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墨書 Inktalez
Another day passed, and the thirty thousand elite troops led by Zhong Shizhong did not have an easy time. They followed closely but failed to annihilate the Jin forces on the southern bank of the Yellow River, allowing them to escape.
Holding tightly onto their weapons, they could not kill the invading enemies—what a humiliation!
Yet such a thing truly happened; laughter and insults echoed from the Jin soldiers on their ships, utterly ridiculous!
The various armies under secret orders had also mobilized, but none took action because they were obstructed.
Minister of Rites and Left Chancellor Wu Min, Deputy Minister Geng Nanzhong, Zhongshu Shilang Tang Ke, and many members of the Peace Faction insisted on negotiating for peace, forbidding any fighting, and even preventing harm to a single Jin soldier.
Thus, the Qin Emperor and Li Gang deliberated for a long time and decided to pursue the Jin soldiers.
However, Wu Min and the leading members of the Peace Faction submitted to the emperor, surrounding him daily and canceling the order to pursue the Jin soldiers, allowing them to leave.
The indecisive Qin Emperor agreed, thinking that by flattering the Jin Kingdom, peace could be achieved.
Wu Min and his faction even sent their trusted aides to raise large flags by the Yellow River, forbidding the Great Song army from crossing. Anyone who crossed would be executed; the army could only halt its advance!
Zhong Shizhong led his thirty thousand elite troops and wanted to charge across, but those orders came from the emperor, so they dared not act recklessly and painfully gave up.
The so-called Wu Min and Left Chancellor were even more incompetent than Li Bangyan—cowardly and treacherous like traitors to their own country. They were ruthless towards their own people but groveling like dogs towards the enemy.
The leading members of the Peace Faction seemed to have received countless silver from the Jin; each one was eager to negotiate for peace, utterly pathetic.
Now, civil and military officials were in the grand hall arguing incessantly about the Jin issue!
Right Chancellor Li Gang even pointed at Wu Min and others, cursing them vehemently as if he wished to skin them alive; he was not satisfied at all.
"You are ministers of the Song State or mere lackeys of the Jin Kingdom? Each of you speaks for the Jin Kingdom; is your salary provided by them?"
"It was already decided to escort the Jin Army all the way. When they reached the Yellow River, Zhong Shizhong would lead thirty thousand Jin soldiers to attack, while our troops would take advantage of the situation to annihilate the Jin soldiers on the southern bank of the Yellow River. Yet you raised your banners and forbade the Song soldiers from advancing."
Qin Feng Wang Ding and others from the War Faction pointed at those from the Peace Faction, cursing them as if they were nothing but lackeys of the Jin Kingdom, doing their bidding while causing great harm to the Song State.
Left Chancellor Wu Min looked on in anger, incredulous that he was being labeled a lackey of the Jin Kingdom; it was too much!
There had long been a division between those who supported peace and those who advocated for war, with both factions eyeing each other with disdain and engaging in open and covert struggles.
"Li Gang, let's not discuss matters concerning the Jin Kingdom for now. Regarding our own affairs, you have been promoted thanks to me. If it weren't for my recommendation, would you be in your position as Right Chancellor now? Are you turning your back on me?"
"If it weren't for my recommendation, could you hold such a high office? You truly are a Vicious Wolf; people like you should never be recommended!"
Geng Nanzhong and Tang Ke also began to point fingers, not just mocking but also ridiculing him!
Li Gang glared fiercely, feeling as if he were facing a crowd of accusers. The sheer amount of nonsense being spewed was astonishing.
He spat at them several times, as if expelling enemies, filled with disdain.
"Wu Min, you worthless thing! A coward afraid of death! I truly misjudged you when I sought your friendship. I didn't expect you to be so useless, bowing and scraping before the Jin people like a lackey!"
"I, Li Gang, am fully capable of holding the position of Right Chancellor based on my own abilities. What about you, Wu Min? You must have received quite a few benefits from them to be jointly recommended!"
Wu Min was certainly not willing to back down; he had long found Li Gang displeasing and charged at him, wanting to beat him up!
The two sides began to pull at each other; those advocating for peace held onto Wu Min while those supporting war restrained Li Gang. This was the grand hall for political discussions; if they were to fight, it had to be outside the palace gates.
The Qin Emperor, dressed in the Golden Dragon Robe, was extremely angry. This was the imperial palace! His own ministers were about to fight.
The two factions, pro-peace and pro-war, were arguing so loudly that it gave him a headache. One moment, the pro-war faction was being swayed, and the next, the pro-peace faction was being swayed. This had been going on since his ascension to the throne, and he was utterly fed up.
He shouted loudly for them to stop.
"Stop it right now! If you don't cease immediately, I will have you all dragged out and punished with a hundred strokes. Let's see if you dare to fight again!"
The eunuchs nearby also shouted anxiously.
"Stop it! Stop it! Those who disobey will be punished with a hundred strokes."
The civil officials and generals below finally quieted down, dispersing back to their positions.
However, the members of both factions still could not see eye to eye, and the conflict was becoming increasingly severe, distinguishing between incompetent and capable officials.
The old general Zhong Shidao quickly stepped forward, his head full of white hair and wearing heavy Black Armor.
He bowed and said, "The Jin Bing are a fierce army. If we let the tiger return to the mountain, they will surely become a great threat to the Song State in the future. I have a plan to mend the fence after the sheep are lost; I ask for Your Majesty's acceptance."
The Qin Emperor looked at the old general Zhong Shidao with great warmth.
"Please speak, Your Excellency! I am listening!"
Zhong Shidao's wrinkled face broke into a smile, feeling somewhat pleased.
"The Jin Bing are a fierce army, and their emperor is even more ambitious. This time of war, the main forces of the Jin Kingdom have not yet fully arrived; they will surely come to invade in the future."
"The general suggests that tens of thousands of troops be stationed on both the northern and southern banks of the Yellow River, constructing extensive defensive works to prevent Jin Bing from invading."
"The armies from various regions loyal to the throne are also not far from Tokyo. They can form a strong defensive line from west to east, in addition to the two solid defensive positions in front, creating an even stronger third line of defense."
"Even if the main force of the Jin Kingdom comes, we are already prepared and do not need to worry about them."
Li Gang, Qin Feng, and others listened and were very much in agreement, genuinely impressed. After all, they were seasoned veterans with decades of experience and such military strategies, following the advice given.
The Qin Emperor was also captivated by the discussion. Truly, as an Old General, he was far-sighted, having already devised three lines of defense that were as solid as a fortress!
"Good! Truly worthy of Zhong Shidao, Old General. You are remarkable and have deep foresight. I agree; I will immediately order you to carry this out."
Zhong Shidao bowed in gratitude but had not finished speaking when he was interrupted.
Members of the Peace Faction stood up one by one to express their views.
"Your Majesty, this cannot be! Zhong Laojiang's words sound simple, but it is too difficult to implement; it is not feasible. We implore Your Majesty to retract your order!"
"According to Zhong Laojiang's plan, at least one hundred thousand troops would be needed to establish three solid lines of defense. That is far too many and a tremendous waste of resources."
"Our Imperial Guard in the capital has less than eighty thousand men. Are we to use Tokyo Guard Soldiers' funds to support those troops outside? If Jin Bing does not come, would that not be a waste?"
"Moreover, the Song Dynasty's treasury is truly depleted. Over the years, there have been constant refugees and banditry across various regions, which has cost the court a significant amount of money and resources, as well as military strength for suppression. The treasury is empty; our salaries are less than half now."
"Are we really going to take the funds and resources from Tokyo Guard Soldiers to support those local armies? I fear that within a few days, they will starve."
The Qin Emperor looked on in horror, realizing that he had long known about the emptiness of his treasury; had it reached such a dire state?
"Is what you say true? The treasury's funds are only enough to support the Guard Soldiers of Tokyo City; we cannot provide for the local troops anymore?"
The members of the Peace Faction nodded one by one, confirming the truth of the matter.
They urged the emperor to quickly retract his imperial decree, warning that if he did not, the Guard Soldiers of Tokyo City would starve.
After much contemplation, the Qin Emperor felt that his own capital's Guard Soldiers were more reliable. If those local armies took advantage of the chaos to cause trouble, they might even occupy the capital!
Qin Feng thought for a moment; indeed, the treasury of the Great Song was empty. The current salaries were less than half of what they used to be. While officials still managed to live relatively well, the common people were suffering even more.
However, it was essential to build a strong defensive line to prevent Jin Bing from invading, as they would surely march south again.
"Your Majesty, do not listen to the nonsense of the Peace Faction. Jin Bing will come south; if we do not stop them, our nation will perish."
Li Gang and others also spoke up loudly. Although the court's treasury was lacking funds, they could draw from local government treasuries, especially in the Jiang-Zhe region, which was quite prosperous.
Wealth and resources are not the most important; protecting the Great Song is paramount. We must absolutely block Jin Bing!
Zhong Shidao felt an old injury flare up; pain and weakness coursed through his body, but he still managed to speak.
"The Jin Kingdom is a nation of tigers and wolves; they will definitely march south. We must construct three solid defensive lines to fend them off. Your Majesty, those hundreds of thousands of Jin Kingdom cavalry are not easy to stop. Please heed my words, wise Emperor."
The members of the Peace Faction were not willing to back down either, continuing to insist on peace and shouting loudly.
If the wealth and resources of Tokyo City were distributed to the local armies outside, there would be no benefit at all.
The Qin Emperor felt a sharp pain in his head again, overwhelmed by these national affairs that caused constant noise and unrest without a moment's respite.
The heart still adheres to Song Taizu's view; the Imperial Guards of Tokyo City are gathered from various places to strengthen the capital's power and prevent local armies from taking advantage of the chaos to rebel.
Once the military strength of Tokyo City is weakened, who knows what might happen?
Will those local generals with ulterior motives raise their troops to enter Tokyo and seize my Throne?
He said, "Your Excellencies, I have decided to temporarily accept Negotiation and will not deploy a large army to construct three solid defensive lines for now. The national treasury is empty, and it is difficult to bear such enormous military expenses!"
"Even if we draw resources and funds from the local areas, it will take considerable time. If the Guard Soldiers of Tokyo City fall into great disorder, it could easily lead to trouble. We can act once Jin Bing shows any movement; it won't be too late!"
The members of the Peace Faction were very pleased, kneeling before the emperor to express their gratitude and praise his wisdom.
The members of the War Faction were in great distress, still trying to persuade the emperor, but it was of no use; their plans had failed again.
Especially Zhong Shidao, Li Gang, and Qin Feng felt that the Great Song was truly on the brink of collapse.
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