Chapter 14: The Mission for Qin Hui

After the court session ended, it was still dark outside, and snow continued to fall.

Xu Bingzhe’s severed head was hung at the inner city gate.

To kill without confiscating the family’s property was like courting a young lady without consummation—it was not the behavior of a proper man.

Therefore, after the court adjourned, Zhao Ning instructed Wang Huaiji to deliver a message to the Secretariat of the Central Government, specifically to the Director of the Secretariat responsible for drafting imperial edicts, to prepare a decree ordering the confiscation of Xu Bingzhe’s family estate.

As for the family members, they were left to their own devices.

Normally, such matters in the Song Dynasty were of great significance and required deliberation among the chief ministers, but Zhao Ning was clearly acting on his own initiative, bypassing them to stir up trouble.

There was no choice; the treasury was empty, and confiscation was certainly the quickest way to replenish it.

After receiving the order, Wang Huaiji hurried to the Secretariat.

The situation had just opened a small breach; there were still many tasks to be done.

For instance, there was one very important and urgent matter: to strictly control public opinion within the capital, Dongjing.

Zhao Ning returned to the Wende Palace.

Outside the palace, someone awaited respectfully.

Who was it?

This person was notorious in history, infamous to the point of eternal disgrace, universally reviled and condemned.

Qin Hui!

During the Jingkang era, Qin Hui held the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Military Affairs responsible for maps and fortifications.

What did this department do?

It was one of the four divisions of the Ministry of War, overseeing maps, city gods, forts, beacon towers, and matters relating to foreign states submitting to the court, while also managing the treasury department.

The Ministry of War was under the command of the Privy Council; the Minister of War had no real power, and officials in this department were essentially clerks.

Qin Hui had previously submitted a memorial to Emperor Qinzong, Zhao Huan, urging the court to take a hardline stance against the Jin invaders and advocate for resolute warfare. As a result, Zhao Huan appointed him as Deputy Director of that department.

It was a nominal appointment, a courtesy for a man full of zeal—"Here, take this position in the Ministry of War."

Indeed!

During the Jingkang era, Qin Hui was a staunch advocate for war.

During the Jingkang calamity, Qin Hui was captured and taken north with others. Five years later, upon his return to the south, he seemed like a different man, embarking on a shameless, despicable, and filthy life.

Qin Hui stood before the Wende Palace, feeling the solemnity of the place, his heart filled with awe.

When the emperor appeared, Qin Hui quickly bowed and said, “Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty. May you be in divine peace.”

Here, Qin Hui addressed the emperor as “Your Majesty,” not by the familiar “Lord,” signaling his formal respect and deliberately maintaining distance between sovereign and subject.

As a minor official, he ordinarily lacked the privilege to attend court sessions, much less meet the emperor.

To see the emperor’s face was a tremendous honor.

Zhao Ning glanced at the man, his mind filled with endless reflections—this was Qin Hui!

Qin Hui was utterly shameless, a man who could never be redeemed. His manipulation of power and the killing of the general Yue Fei had caused irreparable harm.

Don’t believe the nonsense about Yue Fei lacking emotional intelligence. Qin Hui had Yue Fei executed on trumped-up charges, fabricated crimes so baseless that even a shameless man like Qin Hui could find no legitimate reason. You say Yue Fei lacked savvy?

Such a man should not be employed.

But Zhao Ning believed that even a piece of dung in the toilet had its uses.

Some dogs could be used and discarded later.

In terms of cunning, Zhao Ning was truly a master.

“Qin Qing, thank you for waiting.”

“Your Majesty is burdened with countless affairs.”

“Come, let us talk inside.”

Qin Hui followed Zhao Ning into the Wende Palace.

Inside, it was warm. The emperor sat down while Qin Hui remained standing.

“The situation is grave. I still remember the memorial you submitted last time.”

Qin Hui’s mind raced. He did not know why the emperor summoned him and dared not ask. He merely stood obediently.

“You were right. The court should adopt a stronger stance against the Jin. We must not let them think our dynasty is weak—the Jin are insatiable.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“But there are still many within Dongjing who seek peace with the Jin. I see this as a serious problem. Do you have any solutions?”

Qin Hui was momentarily stunned. He was merely a deputy director in the Ministry of Military Affairs, a mid-level official.

Matters of state strategy were usually discussed by the emperor with the chief ministers; when would it be his turn?

Nonetheless, he mustered his courage and said, “Your servant believes that public sentiment is crucial. We must unite all within Dongjing to resist the enemy. Rallying the people is paramount.”

Indeed, despite his low rank and despicable character, Qin Hui’s abilities were undeniable.

Compared to He Li, who took the imperial exams that year, Qin Hui was stronger in many respects.

He hit the mark this time.

Is the most urgent matter in Dongjing to negotiate peace with the Jin?

Absolutely not!

Is it to reorganize weapons and prepare for battle with the Jin?

No!

It is to unite the people, to have one heart and mind!

Emperor Huizong Zhao Ji and Emperor Qinzong Zhao Huan had already turned Dongjing, especially the court, into a chaotic mess, rife with internal strife and wavering between war and peace.

As a result, many within the city were anxious and disheartened. How could they fight under such conditions?

Zhao Ning asked, “How then can we unite the people?”

Qin Hui replied, “Naturally, Your Majesty must clearly declare a resolute stance for war to all within the city.”

He was unaware of what had just transpired in court, offering this counsel sincerely.

“I have an idea. I plan to establish a temporary government publishing office, to be called the Dongjing Daily. You shall be in charge. The Dongjing Daily will distribute newspapers daily in the capital, promoting the cause of war, calling on everyone to unite and fight the Jin to the death. What say you?”

Qin Hui was taken aback; he had not expected the emperor to summon him for this matter.

Immediately, he said, “Your servant accepts the order and will not fail Your Majesty’s trust!”

In fact, ancient Chinese power rested on two lines.

First, the secular imperial authority—political power.

Second, the authority of moral and legal orthodoxy—that of the literati, an invisible ideological influence.

Imperial power managed administrative affairs, but the moral-legal orthodoxy of the literati was supreme, holding the power of interpretation—in other words, control over public opinion.

The greatest check on imperial authority came from this source. The emperor must rely on it to maintain legitimacy.

This orthodoxy originated from the Zhou Rites, was developed by Confucius, and refined by generations of Confucian sages.

Zhao Ning’s plan to establish an independent government publishing office was not merely to handle wartime propaganda.

He was making a strategic move.

The execution of Xu Bingzhe in court would surely shock the scholar-official class.

He intended to transform the Song’s situation completely. The ensuing conflict with the Confucian literati would only intensify.

Therefore, he needed a propaganda tool fully under his control to compete with the literati for the authority of moral and ideological interpretation.

The Dongjing Daily was only the beginning.