The current situation is actually quite simple:

Letting the rebel army into the city would almost certainly secure Ruyang City completely, but there was a small chance it could directly bury the fate of the Great Song Dynasty.

Not letting the rebel army into the city would almost certainly continue to secure Ruyang City, but the rebel army would encounter considerable risks, harbor resentment towards Zhao Guan-jia on the city walls, and potentially be manipulated by the approaching main force of the Jin army, leading to unwarranted complications.

At this moment, any action could be right or wrong. From Zhao Jiu's personal perspective, it was merely a distinction between reason and emotion… Reason told him not to let the rebel army enter the city under any circumstances, otherwise, he would be irresponsible not just to the fate of the Great Song Dynasty, but at least to the lives of the entire city's populace. But emotion reminded him that if the rebel army were slaughtered by the Jin forces outside the city because they couldn't enter, resulting in mutual alienation, that would be absolutely intolerable for a transmigrator's soul, because the lives of the rebel army outside the city were also lives.

This seemed to form a classic moral paradox.

Therefore, Yan Xiaozhong and Scholar Lin's suggestions were very valuable. In any case, they should endure for the sake of the country and do their best.

"Go and take a look first…" Zhao Jiu hesitated for a moment, then directly ordered. "Just find out what Zhai Chong is thinking; you can be frank with him."

Scholar Lin didn't say anything further, just bowed his hand in salute. Then, a guard brought a large basket, and they directly lowered him down the city wall… Subsequently, everyone on the city wall watched as this Yu Tang Scholar joined Yan Xiaozhong's somewhat surprised figure and turned into the ranks of the army not far away.

Leaving aside the situation on the city wall, Scholar Lin followed Yan Xiaozhong, leading a donkey to meet Zhai Chong and the various leaders. At this moment, seeing that Yan Xiaozhong hadn't opened the gate but instead someone was being lowered down in a large basket, they understood the doubts or 'cautiousness' of those on the city wall. The various leaders were somewhat embarrassed… Anyone who came with a heart full of enthusiasm but was doused with cold water would feel the same way… But surprisingly, there was no resentment or indignation.

Frankly speaking, just as many Great Song officials and soldiers were terrified at the mention of the 'Jurchens,' these local tycoons also held a sense of inexplicable respect and fear for the name 'Zhao Guan-jia,' even though these people had previously been unstable factors in the Great Song Dynasty's rule.

In fact, when Zhao Guan-jia appeared and spoke with Governor Yan on the city gate tower, these people were also watching from afar rather than daring to step forward to pry, as if they felt their status was not high enough.

It was just that today, Zhao Guan-jia was wearing ordinary clothes instead of red robes and a turban to appease the people, so they couldn't see clearly who it was.

"I am a Hanlin Scholar, drafter of edicts, my secular name is Lin Jingmo." Scholar Lin came to the group of leaders, asked who Zhai Chong was, and then simply bowed his hands and spoke. "Commonly known as Yu Tang Scholar, Inner Secretariat Hanlin, you should know."

Who wouldn't know that?

For more than a century since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, everyone knew the importance of Hanlin Scholars. Many imperial edicts were written by these people. This place in Jingxi was still a Jing, even if it was a local tycoon! Especially since this Scholar Lin was in his thirties, tall and full-figured. Even though his beard was stuck together with sweat, it seemed dashing under the radiance of the four words Yu Tang Scholar, forming a sharp contrast with Yan Xiaozhong, the Tang Prefecture Governor, who was leading the donkey beside him. He looked like a true essence figure of the Great Song Dynasty!

Therefore, Zhai Chong and the other rebel leaders immediately became solemn and bowed their hands, and even an elder was flustered and wanted to kneel.

Scholar Lin's expression remained unchanged, and he helped the man up before continuing to say to everyone: "I… I am not good with words and always think before I speak, so please don't ask me any extra questions for now. Listen to me first, then discuss other matters. How is that?"

Zhai Chong and the others naturally agreed without hesitation and became solemn.

"It's like this. My late father, Lin Qi, was a Jinshi in the Renzong era and served in Kang, Ya, Tai, and Zi prefectures. In Tai prefecture, he built a seawall and reclaimed thousands of acres of fertile land, and his achievements were considered the best in Huainan. Then, there were more than a dozen brothers in my family, eight of whom passed the Jinshi exam and became prefects. My eldest brother, Jingyuan, once served as the prefect of Hui prefecture; my second brother, Jingwei, once served as the prefect of Si prefecture; my third brother, Jinghui, once served as the prefect of Xu prefecture; my fifth brother, Jingda, once served as the prefect of Su prefecture; my sixth brother, Jingyuan, once served as the prefect of Chang prefecture; my seventh brother, Jingzhen, also served as the prefect of Su prefecture; and my tenth younger brother, Jingheng, once served as the prefect of Hua prefecture; the youngest brother, Jingrui, is currently the prefect of Chang prefecture; I am the ninth, and I also once served as the governor of Shouchun prefecture…" Scholar Lin spoke eloquently, but he also mentioned some unrelated topics. However, even so, the surrounding tycoons were dumbfounded.

In fact, not to mention the tycoons below Zhai Chong, even Yan Xiaozhong, who had been maintaining his composure, was a little stunned… Was the difference between people that great?

It was a pity that he, Yan, had studied hard for many years and only became a Jinshi at the age of thirty. But because of his appearance, he was not favored by one of the two Saints, so he had struggled for more than ten years before finally becoming the governor of a lower prefecture like Tang Prefecture. But Scholar Lin was better off; when he was studying as a child, there was a group of Jinshi teaching him how to study…

Leaving aside what Governor Yan was thinking, on the other side, Scholar Lin looked at Zhai Chong and slowly asked a blunt question that didn't seem like something a Yu Tang Scholar should ask:

"Commander Zhai, do you think my status is noble? Is my family prominent?"

"Scholar's status is naturally noble, as for the family, it's simply better than me… ten times, a hundred times better than my family!" Zhai Chong sighed, already in his late forties.

"Then I'll ask you again, what you people have sought for generations, building up your families, risking your lives and fortunes, isn't it just for your own family to be as impressive as our Lin family of Nanan?" Scholar Lin said, glancing at the Khitan cavalry who were setting up camp far away on the other side of the river.

"I dare not think so…" Zhai Chong turned his head and looked at the Jin cavalry on the other side of the river, following the other's gaze, and then looked at the several young armored warriors behind him. Only then did he say a great truth in confusion. "My next generation has eight or nine sons and nephews, but if one of them can pass the Jinshi exam, wear red and purple, and become a prefect, my old ladies and I will have been chanting Buddhist scriptures for a lifetime! But these bird-like guys only know how to use spears and clubs, tattoo, and sing songs, and can only be called the Eight Tigers of Xiping County. The most capable one, Old Ninth, is only called Ninth Leopard. How can they compare with the Lin Scholar's family, which is full of prefects?"

"That's what I wanted to say."

Scholar Lin released the hand of the person who had pretended to kneel earlier, and then, according to the steps he had thought of before, learned Zhao Guan-jia's pace, stepped forward, and grasped Zhai Chong's hard hand full of calluses, and then spoke sincerely. "If it were a time of peace, even if your Zhai family was arrogant in the locality, it would not be comparable to a bit of our Lin family's elegance, but what about now? Now the country is in trouble, and Guan-jia has also fallen to this place. A cultured scholar like me, if I get on a horse, I will be shaken and go south, and if I get off a horse, I will be trembling in my legs. When I hear the military affairs ahead, I am panicked beyond measure, and when I see the tragic scenes on the road, I will… I will lose control and be embarrassed. It is really useless! On the contrary, you are just right, as the saying goes, 'Learn martial arts well and sell them to the emperor's family'. In the past, the emperor's family did not accept your family's goods, but today they have accepted them… Commander Zhai must seize this heaven-sent opportunity in front of you!"

When Zhai Chong heard these words, he felt that the other party had just said what he was thinking. If it wasn't for this, he would have been a local tyrant in Xiping, so why would he get involved in this kind of thing… He nodded repeatedly.

"But there is something going on now." Scholar Lin took another half step forward, almost touching the other person's body, and said. "Grand Commandant Han's 50,000 troops are all outside, you should know that, Guan-jia here in the city has only 4,000 armored soldiers, and they have to protect Guan-jia and the four high officials, as well as hundreds of ministers, so just now when you came, the difficulties of the ministers on the city wall, as an experienced person, you naturally understand in your heart…"

"I understand."

"It's good that you understand, so Guan-jia specially asked me to come down and reveal my heart to you, just to ask Commander Zhai, can you assist me, a scholar who doesn't know military affairs, in setting up a camp outside this city, with our backs to the city and facing the water, to guard the north of the city for Guan-jia together?" Scholar Lin finally revealed his real intention.

"Scholar Lin wants to stay outside the city with us?" Zhai Chong also suddenly reacted, but he immediately bowed in the other's hand. "I am willing to serve Guan-jia and serve the Scholar!"

The surrounding people also woke up, and they all followed Zhai Chong's lead and bowed, calling out to serve.

At this time, Scholar Lin turned his head to indicate to Yan Xiaozhong, who was a little dazed: "Governor Yan, please go to the city and tell Guan-jia that the people outside the city are all loyal and filial subjects and can be relied on."

Yan Xiaozhong, who had long since recovered his composure, bowed slightly, and then turned away.

In this way, Scholar Lin came out of the city alone in a basket, appeased a group of local tyrants, and began to set up camp on the spot under the city, digging ditches and building fortifications. Not long after Yan Xiaozhong entered the city, wine, meat, tents, and other items were lowered down from the city. When Yan Xiaozhong returned in the evening, he brought back a pile of formal official appointments.

So far, the sudden problem brought about by the sudden arrival of the rebel army and the Jin army vanguard seemed to have disappeared.

With the matter resolved perfectly, the tension in Ruyang City had long since disappeared. Zhao Guan-jia naturally returned to the backyard of the government office to prepare for dinner and rest early.

However, as the sun set, Zhao Jiu sat under the corridor of the government office's backyard, which had excellent scenery, and only drank a few mouthfuls of porridge while facing the spring breeze and flowering trees before suddenly putting down his chopsticks and remaining silent… In the end, he always felt that something was wrong!

It wasn't the sixth sense of crisis, but rather when facing a math problem with various conditions, he clearly glimpsed a part of a simple and effective solution method, but he couldn't think of it for a while and could only use a clumsy method that didn't suit him to answer the question.

Of course, this was the thinking of an engineering dog with male chauvinism. If Zhao Jiu hadn't been a professional student before transmigrating but a chef who truly served the people, he should have cited the story of Butcher Ding's skill in cutting up an ox, a more literary and historical way of thinking, to analyze his own operation.

Since Guan-jia wasn't eating, Feng Yi, who had always been good at serving, didn't dare to say much, but stood respectfully with his hands clasped. This was not only because the various sudden events of the day made the atmosphere different from usual, but also because this Inner Palace Attendant, whose qualifications were as deep as Kang Li and Lan Gui, had quickly adapted to Guan-jia's 'new temper'.

Then, unlike Lan Gui, who was already at the highest position in the Inner Palace class and was therefore cautious and careful, this person quickly integrated into the role and environment, wanting to go further and become a proper Senior Attendant.

He knew how to follow a person's temper.

However, back to the present, just as it was not easy to kill an ox and it was not easy to solve a math problem, Zhao Guan-jia was not a genius either. He drank cold porridge in silence all night long and went back to his room to rest.

But by midnight that day, or rather in the early hours of the next day, in short, when it was pitch black outside, Zhao Jiu was awakened again.

"What happened?" As the weather was warm, Zhao Guan-jia came to the back hall wearing only a shirt and a coat. Then, he directly saw two of the four high officials, as well as Zhang Jun, Wang Yuan, and Liu Ziyu, and even an unexpected Yan Xiaozhong, and was at a loss.

"Reporting to Guan-jia, something happened outside the city." Yuwen Xuzhong, one of the Privy Councilors, stepped forward and bowed, solemnly informing, without taking the time to worry about Guan-jia's clothing.

"How so?" Zhao Guan-jia's heart sank, and he also became serious.

"Reporting to Guan-jia," Yan Xiaozhong's dark face looked a little shiny in the candlelight, obviously reflecting sweat. "We don't know what happened… It seems that someone was eager to make a contribution and saw that the Jin people had few soldiers and were all Khitans, so they privately crossed the river to raid the camp at night! In the middle of the night, I can only roughly guess that it may be that several young disciples of the Zhai family were stimulated during the day and wanted to take action, that's all."

Zhao Jiu's heart stirred slightly: "What is the battle situation?"

"The Jin people saw thousands of rebel troops during the day and were not allowed to enter the city, and the city was tightly guarded and did not come out, so they were quite arrogant and even mocked across the river. At this time, they were caught off guard, and there were few of them, so they were shaken for a while. I'm afraid it's a feint."

"How did Zhai Chong react?" Zhao Guan-jia asked again.

"The incident was sudden, and he was hesitant!"

"You came from the city, what was Huyan Tong's reaction?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask.

"General Huyan clearly showed some intention, but because he was responsible for guarding the city, he didn't dare to act rashly." Wang Yuan answered Zhao Jiu. It could be seen that this one had been very active recently.

Zhao Jiu pondered for a moment and was about to speak when Lu Haowen, who had rushed in from outside the door, directly opened his mouth and shouted: "Huyan Tong cannot go out, the city defense cannot be changed for a moment! Guan-jia, we repeatedly discussed last night and all felt that this was the bottom line! Do not rashly send troops, which would ruin the overall situation!"

Zhao Jiu was expressionless and slowly nodded: "I deeply agree!"

Everyone was stunned, obviously not reacting for a moment. But when they woke up, they were all relieved.

"So, we cannot move Huyan Tong's troops, but we should urge Zhai Chong to use troops and cross the river to defeat these five hundred cavalry who have already been shaken!" Zhao Jiu continued to say slowly.

Lu Haowen and the others looked at each other, and they all felt that this statement seemed to be fine.

"But the incident was sudden, the situation is unclear, and Zhai Chong and the other rebel troops are all from local tyrant backgrounds, naturally like to preserve their strength, so they are hesitant… Then, at this time, someone must go down and urge Zhai Chong to fight!" By the candlelight, Zhao Guan-jia continued to speak slowly. "What do you say?"

At this time, Wang Boyan also rushed over, all the high officials were present, and from these four high officials onwards, everyone looked around, still silent, but nodded repeatedly… Only Zhang Jun hesitated, but after meeting Zhao Guan-jia's gaze, he finally chose not to say anything.

"However, Scholar Lin went out of the city as a hostage with his Yu Tang Scholar status, and Governor Yan accompanied him as an old friend. I also gave him the official title of Commander before, but he still doesn't move. What should we do?" Zhao Jiu withdrew his gaze from Zhang Deyuan and continued to look around and ask.

"There's no way to do that," Wang Boyan, who came the latest and was the oldest, sighed. "This is the so-called nature of the rebel army. They have no enmity with the Jin people. They are just looking at the army and want to get a position."

"That's right." Xu Jingheng also finally spoke. "These people seem honest, but they only act for profit. For the capital of their troops, they don't even care about their own children, so how can they be moved by Scholar Lin and Governor Yan?"

"That's indeed the case, so only I can go out of the city in person to force him to send troops." Zhao Jiu nodded casually and then turned to Feng Yi, who was standing by, and gave an order. "Bring my red robe, turban, and that golden belt!"

Feng Yi was stunned, looked at the several high officials and important ministers in the hall, and then stepped away.

The hall was silent for a moment, obviously many of them didn't react for a moment, but after waking up, they felt absurd.

"What joke is Guan-jia playing?!" Xu Jingheng almost jumped up.

"When have I ever joked?" Zhao Jiu replied calmly. "Isn't the reason placed here?"

"The previous reason is certainly the reason, but what about Guan-jia's safety?" Grand Official Xu was furious and questioned Zhao Jiu, then turned to look at the somewhat flustered Lu Haowen and Wang Boyan. "Is this how you do things in Shouzhou?!"

"Grand Official Xu, be safe and don't be impatient." Zhao Jiu quickly raised his hand to stop the other party. "I'm not going to deliberately take risks, but I just figured out that there is actually no danger in going out this time, which is completely different from the urgent situation in Xiacai that day, where I was forced to go!"

Xu Jingheng laughed in anger: "Although I was not on the city wall during the day, I also know the discussions on the city wall. It is clear that even the rebel army is not allowed to enter the city, so how can Guan-jia go out of the city instead?"

"Because there is indeed a risk of the rebel army entering the city, but there is no danger of me going out of the city…" At this point, Zhao Jiu calmly pointed to Wang Yuan and Liu Ziyu. "Wang Qing, Liu Qing, do you remember the real reason why you did not allow the rebel army to enter the city at noon today? Is it because Zhai Chong and Governor Yan are unreliable? It's just that the timing is sensitive, and there are other mixed troops outside the city besides Zhai Chong, and there is no time to identify them. Is that right?"

Liu Ziyu and Wang Yuan looked at each other, and their hearts stirred slightly, as if they had realized something.

But before the two could speak, Zhao Guan-jia suddenly stood up, draped his clothes, and calmly faced the officials in the hall: "To tell you the truth, I felt that something was wrong during the day, and I just figured out this reason… Not allowing the rebel army to enter the city is because the timing is too sensitive. In the case of the Jin army outside, if there are small unruly people in the rebel army who collude with the Jin people and attack from inside and outside, opening the city gate, the city will be in danger of collapsing, and once the city collapses, I and you will naturally be like eggs overturned… In other words, the danger of the rebel army entering the city has always been only in hindering the defense of Ruyang City, but not in me! No one would think of assassinating the king, and Zhai Chong and Governor Yan would not do so either! In fact, think about it, if anyone really felt that these two were untrustworthy from the bottom of their hearts, they should have driven them to other cities to garrison in the afternoon before the Jin army arrived in large numbers. Why did they leave them as a support in front of the city instead? Isn't it because they feel that Governor Yan and Zhai Chong are still reliable and useful after all?!"

As soon as these words came out, many people fell silent, and even Xu Jingheng was slightly stunned, without the previous indignation, and turned to look at Yan Xiaozhong, who was short but stood straight, along with others.

"In short, if Zhai Chong is reliable, then may I ask, what's wrong with me just going down to his headquarters for an hour, urging him to send troops to defeat the five hundred cavalry of Yelu Ma Wu?" Zhao Jiu said at this point, finally revealing a slight smile. "If things don't work out, I'll just come back… And once Yelu Ma Wu is defeated, without the Jin army, we can completely let Zhai Chong lead the reliable elite into the city before Wanyan Yinshu can arrive with his troops, and then send the remaining troops to settle in the surrounding cities. At that time, it will be truly foolproof. Gentlemen, do you think my analysis is correct?"

Everyone was in a trance and did not answer.

"That's it, gentlemen, sit safely in the city and wait for me to come back." Seeing this, Zhao Guan-jia, with a hint of joy in solving the problem and the engineering dog's obsession with logic, directly threw down the ordinary clothes he was wearing outside, and then took the round-necked red robe from Feng Yi, who had hurried back, put it on in the hall, then calmly put on the hard-winged turban, fastened the golden belt, and finally changed into leather boots that were easy to move in, and then strode away.

A hall full of civil and military officials was divided into two: Yuwen Xuzhong, Wang Yuan, Zhang Jun, Yan Xiaozhong, Liu Ziyu, and Feng Yi quickly turned around and followed, while Lu Haowen, Xu Jingheng, and Wang Boyan remained motionless.

When Zhao Guan-jia came out of the door, mounted his horse on the street outside, and looked back at the people following him, he was also slightly stunned, but he didn't say much.

It can only be said that the matter of dividing positions in the world has never been determined by one point. After Zhao Guan-jia cut off the main war and main peace with one knife, it is now divided into conservative and radical… Among them, the conservatives are destined to be powerful, and among the radicals, due to the existence of Zhao Guan-jia, there are also destined to be speculators, or most of them are speculators, but the opposing conservatives are mostly trustworthy people in terms of morality and actions.

Zhao Guan-jia knew this principle when he was fifteen years old and reading high school history textbooks, so he didn't care.

Back to the present, the street was quite bright because Zhao Guan-jia had ordered before that the lights should not be easily turned off. As Zhao Jiu rode forward, the spring breeze was blowing, and he felt more and more that Yelu Ma Wu's small camp was afraid of being unsafe.

ps: Zhao Xiao Jiu bit off the optical fiber in front of me… 10010 didn't answer, so I could only turn on the hotspot on my phone… I really feel like it's adding insult to injury, and it's the first time I've wanted to sell it for fifty yuan including shipping.