The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 313 Imperial Conferment
Commander Xiao Kuan coordinated the operation, transporting the prepared flags to the gate.

The guards busied themselves sorting and arranging the ceremonial objects, such as silver knives, gold-plated swords, bronze-plated swords, red spears, and colorful bows.

A large group of imperial censors in blue robes emerged from the dark passageway, stood at an angle on both sides, and surveyed the square.

On the first day of the third month of the fourth year of Qianning, thousands of officers and soldiers were already lined up in battle formation at Danfeng Gate Square. After such a long rest, their morale was noticeably better, and their resentment and anger had mostly dissipated. Today, they had all changed into turbans and round-necked hats, their hands empty, standing in solemn rows.

Throughout the reigns of past emperors, whether it was establishing an empress, a crown prince, appointing a prime minister, sending an important minister on a campaign, or enfeoffing a regional governor, the person in charge would stand under the Danfeng Gate, under the gaze of the emperor, the guidance of the three dukes, and the watchful eyes of all the officials, to receive the imperial edict and the ceremony of officially recognizing the empire.

Unexpectedly, a group of ordinary generals also came here, which drew considerable criticism from the imperial court.

Such a grand event, such an extraordinary ceremony, left even these ruthless individuals speechless, their backs straightening slightly, their eyes narrowed, fixed on the shoulders of those in front of them. Here, everyone felt as if the conversation was no longer between superiors and emperors, but between the Holy Tang Dynasty, the entire empire.

In the silence, the buzzing of the surrounding officials rose in waves.

"After the military reorganization was completed, which troops were replaced? I only know about the Dragon Swift Army, Tiger Swift Army, Tianan Army, Leopard Army, Heroic Army, Fire Sharp Army, Xingguo Army, Moli Army, Yulin Army, and Molizhitian."

"What do you know? We've never even handled it."

"These scoundrels certainly look like beasts. They've fought east and west, enduring ice and snow, and can stay in armor for over ten days without rest! In the Battle of Guanyuan, they encountered the Jin dogs, the Dangxiang slaves, and the Han people of Xiazhou, and fought for more than half a year, killing and capturing over 100,000. The Jin dogs and Ling Shi are no less capable than the Bian people, so how could they be easily defeated? These guys probably all have dozens of lives on their hands, but unlike you, when you kill a sheep, one stroke of your knife and people and sheep run wildly in the yard, blood flying everywhere, scaring your aunt into screaming!"

"A servant from a certain household, who had been conscripted to serve in the army, cooking and washing clothes, came back and shook his head when talking about these men. They were exhausted after walking twenty li a day escorting carts, but these men could march forty li in a forced march. In battle, they could wield iron and spears and fight for a whole day without eating! Look at them! They are all like drought demons, reincarnations of generals. They can break a bow with a stone weight! They can wield a hundred-pound iron spear like a broom. Put them together, they can be called the best in modern times! If it weren't for them, how could we have protected the Holy Tang Dynasty and swept away the bastards from all sides?"

"Ha, with such a powerful army, what are we afraid of, bandits? We should just focus on being good officials, making money and having women. We asked the great monks of the Pure Land School, and they said that our Holy Tang Dynasty still has a thousand years of national fortune left! Even if it perishes, future generations will still yearn for it and want to restore the country."

"Hmm, what's the situation with this military matter, and what about the appointment of officials and their positions? Such a military man, no matter how we study him, we should keep him under control. Since the beginning of this difficult period, the Holy Emperor has made great use of his maternal relatives, but I've noticed that the princes are all older, and I'm deeply afraid of collusion between the inside and outside. We mustn't keep changing things up, and let the maternal relatives still be in charge of the troops. In my opinion, we should just keep them in high positions with low power."

"Just wait, the bell has rung, the Holy Emperor is almost here."

"Who was Shui Wusheng, who killed Li Cunzhang in battle, broke through the central army with a lone force, and charged into battle to kill the one-eyed dragon Yu Shuaizhong? I heard he was one of Zhang's men?"

"Don't speak nonsense. She gave birth to three saints in one pregnancy, and will conceive several more. With people like Murong Zhang and Shui Wusheng around, Zhang Hui's reputation as a traitor won't last long; he'll be exonerated sooner or later. But it's strange, how could such a ruthless butcher like Qiongqi be loyal to a mere woman? I'd like to see just how beautiful and talented this woman is. She's won over these men's hearts and even bewitched the Holy Emperor. The Holy Emperor is so amorous, how can he not be charmed by women?"

"Maybe it's because they have the most hair and the strongest armpit odor. Ugh, what a character! The saints really are all unique, each with their own quirks."

"Here it comes, here it comes, stop talking!"

…Wang Yanzhang and Huangfu Lin were both in the right rank. The left rank was entirely composed of the Holy Emperor's old retainers, including Zhu Jin's troops from Yanzhou and Geshu Jin's troops from Liangzhou. At this moment, the two were dressed in fine clothes and riding spirited horses, even their hair and nose hairs carefully trimmed. The surrounding whispers and pointing fingers of the officials made the two exchange an uncomfortable glance. The group of Bian people simply looked at each other and whispered among themselves.

Wang Yanzhang stood silently and respectfully for a long while, then finally couldn't help but stand on tiptoe and complain to Huangfu Lin, "You're like a slave in the marketplace, being judged and criticized by everyone. It's shameful! When I was an official in Bianliang, any promotion or transfer was just a matter of handing over my duties and reporting to the authorities. Why are there so many rules and regulations? It's such a hassle! I'm going to take sick leave, but it won't affect this imperial decree ceremony if I don't attend, right? I'm leaving, I'm leaving?"

Huangfu Lin, growing impatient, glared at Wang Yanzhang upon hearing this: "How about we all take leave together? Whatever the situation, we'll act accordingly, sing whatever lines we want, don't you understand! The mighty Tang Dynasty, with its myriad nations in their attire, even if it's half-dead and extremely weak, is it comparable to Zhu Wen's makeshift troupe, or even to the feudal lords? If we behave, we're doing it for the Empress! If we're stable, she's stable; if she and we are both stable, we're both as stable as Mount Tai… Just think of it that way! I reckon the Empress isn't having an easy time in the palace either. That bunch of sluts from the Holy Emperor are definitely bullying her. She followed the wrong person, took the wrong path, and ended up in this mess. All we can do is shelter the Empress and her son from the storm, support each other to survive in Chang'an… Damn it, why hasn't the imperial decree ceremony started yet?"

"We shouldn't have brought the Empress to this damned dynasty!" Wang Yanzhang roared in anger, gritting his teeth. "Don't let me get a chance to wipe out these viperous women! Anyone who bullied the Empress, every single one of them, I'll tear their hearts out and see if they're black!"

"Going crazy again?" Huangfu Lin cursed, "Take it easy on yourself. After all these years in the army, don't you know whether you've been promoted or not, whether your superiors trust you or not? You're always so righteous, wanting to kill this person and purge that person..."

"Hmph." Wang Yanzhang turned his face away: "I just can't bear to see the Empress suffer. Just thinking about it makes me feel worse than if I were killed... It's all my fault! The Empress is suffering now, it's all my fault!"

"What's the point of saying all this now? The diva has already had her baby, and who knows how many times she's been slept with..."

Wang Yanzhang looked up at the sky, his face filled with despair.

At this moment, to the accompaniment of drums and music, a large contingent of guards emerged from the Danfeng Gate tower, spreading out in all directions. Next came the entourage of eunuchs and palace officials; all of these processions culminated in a magnificent canopy. Beneath the canopy, the Holy Emperor Yuan, dressed in white robes and wearing a winged crown, sat on a palanquin.

The throne had already been set up upstairs. The Holy Emperor alighted from his carriage, walked to the throne, and stood leaning against the railing with his hands behind his back. Behind him, the Nine Consorts, the Zhaoyi and Zhaorong, the various female officials, a group of female Taoist priests, and female historians stood in their respective ranks. Zhang Hui, dressed in flowing purple robes, was prominently among them, cradling her favorite Li Zichuan in her arms. Looking down at the crowd below, she smiled gently after spotting the faces of Shui Wusheng, Huangfu Lin, and others.

The Holy Emperor made a grand tour of the palace. The guards, censors, officials, generals, and ceremonial guards standing in rows below all prostrated themselves before him, shouting: "May your glory rise like the sun, may your fortune endure forever! May you live a thousand years!"

The sounds of worship, though chaotic, were unified and resounded for miles.

The Holy Emperor raised his hand in a gesture of apology, but the anger did not subside completely; it gradually quieted down.

The Emperor's recent annoyance had vanished, and he asked with a faint smile, "Shouldn't we begin?"

On either side, closest to her were Li Xi and Song Ya, the Lady of Anyang. Her official rank wasn't high enough to warrant such close proximity at such a ceremony, but given the Emperor's favor, who dared to speak against her?
Li Xi nodded, and Song Ya whispered, "The officials are in place, the utensils are laid out, and Zheng, Han, and the King are downstairs, waiting for the music to start before issuing the edict."

"Good." The Holy Emperor once again swept his gaze over the strong faces, each with its own distinctive features. His pupils reflected the red and green uniforms of these officers and soldiers, and he paused from time to time.

Then he stepped forward and pointed at the officers and soldiers: "Who was it that fought a desperate battle at Baima River and crushed tens of thousands of Qibin bandits?"

There was a moment of stunned silence, then dozens of arms shot up: "It's us!"

"...Who was it that thwarted the notorious bandit Zhu Wen at Tongguan and Liancheng?"

More arms: "They are our generation!"

"...At Hengshui, who was it that slaughtered 150,000 Bian soldiers, causing rivers of blood to flow, and then burned their camp and fled?"

The shouts from various accents grew louder and deafening: "It is our generation! It is our generation!"

Looking at the eager officers and soldiers around them, Wang Yanzhang, Huangfu Lin, Murong Zhang and others looked somewhat uneasy.

"...Who sacrificed their family for the nation's sake, fought in the east and west, and saved the day? Who protected the lives of ordinary people and fought for peace for the country? Even if their intestines were torn apart and their blood and loyalty were scattered on the yellow sand, they would not flinch, and would die without regret?"

From Zhu Jin to a mere commander, thousands of arms were raised, and the decibels of the response reached a fever pitch, shaking the northern capital: "It is us! It is us! It is us!"

The Holy Emperor slowly lowered his hand, and amidst the clamor, he breathed softly: "When we meet amidst the falling blades, death is inevitable, and honor is never a concern… Let us beat the music, and let the people of the capital see that the Holy Tang still has such a group of sons, who face death without fear, guarding its safety. Let the Holy Tang and all the previous emperors see what the empire looks like after death, with its loyal souls still guarding its core, and what positions it holds…"

"Who else but us can protect the Holy Tang?!" Cheers erupted once more from every mouth. Whether Han or Khitan, Tangut or Turkic, Uyghur or Han, officials and censors alike pounded their chests, shouting hoarsely, "Even in death, we need not worry about a lack of brave generals; our loyal souls will continue to guard the Holy Tang!!"

In this atmosphere, Wang Yanzhang and his ilk, in order to prove their loyalty, could only stare hysterically at the Empress Dowager, their eyes fixed on Zhang Hui's figure.

The concubines and eunuchs watching the ceremony from upstairs were also excited, their expressions varied.

The Holy Emperor's linguistic skills have reached a state of perfection, and his prestige is so solid that no one, whether inside or outside the army, would dare to rebel.
"Woo..." Dozens of guards sounded their horns. At Danfeng Gate, female officials, eunuchs, and musicians, carrying various musical instruments, played elegant music, the chime bells ringing crisply, the konghou (a type of harp) echoing. The chorus of thousands of dancers and singers gradually grew clearer and grander. In the music, everyone in the square, from the Holy Emperor down, stood in solemn reverence.

The staff waiting at the entrance of the passageway hurriedly carried the equipment over.
On both sides of the road, carefully selected honor guards raised their rifles high.

Zheng Yanchang, Han Wo, Wang Tuan, and more than a dozen ministers from the Secretariat stood side by side in the middle of the passageway.

The thousands of officers and soldiers stood tall and straight, seemingly forgetting their own status. Each one wore a stern face, and the previously somewhat disorderly ranks immediately became imposing. Under the guidance of the chief censor, they stepped forward cautiously, hands clasped, in time with the music.

Wei handed Zheng Yanchang a roll of yellow paper covered with densely written names.

Old Deng glanced at them briefly and said, "Han Zongxin, Yin Shouzhi, Hu Suoyue, Yuchi Zhen, Li Ao, Li Junshi, and Qiyan Shu are hereby appointed as Guerrilla Generals, First Commander of the Longjie Army, and Second Commander..."

After the reading was completed, dozens of civil officials summoned him in unison.

The seven people whose names were called ran out of line and knelt down in front of the door.

The subordinate official picked up the corresponding letter of appointment from the table and read it aloud.

After reading it, the seven men rose, ran to the desk, and bowed again: "Your Majesty, we thank you!"

Zheng Yanchang stepped forward, took the letter of appointment from his subordinates, and presented them to the seven military officers one by one.

He then took seven flags and seven swords, and like a principal conferring degrees, handed the flags to the seven men and hung the swords at their waists, solemnly saying: "The nation has heard that you can pursue the virtues of a gentleman and uphold the six moral principles, and expects you to reach the level of the great generals of old. Therefore, we entrust you with this mission. Respectfully accept this honor, honor the grand ceremony, and set an example for warriors with sincerity and frugality. Clearly demonstrate the king's rule and ensure lasting good fortune and descendants. How can we not be cautious in entrusting such a great responsibility to the nation?"

"Go, and carry out your duties diligently! Treat your responsibilities with respect and caution!"

"We respectfully accept your command!" Li Ao, a member of the imperial clan, answered as the leader. Qi Yanshu and the others gripped their sword hilts and flags tightly, their knuckles trembling slightly with excitement.

Is this what it means for Linxuan to be under control?
It feels so good.

The bugle and flag, which were usually light and fluttering, felt incredibly heavy in my hands.

"Geng Tong, Wang Yanzhang, Chen Zairong, Lun Hongyi, Dugu Xun... are appointed as Guerrilla Generals and Commanders of the Tiger-Swift Army." After Han Zongxin's group left, Zheng Yanchang continued reading.

Geng Tong and his ten men rushed forward and knelt down on the ground.

Geng Tong was originally a farmer who fled from Fengxiang to the outskirts of Beijing, and later joined the army. He survived for several years and repeatedly made meritorious contributions. This time, he was appointed as the Seventh Commander of the Tiger-Swift Army. The Tiger-Swift Army, under the Imperial Guard Infantry Division, consisted of 10,000 men.

Zheng Yanchang patted Wang Yanzhang on the shoulder and said, "Water flows downhill, and people should look forward. Now that the imperial decree has been issued, you are protected by the Holy Tang Dynasty and its system. Not to mention the attacks from treacherous officials in the court and the gossip among the people, even the emperor himself cannot easily punish you. However, let me be clear: from now on, any thoughts of betrayal are deadly. You must not try to cheat or shirk your duties. I have spent decades navigating the complexities of the court and the provinces, and I can see through the coldness and warmth, the loyalty and treachery, the good and the evil of this world. If you have any disloyal thoughts, even the slightest one, even if it's just a complaint in your own toilet, I might not be unaware of it. Remember that!"

Under the watchful eyes of countless people upstairs and downstairs, Wang Yanzhang's heart pounded, and he hurriedly nodded, saying, "I'll remember!"

“I’m asking you a question, and you have to answer. Yes.” Zheng Yanchang glared at him.

"Yes!" Wang Yanzhang obediently changed his address.

"Alright." Zheng Yanchang straightened Wang Yanzhang's hat, pointed to the palace behind him, and sang leisurely with a gentle smile: "Can't you sit in the Lingyan Pavilion? Can't you become a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households? Keep up the good work! I want to see how far you can go."

Even though Wang Yanzhang often cursed at the emperor in private, he was somewhat moved and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Prime Minister!"

As Wang Yanzhang walked back to his rank post, carrying his sword, tiger flag, official robes, and hat, everyone couldn't help but look at him.

Is this the orthodox way?

"Guo Meng, Wang Shaorong, Cao Zhe, Shi Laizi..."

Before we knew it, the clouds parted and the sun shone through.

After hundreds of mid- to high-ranking military officers had been commissioned, someone shouted, "Long live the Holy Tang Dynasty!"

Thousands of officers and soldiers repeatedly shouted, "Long live the Holy Tang Dynasty!"

"Long live the Emperor!" The concubines and eunuchs upstairs cheered together.

The Holy Emperor's brows relaxed.

After this change, the army consists of ten main forces: Jilongjie Army (7,000 heavy cavalry), Hujie Army (10,000 infantry), Tianan Army (10,000 infantry), Leopard Army (20,000 cavalry), Yingwu Army (10,000 cavalry), Huorui Army (10,000 infantry and cavalry), Xingguo Army (10,000 infantry), Moli Army (5,000 cavalry), Yulin Army (10,000 infantry), and Molizhitian Army (10,000 infantry and cavalry). The total number of these forces is 102,000.

They were all placed under the command of the Imperial Guard.

The Tian Ce Army, a semi-military force, was abolished and its authority was transferred to the militia commanders of the capital region.

The Wansui Army, the Four Envoys of the North Gate, the soldiers of Yanzhou, Liangzhou, Bianzhou, the Jin army captured and recruited, the Uyghur army, the Zhao and Wei army that entered the court, and the surrendered troops from Ling and Xia were scattered and reorganized, and were no longer organized.

The central army has only five commanders left, each leading a thousand men.

All troops of the Palace Guard were reduced to zero.

Of course, this is just sequence adjustment.

We'll need to replenish our troops later. To be honest, 100,000 men are only enough to defend ourselves.

The problem of maternal relatives has also been prevented from escalating.

This change meant that although people like Xiao Wang, Zhao Fu, Yang Kexuan, Nangong Daoyuan, and He Chuyu were appointed to positions with relatively high ranks, none of them were granted the title of commander. In other words, they would no longer have regular contact with troops.

Great, finally I don't have to worry about being killed by my wives and sons anymore.

The remaining task is to consolidate the three-tiered power structure of the Imperial Guard: the Training Division, the Command Division, and the Capital Garrison Division.

(End of this chapter)