Chapter 95

Chapter 94: Replacing the General

It was already too late. Just a few days had passed, and news of Yang Tian's defeat had reached the capital.

Yang Tian felt deeply wronged. First, he was actually at home in mourning, just like Ouyang Xiu, but when Nong Zhigao captured Yongzhou, the court forcibly reinstated him—after all, he was a descendant of the Yang family, renowned for both literary and martial prowess, and had extensive experience in suppressing bandits in the south. Not using him would have been unreasonable.

Although Yang Tian accepted the mission reluctantly, his sense of duty as a descendant of a loyal family was very strong. After being appointed as the 'Inspector and Pacifier of the Two Guang Regions and Commander for Suppressing Bandits,' he immediately crossed the Yangtze River, traversed the Qinling Mountains, and headed for the battlefields of the Two Guangs.

Then he relived his old nightmare in Hunan. In the decisive battle, his troops, under the fierce assault of the barbarians, fled in an instant. Fortunately, he had learned from his previous mistake and managed to keep up, avoiding being left behind again...

However, in Hunan, he had time to regroup and train his troops, as the situation there, being inland, wouldn't cause major issues even if it took a few years to settle. But the Two Guangs were border regions. If he lost again and again, turning Nong Zhigao into a second Li Yuanhao, both Dali and Jiaozhi would become restless, leading to perpetual unrest in the southwest.

Moreover, there were the ever-watchful Western Xia and Liao...

Thus, it was entirely understandable that the emperor and his ministers in Bianjing were shocked upon hearing of this defeat.

In the Chongzheng Hall, the emperor once again summoned his ministers, but this time it wasn't just Han Qi; the two chancellors, Chen Zhong and Pang Ji, and another military commissioner, Gao Ruonuo, were also present.

There would be a court assembly later, but in this highest-level core meeting, major decisions about the state and military were already made.

The emperor, dressed in a crimson robe and wearing a black silk hat with straight flaps, looked at the chancellors and high officials, who wore their official hats and robes, and sighed, "My lords, what do you think of Nong Zhigao's letter of surrender?" It turned out that after his great victory over Yang Tian, Nong Zhigao had once again submitted a petition for surrender, this time demanding that the Song court appoint him as the governor of seven prefectures, including Yong and Gui.

This time, no one dared to suppress his letter. The so-called 'letter of surrender' and the report of the Song army's defeat were delivered to the capital simultaneously.

The chancellors, who had been close to the emperor for a long time, guessed the emperor's thoughts... He was likely considering a peaceful resolution and was thinking of accepting Nong Zhigao's conditions.

In fact, more than one chancellor had the same idea. However, saying such a thing would inevitably invite criticism.

But the emperor shouldn't be the one to face the criticism. After waiting for a while and seeing no one speak up, the chief chancellor, Chen Zhong, had to step forward and say, "Your Majesty, the unrest in Lingnan originally stemmed from a misunderstanding. According to what I have heard, Nong Zhigao was originally intent on submitting to the court. He submitted several petitions requesting enfeoffment, and his demands kept decreasing, until he only asked for a minor prefectural governorship. However, his petitions were intercepted by the former governor of Yongzhou. Feeling humiliated, Nong Zhigao attacked Yongzhou. Now that he has submitted another petition for surrender, for the sake of the people and the state, Your Majesty should give him a chance to redeem himself... I believe we should accept his letter of surrender."

"Hmm." After Chen Zhong finished speaking, Emperor Zhenzong nodded and said, "What do the rest of you think?"

"Your Majesty, I strongly disagree!" Han Qi stepped forward and loudly said, "If we accept Nong Zhigao's conditions, Lingnan will forever be lost to the Song! At that time, not only will we lose the two regions, but the entire Jiangnan, a major source of tax revenue, will face constant warfare, threatening the foundation of the Song!"

"Chancellor Han is exaggerating," Chen Zhong shook his head. "Appointing him as a governor is just a temporary measure. In the future, we can gradually reduce his troops and control his finances, thus eliminating the threat."

"Chancellor Han's strategy is based on the powerful military might of Emperor Taizu," Han Qi could never understand why incompetent fools like Chen Zhong and Gao Ruonuo could hold such high positions. What did the emperor think of the state's most important positions? He sharply retorted, "Now, we are being routed on the battlefield, and in the future, we will have to treat him like a grandfather! Talking about reducing his troops and controlling his finances... we will have to give him money and grain, and if he is not satisfied, he will turn the tables on us!"

"You..." Chen Zhong, a refined gentleman, never used foul language, even in private. Now, his face turned red, and he was speechless.

"Chancellor Han, be careful with your words," the emperor had to mediate.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong," Han Qi said, but his expression showed no remorse.

"What do the two of you think?" the emperor then looked at the other two.

"I agree with Chancellor Han," Pang Ji stepped forward and said solemnly.

"I also agree with Chancellor Han," Gao Ruonuo, who was actually more inclined to support Chen Zhong, dared not offend Han Qi. They worked in the same office and saw each other every day. He didn't want to be constantly harassed. It was much easier to offend a gentleman like Chen Zhong.

Three to one, the emperor was silent for a moment before asking, "If you all support war, can you guarantee victory?"

"As long as the court selects a strong general and uses elite troops, victory is assured!" Han Qi said firmly. In reality, there was no such thing as a guaranteed victory, but this emperor was too cautious and unwilling to take any risks. If you didn't speak with absolute certainty, he would never make a decision.

"Who is a strong general, and who are elite troops?" The emperor, who had lost confidence after the defeat of Yang Tian, a scholar-general praised by the literati, asked.

"Your Majesty, the elite troops can only be the Western Army, and the strong general is right here," Pang Ji bowed deeply and said, "To suppress Nong Zhigao, only Di Qing can do it!"

Upon hearing this, a faint smile flashed across Emperor Zhenzong's face, but he remained calm, "I remember that when the news of Yongzhou's fall first came, Di Qing was eager to go to battle, but the ministers all said that Yang Tian was more suitable..."

"At that time, we underestimated Nong Zhigao and did not realize how corrupt the army in Lingnan was," Han Qi's face turned slightly red. That was his original statement. He had always been unhappy with Di Qing, though he couldn't explain why. He just didn't want to give him a chance. Even now, if possible, he wouldn't want to use Di Qing, but—famous generals like Liu Ping, Ren Fu, Guo Zun, Wu Ji, and Wang Gui, who fought against the Western Xia, had all died in battle. Zhang Ba of Linyi and Fuzhou had died of injuries, and Zhong Shiheng of Qingjian was getting old. Looking around, the only famous general who had been tempered by war in the Song dynasty was Di Qing: "At the time, I thought it was overkill to use a powerful general, but Nong Zhigao is actually a fierce tiger, and we can only use a cold saw to deal with him!"

"Hmm." Emperor Zhenzong nodded, "It seems we have no choice but to use him... You may recommend him as the commander at tomorrow's court assembly."

"Your Majesty, please think carefully. Military men should not be given sole command; it's best to send a civil official to assist him," Han Qi disagreed. By 'assist,' he meant 'supervise' and 'restrain.' The Song dynasty valued civil officials over military men, believing that military men with troops were hard to control, so suppressing military officials was a duty of every civil official.

Sure enough, Gao Ruonuo echoed this, and even Chen Zhong said that if the emperor insisted on going to war, it would be better to send a civil official as the commander, with Di Qing handling military affairs and the civil official supervising him... Only then could the emperor be at ease.

The emperor was unsure and looked at Pang Ji, who had not spoken, "What do you think, Chancellor?"

"Your Majesty," the 'Grand Tutor Pang' who was as wronged as Chen Shimei, earnestly said, "In military operations, unified command and unity of purpose are crucial. Di Qing is a military man. If a civil official is sent to assist him, it will create a situation where commands are not unified, which is very detrimental to military operations. If Your Majesty does not trust Di Qing, it would be better not to send him at all."

"The Southern Han was also established this way," Han Qi coldly said, causing the emperor to change his expression.

"Let's not talk about Di Qing's loyalty and bravery. This is not the chaotic Five Dynasties period. The Song dynasty has been established for a hundred years, and the state is stable and the people are united!" Pang Ji said angrily, "Even if we use the Imperial Guard or the Western Army, their families are in the north. Who would rebel with him?"

"Would you stake your life on it?" Han Qi challenged him.

"Why not?" Pang Ji's hair and beard stood on end, "I would even stake my entire clan's life on it!"

"Enough." Seeing the tension between the two, the emperor finally intervened, "Chancellor Pang is right. If you use someone, trust them completely; if you doubt them, don't use them at all!"

"Your Majesty..."

"My decision is final. This matter is not up for further discussion." The emperor decisively said, then turned to his eunuch, "Eunuch Hu, it's very hot today. The chancellors have worked hard. Send them each a basket of melons from the Western Xia as a gift." This was Emperor Zhenzong's habit. Each time he met with ministers, he would end the meeting with a gift that was not too expensive but very thoughtful.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The ministers bowed and left.

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The next day at dawn, the court officials gathered in front of the Zichen Hall. When the court drum sounded, they lined up according to their ranks, bowed, and then the civil and military officials stood in separate rows below the jade steps. The Minister of War stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, we sent Yu Jing and Yang Tian to lead the army to suppress Nong Zhigao in Lingnan. Due to the hot and humid climate, the troops were not acclimatized, and the battle was unfavorable. The army has retreated to Guilin and is awaiting further orders."

The emperor asked, "What should be done?"

"Yang Tian should return to the capital to face charges, while Yu Jing should remain in the army. We should appoint another commander to lead the campaign. Please issue your orders," Han Qi stepped forward and said.

"This bandit is a great threat and must be eliminated. Who can share this burden with me?"

"Your Majesty, to suppress this bandit," Pang Ji stepped forward and said, "only the Deputy Military Commissioner, Governor of Zhanghua Army, and Prefect of Yan Prefecture, Di Qing, can do it!"

"What do the rest of you think?"

"We all agree!" The two chancellors had already reached a consensus, "Only Di Qing can do it!"

"Since that is the case, order Di Qing to come to the capital immediately."

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This is the first update. There will be two more updates.

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