Transmigrating to the Song Dynasty: Water Margin Business Management

After Gao Qiu and Cai Jing reached an agreement, they couldn't wait to slander him to Emperor Huizong of Song.

Gao Qiu secretly plotted: "Zhang Shuye, you dare to oppose me in court. This time I'll make you pay. Once I get rid of you, we can control the border affairs." Thinking this, a sinister smile crept onto his lips.

Cai Jing also harbored ulterior motives: "Zhang Shuye has always been upright and incorruptible. Keeping him around will only bring trouble in the end. This time, we must ensure that he never has a chance to recover."

One morning at court, Gao Qiu was the first to stand up and say, "Your Majesty, Zhang Shuye has falsely reported military intelligence and disrupted the court, which is a serious crime. Given the current situation on the border, we need to send a capable person to guard it in order to ensure safety."

Emperor Huizong frowned, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and said with a touch of hesitation, "Grand Commandant Gao, is there any solid evidence for this? Zhang Shuye has always been loyal and devoted, and I find it hard to believe that he would lie about military intelligence."

Gao Qiu's heart tightened, but he remained calm and said, "Your Majesty, everything I have said is true. Zhang Shuye is exaggerating the border crisis simply to curry favor and seek rewards. The situation is still unclear, yet he is so eager; this is highly suspicious."

Emperor Huizong fell into deep thought. At this moment, Cai Jing stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what Grand Commandant Gao said is not without reason. Zhang Shuye may have misjudged the situation, but if this delays the defense of the border, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Emperor Huizong nodded slightly, his expression still grave: "Then, in your opinion, who should be sent?"

Gao Qiu quickly replied, "I believe that Tong Guan is capable of undertaking this important task."

Emperor Huizong looked doubtful: "Tong Guan? He has never had any experience in guarding the border."

Gao Qiu inwardly cried out in alarm and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, although Tong Guan has no experience in guarding the border, he has been in the palace for many years and knows Your Majesty's intentions well. Moreover, most of the border generals are his old subordinates, so they can be deployed more smoothly."

Emperor Huizong was still hesitant when Cai Jing said, "Your Majesty, Tong Guan is loyal to you and will certainly not fail in his mission. If Your Majesty is worried, you can send Tong Guan there first and observe him for a period of time. If there are any problems, then adjustments can be made."

Emperor Huizong pondered for a moment and said, "This matter requires further consideration."

Gao Qiu and Cai Jing were extremely anxious when they saw that Emperor Huizong of Song did not immediately agree.

Gao Qiu returned to his residence and paced back and forth, annoyed: "How can this emperor be so indecisive? If Zhang Shuye is not eliminated soon, trouble will surely arise in the future."

Cai Jing was also secretly thinking at home: "I must find a way to get the emperor to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise things might get complicated."

At the same time, Zhang Shuye realized Gao Qiu and Cai Jing's conspiracy and was extremely anxious.

"These two treacherous officials, for their own selfish interests, have disregarded the safety of the nation!" Zhang Shuye slammed his fist on the table in anger.

His heart was filled with worry: "The border situation is so dire. If Tong Guan goes there, he will certainly be unable to resist the Liao army. I must persuade His Majesty as soon as possible to change his mind."

Zhang Shuye met with Emperor Huizong of Song multiple times, explaining the severity of the border situation and the reasons why Tong Guan was unfit for important responsibilities.

“Your Majesty, Tong Guan is ambitious and greedy for merit, and he is afraid of death. If we send him to the border, he will surely be defeated,” Zhang Shuye said earnestly.

Emperor Huizong of Song was somewhat shaken by Zhang Shuye's words, but he also felt that Gao Qiu and Cai Jing's suggestions were not entirely unreasonable.

“Zhang Shuye, I know you are devoted to the country, but Tong Guan has also performed quite well in the palace. Perhaps we can give him a chance,” Emperor Huizong said.

Zhang Shuye was filled with grief and indignation: "Your Majesty, border matters concern the survival of the nation. How can they be treated as child's play? Tong Guan is by no means a suitable candidate. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider."

However, Emperor Huizong gradually wavered under the constant persuasion of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing.

Ultimately, Emperor Huizong of Song issued an edict recalling Zhang Shuye to the capital and ordering Tong Guan to go to the border.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, Zhang Shuye felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

"How could Your Majesty be so foolish? The country is on the verge of collapse!" He gazed in the direction of the capital, his eyes filled with helplessness and indignation.

Tong Guan felt both excited and fearful when he learned that he was about to go to the border.

"This is a great opportunity. If I can achieve military merit, my position in the court will be more secure in the future. But the Liao army is fierce. How should I deal with them?" Tong Guan was restless in his mansion.

Upon learning of Tong Guan's arrival, the Liao Kingdom intensified its offensive preparations.

The Liao general laughed loudly in his tent: "The Song Dynasty actually sent such incompetent people. This time, we will definitely break through the border in one fell swoop."

While in Chai Jin's residence, Zhao Tianming and Wu Yong listened with worry as Chai Jin recounted how the imperial court had brought back the capable and experienced Zhang Shuye to the capital, but instead dispatched Tong Guan to garrison the border.

Zhao Tianming slammed his fist on the table in anger, shouting, "This is no different from Ma Su's situation! It's an exaggeration! Tong Guan is a complete incompetent fool. If we send him to guard the border, our Great Song Dynasty will be in grave danger!"

Wu Yong frowned, pacing back and forth in the room. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Master Chai, this matter is of utmost importance. Tong Guan is greedy, incompetent, and utterly lacking in military talent. His departure will surely bring disaster."

Chai Jin nodded gravely and sighed, "How could I not know? But now that the Emperor has made up his mind, what can we do?"

Wu Yong stopped and looked firmly at Chai Jin and Zhao Tianming, saying, "'When one is in a high position at court, one should worry about the people; when one is far from the court, one should worry about the ruler.' As citizens of the Great Song Dynasty, how can we stand idly by and watch our country fall into peril? We should speak to His Majesty and present this iron-blooded edict!"

Zhao Tianming's eyes widened, and he asked anxiously, "Master Wu, is this plan feasible? Gao Qiu and Cai Jing wield immense power in the court; I'm afraid they won't let us succeed so easily."

Wu Yong shook the feather fan in his hand and said, "Although this matter is difficult, as long as we plan properly, we may still have a chance. Emperor Huizong of Song may not be unaware of Tong Guan's character, but he is misled by the slander of Gao Qiu and Cai Jing. If we can move His Majesty with solid evidence and sincere words, there may still be a chance."

Chai Jin nodded slightly and said, "Wu Yong's words make sense, but where does this evidence come from? Tong Guan has many cronies in the court, so it is by no means easy to collect evidence against him."

Wu Yong pondered for a moment and said, "We can start with Tong Guan's past actions. He abused his power in the palace and engaged in embezzlement and bribery. Many people must know about these things. As long as we investigate secretly, we will surely find some witnesses. Furthermore, we can send people to the border to understand the actual situation there, write a detailed report, and present it to His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianming said, "This is an excellent plan. Let's split up and act immediately. I will go and contact some loyal and righteous people to discuss this matter together."

Chai Jin said, "I still have some old acquaintances in the court, and perhaps I can get some information from them."

Wu Yong nodded and said, "However, we must be extremely careful in our actions and must not let the news leak out, lest Gao Qiu and Cai Jing become aware of it. Otherwise, not only will this matter be difficult to succeed, but we may also bring about our own demise."

Everyone looked solemn, fully aware of the difficulty and danger of this operation.

In the days that followed, Wu Yong and his men worked day and night, searching for evidence everywhere. However, the process was not smooth, as Tong Guan's henchmen were everywhere and obstructed them in every way.

On one occasion, Wu Yong was nearly discovered by Tong Guan's men while visiting a witness. Fortunately, he reacted cleverly and escaped unharmed.

Zhao Tianming also encountered many difficulties in contacting loyal and righteous people. Some people were afraid of Tong Guan's power and dared not participate; others had lost faith in the imperial court and were unwilling to help.

Most of Chai Jin's old acquaintances in the court also kept quiet, unwilling to easily offend Gao Qiu and Cai Jing.

Despite the numerous difficulties, Wu Yong and his companions did not give up. They knew that this matter concerned the survival of the nation and the safety of the people.

Finally, after many days of effort, they collected some key evidence and wrote a detailed report on the border situation.

Looking at the iron-blooded edict in his hand, Wu Yong said, "Success or failure hinges on this. I hope Your Majesty can see through everything and save the Song Dynasty from this crisis."

Chai Jin took a deep breath and said, "There's no time to lose, let's go to the palace to see the Emperor immediately."

Filled with both hope and trepidation, the group headed towards the palace.

As soon as the group arrived at the palace gate, they were stopped by Eunuch Chen and his men. Eunuch Chen stood with his hands on his hips and said arrogantly, "Master Chai, this is a forbidden area of ​​the imperial palace. You are not allowed to enter at will."

Chai Jin glared angrily, raised the imperial edict in his hand, and shouted, "I have this imperial edict in my hand. If you dare to stop me, be careful, I will punish you!"

Eunuch Chen's heart skipped a beat, but he still tried to remain calm and said in a sarcastic tone, "Master Chai, you have quite the airs. You want to enter the palace? This old servant dares not stop you. But His Majesty is not in the palace at this moment."

Chai Jin frowned and asked anxiously, "Where has His Majesty gone?"

A smug smile appeared on Eunuch Chen's face as he slowly said, "His Majesty and Grand Commandant Gao have gone hunting and will probably not return to the palace until sunset."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tianming couldn't help but say, "What time is it? Your Majesty still has the mind to go hunting!"

Eunuch Chen glanced at Zhao Tianming and sneered, "Hmph, this is His Majesty's business. How dare you discuss it?"

Wu Yong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Eunuch Chen, this matter concerns the safety of the country. I hope you can make an exception and allow us to see His Majesty as soon as possible."

Eunuch Chen rolled his eyes at Wu Yong and said, "Mr. Wu, it's not that this old servant is being unreasonable, but His Majesty is not in the palace, and this old servant is powerless to help."

Chai Jin gritted his teeth in anger and said, "Eunuch Chen, don't deliberately make things difficult for me. If important matters are delayed because of your obstruction, can you bear the responsibility?"

Eunuch Chen's expression changed, and he said, "Master Chai, this old servant is only acting under orders. Please don't frighten this old servant."

Seeing this, Wu Yong tugged at Chai Jin's sleeve and whispered, "Master Chai, don't argue with him. Let's wait here for His Majesty's return."

Chai Jin sighed helplessly and said, "That's all we can do."

The crowd waited anxiously at the palace gate, as time ticked by and the sun gradually began to set.