Chapter 69: Discussion (Part 2)

Just as Zhao Jiu's mind drifted off to who knows where, the political elites of the Great Song, gathered in the wooden shed before the imperial tent, which was lit up as bright as day, had already seen through Wang Boyan's intentions!

Among them, Academician Lin saw it most clearly—the key lay in Zhang Suo, the Direct Academician of the Dragon Diagram Hall, along with Xin Daozong and Xin Xingzong, who had recently returned from the southeast, and Lin Qi, the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Personnel. The arrival of these men, while further bloating the temporary court, had also placed Wang Boyan and his greatest ally, Wang Yuan, in a delicate position.

Zhang Suo needed no explanation; whenever His Majesty required, he could replace Wang Boyan at any time. Xin Daozong and Xin Xingzong (the one who had stolen Han Shizhong's credit) came from a military family of the Western Army, with four brothers and six or seven cousins, wielding considerable influence. Moreover, having recently suppressed the Hangzhou military rebellion in the southeast under Li Gang's command, they had somewhat latched onto a powerful patron, thus subtly threatening to replace Wang Yuan.

As for Lin Qi, his name was actually Lin Qi, but there was no helping it—Academician Lin's late father shared the same name, so he could only mentally add a taboo character... Anyway, regardless, this newly arrived power-holder in the Ministry of Personnel was fundamentally Li Gang's confidant, even his personal man. Like Zhang Suo, he was a symbol of Li Xianggong's influence wielded from afar.

Under these circumstances, was it not only natural for Wang Boyan and Wang Yuan to be vigilant and rally, striving to expand their influence, attempting to win over former colleagues from the old Grand Marshal's Office like Yang Weizhong as external allies, while simultaneously preventing Yang Weizhong from returning to the imperial presence and dividing Wang Yuan's authority, all to avoid political death?

But then, His Majesty's persistent lack of response—could it be that he disagreed? It couldn't possibly be that he was spacing out at such a critical moment, could it?

Could it be that His Majesty intended to appoint Zhang Suo as the Nanjing Commissioner? Or perhaps the Jingdong Pacification Commissioner? After all, it was an open secret at the temporary court that His Majesty was exceptionally lenient toward Zong Ze, the Tokyo Commissioner and Grand Councilor. So, if another military commander were to be placed in Nanjing, shouldn't that person have lower seniority? And wouldn't it be best if he had a history of good cooperation with Zong Ze?

Wouldn't that be Zhang Suo?

No wonder Zhang Suo had spent these days merely gathering local militias and training troops in Shouchun, without being given any proper official assignment!

With this thought, Academician Lin couldn't help but habitually disdain Lu Haowen, Lord Lu. Since Li Xianggong was about to strike down Lord Wang from afar, and Lord Wang was in his death throes, regardless of anything else, shouldn't you, as a lord of the Eastern Administration, take advantage of your position at the temporary court to show some presence?

Whether it was helping to strike down Wang Boyan and seizing the chance to promote your own people, or, feeling that when lips are gone the teeth get cold, secretly lending a hand to Lord Wang, shouldn't you do something?

How could you just stand there playing dead? Is that any way for a lord of the Great Song to behave?

"Your subject believes it is unnecessary!"

Just then, Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief, suddenly stepped forward. "Your subject presumes to speak. Grand Commandant Yang Weizhong is mature and prudent; he should rightly return to the imperial presence to oversee the affairs of the Palace Command... As for the Nanjing direction, if a military commander is to be appointed, why not let Zhang Suo, Lord Zhang of the Dragon Diagram Hall, fill the post? Lord Zhang has much experience in warfare, previously worked smoothly with Commissioner Zong on matters in Hebei, and moreover, Yue Fei, the Controller-in-Chief of the Tokyo Commissioner's Office who has rendered great service this time, was originally promoted by Lord Zhang. If Lord Zhang goes to Nanjing, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds!"

Zhao Jiu's heart stirred slightly, for this was exactly what he had envisioned earlier. Moreover, the information regarding Yue Fei was what he valued most, and the relationship between Zhang Suo and Yue Fei was precisely the real reason he had kept Zhang Suo behind to train troops in Shouchun, holding back without deploying him... So, whether the other party had stumbled upon it by accident or through a chain of circumstances, as long as they hit upon his thoughts, it was fine.

"That is the reasoning. Let it be so." Zhao Jiu paused briefly, then immediately agreed, but shifted the topic. "Actually, whether it's Yang Weizhong returning to the imperial presence or Zhang Suo going out to Nanjing, these are matters for after this battle. We must first wait for Jin Wushu to withdraw his troops... How should Yue Fei, Zhang Rong, and Fu Xuan, these three generals, be rewarded?"

The assembled officials at the temporary court were each taken aback. To be honest, they hadn't considered such a low level.

Among them, Yue Fei, though holding the highest rank, was a Controller-in-Chief of the Tokyo Commissioner's Office, a miscellaneous unit promoted by Zong Ze. This was not on the same level as a Controller-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp. It was like the gap between the old Auxiliary Army and the Imperial Army. Was a Controller-in-Chief promoted in a flurry over three months the same as one like Han Shizhong, who had been promoted over twenty years?

As for Zhang Rong, a bandit Controller-in-Chief... that was even more awkward! He wasn't even as presentable as Fu Xuan, a commander of the Eight-Character Army who had been granted amnesty!

Of course, since His Majesty had brought it up, it could naturally be discussed specially before the throne.

"Yue Fei is currently a Military Meritorious Gentleman (35th rank, sub-grade 7). He can be promoted five grades by skipping ranks, to a Military Ritual Grand Master, to show favor and honor," Wang Boyan, the lord of the Western Administration, offered a reasonable reward after a pause. "As for the rest... within three months, he went from a death-row prisoner to a Controller-in-Chief, which is already the ultimate in favor and honor. It would be truly difficult to promote him further in terms of official appointment, otherwise he might become arrogant due to favor. Your subject believes that increasing rewards in wealth and hereditary privileges will suffice. As for Fu Xuan, he can be promoted one grade, given the title of Controller-in-Chief, and made Yue Fei's deputy. As for Zhang Rong, give him ample commendation and simply recognize his makeshift Controller-in-Chief title!"

Zhao Jiu was momentarily speechless. Having been in this position for a while, he was no longer a novice. When Zhang Yongzhen was posthumously awarded the rank of full-grade 7, he had felt it was unfair. But only later did he learn that Zhang Suo's famous title of Direct Academician of the Dragon Diagram Hall was merely a 7th-grade rank. And Yang Yizhong's proud title of Palace Attendant was nothing but a sub-grade 8!

In short, this was a problem of the Song dynasty's distorted official system. The ranks of capital officials were inherently low, having nothing to do with civil or military status. And to leap five grades in the most difficult-to-traverse "rampant" tier, Yue Fei himself would probably have nothing to say against it.

Otherwise, what? Was he to be granted a military commandery based on this one battle?

A twenty-six-year-old Grand Commandant? What a joke?!

But then again, wasn't this Yue Fei? Wasn't this the very person Zhao Jiu had just been reflecting on his own jealousy towards?

So, he absolutely could not accept this outcome.

His Majesty fell silent again... Poor officials below had to start guessing His Majesty's intentions once more.

Of course, Academician Lin was always the quickest to react and the most thorough in his thinking:

First, His Majesty was certainly dissatisfied, definitely wanting to give one of these three men a higher status;

Second, Fu Xuan could be ruled out. Compared to the other two, Fu Xuan was not representative. Yue Fei, with his connections to Zong Ze and Zhang Suo, was after all a regular army officer, while Zhang Rong was a mere bandit. His merit could perfectly demonstrate His Majesty's previous wisdom in calling for resistance...

With this thought, Academician Lin almost learned from past lessons and stepped forward on his own initiative.

However, just then, having already made some progress, he instinctively looked toward Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief, and was slightly startled again, because Zhang Jun showed no intention of moving at all.

Why was that?

After pondering for a moment, Academician Lin suddenly realized—it wasn't that Zhang Deyuan didn't want to come out and cater to His Majesty, but that he had already protected Han Shizhong that day, clearly establishing an internal-external support relationship with that military man. He couldn't then also support a Yue Fei! Otherwise, wouldn't it make people suspicious of his motives?

Thinking of this, Academician Lin then thought of Zhao Ding. This hastily promoted Prefect of Shouzhou was subtly showing signs of standing up to his former close friend, Censor-in-Chief Zhang, relying on having seized upon another capable military man, Zhang Jun, Grand Commandant Zhang, during the chaos of war. They had mutually benefited... In any case, during wartime, to gain a foothold before His Majesty, one must connect with a military man as an external ally. This was a golden opportunity!

With this thought, Academician Lin was about to step forward. However, just as he took a step, before he could speak, he heard someone beside him speak up in response:

"Your Majesty, your subject, Hu Yin, Secretariat Drafter, believes that Yue Fei is a man who dares to fight and is reliable, not an ordinary soldier. He has rendered extraordinary merit this time. Why not promote him slightly to observe his future performance?"

"How should he be promoted?" Zhao Jiu's spirits visibly lifted, so obviously that everyone could see that Hu Mingzhong's words had hit the mark of His Majesty's thoughts.

"The lands of Jizhou and Guangji Army, bordering the great marsh of Mount Shuipo Liang on the left and the remaining veins of Mount Tai on the right, are truly a strategic thoroughfare to the north. Having suffered the ravages of war this time, their officials are all gone. Moreover, once Jin Wushu withdraws his army, we must worry whether he might retake these two commanderies, use them as a rear base, and invade again." Hu Yin spoke slowly. "Therefore, why not add the title of Pacification Commissioner of these two commanderies to Controller-in-Chief Yue, with Fu Xuan as his deputy, allowing him to securely guard the two commanderies? This would also ensure the situation is under control before Lord Zhang of the Dragon Diagram Hall heads north. As for the title of Pacification Commissioner, your subject proposes it as a smaller-scale version of the Pacification Commissioner. Not only for Controller-in-Chief Yue, but also for other volunteer armies elsewhere that have grown strong, this title could be similarly established."

Zhao Jiu's heart stirred slightly, but he hesitated for a moment.

After all, according to his original intention, he still wanted to meet Yue Fei in person. But Hu Yin's arrangement not only suited his wishes perfectly but also made sense—Jin Wushu had not yet retreated. Prioritizing the war effort and having Yue Fei block the strategic thoroughfare of Jizhou would pose a real threat to Jin Wushu, forcing him to truly withdraw!

As for Yue Fei, since he had already reached this level and obtained this position and appointment, meeting him in the future would always be easy.

And so, after hesitating for only a moment, Zhao Jiu nodded slightly, ultimately granting Hu Yin's suggestion.

The surrounding officials weren't without thoughts of criticizing or advising against this kind of Pacification Commissioner, but given the premise of the occupied northern territories and His Majesty's attitude, no one could say anything... At this point in the war, it was clear His Majesty had won his gamble. Young and aggressive, holding military power, and with his own small faction of supporters, who dared to offend His Majesty, aside from Li Gang and Zong Ze?

In summary, Yue Fei's title as Pacification Commissioner of Guangji and Jizhou Commanderies was settled.

"Does Academician Lin have anything to say?" After finishing his exchange with Hu Yin, Zhao Jiu casually addressed Lin Jingmo, the Jade Hall Academician standing beside Hu Yin.

"Your subject..." Academician Lin paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "Your subject believes that Zhang Rong of Mount Shuipo Liang was the true hero of this battle. Men like Yang Weizhong and Yue Fei were merely his support! Although Zhang Rong was a bandit, he should be heavily rewarded, to show the meaning of 'a thousand gold for a horse's bones'!"

Zhao Jiu was slightly startled, then nodded emphatically: "Lord Lin speaks well. Zhang Rong was the true main contributor to this battle and deserves a heavy reward! Following your advice, add him as Pacification Commissioner of Dongping Prefecture! Lord Lin has been thoughtful!"

Under the lamplight, Academician Lin forced a smile... Regardless, he had gained something this time. Zhang Rong was better than nothing.

PS: On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, slaughter chickens and rush to the big market... Today is suitable for slaughtering chickens, but not for rushing to the big market... Everyone, take care of your health! Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!