LRAB Chapter 1354: Mountains and Fire
Chapter 1354: Mountains and Fire
Chapter 1354: Thousands of Mountains and Mountains Like Fire
After the court session, Zhang Dun rode his horse back to his residence from the Privy Council, his purple robe fluttering in the cold wind.
Just now in the capital hall, he and Sima Guang parted on bad terms.
Faced with Sima Guang's pedantry and stubbornness, Zhang Dun wanted to take out a knife on the spot and split Sima Guang's head in half to see whether the inside was made of granite.
The obvious thing was told to him eight hundred times, but Sima Guang was stubborn and refused to waver in the slightest.
When Wang Jinggong was carrying out the reform, he was not like Sima Guang. And Sima Guang's stubbornness was even worse than that of Wang Anshi in the past.
Now the rewards to the imperial guards cannot be distributed, and the people of the East and West Auxiliary Armies among the Three Auxiliary Armies are in panic because of Cai Que's demotion.
This is bound to cause the army to lose morale.
He had received several letters from the generals of the East and West Auxiliary Armies. These people were all Taixue students who had joined the army. With a passion to serve their country, they vowed to fight a decisive battle with the Liao cavalry that was heading south on the banks of the Yellow River.
Unexpectedly, Sima Guang advocated making peace with the Khitan and Tangut, raising the annual tribute, abolishing the new law, disbanding the Three Auxiliary Armies, and withholding rewards for the Imperial Guards.
One general even wrote a letter in blood to advise the court that he would rather lead all his soldiers to die in the Northern Expedition than let the court let them return home.
Whenever he thought of this, Zhang Dun felt as if his heart was burning with anxiety.
"How can I explain to these generals? How can I repay the late emperor's kindness?" Veins bulged in Zhang Dun's hands as he gripped the reins tightly.
Thinking of this, Zhang Dun became even more angry with Zhang Yue.
He remembered that the suggestion of the Three Auxiliary Army was made to him by Zhang Yu, and he knew it was actually Zhang Yue's idea. However, Zhang Dun thought that Zhang Yue's suggestion was good. At that time, after the Song Dynasty captured Liangzhou, it had the momentum to sweep the Dangxiang and directly take Xingqing Prefecture.
However, the Liao Kingdom intervened and demanded that the Song Dynasty withdraw from the territory it had invaded. Han Zhongyan was ordered to go to the Liao Kingdom as an envoy, but he ended up quarreling with the Liao ruler and falling out on the spot.
The imperial court had just established the Three Auxiliary Armies, selecting elite troops from the Western Army, the Imperial Army, and various routes across the country to form this 60,000-strong army, with 120 commanders. Each commander had a student from the Imperial Academy as a guard, which was originally a brilliant move.
After several years of establishment, the rewards and privileges of the Three Auxiliary Army were similar to those of the Imperial Army, but their training was several levels higher, all thanks to the desire of the officers and soldiers to serve the country.
Sima Guang said that the elite troops that had been trained for several years should be laid off.
As a result, Zhang Yue did not move and hid in Dingli Temple, as if he was planning to stand by and watch the fire from the other side of the river.
The streets of Bianjing were shrouded in the chill of winter.
Zhang Dun, dressed in a purple robe, was riding a horse and thinking deeply when he suddenly saw that the street ahead was suddenly crowded with people.
Zhang Dun hurriedly pulled the reins of his horse, and his attendants hurriedly reported: "It's the Three Yamen Imperial Guards who are blocking the road and asking for a reward!"
Before he finished speaking, there was a burst of noise coming from the front.
"The emperor has been on the throne for half a year, and the winter clothes he has given us have not yet been given!"
"Please Prime Minister, please make the decision for us!"
The voices rose and fell, carrying long-suppressed resentment. As a dignified Privy Councilor, Zhang Dun was escorted by cavalrymen, but he was no match for the large number of imperial guards.
The attendants on both sides looked nervous and said to Zhang Dun, "Prime Minister, let's take a detour back to the palace!"
Zhang Dun glanced coldly behind him and realized that his attendants were advising him to take a detour.
Zhang Dun scolded: "Why are you still taking a detour at this time!"
"When Wang Jinggong was alive, did he ever retreat?"
The people around him were afraid to say anything when they heard this. When Wang Anshi disbanded the imperial guards, it was also a group of imperial guards who stopped Wang Anshi's carriage and tried to threaten him with force. As a result, Wang Anshi got off the carriage and walked directly into the imperial guards.
The imperial guards finally dispersed.
There will be no reform without bloodshed. Back then, it was the New Party officials who were at the forefront.
Zhang Dun was not afraid at all, and he urged his horse straight into the imperial guards. He could see clearly that these imperial guards had no weapons, and the arsenal was now controlled by Empress Dowager Gao's confidants, so how could the imperial guards rebel without weapons? So those soldiers who were still aggressive just now, seeing the prime minister in purple robes and jade belts with awe-inspiring dignity, could not help but make way for him.
Just when everyone was impressed by Zhang Dun's momentum, suddenly a crossbow arrow shot from the darkness and hit Zhang Dun in the shoulder.
With a "puff" sound, Zhang Dun fell off his horse, and blood instantly soaked his purple official robe.
Seeing this, the imperial guards who were asking for reward were all stunned and the scene was dead silent.
……
It was in a dark room on the outskirts of Bianjing.
More than a dozen generals sat in the room, the candles had long been extinguished, no one could see anyone else's face, and all they could hear in the darkness was each other's heavy breathing.
"Since Prime Minister Zhang Shu did not agree to our proposal for military remonstration, we have to do this ourselves." A hoarse voice broke the silence.
"Without Prime Minister Zhang Shu to take the lead, who will we take charge of? What pretext can we use to start a rebellion?" another person questioned in a low voice.
"Our Loyalty Society was originally established by Cai Xiang, with the sole purpose of repaying the emperor's kindness. Although Cai Xiang is no longer with us, the brothers in the society are still here. Of course, we all advocate together when there is something to be done. Don't forget what we said when we first joined the society."
"The Northern Auxiliary Army has replied that they will not go with us. As for the Imperial Guards, although they are dissatisfied with Sima Guang and are not taking any action now, if the court is willing to promise them rewards, they will definitely not stand on our side."
"Are we really going to fight against each other? And fight with the Three Yamen Forbidden Army?"
"Have you thought about it?"
Voices of opposition arose.
"We don't need to use real weapons to restrain our brothers. As long as we raise the banner and let the Empress Dowager return power to Your Majesty, we will be clearing the court of emperors. What crime have we committed?"
"Yes, this world belongs to the Zhao family, not the Gao family."
"The Empress Dowager wants to discard the hard work of the late Emperor and replace the mother with the son. We, the Loyal Emperor Society, are the first to disagree."
"What are you waiting for!"
……
Liu Changzuo went straight to Zhang Dun's mansion. Although he commanded the three yamen imperial guards, the power to mobilize and command the three auxiliary armies lay in the Privy Council.
If the rebellion is to be quelled, the Privy Councilor Zhang Dun must have his say.
However, Liu Changzuo waited for a while at Zhang Dun's house but Zhang Dun did not return. Soon he saw several of Zhang Dun's followers rushing back home. When he asked, he learned that the Privy Councilor Zhang Dun had been assassinated in the street and his life or death was in danger.
Moreover, the assassin was carried out by the Three Yamen Imperial Guards under his command.
Liu Changzuo was stunned. The Privy Councilor was assassinated in the street by the imperial guards. He could not escape the blame!
Liu Changzuo calmed himself down and looked around.
Liu Changzuo turned around and said, "We should stop the three auxiliary troops from entering the city. If we alarm the Empress Dowager and His Majesty, we will all be sentenced to death."
Several generals of the imperial guards who followed behind hesitated.
"Why don't you speak?" Liu Changzuo asked.
A general said: "The brothers in each squad have complaints, why not let the military patrol stop them."
Liu Changzuo said angrily: "What is the use of the Military Patrol Office?"
"It's strange, why didn't the Imperial City Department know anything about the rebellion of the two auxiliary armies?"
The general said, "Before, the Imperial City Division was led by Shi Deyi and Song Yongchen, but both were banished from the capital. The Empress Dowager also disliked the Imperial City Division. Sima Guang said that these people were specifically responsible for spying on information and suppressing speech."
"The Imperial City Department has long been in name only."
Liu Changzuo stamped his feet heavily and said, "Now that things have come to this, I can't care about so much anymore."
"We can only do it ourselves."
One person said, "Let the commander know. We can let the brothers intercept them, but if we don't give them winter clothes as a reward, I'm afraid the brothers from the three yamen won't shoot a single arrow!"
Liu Changzuo scolded, "What are you doing? Are you not going to work hard without any reward?"
"Don't you know that rebellion is a capital crime? You are no different from accomplices."
After Liu Changzuo cursed a few times, the generals reluctantly agreed.
……
Inside the Duting Posthouse, the candlelight flickers red.
Cai Jing leaned on the couch, his eyes fixed on the dancing Hu Ji in the hall. Hu Ji's waist was as slender as a willow, and the golden bells jingled with her dance steps, attracting the attention of the Liao Kingdom delegation.
"Your Excellency, is this wine to your taste?" Cai Jing raised his cup and gestured to Xiao Xi who was sitting at the main seat. However, out of the corner of his eye he saw the postmaster hurried in and slipped a note into the hand of his attendant.
Xiao Xi was flirting with the famous prostitute from Bian Jing in his arms.
Xiao Xi glanced at Cai Jing. He had drunk several glasses of wine, but he was sober in his heart. He knew that compared to Zhang Yue, who had been in charge of the government in the past, this civil servant who was talking and laughing was just as scary.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xi laughed and said, "Prefect Cai is so kind that I cannot say no even if I am picky! Thank you, Prefect Cai, for these prostitutes."
If it were any other official, they would definitely criticize Cai Jing for his actions, but Cai Jing was a very smart person, so why would he care about these things?
Cai Jing smiled and said, "These Hu Ji are from the Western Regions. They are rarely seen in our Bianjing princes and nobles. If the envoy likes them, just let them stay with you for a few more days."
Xiao Xi laughed loudly and said, "In the past, the Han envoys were not as good at making trouble as you. On weekdays, the banquets were rich in food, but there was no woman in the banquets."
Cai Jing laughed and said, "Your Excellency, have you forgotten how to write the word 'Yan'?"
Xiao Xi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, raised his cup and drank it all, then said, "Compared to those hypocritical husbands of yours, I think Cai Fuyin is the real hero!"
"If you, Cai Fuyin, are to go on a diplomatic mission to Youzhou in the future, I will treat you warmly and as a distinguished guest."
There was a sudden chorus of agreement from the audience.
The Liao deputy envoy and his companions were already drunk and flushed, grabbing the singer's hand and asking her to feed them wine. Several Liao followers were even staggering, having long forgotten that they were here to ask for the annual tribute.
Seeing this, the postmaster came closer and whispered, "Prefect, report urgently."
Cai Jing waved his hand nonchalantly, took the note, glanced at it, and suddenly a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"Prefect Cai, what's the matter?" Xiao Xi narrowed his drunken eyes seemingly inadvertently, his fingers still wandering around the waist of the famous prostitute.
He ordered someone to pour wine for Xiao Xi and said, "The court has just received Longtuan Shengxue. I heard that the Liao Lord loves this tea the most, so I specially prepared ten kilograms."
Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden sound of hurried horse hooves in the distance.
Xiao Xi and his seemingly drunken officials in the delegation sobered up in an instant and let go of Hu Ji, who was sitting beside the table.
Xiao Xi asked, "Does the Prefect Cai need my help?"
"Nothing, nothing," Cai Jing smiled and signaled the musicians to change the song: "Everyone, continue to enjoy yourself."
Xiao Xi looked at Cai Jing with some suspicion.
"It is my duty to make sure you enjoy yourselves." Cai Jing clapped his hands, and another maid immediately brought a gilded food box. "This is Fanlou's new crab roe Biluo. Please enjoy it while it's hot."
The sound of horse hooves outside the post station became more and more rapid.
Cai Jing didn't even raise his eyelids, and ordered his attendants to continue serving food to Xiao Xi.
The banquet became lively again.
Cai Jing stood up and changed his clothes, and told his attendants, "Let them make trouble. Han Shibao has already made his own idea. Let's just watch the show."
After saying this, Cai Jing casually threw the note into the charcoal basin and said, "I want to be a good person and a good official at the same time. How can I have both?"
……
The night was dark, and the sudden burst of fire outside the palace wall dyed the sky in the direction of Chenqiao Station blood red.
In the dark room, a dozen auxiliary army generals stood silently, looking through the window at the leaping flames in the distance. The firelight illuminated their tense faces, some unconsciously tightened the hilts of their swords at their waists, and some looked solemn.
The breathing became heavier.
"Things have gotten out of hand." A general said in a hoarse voice, his Adam's apple rolling.
"Who gave the order to set fire to the post station? This is to cut off our retreat."
"Before, when things hadn't gotten out of hand, we could still stop, but now we can't."
"There is no other way but to command the cavalry to march directly to the gates of the palace! Have them create a huge momentum and display the posture of a mighty army."
"That's forcing the emperor to abdicate! That's a serious crime!"
The generals were in an uproar.
"It's okay. The several squads of imperial guards stationed at Xihua Gate are on the same page with us and will not stop us."
"Let's go to the palace and ask for an explanation in front of the emperor!"
"It's just what happened, that's all."
After that, all the more than ten generals left the house and mounted their horses. More than ten riders rushed towards Bianjing City like arrows from a bow.
……
Inside Dingli Temple.
Zhang Yue was in the Zen room, although he was currently doing a seven-day Zen retreat.
When people reach middle age, they have a stronger desire to cultivate immortality and seek the truth.
When you reach the end of the mountain, sit down and watch the clouds.
Only at this time can you experience the feeling of "after climbing high and deep, you think there is no way out, but suddenly you see another village with willows and flowers."
Zhang Yue really wanted to find a place to break away from worldly ties, but unfortunately, even in Dingli Temple there was no place.
Every day messages on pieces of paper were delivered to the temple along with meals.
It’s like you’ve already gotten off work, but your boss is still calling you on your phone.
The two auxiliary armies in the east and west had been within his sight since the beginning of the rebellion.
It's funny to say that when Zhang Yue established the three auxiliary armies, he also learned from Cai Jing in history.
In the history of another time and space, Cai Jing made outstanding political achievements when he first served as prime minister in order to cater to Huizong's intention to continue his father and brother's reforms, and at the same time to recover Youyan in the future.
He set up four auxiliary towns in the capital, with Chan, Zheng, Cao and Gongzhou as the four auxiliary states. As auxiliary states, each of them was stationed with 20,000 troops, and his trusted Song Qiaonian and Hu Shiwen were appointed as generals.
Cai Jing's actions aroused the suspicion of Song Huizong. One of the charges against him for the first time he was dismissed from his position as prime minister was nepotism and placing his cronies in the auxiliary army.
Cai Jing was defeated by this excuse.
This of course happened during the reign of Emperor Huizong.
Cai Que thought that he established the Three Auxiliary Armies in order to get his hands on military power and place his cronies there, just like Cai Jing did in history.
So after he was dismissed from his position as prime minister, Cai Que re-placed his confidants in the Sanfu Army and gradually cleared his own people out of the Sanfu Army.
However, Tsai still underestimated himself.
It's like picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons.
This is not what I mean.
Sima Guang also forgot why the reform was necessary during the reign of Emperor Shenzong.
When Yingzong ascended the throne, he took out 15 million strings of cash and 11 million strings of cash to reward the Beijing troops, and 4 million strings of cash to reward civil officials.
Isn't it this incident that caused the treasury to be empty? Otherwise, where would the reason for the reform come from?
Now, in addition to the imperial guards, the court also has to support 60,000 auxiliary troops from the three towns.
The events at that time are still vivid in my mind. Sima Guang set an example by refusing rewards. Zhang Yue, a minor official at the time, was full of admiration for Sima Guang's noble character.
Using money to control the military and using the "rich and prosperous" tactics to corrupt the ruler's mind, causing the court to spend without limit and become unable to get rid of the tail, this was the secret of Cai Jing's five terms as prime minister.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yue closed his eyes again and meditated in silence.
It seemed as if the war in Bianjing City had nothing to do with him.
……
On every street in Bianjing, the imperial guards and the auxiliary troops were confronting each other with swords drawn.
The armory was locked, and the imperial guards had no weapons, just for show. As for the military patrol of Kaifeng Prefecture, although they had swords and guns in hand, how could they dare to stop the auxiliary soldiers?
Fortunately, the auxiliary army still maintained its military discipline, and the shops and houses along the way were not disturbed.
A group of soldiers rushed to Sima Guang's residence. The leading soldier swung his scabbard and smashed the red door, shouting: "Sima Twelve, who has brought disaster to the country and the people, come out and die immediately!
The ruler of the dynasty was so poor that he had no personal guards and no high walls or courtyards. In contrast, although the gates of Lu Gongzhu's mansion not far away were closed, servants were seen holding weapons and squatting on the wall, guarding the place tightly.
But even though Sima Guang held the highest position in government, he was no more than this.
How could a few old servants stop these officers and soldiers?
Sima Guang himself was furious, and a soldier of the imperial guards pointed out: "The man in the hemp robe is Sima Junshi!"
More and more auxiliary soldiers surrounded Sima Guang's mansion and pounded on the door, claiming that they wanted to capture Sima Guang and parade him through the streets.
Just as the door was pushed open and the auxiliary troops rushed into Sima Guang's mansion.
Several old servants were knocked down by several auxiliary soldiers, who hit them directly with their scabbards.
Faced with these vicious auxiliary troops, Guo Lin and Fan Zuyu stood in front of Sima Guang.
Guo Lin angrily shouted, "You are actually threatening the prime minister with weapons today!"
Fan Zuyu then stood in front of Sima Guang and said, "Mr. Sima has been practicing benevolent governance for thirty years, but you have listened to slander and wanted to do the same as King Jie and King Zhou!"
When the auxiliary soldiers saw the two men like this, they all said, "Don't rush to your death!"
"Sima Guang has deceived the Queen Mother and wants to abolish the new law and cut off our food and wages! We must seek justice today!"
Sima Guang said: "My fate has been decided, what else can I say?"
Sima Guang said, "The Eastern Auxiliary Army mutinied because of the reduction in rewards, and the Western Auxiliary Army used its troops to threaten the court. This is not the fault of the soldiers, but the fault of me!"
Speaking of this, Sima Guang said to Guo Lin and Fan Zuyu.
"You two should report to the court and say that killing these soldiers of mine is not a crime! Don't hold anyone responsible."
The auxiliary soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this.
Guo Lin and Fan Zuyu both shed tears and said, "Teacher."
Sima Guang took off his hairpin, and the night wind blew away his already gray hair.
Sima Guang raised his hands to the sky and said loudly: "When the previous emperor was alive, the new law severely collected people's money to pay the military. The laws of baojia and exemption from military service separated the people from their families, but how much did the national treasury increase? Instead, it nurtured these arrogant and fierce generals!"
"I, an old minister, submitted a petition to abolish the new law in order to eliminate the root of this bad policy. I didn't expect that you all pretended to obey but secretly disobeyed... Today you sent troops to Bianliang to make a protest, and tomorrow the war will start at the border!"
"My people are suffering! How cruelly God treats us!"
The auxiliary soldiers looked at each other and withdrew.
……
In the imperial city.
Empress Dowager Gao had already been awakened from the night.
"Your Highness, there's a fire at Chenqiao Inn."
Empress Dowager Gao said on the couch, "Didn't we agree that it was just a few auxiliary soldiers who were rioting for pay?"
Zhang Maoze said: "Not only the two auxiliary departments of the East and West, but also the three yamen are involved."
Empress Dowager Gao was startled and stood up, then she calmed down and said, "Tell the three yamen that the winter clothes awarded by the court will be distributed in full."
"If the capital doesn't pay, we'll pay from the inner treasury."
Empress Dowager Gao made an astonishing decision. After hearing that some imperial guards were also involved, she realized that the matter was of great importance and made a decision immediately.
Zhang Maoze said: "The current strategy is that you should ask the Queen Mother to move."
Empress Dowager Gao said sternly, "I will stay in this palace and won't go anywhere else."
"If you want to die, die in this palace. Even after you die, you will be the Grand Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty!"
After a pause, Empress Dowager Gao said to Zhang Maoze: "If you want me to move, you might as well think of a way to repel the enemy!"
"Why don't you, Your Majesty, dispatch troops from Daming Prefecture and Xiangzhou to the capital?" Liang Weijian asked.
Zhang Maoze immediately said, "We are dealing with the Liao Kingdom over there. The Liao army of 700,000 is approaching. If we withdraw, what will we do if the Liao army takes advantage of the situation and invades?"
"Zhang Heng, who is guarding Daming Prefecture, is also a member of the Zhang Party."
Empress Dowager Gao said, "The situation is urgent, and we can't care about these things."
"Zhang Heng is also a minister of the court. Let the Privy Council issue an order tomorrow!"
"What about Sanfu?"
Empress Dowager Gao said: "Anyone who dares to rebel will be punished without mercy!"
Zhang Maoze said: "Grand Empress Dowager, during the reign of Emperor Ren, the imperial guards also participated in the rebellion, but the Minister of Culture advocated for peace and did not pursue the matter."
"It is better to temporarily pardon those who are causing rebellion and supporting the army. This will prevent these people from taking risks."
Empress Dowager Gao thought for a moment and said, "Well, pardon him for now, and we'll talk about the rest later."
After a while, someone reported: "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Privy Councilor Zhang Dun was assassinated in the street! Now we don't know whether he is alive or dead."
Even the Privy Councilor Zhang Dun was assassinated, which was indeed a serious matter.
Empress Dowager Gao immediately said, "Take the imperial edict and immediately inform the auxiliary army soldiers that those who return to the camp before dawn will be forgiven for their past mistakes."
"As long as the Privy Council issues an order after daybreak, the rebellion can be put down."
After a pause, the eunuch came in and reported: "The rebels have already headed straight for the Xihua Gate of the palace."
"The one who holds the key to the palace is missing."
"They are the first to meet the emperor!"
Everyone was shocked and went straight into Xihua Gate without any obstruction.
Empress Dowager Gao said to Liang Weijian, "Go and ask them and calm these people down."
Soon, Empress Dowager Gao said to the eunuchs, "Follow me to find His Majesty!"
……
Liang Weijian hurried to Xihua Gate with a Buddhist whisk in his hand. The flickering torches of the auxiliary soldiers in the distance made his face flicker.
The palace gates were locked, but no one knew where the imperial guards stationed outside the city had gone.
Liang Weijian saw that there were only a few imperial guards stationed on the Xihua Tower, and they all looked listless. Some imperial guards were still laughing and making noises on the battlements. As for the streets under the palace, all of them had been blocked by the auxiliary troops.
A general with his right hand wrapped in red cloth was lowered into the city wall.
Liang Weijian asked, "What are you doing? The Empress Dowager can show mercy to what happened today and pretend that nothing happened. You can all leave immediately."
The general clasped his fists and said, "Your Excellency, I have only one question to ask. The auxiliary army was established to resist the Liao Dynasty. Now the court has abolished the new law and abolished the three military prefectures. Even winter clothes are being cut."
"If the Liao cavalry marches south in the future, who will guard the city of Bianliang for the emperor?"
Liang Weijian said: "It's ridiculous, how can such a thing happen? Don't listen to others' fabrications. This is just a rumor!"
"No matter what the court does, it will not withhold your money and food rewards."
"The Empress Dowager has already issued an order to reissue the rewards to the three yamen, which will be paid from the imperial treasury."
The general hesitated for a moment and said, "Please ask the Empress Dowager to return power to Your Majesty and dismiss Sima Guang from his position as Minister of the Imperial Court, and I will withdraw my troops!"
"How dare you threaten the imperial court like this?"
"It's not a threat, but the will of the three armies!" the other party said sternly.
With the help of the firelight, Liang Weijian was able to see the other person's still childish face.
He is a young man under 20 years old.
He couldn't help but say, "It's not easy for you to be where you are now at such a young age. You have parents at home too. Why did you follow the thieves and commit such a heinous crime that brought disaster to your wife and children!"
The general said: "I have already pledged my life to the country."
"As long as I can see the imperial court recover Youyan and conquer the Helan Mountain Pass in this lifetime, I will not fear death!"
The commander immediately kowtowed and said, "I hope the Empress Dowager will agree. Otherwise, please sentence me to death!"
"Go away! I won't kill you today!" Liang Weijian waved his whisk and said.
After saying this, the general was taken down from Xihua Gate.
……
"Order the food and pour the wine! Let's watch a show tonight!"
Zhang Qie poured a glass of wine for Zhang Zhi.
Zhang Zhi said: "Zhifu, it's not good for us to do this!"
Zhang Qie laughed and said, "Zi Zheng, can't you see it?"
"These auxiliary troops are causing trouble. Although they are chaotic, they are not violent. They are all keeping their sense of propriety."
"Look, apart from burning down Chenqiao Post and raising slogans for the Empress Dowager to abdicate, are there any other drastic things going on?"
Zhang Zhi nodded and said, "Indeed. It shows that the Second Auxiliary Army is very strict in military discipline."
Zhang Qie said: "Not only that, there is someone behind this."
"Don't be anxious, eat a bowl of cold noodles first and watch the show!"
Zhang Zhi's eyes flashed as he asked, "Who is behind this?"
Zhang Qie sighed, "Who do you think is the one who is trying to protect the will of his best friend and help him with his conspiracy?"
Zhang Zhi was surprised: "Zhang Zihou?"
Zhang Qi was silent for a moment and then said: "Not only..."
……
The other party returned to a house under the tower and said, "The Empress Dowager has issued rewards for the imperial guards, but she didn't mention a word about the auxiliary troops."
More than ten people in the house said, "What are we waiting for? We have no choice but to resort to military remonstration!"
Everyone hesitated.
A man came in and said, "Kaifeng Prefecture has been taken."
Everyone cheered loudly.
The leading general said, "You return to your respective commands and follow me into the palace! If you fail, knock on the palace gate!"
Upon hearing this, the generals began to hesitate again.
As they were talking, the palace gate opened and the eunuch holding the yellow edict said loudly: "Your Majesty has ordered that those who rebelled tonight will be forgiven."
"Rewards for the Imperial Guards and winter clothing for the Auxiliary Guards will all be issued as below."
The generals looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this.
At this time, another person came in and said, "Northern Town Auxiliary Army General Zhou Xingji has arrived."
"See you soon!"
But a general came in. These generals were classmates at the Imperial College and knew each other, but at this moment they clasped their fists to each other across the room full of sword lights.
Zhou Xingji took off his sword and threw it on the table.
"Everyone, things have come to this, it's enough. As soon as the Privy Council sends a letter tomorrow, the Northern Auxiliary Army will enter the capital to quell the rebellion."
"When the time comes, it will be too late to regret when our comrades fight each other. I have risked my life to come here to advise you to stop now."
Everyone was silent after hearing this, and the leading general said, "Uncle Gong, have you forgotten?"
"Back when we were in the Imperial College, we swore an oath with blood that one day we would drive out the barbarians and conquer Youyan!"
"Now the Empress Dowager has appointed Sima Guang, abolished the new law, replaced the son with the mother, and ignored the will of the late emperor. How do you want us to deal with it?"
Zhou Xingji was filled with shame when he heard this and said, "You are finally committing treason!"
"I'm not afraid of death!"
"Our East and West Auxiliary Armies have been disbanded. Can the North Auxiliary Town be safe and sound?"
Zhou Xingji was speechless.
At this time, Liu Changzuo arrived with hundreds of imperial guards armed with weapons and confronted thousands of auxiliary troops under the Xihua Gate.
Facing the iron-clad auxiliary troops, Liu Changzuo rode forward and shouted, "Retreat immediately!"
But the auxiliary troops shouted: "At this moment, if the court does not dismiss Lü Gongzhu and appoint Sima Guang as prime minister, we will not retreat."
"We will not return to camp until the imperial court dismisses Lu and Sima!"
One person asked, "Why doesn't Commander Liu follow Chen Xuanli's example?"
Liu Changzuo was shocked when he heard this. The three words "Chen Xuanli" were really heartbreaking.
"Now that things have come to this, we can only bow our heads and speak!"
The auxiliary soldiers all pounded their shields and shouted, "Hush! Hush!"
Seeing that the auxiliary troops refused to retreat and that dawn was approaching, Liu Changzuo immediately entered the palace.
……
In Zhang Dun's mansion.
Inside Zhang Dun's house, Zhang looked at her husband's pale face, tears streaming down her face. She clutched her handkerchief tightly and asked in a trembling voice, "Sir...why did you risk your life for the new law?"
Zhang Dun clenched his teeth, veins on his forehead were visible, and he said in a low voice: "Stupid! If I don't use this self-torture trick--" He coughed violently a few times, his knuckles clenched white, "Although the court has an ancestral precept not to kill scholars and officials, if they are involved in mutiny and treason, they will be killed a thousand times!"
Zhang was shocked when she heard this and asked in a trembling voice, "Is this matter...really related to the official?"
Zhang Dun closed his eyes for a moment, then slowly said, "It's a lie to say that I have nothing to do with it. The auxiliary troops of the two towns caused chaos, and as the chief privy councilor, I can't escape blame." He suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, "What's more, I knew about the resentment in the army, but I kept it to myself... Go and burn all the letters in the secret box in the right cabinet immediately."
Zhang nodded hurriedly, but heard Zhang Dun sigh and say, "Even if you take this risky approach, how can the discerning people in the court not see through it? After tonight... life or death, it all depends on God's will."
"My lord, my lord, why do you do this?" Zhang cried.
Zhang Dun said: "The new law is the result of the hard work of the late emperor and Jing Gong. How can I see this hard work destroyed by the hands of a woman in the deep palace, the Empress Dowager?"
Having said this, Zhang Dun covered his wound and broke out in a cold sweat.
"If I can accomplish this, it doesn't matter if I die a thousand times!"
……
As soon as Empress Dowager Gao's phoenix sedan stopped at the Funing Palace, she saw Empress Dowager Xiang already sitting in the palace.
Empress Dowager Gao couldn't help but sneer when she saw this.
"Your servant respectfully welcomes the Grand Empress Dowager." She bowed to the Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager Gao arrived in the palace and said nothing to the people who came to greet her.
Although the emperor was still a child after all, he knew the wickedness of human nature deep in the palace, so he sat in the palace without saying a word.
Empress Dowager Gao looked at Empress Dowager Xiang and asked, "Who is behind the riot outside the palace? Do you know?"
She said to the Queen Mother: "I don't know."
Empress Dowager Gao looked at Empress Dowager Xiang's confident expression and understood a lot of things in her heart.
"The remnants of Cai Que are causing chaos. Who is behind this?" Empress Dowager Gao pointed her finger at her chest and said, "If this is settled, then it will finally be what you wanted."
She bowed to the Queen Mother and said, "I don't know what the Grand Queen Mother means."
Empress Dowager Gao asked, "Isn't this the result of Cai Que's remnants?"
"And who was behind Cai Que's decision when he was appointed as the crown prince?"
Empress Dowager Xiang stroked her chest and said, "I have never had any contact with Cai Que, but I had some conversations with his mother Ming in the past."
"This is because Ming knew many famous doctors in the outer court. At that time, the late emperor was seriously ill, so I asked her to consult."
"Nothing special."
Empress Dowager Gao sneered, showing that she did not believe it.
Empress Dowager Xiang burst into tears when she heard this and said, "It is difficult for me to explain what the Empress Dowager has asked."
Before Empress Dowager Gao could speak, she heard a eunuch report: "Liu Changzuo, the deputy commander of the Palace Front Department, has come to the palace to ask for an audience!"
Empress Dowager Gao left the palace immediately and ordered, "Take good care of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty."
After Empress Dowager Gao left the palace, Empress Dowager Xiang immediately looked at the emperor, pointed at his chest and cried, "This still hurts."
The emperor glanced outside the palace and still lowered his head in silence.
Empress Dowager Xiang said again: "Your Majesty, Minister Wen once said that the Song Dynasty is ruled by the emperor and the scholars and officials. What does it have to do with us women?"
……
When Empress Dowager Gao saw Liu Changzuo, she narrowed her eyes and said, "I will ask you right away if you want to be Yu Wenhuaji?"
Liu Changzuo was struck by lightning when he heard this. His armor clanged and he knelt on one knee and said, "I would rather die than accept such heart-piercing words. I don't know why the Empress Dowager thinks of me like this."
Zhang Maoze coughed lightly, and Empress Dowager Gao's expression eased a little. She glanced at the flickering torchlight outside the palace and said, "Of course I know you are not that kind of person. The rebel soldiers have surrounded the palace for three quarters of an hour, but the imperial guards have not fired a single arrow."
"How can I not be suspicious when there are so many imperial guards in this city?"
Liu Changzuo calmed down and said, "I deserve death! The old and new officials of the Palace Front Office have been replaced, and I failed to coordinate effectively, which is a capital crime."
"As for why I did not allow the imperial guards to shoot arrows, it was because I was worried that once blood was shed, the matter would be difficult to resolve peacefully, and that would then provoke a real change."
"It doesn't matter if I die, but if I harm the Empress Dowager and the Emperor in the slightest, I will never redeem myself."
Empress Dowager Gao said, "I will not move. I have already promised to issue the rewards. Why are the soldiers still not retreating?"
Liu Changzuo said: "Since it was the people below who were causing the rebellion, they were worried that the imperial court would punish them later."
"Please ask Queen Mother Fu Yun to dismiss Lü Gongzhu and Sima Guang. Then I guarantee that these soldiers will leave."
“Ridiculous,” said Empress Dowager Gao, “These two are the pillars of the three dynasties! They are also the pillars of my life!”
Liu Changzuo said: "Grand Empress Dowager, the auxiliary troops can break into the palace and fight with the imperial troops at any time, and we will be caught off guard."
Seeing the situation was pressing, Empress Dowager Gao paused and said, "Rewards can be given, but Lu Gongzhu and Sima Guang are both loyal ministers of the court and cannot be dismissed."
Seeing that Empress Dowager Gao was embarrassed.
Zhang Maoze asked, "Commander Liu, do you think there is someone behind this rebellion? If so, please report it to the Empress Dowager."
Liu Changzuo said, "Your Highness, I just entered the palace and passed through Xihua Gate. I heard the soldiers below ask me to be Chen Xuanli."
"I wonder how these soldiers knew about the Mawei Slope incident. There must be someone behind the scenes who instructed them to speak like this."
Empress Dowager Gao was shocked when she heard this. She looked towards the direction of Funing Palace and said to Liu Changzuo, "You go and appease them first. After dawn, the troops will be able to enter the capital."
Liu Changzuo took the order and left.
Empress Dowager Gao looked at Zhang Maoze and asked, "What do you think? Do you really want to dismiss Sima Guang and Lu Gongzhu?"
Zhang Maoze shook his head and said, "Back then, the Seven Princes Rebellion raised the slogan 'Execute Chao Cuo', and Emperor Jing of Han killed Chao Cuo!"
"An Lushan's purge of the imperial court was also aimed at Yang Guozhong, and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang killed Yang Guozhong and his sister!"
"Although it cannot prevent rebellion, it can also remove the excuse for it."
……
At dawn, Dingli Temple was shrouded in frost and snow, and the blue bricks and black tiles were covered with a layer of white.
When Zhang Maoze arrived at the temple, he saw dozens of officials dressed in red and purple, including Han Zhongyan, Cai Bian, Su Zhe, Zeng Bu, Huang Shang, etc., all of whom were important officials of the court and core members of the Zhang Party. Even the two prime ministers Zhang Li and Li Qingchen were among them. The ministers were talking about something.
Hundreds of soldiers were stationed in the temple to guard it, keeping the war away.
Zhang Maoze knew that something was wrong, but he still went in.
"Duke Wei, the Empress Dowager has issued an order! Sima Guang will be stripped of his sackcloth! Please ask Duke Wei to take charge of the situation!"
Zhang Maozhe and Han Zhongyan looked at the man in a cloth robe sitting cross-legged on the cushion, peeling his rosary.
The beads suddenly stopped, and Zhang Yue asked, "What crime did Sima Gong commit?"
"What's the use of peeling hemp?"
"How does it contribute to the overall situation?"
Zhang Yue stood up and walked to the door of the monks' room and looked at the Buddhist temple covered with snow.
Han Zhongyan glanced at Zhang Maoze and said, "If we don't dismiss Sima Gong, how can the rebels retreat?"
Cai Bian and Zeng Bu, who were sitting under the eaves, both looked towards Zhang Yue.
"Please give your instructions, Lord Wei!" Zhang Maoze said again.
Zhang Yue continued to keep silent, while Cai Bian stepped forward and said, "Zhang Duzhi, Duke Wei's meaning is very clear. The fault is not Sima Guang's, but others'!"
Zhang Maoze remained silent.
Zeng Bu stepped forward and pointed his finger at the palace as if it were a sword, saying, "When An Lushan rebelled, Prime Minister Yang Guozhong gathered all the officials in the court and said that people had reported An Lushan's rebellion for ten years, but the emperor did not believe it. What happened today is not the Prime Minister's fault."
"Later, Chen Xuanli led the imperial army to kill Yang Yuhuan at Mawei Slope, and then pushed all the blame onto Yang Guozhong!"
"What happened back then is happening again today!"
Zhang Maoze looked at Zhang Yue, his eyes almost bleeding, and asked, "Is this what Duke Wei meant?"
"The Empress Dowager has never failed Duke Wei in the slightest!"
"But the Empress Dowager has betrayed the late emperor! She has betrayed the whole world!" Yue, who had been staring at Xue Jingzhang in silence, turned around and said, "Zhang Duzhi! Is it okay to replace the son with the mother?"
"The late emperor's life's work! The soldiers who died for their country in the northwest!"
"Twenty years of national management have been ruined in an instant! Has the Empress Dowager ever thought about this?"
Zhang Mao pointed at Zhang Yue and said sternly, "Zhang Yue, you have evil ambitions. You want to be like Sima Yi and seize power!"
"You were the one who orchestrated the military remonstrance tonight!"
Zhang Yue said calmly: "You all know that I am no longer a prime minister. I have an official position but no job. Moreover, I am in the meditation room of Dingli Temple. How can I carry out this military remonstration?"
"What happened today is due to the Empress Dowager losing the support of the people!"
Zhang Maozhe staggered back a step.
Zhang Yue stretched out his hand towards Zeng Bu, and saw Zeng Bu, who was a Hanlin scholar and accepted the imperial edict, handing a book to Zhang Yue.
"This is the imperial edict drafted by our ministers after a night of discussion. The Empress Dowager is old, please retire and enjoy your remaining years!"
"The Empress Dowager will be in charge of the military and state affairs for the time being!"
"When the emperor turns fifteen, the government will be returned to him! If the Empress Dowager is willing to change her mind, she will be a female Yao and Shun!"
Zhang Maoze looked strange when he heard that, and his throat made a hoarse sound. He immediately rushed forward and tried to tear the grass in Zhang Yue's hand.
Zeng Bu and Cai Bian had been paying attention to Zhang Maze's every move, and immediately stepped forward to stop Zhang Maze, pushing him down on the left and right.
Zhang Maozhe is old after all, and his movements are not as agile as before.
Zhang Yue glanced at Zhang Maize, then walked out of the meditation room holding the edict, only to see the sun rising in the sky, and the snowy scene in the city was instantly bathed in thousands of rays of light.
In a moment the remaining stars were driven away and the moon was gone, and thousands of mountains were like fire!