Chapter 287: The White Horse

It was almost autumn, and the midday sun was not particularly harsh, but Zhu Shengfei was drenched in sweat, because what he had feared most had finally happened.

One must understand, the Two Sages were not the father and elder brother of some founding emperor; they were themselves retired emperors, the previous monarchs and also father and elder brother to the current sovereign. Back in the Jingkang era, making the Two Sages co-emperors had already preserved their basic imperial status... In other words, there was simply no distinction between family rites and court rites to be made.

Even using the most absurd reasoning, all three of you are sages, all are emperors. If you strip away their imperial identities and treat them purely as a father and elder brother returning after five years of hunting... that's your father, what's wrong with kneeling once? Why must you make things difficult for us?

But Zhu Shengfei knew very well that if the Zhao sovereign was willing to do that, he wouldn't have asked this question!

If he answered 'kneel,' this current seated sovereign might truly get angry enough to kill him! If he answered 'don't kneel,' he could fabricate a reason, but his reputation among the scholar-officials would be utterly ruined... this would be called sowing discord within the imperial family, making the sovereign unfilial and unbrotherly.

"Your Majesty."

Just then, one person stepped out of turn, and it was none other than the Imperial Censor-in-Chief Li Guang, who replied solemnly. "Father-son is a natural bond, brotherly relations are a constant principle, why must 'I' be discussed?"

This was exactly what Zhu Shengfei had been thinking, but upon hearing these words, the Minister of Rites, instead of being relieved, stared at Li Guang with an almost exasperated expression.

"No need to discuss 'I'?" Zhao Jiu said thoughtfully.

"Exactly so."

Li Guang didn't need to look at the faces of his other colleagues; he knew his old habit had flared up. But his nature had always been like this—the moment he saw an opportunity to step forward and argue, he would charge in recklessly and speak up, and the bigger the occasion, the less he could control himself. He would regret it when he got home, listen when others advised him, and then charge in again the next time... At this point, he could only steel himself and face it.

"Ministry of Rites." Zhao Jiu gave a sardonic laugh, not directly acknowledging Li Guang, but instead calling out to Zhu Shengfei.

"Your servant is here." Zhu Shengfei's heart jumped, but he still steeled himself and bowed with clasped hands beside Li Guang.

"If you find it difficult, go ask my father and elder brother, see what rites they want me to perform?" Zhao Jiu waved his sleeve in urging.

That was one way to do it!

Zhu Shengfei was relieved, quickly bowed with clasped hands, stepped back, and then turned and left.

Turning towards the dock, the Two Sages and their party had disembarked. Dozens of people were embracing in a huddle, weeping bitterly, utterly losing their composure. But leaving others aside, the Two Sages themselves had once been Sons of Heaven, especially since there had been various frictions between them during the Jingkang era, and they knew the sensitivity of imperial power. So they had long since kept an eye on the dragon banner. Now, seeing a high-ranking official in a purple robe approaching from afar, they quickly composed themselves.

And as Zhu Shengfei came before them, he sighed inwardly.

To speak of it, the Retired Emperor Daojun was famous for his elegant bearing, but he was nearly fifty years old, and after five years of suffering on the Songhua River, his temples were already grey, and he was so thin and gaunt he was hardly human. Dressed in a large red robe, with that stiff-winged headdress, he almost looked like he could catch the wind. As for the Yuansheng Emperor, though only thirty-two, he had been stifled since his youth. Five years on the Songhua River, probably not getting much to eat either, his figure was still there, but his temples too showed a hint of grey.

"Minister Zhu!" Seeing Zhu Shengfei approach, the Retired Emperor Daojun actually recognized him—after all, he had personally selected him as a top graduate.

"Your Majesty!" Hearing this, Zhu Shengfei almost knelt in greeting, but thinking of the situation behind him, he only clasped his hands and replied solemnly. "Your servant, Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei, pays respects to the Retired Emperor Daojun and the Retired Yuansheng Emperor... The sovereign has a question to ask."

Both Sages were immediately solemn, and the other princes who had been weeping also composed themselves.

"What does Ninth Brother have to say?" the Retired Emperor Daojun asked, wiping away tears, cautious yet eager. "Why doesn't he come himself?"

"The sovereign is troubled by this very matter," Zhu Shengfei said, his eyelids drooping as he replied. "Just now, the ministers had a dispute. Some said the sovereign should kneel when he comes, others said a simple clasped-hands bow would suffice... The debate was inconclusive, so the sovereign sent me to ask the meaning of the two retired emperors."

The Retired Emperor Daojun had been sobbing all along, and upon hearing this, his tears flowed even more profusely.

Meanwhile, the Yuansheng Emperor beside him couldn't help but stamp his foot: "What need is there for kneeling? We are homeless people, entirely dependent on Ninth Brother's care. This time, we are coming to relinquish our titles and seek a position as temple caretaker to settle down. It would be good enough if I don't have to bow to Ninth Brother... Even if, as the rumors from the north say, Ninth Brother holds some resentment over the matter of Empress Xing, it would be proper for him not to see us today."

You're the elder brother; even if he killed you, he could use Emperor Taizong of Tang as a pretext. Kneel, my ass?! Zhu Shengfei was speechless inside, but he turned his gaze back to the crucial Retired Emperor Daojun.

The Retired Emperor Daojun, though relying on his status as sovereign and father, was also cautious. He wiped away his tears, stepped forward, and grasped Zhu Shengfei's hands with his own, which were covered in tears and snot, and asked earnestly: "Minister Zhu, tell me the truth... What exactly is Ninth Brother planning? I heard bad rumors on the road! Please, be sure to make it clear to Ninth Brother. I have experienced the north, my heart is cold, I have no other thoughts, I only seek the position of temple caretaker."

If only you had known this before, why did you do it in the first place?!

Zhu Shengfei sighed inwardly, but his mouth didn't stop: "Then, there should be no issue with the rites?"

"There was never an issue... The key is, I beg Minister Zhu to give me some insight, what exactly is Ninth Brother thinking?" The Retired Emperor Daojun simply held onto Zhu Shengfei's hands, refusing to let go.

After several attempts to break free, all unsuccessful, Zhu Shengfei was helpless. Moreover, given their past bond as sovereign and minister, he couldn't hold back and spoke in a low voice: "The sovereign does indeed have some resentment."

"How much resentment?" Zhao Ji still refused to let go.

After thinking it over, Zhu Shengfei could only lower his voice again and roughly recounted some of the Zhao sovereign's previous angry remarks.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji, only halfway through listening, before even hearing the part about 'always doing the opposite of Cao Cao,' wailed and collapsed to the ground, startling Zhu Shengfei into complete silence. He quickly went to help him up, and then there was another great commotion, leaving Zhang Rong, who was watching from the side, dumbfounded with his neck craned... The latter still couldn't understand how such a man could have harmed thousands of people, turning them into bandits, just to build some garden back in the day.

A hundred paces away, Zhao Jiu, watching the farce at the dock from a distance, remained seated without moving. The surrounding officials, however, mostly had grim expressions. Even the military governors and generals behind Zhao Jiu had begun exchanging glances among themselves.

But regardless, Zhu Shengfei still came back. The shiny traces of snot and tears on his purple robe made many people thoughtful.

"Your Majesty." Zhu Shengfei bowed his head, with an air of having successfully completed his mission. "The Two Sages have decreed: when family meets, a simple clasped-hands bow is sufficient. As for the princes, commandery princes, and dukes besides the Two Sages, they should perform the grand ceremony of paying homage to the sovereign..."

"Then let them come over." Zhao Jiu remained seated without moving.

Zhu Shengfei was once again dumbfounded, but this time, he dared not say another word and could only turn and leave.

"Your Majesty."

Lu Haowen, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, and the other chancellors could no longer hold back and each stepped forward.

"At this point, chancellors, there is no need to say more." Zhao Jiu still sat unmoving. "Do not delay the imperial family reunion."

The chancellors wanted to argue, but thinking of the more important matter of settling the Two Sages that was about to come, they were momentarily cowed by this sovereign's imposing manner and dared not speak again.

To speak of it, the Zhao sovereign had long been secluded in the inner palace. Today, at Baima Ford, he suddenly emerged to welcome the Two Sages. Among the full court of civil and military officials, the military officers naturally, and even many civil officials, showed signs of timidity. Now, with the chancellors hesitant to speak further due to their concerns about the imminent critical matters, it seemed to allow the Zhao sovereign to have the final say... Even Li Guang and the others stopped arguing.

However, just as everyone thought the sovereign was about to openly violate ritual protocol, moments later, as Zhu Shengfei led the Two Sages, the various princes, commandery princes, dukes, and noble ladies forward, the Zhao sovereign did not remain seated and unmoving as expected, causing embarrassment to the Two Sages. Instead, he actively rose and, from a distance, clasped his hands towards the two men in red robes: "Greetings to the Retired Emperor Daojun, greetings to the Retired Yuansheng Emperor."

The three emperors met, all harmony and goodwill. The ministers were instantly relieved, and even Li Guang let out a sigh.

"Greetings, Ninth Brother!" The Yuansheng Emperor was the first to return the clasped-hands bow.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." The Daojun Emperor also returned the clasped-hands bow, but then cautiously and proactively addressed his familiar-looking ninth son as 'Your Majesty.'

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Zhao Huan, realizing his mistake, immediately corrected himself.

"The two retired emperors have had a hard journey." Zhao Jiu smiled wryly in response and clasped his hands again.

"Not as hard as Your Majesty." Zhao Ji, his eyes red and swollen, spoke with utmost sincerity. "Your father, in the north for several years, heard many times of Your Majesty's victories in the south. Besides being overjoyed, I also knew of Your Majesty's hardships... In a thousand years of restoration, none has been as difficult as Your Majesty's."

At this point, Zhao Ji paused, then continued earnestly: "Had I known Your Majesty possessed such divine martial brilliance, I should have entrusted the state affairs to you long ago... As for me leading the country, I was absurd and misguided, bringing disgrace in the north, and it was all my own fault."

Zhao Huan was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed suit: "I, your elder brother, only regret my own lack of discernment."

Zhao Jiu shook his head and smiled, but paid no heed to the Two Sages. Instead, in the rising, gusting wind, he turned to the others behind the Two Sages: "So you are my brothers... Five years apart, your appearances have all changed. How about you give me your names in order of age, so I can get to know you again, and consider this your official welcome back."

The various princes were not fools; many of them had been the ones causing trouble during the era of 'abundant prosperity and great peace.' Upon hearing this, they naturally behaved obediently.

"Paying respects to Your Majesty." One stepped forward first. He was so thin he was practically skin and bones, leading three young boys as they bowed deeply in the grand ceremony. "Your servant, Prince of Yun, Zhao Kai, ranked third. These are my three surviving sons... Last year, I was gravely ill in the north. If not for Your Majesty's great victory at Yaoshan, which made the Jin fear and respect you, and allowed me to request medicine and clothing, I would never have had the chance to see you today... Having experienced this, I know that the one who can manage the world's affairs is none other than Your Majesty. I am also deeply ashamed of my past absurd behavior. Therefore, I dare to beg Your Majesty to strip me of my title, demote me to commoner, and allow me to retire to the countryside with my wife and children. That would be enough to satisfy me for the rest of my life."

"So you are Zhao Kai?" Zhao Jiu looked him up and down, nodded, and said something strange, then smiled and moved on. "If your health is poor, rest first... Your wife has already returned, she's probably staying at her family home. Go find her when you go back."

Although nothing was said about the arrangement of his title, the casualness in his words was evident. Zhao Kai was relieved and quickly withdrew.

Zhao Jiu continued to stand with his hands behind his back, watching as the remaining imperial princes each stepped forward with clasped hands, respectfully bowing in the grand ceremony.

It was evident that life in Wuguocheng had inflicted both physical and psychological devastation on these imperial relatives and nobles; many no longer looked human. Seeing this, numerous officials could no longer hold back their tears, finally breaking the silence. Even many military officers who had prepared themselves sighed deeply, then relaxed their tense postures.

The scene still appeared quite harmonious—so harmonious that one almost forgot the Emperor's earlier impatience and anger, forgot his sulking refusal to hold court, forgot his recent "always doing the opposite of Cao Cao," forgot how he had just been sarcastic, asking Zhu Shengfei if he wanted to kneel.

The only exception was a young man of about twenty.

"What did you say your name was?" Zhao Jiu suddenly frowned.

"Ninth Brother, Your Majesty, I am the Eighteenth Prince... the Prince of Xin!" The young imperial prince was momentarily panicked. "Don't you recognize me?"

"You are clearly the Nineteenth Prince!" Zhao Jiu erupted in fury. "Have you lost your mind after going north?! Don't you know the Prince of Xin is in the Taihang Mountains?!"

The man suddenly realized his mistake and quickly corrected himself: "Your Majesty, please don't be alarmed. When the Eighteenth Brother escaped, I feared the Jin would investigate, so I falsely claimed to be the Eighteenth Brother..."

Only then did Zhao Jiu nod.

"Your Majesty, why deceive yourself?" The Jin envoy Wulindazhanmo, who had been watching coldly from the side as he accompanied the Two Sages, could no longer bear it. "Now that the Two Sages have been returned, it is time for formal peace negotiations. At that point, the five prefectures of Jingdong will be given to you, and you should also retrieve those people in the Taihang Mountains..."

"That is a matter for the peace negotiators, what has it to do with me?" Zhao Jiu replied coldly. "Do not forget my words."

Wulindazhanmo let out a scornful laugh and said no more.

And so, after waiting a while longer, Zhao Jiu finally finished meeting with each of them one by one. Everyone knew that the critical moment of the day was about to arrive; even Wulindazhanmo perked up with interest.

Sure enough, after hesitating for a moment, Zhao Jiu turned solemnly and went back before the Two Sages. He nodded, then spoke earnestly: "I was merely guarding the state on behalf of my father and elder brother. Now that my father and elder brother have returned, it is only right that I step down and yield my place to the worthy."

As his words fell, the civil and military officials around him, along with the Two Sages before him, all shuddered almost simultaneously in the height of summer... The Two Sages were naturally terrified, and the rest of the officials were also panic-stricken.

It must be understood that if anyone else had played at the "three refusals and three acceptances," it would have been a display of filial piety and procedural propriety. But this Emperor—who didn't know him?—should never have such an attitude.

However, just as everyone was hesitating, wondering whether to grit their teeth and play along with a double round of "three refusals and three acceptances," the Emperor did something that shocked everyone to the point of near death. He turned around in public, drew the sword from Yang Yizhong's waist... ignoring the Retired Emperor's terrified collapse, he slashed open his own crimson robe, broke the hard-winged hat from his head, and cast them both to the ground. Then, clad only in the plain cloth military uniform beneath his robe, he turned to head back toward the army behind the imperial banner, intending to mount his horse and leave.

The event was so sudden that even Han Shizhong and the others were visibly stunned. They let the Emperor walk into the army, seize a horse, and swing himself into the saddle. But then he reined in his horse and spoke:

"I have already returned the palace and throne of Dongjingcheng to the Two Sages. Who exactly takes them is their own affair. But as the saying goes, Han and bandits cannot coexist, and a great state cannot be content with partial peace! Today, those who wish to fight may abandon their posts and follow me to Nanjing, to seize Jingdong! Today, those who wish for peace may keep their posts, support the Two Sages, escort them back to Kaifengfu, and then go make a brotherly alliance with the Jin... Between these two paths, there is no middle ground."

Having said this, he was about to spur his horse eastward.

The surrounding officers panicked for a moment, then all reined in their horses together. Even the imperial guards protecting the banner instinctively moved to pull it down.

"Han Shizhong!"

Lü Haowen, who had remained hidden throughout this peace negotiation affair, stepped forward, bypassing the dumbfounded Zhao and Zhang, and shouted urgently: "Stop the Emperor at once! If the Emperor truly gets away from the officials this time, you will be a sinner for a thousand years!"

Han Shizhong, wearing a jade belt, was dazed for a moment before coming to his senses. He immediately dismounted and, amidst the cavalry, grabbed hold of one of the horse's legs. Wu Jie and Wang De quickly followed suit, dismounting and each grabbing another leg. Even Qu Duan, after being glared at by Han Shizhong, had no choice but to dismount and do the same.

As for Li Qiong, Liu Qi, Li Master, Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, and others, along with over a dozen commanders like Qiao Zhongfu and Zhang Jing, they all had to lead their men in dismounting and kneeling, forming a tight circle around the Emperor and his steed.

"Lord Lü, you have broken your word!" Zhao Jiu sneered from atop his horse, his first open display of emotion that day. "That's not what you said by the fish pond..."

"Your Majesty!" Duke Lü Haowen, despite his age, knelt and replied, "Are the mere Two Sages worth splitting the nation?"

"Your Majesty!" Chief Councilor Zhao Ding also quickly knelt, pointing to the sky in public. "Your ministers have long had a plan: all imperial clan members who return this time shall be stripped of their titles and made commoners. The Retired Emperor of the Dao shall be placed in the Mingdao Temple, and the Retired Emperor of the Abyss shall be placed in the Dongxiao Temple! These mere Two Sages have no power to split the nation! We beg Your Majesty to return to the main army and proceed to Dongjing!"

"Your Majesty!" Councilor-in-Chief Zhang Jun also bowed his head. "If Your Majesty wishes to fight, just say so directly. Why go to such extremes?"

The other civil officials, coming to their senses and realizing this was no trivial matter, also knelt one after another... In an instant, civil and military officials were kneeling everywhere, densely packed, while Zhao Jiu only sneered from his horse.

On the civil officials' side, after they had knelt, Minister of Justice Wang Shu grew angrier the more he thought about it. He directly shoved the back of Minister of Personnel Liu Dazhong, who was in front of him: "It's all you people, always pretending to put the nation first, yet time and again you just sell your integrity for fame, using the Two Sages to pressure the Emperor! If disaster befalls the nation, it will be because of you people."

Liu Dazhong, caught off guard, was pushed to the ground. Furious to the point of heartburn, he turned his head to speak, but knew that any defense at this moment was impossible. So he could only pound the ground in frustration, choking on his words.

Just then, Li Guang, the Censor-in-Chief, who had been bowing his head for a long time, forcibly suppressed all the emotions within him, raised his head, and spoke slowly: "Your Majesty! Your minister also believes that the Two Sages can be sent to separate places for confinement..."

Upon hearing this, the Retired Emperor of the Dao and the Retired Emperor of the Abyss both shed tears and quickly expressed their stance before the imperial banner.

The Retired Emperor of the Dao first cupped his hands toward the man on horseback: "Let Ninth Brother know, your father understands that being able to return alive to Henan is entirely due to Ninth Brother's hard work. For your father, this is already a great fortune, and I have absolutely no desire for power or position."

The Retired Emperor of the Abyss was even more direct: "Ninth Brother, do not think that people like us would abandon the bond between ruler and subject. I am willing to set off immediately and go straight to Dongxiao Temple without stopping."

However, upon hearing this, Zhao Jiu only shook his head repeatedly: "If it's only like this, I cannot accept it!"

The Two Sages were utterly terrified, feeling that their lives were at stake that day. The chief ministers were also powerless.

"Your Majesty!" Li Guang, having caught his breath, forced himself to ask again. "To what extent must Your Majesty go before you stop this foolishness?"

"Who told the Censor-in-Chief that I am being foolish?" Zhao Jiu turned his head and looked toward the tall steamships of the imperial riverine navy on the Yellow River to the north.

"Your Majesty." Another person spoke up—it was Censor Li Jing, his blood boiling as he replied indignantly: "The Two Sages are truly not enough to shake Your Majesty's throne. Even if Your Majesty is angry, sending them to live in Daoist temples is sufficient. Why go to such lengths? Do you truly intend to publicly force the matter to the point of patricide and fratricide?"

"Li Jing." Zhao Jiu finally turned his head on his horse, his gaze icy cold. "And who told you that I am doing all this because of the Two Sages?"

Li Jing grew even more agitated, but just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly recalled something from a letter his elder brother Li Gang had written. For a moment, he seemed to have a realization. Not only him, but among the other civil officials, from top to bottom, many also seemed lost in thought. The area beneath the imperial banner fell into a deathly silence.

"What are the Two Sages anyway?"

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu, far from calming down, became completely enraged. He shouted directly from his horse: "I figured it out long ago—they are just two useless men! If I wanted to kill them, I could lock them far away and feed them half a tael of arsenic each day, waiting for them to die on their own. If I couldn't be bothered with them, I could throw them into a Daoist temple under guard, as you all suggest. Why would I need to put on such a show?! Do you think I need you to worry about my throne? It has been unshakable ever since I restored Dongjing! You keep saying I fear they will shake my position—shake it with what? That crimson robe? Or did they cultivate immortality in Wuguocheng?! The reason I am doing this is not to have you deal with the Two Sages, but to use the Two Sages to deal with you! Just as you are not truly revering the Two Sages, but using them to control me!"

The Son of Heaven's wrath was truly awe-inspiring. The entire assembly was awestruck. Even Wulindazhanmo, who had been sneering silently, put on a slightly more solemn expression. Only Han Shizhong and the others below the horse, knowing this was not about fighting for the throne or killing anyone, exchanged glances, slightly loosened their grip on the horse's legs, and took the opportunity to stretch their own limbs.

After a moment, Liu Dazhong, having recovered his composure, stood up and addressed the Emperor respectfully: "Your Majesty, your minister has a word..."

"Speak."

"Your ministers absolutely did not intend to use the Two Sages to control Your Majesty. It is simply that, since ancient times, the principle of the realm and the family has been one and the same..."

"The principle of the realm and the family is one and the same?" Zhao Jiu raised his voice from his horse.

"Yes!"

"Then I happened to hear a passage," Zhao Jiu declared loudly. "It was precisely about the principle of the realm and the family being one and the same... Minister Liu, the principle of the realm and the family is one and the same. But now, in a family, the sons and younger brothers toil at farming and weaving, laboring all year long, finally saving up some grain and cloth. Yet the father and elder brother take it all to build gardens, hold banquets, and fill the harem. At the slightest displeasure, they resort to whipping and cruel punishment, even beating them to death without a care. If it were you, would you be content?"

Liu Dazhong was silent, unable to respond... Although he did not know the source of these words, he understood that this was a critique of the Retired Emperor, especially the extravagance of the Retired Emperor of the Dao's era. Such criticism had existed long ago and was indeed difficult to refute.

But strangely, among the surrounding civil and military officials, many trembled as if possessed upon hearing this passage. Li Guang, for instance, who had been about to help Liu Dazhong argue, now turned pale and swayed on his feet.

Zhao Jiu continued from his horse: "And that's not all. After building gardens, holding banquets, and filling the harem, if there is any surplus left, instead of showing concern for the younger brothers and sons at home who are still starving, they send the remaining money and silk to enemies and bandits..."

"Your minister is guilty!" Li Guang suddenly looked up and shouted from among the officials, startling Liu Dazhong.

Not only that, the Retired Emperor of the Dao, who had long dared not speak, stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly covered his face and sobbed.

"Your Majesty..." Lü Haowen, who had come to his senses, also spoke up in a pleading tone.

Zhao Jiu paused briefly, but then continued speaking loudly: "The enemies and bandits take the money and silk, grow strong themselves, and then come back to plunder and kill in the family. The father and elder brother only send the sons and younger brothers to die... I ask you, is it acceptable for a father and elder brother to act this way?"

"Minister Liu, I am asking you." Amidst the wind, after a brief pause, Zhao Jiu urged him on. "You say the realm and the family share one principle. I ask you, is it acceptable for a father and elder brother to act this way?"

"Your Majesty's words are sharp," Liu Dazhong replied helplessly, still not daring to answer directly.

"The words are naturally sharp, but they are not my words. This is a record I came across while idling in the rear palace these past days." Zhao Jiu smiled wryly in response. "Minister Liu, this was said to the common people of Jiangnan eleven years ago, when Fang La rebelled in the south... and Commander Zhang on the river was also forced to take refuge on Mount Liang at that time."

Liu Dazhong's face turned deathly pale, and he swayed as if about to collapse.

"Yet who would have thought that eleven years later, these words would still ring so true?" Zhao Jiu looked up to the heavens and sighed. "I have been thinking these days... thinking about the realm, thinking about the state, thinking about the court, thinking about north and south, thinking about what exactly this Great Song has become?! After much thought, the past cannot be changed, and no matter how filthy and rotten this Great Song is, it is still our own, is it not? So, all I can do is acknowledge the previous Great Song, and then focus on the present and the future... This is my responsibility! I must not only inherit this state, protect it, and continue it, but also guide it forward, onto a path of thorough transformation!"

"To inherit and guide is called 'Shao'—I shall inherit and renew the Song!"

"In the past, we could not take Xia, in the past we could not defeat the Jin. So why can we not abandon those old things, start anew, and build a new Great Song?"

"Build a Great Song like the Han and Tang, one that can destroy Xia, defeat the Jin, does not build Genyue, does not use women to pay debts, does not compensate with gold and silver, where the Son of Heaven can guard the gates and die for the altars—is that not possible?"

"But some people, for reasons unknown, clearly know what I want to do, yet always refuse to walk forward with me, always want to go backward, to flee to that 'Abundant Prosperity'! Now, I have brought you the sage ruler of 'Abundant Prosperity,' so that you can protect him and continue 'Abundant Prosperity' in Dongjing—yet you still complain that I am causing trouble?! Who is really causing trouble?!"

By the end of his speech, Zhao Jiu's blood and qi were churning, but he quickly composed himself on horseback and turned back:

"Today I speak plainly. I am not here today for the Two Sages—they are truly not worth my posturing. Nor can I say it is for the common people, for even if I wanted them to express their views, those from the Two Rivers cannot come. Today, I am here for you... for you scholar-officials, without whom governing the state is impossible. Today, I want you to make a clear choice... Me versus the Two Sages; the New versus the Old; War versus Peace; the people of the Two Rivers versus suffocating complacency; 'Abundant Prosperity' versus fish ponds and mulberry groves; the Old Song versus the New Song... This is fundamentally a stance of Han versus traitors, irreconcilable! You can only choose one! Everyone can only choose one!"

"Your Majesty is breaking the agreement!" Before the words had faded, one person suddenly spoke out—it was the Jin envoy, Wulindazhanmo. "It was agreed that returning the Two Sages would allow for the exchange of the five commanderies of Jingdong for peace!"

"You cannot hand over the five commanderies of Jingdong!" Zhao Jiu waved his hand impatiently.

"How is that possible? We have already taken Jinan... Your Majesty is being unreasonable and breaking faith!" Wulindazhanmo retorted forcefully, his voice piercingly harsh on the dock, where only the wind could be heard.

"We, the sovereign and ministers of the Great Song, are discussing war and peace with the Jin—what business is it of yours?!" Just as Zhao Jiu was about to reply, a man suddenly stood up from behind his horse, pointing at the Jin envoy—it was Qu Duan, Commander of the Imperial Camp Cavalry. "Are all these troops made of wood? Tie him up and stuff his mouth with horse dung!"

Zhao Jiu turned back, and Qu Duan quickly bent down again to hug the horse's leg.

But at this moment, there was no need for the Imperial Guard or the elite cavalry that had come with the generals and military commanders. The Imperial Camp Navy under Zhang Rong had already swarmed forward, dragging Wulindazhanmo and several deputy envoys away. Unable to find horse dung near His Majesty, they simply grabbed some riverbank grass, twisted it into a ball, and roughly stuffed it into their mouths.

The scene fell silent. Zhao Jiu came to his senses, took the riding crop from his horse, first pointed it at the silent Zhu Shengfei, then finally aimed it at Lü Haowen: "No one is exempt today. Even the Ministry of Rites, which wanted to claim illness to avoid this, I dragged out... Except for Yue Fei and Zhang Jun, who have duties, and Li Yanxian, who must hold Shanzhou, nearly all civil and military officials are here. Chancellor Lü, starting with you, one by one—will you follow me, or 'Abundant Prosperity'?!"

Lü Haowen recalled the earlier questioning by the fish pond and had no choice but to bow his head in response: "Naturally, I follow Your Majesty."

Next, Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, and Chen Gui naturally answered one by one, as agreed by the fish pond. Then, Zhao Jiu first stepped aside from the complex-faced Li Guang, turned back, and looked at Han Shizhong, who had just released the horse's leg and was flicking dust off his jade belt.

Seeing this, Han Shizhong quickly straightened his jade belt, puffed out his chest, and said: "What words are these, Your Majesty? Your servant already sold his life to Your Majesty with this jade belt at Jingou Town."

Zhao Jiu let out a scornful laugh, then raised his riding crop again to point at Li Guang: "Censor-in-Chief!"

Li Guang was silent for a moment, then asked in return: "Your Majesty... was the previous Great Song really that bad?"

"Not that bad, but it was bad enough in state policy and military affairs." Zhao Jiu replied frankly. "Economy and culture were both first-rate... Minister Li, do not feel burdened. This is not a life-or-death struggle, but the situation demands it, and it must be done... When Chancellor Xu retired the other day, he had already foreseen today's scene."

Li Guang nodded and was about to clasp his hands in response: "Your servant..."

"Minister Li." Zhao Jiu shook his head, interrupting him. "Minister Li, if you leave, I do not know when I will find another Censor-in-Chief without selfish motives who dares to directly point out my faults... Consider this my personal invitation to you. Trust me once, and stay!"

Li Guang was stunned for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued clasping his hands: "Your servant is willing to follow Your Majesty."

Zhao Jiu nodded in response.

"Your servant requests resignation." The next moment, Minister of Personnel Liu Dazhong calmly requested to resign.

"Your servant also requests resignation." Minister of Rites Zhu Shengfei also resigned with relief.

Zhao Jiu nodded in assent.

After the two of them, among the Eastern and Western Secretariats, the One Camp, the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts, the Five Directorates, plus the various Hanlin Academicians, Drafters, Diarists, the Censorate, the Imperial Guard, Kaifeng Prefecture, local officials of Huazhou, and a hastily appointed Reception Envoy, Quan Bangyan... a total of three hundred and seventy-three people with formal official rank accompanied His Majesty. Two hundred and ninety-nine followed Zhao Jiu, including the Grand Councilors and the Censor-in-Chief, who was called the 'half-Chancellor'; seventy-four resigned, including two of the six Ministers, two of the nine Court Chiefs, and one of the five Directorate Vice Directors.

And not a single person followed the Two Sages.

After the discussion, everyone felt relieved. It was Grand Councilor Lü Haowen who, still mindful that the Two Sages had been left waiting for a long time, took the initiative to ask about the arrangements for the Two Sages and the imperial clansmen.

Zhao Jiu, dressed in plain cloth, had clearly made arrangements long ago. He directly issued an imperial decree for the proper settlement of the two Retired Emperors, who were clad in bright red robes... Among them, the Daoist Emperor was to be placed in the Dharma Hall of Shaolin Temple, and the Yuansheng Emperor was to be placed in Dongxiao Palace. All Imperial Princes, Commandery Princes, Dukes, and Commandery Ladies, except for Prince Xin, who had rendered meritorious service but had not yet returned, were to have their ranks reduced by three grades and be properly settled in Nanyang.

After these words, everyone was preparing to turn back. Just then, Censor-in-Attendance Moqi Xie suddenly stepped forward, and on the grounds of the Two Sages' return to the south, requested to change the reign title to Shaoxing!

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately received approval and echoed from nearly everyone.

"Too extravagant." Zhao Jiu, who had never dismounted from his horse beneath the dragon banner, felt a sense of post-decision clarity, but after thinking for a moment, he slowly shook his head. "Official documents and coin molds would all have to be changed... Forget it."

At this point, His Majesty's word was nearly law, and no one insisted further.

However, as if suddenly remembering something, Zhao Jiu again pointed his riding crop at the ground beneath his feet: "Is this Baima Ford, Baima County?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed Baima Ford, Baima County." Quan Bangyan, who had been stationed in Huazhou for a long time, clasped his hands in response.

"Then kill the white horse to complete Shaoxing!" Zhao Jiu commanded calmly. "Change Baima County to Shaoxing County."

Having said this, Zhao Jiu, as if forgetting something, finally slowly reined in his horse and started moving, heading in the direction of Dongjing. Before the civil and military officials could even respond, they set off in a great commotion, taking advantage of the early hour and facing the warm southern breeze.