The Left General ordered a march of sixty li per day. Sixty li may not sound fast, but the march of a great army is different from a swift horse ride. It must maintain a certain formation, have the endurance for long-distance marching, and stop for rest after a segnt. Cavalry is not much faster than infantry.
Song Yuan led two hundred of the Emperor’s personal guards to march with the Heroic Guard Camp.
So trusted aides whispered privately, "At the speed of the Heroic Guard Camp, it will take two months to reach the Yu State Army. By the ti we get there, the Yu State might already be occupied by the rebel army."
"If we abandon the main army and speed ahead on horseback, we could at least save half the ti."
"Indeed! Perhaps we should speak with Commander Song. We should set out first..."
"Silence!"
A tall figure appeared behind the trusted aides, scolding coldly, "In a grand march, how can one only seek speed? Stability must co first."
The trusted aides imdiately fell silent, embarrassed.
Song Yuan said in a stern voice, "You’ve been in the Personal Guard Camp for too long, with plenty to eat and excellent weapons. Equipped with at least two horses each, you naturally travel fast. The Heroic Guard Camp has only thirty percent cavalry and seventy percent infantry. Covering sixty li a day already shows the Left General manages the army strictly."
"If you privately talk about the main general like this again, I won’t spare you."
The trusted aides’ faces burned with sha, and they all clasped their hands and agreed.
This minor episode did not cause any waves. Even when it reached the Left General, he rely smiled wryly.
The trusted aides from Nanyang County eat well, dress warmly, and receive ample military pay; they train daily with strict discipline and are formidable. They are all literate, reaching the standard of mid-level military generals in Da Liang. It is evident that before the Empress ascended the throne, she already had ambitions, investing heavily to raise such a group of prideful and fierce soldiers.
Now, there are two thousand trusted aides stationed in various military camps, all loyal confidants of the Empress. The two hundred trusted aides Song Yuan brought along are the elite among elites. The soldiers of the Heroic Guard Camp indeed are no match for them.
As long as they don’t cause trouble, an occasional disdainful remark can be overlooked.
Most heartening to the Left General is that Commander Song does what he says, following orders throughout the march without interference.
...
The letter from Song Yuan was only two brief pages, mostly praising the Left General’s excellent military managent.
The Left General took charge of the Heroic Guard Camp just over a year ago. In this short ti, he transford an army with over fifty percent new recruits into their current state, which is a remarkable achievent.
After reading the letter, Jiang Shaohua said to Cui Du, "Among the court’s generals, the Left General excels in managing and leading troops in battle. Next would be General Fan, then General Bao, who is loyal and experienced but hasn’t led troops out of the Capital City to fight, making him slightly inferior. Generals Sima, Song, and Liu follow afterward."
Cui Du chuckled softly, "So, even though the Left General still secretly associates with Pri Minister Wang, you’re willing to employ him."
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "Yes. There are always factional struggles in the court. The Left General was promoted by Pri Minister Wang; his loyalty to the Pri Minister is expected. As long as he obeys the court’s directives."
Loyal ministers and capable generals must be nurtured over ti. She had just ascended the throne a few months ago; wishing for civil and military officials to wholeheartedly submit would be too greedy. The current situation is already satisfactory.
After chatting for so ti, Jiang Shaohua felt a bit tired. Cui Du assisted her to the bed to lie down. Now, with her belly so large, she couldn’t lie on her back, only on her side, and her legs and feet were sowhat swollen.
Cui Du massaged her swollen calves, speaking softly, "Close your eyes and sleep!"
He couldn’t share her burdens of state affairs but could do small things.
Jiang Shaohua softly said, "You should sleep early too."
Cui Du nodded in agreent but didn’t sleep. Jiang Shaohua fell into a deep sleep, while he continued to gently massage her legs until the middle of the night before finally resting.
...
The next morning at the early court session, Vice Minister Ding of the Ministry of War presented with great anger a "proclamation" sent from Yu State to the Capital City.
This proclamation, over a thousand words long, was written with extraordinary talent and sharp penmanship. It angrily accused Empress Zhaoping of illegitimately seizing the throne, harming the national fortune of Da Liang by taking the throne as a woman. It claid that civil and military officials were either coerced by force, tempted by gain, or willingly defected, creating a corrupt atmosphere. Prince Ping was confined in the harem, and both the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager were also under house arrest. The Yu State Army is rising up, calling upon all rebel armies to join in marching to the Capital to overthrow the rebels and enthrone Prince Ping.
The ministers, incensed by such a willful distortion of truth, vehently cursed.
"The Emperor’s succession was divinely ordained and earned the support of all ministers, with even the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager giving their full support. It was rightful, not a usurpation!"
"Since the Emperor’s ascension, he has governed diligently, ensuring clear governance and a well-stocked National Treasury. Such a benevolent ruler and prosperous era of loyal ministers and generals are unprecedented."
"We support the Emperor purely out of integrity."
"The notion of enthroning Prince Ping is re deceptive rambling, exploiting the ignorance of the common people!"
Minister Dong, particularly outraged, was ntioned by na in the proclamation as one of the "traitorous ministers" defecting to the Empress. "Prince Ping’s ntal deficiencies have been no secret in the Capital since childhood, known to every court minister. But the citizens and the brawny soldiers of the Yu State Army aren’t aware. The author of this proclamation deliberately confounds right and wrong."
"Please, Emperor, imdiately issue an edict. I wish to draft a proclamation to denounce the rebels!"
Minister Dong was genuinely furious. As a civil servant, his greatest ambition was to have his na go down in history. Now with the advent of the Yu State Army’s proclamation, it seed he was destined to be recorded in the annals of history – most likely with infamy.
Minister Dong at this mont felt an acute grievance against Zheng Chen.
This cunning, scholarly, sharply penned proclamation could not have been written by a common person. The Yu State Army was full of martial soldiers, and only Zheng Chen could have composed it.
What Minister Dong realized, so did many ministers. Equally indignant were Vice Minister Yang and Vice Minister Ding, both ntioned just after Minister Dong in the proclamation. Regardless of how quickly the Yu State Army is defeated, they were destined to be noted in the historical records.
Wang Jin, unable to contain his anger, stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, the rebel Zheng Chen incited and encouraged the Yu State Army’s rebellion, even crafting such treacherous writings to defa Your Majesty and the court’s senior ministers. I wish to draft a proclamation to denounce the rebels! Please grant permission!"
Imdiately following, Vice Minister Yang and Vice Minister Ding also expressed their impassioned desire to write proclamations, both to defend the Emperor’s na and to vehently scorn the rebels!
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