manynovel Chapter 1364 Jia Sikong
Chapter 1364 Jia Sikong
Chapter 1364 Jia Sikong
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the walls of Bianjing a crimson red. The Western Xia delegation moved slowly forward in the twilight, the sound of horses' hooves muffled.
The political struggles within the Tangut royal family were extremely fierce. Li Yuanhao eliminated most of his uncles, cousins, and even his own siblings. For example, when Wei Mushan, a member of his maternal clan, plotted to assassinate Li Yuanhao, Li Yuanhao killed him and also poisoned Empress Dowager Wei Mushan.
Even his younger brother, Li Chengwei, son of Empress Dowager Wei Mu, did not escape being poisoned by Li Yuanhao.
Li Yuanhao also had his three other half-brothers drowned in the river.
The Tangut royal family suffered heavy losses in the fierce court struggles. Only a small number of descendants, including Li Dezhao, a descendant of Li Yuanhao's grandfather, Li Jiqian, survived.
Li Zuoming, also known as Weiming Zuoming, is the uncle of the current king Li Bingchang and is considered the only remaining senior elder in the Tangut royal family.
This time, he was recommended by the Tangut people to come and sue for peace with the Song Dynasty.
Li Zuoming tightened his collar and squinted at the majestic Song Dynasty city wall.
The towering city walls cast long shadows in the setting sun.
"Bianjing City is just ahead," Vice Envoy Weiming Langbu whispered a reminder.
Li Zuoming did not answer, but only nodded slightly. He was nearly sixty years old, with a resolute face. As the only remaining member of the Western Xia royal family, he could have enjoyed wealth and honor in Xingqing Prefecture, but instead, he was forced to undertake this humiliating mission—to submit a letter of surrender to the Song Dynasty.
Li Zuoming turned to the delegation and said, "We are not here to beg for peace, but to uphold the dignity of the Great White Kingdom."
The mission members nodded silently, but Li Zuoming could see the same humiliation and resentment in their eyes. Once upon a time, the Tangut cavalry had swept through the Helan Mountains, and wherever their white camels and great banners went, the Song people trembled with fear.
The Western Xia dynasty, which had stood for a century and was once on par with the Song and Liao dynasties, now had to humbly bow down and submit to its old enemy.
Every word on this surrender document felt like it was being carved into Li Zuoming's heart.
Is the Tangut people doomed?
……
Did the Tanguts perish?
Li Zuoming remembers that there were no signs of anything happening in Xingqing Prefecture for a while. Officials still paid their respects as usual, and all festivals were still celebrated as usual.
Xingqing Prefecture was also bustling with people.
Even the festivals for worshipping Buddha were held more grandly than ever before, showing no signs of decadence.
The common people continued with their lives, but the Tangut officials were filled with anxiety.
The officials forced smiles when they met. They all knew that the Tanguts probably didn't have many days left.
When Lingzhou was besieged before, the officials still had some hope, believing that Lingzhou could be defended. After all, when the Song army besieged Lingzhou before, it still suffered a crushing defeat.
Some pessimists believe that the Song army will retreat due to running out of food.
So everyone was planning the date.
Li Bingchang was also trying to reassure the people, saying that the Great Baigao Kingdom had been established for fifty years and would certainly not be lost.
Lingzhou and Xingzhou are one, and I will live and die with them.
On the morning of one July day, an old soldier knocked on the gate of Xingqing Prefecture and informed them that Lingzhou had fallen and that the troops of the two Dangxiang military supervisors had been wiped out.
At the same time, Weizhou and Shunzhou were completely lost, and Li Bingchang's troops deployed near Puluochuan were also completely wiped out.
When the Dangxiang troops in Lingzhou finally broke through the city, they attempted to break out. The Song army deliberately left them an escape route and ambushed them at Lingzhou and the banks of the Yellow River. Of the Dangxiang troops in Lingzhou and the nearby area, only one in ten survived and fled to Xingqing Prefecture.
The garrison commander of Lingzhou, Yan, was too ashamed to face the king and hanged himself when the city fell.
Several military supervisors and guards, unable to break through the Song army's encirclement, also drowned themselves in the Yellow River.
The Tangut army had only generals who could be considered famous, but they all perished during the relief of Lingzhou and the siege of Lingzhou.
When the news reached Xingqing Prefecture, it was learned that the Song army was in Shunzhou, and Wang Hou's troops from Xihe Road were about to march north to attack Xingqing Prefecture.
That night, Xingqing Prefecture was filled with several alarms.
Many people left Dangxiang that very night.
Upon learning of the fall of Lingzhou, Li Bingchang, the ruler of the Tangut state, wept with the Khitan princess and Tangut queen, Yelü Nan.
The Tangut generals and chieftains also wept bitterly.
The next day, at the beginning of the palace meeting, everyone was still very enthusiastic, determined to fight the Song army to the end. They said that although the Song emperor was young, Zhang Yue, as the minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor, would surely destroy the Dangxiang, and the only way was to fight to the death.
However, Li Bingchang changed his attitude.
……
"Let's go." Li Zuoming took a deep breath and spurred his horse forward.
Qin Guan, a junior official in the Ministry of Rites during the Song Dynasty, stood with his hands behind his back, his blue official robe swaying slightly in the wind. He had a fair complexion, and his eyes revealed a hint of the arrogance and reserve typical of scholars. When the Western Xia delegation approached, he merely bowed slightly as a token of courtesy.
"Li Zuoming, the envoy of Western Xia, has come to deliver the letter of credence on the orders of my lord." Li Zuoming dismounted and bowed in accordance with etiquette.
Qin Guan's lips curled slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "A letter of surrender? Just surrender, why make it sound so grand?"
Before he could finish speaking, the members of the delegation behind Li Zuoming glared at him angrily, some even clutching the short swords at their waists. Li Zuoming raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down, his fingers trembling slightly, but he still managed to maintain a steady tone: "How should I address your esteemed envoy?"
The country was small and weak, and its envoys were as insignificant as blades of grass.
Just as a person without substance will lack confidence in the outside world, in times of conflict, the only option is to bow one's head and admit fault.
Qin Guan smiled dismissively: "Qin Guan, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites."
Li Zuoming's heart sank. The Song Dynasty had only sent a low-ranking official of the sixth rank to greet them; not even the Vice Minister of Rites had come forward. Clearly, they didn't take the Dangxiang seriously. He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging humiliation, and asked in a low voice, "When will I be able to meet the Emperor of the Great Song?"
"What's the rush?" Qin Guan scoffed. "Let's settle into the inn first. The Emperor is too busy with affairs of state to meet with us immediately..."
Li Zuoming felt a wave of dizziness, and the face of Li Bingchang, the ruler of Western Xia, appeared before his departure.
The king's face was pale and almost bloodless; the defeat at Lingzhou had exhausted his energy and spirit.
Li Bingchang held his hand tightly, his voice hoarse: "Uncle, at your age, it is truly unbearable for me to make you suffer this injustice."
"But among all the officials, you are the most knowledgeable in Han studies. On your journey to Bianjing, no matter how the Song people humiliate you, please... bear with it."
As a member of the royal family, Li Zuoming was not exactly wealthy, but he was never short of food or clothing. At this moment, looking at his nephew's pleading, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
He could only say, "Your Majesty, I will do my best."
"Uncle, your nephew is about to die."
"After my uncle returns to the country, I am willing to relinquish the throne to him."
Upon hearing Li Bingchang's words, Li Zuoming was greatly alarmed, thinking that Li Bingchang was testing him.
"My lord. My lord."
After a moment of silence, Li Bingchang said, "You also don't want to be the ruler of a fallen country, do you?"
Li Zuoming's expression changed again, and he said, "Your Majesty, I would never dare."
Li Bingchang sighed and said, "At this point, even if I am not the ruler of the country, what difference will it make when Xingqing Prefecture falls?"
……
Looking at Qin Guan's aloof and superior demeanor.
"Thank you for the arrangements." Li Zuoming bowed deeply.
This action made him feel nauseous, but for the sake of the Great White Kingdom, for his people, and for the Tangut royal family, he had to endure it all.
This time, the Tangut envoys arranged for the post station not to be at the Duting West Post Station, but at another post station.
The inn was extremely simple.
The members of the Tangut delegation packed their belongings in silence, a heavy silence filling the air.
"They're deliberately humiliating us!" Weiming Langbu finally couldn't help but complain in a low voice. "Now, the barbarians from Aligu can stay at the Duting West Post Station, but our esteemed delegation from the Great White High Kingdom can only stay in such a place."
"Shut up!" Li Zuoming interrupted him sternly. "What is the purpose of our trip?"
"Do you think this is still the royal tent at the foot of Helan Mountain?"
"The survival of the Great White Kingdom is a matter of utmost importance."
The night wind blew through the tattered window paper, causing the candlelight on the desk to flicker. Li Zuoming stood alone by the window, the myriad lights of Bianjing reflected in his bloodshot eyes.
He couldn't help but think of the stark contrast between the barren lands of Western Xia and the present.
……
Three days later, the news of their audience with the emperor finally arrived. The delegation members changed into their most formal attire, and Li Zuoming personally carried the brocade box containing the surrender document, each step taken with extraordinary heaviness.
The grandeur of the Song Dynasty imperial palace exceeded Li Zuoming's imagination. The vermilion palace walls and gilded roofs showcased the wealth and power of the Song Dynasty.
The imperial guards of the Song Dynasty, all tall and imposing, held golden maces and coldly watched the Tangut envoys.
"The envoy, Yi Jo-myung, has come to pay his respects—"
The summons echoed through the main hall.
Li Zuoming took a deep breath, straightened his back, and stepped into the hall. The magnificent hall was lined with civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty.
The young Song Dynasty emperor sat on the dragon throne, his face thin and not particularly imposing.
"Li Zuoming, envoy of the Xia Kingdom, pays his respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty."
"Rise." The Song Dynasty emperor's voice was neither warm nor cold.
Li Zuoming slowly rose, respectfully presenting the brocade box with both hands: "Your subject has come on the orders of the King of Western Xia to deliver this letter of state."
After delivering the credentials.
"Is this a declaration of surrender?" a minister in purple robes interrupted.
Li Zuoming recognized the other person as Shen Kuo.
Before his mission, he had a good understanding of the appearances of Song Dynasty officials, and now he was trying to match them up one by one.
It was quite easy for Li Zuoming to identify Zhang Yue from among the group of officials in purple robes.
That tall, handsome man, standing at the head of the court, must be him.
This is the person who nearly caused the downfall of my Great White Kingdom.
Li Zuoming memorized Zhang Yue's appearance.
Faced with Shen Kuo's questioning, Li Zuoming forced himself to remain calm and said, "It is indeed a letter of surrender."
"Our lord wishes to restore friendly relations with the Great Song Dynasty and remain a vassal state forever."
The emperor remained silent.
Li Zuoming bowed deeply, saying, "All the past troubles were caused by the border generals' unauthorized instigation of border conflicts. My lord is willing to return the occupied lands and pay tribute annually, only asking for the Great Song's forgiveness."
As he spoke, he held the brocade box high with both hands. A eunuch descended the steps, took the box, and presented it to the emperor.
Zhang Yue remained silent throughout, while an elderly minister in purple robes (Su Song) stood beside him.
The man spoke up, "I've heard that you Tanguts value integrity above all else. Why are you so humble and subservient today? Is there some trickery involved?"
The Song Dynasty officials on either side sized each other up with unfriendly eyes.
Knowing he had come to be humiliated, Li Zuoming still raised his head and looked directly at the minister: "It is precisely because of my strong sense of integrity that I know when to advance and when to retreat. My lord cannot bear to see the people suffer from the ravages of war again, therefore he seeks peace."
Another minister in purple robes (Huang Lü), roughly the same age as Zhang Yue, said sternly, "You Tanguts have broken your promises more than once or twice! Who knows if this is just a delaying tactic?"
The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense.
“Your Majesty is wise,” Li Zuoming said in a steady voice, “If our Dangxiang people had any disloyal intentions, they could have simply sent an ordinary official. Today, Zuoming has come in person as a member of the royal family, which is a testament to our sincerity.”
The young emperor remained silent for a moment, then Zhang Yue, who stood at the head of the court, suddenly asked, "Your Excellency, how old are you this year?"
"Fifty-three years have been wasted."
"Fifty-three," Zhang Yue said thoughtfully, "I've heard that you are well-versed in Chinese studies and have translated the Analects into Tangut script. Is that true?"
Li Zuoming was taken aback, not expecting Zhang Yuelian to know this as well: "I'm ashamed to say I only have a superficial understanding."
……
After speaking, Li Zuoming left the main hall.
The reduction in the quotation was also accepted.
During the Song Dynasty, the emperor and his ministers had to discuss the contents of the surrender document.
Today, the emperor breathed a sigh of relief, having trampled decades of humiliation underfoot, but in reality, there is still much to be discussed.
At this moment, the ministers in the capital first discussed and agreed on the terms before reporting to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. In fact, the ministers had already discussed the contents of the surrender document several times beforehand.
Today, both Wen Yanbo and Feng Jing, the two Grand Councilors of Military and State Affairs, were present, and they sat alongside Zhang Yue.
"The conditions offered by the Tanguts are quite good." Wen Yanbo leaned on his dragon-headed cane and looked at the surrender document.
"In addition to the previously agreed-upon cession of three prefectures, there is also the removal of the emperor's title, the submission of an imperial edict, the removal of the emperor's crown, the adoption of Han clothing, and the handover of the three prefectures."
Indeed, after entering the capital, the Tanguts made further concessions to demonstrate their sincerity in surrendering.
Feng Jing said, "The Tangut envoy humbly presented the surrender document, thus avenging the humiliation during the reign of Emperor Renzong."
"Our army has already clashed with the Liao army in Hebei. Our army suffered an initial defeat, but the situation has eased after the Privy Council ordered troops from the three garrisons to launch an attack."
"The two sides are currently locked in a stalemate."
Zhang Yue remained calm. Judging from the discussions among the prime ministers and officials in the past few days, although Lingzhou had achieved a great victory, a sense of war-weariness was spreading among the officials.
If Zhang Yue were to destroy the Dangxiang, he would inevitably become too powerful to control, as his power would have reached its zenith.
Zhang Yue remained silent with his eyes lowered, but he took in the expressions of everyone in the hall.
"What does the Chamberlain think?" Wen Yanbo asked.
Zhang Yue said gently, "You two are experienced and wise in governing the country; let's discuss this first."
Wen Yanbo said, "Master Zhang's insight is far superior to that of those who have foreseen things, and his wisdom is to create things before they take shape."
"How can we possibly compare? What do you think?"
The phrases "to foresee and to know before others, and to create things before they take shape" are very high praises. Wen Yanbo almost praised Zhang Yue as if he were a prophet based on these two phrases.
Now Wen Yanbo only dares to discuss this matter with Zhang Yue, and does not dare to explicitly oppose it.
In fact, as prime minister and left premier, Zhang Yue's most important task was to grasp the overall direction.
If someone can always make a perfect grasp of the overall direction, then they are truly a prophet, a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang.
Prestige and authority are acquired in this way.
In this respect, choice is more important than effort.
The ministers had long since submitted to Zhang Yue in this regard, not to mention the victory in the battle of Lingzhou, but also Zhang Yue's journey all along.
From the earliest time when Emperor Yingzong established his heir.
Then, when he ascended the throne, he assisted Han Qi.
Later, during the Puyi period, he opposed Emperor Yingzong.
Then, he followed Han Qi in supporting the late emperor to ascend the throne.
He followed the late emperor in supporting Wang Anshi's reforms.
Then came the plan to capture Xihe Road.
He presided over negotiations with the Liao Dynasty.
Victory in capturing Qingtang.
They opposed the late emperor's two-pronged attack on the Dangxiang.
Then came the capture of Lanzhou and Liangzhou.
To establish a crown prince.
Then came the opposition to Empress Dowager Gao's abolition of the reforms.
And now, in Lingzhou.
It's not difficult to get it right once or twice, but it's difficult to get it right every time.
Imagine you flip a coin a dozen times and get heads every time. What kind of probability is that?
Leaving aside the common people, even from the emperor to the empress dowager, to what extent do the high-ranking officials now subscribe to Zhang Yue?
The terms offered by the Tanguts are now very favorable.
Many prime ministers secretly believed that since the Tanguts had ceded three prefectures, there was no need to continue the war.
However, the final decision rests with Zhang Yue.
Zhang Yue knew perfectly well what was going on.
He recalled that three days ago, when he was explaining the Tao Te Ching at the lecture, he had specifically emphasized the point that "if you want to contract something, you must first expand it."
Physics tells us that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but in real-world problem-solving, it is often the longest.
To achieve your goal, sometimes you have to act in the opposite direction first.
This is the movement of the Tao, which is reversal.
Drawing on the historical example of the Jurchens' conquest of the Northern Song Dynasty, they repeatedly signaled their intention to negotiate, demonstrating a desire for peace talks. This lulled the other side into complacency, sowed discord between the pro-war and pro-surrender factions within the Jurchens' country, and undermined their will and determination to fight before delivering the final blow.
The same reasoning applies to Zhang Yue's desire to destroy the Dangxiang.
Just as he once advised Wang Anshi, if the Liao Dynasty had a grand strategy towards the Song Dynasty, then morality would be useless; if it lacked a grand strategy, then morality would be useful.
In fact, it has been proven that in the seventh year of the Xining era, the Liao Dynasty had no grand strategy towards the Song Dynasty and only wanted to gain an advantage by threatening war. Therefore, it was possible to negotiate some benefits.
However, the Song Dynasty's destruction of the Tanguts was the late emperor's will, and it is also the politically correct position for Zhang Yue as a court attendant.
Under the grand policy of conquering the former territories of the Han and Tang dynasties, the Song dynasty's annihilation of the Tanguts was an inevitable outcome.
Because morality is useless, no matter how the Tanguts negotiate, they cannot shake Zhang Yue's determination.
However, this matter cannot be considered a certainty within the established procedures, and the attitude towards the Dangxiang or the domestic situation cannot be firm.
Strategically, ambiguity is necessary.
In another historical timeline, the Jurchen leader Nianhan, despite his intention to destroy the Song Dynasty and depose its two emperors, used the pretext of insufficient gold and silver to detain the emperors as hostages and demand money and women from the city. The Song Dynasty, believing the matter was negotiable, extorted all the money and women and handed them over. However, Nianhan then reneged on his promise and abducted the two emperors.
In the end, the Northern Song Dynasty lost both its wife and its army.
This is an extremely shameless tactic in negotiations, and it also proves the saying that if you have a grand strategy, morality is useless. You think that after you make an effort, the other party will abide by the rules, but no matter what, they will find fault with you, and the result will be the same.
However, Zhang Yue still wanted to maintain an image of open discussion and compromise in the imperial court.
At the same time, he must be prudent in grasping the overall direction; any mistake would absolutely shake his prestige in governing.
Just as Zhang Yue was about to speak, Zhang Gen arrived at the capital with a solemn expression and handed Zhang Yue a slip of paper.
Zhang Yue glanced at the note.
The inscription reads 'Waqiao Pass has fallen.'
……
The scorching July sun baked the Hebei Plain.
The reeds outside Waqiao Pass surged like waves in the hot wind.
The smoke and dust kicked up by the Liao army's iron cavalry filled the area outside the city. Yelü Hongji personally led 50,000 Pishi soldiers to press on the border, intending to break through the border defenses while the main Song army was trapped in Lingzhou.
The Dongzhen Auxiliary Army, with only 8,000 soldiers, held out for five days under the command of Commander Liu Yanqing.
The sound of crossbows tethering on the watchtower mingled with the war drums of the Liao army. Song soldiers wrapped the scorching crossbows with linen soaked in sweat, repelling several Liao attacks in succession.
Beneath the fortified walls, layers of Liao soldiers' corpses piled up, attracting swarms of greenbottle flies that buzzed incessantly. The pungent, nauseating stench of decay and blood mingled with the scorching air.
Dawn on the sixth day.
The Liao army bombarded the fortress with captured Song dynasty fire cannons. One fireball struck the west gate's arrow tower, and burning beams crashed into the barbican's granary, sending plumes of black smoke soaring into the sky like beacon fires.
Wood and stone flew everywhere, and flames soared into the air. The massive burning beams sparked.
Amidst the black smoke and flames, the elite Pishi Army, like a tidal wave, trampled over mountains of their fallen comrades' corpses, and amidst the deafening sounds of war drums and horns, charged madly toward the smoke-filled, fire-ridden breach in the fortress.
The stench of decay and blood, mixed with the acrid smell of burnt wood and burning straw, pressed down with the scorching heat.
The arrow tower has been destroyed, and all the crossbows have been smashed.
The breach in the western gate's barbican seems irreparable.
The flag of the Eastern Garrison Auxiliary Army, that flag that had been riddled with holes and blackened by gunpowder smoke in the five days of blood and fire, was still firmly planted at the highest point of the burning gate wall.
Commander Liu Yanqing's armor was charred black, and his face was covered with soot and bloodstains, but his eyes shone brightly in the firelight.
He drew his dulled sword, the tip pointing directly at the surging tide of enemy troops, his voice hoarse yet capable of piercing the clouds and splitting rocks:
"Sons of the Great Song! We are all guilty and awaiting punishment!"
"The imperial court has disregarded past grievances and given us the opportunity to fight the enemy and serve our country!"
"As long as Waqiao Pass stands, we stand! If the pass falls, we fall! Follow me—kill!!!"
There is no way out, no need to say more.
The surviving auxiliary Song soldiers—many of them were already wounded, their armor torn, their clothes tattered, and soaked with sweat, blood, and soot.
At this moment, the crowd roared in fury. This roar drowned out the clamor of the Liao army, and, filled with grief, indignation, and determination, it became a sound wave that shook the heavens.
One by one, Song soldiers emerged from behind the city wall, raising their spears and broadswords, like moths drawn to a flame, or like silent mountains, charging against the iron torrent of the Pi Shi army, which outnumbered them several times over!
The gap instantly transformed into a grinding wheel of flesh and blood.
Burning logs and collapsed bricks became the last line of defense.
If your spear breaks, chop it with a knife; if the blade is chipped, punch it; if your arm is broken, bite it with your teeth!
The auxiliary Song soldiers fought the enemy with their backs against the burning city walls.
Liu Yanqing led the charge, and as his sword flashed, the Khitan soldiers fell one after another.
A fierce Liao general charged forward on horseback, thrusting his spear straight at Liu Yanqing. Liu Yanqing dodged to the side, then with a backhand slash, severed the horse's leg. The warhorse neighed and fell to the ground. Liu Yanqing pounced on the enemy general, tumbling to the ground with the broken blade, and plunged it fiercely into the general's throat.
A Song soldier with his arm severed clung tightly to the leg of a Liao soldier with his remaining hand, refusing to let go despite the Liao soldier's swords and axes, until the Liao soldier was pierced through by a spear by a fellow soldier nearby.
A young crossbowman, riddled with arrows, leaned against the scorching broken wall. With his last strength, he drew back a tattered bow, fired an arrow stained with his own blood into the enemy ranks, and then collapsed in despair.
A soldier lit the last gunpowder jar on the city wall, grabbed it, and jumped off the wall, heading towards the swarming Liao cavalry. In the violent explosion, he perished together with the enemy.
The battle lasted from dawn until the sun rose higher.
The number of Song soldiers is decreasing sharply.
Their last stand was forced to the area around the tattered flag beneath the main gate wall.
Liu Yanqing was left with only a few dozen men, all of them wounded. His sword was nowhere to be found, and he was clutching a broken flag spear in his hand.
The Liao army's offensive slowed down slightly, and countless arrows gleaming coldly were aimed at them.
The golden wolf-head banner of the Liao emperor Yelü Hongji fluttered not far away.
Liu Yanqing looked around at the faces around him, and forced a bitter smile through his chapped lips.
"The reinforcements are slow to arrive; we are truly going to die here."
He straightened his back abruptly, and with his last strength, plunged the broken flagpole in his hand, along with the tattered "Eastern Garrison Auxiliary Army" flag, deep into the blood-soaked earth beneath his feet.
"Great Song Dynasty—May you be victorious!!!"
This shout exhausted his strength.
Dozens of hoarse yet equally resounding shouts echoed through the sky: "Victory—!!!"
The next moment, arrows rained down like locusts, a dense barrage.
The last Song soldiers launched a final counter-charge against the Liao army's Pi Shi troops, which outnumbered them ten to one and were fully prepared!
Swords and swords flashed, flesh and blood flew everywhere.
Beneath the blazing fortress walls, one figure after another fell in the charge, swallowed up by the black torrent of armored soldiers, yet not one retreated, not one surrendered.
When the final clash of swords ceased inside and outside Waqiao Pass, only the crackling of burning flames, the neighing of warhorses, and the suppressed panting of the Liao army remained.
Beneath the main gate wall, around the tattered flag planted in the ground, lay layers upon layers of bodies clad in Song army battle robes, intertwined with countless Liao army corpses, indistinguishable from one another.
Waqiao Pass fell.
Of the eight thousand soldiers under the Eastern Garrison Auxiliary Army, from Commander Liu Yanqing down, the entire army... died for their country.
……
In the capital city.
The last rays of the setting sun shone on the palace walls. Zhang Yue helped the elderly Wen Yanbo walk slowly.
Wen Yanbo, holding a dragon-headed cane, said to Zhang Yue, "Ministers should maintain their full demeanor when advancing or retreating."
"You have taken good care of Cai Chizheng and Zhang Zihou, as well as Sima Guang's posthumous honors. Your Excellency has been very thoughtful."
Zhang Yue said, "Right now, the court should be of one mind and not easily belittle ministers."
Wen Yanbo said, "I know that the Attendant is a kind and benevolent man."
"I dare to ask about the loss of Waqiao Pass, but it cannot change the Chamberlain's determination to destroy the Dangxiang."
Zhang Yue glanced at Wen Yanbo; with such experience, he knew he couldn't hide anything from him.
The loss of Waqiao Pass and the annihilation of 8,000 auxiliary troops of the Eastern Garrison shocked the court and the public.
Zhang Yue said, "If the late emperor's wishes can be fulfilled, then it's best to do so!"
Wen Yanbo said, "I have served in the court for many years and often hear people criticize me for being slick and worldly."
Ultimately, the reason why people are slick and worldly is simply because they are afraid of failure.
"My advice to you today is not a rehash of the old admonition that contentment brings no disgrace and that seeking perfection is never ideal, but rather a story to tell."
"Lord Lu, please speak!"
Wen Yanbo said, “When I was passing through a valley, I saw several huge rocks lying beside the stream. I heard from the villagers that they had rolled down from the towering mountain. I sighed, these huge rocks will never be part of the mountain again, and will no longer be this towering mountain that people admire. It is truly a pity.”
"However, when I got closer, I saw that these huge rocks were lying by the stream, irrigated by the stream, and covered with fragrant grass. I sighed and thought, 'This is not the leisurely and carefree feeling I could have experienced when I was on the mountain. It can also be used for sitting and lying down. It is quite useful.'"
"The next day, I passed by this place again and sat on the boulder for a while, looking at the majestic mountain beside me and sighing. Although the boulder on the mountain is high, I don't know when it will roll down and where it will land, or what its fate will be. But the boulder below me has no such worries. I can rest peacefully by the stream. Isn't that wonderful?"
The underlying meaning of Wen Yanbo's story couldn't be clearer.
Zhang Yue said, "Wen Gong's words are like a wake-up call, reminding me of a saying: 'An official should think thrice before acting.'"
“Which three things should I think about?” Wen Yanbo asked.
Zhang Yue said, "Think of danger, think of retreat, think of change."
"Wen Gong just reminded me that I should consider retiring."
Wen Yanbo laughed and said, "It's not about thinking about retiring, but about how to retire?"
“If we insist on eliminating the Tanguts, how long can the position of Chancellor last? It would be better to implement reforms domestically; this is the most important thing.”
"This is also the way to ensure the longevity of the position of Chancellor. Wouldn't it be better to leave behind a broken and weakened Dangxiang, rather than destroying it?"
Zhang Yue nodded; Wen Yanbo's words did indeed make sense.
Zhang Yue thought to himself, Wen Yanbo is right, this is the legendary method of raising bandits to enhance one's own prestige.
If you eliminate the bandits and solve the problem, will the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and all the officials still rely on you, Zhang Yue?
Which is more important, the late emperor's will or one's own power and position?
Need I say more?
Wen Yanbo said, “Minister Zuo, when I was dismissed from my post, my gate was deserted, and I could catch any bird at my door.”
"But less than a day after his return to office, the area under the eaves was once again like crows returning to their nests!"
At this point, Wen Yanbo smiled and said, "The difference between gaining and losing power is like heaven and earth!"
Zhang Yue nodded.
……
The setting sun, like blood, cast a crimson glow upon the charred walls of Waqiao Pass. In the Liao army camp, Yelü Hongji stood beneath the golden wolf-head banner, gazing upon this pass, bought with the blood of Khitan warriors.
Beneath the wall, the mountains of corpses had not yet been cleared away, with the bodies of Song and Liao soldiers intertwined.
The congealed blood plasma stained the soil a dark brown. Hot winds, carrying the stench of burning and blood, swept over him, causing Yelü Hongji to furrow his brow deeply.
"Your Majesty, although we won this battle, the Pishi army suffered more than half its losses..."
Yelü Hongji did not answer, but slowly tightened his grip on the horsewhip.
He originally thought that with the Song army's strongest main force, the Western Army, trapped in Lingzhou, Waqiao Pass would be within easy reach. However, the eight thousand auxiliary troops of the Eastern Garrison held out for six days with their bare hands, even forcing the Liao army to use captured Song army thunder cannons to break through the city walls.
The image of Liu Yanqing, the military commander of the Song army, leading his remaining troops in a counterattack and shouting "May the Great Song Dynasty be victorious!" is still vivid in his mind.
Although it was a victory, it was a Pyrrhic one.
More than 20,000 Liao soldiers were killed or wounded, and three Liao generals died under the city walls.
The Song army's troops in Hebei were surprisingly skilled in battle.
"How are things on the Tangut side?"
"A secret report has been sent that Li Bingchang has submitted a letter of surrender to the Song court! He is willing to cede the three prefectures of Xia, Yin, and You. I do not know if this is true or not!"
Yelü Hongji's pupils contracted slightly as he said, "The entire army must retreat thirty li and postpone the attack on Song!"
……
After capturing Waqiao Pass, Yelü Hongji's Liao army ceased hostilities and sent envoys to Bianjing for the second time to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty.
is the day.
The emperor held a grand banquet for his officials in the Zichen Hall to discuss their merits and reward them accordingly.
The Zichen Palace in Bianjing was resplendent with gold and jade, while the imperial guards stood solemnly outside the palace with halberds in hand, and red banners fluttered in the wind.
The young emperor sat upright on his throne.
Zhang Yue, dressed in a purple robe and jade belt, stood in the hall with a solemn expression.
The emperor himself rose from his throne, and an attendant carrying a golden tray containing a golden seal and a purple ribbon slowly walked to Zhang Yue.
"Your strategic planning and decisive victory have brought about a triumphant return in the Battle of Lingzhou, shaking the Northwest and subduing the Dangxiang. I am greatly gratified." The Emperor's voice was steady, yet unable to conceal his excitement. "Today, I promote you to Minister of Works, placing you at the head of the Three Dukes. I will join you in this glorious era!"
The assembled officials all wore expressions of joy and admiration, their eyes fixed intently on Zhang Yue. Musicians at the corner of the hall began playing the "Qingyun Music," the chime bells clear and resonant, the sheng and xiao harmonizing in accompaniment.
The officials couldn't help but ask themselves if this scene was truly a sign of the Song Dynasty's golden age.
Zhang Yue bowed deeply, accepted the gold seal and purple ribbon with both hands, and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's wisdom and the soldiers' bravery are the reasons for this victory."
"The victory at Lingzhou is truly the result of the united efforts of the entire Song Dynasty, and I dare not take credit for it."
Seeing this, the Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Minister Zhang, there is no need to be so modest. I and the world shall bear witness to your merits in this battle!"
After the emperor finished speaking,
The courtiers in the hall came forward to offer their congratulations.
The prime ministers, including Lü Gongzhu and Su Song, greeted him with smiles and clasped their hands in greeting.
At this moment, the purple robe and jade belt reflected the candlelight in the hall.
Lu Gongzhu also said, "Sikong's strategy is far-sighted. This battle not only recovered Lingzhou, but also made the Dangxiang people submit. It is truly a blessing for the country."
Despite much opposition during the Battle of Lingzhou, and even questioning of Zhang Yue.
Su Song nodded and said, "The situation in the Northwest can now be settled."
Finally, Wen Yanbo stepped forward, leaning on his cane, and exclaimed, "The Battle of Lingzhou has finally wiped away a century of shame! Back then, Han Zhongxian and Fan Wenzheng tried their best to manage the Northwest, but ultimately failed to recover Lingzhou. Today, the Minister of Works' achievements far surpass those of his predecessors and should serve as a model for future generations!"
Feng Jing also stepped forward and said, "Minister Sikong's merits are truly outstanding!"
Upon hearing this, the courtiers in the hall echoed their sentiments, their praises resounding.
Zhang Yue remained unperturbed by honor or disgrace, his expression calm, his gaze slightly lowered, as if he were pondering a deeper plan.
His gaze fell on Guo Lin on the side of the hall, and the two brothers exchanged glances.
At this moment, the scene of studying hard and discussing the world in the academy in the past seems like yesterday. Now, we finally see the dawn of a prosperous era. Countless emotions are beyond words.
That night, in the Zichen Palace, bells and drums resounded, and the emperor and his ministers celebrated together, creating a harmonious and joyful scene.
A grand blueprint for a prosperous era is slowly unfolding.