Early this morning, the officials had just entered the palace to prepare for court, but were told to wait at the palace gate. They didn't know why. It was freezing cold. Did the emperor want to enjoy the snow with his officials here?

"Minister Geng, you are His Majesty's mentor. In your opinion, what is His Majesty's intention in doing this?"

Geng Nanzhong shook his head. He had no idea what the emperor meant. The Jin army was already making a ruckus outside the city today. Logically, the emperor should be extremely anxious now, but judging from the commotion, everything in the palace was normal, as if nothing had happened.

When Zhao Huan was still the crown prince, Geng Nanzhong was Zhao Huan's teacher. He knew Zhao Huan's character very well. However, since Zhao Huan ascended the throne, he felt an unprecedented sense of estrangement from his student. Originally, he also advocated for peace talks with the Jin people, but the emperor silenced him with the heads of so many important officials, and now no one dares to utter a single word about peace.

The ministers waited dejectedly at the palace gate, and soon Zhao Huan arrived.

The courtiers bowed and shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"

Zhao Huan said, "All of you, rise."

He continued, “Gentlemen, that scoundrel Wanyan Zongwang has already reached the north gate. There was a small-scale battle at the gate, and Minister Li has already repelled the Jin invaders. I was thinking that since the soldiers are all guarding the city walls, it would be pointless for us to hold a meeting in the palace. Why don’t we go to the city walls and take a look?”

The ministers were all taken aback. Although they didn't quite understand what "it's all for naught" meant, nor did they know what the meeting was about, they did understand that the emperor wanted them to go to the city wall!

"Holy crap!" the ministers cursed inwardly at the same time. It felt like a million grass mud horses were stampeding through their minds!

Emperor! Do you know that the Jurchen invaders are attacking the city? You're sending us to the city walls? Do you want to kill us?!

Before the ministers could raise any objections, the emperor continued, "Since you all have no objections, let's depart immediately!"

After saying this, the emperor boarded the imperial carriage that the eunuchs had prepared, leaving the ministers bewildered and at a loss.

Xie Dahai, accompanied by a group of Imperial Guards, looked at the ministers like a butcher slaughtering pigs. The ministers were so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they could only grit their teeth and follow the wise and great emperor all the way to the north of the city.

The pro-peace faction had already agreed that as long as Li Gang's defense of the city faltered slightly, they would collectively petition the emperor again to negotiate peace. At that time, the emperor would inevitably be forced by the situation to agree to the peace talks, and then Li Gang would be demoted, preferably exiled to Danzhou!

But unexpectedly, the emperor pulled this stunt!

Swords have no eyes. These people are all good at verbal battles in the palace, but sending them to the battlefield would surely cost them their lives. The salaries of civil officials in the Song Dynasty are so generous. If they lose their lives on the battlefield, how can they enjoy their wealth?

"Your Majesty, I am unwell today. Please forgive me!"

A minister's painful cry came from outside the carriage. He looked like a withered blade of grass in the cold wind, as if he was about to collapse at any moment. This minister was Zhou Ding, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Once he spoke, the other ministers were also tempted. Just as they were hesitating, the emperor's voice came from the imperial carriage: "Guards, take Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Justice to the imperial prison and take good care of him."

Zhou Ding was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die ten thousand times! I will go to the city gate right now! Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

But the Imperial City Guard ignored Vice Minister Zhou's pleas for mercy. The emperor did not change his mind and said he would spare him. Instead, he grabbed Zhou and twisted him like a chicken. As a civil official, how could he struggle? He was dragged away.

Finally, even the pleas for mercy ceased. The ministers were all trembling with fear, their backs soaked with cold sweat despite the freezing weather.

The emperor's voice came again from inside the imperial carriage: "Which other ministers are unwell?"

The ministers swallowed back the words that were already on the tip of their tongues, not daring to utter another syllable. They followed the imperial carriage out, each finding their own horse, and then went with the emperor's entourage.

Tonight, legend has it that the Jin invaders are at the city gates, and the entire city of Tokyo has been completely sleepless since dawn.

Although Zhao Huan had given everyone a boost of morale before, many people were inevitably worried when they actually faced the Jin invaders. Moreover, they could faintly hear the sounds of fighting outside the city, which was terrifying for the people of Bianjing, who had enjoyed more than a hundred years of peace.

However, just before dawn, the news spread throughout the capital that the emperor had led his officials to the city tower!

When they arrived at the city, there was a huge crowd, and the people of Tokyo all came to cheer for the emperor.

As Zhao Huan stepped down from his imperial carriage, the morale on the city wall immediately soared to its peak.

At this time, after repelling a wave of Jin bandits' attacks, Zhao Huan, protected by the Imperial City Guards, attempted to ascend the city tower but was stopped by Grand Chancellor Wang Boyan and Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Geng Nanzhong.

"Your Majesty is of divine health, and the city tower is dangerous. Please do not ascend the tower."

"Get out of the way!"

"Your Majesty! The city wall is in danger!"

"My soldiers are all on the city wall, why can't I go up there!"

Upon hearing the emperor's words, the soldiers on the city wall were moved to tears and vowed to protect the emperor with their lives. The surrounding people were also deeply moved, praising the emperor as a truly holy emperor!

"Your Majesty is unwilling to take any risks."

"Get out of the way!"

The emperor was furious, his murderous aura palpable. The ministers dared not obstruct him any further. The Imperial Censor, He Ye, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, yet you also ascend the tower. I am foolish and dull, but I am willing to follow Your Majesty closely!"

Holy shit! You bastard He!

The ministers were all inwardly cursing. This Censor-in-Chief is truly the emperor's dog! By doing this, are you trying to force us to follow the emperor up the tower as well?

Zhao Huan said, "Granted!"

As he spoke, he subtly glanced at the ministers and then at the Imperial City Guard. The ministers immediately understood the emperor's intentions and inwardly groaned, but outwardly they were all passionate and enthusiastic: "We are also willing to accompany Your Majesty to the tower!"

"My lords are all men of unwavering loyalty and integrity. If I were to refuse, wouldn't I be disappointing you all? Granted!"

The ministers were so angry they nearly vomited blood. Damn it! You're the one who forced them into this!

So, the ministers reluctantly followed the emperor up to the city wall.

Looking down, one sees countless Jin soldiers, each wielding armor and exuding a chilling aura. On the spot, some ministers were so frightened that their legs went weak and they collapsed to the ground, while the guards on the side looked on with disdain.

These high-ranking officials, who are usually so passionate and eloquent in the court and treat their subordinates like dirt, can't even stand still when they see the Jurchen bandits!

Zhao Huan didn't care whether they could stand still or not. He shouted downstairs, "Where is Wanyan Zongwang, you little bastard? Come up here and bark at me!"

The emperor's audacious act made the court officials extremely nervous, and everyone was on edge.

At the very front and center of the Jin army was Wanyan Zongwang. By this time, it was gradually getting light. The Jin army was naturally embarrassed by their commander being scolded and wanted to retaliate with insults.

However, the most enthusiastic one was not the Jin bandits, but Guo Yaoshi, who had surrendered. Guo Yaoshi cursed, "Zhao Huan, you little brat! My Great Jin army has arrived! Quickly open the city gates and surrender, or I will crush you into dust!"

"Damn it! Who do we have here? It's you, you traitorous dog who has served three masters!"