Majesty's description of the Capital Gazette using the term \"Supervising Secretary\" seemed far more absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Capital Gazette was, after all, just a gazette—a collection of official public information sent by the Court of State Ceremonial to various central departments and envoys or military commanders in the field. Before the Imperial Majesty ordered it to be handled exclusively by the Court of State Ceremonial, it was essentially a miscellaneous and lowly task under the Department of State Affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only because the Imperial Majesty cared about it that it gained some status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Capital Gazette system, even the entire Court of State Ceremonial, probably wasn't as important as a single Supervising Secretary. This naturally made people find the Imperial Majesty's words baffling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been thinking, can we turn the Capital Gazette into something proper?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu seemed to have guessed the thoughts of many beside and behind him, and without any concealment, he continued walking forward while spouting nonsense. \"Use woodblock printing, use movable type, print a few thousand or tens of thousands of copies at a time... every County Magistrate gets one, every county school gets one, post one in every moderately large town, and in prefectural and provincial capitals, let idle officials and wealthy scholars subscribe if they want, give them one too... It won't just contain personnel changes and publicly available memorials; we can set aside a section for them to submit articles discussing academic classics and principles, and another section for publishing poetry and lyrics... Over time, once it becomes a habit, we can publish important new government decrees and battle results...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Zhao Jiu suddenly stopped and turned around, looking seriously at Hu Quan, who was already somewhat flustered, and asked: \"Minister Hu, tell me, should such a Capital Gazette have a Supervising Secretary?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan nodded blankly, then suddenly came to his senses, and immediately cupped his hands: \"Your Majesty, your servant is willing to be the Supervising Secretary of the Capital Gazette.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then take on a concurrent post in the Court of State Ceremonial.\" Zhao Jiu nodded in agreement. \"I originally wanted Academician Lin to handle this matter, but as an Inner Drafter, his status is too heavy; doing this would be too conspicuous... You go ahead, try working along these lines, see if it can be done, take it one step at a time. If you encounter difficulties, go directly to Academician Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke the last sentence, Zhao Jiu turned his head and swept his gaze over the few close ministers behind him, but finally settled on Lin Jingmo... And this clearly disappointed Moqi Yuanzhong a little. With the latter's intelligence, how could he not know that if this Capital Gazette were truly established, it would become an important thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Quan cupped his hands in another salute, and Lin Jingmo also stepped forward half a pace to bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, Zhao Jiu, tired from the whole day, finally showed some signs of fatigue. He bid goodnight to the few close ministers behind him, telling them to return home early and rest, then mounted his horse himself and, escorted by several dozen Imperial Personal Guard cavalrymen on duty, headed north along the Imperial Street back to the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Majesty's large entourage departed, leaving only a few close ministers. Hu Quan, having received his orders and with matters on his mind, simply bid farewell to the remaining few, then mounted his donkey and hurried off towards the small house he had purchased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others also dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Lin Jingmo and Moqi Xie, they declined the lamellar-armored warriors left by the Imperial Majesty, taking only one or two of their own regular attendants, and walked side by side for a stretch along the same road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached an intersection, Moqi Xie suddenly spoke in the twilight:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In these past days, the Imperial Majesty has seemed a bit hasty in many matters, which has made him appear somewhat lacking in propriety. I wonder what the reason is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps there is a reason.\" Lin Jingmo responded on the spot, but said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moqi Xie nodded, not delving deeper. The two parted ways there, each lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside the parting of Lin and Moqi, on the other side, within the Imperial Academy—because the Academy had been expanded during the era of prosperity and abundance, it had many rooms—quite a few officials chose to stay overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, one key high-ranking official had simply and openly moved into the dormitory of Chen Gongfu, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, sharing a bed with him. This was none other than the current Chief Censor of the Censorate, Li Guang, styled Taifa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out that these two were fellow townsmen and close friends, only two years apart in age, and had always been informal with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder, after the Imperial Academy had been transformed from a nominal to a substantive institution, many people watched helplessly as Chen Gongfu occupied such a crucial position, yet no one could move him an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Guo Zuo (Chen Gongfu's style name), why were you so tactful today, letting the Imperial Majesty off so easily?\" Li Guang was the first to laugh and tease after they both got into bed. \"With such an attitude, aren't you betraying your reputation for forthrightness, and also the reputation of being a remnant of Duke Li's faction?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gongfu laughed upon hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out that this Chen Gongfu, Chancellor Chen, as the top graduate of the so-called Upper School examination (equivalent to being the Principal Graduate) after the implementation of the Three Hall System, was himself a person of fierce temperament. Leaving aside his younger days, during the Jingkang era he served as a Right Reminder (a low-level Supervising Secretary). He had always been an outspoken war advocate, repeatedly arguing with councilors at court and even debating face-to-face with the Abysmal Sage (Song Qinzong).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, after the peace faction came to power, they simply exiled him under the pretext of being a remnant of Li Gang's faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when Li Gang was in power, he recalled him from outside to take up this post as Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, preparing to have this man control the crucial position of the Academy once things settled down... And judging from this action and today's result, it undoubtedly confirmed his identity as a remnant of Li Gang's faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after laughing, Chen Gongfu suddenly asked back from the bed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Taifa, do you truly believe I am a remnant of Duke Li's faction?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang was slightly startled and was about to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chen Gongfu didn't wait for the other to speak and continued: \"Then is Taifa himself a remnant of Duke Li's faction?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang finally became serious. It was a long while before he looked at his friend across the bed and spoke solemnly: \"A gentleman does not form factions; indeed, one should exercise self-discipline. Hu Anguo's words that day were quite absurd, but when he said there was factionalism in the court leading to factional strife, although I was the first to be named, I deeply agreed... But Brother Guo Zuo, have you considered this? Since the days of the old and new factions, factional strife in the Great Song has stretched for decades and become customary. Now that everyone in the world sees us this way, even if we don't form a faction, we are seen as one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That may be so, but still, there should be no factions, or rather, no factions formed out of private interest.\" Chen Gongfu said solemnly. \"Let me ask you, back in the Jingkang era, why were we all seen as a faction of Duke Li (Li Gang)? Was it because we colluded and excluded dissenters? Or was it because each of us, like you, had a close personal relationship with Duke Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang's heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the Chief Censor could respond, Chen Gongfu had already given the conclusion from the bed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You and I never actually formed a faction. The reason we were seen as a faction by the world was that we all advocated war at that time, and the banner of war advocacy was held by Duke Li. That's how we became a faction of Chancellor Li! Even our friendships were mostly forged through our shared enmity back then. For instance, when I was Right Reminder, why did I support Duke Li in everything? Wasn't it because, given the court situation at the time, only Duke Li could bear the burden, allowing for a feasible course of action? If we had backed down and let people like Zhang Bangchang gain power, the Jingkang Incident might have come a year earlier!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang nodded repeatedly: \"Brother Guo Zuo's words hit the mark. A gentleman's faction is formed naturally through great righteousness; we have nothing to be ashamed of.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Chen Gongfu, who had been serious, suddenly smiled: \"Then may I ask Taifa, who holds the banner of war advocacy today? As a member of his faction, why should I make things difficult for him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang was stunned for a moment, to the point of being speechless. But he always felt something was wrong, so after a long while, he managed to respond: \"Brother Guo Zuo, that is the Son of Heaven! As a minister, one should prioritize offering remonstrance and admonition. To form a faction with the Son of Heaven would risk bearing the name of a flatterer...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With a great enemy at the gates, for the sake of mere reputation, should one refuse to lend support and instead insist on remonstrance and admonition?\" Chen Gongfu remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a great enemy were at the gates, naturally one would hold one's breath and do one's utmost to help His Majesty eliminate distractions. But isn't the situation now greatly improved?\" Li Guang still found it hard to accept, as it conflicted with his common sense. \"The Yellow River is already in our hands. The main force of the Jin army hasn't come for nearly a year. Although there have been skirmishes large and small, the Imperial Song has won more than it has lost, and it seems we are gradually forming a north-south stalemate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's still early!\" Chen Gongfu immediately shook his head. \"I believe the court is far from being established enough for a stalemate... Not to mention anything else, if the situation were truly excellent and truly stable, why would the Imperial Majesty have been in such a hurry these past days? Wouldn't it have been better to learn from Goujian, hide in the palace for half a year, and set an example for the world? Then he would have shown no flaws at all, and even if we wanted to offer remonstrance, we wouldn't know what to remonstrate about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the lamplight, Li Guang was silent for a long time before speaking: \"Brother Guo Zuo means that a great battle is imminent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know.\" Chen Gongfu shook his head again. \"How could you and I understand military matters? But it is clear that the Imperial Majesty, while acting with vigor and decisiveness, also shows signs of nervousness and timidity... At a time like this, we ministers should first attend to our duties. If we are to offer remonstrance, it should be practical first. Why talk about empty morality? Still less should we undermine the Imperial Majesty's authority in public.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guang finally laughed: \"If that's the case, why didn't you just not ask that kind of question in the first place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't it because I've been in a sinecure for a long time, rarely seeing the Imperial Countenance, and couldn't restrain myself for a moment?\" Chen Gongfu finally laughed too. \"But the Imperial Majesty does have some quick wit... And how do you know I wasn't convinced by the Imperial Majesty's arguments about 'above and below, inside and outside'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That, you'll have to ask yourself, Brother Guo Zuo. After all, north and south of the Zhe River, who would dare claim to be clever in front of you?\" Li Guang finally lay back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gongfu then blew out the lamp, and the two spoke no more for the rest of the night.\u003C\u002Fp>",4607,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","93852b60c231a3bb4b5e705d6d3f99bd0469ca60d1d11b1eb3d8ea3ec2bac47f","shao-song-chapter-215","shao-song-chapter-213",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]