The prince is more stable

Chapter 712 Internal Troubles Have Arise
From the moment they received the transfer order from the Privy Council in Bianjing, an inexplicable and eerie atmosphere permeated the generals stationed in Yanyun.

Apart from General Xu, all the other generals were military men. Although they held high-ranking positions in the army over the years, the lowest among them was a commander-in-chief, commanding at least a thousand men.

However, everyone knew the status and treatment of military generals in the Song Dynasty.

Only now has the status of military generals improved significantly.

When did you start improving?
It was probably around the time of the Song-Xia War that Zhao Xiaoqian led 5,000 Dragon Guard soldiers deep into the heart of Western Xia, conquering cities and seizing territory, and making great achievements.

After capturing the capital of Western Xia, Empress Dowager Xiao Liang died suddenly and mysteriously, forcing Western Xia to sign a peace treaty. This was the most advantageous treaty that the Song Dynasty had ever signed since its founding.

Later, under Zhao Xiaoqian's insistence, the new laws implemented by the court included a "Military Service Law," which clearly stipulated the court's rewards and punishments for the army, significantly improving the status and treatment of military officers in the Song Dynasty.

The military generals of the Song Dynasty were gradually no longer looked down upon by scholars, and no longer considered being a soldier a disgrace.

In the past two years, under Zhao Xiaoqian's leadership, the Song army has won one victory after another, expanding the territory of the Song Dynasty to a great extent, and even recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

The military officers themselves were unaware that, at some point, they began to feel the respectful gazes of scholars and common people as they walked the streets. Some even took the initiative to bow to them and offer them a bowl of warm water.

The kind of hero-like gaze they received was something they wouldn't have dared to imagine years ago.

Who gave them these benefits?
I dare not speak for other armies of the Song Dynasty, but among the 100,000 troops stationed in Yanyun, from generals Xu, Zhong Jianzhong, and Zong Ze to ordinary soldiers, everyone knew very well who gave them all of this.

The army has gradually begun to restrain its soldiers from looting money in a disorderly manner, but the soldiers still have no complaints.

Some things bring a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that money can't replace.

In the hearts of many simple soldiers, the respectful gazes cast upon them by scholars and common people were enough to make them willing to go through fire and water for the people of the Song Dynasty.

Believe it or not, in the simple folk customs of ancient times, there were plenty of people who were happy to do this, not wanting anything in return, just for a sense of satisfaction.

The poorer a person is, the less their interests can represent everything.

Everything was going well. 100,000 soldiers were stationed in a large camp outside Xijin Prefecture, ready to fight at any moment. They were just waiting for Zhao Xiaoqian's order to break camp and continue the northern expedition against the Liao Kingdom until the Liao Kingdom was completely destroyed and the Song Dynasty was unified.

What a wonderful blueprint it was! But at this very moment, the emperor and the court became suspicious of each other. This fact left generals like Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze feeling resentful, unable to vent their anger.

Although the people were not very interested in court politics, their lack of interest did not mean they were clueless. They knew better than anyone what the court had sent these thirty-odd generals to do.

One can imagine that infighting will soon begin in the Yan Yun garrison, with various power struggles, factions, and attempts to sow discord. In short, with the arrival of these dozens of generals, the army will inevitably be in chaos.

All the bright prospects and ideals, and the soldiers' desire to make great achievements, were dashed.

The more he thought about it, the more indignant he became. While waiting for the thirty generals to arrive, Zhe Keshi suddenly spoke. Although he lowered his voice, it still reached the ears of everyone present.

"How about we cause some trouble? These guys are walking along the road, and maybe a huge rock will fall from the sky and crush them all to death..."

He was speaking to Zhang Rong, who was standing next to him. Zhang Rong was a bit slick, but also a fearless person. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "I'm good at this kind of thing. With advance planning, it can be done flawlessly. I have a group of ruthless killers under my command, who are perfect for this kind of work..."

Clicking his tongue, Zhang Rong enthusiastically added to Zhe Keshi's plan: "General Zhong or General Zong should issue a dispatch order, sending these dozens of men out of camp and through a certain canyon. Huge rocks will be prepared above the canyon, and as soon as they pass through, all those rocks will come crashing down! Tsk! The men and horses will be smashed into mincemeat..."

"Then we'll shift the blame to the Liao dogs, saying they plotted the attack. No matter how many people the court sends to investigate, they can't find anything. We can use this as a reason to launch a northern expedition against the Liao. Blood debts must be repaid in blood. Taking five Liao cities isn't too much to ask, is it? Here comes another opportunity to make a name for ourselves..."

Zhe Keshi's eyes lit up: "Brother, you are so talented and wise! I think it's worth a try."

Listening to the secret discussion between the two brilliant strategists behind him, Xu Jiang, standing in front, twitched his face repeatedly. Did they think he didn't exist?

Such a lawless conspiracy, and you just openly and frankly said it in front of me?
Am I supposed to pretend to be deaf again?

Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze were also speechless with embarrassment, their toes digging into the ground as they looked at Xu Jiang with apologetic expressions.

Sorry for the poor presentation!
Turning his head abruptly, Zhong Jianzhong glared fiercely at the two men and shouted angrily, "Shut up! You two murderers! Even though His Highness is not here, I can still control you. If you dare to say another word, you will be given twenty lashes on the spot!"

The two men fell silent, but their eyes still gleamed with excitement; clearly, they hadn't given up on their perfect criminal plan...

After waiting for another half hour, a cavalry suddenly appeared at the end of the road ahead. Every rider was wearing armor and looked heroic and extraordinary. They were galloping towards the camp.

Xu frowned and said in a deep voice, "They're here."

The crowd looked ahead, their expressions varied, but generally filled with hostility. The cavalry arrived quickly, reaching the generals in moments.

They reined in their horses, landed, and completed the movements in one smooth motion. These generals had undergone long-term training, and each of them was quite skilled.

Zhong Cheng, who was in the lead, strode forward, followed closely by the other generals. When they reached General Xu, Zhong Cheng was the first to clasp his hands in salute.

"This humble general pays his respects to Vice Envoy Xu, General Zhong, and General Zong. By order of the Privy Council, we have been assigned to the garrison in Yanyun. This is our appointment document. Please take a look and hand it over."

Xu Jiang gave a fake smile, took the appointment document, glanced at it casually, and said with a smile, "The Privy Council has personally appointed you, so you must all have extraordinary talents. We are all eager to see what you will do and hope that you generals will make new contributions to the Song Dynasty."

Zhong Cheng and the others' expressions changed slightly.

Xu's words, seemingly gentle but actually firm, appeared to be praising them while actually placing them on a pedestal. He subtly told them that if they wanted to lead the Yan Yun garrison, they had better prove their abilities, or they shouldn't blame the soldiers below for not respecting them.

Behind them, Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze exchanged a slight smile and a glance.

The top scholar truly lives up to his title; listen to his subtle yet sharp wit in language—a skill that military generals could never learn in their entire lives.

Then Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze greeted Zhong Cheng and the others with smiles. Zhong Cheng and the others did not dare to be disrespectful and greeted them with the respect due to their subordinates.

In terms of official rank, under Zhao Xiaoqian's deliberate promotion, Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze had been promoted to commanders of the garrison after several major battles, and each also held the titles of military governor and observer, making them high-ranking officials in the court.

Among the troops stationed in Yanyun, apart from Zhao Xiaoqian and Xu Jiang, who were the two powerful military envoys and pacification commissioners, Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze held the highest official ranks, making them the third and fourth most powerful figures in the army, and they could control the generals in the army.

Therefore, Zhong Cheng and more than 30 other generals came to Yanyun to garrison, and theoretically they were subordinates of Zhong Jianzhong and Zong Ze.

Of course, theory aside, everyone was well aware of the background and purpose of these thirty-odd generals. They had the emperor and the Privy Council as their backers. Even if they were dissatisfied with the court's arrangements, no one would dare to offend them to the death. They still had to maintain a polite facade.

So Xu Jiang, Zhong Jianzhong, and Zong Ze exchanged pleasantries with Zhong Cheng and the others with smiles, asking them nothing more than whether they had had a hard journey, whether they were tired, whether they ate on time, and to take care of their health for the sake of the revolution.

After chatting for a while, Zhong Jianzhong turned to Zhe Keshi and the others and said coldly, "Our new comrades have come from afar. Why don't you step forward to greet them and make acquaintances?"

Zhe Keshi and the others snorted, stepped forward, and hastily clasped their hands in greeting, which was considered their farewell.

Judging from the expressions of the generals and the atmosphere at the scene, Zhong Cheng and the others could clearly sense their discomfort, but they still forced smiles and greeted each of them.

However, Zhong Cheng's heart sank.

Taking up a post in the Yan Yun garrison and sowing discord within the army proved to be more difficult than he had imagined.

Judging from the expressions of the generals of Yanyun, they were quite resistant to their arrival, and some even made no attempt to hide their strong sense of vigilance and hostility.

The troops under Zhao Xiaoqian's command have truly become an ironclad unit over the past few years. It will probably not be easy for them to complete the emperor's secret orders in the future. They should be grateful if they are not squeezed out.

Even Xu Jiang, the deputy envoy personally appointed by the emperor, showed from his indifferent expression that he did not actually welcome them.

How could Xu Jiang, who was clearly an informant left in the army by the government, be treated like this?
What kind of magic did Zhao Xiaoqian possess that allowed him to brainwash so many generals?

Just as they were pondering, Xu Jiang said in a deep voice, "Since you were sent by the Privy Council, then let's proceed according to the rules. Starting today, you will all enter the army and be appointed as commanders-in-chief. Each of you will be able to command a thousand soldiers. After that, you will be promoted or demoted based on your merits in battle. Do you all have any objections?"

Zhong Cheng and the others clasped their hands in salute and said in unison, "This humble general is willing to obey Vice Envoy Xu's orders."

According to the military system of the Song Dynasty, the commander of the Imperial Guards Cavalry and Infantry was in principle in charge of 500 soldiers. However, if the commander of the Imperial Guards in the capital was transferred to a local position, the number of soldiers under his command could be increased as appropriate.

Furthermore, the appointment document from the Privy Council that Xu Jiang received clearly stated that Zhong Cheng and others could each command a thousand soldiers. Xu Jiang dared not disobey the military orders of the Privy Council, so he had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

There were more than 30 generals, each commanding a thousand soldiers, so the total number of soldiers was 30,000.

For the 100,000-strong garrison in Yanyun, the fact that these 30,000 troops were assigned to Zhong Cheng and others meant that the Emperor and the Privy Council had achieved their primary objective of dividing the Yanyun garrison.

Xu Jiang, Zhong Jianzhong, and Zong Ze had no idea where the Yan Yun garrison would go in the future; they could only turn their attention to the south towards Zhen Ding City.

The Liao Kingdom has not yet been destroyed, but internal troubles have already arisen, and chaos is imminent. The road ahead is rugged and difficult to travel. It is hoped that His Highness the Prince can return to the military camp and take command of the army again.

(End of this chapter)