Hidden Shadow – CH 251

Chapter Two-Hundred-Fifty-One: Punishment

Therefore, either the Liao army was posing as a supply convoy, or they had genuinely intercepted the Song army’s supplies.

Comparatively, the former was better.

“Xiao Zhenning lost ten crossbows but did not get any benefits from General Ling, so naturally, he will try to get something back elsewhere.” Chu Dingjiang had seen countless wars of annihilation, large and small, and did not take this matter to heart.

His composure also calmed Gao Dazhuang, who observed the development of the battle.

At dawn, news finally arrived from the Yongning army.

As Chu Dingjiang had predicted, the Liao army entered the city and swiftly burned, killed, and looted, retreating rapidly before the surrounding defenders could react. They abducted five thousand people, along with a large amount of gold, silver, and jade. Those abducted were mostly young women and children.

The enraged Yongning army pursued them into Liao territory, defeating the Liao army and rescuing the abducted to return them to their owners.

Upon hearing this news, several members of the Konghe Army exclaimed with delight, “This is truly gratifying!”

General Yongning, Liu Yun, was the most capable military commander besides Ling Ziyue.

This battle ignited the Song army’s confidence. Ling Ziyue and Liu Yun jointly submitted a memorial requesting permission to attack the Liao Kingdom.

Although generals in the field were not always bound by imperial orders, the Song Dynasty had been on the defensive for years. The two generals wanted to seize this opportunity to deliver a heavy blow to the Liao army. Such a large-scale operation required the Emperor’s approval!

However, this fervent enthusiasm took a turn for the worse when it reached Bianjing.

The Emperor, finally relieved of his pent-up anger after the victory, was in high spirits and summoned his ministers to discuss a counterattack. However, the court officials were divided into three factions. One faction advocated defense and strongly opposed Ling Ziyue and Liu Yun’s approach, not only disagreeing with the war but also subtly implying that Ling Ziyue and Liu Yun were colluding. Not only the Hebei West Circuit, but the entire north was under the control of these two. One faction advocated for action, believing that the Song Dynasty, as a superior nation, could not always tolerate and yield; it was time to show its power. Another faction maintained a neutral stance.

The Emperor’s initial enthusiasm, dampened by a sudden setback, gradually cooled, and his paranoia returned.

At this time, someone impeached Liu Yun. Firstly, for neglecting defenses, allowing the Liao army to plunder Zhending Prefecture; secondly, for leading a large army into Liao territory without authorization and abandoning his post.

Others defended him, arguing that the Yongning Army’s primary duty was to guard the Zhending Prefecture area and that Liu Yun’s pursuit of the Liao army after its plunder was simply fulfilling his duty.

In the study, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Incense smoke curled from the burner. A middle-aged man in a yellow robe sat with his hands clasped and eyes closed before his desk. A memorial lay open on the table—the one Ling Ziyue had requested for grain supplies.

A moment later… He slowly opened his eyes, raised his hand to the memorial, and tapped his fingers lightly. “Go and summon the Grand Tutor, the Grand Commandant, the Chancellor, and the Privy Councilor.”

“Yes,” the eunuch bowed and withdrew.

A short while later, the four ministers arrived.

“Sit,” the Emperor said.

“Thank you for the seats, Your Majesty.”

The four bowed and took their seats.

The Emperor said, “Take General Ling’s memorials to the four ministers.”

“Yes,” the eunuch went to retrieve the memorials from the table and handed them to the Grand Tutor, who sat at the head of the left.

After the four had read them in turn, the Emperor finally spoke, “What do you four ministers think of General Ling’s and General Liu’s joint attack on the Liao Kingdom?”

One was a memorial urging for grain supplies; the other was about attacking the Liao Kingdom—fundamentally unrelated matters. What did putting them together mean?

These men were all shrewd old men; until they had fully grasped the situation, they remained silent.

Seeing no one answer, the Emperor called upon Hua. “Prime Minister Hua, you speak first.”

Hua rose and said, “The Great Song is a celestial empire; whether or not to fight is entirely up to Your Majesty’s decision. I will obey Your Majesty’s will.”

In truth, he did not control the military; he was merely offering his opinion. Besides, the Emperor had summoned them today not simply to discuss whether or not to fight, but also clearly showed his dissatisfaction with Ling Ziyue.

Prime Minister Hua was well aware that he was also on the suspect list, and it was best to avoid giving his opinion in such matters.

The Emperor remained unmoved, saying, “Sit down and speak. What’s the tension?”

The Emperor was generally unpredictable, but his composure was exceptional; he rarely showed his emotions.

The Grand Commandant leaned slightly forward, then suddenly changed the subject. “Your Majesty, General Liu has won a battle, but it was due to his own negligence. We cannot ignore this simply because of his military achievements. I believe he should be punished.”

The Emperor was silent for a moment, then asked, “Grand Commandant, what do you think he should be punished for?”

Hearing the tone, everyone immediately understood that the Emperor wanted to deal with an internal problem first.

This internal problem was not Liu Yun, but Ling Ziyue.

There was no immediate replacement for Ling Ziyue, so the punishment of Liu Yun was merely a warning to others.

Prime Minister Hua thought that the Emperor trusted Liu Yun relatively much and that he was the only suitable replacement for Ling Ziyue; the Emperor probably did not really intend to punish him…

“This…” The Grand Commandant had not decided yet.

The Grand Tutor said, “I believe that General Liu’s victory has boosted the morale of the border troops. He should not be punished lightly, lest it dampen their spirits.”

The Emperor frowned slightly.

The Grand Tutor abruptly changed the subject. “However, as the Grand Commandant said, General Liu has made a mistake. Your Majesty should summon him back to the capital, reprimand him in person, and punish him by withholding his salary.”

“Absolutely not!” the Privy Councilor exclaimed. “Your Majesty, the border defense cannot be without its generals for even a moment. This is a critical time of war; you absolutely cannot summon General Liu back to court!”

The room fell silent.

“This cannot be done, that cannot be done; truly, even I am helpless when a general is in the field!” the Emperor sighed. “You may all return. Think it over carefully, and come up with a solution for me tomorrow!”

The four men rose, bowed, and withdrew one after another.

The study fell silent again. The Emperor took out a secret letter, read it for a while, and even dismissed his personal eunuchs.

“Come out.” As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, two black-clad men descended from the rafters.

“I’ve heard that the Konghe Army has done a great deal for General Ling this time,” the Emperor said, coldly looking at the gaunt black-clad man at the head.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me.” He immediately knelt on one knee. “The Konghe Army is loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Song Dynasty. Their efforts were also in service of Your Majesty.”

The other black-clad man behind him also knelt.

“Rise. I was merely asking casually.” The Emperor stroked the secret letter and said, “Recall them and incorporate them into the newly established Dragon Martial Guards. From now on, they will directly obey my orders. The existing Dragon Martial Guards will be renamed the Konghe Guard.”

“Yes!” the black-clad man acknowledged the order.

“General Ling suggested incorporating the Konghe Army into the army. What do you think?” the Emperor suddenly asked.

If they could be incorporated into the army, their clandestine lives would end. Even if they died on the battlefield, at least they could live like human beings!

The black-clad man kept his eyes downcast, unable to see the Emperor’s expression, but he knew his mood was definitely not good.