novelSusiti Chapter 27 I am Zhang Jizhi, come and fight to the death with me!
Chapter 27 I am Zhang Jizhi, come and fight to the death with me!
The Zhang family produced three wise rulers in a row, which made the successive heads of the family happiest, especially Zhang Zhao.
For some unknown reason, Zhang Shen's soul could not appear in the ancestral temple.
This frustrated him, but what frustrated him even more was yet to come. Zhang Du spent thirty years bringing the Liang Kingdom to a new level, not only trading with the Di and Qiang tribes for warhorses, but also eliminating the corrupt practices left by Zhang Yu in his later years.
It's just a pity that he made a small mistake, a small mistake that almost caused the Zhang family to split apart.
Because of Zhang Zhen's meritorious service, he enfeoffed Zhang Zhen with the old capital of Liangyi, and the world called him Duke Wu of Liangyi.
After Zhang Zhen's death, his son Zhang Zhuo inherited his title. By then, Zhang Du was already old, and the adage that "after three generations of wise rulers, there must be a foolish one" was vividly demonstrated in the Zhang family.
Zhang Du had four sons. None of the three adult sons were capable of taking on important responsibilities, and the youngest son, who was known as a child prodigy, was too young.
For the sake of Liang and the Zhang family, Zhang Du wavered for many years regarding the issue of succession.
This gave Zhang Zhuo an opportunity. He believed that the lineage of Duke Wenzhao had been in charge of the Zhang family and the Liang state for more than two hundred years, and it was time for the lineage of Duke Ke to take over as the head of the Zhang family.
This was inspired by the recent fall of Quwo Daiyi in the State of Jin.
Duke Wu of Quwo, along with his descendants for three generations, killed five generations of Jin rulers. Ultimately, the minor branch of the family replaced the major branch and became the legitimate successor of the Jin state.
He muttered to himself, "If Duke Wu of Quwo could do it, why can't I, Zhang Zhuo?"
He is a descendant of Zhang Ke, the Duke of Ke.
Duke Ke was Duke Wenzhao's cousin, and he served as Duke Wenzhao's guardian of the state of Liang for twenty-one years.
Half of the Liang Kingdom's territory was conquered by Duke Ke!
For two hundred years, the lineage of Duke Ke has always been that of a subject, while the lineage of Duke Wenzhao has always been that of a ruler.
On what grounds?
Zhang Zhuo closed the bamboo slip, a look of hatred flashing in his eyes. So, he secretly contacted Wudu Jun Si Wenming in Wudu and promised that after the matter was accomplished, he would not enjoy this glory alone. He would grant Si Wenming half of the Liang Kingdom.
When Si Wenming first heard Zhang Zhuo say this, he was originally thinking of reporting Zhang Zhuo to the king.
But then he remembered how his clan had followed the Zhang family since the time of Duke Wenzhao, and how glorious it had been during the reigns of Duke Si and Duke Buyi.
Three of the six ministers were members of the Si clan, but what about now?
Although he became the ruler of the town, he had to live in constant fear and anxiety, fighting the Di and Qiang people day and night!
The king is old, and Shusun Yan and Zhen Gong are dead. What does the king have left?
So what if you're deeply loved by the Chinese people?
Since the monarch established the "Four Directions Hall," he has allowed those unruly commoners to sit in the main hall alongside officials and scholars.
The doctors in the country were afraid of the emperor and dared not speak out against him. Since Zhao Han's death, there had been no wise members of the Zhao clan.
Perhaps this is an opportunity, an opportunity for the Si clan to rise from subjects to feudal lords!
With this in mind, Si Wenming agreed to complete this great undertaking with Zhang Zhuo!
However, Zhang Zhao did not sit idly by and wait for his death. The Si clan and Zhang Zhuo's lineage were like a house that would climb up and tear off the roof if they were not disciplined for a day.
He immediately used a dream to tell Zhang Du everything.
Although Zhang Du listened and said he would take action, he did nothing.
That night, he sat by the couch and thought for a long time.
Zhang Zhuo was the son of Zhang Zhen, who devoted his life to the Liang Kingdom. His strategic skills enabled the Liang Kingdom to maintain its hegemonic status.
Zhang Zhen has only been dead for a few years, and now they're taking action against his son. What will people say?
Si Wenming was the head of the Si clan. The Si clan had followed the Zhang clan since the time of their ancestor, Duke Wenzhao, and had been loyal and virtuous for generations.
What will the Si clan think if Si Wenming is dismissed? And what about those doctors who dare not speak out against him? The Sifang Pavilion has long harbored resentment for allowing commoners to sit with them in the main hall. If Zhang Zhuo is dealt with now, will it force even more people to rebel?
Zhang Du sighed and hung the sword back on the wall.
If he were young, he would have taken action, but now he is old, and his three sons are all useless, with his youngest son Zhang Dingcai being only nine years old.
If he acts rashly, the Zhang family will be torn apart. How can he explain this to his predecessors?
So he ordered that Jiangcheng be granted to Zhang Zhuo, hoping to use the fiefdom to dilute Zhang Zhuo's ambition to usurp the position of the main branch of the family.
He didn't expect Zhang Zhuo to never have such thoughts again; he only hoped to postpone it until his youngest son, Zhang Ding, could take over the affairs of state.
But time waits for no one, and showing weakness will only make the wolf think you are easy to bully.
After receiving the imperial edict, Zhang Zhuo believed the time was right. He ordered Si Wenming to secretly gather troops in Wudu and move them to Baima, while he himself led his army through Chencang Road to Baima to meet up with Si Wenming.
That day, Si Wenming stood on the top of Wudu City, looking towards Hanzhong, the northwest wind making his robes flutter.
He recalled his youth when he studied at the Hanzhong Academy, sitting and eating with the Zhang family's children. Back then, he never imagined that one day he would raise the banner of rebellion.
But people change.
How can a great man remain subservient to others for long?
Since their ancestors followed Duke Wenzhao, the Si clan has been subjects of the Zhang clan for generations. Now that they have the opportunity to become feudal lords, why should they refuse?
He turned and walked down from the city wall, leading a thousand tribal warriors and two hundred chariots, using the pretext that the Di and Qiang tribes were attacking Baima from Wudu, and rushed to Baima City.
Subsequently, Zhang Zhuo, under the pretext of providing support, led his army south to Baima via the Chencang Road.
After the two armies joined forces, Si Wen ordered him to give a swearing-in ceremony before the battle: "The ruler has been deceived by treacherous ministers and has abandoned us loyal subjects. Although we, as subjects, have been abandoned by the ruler, this is not a reason for us to leave him. We must set things right for the ruler; this is what we, as loyal subjects, should do!"
After the oath-taking ceremony, they led their army to attack Hanzhong. The counties along the way surrendered without resistance, and they soon reached Nanzheng City, the gateway to Hanzhong.
When this news spread, the entire Liang Kingdom was shaken!
Many doctors and scholars responded enthusiastically.
"How dare the commoners be ranked alongside us in the Sifang Pavilion? What kind of decorum is this? The Zhang family has lost its virtue; the Si family should be the rulers of Liang!"
"The ruler's favoritism towards Confucian scholars like Shusun Yan has chilled the hearts of us descendants of meritorious officials. Is such a ruler still worthy of our loyalty? We should seek a more enlightened ruler!"
Of course, there were still quite a few doctors and scholars who remained on Zhang Du's side.
"After Zhao Han's death, the Zhao family has lost its most capable members. The Si family is in the western border, and Zhang Zhuo is in the old capital; both are discontented. My lord, how wise and powerful you were in your youth! How could you have become so senile now?"
"My Li family has been indebted to the Zhang family for generations; how can we become traitors! Issue my order: all members of my Li family, follow me to kill this national traitor!"
When the news reached Hanzhong, Zhang Du sat motionless in the Daliang Palace for a full hour.
He remembered his grandfather Zhang Quzhuo's words to his father, and his father's words to him before his death: "Treat the Si family well, but do not be too kind or demanding."
He remembered the first half of the sentence, but forgot the second half.
He believed that bestowing the title of Duke Wu of Liangyi upon Zhang Zhen was a way to repay the merits of the Ke family.
He thought that sending Si Wenming to govern Wudu was an opportunity for the Si clan to make a name for themselves.
But he forgot that people's hearts change, and great kindness can turn into great enmity! Giving too much will only make people want more.
He remembered that dream again. The voice of his ancestor Zhang Zhao still echoed in his ears: "Du'er, you must be careful."
He listened, but did nothing.
"Grandfather, you made a mistake." Zhang Du covered his face, tears seeping through his fingers.
So he decided to do something, at least to salvage the situation, at least to rectify this mistake!
The prestige of rulers throughout history is very high, but besides Duke Wenzhao, Duke Si, Duke Buyi, and Duke Wen, Zhang Du can also be considered one of the most prestigious.
So Zhang Du, who was already half-buried in the ground, put on his armor, picked up his grandfather Zhang Quzhuo's halberd, and sent a proclamation to the Liang Kingdom.
Liang Yizhuo, a descendant of Duke Ke and a member of the imperial clan, has enjoyed the Liang family's stipends and received great favors from the state. Yet, instead of repaying this kindness, he harbors treacherous ambitions and covets the throne. Inspired by the history of Quwo, he plots to usurp the throne from the main branch of the family; he allies with the rebellious Si clan, scheming to divide the land. First, he deceived us with deceitful words, granting us the fief of Jiangcheng; then, under the guise of reinforcements, he secretly led his army to Baima. His wolfish heart is blatantly obvious!
The Si clan, under the reign of Wenming, served as ministers of Liang for generations, sharing the prosperity and decline of the state since the time of Duke Wenzhao! During the reigns of Duke Si and Duke Buyi, the Si clan ranked among the three of the six ministers, enjoying unparalleled honor and favor among all clans!
I entrusted him with the weighty responsibility of the western frontier, and gave him the troops of Wudu. I treated him as my confidant and trusted him as my right-hand man!
They betrayed their benefactors and raised the banner of rebellion at Baima, issuing false proclamations to mislead the masses, using the name of the Di and Qiang people to carry out acts of treason!
Little did they know that a true man establishes himself in the world based on loyalty and righteousness; and a subject serves his ruler with integrity above all else!
Your wealth and status, were they not bestowed upon you by the Zhang family? Your rank and emoluments, were they not granted by the Liang state? Now you repay kindness with enmity and repay favors with ingratitude. Even jackals and wolves know to feed their parents; do you alone have no human heart?
Alas! I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and ruled the Liang Kingdom for thirty years, working tirelessly day and night without ever daring to be complacent!
The establishment of the Four Directions Hall to receive the people's opinions was not intended to disrupt the hierarchy, but rather to understand the feelings between the upper and lower classes and to observe the suffering of the common people!
Though I have not cultivated virtue, I have never dared to oppress the people; though my governance has not been perfected, I have never dared to be harsh to my subordinates. Now, these two traitors, with slanderous words, mislead the masses and with their own desires, bring disaster to the country, attempting to sever the bloodline of Duke Wenzhao and cut off the Zhang family's lineage. Though I am old, my weapon is still in my hand; though I am frail, my armor can still be donned!
Current fate:
Xunquan Jun Zhao Yuan led the vanguard, with 3,000 elite warriors and 8,000 soldiers, out of Hanzhong, and attacked Wudu;
Zhang Ding was appointed as the Central Army Supervisor. Although young, he was loyal and brave and could be entrusted with important tasks. He accompanied the emperor on his campaign against Baima!
All loyal and righteous men of Liang, take up arms and follow the army to jointly punish the disloyal!
On the day this proclamation arrives, all those who have submitted to the rebellion, if they can repent and surrender, will be pardoned and their titles restored! Those who remain obstinate and aid the wicked, will be destroyed wherever my army goes. Though Liang is small, its loyalty and righteousness are great; though I am old, my will is unyielding. The heads of these two traitors shall be hung at the gates of the Liang palace as a warning to all those who betray their lord!
In the past, Duke Wen and Duke Zhao surrendered to Zhou to mourn the people and punish the guilty; Duke Wen became the hegemon of the west to honor the king and repel the barbarians. Today's matter is not a private feud of the Zhang family, but a public outrage for the nation!
All people of Liang, with hearts full of loyalty and righteousness, shall unite to punish these two traitors, to secure our nation, and to comfort the spirits of our ancestors!
Once the proclamation was issued, various regions of Liang responded.
"Your Majesty! Even a son of a thousand pieces of gold would not sit under a dangerous roof, let alone the ruler of a nation!" The minister knelt and kowtowed. "Although the two traitors are coming with great force, the city of Nanzheng is well-defended, and our army is still here. Why should Your Majesty trouble yourself to brave arrows and stones?"
Zhang Du looked down at these veteran officials.
They followed him for thirty years, from building the Four Directions Hall to gathering diverse opinions, from their prime to their old age, and in the end, he personally dragged them into this war.
He bent down to help the old minister up. "You are all right. A son of a wealthy family would not sit under a dangerous roof." Zhang Du slammed his long spear on the ground, his voice aged but undeniable. "But I, Zhang Du, am not some son of a wealthy family."
He surveyed the hall, saying each word clearly: "Since the time of Duke Si, no ruler of the Zhang family has ever sat in the palace waiting for others to fight for him! I, Zhang Du, am no exception!"
The hall was silent. No one tried to persuade him anymore, because Zhang Du had already picked up his long spear and strode out of the hall.
The central army set off, heading straight for Nanzheng.
Zhang Du rode on his horse, with two large banners embroidered with the characters "Zhang" and "Liang" behind him.
His back was somewhat hunched, and his hand holding the reins was thin and bony, but his armor was neatly worn, and a long spear was placed across the front of the saddle.
The halberd belonged to his grandfather. It had survived the Battle of Xuge and the war between four states against Liang. Now it was going to accompany him in suppressing the rebellion.
Zhao Han's son, Xunquan Jun Zhao Yuan, rode up and said, "Your Majesty, an urgent report from Nanzheng: the vanguard of the rebel army has reached outside the city."
How many people?
"No less than 20,000."
Zhang Du remained silent for a moment, then looked back.
His gaze passed over the fluttering military flags and landed on the carriage at the rear of the central army. Inside the carriage was Zhang Ding. He did not allow his young son to wear armor, but only ordered him to accompany the army to observe the battle.
"Let him see clearly! Let him see how his father fights today, and let him see who is rebelling against his father!"
The rebel army has been besieging Nanzheng City for two days.
The arrows on the city wall were as dense as thorns, and the crenellations were stained black with blood.
When the defenders saw the two large banners appear in front of the rebel army, a loud cheer erupted from the city walls.
Zhang Du reined in his horse and looked down at the opposing army formation from his high vantage point.
The dense array of spears and halberds stretched as far as the eye could see, and beneath the central banner stood Si Wenming's war chariots.
Zhang Du spurred his horse forward.
Zhao Yuan exclaimed in alarm, "Your Majesty! You must not approach!"
Zhang Du ignored him.
The warhorse slowly crossed the open space between the two armies. The archers in the front row of the rebel army drew their bows fully but did not release an arrow. They recognized this person.
This old man is the most prestigious ruler of the Liang Kingdom!
For thirty years, he built the Four Directions Hall, absorbed the opinions of all schools of thought, and brought the Liang Kingdom to an unprecedented height.
Now he is old, his armor can no longer conceal his hunched body, and his long spear trembles slightly in his hand.
But he still came.
Zhang Du reined in his horse and slammed his long spear into the ground. The sound, like the beating of a drum, echoed across the empty battlefield.
"I am Zhang Jizhi, come and fight to the death with me!"