[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-341":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},1558507,2024,"Chapter 341: Conjecture","shao-song-chapter-341",341,"\u003Cp>During the New Year period, a timely heavy snowfall arrived, truly a propitious snow promising a bountiful year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But perhaps because the Emperor had only recently returned, the political atmosphere was still somewhat tense, with everyone treading carefully, and the capital city of Dongjing was eerily quiet... In the final analysis, this was still a backward era of feudal imperial power, and the Emperor was still the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after the New Year's Day grand court assembly, a book titled *Water Margin* signed by \"Wu Yong\" suddenly appeared in the official gazette, replacing the original *Journey to the West: Demon-Subduing Miscellany*, causing a noticeable stir within the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in court knew full well whose handiwork this new so-called \"novel\" was, but the more they knew, the more absurd and bizarre it seemed. Because the book's opening chapter was actually the story of Gao Qiu's rise to power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavens above, it had only been a few years since that scoundrel Gao Qiu died! His sons, though they had been given a thorough dressing-down, were still alive and well, weren't they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then it directly and brazenly mentioned Prince Duan. Who Prince Duan was—did that even need to be said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people involved were still alive! And they were already being turned into a novel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the part about Prince Duan becoming the Daoist Emperor was just a fleeting mention. It was immediately followed by the story of Wang Jin, persecuted by Gao Qiu on a pretext, fleeing with his elderly mother, encountering one Shi Dalang, who then learned martial arts, befriended the three from Mount Shaohua, was also forced to flee, and then brought in Captain Lu...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story started in an extraordinarily off-key manner, and within a single day, how many people were asking each other who Wang Jin was? Why did Shi Jin, Shi Dalang, sound a bit familiar? And then who was this Captain Lu, said to be from the Zhong family's command?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was Grand Marshal Zhang Jun, who was still in the capital and had just attended the New Year's Day court, who spoke up. He clearly told several acquaintances who came to ask that there was definitely no such Captain Lu; otherwise, he would have found him long ago. He was also quite certain that the story of this Captain Lu was something the Emperor had heard someone tell at the Daxiangguo Temple long ago, and had even recounted it to Grand Marshal Zhang Rong—it had a basis... As for Grand Marshal Zhang Rong, stationed on the Yellow River just north of the capital, later having someone read the gazette to him and confirming this account, that went without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but over the next few days, *Water Margin* was updated extremely quickly and copiously, all centered on this Captain Lu. From his three punches that killed the \"Tiger of Guanxi,\" to becoming a monk at Mount Wutai, to causing havoc at Peach Blossom Village, to burning down the Waguan Temple, and finally arriving at the Daxiangguo Temple to uproot a weeping willow—the story flowed smoothly all the way through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story was absolutely brilliant. Very quickly, after the New Year holiday, the professional storytellers at the main taverns had already incorporated the tale of the \"Flowery Monk\" Lu Zhishen into their repertoires. It was even said that related plays were being adapted... This treatment and speed would have been enough to make countless future writers green with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the main point, these vulgar developments also conveniently relieved many people of their political burdens. By this time, many truly believed that the Zhao Emperor was just bored during the New Year and wanted to serialize a story about a hero he had heard, with no other intentions. Even the few who felt that the Zhao Emperor doing this went against the principles of national legal construction, once they saw the background was set in the era of the Retired Daoist Emperor, fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But... next, as the New Year holiday ended, the popular character Lu Zhishen exited the stage, and \"Leopard Head\" Lin Chong officially appeared. From the court to the commoners, everyone gradually became dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, everyone with any awareness knew that Gao Qiu had three biological sons, and no such lecherous adopted son. So everyone also realized that Gao Qiu was just a lead-in. Who else to target but the one whose family cook threw a sheep's head and shouted something like \"Ruo Gouzi\"? If not to disgust him, who else? Moreover, as a close minister of the Retired Daoist Emperor, Gao Qiu might not be among the Six Traitors, but if one were to list Seven or Eight Traitors, he would certainly make the cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one cared about the family reputation of this fallen household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, whether it was \"Leopard Head\" Lin Chong or Chai Jin of Cangzhou, their backgrounds were written so clearly that a quick inquiry revealed they were obviously fictional characters, just like the Flowery Monk... Moreover, some with broad knowledge and strong memory had already found a few names from a minor rebellion pacified by Zhang Shuye, roughly confirming that Lin Chong and Chai Jin, like Shi Dalang, were chieftains under the bandit Song Jiang... This further proved one thing: the story was just a story. The Zhao Emperor had probably seen the names on some memorial and used them haphazardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, there was the appearance of the Water Margin stronghold at Mount Liang. The great chieftain of the marsh had always been only one, Grand Marshal Zhang Rong. Where did this \"White-Clad Scholar\" come from, and why was he given a name, Wang Lun, that sounded like a friend of Li Bai's?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nothing more than the Zhao Emperor being familiar with only one major outlaw lair in the rivers and lakes—the Water Margin stronghold at Mount Liang—and conveniently using it. As long as Grand Marshal Zhang himself didn't mind, no one else could say much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even knowing the background was fictional, the content was made up on the spot by the Emperor, and the names were casually picked, as they watched Lin Chong's plot unfold—seeing a perfectly law-abiding military officer, only because his wife was beautiful, being step by step forced to the point of fleeing to the Mountain God Temple in a snowstorm and going to Mount Liang on a snowy night—everyone, from top to bottom, could no longer sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because anyone with a bit of literary knowledge could see what the Emperor meant. Wasn't it \"officials force the people to rebel\"?! Fine, officials force the people to rebel. But behind this \"Wu Yong\" was clearly the august Emperor himself! Could the Emperor also come out and say that officials force the people to rebel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he even wrote the story so captivatingly? With so many twists and turns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making the common people think it was real, making it so that after the New Year, the Gao family couldn't even buy ginger and fermented beans anymore, alright?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, starting from this wave of \"Instructor Lin Goes to Mount Liang on a Snowy Night,\" which also coincided with the first ten-day period of the court resuming normal work, strange and peculiar memorials began to appear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, the two brothers of the Gao family who still held official positions requested to resign and return to their hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, the Minister of Justice, Ma Shen, submitted a memorial, stating that the gazette was publishing baseless stories that ruined people's reputations. But in a separate memorial, he proposed that the judicial system should be properly reviewed to reduce wrongful cases. And finally, he submitted another memorial confessing his guilt, admitting to his impropriety in the court that day... In the end, after two months of being \"roasted,\" plus this wave of \"officials force the people to rebel,\" he couldn't withstand the Emperor's little temper tantrum anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with Yang Zhi selling his sword, someone impeached Yang Yizhong for abusing his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even, right after the \"Red-Haired Devil\" Liu Tang led to the appearance of Chao Gai, someone actually impeached the Direct Secretariat Chao Gongwu for improper conduct in his hometown of Jizhou!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor Chao Gongwu. He had only been back in the capital for two months when he received the first impeachment of his life, and it was so unfathomable, it was like a bolt from the blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn't they impeach him for failing to report Zhang Jun's maritime trade activities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, by this time, the Zhao Emperor also realized the problem. This kind of story about \"officials forcing the people to rebel\" really shouldn't be published in the official gazette, because many common people genuinely didn't understand it was just a story... So, he followed good advice, immediately accepted Ma Shen's suggestion, reprimanded Hu Quan, who was in charge of gazette affairs, and *Water Margin* was subsequently taken down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as everyone from top to bottom breathed a collective sigh of relief, the citizens of Dongjing were shocked to discover that although *Water Margin* had been removed from the gazette, its serialization had not stopped. Instead, it was printed and attached to the back of the notification sheets for the start of the cuju league season in Dongjing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew who owned the cuju league in Dongjing, so they naturally understood that this was an official version being distributed through a pirated channel... That was one thing! The key was, as they watched the recently retired Liang Yangzu's father, in a muddle, become Cai Jing's son-in-law, and then the ten-thousand-string birthday tribute sent to Chancellor Cai Jing get audaciously robbed, everyone in Dongjing who could be linked to the word \"politics\" could no longer sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because by this point, everyone realized that the Emperor was indeed using this *Water Margin* to convey some specific messages! This *Water Margin* was indeed hinting at something!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one submitted a memorial or personally reported to the Emperor. Not because it would make them seem ignorant, but because if he was hinting through this method, it must be something that was not convenient to say openly. Otherwise, why would the Zhao Emperor use this method? Why not just issue a clear edict?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, Chancellor Zhao first used his work convenience to privately summon several Ministers, Vice Ministers, and Court Directors over several days during his lunch break, inquiring about work in related fields. Then, Privy Councilor Zhang finally couldn't hold back either. On the rest day at the end of the ten-day period, he hosted a banquet for a group of old friends and colleagues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a proper banquet. It was said that because the Emperor had left the capital earlier, and Privy Councilor Zhang, along with several other chief ministers, had taken turns guarding the palace, they had missed the full-moon celebration for his eldest son. Now they were making up for it... So, quite a few people came. Even Chancellor Zhao himself attended, but after the afternoon feast ended, he left again in a very open and aboveboard manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following him, more than ninety percent of the guests, including the other two chief ministers, also left. In an instant, only about a dozen people remained in the Privy Councilor's mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, after Chancellor Zhao had pulled off such a clever and unexpected move, it was already quite good that a dozen or so people remained. Especially since among them were two Ministers, Liu Ziyu and Lin Jingmo, one Vice Minister, Lu Zhi, and Qu Duan, the Commander of the Imperial Guard Cavalry, who had only just returned to report for duty after the New Year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, after a few casual remarks, the group split up again. Privy Councilor Zhang, along with several high officials, went into the rear hall. The others, like the newly promoted rising star, Secretary Mei, who had come with his elder to gain experience and pay respects, were the kind who couldn't make it to the main table. They could only stay outside with Qu Duan's personal guard commander, Xiahou Yuan, and Liu Ziyu's younger brother, Liu Zihui, acting as doorkeepers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Xiahou Yuan was also half-civilian, half-military—a \"same year\" who had earned a fifth-rank *jinshi* degree through military merit—and Liu Zihui came from a family with a deep scholarly tradition, so they could still find things to talk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for now, let's set aside what was happening in the front hall. As soon as the group in the rear hall had taken their seats, before the host Zhang Jun could even speak, Commander Qu Duan couldn't help but snort with laughter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chancellor Zhang, it's still the same people as before. But in just two or three years, do we really need to put on such airs and graces, even going into a separate inner hall to arrange seating? If word of this reaches the Emperor's ears, won't someone laugh at us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If word reached the Emperor's ears, who would laugh at them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Ministers and one Vice Minister all looked at Qu Duan. Zhang Jun was also caught between laughter and tears: \"If that's the case, Military Governor Qu, why did you come in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the Emperor would only laugh at putting on airs and graces, he wouldn't kill me for it,\" Qu Duan replied boldly. \"But as a subject, failing to share the sovereign's worries—that is the true calamity! Otherwise, Chancellor Zhang, what do you think I came here for? Was it to fight for a seat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was momentarily stunned, then their thoughts diverged:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun and Liu Ziyu both laughed. Lu Zhi's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly—Qu Duan was notorious in court for his sharp tongue. But today, no matter how he talked his way around it, wasn't he also here to pay respects because his ally Mo Qixie had been posted out, leaving him unable to continue as a proper \"lone minister,\" isolated and weak? It was just that this fellow had such thick skin that he could say it out loud himself, defusing the awkwardness. He was quite a character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Minister Lin Jingmo, he rarely took the time to carefully appraise Qu Duan again before finally sitting back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Military Governor Qu, you're in the military, so it's somewhat better for you,\" Zhang Jun said, coming back to his senses and forcing another bitter smile. \"From the perspective of sharing the sovereign's worries, we are in a more difficult position...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What good is being somewhat better?\" Qu Duan continued boldly. \"I haven't been in the capital for a long time. When I encounter something like this, I have to get to the bottom of it, right? How about this, esteemed superiors, just consider that I only brought a pair of ears here... You talk, and I'll listen... Let's not waste any more time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun coughed dryly at this, and indeed felt there was no need to put on airs. He got straight to the point. \"Have you all read *Water Margin*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Duan, who had supposedly only brought a pair of ears, quickly pulled a bound collection from his bosom, spread it on his knees, and spoke while flipping through it. \"Before Chancellor Liang's father sent the gift to that old Cai Jing, I was reading a manuscript copy on the road. The latest part, about 'Leopard Head' Lin Chong killing the 'White-Clad Scholar' Wang Lun in a mutiny, I read from the cuju match notice... Esteemed superiors, what do you think? Does this 'mutiny' business have some implication?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun was stunned again, then asked seriously: \"Military Governor Qu, what is your opinion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since coming from Guanxi, I've heard many rumors. They say that after pacifying the Western Xia, some bastards from the two Emperors' faction in Nanyang and Yangzhou are getting restless. Then there's talk of some Dao-ists bullying the Emperor in court, forcing him to leave the capital and flee to the army... Privy Councilor Zhang, is it that you people were incompetent in guarding the capital, allowing traitors to arise in court? Or is there simply a 'Leopard Head' Lin Chong lurking by the Emperor's side, thinking day and night about a mutiny, forcing the Emperor to speak in such a way?\" Qu Duan pressed down on his manuscript and asked seriously. \"It couldn't be that Yang Yizhong or Liu Yan has been bribed and corrupted by the two Emperors, could it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone from Zhang Jun on down was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Zhang Deyuan finally lost his patience: \"Military Governor Qu, how can you be so absurd! How could those two be bribed by the two Emperors? What could the two Emperors use to bribe them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ziyu was also exasperated: \"Truly absurd! Qu Duan, even if you were bribed, Yang and Liu would never be bribed by anyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what if it's absurd? Isn't it all just guesswork?\" Qu Duan said dismissively. \"Even if Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan are fine, the phrase 'officials force the people to rebel' in *Water Margin* still reflects His Majesty's intent, doesn't it? Clearly, in His Majesty's eyes, the officials under the Retired Emperor's reign have nothing to do with him, this Jianyan Son of Heaven! Even the Song before Jianyan is only nominally connected—it doesn't concern him... His Majesty has always intended to discard the old Song and establish a new Shaoxing Song, hasn't he said so plainly in public? Is that wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Deyuan and Liu Ziyu were left speechless, and the others fell silent as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because as Qu Duan said, though his words were somewhat absurd, the point he made was largely correct... Since returning from the Huai River, perhaps out of reflection on the shame of the Jingkang Incident, Zhao Jiu had often harbored a rebellious attitude toward the ancestral laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if in the early years, due to political inertia and obvious resistance, he could still cover it up somewhat, then in recent years, as the military achievements of the Imperial Camp system unfolded and the nation's revival became evident, His Majesty gradually consolidated military and political power, leaving no further scruples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the growing rift between Zhao Jiu and those Daoist and Neo-Confucian ministers, which eventually led to the near-coup of the White Horse Shaoxing Incident, was largely due to this reason—it was likely more than just the Original Learning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even His Majesty's promotion of Original Learning itself probably contained this element of severing ties with the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Qu speaks sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, the now-calm Liu Ziyu responded gravely from his seat. \"The meaning of 'officials force the people to rebel' is certainly there, but at this time, His Majesty's main focus may not be on that. You must understand that since returning from the Huai River, His Majesty's heart has been set on reviving the nation and avenging past shame—in short, to destroy the Jurchens and recover the rivers and mountains. And since the Battle of Yaoshan, with the Jurchens retreating to the other side of the Yellow River, the court has been planning to eliminate the puppet Qi, then sweep through Guansxi, and also the alliance at Jinhebo. Under such a grand strategy, there will be only one critical matter going forward. That is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Liu Ziyu paused briefly, perhaps thinking of the grievances between Ma Kuo and his own father and son, his expression tightening slightly before he continued, his tone growing shorter and harsher: \"That is to accumulate troops and provisions in preparation for the Northern Expedition! And when we discuss matters, we should start from this point!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Minister of Rites is absolutely right.\" The prepared Vice Minister of Personnel, Lu Zhi, responded promptly. \"And I have a humble suggestion on this matter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun immediately turned his head to look at Lu Zhi: \"Anlao's words must be golden advice! The strategy for pacifying Jin you previously presented coincided with Military Governor Yue's, and the nation's current grand plan is precisely following the steps you both laid out—the grand strategy is clear!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhi smiled smugly, not declining Zhang Jun's praise, and directly stroked his beard as he replied: \"I believe that matters should be viewed from a higher perspective. For example, with *Water Margin*, it's meaningless to dwell on Lu Zhishen or Lin Chong—following the book's thread, more characters will likely appear... The key is the gathering of heroes from all sides!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gathering of heroes?!\" Zhang Jun's heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Privy Councilor has some insight.\" Lu Zhi continued with a smile. \"Speaking of His Majesty's experience with gatherings, it's nothing more than the ten commanders' private alliance, which led to His Majesty's great gathering at Heyin back then. Therefore, for His Majesty, this 'gathering' should refer to the formation of the Imperial Camp. And this matter aligns perfectly with the current situation... To launch a Northern Expedition, we must accumulate troops and improve combat effectiveness, so the first priority is to expand the Imperial Camp!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if we want to expand rapidly, there are several issues that make it hard for His Majesty to speak openly... One is that expansion inevitably strains the people and the treasury; another is that to quickly build combat power, we'll have to recruit former Tangut soldiers, fallen Khitan men, and even small Mongol tribes, which will certainly spark debate.\" As he spoke, Lu Zhi himself became grave. \"So, some words and some actions must come from us ministers... Privy Councilor, my meaning is that the Privy Council must step forward and proactively produce an expansion plan. The barbarians must be sorted out in advance, and we must shield His Majesty from the pedantic views of those who always advocate long-term planning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Vice Minister Lu's words have some merit!\" After listening, Qu Duan was the first to shake his head in admiration. \"When I expanded troops in the Yinshan and Xingling regions, I knew there were constant memorials of impeachment at court, all saying there were too many barbarian soldiers in the Imperial Camp cavalry, and that the cavalry was permanently stationed at the Yuetai Camp near the capital, which would eventually cause trouble... But to be honest, when it comes to cavalry, if you take a barbarian and a Han Chinese, the barbarian, who has been accustomed to horseback archery since childhood, is naturally easier to train into a combat-ready force... What choice do I have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun nodded seriously, and Liu Ziyu nodded along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just then, Lin Jingmo, Minister Lin, who had been silent all along, also spoke: \"Has His Majesty hinted at the idea of robbing the rich to aid the poor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were momentarily stunned, then each grew solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reasoning is simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the others seemed to understand instantly, Minister Lin still spoke softly, offering a brief explanation. \"The nation needs a Northern Expedition, which requires expanding the army, refining weapons, drilling troops, and stockpiling grain and wealth... Ultimately, all of this costs money and resources. But given the current state of the national treasury, to get things done, we'll likely need to find new sources of revenue to keep pace. And to find new revenue, the common people are already squeezed to the limit. Given His Majesty's temperament, he would never press the poorest any further at this point, so he can only seek money and grain from the wealthy... So, is His Majesty's intent here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Qu Duan let out a snicker: \"I think Minister Lin's words are smarter... Isn't that robbing the rich to aid the poor? And if His Majesty really can't say it outright and can only hint, then 'robbing the rich to aid the poor' fits better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, what Commander Qu said earlier also makes a lot of sense.\" Lin Jingmo replied solemnly. \"To launch a Northern Expedition, it's not just about expanding combat power and stockpiling grain—we also need unity inside and out, and harmony from top to bottom... At this time, discarding the old and establishing the new, and even making necessary arrangements for the Two Sages, the imperial descendants in Nanyang, and the Empress Dowager in Yangzhou, are all necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Zhang Jun down to Qu Duan and Lu Zhi, they all nodded seriously in unison... Liu Ziyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded heavily as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But saying all this, aren't we overthinking it?\" After reluctantly nodding, Liu Ziyu suddenly raised an eyebrow. \"It's just a storybook, after all—a good tale. Even if His Majesty has some thoughts in it, why would it imply so many things? In fact, many say His Majesty's temperament is a bit erratic—maybe he just wanted to write a story about a snowy night on Mount Liang to mock Minister Ma and vent some anger, with no other meaning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've thought about that too.\" Qu Duan also pinched the storybook on his knee and laughed. \"Maybe His Majesty himself doesn't even know what *Water Margin* is about, or maybe the real story is yet to come... We're all just guessing blindly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That said, the matters we've discussed today are all serious affairs that deserve attention.\" Zhang Jun shook his head. \"The discarding of the old and establishment of the new behind 'officials force the people to rebel,' the expansion of the army behind the heroes' gathering, and the opening of new revenue sources behind 'robbing the rich to aid the poor'—these are all urgent national priorities... As important ministers of the state, we cannot afford not to act just because the book may or may not contain those meanings! We must share His Majesty's burdens and accomplish great deeds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jingmo's heart stirred again, and after waiting for the others to nod, he finally spoke: \"Actually, on the way to the Privy Councilor's residence today, because of a question from that nephew of mine in the front hall, I've been harboring a thought.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other four all looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Minister Lin, unhurried, spoke calmly: \"The matter is simple. My nephew asked me why I, as a department head and one of the most important ministers in the realm, who could stand independently, would risk the suspicion of forming a faction to come specifically to meet with the Privy Councilor and the others. I answered that since His Majesty had given such an obvious hint, he wanted us to set aside these superficial formalities and suspicions and find his meaning. So at this time, there's no need to worry about the suspicion of factionalism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seated men were all moved, and Lin Jingmo continued frankly: \"At that moment, I had a thought. And just now, when Commander Qu entered and spoke those words, I was even more moved. By the time we discussed to this point, I had a direct conjecture... That His Majesty's original intent may not be aimed at any one matter, but rather, by using the sensitive background of *Water Margin*, he wants to wake up all of us ministers he has personally promoted, to get us all moving, to pool our wisdom for the nation's Northern Expedition strategy, instead of engaging in those messy, pretentious postures from before!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this point, the assembled ministers were already convinced, and Minister Lin looked around and concluded: \"*Water Margin* itself may or may not have specific references, but once this book was thrown out, the court, which had been rigid for so long and had caused so many improper incidents, immediately began to churn and regain vitality—that alone makes it worthwhile!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",4606,"2026-06-06T07:46:04.529Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","45cd0c1b4bc08e70755de745d09ccb72b9a390e70e1eae6a7637ad13b8b1afcc","shao-song-chapter-342","shao-song-chapter-340",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]