Dismissal of Han Shizhong

Timeline

1. 1141Lin'an · Zhejiang ProvinceThe Song court summoned Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun, and Yue Fei to Lin'an under the pretext of rewarding the Zhegao victory. Han Shizhong commanded the Forward Protection Army of some 80,000, stationed on the Huaidong anti-Jin front, and was now recalled from his post to the temporary capital.
2. 1141Lin'an · Zhejiang ProvinceHan Shizhong was reassigned as Privy Council Commissioner, Yue Fei as Deputy Privy Council Commissioner, and Zhang Jun also as Privy Council Commissioner. The three pacification commissions of Huaidong, Huaixi, and Jinghu were abolished, and officers below the level of commander had the prefix 'Imperial' added, answering directly to the Three Departments and Privy Council, fundamentally severing the three generals' ties with their original troops.
3. 1141Lin'an · Zhejiang ProvinceHan Shizhong repeatedly memorialized to be relieved of his privy council duties, offering a million strings of cash and 900,000 shi of grain to secure himself. In October he retired as Grand Tutor, Envoy of the Liquan Temple, Court Attendant, and Duke of Fu, still concurrently holding the military commissionerships of Henghai and two other commands; thereafter he shut his door to visitors and never spoke of military affairs.