xymnovel Chapter 68 Change of Commander
Chapter 68 Change of Commander
Chapter 68 Change of Commander
Inside the Funing Palace in Bianjing (Kaifeng).
Zhao Xu leaned against the heated kang bed in the warm pavilion, which was covered with thick brocade mattresses, and was covered with a thin silk quilt with a bright yellow dragon pattern.
His face was still pale, but he seemed to be in better spirits today. His eyes were particularly bright and alert as he intently read through an unusually thick memorial in his hands.
It was a memorial written by Zhao Mingcheng.
Hao Sui, who was standing to the side, held his breath and carefully noticed that when the Emperor first started reading, his expression was relatively calm, but as he read more, his brows would sometimes relax and sometimes furrow, and a smile would occasionally appear at the corner of his mouth.
After a long while, Zhao Xu finally finished reading the last line. He did not speak immediately, but gently placed the memorial on the kang table and looked out the window.
"Well done—Zhao Mingcheng is truly remarkable!" Zhao Xu suddenly exclaimed in a low voice.
"The wolf soars high in the valley, sweeping away enemy strongholds; at the Huangshui Alliance, its might subdues all tribes. It establishes its authority by eliminating internal traitors, demonstrates its credibility through rewards and punishments, and solidifies its resolve through oaths of alliance. Its actions are methodical and well-organized, and even more remarkable is its balance of firmness and flexibility, and its profound foresight. I have indeed not misjudged it!"
Hao Sui quickly bowed and said.
"With everyone's discerning eye, Zhao Fuyu has lived up to the Emperor's expectations and created such a new situation in the Hehuang region. This is a great blessing for the Emperor and a fortune for the nation."
Zhao Xu waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to say such platitudes.
His gaze returned to the memorial, his fingers lightly tapping the cover, and he continued.
"Although Wang Shan has flaws such as being arrogant and domineering and harsh in managing his subordinates, he is capable and courageous in battle. This time, he also understood the bigger picture, accepted Zhao Mingcheng's command, and worked together to wipe out the Wild Wolf tribe in one fell swoop. His contribution is invaluable."
As for his previous conflicts with Wang Min and Sun Lu, as well as his hasty use of troops and improper management of subordinates, these are all common habits of border generals who are not good at administrative affairs, but his heart is still to expand the country's borders.
Zhao Xu abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning cold and tinged with anger.
"It is Sun Lu who is in charge of military affairs along the Xihe-Lanhui route! As the military commissioner, he has been negligent and irresponsible in matters of life and death such as the transportation of grain and fodder, which has led to the soldiers at the front suffering from food shortages and unstable morale!"
Not to mention that he was lax in managing his subordinates, and his men even colluded with local powerful figures and Tibetan rebel chieftains, almost ruining the court's grand plan to stabilize the border!
Zhao Mingcheng's report was worded euphemistically, stating that he might be "misled by subordinates" or "hindered by internal interference." However, Sun Lu's incompetence, negligence, and even—his indulgence—were already obvious! How could such a person be entrusted with the crucial western frontier and become Zhao Mingcheng's support?
Hao Sui felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the Emperor was truly angry with Sun Lu.
He dared not reply, but stood with his head bowed.
Zhao Xu remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing his options, before giving the order.
"Go, summon Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun to come to the Funing Palace to see me immediately."
"Yes, everyone." Hao Sui quickly replied and hurriedly went out to deliver the decree.
A moment later, Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun entered the warm pavilion of Funing Palace one after the other.
"Rise, my lords, and offer them seats. Serve tea."
Zhao Xu raised his hand, gesturing for the two to sit on the embroidered stools that had been prepared beforehand, and a eunuch served them hot tea.
"Your Majesty has summoned us urgently; is there some urgent situation on the border?" Zhang Dun spoke first.
"Indeed." Zhao Xu pushed Zhao Mingcheng's memorial forward on the kang table. "This is a secret memorial from Zhao Mingcheng, the Pacification Commissioner of Hehuang. You two should take a look first."
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Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun both turned solemn.
The affairs of the Hehuang region were of great importance to the court, and Zhao Mingcheng was someone personally selected by the emperor, so the significance of his secret report was self-evident.
The two apologized and took turns holding the memorial to the throne, reading it carefully.
Silence fell once again in the warm chamber, broken only by the sound of turning the pages.
Zhang Dun read quickly, but his brows furrowed more and more deeply.
His expression darkened when he saw Zhao Mingcheng describe how he devised a plan to encircle and annihilate the Wild Wolf Tribe, how he convened a meeting of various tribes, and how he achieved a breakthrough by "using barbarians to control barbarians."
He supported the border expansion strategy led by generals such as Wang Shan.
Zhao Mingcheng's approach of appeasement, stabilizing the border, and even supporting the Tibetan leader did not entirely align with his own ideals, but the remarkable results presented in the report made it difficult for him to directly refute it.
When he saw the report pointing out problems such as Sun Lu's lax management and poor coordination, his heart sank even further.
Although Sun Lu was not a close ally of him, he was, after all, the military commissioner, and to some extent represented the implementation of his border expansion policy in the local area.
Now, being subtly criticized by Zhao Mingcheng, this "youngster," in a secret report has made him lose face.
Zeng Bu looked at it much more carefully. His expression was initially solemn, but gradually relaxed. By the time he finished reading, there was undisguised admiration in his eyes. He even patted his knee lightly and whispered.
"Excellent! His decision-making was decisive and methodical, and even more commendable was his broad vision and ability to transcend the gains and losses of a single battle. Zhao Mingcheng is a true patriot!"
After the two finished reading, Zhao Xu slowly spoke.
"The two ministers have read it. Zhao Mingcheng deserves immense credit for the current state of affairs in the Hehuang region, and Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and even Xia Zheng have each contributed their utmost. Therefore…"
He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Zhang Dun, "The report reveals the shortcomings of weak rear support and even obstruction from others. As the military commissioner, has Sun Lu performed his duties adequately in the transportation of provisions, coordination among the generals, and pacification of the region? What do you two think?"
Zhang Dun knew that Sun Lu was going to be held accountable. Sun Lu was his man, and he had to make a statement.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Your Majesty, Sun Lu may have made some oversights, but having served on the frontier for a long time, he may have made significant contributions to military deployment and the checks and balances among the generals. The difficulties in transporting goods across the Hehuang region are not a recent phenomenon, and Li is also partly to blame. Zhao Mingcheng's report is likely a pretext used by local powerful figures, and may not necessarily be something Sun Lu was aware of or condoning. I urge Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."
Zhang Dun was trying to exonerate Sun Lu, shifting some of the blame to Transport Commissioner Li, and downplaying the seriousness of the "collusion."
How could Zeng Bu let him have his way?
He immediately replied, "What Minister Zhang said is not without reason. However, the responsibility of the military commissioner lies in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties."
The supply of provisions is the lifeblood of the army. If the transportation is not smooth, the military commissioner will not do his best to urge and smooth the process. Instead, he will be at odds with the general Wang Shan at the front, which will lead to the failure of the administration. This is the first mistake.
His failure to strictly manage his subordinates, and even his close associates and relatives associating with lawless powerful figures, allowed the enemy to take advantage of the situation and spread rumors, almost ruining the court's new policies. This is his second fault.
When Zhao Mingcheng was in Hehuang, he implemented the national policy of stabilizing the border and ensuring the safety of the people. Sun Lu, as his superior, failed to provide strong support and was even suspected of hindering him. This was his third fault.
With these three faults, even if he made some minor contributions to military deployment, it cannot overshadow his serious shortcomings of being perfunctory in his duties and hindering the front lines! If such a person continues to hold command of strategically vital locations like Xihe and Lanhui, which are crucial to both the Xia and the Fan, I fear it will not only fail to help Zhao Mingcheng consolidate his gains, but may also delay military operations and jeopardize our court's grand plan to advance westward!
Zeng Bu used the phrase "perfunctory in handling official business and hindering progress" to describe Sun Lu's actions in a very strong way, directly characterizing his behavior.
This is no longer a matter of ability, but a matter of attitude and stance.
Zhang Dun's face darkened.
"Is Privy Councilor Zeng being too harsh? Even if Sun Lu has his faults, changing commanders in the midst of battle is a cardinal sin in military strategy. Now that the situation in the Hehuang region has been stabilized, it is precisely the time to make the best use of talent—"
"Precisely because the situation has just been stabilized, we need to work together as one, like an extension of an arm!" Zeng Bu interrupted Zhang Dun and bowed to Zhao Xu.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Mingcheng has laid a solid foundation in the Hehuang region by suppressing internal traitors and pacifying various foreign tribes. However, Xisheluosa has not yet been destroyed, the Western Xia is eyeing us covetously, the military settlements have not yet been completed, and the people's hearts have only just begun to be won over."
This is precisely where a capable and virtuous leader is needed who can deeply understand the Emperor's intention to "stabilize the borders," is proficient in military affairs, is good at coordination, and can fully support Zhao Mingcheng's strategic planning. He should be stationed in Xizhou to stabilize the rear, coordinate the various armies, and deal with changes in the situation. Sun Lu is clearly not the right person for this task.
At this juncture, it is appropriate to replace the leader with a capable one, rather than adhering to the outdated practice of changing commanders on the eve of battle. If we follow the old ways and act haphazardly, it may lead to future troubles!
As Zhao Xu listened to the argument between the two important ministers, he tapped his fingers lightly on the thin blanket.
Zeng Bu's words resonated deeply with him.
His dissatisfaction with Sun Lu was not new, and Zhao Mingcheng's report this time further confirmed his incompetence and obstruction.
The Hehuang region was a strategic frontier area that he still longed for even in his illness, and it was a symbol of his ambition to make a difference. How could he allow a mediocre person to ruin the overall situation?
"Minister Zhang, what Minister Zeng said is not without reason," Zhao Xu said slowly. "Sun Lu may have worked hard, but he is indeed lacking in overall planning of the Hehuang region, especially in cooperating with Zhao Mingcheng to implement the border stabilization policy. Since he is lacking, he should be replaced."
"I recall that Hu Zonghui, the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi, once served as the Military Commander of Qinfeng Circuit. He is knowledgeable in military affairs and well-informed about border matters. Moreover, he has always been quite diligent in matters such as land reclamation and pacifying the tribal tribes, which aligns well with Zhao Mingcheng's approach. What do you think of appointing him as the Military Commissioner of Xihe Lanhui Circuit?"
Hu Zonghui?
Zhang Dun felt a chill run down his spine.
This man was indeed a capable official, and he made great achievements during his tenure as the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi. He also seemed to have a good relationship with Zeng Bu.
The fact that the emperor specifically named this person clearly indicates that he has adopted Zeng Bu's suggestion to replace the commander, and that the candidate had already been considered.
He knew that the emperor's mind was made up, and it would be pointless for him to defend Sun Lu any further; on the contrary, it would only displease the emperor.
Zhang Dun quickly weighed the pros and cons and changed his mind.
"Your Majesty is wise. Hu Zonghui is experienced, prudent, and knowledgeable in military affairs. He is indeed a suitable candidate. With him stationed in Xizhou, the rear of the Hehuang region can be secured, allowing Zhao Mingcheng and others to focus on the affairs at the front."
Zeng Bu was secretly delighted and quickly said.
"Your Majesty has keen insight! Hu Zonghui is indeed an excellent choice. He is steady and resourceful, and will surely be able to work together with Zhao Mingcheng to secure the Hehuang region."
"In that case, it's settled then." Zhao Xu made the final decision. "The Secretariat shall quickly draft an edict to dismiss Sun Lu from his post as Military Commissioner of Xihe-Lanhui Circuit and reassign him to a sinecure. Hu Zonghui, the Transport Commissioner of Shaanxi, shall be transferred to the post of Military Commissioner of Xihe-Lanhui Circuit and shall take up his post immediately without delay. Furthermore, Transport Commissioner Li, for his incompetence and negligence, shall also be dismissed, and the Ministry of Personnel shall select a capable person to fill the position."
"Your Majesty, we obey!" Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun replied in unison.
With the personnel arrangements settled, Zhao Xu seemed to be in a much better mood.
He instructed the eunuch to replace the tea with hot tea and said this to Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun.
"Zhao Mingcheng and others fought bravely at the front and made great contributions. The court must reward them. However, how to reward them and what to reward them with needs to be carefully considered."
Zhao Mingcheng was originally an imperial envoy, and he was young. Such a sudden and excessive promotion might not be a good thing. Generals like Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu should be rewarded according to their military merits. As for the eunuch Tong Guan and the barbarian chieftain Xia Zheng, they should also be shown some recognition to demonstrate the court's clear distinction between rewards and punishments.
He once preached.
"Your Majesty's concerns are very valid. Zhao Mingcheng's merit lies not in conquering cities and seizing territories, but in devising strategies to secure the country and win the hearts of the people. This is a long-term achievement that cannot be compared to a short-term military victory."
It would be better to reward him generously with gold, silver, and silk, and commend his achievements, allowing him to continue to handle all affairs of the Hehuang region. It would not be too late to bestow titles and rewards after the Hehuang region is completely stabilized.
As for the military merits of generals such as Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu, the Privy Council, in conjunction with the Ministry of War, may verify and discuss their commendations. Tong Guan may be granted an additional title within the Inner Palace Secretariat and rewarded with valuables. Long Za may be promoted in rank and have his salary increased as a sign of honor.
Zhang Dun did not object this time, and nodded in agreement.
Zhao Xu nodded: "As Zeng Qing suggested, the reward can be slightly more generous. In addition, I want to personally write a reply to Zhao Mingcheng. Hao Sui, prepare pen and ink."
Hao Sui quickly spread out the imperial stationery on the kang table and ground the ink.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Xu began to write. This was not an official edict, but rather a personal, encouraging imperial edict.
"I hereby order Zhao Mingcheng, the Pacification Commissioner of the Hehuang Region: I have carefully reviewed your report. The army triumphed at Langgu, the alliance was formed along the Huangshui River, traitors were punished within the walls, and the various barbarian tribes were subdued in the remote wilderness. Your loyalty, diligence, wisdom, and strategy have truly comforted me. I know that the importance of the Hehuang region lies in long-term stability, not in swift victory. You have been able to understand my intentions, implement a policy of leniency and severity, spread trust and righteousness among the Han and barbarian tribes, and establish rules and regulations on the border. This is something that only a person of great wisdom and courage can accomplish. I am very pleased."
He paused here, then continued writing.
"Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu and others have devoted themselves to the affairs of the king and made great contributions. The court has its own rites to reward their merits."
However, a general must not become arrogant because of his achievements; he must be especially cautious. You have already resolved the previous matter concerning Wang Shan, and I am aware of this. However, he is stubborn by nature and may have made mistakes in managing his subordinates. You can reprimand him on my behalf, urging him to correct these errors. In the future, we should work together wholeheartedly to overcome national difficulties. Tong Guan and Xia Zheng have each contributed their efforts and should also be commended.”
The writing style then shifts to convey admonition and expectation.
"However, Xi Sheluo Sa has fled and not been captured. The Xia people are cunning and are waiting for an opportunity to act. The foundation of the Hehuang region is newly established, like a seedling. We need to guard against wind and rain. You must be more vigilant, make good relations with the various tribes, strengthen our garrison and land reclamation, open our trade routes, and train our soldiers."
Once Hu Zong returns to his post, and all of you, both civil and military, are in harmony, then there will be no worries about the west. I am in the capital, looking westward day and night, eagerly awaiting good news from you. Strive for it, and be cautious. I also bestow upon you one hundred taels of gold and five hundred bolts of silk from the imperial treasury for military expenses.
After finishing writing, Zhao Xu put down his pen, gently blew the ink dry, and said to Hao Suidao.
"Using the imperial seal, along with the decree for rewarding meritorious service, send it together to the Hehuang region by express courier at a distance of 600 li, and deliver it to Zhao Mingcheng for personal opening."
"Yes, everyone." Hao Sui carefully put away the imperial edict.
Seeing this, Zeng Bu and Zhang Dun wisely took their leave.
Stepping out of the Funing Palace, a cold wind swept over him. Looking at the leaden sky, Zhang Dun felt a mix of emotions.
Zhao Mingcheng's rise to power is now unstoppable.
The change of military commissioner and the rise of Hu Zonghui signified that the emperor's will to "stabilize the border" was becoming clearer, and his own proposition of "prioritizing border expansion" had been cleverly integrated and transformed by Zhao Mingcheng in the specific practice of the Hehuang region.
The political landscape may be heading in a new direction in the future.
He glanced at Zeng Bu beside him, who was calm and steady, and sighed inwardly. This old rival was probably going to use this opportunity to advance further.
Inside the warm pavilion, Zhao Xu leaned back against the cushions, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over him, but also a rare sense of exhilaration.
He looked towards the Hehuang region, and it seemed he could see that young figure in a scarlet robe, forging ahead through wind and snow on the land of Hehuang.
"Zhao Mingcheng—do not disappoint me. Take firm control of the Hehuang region for me and for the Great Song Dynasty."
Zhao Xu murmured to himself, slowly closing his eyes. The long-standing illness between his brows seemed to have faded somewhat because of the good news and hope from the Northwest.
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