Chapter 1 Autumn Wind

The autumn wind rustled, and the sun warmed the slanting rays. Within the Mingdao Palace in Bozhou, Huainan East Circuit of the Great Song, light and shadow intertwined, and the air was refreshing and mild.

Not only that, but at this moment, throughout this vast architectural complex, which served simultaneously as a temple, garden, and imperial retreat, armored warriors and dignitaries in crimson and purple robes could be seen everywhere. It seemed that countless civil and military officials of the Great Song were gathered here.

And among them, the small hill behind the main hall, the highest point, was even more heavily guarded and orderly. From afar, the Jin Wu standard, though old, still represented the highest authority, fluttered in the wind.

Everything was the same as it had been ten years ago, and yet everything was completely different.

On the notice boards along the various passages, the itinerary for this trip had been posted long ago – very tight, today was the deadline for arrival and assembly, tomorrow was for burning incense, bathing, and calming the mind, and three days later would be the ritual sacrifice. After the sacrifice, there would be only one day of quiet contemplation before another banquet and discussion of affairs. The entire trip would only last six or seven days, naturally drawing endless discussions from the civil and military officials in the traveling entourage.

Even senior officials like Chen Gui, Liu Ji, and Yan Xiaozhong were somewhat uneasy.

Of course, figures like Lü Gongxiang, old and respected, could retire early to rest. With Hu Yin absent, Chancellors Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun could still stroll leisurely through the gardens as they had ten years ago. Even Minister Lin Jingmo could fill in the position, making up the customary trio.

The atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

"Speaking of which, did you read the last installment of *Journey to Subdue Demons*?" Zhao Ding asked casually as he walked.

"I did," Zhang Jun replied, laughing out loud, unconcerned that others were nearby. "Guanyin said that the eighty-one tribulations were insufficient, leading to the old turtle turning over, an introduction buried for dozens of chapters, revealing the blank sutras… But Sanzang understood perfectly, saying that even Buddha's disciples needed bribes to be sent their way, and that demons still devoured people in the Buddhist kingdom of Tianzhu. Only in the Great Tang was the Dragon King punished for getting the rainfall timing wrong, even when the Son of Heaven pleaded for leniency, exemplifying political harmony and strict law… Clearly, Buddhism had already spread eastward, and Tianzhu was just an empty shell. The true scriptures were in the East, and cultivation was at one's feet… A single word brings immediate enlightenment… Truly the work of Wu… Master Wu."

Zhao Ding stroked his beard and smiled. "Indeed, the work of Master Wu."

The two men, along with Lin Jingmo, laughed together for a while. A moment later, spotting a stone table and stools under a tree, the three walked over together. But they didn't sit down, just paused beside it, then continued their idle conversation… Those in the know had already steered clear.

"The Prince of Jingse has submitted a memorial opposing this trip?"

Beneath the shade of the trees, Prime Minister Zhao Ding looked thoughtful.

"Yes."

Zhang Jun stood with his hands clasped, his face calm. "He says Mingdao Palace is inauspicious for His Majesty… The sacrifice can be performed by the chancellors on His Majesty's behalf, and the announcement of grace can be done in Dongjing… In short, the memorial forwarded by the Privy Council strongly advises His Majesty not to come here."

Zhao Ding nodded, then shook his head. "What does the Western Secretariat think?"

"What can they think?"

Zhang Jun remained composed. "His Majesty did fall into a well here, and Prince Yang also suffered some embarrassment… I was present with Chancellor Lü when he personally executed Kang Li, so it's normal to have some misgivings. But…"

"But…?"

"But Prince Yang sent his memorial through the Privy Council instead of as a secret missive. What could he be intending?"

"It's impossible not to send a secret missive."

"Then he sent both a secret missive and one through the Privy Council," Zhang Jun said seriously. "The reaction seems excessive… Could there be some inside story that you and I don't know?"

"What does Minister Lin think?" Zhao Ding hesitated for a moment, then looked at Lin Jingmo, who had been silent.

"Your subject believes that Prince Yang is nominally a Commandant, but in reality, he is the head of the inner palace servants. What he says and how he says it is a matter for His Majesty… We other officials need not overthink it," Lin Jingmo answered without hesitation.

"I think so too."

Zhao Ding nodded, dismissing the topic. "Have you heard about the other matter?"

"Which matter?"

"The matter that Wanqi Yuanchong stirred up… He wants to use a Zhongxing (rejuvenation) precedent to directly elevate the four, Zong, Lü, Wang, and Zhang, to sagehood or divinity. Zong and Lü would be elevated to sagehood and enter the Confucian Temple, while Wang and Zhang would be made gods, with official titles conferred during this sacrifice."

"Forgive my bluntness, but I fear this fellow's performance is like Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, aimed at Duke Pei… He wants to elevate those four so he doesn't have to compete with everyone for those eighteen positions… But he's too impatient, and his methods are too crude. Chancellor Lü is a living person; how can he be ranked alongside three deceased people? Besides, what will Chancellor Lü in Yanjing say? They say that the Northern Expedition has drained him dry, and he might not survive the winter… Should they all be included? In the temple or as gods?"

"I think so too. We scholars don't care about titles or divine positions. As for the Confucian Temple, it's not about merit; it's about scholarship. They don't belong together… If we're speaking privately, Chancellor Lü is the only one with a good chance of entering the temple."

"What chance does Chancellor Lü have?" Zhang Jun shook his head and smiled wryly. "But it's not Wanqi Yuanchong's fault… When the eighteen meritorious officials were announced, everyone was still discussing it. But now that it's the civil officials' turn to fight for those eighteen positions, everyone thinks there are too few. And Wanqi Yuanchong's contributions are a bit too distant… He's not the only one jumping up and down on this matter."

"That's true."

"Your subject believes the matter may not be so simple." Just as Zhao and Zhang were discussing the matter frankly, Lin Jingmo, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, causing the two in front to stop and look back.

"What does Minister Lin think?" Zhao Ding asked candidly.

"Wanqi Jinglü's actions are naturally like Xiang Zhuang's sword dance, aimed at Duke Pei, but it's not, or rather, not just about seeking a place among the eighteen meritorious officials," Lin Jingmo also stopped and replied respectfully. "Civil officials are not like military generals, who need battles to re-rank them. His Majesty must already have a ranking of the eighteen meritorious officials in mind, which cannot be changed by external forces. Wanqi Jinglü's methods are also too clumsy… Your subject dares to guess that Wanqi Jinglü is doing this because he anticipates that he has little chance of being ranked, so he's using this to express his grievances and remind His Majesty not to forget him, hoping to exchange it for tangible benefits!"

"Besides a meritorious title, what else does he want to be remembered for?"

Zhang Jun appeared surprised, while Zhao Yuanzhen frowned directly.

"Yanjing." Lin Jingmo glanced at the two chancellors and replied seriously. "Wasn't there talk of moving the capital a few months ago? Compared to posthumous fame, Wanqi Jinglü probably wants to advance further in his lifetime. If he can use this to gain an advantage and be transferred to Hebei, becoming a chancellor wouldn't be far off."

Hearing this, Prime Minister Zhao Ding seemed to have anticipated it and didn't react. Zhang Jun, who had appeared surprised, became unexpectedly calm, even overly calm.

After a slight pause, the current Privy Councilor and leader of the Mu faction turned to face the current Prime Minister and said calmly: "Yuanzhen, in my opinion, Yanjing is both a matter and not a matter, because His Majesty has returned… Now that His Majesty has returned, there is someone to make decisions, and the country will be at peace… If the capital isn't moved, then it isn't moved. But if it really needs to be moved, His Majesty will surely inform us directly. Are we to oppose it then? Even if we do, with His Majesty's current prestige, would we succeed? If we create a situation like the Northern Wei's move of the capital, who will lose face?"

After listening to these words, Zhao Ding was silent for a moment. Finally, he nodded slightly and turned to walk deeper into the shade of the trees. Seeing this, Zhang Jun looked back at Lin Jingmo and continued to follow leisurely.

As the sun set, there wasn't much time for discussion. The next day, the sacrificial ceremony would officially begin.

As everyone knew, His Majesty Zhao often acted absurdly in certain matters.

He liked to elevate people to godhood and personally write strange ghost stories, but he himself was not very respectful of ghosts, gods, and sacrifices… In the past, he had scraped off the gold leaf from statues of Daoist patriarchs and Buddhas, but that was out of desperation… But just a few months ago, he had gone to Chrysanthemum Island and, upon entering, asked the abbot of the Dragon Palace Temple, who had been authorized by imperial decree for seventy or eighty years, what 'authorized by imperial decree' meant. He then asked whether the water in the Eight-Corner Well could grant immortality and how long fish could survive in it, bringing the old abbot to tears. Not just any emperor could do that.

Returning to the present, although His Majesty Zhao repeatedly said that he was grateful for the Daoist patriarch's protection, which had made his ten years of achievement possible, so he was returning to fulfill his long-held wish, he was perfunctory when it came to the sacrifice itself… He was very improper during the three days of bathing and changing clothes beforehand, even going to the Wo River to race horses and shoot ducks. When the formal sacrifice began three days later, he merely wore his ancestral old ceremonial robes, folded his hands like a shopkeeper, and let Lü Haowen, Zhao Ding, Lü Benzhong, Yang Yizhong, and others do the work.

When it was finally his turn, His Majesty simply went up to the altar outside the Xuanyuan Hall and offered a stick of incense each before the Daoist patriarch's statue inside, and that was that.

It was fortunate that he didn't smear the Daoist patriarch's face with ash.

A day later, His Majesty even issued an edict to hold a banquet and discuss affairs in front of the altar in the courtyard of the Xuanyuan Hall… No one dared to offer straightforward advice, but they simply went along with His Majesty's whims. Some shameless people even quoted scriptures to argue that this was appropriate.

But to be fair, the banquet was very high-level. In addition to the necessary close ministers of the emperor, civil officials needed to have experience as senior members of the Central Secretariat or as regional commissioners, and military generals needed to be at least Princes. It seemed that this banquet could determine many things.

And His Majesty did not disappoint everyone's expectations.

The sky was clear that day, and the autumn air was crisp. As soon as the banquet began, before the wine had even warmed up, His Majesty Zhao went straight to the point.

"Gentlemen."

Sitting on the high ground in front of the platform, Zhao Jiu raised his cup and drank, then spoke with a smile. "The *Laozi* says, 'When the work is accomplished and the task is fulfilled, the people all say, "We are like this of ourselves."'. When Zhao Lie of Han was promoted to the Prince of Hanzhong, he also said, 'Then, when the work is accomplished and the task is completed, your subjects will retreat and submit to punishment, and even in death, we will have no regrets.' But those were sages and famous kings, and we cannot compare… Why did we come here for the sacrifice? Wasn't it because ten years ago, in the autumn, we decided here not to go to Yangzhou but to grit our teeth and resist the Jin? Now, the Jin has been annihilated, and the northern border is pacified. It can be said that the work has been accomplished, so we have returned to report to the Daoist patriarch… Now that the sacrifice is over, we don't need to be humble… Lü Gongxiang?"

"Your old subject is here."

The person closest to Zhao Jiu immediately rose from his seat.

"No need to stand."

Zhao Jiu poured himself another cup of wine, simply raising the cup as a gesture. "We can just sit and discuss the heroes… Military generals will be judged on their war merits, and that has already been decided… Let's talk about the merits of those who made strategic decisions… Lü Gongxiang, in your opinion, who deserves the most credit for making strategic decisions in the tenth year of Jianyan?"

The courtyard suddenly became quiet, with only the sound of autumn cicadas and the rustling of autumn trees clearly audible.

Lü Haowen sat back in his seat and said calmly, "Your subject has heard that everything must have a beginning. Back during the Jingkang Disaster, the world was in despair. Those who advocated peace and retreat were countless, and subjects like me were at a loss. At that time, it was Li Gang and Zong Ze, one inside and one outside, who resisted the public's opinion and insisted on resisting the Jin. Not only that, but when His Majesty first ascended the throne and was wandering outside, it was Li Gang who revived the court in the traveling entourage, otherwise the court would not have been re-established. And if Zong Ze had not firmly defended Dongjing, then the Central Plains would have been lost, and the country would have been hopeless… These two are the red banners of resistance against the Jin, the pillars of the country… Their merits are immeasurable."

"Well said. Without Li and Zong holding onto that spirit in their decisions, the country would have been gone long ago, and there would have been no later events… Zong Zhongwu is older and has already given his all and died for the country, so let's make Zong Zhongwu first and Li Gongxiang second." At this point, Zhao Jiu raised his cup and looked around. "Gentlemen, let us all drink a toast to the two red banners of resistance against the Jin."

No one dared to be negligent. Even Li Yanxian, who had hastily returned from Taiyuan and was wanted by Li Gang, raised his cup calmly. Actually, in the civil official ranks, while it seemed that there was no clear ranking, in reality, as Lin Jingmo had said, everyone had a scale in their heart.

Moreover, the special nature of the chancellor's position was also a factor. So most of the eighteen positions were already known to everyone, with only the last few being somewhat debatable.

As expected, after Lü Haowen proposed Zong Ze and Li Gang, Zhao Ding proposed Lü Haowen, Lü Yihao, Wang Boyan, Yuwen Xuzhong, and Xu Jingheng.

These five were the chancellors who took office during the Nanyang period and actually maintained the operation of the country and the resistance against the Jin during the most difficult early period… They could not be excluded.

Zhang Jun then proposed Zhang Suo, who had died for his country.

When it was Liu Ji's turn to speak, the current vice chancellor was somewhat surprising. He bypassed himself and Chen Gui and proposed Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Hu Yin, and Lin Jingmo.

His reason was that these four were the core members of the resistance against the Jin who had served before His Majesty since Mount Bagong, His Majesty's arms.

Chen Gui then added Liu Ziyu, who had followed after Mount Bagong.

Next, it was Lin Jingmo and Liu Ziyu's turn to speak. They naturally returned the favor, each proposing one, pushing out Liu Ji and Chen Gui, the two chancellors from the Nanyang faction.

By this time, there were already fifteen people, no wonder even Wanqi Xie didn't dare to seek such a position.

However, the last three positions were inevitably more controversial.

Some proposed Wang Shu, arguing that Wang Shu not only had a firm stance against the Jin but was also the military and political leader of Guanzhong before the court controlled Guanzhong… Some even directly pointed out the incident of Qu Duan coercing Wang Shu, and Wang Shu sticking to his position.

Fortunately, Qu Duan had stayed in Yanyun, otherwise, it would have been another awkward situation.

Some proposed Hu Hongxiu, believing that Hu Hongxiu had made extraordinary contributions in Xixia.

Others proposed Li Guang and Ma Shen, while still others proposed Liu Hongdao, who was currently serving as an envoy of pacification in the northern border, and even some proposed Zhang Que, who had died in Huainan after Mount Bagong.

In the end, Zhang Jun, who had come along the same road, couldn't help but interject and inappropriately mentioned Wanqi Xie.

However, regarding these suggestions, His Majesty Zhao simply poured himself a drink, letting the arguments continue. Finally, he waved his hand and made a final decision: "What you say is all good… But if we include everyone, it would be too indiscriminate… I think Wang Shu can be included, otherwise, if Qu Duan is named a prince and he is not selected, wouldn't it be difficult to convince people?"

Many nodded in agreement. This was indeed a problem… It was not just about the merits and qualifications of the civil officials, but also about considering the factors on the military side. Besides Wang Shu, another obvious example was that Lin Jingmo and Hu Yin were respectively the 'guarantors' of Zhang Rong and Yue Fei.

Of course, Wang Shu himself was in a class only second to the chancellors in terms of qualifications, position, and merit, and there was little controversy about him.

"There must be a position for the censors," Zhao Jiu continued to drink a cup of wine before pointing to a person in the seats. "If the Imperial Censor doesn't constantly provide warnings, the country might fall entirely into a state of militarism and lose its dignity… Censor Li is qualified for this position."

This time, Li Guang did not object but instead rose to thank him.

Ma Shen, on the other hand, knew that with Li Guang present, he probably wouldn't have a chance, and even though he considered himself not to be someone who cared about empty fame, he couldn't help but feel a little disheartened.

As expected, His Majesty Zhao glanced over Ma Shen, continued to pour a cup of wine, but paused: "Gentlemen, what we are talking about today is the merit of the tenth year of Jianyan, the merit of resisting the Jin and continuing the Song. As for Zhang Que and even Zhang Shuye and Liu Ge earlier, they are of course heroes, but there is no need to squeeze them in here."

Everyone nodded in agreement. This was a matter of course.

"As for the remaining spot, I want to give it to Liu Hongdao." Zhao Jiu drank the cup of wine and finally made up his mind. "It's not that Hu Hongxiu's merits are insufficient, but to use his extraordinary contributions in Xixia to suppress the situation, lest others be unconvinced… Moreover, Commissioner Hu is still young, and the imperial court will need him for border affairs in the future, so his future is bright… As for Ambassador Liu, from the great defeat at Qingzhou to his arduous efforts, defeats and victories, people's livelihoods and logistics, for ten years he has traveled across the rivers and seas, north and south, always maintaining a firm stance and making great contributions, so he deserves a say."

As soon as these words came out, all eighteen positions were filled. Many of the officials present who did not have a position were disappointed, but also somewhat relieved… This matter had tormented them for a long time.

"The eighteen are, in order, Zong Ze, Li Gang, Lü Haowen, Lü Yihao, Wang Boyan, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Hu Yin, Yuwen Xuzhong, Xu Jingheng, Liu Ji, Chen Gui, Zhang Suo, Lin Jingmo, Liu Ziyu, Wang Shu, Li Guang, and Liu Hongdao." After reciting the names in order, Zhao Jiu solemnly instructed. "Have the Ministry of Rites prepare. The chancellors will all be granted the title of Prince, and the rest will be granted the title of Prince of the Commandery… Do not decline; this is what you deserve… The commanders and other meritorious officials below will also be given the title of Duke, Marquis, or Earl… Then, the thirty-six civil and military officials will have their biographies written and portraits made. Then, divide them into two copies, one to be hung in the Secret Pavilion and the other to be hung in the Shangshu 台 (Department of State Affairs) in Yanjing."

The scene suddenly froze.

"I know what you want to ask."

Zhao Ding was about to stand up, but Zhao Jiu waved his hand directly. "That's right, I have made up my mind to move the capital to Yanjing… There are three reasons. First, after ten years of war and devastation, the population and economy of the north have been weakened. If the central government cannot adopt an absolute stance, I fear that it will be impossible to fundamentally revive the north."

Everyone sat quietly with their hands clasped, without saying a word.

"Second, a blank sheet of paper is easy to draw on. The imperial court has many chronic illnesses, which led to the Jingkang Disaster. I want to continue the old Song and establish a new Song, so I should find a way to get rid of the old court's complexities… The north has been cleaned up this time, and the roads of Hebei are mostly good families and self-cultivating farmers. There are no more clans that have been around for generations or landlords who own entire states… After going to Yanjing, the surroundings can also be cleaner."

Someone wanted to speak, but in the end, did not say it.

"The last reason is that Yanjing is the head of Hebei, and just as the southeast is the financial center of the dynasty, Hebei is also where the dynasty's military is focused… Without firmly controlling Hebei, how can the northern border be at peace?" Zhao Jiu looked around at everyone. "In the end, have you considered what we have done after spending ten years winning this war? And then what? Will the world be at peace then? What if the Mongols rise? What if the Bohai people revolt? What about the new Jurchens?"

The atmosphere completely solidified. Whether they were civil or military officials, whether it was Lü Haowen or Han Shizhong, they all sat upright and listened attentively.

His Majesty Zhao seemed to have been overcome by the wine, and his words gradually became emotional:

"What are you all thinking? Ten years ago, right here, we were a group of stray dogs, anxious and almost losing our country. I wanted to change one idea, turn back and resist the war, and I had to kill the Grand Supervisor of the Inner Palace and exile the current prime minister… And today, we are praising merit and celebrating, but we are only celebrating surviving this national war. Can we win the Song-Jin war and then have peace forever?

"Before on Chrysanthemum Island, I issued the Imperial Edicts… At that time, I could perceive the thoughts of those northern border tribes, it's just that you are strong for a while, and I am careful for a while. In the long run, who takes those things to heart? Even I, do I rely on a few imperial edicts to establish a foundation for all generations? It's just to take advantage of this great victory, first set a framework, first stabilize, and then withdraw for internal affairs… When we are strong, everything will be appropriate!

"And how to start internal affairs? It still requires you chancellors and senior officials, that is, the chancellors leading the Secret Pavilion and the Public Pavilion to shoulder the country, and then I will take the lead to do the most important and most needed things, just like the previous ten years…

"First repair the river, but not just repair the river, but use the river repair to slowly and imperceptibly complete the things of demobilization and relocation of the capital…

"Relocation of the capital is not to move all at once, there is no need for it. Chancellor Lü's body is not good, and then the position of the Chancellor of the Privy Council can be given to a good minister, Hu Yin can add a vice chancellor in the name of assisting in river repair, and sit in Yanjing together. Let's do it slowly, three or five years for a quick repair, and ten or eight years for a slow repair, and then we can slowly move the Secret Pavilion to Yanjing or next to me, and the palace reports can also be made in Hebei, and the new Jinshi can follow me to check in Hebei… When the river is repaired, it will be almost accustomed to it, and then officially move the capital…

"The 300,000 elite soldiers of the Imperial Army are too many, what do we need so many war soldiers for without the 200,000 Jurchen households? Change some garrison troops, the Imperial Army will be reduced to 200,000 first, 20,000 or 30,000 in Liaoyang outside the customs are enough, 50,000 in Yanjing, 10,000 or 20,000 in the Central Plains, 20,000 or 30,000 in Hedong, 20,000 or 30,000 in Guanxi, 10,000 or 20,000 scattered in the southeast, and the inland river navy can maintain the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, but the navy can be added…

"And by reducing the soldiers, we can gradually reduce the additional taxes and levies in the south, otherwise I will not be at peace in my heart…

"Repair the river, demobilize troops, and move the capital, while strengthening the control of the surrounding countries, it is also to let the interior recuperate, and then see the foundation of our interior in the future, and then tentatively think about how to make the three imperial edicts from three empty documents into real flowing officials… Control if you can control, appease if you can appease, use flowing officials if you can use flowing officials, spread Buddhism if you should spread it, and promote Confucianism if you should promote it, but you must do what you can, and if you take too big a step, it is easy to pull your balls!"

At this point, everyone was sure that His Majesty was indeed drunk, but no one dared to treat these words as drunken talk. On the contrary, whether it was Lü Haowen, who had already faded out of the limelight, or Han Shizhong, who had just been appointed as an official vice-national leader, completing his transformation from general to minister, they all pricked up their ears and listened as carefully as possible.

Zhao Jiu poured himself another drink, but found that the wine pot was empty. The eunuch Feng Yi, who had just returned to His Majesty's side, quickly presented another pot, but was dismissed by His Majesty with some impatience:

"Compared to the northern border, as for the Western Liao, when the country is slightly stable, we can righteously and directly demand the Hexi Six Prefectures and push the border to the Yumen Pass. Yelu Dashi will not refuse, and will not dare to refuse… Moreover, if I am not mistaken, in my lifetime, I will be able to see Yelu Dashi running rampant in the Western Regions for thousands of miles, and also see his gradual decline after his death… In the past, Emperor Wu of Han took the Western Regions and the Xiongnu were destroyed. If there is really a day, it is not impossible to take the Western Regions and sandwich the northern border and stabilize Qingtang… But that is far away.

"Just say that after Hexi is in hand, we can manage the Western Regions, and we can also gradually nourish Qingtang, which is broken into porcelain pieces. That place is too poor and the geography is too extreme, but it can be used as a barrier and as an outer line. After supporting it a little, if we can extend our hand to Dajinchuan, there may be a real opportunity to serve as the foundation for Dali in the southwest…

"The development of maritime trade in Vietnam in the southeast depends on the strength of the navy, and there is really no need to think about annexing or using flowing officials. According to my view, the most important thing in Vietnam is the business of cheap cloth and rice. Regardless of whether we maintain the status quo or use force to annex it, we must first ensure that Vietnamese rice can be transported to the southeast through maritime trade…

"So, again, opportunities are always there, but all of this must be step-by-step, geographical, profitable, and within our means… If we can avoid a major war, we should avoid it.

"There is only one place where I have made up my mind, and that is to carry out a major war at all costs, but it is not abroad, but at home… In the south, we must suppress mergers! We must follow the example of Hebei and the Central Plains. I dare not say that the rise and fall of the dynasty depends on this, but at least it can be regarded as an important lesson from the Jingkang Disaster, right? How many days have Fang La and Zhong Xiang been gone? Therefore, whoever dares to merge, whoever dares to dream of having 100,000 mu of land, I will 'annihilate' him like I dealt with the Jurchen Wanyan clan!

"In short, internally, we must relocate the capital, demobilize troops, recuperate, suppress mergers, encourage commerce, especially maritime trade, and at the same time try our best to repair the river and promote original studies. Externally, we should appropriately strengthen control over the northern border, carry out a major peaceful expansion to the west, and try not to use major wars… This is our national strategy for the next twenty years, or even thirty years… Anyway, it is the national strategy before I die, and I don't know how much I can do, and how much can be achieved… Everyone, the old Song's grievances are over, the new Song's journey is about to begin, does anyone have any doubts?"

"Although I am old, I am willing to follow His Majesty on another journey."

At first, the reaction of the ministers was actually different. But soon, under the leadership of Lü Haowen, who had reacted, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Han Shizhong, Li Yanxian, and others did not dare to delay for a moment, and they all rose to their feet. First, they waited for Lü Haowen to speak, and then they all shouted and bowed under the altar in front of the Xuanyuan Hall.

They said that they were willing to follow His Majesty on another journey.

No one dared to hesitate.

At this point, everyone knew that this was the real drama of this Mingdao Palace participation sacrifice.

"Everyone, get up!"

Zhao Jiu laughed on the spot, and after everyone sat back, he sighed with emotion. "Are there still some of you who think that I will be lazy from now on? Are there also some people who feel that I am a bit meddlesome? Is there anyone who thinks that I want to do too many things, and that following me will be too hard in the future, so that they are a little daunted?"

"Let His Majesty know that I was indeed a little daunted just now."

Seeing that the atmosphere had completely settled down, Wanqi Xie, the commissioner of Jingdong West Circuit, who was sitting at the bottom, took the opportunity to joke. "But when I think that even in the past ten years, which were so severe and so hard, His Majesty was able to lead us out… No matter how hard the road ahead is, what is there to fear?"

Zhao Jiu laughed again.

After laughing, His Majesty turned his head and looked at the Xuanyuan Hall behind him, but he was thoughtful: "Speaking of which, I drank too much wine and became a bit talkative, and I only cared about talking, but I almost forgot one thing. Fortunately, Commissioner Wanqi reminded me…"

Everyone quickly put on a serious posture, but after experiencing the twenty-year small goals that had been mentioned earlier, this seriousness had a bit of a showy meaning.

"In fact, I was also once daunted," Zhao Jiu said seriously. "But there is no way, since I am in this position, I should know that the road is ahead, and I have to walk it… Not walking it is to let down the people of the world… You are also the same, don't think that you can enjoy yourself after ten years of meritorious service, or even go against the general trend… We have experienced so much, don't we still understand? The so-called heroes of the time are just ordinary people. If ordinary people grit their teeth and take a step forward, they will be heroes and heroines of the moment, so don't be self-righteous because of your achievements."

"There is always His Majesty in front."

Han Shizhong was alarmed in his heart and immediately expressed his position. "Your subjects will never fail His Majesty."

"It's not failing me, and His Majesty is His Majesty, and Zhao Jiu is Zhao Jiu. The former is a position, and the latter is a person, but the position must be occupied by a person." Zhao Jiu looked at his most trusted military minister and shook his head for a moment. "What I said that there is one more thing, is not really to beat you, and is not even encouraging myself, but there is a truth, a concern, stuck in my throat. If I don't say it today, if I don't let you understand, and if I don't express my position, I always feel uncomfortable. But if I say it directly, I am afraid that few people will remember it in their hearts, and I myself will be a little paralyzed…"

"His Majesty can speak directly, your subjects will remember them all." Li Yanxian also rose and cupped his hands.

"Still don't speak directly, let me ask a question first…" Zhao Jiu smiled again, but poured himself another cup of wine. "Just now we decided on the eighteen meritorious civil officials of the tenth year of Jianyan, and also ranked them… Then may I ask you meritorious officials, which is greater, the merit of the thirty-six civil and military officials together, or my merit?"

Li Yanxian and Han Shizhong were not easy to speak, and instinctively looked at the chancellors. In the slightly silent front courtyard of the Xuanyuan Hall, Lü Haowen hesitated for a moment, but stood up.

"Your subject takes the liberty, since ancient times there has been a saying that grace comes from above, and your subject believes that merit should also come from above…" Lü Haowen's words were slightly careful. "The meritorious officials' merits are of course extremely great, but His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and is commanded by Heaven. In the tenth year of Jianyan, if His Majesty had not been in his position, made his decisions, and guided them, so that the world could resist the Jin, and at the same time appointed your subjects, how could your subjects have any merits? Most of your subjects' merits should be counted on His Majesty."

"That makes sense."

Zhao Jiu nodded, but then asked solemnly again. "But if that is the case, one hundred commanders and hundreds of state and county officials together are not as good as thirty-six meritorious officials? After all, if it were not for the thirty-six meritorious civil and military officials as their leaders, how would the people below do things?"

"Your Majesty, it's not the same."

Zhao Ding quickly got up and took over the words. "The commanders and state and county officials are also appointed by His Majesty. Although they listen to the words of us chancellors and marshals, they must also know His Majesty's decisions and understand His Majesty's rewards and punishments… And we reward and punish things, but we are using His Majesty's strategies and authority."

"So, my merit is the greatest?" Zhao Jiu tried hard to smile.

"That's right," Zhao Ding reluctantly replied.

"I see." Zhao Jiu nodded and continued to pour himself a cup of wine. "But I still don't understand… I was just sitting under the dragon standard, pointing the direction, Yaoshan was also like that, and Huolu was also like that… If it is a lie to say that there is no merit in showing the way, but thousands of troops swept across, and countless people died fighting, and tens of thousands of elite soldiers died in battle, and hundreds of thousands of people overturned like a mountain collapsing, how could it be a merit that I alone sat there?"

"Let His Majesty know that His Majesty is the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, and enjoys the Four