Chapter 49 Foreign Enemies Arrive Again
Although He Jingcheng was laughable, Emperor Zhongzong's words were truly venomous.
Scholars don't care much about cursing. They've seen plenty of these kinds of verbal battles, and if needed, they can even write down twenty elegant ways to curse on the spot.
The only problem is that it's said too bluntly.
The military officers looked at each other, studying the text word by word, so as not to end up arguing with civil officials and losing, or always resorting to fighting, which would make them seem too uncouth.
Fang Jingruo praised her even more: "Well said! The people have their own opinions. What do you, a demon and monster, have to say?"
Shen Mingzhe: "..." This frail scholar seems to be the kind of person who wants nothing more than to stir up trouble.
He doesn't seem like a peaceful fellow.
Fortunately, He Jingcheng wasn't infuriated by the reply. While He Jingcheng was still trying to recuperate, Zhao Shuming jumped out, glancing at the vast territory, and happily declared himself emperor, stating that he didn't know any young emperor. What does a mere twelve-year-old child know? Can he be a good emperor? Ridiculous!
The eunuchs silently lowered their heads, and some quietly slipped away towards the Imperial Hospital to prevent the emperor from being caught off guard and fainting from anger.
Fortunately, Emperor Hong'an wasn't too angry.
Zhao Shu is clearly planning a rebellion; if not today, then tomorrow. It's perfectly normal to say things he doesn't like to hear.
He was satisfied with the sixth prince's performance so far, the only problem being his young age. With a young emperor on the throne, the world was prone to chaos.
It's a pity I wasn't born a decade or so earlier.
Compared to the He family, Zhao Shuming was much more normal. He was a decent leader, though he wasn't particularly talented in military matters, but he was willing to spend money.
While he was reluctant to relinquish control over domestic affairs, his actions seemed quite normal compared to the Fifth Prince's—sigh, he truly seems to outmaneuver anyone, a veritable confidence-building machine for the Fifth Prince!
The Fifth Prince's reputation was damaged, but fortunately he was already imprisoned, so he could cry loudly by himself.
The emperor simply pretended not to hear anything.
Zhao Shuming was a man who couldn't tolerate any dissent. He had a history of having subordinates surrender to the enemy, and upon learning the news, he immediately exterminated their entire families. To him, once someone entered the Zhao family, they were forever a subject of the Zhao family.
Overall, the officials under their command were well-paid, and the treatment of the aristocratic families was even better, absolutely top-notch.
With the support of powerful clans, Zhao Shuming was able to consolidate his power in the southeast and begin to strengthen his rule.
Zhao Shuming is also a ruthless person.
He can make good use of people, but when he turns his back on them, he will never be lenient.
It's not that he was wrong, it's just...
In chaotic situations, shifts in allegiances are commonplace. Even with Zhao Shuming's vigilance, there are times when he can't completely prevent things from escalating.
Just like the people who fled the city before.
Tianmu then proceeded to describe the situation:
On Chu Shan's side, he finally defeated Zhang Ping and swallowed up all of Zhang Ping's territory. Chu Shan is a loyal and righteous man, but he is also somewhat impatient. However, he listens to advice and learns from his mistakes.
However, for well-known reasons, his family members died at the hands of corrupt officials, which made him particularly dislike the bureaucratic class.
Most of the people willing to work for him are ordinary citizens, low-level people with no reputation or temper. They just do whatever you say; they're just trying to make a living, why bother with anything else?
Chu Shan was the only representative of the common people at that time.
Many people began to sigh inwardly.
Being a general requires loyalty and a bit of rudeness, but being unfriendly to intellectuals is not good for him.
Confucian scholars have their own pride, but also their own integrity. If you look down on me, I'll look down on you too.
They had other places to go; in chaotic times, they could choose a wise ruler to serve and perhaps even obtain high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.
But can Chu Shan do it? If he loses, he might lose his life.
Of course, this doesn't mean Chu Shan is bad. In fact, he's very popular because he's straightforward, has clear likes and dislikes, and you can get along with him easily. His loyalty is also a major weapon; many people can't resist this trait.
At this point, the three teams finally began their rest period. Not long after, Ren Heng, who had led his team north, brought back the latest news: there were no men, but there were horses.
Everyone simultaneously recalled the words Emperor Jungjong had spoken before he left.
Lord Ren is indeed quite capable; he can bring horses whenever he wants. No wonder he's managed to get to this position.
They still need to strengthen their studies.
Ren Heng led a group of stallions south and returned to Yongzhou. He sent someone to inform Emperor Zhongzong that the westward return was indeed a feigned surrender, and that the emperor was no better than the Northern Barbarians.
Upon arriving at the Xigui tribe, they sensed something was amiss from a distance. A casual probe was all it took for the already panicked Xigui people to reveal their true intentions. Ren Heng, already harboring deep resentment towards them, and with both sides harboring their own ulterior motives, immediately subdued the Xigui.
Not only that, but he also had to thank them for the cattle, sheep, and horses they offered. The horses of nomadic peoples were indeed unique; these were things that ordinary people wouldn't give. However, Ren Heng was best at "persuading people with reason," so he used logic to convince them and conveniently obtained some supplies.
Clearly, Tianmu's claim of persuading people with reason is definitely not true reason.
However, the Ning Dynasty was not surprised. After all, as the old saying goes, truth is only within the range of a catapult. Isn't it reasonable to use force to reason?
As Zhou She listened to Tian Mu's description of the fine horses, a thought struck him: it seemed that the cavalry force could be expanded further.
Thanks to the team leader for the supplies transportation; even though I had to pick it up myself, I was still very happy.
In addition, he also mentioned another matter, namely that the Northern Di were starting to stir again. However, Ren Heng felt that "the advantage was on our side" and that he could stop the Northern Di from advancing south. He hoped that Emperor Zhongzong would "go south with all his might and pacify the world."
It must be said that Ren Heng is a pure conservative, a conservative who thinks the radicals are too conservative.
The entire court was speechless: "..." So this is how the word "conservative" is understood?
Everyone can understand Ren Heng's betrayal. He was heartbroken by the Fifth Prince, and the deeper the love, the deeper the hatred.
But you still have the Sixth Prince in front of you, have you really forgotten?
In response, Ren Heng said, "Although His Majesty is benevolent, it seems that none of his sons are of very high quality... I think it's best not to gamble—hmm!"
Ren Duan rushed forward and pressed his hand to his father's mouth, shouting, "Dad!! Please, say less!!"
Ren Heng swore with his eyes that he would never speak recklessly again.
Actually, the movements of the Northern Barbarians don't have a significant impact, since they've acquired two more prefectures, making Emperor Zhongzong even stronger. But some people don't think so.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhao Shuming decided to send troops to conquer the two prefectures of Su and Bing. To this end, he also contacted He Jingcheng, who disliked him, and agreed to divide the territory among themselves after the conquest.
Of all the people, only Chu Shan sent a messenger to inquire of Emperor Zhongzong: Is Mingyuan Pass still safe? If assistance is needed, he can help; under no circumstances should the Northern Barbarians be allowed to invade the Central Plains.
"These people have wasted their education!"
"Keep your voice down... Don't you know that there aren't many good people among those powerful families?"
The man angrily exclaimed, "With foreign enemies at our doorstep, they're still thinking about fighting for power and profit! If these people become emperors, how will we have any good days left?!"
"well……"
Chu Shan, a middle-aged man, stood on the edge of a field, with his exhausted wife beside him.
Their daughter was murdered by the Zhao family two years ago, and he doesn't know if it was the Zhao Shuming that Tianmu mentioned.
He didn't know if the person Tianmu was talking about was himself.
He wished it were him, so he wouldn't have to suffer humiliation from others, but he also didn't want it to be him.
Tianmu said that his wives were all harmed by the oppressive government, but he hoped that the people around him could stay with him in good health forever.
"Shanlang." The middle-aged woman looked at him, her eyes red-rimmed. "If it's you, you must remember to avenge Er Yatou!"
Chu Shan was startled, then nodded emphatically.
He will. He will remember these grudges forever.
As the saying goes, righteousness often comes from humble beginnings. While this isn't always true, Chu Shan always maintained a clear sense of right and wrong. No wonder he was respected and, among the losers in the struggle for supremacy, was the one who had a peaceful end.
As Tianmu spoke, the rigid images transformed into large swaths of text, and a melodious, inhuman voice read aloud: "Chu Shan, a native of Dongshan in Liangzhou, is known for his martial prowess, yet he values his promises, and many heroes follow him... He has served as a garrison commander in Jiaozhi for generations, displaying the demeanor of a hero and upholding the principles of loyalty and righteousness. His virtue is known among the people, and his achievements are renowned on the frontier."
Chu Shan's brain felt like it had been struck by a giant hammer, and a buzzing sound filled the air.
Liangzhou Dongshan, this is his hometown!
Is this person really myself?
The emperor listened with a grave expression.
The more people praised him, the more ashamed he felt.
Moreover, he was designated by history as a "loyal and righteous man," and recognized by later generations as a righteous man, which made him blush slightly.
[Jungjong thanked Chusan. Faced with attacks from both sides, he decided to adopt an offensive strategy instead of a defensive one—simple, brutal, but effective. The following summer, he led his troops to the front lines. That very night, he went out with a group of personal guards and elite cavalry to scout the terrain.]
Zhou She was completely unconcerned about the emperor's changing moods. As he listened, he began to imagine what he would do.
[But coincidentally, he had just stepped out and walked a short distance when he encountered He Jun, who was also on patrol. The moment they saw each other, their alarms went off simultaneously.]
"Enemy attack—"
"Enemies!!"
Two different voices rang out at the same time, and then the sound of horses' hooves filled the air.
"Whoosh—" The moment Zhongzong saw the enemy, he drew two long arrows from his quiver and they flew through the air, accurately piercing the face of one of the men opposite him.
He said almost immediately, "Yuexian, come with me to fight the enemy. Junzheng, go back and call for reinforcements."
This cavalry unit was the elite of the elite. Although no one expected such a coincidence, they were not worried at all.
As soon as he finished speaking, the two sides immediately engaged in battle, with Zhongzong taking the lead and rushing into the battle formation in the blink of an eye.
The night was deep, with only the muffled tearing of gunfire, the chaotic sound of horses' hooves and the clash of weapons ringing out at the same time, and even the exact number of corpses was not clearly visible.
As an all-star lineup, this cavalry is absolutely elite, so Zhongzong cut down the enemy like slicing melons and vegetables, watching the enemy start to do the "Calabash Brothers calling for grandpa" operation, with a group coming every now and then.
Finally, Emperor Zhongzong was exhausted and said to his attendants, "Let's stop fighting. Strip them naked and use this to trick them into opening the city gates."
Zhou She's interest in studying has waned.
Coincidence and skill combined to create a move so wild that he couldn't possibly learn it.
We still need to put it into practice.
Thinking of this, he looked at the emperor. The old emperor had overcome his emotional turmoil and looked at him with a quiet gaze: "Once things are settled here, you should also go to the northern frontier to study."
Zhou She was already prepared, and upon hearing this, he lowered his head and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."
Seeing that his father seemed to be in a good mood, the third prince stepped forward and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Father, on gaining another valiant general."
This statement defines Zhou She's character.
Zhou She turned around, glanced at the Third Prince, and said nothing.
The emperor, however, suddenly chuckled after hearing this. This chuckle sent chills down the spine of the third prince, who instinctively felt that something was amiss.
"You're pretty good too."
The third prince lowered his head, feeling that this was a sarcastic remark.
The emperor's gaze fell upon Zhou She.
Upon receiving instructions, Zhou She stepped forward innocently and acted as a broadcasting machine: "I saw someone sneaking into the government office. This person was acting suspiciously and I was worried that he would cause trouble, so I took it upon myself to follow him. Who knew... that I would see him enter Your Highness's residence."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Third Prince understood.
He laughed and asked, seemingly casually, "Who is this person?"
Although he wore a smile, his eyes were unusually cold.
Zhou She didn't care about the Third Prince's expression. He glanced at the Emperor, and seeing that he meant to continue, calmly said, "Your Highness's attendant is named Li Rui. It's been a few days since we've seen him."
Upon hearing this name, the Third Prince frowned deeply: "This person has indeed been missing for a long time. So it was you who captured him..."
At this point, he suddenly raised his eyebrows and smiled, as if he had the victory in his grasp, and said, "However, as long as the evidence against a traitor is clear, he should be sentenced as appropriate, and I have nothing to say about it."
Judging from his appearance, he seems to be selfless and altruistic.
Looking at his fearless appearance, Zhou She thought of the man he had imprisoned.
Because he had his family in his grasp, he could indeed act so recklessly.
Zhou She hesitated, wanting to continue speaking, but the emperor suddenly raised his hand and said, "Enough."
The two, who had been in a tense atmosphere, simultaneously fell silent.
The emperor looked at the third prince with a helpless gaze, his expression incredibly complex. After a long while, he said to Zhou She, "The list will be posted in a couple of days. You'll need to keep a close eye on things these next few days. Go ahead and get busy."
This means to chase someone away.
Zhou She was not surprised; the emperor's decision was exactly what he had expected. After all, the older the emperor got, the softer his heart became.
Besides, family scandals should never be shown to others, and even if there is something wrong, he would never resolve it in front of you.
Meanwhile, at Mingyuan Pass in northern Xinjiang.
Zhuang Ziqian and Cheng Zhuoran were checking the weapons and making the final handover.
Cheng Zhuoran waited for the person beside him to finish looking at the list, then raised his chin and said, "If there are no problems, then keep it safe. Lord Zhuang, I'll see you off again today, and we'll set off again early tomorrow morning."
Zhuang Ziqian smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "We should have set off earlier, but we got so engrossed in looking at the sky that we forgot the time, so we won't delay any longer."
The two walked out of the storeroom, chatting and laughing. As soon as they reached the barracks, they saw thick smoke billowing in the distance. A soldier in full armor rushed over, not even having time to stand properly: "General! The Northern Barbarians are here again!"
Their jovial mood vanished instantly. Cheng Zhuoran, a burly man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, frowned deeply upon hearing this: "What kind of creatures are they, coming to cause trouble for no reason? This time, we must teach them a lesson!"
The capital city was completely unaware of this, still intently listening to the celestial curtain:
So they stripped the corpses of their clothes, put them on, and pretended to be reinforcements returning to the city. They slipped away to the opposite city wall and began trying to trick their way into opening the city gate.
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