I Can Control My Ancestors

Meanwhile, the Gu Clan... also quietly revived over time in such circumstances.

...

In the seventh year of Xiande, on the fourth day of the first month, in Kaifeng.

A heavy snowfall last night turned the inside and outside of the imperial city into a pure white.

This made Kaifeng, which had not yet recovered from the atmosphere of the former emperor’s passing, seem even more desolate.

Inside the majestic hall, its golden splendor remained, yet could not conceal the anxiety that permeated the air.

On the dragon throne sat the seven-year-old Emperor Chai Zongxun, draped in golden dragon robes, his small feet not yet reaching the ground, idly playing with the jade pendant at his waist, completely unaware of the grim atmosphere in the hall.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager." Chancellor Fan Zhi stepped forward and knelt to report, his voice exceptionally clear in the spacious hall, "A border emergency eight hundred miles away, the Khitan and Northern Han have combined their forces, claiming two hundred thousand troops, have breached Zijing Pass, and their spearheads are pointed directly at Chanzhou!"

A wave of suppressed gasps rose among the ministers.

The young emperor, startled by the sudden sound, dropped the jade pendant he was holding.

Behind the curtain, Empress Dowager Fu’s voice trembled slightly: "Chancellor Fan, please elaborate."

"Thirty thousand Khitan cavalry lead the vanguard, fifty thousand Northern Han infantry follow, and the main Khitan force is yet to come." Fan Zhi unfolded the military report, his fingertips slightly trembling, "The enemy forces advance south in two routes, the western route through Xingzhou, the eastern route directly towards Chanzhou."

"If Chanzhou falls, the gates to Kaifeng will be wide open."

The hall fell into an instant silence.

Only the young emperor was tugging at his mother’s sleeve, murmuring for candied fruits.

At the forefront of the ministers, Zhao Kuangyin, clad in military attire, was staring intently at this scene, his eyes filled with struggle, closely watching the entirely undignified emperor.

Elder Minister Wang Pu at this moment trembled slightly as he stepped forward: "Empress Dowager, Khitan’s leader Yelv Jing personally commands the army, and Northern Han’s leader Liu Jun has also committed the entire nation."

"This is not an ordinary frontier raid, but a real attempt to take advantage of our former emperor’s recent death..."

With these words, the atmosphere in the entire hall subtly changed once more.

The current situation of Great Zhou is indeed dire.

Chai Rong was indeed a very capable emperor; under his industrious and wise rule, Great Zhou successively defeated many small states, even showing signs of unifying the land.

But what was unexpected was Chai Rong’s sudden illness and demise.

In times of chaos, such things are what one fears most.

Especially in the current world, where too many countries have perished due to similar situations, making Great Zhou’s situation even more dire.

Seeing the atmosphere in the hall worsening, Empress Dowager Fu had to force herself to remain calm and asked: "The urgent task is to send someone to confront the enemy?"

As her words fell, discussions erupted in the hall.

A moment later.

Chancellor Fan Zhi bowed and said: "I recommend Li Chongjin, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, to..."

"No!"

Before Fan Zhi could finish, Zhang Yongde, the Inspector General before the dais, immediately opposed, "Though General Li is skilled in battle, he must remain in Huainan to guard against disturbances from Southern Tang. I believe Zan Juren, the Commissioner of the Southern Court, can take on this responsibility."

"General Zan is advanced in age, how could he withstand the Khitan cavalry?"

Someone immediately refuted once more.

This act was like opening a floodgate, instantly igniting the hall in dispute.

"Then why not dispatch Murong Yanzhao, the Jiedu Envoy of the Zhenning Army?"

"Murong troops are mostly infantry, fearing they may struggle against cavalry..."

"....."

Voices continuously arose, under the absolutely oppressive atmosphere, the voices of the ministers became increasingly uncontrollable and loud.

The young emperor, frightened by the loud arguments, began to cry.

Seeing the eunuch rushing to comfort him, the man who had been standing at the forefront without speaking furrowed his brow deeper, even looking through the curtain at the already flustered Empress Dowager Fu.

After hesitating once more.

Only then did he slowly step forward, cupping his hands and stating: "I, Inspector General before the dais, Zhao Kuangyin, am willing to lead troops to confront the enemy."

In an instant, the hall fell silent.

All eyes focused on this thirty-three-year-old yet already highly celebrated general.

Voices of discussion arose once more at this moment.

And in just a moment.

Someone immediately stepped forward to rebut.

The court was always like this; it’s not only the grand unified dynasties that encounter such issues.

When the one on the dragon throne no longer has any control, different battles are sure to ensue, as is the case now with the Later Zhou.

Fan Zhi was also furrowing his brows tightly, staring intently at Zhao Kuangyin and said, "General Zhao is indeed brave, but the main forces of the Forbidden Army are needed to protect the Capital Region..."

"I only need thirty thousand elite soldiers."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Kuangyin interrupted him again, his gaze sharp as a spear, and said sonorously, "Though the Khitan are numerous, they have made a long-range raid, and their supply lines are cut."

"The Northern Han troops are many, but each harbors different intentions."

"I can first occupy the stronghold of Chanzhou State, bide my time, and when their supplies run out and the soldiers are exhausted, I will deliver a decisive blow."

As he spoke, he paused slightly.

Looking towards Fan Zhi at his side, his gaze remained sharp as ever, he cupped his hands, "If I cannot defeat the enemy, I am willing to present my head!"

This simple statement plunged the entire grand hall into dead silence once more.

Some nodded in approval, while others looked worried.

The ministers exchanged glances among themselves.

A moment later, various voices arose once again.

Although disputes continued incessantly, perhaps due to genuinely feeling the threat of the nation’s destruction, the final decision still remained unchanged.

"Your servant, will follow the orders!"

As Empress Fu formally confirmed the matter, Zhao Kuangyin’s voice accepting the order rang out.

The bell signaling the end of the court session stealthily sounded at this time.

By now, the sky was already bright.

The snow had started again, without anyone noticing, and Zhao Kuangyin strode out of the hall, paying no mind to the complex expressions of the court officials.

Unexpectedly, Fan Zhi chased after him and even held an umbrella for Zhao Kuangyin, "General, please wait."

Zhao Kuangyin paused, turned around, and looked at Fan Zhi in surprise, "Chancellor, what other instructions do you have?"

The old chancellor gazed at his young and resolute face, hesitated to speak, and finally just gave a deep bow, "The country and its affairs, I entrust to you, General."

Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin’s expression subtly changed.

But looking at Fan Zhi in front of him, he remained silent for a while, eventually nodding slightly, then turned and left directly.

Snowflakes continued to fall incessantly.

Watching Zhao Kuangyin’s departing figure, the old chancellor stood alone in the snow, motionless for a long time.

"Chancellor, the snow is heavy, let’s return." Wang Pu had come to his side at some point.

Fan Zhi murmured, "Wang Gong, do you remember ten years ago, when Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, Northern Han and Khitan also allied to invade?"

Wang Pu nodded, "It was indeed a critical time of life and death then."

"The one who led the troops to repel the enemies back then was Emperor Taizong Guo Wei." Fan Zhi’s voice was almost inaudible, "Today’s scene is so similar."

Wang Pu abruptly turned his head, only to see the same worry and fear in his old friend’s eyes.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the entire Kaifeng City with a layer of white.

Outside the imperial city, Zhao Kuangyin’s personal guards were already waiting with the horses. He mounted his horse, taking a final look at the imposing palace.

"General, should we head directly to the military camp?" a personal guard stepped forward, inquiring softly.

Zhao Kuangyin paused in silence, the warhorse beneath him stomped uneasily, leaving disordered hoofprints in the snow. He finally shook his head, his voice calm yet clear, "No."

"Return to the residence first," he paused, "I must bid farewell to my family."

Upon hearing this, the body of the personal guard trembled violently, looking up suddenly with a flash of disbelief in his eyes, then he swiftly lowered his head again—the general’s words carried profound meaning, which he understood.

Zhao Kuangyin had no intention of concealing anything.

His gaze swept past the grand imperial city, turning to look at the struggling populace in the cold wind, his eyes gradually becoming as steadfast as iron.

"Pass on another message to the brothers." His voice wasn’t loud, but each word was like a heavy weight, striking into the cold air.

"How can a seven-year-old Emperor rule the land?"

His gaze swept over his excited yet self-restrained personal guards, his tone resolute and determined, "This nation has suffered for too long."

"In the past, Emperor Taizu ceded the throne to a wise ruler for the stability of the state;"

"The late Emperor cleared obstacles and exhausted his efforts, yet his great ambition was unfulfilled..."

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable force, "I have followed the late Emperor for many years, and have personally witnessed his grand vision and regrets."

"We absolutely cannot let this path end here!"

"Someone must—" he tightened the reins, the warhorse neighed loudly as if it, too, sensed its master’s determination, "stand up and finish this path."

....

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