As Sun Fu took a beating, Zhang Bangchang, who was about to step forward, suddenly saw Han Jiayan's half-smile.
Looking at Nie Shan beside him, and then at the elders who were already flexing their muscles, Zhang Bangchang realized for the first time in his life that at some point, going to court had become an extremely dangerous activity.
Others might not dare to directly attack him, after all, he was a Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. However, that old man Han Jiayan was another matter entirely!
At this moment, he had the urge to hit himself on the head. Which part of his brain had gone wrong to think that Han Qi's son would be easy to bully?
"Chancellor Zhang, do you have anything to say?"
Seeing Zhang Bangchang's hesitant look, Zhao Huan sneered and looked at him again.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I... I have nothing to say..."
Glancing at Han Jiayan, then at Li Ruoshui, Zhang Bangchang finally shut his mouth.
There was no choice. The other side had too many people. If he dared to speak today, he might be carried back home tonight!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe that since Secretary Li has the confidence to defend Bianliang City, we should directly reject the Jin people's peace talks. When the reinforcements from all over arrive, we can catch them all in one fell swoop! I, recommend Li Gang as the Governor of Tokyo, fully responsible for the defense of Bianliang!"
Zhang Bangchang had cowered, but Li Ruoshui had no intention of doing so. Since there were still two vacant positions for the Chancellorship, he unhesitatingly recommended Li Gang to take up the post of Governor of Tokyo.
Hearing him say this, Zhang Bangchang's heart sank.
To secure the position of Governor of Tokyo, one would at least need the title of opening a mansion and being a grand master of the three departments. If that were the case, it would mean that Li Gang would be nominally on par with the Chancellor.
According to the unwritten rules of the Song dynasty bureaucracy, it was likely that the vacant position of Chancellorship would be filled by Li Gang in no time.
After finally getting rid of Fan Zhengguo and the others, now Li Gang had appeared. Only Zhang Bangchang himself knew how aggrieved he felt.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I also believe that Chancellor Li's words are reasonable!"
"I second that!"
"I also second that!"
Li Gang already had a good reputation. At this time, with Li Ruoshui and Han Jiayan leading the charge, and dozens of old officials cheering them on, the neutral factions in the court almost instantly joined their ranks. In an instant, forty to fifty officials stepped forward, leaving Zhao Huan, the emperor, speechless.
He was inclined to negotiate and send these Jin people away as soon as possible, but the problem was that even Zhang Bangchang, the biggest proponent of surrender, dared not speak. Could he, the emperor, personally confront Li Ruoshui?
"Since that is the case, then do as you propose!"
No matter how aggrieved he felt in his heart, after a moment of silence, Zhao Huan grudgingly agreed.
"Your subject, Li Gang, thanks Your Majesty!"
In any case, he had finally obtained a position where he could do something practical, and Li Gang immediately felt relieved.
"Your Majesty, today the wolves are ambitious and wish to annex a large part of our Hebei and Hedong. I beg Your Majesty to expel the Jin envoys from Bianliang City!"
"I beg Your Majesty to expel the Jin envoys from Bianliang City!"
When Han Jiayan took the lead, the remaining court officials immediately echoed in unison. Even the newly appointed Li Gang joined the chorus. Zhao Huan was once again frustrated.
Whether he wanted to go to such extremes or not, the ministers were all of one opinion. Even if he wanted to object, he couldn't find an excuse...
"This matter..."
"Your Majesty, without the determination to burn all bridges, how can we defend Bianliang City!"
As Zhao Huan was about to express his opposition, Li Ruoshui, still on his sickbed, immediately delivered another blow.
"Then do as the Chancellor wishes!"
With the matter having reached this point, no matter how aggrieved Zhao Huan felt in his heart, he could only suppress his frustration and say, "Then do as the Chancellor wishes!"
"Your Majesty is wise!"
...
Listening to the praises of the ministers, Zhao Huan felt even more dejected. Following their words made him wise, and going against them made him foolish. Who was the emperor?
But no matter how upset he was, the ministers had achieved their goal, and no one cared whether he, the emperor, was happy or not.
"Court is adjourned!"
After dealing with a few trivial matters, Zhao Huan finally waved his sleeve and retreated to his harem to brood.
An hour later, Wu Xiaomin, who had just been sent to the Dutong Posthouse to rest, had not even warmed his seat before he was driven out of Bianliang City under the surveillance of a group of imperial guards arranged by Li Gang!
The news of the Jin envoys being expelled from Bianliang City spread through the streets and alleys of Bianliang in less than half an hour. Countless citizens took to the streets and began to frantically hoard supplies.
And amidst this chaos, Li Gang, the newly appointed Prefect of Tokyo, finally began to inspect the city's defenses.
While Li Gang was inspecting the defenses, Li Bao's fleet had already sailed to the waters near Yuguan.
"General, Yuguan is about fifty miles ahead!"
Looking at the coastline that had already come into view, a few guides hired by Han Mo at great expense hurried to Li Bao.
"Understood. Give the order to drop anchor! We will act after dark!"
Looking at the setting sun, Li Bao turned and walked into the cabin.
"Brother Yue, Yuguan is ahead. Do you have confidence?"
Looking at the map spread out on the large table in the cabin, Li Bao looked at Yue Fei beside him again.
"Didn't we test it on the way? If it's just arson, those Jin people won't be able to stop us!"
Although they had been at sea for some time, according to the intelligence they had received, the Jin vanguard had already reached Hebei, and their main army was about to enter the vicinity of Yuancheng.
The forces they had left near Yuguan could not be very large. Yue Fei was naturally full of confidence.
"If that's the case, then I'll leave this matter to you. The large ships can't get too close, or they'll run aground. I'll have someone send you over by small boat and send five thousand men to meet you on the shore. You can do as you please and create as much chaos as possible!"
"Just you wait and see. We've practiced many times along the way. The adults have equipped us with so many good things. If we can't achieve anything, we'll be letting the adults down!"