[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-45":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},1558211,2024,"Chapter 45: Documents (Continued)","shao-song-chapter-45",45,"\u003Cp>\"Your subject believes this is feasible!\" Seeing the situation had come to this, Lü Haowen said no more and finally bowed his head in acceptance. \"Does Your Majesty have anything else to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, I do.\" Zhao Jiu replied expressionlessly and frankly. \"But one matter at a time. Since it's been decided, draft the edict immediately and settle this first... Write it now. Turn what I just said into a proper official document and decree. The Imperial Seal is right here. Once it's written, have it copied and distributed to all the key ministers along the routes... Li Gang, the Grand Councilor in Yangzhou; Zong Ze, the Grand Councilor and Defender of the Eastern Capital; Xu Jingheng, the Assistant Administrator in Huainan; Zhang Que, the Privy Councilor in Huaidong; Liang Yangzu, the Attendant in the Southeast; Yuwen Xuzhong, the Privy Councilor in Huaixi; plus all the Fiscal Commissioners, Grand Coordinators, and Military Commissioners along the routes, as well as the generals west of the Pass, and Zhang Jun and Han Shizhong who are right here before us... Not a single one is to be left out! And after they receive the decree, they are to post it as a public notice so that all under Heaven may know!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assembled officials listened gravely, knowing this was no ordinary edict but likely a formal imperial rescript, which would also be issued as a proclamation to be made known to all under Heaven. Moreover, since the matter had indeed been indicated by the Son of Heaven and decided by the Two Administrations, naturally no one had anything further to say. So, from Academician Lin on down, along with several Secretaries of the Secretariat, they took seats directly under the wooden awning nearby. Then Academician Lin roughly quoted His Majesty's earlier words about 'people and land,' and because His Majesty had explicitly stated that the great seal was to be used, he chose the highest grade of rescript format and composed a brief, concise text in one go. Then everyone copied it together, preparing to let it dry before distribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a flurry of activity, with the sun having shifted considerably further westward, the work was finally completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before these people could rest even a little, the unmoving Zhao Jiu, seated upright, continued to speak: \"Second, based on the Jingkang Incident and the loss of the Two Rivers, it is evident that the Jin are barbaric and cunning. Therefore, effective from the day this decree arrives, I hereby order that from myself downward, none of the civil and military officials under Heaven shall discuss peace negotiations with the Jin until both the Two Rivers are recovered and the Two Emperors are returned, or until the Jin themselves sue for peace. Anyone who violates this shall be dismissed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Grand Councilors, Lü Haowen and Wang Boyan, felt their heads buzzing, instinctively sensing this was inappropriate. Wang Yuan was also momentarily startled. However, behind them, the Imperial Censor-in-Chief Zhang Jun and the Secretariat Drafter Hu Yin, who was still holding his brush under the wooden awning, were overjoyed and spoke out almost in unison:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject seconds the motion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course they seconded it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Academician Lin, brush in hand, stole a somewhat envious glance at these two men, who were much younger than himself. Having been here for many days, who didn't know that the Jin were cunning and barbaric, that peace was not to be discussed, and that the arguments about recovering the Two Rivers and welcoming back the Two Emperors were the fundamental political platform of these two men, and of Zhao Ding, who was even luckier than Academician Lin and had vaulted over several seniority thresholds to become the Prefect of Shouzhou?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For His Majesty to say this today was not so much him leaving himself no way out, but rather adopting the political program of this most radical war faction in the court. It was practically giving these three men a talisman of protection... Of course they would second it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let it be as Your Majesty says.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject also seconds the motion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhao Jiu's gaze swept over the uneasy Wang Boyan and Wang Yuan, the two dared not delay and almost hurriedly expressed their agreement!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Academician Lin shook his head inwardly even more. He had forgotten that these two were former advocates of peace. Just to prove their own innocence, these two had to support His Majesty... Otherwise? Where was Liu Guangshi's head? Where was the head of Remonstrance Official Song Qiyu? And where was Chen Dong's head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The state had perished. Did they truly think this was still the old days when scholar-officials and high-ranking officials were not to be killed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let it be as Your Majesty wishes!\" Lü Haowen felt as if even breathing had become difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject also seconds the motion!\" Academician Lin came to his senses, secretly scolding himself for daydreaming again, and quickly spoke out from under the awning before His Majesty could look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Draft the edict as before... Distribute it to all the key civil and military ministers along the routes as before.\" Zhao Jiu said calmly. \"Let all the civil and military officials and scholars under Heaven know of this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Academician Lin understood in his heart that although this was also an edict to be proclaimed to all under Heaven, it did not necessarily need to use the rescript format. Instead, it should use a grand imperial decree to inform the officialdom of certain matters within the system—a rare thing seen only once in several years... He had just become a Hanlin Academician, and to be issuing so many grand decrees and rescripts in succession, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of pride even as his brush flew across the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another round of hard work goes without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, third...\" Zhao Jiu had been sitting idly for a long time. As the group of close ministers under the awning had just finished their latest round of labor, he paused only slightly before continuing. \"Since we have resolved to resist the Jin, we should do our utmost to unite any available people and any available strength. Therefore, effective immediately, restore the former policies of Grand Councilor Li. All righteous armies resisting the Jin are to be incorporated into the official military establishment... On both sides of the Yellow River, across the more than ten circuits of Hedong, Hebei, Jingdong, Jingxi, Huainan, and Guanxi, they may seek out local government offices to be settled and request official commissions; for the righteous armies of the Two Rivers, in the lands of Hebei and Hedong where it is truly difficult to contact the authorities, they are permitted to temporarily occupy military prefectures on their own authority and handle military and civil administration... In a word, when the state faces peril, all matters must prioritize resisting the Jin. Anyone who resists the Jin, I recognize! This document, too, is to be sent to all key officials along the routes as before!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, no one immediately seconded the motion, but no one explicitly opposed it either. After a rare, serious discussion, it was passed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, this was an old topic... Back during the Jingkang Incident, when the Imperial Army was completely lost, some people openly proposed establishing military governorates in Hebei. Later, when Zhao the Ninth established the Grand Marshal's Office in Hebei, he basically survived by gathering scattered troops and militia. Later still, when Zhao the Ninth ascended the throne and Li Gang was in power, they appointed Zong Ze as Defender of the Eastern Capital and Du Chong as Defender of Great Ming Prefecture, and established the Military Commissioner for Hedong and Hebei. This was essentially the same approach of recruiting the righteous armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the state was gone. Hebei and Hedong were effectively lost, and it was unknown how many years it would take to recover them. At this time, throwing out cost-free, empty titles might just be able to bind real armies, manpower, and material resources. From a practical standpoint, it was a sure profit with no loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why were most of these policies later abandoned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was simple: because this policy had a huge source of resistance—the Great Song Emperor himself! For the previous Emperor, Zhao the Ninth, he feared these militias as much as he feared the Jin. This was the natural mindset of a feudal emperor who had hastily obtained the throne and was terrified of losing his seat beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for this matter, Zhao Jiu hadn't understood it at first. During the earlier escape, he also hadn't understood why many ministers were so reticent about this matter. But later, after Zhao Jiu had thought about it more, and after he had been in the role of the Emperor for longer, and had gained more channels of control, he finally had a sudden realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, these measures should have been left for Li Gang to implement after things had settled down. But Jin Wushu's letter today had given Zhao Jiu many ideas, stimulating him so much that he could no longer wait or endure... While lying on the bed in the imperial tent during the day, he had figured it out. Right now, Jin Wushu was on the opposite bank. What did the world of Zhao Song have to do with him? What did it matter to him if feudal lords carved up Hebei in the future?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Bagongshan-Grand Council Hall, the assembled key officials of the Great Song discussed the matter and passed this further measure to steadfastly resist the Jin. It was then prepared in the form of an imperial letter... After this round of hard work, the sun sank further westward. Nearby, under the direction of the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace Service, Lan Gui, palace attendants had already come forward to light and replace the braziers. At this point, almost everyone thought they could get through the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that at this very moment, the Zhao Jiu, who had been sitting motionless and claiming to be unfamiliar with official systems, would speak again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth, promote Li Gang, Silver-Green Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Academician of the Hall of Observance, Left Chancellor of the Department of State Affairs with the concurrent title of Participant in Determining Governmental Matters of the Secretariat-Chancellery, Military Commissioner, and Vice Director of the Chancellery, to be Grand Councilor for Major Military and State Affairs, with overall charge of the Three Departments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assembled officials looked at each other, some confused, some with a glimmer of understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Gang's promotion from Left Chancellor to 'Duke Chancellor' didn't seem like a big deal... It must be known that Li Gang had originally been the Left Chancellor, second only to the Emperor before Zhao Jiu. The other Grand Councilors couldn't compare to him; he was effectively the chief administrator. Now, as Duke Chancellor, he was theoretically promoted by one rank, but in reality, he was still in that position of being second only to the Emperor, and he could still be dismissed or appointed at the Emperor's will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only possible explanation was that this place, Bagongshan, was on the front line and somewhat dangerous. To guard against any eventuality, they were first giving Li Gang a title. But thinking this way inevitably made one somewhat anxious... One could only say that His Majesty's determination, or rather stubbornness, in holding his ground here by the Huai River was truly beyond help!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth, I have had a thought in my heart for a long time. You all should have noticed it long ago. Today, I might as well make it known to all under Heaven!\" Zhao Jiu, of course, knew what these people were thinking, but he spoke slowly. \"This battle at Shouzhou, I am still determined to fight it for... In a word, unless the Jin retreat first, I will not leave Bagongshan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was subtly connected to the decree making Li Gang the Duke Chancellor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haowen and the others almost sighed in unison in their hearts, but for a moment, no one spoke... In fact, as Zhao Jiu himself had said, His Majesty's intent had long been revealed through his actions, known to all passersby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But knowing was one thing. To say it so openly, and to use the appointment of Li Gang as Duke Chancellor as a way to express his resolve, if they were truly defeated and had to flee again, it would be a tremendous loss of face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what you are thinking,\" as dusk fell, while the civil and military officials of the temporary court felt powerless, under the flickering light of the braziers, Zhao Jiu's expression suddenly became animated, and he smiled for the first time that day. \"And if I truly cannot hold out, I will never flee, nor will I surrender and suffer the humiliation of the Two Emperors! Zhengfu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject is here!\" Yang Yizhong shuddered and quickly bowed at his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You and I have had a lord-minister relationship. At that time, I won't speak of loyalty or disloyalty. But if there is any bond of affection between us, you should finish me off.\" Zhao Jiu spoke as if he were making small talk, so much so that many ministers hadn't had time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Yang Yizhong, with his keen ears and sharp eyes, he naturally heard clearly. He was dumbfounded, his mind going completely blank, unable to utter a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhao Jiu glanced at the stunned people before him, a smile on his face and in his heart. He spoke faster and faster, finally revealing without reservation the self-destructive and extremely selfish hidden mentality he had when launching this campaign:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At that time, if I truly die on this Bagongshan, I ask Grand Councilor Li to support the Imperial Heir in Yangzhou to succeed the throne, and to work with Administrator Xu and Privy Councilor Zhang to assist the Empress Dowager (Empress Dowager Meng) in regency. If the Imperial Heir is young and matters turn inauspicious in the future, then ask the Empress Dowager to seek another Imperial Clan member who has crossed south to continue establishing a ruler and governing. If the people's hearts truly cannot be won over, then I have only this one sentence: The Song may perish, but the realm must not perish! Should any hero be able to restore the mountains and rivers and save the myriad people, they should naturally take the mountains and rivers for their own use and become the master of the myriad people! This is my true dying testament, and it can also be considered a self-accusatory edict! If the Two Administrations discuss and permit it, then make it known to all under Heaven; if the Two Administrations discuss and do not permit it, then I will directly issue an imperial order to the civil and military officials of the temporary court and the ministers in the Southeast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject seconds the motion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Academician Lin, who had been earnestly pondering His Majesty's 'fourth and fifth' arguments under the thatched awning, after deep consideration and seeing that no one had taken the lead in expressing an opinion, could not help but be the first to jump out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Good night.\u003C\u002Fp>",2575,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","d1bf299b4dc202e80ac0fc1338bebb99ddd7e98af43e97989bb92a9f43ddb869","shao-song-chapter-46","shao-song-chapter-44",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]