Chapter 132: Court Struggles - Song Shi'an's Merits and Faults |
Song Shi'an arrived in Sheng'an on his second day, and the Emperor convened a court assembly.
Because yesterday's intelligence had arrived late at night, the Prince of Wu, along with Zhao Yi and Ye Changqing, were holding their discussion in the prince's carriage on the way to court.
"Your Highness, this is not good news."
Even Ye Changqing, who was always far-sighted and bold in his methods, showed some worry: "Song Shi'an is clearly trying to force His Majesty's hand—to make you personally ensure that both he and the Sixth Prince are absolved of all guilt."
"But achieving such absolution will be extremely difficult," Zhao Yi added. "Although the battle was won, that doesn't necessarily mean what was done was right. If every time there's a crisis, generals can improvise freely, if they can all claim that 'when commanding troops abroad, there are some military orders that need not be obeyed,' then the army will fall into chaos."
"Is it that serious?" the Prince of Wu asked, looking at Zhao Yi.
"Yes. Song Shi'an felt one thousand Imperial Guards weren't enough, so he went to mobilize others' troops. He felt cohesion wasn't strong, so he promoted soldiers on his own authority. In the future, when there are difficult battles to fight, will all generals learn to do the same—seize military authority, grant promotions and make promises without authorization, figuring that as long as they win it doesn't matter, and they might even receive rewards? This precedent absolutely cannot be set," Zhao Yi said.
"So you're saying if others use this to attack Song Shi'an, he'll be at fault?" the Prince of Wu understood.
"He will definitely be at fault. The reason the Sixth Prince and Song Shi'an returned separately and surrendered all authority is because they know this cannot be simply dealt with," Zhao Yi said. "The guilt is real. And truly, it's not light."
"After the court assembly, Your Highness needs to visit the Court of Judicial Review again," Ye Changqing suggested. "Tell Wang Chen to have Song Shi'an modify his testimony."
"That can be changed?" the Prince of Wu found this difficult.
"It can, and His Majesty actually hopes Song Shi'an will change it," Ye Changqing said with certainty. "His Majesty absolutely does not want Song Shi'an and the Sixth Prince bound together."
This point was basically consensus.
The Emperor was excessively suppressing Wei Wusheng.
"Changing the testimony, though somewhat absurd, can still be made self-consistent," Ye Changqing continued. "Previously, Song Shi'an was grateful for the Sixth Prince's kindness and didn't want him to bear everything, so he lied. As long as word gets out that Your Highness promised to intercede for the Sixth Prince on his behalf, he won't face too much public pressure either."
They needed to give Song Shi'an a way down, gradually.
"Yes," Zhao Yi was in complete agreement with Ye Changqing. "Your Highness, I'll be bold and say something presumptuous—we only need Song Shi'an. Having the Sixth Prince away from court is actually a good thing."
Both of them were wary of Wei Wusheng, who had been personally certified by Ji Yuan.
He couldn't be suppressed.
The Prince of Wu fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he suddenly shook his head: "No."
Both men were astonished that His Highness the Prince of Wu would simultaneously deny both of them, and so firmly at that.
"Let me ask you one thing," the Prince of Wu said. "Even if I go tell him, would Song Shi'an be willing to change his testimony?"
"..."
Both fell silent.
They might understand principles well, but when it came to truly understanding Song Shi'an, it had to be the Prince of Wu.
Right—this was all their own wishful thinking.
Would Song Shi'an be willing to change his testimony?
"What does he gain by voluntarily taking on the guilt?" the Prince of Wu asked again.
"Some popular support, but that's not important," Ye Changqing cut to the heart of it. "The key is that it can dilute the Sixth Prince's guilt and, by merit, bring him into the power center."
"Exactly."
The Prince of Wu's expression became serious all at once as he said: "Even if it puts himself in danger, what he wants is simply for Wei Wusheng, who returned with him from Shuofeng, to no longer be the Wusheng despised by all under heaven."
What was this?
This was unwavering loyalty.
"His sovereign is Wusheng. Even though the time was brief, he refuses to abandon his sovereign for his own wealth and honor." Slowly clenching his hand into a fist, the Prince of Wu said solemnly, "A national treasure of such loyalty—if I can make him mine, we'll never need to worry about him turning traitor."
The Prince of Wu was putting himself in Wei Wusheng's position.
And then, he truly fell in love with this Song Shi'an.
He didn't think at all that Song's actions were causing him trouble.
When the time came for Song to pledge allegiance to him, Song would treat him the same way he treated Wusheng.
"He wants me to ensure that both he and Wusheng are cleared of guilt," the Prince of Wu's eyes showed determination and strength. "Then I will demonstrate that capability and let both him and Wusheng see that following me is the right choice."
The current Emperor had been placed on the throne at age eleven by external relatives and powerful ministers.
And he absolutely refused to be controlled.
So he even killed quite a few of his own brothers, not allowing powerful ministers to try to install a different new sovereign.
But not all brothers met bad ends.
No matter how ruthless he was, he now had Prince Qi by his side, only two years younger than himself, serving as Imperial Clan Administrator to manage imperial family affairs.
In the future, Wusheng would be the Prince Qi at his own side.
Song Shi'an could be a chief minister, or hold the highest noble rank of Marquis—both were acceptable, as long as he himself could control the overall situation while treating his brothers well.
"Your Highness, I understand," Ye Changqing comprehended, nodding. Then he said to the prince, "But you cannot take the field today."
"Speak," the Prince of Wu nodded, looking at him.
"Your Highness, at court today, don't say anything at all, even if the Prince of Jin speaks—unless His Majesty directly asks you. However, His Majesty won't ask any princes today," Ye Changqing said.
The Prince of Wu gradually understood.
Court assemblies were like this—let the hundred officials discuss, and the general trend emerges from discussion.
The Emperor generally wouldn't directly participate, because when he spoke, the assembled ministers basically lost their space for discussion.
When noble princes like the Prince of Jin or Prince of Wu spoke, the effect was the same—it could only silence the officials.
Now, whichever prince actively took a side would be making a mistake.
However, they could let that taunting retainer beside the prince do battle.
"I'll follow Your Highness's lead," Zhao Yi said. "Since we're protecting Song Shi'an, I'll take the vanguard position."
"And me," Ye Changqing said.
"Good." The Prince of Wu in the middle grasped both their hands and nodded. "I'm counting on you both."
………
At the court assembly, everyone gradually entered Taiyuan Hall.
The atmosphere within the hall had already become somewhat delicate.
The Prince of Jin and Prince of Wu even conspicuously avoided any eye contact whatsoever.
They didn't even want to look at each other.
After all the officials had arrived, the Emperor entered the hall.
After everyone performed the kowtow ceremony, the Emperor sitting on the dragon throne spoke mildly: "My beloved ministers, rise."
Gradually, everyone stood.
The Emperor looked toward Cui Ting and asked with some concern: "Vice Minister Cui of the Right, why are you using a cane?"
Everyone curiously glanced over.
"In response to Your Majesty, this old minister fell the day before yesterday and my left foot has been uncomfortable ever since," Cui Ting answered.
Hearing this, quite a few people held it in, wanting to laugh but not daring to.
Song Jing's father-in-law had fallen.
Why didn't you fall to your death, you old bastard!
"As one ages, one must be more careful," the Emperor said sympathetically.
"This old minister is overwhelmed by His Majesty's sacred concern," Vice Minister Cui said.
"Mm." The Emperor nodded, then asked Eunuch Xi beside him, "Are all the officials assembled?"
"Marquis of Huai Zhao Lie is indisposed. Marquis Xun Zhao Lun has declared himself a guilty minister, unworthy of standing among the officials, and together with his son Zhao Xiang awaits judgment at home," Eunuch Xi said.
Hearing this, the assembled officials suddenly sensed which way the wind was blowing.
No need to even mention Zhao Lun—he was finished, like a worthless deer dick.
But the meritorious noble Zhao Lie hadn't come.
His son was clearly a member of the Prince of Wu's faction.
Was the father not coming so as not to affect his son's performance?
Today, there would definitely be some debate.
Actual, or symbolic.
In any case, nothing could simply happen naturally without discussion.
"The matter of Shuofeng has been settled for now. Ji Yuan has also returned from Wuwei," the Emperor said. "But some things still need to be resolved."
After speaking, he said to Wang Chen: "Lord Wang, since you're acting Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, you present the Song Shi'an case."
"By Your Majesty's command."
Wang Chen walked from the civil officials' ranks to the center, holding the written testimony in both hands, and began reading the proclamation.
A full several thousand characters, not missing a single one.
All of it was what Song Shi'an had said.
Sun Heng and Ji Ming's questions were not made public.
This belonged to the Court of Judicial Review's investigative procedures and secrets—not reading them aloud was perfectly reasonable.
During the reading, the officials discussed among themselves considerably.
After it ended, the entire court hall was in an uproar.
Although some portion of people had known already, they still put on expressions of surprise.
This Song Shi'an had real guts!
He was trying to take on all the guilt.
Did he admit it himself, not fearing that the Court of Judicial Review would really judge it that way?
The Emperor didn't release the testimony of little Wei from the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.
Now wasn't the time yet.
This also allowed the officials free rein to act.
"Everyone, discuss," the Emperor said.
No one below wanted to speak first.
So the Emperor began calling on people: "Minister Sun, you speak."
"By Your Majesty's command."
Minister Sun used "by Your Majesty's command" to absolve himself of responsibility, indicating the Emperor had told him to speak. Then he said to Wang Chen: "Criminal law is Lord Wang's specialty. This old minister wants to know—according to the laws of Great Yu, what should be done?"
The ball was directly kicked to Wang Chen, who wanted to be a fence-sitter.
After some internal struggle, Wang Chen answered: "In response to Your Majesty, and Minister Sun: After discussion with the Left and Right Monitors of the Court of Judicial Review, Sun Heng and Ji Ming, we feel this matter cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning."
Fuck you.
Minister Sun harbored some resentment toward this Wang Chen.
As Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, even if only acting, he actually brought up his subordinates!
He even actively mentioned my son!
"Then what would ordinary reasoning dictate?" someone asked.
"Ordinary reasoning..." Wang Chen, after pondering, said, "In the laws of Great Yu, there is indeed a provision that 'guilt leads to punishment, merit can reduce guilt.' But how to weigh merit and fault—the Court of Judicial Review has no authority to judge."
He was slipping away.
This Wang Chen was indeed cautious.
He really could manage not to offend either side too much.
But this apparent neutrality was actually favoritism.
Merit could reduce guilt, but could it eliminate guilt?
By ordinary reasoning it couldn't be completely eliminated, but he didn't say that.
At this time, several people gave eye signals to Chen Kefu, reminding him to come forward.
Steeling his resolve, he stepped out and said: "Your Majesty, this general believes that defending Shuofeng was indeed a great merit. The soldiers below, the officers, and some officials who participated in defending the city didn't know the details and were just following orders—they should all receive merit. But some precedents, this general believes, cannot be set."
"What do you mean?" the Emperor asked.
"In response to Your Majesty," Chen Kefu said seriously, "For example, arbitrarily transferring troops and promoting soldiers without authorization—these are truly serious matters. Therefore, this general believes: reward for merit, punish for guilt."
"Oh?" At this time, Ye Changqing stepped forward and asked, "General Chen, you mean to reward all who participated in the Shuofeng campaign, while punishing those who proposed and decided?"
This one sentence immediately agitated Chen Kefu: "This general has never said the Sixth Prince bears any fault!"
He actually dragged the Sixth Prince into it!
"Then you mean to reward everyone while punishing Song Shi'an?" Ye Changqing asked again.
"I'm only discussing the matter itself. I've never targeted Song Shi'an," Chen Kefu said with a flushed face to Ye Changqing. "I have no grievances with Song Shi'an whatsoever. What I'm thinking about is only this: in the future, as generals, how should we lead troops?"
"Then how should we lead troops?" Zhao Yi stepped forward and asked.
Seeing himself caught in a pincer attack, Chen Kefu said righteously: "Improvising also has limits—it's not doing whatever one wants. I ask you: with this precedent set, won't all future generals, whenever they feel at a disadvantage, arbitrarily mobilize armies and promote subordinates to rally morale? Is that acceptable?"
As soon as he said this, the assembled officials all nodded.
"Yes, yes, there can't be chaos."
"If this precedent is set, how can we ensure orders are obeyed?"
"Moreover, this victory also involved coincidence. If they had truly lost, the losses would certainly have been catastrophic..."
So this was the resistance?
Using the banner of righteousness to crush Song Shi'an to death.
The Prince of Wu felt this was getting tricky.
Although Ye Changqing was composed, at this moment he also found it difficult to mount a strong rebuttal.
Suddenly, Zhao Yi spoke: "Was Shuofeng only at a disadvantage?"
"Shuofeng was indeed difficult, but was there no element of taking chances on luck?" Chen Kefu retorted. "Should everyone in the future risk such chances for glory?"
"Then would you be willing, taking your chances on luck, to send yourself into Shuofeng city to be surrounded by Ji Yuan's several hundred thousand men?" Zhao Yi demanded.
One sentence silenced many people.
Shuofeng was a certain-death situation.
For others to imitate, they'd at least have to put themselves in mortal danger first.
Otherwise, how could they claim to be in the same circumstances as Song Shi'an?
"A soldier's duty is to obey orders!"
Chen Kefu was provoked and shot back: "Moreover, is Song Shi'an the only one in this world with loyalty? Don't I have any?"
"General Chen's loyalty is excellent!"
Zhao Yi gave no ground. Even though he was two ranks lower, he didn't back down at all and said loudly: "Shuofeng has been defended, but half of Northern Liang is still lost. Is General Chen willing to make a military pledge and lead one thousand Imperial Guards with me to recapture Wuwei!