Meishan Su family, Su Yun is the most virtuous

Chapter 398 Fierce Debate!
Zhong Pu's eyes widened with anger, veins popping out of his neck, and he shouted at Zheng Nian'an, "Shut up! My Zhong family is full of loyal heroes, how can we allow a villain like you to slander us!"

The other generals also echoed the sentiment, with their words being quite fierce.

The bearded general slammed his sword on the table, shaking the candlelight: "Zheng Nian'an, you forged evidence and framed loyal officials. Your methods are so despicable that you are worse than pigs and dogs!"

The young general's eyes were red, and his voice was tearful: "We trusted you, but you treated us as pawns. Where is your conscience?"

The white-haired old general was so angry that he was shaking all over. He slammed the ground with his long sword and said, "Zheng Nian'an, you have ruined the military spirit and betrayed the court. You will be punished by heaven!"

Zheng Nian'an was not in a hurry. With a mocking smile on his face, he took two steps forward and scanned the crowd with a sharp gaze: "Humph! You are filled with righteous indignation and accuse me of dirty tricks?
But let me ask you, what have you done all these years?
Drink the blood of soldiers and suck their marrow from their bones! Whenever there is a war, is it because the food supply is insufficient and the weapons are outdated?

How many brothers have lost their lives in vain because of your greed!

Back then, Emperor Shenzong had great ambitions and invested most of the proceeds from his reforms into the northwest in order to restore the territory of the Han and Tang dynasties. But what are you doing?
Emperor Shenzong was transporting food and fodder to the border areas in the back, and you were in the front making money for yourselves. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and generals, five routes to attack Xia, haha, if it weren't for you idiots, we would have been defeated back then?"

The bearded general was so angry that his face turned red. He took a step forward and almost poked Zheng Nian'an's nose with his finger: "Zheng Nian'an, stop spitting blood!
How could we be held responsible for the failure of the Five-Way War against Xia?
That was because the Xixia army was cunning and they cut off the food supply route in advance, causing our army to lose its supply. This was not because of us lining our own pockets!"

The young general tried hard to suppress his anger, his voice choking with sobs: "General Zheng, you slander us for drinking the blood of our soldiers, how can you have a clear conscience?
Every time we charge into battle, we lead the charge and risk our lives.

Take the encounter with Western Xia last year for example. I led my troops to hold our position for three days and three nights. My brothers suffered heavy casualties, but I never retreated!

If we talk about corrupting the military spirit, you are the real culprit for fabricating evidence and framing loyal officials!"

The white-haired old general leaned his long sword on the ground, his hands trembling slightly, and his voice was low but full of majesty: "Zheng Nian'an, Emperor Shenzong's ambitions have not been fulfilled, and we are also heartbroken.

In recent years, we have worked hard to protect our country and have not dared to slack off. As for the shortage of food and weapons, it is the result of the court's decision-making mistakes and poor transportation. What does it have to do with us?
You are betraying the Song Dynasty by confusing right and wrong and misleading everyone for your own selfish interests!"

Zhong Pu clenched his fists, his nails almost digging into his palms, his eyes blazing with fire: "Zheng Nian'an, my Zhong family has guarded the borders for the Song Dynasty for generations, sacrificing our lives and shedding our blood without any selfish motives.

After the Battle of Yongle City, my father was always brooding over it and regretted it for the rest of his life.

You are using these trumped-up charges to slander us. What is your intention? "

Upon hearing this, Zheng Nian'an raised his head and let out a loud, shrill laugh. The laughter echoed in the tent, like the cry of an owl in the night, sending chills down everyone's spine.

After laughing, he suddenly put away his smile, his face darkened, anger surged in his eyes, and he took a few steps forward, like a cheetah ready to pounce: "How dare you quibble!

Every time we fail, you put all the blame on others!

Blame the Xixia people for being cunning, blame the court officials for being restrictive, but have you ever reflected on yourself for a moment? "

His eyes were like lightning, and he first glanced at the bearded general and angrily rebuked him: "You said that Xixia cut off the food supply route, which led to the failure of the five-way attack on Xia.

Why wasn't there a thorough investigation before the war? Why wasn't there a countermeasure prepared?
As a general, if you can't even guarantee the safety of food and grass supplies, how can you still have the dignity to argue here?"

The bearded general blushed and wanted to refute, but was speechless for a moment.

Then, Zheng Nian'an pointed the finger at the young generals: "You said that you charged into battle without fear of life or death. But in an encounter, your brothers suffered heavy casualties. Shouldn't you reflect on whether your tactics were appropriate?
Why can't we win at a lower cost? What else is this but incompetence?"

The young general's eyes were red, his lips were trembling, and he was speechless.

Finally, Zheng Nian'an turned to the white-haired veteran and Zhong Pu, his tone becoming increasingly sharp: "So what if the Zhong family has been guarding the border for generations?

During the Battle of Yongle City, your father did not take any action, which led to the fall of the city and the death of countless soldiers.

Isn't this dereliction of duty?
And you, General Cao! You have held a large army for many years, but you have failed to expand the territory, allowing the Western Xia to wreak havoc on the border.

Whenever there was a shortage of food, fodder and weapons, he would blame the court.

But have you ever taken the initiative to fight for it, or have you ever thought about how to solve the problem?

Or are you just seeking comfort and enriching yourself? "

The white-haired veteran swayed and almost lost his balance.

Zhong Pu was so angry that he was shaking all over, with veins popping out on his forehead: "Zheng Nian'an, you...you are talking nonsense!"

Zheng Nian'an was not moved at all, and continued to shout: "You people have the name of serving the country, but not the reality of serving the country!"

When everyone heard this, their faces turned pale and red, but no one spoke out to refute.

Zheng Nian'an sneered at this, raised his voice, and continued to ask: "Let me ask you again, the Zhong family has a large number of troops, and has it really been dedicated to recovering the lost territory for the Song Dynasty in recent years?

Or are you using the banner of serving the country to consolidate your own power? Are you following the Zhong family to serve the country or to seek personal gain?"

There was dead silence in the tent, except for the crackling of the burning candle.

Some generals avoided looking at him, not daring to meet his gaze. Finally, Zheng Nian'an pointed at Zhong Pu and shouted, "Zhong Pu, now that things have come to this, you don't reflect on yourself, but are still stubborn.

Let me ask you, if you really have the heart to serve your country, why, in the face of the corruption of the imperial court, have you never thought of changing it, but only blindly remained loyal?
Is the Song Dynasty going to be destroyed in the hands of you pedantic people?"

Zhong Pu's face turned pale and his lips trembled, but he was speechless.

Zheng Nian'an's three questions hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

The generals who had been so aggressive just now now lowered their heads in shame, and a depressing atmosphere filled the tent.

Zheng Nian'an paced back and forth in the tent with a gleaming look in his eyes, his voice becoming more and more excited: "Everyone, let me tell you about Mr. Su.

Over the years, Mr. Su has devoted all his energy to reforming the military and political system and implementing the military farming system in Yan'an Prefecture. This not only solved the food and fodder problems of the local military and civilians, but also trained an elite army with strict discipline and strong combat effectiveness.

He built water conservancy projects, developed commerce, and allowed the people of Yan'an Prefecture to live and work in peace and contentment.

But even so, the conservatives in the court, for their own selfish interests, never tired of party struggles and repeatedly suppressed Mr. Su Yun, making it difficult to implement many of his good policies. "

"Look at Prime Minister Zhang Dun, he advocated reform and wanted to enrich the country and strengthen the army and recover lost territory.

In the battle of Xihe to open up the frontier, Prime Minister Zhang made careful plans, expanded the territory by thousands of miles, and made great military achievements for the Song Dynasty.

But what about now? He was completely banished to a remote place, with no way to serve his country.

Isn’t this ironclad evidence of the court’s corruption?”

Zheng Nian'an clenched his fists, his face full of grief and anger.

"What's even more hateful is that, for the sake of temporary peace, the imperial court ceded Yan'an Prefecture and the Hehuang region to the Western Xia!
These are the beautiful lands of our Great Song Dynasty, purchased with the blood of countless ancestors!
Their actions are undoubtedly selling out their country for personal gain!"

Zheng Nian'an's eyes widened with anger as he glanced at everyone, "Zhao Kuangyin staged a mutiny at Chenqiao and put on the yellow robe, but his acquisition of the country was not legitimate.

After that, the Song Dynasty emphasized culture over military power, and our military men were in a lowly position and suffered all kinds of suspicion and suppression.

Soldiers shed blood and sweat, but they don’t get the respect and treatment they deserve, and the road to promotion is extremely difficult.”

“And Mr. Su, he has great ambitions. He wants to overthrow the corrupt Zhao pseudo-regime, conquer the old lands of Xixia and Liao, restore the dignity of the warriors, and restore the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties.

Following Mr. Su, we can not only realize our ambitions and leave our names in history, but also create a peaceful and prosperous world for future generations and leave behind a huge fortune! "

Zheng Nian'an walked in front of everyone, his eyes earnest, "Everyone, this opportunity is not to be missed, it will never come again.

Whether you continue to sink in this corrupt court or follow Mr. Su and create a great cause together is up to you!"

There was an uproar in the tent, and the generals were whispering to each other with different expressions.

Some people's eyes lit up with fighting spirit, as if they were moved by Zheng Nian'an's words;
Some people still frowned and were doubtful;
Zhong Pu's face was gloomy, and he shouted angrily: "Zheng Nian'an, you are committing treason!
My family has been blessed by the Emperor of the Song Dynasty for generations, and we will never associate with a traitor like you!"

Zheng Nian'an took a step forward, a determined smile appeared on his face, and his eyes were fixed on Zhong Pu like a snake: "Zhong Pu, what's the point of you being tough now?
When I send these "evidences" to Bian Jing, those old foxes in the Zhong family will expel you from the clan without hesitation in order to protect their family.

By then, your branch will become an outcast, abandoned by the entire clan."

He crossed his arms and spoke in an increasingly cold tone, "Just think about it, your grandmother, mother, wife, children, and your relatives, how will they be implicated?
It is possible that the property will be confiscated and the entire family will be exterminated!

Rather than letting your family be buried with you, it is better to go to Yan'an Prefecture now.

Let's take Guanzhong together. Relying on the strategic location of Guanzhong's 'land surrounded by mountains on all sides', we can attack when we advance or defend when we retreat.

Even if the Song Dynasty court was furious and mobilized a large army to attack, there would be nothing they could do. "

Zheng Nian'an's voice became more and more excited, echoing in the tent: "Once we occupy Guanzhong, we will have the capital to fight for the world.

Maybe it won’t be long before we can overthrow the Zhao regime and seize the world.

By that time, the Zhong family will not only not dare to abandon you, but will compete to curry favor with you and worship you as a great contributor to the Zhong family!"

Zheng Nian'an glanced around the tent, and his eyes finally fell on Zhong Pu: "My fellow generals, we are all passionate men with great abilities.

Why should we suffer under the oppression of this corrupt court, restricted in every way, and endure such humiliation?
Following Mr. Su, we can not only seek glory and wealth for ourselves, but also create a peaceful and prosperous era for the people of the world and leave our names in history!

This choice is not difficult, it just depends on whether you have the courage! "

(End of this chapter)