novelSusiti Chapter 29 Official Appointment, Reunion with Master Chai
Chapter 29 Official Appointment, Reunion with Master Chai
The palace complex in Bianjing had a circumference of five li. The main hall of the palace was called the Daqing Hall, where grand ceremonies were held.
South of the Daqing Hall are the offices of the central government, separated by a gate tower.
The Zichen Hall, located north of the Daqing Hall, was the front hall where the emperor held court.
The monthly court assemblies on the first and fifteenth of each month, the congratulations received after the completion of the suburban and temple ceremonies, and the audiences with Khitan envoys were all held in the Zichen Hall.
The Chuigong Hall, located to the west of the Daqing Hall, was where the emperor held court on a daily basis.
The Wende Hall, located between the Zichen and Chuigong Halls, was where the emperor would stop and rest before and after court sessions.
The banquet halls in the palace were Jiying Hall and Shengping Tower.
In the Bianliang Imperial Palace, as dinnertime approached, the diligent Emperor Guo Rong was still working. To improve efficiency, he ordered his prime ministers to move the Secretariat to the Wende Hall. Here, the emperor and prime ministers jointly handled national affairs, discussing problems on the spot. When they were tired, they would simply lie down and sleep in the Wende Hall. Each prime minister had a bed in the Wende Hall in case of emergencies requiring him to work through the night.
The emperor was so diligent in his duties, and the prime ministers were equally dedicated. While emperors and officials who had survived the chaos of war might have had various flaws, they shared a remarkable consensus on their lack of formality, disregard for empty rituals, and exceptional execution. As long as the emperor could handle it, the ministers would certainly go all out.
Guo Rong had just finished finishing the official documents in front of him and stretched comfortably when he saw a eunuch from the Inner Palace Service hurrying in from outside. The Inner Palace Service Supervisor beside Guo Rong quickly went to greet him, and the two exchanged a few words in hushed tones. The Supervisor then instructed, "Tell them to wait respectfully; His Majesty happens to have some free time."
Having done this, the supervisor immediately turned around and hurried back to Guo Rong's side, reporting softly, "Your Majesty, Pan Mei, the deputy envoy of the West Upper Gate, requests an audience. He says he has acquired two talents and wants to present them to Your Majesty."
Guo Rong chuckled upon hearing this, saying, "This Pan Zhongxun, I sent him to gather heroes and warriors from all directions to join me, and all he found were exceptionally brave and strong. When will he be able to find me a true general? Well then, since they are warriors, I am very pleased. Let them in. Let all the prime ministers take a look as well."
The prime ministers were not far from the emperor. Upon hearing the emperor's instructions, they put down their pens, bowed to the emperor, and said, "Since Your Majesty is in such a good mood, we will obey." Their words carried a hint of amusement amidst their busy schedules.
Soon, Pan Mei led the Li brothers and Zhao Erlang into the palace. The Li brothers, who had completed a five-year course in court etiquette at their clan school, knew it all, but that was the court etiquette of the previous dynasty. Fortunately, the Zhou state was established hastily, and in terms of etiquette, it was not as well preserved and educated as the Li clan of Guangling.
So after Pan Mei and Zhao Er finished their simple audience ceremony, Li Xuan and Li Ji realized halfway through that everyone was doing something different, and had no choice but to finish the ceremony, feeling awkward.
As Li Xuan and Li Ji were just exchanging greetings, Prime Minister Wang Qian lowered his face with amusement, no longer watching. A slight smile appeared on his lips, as if he were mocking the two newlyweds for their excessive gesticulation.
Some seemed to be mocking, while others' eyes gleamed. Everyone here was discerning; they could tell the difference between genuine and fake etiquette at a glance. Although the Li brothers' audience ceremony was more complex, it clearly followed the Zhou state's traditions. These prime ministers had used this set of rituals to narrow down the brothers' backgrounds. Was Pan Mei, this military general, going to send two civil officials to the emperor today?
The prime ministers understood it, but Guo Rong didn't. He hadn't attended school as a child and only learned to read after being adopted by his uncle. He had no idea about these etiquettes and thought they were court etiquette from the Southern Yu Kingdom. Seeing that it looked quite convincing, Guo Rong became interested. He hadn't expected Pan Mei to actually bring two extraordinary individuals this time. Just from this set of etiquette, he knew they came from extraordinary backgrounds. He wondered if they had any real talent or ability.
Intrigued, Guo Rong instructed, "No need for formalities, please invite the two worthy gentlemen to come forward and speak."
The Director of the Palace Attendants' Office loudly proclaimed, "His Majesty has decreed that all formalities be observed and that the two virtuous gentlemen be summoned to speak."
Since it is to announce two talented individuals, it must be Li Xuan and Li Ji, and has nothing to do with Zhao Er.
The Li brothers took a deep breath, lowered their heads, and slowly walked until their eyes met the steps of the imperial palace before stopping. They bowed once more and said, "This humble subject, Li Xuan/Li Ji, pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Zhou."
Guo Rong stared at the two brothers for a long time, and the more he looked at them, the more familiar they seemed. He simply said, "Raise your heads and let me see you."
The two looked up and saw Guo Rong's face, which startled them. Li Ji blurted out, "Chai-Chai-Chai!"
Guo Rong laughed heartily and said, "Master Chai, I was wondering who had so many tricks up their sleeve. It turns out it's you brothers. Last year I invited you to Bianliang from Hailing, but you refused. Why did you rush here this year?"
Li Xuan recovered from his shock and cupped his hands, saying, "Last year, I was unaware of the Emperor's presence and offended him greatly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Guo Rong waved his hand and said, "Last year, the salt supply was cut off, and the late emperor and the imperial guards were in danger. It was you brothers who acted as intermediaries, helping me obtain a sufficient supply of Huai salt and stabilizing the situation in the court. I have always wanted to thank you, but unfortunately you are in Yu State. If I were to send gifts there, it would probably be detrimental to your whole family. So I have always felt ashamed. Now that you are here today, and it happens to be close to mealtime, let's have a simple banquet first, so that we can reminisce about our time apart, and also let the prime ministers recognize the great lineage of the Li family of Guangling."
Li Xuan and Li Ji quickly declined, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind. The northward transport of Huai salt is entirely due to Your Majesty and that scholar with the iron pen. We were afraid something would happen after Your Majesty came to Hailing Supervisory Office, so we ran away the next day. We are truly ashamed to accept Your Majesty's praise."
Guo Rong and all the civil and military officials present burst into laughter upon hearing this.
Standing next to Pan Mei, Zhao Er smiled, feeling incredibly fortunate. He hadn't expected that the person he'd casually found would actually know the Emperor. But then a pang of pain struck him: if they knew the Emperor, they might soon become rising stars in the court. Should he return the money? The silk was fine, but that famous inkstone was rare; perhaps he should buy it?
After laughing, Guo Rong explained, "Going south under an assumed name was out of necessity; it wasn't an intention to hide it from you two. Please forgive me."
The fact that an emperor apologized to his common people in such a sincere tone greatly surprised Li Xuan and Li Ji.
The two felt a warm glow in their hearts and quickly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty treats us with such sincerity; we are deeply grateful."
Guo Rong then turned to Prime Minister Wang Qian, who was standing to the side, and said, "Scholar Wang Qian, don't just stand by and watch the show. The Li brothers have come knocking on our door. You're a scholar, so give us some advice."
Wang Qian stood up, solemnly walked out of his seat and came to Li Xuan and Li Ji. He bowed respectfully and said, "Wang Qian of Bianliang, formerly known as Wang Yong, and with the bandit name Iron Pen Scholar, has concealed this from you two for a long time. His deceitful behavior is extremely impolite. I beg you two wise men to punish me."
Why would Li Xuan and Li Ji sabotage you? Of course, it's because they forgive you.
After Wang Qian apologized, he said to Guo Rong, "Since ancient times, wise rulers have always held ceremonies to select officials, drawing the attention of all the ministers. This is to ensure fairness and to test candidates before appointing them, so that the court can find the right people and the virtuous will be loyal to the court. Since the Li brothers have come from afar and General Pan has impartially recommended them to the Wende Hall, we request Your Majesty to conduct the tests on the spot, with us in attendance to show respect."
Guo Rong nodded and said, "Prime Minister Wang is right. Since there's still some time before dinner, let's, along with the other prime ministers, test the talents of the Li brothers. Bring them seats. By the way, who is that person next to Pan Mei? Is he also a recommended talent?"
Zhao Er quickly stepped forward and said, "This humble servant is not a self-recommended talent. I am Zhao Quanyi, the Registrar of the Household Department of Kaifeng Prefecture. Today, I happened to meet the Li brothers and deeply admire their courage and talent. They are currently in Bianjing seeking connections for introductions. Knowing that General Pan is searching for talent for the Emperor, I have dared to give it a try."
These two talented men are not only exceptionally gifted in literature, but also capable of hitting their targets twelve times from a hundred paces away with a three-stone bow, and are equally skilled at archery on horseback, able to shoot with both hands. I, your humble servant, dare not neglect my duty to share your burdens, and therefore recommend them to General Pan. General Pan, a man of exceptional magnanimity, after witnessing the abilities of the Li brothers, did not wish to conceal my contributions and specially brought me to the palace to meet the Emperor.
Pan Mei confirmed, "As Military Advisor Zhao said, both brothers from the Li family are exceptional warriors, skilled on both horseback and foot. Such proficiency cannot be faked. As for their literary talents, I would like to ask Your Majesty and the ministers to make the final decision."
Now that Pan Mei had tested Li Xuan and Li Ji's martial arts skills, Guo Rong stopped testing them and asked directly, "You asked Pan Mei for a recommendation, presumably because you are interested in military positions. The Li family of Guangling has a long history of scholarship, and I will not ask about trivial matters such as literacy. Please answer the question, 'What is the key to victory in war?'"
At Li Xuan's prompting, Li Ji rose and replied, "Your Majesty's question comes from the Art of War by Wu Zi and the question posed by Marquis Wu of Wei. My answer is that governing an army is paramount. If laws and regulations are unclear, rewards and punishments are not trustworthy, and the gongs are not stopped and the drums are not sounded, what use are a million soldiers? What is meant by governing an army is that when at rest, they are courteous; when in action, they are awe-inspiring; when advancing, they are unstoppable; when retreating, they are unstoppable; when advancing, they are disciplined; and when left and right respond to each other's commands, they can form a complete formation, whether scattered or in formation. They are given peace and danger, and their troops can be united but not separated, used but not exhausted. Wherever they are sent, none in the world can stop them. This is called the army of father and son."
Guo Rong nodded and said to Li Xuan, "Let the younger brother answer first. I think Ziyu has a better explanation?"
Li Xuan replied, "I also believe that military discipline is paramount. However, my military discipline does not begin with the use of drums and gongs and decrees. Rather, it proceeds from the smallest to the largest, from the outside in. First, I check the army's food and drink to ensure there are no shortages. Then I check the army's accounts to ensure that rations and pay are distributed in full and rewards are given fairly. Next, I check the army's communications so that mothers, children, husbands, and wives can know each other's safety and well-being. Once all of the above is accomplished, I then strictly enforce military discipline, teach them the use of drums and gongs, and train them in martial arts. In this way, the army is united from top to bottom, and no one in the world can withstand it. This is called the 'Mother and Child Army.'"
Guo Rong was taken aback by his words, pondered them carefully, and then burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, you two brothers, one commands the army of a father and son, and the other commands the army of a mother and son. You've gathered the entire families of your soldiers. Is there any reason for them not to obey?"
The prime ministers laughed along with them.
After a while, Prime Minister Wang Qian, who was well-versed in military affairs, asked as ordered: "Your Majesty has inquired about the methods of winning battles. I, an old man, have come to inquire about the strategies for expanding territory and unifying the world. I would like to ask you two to tell me how our Great Zhou should rise up and dominate the world?"
This question was actually beyond the syllabus; it wasn't something junior officers should know. However, Li Xuan and Li Ji were among the few highly educated military men, so answering it correctly would be a huge bonus, and losing wouldn't be a loss. It was as if Wang Qian was deliberately giving them an opportunity.
This time, it was Li Xuan who answered: "The Great Zhou is situated in the Central Plains, a land of constant warfare, having suffered countless calamities and wars. Its population has been lost, its land is barren, and it lies on a plain with no mountains or natural barriers to defend. Therefore, defense will inevitably lead to defeat; only offense will prevail. I believe that the Khitan are the strongest of the four surrounding enemies. More than a decade ago, the Khitan invaded Bianliang, plundering and returning empty-handed. Although both the previous Zhou emperor and Your Majesty the present have defeated the Khitan army, they still underestimate the Great Zhou. We should seek another opportune moment to annihilate a portion of them, instill fear in them, and only then can we calmly wage war. There are opportunities to act whether we go east or west."
Wang Qian then asked, "So, after defeating the Khitan, who should be prioritized, and who should be prioritized?"
Li Xuan replied, "In my humble opinion, Hanzhong in Shu should be the priority. Shu is wealthy, with well-trained soldiers and ample provisions. Possessing Hanzhong and connecting with Longxi would be far superior to what Zhuge Liang had in his time. Guanzhong, on the other hand, occupies a strategically important location, and the Qin people are brave and skilled in battle, yet they are not close to our dynasty. If the Shu army were to seize the opportunity to capture Chang'an, Shu would instantly have the strength to contend for supremacy. Therefore, Hanzhong must be dealt with swiftly."
Then comes the Huai River region. The Southern Yu Kingdom controls the Huai River region, shielding the Jiangnan region. The Huai army is valiant and not to be underestimated; its forces are close to Bianliang, threatening the heartland of the Central Plains and constantly hindering the Bianliang army. Once the victory at Hanzhong is achieved, blocking the Shu Kingdom's northward route, the Huai River region will become a major threat to the Great Zhou, making it the top priority. By pacifying the Huai River region, Southern Yu will have no power to retaliate, only the ability to defend itself. Defeating Western Shu and Southern Yu, and occupying Hanzhong and the Huai River region, the small and weak states of Jing and Chu will surely submit to us, and the balance of power will be clearly defined.
Wang Qian then asked Li Ji. Li Ji replied that the existence of the Wu-Yue Kingdom should not be underestimated. During the Jin-Chu rivalry, Jin struggled against Chu, so it taught Wu the art of chariot warfare, which enabled Wu to become a hegemon in the Spring and Autumn Period, even conquering the Chu capital. If the Great Zhou wants to unify the south, it must strengthen the Wu-Yue Kingdom. Moreover, the Wu-Yue Kingdom has a superior navy, essential for southern campaigns; gaining its support means gaining control of Jiangnan.
The prime ministers listened with nods of approval and then asked other questions, which inevitably veered off-topic and touched upon governance and administration. Li Xuan and Li Ji answered each question in turn, demonstrating their excellent knowledge.
Guo Rong was overjoyed and immediately bestowed official titles upon them: "The Imperial Guard Command is newly established and currently divided into the Cavalry Command and the Infantry Command. Since you two are from Huai, you will be assigned to the Infantry Command. Within the Infantry Command, the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry Army is still being formed, and most of the camps are still empty, urgently needing to be replenished with capable personnel. I hereby appoint Li Xuan as the First Commander of the Second Army of the Left Wing of the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry Army of the Imperial Guard Infantry Command. I appoint Li Ji as the First Commander of the First Army of the Right Wing of the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry Army of the Imperial Guard Command. I order you to each recruit 500 elite soldiers within one month, without fail."
Wang Qian immediately stood up to object: "Your Majesty, please reconsider. The recruitment of soldiers for the Imperial Guards is entirely controlled by the court, with the Privy Council in charge and the Military Department responsible for deployment. How can you allow Li Xuan and Li Ji, two outsiders, to recruit soldiers independently? Since Your Majesty values them, why make things difficult for them?"
Guo Rong laughed and said, "Minister Wang, you are unaware of this. These two have been operating in Guangling for a long time and have an outstanding reputation. With a single call, they can recruit a large number of elite soldiers from the Huai River region. Last time in Haizhou, their retainers left an impression on my guards. They are all excellent prospects for becoming soldiers. In the future, when I wage war in the Huai River region, I will need the assistance of the soldiers from the Huai River region. If there were a thousand Huai soldiers in the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry, they would surely achieve many great feats. How could I be making things difficult for them?"
It turns out that the Emperor was preparing for the future conquest of Lianghuai. In that case, Wang Qian had nothing to say.
Li Xuan and Li Ji were overjoyed. With this royal decree, they no longer worried about being alone and without a foothold in the Zhou Kingdom's imperial guards.
With official business concluded, Guo Rong clapped his hands and signaled for the meal. A simple yet sumptuous working meal was served dish by dish to everyone. Whether it was the emperor's, Zhao Er's, Li Xuan's, or Li Ji's, the food was exactly the same, without even wine. Zhao Er was so excited he could barely hold his chopsticks. Li Xuan and Li Ji, on the other hand, were deeply impressed by the Zhou court's simplicity and unpretentiousness. Only a ruler and his ministers like this held the hope of unifying the world and ending the chaos.
Guo Rong also apologized: "I apologize for the poor hospitality today, my two brothers. You come from the prosperous land of Guangling and are unaware of the difficulties we in Zhongzhou are facing. I had already canceled the wine at the banquet in the palace, just to set an example by saving food, not to deliberately mistreat you."
Li Xuan and Li Ji were naturally fine with it; they were all in the business, and the more the boss acted this way, the more reassured his subordinates became. As they ate, Guo Rong's strong desire for control kicked in, and he asked, "Where will you begin recruiting soldiers? I need the elite troops from the Huai River region, not some fishermen and farmers to fool me. I might need the Black Spear Dragon Cavalry in a few months."
Li Xuan and Li Ji laughed. Li Xuan said, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. A dozen or twenty years ago, there was a formidable army in the Huai River region that was renowned throughout the Central Plains. My troops are descendants of these elite soldiers."
Wang Qian asked, both surprised and delighted, "Could it be the Black Cloud Longsword Army that once defeated all the armies in Xuanwu?"
Li Xuan said, "Indeed, the Black Cloud Longsword soldiers are elite cavalry when mounted and elite infantry when dismounted. They are proficient in all kinds of weapons and battle formations, whether on horseback or at close range. However, as the elite of Yang Wu, they were disbanded and idled after the establishment of Yu State, and now most of them live in the countryside of Huaidong, guarding their own estates. Your Majesty has given me this opportunity. My brother and I will head south to Guangling tomorrow, raise our banners, and within a few days we will be able to select a thousand skilled archers and horsemen to repay Your Majesty's favor."
Guo Rong was overjoyed: "With these two virtuous brothers, Lianghuai is now in my grasp."
After the banquet in the palace, Li Xuan and Li Ji accompanied Zhao Er out. Zhao Er's relationship with them was now incredibly close; he was already devising a plan to find the two brothers a house in the inner city. Li Xuan would be bringing his family back to Guangling, and renting someone else's house wasn't a long-term solution. Besides, the outer city was under construction and quite chaotic; the inner city was much safer.
Li Xuan and Li Ji also wanted to further develop their relationship with Zhao Er. While the two sides were chatting warmly, a civil official hurriedly came over from the imperial city and called out, "Gentlemen, I've been looking for you for a long time."
Zhao Er chuckled upon seeing him: "Li Shiyi, you've finally arrived! You must have been holding back in the main hall. How was it? The members of the Guangling Li clan are so outstanding, Li Shiyi must be overjoyed."
Li Fang bowed apologetically, saying, "Thank you, Erlang, for granting my people's request. Li Fang expresses his gratitude."
Li Xuan and Li Ji looked at Li Fang with surprise.
Li Fang introduced himself: "Li Fang of the Jiangxia Li Clan. I accompanied my father to Bianliang when I was young, where he served as an official. I am currently a Remonstrance Official, a Scholar of the Jixian Hall, and a contributor to the compilation of the national history. We are proper members of the clan."