The imperial guards parted as Zhao Gou emerged, retracting their bows and crossbows to avoid accidental harm.
"Are you Zhao Gou?"
Zhao Xu looked at the pale, beardless man before him, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Why did this great-grandson lack any masculine vigor?
Even if he shaved his beard, there should be a dark hue beneath his skin, yet this man's chin was as fair and smooth as a woman's, most peculiar!
Zhao Gou had not been directly addressed by name in years and subconsciously furrowed his brow.
Fan Miao, standing beside him, quickly whispered in his ear.
"Your Majesty, this is the former Emperor Shenzong."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Gou's rising, nameless anger instantly subsided. He turned to Fan Miao with a bewildered expression.
"Are you sure you haven't mistaken him?"
Fan Miao shook his head repeatedly. "Your Majesty, it's possible for this old servant to be mistaken. But Han Zhi, the grandson of the former Grand Chancellor Han Qi, also recognizes Emperor Shenzong."
"There's no reason for this old servant and Lord Han to be mistaken simultaneously."
Zhao Gou inwardly wished not to acknowledge it, but the reality was laid bare before him. He had no choice.
He, with great reluctance, clasped his hands towards Zhao Xu and said, "Gou pays his respects to Shenzong!"
Zhao Xu immediately flared up, pointing at his nose and scolding, "You don't even call me Grandpa. Do you truly not recognize me in your heart?"
Zhao Gou and Zhao Huan were brothers. Their father was Zhao Ji, and Zhao Ji and Zhao Xu were both sons of Zhao Xu. This meant that what appeared to be five generations of emperors were, in fact, only three generations.
(Previous text contained errors, corrected, apologies!)
Zhao Guangyi pulled Zhao Xu aside, shouting curses.
"Why waste words on such a grandson! Damn the thing, he even dares to have people point bows and arrows at me. Who spoiled him with such bad habits?"
With that, he circled behind Zhao Gou and delivered a kick to his backside.
Perhaps due to some psychological scar, he didn't slap Zhao Gou's fair cheeks, but instead seemed fixated on his buttocks.
Zhao Gou never expected such a thing to happen.
Caught off guard, he was kicked to the ground, his face hitting the bluestone paving first. His nose was even scraped raw against the stone.
He looked up, blood trickling from both nostrils, staring at Zhao Guangyi in utter bewilderment.
"Who the hell are you! This is my family matter, what business is it of yours!"
Zhao Guangyi was so angered he nearly choked, his beard bristling as he cursed.
"I am your ancestor! Your grandfather's great-grandfather!"
"Damn it, damn it, you dare say damn it to me!"
"If I don't beat the shit out of you, I'll be letting down your mother!"
With that, he climbed onto Zhao Gou and began raining blows upon his rear.
It was soft, and felt quite good!
In that instant, a long-suppressed frustration was finally released~
Released upon the backside of his seventh-generation grandson~
Li Shimin watched with great amusement, saying to Zhao Xu with a smile.
"Your son was captured by the Jin. Not only did this grandson fail to send anyone to rescue him, but he also moved the capital here and indulged in nightly revelries. Don't you have any thoughts on this?"
Reminded by him, Zhao Xu finally recalled that matter.
He then shouted to Zhao Guangyi, "Great-Ancestor, please don't beat him to death!"
Zhao Gou, clutching his backside and wailing from the beating, was about to sigh in relief when he felt another pair of fists land on his head.
The sudden, heavy blows made him dizzy, his ears ringing, and it seemed like small stars were circling around him.
Damn it, didn't you say you wouldn't hit me anymore? Why!
"Hahahahahaha~~"
"Zhao San, you're weak in the kidneys, keep it up! I'm rooting for you guys~"
"You guys take your time beating him, I'm going inside to rest my feet~"
Li Shimin let out a hearty laugh and walked towards the Wende Hall with his hands behind his back, the sounds of slaps from behind him so wonderfully pleasing~
Meanwhile, at the Dali Temple, Fang Er had driven his Caterpillar to the prison entrance. The guards stationed there had already scattered in terror.
He pushed the car door open, jumped out, and fired over a dozen shots at the chains securing the prison door.
The iron chains snapped, and he casually pushed the door open, stepping inside. A chilling aura immediately greeted him, mixed with the scent of mold and blood.
Mo Qixie was being escorted by Xue Rengui from behind.
As Fang Er walked, he suddenly stopped, turned, and backhanded someone.
"Slap!"
As the sound echoed, a trace of blood flowed from the corner of Mo Qixie's mouth.
Fang Er said coldly, "Speak! Where is Marshal Yue imprisoned!"
Mo Qixie was a coward. He was now as obedient as a grandson, nodding and bowing obsequiously to Fang Er.
"I, I am willing to lead the way. Please, please spare this humble official's life, good sir~"
Fang Er stared at him with killing intent. "You still dare to set conditions with me? Who gave you the nerve!"
With that, he drew the short knife from his waist and swung it towards his head.
With a "swish," a limp ear detached from the muscular tissue on his left cheek and fell onto the bluestone slabs.
"Ah~~ Ah~~~"
Only when Mo Qixie saw his ear did he react. He instinctively reached to cover it, but his hands were bound, forcing him to roar loudly.
Xue Rengui kicked him, "Lead the way!"
Mo Qixie no longer dared to utter a word of nonsense and obediently led the way.
The Dali Temple prison was vast. After taking many turns and twists for a considerable time, the three stopped before a tightly sealed cell door.
"It, it, it's in here~"
Mo Qixie, enduring the pain, said, looking at the wooden door.
"Marshal Yue, do not approach the cell door!"
Fang Er shouted into the cell, then used his gun to break the copper lock on the door.
As he pushed the door open, he saw a disheveled man standing by the corner wall, watching him.
"Who are you!"
The man, his face neither pleased nor displeased, asked them in a calm voice.
"May I ask if you are Marshal Yue?" Fang Er asked, cupping his hands.
"Indeed, I am Yue," Yue Fei replied loudly.
Fang Er rejoiced and then respectfully bowed to him. "I am Fang Anzhi. Hearing that Marshal Yue has been wronged, I have come to assist!"
However, Yue Fei's reaction was unexpected. He slightly shook his head and then walked to the straw-filled bed and sat down.
"I am grateful for the warrior's good intentions."
"However, if the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must die. To escape privately would only solidify the unfounded charges."
"The great commotion outside just now, the imperial guards must be on their way."
"Therefore, I request that warrior Fang leave soon and not risk his valuable life here."
Upon hearing this, Fang Er became angry. "What nonsense about ruler and subject relationships!"
Xue Rengui shivered at these words, a terrible thought flashing through his mind. He quickly dismissed the thought and pretended not to hear.
Fang Er, completely oblivious to his reaction, continued to speak to Yue Fei.
"As a military official, your loyalty should be to the people of this Great Song, not to a single family or surname!"
"The common people of the realm still suffer under the iron hooves of the Jin. Are you truly willing to abandon your useful body here?"
"Even if everyone knows you are innocent, what good is it? In the end, you will be nothing but a pile of earth and a heap of dry bones!"
"Come out with me. Find that brat Zhao Gou in the palace, and someone will clear those ridiculous, groundless charges for you!"
"You wish to recover the northern lands and expel the Jin. I can fulfill that for you as well!"