"Please rise, old sir!"
Yue Fei walked to the beggar's side, unbothered by the stench emanating from him. He extended a hand to help the man up from the ground, then took off his cloak from his back and tied it around the beggar.
"Rest assured, old sir, this battle will surely drive the Jin invaders out of the Central Plains!"
"What they took from us, we shall certainly make them repay a hundredfold!"
"Marshal Yue, is this true?!" The old beggar grabbed Yue Fei's right hand, looking at him with earnest hope. "You won't falter halfway this time?"
"I, the Emperor, vouch for Marshal Yue. This campaign, the great army shall not return without victory!"
Just as Marshal Yue was about to say something, another voice echoed from within the army.
Everyone turned to follow the sound and saw a path cleared within the Yue family army. Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Xu, father and son, were striding towards them.
"The Em-Em-Emperor?"
The old beggar was stunned upon hearing this, then collapsed to his knees before them with a thud.
With Zhao Gou's abdication, the state affairs were managed by Zhao Guangyi and Zhao Xu. Before suitable successors to the throne could be selected, this was not publicly announced.
Therefore, the common people were unaware of this matter. Now, with someone daring to refer to himself as '朕' (Zhen, I, the Emperor) in front of the Northern Expeditionary Army, the old beggar naturally assumed they were referring to Zhao Gou.
Zhao Guangyi offered no explanation. He walked to Yue Fei's side, surveyed the surroundings, and declared with great spirit.
"Your sincere hearts have been received by both I, the Emperor, and Marshal Yue."
"The army is about to set off, and we must not miss the auspicious hour. Please disperse and see the army off on its Northern Expedition against the Jin!"
When Zhao Gou had reigned, had he ever personally seen off the army before its departure?
Now, mistaking him for Zhao Gou, and seeing him personally escorting them out of the palace, the lingering doubts in the hearts of the people were instantly shattered!
Regardless of whether this battle could truly be won, the court's decision had been made clear.
The old beggar's eyes were red, and tears streamed down his weathered face. He prostrated himself on the ground and said in a voice filled with unwavering conviction.
"Your Majesty, Marshal Yue, your humble servant dares to request to join the army on the Northern Expedition!"
"Even if I have to forfeit this old body, I wish to contribute my strength to the Northern Expedition!"
Zhao Guangyi did not reply. Instead, he turned his gaze to Yue Fei, signaling for him to make the decision himself.
Seeing this, Yue Fei had no choice but to help the old man up again and said earnestly.
"I observe, old sir, that you are nearly fifty years of age. While life may be harder in Lin'an, it is still better than fighting for your life on the battlefield."
"If you have nowhere to go, my household still needs a gatekeeper."
"It is not a life of glory and wealth, but you will never lack a meal."
After speaking, he looked at the personal guard beside him. "Take the old gentleman back and hand him over to my wife."
The personal guard stepped forward to help the old beggar away.
Though appearing ordinary, the old beggar possessed strength beyond everyone's imagination. He broke free from the guard and pleaded again.
"Master Yue, though this old man is aged, I still have the strength to fight! I beg you to grant my wish!"
Yue Fei could not help but feel a strong sense of curiosity. "Why do you insist on following the army on the Northern Expedition?"
"Master Yue!" The old beggar knelt down for the third time, his voice tinged with a sob.
"Master Yue, you may not know, but your humble servant had five sons!"
"Since fifteen years ago, the eldest son joined the Yue family army and fought alongside you against the Jin invaders!"
"'Frozen, they do not dismantle houses; starved, they do not plunder.' The Yue family army is honorable!"
"In the spring of the fourth year of Jianyan, at the great victory of Qingshui Pavilion, my eldest son died in service to the country."
"My remaining four sons, hearing of the discipline of the Yue family army, rushed to enlist to avenge their brother."
"They fought against the Jin for years and unfortunately fell one after another on the battlefield."
"Your humble servant has no great abilities, but I wish to follow in my sons' footsteps, to hold the reins for Marshal Yue and ride north to attack the Jin!"
"National hatred and family vendetta, blood for blood!"
By the end, the old beggar was weeping uncontrollably, his eyes bloodshot, as he knelt before Yue Fei, repeatedly kowtowing.
Niu Gao, Zhang Xian, Yue Yun, and all the Yue family soldiers present watched him with solemn expressions.
No one could have imagined the resolve of such an old man, who, after personally sending off five sons, could still speak of taking to the battlefield himself!
Zhao Yiguang, upon hearing these words, felt as if a ball of cotton was stuck in his throat, a profound blockage.
After much hesitation, he stepped forward and bowed deeply to the old beggar.
"The court has failed you, old sir! I, on behalf of all civil and military officials, apologize to you!"
"This cannot be, this cannot be! How can your humble servant accept such a great honor from Your Majesty!"
The old beggar quickly rose and moved aside, wanting to help, but fearing to offend imperial majesty, his timid demeanor was heart-wrenching.
Zhao Guangyi shook his head slightly, walked up to the old beggar, and grasped his withered hands.
"Any man who serves the country with loyalty deserves this bow from me!"
"My martial skills are insufficient, and leading the imperial troops personally would only burden Marshal Yue. I wish to burn incense and pray day and night in Lin'an, praying that all heavenly spirits protect our Northern Expeditionary Army!"
"From this day forward, regardless of the importance of any matter in court, the Northern Expedition shall take precedence!"
"I make this promise: no matter when, if anyone dares to obstruct the grand cause of the Northern Expedition, I shall pursue them to the highest heavens and the deepest hell, and exterminate their entire clan!"
These words moved the surrounding commoners to tears.
"Long live His Majesty!"
One person knelt and cried out in unison, and like a chain reaction, others followed suit.
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Long live His Majesty!"
"It is getting late. Kindly make way, everyone. My great axe has long been thirsty for the blood of the Jin!"
Niu Gao, holding his Xuanhua broad-axe, rode his warhorse to the middle of the road and shouted at the citizens blocking the path.
The crowd retreated to the sides of the road, watching the army slowly depart.
The merchants who had brought their "well wishes" seemed to have made a pact. They sent their employees to throw their goods onto the supply carts and then turned to leave.
"Take a message home for me, tell them I'm going north with the Yue family army!"
"Me too! Although my skill in killing enemies is poor, I can still handle the job of collecting and burying bodies!"
"Tell my father! He can't let the brothers of the Yue family army get ahead in taking over the land of the Old Zhou family!"
"Hahahaha, my mother is only forty. Tell my father to try harder and have another son to continue the Liu family lineage!"
~~~
Many of the commoners were refugees who had fled from Henan, Hebei, and Shandong. After leaving their messages, they spontaneously joined the Yue family army, helping to push carts and carry provisions.
"Send some men to find Gouzi and give him a good beating!"
Zhao Guangyi felt a pang of sadness seeing this scene. He turned to Zhao Xu and said with fierce instruction.
Zhao Xu did not know how to describe his feelings at this moment, for the current state of the Great Song was caused by his own son and grandson!