Chapter Thirty-Four: Transfer. The Sword-South Protectorate!-Tang Wolf(Leaves Fall in the Southern Village)

“Marquis Shengwu, you have gone too far! How can you speak to the venerable Grand Minister of Works in such a manner!”

At this moment, the one most delighted was Shangguan Wu. He seized the chance to suppress Marquis Shengwu.

“The Grand Minister of Works is advanced in years; since the reign of the late emperor, he has given his utmost for the Great Tang and rendered many services. In this entire court, which great minister does not show him due deference? Yet you have the audacity to humiliate him in front of everyone. If anything happens to the Grand Minister of Works, can you bear the responsibility?”

Having said this, Shangguan Wu took a step forward and, turning to the emperor seated upon the dragon throne, declared,

“Your Majesty, I must impeach Marquis Shengwu for showing no respect to his elders and for uttering vulgar words in the imperial hall. The Great Tang is governed by benevolence, righteousness, and propriety, yet Marquis Shengwu’s earlier words are a grave act of disrespect! I propose that Marquis Shengwu be stripped of his title and military command, so as to uphold the foundations of our realm!”

With these words, the atmosphere in the court immediately grew tense and subtle. Shangguan Wu’s reputation was well known in the Eastern Capital; even among the military, he was not well regarded. Though he no longer intervened in court affairs, his disciples and former subordinates were everywhere, and his influence was not to be underestimated.

“Hmph!”

Marquis Shengwu merely sneered at this.

“Your Majesty, I too have a memorial. I wish to impeach Lord Shangguan. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is where we deliberate state affairs, not a place for lessons in etiquette. Lord Shangguan, as a Duke, has attended morning court for years, yet rarely offers any opinion. Today, he finally speaks, and it is only to accuse me of disrespect. Does the Duke of Lu not know that such matters are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites? In my view, the Duke of Lu is unfit for his post and should be removed from office. Let him retire and enjoy his old age.”

“You!”

Shangguan Wu turned abruptly, quivering with anger. He had not expected Marquis Shengwu to lash out like a mad dog, biting indiscriminately. Yet this rabid dog was not one to be trifled with.

“Marquis Shengwu, cease your reckless slander!”

“Shangguan Wu, what achievements have you to your name? Shall I enumerate them, one by one? Surely you know in your heart. In my opinion, the Ministry of Rites would suit you best. In my leisure time, I can join you in discussing how best to show proper respect for elders!”

Marquis Shengwu’s voice was cold and resolute.

The proposal to disband the garrisoned farming army had touched a nerve among all the generals of Tang. No matter who tried to meddle in this affair, the military would not let it pass easily—for this was no mere factional struggle or court intrigue. It concerned the defense of the empire’s borders and the safety of millions of its people.

“Enough! Marquis Shengwu, Duke of Lu! The imperial court is not the place for your petty squabbles!”

At the foot of the Nine-Dragon Staircase, the emperor’s close attendant, Gao Lishi, could no longer bear it and rebuked them sternly.

What was meant to be a debate about disbanding the garrisoned army had turned into farce. At Gao Lishi’s reprimand, the court fell silent. Though he was but a fourth-rank eunuch, everyone knew that he had served the emperor for many years, almost as his shadow. If he spoke, it meant even the emperor was displeased with the squabbling over the garrisoned army.

“Stand down!”

From above, the emperor’s commanding voice echoed through the hall, carrying an unquestionable authority.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Marquis Shengwu and Shangguan Wu both saluted and withdrew to the side.

Marquis Shengwu wore a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with the outcome, while Shangguan Wu was left seething with frustration.

“Just you wait, Marquis Shengwu!”

A chilling gleam flickered in Shangguan Wu’s eyes. He had thought he could use Marquis Shengwu’s disrespect in court to make trouble, but instead, he had been countered so forcefully he was left speechless.

“Let us return to the business at hand,” Gao Lishi said gravely. “Furthermore, Marquis Shengwu, the Grand Minister of Works is a veteran of two reigns. I hope you can show some magnanimity and yield to him, for he is advanced in years.”

Gao Lishi sighed, well aware of Marquis Shengwu’s temperament. When he became obstinate, even the late emperor had not bothered to discipline him.

“The Grand Minister of Works is indeed advanced in years. I understand,” Marquis Shengwu replied, each word laden with meaning.

“Your Majesty, regarding the disbanding of the garrisoned army, I understand the fury of the generals, but the censors also make valid points. Since the northern campaign, the border tribes have submitted letters pledging allegiance and peace. The barbarians and Tibetans also wish to reopen the Silk Road. For the foreseeable future, peace reigns throughout the realm, and we truly have no need of such a large force. The upkeep of the garrisoned army is a heavy burden in peacetime, and with the treasury strained, such numbers are unnecessary. I propose we retain only half of the garrisoned army on the rolls.”

At that moment, from the front ranks of the officials, an elderly man with white hair stepped forward and spoke. At his words, the whole hall fell silent, and both civil and military officials regarded him with deep respect.

It was the Right Chancellor—Zhang Jiuling!

As Right Chancellor, chief among the civil officials, his words bore immense weight. He was a revered elder, a model minister admired by all. Once he spoke, his opinion would greatly sway the court.

The hall was still for a long time—

“Very well.”

At last, from behind the beaded curtain, the emperor spoke.

“I have noted this matter. We shall not discuss it further for now.”

There was no emotion in his voice, but every general in the hall felt a chill in his heart. The emperor rarely intervened in court debates, customarily leaving matters to the ministers. Only when they failed to reach a consensus would he issue a final decree.

Now, the emperor neither supported nor opposed the proposal, but his tone suggested he was inclined to accept Zhang Jiuling’s recommendation.

“Zhang Qiu Jianqiong, Protector-General of Jiannan, has long held his post. In recognition of his service, I am transferring him to the Eastern Capital. The army cannot be left leaderless; I intend to send General Xu Changhai of the Celestial Strategy Left Wing Army to garrison the Protectorate of Jiannan. What say you all?”

As Marquis Shengwu returned to his place, he heard the emperor’s words and his pupils contracted sharply, his expression changing instantly. He glanced at Prince Wudi nearby.

He looked toward that familiar figure. From the moment the debate over the garrisoned army began, Marquis Shengwu had sensed something amiss with Prince Wudi. He had not spoken a word until now, and with the emperor transferring Xu Changhai to Jiannan Protectorate, it was clear he was targeting the Celestial Strategy Army, seeking to divide and weaken its forces. Most critically, the Protectorate of Jiannan directly faced Nanzhao, a constant threat to Tang. In recent years, Nanzhao had grown ever more aggressive, posing great pressure on the Jiannan Protectorate. To transfer a major division of the Celestial Strategy Army to Jiannan at such a time was unwise.

A myriad of emotions flashed in Prince Wudi’s eyes as he looked forward solemnly.

Marquis Shengwu frowned slightly, following Prince Wudi’s gaze to the emperor behind the beaded curtain, and a suspicion began to form in his mind.

As Marquis Shengwu pondered his response, the civil officials stepped forward in unison to declare,

“I concur!”

…

Marquis Shengwu’s gaze sharpened. After observing Prince Wudi’s expression, he strode forward without hesitation.

“Your Majesty, I object! If only Zhang Qiu Jianqiong is being transferred, what need is there to send the Celestial Strategy Left Wing Army? Furthermore, Xu Changhai has always served under the Celestial Strategy command. With Zhang Qiu Jianqiong transferred to the capital, his successor ought to be chosen from within the Jiannan Protectorate itself, as has always been the Tang tradition.”

His words were resolute, drawing the attention of the entire assembly.

“Your Majesty, I support Marquis Shengwu!”

At that moment, another voice rang out. From the ranks, the Divine General of Tianyu also stepped forward. The Celestial Strategy Army was of utmost importance to Tang and could not be moved lightly. Though the border tribes had sent letters of goodwill, who could say there was no treachery among them?

If war erupted and the protectorate army could not withstand the assault, it would still fall to the battle-hardened Celestial Strategy Army to defend the realm. Transferring the Left Wing Army to Jiannan meant nearly half of its strength would be gone, a massive shift that would greatly diminish its fighting power—something most generals would never accept.

The Divine General of Tianyu was certain that neither Gao Xianzhi of Anxi nor Wang Zhongsi would approve of such a move.

“Your Majesty! I too object!”

Until now, Prince Wudi had remained silent. Suddenly, he swept his robe aside and stepped forth with a sonorous voice.

In that instant, the entire court fell silent. Prince Wudi, Marquis Shengwu, and the Divine General of Tianyu—these three were pillars of the military. Their stance could sway a third of the army’s power.

“Your Majesty, I concur!”

“I concur!”

…

Seeing these three leading generals step forward, most of the remaining military officials followed suit in support. The issue of transferring the Celestial Strategy Army was far more significant than disbanding the garrisoned army.

With opposition to both proposals, the court session became deadlocked. Everyone looked up to the throne, awaiting the emperor’s decision.