Chapter 118: New Year’s Grand Court Assembly (Part 1)

Ink splattered as he held his wrist suspended in the air, quickly marking eight provinces: Qing, Jing, Jin, Jun, Yuan, Fen, Chen, and Ming. “Station heavy troops in these eight provinces for defense, and reduce the military personnel in the remaining garrisons as previously determined.”

Although there were many garrisons along the northern border, these eight locations were the most strategic.

He picked up the brush again and drew a line at Mount Min in the northwest corner of Chao’an and the Li River directly north of Linhuai, saying, “Build new fortress cities in these two locations.”

Fang Huai, standing beside him, said, “If we build a city south of Mount Min, the northern border might notice something suspicious.”

Ying Gua pressed his thin lips together firmly, frowning, “We must build them. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens, these two locations would be too difficult to defend.”

Jiang Ping, with a stiff face, carefully examined all the marked places on the map. Pointing at the map, he said, “Your Majesty, although Ji and Qian provinces don’t border the frontier, we cannot be careless within these surrendered territories. We need to guard them simultaneously.”

Ying Gua nodded, “Then add these two provinces as well. The northern border’s three routes originally had Imperial Guards totaling 183,000 infantry and cavalry. Have Di Nian reduce them to 120,000 first. Of these, 80,000 will be stationed in these ten provinces plus the one mountain and one river marked on the map. The remaining 40,000 will be scattered among the other garrisons.”

Fang Huai whispered a few words to An Maolin, then said aloud, “Your Majesty, why not wait until after the New Year’s Grand Court Assembly to explore how many troops the Northern Jin wants to reduce, before deciding how many of our troops should remain stationed at the northern border?”

“That might be too late,” Ying Gua shook his head, his brows tightening. “Tonight, the Strategic Military Bureau must send orders to the northern border so that Di Nian understands this decision. Meanwhile, have the scouts along the border watch the Northern Jin’s recent movements. If there’s any news, report it immediately.”

A group of people gathered around the long table, discussing matters seriously and rapidly. She stood nearby, listening carefully to what they said while quietly observing his solemn demeanor.

He had the natural bearing of a military commander. The tip of his brush resembled a sword’s edge, and when he moved his wrist, it was as if thousands of troops were responding to his command on the map, with formations flowing like rolling ink, all concentrated on the garrisons he had marked.

If he hadn’t personally inspected dozens of garrisons at the northern border in previous years, he probably wouldn’t be able to devise strategies so swiftly now, nor would the veteran generals of the Strategic Military Bureau doubt his decisions.

Only through personal experience and observation could one make such significant national decisions.

She sighed softly.

This man was so valiant inside, yet his exterior was extremely reserved. Despite his ability to wield spears, ride horses, and command thousands of troops, he didn’t wish for the common people of the realm to suffer even slightly.

How similar yet different he was from his imperious father.

After the troop reduction matter was settled, Ying Gua thought for a moment and then said, “After Di Nian completes this task, the Strategic Military Bureau need not urgently summon him back to the capital. Let him remain at the northern border to oversee the situation. Military affairs of the three routes should be reported upward to the Strategic Military Bureau and commanded downward through Di Nian.”

The people around the table were slightly surprised. An Maolin was the first to speak, “Di Nian is new to border military governance. Is it prudent for Your Majesty to entrust him with such heavy responsibility?”

Ying Gua shook his head, “The combined military affairs of the three routes, including troop deployment and defense reorganization, cannot be managed by a single route commander. It would be better to have Di Nian, who comes from the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, to plan and coordinate. This would make the border commanders more obedient. It’s also preferable to sending a senior general from the capital to station at the northern border, which might arouse Northern Jin’s suspicion.”

He paused briefly, then glanced sideways at Fang Huai, pointedly saying, “The late Duke Wu was commanding on the battlefield and renowned throughout five nations by the age of twenty. Generals are not forged without tempering. Di Nian has established his authority among the capital’s Imperial Guards; I believe he will not make mistakes at the northern border either.”

Fang Huai’s brow sank a little. After a long while, he nodded and said, “Your Majesty’s words are most correct. I believe Di Nian will not fail to live up to imperial favor and the Di family name.”

Ying Gua tossed down the brush in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and searched with his gaze for a while before finally noticing Meng Tinghui standing in the corner. His expression softened somewhat as he said to her, “The Strategic Military Bureau’s orders must be sent to the northern border tonight. Stay at the bureau with the secretaries to draft the orders before returning home.”

She nodded and responded, “Rest assured, Your Majesty.”

Although she couldn’t contribute much to military decisions, she could certainly handle drafting documents and decrees.

His gaze lingered on her, looking her up and down several times as if he wanted to say something to her, but due to the room full of people, he finally remained silent.

Little Huang, waiting in the corner, saw that the discussion had concluded and came over with a large cloak, saying quietly, “Your Majesty, there are people from the Secretariat waiting at Ruisi Hall for Your Majesty to make decisions regarding the court assembly decrees.”

Ying Gua stood up and put on the large cloak, saying to everyone, “I’ll trouble you all these few days. When the northern matter is settled, you will all surely receive promotions and increased stipends.”

Everyone bowed their heads and said they dared not accept such honor.

As he turned to leave, she finally dared to raise her eyes and watch his retreating figure.

In the vast darkness of night, his black cloak with long feathers disappeared entirely into the inky blackness. Only the silver light reflecting off the deep snow at his feet created a long lantern-like halo, accentuating his tall and straight figure.

Before she could look at her fill, the door was tightly closed by someone, and someone behind her said, “We forgot to advise His Majesty that he should use the imperial palanquin when the snow is this heavy…”

Pretending in front of a roomful of people was truly difficult. She immediately turned around, lowered her head while holding the brush and ink, and walked inside. When Feng Wulong, the Secretary of the Strategic Military Bureau, brought over what had been roughly noted earlier, she sat down and began to draft each item that had been decided that night.

Working at the Strategic Military Bureau made her feel much better than before, but as she was new to military affairs, there was much she didn’t understand. When matters arose, she couldn’t help him much, and this feeling of inadequacy made her somewhat frustrated.

By the time the orders were drafted and sent out, it was nearly midnight.

Several veteran generals were still discussing something in the front hall, looking as if they planned to spend the night in the bureau.

After bidding farewell to the two secretaries, Meng Tinghui went to find Jiang Ping. She stood hesitantly behind him for a while before finally addressing him, “General Jiang.” Seeing him turn around, she continued softly, “May I borrow the military defense documents from recent years for the various routes for review?”

Jiang Ping said, “It’s late tonight. You should go back and rest. Look at these documents early tomorrow morning.”

Meng Tinghui pressed her lips together and lowered her eyes, saying, “I can’t wait until tomorrow morning. I want to look at them tonight.”

Jiang Ping raised an eyebrow and folded his arms, saying, “You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you!”

She stood without moving and continued, “I hold an undeserved position in the Strategic Military Bureau, yet I can’t help His Majesty and the generals with anything. I feel deeply ashamed. How could I sleep when I’m failing the imperial favor? With the New Year’s Grand Court Assembly approaching, I still don’t fully understand northern border military affairs. How can I have the face to attend court?”

Jiang Ping couldn’t help but laugh. He raised his hand to call someone over and asked them to bring dozens of documents relating to northern border military affairs from the past few years. Then he said to Meng Tinghui, “Young Meng, don’t be so hard on yourself. Not understanding military affairs now isn’t a big problem. Consider how when the Late Emperor personally led expeditions in the past, he didn’t know about troop deployment either. He only gradually understood when he fought alongside Prince Ping! I saw you standing there quite nervously earlier, and I wanted to tell you not to worry about disappointing His Majesty if you don’t understand these things. Since His Majesty has brought you to the Strategic Military Bureau, it means he values you. There will come a time when you understand all this!”

Meng Tinghui’s face reddened at his words.

She had come to borrow documents, but how had the conversation turned to her private relationship with the Emperor? And Jiang Ping’s completely unembarrassed tone made her feel even more awkward. She could only respond with a few words of acknowledgment. When someone brought her the documents, she quickly took them and went to a corner to study them carefully.