You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 115 A bold move
On a summer night, with the window open, some small flying insects came into the room.

As soon as Chen Shao lit the candle, the small flying insects swarmed around it, occasionally making a faint burning sound.

The two remained silent, their eyes meeting. Chen Shao then gave her a deep kiss on her full lips, and they lingered there for a long time before reluctantly parting.

Although it's not very clear, you can still tell from the blur that her figure is unbelievably good!
She had long legs and a tall figure. The wide-sleeved, light pink undergarment that reached her hips was fairly well-fitting, and when you reached out to touch it, you could feel the supple, slender waist beneath the fabric.

His bulging chest stretched even the soft brocade fabric taut.

The two maids outside heard some noises inside, but since they didn't hear the madam calling them, they didn't dare to make a sound for fear of waking her.

But gradually, they felt more and more that something was wrong.
Why are you lighting candles?

Just as Zhu'er was about to get up to check, another maid, Cui Die, pulled her back and whispered, "Go to sleep."

The two maids bent over, covered their heads, and pretended to be deaf and blind with great difficulty.

The room was filled with all sorts of unbearable noises.

At first, I was somewhat restrained, but later I simply stopped caring.

By candlelight, they saw two shadows, even one of them, walking around the room together.

The room was filled with a variety of smells, a mixture of fragrance, sweat, and indescribable odors, as if spices had been sprinkled into murky water.

Chen Shao felt that the fragrance was very damp, not refreshing, like the sticky, wet feeling left on his fingertips when he ran his fingers through her long hair.

He waved his hand and brushed aside the cabinet by the window, knocking something to the ground. He then picked her up, sat her on the cabinet, and kissed her.

The window was right behind them, so Zhe could only hug him. Their faces were very close, and they could hear each other even when they spoke softly.

"Thank you, I'm so happy." Zhe Shi's face flushed slightly, not at all reserved, as simple as a little girl.

Chen Shao felt a surge of pity and embraced her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. He felt that the person in his arms was very soft and smelled wonderful.
-
Under the bright sun, the courtyard of the front hall of the Youzhou Military Governor's Mansion was clearly divided into light and shadow, with the trees and wooden pillars of the corridor casting shadows on the ground.

The cicadas were chirping, their calls growing louder and louder, adding to the hustle and bustle of the hot summer day.

Ruizhu and Cuidie looked at the gold and silver jewelry in their hands and exchanged a glance.

This morning, the son-in-law sent someone to deliver some jewelry, and they immediately understood.

The person from last night was...
As her personal maid, she absolutely had to keep this a secret.

Because if something happens, they will be punished for failing to report it.

Both of them were somewhat worried, feeling uneasy about taking the money, and just hoped that they could be careful and not be too ostentatious.

But thinking about that sound last night, it was as if they were afraid others wouldn't know...
Compared to the two maids' fear and anxiety, Chen Shao was refreshed and in high spirits. The sunlight outside the door was bright, and the world seemed to brighten up all at once.

The cicadas' chirping seemed less noisy, and together with Huanhuan's voice, it added a lively and festive atmosphere to the courtyard.

Although Zhe Shi's clothes were not thick, they were very well covered up, as if the clothes had covered her heart, preventing her restless heart from escaping.

Chen Shao ate a bowl of porridge with the two of them, and then went to work outside the city.

In the Dingnan Army today, it seems that everything can operate without him, but Chen Shao always has to show up from time to time.

Only in this way can he feel at ease.

The early stages of starting a business are not the time to be lazy.
-
In Bianliang City, Cai Jing had completed all his arrangements.

It was time to close the net.

After receiving Chen Shao's message, he simply smiled. Chen Shao had some influence, but he had no impact whatsoever on the situation in Bianliang.

Limited by the perspectives of his time, Cai Jing believed from the bottom of his heart that power in Bianjing (Kaifeng) was the most secure.

Power in other places is like a castle in the air; the court will eventually deal with it when it has the time.

However, he remained very polite and said some kind words to Liu Guanglie to appease Chen Shao.

Cai Jing, like everyone else, felt that Chen Shao's ability to hold off the Western Xia was the greatest contribution of his Dingnan Army.

They could only hold off the Western Xia for a few years. Once Commander Tong Xuan returned from his campaign against the Liao, it would be time for these military leaders in the Northwest to retire.

July of the second year of Xuanhe.

Commander Gao Qiu petitioned to abolish redundant units and eliminate the nominal "section-level" units in the Imperial Guard, directly establishing a three-tiered structure of "army, command, and capital" to reduce losses at management levels.

He ordered the elimination of vacant battalion commanders and submitted a memorial suggesting a nationwide review of military registers, requiring the forced merger of commanders with more than 30% vacancies to eliminate the waste of resources and funds.

The lifetime tenure system was abolished, and the service period for the Imperial Guard was shortened to 25 years, reducing the cost of ineffective military support.

The emperor gladly granted the request, dismissing Wang Fu from his post as prime minister and reinstating Cai Jing as the head of the three ministries of the Ministry of Personnel, the Secretariat, and the Chancellery, to handle the matter.

Cai Jing kowtowed in gratitude, expressing his willingness to serve to the death.

The news sent shockwaves through Bianliang.

Tong Guan then transferred Yang Keshi, the commander of the victorious army, to the capital to stabilize public sentiment.

The last time the Shengjie Army entered Beijing, it caused a sensation. Now, the remaining Shengjie Army has been mobilized into the city again. It is self-evident who they are guarding against.

Emperor Huizong of Tang, Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and Gao Qiu, as ruler and ministers, worked together with one heart and one mind, unleashing tremendous political power.

This power was virtually invincible in the Song Dynasty.

Needless to say, the Privy Council did its utmost to cooperate.

Liang Shicheng was, after all, a close confidant of Zhao Ji, and he did his best to mediate behind the scenes. In the Song Dynasty, where factional strife had reached a fever pitch, this was a rare instance of them working together with one heart.

However, the Imperial Guard families were simply too large; over the years, they had built up a vast and thriving presence in Bianliang.

In fact, Cai Jing had considered moving the capital, but he was afraid that Emperor Huizong of Song would not agree.

If one truly has the courage to move the capital, then things would be much simpler.

Once outside Bianliang, the imperial guard families were like fat sheep that had lost their protection; the fighting strength of the imperial guards was negligible.
-
Not far southwest of the Imperial City, near the intersection of Xijiaolou Street and Yonglu Street, there is a long stretch of mansions.

This place is quite special. The families of meritorious officials since the founding of the Song Dynasty, as well as the bestowed residences of military officers of the Three Military Commands rank throughout the ages, are all located in this area.

This place is located very close to the imperial city, which is why it is believed that the families of meritorious officials and nobles of the Song Dynasty would protect the imperial family.

Moreover, to the north of this cluster of mansions lies the headquarters of the Palace Guard, the Imperial Guard Cavalry, and the Imperial Guard Infantry.

It's very convenient to travel back and forth when on duty or on orders.

The residence of He Guan, the Grand Commandant who was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, Infantry Commandery, and Commander-in-Chief after the pacification of Fang La, was also located here.

Although He Guan was from Xiangfu, Kaifeng, and his ancestors had served in the Imperial Guard for generations, making him a member of the Imperial Guard, his family was not particularly noble and could not be considered a family of Imperial Guards.

In other words, his ancestors did not drink the wine from the time when the founding emperor relinquished military power, and they were not from old Bianliang.

After suppressing Fang La, he accumulated too many military merits, so the emperor bestowed upon him a mansion here.

His house, amidst the surrounding cluster of opulent mansions, did not stand out much; in fact, it even appeared somewhat old.

In the past few decades, although He Guan had repeatedly made military achievements and his status had risen continuously, he could not necessarily be above those military families who had been based in Bianliang for generations.

However, as fires broke out everywhere in the Song Dynasty over the years, and troops were needed everywhere, the only army available was the Western Army.

There is growing dissatisfaction among the court and the public towards the Imperial Guards of the Capital, with calls for reforms to be made.

He Guan, through a series of coincidences, came from the Imperial Guards of the Capital, and with his seniority and military achievements, he was highly regarded by the Emperor.

This Grand Commandant He, who was at least considered one of their own, was being lauded by the Imperial Guard's powerful family as a shield against future troubles.

However, He Guan was a man of great ambition. Although he was already over fifty years old, his enthusiasm remained undiminished, and he still wanted to make a name for himself. He once said that since General Di Qing's past had not been long ago, he dared not rely on the position of Privy Councilor, but he was determined to take the position of Deputy Privy Councilor.

The imperial guards, being from prominent families, promoted him, and he accepted the offer without hesitation, hoping to use this opportunity to take the lead in training the imperial guards in the future.

However, He Guan was rather disheartened about this mission to quell the rebellion in Jiangnan, having witnessed firsthand the fighting prowess of the cavalry in the Northwest.

Could the Imperial Guards of the capital possibly withstand a single charge from the enemy?

During the years that Tong Guan was in charge of the border region, He Guan had been constantly on the Hedong Road. He was not a close confidant of Tong Guan and was also somewhat distant from the Western Army.

After Cai Jing stepped down, He Guan was transferred back to the capital under the supervision of Wu Min and given an important position in the Three Military Offices. In officialdom, connections are crucial, and He Guan naturally became closer to the old party of scholar-officials and the reformist faction.

This time, Cai Jing and Tong Guan took the lead. He Guan felt that neither of them had done him any favors, and even if they had, He Guan didn't care.

When Tong Guan quelled Fang La's rebellion, he specifically asked Tan Zhen to bring him along, hoping that Tan Zhen would stand by his side in the matter of reorganizing the Imperial Guards. However, He Guan did not seem to appreciate this.

He Guan was a military officer, and he did not think that the Imperial Guards should be abolished. They were left by the founding emperor to protect the country and ensure its stability. How could they be abolished?

If the Imperial Guards are dismissed, who will protect the Emperor?
After returning from Jiangnan, he kept a close eye on all the changes in the court regarding this matter. He Guan was one of the people most concerned about Cai Jing's reorganization of the Imperial Guards. He had been running around making contacts these days, and privately he had made some unfavorable remarks about Grand Tutor Cai, and even about Commander Tong Xuan, who had indeed been kind to him.

Those sons of wealthy and powerful families, who knew nothing but business and mostly held mediocre titles in the Imperial Guard, were happy to report all the news to He Guan. In the future, if trouble arose, He Guan would be the one to take the lead, and their involvement would be much less serious.

However, in He Guan's own heart, he was temporarily happy to be used as a tool by these imperial guards and powerful families.

It's still uncertain who's using whose gun!

He Guan and the families of the Imperial Guards have recently become very close. The old party and the scholar-official faction, which have also been closely monitoring Cai Jing's movements, share the same idea.

They were just waiting for their nemesis, Cai Jing, to sink completely into the quagmire of the Imperial Guard's financial affairs, never to recover.

However, to the disappointment of these well-intentioned individuals, the emperor was surprisingly determined to support Cai Jing this time.

Emperor Guan Yu was the emperor with the most powerful imperial authority since the Song Dynasty, without exception. Even Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong could not compare to him.

During Zhao Kuangyin's reign, he had many things beyond his control and had to compromise with various forces. For example, he once wanted to move the capital to Luoyang, but ultimately it did not happen.

Even so, He Guan was not afraid. He was known for his upright and honest nature, even bordering on stubbornness.

This man didn't value money much; he valued power and position more. He felt that it was acceptable for the emperor to reform the imperial guards, but the extent of the reforms was excessive, indicating that he had been misled and needed to be rescued.

The guests who came today were of high status. After receiving the invitation at the gate of He Guan's residence, we dared not delay and immediately reported back.

Then, the respected steward led the incoming guests into He Guan's inner study to meet them.

Upon hearing the news, He Guan quickly prepared himself and received his guest in the inner study.

Although He Guan was a military officer by origin, he had also served as a civil official, such as a transport commissioner, and held a high rank, which he always took pride in.

The Song Dynasty's emphasis on civil officials over military ones was deeply ingrained and inseparable from the nation. Even military men accepted this notion, considering civil officials to be of higher rank.

In reality, the boundaries between civil and military officials in the Song Dynasty were not as strict as one might imagine, especially in border regions.

With such an experience, He Guan's inner study was just like the residence of a scholar-official. Although it was a bit old, it was decorated quite neatly and cleanly. The room was filled with books and exuded a faint fragrance of ink.

It hardly resembles the residence of a high-ranking general who nominally commands hundreds of thousands of imperial guards and infantry.

In the inner study, He Guan, dressed in a light robe and with a loose belt, sat on a Hu seat.

The two guests opposite were also seated on folding chairs – in the Northern Song Dynasty, folding chairs were already quite common in homes, except for formal banquets.

The two guests, one around fifty years old, had an air of pampered ease. Only his large hands revealed that he had once been a skilled warrior, wielding weapons in his youth. However, years of leisurely and wealthy life in the capital had worn away all the signs of hardship from his face, leaving him with a round, chubby face like a wealthy old man. He always wore a slight smile, appearing utterly amiable.

This man was none other than Wang Zongchu, the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard. He was considered a close confidant of Emperor Huizong, though not as favored as Gao Qiu. For years, he had served in the Three Military Commands merely as a figurehead, his greater interest lying in managing his own businesses.

To run a business, one must maintain good relations with the powerful families of the Imperial Guards. Therefore, although he was part of Gao Qiu's faction, his relationship with them was not bad.

Often, it appears as a mediator, and its presence here today is no exception.

In fact, he had visited Cai Jing's residence more than once in the past few days. However, Cai Jing was very determined, and no matter what conditions he proposed on behalf of the imperial guard families, he always returned empty-handed.

The other guest was young, around twenty years old, dressed in rich and luxurious clothes, with an air of untamed youthful arrogance on his face. You could tell without even looking that he was from a family of imperial guards.

He was Shi Chongyi's eldest son, Shi Xingfang. Their ancestor, Shi Shouxin, held a higher official position than Zhao Kuangyin in his time.

During the "releasing military power over a cup of wine" incident, he was the guest of honor.
Wang Zongchu and He Guan had a fairly good relationship—this Commander Wang was known for being very shrewd and diplomatic, and to be precise, he had a good relationship with everyone.

Upon meeting He Guan, he didn't hold back at all and poured out everything he could say about the agreements he had made with the Imperial Guard families.

When the two men arrived, He Guan knew it was something important. Once Wang Zongchu spoke, He Guan understood even more. This was something that had kept him tossing and turning at night, something he had been concerned about with all his might.

The principle of maintaining the Imperial Guard for military protection was an ancestral system of the Song Dynasty. The Imperial Guard was the royal bodyguard and had to exist. Anyone who tried to move the Imperial Guard was considered to be plotting rebellion, and one had to nip any potential threat to the dynasty's rule in the bud!
The Imperial Guards of the Capital were an incredibly powerful and deeply entrenched interest group. No matter how capable Cai Jing was, he was still no match for them.

Even if he had the support of the government, he could not truly shake the Imperial Guards and seize control of the situation.

Once he makes a move, it will be an opportunity for people like He Guan, who have a strong foundation in the Imperial Guards, to seize control of the power to train and reorganize the Imperial Guards!
Zong Chu spoke in detail, while He Guan listened quietly without saying a word, his mind racing with calculations, quickly sorting out each and every matter. He considered the Emperor, Commander Tong, Grand Tutor Cai, Grand Commandant Gao, and the powerful families of the Imperial Guards, carefully considering their combinations to select the strategy that would best benefit him.

These thoughts had been swirling in his mind for more than a day, and now they were racing even faster. At this moment, He Guan had put all his energy into it, probably more than he had ever put in when he led his troops against the formidable enemy, the ancient Gulong Fortress of the Western Xia.

It took Wang Zongchu a long time to finish speaking the words entrusted to him by the imperial guard families. The basic meaning was not complicated: do not cooperate, do not resist.

Since the emperor was very supportive, and even persuaded Gao Qiu, the nominal commander of the Imperial Guards, to take the lead and submit a memorial first.

Then we can't resist head-on. After all, the emperor's word is law, and Cai Jing and his men have already placed themselves on the moral high ground.

The influence of the Imperial Guard families extends to every aspect of Bianliang. If all the Imperial Guard families' businesses are paralyzed, then Bianliang will be in danger.

In an instant, the market could come to a standstill. In a city of millions, people would starve to death if this happened!

The resulting chaos in other areas is no small matter, and could be enough to make the court change its mind.

They didn't want things to escalate too much, so they approached He Guan, hoping that at a crucial moment, He Guan could represent the Imperial Guard families to negotiate with Cai Jing and others, forcing them to change their minds.

Ultimately, the imperial guard families only want to maintain the current situation and preserve their generations of wealth and status, which they believe is rightfully theirs, as promised by the founding emperor!
We must ensure that everyone shares in the prosperity and well-being of the nation.

During the time the two were talking, He Guan had already made up his mind.

The Emperor's decision to reform the Imperial Guards is a done deal, and there's no way to stop him from doing so.

However, the investigation must continue, and the extent and amount of information to be revealed cannot be overseen by Cai Jing, but by He Guan!
As long as he can take charge of this matter, he will have the foundation for reorganizing the Imperial Guard in his hands. Anything that happens in the future will be a matter of course, instead of being used as a shield by a group of cunning and treacherous Imperial Guard families!
Cai Jing wanted to use the reorganization of the Imperial Guards to rise to power, so why couldn't I, He Guan, do the same? He Guan greatly admired Yuwen Xueshi, the strategist among the old party, who had helped him quell Fang La's rebellion.

The two visited each other many times during this period, and analyzed the possible variables that might occur.

He Guan already knew how to deal with it.

He had seen enough of the true colors of the Imperial Guard families, and he had long wanted to rectify many of their practices, but he lacked the power to do so.

Cai Jing wanted to completely disband the Imperial Guards and then recruit soldiers to form a new army to protect the capital, which he considered absolutely unacceptable.

If I were to take charge of this matter myself, I would retain the Imperial Guards while expelling the sons of aristocratic families!
He Guan immediately sneered, his face turning indignant: "Absurd, utterly absurd! Several battles have just ended, and the court has changed its rulers. It is a time when the government is still recovering."

The Emperor, however, has been misled by sycophantic officials and is attempting to undermine the very foundation of the nation! The hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards are the very foundation upon which the Song Dynasty commands its rule over all directions in this heartland; how can they be allowed to be shaken at this crucial juncture? If the generals and soldiers were to rebel and disintegrate, who would bear the responsibility?

He addressed Wang Zongchu with righteous indignation: "Lord Wang, rest assured, anyone who tries to harm the Imperial Guards will first have to remove me from this position! I, He, am not powerless before the Emperor. But let's see which side the court and the public are leaning towards."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zongchu frowned immediately; He Guan was out of control.

He was very displeased. He could understand that He Guan was addicted to official duties, but he should also consider the situation.

In this situation, the Imperial Guard is on the verge of disintegration. Instead of preserving the existing order, you're going to directly challenge others. Without the support of the Imperial Guard families, what strength do you have to fight against Cai Jing?

The situation was already dangerous with the emperor and several powerful ministers joining forces. If He Guan were to act rashly again and be manipulated by Cai Jing, it would only make matters worse.

Wang Zongchu looked at He Guan, completely baffled as to why this man thought he could defeat Cai Jing.
That's Cai Jing! You're not using the power of the Imperial Guard families to put pressure on him, but instead thinking of fighting him?

(End of this chapter)