Chapter 1478: One Must Plan for Posterity

"It's good that you have such intentions — at last you're showing the proper bearing of the hereditary nobility!" Marshal Shi Manqiang lightly tapped the table with his hand, producing a soft clink. "Since everyone is in agreement, we'll present this proposal to His Majesty together shortly."

"Is it really wise to raise this during the assembly? The hall will be packed with officials. If we voice an opinion that differs from the Grand Secretariat's, wouldn't that... wouldn't that provoke public criticism?" Zhao Song still looked somewhat hesitant. "Would it not be better to submit a private memorial to His Majesty?"

"It must be raised during the assembly!" The Marshal dismissed the concern entirely. "Raise it in the open, lay everything out plainly, argue point by point. With His Majesty present to render judgment, no one can refuse to accept it, and no one can go back on their word later. If we wait until after the assembly to speak, even if His Majesty heeds our advice, how would the Grand Secretariat ever be convinced? They would submit their own memorials in turn — what point is there in endless wrangling? And how could that put your minds at ease to prepare for the war?"

This barrage of questions left Zhao Song momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

"But... but isn't the Grand Secretariat also... also part of the court? The Chancellor and the Finance Minister, they are hereditary nobles too..." After a long pause, he hesitantly asked again. "You just said that we nobles must stand united and not wound each other's spirit. If we openly refute their proposal, I fear... I fear they would be deeply displeased, would they not?"

His point was not without merit. Among the civil officials there were now also hereditary nobles, and the most eminent ones in court at that. If a conflict truly erupted, it might well turn into a feud among the nobility themselves. Zhao Song was both a noble and an imperial kinsman — he had the standing not to fear offending ordinary civil officials, but to openly offend the Chancellor, a fellow Duke, gave him pause.

"When serving His Majesty and the state, so long as you have loyalty, what exactly are you afraid of? The Chancellor is indeed high in rank and weighty in authority, but you are, after all, a Count and a Brigade Commander, and your position in the military will only rise higher. Must you be afraid to this degree? No one is asking you to deliberately provoke the Chancellor, but surely you should not be too timid to argue your case with reason?" Seeing Zhao Song so hesitant and irresolute, Marshal Shi rebuked him with displeasure. "Besides, you won't be speaking alone — we will all voice the same stance. There is no need to fear!"

Then, as if harboring some dissatisfaction toward someone, he abruptly changed the subject. "If you ask me, the Chancellor and the Finance Minister are shrewd enough, but they've read too many sage texts and their minds have grown rigid. On some matters, their insight is not even as penetrating as us rough old soldiers! What we intend to do clearly benefits the state and benefits His Majesty, yet they insist on obstructing it — utterly senseless... Ah, but I suspect they will eventually come around, and it won't take many years. After all, there are plenty of civil officials below them eyeing their positions. These next few years, let us demonstrate our true hearts to His Majesty..."

Zhao Song and the other two men only half-understood this soliloquy, but because it touched upon the highest echelons of the court, not one of the three dared to interject.

After his moment of lament, Marshal Shi Manqiang quickly reined in his emotions and furrowed his brow once more as he looked at Zhao Song.

"Enough. I have spoken to you plainly enough. What comes next depends on what you yourself choose to do. I hope you can see the greater picture, Zhao Song! In the Great Han army, beneath us old brothers, you have the deepest seniority and have received the most favor. Your future prospects are boundless. In the past, when you fought under Chen Sheng's command, you only had to follow orders from above. From now on, you are destined to be a commander of an entire theater — it is time to think through problems more thoroughly! We act out of loyalty to His Majesty, we wish to deliver the spoils of war into His Majesty's hands. Who would resent having something placed directly into their grasp? We will also tell His Majesty our opinion — how could His Majesty possibly be displeased?!"

As he spoke, the Marshal's gaze grew increasingly stern, making Zhao Song's heart ever more tense.

Truth be told, he had no desire to involve himself in the conflict between the military and the Grand Secretariat, but the Marshal was now plainly demanding he declare his stance. And he knew that, given his current standing, there was indeed no room left to dodge.

If he had to declare a stance, how could he possibly oppose the Marshal and the others?

"Zhao Song understands." After a moment of silence, he finally steeled his heart and nodded. "When the time comes, Zhao Song will certainly voice this proposal together with the Marshal."

"It's good that you understand!" A smile finally appeared on the Marshal's face. He then turned to look at the two young men.

"We will follow the Marshal and the Brigade Commander's lead!" The two young men had not thought as much as the others. Once Zhao Song and Shi Manqiang reached an accord, they shouted out without a second thought.

"Do not follow our lead — follow His Majesty's lead, follow the Crown Prince's lead!" Shi Manqiang waved his hand lightly. "This time, the one commanding from the rear is none other than the Crown Prince. You must perform well and not let His Majesty and the Crown Prince lose heart!"

"What?" The two young men exchanged looks of shock once more, clearly having never imagined His Majesty would make such an arrangement.

"For this expedition, His Majesty has personally decreed that the Crown Prince shall go to Goryeo to oversee the rear and ensure our army's logistics and supply." Zhao Song quickly spoke up. "You two, rouse your spirits — this time, the Crown Prince will be right behind us!"

As he said this, Zhao Song suddenly thought of something else.

Previously, when His Majesty told him the Crown Prince would oversee the rear, he had assumed it was to temper the Crown Prince and incidentally let him become acquainted with the younger generation of officers in preparation for the future. Now, after hearing Marshal Shi Manqiang's words, he suddenly felt that His Majesty might also intend to temper the younger officers, allowing them to gradually replace the marshals who had already reached the pinnacle of their careers.

He did not know whether his speculation was correct — it was only conjecture. But even if it proved true, he would harbor no resentment toward His Majesty. Since ancient times, one of the most terrifying fates for a subject was to reach a point where one's achievements were too great to be rewarded. These marshals had all rendered such extraordinary service that, by all historical precedent, their position was exceedingly precarious. In his view, even among old brothers, such a state of affairs could not be allowed to continue indefinitely, and it was indeed necessary to bring in new commanders to lead the army.

Judging by Marshal Shi Manqiang's demeanor, he did not oppose gradually fading from the scene himself. So if His Majesty merely intended for the marshals to slowly step back, that would be the best outcome for both the marshals and His Majesty.

Even as he was lost in these private reflections, the ringing of bells echoed through the assembly hall in waves. These bells signaled that His Majesty was about to proceed to the hall, urging the officials who were resting to make haste.

These four military officers naturally dared not delay and rose to their feet one after another.

"Remember what I told you — and do not forget it in the future!" Before leaving, Marshal Shi swept his gaze over them once more, then led the way out.

Zhao Song hurriedly fell in behind him.

"I truly never imagined that, while we were drifting along in a daze, the Marshal, leading troops abroad, still had to ponder so many things..." Half in admiration, half in emotion, Zhao Song glanced at the wrinkles at the corner of Shi Manqiang's temple and sighed. "The Marshal has truly labored hard."

"Labor? Who says it isn't labor? Everyone envies me for wearing a great golden plum blossom at a young age, securing wealth and rank for years to come. But... how many understand the bitterness of being lonely at the top?" The Marshal seemed to recall something, and suddenly shook his head with a sigh. "But can I afford not to labor? My sons are growing up day by day before my eyes — sooner or later they will take wives and have children. And what of you? You are no different! I must plan for posterity, and so must all of you!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Marshal!" Zhao Song lowered his voice even further. "Zhao Song will not disappoint the Marshal. I shall surely hold the safeguarding of Great Han, the safeguarding of His Majesty, and the safeguarding of our own as my heart's resolve!"

"No wonder everyone is so fond of you — you have such a way with words!" The Marshal chuckled lightly. "It's enough that you understand."

As the two conversed, they passed through the tea room and the corridor of the great hall, re-entering the assembly hall. By this time, the other court officials attending the session had also gradually arrived, and the hall once again buzzed with voices.

Being of military background, these officers and the staff officers Zhao Song had brought did not show excessive warmth toward the civil officials. Instead, each walked with eyes fixed straight ahead to the seats designated for the military officers and sat down. Only Marshal Shi Manqiang went over to exchange greetings with the Chancellor and the Finance Minister.

"Manqiang, I think your complexion looks much better today than the last time we met," Finance Minister Chen Hong said with a smile after greeting him. "When we met a while ago, I was startled — you looked so much older!"

"What can I do? These past few years I've been fighting in Sichuan and Guizhou the whole time — high mountains and treacherous rivers, trudging over peaks and fording streams so many times. How could I not age a bit?" Shi Manqiang smiled wryly and shook his head. "I have it easy — I'm a marshal, always staying in the main camp with orderlies to attend to me. It's the officers and soldiers below who have truly endured hardship..."

At his lament, the Chancellor and the Finance Minister exchanged a glance, both looking somewhat apologetic.

Shi Manqiang had always been one of their band of old brothers. Over the years, the old brothers had all been leading troops in battle, scattered to the far corners of the realm. If Shi Manqiang had aged, then those old brothers they had not yet had the chance to see again were likely in much the same state... At this thought, they could not help but feel a pang of melancholy.

"Manqiang, now that His Majesty has recalled you to the capital, you can take a good rest for a while." The Chancellor looked at the Marshal with deep feeling. "For next year's campaign against Japan, why not simply remain in the capital to coordinate overall strategy? There's no need for you to go all the way to Shandong..."

"If I don't go, it won't do. His Majesty has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility — where is there room for me to shirk? I am His Majesty's old servant. If even I slack off, what will those below think? They'd likely slack off even more, who knows how badly! This expedition is far too important — the Crown Prince himself will be watching from Goryeo. I dare not be negligent; I must go to Shandong to take command. Besides, Shandong is hardly some desolate backwater. I can stay there quite comfortably and won't suffer any hardship!"