Song Xiu

Chapter 68 The Emperor's Sword is Bestowed Now

After a long while, the celebratory sounds inside the tent gradually subsided.

After the celebratory cheers subsided, a discussion arose inside the tent.

The officials began to discuss the issue of bestowing titles and rewards upon Zhao Dexiu.

Since the late Tang Dynasty, all wise rulers have attached great importance to the principle of "rewarding those who have made contributions".

Having already discussed Zhao Dexiu's merits, it is now natural to discuss the matter of bestowing titles and rewards upon him.

In the contemporary era, the rewards bestowed upon generals were mainly reflected in three aspects: "real power, status, and wealth."

As for the financial rewards, that's easy to say; Zhao Dexiu can dispose of the treasury in Huguan as he sees fit.

As for real power, it largely depended on Zhao Kuangyin's autocratic rule; the only thing the ministers could discuss was "status."

Zhao Dexiu's current official position is the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou, and his noble title is the Marquis of Taiyuan.

After some discussion, most of the officials believed that the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou could be promoted to Military Governor of Chanzhou.

As this suggestion gradually became mainstream, one person offered a different perspective: Shen Yilun.

Shen Yilun believed that Zhao Dexiu's title should be elevated.

Shen Yilun had given this suggestion a lot of thought.

While being promoted from Defense Commissioner to Military Governor might seem like an elevation in status, it didn't offer Zhao Dexiu much benefit in other aspects.

Zhao Dexiu, the Defense Commissioner of Chanzhou, was awarded the title of "First Merit in Supporting the Establishment of the State" in the imperial edict of reward, which Zhao Kuangyin explicitly wrote in the seven characters "Establish a Government Office and Headquarters in Chanzhou".

These seven words are enough to give Zhao Dexiu the de facto power of most military governors.

Promoting Zhao Dexiu to the position of military governor, aside from a slight increase in his salary, offered him no other benefits.

However, if Zhao Dexiu were to be granted a noble title, the significance would be entirely different.

In recent months, with the central government stabilizing, there have been many suggestions from both the government and the public to "broadly ennoble members of the imperial clan".

This suggestion will help consolidate the Song Dynasty's rule, and Zhao Kuangyin will surely adopt it soon.

The national policy of "broadly enfeoffing members of the imperial clan" is an inevitable trend, and Shen Yilun will not attempt to resist it.

However, Shen Yilun believed that while "broadly enfeoffing members of the imperial clan," Zhao Dexiu's rank should be appropriately raised so that Zhao Dexiu's title would always be "the head of the imperial clan."

In this way, Zhao Dexiu's special status in the Song Dynasty royal family will always be in the public eye, which is actually beneficial to him.

After Shen Yilun made his suggestion, Shi Shouxin couldn't help but slap his thigh in frustration—why didn't he think of that?

Shen Yilun's suggestion struck a chord with Zhao Kuangyin.

However, Zhao Kuangyin did not rush to make a decision.

Zhao Kuangyin raised his hand, stopping the increasingly heated discussion inside the tent: "The rebels have not yet been eliminated, why discuss the matter of rewards first?"

As soon as Zhao Kuangyin, the emperor, uttered these words, the discussion in the tent came to an abrupt halt.

After the tent fell silent, Zhao Kuangyin continued:

"I have summoned you here today to discuss a new strategy for quelling the rebellion. As for other matters, let's put them aside for now."

Zhao Kuangyin's words successfully redirected the attention of everyone in the tent back to the important matter of suppressing the rebellion.

Previously, all the armies thought that they should launch a fierce attack on the rebel camp.

I am worried about the large number of casualties among the troops. I had previously ordered the Marquis of Taiyuan to lead a surprise force to Luzhou, but the matter has remained unresolved.

The military situation in Luzhou has arrived. General Shi was right. If the Marquis of Taiyuan can take Shangdang in one fell swoop, the rebel army will collapse without a fight.

In this way, our army suffered very few casualties!
I intend for my army to continue holding out against the rebels while awaiting further military developments in Luzhou.

If the Marquis of Taiyuan suffers a setback, our army will launch another swift and decisive attack on the rebel camp. What do you all think?

Previously, Zhao Kuangyin sent Zhao Dexiu to Luzhou with troops to sow discord among Li Jun. This was important, but it was not enough to fundamentally change the course of the war.

The situation is very different now.

As Sun Tzu's Art of War states: "In general, in war, one engages with the orthodox and wins with the unorthodox."

Zhao Dexiu has already demonstrated his military strategy, and the Song army has Huguan Pass as a base, ensuring their safety from the rear. Based on these two factors, the surprise force originally sent to Luzhou has quietly seized the opportunity to quell this rebellion.

Thanks to Shi Shouxin's good groundwork, Zhao Kuangyin's idea was approved by most of the ministers in the tent.

With Zhao Kuangyin's power, he was not incapable of making decisions unilaterally, but a wise politician is good at guiding the general trend to his own advantage.

What is the general trend? Simply put, it is "common interests".

As officials of the Song Dynasty, they were essentially interest groups within the Song Dynasty.

The Imperial Guards were the cornerstone of the Song Dynasty and the strongest guarantee of their own interests.

Sometimes, war is unavoidable in order to protect interests.

But if there's an opportunity to protect our interests while minimizing the costs, why not do it?
"Your Majesty is wise!"

This statement from the ministers indicated their willingness to support Zhao Kuangyin's new strategy.

With the support of his ministers, Zhao Kuangyin smiled.

Draft edict:
Under the whole world, could it be the king's land.

"Those in Luzhou who are willing to submit to the king's rule, regardless of their past, may be employed by the Marquis of Taiyuan at his discretion. There is no need to request permission for every matter, lest it delay the opportunity for war."

When Zhao Kuangyin issued his decree, all the officials in the tent were shocked—this power?

The surprise didn't last long.

When the ministers realized that Zhao Dexiu was going to lead a small army to fight for their "common interests" in the heart of Luzhou, they understood Zhao Kuangyin's actions.

After the Hanlin Academy scholars inside the tent drafted the imperial edict and affixed their seals, Zhao Kuangyin instructed them to hand the edict to Lü Duan.

After Lü Duan received the imperial edict, Zhao Kuangyin stood up.

As soon as Zhao Kuangyin stood up, all the officials in the tent focused their attention on him.

Zhao Kuangyin took his sword from the sword rack behind him and, under the watchful eyes of his ministers, went to Lü Duan and handed him the sword.

"The life and death of the entire Luzhou Prefecture rests in this sword!"

With swords at his side, he was executed; with imperial edicts, he was pardoned. In the Luzhou region, both executions and pardons were carried out by Zhao Dexiu.

The expectation revealed in Zhao Kuangyin's public statement was undisguised.

With great excitement, Lü Duan respectfully accepted the emperor's sword on behalf of Zhao Dexiu.

"Your Majesty's words today will be truthfully conveyed to the Marquis!"

Chu Zhaofu, one of the ministers, looked at Zhao Kuangyin's actions. He had just opened his eyes, but he closed them again with heavy helplessness.

"The rebels have not been eliminated,"

Recalling Zhao Kuangyin's words and considering his current actions, Chu Zhaofu understood perfectly.

Zhao Kuangyin was not refusing to reward Zhao Dexiu; he was waiting for the day when Zhao Dexiu would make the greatest contribution in suppressing the rebellion.

Zhao Kuangyin wanted to ensure that every step of Zhao Dexiu's promotion was as solid as a rock!
In Huguan City, hundreds of miles away, Zhao Dexiu looked at Lu Duoxun across from him, his brows furrowed tightly.

He asked doubtfully, "You mean that all the envoys we sent out these past few days have been sent back?"

Faced with Zhao Dexiu's doubts, Lu Duoxun nodded heavily.

The envoys he sent out before, though not exactly bowing down to the magistrates of various counties, were still treated to good food and drink.

However, in recent days, messengers have been returning to report that the attitudes of county magistrates in various places have undergone a significant change.

"It was as if overnight, all the county magistrates in Luzhou had been replaced with men of unwavering loyalty."

Ludoson made a vivid analogy.

Unwavering loyalty?

After hearing Lu Duoxun's analogy, Zhao Dexiu chuckled lightly, his heart filled with doubt.

This is Luzhou during the chaotic Five Dynasties period, not the Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. Where would you find so many loyal and devoted people?

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!
(End of this chapter)