Chapter 53: Turmoil (Part 1)

Compared to the long time he had lingered in the mountain camp below, Zhao Jiu spent only the time it takes an incense stick to burn receiving the fleeing high officials from the two Jingdong circuits… of course, he also casually composed a poem, only he got the background of its creation wrong.

After leaving the small mountain stronghold, Zhao Jiu returned directly to the imperial tent, but did not rest immediately. Or rather, this night was destined to be one where many could not rest.

"Is His Majesty waiting for Han Shizhong?"

To be sure, after a series of events, Lu Xiang, Lu Haowen, had apparently given up trying to influence His Majesty, but that did not stop him, after calming those Jingdong officials, from returning to the wooden house beside the small stronghold to share a few cups with several of his old friends and acquaintances — first, to celebrate the day's small victory; second, to soothe the nerves of the various Jingdong dignitaries; and third, to chat about life, privately lamenting the current situation.

"It must be so."

Seated in the first seat to Lu Haowen's left was the young Censor-in-Chief, Zhang Jun. Although his official position was prominent, he had just humbly risen as a junior to personally pour wine for the several senior examination graduates present. Now he had just sat down, but he answered without hesitation. "I just asked Hu Mingzhong (Hu Yin), who said His Majesty left a message that the imperial tent kitchen should prepare things properly, and once Han Shizhong comes ashore, he is to be taken first to eat a hot meal, and then summoned to the tent."

"Such favor is truly rare." Lu Haowen sighed.

Of course it was rare!

The young Academician Lin, sitting in the corner, cried out in his heart, but Zhang Deyuan was mostly just showing off his standing before His Majesty in front of the newly arrived colleagues — otherwise, how could he know even the affairs of the imperial tent so clearly?! And you, Lu Xiang, with your words full of weakness, aren't you just pushing the colleagues who just arrived today into Zhang Deyuan's arms?

Where is the prestige of a dignified Grand Councilor?

"It seems His Majesty means what he says, and truly wants to change the rule of valuing the civil over the military…" After a pause, Lu Haowen finally shook his head, expressing a hint of dissatisfaction. "It's just a pity about Zhao Defu (Zhao Mingcheng). After this affair, I fear he will become a laughingstock known to all under heaven, yet he doesn't even dare to refute it. When I just called for him, he instead covered his face and fled. I wonder, when he returns to his room and sees Yi'an Jushi, what will he say?"

Hearing this, the seven or eight people present all shook their heads and sighed.

The young Academician Lin, sitting at the corner of the small table, also shook his head and sighed… To be sure, with a large number of dignitaries and their families from the two Jingdong circuits arriving at Bagongshan, other places might be fine, but this small mountain stronghold no longer held any secrets. What had just happened in the main hall of the stronghold had spread throughout the entire stronghold almost instantly, and even the young Academician Lin, who had just come up the mountain, knew it. And as civil officials, facing this topic, it seemed they could only unite in their indignation.

However…

"Lu Xiang."

Just as everyone was shaking their heads and sighing over the passage of events, one person in the gathering suddenly spoke seriously. It was none other than Liu Hongdao, the former Prefect of Qingzhou and the newly appointed Military Commissioner of Jiangnanxi, who was to depart early the next morning. "Zhao Defu's matter is indeed regrettable, but there is nothing improper about Han Shizhong. You must know, no matter how unruly that scoundrel Han Wu usually is, at this moment he is the true reliance of His Majesty and even the entire temporary court. His Majesty calling him his 'waist and gall' is truly fitting. Say nothing else, if not for him today, how could you and I be here calmly drinking? So, although His Majesty's actions tonight were slightly harsh, in the main, whether regarding Han Shizhong or Zhang Yongzhen, Hongdao believes there is nothing improper."

Lu Haowen had no choice but to raise his cup and take a small sip, also nodding reluctantly: "That is my meaning. Although His Majesty often makes impulsive moves and speaks impulsive words, a phrase like 'the nation is in ruins, war has not ceased,' followed by 'resisting the Jin is paramount,' can always shut the mouths of all under heaven."

What shut Liu Hongdao's mouth was not 'resisting the Jin is paramount'!

The young Academician Lin, suddenly realizing this, thought to himself, what shut Liu Hongdao's mouth was clearly that appointment as Military Commissioner of Jiangnanxi. In this time of war, that post was clearly a promotion, seeming even more valuable than his own position as Hanlin Academician… So, no matter how heretical His Majesty's words in the main hall of the stronghold had been, Liu Hongdao would defend them. Otherwise, how could he explain his Commissionership?

In fact, it wasn't just Liu Hongdao… The young Academician Lin extrapolated and continued thinking… With Han Shizhong's arrival today, cutting off Jin Wushu across the river, the imminent military threat was gone, and the chances of victory in this battle had increased. Then, who knows how many people would cast aside their previous hesitation and wholeheartedly support His Majesty — for example, Zhang Jun, Zhang Deyuan, who today seemed to be subtly replacing Lu Xiang as the leader of the civil officials here…

"If we look at it this way, Lu Xiang truly need not worry too much."

Sure enough, while the young Academician Lin was still lost in thought, Censor-in-Chief Zhang Jun also quickly smiled lightly and offered advice. "Please consider, Lu Xiang, we are at war now, so we must temporarily set aside the ancestral laws. In the future, when the world is at peace, the system will return, won't it? And at this time, do civil scholars truly have no place to use their talents? In my humble and shallow opinion, with an experience like yours, Lu Xiang, if the day comes when we recover the Two Rivers, in the annals of history, you might well stand shoulder to shoulder with Marquis Wu, occupying a few more paragraphs than the peace-time Grand Councilors of the past."

Lu Haowen shook his head even more: "Even if I could be a Marquis Wu, that would be for you and Li Xiang. I said before, you are all young, you can still accomplish things, but I am already old and decrepit. Once this battle is over and the nation can turn danger into safety, I will immediately request resignation."

Hearing this, everyone repeatedly tried to dissuade him, but in their hearts, they all sneered coldly.

In fact, at this moment, it wasn't just the young Academician Lin; almost everyone thought of one possibility… You must know, although this His Majesty was young, he had already shown his sharp edge. So, would such a His Majesty prefer a Grand Councilor like Li Gang, Li Xiang, or a Grand Councilor like you, Lu Haowen, Lu Xiang?

You must understand, you, Lu Xiang, have seniority, a distinguished family background, and your learning is famous throughout the land. Crucially, you also have a good temper. Although you are full of outdated ideas, at most you get drunk and pull on His Majesty's sleeve to spout some nonsense. You wouldn't dare say a single overly harsh word to his face. In the hundred-plus years of the Great Song Dynasty, where could one find such an obedient Grand Councilor?

Oh, that's not true either. There was Wang Gui, Wang Xiang, the 'Ultimate Treasure Pill' of Emperor Shenzong's reign, famous to this day as the 'Three-Edict Grand Councilor'!

But speaking of Emperor Shenzong's reign, the young Academician Lin suddenly recalled a previous rumor. It was said that back in Shunchang Prefecture (modern Fuyang), someone had submitted a memorial saying the nation's ruin and chaos were all because of Wang Anshi's reforms. This had rarely caused His Majesty to fly into a rage, to the point where he personally stepped in and thoroughly criticized the man. This showed that His Majesty, like Emperor Shenzong, also enjoyed stirring things up.

In short, your future, Lu Xiang, might be exceptionally bright! Otherwise, why would everyone come to warm themselves at the stove of a waste like you? Even Zhang Jun doesn't dare to easily break away and set up his own banner?

And so, the crowd bustled about for a while. When the noise outside indicated that Commander Han had come up the mountain, the banquet's topic finally shifted from these minor courtly matters to the war situation… And after a few cups of wine, everyone gradually relaxed, and had to admit that that scoundrel Commander Han Wu had truly saved all their lives!

Of course, they couldn't help but take the opportunity to sourly complain a bit more, grumbling that His Majesty had deliberately concealed military intelligence, saying things like, 'If we had known His Majesty had such preparations, why would we have been so anxious before?' and so on.