[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-shao-song":3,"chapter-shao-song-shao-song-chapter-98":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},1558264,2024,"Chapter 98: Fangcheng (Continued)","shao-song-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, the defender of Xiangyang, Fan Qiong, has yet to arrive, and he has taken in the criminal Zongyin—his intentions are worthy of death!\" At that moment, the Palace Censor Hu Yin, standing beside Yan Xiaozhong, once again disregarded the occasion and atmosphere to speak out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Zhao Emperor was about to speak, Liu Ji, still in his arms, immediately declared his position. \"Fan Qiong is not worth fearing. I have received Your Majesty's command to take up my post in Xiangyang. A mere military man would never dare to cause trouble lightly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not that serious...\" Zhao Jiu quickly pressed down on the old gentleman, then immediately looked toward Han Shizhong, who was watching the spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong, who had been watching the fun for half the day, quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute: \"Your Majesty, once I move my troops to the foot of Xiangyang city, I will capture Fan Qiong alive within ten days!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just about to say that...\" Zhao Jiu began, but then paused. To outsiders, it seemed the Emperor was moved by his ministers' eagerness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, in reality, the Zhao Emperor was being driven to his wit's end by this private faction he had deliberately cultivated but which had yet to take shape... Just look: compared to those seasoned ministers, which of these people had the bearing of a high official?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong was, by the Emperor's private acknowledgment, a man of courage, but he was also a rogue recognized across the Song, Jin, Liao, and Xia states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun, suddenly elevated at thirty to Censor-in-Chief, a post nearly equal to half a Chancellor, could not help but harbor ambitions of breaking records, so half his energy was spent trying to fathom the Emperor's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yin spoke without regard for the atmosphere and held extreme views.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Academician Lin was a tight-lipped gourd, and recently seemed fond of crying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Ziyu liked to put on airs, looking down on others while unable to set aside his own pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaozhong, whether due to sudden success or his natural disposition, and perhaps related to his appearance, liked to loudly interrupt others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yizhong's appearance was nearly perfect, but inside he was a smooth and slippery character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Liu Ji, whom he had thought a seasoned man worth winning over, had turned out to be weepy and clingy after a mere handshake, crying and carrying on—who knew what that was about...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the Zhao Emperor found himself missing Zhao Ding. At least that man was perfectly normal in his words and deeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But back to the present, complaints aside, these people were the Zhao Emperor's future hope. Because Zhao Jiu knew full well that he himself was no proper emperor either!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did a proper person secretly jot down everyone's good and bad points in a little notebook, studying them before every meeting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did a proper emperor have an excessive desire to perform all day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did a proper emperor constantly disregard decorum, play mind games with his ministers, and routinely stoop to mingling with wealthy military forces?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, the more important point was that these people all either had some real ability or some integrity. If he were to lose them, could he, Zhao Jiu, with his frail frame, stand against the twenty-plus Wanhu of the Jin army's eastern and western routes, or could he manage the chaotic mess that was most of China?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, mutual forbearance for the sake of the country—what else could be done?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just about to say that.\" After a brief pause, a composed Zhao Jiu continued, still holding Liu Ji's hand... actually, Liu Ji was gripping too tightly, and the Zhao Emperor couldn't easily let go... and spoke solemnly to Han Shizhong. \"Han Qing, since Shanzhou has been restored, I order you to immediately lead your troops north to the Western Capital. First, carefully supervise the withdrawal of Wanyan Yinshu and Wanyan Balisu. Second, swiftly defeat the bandit Yang Jin, who has surrendered to the Jin, and assist the two Zhai brothers in recapturing and re-establishing themselves in the Western Capital. Third, do your best to open the passage to Shanzhou and provide some aid there... The Zhai clan of Xiping originally belongs to Caizhou, under your jurisdiction, and is related by marriage to the two Zhai brothers. After today, take them with you! Once the Western Capital is stabilized, return to Huaixi to rest and train your troops.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant obeys.\" Han Shizhong was clearly somewhat surprised by this assignment, but he immediately cupped his hands in acknowledgment. However, after accepting the order, he could not help but ask solemnly, \"But since I am going to the Western Capital, I must ask Your Majesty two things...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Infantry, Grand Commandant Lu Qing, is still at Sishui. When I arrive there, whose orders take precedence?\" Han Shizhong reported seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally, Han Qing's orders take precedence!\" Zhao Jiu blurted out without a second thought, but after a moment's reflection, he added a solemn reminder. \"But Liangchen must also respect Grand Commandant Lu's years of steadfast defense at Sishui!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was somewhat against regulations, but no one present objected, and it was almost eerily quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be sure, although Lu Qing's post was somewhat low-ranking for a high position, he was still a legitimate commander of the Three Bureaus—the so-called Infantry Marshal among the Three Marshals, alongside the Palace Marshal, the famous Mr. Gao who had taken the sports route, representing the highest military ranks in the Great Song in theory. In the past, the Three Bureaus, together with the Bureau of Military Affairs, had formed the two supreme military authorities of the Great Song, with one having the power to use troops but not to deploy them, and the other having the power to deploy troops but not to use them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, another obvious fact was that from the moment this Emperor ascended the throne, he had used the military strength of the Marshal's Office to establish an Imperial Camp, which had in fact replaced all the functions of the Three Bureaus. Therefore, on this matter, any minister in the temporary court, civil or military, would only support Han Shizhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, they would be denying the overall legitimacy of the temporary court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was another point that the Zhao Emperor hadn't thought of at the moment, but which everyone below took for granted—Lu Qing at Sishui had always been dependent on the Eastern Capital Defender, Zong Ze. And limiting Zong Ze, a defender with such immense power, was almost an instinct for all the civil officials in the temporary court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had nothing to do with morality or political stance; it was truly the instinct of bureaucrats, even though Zong Ze was also a proper civil official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the reason why Han Shizhong had been able to establish his command in Huaixi, taking away Caizhou and Shunchang Prefecture (Yingzhou, later Fuyang area), which theoretically belonged to the Jingxi North Circuit, and why Li Yanxian had been appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Shanzhou, and even Yue Fei and Zhang Rong had been appointed as Pacification Commissioners, had all gone so smoothly because deep down, these temporary court officials felt a vague political correctness in these actions—Caizhou and Shunchang Prefecture theoretically fell within the ambiguous power zone of the Eastern Capital Defender; all of Li Yanxian's previous commendations had been submitted through Zong Ze; and the existence of Yue Fei and Zhang Rong could effectively control Zhang Suo and Zhang Jun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guard against things, bend the rules to control them... It hadn't changed for so many years, and the Zhao Emperor, who kept saying he wanted to fight against these things, hadn't even noticed the intricacies involved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Clear on great principles, extremely capable in small matters, sincere with people, and seemingly consistent in his actions, with a clear beginning and end—but he is rough around the edges, not very meticulous, and his behavior is intense; this is his flaw'... This was the evaluation of someone in a letter written a few days ago by Li Gang, Duke Li, to his confidant and good friend, the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, Lin Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough digression. Turning back to the matter at hand, Han Shizhong immediately accepted the order and prepared to continue his report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment, someone nearby suddenly lost control of themselves: \"Your Majesty, I, the Acting Censor-in-Chief Zhang Jun, venture to speak. The system of the Three Bureaus has been in place for a hundred years... uh, Grand Commandant Lu has merit without fault, and while Han Grand Coordinator's military strategy is sound, his actions are hasty and utterly lacking in virtue. I fear that on this mission, Grand Commandant Lu will be greatly dissatisfied, which may lead to unnecessary trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing only the latter half, the Zhao Emperor almost thought it was Hu Yin speaking, because it sounded so much like his style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since it was Zhang Jun who said it, there was deeper meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Zhao Jiu was silent for a moment, then asked in a deep voice, \"What does Zhang Qing want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I venture to request that I be sent to Ruzhou to temporarily oversee military affairs in the Western Capital,\" Zhang Jun replied with his head bowed. \"By precedent of this dynasty, civil officials oversee the army... If I go to Ruzhou, I can ensure Grand Commandant Lu's stability while restoring the Western Capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need. I will speak with Defender Zong about this matter myself,\" Zhao Jiu said, enlightened by the reminder. \"Grand Commandant Lu at Sishui has always relied on Defender Zong. With his mediation, there will be no trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jun withdrew awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Zhao Emperor finally took the opportunity to let go of his hand and return to his seat... At the same time, Liu Ji, Yan Xiaozhong, and Hu Yin also returned to their positions in the ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, there is one major matter I intended to save for last, but since we've already touched on the topic of the Three Bureaus and the Imperial Camp, and there are indeed few pressing matters today, I will speak frankly,\" Zhao Jiu said, looking around and raising his voice. The ministers of the temporary court each understood in their hearts and stood solemnly. Han Shizhong, who was still standing in the middle, sensing the situation, quickly withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The state's institutions are the fundamental affairs of the nation and should not be changed lightly,\" the Zhao Emperor said slowly. \"But times are different now. The situation of an irreconcilable struggle between the Great Song and the Jin State is already set. I have already concluded this at Bagongshan in the past—it will not truly stop until one side is destroyed and its race extinguished. Therefore, we must change the institutions to meet the times...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers below, though solemn, mostly remained expressionless, because this topic had occurred to everyone. In fact, it had been raised as early as in Nanjing (Shangqiu). After Bagongshan, the Prefect of Yangzhou, Lü Yihao, had even submitted a memorial to the temporary court proposing a comprehensive plan involving official systems, military affairs, and finances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, other high-ranking ministers from various departments had also submitted their own plans. In the previous two days, although hastily, the ministers qualified to attend the imperial council had also discussed this issue and proposed some general plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final plan, overall, was aimed at simplification and consolidation for the convenience of military coordination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, the Secretariat, the Department of State Affairs, the Chancellery, and the Imperial Library—these four departments will be merged into one. From today onward, there will be no more Vice Directors of the Left or Right of the Department of State Affairs... The Chancellors of the Eastern Administration will be proper Prime Ministers and Vice Prime Ministers. They will oversee all government affairs, commanding the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, the Five Directorates, and the Six Bureaus. They are qualified to participate in the imperial council on military and political matters. In the temporary court, Minister Lü will be the chief, and Minister Xu the deputy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Zhao Emperor finished speaking, Lü Haowen and Xu Jingheng stepped forward solemnly and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course,\" the Zhao Emperor quickly added another sentence. \"Duke Li will still be the Grand Councillor for Military and State Affairs, commanding both the Eastern and Western Administrations, and overseeing all officials. He will remain above all other ministers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This superfluous remark naturally went unnoticed, as no one thought that if Li Gang really returned, someone like Lü Haowen could stand as his equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, from now on, the Western Administration will also abolish posts like Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. All will simply be called Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs... The Commissioner here will naturally be Defender Zong of the Eastern Capital. Vice Commissioners Wang Boyan, Yuwen Xuzhong, and Minister Zhang (Zhang Que), who is recovering from illness in Huainan, will serve as Vice Commissioners. The Commissioner and Vice Commissioners, that is, the ministers of the Western Administration, will continue to participate in the imperial council as before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reorganization of the Bureau of Military Affairs was almost just a name change... As the ministers watched Wang Boyan and Yuwen Xuzhong step forward, they could not help but mutter inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after a brief pause, the Zhao Emperor continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, from today onward, the Three Bureaus are abolished, and their powers and responsibilities are entirely transferred to the Imperial Camp. Yang Weizhong and Lu Qing are reassigned as Vice Commanders-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp. The Imperial Camp will fall under the Western Administration, the Bureau of Military Affairs. The Bureau of Operations under the Ministry of War, the Three Bureaus Office under the Ministry of Personnel, and the Western Office of Personnel Evaluation will all be moved under the Bureau of Military Affairs. The Bureau of Operations will be in charge of confidential documents and military staff work. The Commander-in-Chief and Vice Commanders-in-Chief of the Imperial Camp, the staff officers of the Bureau of Operations, and all frontline defenders, Military Commissioners, Grand Coordinators, Pacification Commissioners, Pacification Commissioners, and those who have been granted military titles in the army may all participate in the imperial council on military affairs alongside the Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assembled ministers felt a slight chill—this was a true unification of power and responsibility... The century-old design of divided military authority in the Great Song was being forced back into unity by the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they had known this would happen, why had they done it in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth, the Palace Domestic Service and the Inner Palace Domestic Service have overlapping authority, and with the lesson of the Six Traitors, many of whom were eunuchs, plus the fact that in this time of national crisis it is inappropriate to expand the eunuch corps, they shall be merged into a single Palace Domestic Service. The Palace Domestic Service itself should be streamlined: one Chief Director, to be filled by Lan Gui, who will continue to handle confidential documents within the palace; one Deputy Chief Director, to be filled by Shao Chengzhang from the Empress Dowager's side in Yangzhou; the rest shall be reduced to Directors, still leading their respective assignments as before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fifth, the Imperial Guard shall be listed separately. One Imperial Guard Commander shall be established, with Yang Yizhong as the appointee, and one Deputy Commander, with Liu Yan as the appointee. They shall follow the various armies of the Imperial Encampment and report directly to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two had even less to say. The only interesting thing was that Feng Yi's return had not shaken Lan Gui's position in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are the major matters we have discussed. As for the Censorate and the Hanlin Academy, they are already streamlined and naturally remain unchanged, still reporting directly to me along with the Eastern and Western Administrations.\" Zhao Jiu's tone slowed as he reached this point, seeming thoughtful. \"In truth, there are also the Military Prefects, Prefects, and Vice Prefects of various military prefectures and prefectures, the Fortress Commanders and City Lords of border commanderies, and the Fiscal Commissioners, Grand Coordinators, Pacification Commissioners, Military Commissioners, and Pacification Commissioners of various circuits. They still suffer from unclear authority, excessive emphasis on seniority, inconsistent titles, and overlapping, redundant functions. I also intend to change this. But time is short, and the provisional capital has just been settled, so it is not appropriate to shake up the localities. This can only be discussed slowly later... That is all for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd no longer hesitated and immediately filed out one by one. Then, led by the four Grand Councilors, they solemnly bowed their heads and performed the great ritual in response. The Chief Director of the Palace Domestic Service, Lan Gui, immediately called for the ceremony to end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lords, wait a moment. I still have some heartfelt words to say to everyone.\" As soon as Lan Gui's voice fell, the Zhao Emperor in the imperial seat, seeing everyone rise, did not have them return to their ranks but spoke again, which was rather unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First of all, I insisted on holding this court discussion at Fangcheng Mountain rather than waiting until we entered Nanyang, which is right before us, for only one purpose: to cut through the tangle with a sharp knife. I hope you will all use this to sever the various disputes, grudges, political struggles, rewards, and punishments that have plagued the provisional capital since the Jingkang Incident.\" Zhao Jiu sighed slowly but raised his voice as much as possible. \"We must travel light and start anew in Nanyang... It is precisely for this reason that we had to deal with Fan Zhixu here and confirm the positions of the Grand Councilors of the Eastern and Western Administrations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty has put great thought into this. It is we ministers who were inconsiderate.\" Lu Haowen, who had previously thought the Zhao Emperor was acting too hastily, was slightly startled, then quickly stepped forward to admit his fault first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Boyan and Wang Yuan were completely relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me finish.\" Zhao Jiu raised his hand to stop him. \"Next, regarding the matter of war and peace between Song and Jin, I have already spoken at Bagong Mountain: no peace negotiations until one side is utterly destroyed... But on this basis, there are two more sentences I must earnestly say to you all... Let you know, a single Wanhu of the Jin has turned the Jingxi Circuit into this state, yet the Jin currently have over twenty Wanhu arrayed there. So the strength of the Jin troops is a real fact. At the same time, the Great Song has suffered consecutive defeats, first losing Hebei and Hedong, then the shame of Jingkang, and just recently the complete collapse of Jingdong, Jingxi, and Guanzhong together. Our army is weak and unable to fight in the open field—this is also a fact.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that, the Jin state was founded only seventeen years ago, yet it has broken the vast nations of Liao and Song, dominating the world for a time with an arrogance as if invincible. And our Great Song, just last year, had its capital breached, lost a century's worth of accumulated wealth, and even had a pair of Sons of Heaven taken captive. I have traveled everywhere, seeing how many wealthy military prefectures and prefectures have been devastated by war, countless people displaced, the dead and wounded lying in heaps everywhere, and I know not how many ambitious men have risen up in the chaos to shake the localities. The danger of national extinction is no empty talk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the tent, there was instant silence, only the south wind rolling the curtains, bringing a rustling sound that matched the Zhao Emperor's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, Zongze, the Acting Prefect, resisted the enemy at Huazhou; Yue Fei and Zhang Rong broke the enemy at Liangshanpo; Han Shizhong and Zhang Jun repelled the enemy on the Huai River; and Li Yanxian just recaptured Shanzhou. This has made it clear to the world that the Jin people are also human, the same shape as Song people. If they are human, they can be defeated; if they are human, they can also lose... At the same time, it is beyond doubt that our population, wealth, culture, and systems far surpass theirs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, a thousand words boil down to just two sentences.\" Zhao Jiu spoke solemnly, raising his voice. \"First, no matter how difficult the situation, the Great Song always has a way! Never, ever give up! Second, although Song and Jin have been at war for three years, from me on down, you must all be prepared for ten, eight years, or even a resolve that success will only come after death! This is a national war; do not rely on luck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four Grand Councilors, without a word, bowed their heads and prostrated themselves again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying these two sentences, the Zhao Emperor seemed exhausted. He simply stood up, waved his hand, and said, \"That is all for today. As for other miscellaneous matters, we will assign them on the road to Nanyang starting tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the Zhao Emperor, ignoring the ministers who had not yet risen, directly supported his belt and, accompanied by Lan Gui, Yang Yizhong, and others, prepared to walk out of the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as he passed by Han Shizhong's side, the Emperor stopped again, apparently remembering something: \"Liangchen, you seemed to have something unfinished to report earlier?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes...\" Han Shizhong quickly straightened up and answered carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I also happen to have two things to say to you.\" Zhao Jiu said seriously. \"After you reach the Western Capital, you will inevitably see the ancestral mausoleums of the Great Song... Naturally, we must do our utmost to protect the mausoleums. But as Prime Minister Li said when discussing the Two Sages, to retrieve the Two Sages, we must first surpass the Jin militarily. By the same logic, to protect the mausoleums long-term, the Western Capital region must be completely stable. So, when you get there, tell Colonel Lü and Generals Da Zhai and Xiao Zhai not to force military actions for the sake of the mausoleums, leading to loss of troops and commanders—that would be putting the cart before the horse. If there is any damage in battle, it is because I and the Two Sages are unworthy sons of the Zhao clan, and has nothing to do with them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Han Shizhong, the ministers stirred briefly, but then quieted down. Han Shizhong, after a moment of stunned silence, immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second thing... I heard you like giving nicknames to scholars. You used to call them 'Confucius,' but then suddenly changed?\" Zhao Jiu, still supporting his belt, frowned and inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this question from the Zhao Emperor, the young Scholar Lin not far away suddenly raised his head and stared fixedly at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty. I now call them 'Meng'er'!\" Han Shizhong dared not lie, but as soon as he said it, many of the surrounding ministers, despite the solemn atmosphere, burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Zhao Emperor, still supporting his belt, remained solemn: \"I know little. May I ask General Han, what is 'Meng'er'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a rogue like Han Shizhong could see the Emperor's displeasure, but he dared not refuse to answer. So, red-faced, he explained briefly: \"For Your Majesty's information, 'Meng'er' refers to a man who is inexperienced in worldly affairs, much like calling a woman a 'rookie'... I recently heard some people say that some civil officials can't even ride a horse well; after a few hundred li on horseback, they can't even close their legs...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four or five censors nearby, from Zhang Jun to Hu Yin, could not tolerate this and were all ready to rise and impeach this rogue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Zhao Emperor spoke first, sternly: \"This is the second thing I wanted to say to you, Minister Han. You are my backbone and courage, but the 'Meng'er' you speak of are also my trusted aides! They call you a military ruffian, and you call them 'Meng'er'—aren't you both cursing me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shizhong was deeply ashamed, while several censors suddenly felt relieved. The young Scholar Lin even secretly shed tears, which made Vice Prefect Yan, the acting Prefect of Nanyang, who was watching coldly from the side, finally understand... So the Emperor was venting for this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your turn to speak.\" After venting for the young Scholar Lin, Zhao Jiu softened his tone and continued. \"What did you want to report?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was just about to say that although Wang Yecha is brave and fierce, he is only fit to be a general, not a commander...\" Han Shizhong quickly said, then, seeing Wang De beside him look up at him angrily, he quickly explained. \"I truly am not slandering or belittling a colleague; this is the truth... So I am truly worried: if I go to the Western Capital, who will handle that villain Fan Qiong for Your Majesty?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the explanation, Wang De became even more furious. If the Zhao Emperor had not been present, he would have almost fought someone to the death right there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mere Fan Qiong—I, this 'Meng'er,' will handle him myself by supervising the army!\" Zhao Jiu answered bluntly, then, supporting his overly wide belt, strode away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Emperor left, the various ministers also dispersed. In the end, only Han Shizhong and Wang De were left facing each other, yet they dared not come to blows.\u003C\u002Fp>",4309,"2026-06-06T07:45:46.639Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","7b10ac9380f0bcb61ccc5ac56d997e3bc5e2af78f82fed9c300014ea9fcd0456","shao-song-chapter-99","shao-song-chapter-97",489,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fshao-song-cover.jpg"]