As Zhao Jiu's mind wandered to unknown places, within the wooden shed in front of the imperial tent, illuminated as brightly as day, the professional political elites of the Song Dynasty had already discerned Wang Boyan's intentions!

Among them, the Junior Academician Lin saw it most clearly – the key lay with Zhang Suo, the Academician of the Dragon Diagram Pavilion, and Xin Daozong and Xin Xingzong, who had recently returned from the southeast, as well as Lin Weiqi, the Director of the Ministry of Personnel. The arrival of these individuals not only further bloated the imperial retinue but also put Wang Boyan and his biggest ally, Wang Yuan, in a delicate situation.

Zhang Suo needed no further explanation; he could replace Wang Boyan at any time if the Emperor needed him to. Xin Daozong and Xin Xingzong (the one who stole Han Shizhong's credit) came from a family of Western Army generals with four brothers and six or seven cousins. They had vast influence, and this time, due to the suppression of the Hangzhou military rebellion in the southeast, they were appointed under Li Gang, which gave them some leverage, so they vaguely had a tendency to replace Wang Yuan.

As for Lin Weiqi, he was actually called Lin Qi, but there was no way around it because the Junior Academician Lin's deceased father had the same name, so he could only add a taboo in his heart… Regardless, this newly arrived head of the Ministry of Personnel was Li Gang's confidant, even considered his personal appointee, and like Zhang Suo, he was a symbol of Li Gongxiang's remote influence.

In this situation, wasn't it natural for Wang Boyan and Wang Yuan to be vigilant and invigorated in order to avoid political death, then strive to expand their influence, try to win over Yang Weizhong, a former colleague from the Grand Marshal's Office, as an external aid, while also preventing Yang Weizhong's return to the imperial retinue from diluting Wang Yuan's power?

However, the Emperor consistently didn't respond. Could it be that he didn't think so? It was impossible for him to be absent-minded at such a crucial moment, right?

Could it be that the Emperor wanted Zhang Suo to take the position of Nanjing Regional Commander? Or perhaps the Jingdong Pacification Commissioner? After all, the Emperor's special favor towards Zong Ze, the Tokyo Regional Commander, was an open secret in the imperial retinue. If another commander were to be arranged in Nanjing, should this person have less seniority? And preferably have had a good working relationship with Zong Ze?

Wouldn't that be Zhang Suo?

No wonder Zhang Suo had only been gathering local troops and training soldiers in Shouchun these days, but hadn't been given any formal assignment!

At this thought, the Junior Academician Lin couldn't help but routinely despise Chancellor Lü Haowen. Since Li Gongxiang was about to remotely hammer Vice Premier Wang to death, and Vice Premier Wang was struggling desperately, regardless of anything else, shouldn't you, the Eastern Secretariat Chancellor, take advantage of the retinue's advantage to show your presence?

Whether it was helping to hammer Wang Boyan to death and taking the opportunity to promote your own people, or sticking together to help Vice Premier Wang, something had to be done, right?

How could you just stand there playing dead? Did you still have any dignity as a Song Dynasty Chancellor?

"I think it's unnecessary!"

At this moment, Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief, suddenly stepped forward. "Allow me to speak frankly, Grand Commandant Yang Weizhong is experienced and prudent, and he should return to the imperial retinue to take charge of the Palace Guards… As for the Nanjing direction, even if a commander must be appointed, why not have Zhang Suo, Academician Zhang, fill the position? Academician Zhang has been involved in many battles, and previously had a smooth working relationship with Regional Commander Zong in Hebei. Moreover, Yue Fei, the Tokyo Regional Commander's officer who made great contributions this time, was originally promoted by Academician Zhang. If Academician Zhang goes to Nanjing, wouldn't that be a win-win situation!"

Zhao Jiu's heart stirred slightly, because this was exactly what he had envisioned before, and the information about Yue Fei was what he valued most. Zhang Suo's relationship with Yue Fei was the real reason why he kept Zhang Suo training troops in Shouchun behind him, and didn't use him right now… So, whether the other party stumbled upon it by accident or it was a matter of fate, as long as they spoke to his mind, it was fine.

"That's the right idea, let's do it that way then." Zhao Jiu paused slightly, agreed immediately, but then changed the topic. "Actually, whether Yang Weizhong returns to the imperial retinue or Zhang Suo goes to Nanjing, it's all going to happen after this battle. We still have to wait for Jin Wushu to retreat… How should Yue Fei, Zhang Rong, and Fu Xuan be rewarded?"

The people in the retinue were each stunned. To be honest, they hadn't considered such low-level matters.

Among them, Yue Fei, who had the highest position, was a Colonel, but he was a Colonel in the Tokyo Regional Commander's office, a miscellaneous army promoted by Zong Ze. He wasn't on the same level as a Colonel in the Imperial Army. It was like the difference between the local troops and the imperial guards. Was a Colonel promoted in three months the same as a Colonel promoted in twenty years like Han Shizhong?

As for Zhang Rong, a bandit Colonel… that was even more awkward! He was not even as agreeable as Fu Xuan, a former leader of the Eight Character Army who had been pacified!

Of course, since the Emperor had spoken, they could naturally discuss it specifically before the Emperor.

"Yue Fei is currently a Wugong Lang (thirty-fifth rank, from the seventh rank), he can be promoted five ranks across the ranks to Wujie Dafu, to show grace." After a moment, Wang Boyan, the West Secretariat Chancellor, gave a reasonable reward. "As for the others… he has already been extremely graced by being promoted from a death row inmate to a Colonel within three months, and it is really difficult to promote him further in terms of official duties. Otherwise, it is easy for him to rely on his grace and act recklessly. I think more rewards in terms of property and hereditary privilege can be given. As for Fu Xuan, he can be promoted one rank, given the title of Colonel, and made Yue Fei's deputy. As for Zhang Rong, he can be commended more, and it is enough to acknowledge his grass-roots Colonel title!"

Zhao Jiu was speechless for a moment, because he wasn't a novice anymore. He used to think it was unfair that Zhang Yongzhen was posthumously awarded a rank of seventh rank, but later he learned that Zhang Suo's famous Academician of the Dragon Diagram Pavilion was only a seventh rank. Yang Yizhong's proud attendant-in-waiting was only from the eighth rank!

In short, this was a problem with the distorted official system of the Song Dynasty, where the rank of Beijing officials was low, and it had nothing to do with the military. And Yue Fei would probably be speechless himself if he jumped five ranks in the most difficult transverse rank.

Otherwise, would he be given a military commission based on this battle?

A twenty-six-year-old Grand Commandant, what a joke!

But then again, wasn't this Yue Fei? Wasn't this Zhao Jiu just reflecting on his jealousy?

Therefore, he could hardly accept this result.

The Emperor stopped talking again… The poor people below had to start guessing the Emperor's thoughts again.

Of course, the Junior Academician Lin was always the one who reacted the fastest and thought the most clearly:

First of all, the Emperor was definitely not satisfied, and definitely wanted to give one of these three people a higher position;

Secondly, Fu Xuan could be excluded, because compared with the other two, Fu Xuan was not representative. Yue Fei had the relationship with Zong Ze and Zhang Suo, and was after all a regular army, while Zhang Rong was a grass-roots bandit, and his contribution could just highlight the Emperor's wisdom in calling for resistance…

At this thought, the Junior Academician Lin was almost about to learn a lesson and take the initiative to step forward.

However, at this moment, he, who had already made some progress, instinctively looked at Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief, and was slightly stunned again, because Zhang Jun actually had no intention of moving.

Why was this?

The Junior Academician Lin thought for a moment, and then suddenly realized – it wasn't that Zhang Deyuan didn't want to come out and cater to the Emperor, but he had already protected Han Shizhong that day, and clearly became an internal and external support for the military officer Han Shizhong, so he couldn't support another Yue Fei! Otherwise, wouldn't it make people doubt his intentions?

Thinking of this, the Junior Academician Lin then thought of Zhao Ding, the Zhizhou of Shouzhou, who had been promoted on the spot, who vaguely had a tendency to compete with his former close friend Censor Zhang, relying on the fact that he had seized another capable military officer, Grand Commandant Zhang Jun, during the war, and both sides were mutually successful… In any case, during the war, if one wanted to gain a foothold in front of the Emperor, one had to contact a military officer as an external aid, and this was a great opportunity!

At this thought, the Junior Academician Lin was about to step forward, but just after he took a step, before he could speak, he heard a person beside him raise his voice and say:

"Your Majesty, I, the Drafter Hu Yin of the Secretariat, believe that Yue Fei is brave and reliable, not an ordinary military man. This time he has made special contributions, so why not promote him slightly to observe his future effectiveness?"

"How to promote him?" Zhao Jiu's spirits were obviously lifted, so obvious that everyone could see that Hu Mingzhong's words were in line with the Emperor's mind.

"The area of Jizhou and Guangji Army is located with Liangshan Marsh on the left and the remaining veins of Mount Tai on the right. It is actually a vital point in the north. This time it has suffered from the war, and the officials are all gone. However, once Jin Wushu returns, he will be worried about whether he will retake the two counties, rely on them as a rear, and then invade again." Hu Yin said slowly. "Therefore, why not make Colonel Yue the Pacification Commissioner of these two counties, and let Fu Xuan assist him, so that he can defend the two counties with peace of mind? In this way, we can also ensure that the situation is controllable before Zhang Longtu goes north. As for the Pacification Commissioner, I am setting it up smaller than the Military Commissioner. Not only Colonel Yue, but also other rebel armies in various places can be set up like this if they become established."

Zhao Jiu was slightly moved, but hesitated for a moment.

After all, according to his original intention, he still wanted to meet Yue Fei, but at this time Hu Yin's arrangement was not only very much in line with his mind, but also the reasoning was correct - Jin Wushu had not retreated after all. At this time, taking the war as the first priority and letting Yue Fei block the traffic route of Jizhou could actually pose a threat to Jin Wushu, and the latter would truly withdraw his troops!

As for Yue Fei, since he had already reached this level, with this position and appointment, it would always be easy to meet in the future.

Therefore, after only hesitating for a moment, Zhao Jiu nodded slightly, and finally agreed to Hu Yin's suggestion.

Not that people around him didn't want to complain and advise against things like Pacification Commissioners, but the premise of the northern occupied area and Zhao Guan's attitude were there, and no one could say anything… Now that this battle has reached this point, it seems that the Emperor has won the gamble. Who dares to offend the Emperor, who is young and vigorous, holds military power, and has his own small group of subordinates, except for Li Gang and Zong Ze?

In short, the title of Yue Fei as the Pacification Commissioner of Guangji and Jizhou was settled.

"Does Academician Lin have anything to say?" Zhao Jiu finished talking with Hu Yin, and then casually asked Lin Jingmo, the Jade Hall Academician next to Hu Yin.

"I…" The Junior Academician Lin was stunned, and then gritted his teeth and said, "I think Zhang Rong of Liangshan Marsh is the real hero of this battle, and Yang Weizhong and Yue Fei are just assisting him! Although Zhang Rong is a bandit, he should also be heavily rewarded to show the meaning of a thousand gold bones!"

Zhao Jiu was slightly stunned, but then nodded heavily: "Lord Lin is right, Zhang Rong is the real main hero of this battle, and he should be heavily rewarded! According to your suggestion, make him the Pacification Commissioner of Dongping Prefecture! Lord Lin, you have a heart!"

Under the lights, the Junior Academician Lin forced a smile… In any case, this time there was finally a gain, and Zhang Rong was better than nothing.

ps: On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, slaughter chickens and rush to the big market… Today is suitable for slaughtering chickens, but not suitable for rushing to the big market… Everyone pay attention to your health! I wish you a happy and healthy New Year!