History of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Chapter 491: Fifty steps to laugh a hundred steps
After some discussion, Shi Jingtang's think tank decided that they could no longer be passive and had to take the initiative in the contest with the court. They proposed that Shi Jingtang test the court's sincerity.

How to test him? He wrote a petition to Li Congke, asking for retirement on the grounds that he was weak and ill and unable to perform his duties.

Because Li Congke's public attitude towards Shi Jingtang was absolute trust, when faced with Shi Jingtang's request to retire, he would inevitably "refuse to comply with the imperial edict."

Just like Yang Fugong resigning and retiring from Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, this was a trick played by the ministers on the emperor. Because according to convention, no matter whether he was competent or not, whether the emperor trusted and relied on him, when the ministers requested to retire or resign, the emperor would always politely refuse, to show his respect, "The country cannot do without you, and I can't bear to part with you either."

When the minister repeatedly petitioned for his resignation, the emperor would reluctantly agree. It is the same as submitting a resignation application in a company. Maybe the boss wants you to leave as soon as possible, but he still has to politely try to keep you.

Once Li Congke rejected Shi Jingtang's request to retire, it was equivalent to publicly recognizing Shi Jingtang's status and power. Shi Jingtang would not be stupid enough to resign again and again. This was a one-time deal.

If Li Congke agreed without pretense, it would be tantamount to declaring a breakdown in the relationship between the monarch and his subjects. Even if Shi Jingtang openly raised the flag of rebellion, he would not have any psychological burden or moral and public opinion obstacles.

So Shi Jingtang took the initiative and submitted a memorial saying that he was in poor health and requested to surrender his military power (commander-in-chief of the Northern Army Group to resist the Khitan) and move his headquarters to a small vassal town in the rear, so that more capable comrades could guard Hedong Taiyuan Prefecture.

Li Congke convened a think tank to discuss the matter. Xue Wenyu, Lu Wenji and other useless people all agreed that this was a godsend opportunity. You suspected Shi Jingtang, but Shi Jingtang took the initiative to admit defeat, hand over military power and give up the important town. Why not do it? Promise him immediately!
However, Li Song, Lu Qi and Fang Hong firmly opposed it, saying that this was Yang Fugong's old trick and that Shi Jingtang would never be willing to retreat to the second line. He was testing the court's attitude.

How did Emperor Zhaozong of Tang deal with Yang Fugong's resignation? Answer: He readily approved his request.

What was the subsequent outcome of the incident? Answer: Yang Fugong really rebelled.

What happened next? Answer: The "Anti-Yang Movement" was won by Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, and Yang Fugong's group was destroyed.

Stop. Li Congke wanted to hear this answer.

But Li Congke should have listened further: Emperor Zhaozong of Tang defeated Yang Fugong but lost his country. Unfortunately, Li Congke didn't have the patience to listen further.

That night, Li Song asked for leave for something and was no longer on duty in the palace. Only Xue Wenyu was on duty. Li Congke was unlucky, so he had a long talk with Xue Wenyu and exchanged opinions on the situation in Hedong.

Xue Wenyu once again quoted from classics and told him about the "left hook" plan that Guo Chongtao had proposed to Li Cunxu, and advised Li Congke not to be indecisive or look back and forth. In one word, just do it! Cut the Gordian knot quickly and act as fiercely as a tiger, and make Shi Jingtang a fool.

Li Congke was still hesitating, saying that what Li Song and the others said made sense. For such a major matter, one must not be reckless and must think twice before acting. When Xue Wenyu heard that it was Li Song and Lu Qi again, he was furious. He was immediately possessed by the angry youth and attacked and slandered the two again, "Your Majesty, is this emperor you or them? They are eloquent and eloquent, saying that they are doing it for the country, but in fact they are planning for their own interests! They are selling out their masters for glory! The work of traitors and traitors. In my opinion, Shi Jingtang will rebel sooner or later! If you agree to him, he will rebel; if you don't agree, he will also rebel. Since he will rebel sooner or later, why don't we take the initiative, seize the opportunity, and take the initiative? While his wings are not yet fully grown, we should attack him by surprise and kill him in the bud. This is the best strategy!"

Not long ago, an "expert" told Li Congke that he would meet a talented person this year, who had great talent and determination to govern the country, and would be able to help him achieve great things.

Now, Li Congke looked at Xue Wenyu in front of him, and he liked him more and more. He was sure that he was the person sent by God to assist him. So he was very excited and praised Xue Wenyu's proposal, "It's exactly what I think! You are right. No matter what the result is, just do it."

Li Congke immediately wrote a handwritten note and ordered the relevant departments to draft an imperial edict to agree to Shi Jingtang's request.

Early the next morning, an imperial edict concerning important personnel changes was issued:
Shi Jingtang, the governor of Hedong, was transferred to be the governor of Tianping Army of Yunzhou, and was promoted to Duke of Zhao, and was given the honorary title of "Assisting Heaven and Prospering the World, Being Righteous and Meritorious"; Song Shenqian, the governor of Heyang, was transferred to be the governor of Hedong; Zhang Jingda, the deputy commander-in-chief of the Northern Army Group, was promoted to commander-in-chief.

Song Shenqian was one of Li Congke's "Five Direct Lineages" and the only professional soldier in the group. Li Congke asked him to go to Taiyuan to replace Shi Jingtang, and at the same time gave Zhang Jingda, the wedge of Daizhou, greater military power, using powerful force to put pressure on Shi Jingtang.

At the same time, he promoted Shi Jingtang to the title of "Duke of Zhao" as a sign of appeasement.

With a big stick in one hand and a sweet date in the other, Li Congke thought he had used a combination of kindness and severity under Xue Wenyu's plan.

When the imperial edict was read, the three words "Shi Jingtang" were heard, and the faces of the civil and military officials in the court changed drastically. For such an important decision, the emperor actually bypassed the civil and military officials, bypassed the highest authority, and forced it through a "small meeting". Isn't this an oligarchy?
Six or seven days after the edict was issued, Shi Jingtang submitted a memorial openly challenging Li Congke, which said:

"Emperor Mingzong's country and people were usurped by you, and the people are still dissatisfied. You'd better be sensible and step down. Emperor Mingzong has a biological son, Prince Xu Li Congyi. You should support Li Congyi and fulfill your duty as a minister, so as to avoid internal strife and be infamous forever!"

This was Li Congke's biggest taboo, and Shi Jingtang's words directly hit Li Congke's legal foundation. Li Congke was so angry that he tore the memorial into pieces, threw it to the ground, and ordered Ma Yinsun to draft an imperial edict immediately, cursing back:

"A father has the country and he passes it on to his son; a king has troubles and he relies on his relatives. You are not distant from the King of E. The events of Weizhou in the past years are known to the world; who would believe the words of the King of Xu today! How can a wise man do this?"

The general idea is: It is natural for a son to inherit his father's family business; it is also natural for a king to rely on his relatives when he is in danger. You are related to Li Conghou, right? When Li Conghou was in danger, he came to you for help. What did you do? Everyone on earth knows what you did in Weizhou. Now you still have the nerve to talk about Li Congyi? I ask you, where is Li Conghou? Why are you pretending to be so high-profile!

I usurped the throne, and you are an accomplice! I murdered Li Conghou, and you are an accomplice! We are birds of a feather, as the saying goes, a man with a gaping mouth eats meat - don't say fat (who).

(End of this chapter)