In late February, on the Huai River, eastward from Rushui, where the three regions of Caizhou, Guangzhou, and Shunchang Prefecture meet, a fleet of boats, neither large nor small, was slowly moving upstream against the current. On both sides of the river, the trees were turning green and flowers were blooming, and tens of thousands of soldiers, some on horseback, some on foot, were winding their way westward along the riverbanks.

At this time, on the northern bank of the river dike, Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief (御史中丞) Zhang Deyuan, who was inspecting military discipline, was strolling and chatting with several subordinate supervising censors, recently joined idlers, and even a few commoner scholars.

"Shunchang Prefecture was originally named Yingzhou, and together with Caizhou to the west, although belonging to Jingxi, it has always been the heartland of Huaixi since ancient times, almost synonymous with it. Grand Commandant Han (韩太尉) resides here as the Pacification Commissioner of Huaixi (淮西制置使), which is indeed fitting," Zhang Jun said casually, then immediately fell silent, appearing to value his status and wanting to hear others' opinions.

It could only be said that although Zhang Deyuan was only thirty years old, after the tempering of the Jingkang Disaster (靖康之乱) and the twists and turns of the past year, he had firmly established himself as the number one confidant of the Zhao Emperor (赵官家) in Hezhong, and he was already showing some of the aura of a superior.

"What Your Excellency (宪台) says is very true." A supervising censor, knowing that this superior had become friends with Grand Commandant Han during the battle of Mount Bagong, and had been growing closer recently, vaguely forming an alliance, and that the two prominent positions of Palace Censor (殿中侍御史) were currently vacant, quickly chimed in. "Huaidong and Huaixi, seemingly Huaidong having a more important territory, Huaixi is closer to the temporary capital (行在). The Emperor would rather have Han and Zhang exchange defense zones, wanting Grand Commandant Han to reside here before him, specially tasking him with clearing Huaixi, Jingxi, and Jingxiang, to open up a place for maneuver in Nanyang, showing his favor."

Zhang Jun stroked his beard and nodded slightly.

"How inappropriate is the term 'favor'?" At this moment, a middle-aged man following behind suddenly stopped his horse and rebuked in public. "Grand Commandant Han is a national general, and the Emperor entrusting him with Huaixi affairs is for the sake of the overall situation in the future. How can it be said that appointments are made arbitrarily based on closeness?! "

Everyone turned to look. The man appeared to be around thirty years old, with extraordinary features. Although dressed as a civil official, he had a long spear and bow hanging on his horse, and his sleeves were tied with recently popular leather straps, making his appearance somewhat incongruous.

The supervising censor, being rebuked in front of his superior, was naturally unhappy. However, because his superior was present, he couldn't lash out, and could only endure and ask, "Who are you, what year did you pass the imperial examination, and what position do you hold?"

"Liu Ziyu from Jianzhou. I did not pass any imperial examination, and I am currently a Grand Master of the Court (朝散大夫), without any official post," the man replied fearlessly.

The supervising censor pondered for a moment and realized the other party's background… Not a Jinshi, yet able to become a fifth-rank civil official at the age of thirty must be from an aristocratic family. Also, without a formal position, that meant that he didn't follow the Emperor after the Jingkang Disaster, and only now come to the temporary capital… The supervisor's confidence grew a little, and he sneered.

"So, you're Liu Yanei, who only came to seek an official position after hearing that the temporary capital is stable. I thought you were some kind of genius?"

"During the national crisis of Jingkang, my late father hanged himself to die for the country. As the eldest son, I should have escorted his coffin back to my hometown. Because of national and family hatred, I vowed to be incompatible with the Jin people, so I hurried here. How have I become someone seeking stability?" Liu Ziyu's expression changed. "We are discussing the matter at hand, talking about why the Emperor placed Grand Commandant Han in Huaixi. How can you attack a person based on his family background? The country is in danger, and are all censors in the court now of this kind?!"

This statement was basically a sweeping generalization, but it also revealed that his father had recently died for the country, and must be a well-known figure. Even Zhang Jun couldn't pretend to be deaf and mute, and took the initiative to cup his hands in respect: "May I ask for your insightful opinion!"

"I dare not trouble Your Excellency with questions." Liu Ziyu didn't seem to be some kind of older, angry young man. Facing the Censor-in-Chief who was about the same age as him, he immediately returned the salute, taking the cue. "It should be known that the subtlety of Grand Commandant Han's appointment actually lies in the two words Nanyang..."

Zhang Jun recalled the recent imperial discussions, and his heart stirred slightly. He couldn't help leaning forward slightly on his horse: "Please explain in detail."

"The matter is simple." Liu Ziyu, reining in his horse and stopping on the riverbank, also became slightly serious. "Your Excellency will understand if you think about it. The Emperor intends to establish Nanyang as the secondary capital to oversee the overall situation, which is not wrong in itself, because to recover the empire, one must have both the strong soldiers of Guanzhong and the wealth of the Southeast. But now that the war is not yet settled, in military terms, using Nanyang as the secondary capital will have two major difficulties in the future. One is finance, specifically, how to ensure that the wealth of the Southeast and Sichuan gathers in Jingxiang to support the army. To this end, the Emperor has already made a brilliant move by supporting the Empress Dowager and the heir apparent in Yangzhou with Li Gongxiang's importance. However, I am really not talented in finance, so I won't say much about it... The other is how to defend it!"

Zhang Jun's eyelids twitched.

"It should be known that Nanyang is known as a basin, with one side being easily accessible in all directions, and the other side being vaguely surrounded by mountains, all of which can be defended. But in fact, on the northeast side of Nanyang, there is a huge gap, leading directly to the Central Plains through Yingchang Prefecture (later Yancheng, Luohe, and Xuchang). Through this flat passage, large armies can come and go, and cavalry can gallop without any hindrance!" Liu Ziyu continued calmly. "For this reason, in addition to setting up defense zones in the north with Commissioner Zong, Zhang Longtu, and Grand Commandant Zhang, forming a line to serve as a front-line force, the Emperor also uses Grand Commandant Han as the backbone, based in Huaixi, to face this gap, to prevent any eventuality. Moreover, the Emperor also uses Grand Commandant Han as the last reliance, either relying on him to defend against the enemy, or using him to form an encirclement! Compared to this arrangement, things like clearing the area around Nanyang and opening up a place for maneuver seem insignificant!"

After listening, some people stroked their beards and nodded, while others disagreed, only looking at Zhang Jun, the Censor-in-Chief.

However, just as Zhang Jun was about to speak, he saw a large boat in the river suddenly approaching the southern bank. Then, several eunuchs and guardsmen approached the northern bank in small boats. Seeing the Censor-in-Chief there, they waved from afar.

Zhang Deyuan knew that the Emperor was summoning him, so he didn't say much. Instead, he dismounted, took a small notebook from the backpack on his horse's rear, picked up a small piece of good charcoal, spread it out on the saddle, leaned over to record, and asked, "Liu Ziyu from Jianzhou, may I ask for your courtesy name? Age? And your father's name?"

"My courtesy name is Yanxiu, I am thirty-two years old, and my late father was Grand Academician of the Zizheng Palace, Liu Ge (刘韐)!"

Zhang Jun, who was bent over there, looked up in astonishment: "You are actually the eldest son of Liu Zhongyan?!"

Just as Liu Ziyu was about to say something, the eunuch's boat from the river approached, and Zhang, Censor-in-Chief, hurriedly put away his notebook, carried his backpack down, and only turned back to greet him hurriedly before reaching the river: "Brother Yanxiu is talented and the descendant of a loyal subject. Please be patient. When there is an opportunity, I will recommend you to the Emperor! You will definitely get a good position to display your talents!"

After speaking, without waiting for Liu Ziyu to react, Zhang Jun boarded the boat to find the Zhao Emperor on the opposite bank.

Since Zhang Jun had left and knew that Liu Ziyu was a well-grounded person, a group of people looked at each other and simply dispersed. Before leaving, they couldn't help but drop absurd remarks such as "The descendants of Grand Academicians of the Zizheng Palace also come to seek favors from the Censor-in-Chief" and "It turns out that this person is on the Censor-in-Chief's promotion list today."

Not to mention these disturbances on the periphery, that afternoon, the Zhao Emperor suddenly stopped the big boat and convened a temporary imperial conference in the territory of Guangzhou on the south bank of the Huai River. However, this meeting, held in a tent in the field, clearly no longer had the previous joy and peace.

The reason was actually very simple. The so-called "insignificant" matter that Liu Ziyu had just mentioned was imminent.

"Let me tell you all, there is an anomaly with Ding Jin."

The first to speak and introduce the problem was Grand Councilor Wang Boyan. Since settling on Nanyang as the secondary capital, this person had become increasingly active, having long lost his previous cautiousness. It was hard to tell if it was just an impression, but even though he was introducing a difficult matter, he always seemed to have a gleam in his eye, as if he was talking about something joyful. "After the Emperor entered Guangzhou, the Privy Council obeyed his decree and summoned this person to the imperial presence. However, this person hesitated and dared not come easily. Finally, the Emperor issued a clear edict, and he finally set off, but actually brought 30,000 troops to see the Emperor. He is currently stationed at Zhugao Town, forty miles ahead, seemingly intending to act as the host."

"Ding Jin is inherently untrustworthy."

After listening, the prime minister naturally took the lead in speaking. Perhaps because Li Gang didn't have to come, Prime Minister Lü Haowen seemed to have a bit more energy. "He was originally a bandit who rose up during the chaos. He was hastily forced to surrender before the war. This kind of behavior is not surprising."

"That's right." The third Grand Councilor, Xu Jingheng, also took the opportunity to speak. "If I remember correctly, this bandit should have been stationed at Zhugao Town. He only came after being summoned. He apparently retreated without authorization before this, showing that not all military men are like Zhang Jun and Han Shizhong. People like Yue Fei and Zhang Rong are even rarer..."

The three prime ministers said some opening nonsense, but the Censor-in-Chief Zhang Jun, still carrying his backpack, couldn't help but squint his eyes to look at the Zhao Emperor sitting motionless. Then he couldn't help but have a sudden heart attack... It turned out that the Zhao Emperor, sitting under a flowering peach tree, was motionless and had a calm expression. If not for the large red robe he was wearing, he would simply be some immortal Taoist, seemingly oblivious to everything.

However, how could Zhang, Censor-in-Chief, who was good at observing words and expressions, not understand that the Emperor's old habit was acting up. He didn't understand what everyone was saying, because the two East Mansion Prime Ministers had already clearly expressed their solutions. And now, it was time for him to come out and help the Emperor explain a little.

However, Zhang Deyuan was about to speak, but he couldn't help but look at the quiet Academician Lin next to him. After spending a long time with this extremely shrewd Hanlin Academician, he always felt that he was being a little too rash...

Of course, human nature is hard to change. More importantly, Zhang, Censor-in-Chief, knew where his status and power came from, so he didn't dare to neglect it after all. While he was hesitating, he had already stepped forward to ask:

"May I ask the two Prime Ministers, do you think that Ding Jin is just a military man from a bandit background, so there is no need to pay too much attention to these things? If he can be pacified and settled, he can be useful? So there is no need to use force?"

The Zhao Emperor finally showed a slight expression, apparently realizing it.

"I don't think this person is innocent, but I am saying that if we can control him with the court's grace and prestige, then why create trouble for him?" Xu Jingheng apparently didn't understand why this Censor-in-Chief would say such nonsense. But Lü Haowen, who had been with the Zhao Emperor for a long time, suddenly realized and couldn't help but explain to Zhang Jun, and also to the Zhao Emperor on the side, in a serious tone. "Your Majesty, I believe that Ding Jin can be treated with some leniency, given some rewards, and asked to withdraw his troops... There are three reasons."

"Tell me," Zhao Jiu finally spoke while lost in thought.

"First, the most important task of the temporary capital now is to quickly reach Nanyang to stabilize the people's hearts. Everything can be considered after establishing a foothold in Nanyang. It is not advisable to get involved in disputes on the road and delay time."

"That makes sense," Zhao Jiu nodded slowly.

"Second, Ding Jin still has 30,000 soldiers, which is slightly more than the troops in the temporary capital combined. Moreover, our army is divided on both banks, and the strong soldiers are all on the north bank. Therefore, even if the temporary capital wants to forcefully deal with him, it may not succeed. Moreover, even if it does succeed, if it is not handled well, 30,000 routed soldiers scattered into Guangzhou will also poison the people."

"That also makes sense," Zhao Jiu continued thoughtfully.

"Third, after the Jingkang Disaster, there are many so-called bandits, righteous armies, vagrants, local tyrants, and defeated soldiers around Nanyang in Huaixi, Jingxi, and Jingxiang, like Ding Jin, as well as those who are unstable after being recruited. If we deal with Ding Jin today, how should we recruit the bandits all over the place in the future? The key is, if we take severe action now, how should we deal with Fan Qiong, who holds the court's elite troops and occupies Xiangyang at that time?"

"Prime Minister Lü's words are indeed very reasonable," the Zhao Emperor nodded for the third time.

"Therefore, I request that an envoy be sent to Zhugao Town to give some rewards to ease his mind and let him temporarily withdraw his troops and make way," Lü Haowen repeated his opinion after seeing the Emperor repeatedly express his approval. "After passing Ding Jin's defense zone and arriving at Dingcheng, joining forces with Privy Councilor Yuwen and Generals Liu Zhengyan, Miao Fu, and Liu Yan, we can make further plans."

"Do Prime Ministers Xu and Wang also see it this way?" Zhao, the Emperor, continued to nod and looked at the other two.

Xu Jingheng and Wang Boyan looked at each other and also felt that it was fine, so they bowed and agreed.

The Zhao Emperor still nodded, but didn't give an order, but looked directly at Zhang Jun.

Zhang, Censor-in-Chief, heart stirred, and he prepared to refute.

However, the Zhao Emperor only glanced at Zhang Jun and Academician Lin, then turned to Yang Yizhong beside him without looking back and blurted out: "Let Han Shizhong and Wang De come in."

In a short while, Han and Wang actually appeared directly under the peach tree amidst the astonishment of a group of civil officials in the temporary capital. Apparently, they had been summoned earlier and were waiting nearby.

"The matter of Ding Jin was originally investigated by your scouts, so I won't say much," the Zhao Emperor easily excused the two from the formalities. "The Prime Ministers just now talked about this matter, and mentioned three difficulties. Let me ask you one by one... If you are allowed to pacify Ding Jin, can you end it quickly without delaying it for a long time?"

Han Shizhong and Wang De were both fierce generals at the time, and both raised their heads to listen. But upon hearing this question, the difference immediately became apparent. Wang De hesitated for a moment, apparently without a plan or certainty, but Han Shizhong simply cupped his hands and replied: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I can end this matter in three days at the earliest and five days at the latest!"

The Zhao Emperor nodded and smiled slightly: "This is why I keep good officials by my side... Second, Ding Jin's troops have 30,000 people, and they have also plundered Guangzhou and Caizhou, with abundant military resources and many armors. The Prime Ministers are worried that if things go wrong, it will cause the defeated soldiers to scatter into the surrounding areas and harm the local people. Can you stop this?"

"I will never let the chaotic army run away!" Han Shizhong pointed to the sky and answered decisively again.

"That's fine. Two of the three harms have been stopped, so it's feasible," the Zhao Emperor smiled again. "Is there anything else to say?"

"I only ask for a trusted civil official from Your Majesty to trick Ding Jin into coming!" Han Shizhong ignored the confused expressions of the three prime ministers and Wang De, and still answered decisively, but smiled slightly awkwardly. "However, if Your Majesty can still proceed forward with the ceremonial guard as usual, I will definitely be able to do it faster and more securely..."

"I am willing to meet Ding Jin!" Before Han Shizhong finished speaking, the Secretariat Drafter Hu Yin stepped out of the line and spoke loudly, causing Zhang Jun and Academician Lin to be shocked again and again.

It can only be said that since leaving Mount Bagong, the Emperor has become more and more skilled and decisive. But the prime ministers above are increasing, and the brothers below are increasingly unable to hold things down. It's difficult!

"Then let's do it this way. Let's not delay," the Zhao Emperor raised his hand to signal and actually got up directly, as if he and the two East Mansion Prime Ministers had harmoniously passed the resolution.

At this time, Lü Haowen and Wang Boyan were fine, but Xu Jingheng, who had just returned, finally couldn't help but step forward and say: "Your Majesty!"

"Prime Minister Xu!" The Zhao Emperor, who had stood up, suddenly spoke while holding his belt, actively interrupting the other party. "Today, I am not only asking you alone, but also asking all the officials before me about one thing... Why was the world in turmoil before, and how will it be peaceful in the future?"

Xu Jingheng and others were all stunned.

"In my opinion, the turmoil in the world lies internally in the civil officials enjoying peace and the military being lax, and externally in the scholars and people resisting the war endlessly while the two Emperors surrendered before the world," Zhao Jiu said slowly, apparently having prepared his words. "Therefore, to restore peace to the world, civil officials must not love money, and military officials must not fear death! And I myself must strive to adhere to the major policies, and never waver in the face of danger! What do you say, is that right?"

Lü Haowen, Xu Jingheng, Wang Boyan, Zhang Jun, Lin Jingmo, and many other civil officials of the temporary capital who were gradually increasing in number, along with several military men such as Han Shizhong, all became solemn and hurriedly bowed and obeyed.

"Actually, I can tolerate everything else," after stealing a famous quote to control the scene, the Zhao Emperor blushed slightly and took the initiative to explain a little. "But Ding Jin was hesitant during the previous battle of Shouzhou, and even fled upon hearing the wind, almost causing a catastrophe, which I really can't tolerate! It should be known that you and the previous Prime Minister Li all believe that military men can be used as long as they don't cause trouble, but I can tolerate all things from military men, but I can't tolerate them retreating in the face of battle! This time, when we move to Nanyang, if we can't take the opportunity to strictly enforce military discipline and reorganize the area, not to mention how we will use this as our heartland to resist the Jin army in the future, wouldn't Grand Commandant Liu Guangshi on Mount Bagong be too wronged?"

Below Prime Minister Lü, many people recalled the situation that night and even felt that the Emperor's current performance was much more reasonable... This is progress!

ps: Thank you to the Silver Alliance leader, Mr. Jiamier's Mu... Yesterday, I said that two and a half Alliance Leaders were not displayed on the front desk, and today it's directly the Silver Alliance... I'm kneeling! But I really don't have a manuscript... I'm ashamed and my blood pressure is about to rise.