With the fall of Yuanjiang County, Yue Fei and Zhang Jun remained vigilant. They had just discussed the issue and were acutely aware that capturing such small southern counties was easy and insignificant. The key was to prevent the two bandit leaders from escaping.

If they escaped into Dongting Lake, the matter would never end.

However, news that excited Yue Fei, Zhang Jun, all the officers of the government army, and even the surrendered generals soon arrived.

"Zhong Xiang intends to lead his children and the officials of the pseudo-Chu, bound, to surrender?" Zhang Jun, who had revealed his identity and taken the lead on a slope outside the city serving as a command post, was greatly encouraged. "Quickly tell him that as long as he properly surrenders and recruits the water strongholds, cities, and islanders in the Hunan area and within the lake for the court, I, as the current Privy Councilor, will guarantee that his descendants will not be cut off!"

The messenger dared not delay and hurried away. Although there were confusions about the sudden appearance of the so-called Privy Councilor, requests for written guarantees from Yue Fei, and other messy incidents, the overall situation was paramount. Thus, after several back-and-forths, good news was confirmed: Zhong Xiang was indeed going to surrender.

Spirits soared – truly, spirits soared, because Zhong Xiang's surrender was fantastic news for everyone present.

For high-ranking officials like Zhang Jun and Yue Fei, it meant a step up in stability for the Dongting Lake region after the unrest. At the very least, no one could easily incite rebellion from the perspective of deities and witchcraft. For the government troops, although military merits would be slightly reduced, it also meant they wouldn't have to risk fighting during the possible spring floods. The remaining Xiangjiang River area in Hunan was likely to be pacified with a mere proclamation. For the surrendered local fishermen, lake dwellers, and water bandits, it meant they wouldn't have to pay any moral or reputational price for their surrender.

However, when Bi Jin, a close adjutant of Yue Fei, went to apprehend Zhong Xiang, he entered the city hastily but didn't return easily. Moreover, shortly after Bi Jin entered the city, the once-calm city suddenly erupted in commotion and alarm, clearly indicating trouble. This caused considerable panic among many people, especially the newly surrendered locals.

However, the commotion quickly subsided, presumably suppressed by the Imperial Vanguard troops. Soon after, everyone watched as countless armored soldiers escorted dozens of prisoners in bizarre, gold-and-jade-trimmed clothing, and they finally relaxed.

"What happened?" Wang Gui asked, frowning from afar as he saw Bi Jin approaching to report.

Bi Jin dared not delay and immediately bent over to report carefully: "Yang Yao, that scoundrel, refused to surrender and even kidnapped one of Zhong Xiang's sons in an attempt to escape. He has been captured, but due to the suddenness of the event, the Imperial Guards directly broke both of his legs to stabilize the situation, and he is not in a very presentable state…"

Wang Gui looked back at Yue Fei, and Yue Fei looked back at Zhang Jun... Hearing this news, Yue Pengju knew that the mission to the south was essentially over, so he was happy to let the Privy Councilor take over.

Zhang Jun paused slightly, then simply raised his hand: "It doesn't matter, bring him along. Why bother with appearances at this point? It's nothing more than surrendering or not. If he doesn't surrender, deal with him on the spot."

Everyone below Yue Fei nodded in agreement. That was indeed the logic.

So, Bi Jin went to the rear to fetch the man, while Zhang Jun negotiated with Zhong Xiang's family.

Zhong Xiang, middle-aged, utterly lost his heroism after the defeat. Upon seeing Zhang Jun, he only cried and sobbed, first removing the regalia and seal of the pseudo-Chu king, then promising to recruit the remaining strongholds in the Xiang River basin of Hunan for the Privy Councilor… Things went so smoothly that everyone found it uninteresting.

"Seeing how honest you are, valuing the lives of your children above your own, like an ordinary wealthy man, how did you end up rebelling?" After reaffirming that he would definitely protect his children, and seeing the other party visibly relieved, Zhang Jun couldn't help but feel curious.

"Sir, you don't know, I really had no choice. It wasn't my intention to rebel, but I was forced into it." Zhong Xiang, who had been unbound and stripped of his royal attire, realizing that his children would live but knowing his own fate was hopeless, was filled with tears and raised his sleeve to cover his old face. "Our Zhong family has been running a community business by the name of the Great Sage in Dongting Lake for generations, collecting grain and money in good years and distributing grain and money in bad years, collecting grain and money in prosperous times and distributing grain and money in times of poverty... Over generations, this community business has been excellent. But after the Jingkang Incident, the court's demands were too great, especially last year's tax increase, which affected the entire Jingxiang area. The entire Jingxiang area was impoverished, and our community suffered, with only outflows and no inflows. Seeing that it was about to go bankrupt, I was forced by those people to start a rebellion... Sir, I really didn't mean to…"

Zhang De Yuan, of course, knew that Zhong Xiang was deliberately acting cowardly and that there were many omissions in his words.

For one thing, his rebellion always involved a path of witchcraft and licentious sacrifices, as well as ambitions that arose after the Jingkang Incident. At that time, this guy began to expand his association by force in Dongting Lake, training troops, and spreading rumors about himself as the Chu king... However, after Zhao Guan Jia escaped from Huaishang and sat down in Nanyang, and then the news of Fan Qiong being buried alive in Xiangyang, somewhat dampened this half-baked rebel's ambitions, and he became increasingly apprehensive.

But some things are irreversible. Since Zhong Xiang had crossed the line after the Jingkang Incident, even if he didn't rebel, the court would eventually deal with this Great Sage.

This was the fundamental reason for Zhong Xiang's rebellion.

Then, there was the narrative of the community business going bankrupt, forcing him to rebel.

Of course, it could also be said that this guy was unlucky... After all, during the Jingkang Incident, who didn't think the Song was finished? There were many ambitious people who crossed the line. So, what was wrong with the Great Sage wanting to be a Chu king?

But wasn't the Song suddenly revived and kicking again? This made things awkward.

"Alas…"

Zhang Jun instantly understood the ins and outs of the matter, finding the man laughable. However, since he still needed this man to recruit the dozens of strongholds in Hunan, he simply sighed and comforted him kindly. "What you say has some truth to it. It can only be said that the situation is such that no one can do anything about it. You must know that the Emperor once sat in meditation with the monks of the Great Xiangguo Temple in Tokyo. He said that a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things, when it falls on an individual, becomes a great mountain. It's just that you were unlucky."

These words had a Zen-like quality. The Great Sage, who had killed countless monks, was shocked to the core upon hearing them and wept bitterly.

However, while the Great Sage cried even more sadly, the Privy Councilor Zhang De Yuan paid him no more attention, because his attention had been drawn to another person brought by Bi Jin – a heroic man whose armor had been stripped off, the ropes cutting into his flesh, his legs useless, being dragged onto the small slope, yet still raising his head and glaring around, gnashing his teeth in anger at the surrounding surrendered generals. Those who met his gaze, except for Huang Zuo, who felt that the people of Lizhou had been wronged before and was not afraid, almost all averted their eyes.

Without a doubt, this person was Yang Yao, who had previously attempted to kidnap Zhong Xiang's son and escape, and was the true military leader of the Dongting Lake rebels.

Yang Yao looked around disdainfully, and when he saw Zhong Xiang, stripped of his clothes and only weeping there, he could no longer bear it. His eyes were almost bloodshot as he shouted hoarsely:

"Zhong Xiang! Death is death! What are you crying about?!"

In his words, Yang Yao no longer addressed him as King or Great Sage. He had only spoken to this one person while being dragged all the way over... It was evident that he was half-despairing and half-resentful and unwilling towards Zhong Xiang.

This was natural.

It must be known that "Grandpa" in those days actually meant "father." Zhong Xiang sold insurance through his community in Dongting Lake, and insurance was undoubtedly a great business. So, all the hundreds of thousands of people who joined their community called him "Grandpa." Added to the specific religious overtones and the title "Great Sage," this Great Sage was essentially the godfather of Sicily in later generations.

It was just that all the Sicilian mafia families combined were not as large as this one community in Dongting Lake, nor did they have the ability to rise to the historical stage.

Enough digression, back to the present. The Great Sage had long lost his spirit and only covered his face and wept. However, Zhang Jun, with his lively personality, was slightly moved… Through Yue Fei's previous introduction, he had long known that Yang Yao was the true leader of the rebels, a capable man who had even studied for a few years. Furthermore, the court had already made a clear distinction from Zhong Xiang downwards, so this Yang Yao might be usable... In other words, Zhang Jun felt a sudden surge of appreciation for talent.

"Yang Yao, are you willing to surrender?" With this thought, Privy Councilor Zhang spoke without hesitation, adding a touch of sincerity to his otherwise perfunctory words.

Yang Yao had, of course, expected this question. But before the soldiers on either side could set him down, he strained his neck and cursed at Zhang Jun, who was sitting in the center: "Yue thief! You running dogs of the court, first you sent officials to seize our food and clothing, then you brought a bunch of Hebei dogs to kill our Dongting Lake brothers. How dare you come to recruit us?! Do you think I am as spineless as that?"

Aside from mistaking Zhang Jun for Yue Fei, these words were within everyone's expectations. Even the "Hebei dogs" in Yue Fei's army, having experienced so much, felt nothing from the insults of a dying man.

Zhang Jun was also not angry, simply scoffing in response: "Yang Yao, what you say makes no sense. There is a war in the north, a national war, concerning the life and death of the country. It's not just Jingxiang that has increased taxes. The southeast has also increased commercial taxes, and Bashu has even prepaid an entire year's taxes... Do you know? Even I have donated my family's wealth... All our actions are to protect the Central Plains and Guanzhong, and then recover He dong and Hebei. It's like a family encountering difficulties, and the whole family tightening their belts…"

"Bullshit!" Yang Yao was thrown on the ground, his lower limbs paralyzed, only using his elbows to support himself as he continued to curse. "Who is a family with you?! We are Jingxiang people, your Yue family army are Hebei people, we are fishermen and farmers who can't get enough to eat, you are officials and pimps! What does protecting the Central Plains have to do with us? What does Hebei and He dong have to do with us? For no reason, you want us to take out the food we worked hard for a year to give you to squander?! Even if you Hebei people ask us for help, you should at least act like you are begging. How can you disregard our lives like this?!"

Zhang Jun sighed and, glancing at Yue Fei, didn't bother to argue further. He only felt sorry for Yue Pengju.

Yang Yao, however, knew none of this and continued to curse: "Besides, what kind of virtue do you nobles have? Do you think we are fools? The money and grain we risked our lives to scrape together isn't even enough for you to have a meal in the palace, and how much of it is really used on the army? Do you really think we haven't seen the way officials behave? You say you donated your family's wealth, that's because you know that if you win the battle, you, as a marshal, can recoup it tenfold. But what about us? Does Hebei's return benefit us even half a penny?"

Hearing this, Zhang Jun looked down at the bizarre pseudo-Chu clothing that had been confiscated beside him, and then at Yue Fei, whose temples were throbbing as he tried his best to consider the people of Hunan and Huxi. He had lost all patience and simply waved his hand: "Drag him down and behead him! Display his head along the shores of Dongting Lake!"

The surrounding soldiers hurried forward to drag him away, but Yang Yao showed no fear. He strained his neck and shouted forcefully at Zhang Jun as he was being dragged away: "You surnamed Yue! Even if I die, I will die for the sake of my fellow villagers in Dongting Lake. People in Dongting Lake will remember me. In the future, I can become a god or a saint in Dongting Lake! But you official bastards, military bullies who only know how to suck the blood and drink the marrow of the people, who will remember you in the future?! Who will remember you?!"

Moments later, without any further ado, Yang Yao was beheaded amidst the curses.

With that, the two rebel leaders, one surrendered and one dead, and nearly half of the so-called forty forts of the rebels had been eliminated. The rest was nothing more than pacifying by proclamation or destroying forts, which would not cause any major waves in the overall situation.

However, after this incident, Zhang Jun lost his interest in pretending to be a Confucian general. He simply assigned the follow-up matters to Wang Gui, telling him to take the surrendered people to deal with them quickly, while he himself remained seated in place.

Yue Fei had intended to supervise the establishment of military camps, but Zhang Jun called him to a halt in front of everyone. Knowing that these two, one civil and one military, had something to say, everyone tactfully withdrew, even close adjutants like Bi Jin slipped away to the foot of the slope.

Interestingly, while others avoided them, facing Yue Fei, who was clearly affected by Yang Yao's curses and somewhat depressed, Zhang Jun hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Yue Fei had suddenly stopped in Hubei, not moving for a long time, causing a unanimous attack from the court and the public, eventually triggering a political storm and even leading to the Privy Councilor coming south to oversee the battle... But upon careful consideration, this matter, which seemed monolithic from the outside, was actually two completely different things.

The former referred to Yue Fei's earlier stalling tactics, that is, his sudden change from suppression to appeasement last winter, and then his various strange actions, continuing until this spring without taking action.

This was a purely military event, and the essence of Yue Fei's strange actions was the principle of military secrecy, for the sake of effective operations – the fact that government troops could not defeat water bandits was something that people who understood military affairs could probably understand, but it was not easy to say in public, firstly for fear of leaking military secrets, and secondly because it would seriously affect morale.

Therefore, in order to paralyze the enemy, he had to paralyze his teammates first, making the conversion of military strategy under considerable pressure and criticism. And now, with a sudden thunderous action, he had pacified Zhong Xiang's rebellion, and after revealing the truth, although some people would still think that Yue Fei was making excuses, more people would believe in Yue Fei's judgment and plan.

Among other things, there was no reason for Yue Fei, as the highest-ranking commander, not to inform Zhao Guan Jia through the confidential report system, leaving a way out for himself and the Imperial Vanguard.

In other words, the former event was risk-free, because it was a reasonable military decision made from a military perspective by a commander with special responsibility and authority, based on objective military conditions. There were no problems in terms of procedure or core ideology.

However, there was also another thing, namely Yue Fei's later procrastination during the spring plowing season after the start of spring, which was very delicate.

Because this was no longer a military issue, but a serious political issue concerning political ethics, moral evaluation, and various gains and losses... This matter, whether before or after the fact, was not something that could be easily resolved.

Otherwise?

The Emperor and the prime ministers might be able to recognize the judgment made by Yue Fei from a global perspective and a utilitarian point of view, and recognize that he preserved more and better spring plowing activities overall. But the problem was, would the people of Hubei, the officials of the three routes, and the various figures of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism who had fled from the previously rebellious areas also recognize it?

If they knew the truth, they would hate Yue Fei to the bone... Because what did the overall situation have to do with them? What did Hunan have to do with Hubei?!

Didn't Yang Yao just curse from the bottom of his heart, what did Hebei have to do with Jingxiang?!

Of course, one incomprehensible thing here was that Yang Yao, who had always resented the tax increases in Jingxiang because of the overall situation, would never know that Yue Fei, whom he had cursed, had shown the greatest kindness and tolerance to the people of Dongting Lake from the most global perspective, especially the people of Hunan and Huxi, whom Yang Yao cared about most, benefited the most.

In fact, Yue Fei was not a fool. Judging from his actions, he had clearly wanted to withstand the pressure and get through it at first. Anyway, he would just say that he was not confident in persuading Huang Zuo, the most central figure, and had no choice but to delay until after the spring plowing for military reasons.

Rationally speaking, this was the most appropriate and correct way to handle it – only because of military needs had he waited until now, not because he was considering someone and had waited another month. No one could find fault with it.

But wasn't he feeling depressed and uncomfortable in his heart?

Wasn't he craving understanding?

So, Yue Pengju could not help but explain everything to Privy Councilor Zhang De Yuan, which was equivalent to explaining the situation to Zhao Guan Jia in Tokyo... Now that things had come to this, how could Zhang Jun and Yue Fei not know that Zhao Guan Jia, with knowledge of Yue Fei's military plans, had still proactively sent someone to oversee the battle? One reason was naturally out of respect for the political rules of the court, but the other was clearly because Zhao Guan Jia doubted Yue Fei's long inaction.

However, this guess could only be described as a lucky hit. Zhao Guan Jia did suspect, but not out of some suspicion that officials were uncomfortable expressing, but because he firmly did not believe that Yue Fei could not handle this matter in a winter plus a summer, and thought that Yue Fei had encountered some trouble outside of military affairs.

That was why he had released Zhang Jun.

"Pengju, there is no need to take to heart the words of some petty thieves who do not know what they are talking about." After hesitating for a long time, Zhang Jun finally spoke to comfort him.

Upon hearing this, Yue Fei sighed heavily after a long while: "How can this subordinate not know that Yang Yao is just short-sighted, but it is a long and arduous journey to extinguish the Jin people, and if everyone in the world is short-sighted, it cannot help but make one feel a little sad."

Zhang Jun nodded repeatedly, also feeling somewhat emotional, but made an effort to cheer up: "Although that is so, our undertaking is a thousand-year project, why care about these things?"

"It's not just that." Yue Fei still stood there, shaking his head. "Not to hide it from the Privy Councilor, if Yang Yao was a ruthless and unscrupulous rebel, I wouldn't even look at him. But this person still has some integrity... Privy Councilor, today I will say something unpleasant, no matter what the court says, according to the local people's thoughts, after thousands of years of wind and rain, there may really be a deity of Yang Yao in Dongting Lake, and I, Yue Fei, in this place, may only be a robber who harms the people for thousands of years."

Zhang Jun opened his mouth to speak, but only smiled wryly.

Platitudes could always be said, such as the Great Song lasting for thousands of years, and these people not being able to rebel again, but those were just platitudes, and some things were just so real.

Just look at the licentious sacrifices in Dongting Lake. Over so many years in the Qin, Han, Tang, and Song dynasties, which hard-working official hadn't dealt with them? But which one had truly ended them? And now that Zhong Xiang was so cowardly, one day when the common people suffered another disaster and became desperate, they might elevate the unyielding Yang Yao and make him a new Great Sage.

As for Yue Pengju, unless he had the abilities of Guan Yu, and the Supreme Taoist Emperor would continue to enshrine him even after a thousand years, otherwise, just in terms of reputation in Dongting Lake, he might not even be more respectable than Yang Yao.

In short, it was so difficult for a mere mortal to create an achievement that would last for thousands of years, as the Great River flows east.

"Pengju."

With hundreds of thoughts racing through his mind, there was a sense of melancholy in the spring day, but Zhang Jun quickly spoke. "In any case, regarding your actions to avoid spring plowing after spring, I have three words for you…"

"Please speak, sir." Yue Fei also made an effort to cheer up.

"First, as the current Privy Councilor and the envoy overseeing the battle, I truly feel that your handling of this matter is flawless, with merit and no demerit."

"Thank you, sir."

"Second, I know your difficulties. I will never say much about this matter, only that you need to train Huang Zuo, and you have been putting it off until today. I forced you to send troops, and it was still dangerous… You need to cooperate with this and not refuse, because once this matter is discussed, even if it is just a discussion, it will cause a huge uproar, and even cause another conflict between civil and military officials. Even if the Emperor and the central government protect you, they will not be able to avoid the confusion and disputes from top to bottom."

"I intended to do so." Yue Fei sighed lightly.

"Third, in any case, you must trust the Emperor. I know that your time with the Emperor has not been long, and you may feel uneasy in your heart, but the Emperor truly trusts you no less than the Prince of Yan'an… And this time, I am responsible for reporting the situation to the Emperor privately. But please rest assured, Pengju, that as long as I am here, I will definitely explain your efforts clearly to the Emperor. And in the end, the Emperor is truly more divine and wise than you think."

What else could Yue Fei say? He could only nod heavily.

In February, the grass grew and the orioles flew in Dongting Lake, followed by continuous spring rains. Zhang Jun finally entrusted the mop-up matters to Yue Fei, and then hurried back north, in order to make a brief explanation to the Emperor. When he arrived in Jiangling Prefecture, he naturally had to stop and make a brief exchange and explanation with Ma Shen, the Hubei Pacification Commissioner… After listening to Zhang Jun's words, Ma Shen only said that it was good that the rebellion was quelled, but did not comment on Yue Fei's explanation of his inaction.

However, it was in Jiangling Prefecture that Zhang Jun received the latest gazette – noting the latest related developments of the divine and wise Zhao Guan Jia.

The ‘Practical Action’ on the Xuande Tower, scheduled to verify the existence of air pressure within a month, had been forced to be postponed due to the lack of precision equipment. The divine and wise Zhao Guan Jia had no choice but to personally host a banquet, discussing the matter with Hu Anguo and others, persuading them to give Lu Benzhong, who had spoken wildly, another half a month to refine the instruments.

ps: Maybe future boss added another cuteness!

Then recommend the book and offer sacrifices, "Picked up a First Emperor"! The new book by the author of "Picked up a Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Little Wolf.