Swords into Plowshares Episode 36 Recap
> Swords into Plowshares Recaps
In the imperial court, Qian Hongchu made the final deployment, leading everyone to pray for victory in the Central Plains. In Bianliang City, Feng Dao's health was deteriorating, but he still insisted on handling affairs from his couch, burying himself in work even in the dead of night. As for Guo Rong's personal expedition, he had his own considerations. He knew that the Guo family father and son were completely different from previous monarchs.
The Guo family wanted to bring an era of peace to the world, truly putting the words "peace and prosperity" in their hearts. Therefore, even if he had only one breath left, he would defend Bianliang for Guo Rong, staking his old bones one more time. If he won, he would die with a smile; if he lost, he would face death with open eyes, it would simply mean another family ruling the Central Plains.
Fan Zhi's eyes reddened upon hearing Feng Dao's words. Early the next morning, Zhao Kuangyin accompanied Guo Rong on the imperial expedition, facing the combined forces of Northern Han and Khitan at Bagongyuan in Gaoping County, Luzhou. Soon, an urgent report arrived: Liu Renshan, the Jiedushi of Qinghuai Army of Southern Tang, had sent troops to Huaibei, pointing his sword at Songzhou (near Bianliang).
The generals were in an uproar; if the rear was lost, the front lines would collapse without a fight. Zhao Kuangyin publicly made a military pledge: his father Zhao Hongyin and his father-in-law He Jingsi would lead the garrison forces to defend Songzhou to the death. Guo Rong's burden lifted, and he placed great trust in the Zhao father and son.
Renshan analyzed Zhao Hongyin's deployment and ordered the entire army to encamp five li back, to rest for three days before attacking. He Jingsi had some concerns, as their current supplies could at most last twenty days, but Zhao Hongyin was confident that twenty days would not be needed at all. Indeed, that night, the Southern Tang army suddenly saw flames soaring into the sky in the distance.
Dozens of Wu-Yue warships approached the riverbank like specters, and soldiers at the bow collectively hurled fire oil bombs, raining flames down on Runzhou water fort. It turned out that Qian Hongchu, to assist Later Zhou, personally led his navy to directly attack Runzhou, implementing the strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao". Liu Renshan had no choice but to recall his troops for reinforcement.
In contrast, Yelü Dilu gathered 30,000 troops and arrived at Gaoping, joining forces with the Northern Han ruler. Compared to the 20,000-strong army led by Guo Rong, the enemy was clearly superior in number, with a huge disparity. Not only that, but the defending generals He Hui and Fan Aineng falsely transmitted an imperial decree, causing 10,000 soldiers from the left and rear armies to flee south from the battlefield.
Even before the battle began, 10,000 men were lost, and the troop ratio plummeted from one to three to one to six. Starting a battle at this point would undoubtedly be suicide. All the generals urged Guo Rong to temporarily retreat to Bianliang, offering to die to cover the retreat. Guo Rong refused, insisting on fighting the enemy to the death, declaring that if they retreated even one step today, the Khitan cavalry would advance another step.
The empire could not be lost, and their backbone could not be broken. Ultimately, Guo Rong, with a ratio of one to six, decisively defeated the enemy camp. The Northern Han army scattered like a tide, and the Khitan cavalry, seeing the unfavorable situation, fled north on horseback. After the battle concluded, He Hui and Fan Aineng were bound and brought before the emperor. Guo Rong ordered their execution to appease the souls of the fallen generals.
In 954 AD, the great victory at Gaoping was achieved. When the good news reached Bianjing, Feng Dao was already terminally ill. After hearing of the victory, he passed away peacefully at the age of seventy-three. A close look at Feng Dao's life shows that he served four dynasties and ten emperors, holding the prime minister's position for twenty-seven years. During the years of political upheaval, he maintained the continuous operation of the court with his skillful statecraft.
However, he was also repeatedly questioned by later historians for serving multiple rulers: "Old History of the Five Dynasties" questioned whether he "could be considered loyal," Ouyang Xiu angrily denounced him as "shameless," but Li Zhi and others praised him, saying "the nation's welfare was paramount, saving the common people from distress." Feng Dao consistently upheld the principle of "human affairs aligning with heavenly principles, rather than imperial power of the Son of Heaven."
His honor during his lifetime and his posthumous reputation accurately reflect the chaotic era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. " "" Guo Rong returned to Bianliang and personally went to Feng's residence to offer condolences. Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, was overcome with grief. For him, Feng Dao was not only a court leader but also a benevolent teacher who imparted knowledge and resolved doubts.
After the funeral arrangements were completed, Zhao Hongyin secretly warned his son that Guo Rong was now the emperor, and their past brotherhood must yield to the principles of sovereign-subject relations. However, after the Battle of Gaoping concluded, the national treasury was nearly empty. Guo Rong immediately issued a decree to reduce expenditures and, by setting an example, cut down on palace expenses.
But he deeply knew that frugality could only solve temporary difficulties; to end the chaotic era, a brand new army had to be forged. To this end, Guo Rong decided to implement military reforms: within three years, redundant troops would be demobilized, a new army would be trained, and the Palace Front Command (Dianqian Si) would be specially established. That night, Guo Rong summoned Zhao Kuangyin alone to the palace.
He spoke to him about the current predicament, lamenting that only after taking on this burden did he truly understand the difficulties faced by the late emperor and Chancellor Feng in those years. Zhao Kuangyin understood well that Guo Rong needed both to implement reforms and to balance the undercurrents within the court.
Soon after, an imperial edict shook Bianjing: Guo Rong, overcoming all opposition, appointed Zhao Kuangyin as Duduyou (commander of the imperial guards) of the Palace Front Command (Dianqian Si), entrusting him with the training and reorganization of the new army. Before Zhao Kuangyin took office, his younger brother Zhao Kuangyi revealed to him that there were many visitors. Zhao Hongyin specially hosted a family banquet, and during the meal, he admonished him to "not be complacent when successful."
Zhao Kuangyin kept this firmly in mind. After taking office, he rejected requests from all sides, ate and worked with the soldiers daily, and personally led everyone in repairing the encampments. Guo Rong was deeply moved during his inspection, and he explicitly ordered that those who participated in the construction be given priority in recruitment. Because the reforms touched upon old interests, and the reduction in military expenses caused dissatisfaction among some generals and soldiers, undercurrents emerged, and rumors gradually spread among the populace.
