Chapter 359: The Emperor’s Loopholes
The battle unfolded exactly as Deng Cui had predicted. The retreating Xiongnu were eager to return to the steppes and had no guard against ambushes. When the Xiongnu forces at the front heard that fighting had broken out at the rear, they did not turn back to provide support but instead fled even faster.
The Chu army thus achieved a great victory.
After Han Ruzi read the “victory report,” he was both amused and exasperated. He asked the people in the tent, “What do you all think of the General’s battle?”
The accompanying officials glanced at each other. Minister of Rites Yuan Jiuding held the highest position, so he had to speak first. “The Xiongnu launched a surprise attack on Great Chu, killing and plundering countless people, and used force to sign a treaty under the city walls. They deserved this defeat. However, the General of Chariots and Cavalry commanded over a hundred thousand troops and acted on his own beyond the frontier without receiving an imperial edict. If this precedent is set, I fear it will shake the very foundations of Great Chu.”
He had opened the discussion, and all the officials now knew what to say. The only difference was whether they leaned toward emphasizing merit or emphasizing fault.
After the siege of Jincheng City, Han Ruzi’s impression of his ministers had improved considerably. However, the court’s habits of many years were deeply entrenched and would not change completely because of one war. Everyone still chose to remain detached, saying everything on the surface while actually remaining noncommittal, still leaving the Emperor to make decisions alone.
Han Ruzi’s patience was much better than before. He listened to each person’s words, and after the ministers dispersed, he began handling the day’s official documents. His leisure time with Jin Chuiduo was merely stolen moments from his busy schedule; Han Ruzi still spent more than half of each day reviewing endless memorials.
Drafter Zhao Ruosu entered. He now had permission to deliver documents directly to the Emperor without needing eunuchs to pass them along. This way, he could legitimately offer advice to the Emperor rather than approaching him without reason like a favored courtier.
“Deng Cui has presented everyone with a difficult problem,” Han Ruzi said without looking up.