novelSusiti Chapter 69 Imperial Decree
Chapter 69 Imperial Decree
Chapter 69 Imperial Decree
Inside the study of the old house in Shanzhou City, the charcoal fire burned bright red.
Zhao Mingcheng, wrapped in a thick sheepskin coat, sat behind a desk covered with maps, his brows slightly furrowed, his gaze slowly moving across the increasingly detailed topographical map of the Hehuang region.
The flickering candlelight cast his pensive profile onto the wall, making him appear exceptionally focused.
After the Battle of Wolf Howl Valley and the Huangshui Alliance, the situation seemed to be very favorable.
With the support of all thirty-one tribes, market trade gradually resumed. Although the settlements suffered some setbacks due to attacks, they could officially begin cultivation after the spring.
With most of the internal troublemakers removed, Wang Shan is now cooperating well with him, Liu Zhongwu is calm and capable, Tong Guan is quick-witted and perceptive, and Xia Zheng is also doing his best.
It seems he can finally relax from his job as "pacification envoy"?
No, far from it.
On the map, the area in the northwest, specially circled with cinnabar to represent the depths of the Qilian Mountains and the border of the Western Xia, weighed heavily on his heart like a boulder.
Cish-Shelos, the real adversary, is still alive, and his hiding place is so well concealed that he is difficult to find.
Moreover, he still has at least two thousand capable soldiers at his disposal, and more importantly, the Western Xia forces stand behind Xisheluosa.
"Western Xia—"
Zhao Mingcheng muttered to himself, his finger unconsciously pointing to the location marked "Xingqing Prefecture" on the map.
As a time traveler familiar with this historical trajectory, he knew all too well the ambitions and methods of the Western Xia.
They would never sit idly by and watch the Song Dynasty gain a foothold in the Hehuang region, threatening their flanks and severing any possible connections with the Tibetan tribes.
Historically, the Hehuang region was gained and then lost, partly due to the machinations of the Western Xia, who supported the rebellions of the nomadic tribes.
Supporting the Xisheluosa rebellion was only the first step for the Western Xia.
If it is discovered that Xisheluosa is no longer a threat, or if the Song people show signs of fatigue or weakness in the Hehuang region, the possibility of the Western Xia directly intervening with troops is extremely high.
Therefore, a tough battle is inevitable, and this battle may even determine the ownership of the Hehuang region.
The opponent is likely to be the combined forces of Xisheluosa and the Western Xia.
What will they rely on to fight?
Relying on the thousands of elite Western Army troops under Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu?
They are capable of fighting, but their numbers are too small. They are sufficient for defending the city, but they are stretched thin if they want to actively suppress enemy forces or deal with possible invasions by the Western Xia.
The imperial court's reinforcements weren't something that could be summoned easily, and by the time it was time to actually ask for them, it was already too late.
"We must use local resources to quickly build a combat-ready and reliable armed force."
Zhao Mingcheng's gaze shifted from the markers on the map representing Song army fortresses to a wider area, where the locations of the three tribes that had submitted to the Song army were marked in a scattered pattern.
"Using barbarians to control barbarians—" He pondered these four words.
The previous "using barbarians to control barbarians" was mainly political, using benevolence and coercion to appease them, using benefits to win them over, and using alliances to restrain them.
This is very important; it has stabilized the foundation of the Hehuang region.
However, to deal with a real war, political "control" alone is not enough; military action is also necessary.
Could we also integrate the armed forces of these Tibetan tribes that have submitted to us?
This idea did not come out of thin air.
The Song Dynasty had a tradition of using "foreign soldiers," especially in the northwest border regions. They recruited "familiar foreign" (tribes such as Tubo and Qiang that had been subjugated for a long time and were deeply Sinicized) as soldiers, provided them with money and food, and helped them defend the border.
For example, the famous "Jingse Army" included members of the Tibetan army.
However, traditional barbarian troops were often small in size and loosely organized, mostly used for auxiliary defense, patrols, and guidance, rarely as main field troops, and even less often mixed with Han troops, making command and trust a major problem.
Zhao Mingcheng wanted to go even further.
He wanted to establish a genuine, organized "barbarian army battalion," or more accurately, a "mixed barbarian and Han army battalion."
It was not entirely about "using barbarians to control barbarians" in the traditional sense, but rather an attempt to "unite Han and non-Han peoples and jointly defend the border."
His thoughts gradually became clearer:
He planned to recruit able-bodied men from tribes that had sincerely submitted and whose tribes were relatively brave. The White Grass Tribe and the Black Water Tribe, which had a feud with Xisheluosa but had also benefited from it, should be the first choice.
They offered better treatment than ordinary herders to attract their best sons and daughters.
Furthermore, they cannot be divided entirely by tribe, as that would easily lead to the formation of small groups.
The troops should be dispersed and mixed, organized into "du" (都), with an equal number of Han and non-Han soldiers within each du. Lower-ranking officers, such as dutou (都头) and deputy dutou (副都头), could be veteran Han soldiers or respected non-Han warriors fluent in Chinese. Upper command must be controlled by reliable Han generals under Liu Zhongwu and Wang Shan. Simultaneously, "interpreters" and "education officers" should be established within the camps; the former would facilitate communication, while the latter would simply explain the principles of "protecting our homeland together and jointly resisting foreign aggression," gradually cultivating a sense of belonging.
There are certainly risks involved in using barbarian troops.
Building trust takes time; mixed formations may lead to conflicts; the discipline of the barbarian soldiers needs to be honed over a long period; and they are even more vulnerable to instability in battle.
But the benefits are also obvious: it can rapidly expand the available military force, save the cost of transferring troops from the interior, deepen the integration of Han and non-Han peoples, and truly tie the interests of the tribes that have submitted to the region to the safety of the Hehuang region.
"Let's call it the Unity Battalion," Zhao Mingcheng wrote down the name on the paper.
The word "unity" has both military organizational connotations and aligns with his vision of "unity of Han and non-Han peoples, and united defense against foreign aggression."
He was just about to write down his thoughts in more detail and wait for Liu Zhongwu, Wang Shan and others to discuss them when Liu Zhongwu's slightly hurried voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"My lord, an urgent message from Bianjing! His Majesty's imperial edict has arrived!"
Zhao Mingcheng perked up and immediately said.
"Please come in!"
Liu Zhongwu walked in solemnly, carrying a lacquered box wrapped in yellow silk. He was followed by Wang Shan, Tong Guan, Xia Zheng, and others, who had obviously all received the news.
The lacquer box has a complete sealing wax seal and the Imperial City Guard's mark, indicating that it has never been opened by anyone along the way.
Zhao Mingcheng stood up, straightened his clothes, faced the direction of Bianjing, bowed solemnly, and then took the lacquer box from Liu Zhongwu.
Carefully cut open the sealing wax with a knife and open the box lid.
At the very top is a scroll of bright yellow silk, which is the emperor's edict.
Below are several official imperial edicts jointly signed by the Secretariat and the Privy Council.
He first picked up the imperial edict and slowly unfolded it. The vigorous characters came into view; it was indeed Zhao Xu's own handwriting.
"I hereby order Zhao Mingcheng, the Pacification Commissioner of the Hehuang Region: I have carefully reviewed your report. Your victory at Langgu, the sworn brotherhood along the Huangshui River, the elimination of traitors within your own walls, and the subjugation of the various barbarian tribes in the remote wilderness—your loyalty, diligence, wisdom, and strategy truly comfort my heart. I know that the importance of the Hehuang region lies in long-term stability, not in swift victory. Your ability to understand my intentions, to implement a policy that balances leniency and severity, to spread trust and righteousness among the Han and barbarian tribes, and to establish rules and regulations on the border—this is something that only a person of great wisdom and courage can accomplish."
I am very pleased.
Seeing this, Zhao Mingcheng felt reassured.
The emperor not only affirmed the results of the war, but also understood and praised his approach of "long-term stability" and "combining leniency with severity," which was a high recognition of all his work.
For a time traveler who is well aware of the debates in later generations about the gains and losses of the Yuanfu border expansion, it is of great significance to receive such clear affirmation from Emperor Zhezong of Song.
Keep reading.
"Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, and others have devoted themselves to the affairs of the state and their contributions are invaluable. The court has its own rites for recognizing their merits. However, generals must not become arrogant because of their achievements and must be especially cautious. You have resolved the previous matter concerning Wang Shan, and I am aware of it. However, he is stubborn by nature and may have made mistakes in managing his subordinates. You can reprimand him on my behalf and urge him to correct his ways. In the future, we should work together to overcome the national crisis. Tong Guan and Long Za have each done their part and should also be commended."
This part not only gave Wang Shan and Liu Zhongwu the credit they deserved, but also subtly reprimanded Wang Shan, and handed over the power of "reprimand" to Zhao Mingcheng, showing the emperor's trust in him in handling conflicts among border generals.
His affirmation of Tong Guan and Xia Zheng also gave him peace of mind when it came to employing people.
Finally, there was admonition and expectation: "However, Xi Sheluo Sa has fled and not yet been captured. The Xia people are cunning and will seize any opportunity to act. The foundation in the Hehuang region has just been established—we must forge good relations with the various tribes, secure our military farms, open our trade routes, and train our soldiers—I hereby bestow upon you one hundred taels of gold and five hundred bolts of silk from the imperial treasury for military expenses. This is my decree."
The imperial edict has now concluded.
Zhao Mingcheng gently rolled up the silk scroll, his heart filled with countless emotions.
Zhao Xu's mind was crystal clear.
He saw victory, but also hidden dangers, pointing out the two most dangerous enemies: Xisheluosa and Xixia.
The line, "The foundation of the Hehuang region is newly established, like a seedling, and must be protected from wind and rain," perfectly captured Zhao Mingcheng's feelings.
His instructions to "establish friendly relations with various tribes, strengthen our military farms, open up our trade routes, and train our soldiers" were perfectly aligned with what Zhao Mingcheng himself was thinking about and preparing to do.
"Emperor Zhezong of Song was truly a rare wise ruler in history," Zhao Mingcheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Holding the imperial calligraphy, his thoughts drifted away.
Emperor Zhezong of Song, Zhao Xu, ruled for only seven years before dying young at the age of twenty-five.
However, in these few short years, he restarted the reforms, advocated for opening up the borders, recovered Qing Tang, and took a tough stance against Xia, demonstrating a courage and talent beyond his years.
Had Emperor Zhao Xu not died young, given his intelligence, determination, and concern for border affairs, the fate of the Song Dynasty might have truly been different.
If they were even luckier, they might be able to revive ZTE.
Emperor Zhao Xu's posthumous title was "Zhezong". "Zhe" means intelligent and wise.
If Zhao Xu really lives to be forty or fifty years old —
Given Zhao Xu's actions, his dedication to border affairs and reform, his historical evaluation and posthumous title are likely far more than just "philosopher".
word.
Unfortunately, history has no "what ifs".
Zhao Xu's life is now as fragile as a candle in the wind.
It was precisely because Zhao Mingcheng knew the fate of Zhao Xu and the Northern Song Dynasty.
He must strive even harder, relying on his own strength to leave a more solid foundation for this era, for this wise ruler, and for the future Han dynasty.
"My lord? An imperial edict—"
Seeing Zhao Mingcheng's changing expression and his long silence, Liu Zhongwu gently reminded him.
Zhao Mingcheng then snapped out of his reverie, calmed his turbulent thoughts, carefully placed the imperial edict back into the box, and picked up the official decree below.
It details the specific rewards and honors bestowed upon Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, Xia Zheng, and others:
Wang Shan was granted a fief, Liu Zhongwu was promoted to general, Tong Guan was given the title of Palace Attendant, and Xia Zheng was given an additional salary.
As for Zhao Mingcheng himself, he was generously rewarded with gold, silver and silk, and it was made clear that he "would still have full authority to handle matters related to the pacification of the Hehuang region, and would be further rewarded after the Hehuang region was fully pacified."
"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, and I, Mingcheng, can only repay you with utmost sincerity and effort," Zhao Mingcheng said solemnly to the crowd. He then unfolded the section of the imperial edict concerning Wang Shan and said solemnly.
"General Wang, the Emperor said in the edict that he hopes you will be cautious and not arrogant, and work together with the generals. The past is past. I hope that you will be more diligent in the future, and discipline your troops to deal with the great enemy."
When Wang Shan heard that he had been granted an additional fief, he was initially pleased. However, upon hearing that the emperor had specifically mentioned that he should guard against arrogance and that Zhao Mingcheng had reprimanded him on his behalf, he quickly composed himself, clasped his hands, and bowed.
"This humble general will humbly obey His Majesty's instructions, and will certainly correct my mistakes, devote myself wholeheartedly, and live up to His Majesty's grace and Your Excellency's guidance!"
Liu Zhongwu, Tong Guan, and Xia Zheng also expressed their gratitude, feeling deeply moved by the Emperor's great favor and even more aware of their heavy responsibilities.
After everyone left, Zhao Mingcheng sat alone in his study and, by the bright candlelight, began to write a memorial of gratitude.
This time, he wrote with extra care, carefully choosing each word.
In his memorial, he expressed his gratitude for the emperor's generous reward and trust, and then he focused on responding to the emperor's admonition regarding "Xisheluosa and the Xia people".
At the end of his memorial, he wrote.
"Your Majesty possesses profound foresight and insight into matters far beyond the borders. As your subject stationed on the frontier, I will diligently follow Your Majesty's instructions day and night, forging friendly relations with various tribes and strengthening our foundations. When General Hu (Hu Zonghui) arrives, we will work together in harmony, with civil and military officials united, to defend against powerful foreign invaders and comfort the remaining people, ensuring that our Hehuang region will forever serve as a bulwark for the Great Song Dynasty and a formidable western stronghold for the court."
"Your Majesty is in the capital; I earnestly hope you will take good care of your health. This would be a great blessing for the entire nation, and for us your subjects. Your subject, Mingcheng, is filled with trepidation and humility, and bows twice in reverence."
After writing the memorial and sealing it with sealing wax, Zhao Mingcheng placed it together with his previous detailed draft plan for forming the "Unity Battalion".
Time waits for no one, and Xisheluosa and Xixia will not wait for him to slowly prepare.
"We must speed things up."
Zhao Mingcheng gazed out the window at the dark night sky, where the stars were few and far between and the cold wind howled.
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