Chapter 13: The Display of the Hanged Head

“Grand Commander Wang! Grand Commander Wang!” The Privy Councilor Feng Xie hurried over to support Wang Zongchuo as soon as he suddenly fainted.

“Grand Commander Wang!” Wang Shiyong grew anxious upon seeing Wang Zongchuo collapse.

Others like Mo Chou were no different.

Those who usually showed no concern for Wang Zongchuo suddenly treated him with utmost care, as if their own father had fainted.

Everyone else knew Wang Zongchuo was putting on an act, and Wang Zongchuo knew they knew. Thus, everyone began cooperating in this performance.

Their shared purpose was to smooth things over and prevent the emperor from executing Xu Bingzhe.

Xu Bingzhe had been promoted by He Li.

Wang Shiyong and the others frequently clashed with He Li, hoping to see him removed from power, so logically, they would not be inclined to save Xu Bingzhe.

If Xu Bingzhe were dismissed or demoted, they would be the first to agree.

But if he were killed, they would not consent.

Not killing ministers was their political red line, a boundary they had fought to establish for themselves.

If this line were crossed, no matter how much they stirred trouble in the future, they would risk being executed.

Therefore, they united to defend this limit, sending a clear message: Your Majesty, you may demote Xu Bingzhe—even exile him to Qiongzhou—but you must not kill him!

Faced with these highly skilled acting ministers, Zhao Ning was not without recourse.

He called out loudly, “Gao Qiu! Come forth!”

The crowd was startled and looked around in confusion.

Who?

Gao Qiu?

Wasn’t he dismissed from office?

Besides, rumors said he was seriously ill at home.

Indeed, Gao Qiu was ill. According to official records, Gao Qiu died around the days when the capital Tokyo was overrun.

He was not killed by the Jin invaders but, after dismissal, lived in constant anxiety, fearing imperial retribution.

However, after a brief conversation last night, Gao Qiu felt as if he had been given a second lease on life.

Emerging from the shadows of the court, Gao Qiu’s complexion was still pale and haggard, but his spirit had noticeably revived.

As he stepped out, all eyes fixed on him in surprise.

“Gao Qiu, did you hear what I just said?” Zhao Ning asked.

“I heard, Your Majesty,” Gao Qiu replied.

Waving his hand, Zhao Ning instructed, and Gao Qiu called out, “Guards!”

The palace guards outside entered promptly.

“Your Majesty orders this man dragged out and beheaded!”

The guards hesitated briefly before seizing Xu Bingzhe and dragging him outside.

“Your Majesty, spare me! I am loyal to the Great Song and to Your Majesty!” Xu Bingzhe cried out.

“Gentlemen ministers, I am a faithful servant!” Mo Chou stepped forward, shouting, “Gao Qiu! Who do you think you are, seizing a high-ranking minister in the hall?”

Gao Qiu produced his official seal—it identified him as the Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard.

The Palace Guard was the elite military office of the Song Dynasty.

Together with the Imperial Bodyguard, they were known as the “Two Offices.”

Their subordinate divisions—the Palace Front Command, the Cavalry Command, and the Infantry Command—were collectively called the “Three Offices.”

The Two Offices and Three Offices formed the highest command of the imperial army nationwide.

Note, they were a command structure with authority, but without power to mobilize troops.

In later times, the Ming Dynasty’s Five Armies Headquarters held a similar status.

Previously, Gao Qiu served as Commander of the Palace Guard.

During the Five Dynasties period, this position was called Commander of the Palace Front Command, held by Zhao Kuangyin during the Later Zhou era, but since Emperor Taizu of Song had held it, the Northern Song ceased to appoint commanders to the Palace Front Command.

Thus, the Palace Guard Commander became the supreme commander of the imperial army, also known as the Palace Marshal.

In the Great Song court, the position was commonly referred to as Grand Commander.

Therefore, “Grand Commander Gao” was a form of address, not Gao Qiu’s official title.

Yet, this situation was deeply frustrating: Wang Zongchuo, as commander of the imperial guards, feigned death when ordered by the emperor.

This alone testified to the intimidation wielded by the civil officials.

Fortunately, Zhao Ning had prepared in advance and called Gao Qiu back last night.

Otherwise, to execute someone today and assert authority, he would have to personally order the palace guard inside.

That would be humiliating, and with the emperor directly ordering the guards to kill, the blame would fall squarely on him.

By letting Gao Qiu act, the resentment would be directed at Gao Qiu, not the emperor.

Gao Qiu waved the seal mockingly before Mo Chou, a fixed smirk playing on his lips, as if to say, “I enjoy your hatred and your inability to stop me.” His expression was as contemptible as it was shameless.

After all, Gao Qiu was a rogue and scoundrel by nature, and with a fatal secret held by the emperor, he cared little about offending the civil officials.

He had nearly died of depression at home, fearing retribution after dismissal.

This rare chance to rebound would not be missed.

“Gao Qiu! Don’t push your luck!” Mo Chou shouted.

“Even Zhang Shuye said that anyone who disrupts military morale should be executed on the spot. What are you all causing a fuss for?” Gao Qiu retorted, leaving with the guards.

“Your Majesty, killing ministers tarnishes your revered name. Please reconsider!” someone pleaded.

“If this is my revered name, I’d rather have none!” Zhao Ning snapped.

Xu Bingzhe screamed like a slaughtered pig, struggling violently.

He was likely to become the first minister executed outside the Chuigong Hall in the Great Song Dynasty.

Bound and pressed to the ground, Xu Bingzhe emitted a pitiful wail.

The palace guards raised their blades, and with a sharp crack, the sword bit into his neck.

Blood sprayed onto the snow.

After a scream, Xu Bingzhe could no longer cry out; half his neck was severed.

He could only utter strained, pained sounds, his face contorted in agony.

The guards appeared inexperienced with executions, trembling nervously.

Gao Qiu yelled, “Haven’t you moved the second stroke? Are you all trying to get yourselves killed?”

He quickly recovered, withdrew the blade, and hacked down with force, severing Xu Bingzhe’s head.

The head rolled in the snow, coming to rest on its side.

Xu Bingzhe’s face still bore the final expression of torment, eyes wide with horror.

Hearing the screams cease, the crowd knew Xu Bingzhe was dead, and the atmosphere in the hall froze.

Gao Qiu re-entered and announced, “Your Majesty, Xu Bingzhe has been executed.”

“Hang his head before the city gates, display it for all to see. I want everyone to witness the fate of the surrender faction!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

No one spoke or dared to speak further.

Yet every gaze was fixed on Zhang Shuye and Gao Qiu, especially Zhang Shuye.

Though a civil official, many considered Zhang a traitor, pulling down the political bottom line.

The coming battles in the court would no longer be about demotions or dismissals.

It would be a matter of life and death.

Zhao Ning continued, “Zhang Shuye.”

“At your command, Your Majesty,” he replied.

“From this day forward, all matters within the city are under your supervision.”

“I accept the decree.”

“Liu Wei!”

“At your service!”

“You will assist Zhang Shuye.”

“I accept the decree.”

“The rest of you will cooperate fully with Zhang Shuye. Anyone who dares speak again of peace talks, I will have their head hung on the city walls!”

With that, the emperor swept his sleeves and left Chuigong Hall immediately.