[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-224":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},1558390,2024,"Chapter 224: Entrustment (2-in-1 Debt Repayment)","shao-song-chapter-224",224,"\u003Cp>In late March, the weather grew increasingly hot. That afternoon, the Zhao sovereign was in the rear palace lakeside pavilion reading Ouyang Xiu's *New History of the Five Dynasties*. Beside him, besides Academician Lin to answer questions, Prime Minister Lu Haowen was unexpectedly also seated in attendance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, during the Jingkang Incident, the Jin had focused all their plundering on gold and silver, not even bothering with copper coins. But this didn't mean the imperial archives hadn't been looted—after all, there was Wanyan Xiyin... While others grabbed gold and women, he was there seizing books and records, dead set on playing the role of Xiao He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, one man's destructive power was ultimately limited. He couldn't force his subordinates to abandon gold and silver just to load books for him. So most of the loss of books and records came from the subsequent chaos of war, not systematic destruction. Plus, the Great Song's literary culture flourished, and many books had block-printed editions circulating everywhere, so finding them wasn't too difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a blessing in the midst of misfortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, someone at court had already suggested collecting and collating the classics, correcting errors, and re-establishing official editions—on the grounds that books now left outside were causing people to use poorly printed, error-ridden editions to mislead students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this had nothing to do with the Zhao sovereign's reading experience, because the *New History of the Five Dynasties* was a privately compiled history. Ouyang Xiu had stated from the start that he found the collapse of moral order and ethical decay during the Five Dynasties period disgusting, so he wanted to imitate the \"Spring and Autumn style\" to write a history attacking those \"utterly shameless\" types... In other words, the *New History of the Five Dynasties* was more about literary and artistic value, and about ethical principles, and had little to do with textual criticism or historical value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even people of the Song dynasty themselves said that Ouyang Xiu just wrote \"alas and woe\" and produced \"second-rate essays.\" Roughly meaning that no matter how good web fiction is, it's still just web fiction, not literature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Zhao Jiu only used it as a novel for diversion... He and Lu Haowen were waiting here for Han Xiaozhou, who should be returning to Dongjing today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from noon until afternoon, by the time the Zhao sovereign had skimmed through several \"dynasties\" in a cursory manner, Han Xiaozhou was still nowhere to be seen. Finally, as the sun shifted westward, the Zhao sovereign had grown so bored that he went straight to finding Feng Dao's biography, when he saw Yang Yizhong leading a middle-aged official in a purple robe hurrying over. Only then did Zhao Jiu put down the history book and slightly compose himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the newcomer must be Han Xiaozhou, because someone had previously informed him that when Han Xiaozhou first entered officialdom through the yin privilege, serving as a mere Recorder of Kaifeng Prefecture, he had been encountered by the frivolous Retired Emperor, who upon asking his name and family background, directly bestowed upon him the post of Junior Steward of the Palace Garrison and specially granted him a third-rank purple robe... And this man became a rare purple-robed Prefect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sure enough, when the man arrived before them and performed the formalities, it was indeed that eldest legitimate son of the Han clan, twice the Zhao sovereign's age but a generation lower in seniority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the formalities were complete, Zhao Jiu, who had long grown impatient, frowned directly: \"Minister Han, you have come far and labored hard, but arriving at Dongjing yet being so dilatory, taking nearly half a day to enter the city?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Xiaozhou was somewhat stunned by the reprimand, but still managed to explain: \"May Your Majesty know, your servant arrived last night at Qingcheng south of Dongjing. My paternal uncle informed me there of Your Majesty's decree. Therefore, when I set out this morning to see Your Majesty, I had to abandon my horse and switch to a mule cart, which caused the slight delay...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the pavilion fell silent. Zhao Jiu was clearly also stunned. After a long moment, he asked: \"When did I issue any decree to those paternal uncles of yours, and when did I order you to enter the city by mule cart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether from the heat or not, Han Xiaozhou was suddenly drenched in sweat, utterly at a loss for how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty did indeed issue such a decree, just not a specific one,\" Prime Minister Lu Haowen, seated nearby, spoke up at the right moment, seeing Han Xiaozhou at a loss. \"Earlier, when Your Majesty was on the Huai River, there was a decree, due to the perilous state of affairs, forbidding officials from using sedan chairs. Later, at Nanyang, another decree, due to the army's lack of warhorses and the people's lack of plow oxen, forbade officials from arbitrarily using strong horses as mounts, and also forbade women from arbitrarily riding ox-carts when traveling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly so,\" Han Xiaozhou quickly followed up. \"My several paternal uncles told me exactly this—that civil officials in the capital all ride donkeys or mules. It took me some time to find a mule cart, and I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu looked at the man's fearful and cautious demeanor, and for a moment felt somewhat in the wrong. After a long silence, he steeled himself and skipped over the topic: \"Let's set that aside for now. After crossing the river, Minister Han, do you know what to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant will surely not disgrace his mission!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing these words, Han Xiaozhou in his purple robe, disregarding etiquette, prostrated himself directly on the ground in a grand salute, startling Academician Lin, Yang Yizhong, and Lan Gui into retreating several steps. Lu Haowen even shot to his feet and dodged aside. When this purple-robed Prefect raised his head, his eyes were already red-rimmed. \"Before your servant set out from Jiangzhou, my aged mother had words for me, admonishing me that our family has received the state's grace for generations, and that I should accept the mission and depart immediately, not lose propriety or integrity, and even if I die nine times, I must bring the Empress Dowager back to the capital in safety... My mother said, my mother said, not to worry about her old age!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end, the man was weeping uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was also visibly startled. He forcibly swallowed all the dissatisfaction and words he had stored up, and responded cautiously: \"Minister Han, please rise... Since the old lady has already given her instructions, I will not add any more... I recall your father served as Prefect of Xiangzhou before he passed away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fortunately, you have a worthy mother,\" Zhao Jiu looked directly at Lu Haowen. \"For such a worthy mother, what is the highest rank that can be bestowed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen, also somewhat shaken, replied succinctly: \"State Lady. Last year, when Your Majesty bestowed the title Lady of Ningguo upon Grand Commandant Yue's mother, that was the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu immediately turned to Han Xiaozhou: \"Your mother shall be enfeoffed as Lady of Rongguo! Rise quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Xiaozhou grew even more grateful and finally rose. Zhao Jiu then gave him some kind words of instruction, told him to return to his residence in Dongjing to rest, and that tomorrow, after receiving the commission as Greeting Envoy, he would head north with the Jin envoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, watching Han Xiaozhou come and go, the Zhao sovereign sat in silence for a full half-hour before looking at Lu Haowen, who was still standing beside him: \"Prime Minister Lu, I heard you two are related by marriage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Lu Haowen, coming back to his senses, replied cautiously. \"Han Dayin's grandmother was your servant's aunt...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calculated that way, there's no generation gap between us sovereign and minister...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu muttered, and those around pretended not to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, the Zhao sovereign looked around. Seeing only a few guards, Academician Lin, and Lan Gui nearby, he spoke bluntly to Lu Haowen: \"Prime Minister Lu, do you think this relative of yours by marriage is putting on an act, playing dumb?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen was slightly taken aback, then slowly shook his head—whether in agreement, disagreement, or simply not being able to tell was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu sighed and spoke his mind: \"I won't hide it from you, Prime Minister Lu. Ever since that letter from Jin Wushu arrived, I've felt something was off. Han Xiaozhou volunteering to go north, arriving at the same time as Wushu's letter—it's too much of a coincidence...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen had no choice but to steel himself and speak earnestly: \"Your Majesty, Han Xiaozhou's family has received the state's grace for generations. There is absolutely no way he would collude with a foreign power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty...\" Academician Lin on the other side also came to his senses, lowering his head and speaking carefully. \"Han Dayin's father passed away early, so it's hard to say, but his grandfather, Duke Yiguo (Han Zhongyan), when serving as Prime Minister, was called a 'sincere and honest gentleman.' Your servant believes Han Xiaozhou is exactly like his grandfather.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sincere and honest gentleman\" meant useless and incompetent, which matched Han Xiaozhou's performance today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Zhao Jiu glanced at the somewhat embarrassed Lu Haowen and slowly shook his head again: \"Actually, I don't suspect him either. Because if you think about it carefully, how could Han Xiaozhou in Jiangzhou, separated by thousands of li and the Yellow River's natural defensive line, communicate with the north? So I thought from the start that a man like Han Xiaozhou volunteering to go north must be because the mood of the court and the people is like this—everyone thinks the north and south are stable and normal relations can resume. But for Jin Wushu to act this way now seems too much like he's pandering to our side's sentiment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingmo was lost in thought, then fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen, however, had no choice but to speak seriously: \"What does Your Majesty think is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I naturally think Jin Wushu has some other scheme...\" Zhao Jiu said calmly from his seat. \"I won't hide it from you, Prime Minister Lu. I called you here today not just to have you accompany me in receiving Han Xiaozhou. I actually wanted to tell you that I've always suspected this move by the Jin is to use the Xuanhe Empress Dowager to disturb my mind and cater to the mood of the Song court, in order to cover up something! Tomorrow Han Xiaozhou departs, so I'm telling you now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen sighed slightly, then asked in return: \"May I ask Your Majesty, and then what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu also sighed... As Lu Haowen said, and then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Zhao Jiu had originally relaxed, but Jin Wushu's deliberate lulling had instead made him glimpse something. Yet glimpsing it was one thing; he didn't know how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was the harm of lacking military initiative. Even though he had suspicions, he couldn't prove anything and could only passively wait for the situation to reveal itself. These past days, he had thought long and hard, but found he couldn't even redeploy troops in advance to support, because every unit had its own duties. To pull them away would be to actively expose a large gap. And Han Shizhong in Caizhou was already the best support position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, reason told him that suspicion was just suspicion. Forcing the soldiers and people to heighten their vigilance would only exhaust the army and civilians, making them even more vulnerable when the Jin truly came. The Jin might even not come at all, and this futile effort would only cost him prestige. So he couldn't even speak openly in official dispatches to his officers... only telling them to guard diligently and not relax their vigilance just because summer had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well,\" after thinking for a long time, seeing Feng Yi, the eunuch Feng Erguan, peeking from a distance, Zhao Jiu stood up, dropped the matter, and took his leave of Lu Haowen. \"When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we dam it. Prime Minister Lu, go on your way. I have matters to attend to...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen immediately took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as Lu Haowen had taken four or five steps away, Zhao Jiu, looking at an object on the table in the pavilion, felt a stir in his heart. He stood up and called him back: \"Prime Minister, please wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen turned back in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I give this to you, Prime Minister Lu,\" Zhao Jiu said, under Academician Lin's silent gaze, folding a corner of the *New History of the Five Dynasties* he had been reading all day, then carried the book out of the pavilion and handed it to Lu Haowen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen didn't understand why, but still bowed in thanks, accepted the book with both hands, and under Lan Gui's escort, left the rear palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when this current Prime Minister and the Grand Steward of the Inner Palace Service turned a corner together, they saw Feng Yi leading a man standing by the roadside, hurriedly bowing and greeting them... Lu Haowen only found the latter familiar, gave a slight nod, and walked past. Only after turning another corner did he remember—that was Pan Yongshou, Chief Medical Officer of the Hanlin Academy, also the biological father of Imperial Consort Pan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter caused Prime Minister Lu's heart to stir slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside how Lu Haowen went home to read, back in the palace, after a sweltering day, that evening the Zhao sovereign went as usual to rest at Imperial Consort Pan's quarters... Since his return, he had spent nine out of ten nights there, and today was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that night, during the third watch, Lan Gui and Yang Yizhong suddenly called out from outside the door together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was startled awake, came out directly in his robe, and showed not a trace of panic: \"Have the Jin finally moved?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" it was Lan Gui, not Yang Yizhong, who bent down and handed him a dispatch. \"Your Majesty, the Privy Council has urgently forwarded a joint urgent report from Liu Ji, the Pacifying Commissioner of Xiangyang, Ma Shen, the Military Commissioner of Jinghu North Circuit, and Liu Hongdao, the Military Commissioner of Jiangnan West Circuit. Zhong Xiang of Dongting Lake has rebelled!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu was stunned, and didn't even reach for the dispatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full several breaths, this Zhao Song Emperor finally frowned and asked: \"Didn't rebel the year before last, didn't rebel last year—why rebel this year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong and Lan Gui exchanged glances, of course saying nothing; this matter was not for them to speak on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The year before last, Your Majesty was personally in Nanyang, a mere few hundred li away, and Zhong Xiang dared not rebel; last year, Your Majesty won a great victory and also granted him many empty official titles to pacify him, so he was content and no longer willing to rebel. But according to what several memorials say, this year the spring floods in Hubei were severe, the waters just rose, and autumn harvests are clearly lost—yet last year the land tax was increased, stirring up the common people. His trusted men felt this was the last chance, and if Zhong Xiang still wanted to be his 'Great Sage Grandfather,' he could only rebel. Your Majesty need not doubt...\" Inside the Chongwen Institute, beneath hastily lit lamps, the newly arrived Privy Council Grand Councilor Wang Boyan spoke first, seemingly unconcerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\" Another Grand Councilor, Xu Jingheng, also appeared quite composed. \"In your servant's opinion, this place at Dongting Lake had already formed associations for self-defense back in the Jingkang era, refusing to heed official orders—it was bound to rebel sooner or later. Adding the tax increase last year and the disaster this year, rebellion became inevitable. It was never a matter of whether Zhong Xiang alone was willing or dared... If Zhong Xiang didn't rebel, someone else would, and it would inevitably rise at Dongting Lake, relying on whatever that association is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the lamplight, Zhao Jiu watched Xu Jingheng speak eloquently, then turned his gaze to the somewhat weary and worried Lü Haoqiu, and suddenly understood completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, in your servant's opinion, his rebelling now is actually timely. Seize this opportunity to send troops and cut out this diseased growth!\" Chen Gui, a native of Hubei, also spoke with conviction, uncharacteristically impassioned. \"Han Shizhong is right there in Huaixi; have him march south directly to suppress the rebellion, and you can also transfer a few reliable naval commanders from Mount Shuipo Liang—that will be enough to settle this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. If Zhong Xiang had raised his troops when the Jin were attacking, it would warrant attention, but in today's situation, it's merely a skin ailment!\" Xu Jingheng was in an unusually good mood today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu slowly nodded, speaking almost word by word: \"What several Grand Councilors have said today can be called true insight, striking me like a club—truly the style of famous ministers. Indeed, when matters in the world reach a certain point, it's no longer about who is willing or unwilling to do something. Some things are simply inevitable, and we should face them head-on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Emperor so cooperative, Xu Jingheng rarely nodded with satisfaction as he stroked his beard: \"In that case, we might as well formally order Han Shizhong to march south and suppress the rebellion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Agreed!\" Zhao Jiu rose with vigor. \"But since this concerns military affairs and the situation is urgent, there's no need to be bound by formalities... We'll split into two tracks: on one side, the Secretariat and Privy Council will issue open edicts ordering Liu Ji, Ma Shen, and Liu Hongdao to organize volunteer forces, defend the prefectures, and try to contain Zhong Xiang; on the other side, I will personally issue a palace decree and have the Imperial Guard ride express to Han Shizhong, ordering him to move immediately—it must be as unfathomable as shadow and as swift as thunder!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jingheng hesitated for a moment, but the weary-faced Lü Haoqiu simply bowed his head and agreed: \"Your servant believes this is acceptable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for the other Grand Councilors to respond, Zhao Jiu nodded and turned to leave directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, that night, countless edicts and golden plaques raced in all directions with countless fast horses; the city gates remained open all night, startling the entire capital into turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, upon learning that the rebellion was in the south at Dongting Lake, the capital's mood calmed somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same day, the welcoming envoy Han Xiaozhou also returned north with the Jin envoy Gao Jingshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, Han Shizhong's main army, upon receiving the palace decree, indeed turned south toward Nanyang. Interestingly, other Imperial Army units also showed movement, but it was precisely at this time that the Taihang Mountains side desperately sent intelligence with all their might: the Meng'an and Mouke units across Hebei had begun large-scale mobilization and assembly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the news arrived, the high officials in the capital were thrown into panic, and the news even leaked, causing days of unrest within Dongjing City. Only Zhao Jiu remained unmoved, acting as if nothing was amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another five or six days passed, just as Dongjing, now under renewed military control, caught its breath, three pieces of news from different directions arrived almost on the same day, in sequence:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, at the same time the Hebei Meng'an and Mouke units began mobilizing, Wanyan Loushi launched another campaign after a two-month gap, crossing the river before the end of the third month with a western army of no less than sixty thousand, emerging from Yan'an Prefecture. Fuzhou and Danzhou were both under full alert... And considering the delay in news, by now one of the two prefectures might already be lost, or even both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, the Hebei Meng'an and Mouke units—the core forces of the Jin Eastern Route Army—were mobilizing and assembling in two directions: half toward Great Ming Prefecture and half toward Taiyuan. At the same time, the remaining troops of the Western Route Army were also fully mobilizing, clearly converging on Yan'an in northern Shaanxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, Han Shizhong, who was supposed to turn south from Nanyang toward Dongting Lake, suddenly revealed a new palace decree to his subordinates upon reaching Nanyang territory. Then he abandoned Hubei and turned west toward Wuguan, ordering Nanyang Prefecture to deliver its stored grain through Wuguan to Guanzhong. The Prefect of Nanyang, Yan Xiaozhong, was dumbfounded; he could only watch Han Shizhong leave while sending a fast horse to Dongjing to inquire... Why did the edicts from the Secretariat and Privy Council not match the palace decree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, by this time in Dongjing City, no one cared about Yan Xiaozhong's shock anymore, because the two parties he needed to ask—the Emperor himself had already begun to arm himself fully, preparing to personally lead the campaign and head for Luoyang. Meanwhile, alerted by the Diarist Yu Yunwen, the officials of the Chongwen Institute Secretariat hastily gathered and, led by the four Grand Councilors, blocked Zhao Jiu at the Yiyou Gate between the rear and front palaces, attempting to stop this capricious act of the Emperor... The Chongwen Institute Secretariat was already unmanned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, by now the situation was very clear: the Jin had previously used the return of the Empress Dowager to lull Zhao Jiu into complacency, and the New Year's offensive to lull the world. This time, they were thoroughly calculating, combining their entire national forces to strike westward... Of the two hundred thousand troops, perhaps only fifty or sixty thousand were used to pin down the eastern front; the remaining one hundred fifty to one hundred sixty thousand were all to converge on the Guanzhong region, clearly aiming to swallow the entire Guanzhong, and even Bashu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such troop numbers, how dangerous was this? If the Emperor went lightly and met with misfortune, what then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am merely going to Luoyang to take command.\" At the Yiyou Gate, Zhao Jiu, wearing armor and carrying a bow, stood at ease, looking at the dozens of high officials led by the four Grand Councilors before him, and couldn't help but laugh. Meanwhile, Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, Lin Jingmo, and other close ministers stood inside the gate, as if they had been waiting there deliberately. \"Why must you gentlemen go this far?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does Your Majesty think your servants would believe that?\" Xu Jingheng was the first to rage. \"Since the Jin want to swallow Guanzhong, what use is Your Majesty going to Luoyang? Besides, Your Majesty has always treated your servants like enemies and has long made secret preparations—Han Shizhong is probably already at Wuguan by now, isn't he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I possibly treat you gentlemen as enemies? I regard all of you who have come today as my trusted confidants!\" Zhao Jiu stood on the steps before the Yiyou Gate, his gaze sweeping over those who had hurriedly gathered, and shook his head repeatedly. \"Those who have come today are either my close ministers or high officials I personally promoted since Nanyang... If I cannot trust you in this city, then I truly have no one to trust!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jingheng was also taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Wang Boyan stepped forward and spoke earnestly: \"Your Majesty, since Your Majesty knows of your servants' loyalty, you should also consider this a little... Going to the front lines is truly dangerous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't there no other choice?\" Zhao Jiu remained unhurried. \"If we abandon the Two Rivers, must we also abandon Guanzhong? If Guanzhong is lost, can the Central Plains be held?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Boyan and Xu Jingheng were immediately struck speechless, and many began to weep. But soon, everyone's gaze passed over the very junior Chen Gui and fixed on another Grand Councilor—the Prime Minister Lü Haoqiu, who had already established considerable authority in fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqiu, his eyes red, slowly stepped forward and, on the steps before the Yiyou Gate, cupped his hands toward Zhao Jiu: \"Your Majesty! War must be fought, but you alone bear the fate of the realm. And now, unlike those destitute days in the Mingdao Palace, we have some troops and a foundation. Why not entrust the Guanzhong campaign to Grand Councilor Yuwen Xuzhong and Han Shizhong? No matter what, Your Majesty should not go and take risks again...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the past, when Tang Taizong pacified the realm, he always led the campaigns personally.\" Zhao Jiu shook his head. \"If I do not go to the front, how can we win?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This turn of phrase was somewhat abrupt. Lü Haoqiu thought the other would cite the reason Qu Duan had raised last time, but he still instinctively refuted: \"Your Majesty cannot compare yourself to Tang Taizong, can you? Throughout the ages, there has been only one Tang Taizong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he said this, Lü Haoqiu himself felt something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This time it's not actually that dangerous. Although the Jin have caught us off guard, they are acting against the season. If we can rely on the northern Shaanxi terrain to delay them for a while, until the summer heat arrives, our troops will have rested and gathered strength, and then we can strike—it will be like crushing an egg with Mount Tai.\" Zhao Jiu continued to argue, but it sounded rather boastful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty is not Mount Tai...\" Lü Haoqiu blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could finish, the current Prime Minister finally realized what was wrong with the dialogue between him and the Emperor... The Emperor was deliberately using a passage from the *Biography of Feng Dao* to lead him on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the *Biography of Feng Dao* was precisely the page with the folded corner in the *New History of the Five Dynasties* that Zhao Jiu had given him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he understood what was happening, Lü Haoqiu smiled bitterly in helplessness: \"Is Your Majesty comparing yourself to Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou? Or are you taking your servant as Feng Dao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't just Lü Haoqiu. Every minister who had rushed to the Yanfu Palace upon hearing the news was a learned scholar; even the youngest, Yu Yunwen, had passed the imperial examinations. So everyone quickly realized... The Emperor and the Prime Minister were essentially reenacting the dialogue between Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, and Feng Dao before the decisive battle with the Khitan in the *New History of the Five Dynasties*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In it, Zhao Jiu was playing Chai Rong, Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, the instigator, while Lü Haoqiu was clearly being cast as Feng Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, once they understood, everyone's expressions grew even worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, although Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou won that battle and laid the foundation for the Later Zhou dynasty, the fates of both men in the story were not very auspicious... Feng Dao's reputation was extremely poor, and he died shortly after that battle; as for Chai Rong's end, it needed no further elaboration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, Zhao Jiu saw that Lü Haoqiu had caught on and sighed. He then stepped forward two paces down the steps, took Lü Haoqiu's hand, and spoke earnestly: \"Grand Councilor Lü, I have taken you as Feng Dao, but I have taken myself as Shi Jingtang, the Gaozu of Later Jin...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was stunned, momentarily confused, while Lü Haoqiu's figure swayed slightly, and he became dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, the other ministers familiar with the historical allusions also realized, and then became frightened or bewildered—yet amid the fear and confusion, some also instinctively felt a flash of joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To explain: Feng Dao had served ten emperors, naturally including Shi Jingtang, the Gaozu of Later Jin. The most famous anecdote between Shi Jingtang and Feng Dao was the matter of Shi Jingtang entrusting his orphan before death... Although Shi Jingtang was the infamous 'Son Emperor,' he was perhaps the emperor who respected and trusted Feng Dao the most. While alive, he entrusted all government affairs to Feng Dao; on his deathbed, he even had his infant son brought to Feng Dao as an entrustment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Feng Dao accepted Shi Jingtang's son and agreed to the entrustment, but once Shi Jingtang was gone, citing 'the state relies on an adult ruler,' he turned around and installed Shi Jingtang's already-adult nephew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When I read the *New History of the Five Dynasties*, I felt that Ouyang Xiu's literary talent was truly outstanding, but in other aspects, he was far too inferior... For example, regarding Shi Jingtang entrusting his orphan to Feng Dao, Ouyang Yongshu greatly mocked Feng Dao for being disloyal and immoral.\" Zhao Jiu held Lü Haoqiu's hand and spoke unhurriedly. When he reached this point, he suddenly chuckled lightly. \"I didn't have deep feelings about this matter before; I even felt that Feng Dao had somewhat let Shi Jingtang down. But since returning this time and learning that Consort Pan is pregnant, when I can barely call myself 'a father,' I suddenly realized that Feng Dao's action was truly giving his all to repay Shi Jingtang's kindness of recognizing his talent! And Shi Jingtang, before his death, said not a word, only had his infant son brought to Feng Dao—it wasn't to seek an imperial throne for the child. That's not what a father should do! Because in the chaos of the Five Dynasties, forcibly propping up an infant in swaddling clothes—wasn't that sending him to his death? And Feng Dao's conduct was truly not betraying Shi Jingtang's entrustment. In fact, if I remember correctly, Shi Jingtang's son lived well until the fall of Later Jin and simply died of illness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty...\" Lü Haoqiu's tears welled up; he had clearly guessed Zhao Jiu's meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Councilor Lü, and you gentlemen.\" Zhao Jiu continued to hold Lü Haoqiu's hand but suddenly turned to the assembled ministers, his expression solemn. \"Let me speak to you from the heart today... I was waiting here specifically for you. I am not so rash as to leave without making military arrangements, nor would I treat you, my trusted ministers, as nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most were silent, having long realized this, and more and more people began to weep like Lü Haoqiu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you are my trusted confidants, I have one thing to say. Although I know it will displease you to hear it, if I cannot say it to you, I will die without peace.\" Zhao Jiu looked at these people, unusually sincere. \"You should have seen long ago that I detest the Two Sages! But I especially detest the Retired Emperor, the Daoist Sovereign! Because during the Jingkang disaster, he, as the Son of Heaven, abandoned the myriad people; as a sovereign, he abandoned his ministers; as a father, he abandoned his son; as a husband, he abandoned his wife! He truly was unworthy of being a ruler, a father, or a husband! But the more I hate him, the less I can repeat his mistakes at this moment... Tell me, how could I, on the verge of having my own child, openly abandon the millions of people in Guanzhong? If I were to survive by such means, how would my future child look upon me? And right now, how could I truly leave without a word and just go? This time, just like before, there is a reason I must go! I hope you can understand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first half of this speech, if delivered in the court, would have caused all the civil and military officials to resign on the spot... But today, framed in terms of father and son, with the urgency of the military situation at the front, the news of Consort Pan's pregnancy, and the Emperor's sincere attitude—especially considering Zhao Jiu's unique state as both a son and a father-to-be—it seemed, beyond its treasonous nature, to have added a touch of humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough that these high ministers could not utter any words of reproach on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, everyone, including Yang Yizhong, Lin Jingmo, and Liu Yan, who were hiding behind the Yiyou Gate as the instigators, all lowered their heads, pretending not to have heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Councilor Lü.\" Zhao Jiu finally turned to Lü Haoqiu, addressing him as Grand Councilor, but the words that followed were clearly meant for more than just Lü Haoqiu alone. \"To be honest with you, I am determined to go to the front in this battle today, because this battle cannot be avoided. But as you said, this battle is dangerous! We have had our time as ruler and ministers, and I have only one request of you... That is, if I should meet with misfortune, and Consort Pan happens to give birth to a prince, I beg you, do not imitate Marquis Wu of Zhuge. Instead, handle this child as Feng Dao did. In the name of the Empress Dowager, citing 'the state relies on an adult ruler,' choose a worthy candidate from among the sons of the Imperial Clan Office to be emperor. Then summon Li Gang as Grand Councilor, and heavily employ Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Zhang Rong, and Li Yanxian—these four men—and the state may yet be restored. As for my child, please take the mother and child to the southeast and let them live as idle imperial clansmen... In this way, even if I, Zhao Jiu, die, I will be endlessly grateful! And it will not have been in vain that we were ruler and ministers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhao Jiu held Lü Haoqiu's hand and bowed in salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqiu was already weeping profusely. As for the other ministers, though their reactions varied, none of them knew how to stop this Emperor anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>",5666,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9191b1ce2879b25d666dced9670bc498ed78cee73bdc7d8f4ea908a45d192752","shao-song-chapter-225","shao-song-chapter-223",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]