Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 320: Changing the Era Name to Jingkang!

In broad daylight, Cai Jing was stabbed to death at the gate of Bianjing!
This was truly an unheard-of event, and the news was spreading everywhere.

Inside the Privy Council, Geng Nanzhong was immediately shocked upon hearing this: "There's such a thing?"

The messenger simply replied, "It's absolutely true. At this very moment, the Kaifeng Prefecture must already know, and the Imperial City Guard has probably already reported it to the Emperor!"

With a look of shock on his face, Geng Nanzhong quickly got up and got into the carriage outside the yamen to rush into the imperial city!
On the way, Geng Nanzhong couldn't help but wonder who did it.
Upon arriving at the imperial city, he met the emperor, and Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan were also present.

The emperor couldn't help but ask, "Who did this?"

No matter what, Cai Jing was the prime minister for twenty years and the head of all the scholars and officials in the country!
Under the clear blue sky, in this great celestial empire, how could such a thing happen in the Song Dynasty?

Geng Nanzhong had been thinking about it all the way, but he really couldn't answer. He frowned and said, "For the time being, I don't know who did it. Perhaps it was Cai Jing who committed all sorts of evil deeds in the past and has enemies everywhere. So now that he has lost power, he has suffered this great disaster!"

The emperor himself had his own analysis, only asking, "Is it really that simple? How could such a matter be so simple?"

Geng Nanzhong added, "It couldn't be Su Wu, could it? He and Cai Jing had some past grievances, but they were all minor matters, not enough to warrant such a killing... Even if it were him, there would be no benefit in doing so, could there?"

But then Bai Shizhong said, "That's not necessarily true...it might really be Su Wu!"

Geng Nanzhong asked, "How can you tell, Master Bai?"

Bai Shizhong slowly replied: "First, there are very few people who can raise such loyal followers these days; they might really be those traitors in the army. Second, isn't Cai Jing's death at the capital's gate a frame-up? When has our Great Song ever killed a scholar-official like this? Moreover, Cai Jing's disciples and former officials are all over the country, and nowadays, everyone probably wants Cai Jing dead, isn't that...?"

Bai Shizhong glanced at the Emperor and said, "Isn't it us? Many people have suspected that we were responsible for killing Cai Jing... This is a case of framing someone!"

This logic actually makes some sense. The emperor was startled upon hearing this: "Isn't this framing me?"

Geng Nanzhong was immediately alarmed: "What does Su Wu mean? Could it be that he really intends to cause trouble in the future?"

Li Bangyan added, "Gentlemen, let's not forget what happened today. Su Wu secretly sent someone to take Tong Guan north..."

Geng Nanzhong's expression changed drastically: "We must quickly send men to chase after him and bring Tong Guan back! Tong Guan has a great reputation in the army. If we allow him to go around inciting the soldiers, I'm afraid he will really cause trouble!"

Bai Shizhong shook his head and said, "I'm afraid we can't catch them. Those cavalrymen from the north, one man and several horses, galloped away. Once they cross the Yellow River to the north, how can we possibly catch them? If they go northeast to Jingdong, it'll be even more difficult..."

This was true. At this moment, Tong Guan, led by Shi Qian, really did head directly to Jingdong, naturally to avoid any unforeseen complications.

The emperor suddenly panicked: "What should we do?"

Geng Nanzhong quickly composed himself and said, "Your Majesty, do not worry. If Su Wu really causes trouble and loses his sense of righteousness, he will surely be punished by Heaven. How can the people of the world be misled by a few ministers? Your Majesty has already firmly established yourself in Tokyo, and the world is in your hands!"

These words did have some effect; the emperor was indeed much more at ease. However, he couldn't help but look behind him. In the distance, in the Longde Palace, the retired emperor was still under confinement, as if everything was still under control.

Geng Nanzhong continued, "There are three things to consider now!"

All eyes were on Geng Nanzhong, waiting for him to speak.

Geng Nanzhong then said, "First, quickly change the era name to appease the people and let everyone know that the throne has been changed and a new emperor has ascended the throne!"

This matter was obviously very important, and the country was so vast that without a proper imperial edict sent to the capital, many remote areas might not even know that a new emperor had ascended the throne.

"What reign title should we change it to?" the emperor immediately asked.

“Jingkang!” Geng Nanzhong exclaimed.

Clearly, everything has been done ahead of schedule!
Jing means peace and tranquility, and Kang means health, prosperity, and abundance.

After a great upheaval, the reign title was changed to Jingkang, a beautiful omen!

There was nothing wrong with that, and the emperor nodded: "Very well, change the era name to Jingkang!"

Geng Nanzhong actually enjoyed the feeling of being the key figure at this moment, so he nodded and said, "The second thing is to quickly send an imperial edict to Liu Guangshi, the General Commander of the Hebei Army! Instruct him to reorganize the Hebei armies, station them in various prefectures and counties of Hebei, select military officers, and even... once the Jurchens leave Hebei, instruct him to come to Tokyo immediately to meet His Majesty!"

The Emperor nodded in agreement: "This matter is of utmost importance. The Secretariat and the Chancellery should draft an edict immediately!"

The emperor must meet with Liu Guangshi. Before long, Liu Yanqing will also come to the capital. The emperor will receive the father and son, which will be a great honor.

The Liu family army was once renowned for its military exploits. Now, with Liu Yanqing and Liu Guangshi brought under their wing, and Liu Guangshi guarding Hebei, even if Su Wu were to cause trouble, Hebei would be a hindrance.

Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan nodded in agreement. Indeed, Geng Nanzhong was truly a strategist for the country at this moment.

Geng Nanzhong continued, "The third thing is to grant Cheng Wanli a favor, promote him to a higher official position, and send him to the capital, Dongjing. Also, send another person to the Xuanfu Envoy's Office in Dongjing! This will also check and balance Su Wu's power in the two routes of Dongjing! Su Wu will be unable to say anything, and Cheng Wanli will be extremely grateful!"

This move was, to say the least, extremely clever, like cutting off the fuel supply at the root of the problem. Now, Su Wu is considered an enemy.

However, for the time being, they still had to rely on Su Wu to fight against the Jurchens in Yan and Yun.

However, to put it another way, promoting Cheng Wanli would be like bestowing a favor upon Su Wu.

But this doesn't involve any hostage schemes. Cheng Wanli didn't come to the capital as a hostage. Historically, hostages are either fathers or sons, and primarily sons.

As for fathers-in-law and the like, they can never be taken hostage, and I've never heard of anyone who would actually care about their father-in-law's life and not act, let alone a brother-in-law.

This move was mainly aimed at seizing power in both the eastern and western regions. Su Wu rose to power in the eastern region, and if he could not gain support there, his influence would be greatly diminished.

How could the emperor not agree? "Then who should be sent to the Xuanfu Envoy's Office in Jingdong?"

This person has many things to do, the most important of which is to dismantle the forces in Jingdong that support Su Wu, making Su Wu a rootless drifter.

How could Geng Nanzhong not have a suitable candidate? In fact, he had been planning these things for a long time, just waiting to do them slowly. At this moment, the opportunity was just right. The emperor nodded repeatedly, and Geng Nanzhong directly said, "Liu Yu, the Judicial Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit!"

Why was Liu Yu chosen?

There are three reasons. First, Liu Yu had a very high starting point. After becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), he quickly became a Palace Attendant Censor. However, he was disliked by the retired emperor and was even demoted to Liangzhe by the retired emperor. This happened a long time ago. Liu Yu went through many twists and turns over the past ten years and has now become the Judicial Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit. Liu Yu had some closeness with Geng Nanzhong a long time ago.

The second reason is that Liu Yu is currently in the capital. Why is he in the capital? He has fled from Hebei. When the Jurchens entered Hebei, he fled quickly. How could abandoning his post and fleeing not be a serious crime? If this were in another dynasty, he would probably have been arrested long ago. But Liu Yu was willing to spend money and found the right person, Geng Nanzhong.

Historically, after the siege was lifted, Liu Yu was not only not punished, but was also able to serve as the prefect of Qizhou, the center of eastern Beijing.

But this time, fate intervened, and he was promoted to the position of Xuanfu Envoy.

The third reason is quite simple: Geng Nanzhong had no real power base and was cautious in the past. He had very few old acquaintances, and most of them were low-ranking officials. Only Liu Yu was one of the few people who were old acquaintances of Geng Nanzhong and held a relatively high official position.

This time, when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; naturally, people like Liu Yu will be the first to benefit.

Emperor Zhao Huan had never heard of Liu Yu before, and simply asked, "What abilities does this man possess?"

Geng Nanzhong simply said, "Your Majesty, this man was formerly a Palace Attendant Censor. Because of his outspokenness and courage to remonstrate, he was demoted to Liangzhe by the Emperor Emeritus..."

That's enough.

The Emperor nodded in agreement: "Yes, a fine talent! Since he is already the Judicial Commissioner of Hebei West Circuit, then let him be the Pacification Commissioner of the two circuits of Jingdong!"

"Your Majesty is wise. As soon as this man arrives in Jingdong, Su Wu's power in Jingdong will naturally crumble!" Geng Nanzhong was doing both official business and personal matters.

He has learned from Cai Jing's methods and will spare no effort in cultivating his own faction. He will wait for Liu Yu to do a good job in Jingdong before coming to the capital. Wouldn't he then be a prime minister?
Even with Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan right in front of him, Geng Nanzhong subconsciously felt a sense of rejection. In Geng Nanzhong's eyes, these two old men were nothing more than henchmen behind Cai Jing in the past, and they were also senior figures.

Geng Nanzhong's idea was to truly build a court of his own, but the time was not yet right. Otherwise, Geng Nanzhong would have also made trouble for these two, with Li Bangyan being the first target, because Li Bangyan was more restless.

Of course, these were all part of Geng Nanzhong's plans.

It's all done with just a few words; it's a clever and standard practice.

Things were done one by one, and orders were issued one by one.

There was another matter in the capital. The Vice Chancellor, Li Gang, had only recently been promoted, but he was now being attacked by countless people. He was besieged in the court, and there were a lot of impeachment memorials.

However, it was completely unexpected that what Cai Jing did in the past could still escalate today. Li Gang is guilty of abandoning the city of Daming Prefecture.

Different people have different fates. Liu Yu abandoned his post and fled, yet he was still promoted, while Li Gang was driven away but is now awaiting his fate.

Punishing Li Gang was no simple matter. In fact, there were people in the court who spoke out for Li Gang, including the Censor-in-Chief Chen Guoting. Many people in the censorate and remonstrance bureau joined Chen Guoting in pleading for Li Gang's case.

It's no wonder that Li Gang has been working tirelessly to defend Tokyo, a fact that has been witnessed by both the military and civilians, as well as many officials!
The decision has been made. Li Gang is leaving the capital. Historically, he should have been the envoy of Xuanfu in Hedong, but with Su Wu around, it's impossible for Li Gang to be the envoy of Xuanfu in Hedong now. Where will he go? He will go to Jingzhao Prefecture, to Chang'an as the garrison commander, known as the Garrison Commander of Xijing.

In this way, it wouldn't be considered an exile; he would still have important responsibilities, still be in charge of the former Dangxiang prefectures, appease the Dangxiang people, and educate them... and so on...

Li Gang is about to leave the capital. Just a few days ago, he was full of ambition, announcing his appointment as prime minister, wanting to share the burdens of the new emperor, serve the country and its people, and lead the nation to a better future...

Today, however, he must also leave the capital. The Prime Minister's experience card is about to expire. Li Gang is at a loss for words.

Even Chen Guoting, who had spoken up for Li Gang, was secretly implicated. He lost his position as Vice Censor-in-Chief and was demoted in name only to be transferred to the Ministry of Rites.

It seems that this was also intended to make way for Qin Hui, so Qin Hui's position as Imperial Censor was legitimate, as if filling a vacancy.

Isn't this also a testament to the political savvy of officials like Geng Nanzhong and Bai Shizhong?
Qin Hui, on the other hand, was now able to command respect. Whether in his past words and actions or in his performance during the Jin army's siege, he had behaved exceptionally well, maintained a firm stance, and worked diligently. Don't let the past image of Qin Hui as a coward fool you; at this moment, he was far from being a coward…

But the day after that, when that blade was placed against Qin Hui's head, Qin Hui immediately changed.

It is also said that outside the city gates, Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng watched as Cai Jing was assassinated. At this moment, the two were still dragging their feet, unwilling to go to the Yellow Springs...

The two of them inevitably sat facing each other again.

Liang Shicheng said, "The emperors of the past were so kind and obedient, but the emperors of today are so ruthless!"

Wang Fu nodded: "I regret it, I regret it so much!"

What is there to regret?
I regret that I didn't harden my heart and truly push forward the matter of changing the heir apparent.

Given the circumstances at the time, Wang Fu could not truly implement his policies. When the emperor had an idea, Wang Fu would chime in with a few words, but most of the civil and military officials did not support him. Why was that?
How could Cai Jing allow Wang Fu to pull off such a feat of supporting the new emperor? If this were to actually happen, wouldn't Wang Fu be ecstatic when the new emperor ascends the throne?
This matter was obviously impossible to accomplish. Despite countless remonstrances, it was not Wang Fu who truly gave up, but the emperor.

Wang Fu's past supposed assistance to Geng Nanzhong was nothing more than a favor done in the interest of others; he couldn't really offend the Crown Prince.

When Wang Fu expressed regret at this point, he was inevitably blaming Emperor Zhao Huan for Cai Jing's death. He believed that Zhao Huan was ruthless, making an example of Cai Jing to prevent future troubles, fearing that Cai Jing might regain power and stir up trouble, thus preventing the retired emperor from seizing power again.

Liang Shicheng couldn't help but think the same way at this time: Cai Jing was most likely to die at the hands of the emperor.

Who, besides the Emperor, has the power to kill someone at the gates of Bianjing? The soldiers of the Imperial City Guard didn't even bother to give chase…

If not the emperor, then who could it be?
Inside the carriage, how could the two not grieve? Tears fell, and death was inevitable!
Outside the carriage, someone urged them on: "Gentlemen, farewells must come to an end... If we don't set off now, we won't reach the post station today..."

The two were already very close friends, and they couldn't help but burst into tears, reluctant to part, as they too had to leave...

For a time, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the capital, including tales of a power struggle and the emperor committing murder...

One might ask, how could Su Wu's move not be brilliant?
What Su Wu lacks now is nothing other than soldiers and armor, but the hearts of the people. The waters of Dongjing (Kaifeng) must be muddied because the hearts of the people of Dongjing must be muddied...

As Tong Guan traveled, how could he not think about these things?

Yet today, someone is still rushing out of the capital. It is Liu Yu, the former judicial commissioner of Hebei West Circuit. As soon as he received the imperial edict, he hurried to the capital. He is the one who delivers the edict and the one who is the new official!
It was also the emperor and Geng Nanzhong who urged him to hurry up and implement this strategy of eliminating the enemy's supply lines while Su Wu was still fighting the Jurchens.

For this matter, Geng Nanzhong issued a military order in the Privy Council to transfer 3,000 troops from the Jiesheng Army outside the capital to accompany Liu Yu.

It was Cai Jing's death at the city gate that reminded Geng Nanzhong that people like Su Wu were truly capable of killing! Therefore, Liu Yu needed to have someone on the sidelines to keep an eye on things and suppress Cheng Wanli.

Liu Yu then left the city, led his troops, and hurried towards Jingdong.

Accompanying Liu Yu was another person, Cheng Hao, who was transferred from the Privy Council to the Xuanfu Envoy's Office in Jingdong as a judge. Cheng Hao was not someone who could control Su Wu as a hostage, but he was definitely someone who could be used to control Cheng Wanli as a hostage.

Aren't these methods brilliant?
In times of chaos, who isn't racking their brains to make plans?

On the way, Liu Yu continued to speak with Cheng Hao: "Is he your only son?"

Cheng Hao nodded: "Yeah, I'm the only one!"

How could Liu Yu not know that Cheng Wanli was an only son? But that was just hearsay. How could Geng Nanzhong not give him detailed instructions on what he was about to do? He even came to ask again to confirm that Cheng Wanli was indeed an only son.

"An only son is good!" Liu Yu nodded with a smile. How could an only son not be good? An only son is even easier to control.

Cheng Hao suddenly sensed something strange and asked, "Why are you bringing so many soldiers with you when you go to take up your post in Jingdong?"

Although Cheng Hao held a low-ranking official position and was isolated in the capital, he was not so foolish as to not sense any eeriness in the atmosphere of Tokyo during this period of time.

Before that, he himself was transferred to the Jingdong Xuanfu Envoy Office as a judge.

Suddenly, his father was promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Cai Jing died at the city gate, and Wang Fu and Tong Guan were all demoted. How could Cheng Hao not know who he was relying on?
Tong Guan was demoted, and it was said that he was taken away from the city gate and headed north.

But his father went to the capital to serve as an official, while he himself was sent away to a remote area.

These matters seem to have no clue whatsoever, but in fact, once you add one person into the picture, everything becomes clear: Su Wu.

Aren't all these people and these things aimed at Su Wu?

Liu Yu was sizing up Cheng Hao. He knew Cheng Hao's basic information: a scholar who hadn't even passed the provincial examinations had suddenly entered the Privy Council as an official, then gone to the battlefield a few times, and was in charge of some logistical matters. At a young age, he had been promoted one after another, even several times a year...

Why?

To say that these people are exceptionally talented and outstanding would be a joke.
After sizing him up, Liu Yu, seeing he was just a child, chuckled and said, "Things are unsettled everywhere these days, with defeated soldiers and bandits roaming the land. Bringing some armor and weapons will ensure your safety..."

"That's true, that's true..." Cheng Hao nodded, taking it as understanding, and didn't say anything more.

We'll just wait and travel along the road, then camp for the night.

Cheng Hao had already made some inroads in the military, and he wanted to find out some things so that he could report to his father when he arrived in Jingdong.

When the army camps, each battalion, company, and squad is usually organized with campfires burning.

Cheng Hao went to a campfire, choosing one randomly, and sat down, asking only one question: "Are you all from the Northwest?"

The Victory Army was a newly formed force of elite young men drawn from various prefectures and counties in the northwest. Since they came from different cities and regions, they were not affiliated with any particular military commander. They simply obeyed whoever gave them the tiger tally from the Privy Council.

The soldiers also looked at Cheng Hao, and one of them replied, "Yes, we come from various prefectures west of Tongguan. We are blind to his greatness and do not know who this gentleman is?"

Cheng Hao chuckled: "My name is Cheng Hao!"

Some people thought the name sounded familiar and wondered what it meant, while others had never heard of it before.

Cheng Hao chuckled and added, "It's normal that none of you have heard of me. You must have heard of my brother-in-law."

"I don't know..." Most of the people looked puzzled.

"Hehe... My father is Cheng, the Pacification Commissioner of the two routes to Jingdong, and my brother-in-law... his surname is Su, I can't say his given name, but his courtesy name is Ziqing!"

After Cheng Hao finished speaking, although he was smiling, his eyes darted around, closely observing the reactions of everyone present.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, a captain immediately stood up, bowed, and laughed heartily: "Who is it? Which gentleman is willing to chat with us soldiers? It turns out to be you, Young Master Cheng! Oh... come quickly, come and sit down!"

After one finished speaking, another came forward: "How could we not know Lord Su? We are all warriors, who doesn't know the name of Lord Su? Before, in Shanzhou, many of our comrades were also selected to fight against the Dangxiang, but not many were selected, and they were selected late, so they probably didn't get any credit. But when the army heard that Lord Su's order was coming, who wouldn't be happy? Alas... what a pity, what a pity, we missed it and were even selected to go to Dongjing..."

"Yes, if we could go to war with Prime Minister Su, we would have made countless contributions! What a shrewd Prime Minister Su is! He can easily get an official position and a reward, wouldn't that be wonderful? But now that we're in Dongjing, he's just running around, going to Zhenjiang one minute and coming back the next, and then he's going to Jingdong... It's so exhausting..."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hao felt reassured. Although he didn't know the specifics of the situation, he was confident that whatever the matter was, judging from the expressions of these soldiers, he had nothing to worry about.

Cheng Hao just laughed and said, "Everyone says that the Northwest produces strong soldiers and heroes. Seeing this today, it's true. I have many stories to tell. How about you all listen? They are all stories of following Lord Su into battle! Whether it was suppressing bandits, fighting against Liao, or even the campaign against Xia, I frequently went to the front lines to deliver imperial orders..."

"Sit down, sir, please sit down and tell me slowly..."

"Did Young Master Cheng really go to the front lines to attack Xia?"

Cheng Hao replied immediately, "How could it be false? I've been there several times; I know the war situation inside and out!"

"Tell me quickly, tell me, young Master Cheng, please tell me..."

Young Master Cheng proceeded to speak slowly and deliberately, and his story was quite captivating…

As they prepared to depart the next day, countless people began to point and whisper, spreading the word among their colleagues: "That one, that one is Su Xiangong's brother-in-law! They chatted for a long time last night..."

After a midday rest, wherever Young Master Cheng went, people would greet him with smiles.

Even when horses passed by, some people greeted them with smiles and clasped hands, while others came up to chat with Cheng Hao. It was all just polite formalities. Perhaps many people were hoping to get to know Cheng Hao, so that they might find a way to connect with him in the future...

Liu Yu suddenly noticed this and asked Cheng Hao, who was standing next to him, "What? Do they all know you?"

Cheng Hao replied immediately, "It's not that they know me, but rather that they all admire my brother-in-law's reputation!"

Liu Yu's expression suddenly darkened!
As soon as Cheng Hao spoke, how could he not pay attention to Liu Yu's reaction? He was shocked. It seemed that Liu Yu was really up to no good when he went to Jingdong, and that his bad deeds were aimed at Su Wu.

We need to make plans early...

If we can't do other things, then let's start with these soldiers of the Jiesheng Army!

But Liu Yu rebuked the soldiers around him: "How can the army be so solemn? How can you laugh and chat like this? What kind of behavior is this? From today onwards, whether marching or camping, no talking or making noise is allowed in the army!"

The soldiers on either side quickly stopped smiling and stopped bowing to Cheng Hao, turning their heads away and bowing.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Hao smiled inwardly...

At this very moment, outside Yanjing City, the Jurchens are gathering!
(Brothers, one more chapter tonight! Go to sleep early, there will be more tomorrow morning! Good night...)
(End of this chapter)