It was late, and the Song army was fully engaged in sharpening their weapons and preparing their horses. Some had even begun to depart or take action ahead of time.

Because rescuing Han Shizhong was the true strategic objective of this battle, Hei Long Wang Sheng Bu (Black Dragon King Sheng Bu)'s troops naturally became the most reliable independent force. Zhao Jiu appointed them as the direct supervisory team, responsible for patrolling the periphery of all camps to prevent anyone from leaking information or defecting on the battlefield.

As for the group that had rushed here for two days and nights, the Zhao Emperor, his attendants, and two hundred knights were inevitably overcome with fatigue, and they all went to rest early.

However, this time zone-adjusting early rest also had its drawbacks. Around the third watch of the night, before the fourth, those who had come from Nanyang woke up one after another after a fitful sleep.

The Zhao Emperor, being young, rose early and went to Yanling City with Liu Yan. Lan Gui, the oldest, was surprisingly the only one who slept soundly. As for Hu Yin, after waking up, he found that Junior Academician Lin and Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council, Wanqi Xie, had already risen and were sitting side by side in the corridor of the public office courtyard on the side of the Yanling County Office, silently gazing at the moon.

Tonight was only the twelfth day of the first month, a few days away from the Lantern Festival. Looking up, the moon was neither fully round nor crescent-shaped. One could only say that these two had good taste.

Of course, the actual situation was that Junior Academician Lin was lost in thought as usual, and Wanqi Xie, although trying to ingratiate himself, was somewhat intimidated by this Academician Lin and had not dared to speak. The two of them were sitting awkwardly side by side, making it seem like they were close friends.

Hu Yin, of course, did not know this little detail, nor did he need to know, because after what happened during the day, the three civil officials getting up together in the middle of the night but not seeking out the Zhao Emperor must be due to the same consideration.

"My two esteemed brothers, I believe His Majesty should not have acted as he did today."

As the youngest and highest-ranking of the three, Hu Yin casually sat down beside them, without any reservations, and directly opened the topic with a sigh.

Wanqi Xie understood perfectly and agreed, so he instinctively wanted to respond. But then he thought that this might be construed as 'criticizing the Emperor,' and he was of lower rank and status than the two beside him. If he met the same fate as Chen Dong, probably no one would care. So he did not dare to speak for a moment.

However, after carefully considering the matter, Junior Academician Lin calmly replied, "What you say is very true, Your Brother. His Majesty is still young and seems a bit rash... In today's matter, as long as His Majesty had given a slight indication, Liu Commander would naturally have taken care of it. Why would a Son of Heaven need to stain himself with blood?"

Hu Yin was clearly stunned... He was not talking about this at all.

On the other side, Wanqi Xie understood everything perfectly and could only smile bitterly to himself.

Speaking of which, how could Wanqi Yuanzhong's shrewdness not know what the two were hinting at? And how could he not know the significance of the Zhao Emperor's axe during the day?

That axe strike was not as simple as killing a high-ranking official to appease the troops, nor was it merely the superficial act of a Son of Heaven killing someone with his own hands, as Junior Academician Lin had euphemistically emphasized... In fact, the matter was easy to explain. The Zhao Emperor himself had clearly stated that he had never forgotten the ten thousand armored soldiers who had been used as bait on his way here. This trip was fueled by hatred, so the brutal and direct methods were actually within everyone's expectations.

So what if it was undignified? So what if it was brutal? This Emperor was not lacking in one or two undignified acts.

The key was whether to kill, and whether to publicly kill someone of high rank.

After all, there was a deep contradiction here—simply put, in the hundreds of years of political tradition of the Song Dynasty, some people's lives were more precious than others. However, this Zhao Emperor felt that some people's lives were not necessarily slightly more precious or slightly less valuable than others... That was all.

...

Leaving aside the Zhao Emperor's somewhat naive ideas... Emperor Renzong had similar naive ideas... Only speaking of the previous tradition, the most precious life was of course the Emperor's own, followed by the lives of those who had served as Grand Councilors and shared the world with the Emperor, and then the lives of senior ministers of Du Chong's level of seniority.

In fact, this was the fundamental reason why Du Chong was putting on that "dead pig fears no boiling water" (成语，similar to 'nothing to lose') posture... If the Emperor really wanted to kill him, he couldn't run away, but if he didn't kill him, he wouldn't be killed.

And this was precisely the fundamental reason why Wanqi Yuanzhong had always yearned to become an official, a high-ranking official, preferably one or two terms as a Grand Councilor.

Could the Jurchens give him this kind of glory and fundamental interests? You don't even have the surname Wanyan! Are you worthy?! You're not even the same race!

However, the Zhao Emperor finally used such brutal and direct means to publicly kill a civil official of high rank, second only to the Grand Councilors!

Leaving aside the violation of the rules, and leaving aside the fact that the Zhao Emperor was actually using that axe to chop off another leg of the chair under his own bottom, let's just talk about one thing that was right in front of us: that axe strike, while beheading Du Chong, also cut off the most solid rope that tied the Zhao Emperor to the officials of Nanyang and Xiangyang.

From then on, how many people would be secretly disappointed with the Zhao Emperor? Even being a high-ranking civil official couldn't guarantee their life?

Of course, Wanqi Xie also felt dissatisfied with this, and he also felt that Junior Academician Lin's reaction was too mild, even implying some exoneration for the Zhao Emperor.

"That's right." Thinking of this, Wanqi Yuanzhong also solemnly replied, "His Majesty is still young and should not have acted so rashly... Even Emperor Taizu only broke two of the Imperial Censor's teeth with his jade axe, but there was no reason to kill someone in public."

Hu Yin was stunned for a moment, almost thinking that some major event had happened during the few hours he had slept. But soon, this man, who always said what he thought, shook his head and directly pointed out the problem, "His Majesty's killing of Du Chong was inappropriate."

The real big shot had stated a dangerous position, and Wanqi Xie immediately stopped speaking.

"Should Du Chong not have been killed?" Junior Academician Lin sighed faintly, looking at the moon shadow overhead.

Hu Yin paused, because his conscience and Confucian cultivation told him that the answer to this question was beyond doubt, but it violated his political common sense. So he thought for a moment before slowly shaking his head, "Why couldn't he have been secretly executed?"

"Isn't this back to the same point?" Junior Academician Lin seemed to have already thought of the answer to this question. "How could the Emperor, who is only twenty-two years old after the new year, have been able to restrain himself?"

Hu Yin was silent again, then let out a long sigh, "In that case, it's our three's responsibility. We failed to explore His Majesty's intentions in advance and advise him early on?"

Before Junior Academician Lin could answer, Wanqi Xie was already exasperated in his heart... How could this major event be my responsibility? You two are a 'semi-Grand Councilor' and an 'inner court scholar.' I am just a minor Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council. This trip is simply to help carry the banner. How can I bear this responsibility with you? When the several Grand Councilors get angry back there, you can resist it, but what can I do?

However, while thinking this way, it did not prevent Wanqi Xie from immediately responding, taking the opportunity to get closer to the two important officials, "Central Policy Secretariat Hu is right. Today's events truly have to be blamed on the three of us for failing to do our best as ministers."

Hearing this, Hu Yin became even more melancholy, "I thought too much along the way and completely forgot about this matter. It was my dereliction of duty. In fact, I have been serving His Majesty the longest and should have had some expectations."

"In fact, your brother had long expected it and had thought about advising, but today, when I reached the outside of the hall, I felt a strange sensation and stopped outside the hall to avoid running into such a thing face to face." Junior Academician Lin suddenly spoke, causing the two people on his left and right to be stunned.

"Why?" After a while, a dumbfounded Wanqi Xie couldn't help but ask.

Speaking of which, although he regretted it as soon as he spoke, Wanqi Yuanzhong did find it difficult to understand Junior Academician Lin's words—on the one hand, why was he unwilling to advise, and on the other hand, why did he dare to say it in public?

Three men make a tiger, and there were already three people here.

"I just felt that Du Chong deserved to die." Junior Academician Lin answered calmly, without any haste.

"I've already said that I'm not saying that Du Chong shouldn't have died." Hu Yin finally spoke, but he was obviously flushed with anger. "Academician Lin... I only ask you, have you thought about it? Du Chong is certainly a worthless life, but for him alone, His Majesty has needlessly severed his connection with everyone in Nanyang?! For the past six months, His Majesty has been working hard to maintain unity in Nanyang, and everyone has been united. So many things have been done. Although there have been disputes and setbacks, it is still much better than elsewhere, right? Should the hard work of so many people be affected by Du Chong alone?"

Hearing this, even Wanqi Xie felt sympathetic... He really liked the atmosphere in Nanyang before, which combined the old Song Dynasty's political traditions with the ability to work together and have smooth promotions without even needing to bribe... That good atmosphere naturally required the Emperor, the ministers, and special circumstances to be mixed together to barely maintain it.

Once it disappeared, it would be difficult to find again.

"Yes." Junior Academician Lin sighed again. "During the past six months, His Majesty's appearance in Nanyang was that of a wise ruler. Although the officials below the Grand Councilors had disagreements, many were still eager to make progress... Now that His Majesty's axe has created a rift between him and everyone in Nanyang, your brother also feels heartbroken. But Brother Hu, your brother wants to ask you one thing, why is it that even though Nanyang is doing so well, the situation has still progressed step by step to where it is today?"

Hu Yin was confused for a moment, but then simply sneered, "What does Academician Lin want to say?"

"Brother Hu, your knowledge is recognized as good, and your brother has a question." Lin Jingmo finally stopped looking at the sky and turned to look at Hu Yin with a serious expression. "In the Former Han and Later Han dynasties, the bloodlines continued clearly, but are the two dynasties still one dynasty?"

As soon as these words came out, Wanqi Yuanzhong behind Junior Academician Lin immediately changed color.

And Hu Yin's expression changed under the moonlight for a while, but then he relaxed instead, "Emperor Guangwu established his own system and had the foundation of the Guangwu Restoration as his confidence. But His Majesty's 'confidence' is still in that city to the west."

"Look." Junior Academician Lin suddenly spread his hands and laughed, looking at the two people on his left and right, and said with certainty, "Isn't this back to the same point? Although my knowledge is shallow, I have been pondering and feeling a lot these days while wandering with His Majesty, and I have gradually had a rebellious idea... That is, after the Jingkang Incident, the Song Dynasty has actually perished for more than a hundred years, and the chaotic times have actually arrived. And now, although our Emperor's actions are supported by righteousness, he does everything himself. If he can determine victory or defeat himself and build a foundation himself, then the four words 'ancestral family law' are naturally worthless!"

Hearing the four words that the three had been avoiding being labeled as 'worthless,' Wanqi Xie felt dazed. He felt that this scholar was beyond being described as cunning. His thoughts and ideas really shocked him, and he also sincerely convinced him, and he was also afraid of him.

And unexpectedly, on the other side, Hu Yin was silent for a moment, and did not refute, but sighed and looked up at the sky, "So, is it that the affairs of the world ultimately depend on victory or defeat? But where should the righteousness of the sages fall?"

No one could answer this question, and Junior Academician Lin did not say anything more, but continued to look at the sky and observe the moon.

Furthermore, the great Scholar Su said, 'Thousands of miles share the beauty of the moon'... Just as the three people in the county office were silently gazing at the moon, at the same time, on the east city wall of Yanling, the Zhao Emperor, who had been watching the movements of the military camp below the city for half a day, was also looking up at the moon, but he didn't know if he was thinking about the same thing as those three.

And after looking for a while, he was attracted by the cooking smoke floating over the moon shadow from the city below, and he couldn't help but sigh, "Li Qing, do you think the Jurchen scouts should have noticed such movements?"

"Reporting to His Majesty, that is definitely the case." Li Qiong, who had come after hearing the news not long ago, immediately bowed in response behind him.

"Then do you think we can win this battle?" Zhao Jiu put his hands behind his back and looked at the sky, continuing to laugh.

"We will definitely win!" Li Qiong immediately replied seriously.

"Is that so?" Zhao Jiu found it interesting and couldn't help but laugh again. "You are so confident?"

"Of course!" Li Qiong eagerly replied, "Your Majesty, this is from the bottom of my heart! It is not intentional flattery!"

"Tell me about it."

"Allow me to inform Your Majesty." Li Qiong quickly cupped his hands and spoke eloquently, "I am from Xiangzhou. I have experienced almost all of the Jingkang Incident... I only feel that compared to the Jurchens, we are not outnumbered; our heroes are not weaker; and our military equipment is not inferior... We have repeatedly been defeated because the leaders are far inferior to the Jurchen leaders!"

"That's interesting!" Zhao Jiu continued to laugh.

"Your Majesty." Seeing this, Li Qiong quickly and earnestly explained, "When I was in Hebei, although I did not go into battle, I heard and saw some things... It is said that the Jurchen marshals, princes, and crown princes often personally supervise the battle, and amidst the flying arrows and stones, they command the three armies with ease and composure. While they are arrogant, one must admit that they have a heroic spirit that can change the world. And once these people personally come to the front line, not avoiding danger, and even lead the troops across the river naked to be the first to land, then may I ask, who among the Jurchen soldiers would dare to cherish their lives? It is precisely because of this that the Jurchens have been able to advance irresistibly and conquer vast territories. But what about the Song Dynasty's commanders? Their talents are often mediocre. Whenever they send out troops, they are sure to stay hundreds of miles away, claiming to be prudent. They supervise and summon the troops, and change the generals, only sending a messenger with empty words and proclamations, claiming to be making decisions from thousands of miles away... In such a situation, repeated defeats, national demise, and even the two Emperors being taken captive to the north are not surprising at all?"

"So, Zong Ze and Du Chong were also like this?" Zhao Jiu suddenly turned his head and questioned.

"This is what I was about to say." Li Qiong replied earnestly, "When my teacher, Deputy Commander Zong, became a general, he could wear coarse clothes, carry cooking utensils, sleep on straw, and travel in a cart among the military formations. Therefore, although he was just a feeble old man in his seventies, with no military experience, and even had difficulty riding a horse into battle, he was able to win the hearts of the soldiers. As a result, he defeated the Jurchen's sharpest troops and defended Tokyo in its dilapidated state. The surrounding rebel armies could also be transformed into regular troops in his hands; but what about Du Chong? Although he is my superior, what difference is there between his attitude and those people in the Jingkang Incident? Not to mention his communication with the Jurchens without fighting? No wonder everyone is panicking, forcing Your Majesty to come here personally to rectify military law."

Zhao Jiu slightly shook his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

And at this time, Li Qiong's three-part logical deduction finally arrived, "And today, Your Majesty does not avoid the sharp arrows, pierces through ten thousand enemy cavalry, and personally comes to this front line, boosting the morale of the soldiers. Is this not in line with the attitude of my teacher when he was a commander? With the dragon banner erected, who under this city of Yanling, with its eighty thousand troops, would dare to cherish their lives? And with eighty thousand troops willing to die for it, what battle cannot be won?"

The Zhao Emperor shook his head again, but still did not comment.

Speaking of which, Zhao Jiu did not know whether these were this man's sincere words, or whether they were flattery designed to ingratiate himself because he was afraid of his relationship with Du Chong... But regardless, as things stood, Zhao Jiu knew very well that since he had killed Du Chong with that axe during the day, and had also struck at the foundation he had worked so hard to build in Nanyang for half a year, creating irreversible rifts between him and some people, then he had to win this battle!

Because only by winning this battle could he continue to have Han Shizhong and Yue Fei as his assistants, and then control the Tokyo Defense Command, which was virtually a semi-independent Hebei refugee group. Then, he could use this to gain an undeniable and huge political prestige... And only under this level of prestige was it possible for Nanyang to pretend to forget about Du Chong and continue to bow and scrape, pretending to be a unified whole.

Of course, after killing Du Chong, Zhao Jiu had actually done everything he could do... It had a kind of "賢者時間 (kenja taimu/wise man time - Japanese slang for the post-coital state)" (a feeling of clarity and peace after a great achievement). Next, it was Yue Pengju's time... And this was the fundamental reason why the Zhao Emperor did not refute Li Qiong's rough words. He was inexplicably full of confidence in the upcoming battle.

ps: Sorry... I wanted to ask for leave... I ate a spicy chicken dish tonight, and the area above my forehead hurt badly... I almost thought it was high blood pressure or something, but then it gradually got better.

Still 5.5k to go?