gnovel Chapter 123 A Cup of Wine to Release Military Power
Chapter 123 A Cup of Wine to Release Military Power
Chapter 123 Releasing Military Power Over a Cup of Wine (Part Two)
In the Military Hall, the banquet was already set out, with delicacies laid out on the tables and glasses filled with fine wine.
Shi Shouxin, Gao Huaide, Murong Yanzhao and other generals of the Imperial Guards were still in shock just now, and although they were sitting at the table, their expressions were still somewhat restrained.
"My brothers."
Zhao Kuangyin noticed their nervousness, immediately picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and said with a tone full of reminiscence, "Do you remember seven years ago? It was also the first month of the lunar calendar, and Liu Chong led a large army south. You and I followed Emperor Shizong into battle and decisively defeated the 100,000-strong army of Taiyuan at Gaoping. How glorious that was!"
"How could your subject forget—" Upon hearing Zhao Kuangyin mention the past, Shi Shouxin and the others also had a look of reminiscence in their eyes.
Most of the generals present had fought alongside Zhao Kuangyin in that battle, and now, recalling those glorious years, their initial awkwardness and restraint had lessened somewhat.
"Today, there are no rulers and subjects in this palace, only brothers who went through thick and thin together in the past."
Zhao Kuangyin shook his head, refilled his cup, and sighed, "Back then, although we fought many battles, we were also very happy. We only hoped to follow Emperor Shizong to pacify the world. Who would have thought that—heaven would be jealous of our talents."
"Your Majesty—" Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's displeasure, Shi Shouxin quickly changed his form of address: "Brother, there's no need for this. It's fate, and nothing can be reversed by human effort."
Upon hearing this, a complex and unreadable expression flashed across Zhao Kuangyin's face. He shook his head and said bitterly, "That may be true, but the matter of seizing Wangshan from Zhou is ultimately somewhat dishonorable."
"
The topic was somewhat sensitive, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
After a moment, it was the eldest brother, Murong Yanzhao, who spoke up. He picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, comforting him, "Yuanlang, there's no need to blame yourself. At that time, the situation left no room for choice."
With the eldest brother taking the lead, the other generals finally came to their senses and quickly raised their wine glasses to echo him.
The world believed that Zhao Kuangyin's ascension to the throne was driven by greed for power, but only his confidants who had followed him from the beginning knew that Zhao Kuangyin was only doing it out of necessity.
At that time, the entire court, from the emperor to his ministers, was suspicious of Zhao Kuangyin, who held great power over the imperial guards.
Guo Rong died of illness in June, and in July Fan Zhi and others took the opportunity to launch an attack, forcing Zhao Kuangyin to relinquish his command of the Imperial Guards and leave them idle in Guide Prefecture.
At that time, Zhao Kuangyin only had two choices.
Either relinquish military power completely, retire peacefully, and hope that the young emperor will remember his past merits and give him important responsibilities again when he grows up.
But the most likely explanation is that he died mysteriously in Guide Prefecture.
Which monarch would truly trust a highly respected general of the Imperial Guard?
Given this situation, Zhao Kuangyin was left with only one option.
proclaim oneself emperor!
"Brother, we are all people who have come from chaotic times, so we know very well that once Emperor Shizong left, the Zhou dynasty would no longer have the ability to unify the world." Zhang Lingduo, who came from a poor background, couldn't help but speak up: "I think that if the world could be restored to peace, and the glorious Han and Tang dynasties could be recreated, and there were no more worries about war, then even if—"
He paused, then said firmly, "Even if it means bearing some criticism—perhaps it's worth it."
As soon as Zhang Lingduo finished speaking, all the generals in the hall nodded in deep agreement.
Undeniably, their support for Zhao Kuangyin as emperor did contain some personal motives, but fundamentally, it was because they genuinely respected and trusted Zhao Kuangyin.
Believe in him; he can end the chaos and usher in a peaceful and prosperous era!
Otherwise, there are many people in the world who hold military power, so why did they support Zhao Kuangyin instead of Murong Yanzhao, Shi Shouxin, or Gao Huaide?
The world has been in chaos for a long time, and even those who hold military power are tired of the days of wandering and corpses strewn across the land.
"Peace—Peace—"
Zhao Kuangyin's expression became even more complicated, and he repeated the two words in a low voice.
Guo Rong, isn't this also your ambition?
History, in the end, judges by its results.
Both Emperor Taizong and Emperor Taizong seized the throne in a dishonorable manner, yet Emperor Taizong's name is etched in history. If I could recover the Yan and Yun regions and recreate that glory...
No, it's a golden age that surpasses even the Tang Dynasty. I'm sure you, Guo Rong, would smile and praise me for that.
Thinking of this, Zhao Kuangyin's tiger-like eyes even glistened with tears.
He couldn't help but pick up the wine jug, tilt his head back and gulp it down. The murky liquid gushed down his throat, as if he wanted to drink away all the melancholy, guilt and expectations in his heart.
Seeing this, the generals also looked grave, raised their cups together, and drank them down in one gulp.
After they finished drinking, Shi Shouxin asked, "Brother, why are you acting so strangely today? You seem so troubled, unlike your usual straightforward self?"
They all noticed that Zhao Kuangyin seemed somewhat downcast today, but they didn't know why.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin slowly sat down, sighed softly, and said wearily and helplessly, "My brothers, you may not know this, but the difficulty of being a ruler far surpasses the hardship of being a general. Since I ascended the throne, I have not been able to sleep soundly for a single night."
These words caused an immediate silence in the room. All the generals looked on in surprise. Gao Huaide asked, puzzled, "Brother, why are you saying this?"
"I have three worries. First, because outside my bed are other people's houses."
"Secondly, although our Great Song Dynasty appears to be stable now, in reality, its military strength is still weak, its treasury is empty, and its money is scarce. Even though we have the ambition to unify the world, we do not have enough foundation and strength to support it."
"Thirdly—" Zhao Kuangyin paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled generals, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He sighed softly, then said leisurely, "Who wouldn't desire this supreme position?"
"Lately, I have been dreaming of a general whose face I cannot see, surrounded by his soldiers, wearing a yellow robe—"
After saying that, he picked up his wine glass and drank it alone, looking sullen.
Upon hearing this, Shi Shouxin and the others froze on the spot, their hearts skipping a beat.
How could they not understand the implied meaning in those words?
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became heavy and somber.
Filled with fear, Shi Shouxin had no choice but to ask, "Brother, you worry too much. Now that the world is at peace, who would dare to harbor disloyal thoughts?"
Zhao Kuangyin put down his wine cup and said quietly, "Things are unpredictable. I trust all of you brothers, but if your men become greedy for wealth and power and follow the example of Chenqiao, then even if you brothers do not wish to be emperor, how can you brothers decide for yourselves?"
These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over the heads of the generals.
The generals, having lost all hope, immediately rose to their feet and knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, we are foolish and ignorant, and do not know what to do. We beg Your Majesty to have mercy and show us the way!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin finally felt relieved, but his face remained impassive. He slowly raised his hand, gesturing for them to rise: "Please rise, my lords. I know of your loyalty and have no intention of blaming you."
The brotherhood is over; it's time to address each other as ruler and subject.
After the generals rose hesitantly and stood with their heads bowed, Zhao Kuangyin slowly spoke, his tone softening: "Life is short and fleeting. What people seek is nothing more than wealth, honor, and a worry-free life for their descendants. You have spent half your lives on the battlefield, risking your lives. It is time for you to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life."
"In that case, you gentlemen may relinquish your military power and go out to guard major vassal states. There, you may build grand mansions, accumulate land and property, and enjoy singing and dancing girls, drinking and celebrating day and night until the end of your days."
"If my brothers do not mind, I would like to arrange marriages between you, so that the ruler and his subjects can become relatives, and there will be no suspicion between us. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
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