[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-55":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},1558221,2024,"Chapter 55: Acting as Guarantor (4,200 characters combined)","shao-song-chapter-55",55,"\u003Cp>\"Everyone seems to be in high spirits!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the wooden awning before the imperial tent on the northern slope of Bagong Mountain, Zhao Jiu, surrounded by Privy Councilor Wang Boyan, Imperial Guard Commander-in-Chief Wang Yuan, and several Secretariat Drafter, was receiving two officials when he heard hurried footsteps behind him and the unmistakable smell of alcohol that couldn't be avoided. He shook his head and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have been improper, Your Majesty. Please forgive us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin and the others, who had been badly frightened by the commotion filling the mountains and rivers, now saw that the Zhao Emperor had not taken the field himself and was so composed. They instantly went limp, and with the support of Zhang Jun and others behind them, they barely managed to beg forgiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the big deal?\" Zhao Jiu finally turned around, still unconcerned. \"After days of anxiety, with reinforcements arriving today, cutting off the pressure from the Jin troops on the north bank, plus a small victory, and old colleagues reuniting—a little drink is only natural.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin and the others, having drunk, were dizzy and couldn't tell whether the Emperor was being sarcastic because he was in a bad mood or genuinely magnanimous. So they could only beg forgiveness collectively again, then prepared to push Minister Lü and Censor-in-Chief Zhang forward to ask about the military situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before these people could speak, Zhao Jiu calmly stepped aside, pointed to the two men behind him, and said, \"Censor Ma has returned from inspecting Jinghu and has urgent matters to report. Director Zhang has also just returned, and I want to hear what he has to say. You've come at just the right time—listen along.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin and the others were confused, but when they caught a glimpse of the two elderly officials standing behind the Emperor, both with long beards, illuminated by the firelight, almost all of them broke out in a cold sweat. It turned out that the so-called Censor Ma was none other than Ma Shen, the Palace Censor who had been sent to inspect Jinghu long ago; and the so-called Director Zhang was none other than Zhang Suo, the former Pacification Commissioner of Hexi Circuit, who had risen and fallen with Li Gang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for this Censor Ma: first, he had the highest seniority among all the censors in the temporary court; second, he was a senior figure in Lü Haoqin's own school of Dao learning (a direct disciple of Cheng Yi, he had abandoned his official post to become a disciple when the court banned Cheng's teachings); third, he was highly regarded by Minister Li Gang, and had close ties with former Censor-in-Chief and current Vice Grand Councilor Xu Jingheng, as well as with Privy Councilor and Eastern Capital Defender Zong Ze; finally, just from his connections, one could guess—he had been a staunch war advocate long before Zhang Jun jumped into the fray!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, if it weren't for that, this Censor Ma wouldn't have been sent away to Jinghu by the previous temporary court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Zhang Suo, there was even less need to say—he was practically Li Gang's right-hand man. Though he lacked the rock-solid credentials of Deputy Marshal Zong Ze, he was fully capable of leading troops or serving as a minister. He had also been demoted earlier, and was only recalled while passing through the Jinghu region, just now arriving in time to reach Bagong Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, although these two men, due to their Jinghu mission and demotion, had had no involvement with the temporary court and had missed all the messy affairs, their status, position, seniority, and reputation were beyond question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, Ma Shen could replace Zhang Jun at any time, and Zhang Suo could strip Minister Lü of his last shred of dignity at any moment. So how could Lü Haoqin, Zhang Jun, and the others not be afraid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back to the present, Zhang Suo, at least, still bowed to Lü Haoqin and exchanged greetings. But Ma Shen cast a somewhat disgusted glance at this group of drunkards before continuing his stern report:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, before I arrived, the rebellion in the Xiangyang and Nanyang area had been pacified. As for the rebel leader Li Xiaozhong, he is not the same Li Xiaozhong who impeached Minister Li for incompetence in military affairs during the Jingkang era and was wanted. That man changed his name to Li Yanxian to avoid capture, re-enlisted in the Hedong army, and is now fighting the Jin around Shanzhou with considerable success. I'm not sure if the temporary court has received word of this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eastern Capital Defender Zong Ze sent a memorial as early as last October, and I have already pardoned him. A few days ago, I also issued an edict that anyone who fights the Jin with dedication may recruit and settle troops locally. I imagine Defender Zong will have made arrangements.\" The noise from the mountain grew louder, but Zhao Jiu remained impassive, continuing to converse with Ma Shen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin and the others, hearing the commotion up and down the mountain, and with the alcohol surging, felt as if they were in a dream, but dared not speak easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Ma Shen paused briefly before continuing his report to the Zhao Emperor. \"Therefore, that Li Xiaozhong in the Xiangyang and Nanyang area was merely a straggler from the Jingkang era. He knew of Li Xiaozhong's reputation but didn't know that Li Xiaozhong had changed his name after being wanted, assuming he was dead. So he assumed the name, and the two brothers—one calling himself Li Xiaozhong, the other Li Xiaoyi—used the alias to lead a band of stragglers in rebellion in Jinghu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, Ma Shen's expression grew stern: \"Your Majesty, I impeach the former Xiangyang Defender, now Hubei Transport Commissioner Huang Shu'ao, for fleeing without a fight, abandoning a famous city to rebels, causing the rebellion to drag on for months! Afterwards, he falsified military reports to deceive the central government!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dismiss him!\" Zhao Jiu nodded in agreement. \"Continue... Have the rebel forces of this Li Xiaozhong been dealt with? Has Xiangyang been recovered?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The rebel forces have naturally been dealt with,\" Ma Shen replied solemnly. \"They were mere rabble, without any discipline. After a few battles, they lost their strength and were easily driven off by Imperial Guard Co-Commander-in-Chief Fan Qiong. They have now fled to Jingnan... However, I do not believe Xiangyang can be called 'recovered'!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it Fan Qiong?\" Zhao Jiu was no longer as ignorant as when he first arrived, and he sighed softly. \"Because I killed Liu Guangshi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not just Liu Guangshi...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Shen was about to respond, but before he could finish, a fire suddenly broke out at the water fortress at the western end of the Bagong Mountain passage, followed by a deafening uproar. It must be noted that the Zhao Emperor's tent was on the northern slope near the Huai River. Although there was no direct path to the water fortress, the straight-line distance was very close. So when the fire started, it lit up half the mountain slope red. Combined with the noise right next to them, even Lü Haoqin and the others, who had been dizzy before, were stunned, let alone Ma Shen and Zhang Suo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's nothing. Continue, Minister Ma.\" Zhao Jiu glanced back but urged him on. \"Will Fan Qiong definitely rebel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He may not rebel openly, but nine times out of ten, he will hoard his troops and refuse to follow orders.\" Ma Shen snapped back to attention, looking at the Zhao Emperor with a slightly different expression, and raised his voice. \"It's not just that you killed Liu Guangshi, Your Majesty. More importantly, you have just issued many edicts clearly defining the great cause of resisting the Jin... Fan Qiong, in the past in the Eastern Capital, was ordered by the Jin to force the Two Emperors out of the city, kill righteous people who resisted the Jin, and support Zhang Bangchang. He is well aware of his own crimes. When he gets word, how can he not be afraid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, was I too hasty?\" Zhao Jiu sighed softly, then turned and sat down on his worn-out chair. \"Everyone, please sit as well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd thanked him vaguely, and Ma Shen continued his report from his seat: \"Your Majesty, I believe that the many edicts you have issued, though there may be minor points for debate, ultimately serve to clarify the great principles. In this time of turmoil, such actions, even with flaws, outweigh the defects... If Fan Qiong truly rebels, he will only be bringing disaster upon himself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu nodded repeatedly: \"We must be clear about who is the enemy and who is our ally... When I first issued those edicts, I was a bit anxious. But after today, I have no regrets!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Shen quickly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Ma Shen and Zhang Suo each reported more information about the Jinghu region, but most of it was within Zhao Jiu's expectations—nothing more than a world in chaos, with soldiers and bandits rising everywhere. The only piece of information that piqued Zhao Jiu's interest was Zhang Suo's mention of Zhong Xiang, the \"Heavenly Saint\" of Dongting Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Zhang Suo, Zhong Xiang had not yet formally raised an army, and had even sent a 200-man relief force during the Jingkang era. But in reality, Zhong Xiang had long ago organized village militias and established an army around Dongting Lake, effectively controlling it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Zhong Xiang had become even more brazen, simultaneously spreading slogans about equalizing wealth and rumors that he should become the King of Chu... In Zhang Suo's words, this man's ambition had already been unleashed, and the counties around Dongting Lake had effectively fallen out of control. It was unlikely that pacification measures could bring him back into the fold. There would be more chaos in Jinghu in the future!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly summarizing the myriad problems across the land, Zhao Jiu was about to make some responses when suddenly, a tremendous commotion erupted on the opposite bank of the Huai River. The Jin army, for some unknown reason, had launched a full-scale night assault, attacking Xiacaicheng from both the northeast and northwest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking out, the land north and south of the river was covered in flames, illuminating the Huai River, Bagong Mountain, Xiacaicheng, and the Jin army camp as bright as day. Listening closely, from all directions—east, west, north, south—came the sounds of battle cries and clashing armor... The sheer scale of this was far more spectacular than the battle during the day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this uproar, few people before the imperial tent on the mountain could remain calm. Even Zhang Suo and Ma Shen stopped their reports. Lü Haoqin, Zhang Jun, and the others, who had already been scared sober, could no longer bear it and rose to observe the situation... But after observing for a long time, they couldn't make out the details and had to turn back to ask others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interestingly, Zhang Deyuan, who was first to act, turned around but didn't dare to ask the Zhao Emperor, who sat motionless. Instead, he pointed at the equally panicked and confused Imperial Guard Commander-in-Chief Wang Yuan and demanded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Commander Wang, you are the Imperial Guard Commander-in-Chief. What is the situation now? Report quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuan was speechless. If he knew, would he be standing here idle? He could only spread his hands helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin, suddenly realizing, quickly turned to Privy Councilor Wang Boyan and asked: \"Councilor Wang, you are the only Privy Councilor in the temporary court. What is happening now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Boyan maintained the dignity of a Great Song high official, merely shaking his head slightly before continuing to look around... Who knew if he would be replaced by Zhang Suo the next moment? And given the current situation, combined with the Emperor's demeanor, there was clearly something else going on. Why would he want to be a stepping stone for Lü Haoqin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\" Lü Haoqin finally had no choice but to ask the person he should have asked in the first place. \"What is going on? Why did the water fortress to the west catch fire? Why was it said earlier that Jin troops were coming? What is happening on the opposite bank? Why has fighting suddenly broken out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minister Lü, calm down,\" Zhao Jiu finally spoke slowly. \"According to Han Liangchen, both sides are just fishing. The current situation is not unexpected. Just wait a moment...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, do not jest!\" Given the current situation, even Lü Haoqin, who was reluctant to stir up trouble, was finally driven to desperation. \"With such chaos, how can we just wait? Given our troops' fear of battle, if something goes wrong and the camp mutinies, what then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this: \"If all commanders above the battalion level know what's going on, and the camp still mutinies, then when that Jin army really comes to attack, how could it not mutiny?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there really a Jin army?\" Lü Haoqin was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There should be.\" Zhao Jiu, seated in his chair, touched his golden belt, his expression calm and frank. \"The Jin military tactics all come from hunting. They are accustomed to dividing their forces into left and right wings. Since there was a thousand-man crossing to the east, there might well be a *meng'an* that has crossed to the west. Therefore, before Han Liangchen even came ashore, he sent a military report about this, warning me to be careful. After he landed, I asked him about it again, and he proposed a night ambush strategy, which I approved... Judging from the commotion on the opposite bank, Han Liangchen's guess should be correct. The Jin army must have sent a detachment! Otherwise, they wouldn't have launched an immediate assault upon seeing the disturbance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is utterly absurd!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lü Haoqin was dumbfounded, at a loss for words. But just then, Ma Shen, the Palace Censor who had been calm all along, suddenly spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is absurd?\" Zhao Jiu frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not saying that Your Majesty should not implement this strategy,\" Ma Shen stood up from his seat and faced him squarely. \"After all, the nation is in turmoil, and we are at war. Your Majesty is both the Son of Heaven and the Marshal. On the front lines, any strategy can be employed... However, Your Majesty should not have bypassed the ministers of the two governments and acted solely on Han Shizhong's word! Han Shizhong is but a military man; he cannot bear this responsibility!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Jiu looked at Ma Shen, then at the silent Zhang Suo, and couldn't help but laugh softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why does Your Majesty laugh?\" In the blazing firelight, Ma Shen's expression was stern, his beard trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am laughing because today I have found a talent worthy of entrusting with important tasks,\" Zhao Jiu continued with a light smile. \"Just now, we spoke of how Jinghu will inevitably continue to be in chaos, and how the former Xiangyang Defender and Hubei Transport Commissioner Huang Shu'ao was incompetent... I was just thinking about who could go to Hubei to straighten things out for me and hold the line behind Xiangyang against Fan Qiong. Now it seems that Censor Ma, who fears no tyranny and understands the rules, is just the man for the job! So, Minister Ma, would you be willing to make another trip to Hubei for me, as Transport Commissioner and... how about Pacification Commissioner? I don't ask you to control Fan Qiong or Zhong Xiang, but at least to temporarily stabilize the region and prevent major chaos there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Shen was stunned halfway through the Emperor's words. A Pacification Commissioner of an entire circuit! And as for chaos, where wasn't there chaos now? Li Gang had just recovered from illness in Yangzhou and immediately dealt with the military rebellion in Hangzhou in Jiangnan. And even so, it was still safer than the front lines of the resistance against the Jin, wasn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this appointment was clearly a promotion beyond his rank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Hubei truly needed a qualified civil official to stabilize the situation. It was a place where one could actually do work, not a deliberate exile!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, even though Ma Shen had been so tough just moments ago, he now bowed his head in gratitude: \"I am willing to share Your Majesty's burdens and pacify Hubei!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good!\" Zhao Jiu nodded with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However,\" Ma Shen thanked Zhao Jiu for his grace, but felt something was off, so he quickly brought up the previous matter again. \"Before I assumed this post, I was still a Palace Censor, with no restrictions on what I could say. And in my view, Han Shizhong's action is highly improper—not only did he bypass the two central administrations to privately urge His Majesty to implement this plan, but there is also the suspicion of abandoning our allied forces in Xiacaicheng on the opposite bank of the river...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, Censor-in-Chief Zhang Jun, am willing to vouch for Han Shizhong!\" Suddenly, a man stepped forward, reeking of alcohol. \"The battle is fierce, the situation arose suddenly, so emergency authority was exercised. Moreover, I believe this battle will surely end in a great victory. How can there be any reason to hound a meritorious officer in the midst of combat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Shen was immediately left speechless, and Zhao Jiu also looked with interest at Zhang Jun, who had suddenly emerged. The sounds of shouting and killing in the distance remained intense, yet beneath the wooden awning in front of the imperial tent, an eerie calm had settled in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I, I am also willing to vouch for Han Shizhong!\" After an unknown interval, another man hastily stepped forward, breaking the silence. It was none other than Lin Jingmo, an Academician of the Jade Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao sovereign's gaze swept over everyone present, then he suddenly laughed again... And, for some reason, after that bout of weeping in the evening, though he had been indignant for a time, now that he had recovered, he found everyone before him to be genuinely and endearingly real.\u003C\u002Fp>",3047,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","425546e75a1d9d70c56de0fac89da02350400792c21baf97b0f7fd4d1a0f3bcd","shao-song-chapter-56","shao-song-chapter-54",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]