[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-7":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},1558173,2024,"Chapter 7","shao-song-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>Commissioner Kang and His Majesty Zhao Jiu both felt as if they had everything under control, unaware that their maneuvering was as lowly and laughable as sparrows pecking at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commissioner Kang secretly felt smug, believing that all these memorials had been carefully screened during the day, and that everyone mentioned in them was his own man, so recommending anyone would be fine. Yet he did not know that his every move and action had been fully reported to His Majesty Zhao Jiu by Yang Yizhong from the very start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for our His Majesty Zhao Jiu, despite his wise and mighty appearance, the real reason was not that he had a firm grasp of the situation, but that he had never placed any hope in these memorials from the beginning. His smugness came only from the lingering thrill of yesterday's victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, the fellow was still young. After holding back for many days, winning half a round once made his joy and anger show on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it even more simply, it was just the four words: \"elated and carried away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for the matter of the Lady and those palace women, it was merely a modern person with normal values, bursting with confidence, letting his humanistic mindset flare up opportunistically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the memorials of Lu Haowen and Zhang Jun, they were even more laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which, the reason our His Majesty Zhao Jiu noticed the memorials of these two men was, for the former, because the name sounded nice and his official rank was high (he had just resigned as Vice Minister of the Right and was a Grand Academician of the Zizheng Hall). Moreover, the mechanical memory of Zhao Jiu's body was still intact, allowing him to read the text. So he saw at a glance that the man's writing was excellent and his tone gentle, naturally catching his attention. As for the latter, it was because His Majesty Zhao Jiu's historical knowledge was rather poor, and he initially mistook this Censor for another famous figure of the era, Grand Commandant Zhang Jun of Zhang… except that Grand Commandant Zhang was already over forty, had long been the Commander of the Rear Army of the Imperial Camp, and enjoyed great renown in the military. Including Yang Yizhong, a full thirty percent of the Imperial Guard came from under this Grand Commandant Zhang's command, and he was still out on a bandit-suppression campaign and had not yet returned—His Majesty Zhao Jiu knew this. So after staring at it for a long time, how could he not realize he had mistaken the person and made a foolish error?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, no matter how foolish His Majesty Zhao Jiu was, he knew that since these memorials had been delivered before him, he could not expect the petitioners to hold any positive stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, everyone in the temporary court were genuine refugees from a fallen state, and the harsh conditions were an objective reality. Many were indeed disheartened and lacked the will to fight. Second, the earlier struggle in Nanjing had carried an undertone of purging the war faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, even if there were true war advocates, wouldn't they need time to dispel their doubts before daring to show themselves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless, in late August, as the weather cleared slightly, Zhao Jiu—who had been in this era for about ten days, aside from that muddled attempt to reassure the people on the second day after emerging from the well—for the first time received two important ministers of the temporary court in his capacity as His Majesty Zhao Jiu. This finally broke through the previous barrier of the five-man circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides met in the rear hall, with Kang Lü and Yang Yizhong in attendance. After the formalities of bowing and greetings were completed without incident, Lu Haowen, in his capacity as Grand Academician of the Zizheng Hall and with his experience as former Minister of War and Vice Minister of the Right, naturally took the lead in the dialogue, starting with some miscellaneous small talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that this seemingly boring small talk was actually necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because ever since His Majesty Zhao Jiu fell into the well, he had rarely interacted with outside officials under the pretext of recovering from his injuries. And this sudden request for the civil and military officials of the temporary court to submit memorials discussing the defense of the Central Plains subtly acknowledged the rumors that the Emperor had injured his head and forgotten some people and matters. Thus, Lu Haowen's visit carried the political task of observing the Emperor's physical condition on behalf of the outside officials. His Majesty Zhao Jiu needed to interact with outside officials to regain power, and the outside officials, in turn, had to roughly verify the legitimacy of this Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the current situation, they couldn't really hope for a Song Emperor Hui, could they? Of course, if it really came to that, there would be no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, His Majesty Zhao Jiu spoke clearly, his words were smooth, and his demeanor was composed. After some casual conversation in the rear hall, leaving aside others, Academician Lu was completely relieved—this Emperor was indeed not stupid!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at this point that Zhao Jiu learned some details about Lu Haowen, such as that his \"Dao Learning\" was not the Dao of the Mingdao Temple, but the famous Confucian Dao Learning of history. Moreover, Lu Haowen came from a renowned family; his great-great-uncle Lu Mengzheng, great-grandfather Lu Yijian, and grandfather Lu Princess had all been Grand Councilors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Zhao Jiu also understood why Kang Lü had confidently recommended this man to meet him. It was because this man had previously resigned as Vice Minister of the Right (deputy to the Grand Councilor) precisely because Li Gang was purging ministers who had fled from the Eastern Capital in the court. This man had participated in Zhang Bangchang's puppet court in Dongjing Bianliang back then, but he was also the first to persuade Zhang Bangchang to return the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was clear that this Dao Learning gentleman was very different from the Dao Learning gentlemen in Zhao Jiu's impression. He was gentle and refined, answering every question, but neither took the opportunity to attack Li Gang nor spoke much about the policies of Huang and Wang. Instead, as in his memorial, he gently advised Zhao Jiu to act within his means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through this, Zhao Jiu also learned some more inside information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many memorials say there are no troops in the north. Are there truly no soldiers in Hebei and the Central Plains?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are soldiers, but most are rebel troops or militia. Even if recruited, they cannot withstand a field battle against the Jin army,\" Lu Haowen replied frankly. \"The people of Hebei, ravaged by the Jin, have the will to fight, but lack weapons and armor, so they can only rely on mountains and wilderness for combat. The Central Plains are overrun with scattered troops—many in number and with armor—but they are mostly Imperial Army soldiers who fled from the front lines against the Jin. They dare not fight the Jin and only plague the local areas… If it were not so, even Li Boji, bold as he is, would not have advised Your Majesty to go to Nanyang. Going to Nanyang was meant to connect with the Northwest there and bring the two hundred thousand Western Army troops under control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu sighed softly. This matched what he knew and should be the truth. \"To truly resist the Jin, one needs the financial resources of Jiangnan and Bashu, the troops of the Northwest, and a gradual restoration of morale everywhere. Is that the idea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You advised me to go to Yangzhou because it is the starting point of the canal and a hub for transporting the financial resources of the Southeast. The idea is to use it as a base and plan slowly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I go south, how can the Central Plains be defended?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Entrust the Eastern Capital to Deputy Zong, and dispatch a great general to the Mount Tai and Yishui area…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the main Jin army suddenly attacks, can they hold?\" Zhao Jiu raised an eyebrow slightly. Faced with real difficulties, he no longer had the petty smugness of last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu adjusted his mindset slightly, barely managing to keep his expression normal. \"Then what if the Jin army ignores both and marches directly from Nanjing through Bozhou, pursuing the temporary court all the way south?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rely on the Huai River for defense, await reinforcements from all sides, and have the Eastern Capital and Shandong forces attack from the rear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if the Huai River cannot be held, and Shandong and the Eastern Capital cannot be relied upon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abandon Yangzhou, cross the Yangtze River, and defend the Yangtze.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if the Yangtze cannot be held either?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Haowen fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Zhao Jiu sighed softly. \"There is something I must tell Academician Lu. When I fell into the well before, although my body was unharmed, I did forget some people and matters during my illness, causing unrest in the temporary court… So, Minister Lu, do not go to Xuanzhou. Restore your post as Vice Minister of the Right and stay here in the temporary court to be available for consultation. This is also to use your seniority to reassure the people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kang Lü, who had been silent all along, looked up in shock and instinctively wanted to interrupt, but suddenly realized that although the two men in the hall shared a similar stance, they were fundamentally not his political allies. And according to protocol, as a eunuch, he had no right to speak at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, after the turmoil of the past two days, Kang Lü was no longer being overly critical. Although Lu Haowen was honest, he was ultimately someone who supported going south. What more could be done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Grand Commissioner Kang immediately shut his mouth and somewhat realized why His Majesty had seemed so confident yesterday… For a minister to try to contend for power with the Emperor was laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Lu Haowen hesitated for a moment and then prepared to modestly decline according to protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The country is broken, the family is lost. To imitate the 'three refusals and three acceptances' at a time like this would be pedantic.\" Zhao Jiu naturally understood his intention and said bluntly. \"From now on, for such appointments, if you can do it, say yes; if you can't, say no… The nation is in ruins, the court is in exile, and we, the core of the state, are putting up a show. Don't you realize that the paper and ink wasted on several refusals and acceptances could, if converted into money and grain, save several lives in these troubled times?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a moral blackmail on a moral gentleman. The blackmailed Lu Haowen dared not say more and could only bow his head in acceptance. Then Kang Lü, not daring to be slow, quickly sent word to summon another reliable Hanlin Academician to draft the imperial decree in the side chamber… After sending this message, Grand Commissioner Kang's mood grew even more depressed. Under the Great Song system, if the Emperor was determined to reclaim power, how could people like them resist? It was only these past few days, colluding with the Grand Councilor and holding power in hand, that made Grand Commissioner Kang's heart ache at the thought of no longer wielding such authority in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Academician Lu… Lord Lu, please be seated.\" Seeing the other man accept the order, Zhao Jiu was greatly relieved. When he looked at the other person, he basically had no expectations left. \"Censor Zhang…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant requests a private audience!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun, the Palace Censor who had been standing still and was about thirty years old—the one Zhao Jiu had never placed any hope in—suddenly did something that caught everyone off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does a private audience mean?\" Zhao Jiu, coming to his senses, was momentarily confused. \"Isn't this already a private audience?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reporting to Your Majesty.\" Lu Haowen, who had just sat down, immediately rose. \"It is a precedent for Grand Councilors and Censors to request private audiences, either to impeach a Grand Councilor or high official, or to recommend key personnel… Your servant requests permission to withdraw.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would a private audience be necessary?\" Zhao Jiu, now alert, laughed lightly on the surface. \"Not only are there few people here, and Lord Lu is a reliable man, but I have also heard of your name, Minister Zhang. I am told that both of Grand Councilor Li Boji's dismissals were related to your impeachment. Yesterday's memorial also sought to prosecute Grand Councilor Li. Your fierce language left a deep impression on me…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it were not so, how could I have gained an audience with Your Majesty?\" Zhang Jun, young and without even his ivory tablet, raised his head directly, cupped his hands, and said, \"But enough of that… Your Majesty, I, Palace Censor Zhang Jun, impeach Grand Councilor Huang Qianshan, Privy Council Grand Councilor Wang Boyan, and Commissioner of the Inner Palace Service Kang Lü for cutting off communication between inside and outside, with intent to rebel. I request that Your Majesty recall Grand Academician of the Guanwen Hall Li Gang and Deputy of the Eastern Capital Zong Ze. I also request that Your Majesty recall all Commanders of the Imperial Camp, temporarily station them in the temporary court, to calm the people's hearts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire hall fell silent. Not to mention Grand Commissioner Kang trembling with fear, even our His Majesty Zhao Jiu was stunned… Were there so many clever people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Sorry, I really have no saved drafts left. This chapter was typed up while slacking off at noon.\u003C\u002Fp>",2342,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","2086cf8f40c9466176901ef8300ee8634fd3ffd37d42840ca6da5532285ef80e","shao-song-chapter-8","shao-song-chapter-6",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]