I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 108 First Clash

February of the third year of Yuanfu.

The first formal council of the new dynasty, with the Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain and the participation of high-ranking officials and key figures from the censorate, was held in the Chongzheng Hall.

The palace was solemn, with the throne hanging high above. A beaded curtain hung down to the left, behind which stood the figure of Empress Dowager Xiang.

Emperor Huizong sat upright on his throne, trying his best to maintain a dignified demeanor, though he was actually quite restless.

It wasn't just because Zhao Ji was inherently restless, but also because there were many of these people he didn't want to see.

At the lower end, the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Chancellery Han Zhongyan and Privy Councilor Zeng Bu sat at the head of the civil and military ranks, respectively.

Fan Chunli, Minister of Rites, Chen Guan, Right Censor, Zou Hao, Left Censor, and other key members of the old party who had recently returned to the capital lined up in order.

The group first handled a few routine administrative tasks as usual, and the process went smoothly.

As the meeting was about to end, Chen Guan, the Right Remonstrator, suddenly stepped forward with a clear and melodious voice.

"Your subject Chen Guan has a memorial to present. Recently, I reviewed the draft of the calendar for the second year of Yuanfu compiled by the Secretariat and found that the records of last year's Hehuang War and related court discussions were biased and lacked the impartiality of historical writing."

(This "calendar" is not the calendar we use today. It is a chronology of major events compiled by the Secretariat of the Song Dynasty and serves as historical evidence.)

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

The figure behind the beaded curtain seemed to move slightly, and Zhao Ji stopped tapping the armrest, turning his gaze to Chen Guan.

Chen Guan continued, speaking faster.

The calendar details the military achievements of generals such as Wang Shan, Liu Zhongwu, and Zhong Pu, with particular emphasis on the defeat of Xia at Heishitan.

However, the court's proposals at the time to advocate peace, end the war, and reduce expenses were either glossed over or met with sarcasm.

Even worse, there was a lot of protection for officials who advocated for the management of the Hehuang region and the administration of border affairs, while those who advocated for a cautious approach to internal stability were implicitly belittled.

This is not a factual account, but rather a biased and prejudiced record that glorifies border exploits and suppresses public opinion at court! The historian's duty is to be impartial; how can such a record be trusted for posterity? I implore Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager to investigate thoroughly, correct the inaccuracies in the calendar, dismiss the current compiler Zhao Mingcheng from his post, and appoint a more impartial official to oversee the task!

As soon as he finished speaking, Zuo Sijian Zou Hao immediately seconded his opinion.

"Your subject seconded Chen Zhengyan's suggestion that the newly established dynasty should demonstrate to the world a peaceful and benevolent attitude."

The calendar is the foundation of national history. If it begins by praising border achievements and belittling peace negotiations, it may mislead future generations and incite border generals to take chances.

Zhao Mingcheng is young and newly appointed, and has personally experienced the Hehuang region. It is inevitable that he may harbor biases, and it is feared that he will not be able to record events truthfully. For the sake of historical impartiality and the stability of the court, his appointment should indeed be carefully considered.

The two men echoed each other, making harsh accusations, directly accusing Zhao Mingcheng of abusing his power to compile history, distorting facts, advocating for "border expansion," and going against the current court's general principle of "peace and tranquility."

This is not just about impeaching Zhao Mingcheng personally.

This was also the first direct confrontation between the old and new parties over ideology and the right to record national policies.

Seeing that the time was right, Han Zhongyan slowly stepped forward. His demeanor was composed, and his tone was gentler than Chen Guan's, yet carried more weight.

"The affairs of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Hehuang region are now history. However, the historical record concerns the evaluation of future generations and also the direction of the present."

The first sign of a new dynasty is peace and tranquility, allowing the people to rest. If the national history only praises border achievements, it will inevitably encourage border generals to cause trouble and the court to engage in idle talk.

Zhao Mingcheng may be talented, but he is still young and may possess youthful impetuosity, which might lead to an unjust record of events. This old minister is not targeting him personally, but rather acting for the sake of national historical fairness and the stability of the court. I hope Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager will suppress rumors about border affairs and rectify historical writing, so that future generations will know our dynasty's principles of prioritizing civil administration over military affairs and benevolence.

The three men repeatedly urged Zhao Mingcheng to elevate his "bias" to the level of misleading national policy and endangering the court, demanding that he be removed from his post as historian and that his historical writing be revised.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the throne and the beaded curtain.

A surge of anger had already risen in Zhao Ji's heart.

How could he not know that this was the old party using this as an excuse to suppress his most trusted minister?

Furthermore, it aims to erase the Emperor's decisions and achievements in the Hehuang issue!

Zhao Ji gripped the armrest of the dragon throne tightly, but remembering Zhao Mingcheng's usual reminders, he suppressed his anger and instead turned his gaze to Zeng Bu, who had remained silent.

Zeng Bu remained silent, as if he were a clay or wooden sculpture.

Zhao Ji snorted inwardly, knowing that it was inconvenient for Zeng Bu to step forward directly at this moment. He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calm.

"The memorials presented by Ministers Chen, Zou, and Han have been heard by the Empress Dowager and me. However, whether the historians' records are indeed unfair still needs to be clearly examined. I hereby summon Zhao Mingcheng, the Compiler, to the palace to present a detailed account of his draft of the Calendar."

"Summon Zhao Mingcheng, Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and Director of the Imperial Library, to the palace."

The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed in the empty hall.

A moment later, Zhao Mingcheng walked steadily into Chongzheng Hall.

His expression was calm, his eyes clear. After bowing deeply towards the throne and the gauze curtain, he stood solemnly in the hall, showing no fear or indignation whatsoever.

"Zhao Qing," Zhao Ji said, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Right Remonstrator Chen Guan and Left Censor Zou Hao have impeached you for compiling the 'Calendar,' alleging that your records of the Hehuang war and court discussions are biased and unfair, that you promote border achievements while suppressing pro-peace sentiments. What is your response?"

Zhao Mingcheng bowed again, his voice clear and resonant.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I have been granted the honor of holding the position of Assistant Compiler, responsible for compiling the calendar. My records pertain to three matters..."

First, the border town's actual report. I personally experienced the Battle of Hehuang. The number of heads taken and prisoners captured at Heishitan, and whether Xia general Yeli Jie's banner was captured, are all evidenced by official documents from the Military Commissioner and the Military Governor's Office, as well as the actual items seized. I dare not add or subtract a single word.

Second, the central government's decisions, including when the court discussed the Hehuang region, who advocated war, who advocated peace, and what their rationale was, can all be found in the "Records of Current Affairs" and the records of the Secretariat and the Chancellery on that day. I have only selected and recorded the essentials.

Third, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works all have records of losses of money and grain, conscription of laborers, and casualties of border troops. I will extract them as per usual practice.

"This humble official dares to ask Chen Zhengyan and Zou Sijian,..."

Zhao Mingcheng turned to Chen Guan and Zou Hao, his gaze calm yet sharp.

"Of all the records I have made, which one is not based on fact? Which one can be considered false?"

If the border general's report of merit is true, the central government's decision is true, and the records of various departments are true, then my record is true.

The historian's duty is to record the facts truthfully and faithfully. How can the merit of killing the enemy be concealed just because there are proposals for peace in the court? How can the fact of using troops be concealed just because the emperor has the virtue of "peace and tranquility"?

If historical writing can be distorted by contemporary opinions and altered by public discourse, then what constitutes reliable history? How is it any different from street gossip and sycophantic pronouncements?

!

'

Zhao Mingcheng's remarks were well-organized and adhered closely to the principle of "factual record".

By attributing Chen and Zou's accusations to dissatisfaction with the facts themselves, rather than to errors in his record, he demonstrates a very high level of insight.

Chen Guan was momentarily stunned by the question, but quickly realized what was going on and countered by seizing on the point of "advocating peace".

"Even if the facts are not wrong, there are methods to recording events, and the details should be carefully chosen! Your excessive exaggeration of border achievements and your understatement of the advocacy for peace are biased! They are pandering to the border generals and misleading the emperor! If this continues, the people will only know the benefits of expanding the borders, but will not know the importance of resting the people and allowing them to recuperate. Isn't this leading people to danger?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mingcheng revealed a smile that was almost mocking.

These appeasement factions of the old party were the reason why the Song Dynasty was rotten to the core in history.

He looks down on this kind of person now, and he will never look down on this kind of person in the future.

Zhao Mingcheng's voice suddenly rose.

"Chen Zhengyan, do you know that although Emperor Wu of Han's expulsion of the Xiongnu depleted the resources accumulated by Emperors Wen and Jing, it ultimately eliminated the threat of the Xiongnu, and the Guanzhong Plain was at peace for several hundred years?"

Did you know that when the Tang Dynasty was at its peak, it controlled the Hehuang region, and the Tibetan Empire dared not look eastward?

Then, both the Han and Tang emperors were incompetent, and their ministers sought only personal gain. The Han dynasty abandoned the Hetao region, and the Tang dynasty abandoned the Hehuang region, claiming it would save money, end the war, and allow the people to recuperate. But what was the result?

Zhao Mingcheng's gaze swept over Chen Guan, Zou Hao, and even Han Zhongyan and Fan Chunli, each word like a heavy hammer blow.

"If the Hetao region is abandoned, Guanzhong will be in danger; if the Hehuang region is abandoned, Longyou will be perilous! With the Hu horses moving south, the Central Plains will have no more protection!"

Learning from the past is essential for the future. My record of the beauty of Heishitan is not for boasting, but for preservation and reflection! It is to let future generations know how border troubles arise and how to defend our territory. While talk of seeking temporary peace may please the ears for a time, it can bring disaster for thousands of years!

If, because of the prevailing sentiment of peace and avoidance of war in the halls of power today, the blood and sweat shed by our soldiers in defeating the enemy and defending our territory are to be downplayed—”

Zhao Mingcheng suddenly stopped, looked at Chen Guan and the others whose expressions had changed drastically, and slowly uttered his last words, which were like a knife to the heart.

"Then how is this historical writing any different from Qin's 'pointing at a deer and calling it a horse'? How is it any different from Han's distorted learning and pandering to the world?"

When future generations see our dynasty's calendar, will they praise our rulers and ministers for their pragmatism and integrity, reminiscent of the Han and Tang dynasties' tradition of expanding borders and pacifying distant lands? Or will they ridicule our dynasty for its complacency and lack of military might, emulating the early Han dynasty's appeasement of the Xiongnu through marriage alliances and the Jin dynasty's ceding of territory to the Hu and Jie tribes?

"Zhao Mingcheng! You—you're using sophistry!"

Chen Guan was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Zhao Mingcheng, but was speechless for a moment.

Emperor Huizong was quite pleased to see this scene. He hadn't expected Defu to be so eloquent, and it would be a good opportunity to deflate the arrogance of these people.

Zhao Mingcheng's words elevated "recording the facts" to the level of "the way to survival," and the sharpness of his words and the incisiveness of his intentions were almost accusing them of misleading the country.

Zeng Bu, who had been silent all along, finally moved.

He stepped out half a step, his posture steady and his voice calm, yet he inserted himself perfectly into the tense atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, I have something to say."

All eyes were on the Privy Councilor.

He is the last remaining leader of the New Party and a key figure in supporting Zhao Ji's ascension to the throne; his attitude is of paramount importance.

Zeng Bu ignored Zhao Mingcheng and Chen Guan and the others, and spoke slowly to the throne and the gauze curtain.

"The calendar is a true record of the daily affairs of the court, and is indeed the foundation of reliable history, which is related to the judgment of later generations. The events recorded in it should be based on the actual reports and official documents. We can discuss its merits and demerits, but the facts themselves should not be lightly changed because of discussions. This is the system."

Zeng Bu first established the tone of "system" and "reliable history," thus occupying the high ground of legal reasoning.

Then, the tone shifted slightly.

Whether Zhao Mingcheng's argument is entirely reasonable is another matter, but the purpose of the historian is to record events and preserve the truth.

If historians are dismissed and existing histories are altered at the slightest disagreement, it will set a bad precedent. Today, alterations can be made because of the Hehuang issue; tomorrow, alterations can be made because of another issue. One person can change the record because they advocate peace; another can change it because they advocate war. If this continues, history will cease to be history; everyone will live in fear, and who will dare to write truthfully?

Zeng Bu continued, his tone becoming even more earnest.

"At the beginning of the new dynasty, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor should broaden the channels of communication and listen to all sides to gain a clear understanding. Even if there are border victories, they are due to the soldiers' bravery and the virtue and prestige of the court. Why not record them?"

Even if the proposal is one of peace, it reflects a mature and prudent approach to governing the country, with the well-being of the people at heart; recording it is acceptable. History is like a mirror, reflecting both sides, and posterity will have its own judgment. If, out of fear of being misled, one were to preemptively delete or cover it up, wouldn't that be demonstrating a lack of self-confidence to the world? And would that truly be a blessing for the court?

Zeng Bu was extremely shrewd and experienced.

On the surface, he is neutral and composed, always upholding the "system," "reliable history," and "freedom of speech."

In reality, every sentence defends Zhao Mingcheng and the current records, and places the old party at a moral and legal disadvantage for "wanting to change credible history," "suppressing free speech," and "lacking confidence in the court."

Han Zhongyan, Fan Chunli, and the others listened with grim expressions, but found it difficult to directly refute them.

A heavy silence fell over the hall.

Behind the gauze curtain, Empress Dowager Xiang looked rather displeased, but remained silent, as this was not her area of ​​expertise.

After a long while, Emperor Huizong of Tang, sitting on his throne, finally finished weighing his options and slowly spoke.

"The Empress Dowager and I are aware of what you have discussed. The importance of historical writing lies in its accuracy."

Since Zhao Qing has stated that all the records he has made are based on verifiable evidence and are not fabricated, there is no need to change the calendar. As for the level of detail in the records, it varies from case to case, and we can make efforts to balance it in the future.

"Zhao Qing, now that you have been appointed as a compiler, you should diligently uphold your duties in compiling history, neither flattering nor concealing wrongdoing. Just continue to perform your duties. This matter need not be discussed further."

Emperor Huizong made the final decision, affirming Zhao Mingcheng's principle of "factual reporting," rejecting the motions to alter history and dismiss him, and giving the old party a way out to "strive for balance in the future," thus barely maintaining a superficial balance.

And most importantly.

Zhao Ji made the decision himself without consulting the Empress Dowager. Although the decision must have been entirely in line with the Empress Dowager's wishes, it showed that as the emperor, he was beginning to try to exercise his decision-making power independently.

"Your subject obeys the decree." Zhao Mingcheng bowed and accepted the order.

"Your subjects—obey the imperial decree." Han Zhongyan, Chen Guan, Zou Hao, and the others had no choice but to bow, though their tone was stiff and their faces were somber.

"If there's nothing else, let's call it a day."

Emperor Huizong waved his hand, ending the heated discussion.

The crowd bowed and filed out of the Chongzheng Hall.

Han Zhongyan and Fan Chunli walked quickly ahead, talking in hushed tones, their faces grim. Chen Guan and Zou Hao followed closely behind, their brows furrowed.

Zeng Bu walked unhurriedly past Zhao Mingcheng, who was still standing solemnly outside the hall, without pausing his steps or glancing sideways.

But the hand holding the jade tablet moved almost imperceptibly and very slightly in Zhao Mingcheng's direction.

Zhao Mingcheng remained motionless, but as Zeng Bu walked away, he lowered his already slightly clasped hands by half a step to show his gratitude and respect.

With a resounding victory in the first battle, Zhao Mingcheng's authority as a historian was firmly established.

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