Chapter 43

"Why don't you dare to acknowledge his contributions?" A large man flipped down from a large thorny tree behind them. Everyone was startled, and Li Sangou's eyes revealed a fierce light. It was already a case of the weak fighting the strong; if the news leaked to the invading Western Xia army, the entire village would be in danger. "It's you... Did the Taoist catch him?" Wang Ju asked. It was the hunter whose identity had not been guessed that day. "Ha ha..." The hunter laughed, ashamed, ashamed. Not even catching one criminal, how could he have the face to say it. "Who are you?" The hunter took out a waist plate. There were three large characters on it: Imperial City Office, the special service organization of the Song Dynasty. "Why are you here in our village, Imperial City Office?" Wang Ju's face was not very pleasant. "The emperor has given orders, to investigate the military discipline in Shaanxi and to investigate the masterminds behind a series of incidents in Yan Prefecture. Do you think I can't come to your village?" In fact, the emperor wanted to find out why the soldiers turned into bandits. This didn't need to be found out; everyone knew it in their hearts. Indeed, the Song Dynasty's military expenses might amount to 70 to 80 million strings of coins per year, two-thirds of the national treasury's income. But this money was not all used to pay the soldiers' salaries. Rewards, pensions, repairs to fortresses, the production and maintenance of weapons and armor, logistics supplies, the actual amount that the soldiers received was just enough to support their families. But even this salary was deducted by the higher-ranking officers. If the family lived in the capital or other large cities, where prices were high, how could they support the family? Therefore, some soldiers' wives, because their families were starving, had to become military prostitutes, or those with flexible minds had to do business. How could such an army fight well? But what could be done? Or should they learn from the Tang Dynasty's system of maintaining troops in regional military commands? Unless, like the Eastern Han, there were no strong enemies around, and they didn't need to maintain so many troops, these contradictions could be fully resolved. But with the Song Dynasty's national strength, how could they annihilate the Liao and Western Xia? Besides, these issues were not what he needed to consider. He was a member of the Imperial City Office, and his family could only live a modest life. These soldiers, once they reached the border, could rob and plunder, why not do it? Therefore, their main task this time was to find the person who commanded the battle at Heao Ridge. The clues given by the emperor left them somewhat confused: the name was Daniu, and he was thirteen years old. Alright, let's say he was thirteen. So they came to look for him. Where to look? There were too many young men named Daniu in the northwest of Yan Prefecture. It wasn't until the treasure incident that the focus gradually shifted to the Zhu family. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so familiar with the Zhu family. While investigating the Zhu family, he sent people to Wang Family Village. Wang Ju's maturity surprised him; a child of thirteen or fourteen having the mind of an adult would surprise anyone. But could it be said that the ambush at Shandao was commanded by this young man, and later the treasure incident was also his doing? Luring the Western Xia people over, that was the most ingenious and brilliant part of the entire incident, and everyone recognized this brilliant strategy. Even Cheng Kan wouldn't have thought of such a brilliant strategy. Cheng Kan didn't believe it either, insisting that there was a "high person" behind it, and this was agreed upon by several members of the Imperial City Office. So he reported it to Emperor Zhenzong, who then issued a secret edict, leaving him behind to continue monitoring this young man, and not to do anything else. "I don't understand." "Are you the boy who commanded the battle at Heao Ridge?" Wang Ju understood a bit. Perhaps after Zhao Nianu returned to the capital, her father extracted the information from her. No matter what, saving his daughter should earn some reward. But that time, he hadn't even entered the village before taking Zhao Nianu and her maid away. So the information provided by Zhao Nianu was always limited. Emperor Zhenzong was not a fool; this matter could not be made public, or what would happen to his daughter's reputation? So he sent the Imperial City Office to investigate secretly, including the capture of the deputy commander last year. But he could not admit it, as the reputation of a salt smuggler would ruin his life. "What is Heao Ridge?" "Imperial City Office?" Wang Quan and Gui Mei Lang asked curiously. "A special force responsible for the emperor's safety, gathering information on the people and the military, all of its soldiers are top-notch from all over the country." "Boy, did you say it right? Were those mules yours that day?" "Brother, those were mules, living as beasts. I've heard that the emperor loves his people like his children, and local officials can investigate, but you are the emperor's close confidants, why do you have to tarnish the emperor's reputation?" The large man was speechless. The emperor is a good emperor, and this great principle would crush him to death. "Brother, if you have time, go listen on the other side of the mountain." "If you are not in that position, you should not meddle in that matter." "If you are not in that position, you should not meddle in that matter..." Wang Ju shook his head. In fact, Wang Ju wanted to say, go listen on the other side of the mountain, something big is about to happen there, but he thought better of it, he couldn't say it, the more he said, the more trouble it would cause. "What is the background of that Taoist?" "He escaped, how would I know his background? Boy, I am not your brother." "Brother, a great enemy is coming soon. If you have any questions, wait until after the battle." "Why don't you dare to acknowledge it?" "Brother, Pan Gong and Cao Gong received their rewards and passed away, but look at the emperor's reign, Zhang Gong shone brightly in Fuzhou, where is he now?" "He is serving as the governor of Xuzhou." "Are there Western Xia people in Xuzhou? What rewards did the Wang Ji and Wang Wenxuan receive for their great contributions in the Rabbit Fur River battle? The emperor promoted General Di, but why did he die of frustration? So in our dynasty, one can only be a scholar, not a military hero like Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Li Jing, or Li Ji. I am a scholar, I only want to pass the imperial exams, do you think I can admit it?" "Who are Wang Ji and Wang Wenxuan?" "Ask the emperor to ask Sima Junshi." Wang Ju was speechless. Such a capable person, with such great contributions, yet everyone was erased. But Sima Guang served in Fuzhou for a time, so he should know. "Also, you are the emperor's left and right arms, the Imperial City Office. Have you ever been respected?" "We are just a group of warriors." "So, brother, do you understand now?" "..." The large man was speechless. He originally wanted to mention Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan, but there was a saying, "Little Fan has tens of thousands of soldiers in his belly, not like Old Fan who can be deceived." But upon careful thought, apart from building fortresses and passive defense, what significant victories did Fan Zhongyan ever achieve? The fortress strategy, though good, required a huge number of troops and endless expenses to implement. Look at these years, has the financial situation improved? As for Han Qi, it was even worse. "Even so, you are about to face over six hundred real Western Xia soldiers. If you fail, the entire village will be destroyed." "Brother." "I am not your brother." "Alright, uncle, this is our village's matter, don't trouble yourself. Besides, how do you know we won't win?" "Even if we win, our village will suffer heavy casualties." LZ couldn't help but get angry. The hard-earned morale was about to be destroyed by this imperial spy. Wang Ju shouted, "What if we don't fight? Are we going to abandon the hard-earned home? If we lose this home, are we going to become mules again? Fellow villagers, are you willing?" Who would be willing? "And even if we let it pass this time, what about next time? This time, the Gui family helped us gather information, and we are prepared for battle. Next time, if the Gui family is not paying attention, and they come suddenly, we won't even be able to fight. Brother, what would you do? Would you all become fugitives?"