Chapter 64: The Official's Son

  Tong Guan? Forget about him, this powerful eunuch is now having a grandiose dream. After redeeming several empty cities in Yan and Yun with heavy money, Zhao Ji followed the will of Song Shenzong, "those who recover the whole territory of Yan, demote to king", and was granted the title of Prince of Guangyang, which opened up a precedent in Chinese history. And our Tong Taishi? He is not satisfied with being a prince, but is now calculating his gains in the land of clouds, naively thinking that he can gain more advantages through negotiations.

  "What does Magistrate Xu plan to do?" asked Wei.

  Zhang Shu Ye shook his head, his face full of worry, and said: "Xian nephew, if I had a way, would I still need to ask you? To be honest, I've already invited several close friends from the imperial court to come here and discuss countermeasures. Later on, you'll pretend to be my attendant and sit in on the meeting, just remember, only listen and don't speak, let it go in one ear and out the other."

  Xu Wei naturally understood the implication, that his current status was not qualified to speak loudly in front of the courtiers. He didn't mind and nodded in agreement. Zhang Shuye looked at him and forced a smile: "I believe my nephew can understand my difficulties, it's really not easy to invite them."

  The two sat down and talked for a while, when they heard the sound of footsteps outside. Xu Wei stood up tactfully and retreated to the corner. Zhang Shuye gave him a glance, then opened the door and bowed with a smile: "Brother Zhongyuan!"

  One person came in, wearing a battle robe with a team flower pattern, tied with a turtle shell belt. Although he was not tall, he was extremely sturdy and strong, his eyes scanned the room once, and stopped on Xu Wei's face for a moment, without anger but with an air of authority.

  As soon as he entered the room, before he could sit down, another person came in. This man looked somewhat familiar to Xu Wei, over 50 years old, robust and upright, with a full beard, quite dignified. After exchanging greetings with Zhang Shuye, he nodded to the first official who had come in, which was considered as a greeting.

  Three more people came in one after another, Zhang Shuye ordered his followers to guard the door, closed it, and quickly walked to the table, made a four-way bow, and said in a low voice: "The situation is unpredictable, so I have troubled you all for being cautious."

  Several people said it didn't matter, Zhang Shu sat quietly at night, and Xu Wei played the role of a follower, so he pretended to be one. He walked up and picked up the teapot, poured clear tea for several people, and then retreated to the side with his hands hanging down. The others had no reaction, and the second official who came in looked him up and down and asked: "Brother Ji Zhong, who is this?"

  "Oh, he's just a young servant under my command."

  That person's eyes narrowed slightly as he swept his gaze across Xu Wei's face and chuckled, saying: "The land of Qi and Lu is indeed home to many heroes, and it seems that reputation is not unfounded."

  Zhang Shuye smiled twice and said seriously, "Everyone, since the demise of Khitan, the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty has repeatedly made overtures to us, with envoys coming one after another. I wonder what esteemed opinions you gentlemen have on this matter?"

  The official who came forward first picked up his teacup and put it to his lips, thought for a moment, and then replied: "It's hard to say."

  As soon as he said this, several others turned their eyes over and asked: "Oh? How do you explain that, General He?"

  Marshal? Xu Wei's heart moved, in the Song Dynasty, only three officials of the Three Garrisons could be called Marshal. Among the Three Garrisons, the current head of the Imperial Guard should still be Gao Jichang, so which one was this He Marshal, the Infantry Commander or the Cavalry Commander? Zhang Shuye was able to invite a Garrison official, showing that his connections in the court were not shallow.

  He Da Wei saw that everyone was asking, put down his teacup and shook his head, bitterly smiling without speaking. Zhang Shu Ye saw the situation, seeming somewhat anxious, advised: "General He holds the military power, is a pillar of the imperial court, must have extraordinary insight. Here there are no outsiders, just speak freely." The others also followed in advising, He Da Wei seeing that he couldn't decline, tapped the table and asked: "Last year when we attacked Liao, how did our army do?"

  Several officials had a gloomy face, what's the need to ask? On the surface, we have recovered six states, but in fact, we were defeated by the Khitan people and retreated hundreds of miles, with heavy casualties. Taishi Tong redeemed the empty city with a large sum of money and falsely reported a great victory. The government has already known about this for some time. Otherwise, why would they hand over the Imperial Secretariat, which Tong Guan had controlled for decades, to Cai You? However, since Tong Guan has been in charge of the northwest region for many years, the northern military affairs still have to rely on him, and this is also the reason why the government continues to let him preside over Taiyuan.

  "He Xiang, although he attacked the Liao from Tai Shi, did not conceal his words. This battle has lost all our military prestige. And won't the Jurchen people have any ideas? According to news from the north, the Jurchen people have already taken action." He Taigong said, looking around at everyone. As soon as he spoke, the whole hall was shocked!

  The second official who came in bowed his head and asked: "May I hear more about it."

  He Taizhen looked at him with a smile and said, "Sir, are you testing your subordinate? You just returned from the north to Beijing, and you should be more familiar with the situation on the border than I am. Why are you asking me instead..."

  The official's expression didn't change as he smiled and said: "I've heard some rumors, but it's not good to comment on them rashly."

  He Taigong also fell silent after hearing this, and the others exchanged glances with each other, one by one shutting their mouths. The room was filled with silence. Zhang Sunye saw this situation and his heart became greatly anxious! The Jin army's southern invasion is imminent, he had exhausted himself to invite these few ministers who could be talked to, but they were all afraid of taking responsibility, shutting their mouths one by one. How can this matter be discussed? We are discussing military matters, not forming cliques or plotting evil, why must you act like thieves? Forget it, forget it, since none of you court officials dare to speak, I will!

  Intentionally or unintentionally, Zhang Shuye gazed at Xu Wei and suddenly said something astonishing: "According to my subordinate's conjecture, within a month, the Jin army will march south and attack Dongjing directly!"

  An official was shocked and jumped up, shouting: "Brother Ji Zhong! This is not a thing to be spoken of wildly!"

  "Not bad! Brother Zhang, the relationship is too big, be careful what you say. Since there are no outsiders here, it's fine, but if a single sentence is leaked out, it will definitely cause a huge stir. I hope you think thrice about this matter."

  The second official who came in seemed to have the highest rank, and even He Taoyu referred to himself as a lower official in front of him. Zhang Shuye was just a prefect, a fourth-rank official, but he still addressed him as "brother". Xu Wei couldn't help but be interested in this person. As they say, an onlooker sees most clearly, and this official hadn't revealed his stance from start to finish. It seemed that his city walls were the deepest, but since he had accepted the invitation, he should have some ideas. However, it was unclear what the other people's intentions were, so he remained tight-lipped."

  "Gentlemen, officials, colleagues, I, Zhang, have received imperial favor and been appointed as the prefect of this region. You are all aware of this. I don't want to make any grand speeches or pretend to be loyal to the emperor and love my country. However, with the great Song dynasty facing danger, I am willing to take the risk and invite you all to gather here. I understand that your presence is already a favor to me, Zhang, and I dare not ask for more. Since you are unwilling to say much, let me speak.

  Since the defeat of the Khitan, the Jurchen people have appeared to be friendly with us on the surface but in reality, they have ulterior motives. Firstly, when the Song and Jin dynasties agreed to attack the Liao dynasty, the Jurchen people were like a broken bamboo, while our army was defeated and humiliated. The Jurchen people must have had their own plans; secondly, there was an agreement between the Song and Jin dynasties that we could not accept the surrender of rebels or traitors. However, we accepted the surrender of the Liao emperor first and then took in Zhang Jue later, but the Jurchen people did not mention these two matters at all, which shows that their ambitions are not small; thirdly, according to the information I have gathered, the Jurchen people are already preparing for a southern invasion. They have been recruiting Han civilians within the original Liao territory as local militia and strengthening the defenses of Feihu and Lingqiu counties. These two places are strategically located and control the throat of the region, and the intentions of the Jurchen people are clear..."

  Director Zhang's words had reached this point, and his face was already full of worry. The officials who heard him also lowered their heads in shame. Xu Wei listened to the side and sighed with emotion, thinking that Director Zhang was indeed a true and honest gentleman. These oily officials only spoke three-tenths of the truth, but he was open-hearted and straightforward, saying everything without reserve.

  Just as Xu Wei was feeling emotional, Zhang Shuye brought up what he had told him before: "If my speculation is not wrong, once the Jurchen-led Jin dynasty invades the south, they will surely divide their troops into two routes..."

  Xu Wei couldn't help but feel a little worried for this senior, no one else has expressed their opinion, what's the hurry? You're worrying about the country and the people, speaking out boldly, but who knows if others are secretly plotting to frame you, to gain favor with the emperor?

  Suddenly, he realized that the second official who came in was staring at him. Xu Wei's heart skipped a beat, but his expression didn't change. Unexpectedly, the official suddenly interrupted Zhang Shuye's words and pointed to Xu Wei, asking: "Brother Zhang, this young officer under your account has a good appearance, what is his surname and name, where is he from?"

  Zhang Shuye did not expect him to suddenly ask about this, and after glancing at Xu Wei, he continued to say: "Xu surname, courtesy name Jiu, also known as Xu Jiu. He has followed me for many years and has made significant contributions, which is why I brought him along to serve as a messenger." In his heart, he couldn't help but feel suspicious - how did he come to ask about Xu Wei? Had he discovered something?

  Just as he was about to ask, the official stood up and bowed to the crowd, saying: "I have official business and cannot stay long, farewell."

  Several officials looked at each other in dismay, how did they suddenly want to leave? Could it be... No, this muddy water is better not stirred up, lest it gives others a chance to gossip. As soon as this thought occurred to them, the officials all stood up, either saying they had something urgent to attend to or that they were feeling unwell. But He Taigong sat at the table, still sipping his tea, yet the look of disappointment and disdain on his face could not be concealed.

  Zhang Shu Ye was so anxious that he had no choice but to step forward and block the doorway, repeatedly bowing his hands: "Is it not that I, your subordinate, have been too presumptuous? Or is it that my words have offended Your Excellency?" The several officials still stuck to their previous argument, insisting on leaving.

  Alas, the strong enemy is approaching, and the officials of the Song Dynasty are still in this state. How can they withstand the thunderous attack of the Jurchen people? Xu Wei felt somewhat disheartened. These high-ranking officials who only care about their own interests don't care about the fate of the country. Why should I, a traveler from a thousand years later, bother with these concerns? It's better to leave early and take my family south. We can also experience that "warm wind intoxicates the water, making Hangzhou like Bianzhou" life, indulging in pleasure and ignoring the troubles. After all, Southern Song will last for over a hundred years, won't it?

  But seeing Zhang Shuye's bitter and anxious expression as he begged Grandfather to persuade the officials to stay, Xu Wei couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. If the Song Dynasty had a few more officials like Zhang Shuye, perhaps there would still be hope for salvation.

  "What's so funny?" asked He Taiwei, who was still sitting on the ground without moving.

  Xu Wei hastily cupped his hands and said: "The Commander has misheard, I didn't laugh, it was the Jurchen woman who laughed."

  ........................

  The second update is here! Hope brothers recommend and collect it!