Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 580: Huizong, No One Available

After hearing this, even Cai Que couldn't bear to listen any longer.

Cai Que stood up and said, "Grandmaster, are you complaining that the border guards are not rebelling thoroughly enough?"

Prince Consort Wang asked back, "Why do you say that, Prime Minister? Shouldn't border garrisons be punished for treason?"

Cai Que said with a cold face: "Of course they must be punished, but not now. Right now, the Qi King's army is at its peak and has already captured Tongguan. His sword is against our noses. If we kill the families of those guards now, we will completely cut off their retreat. They will surely be loyal to Qi King and fight to the death with us! Grand Master, do you think we are not dying fast enough or not enough?"

Hearing Cai Que's rebuttal, Prince Consort Wang couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

General Yang sighed at this time. The court was full of brainless idiots. The prince consort Wang was able to hold a high position without any virtue or talent. He just relied on women's connections and his relationship with Zhezong. The power of the court fell into the hands of such people, which was really a sign of the demise of the Song Dynasty.

Now General Yang is a little looking forward to Zhao Mu's army fighting back and restoring order.

At this time Gao Qiu came out to smooth things over and said, "Your Majesty, the Qi bandits are coming aggressively. The most urgent task now is to mobilize troops to defend Hangu Pass and consolidate the defense of the capital."

Hearing Gao Qiu's attempt to smooth things over, Prince Consort Wang replied, "Your Majesty, what General Gao said is absolutely right."

Although Gao Qiu tried to smooth things over, everything was back to square one: "Who will lead the troops to resist Zhao Mu?"

Because of the defection of the border troops, Huizong now really felt that he had "no one to use". After all, General Yang was also a subordinate of Zhao Mu in the Western Expedition, and the veteran general, King Zhongxiao, was related to Zhao Mu by marriage. Even if King Zhongxiao was not at home and claimed to be sick, Huizong did not dare to use him.

At the moment, Huizong was somewhat resentful towards Empress Dowager Xiang. She had previously said that his ascension to the throne would be foolproof, and the civil officials of the Empress Dowager's party also said that the two emperors ruling together could avoid the disaster of Prince Qi's war.

But now Zhao Mu really raised an army and issued a manifesto, denouncing them for usurpation.

In less than a few days, Zhao Mu's troops headed straight for Hangu Pass, and Empress Dowager Xiang was completely panicked.

All Huizong could do was to sit on the Golden Dragon Throne and slowly discuss the matter with the civil and military officials in the court.

Seeing Huizong's worried expression, Zhang Dun, who had just been reinstated, said, "Your Majesty, I have three strategies, good, medium, and bad, which may help to drive back the Qi army."

After hearing Zhang Dun's words, Huizong said quickly, "My dear minister, please speak quickly."

Zhang Dun replied, "Your Majesty, the best strategy is to ask the Emperor to issue an edict to recruit King Qi. The Emperor had a close relationship with King Qi in the past, and King Qi would obey the Emperor's will. The land King Qi now occupies will belong to Qi State, and he will be honored as an emperor in the future. Ordering him to withdraw his troops is the best strategy."

Huizong continued to ask: "What about the middle and the worst strategies?"

Zhang Dun continued: "The middle strategy is to move the capital."

"Move the capital?" Huizong couldn't help but frown when he heard this.

Zhang Dun continued, "Yes, move the capital. The enemy troops have already reached Tongguan, and I believe Xijing will soon be captured by the enemy troops. If Luoyang is lost, Bianjing will be an isolated city and it will be difficult to defend for long. It is better to move the capital. We can gather the army in Hangu Pass to fight King Qi. The Qi army is so aggressive that we will definitely not be able to defeat them. But we only need to delay for a few months. After a few months, we can gather the garrisons from all over the country to come to Jiangnan to protect the king, and then move the capital to Jinling, relying on the danger of the Yangtze River to fight against the enemy troops."

Cai Que couldn't stand hearing this bad idea. Before Huizong spoke, Cai Que asked, "What's the worst option? Surrender to the Liao people?" Zhang Dun shook his head again and said, "Of course not. The worst option is to ask the emperor to return to the throne. If the emperor returns to the throne, then the Qi army will have no reason to fight. If he fights again, he will be a traitor."

After hearing these three strategies, the ministers thought that the only strategy that could deter Zhao Mu was what Zhang Dun called the "worst strategy", which was to ask Zhezong to restore the throne.

If Zhezong was restored to the throne, if Zhao Mu attacked again, he would lose the righteousness of the world and would be a real rebellion. This method is the most likely way to resist Zhao Mu.

But this idea was undoubtedly an idea to shake Huizong's power and the throne. Zhang Dun dared to speak it out, which was already risking his head. Naturally, no one dared to speak in front of Huizong at the moment.

As for moving the capital, it was undoubtedly a bad idea for the high officials in the court. They were powerful in the capital, and their family businesses were all in Bianjing. If the people really moved south, who would be the host and who would be the guest? Who could tell?
The only thing that can be implemented now is the best strategy mentioned by Zhang Dun.

Huizong had no choice but to say, "Alas! For now, it seems that I can only talk to King Qi. I can go to the palace of the Supreme Emperor to ask for permission, but I wonder which of you would be willing to go to the Qi camp to meet King Qi?"

After hearing this, the ministers remained silent.

Previously, Zhongshan King Zhao Yong was sent to confer the title on Zhao Mu, but his life or death is unknown now. He is probably dead. Who dares to go now?
Seeing that no one was helping him, Huizong was furious and said, "It is often said that the ruler and his subjects are like father and son. Now that our ruler and father are in danger, why don't you say a word? Don't you help me? You really make me feel bad."

At this time, Gao Qiu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, all the ministers in the court are busy with their duties and have no time to spare. If you want to find an envoy, it should be someone who is related to King Qi."

Huizong looked at Gao Qiu and asked, "Does Lord Gao have any candidates?"

Gao Qiu replied: "In the capital, the Deng Palace, Shang Palace, and Zhongxiao Palace are all related to the King of Qi. Your Majesty can choose a capable minister from these three families to go as an envoy."

After thinking for a moment, Huizong said, "Then let's ask the prince of Shang, Chai Wen, to be the envoy. Summon him quickly."

Afterwards, Huizong had no choice but to dismiss the court.

After returning to the palace, Huizong went straight to Zhezong's residence. Zhezong was suffering from a long-term illness, and his appearance was thin and pale. Only Empress Meng and Concubine Liu were serving him. As for Zhezong's other concubines, most of them were placed in Beiyuan by Huizong.

Queen Meng was feeding Zhezong medicine when she heard hurried footsteps outside the hall. She was startled and the spoon in her hand shook, spilling medicine on Zhezong's face.

Although Zhezong was scalded, he did not blame Queen Meng. Zhezong said to Queen Meng: "Why are you panicking? The mother of a country should have the bearing of a mother of a country!"

Queen Meng calmed herself down, then took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Zhezong's face.

Then Huizong came in with several eunuchs.

Looking at Huizong who appeared in front of him, Zhezong, though ill, still maintained his royal demeanor. Zhezong asked in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "What happened to make my brother so panicked?"

Huizong looked at Zhezong, then bowed and said, "My dear brother. The ambitious Prince Qi rebelled, and the Qinfeng Road troops defected. Now they have occupied Tongguan and are heading straight for Xijing."

Hearing this, Zhezong couldn't help but feel happy.

(End of this chapter)