Back at the Censorate, Du Zhongxiao summoned Guo Shenxi, Liang Qian and other Censors to their official hall and said to them: "In the past few days, the Di Weiwei in front has left Tiandu Mountain and his troops are facing Mingsha County. The officials in the court blamed their slow march and delayed the opportunity to fight. Some of you also wrote to impeach. At this time, the generals and generals are afraid that they will be discussed in the rear and are suspicious. If something is not good, unexpected things will happen. We should discuss it. When the court discusses it after the war, it is impossible for the court to change people, so don't argue endlessly. Don't write to this matter these days."

The Censor Wu Zhongfu said: "Is the Chief Secretary trying to interfere with our previous chapter? The Censor's previous chapter does not require the consent of the Shangguan."

Du Zhongxiao said: "There are any mistakes in officials or the court's governance is biased. You can do it on the chapter, so I have no right to ask about it. But how much do you know about the frontline? What are the goals you want to achieve when handing over the chapter to impeach? It is useless to prescribe the chapter, so stop and stop! Don't let the court spend energy on this matter, because you are applying the chapter."

Guo Shenxi said: "Zhongcheng, but some officials think that our rules are inappropriate?"

Du Zhongxiao said: "Of course not. If other officials interfere in the affairs of the Censorate, how could I sit idly! The situation on the front line is now complicated, so there is no need to say more. Be calm during the battle and don't make the generals on the front line anxious."

Seeing that Du Zhongxiao was firm in his attitude, other officials were not good at saying anything. After all, Du Zhongxiao was a border commander for a long time, had a brilliant record, and understood much about war. These censors were not familiar with military affairs and often followed the crowd.

After ordering several officials, Du Zhongxiao saw that it was already afternoon, so he changed into casual clothes and prepared to go home. At this moment, a soldier came in and said to Du Zhongxiao: "Zhongcheng, Ouyang Neihan and Wang Neihan, have made an appointment with several officials to go to Fanlou to drink and have fun. Send a young man, and if Zhongcheng is free, go with him."

It has been nearly half a year since Du Zhongxiao returned to the capital. He drank several times with Ouyang Xiu and others. When he got home, he agreed. He handled the case at the Imperial Gate for a while. He saw that it was almost evening before leaving the Censorate and heading towards Fanlou.

The first time Du Zhongxiao arrived here, the servant knew who he was based on the official uniform. After several times, the servants and others here had already remembered it clearly. As soon as they saw it, a servant came up and said, "Zhongcheng is here. Several husbands have arrived long ago and are waiting inside!"

After saying that, he led Du Zhongxiao to a small pavilion in the backyard.

Seeing Du Zhongxiao come in, several officials who had arrived quickly stood up and bowed.

After the ceremony, Du Zhongxiao was asked to sit on the upper house. Ouyang Xiu said, "It's gloomy today, and it's said that there will be heavy snow at night. If there is nothing to do, we will come out to drink a glass of wine. The Zhongcheng came to the capital shortly after, and he was alone at home and had nothing to do, so he called together."

Du Zhongxiao thanked, the servant brought wine and drank a glass of wine with everyone.

Today, in addition to Ouyang Xiu and Wang Gui, there are also Fan Zhen, Zhijianyuan, and Liu Chang, who is the author of imperial edicts. Except for Liu Chang, Du Zhongxiao, who is not familiar with him, the rest are all acquaintances.

Liu Chang was a Jinshi in the sixth year of Qingli. Because Hanlin scholar Wang Yaochen was the organizer, Liu Chang was the cousin of Wang Yaochen, who avoided suspicion and was demoted from the top scholar to the second place. At this time, together with Jia An, the top scholar of that year, he was in the court to be a master of imperial edicts. Except for Du Zhongxiao, all the Jinshi Gaodi were high.

After drinking a few glasses of wine, Fan Zhen said: "Since sending troops to Dangxiang three months ago, today, we have barely left Tiandu Mountain. When Zhongcheng was on Hequ Road, he advanced rapidly every battle and was invincible. The court officials could not help but discuss in private that if Zhongcheng was the commander of this battle, it would never be like this."

Du Zhongxiao said: "Every battle has different situations, and it cannot be generalized. Isn't it going to be smooth when Taiwei Han led his troops to attack Hexi?"

Ouyang Xiu said: "Hexi said that Han Taiwei led the troops, but Zhao Zi was actually on his side. As long as he obeyed, Zhao Zi was just following. When Zhao Zi was in Suizhou, he trained a new army under the Central Chief, which was not comparable to others."

Liu Chang said: "It's true. I'm afraid of comparing everything, and I know where the gap is. In the eyes of the court, Di Wei's rebellion of Nong Zhigao was already a rare good general. However, Zhongcheng defeated Khitan and Dangxiang in Hequ Road, and expanded the land for thousands of miles. Taiwei Di was far behind. Moreover, the army that Zhongcheng won was all trained by himself, so how could there be such a good general in the world!"

Du Zhongxiao smiled and shook his head: "Sheren, now he is most afraid of saying such things. The front line is led by Taiwei Di, so he must believe him. Even if there are small setbacks in the middle, he must believe that Taiwei Di can overcome it. You must believe that victory will definitely win, but it will take a little longer."

Wang Gui said: "To be honest, it was when Zhongcheng was on Hequ Road, the battle went too smoothly, and the court had become accustomed to victory. Now that the attack was slower, the court officials complained. Thinking that more than ten years ago, no one dared to think about such a thing."

Fan Zhen said: "Yes, at that time, the defeats were defeated and lost, which was really at a loss. As now, just the army on the front line was slower, so the court officials were talking about it. Seeing Mr. Wen and others, after that, they were much more calm."

Ouyang Xiu said: "It's not all the same. Now is the time when the two Khitan emperors are fighting each other. If Dangxiang is destroyed early, he can still intervene in Khitan affairs in time. If he missed this opportunity, he must wait until he is sure to take back Yan Yun."

Du Zhongxiao said: "It's true. Without Khitan, it's okay to just wait for a year. But then again, the progress of the army of Taiwei Di this time is slow. I think it's related to the poor training of the imperial guards in front. Taiwei Di has been a long-term general for many years. If it weren't for special reasons, how could he be so cautious and landed far behind Taiwei Han on the West Road. Seeing that he immediately returned to the middle road army after attacking Weizhou, he was still a little worried."

Ouyang Xiu said: "I have never seen the army led by Zhongcheng, but looking at the imperial guards in the capital, the drills were very impressive, far from being comparable to those before. Such a large army should be invincible on the front line."

Fan Zhen said: "I went to Hequ Road and saw the Hequ Road army at that time. Although I was just a quick look, to be honest, I could still see that it was obviously different. The Hequ Road army was relatively kind, and the soldiers below had a murderous aura. The imperial guards in the capital were just the opposite. The generals were murderous intent, but the soldiers below had no momentum. I don't know what the use of this on the front line, but when I think about it, it should be different."

Du Zhongxiao said: "I have been back to Beijing for half a year and have seen the appearance of the imperial guards in the capital. I have also visited the military academy. The difference is still quite large. First, command. Although the imperial guards in the capital have also taught a lot of knowledge, the generals don't take care of themselves. I am afraid that there are few people who really learn it. When I was fighting on Hequ Road, the following reported military information, the staff formulated various plans, and the commander only made a general idea. The generals in the capital are different. The most important responsibility of the commander is the command of the front line. If the staff draws the plan, they don't know how to do it. Another military system, the most important thing for the army, the Hequ Road army is professionalism. There are special people in military affairs, and the generals in charge of the affairs, and the commander is responsible for everything. The imperial guards in the capital are all commissioned to command the troops, and the commander will find their confidants to handle military affairs. These two different items will have a great impact on the front line."

In fact, the imperial guards in the capital cannot be reorganized, but they still cannot let go of the absolute power of the commanders in the past. Just like Hequ Road, specializing in military affairs and setting up officials, and most of the military power of the commanders will be taken away. The staff will then draw up plans and analyze military information, and the commanders will be replaced by anyone. The absolute control of the commanders over the army will be lost, which is something that the previous imperial generals cannot accept. In addition, some of the generals and ancestors of the generals in the imperial guards have lost their value, and the resistance they encounter will of course be great.

The army led by Di Qing was a freak who concentrated all kinds of problems of the imperial guards in the capital and was mixed with military reform. When he arrived at the front line, all kinds of discomforts would occur. It is hard for Du Zhongxiao to find problems in this battle and make the court determined to reform.
Chapter completed!