Hearing of this method of quelling the rebellion, even Zhao Jiu, who was mentally prepared, was momentarily speechless, and then didn't know how to ask further.

"How were the rebels dealt with?" Yuwen Xuzhong, quick to seize the opportunity, interjected.

"Reporting to Scholar Yuwen, I was anxious to return and report to the Emperor, and dared not deal with them rashly. I merely had the central army temporarily surround Baichi Town..."

Zhao Ding, his robes still visibly caked with mud, couldn't help but snort coldly again.

"Did you ask clearly why they shot the Imperial Envoy sent by the court?" Only then did Zhao Jiu fully regain his composure.

"This minister is ashamed."

Perhaps it was just an impression, but Han Shizhong, with his heavy Guanxi accent, spoke with obvious vigor when addressing Yuwen Xuzhong, as if the venerable Commandant Han the Fifth was present. Yet when facing Zhao Jiu, he always seemed somewhat meek and submissive, not as bold as Madam Liang had been in their earlier conversation. "I inquired briefly, and it seems there were rumors that the spoils of war were to be handed over to the temporary palace. These rebellious wretches don't understand righteousness and were unwilling to part with them, so they came with resentment. Furthermore, when they arrived at Wanshou County as the vanguard, the city refused them entry, offered them no wine or beef, and only allowed them to settle in Baichi Town, which had already been emptied by the county, adding to their discontent… But at its root, it's because these people are mostly defectors from the rebel army, having already rebelled once, they are used to being bandits."

Zhao Jiu nodded repeatedly. This made much more sense, and many in the hall felt relieved.

Only after understanding the reasons did the Zhao Emperor's thoughts return. He initially wanted to inquire about the whereabouts of the residents of Jin Gou Town and address the issue of military discipline, but ultimately, he was well aware that some things were simply impossible in this era, so he forced himself to swallow it back down.

Han Shizhong, stealing a glance at Zhao Jiu's hesitant expression, which wasn't particularly pleased, misunderstood his intentions and quickly declared his loyalty. "Your Majesty, rest assured, this minister knows that the roads to the temporary palace are cut off, with no income. Even the gold leaf on the statues of Taoist Ancestors and Buddhas has been scraped off, and the civil and military officials, as well as those bandit birds… those wretches haven't received their salaries and rewards for months. The spoils of this campaign should be used to alleviate the Emperor's concerns! This minister will not hold back in the slightest."

"It's not about that!" Zhao Jiu waved his hands repeatedly.

"Is Your Majesty worried about how to deal with those rebels?" As the direct victim, Zhao Ding was the first to lose patience. "Grand Commandant Han, let me ask you, your troops brazenly killed an Imperial Envoy next to the temporary palace, forcing the Emperor to almost come and find you alone. If this matter is not dealt with thoroughly, what does the national system amount to?"

"Your Majesty!"

With so much at stake, Han Shizhong dared not evade any longer. Ignoring his armored body, he bowed as deeply as he could, pleading for leniency. "This matter is at most the result of some officers' greed and arrogance. This minister will investigate thoroughly in the next few days, ensuring that no one escapes punishment. But the vanguard numbers two thousand. How can they be easily treated as rebels at this time? It will cause chaos."

Zhao Ding was indignant and rose to formally impeach him, but Zhao Jiu stopped him with a wave of his hand… What was this? Hadn't he just said to recognize that this was a chaotic world? Why was he getting hot-headed again after a little peace?

Of course, Zhao Ding himself had experienced it firsthand, and there was a reason for his actions, so it wasn't good to criticize him too harshly.

"This matter, I trust Han Qing. Han Qing is a military commander and can handle the internal affairs of his own army, but he must give an explanation to the civil and military officials who were frightened at the temporary palace." Zhao Jiu spoke of the long-considered, perhaps most helpless, yet only feasible solution.

Han Shizhong was momentarily moved to tears, vowing repeatedly.

However, at that moment, Yang Yizhong, who had been relaxed, suddenly saw something out of the corner of his eye… It was Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief, who had been silent all along, suddenly tugging at the dirty green robe of his close friend and subordinate, Zhao Ding, the Supervising Secretary!

In response, Yang Yizhong quickly focused his eyes and nose on his heart, pretending not to see anything.

Zhao Ding understood and spoke out again in agitation: "Your Majesty! Emperor! This minister is not convinced! If it is because there are too many disorderly soldiers and it is difficult to deal with them, and because the situation is difficult, this minister has nothing to say! But Han Shizhong is just one person! As a military commander, how can he not be punished when his subordinates commit such acts? And if he is not punished, will these military leaders still have any respect for the court's authority and system in the future?!"

Han Shizhong glared angrily at Zhao Ding.

In reality, this Commandant Han was simply stunned by the Emperor's shout in the street today, and naturally obeyed the Emperor's authority. How could he be afraid of some bird censor? If he were truly afraid of some bird censor, would he still be Splashy Han the Fifth? Even this hasty quelling of the rebellion was to quell the rebellion for the Zhao Emperor, not to vent anger for this old fool?

However, Han Shizhong glared angrily in his own central army's inn, but Zhao Ding was fearless and didn't even look at him, directly making a formal impeachment against Zhao Jiu, who was sitting upright at the end of the makeshift table: "This minister, Zhao Ding, Supervising Secretary, impeaches Han Shizhong, Commandant of the Imperial Guard Left Army and Envoy of the Dingguo Army, for governing the army ineffectively, harboring filth and accepting dirt, causing the country to almost be in danger of reversal… Please dismiss this person from all positions! Seek a virtuous minister to replace him!"

Han Shizhong grew even more furious. If Zhao Jiu hadn't been in front of him, he probably would have stood up straight and dragged this escaped censor to the latrine in the backyard and settled the matter once and for all… It had been difficult enough for him, Han Shizhong, to rise to the position of a military commander after twenty years of struggle. How could you impeach him so easily?

However, Splashy Han's theatrical performance was in full swing. Once he turned back and saw the Zhao Emperor looking blank and anxious, and actually dared not act rashly, he could only bow again and plead for leniency.

Zhao Jiu, seeing this scene, looked back around the hall, seeing the disarray of the civil officials in the temporary palace, the apprehension of Han Shizhong, and the Han army officers and soldiers in the inn, even Madam Liang, who had retreated to the side, all looking worried… He supported his waist and chuckled to himself.

The laughter wasn't loud, but as soon as it rang out, Han Shizhong dared not speak, and Zhao Ding stood silently. The hall was immediately silent, waiting for the Emperor to speak and make a decision.

"Censor Zhao is right." Zhao Jiu's expression didn't change after laughing, and he still smiled at him. "The more the country is lost and the more the central government weakens, the more important it is to emphasize the system, otherwise, it is the way to disaster… Han Qing, you will have to suffer today!"

Hearing these words, Han Shizhong, who was bowing his head, felt his heart ache, and his voice even carried a sob: "Since Your Majesty says so, this minister dares not feel wronged!"

"That's good." Zhao Jiu said slowly. "Han Shizhong failed to govern his subordinates strictly, and his subordinates brazenly killed an Imperial Envoy and harassed the temporary palace… He is dismissed from the position of Envoy and removed from the Commandant of the Imperial Guard Left Army, becoming Acting Commandant, still temporarily leading the Imperial Guard Left Army."

Hearing these words, others watched the fire from the other side of the river, and many had long expected it. But Han Shizhong, the person involved, was half happy and half worried… He was happy because the Emperor knew his abilities and didn't let him lose his military power after all. An Acting Commandant was still a Commandant; and he was worried that a great man fighting in the army sought to be ennobled and displayed before people. He had worked hard to suppress bandits for half a year, and the title of Envoy, which he had finally obtained, was lost. Splashy Han the Fifth had only become Commandant Han for half a month and had become Splashy Han the Fifth again! How much effort would it take in the future to become Commandant Han again?

Of course, in addition to that, there was also a bit of anger, which was directed at the elderly Censor Zhao and the young Censor-in-Chief who was pointing and making small gestures to him from the side… He, Han Shizhong, was brave enough to lead the three armies and was especially skilled in archery. His pair of eagle eyes, except for those he dared not look at randomly on the Emperor's body, could see clearly everywhere in this inn hall.

But regardless, returning to the present, Han Shizhong bowed and thanked him after hearing this disposal. The civil and military officials in the hall, including Madam Liang, who had long retreated to the corner, all breathed a sigh of relief.

Just when everyone thought this rebellion drama was over, our Zhao Emperor suddenly spoke again: "I am timid, and that head is really terrifying, so I have not dared to go over there. Han Qing, please come forward!"

Han Shizhong didn't know why, but he took two big steps forward and quickly bowed again in front of the Emperor.

"Good minister, stand up straight and raise your head." Zhao Jiu reached out to support the other party and said.

Han Shizhong still didn't know why, but he straightened up and raised his head, but he still didn't dare to look at the young Emperor in front of him, just staring blankly at the stairs on the second floor in front of him.

Up to this point, under the firelight, Zhao Jiu, who was sitting still, truly saw the other party's detailed appearance… How to say it? Other than that, he just felt that the other person's skeleton was really prominent. In history books, he would definitely be praised as having a noble and majestic demeanor, and then he had a pair of eyes that blinked like lightning, looking like an eagle, making people sigh in admiration.

"Good minister." Zhao Jiu looked around in his seat for a while before sighing and saying a sincere word hidden in his heart. "In the future, don't bow to me anymore… Because I can straighten my back, and Han Qing has always been supporting my waist and giving me courage."

Speaking to this point, in the midst of the stunned expressions of the hall, the Emperor took out the jade belt that he didn't know when he had untied, and then in his seat, in front of everyone, he was about to personally tie it on for Han Shizhong, who had not reacted at all.

It is said that Han Shizhong returned after killing people, his armor was not removed, and the bloodstains on his waist were thick and sticky, a dark brown color under the light, and the stench was pungent, while the jade belt worn by the Emperor was naturally a standard treasure that had been stored in the Nanjing (Shangqiu) temporary palace for a long time. At this time, it was quickly wrapped around, and in addition to shining brightly, it was instantly stained with blood.

Seeing this situation, Han Shizhong, who lowered his head to look at it, came to his senses and was embarrassed. He could only quickly grab the other party's hand, but his strength was so great, like iron pliers, and he came up and squeezed the Zhao Emperor's face red… When Han Shizhong realized it again, he could only awkwardly let go, at a loss for a moment, extremely失态.

"Good minister has performed meritorious service in quelling the rebellion and should be heavily rewarded, but now the temporary palace is indeed empty and I have nothing. Fortunately, today, good minister returns to the temporary palace, and I don't need this fat belt to boost my courage from time to time. It just so happens to be given to you, no need to decline…"

Perhaps because his hand hurt too much, Zhao Jiu could only slowly speak to delay time while clumsily tying the belt. "As for the small Envoy, why think so much? Since you and I, ruler and minister, have met, it's just a matter of success or failure. If it fails, so be it. If it can really succeed in the future, am I not as good as the Tang Emperor to Guo Ziyi, and give up a Prince to good minister to be?"

Han Shizhong was still out of sorts, not even hearing the words clearly, not to mention the others next to him, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Yang Yizhong, etc., were listening with red eyes.

PS: To talk a little more, Xiaoxiao and Seven Years Old are the two female managers of our book. Xiaoxiao started helping with the previous book, and Seven Years Old was simply a manager during the Emperor of Movies period. They have known each other for several years… Today is Xiaoxiao's birthday, and Seven Years Old's birthday was a few days ago before the book was published. I must say happy birthday to both of them. May the former become more and more beautiful and the latter become younger and younger.

Speaking of which, I had been thinking about it when I saw them chatting before Seven Years Old's birthday before the book was published, and I even remembered it in the book outline… Yesterday, I was still thinking about being able to code a chapter at 12 o'clock to send blessings, but I'm getting old and it just doesn't work. I just fell asleep.

It's really embarrassing, but blessings shouldn't care about early or late.