Volume 4 Chapter 28: Yuetai (Part 1)
In late spring of the fifth year of Jianyan, the situation in the Jin Kingdom's Yanjing City suddenly changed.
By the time the news reached the Central Plains, it was already early summer, and Emperor Zhao was reviewing the troops at Yuetai, west of Tokyo. Specifically, he was reviewing the newly formed Imperial Cavalry.
But to be honest, the review process did not give Emperor Zhao a very good impression.
"What's going on over there?" After the inspection, Zhao Jiu returned to the general's platform...that is, the high platform of Yuetai Camp and Yuetai Town. After dismounting and stepping onto the stage, he did not rush to order the troops to disperse and return to the camp, nor did he rush to find Qu Duan and others to ask questions. Instead, he pointed to a bustling place not far from the military camp and asked with an expressionless face.
"Reporting to your Majesty, we are the people of Tokyo. We heard that your Majesty is reviewing the royal army, so we went out of the city to watch..." The accompanying Minister of War, General Hu Shijiang, immediately bowed his head in response.
But Zhao Jiu responded coldly when he was halfway through his words: "You can just watch, but why is it between the military camp and the troops? Can vendors set up stalls in front of the military camp? Are you here to watch or to watch the fish and turtle show?!"
Fish and turtle drama was a popular form of entertainment in Tokyo. Artists directed fish and turtles to line up and move together according to their commands. It was a prototype of aquatic circus... And the fact that Emperor Zhao used this metaphor showed that he was angry.
Although Emperor Zhao was furious, not to mention General Hu who had won the first prize, even the four accompanying ministers, several commanders and deputy commanders-in-chief in the imperial camp, and cavalry officers such as Qu Duan who had just arrived with the army, although they were all in awe, they were still a little puzzled.
They were not puzzled as to why Emperor Zhao was angry. In fact, these people knew that the emperor would definitely not be in a good mood today, but they still could not understand why the other party was dissatisfied with this matter... What's wrong with the common people taking a look?
For a time, some people even thought that the official was angry and causing trouble for no reason.
Of course, as Zhao Jiu continued to scold them, these people finally understood: "Other countries wish they could join the army when watching their own military parades, but the Song Dynasty treats its own military parade as a joke! It's only been a few years since the Jingkang Incident? Once things have stabilized, they still look down on the military?! How many times do they have to suffer that kind of loss before they learn their lesson? When Gao Qiu turned the imperial guards of the capital into a circus, what was the result? Haven't you seen it?"
The meaning of the series of questions was very clear, but the words were a bit harsh, so everyone turned their eyes to the four ministers. Before the four ministers could come out to smooth things over, the prefect of Kaifeng, Yan Xiaozhong, took the initiative to admit his fault: "This matter is my fault. I did not handle it properly..."
"Of course you have failed in your duty!" Zhao Jiu saw Yan Xiaozhong come out and stand side by side with General Hu Shi, but he was still furious while holding the whip. "In peaceful times, it is right to control the military with the civil officials, but now we are still at war. I have repeatedly emphasized the separation of civil and military officials, and they are of the same rank and level. Why do you civil officials bully the military officials in the blink of an eye?! The military order of the military governor leading the general was actually ignored by a prefect! When the general entered the Chongwen Academy (where the Privy Council of the capital province is located), he had to greet an editor when he saw him! The prince led the military governor of the three towns to recruit a Jinshi who was idle at home to join the staff. If he didn't want to go, it would be fine. But why did the scholars flatter him and give him an official position?! In my opinion, you people deserve to be taken to Wuguo City and live in the cellar!"
The last sentence was completely out of control.
However, after such humiliation, many of the accompanying key officials on the stage remained silent, and even the censors had no intention of taking the lead... The reason was simple. This emperor was not an emperor who got angry often, and the previous times he lost his temper and got angry were in the army, and he killed people.
Of course, this time, it seems that I can barely be considered as being in the military.
Besides this, except for the last sentence which was just an outburst, all the other words spoken by Emperor Zhao had specific meanings.
The commander-in-chief saluted the editor-in-chief, which was a common occurrence in Chongwenyuan recently. The fact that the governor ignored the military order of the Jiedushi referred to an incident that happened to Yue Fei's troops when they arrived at the front line to quell the rebellion... Yue Fei arrived at the Jizhou front line and set up a front-line camp. He then sent his Beiwei Army commander Zhang Xian to the nearby Fuzhou with documents to ask for food and grass. As a result, the Fuzhou governor refused to give food and ordered all cities, towns and villages not to allow anyone to allow Zhang Xian's troops to enter. It was not until the document from Liu arrived that food was allocated.
Even Yue Fei could not tolerate this matter, so he brought the case directly to the emperor, and it had been going on for several days.
As for the matter of recruiting the prince, needless to say, it was naturally Han Wu's fault. He recruited a Jinshi who had resigned from his official position and returned home during the chaos into the shogunate, but the Jinshi directly replied "I don't want to be a cute boy"... This is fine, and Han Shizhong even deserved it, but the key point is that this person became famous because of this, so much so that when a vacancy occurred in a certain place a few days ago, a doctor from the Ministry of Personnel actually recommended this person to fill the vacancy, on the grounds that he "has integrity".
These two troubles involved the two most trusted and beloved generals of the current emperor. In addition, another major trouble happened today. It is no wonder that the emperor is getting more and more angry and took the opportunity to vent his anger.
In fact, you know what, at this moment, there were really a few blisters at the corners of Zhao Jiu's mouth, which showed that he was suffering from inflammation.
Let's cut to the chase. The emperor was too angry, and without the presence of the distinguished Prime Minister Lu, the other four ministers seemed a little embarrassed... because the two incidents involving Han Yue were closely related to the province, and the so-called commanding officer paying respects to the editing officer naturally referred to the Privy Council, so the four ministers who should have come out to persuade the emperor were unable to respond for a moment.
What's more, the last sentence was indeed too much. Not to mention the gentlemen, even a civil servant would not want to suffer such humiliation... As for Yan Xiaozhong and Hu Shijiang who were scolded for no reason, Yan Xiaozhong was a man who had experienced extraordinary things and did not have any unnecessary reaction, while Hu Shijiang had already turned pale.
I think, if Emperor Zhao had not repeatedly emphasized in the court bulletins that it was a detriment to the country for important officials to resign out of anger, General Hu would have resigned at that moment.
"Your Majesty." At this awkward moment, the commander of the Imperial Camp, Wang Yuan, took the initiative to step forward. "Your Majesty, you can discuss these issues on their own merits. Why are you so angry? I will have the troops drive away the vendors in front of the camp and tidy up the camp..."
"This situation is also because you military officers are belittling yourselves!" Zhao Jiu was even more furious when he saw that it was Wang Yuan who came to smooth things over. "Why can't you understand the basic principles? Do you think I don't know that you are trying to please a few ministers and chancellors? You only know how to please civil officials, so why can't you openly say, 'If it weren't for the old villain holding the army, how could you have a discussion?'! I really pity your misfortune and am angry at your lack of resistance!"
Wang Yuan was scolded so much that he had to retreat. After hearing the last two sentences, Zhao Ding and others could no longer ignore them and prepared to step forward to join in.
"No need to discuss those two things!" Zhao Jiu took a few breaths when he saw the prime ministers come out. He suppressed his anger first and made a decision before Zhao Ding could speak. "The governor of Fuzhou should go to Qiongzhou! The doctor in the Ministry of Personnel should be dismissed immediately! And the matter of civil and military officials' courtesy. If I know that you high-ranking officials are paying respect to low-ranking officials in the public housing, both of you should go to the Kingdom of Jin. That's where the barbarians who don't follow the rules live!"
Seeing that the emperor's attitude had softened a bit, and although it was a bit harsh, several troubles were finally solved, the ministers breathed a sigh of relief and were about to respond. Zhang Jun even signaled Li Qiong, who was a little at a loss on the side, to restore order around the military camp... But at this moment, one person could no longer bear it, and was stubborn and stepped out directly.
"Your Majesty, I think this handling of the matter is inappropriate." Chief Censor Li Guang looked at him solemnly.
"Which thing was not handled properly?" Zhao Jiu, who was about to turn around, looked at him coldly. "Or are they all not handled properly?"
"I know that it is inappropriate to be exiled to Qiongzhou after the incident in Fuzhou."
"What's wrong specifically?"
"Fuzhou is next to Qianzhou, which was the core of the Wuling Rebellion. Before Jingkang, Qianzhou's Qian thieves were famous. After Jingkang, the remnants of the military bandits, bandits, and rebels from the southeast, Jingxiang, and other places all flowed into the vicinity of Qianzhou. Fuzhou suffered greatly from it, and it lasted for several years... The front army of the imperial camp is famous for its military discipline. I dare to ask how can Fuzhou be trusted? Under such circumstances, it is understandable that the governor of Fuzhou ordered the state to be on high alert!" Li Guang stiffened his neck in the slightly worried eyes of the crowd. "The government cannot be wishful thinking just because it favors Yue Fei. It is so unfair."
"Well said." Unexpectedly, perhaps because he had just vented his anger by scolding, Zhao Jiu regained some of his rationality. "But what about him openly violating the law and delaying the military? It can't be that civil officials violating the law are for the country and the people, and are excusable, but military generals who do something wrong are evil-minded and should be killed by mistake, right? Isn't this also unfair?"
"The emperor's words today were rather harsh..." Li Guang could no longer bear it.
"It's really harsh." Zhao Jiu nodded with his hands behind his back, looking thoughtful. "As the emperor, he looks down upon all the officials. How can there be civil officials and military officials? If you insist on emphasizing it, it will only make the two estranged... Since the prefect of Fuzhou is excusable, let him join the army, change him to a military officer, transfer him to the Imperial Camp Envoy, and accompany the Imperial Camp to suppress the rebellion. Is this considered a lenient treatment? Of course, if he doesn't want to go, it won't be too late to go to Qiongzhou, what do you think?"
As soon as these words came out, Li Guang was speechless and at a loss for words... and a sentence almost instantly emerged in the depths of his heart, which was 'this person is smart enough to reject advice'.
Of course, this sentence only lasted for a moment before disappearing immediately, because the Chief Censor knew that the emperor was a little too angry today, but he was still very reasonable on weekdays. Moreover, the one who was "wise enough to refuse remonstration" was King Zhou of Shang, who lost his country, while the emperor was equivalent to Emperor Guangwu who re-established the country. He followed the emperor all the way from Nanyang, and the experience and reality were there, which could not be faked.
Besides, how could Li Taifa (Li Guangzi) not wake up at this time as a "half-prime minister"? The fundamental reason for this matter is that the official's ambition to conquer the north is gradually hindered by reality, and he can't help but strike the only bureaucrat who has the power to directly hinder the northern expedition.
Of course, although he knew it, Li Guang still spoke again seriously: "Sir, even if he is transferred to a military officer, is it inappropriate for him to join the front army of the Imperial Camp? He has a grudge against the front army of the Imperial Camp..."
"If he was retaliated against or bullied there, I would definitely give him an explanation." Zhao Jiu said disapprovingly. "For example, if he really died in the army, regardless of whether Yue Fei knew about it or not, I would definitely demote Yue Fei and make him a civil official, and let him be a minister in the capital... I would treat him equally and fairly!"
Li Guang was completely speechless. Several ministers and important officials around him also looked at each other and exchanged glances. The meaning was very clear. Whether it was to discuss this matter later or to write a letter to warn Yue Fei directly, there was always a way. But with the emperor's mood today, don't expect him to speak well, and everyone should keep silent.
While they were talking, Li Qiong had already rectified the order around Yuetai Camp, and Zhao Jiu also sat on the reserved throne on Yuetai. He then called Qu Duan, Liu Qi, Li Shifu, Zhang Zhongfu, Zhang Zhongyan and other cavalry generals of the imperial camp, and then slowly faced each other with expressionless faces:
"I am sorry to have wronged you all. I only gave you half a year and a few million strings of cash, and you were able to recruit more than 8,000 cavalrymen for me... It is truly remarkable."
Qu Duan opened his mouth and could only bow his head to apologize... and the other generals of the Imperial Camp Cavalry felt for a moment that the emperor's words were as pleasant as Qu Duan's. However, although Qu Duan's words were pleasant, they did not dare to imprison their colleagues or even their superiors easily. And although Emperor Zhao's words were pleasant, they might lose their heads if they did not agree. So they also bowed their heads and did not dare to look up at each other.
That's right, what really aroused Emperor Zhao's anger today, or what aroused Zhao Jiu's greatest anger today, was also because the ministers were willing to be a little tolerant of Emperor Zhao, and also because Qu Duan did not act weird in the dispute between civil and military officials just now. It was right here... The 15,000-strong imperial cavalry was established after more than half a year, but only 8,000 were recruited. Without large-scale war horses and cavalry, how could the Northern Expedition be carried out?
Use a donkey?!
"Your Majesty, it's not that I'm incompetent. I've already plundered all the cavalry in Guanxi that I could." No matter what, when asked about his head, the others could 'keep silent' and 'lower their heads', but Qu Da couldn't avoid it, so he opened his mouth for a long time, and in the end he could only bite the bullet and face it. "Your Majesty..."
"After all the looting, you only have more than 8,000? I remember that you personally promised the quota of 15,000 cavalry in the imperial camp in the letter you submitted that day, right? And you thought it was too little at that time?" Zhao Jiu interrupted him and said . "General Qu, get me 8,000 out of the quota of 15,000... Do you know that even when Zhang Boying was at his most absurd, he didn't dare to give me such a vacant quota?"
The Yuetai platform has existed since the Wei Dynasty during the Warring States Period. After the Song Dynasty established its capital in Bianliang, this place became the place where Song Taizu inspected the troops, raised cavalry, and practiced horseback archery. It was theoretically the first general platform of the royal family, and its regulations were self-evident. However, since Emperor Zhao returned to this platform, the atmosphere has not been good, and as Emperor Zhao's words became more and more harsh, it was even more silent. Even the moral model Wanqi Xie did not dare to rush to rescue his own ally at this time.
"I'm asking you a question." After a long while, Zhao Jiu sighed helplessly. "Did you brag about Haikou and deceive the emperor that day, or are you incompetent today?"
Qu Duan raised his head and said helplessly: "Let the emperor know that I don't dare to deceive the emperor, nor am I incompetent, but I did exaggerate before, and I am indeed in some difficulties now..."
"I don't understand your eloquent words. Say something understandable." Zhao Jiu leaned in his seat, unable to urge him.
"What I was thinking at that time was that if we could plunder Guanxi completely, we would still have 20,000 cavalrymen..." Qu Duan replied carefully.
"Twenty thousand cavalry?" Zhao Jiu laughed out loud.
"But the emperor has ordered that the cavalry of the imperial camp should not be moved, and Liu Qi's few cavalry should be left to Wu Jie, so I can't snatch them away."
"You originally had this idea...what else?"
"And then there are the foreign cavalry." Qu Duan finally got to the point. "I thought about it at the time. Lou Shi swept Guanzhong twice before, and the Western Army cavalry was wiped out. All the remaining horses in Guanxi were also taken away. War horses had to be purchased temporarily from Qingtang. Qingtang also had limited supplies, and only 10,000 horses a year would be enough. Some had to be distributed to the other camps in the Imperial Camp. How could we get 15,000 cavalry? In addition, the emperor promised Li Shifu to lead the foreign cavalry into the Imperial Camp. Therefore, I had the intention of going to Hengshan, Douling, and Roulangshan to recruit Dangxiang foreign cavalry. Those places could definitely recruit the full quota of 15,000 cavalry..."
Zhao Jiu glanced at Li Shifu, who didn't even dare to raise his head, and realized something, but was still puzzled: "Why didn't I recruit him?"
"So that the emperor knows that the incident with Li Shifu and his son has made Xixia somewhat alert, and the battle of Yaoshan has also shaken Xixia, so the border has been much stricter." Qu Duan shook his head. "Although the emperor has given a lot of money and silk, those foreign cavalry are eager to come, but the main mountain road is blocked, so they really can't get through... But the emperor, the Xixia people will relax sooner or later. Give me another half a year, and I will definitely be able to gather enough people for the emperor!"
"Cavalry! Western Xia...Jin Kingdom..." Zhao Jiu sighed to the sky, and then remained silent for a long time without saying anything.
Seeing the emperor's expression, the Privy Councilor Zhang Jun stepped forward and tried to explain: "Your Majesty, according to Yue Pengju and Lü Anlao's (Lü Zhi) strategy to pacify Jin, they must first recover Jingdong and northern Shaanxi... Even if we launch a northern expedition, it may take until next year or the year after to cross the river. By then, the cavalry will not be afraid of delays."
Zhao Jiu looked up at the dragon banner floating slightly above his head, but shook his head repeatedly: "Deyuan thinks too lightly. How can the newly recruited cavalry be the same as the cavalry that has been trained for a year? Even the cavalry that has been trained for one year and two years are not the same... The foreign cavalry are familiar with horsemanship but do not abide by discipline, while the Han cavalry have just mounted horses and need training. Qu Da, let me ask you, with your current 8,000 cavalry, can they withstand Wanyan Loushi's charge in the battle of Yaoshan?"
Qu Duan's face turned from red to white, and then from white to red. In the end, he said something truthful: "I dare not lie. Not to mention now, even if we really train and prepare for another year or two, how can these 8,000 cavalrymen withstand the fierce charge of Wanyan Loushi's 7,000 cavalrymen that day? If they could stop them, Li Yongqi would not have died, and Liu Xi would not be the helmsman on the Yellow River now..."
The scene froze for a moment. Liu Qi and Li Shifu raised their heads once, but then both lowered them in fear.
After a while, the breeze gradually rose on the Yuetai, and the flags were unfurled without anyone noticing. It was really majestic, but Emperor Zhao said nothing, and the stage was still silent. The emperor, his ministers, and the military officers could only stare at the dragon banners above their heads and the various flags around them in a daze. However, in the cavalry formation not far away, some foreign cavalry had already gradually lost their patience and were whispering to each other, walking around and asking questions, and the scene gradually became lively.
Qu Duan couldn't bear to watch it any longer. He wanted to speak up several times and volunteer to go and tidy up the team, but he didn't dare to open his mouth every time.
After waiting for an unknown amount of time, the stalemate was finally broken... Liu Yan, who had left Yuetai at some point, suddenly came galloping with dozens of Red Heart Cavalrymen. All of the Red Heart Cavalrymen were armored, and their armors reflected dazzlingly in the midday sun, shocking the foreign cavalrymen and causing them to give way. Liu Yan ignored the atmosphere and went directly onto the stage, then presented Emperor Zhao with a wooden box specially used for holding notes.
Needless to say, this was a secret letter that only military officials could enjoy. What puzzled these central government officials was that three chicken feathers were glued tightly onto the wooden box? !
But soon, as the officers above the rank of commander present, as well as Emperor Zhao himself, became extremely serious after seeing the chicken feathers, these smart civil officials finally came to their senses. This was probably a sign of the seriousness of the message.
However, Zhao Jiu opened the chicken feather note, flipped through it quickly, and then relaxed on the spot, as if it was a false alarm.
Seeing this, Zhao Ding frowned slightly, waited for a while, and then stepped forward to ask: "Sir, may I ask how serious the military situation is? Can you tell me?"
"It's not a serious matter, but I'll tell you sooner or later." Zhao Jiu handed the note directly to Zhao Ding, and then continued to look up at the sky, but he spoke fluently. "Wuqimai had a stroke, didn't he? Nianhan led the Grand Marshal Jiaguolun Bojile... But just ten days ago, the three brothers of Wanyan Wushu killed Nianhan, forced Wuqimai to abdicate as the emperor, and established the crown prince, that is, their nephew Hela as the king, and changed the era name to Huangtong, and moved the capital to Yanjing."
Zhao Ding held out his hand and took the note. Before he even opened it, he and everyone behind him were stunned.
"On the second day after Hela ascended the throne, he abolished the system of the Grand Marshal and Bogile, and set up the Grand Province and the Privy Council in the Shangshutai of Yanjing, imitating us. My eldest uncle Wanyan Wuben was the King of Liao, the Grand Tutor, and the Minister of Military and State Affairs, that is, the Prime Minister in charge of civil and military affairs; my third uncle Wanyan Erliduo was the King of Jin, the Grand Minister of the Grand Province, and the Marshal; my fourth uncle Wanyan Wushu was the King of Wei, the Privy Envoy, and the Deputy Marshal. These two people basically shared the political and military power, and Wanyan Xiyin was the Deputy Prime Minister of the Grand Province." Zhao Jiu raised his head and narrated non-stop, as if he was telling a story, but when he got to this point, he couldn't help but pause for a moment before continuing. "Then he also appointed the surrendered minister Qin Hui as the Deputy Privy Envoy... After the reform, he sent envoys south on the third day, intending to negotiate peace with us again. This letter is the message given by the envoy, which was transmitted from Zhang Rong."
"Qin Huizhi actually became the deputy envoy of the Jin Kingdom?" Zhao Ding was actually the first one to notice this.
Emperor Zhao sighed when he heard this: "Everyone has their own aspirations. Liu Yu has already proclaimed himself emperor, so Zhe Keqiu can surrender... There is no need to force him to be a Chief Censor."
"The Jin Kingdom is in such a mess, isn't it God's blessing on the Song Dynasty?" Zhang Jun reacted and was delighted for a moment. "Your Majesty, Nianhan is the most meritorious minister of the Jin Kingdom. Wanyan Wushu and his people killed Nianhan and forced Wuqimai to retreat, which is their own fault!"
Zhao Jiu kept shaking his head. "That's not the case. The Jin Dynasty was established only a few years ago, and it has mixed with some of the barbarians' tricks... If we have to sort this out, it's nothing more than that after Aguda's death, Wuqimai, Nianhan, and Aguda's sons were in a three-way balance of power. Then Wuqimai had a stroke or became sick, and suddenly lost the balance. Nianhan fought for power with Aguda's sons, and then Nianhan won first and then lost, and lost his life. Without so many tricks, there wouldn't necessarily be chaos below. Maybe the three families would unite, and the military and political unification of the Jin Dynasty would make it more difficult to deal with."
Everyone including Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun nodded and said that they did have such concerns.
"However, this matter can also be explained from the fundamental point of view." Emperor Zhao continued to talk. "After all, the Jin Kingdom was hastily transformed from a barbarian tribe into a great country with a vast territory. The territory is so large, and there are many ethnic groups. Moreover, they have no morals, and they kill and plunder without restraint. The system is not uniform. There have always been many problems in the middle, and there have always been internal strife. It is only because the military struggles in the previous 20 years have been successful, and the gold and silver they have robbed have been wasted, that these internal struggles have been covered up and delayed. And now, once they are gradually blocked by us at the edge of the Yellow River, and can no longer make military progress, they will naturally cause trouble internally."
Zhao Ding and others nodded more and more, even Qu Duan, who was both civil and military, nodded continuously... They really felt that Emperor Zhao's summary was on point, and these words could be directly reported in the imperial gazette.
Qu Duan had already thought of a name for Emperor Zhao - "The Emperor Discusses the Nature of the Jin Bandits' Coup".
The official's words were so insightful that everyone was convinced and nodded. But for some reason, Yang Yizhong, who was considered to be both civil and military, did not nod.
In fact, this long-time confidant of Emperor Zhao had always felt that something was a little strange, because something was not right after Emperor Zhao mentioned Qin Hui. In Yang Yizhong's opinion, Emperor Zhao did not seem to feel sorry for Qin Hui's following the thief, but seemed to have suddenly let go of something and felt somewhat relieved.
Otherwise, why would I bother saying all that nonsense later?
