You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 43 Departure
Tong Guan held a letter and read it carefully again and again, his whole body trembling slightly.

A deep unease filled his heart, and a surge of emotions, including regret, welled up within him.

Several officials sat at the head of the table, all looking at him. Tong Guan wanted to say something, but couldn't, and finally his mind went completely blank.

"Lord Enfu."

Tong Guan called out to the person at the very top in a trembling voice.

His back was hunched over, a stark contrast to his usual self.

Inside the palace outside Genyue, a man sat at the head of the table, dressed in a purple robe and a gauze hat. His chin was clean-shaven, and although he was old, he possessed a refined and elegant demeanor.

This man is none other than Liang Shicheng, who is known as the reclusive prime minister of our time, but is referred to as Mr. Enfu without using his real name.

Although he had long held the title of military governor in name only and had the rank of prime minister, his official position was no longer circulating among the various departments.

In other words, his official position was so high that it lacked any real class.

Although Tong Guan and Wang Fu also wielded immense power in the court, they both had to be subservient to him.

At this time, although Liang Shicheng did not have any important or prestigious post, and his official title was merely that of an envoy in charge of palaces and temples, he was someone that Emperor Huizong could not do without for even a moment.

When he spoke, Zhao Ji simply listened.

Therefore, he was able to control half of the court, and his power was already on par with that of Grand Tutor Cai Jing before he was dismissed from his post, or even showed signs of surpassing him.

Liang Shicheng said, "What's the panic? Victory and defeat are common in war. It's just that some exiles from the Northwest have died. We can cover it up in front of the officials. Do you think we can take away your Pacification Commissioner?"

Tong Guan felt a little more at ease.

If this person speaks up, there's still room for things to turn around.

This defeat was a crushing one, with heavy losses. The Western Army lost 100,000 men, and they were not about to give up easily.

"I'll take care of things in the court for you. The most important thing for you right now is to suppress those military families in the Northwest. Are you confident?" Liang Shicheng asked slowly.

Tong Guan immediately said, “My lord, this is a military family with deep roots that has been established for over a hundred years. Many heroes have been unable to gain an advantage in the Western Army and have no one to support them in the court. They have all their talents and ambitions but cannot put them to use, and they are frustrated and unfulfilled. It is I, Tong Guan, who have given them a way out.”

“I will pull them out of the mud, trust them, give them important positions, and treat them with kindness, and these people will be willing to serve me.”

Liang Shicheng nodded and said, "Good, remember, high-ranking official positions are useless. No matter how loyal they are to you, their interests are ultimately tied to the Northwest."

"Even if someone is truly loyal to you, they might not be able to mobilize the troops below after they do something that is not in the interests of the Northwest."

Tong Guan nodded and said, "Your Excellency's insight is profound."

Having spent so many years immersed in the Northwest, Tong Guan had also figured out this principle.

Only by controlling the lower and middle-ranking military officers can one gain influence in the Northwest.

Otherwise, once those high-ranking officials take action, the orders simply won't be carried out.

If pushed too far, a mutiny might break out, and no one can bear the consequences.

Tong Guan was, after all, a man who had commanded troops for a long time, and had wielded power and influence for twenty years.

With Liang Shicheng backing him up, his former courage returned.

Liang Shicheng beckoned, and Tong Guan quickly stepped forward. Liang Shicheng grasped his hands and whispered, "We are all people close to the officials. No matter how fiercely you fight among yourselves, vying for power or profit, it doesn't matter. But if you really encounter difficulties, you should help each other out. Don't be fooled by our past glory; there are countless people outside waiting to kill us."

“Cai Jing could be defeated, dismissed from his post as prime minister, or even resign and return to his hometown. He was a scholar-official who had passed the imperial examination and was already a prestigious official. Even if things went badly, he could still live a life of wealth and leisure. What about you and me? Our ancestors of the Song Dynasty said that the law does not apply to scholar-officials, but they did not say that the law does not apply to eunuchs.”

Tong Guan was startled, and when he looked at Liang Shicheng again, his eyes held a more earnest respect.
-
Outside Genyue, Tong Guan finally emerged.

The group of guards noticed that his expression was tense, and although he was gloomy, he did not look as distressed as he had in the morning.

They were all Tong Guan's direct subordinates, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Tong Guan glanced around; everyone present was one of his trusted confidants, which gave him more confidence. Someone brought over a chair for Tong Guan to sit down.

Chen Shao secretly realized that the situation had become so tense.

They didn't even have time to gather in the camp; they had to assign tasks right outside Genyue.

"The Western Army is incompetent!"

Tong Guan's first words were astonishing, and Chen Shao almost lost his composure.

"I was gone for no more than half a month when Liu Fa, the military commissioner of Xihe, was defeated at Tong'an City by the bandit chieftain Prince Chage of Jin."

"You all hurry back, reorganize your troops, and strengthen your defenses. I will be there shortly!"

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and someone came up with a series of files. He called out names and stepped forward to receive his waist tag, official seal, and imperial edict.

Chen Shao was thrilled. It was finally coming!

What is the purpose of all this meticulous scheming?
Tong Guan felt that Liang Shicheng's gesture of holding his hand and saying a few comforting words was very effective.

So he put what he had learned to use immediately, shaking hands and giving each general a few words of advice after they received their orders.

Even his personal guard chief, Yang Keshi, was assigned to command troops.

"Chen Shao!"

Chen Shao quickly stepped forward and took the waist token, official seal, and imperial edict from the guard.

Tong Guan grasped his hand, and Chen Shao leaned forward slightly. Before Tong Guan could speak, Chen Shao said, "Marshal En, please take care of yourself."

Tong Guan felt a warmth in his heart. What is a trusted confidant?

This is what a true confidant is like.

No amount of words, no matter how grand or impressive, can compare to such a thoughtful remark.

take care
Everyone around secretly grimaced.

How did this clueless guy come up with this idea? Saying "take care of your health" at this time of year, do you think he's giving a New Year's greeting?

Everyone was talking about making great achievements, living up to expectations, and fighting bravely against the enemy. But he outshone all of that.

As Chen Shao got up, walked out of the crowd, and mounted his horse, a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

He wanted to burst out laughing, but he knew it wasn't the right time yet.

At that moment, he felt the same way the Monkey King was when he was released in Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons.

Tong Xuanshuai, oh Tong Xuanshuai, you've finally fallen for it!

He rode his horse to the mansion without even looking at his imperial edict.

"Pack your things now, take only your clothes and money, and come with me!"

In this chaotic Northwest, with the two sides locked in fierce battle, nothing else matters anymore.

The five routes of Shaanxi had long been firmly occupied by military families, leaving not an inch of land behind.

If you want your own territory, you have to fight!

Those who fought against the Western Xia gathered their fortified villages and expanded their own territory.

Liao, Jin, Song, Xia
The Western Xia is already the easiest target; if they can't even break through from here, then they're not cut out for it.

It would be better to take Li Shishi and her sister to Jiangnan to avoid trouble as soon as possible, so as not to cause any more trouble for the righteous men and rebels in the north.

(End of this chapter)