Chapter 576

Same day, Approach Peace.

The warm sunlight of autumn filtered through the exquisite lattice windows, scattering across the smooth gold-brick floor of the main hall of the Imperial Secretariat.

It should have been a time for deliberation, yet the hall was now utterly silent.

Several urgent military reports lay spread on the huge sandalwood desk, the ink still fresh, yet they seemed to carry the icy killing aura of the Northern Lands.

In the chief seat, Qin Hui's face sank like water, his fingers gripping a military report trembling slightly from the force.

It was not fear.

It was anger.

Uncontainable, offended, mixed with a hint of trepidation, the anger.

"Northward Aspiration Army......"

He squeezed these three words out from between his teeth, his voice cold as an icicle in the twelfth lunar month.

"A band of Liangshanpo remnants, mountain‑forest brigands…… dare to openly cross the light curtain, penetrate deep into the heart of our Great Song, and even join forces with Yue Fei......"

Below the dais, Wanqi Xi, Luo Ruji, and their close followers stood with hands lowered, not daring to breathe.

They had never seen Minister Qin lose his composure like this.

"Outside Vermilion Immortal Town, they broke our outer camp, beheaded a Gold army commander named Moke, and met with Yue Fei's outer cavalry......"

Qin Hui read the words on the military report, each character feeling like a lash across his face.

"Good, very good."

He flung the military report to the ground, the papers scattering.

"The Imperial Court has issued four successive edicts ordering him to hold steady and to withdraw his defenses, yet he ignores them, instead colluding with unknown Northern Lands bandit troops, killing allied soldiers, and sabotaging the peace talks altogether!"

"What is he trying to do? Hmm?"

Qin Hui rose to his feet, his wide sleeves stirring without wind.

"Holding troops to assert himself, consorting with bandits, defying imperial orders, provoking border conflicts…… each and every one of these is enough to deserve death!"

His gaze swept over the crowd like a poisonous snake.

And what's this so-called 'Northward Aspiration Army'! Disdaining heavenly might, illegally crossing border restrictions, attacking the Imperial Court's pacified prefectures, killing soldiers and officials, it amounts to rebellion! Joining forces with Yue Fei, it's even more the ambition of a wolf cub, blatantly obvious!

This is rebellion!

Qin Hui's voice suddenly rose, echoing in the empty great hall.

Naked rebellion!

Wanqi E's eyelid twitched; knowing the moment had come, he hastily stepped forward and bowed, saying.

Prime Minister, please calm your anger. Yue Fei is arrogant, the Northward Aspiration faction is rampant; this is truly intolerable. However, this matter involves great scope—

What 'whether'? Qin Hui coldly interrupted.

Do we still need to consider his Yue Pengju's empty fame? Do we still need to worry about those tens of thousands of proud and fierce soldiers?

He paced to the window, gazing toward the palace city.

In the past, it was the Imperial Court showing sympathy to the soldiers, the emperor remembering their past merits, repeatedly indulging them, hoping they would return to the right path.

But what about now?

He turned around, his face already showing a stern resolve.

He has joined forces with the rebels, thereby cutting himself off from the Imperial Court, cutting himself off from the emperor!

Convey my order——

Everyone in the hall stood up solemnly.

First, immediately issue orders in the name of the Privy Council to all border circuits and prefectures, especially the troops stationed around Yingcheng.

Declare: the Northward Aspiration Army is a band of rebel fugitives from the north; any of our Song subjects and troops who encounter them may exterminate them without needing to report!

Anyone who dares to communicate with, aid, or conceal them shall be punished as colluding with the enemy and treason!

Second, draft an edict.

Yue Fei's forces, long stationed at Yingcheng, have disobeyed orders, secretly allied with bandits, provoked the Jin state, and already harbored different intentions.

Immediately... remove his post as Pacification Commissioner of Huainan West Circuit, strip him of his Military Governor title, and have the imperial envoy retrieve all his official decrees and ceremonial batons on the spot!

Order him to immediately surrender his military authority and ride alone to Lin'an awaiting investigation! His troops shall be temporarily placed under the command of Deputy Commander Wang Gui……

No, to be uniformly controlled by the Supervisor, to stand by on the spot, and not act rashly!

Dismissal, stripping of title, retrieval of the ceremonial baton, riding alone to the capital to await investigation!

This is no longer a mere admonition, but an order tantamount to deposition and arrest!

Once this edict is issued, if Yue Fei does not obey, it will be open rebellion; if he does obey, it will be like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth.

Wanqi E sucked in a breath of cold air, hesitating as he spoke.

Prime Minister, this edict…… is it too hasty?

Yingcheng is still besieged by the Jin army; if we force Yue Fei to rebel, fear a major upheaval.

It is disadvantageous to the Imperial Court's dignity, and also…… might damage the overall peace negotiations.

Peace talks?

Qin Hui's mouth curled into a sliver of icy coldness.

Precisely because we seek peace, we need all the more to cut the knot with a swift blade!

What do the Jin want? It's Yue Fei's head, and the complete disappearance of his eyesore Yue Family Army!

By now helping him eliminate Yue Fei and absorb his troops, are we not giving the Jin the greatest sincerity?

When the time comes, peace can be achieved, the border can be secure; what are a few growing pains?

He looked toward Wanqi E, his eyes deep.

As for dignity…… Yue Fei 'colluding with rebels, holding troops to defy orders'—we are dealing with him according to law; what is undignified about that?

It is Yue Fei himself who has destroyed the Great Wall; it is not that the Imperial Court lacks benevolence!

Luo Ruji immediately echoed him.

Sir, your discernment! Yue Fei, relying on his military achievements, is arrogant and unruly, has long harbored different intentions; today he has joined forces with the northern bandits—this is precisely the time when his wolfish ambition is revealed!

If the Imperial Court continues to be lenient, it will surely invite the disasters of Dong Zhuo and An Lushan! Dismissing him now is exactly in accordance with heavenly principle and popular sentiment!

Go ahead!

Another follower also said.

The Northward Aspiration bandits marching southward is the perfect chance to substantiate Yue Fei's crime of colluding with the enemy!

This is a heaven-sent opportunity to help the Chancellor eradicate the threat at his elbow and armpit in one fell swoop!

Qin Hui nodded slightly, quite pleased with everyone's reaction.

"Third," he continued, lowering his voice somewhat, "pass a message to our people inside Swallow City."

The time has come; the 'evidence' can be prepared. Be quick, be ruthless, and make it impossible for anyone to refute.

When the Imperial Court's edict arrives, we will coordinate inside and out, and must ensure that Yue Fei… suffers utter ruin and disgrace, never to rise again!

I understand, sir!

Wanqi Xie understood implicitly; this is about to use Wang Jun as that pawn.

Furthermore...

Qin Hui finally added, a fleeting glint of darkness flashing in his eyes.

Send a message to 'Mr. Zeng' on the northern frontier.

Just say that the Imperial Court has already decided to deal with Yue Fei, and ask them to… lend a hand.

At least, before the Imperial Court's edict arrives and internal purges are completed, the Jin army's offensive might as well be eased a bit.

Lest we drive the dog to desperation and it truly jumps over the wall.

This is to make a deal with the Jin side, using a borrowed knife to kill, and moreover to control the pace of the killing.

Chancellor, your plans are flawless; I am in awe!

Everyone bowed in unison.

Qin Hui waved his hand, sat back down in his seat, the anger on his face already faded, leaving only a deep-pool-like calm.

Go ahead and handle it. After the edict is stamped, select capable individuals and send them off at full speed to Swallow City.

Choose someone… with a loud voice who knows when to advance or retreat. Tell the envoy, if the situation proves impossible.

Prioritizing self-preservation and delivering the edict. If Yue Fei dares to act rashly, the whole world will strike him down!

Yes!

Having received the order, everyone hurriedly withdrew, each going about their tasks.

In the empty main hall of the Privy Council, only Qin Hui remained.

He slowly lifted the tea cup, already cold through, but did not drink, merely gazing at the tea leaves floating and sinking in the cup.

Outside the window, the autumn sun was just right, and the fragrance of osmanthus drifted on the air.

A scene of peace and prosperity.

But he knew that Swallow City, far away a thousand li, was about to be pushed into the abyss by another, harsher and more absolute edict.

That edict will bear the great seal of the Privy Council, be issued under his direction, and sent out in the name of the Imperial Court.

Yue Fei...

He murmured to himself, his tone flat and unruffled.

If blame is to be assigned, blame you for not knowing the times, for not understanding concealment.

And furthermore, blame you for blocking too many people's paths.

He set down the tea cup, emitting a clear, crisp sound.

As if sealing a decision, he let fall the decisive hammer.

Almost at the same moment.

In Swallow City, a remote storeroom of the baggage train.

Deputy General Wang Jun dismissed the attendants and stood alone facing a figure that had appeared at some unknown time, entirely wrapped in a dark cloak.

"Envoy, the Imperial Court… is finally going to act?" Wang Jun's voice carried a tension and excitement he could not restrain.

From beneath the cloak came Zeng Tu's flat, unemotional voice:

The edict is already on the way. Your 'letter of allegiance' should be handed over.

Wang Jun took out a stack of letters and a list from his bosom, his hand trembling slightly.

These are… drafts of letters that my subordinate has forged in Yue Fei's handwriting, purporting to be correspondence with the Jin.

Also, the 'accounts' of his private orders to withhold soldiers' rations and hoard private weapons…

and the records of his several drunken utterances 'resenting the ruler and slandering the Qin premier'…

Zeng Tu took them, gave them a quick glance, and tucked them into his sleeve.

Not enough.

He said calmly.

We need more direct 'material evidence'.

For example… the 'secret treaty to divide the land' supposedly found in his central command tent, agreed upon with the Northward Aspiration bandits.

Or… a 'golden command arrow' of collusion with the enemy.

Wang Jun's face turned pale: "This… the central command tent is heavily guarded; I fear…"

I'm not asking you to go now.

Zeng Tu cut him off.

When the time comes, someone will naturally help you "find" what you need to find.

You only need to, when the time comes, step forward and point it out.

He paused, and the gaze beneath the shadow of his cloak seemed to fall on Wang Jun's face.

"After the deed is done, I will grant you the fame and wealth you deserve, not a bit less. But if something goes wrong..."

Wang Jun trembled all over, hastily bowing: "I understand, sir! I understand, sir! I will see it done! I will not shirk even at the cost of my life!"

"Do as you see fit."

The figure of "Zeng Tu" melted into the shadows, vanished silently, as if it had never appeared.

In the storeroom, only Wang Jun's heavy breathing remained, along with the light in his eyes that kept flashing, a mixture of fear and ambition.

The wind fills the tower as the mountain rain approaches.

Lin'an's fury has turned into icy decrees and vicious plots, rushing with unprecedented speed toward that lone city now tightly besieged.

Inside and outside the city, those who know or do not know of this are still making final preparations for the life-or-death breakout two days from now.

At the heart of the storm, it is often the calmest.

And also the most perilous.