You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 116 The Army of Dingnan Enters the Game (A Long Chapter of 10,000 Words)
The struggle in the capital of the Song Dynasty caused widespread panic from the very beginning.

Even the usually unremarkable official gazette has begun to reveal some clues.

Inside the Daxiangguo Temple, Liu Guanglie dispatched a messenger on horseback to deliver the intelligence he had gathered to Youzhou.

Along the route from Youzhou to Bianliang, Chen Shao spent money to maintain a group of people similar to post stations and postmen to ensure that he could obtain intelligence from Bianliang as soon as possible.

Therefore, he could see the latest official gazette issued by the court every three days.

Chen Shao is keeping a low profile these days, focusing on developing his own strength, and has little presence in the court.

He was also somewhat afraid that the imperial court would shift its attention from Youyan to the northwest. Even now, Chen Shao felt that if the strength of the Dingnan Army were to be unleashed, it could shake up half of the country.

I should focus my attention and energy on the Western Xia, eliminate this mortal enemy as soon as possible, and secure my position in the Northwest.

After receiving the intelligence from his cousin, Chen Shao ordered a generous reward for the knights along the way and left the last messenger to arrive in Youzhou behind, instructing him not to leave for the time being.

Stepping out of the study, I walked towards the highest point of the mansion. Looking down, the surrounding buildings with double eaves and glazed tiles symbolized many things, and people have attached to them meanings such as power, majesty, and justice.

After pacing around for a while, Chen Shao looked eastward, thinking about many things... but his thoughts did not become clear.

He wasn't a particularly wise person; before he transmigrated, he was just an ordinary person.

Compared to the outstanding figures of this era, they only possess an understanding of future trends and a premonition of the fate and abilities of certain important people.

How should one best approach this reform in Bianliang?
The idea was to participate in it, help it succeed, and see if Cai Jing could extend the life of the Song Dynasty.

Or should we sit idly by and wait for the humiliation of Jingkang to arrive?

Getting involved is risky because it might attract attention and conflict with one's own pre-set plan to keep a low profile.

If they stand idly by, they fear that Cai Jing's efforts will be in vain, and he might end up needing their support.

Chen Shao supported all three of Gao Qiu's proposals, especially the disbandment of the Imperial Guards and the retraining of a new army.

When the Jurchens invaded later, the Imperial Guards' combat effectiveness was so poor that it would be considered shocking even by the standards of historical periods when a country was on the verge of collapse.

There has never been such a terrible army. Perhaps only the Khitan soldiers in the capital of the Liao Dynasty could be compared to them.

They had absolutely no guts. Some weaker teams would flee at the mere sight of the enemy, but they couldn't even see them before running away at the first sign of trouble.

If the Song Dynasty could solve the problem of redundant Imperial Guards, it could easily recruit a decent Han Chinese army with only one-tenth of the funds originally spent on them.

When facing the Jurchens in the future, he will have an extra powerful ally.

Chen Shao was having a headache and hadn't made a decision yet.

He couldn't help but recall the knowledge he had learned from history books; no wonder every great and ambitious monarch had so many advisors by his side.

Even someone as capable as Li Shimin needed Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui to devise strategies and make decisive decisions.

He thought it over and over, but there were very few people around him who could make decisions with him.

Because people are unaware of the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, how many people in the world today could have predicted that the one who would bring chaos to the Central Plains in the future would be the Jurchen Tartars, numbering less than 200,000?

After thinking it over, Chen Shao ordered Wei Li and Yang Cheng to come see him.

Wei Li had been in the officialdom of Bianliang for decades and had witnessed the struggles between the old and new factions.

He was also very familiar with Bianliang, and Chen Shao wanted to hear his analysis of Cai Jing's chances of winning this time.

As for Yang Cheng, he was promoted by Chen Shao himself and was very familiar with the Dingnan Army. Chen Shao wanted to hear his opinion on how much assistance he could provide to Cai Jing.

With these two people's opinions as a reference, figuring out this matter should be a bit simpler.

Chen Shao placed his elbows on the armrests to support the weight of his upper body. Although the matter was mentally taxing, he never considered running away from it.

Because of my appearance, like a butterfly flapping its wings, such a major event has inexplicably occurred in Bianliang, and I must respond proactively.

Wei Li and Yang Cheng arrived very quickly.

Nowadays, the pace of the Dingnan Army is quite fast, and nothing can be delayed.

The two, one in front of the other, were led to the top floor of Chen Shao's residence.

This was the first time either of them had ever heard of the Marshal's Mansion, and its expansive view was truly eye-opening.

Chen Shao had two blankets brought over, and the three of them sat together on the open platform.

He gave a very detailed account of the situation in Bianjing.

Yang Cheng was somewhat dismissive, feeling that these were matters concerning the Song people of Bianliang and had nothing to do with his Dingnan Army; he would just let them fight it out.

Wei Li listened intently, occasionally letting out a gasp of surprise.

Although he could no longer return to that inescapable arena of power, hearing such bombshell news still stirred his emotions.

It felt like I had returned to Tokyo, a city adorned with flowers and brocade, the most prosperous place on earth.

After he finished speaking, Chen Shao asked, "Mr. Wei, what do you think of Prime Minister Cai's chances of winning this time?"

"Ninety percent."

"So tall?" Chen Shao was startled. Being a young man, he couldn't help but shout in surprise.

Wei Li smiled and said, "Actually, the Imperial Guards' influence is deeply entrenched. If we only consider the strength of the two sides, I think the Imperial Guards have a 70-80% chance of winning; however, their opponent is Cai Jing."

“We have been fighting him for more than ten years. Every time we thought we had the upper hand, we lost to him every time.”

"Since Cai Jing is willing to step forward and take on this matter, he must be confident."

After listening, Chen Shao felt that although his perspective on the problem was unique, it was also quite convincing.

Many things in this world aren't determined by mere paper strength. Wei Li, a man who wouldn't easily admit defeat, was ultimately subdued by Cai Jing.
Chen Shao then asked Yang Cheng what help the Dingnan Army could offer Cai Jing.

Yang Cheng didn't hear the details, but he knew the Imperial Guard's methods, so he smiled and said, "If the Imperial Guard's methods are limited to this, our caravan might be of great help."

Chen Shao suddenly had a thought: if this trip went ahead, it could open up a transport route from Yinzhou to the Central Plains.
In the event of war, this will be the logistical supply line.

Combined with Wei Li's statement that Cai Jing had a 90% chance of winning, this caused the scales in his mind to tip.

He stood up, looked at the somewhat gloomy sky, and felt a sudden clarity in his mind.

After seeing the two off, Chen Shao returned to his study, wrote a letter, and sent it back to Bianliang by a messenger. Having learned that Cai Tiao was a blockhead, Chen Shao decided to ignore him and let him remain a mascot in Youzhou.

He wanted his cousin Liu Guanglie to tell Cai Jing that he could transport whatever Bianliang lacked.

He can handle everything from carriages and horses to canal transport and buying and selling.

Although they may not have the accumulated resources of the Imperial Guard families over a century, they can still easily get through this period and allow Cai Jing to free up his hands to deal with them completely.
-
Bianliang City, Cai Mansion.

The heavy rain outside the window had not stopped, and beyond the fluttering curtains, the sky had lost its color, leaving only dark clouds.

The trees in the rain looked gray and gloomy, completely lacking the greenery of midsummer.

After observing for a while, Zhao Fujin suddenly felt that everything in the world seemed to have lost its luster.

After her husband left, she was very bored and had no way to relieve her loneliness.

She had invited a friend to her home today, but judging from the weather, it seemed unlikely that the friend would be able to come, which made her even more upset.

A moment later, Li Qingzhao, her skirt still damp, walked in, leaving a trail of rain-soaked footprints on the wooden floor.

Li Qingzhao's husband, Zhao Mingcheng, was a member of the New Party and was suppressed by Cai Jing. Later, when Cai Jing became prime minister again, and seeing that he was indeed unable to fight against him, Zhao Mingcheng had the idea of ​​backing down.

Later, in order to save her younger brother Li Hang, who had been sentenced to exile, Li Qingzhao gave Cai Jing a famous painting collected by Zhao Mingcheng. In fact, it was also a pledge of loyalty between the couple.

From then on, the couple developed a relationship with the Cai family.

Li Qingzhao said with a smile, "It wasn't raining when I came out, but it suddenly started raining halfway through the journey."

Zhao Fujin stepped forward, took her hand, and said to the maid beside him, "Go find a dark robe for Madam Zhao, just take mine."

The maid bowed and responded, then went to find her clothes.

Li Qingzhao took off her clothes, put on Zhao Fujin's deep robe, and let the maids wipe her hair. She smiled and said, "I originally planned to go for a spring outing and boat ride, but the rain is so fierce. It seems I will have to stay here with you tonight."

"That would be great."

Seeing her looking downcast, Li Qingzhao said, "When I first arrived, I heard from your steward that a messenger had arrived from Youzhou in the northwest?"

Zhao Fujin's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "If there's a letter from Youzhou, it must be for me, it just hasn't arrived yet."

"Wait here for a moment, I'll go ask him myself."

Li Qingzhao herself and Zhao Mingcheng were also often separated, so she empathized with her loneliness and did not ridicule her. She simply waved and told her to hurry up and go.

Before long, Zhao Fujin returned dejectedly. Li Qingzhao smiled and said, "Well, did you bring back any local specialties from the Northwest for me to see?"

"It wasn't Wulang, but a letter from Chen Shao, the Chengxuan Envoy of Youzhou."

Li Qingzhao asked in surprise, "Chen Shao?"

How did that lowly officer rise to the high position of Chengxuan Envoy?

The thought that her hairpin was still being held as collateral by him made Li Qingzhao somewhat angry.

After returning home, he finally managed to scrape together the money, but he was unable to buy the "Peony Painting" or get the hairpin back.

I thought he had run away, but it turns out he went to become a high-ranking official.

Both were widows living secluded in their chambers, and they had a lot in common. After drinking some wine, they undressed and went to bed.

Li Qingzhao couldn't help but exclaim, "No wonder everyone says you are the most beautiful woman in our Song Dynasty. Tsk, you are so lovely!"

Zhao Fujin rolled his eyes at her, pulled the quilt over her body to cover her graceful figure, and shyly shrank into the quilt, only revealing a pair of big, dark eyes.

"You think we're all alone in this house while our husbands are out there having affairs? Do you think they'll go looking for other women?"

Li Qingzhao frowned slightly and muttered softly, "Probably not."
-
Not far away, in Cai Jing's study, he looked at the letter from the Northwest and fell into deep thought.

Almost everyone knew that Grand Tutor Cai's actions would cause earth-shattering changes in the Song Dynasty.

His inspection and reorganization of the Imperial Guard's finances and accounts will surely bring about a major change in Bianliang.

In fact, after so many years of turmoil by the emperor, the Song Dynasty was already in a precarious position.

Emperor Shenzong and Emperor Yingzong squandered all the wealth they had accumulated through the New Party Reforms, which came at a huge political cost.

Factional strife in the court intensified, and the Western Army gradually became too powerful to control. In addition, the Liao people were even more corrupt than the Song people, and a more ruthless and well-equipped Jurchen rose to power.

In real history, at this moment, everyone in the Song Dynasty, from Emperor Huizong to those on all sides of the political struggle, knew that it was necessary to thoroughly reorganize the Song Dynasty.

The Imperial Guards of the Capital were one of the most important aspects that needed to be properly reorganized. However, in actual history, Cai Jing did not step forward because no one could resist the Western Xia at that time. He believed that a campaign against the Liao would inevitably fail, so he was unwilling to cooperate with Tong Guan.

In addition, the factional strife in the court at that time was too intense, with each side hindering the others, and the Jurchens were at the height of their national glory, leaving little time for the Song Dynasty.

By the time of the Jingkang Incident a few years later, it was all too late.

Even at this time, in the eyes of most people, the Imperial Guard was such a large and well-established interest group that it could not be easily touched.

Even with such a situation, he still gained the support of the government and the protection of Tong Guan's troops.

When it was necessary to reorganize the Imperial Guard, those people still stubbornly believed that as long as they could take a piece of the pie from this interest group, it would already be a good result.

If it were really that easy to overthrow the Imperial Guards, wouldn't all those famous ministers of the Song Dynasty who tried to take action against the Imperial Guards in the capital over the past century but failed in the end become a joke?

Unexpectedly, the one who resolutely stepped forward to support him was Chen Shao of the Dingnan Army, who was thousands of miles away.

Cai Jing couldn't help but re-examine this person.

陈绍
He had initially thought that this was just a military man who could temporarily hold off the Western Xia, and that the court would eliminate him after he was done with him.

Considering that he is somewhat sensible, I might spare his life and perhaps even take the opportunity to promote him.

Later, he discovered that Chen Shao was no ordinary martial artist; he was quite knowledgeable and courageous, so he decided to recruit him.

They were hoping that he would serve as a pawn for the Cai family in the court, thus perpetuating their power.

But now it seems he's not that simple. Cai Jing instructed his youngest son to find out the details of the Dingnan Army in Youzhou and report back to him immediately if anything seemed amiss.

However, Cai Tiao had been gone for so long without saying anything amiss, which made Cai Jing lower his guard.

Now it seems that it was mostly his son who didn't take his words seriously.

Cai Jing sighed. Although he had made excellent arrangements, now that he thought about it, it was mostly a waste of effort.

Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Whether it's the eldest son or the youngest son, if they don't act according to your wishes, even someone as shrewd as Cai Jing can only sigh helplessly and be at a loss.
-
Cai Jing's methods were somewhat drastic, but those in the court who were interested were able to remain calm and observe from the sidelines, waiting to see how things would develop.

However, those directly involved—the members of the Imperial Guard's aristocratic families—could not sit idly by.

These past few days, they've sprung up like ants in a nest that's been flooded, running around incessantly, trying to resist.

This force has great advantages, but its disadvantages are also great.

It's too big, there are too many people, and it's difficult to unify their thoughts. In fact, the ideas of the Imperial Guard's military families are quite diverse.

The Imperial Guard of the Capital is simply too large, with hundreds of families involved in its operations. Not to mention those who, without family backing, are transferred to the Imperial Guard based on their merits and also share in the benefits within this system. The number of people involved is simply too vast.

Some people are unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss. They are happy to see He Guan make a scene and file a lawsuit before the emperor, thinking that making a fuss will always be beneficial.

Giving away what they themselves have gained for nothing is more painful than tearing flesh from their bodies. If they then instruct their soldiers to stir up trouble, won't the court ultimately only be able to appease them?

At worst, we can kill a few soldiers after the incident to appease the court's anger.

Some people, however, believe that Cai Jing and Tong Guan, who were called the Six Traitors, could hardly be considered loyal and honest officials.

Their desire to reorganize the Imperial Guard's finances is simply for their own enrichment; otherwise, why would they be so enthusiastic? Since they're after their own wealth, and everyone has witnessed Cai Jing's methods of making money, why not welcome him to take charge and let everyone profit together!

With Cai Xiang's skills and insight, he could easily come up with some new schemes and everyone might earn even more.

After several days of reforms, the vast majority of core members of the interest groups that formed the Capital Gate Guard gradually discovered something that terrified them: Cai Jing was serious, and the Emperor was serious too!
Ultimately, everyone reached a general consensus: this matter could not be avoided.

Since He Guan wants to step forward and represent everyone, let's go along with his wishes and let him make a scene first.

We should go talk to Cai Jing again and try to negotiate a price. We should try our best to gloss over this matter, making a big problem a small one, and a small problem disappear altogether.

This action was not due to the weakness of these imperial guard families; rather, they possessed profound strength and formidable resources.

Established families and interest groups with long-standing traditions have long since moved beyond the stage of casually gambling or competing with others. For them, stability and avoiding trouble are paramount, and even if trouble arises, they try their best to resolve it.

They'll avoid making things awkward if possible; the longer a group wants to last, the more it values ​​stability.

Every era has its outstanding individuals who can wield immense power, but most of them are short-lived, and those who ultimately stand out are the powerful families and interest groups.

In fact, this was true not only in the Northern Song Dynasty, but also in every dynasty throughout history. Even in the current situation, they subconsciously believed that escalating the conflict was not the best option.

Moreover, after repeated discussions among these figures, they felt that the Emperor, Cai Jing, and Tong Guan joining forces was truly frightening.

We can't confront them head-on; it's best to bribe them. None of them are honest; they're all greedy and corrupt.

For over a century, these interest groups have developed a strong inertia in their actions. They try to minimize trouble if they can resolve issues with money. After all, Cai Jing will be dead in a few years, and things will likely return to normal.

Even if it means suffering a temporary loss, it's better than a complete falling out, in case there's a real risk of being laid off.

Now that the matter was settled, these members of military families no longer wandered around aimlessly like headless flies, but instead had a clear goal.

On the one hand, they still urged He Guan to step forward, lowering their airs and humbly asking Grand Commandant He to take charge of the Imperial Guards, saying that everyone was willing to serve Grand Commandant He as their leader and to discuss the matter with Cai Jing.

The Emperor is busy with countless affairs of state, so there's no need for him to personally handle this matter at the end. Everyone can deal with it themselves; this is a way of relieving the Emperor's burden.

On the other hand, they began to make arrangements in advance by targeting those around Cai Jing and Tong Guan.

Of course, Gao Qiu, the nominal commander of the palace, was also a key target of their attention. They wanted to bribe these old men with money!
As for Wang Dianshuai, who is even more adept at interpersonal relationships, he has received countless gifts in the past few days, so many that his hands are sore from counting them.

Various powerful figures hidden behind the scenes, such as those in the Forbidden City, those in the Council of State Affairs, the reclusive prime minister Liang Shicheng, and even the Qingliu scholar-officials who were pretending to be patient, all had people running around to inquire about their thoughts on this matter.

They rallied all those who could speak on their behalf and did everything in their power to quell the conflict against the Imperial Guard.

The people in the court were all shrewd and experienced, and at this point, they didn't make any concrete moves. Even though many were dissatisfied with Cai Jing and hoped for his downfall, now that the Emperor himself had intervened and was determined, no one dared to oppose him.

To put it bluntly, everyone's just sitting on the fence watching the show; they'll side with whoever wins. Both sides are acceptable to them, as long as they don't side with the other.

No one expected that Liang Shicheng and his old party officials would actually support them.

At this moment, news suddenly arrived that due to the changes in the market in Bianliang today, the imperial court specially introduced a caravan from the northwest to strengthen the supply of carts, grains, and fresh beef and mutton in Kaifeng Prefecture.

This has stirred up trouble within the Imperial Guard families. Even if they want peace and unity, they have no choice but to take action.

The balance of power has been completely broken. The two arms of the Imperial Guard are the military strength of a million soldiers and the control of the Imperial Guard families over the economy of Bianliang.

With military force, Tong Guan's victorious army is stationed in the capital, suppressing the Imperial Guards; economically, Chen Shao's intervention can barely free Bianliang from its dependence on the Imperial Guard families.

If we don't fight back, we're really doomed!
-
Chen Shao had long known that this move would prematurely expose his true strength.

But he didn't care.

Tong Guan is about to launch a campaign against the Liao.

As long as the Western Xia dynasty is not destroyed, your position will be secure. Otherwise, you will have to defend against the Western Xia yourselves.
Nobody wanted to get involved in this mess, not even the Western Army. Do you think they fought the Xia bandits for a hundred years because they wanted to?

There's no other way; we're right next to each other.

Chen Shao's appearance brought them all a sigh of relief.

In Youzhou, Chen Shao was also very excited, feeling a bit nervous like someone preparing for a major exam.

If the soldiers of the Dingnan Army were to face the soldiers of the Imperial Guards, Chen Shao would laugh out loud; defeating them would be far too easy.

However, for the Dingnan Army's caravan, facing off against the caravans of the Imperial Guard families of the Upper Capital was a completely different level of challenge.

Fortunately, his purpose was simply to help Cai Jing hold out for a while, which was essentially a test for the caravan.

It tests their purchasing, processing, and transportation capabilities, as well as their financial resources.

Behind these caravans were military commanders from the Western Regions, chieftains from the Northwest, Han Chinese landlords, various Qiang and Hu tribes, tribal chiefs, and powerful figures from the Western Regions.
For them, if they could take this opportunity to extend their reach to the Central Plains, especially the capital region, then they would be rolling in wealth and become rich overnight!
In normal times, how much money would it take to bribe those layers of connections!

Now, without having to do anything, one can gain the support of the emperor, Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and Gao Qiu—it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Among the caravan, the representatives of various factions and the wealthy merchants from the Northwest were even more excited than Chen Shao.

Everyone is eager to get started and make a big splash!
Early in the morning, Chen Shao gave a few instructions to the officials in charge of the matter, asking them to cooperate as much as possible.

Then he went straight back to the back courtyard, no longer wanting to concern himself with what happened next.

He had already made his move; now it depended on the abilities of his subordinates and Cai Jing's cooperation.

It rained yesterday morning, and then there was a downpour in the afternoon. The weather hasn't completely cleared up yet. The sun is peeking through the clouds, and most of the time the sky is overcast.

The courtyard is nestled within two high walls, finally free from the croaking of frogs. But life seems particularly vibrant in summer, with all sorts of insects chirping and buzzing among the trees and flowers. And then there are the mosquitoes, the most annoying of all.

The buzzing of mosquitoes' wings made Chen Shao feel that these annoying creatures might bite him at any moment, and he subconsciously reached out and quickly grabbed at the air twice.

"I don't even know how to burn incense to ward off mosquitoes, what are you scratching around for?" Zhong Lingxi covered her mouth and chuckled, instructing her maid to burn incense. Soon, white smoke slowly drifted out of the carved bronze incense burner.

This incense is made from finely sifted charcoal powder, combined with pear and jujube juice and mugwort. It can burn all day long, emit a fruity fragrance, and repel insects.

The aroma of incense filled the air as Chen Shao sat cross-legged at the banquet, gradually relaxing.

He stopped thinking about the struggle in the capital, a conflict he couldn't control. When men get into their careers, especially someone Chen Shao's age, they become completely absorbed in it.

He then remembered that he had neglected Madam Zhe for the past two days, so he asked, "Where is my stepmother?"

Zhong Lingxi lowered her head, her eyes darting around, and she stammered, unable to speak clearly.

"what happened?"

"Why are you being so fierce!" Zhong Lingxi snorted coldly and said, "She was taken horseback riding and accidentally fell."

Chen Shao and Zhe Shi were in the throes of their illicit affair and couldn't bear to hear this. They quickly got up and said, "Are you alright? I'll go check on you."

Seeing her husband's anxious look, Zhong Lingxi felt a little guilty and quickly followed him.

As Lady Zhe lay in bed, a sweet blush rose on her face when Chen Shao entered.

Before she could speak, Huanhuan followed her in, and Madam Zhe quickly lay down.

"I heard you fell off your horse?" Chen Shao was anxious and didn't even address her properly. Fortunately, Huanhuan was easygoing and didn't notice.

"Mmm, it hurts so much."

Because Huanhuan was there, Chen Shao didn't ask too many questions. After asking a few words of concern, he made a move to leave.

Huanhuan stayed a while longer and chatted for a while before leaving.

No sooner had she left than Chen Shao circled back, holding a box in his hands.

Upon entering the room, Zhe Shi stood up, and Chen Shao asked, "What's wrong with your leg?"

“I was faking it,” Madam Zhe said with a smile. “Our Zhe family is a military family. People can ride horses at the age of five. It’s not that easy for them to fall off.”

Chen Shao immediately understood that she was using the excuse of falling to stay here for a few more days.

Ms. Zhe happily took the box from his hand, opened the lid, and a fragrant aroma immediately wafted out. The fragrance was rich and natural, like orchids and sweet scents, which calmed the mind and soothed the spirit.

"It's sandalwood."

Chen Shao nodded and said, "I was afraid you were really in pain, so I brought it to relieve your pain."

Zhe Shi knelt at the head of the bed and placed the box down. Chen Shao took the opportunity to admire her waist and hips.

Her posture was pleasing to the eye, and her figure was beautiful.

Especially her long, shapely legs; Chen Shao often had her wear only a top, showing off her long legs to him.

The woman was completely obedient to Chen Shao, which made Chen Shao feel relaxed and comfortable.

Chen Shao stood in front of her and made her kneel down to serve him, which she did without resistance and obediently did as she was told.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Shao seemed to hear some footsteps, followed by a loud "bang".

Ruizhu stood frozen at the door, and inadvertently smashed the celadon basin, scattering shards all over the floor.

Ruizhu, who was not very old, was obviously quite in awe of the lady, which is why she was so shocked to see Lady Zhe kneeling on the mat.

She hurriedly knelt down and reached out to pick up the broken pieces. She was both shocked and terrified, and said incoherently, "This servant was wrong, I'll clean it up right away."

Zhe Shi's expression was also filled with embarrassment and awkwardness. Her face turned red instantly, and she bit her lip. She tried to stand up, but Chen Shao pressed her shoulder down.

He laughed and said, "What's the point of tidying up? Close the doors and windows and go outside for some fresh air!"
-
time flies.

In the transition from summer to autumn, the capital region is windless, with clear skies and bright sunshine.

All things in the world seemed to be growing happily under calm and peaceful weather.

A tranquil atmosphere enveloped the world, and the peaceful and prosperous era seemed to last indefinitely.

Grand Commandant He Guan arranged a time for everyone to come over for a detailed discussion.

There were too many people involved in this matter, so naturally not everyone could go to Grand Commandant He's residence. The Imperial Guards elected more than a dozen representatives, some from prominent families, others shrewd and capable, and Shi Chongyi was among them.

Wang Zongchu, who had been raking in the profits these days, also came along, wanting to advocate for the Imperial Guards. Although he meant well for the Imperial Guard families, those families actually looked down on him.

The fact that he was bribed with a small favor to dare to oppose the officials and Cai Jing shows that this person has a limited perspective and has never experienced wealth and power.

Of course, these words would not be said to his face; in fact, they would flatter and fawn over him even more. But in private, they would no longer treat him like an object and would say very harsh things to him.

Since there were many guests visiting He Guan's residence this time, it was impossible to entertain them in the inner study.

He Guan set up his reception room in the inner courtyard's flower hall, where the weather was gradually turning cooler. Those who came were all accustomed to a life of luxury in Bianliang. Although they were all supposedly military officers, they had never actually experienced the hardships of battle, and even the chill of late autumn in Bianliang was somewhat unbearable.

Inside the flower hall, the servants of He Guan's mansion had already started an underground dragon.

Although He Guan was not a person who cared much about enjoyment, he had to adapt to local customs when he arrived in Bianliang. As a high-ranking official of the Three Offices, he was entitled to his share of the rewards.

Especially in the Imperial Guard, if you're doing poorly, nobody respects you. Those like him, who aren't from a noble family, need to be especially careful about their appearance to avoid being ridiculed.

Unfortunately, what he didn't know was that if you come from a humble background, no matter what you do, they will still laugh at you behind your back. No matter how high-end or classy the things you use, they will only say that you are a poor wretch who has suddenly become rich and only knows how to show off.

At this time, the smokeless charcoal rising from the underground heating system under the flower hall was extremely expensive because the forests near Bianliang were already sparse, and it was impossible to find large, old trees that could produce such fine charcoal. They were all transported from Xichuan.

But it burns with a strong flame, produces no smoke, and the best ones even have a faint fragrance.

The representatives chosen by the prominent military families waited obediently in the flower hall for He Guan's arrival. Even with the underfloor heating on, some had donned light fur coats. Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts; though they were all very familiar with each other, there was little small talk, and they simply stared at each other, awaiting He Guan's arrival.

In the past, if He Guan dared to put on airs like this, everyone would have cursed him out and refused to serve him.

However, today, they all restrained themselves and waited for He Guan to put on his airs.

Children from prominent families are very pragmatic. They don't care if you achieve temporary success; they might say some very unpleasant things behind your back.

Since it was him who wanted to take on this task, let him talk to the emperor and make trouble with Cai Jing. If something goes wrong in the future, everyone can just naturally push the blame onto him.

When the time comes, let He Guan struggle on his own; there's absolutely no way he'll expect everyone to lend a hand.

Your glory today will be your funeral tomorrow. They've seen too many of these short-sighted peasants from the bottom of society who become arrogant and overbearing when they get ahead.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Chengxuan announced that He Guan, dressed in a casual, slightly worn-out shirt and sporting a slicked-back hairstyle, walked into the flower hall with a sullen face.

Without even glancing at the crowd, he walked straight to his seat.

Although the people present had deep roots, with many of their families having been established since the founding of the nation, their official positions were far inferior to He Guan's.

Although the majority of the Imperial Guards of the Great Song Dynasty were from military families, the positions in the Three Military Commands were always filled by experienced and meritorious officers, especially those who had fought in border regions.

After Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) ascended the throne, he heavily relied on Gao Qiu, which was a serious violation of the Song Dynasty's rules on employing people. Of course, this could also be considered a form of checks and balances, a means for Zhao Ji to protect himself.

His throne and imperial power were not so stable from the beginning; the Imperial Guards were indeed a weapon he used to seize power.

Even the Imperial Guards of the capital must still adhere to the rules of military hierarchy. After He Guan entered, all the members of these aristocratic families stood up and bowed deeply, saying, "Greetings, Grand Commandant!"

Although He Guan had a sour face, his attitude was still acceptable. He waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. I rarely see you gentlemen in my residence. Please refrain from setting foot on my humble place. Today is a rare occasion, so why bother with unnecessary formalities? This occasion is different from usual. Let's get down to business."

He Guan was stubborn and arrogant, and was notorious throughout the Imperial Guard.

He was also fond of taking on responsibilities, and was actually not well-regarded by the military families of the Imperial Guards.

However, in order to balance the power of Grand Commandant Gao, everyone still nominally followed him as the leader. In addition, he had fought on the border and made meritorious contributions. He also brought some subordinates and confidants to be placed in the Imperial Guard Infantry Division as his trusted confidants, so he had some power.

Everyone had been putting up with him so much, but now that they needed his help again, He Guan was acting even more arrogantly.

At this moment, no matter how unhappy you are, no matter how much you curse in your heart, you can only force a smile and endure it.

In the future, there will be plenty of opportunities and ways to take revenge on him or his descendants.

Shi Chongyi was just like that; with a harmless, simple smile on his face, he stood up and fawned over He Guan, saying:

"Grand Commandant, you are too hard on yourself. Looking at the furnishings of this mansion, who would have thought that you are the Grand Commandant who holds the position of Commander of the Three Armies!"
In this weather, to still be wearing such thin clothes is far too careless of one's health. I often tell my brothers that Grand Commandant He is a pillar of support for us all, how can we not take good care of ourselves?

"I recently acquired some furs from Liaodong. Liaodong is in chaos right now, with the Jurchens and Khitans at war, which has blocked trade routes. These furs weren't easy to obtain. I sent them over as soon as I got back. They're nothing special, just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept them, Grand Commandant."

He Guan glanced at him and said coldly, "The Liaodong region is closed, but the trade routes in the northwest are open, and there are plenty of furs there. Didn't you buy a few?"

Shi Chongyi was rebuked, but he wasn't annoyed. He smiled and said, "That Chen Shao from the Northwest doesn't get along with us. How can we buy his furs?"

This kind of composure and patience is something that most young people don't have. Don't underestimate Shi Chongyi just because he was a commander who flattered the Japanese army and was once an official like Chen Shao. Who would dare to treat him as just a commander?

Many high-ranking officers in the Imperial Guard were promoted through the support of others; he, however, was the eldest son of the Shi family.

He Guan smiled slightly and said to Shi Chongyi in a low voice, "Commander Shi is too kind. This old man has fought in the Hedong border area for decades. I even rushed to capture the ancient city of Gugulong from the Western Bandits in a blizzard. The autumn weather in Bianliang is really nothing to mention."

As for you military officers, you are really too careful about your health. No wonder people say that our Imperial Guards can't fight.

The Imperial Guards of the Capital must be trained. The court expects you to be able to go into battle soon, serve the country, and achieve merit in battle. But you still need to hone your skills a little, so you don't become weak and frail! As for the furs and light coats, there's no need to accept them; I am already very grateful for your kindness.”

He Guan himself had no problem with these words; he even felt that he had been quite polite.

Based on his experience, he had a smooth journey and never suffered a defeat in several battles.

Those who came from the Imperial Guards of the Capital and achieved such military exploits were always promoted by the court with great effort, because they were used to balance the power of the Western Army.

But for the members of the Imperial Guard's aristocratic families, it felt as if they had swallowed a fly.

You, He Guan, are too pretentious! Everyone is praising you so much, how can you still go too far!

Everyone present was a shrewd individual from a prestigious family of imperial guards; who couldn't understand the meaning behind He Guan's words?
These words by He Guan further confirmed his apparent status as the person in charge of the Imperial Guards, and also implied that he would be in charge of the Imperial Guards in the future.

He also meant that he wanted to reorganize the military security system himself.

Since the imperial court was reorganizing the Imperial Guards on the grounds that they were ineffective in combat and therefore useless, He Guan's intention was to ensure that the Imperial Guards in the capital could be deployed effectively and truly put to use. If he could, the imperial court would naturally not reduce their numbers.

As long as there are no layoffs, it's acceptable to select some and eliminate others.

This touches upon the core interests of the powerful families.

This piece seems to have too many ideas of its own!

(End of this chapter)