Chapter 100: Slow Journey in the Snow (Part 5)

Han Gang clasped his hands in greeting: "Brother Wang saved my life and we have shared many hardships together, becoming sworn brothers. In his letter, he mentioned me and perhaps praised me a bit too much."

"There's no such thing! You are too modest, Yuku." Zhong Jianzhong patted Han Gang's shoulder affectionately and repeated, "You are really too modest, Yuku!"

Zhong Jianzhong looked at Han Gang's companions at the table. Lu Ming was still shaken. Zhong Jianzhong went over and bowed, "Brother, I apologize for earlier." He then bowed to Liu Zhongwu and greeted him. Turning back to Han Gang, he said, "Yuku, the teacher has already entered the capital, and we fellow students are scattered like stars. It's rare to meet. How about we sit together and chat?"

"That would be great!" Han Gang nodded straightforwardly. He called over a station attendant to combine the two tables. They ordered new wine and dishes, and the six of them sat down together.

Zhong Jianzhong introduced the middle-aged man with him to Han Gang: "This is my fourth uncle, currently serving as the Eastern Road Inspector of Qingzhou. With no troubles on the border, he has taken leave to come out."

Zhong Jianzhong's fourth uncle bore some resemblance to Zhong Jianzhong and Zhong Pu, but his demeanor was more composed. Han Gang bowed: "Han Gang greets Inspector Zhong."

Zhong Si returned the bow and said two words: "Zhong Yong." He was a man of few words, and Zhong Yong seemed even more taciturn than Li Xin.

Zhong Jianzhong found it a bit strange that Han Gang's bow was a bit more respectful to his fourth uncle, Zhong Yong, perhaps because Han Gang was his classmate, but his words did not have the tone of a junior addressing a senior, and he also occupied a table at the station. Could he have already obtained an official position? Zhong Jianzhong suppressed his surprise and asked tentatively, "I wonder why Yuku has come to Jingzhao Prefecture this time?"

Han Gang said straightforwardly, "I came from Qin Prefecture, preparing to go to the capital."

"Going to take the exams?" Zhong Pu asked, then shook his head, "It's too late for the exams now."

Han Gang glanced at Lu Ming. "I'm going to the Bureau of Streamlined Officials to report in." He said calmly, "I have recently been recommended by the Chief Secretary of Qin-Feng Road and am working in the Planning Office."

As he had guessed, Han Gang had already obtained an official position. Zhong Jianzhong was surprised but also happy for Han Gang. He filled his cup and toasted Han Gang, "Yuku, congratulations on being recommended to an official position. We are truly envious!"

Han Gang raised his cup, "Thank you, I'm just taking the first step. With your talent, obtaining an official position is as easy as turning your hand. In the future, you will surely surpass me and achieve a higher rank."

The two drank a cup together and sat down. Han Gang asked, "What about you, Yishu? Why have you come to Jingzhao Prefecture?"

"I just returned from the old house in the southern mountains. This year marks the 25th anniversary of my great-grandfather's death. My father and several uncles have returned from their posts. We only dispersed yesterday."

"Then, in the past few days, half of the famous generals on the border must have been absent," Han Gang said half-jokingly.

"Yuku, you are joking," Zhong Jianzhong and Zhong Pu laughed heartily, even the usually serious Zhong Yong couldn't help but smile.

Zhong Shiheng had many sons and had achieved many merits. His eight sons all received appointments and were scattered across Shaanxi.

Now, in Guanxi, the Zhong family's military reputation was formidable. The most famous was Zhong E, who had captured Suide and was now participating in the Hengshan strategy on the front lines. The current head of the Fuyan branch of the Zhong family, the eldest son Zhong Gu, refused to take office in his youth and gave his appointments to his brothers. He preferred to live in seclusion in the Zhongnan Mountains, known as the "Little Recluse." Later, due to a family grievance, he had to come out of seclusion and is now the Prefect of Yuan Prefecture. The second son, Zhong Zhen, is the Prefect of Huan Prefecture.

Suide, Yuan Prefecture, and Huan Prefecture are all on the border. Zhong E is in Fuyan, Zhong Gu in Jingyuan, and Zhong Zhen in Huanqing. The three most famous brothers of the Zhong family are all fighting on the front lines against the Western Xia, hence they are known as the "Three Zhongs."

Zhong Yong's achievements and reputation were a step lower, but he was still the Eastern Road Inspector of Qingzhou, close to the front lines. The other three brothers of the Zhong family also led troops outside. The Fuyan branch of the Zhong family, in the Guanxi military families, firmly held the top position, far surpassing other military families like Qu, Yao, and Tian.

"However, can you leave Suide recently?" Han Gang asked, "I heard that the Western bandits have some major moves there recently."

Zhong Jianzhong narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Yuku, are you asking on behalf of the Chief Secretary of Qin-Feng Road?"

"Even you know about the events in Heluan?" Han Gang asked.

"Both in Shaanxi, if Hengshan is to be fought, Heluan must also be fought. How could I not know?" Zhong Jianzhong explained with a smile, "I have been learning and training under my fifth uncle recently." His smile faded, and his expression turned slightly serious, "But it has been quite peaceful recently."

"Because of Shao Xuanchui?" The enmity between Shao Kui and Zhong E was never a secret in Guanxi, or rather, the entanglements in the official world were never a secret. Earlier, Zhong Jianzhong only mentioned Wang Shao but not Li Shizhong, clearly showing his deep understanding of the Qin-Feng official world.

"Let's call him Shao Taiwei." Zhong Pu's displeasure was even more evident. Zhong Shijiu was only Zhong E's nephew, while Zhong Shiqi was Zhong E's own son.

Han Gang was suspicious. According to popular custom, high-ranking generals could be respectfully called "Taiwei." However, in the official world, this would not be the case.

"Has Shao Zhongtong been promoted again?" Lu Ming asked, unlike Han Gang, who always thought before speaking, he asked directly.

Zhong Pu glanced at Lu Ming and then at Liu Changzuo. He had been so engrossed in talking to Han Gang that he had forgotten to greet his companions. He stood up and apologized, "I was impolite earlier. I haven't even asked for your names."

Liu Zhongwu and Lu Ming quickly stood up. The Fuyan branch of the Zhong family was a formidable presence in Guanxi, and they did not dare to be disrespectful. After introducing themselves and exchanging a few cups of wine, they sat down again. Lu Ming brought up the topic again, "Has Shao Zhongtong been promoted again?"

Shao Zhongtong was Shao Kui's courtesy name. He had served as the Consolation Commissioner of Shaanxi, the Deputy Chief of the Military Council, the Southern Inspector of the Imperial Secretariat, and held the title of Inspector General. In the million-strong army of the Song Dynasty, he was considered a top figure. Where could he be promoted to next?

"To the rank of Inspector General! So now he is Shao Taiwei!" Zhong Pu said resentfully. The nineteen ranks of the Inspector General were honorary titles given to high officials, and Inspector General was the second rank, only below the rank of Grand Inspector General, two ranks higher than Inspector General. It was a standard promotion and ennoblement, "The emperor even issued a handwritten edict, 'His profound strategy and secret plans are all in line with the situation. With such a minister, I have no worries about the west.'"

The emperor's handwritten edict was a great honor. Han Gang asked, "Is it because he saw through the Western bandits' plan to exchange the abandoned forts of Saimen and Anyuan for Suide?"

"Also because he hid the edict and prevented Suide from being burned down." Zhong Jianzhong was straightforward and did not withhold praise for Shao Kui's achievements in Suide just because he disliked him.

Zhong E, following a secret edict, launched a military campaign to capture Suide, angering the Military Council. Zhong E was demoted to Suizhou, and Gao Zunyu, who delivered the secret edict, was also demoted. The Chief of the Military Council, Wen Yanbo, even created a public opinion in the court and the country, using the unfavorable geographical location of Suide for defense as a reason to persuade Emperor Zhezong to issue an edict to burn down Suide. All this was because the emperor's secret edict had infringed on the authority of the Military Council. Wen Yanbo could not attack the emperor, so he could only suppress Zhong E. Burning down Suide would mean that Zhong E's efforts were in vain, and Emperor Zhezong would lose face. After this lesson, he would not bypass the Military Council and issue secret edicts to front-line generals again.

But Shao Kui was just transferred to Fuyan at this time. When the edict reached him, it did not pass on. Shao Kui hid the edict and instead submitted a petition strongly advising against abandoning Suide. Compared to the most skilled in intrigue in the Military Council, such as Wen Yanbo, the veteran general Shao Kui's evaluation of Suide was naturally more convincing. Emperor Zhezong recalled the edict, and Suide remained in the hands of the Song.

Han Gang sighed, "Promoted and ennobled, and received the emperor's handwritten edict, Shao Taiwei is truly in a position of great power."

"If this continues, my fifth brother will have no place to stand in Fuyan," Zhong Yong said worriedly.

After a moment, Zhong Jianzhong's mood improved, and he smiled, "Yuku, don't gloat. Shao Zhongtong not only became a Taiwei, but his official position has also changed."

Changed? Han Gang was taken aback.

Shao Kui was the current Deputy Commander of the Jingnan Army, a standard fourth-rank position. The next level up was the second-rank Commander of the Army. However, the Commander of the Army was generally a position reserved for retired prime ministers, close relatives of the imperial family, or in-laws. Military officers usually had to wait until they were posthumously honored or retired to have a chance to hold this position. Otherwise, they had to achieve indisputable military merits, like Di Qing, who had fought in numerous campaigns. Shao Kui was not yet qualified.

Just as prefectures and counties have high, medium, and low ranks, the army commands also have different levels. For example, among the dozens of army commands in the Northern Song, the highest was the Guide Army, formerly Songzhou, now the Southern Capital Ying Prefecture (present-day Shangqiu, Henan). Of course, this command would never be given to anyone because it was the position once held by Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, and the name of the Song Dynasty and the Southern Capital both come from this.

Shao Kui's Jingnan Army was in Bin