"I will wipe out all the rebels in the south within six months, defeat Shen Tu Xin's main force within two months, and bring my army to the gates of Jiaozhi within four months!"

The following spring, agricultural reform in the south was inevitable. There was no room for negotiation on this strategic plan. Only after resolving agricultural and land reform issues could Zhao Huan rest easy and begin his commercial reform.

Otherwise, if the war drags on, agricultural activities in the south will be affected, and widespread disasters will inevitably occur the following year.

In fact, Zhao Huan's macro-level strategy was somewhat similar to that of Emperor Taizu of Song.

This is the so-called "south first, then north".

The phrase "south first, then north" refers to first quelling rebellions and enemy states in the south, and then dealing with powerful enemies in the north such as the Tanguts and Jurchens.

It can be said that in Zhao Huan's strategy, the south served as the grain base of the Song Dynasty, and it would produce at least two-thirds of the Song Dynasty's grain every year.

Now, Shen Tu Xin, together with a group of imperial guards and bandits, has blocked the south.

They also planned to join forces with the Jurchens in the north and the Jiaozhi in the south to cause trouble.

Speed ​​is of the essence in warfare; even a moment's delay can lead to fatal losses.

Faced with the emperor's reply, the elderly Zhong Shidao said, "Your Majesty, there is no nominal rebellion in the south, and the court has no justification for launching a military campaign."

Zhao Huan said, "That's simple. Shen Tu Xin, as the Transport Commissioner of Jiangnan East Circuit, colluded with the Imperial Guards. Doesn't that count as plotting a rebellion?"

"Furthermore, Shentu Xin forced Prince Kang to come to Jiangning Prefecture and sent people to build the old palace of the Southern Tang Dynasty so that Prince Kang could live there. Doesn't that count as an attempt to rebel?"

"The Guangde Army, Jianchang Army, Nankang Army, and Linjiang Army all privately recruited soldiers. Does this count as an attempt to rebel?"

"Shen Tu Xin privately altered the imperial laws, distributing iron ore, salt, and other resources to wealthy merchants. Does this constitute treason?"

"The new policies of Liangzhe have been in effect for over a month with no progress. All officials should be brought to the capital for questioning. Xu Churen, do you agree with my suggestion?"

Xu Churen immediately stepped forward: "The Emperor is wise and sagacious. The rebellion in the South must be investigated and dealt with immediately!"

"For the sake of the people in the south, and for the sake of the Song Dynasty, the imperial court should quickly send troops to quell the rebellion."

"Zhong Qing, tell me, how can we quickly pacify the south?"

"Your Majesty, we may order Yue Fei to advance eastward. Within half a month, he will capture Jianchang County and defeat the Jianchang army. In order to prevent Jiaozhi from causing chaos, Yue Fei's troops will be divided into two routes and sent south into the heart of Jiangnan. Within a month, they will defeat the Nankang army and the Linjiang army. Afterward, Yue Fei will personally lead 10,000 troops to the southwest to guard the southwestern border. If Jiaozhi attacks, we will make sure they have no way to return."

Can you guarantee the timeframe?

Zhao Huan looked at Zhong Shidao and Zong Ze.

Both men said at the same time, "If it were Yue Fei, we could guarantee it."

"Very well, you two have both vouched for Yue Fei, I trust you!"

Of course he could. Zhao Huan knew very well that one of Yue Fei's greatest strengths in leading troops was his ability to endure hardship. The reason he asked this question was to put pressure on Zong Ze and Zhong Shidao, since it was Zhong Shidao who was responsible for preparing the provisions.

Yue Fei's new army was under the command of Zong Ze, and Zong Ze also bore responsibility for Yue Fei's poor performance in battle.

"At this rate, will the State Council start assigning new officials? Xu Churen, do you have any officials in reserve?"

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost."

"I don't want to hear any talk of doing my best. If the number of officials is insufficient and local management goes wrong, I will hold you accountable!"

Xu Churen inwardly groaned. Although the war didn't require his government office to worry about it, cleaning up the mess was much more difficult than fighting the war itself.

Fortunately, there were many scholars in the Song Dynasty, far too many, and many people with academic titles but no official positions, more than you can imagine. Therefore, selecting new officials to take office was not a difficult task.

However, finding a reliable and reliable one is also difficult.

Xu Churen made a decision: once things stabilized in the south, he would find a way to get the emperor to travel incognito to the south and see for himself, instead of sitting in the palace all day giving orders and creating problems for the prime ministers.

If you're so capable, go and see for yourself how difficult it really is, boss. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's just that it's impossible to give you a PPT overnight!

"Chen Fu's agricultural plan and your official transfers will proceed simultaneously. I reiterate my point: whether it's a newly appointed official or an existing one, anyone who fails to implement it will be dismissed and never to be used again!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Li Gang, how are Han Shizhong's warships?"

"Your Majesty, we have three ships ready for use."

Zhao Huan was very satisfied with this progress. He then asked Zhong Shi, "Have Han Shizhong first stationed in Jiangning Prefecture under the pretext of resting and regrouping!"

Zhong Shidao immediately understood that the emperor wanted the hidden contradictions to erupt directly, meaning that Han Shizhong could attack Jiangning Prefecture right now!

After leaving the emperor, the ministers each began their own busy work.

On this day, the imperial court announced the serious crimes of Shen Tu Xin, Li Xiu Xuan, and others to the world, and the Privy Council officially issued a letter to Yue Fei's army stationed in Jiangling Prefecture to dispatch troops.

At the same time, the emperor dispatched Wang Kuian to the south to meet with Yue Fei. This time, in addition to supervising the army, Wang Kuian was also tasked with the important responsibility of quickly establishing the Imperial City Guard in the south.

Yue Fei defeated the main force of the rebel army, while the Imperial City Guard was tasked with quickly maintaining order in the city after the war and placing the emperor's "eyes" and "ears" in place.

The State Council will then immediately dispatch new officials to take office.

Faced with this change in the situation, Shen Tu Xin no longer hesitated and immediately sent people to various places to issue a proclamation to "punish the tyrannical emperor and rectify the foundation of the country," and called on people to support the wise and virtuous Prince Kang, Zhao Gou, as emperor.

On December 1st, Zhao Gou held a coronation ceremony in Jiangning Prefecture, officially "becoming emperor," with civil and military officials paying homage to him.

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