Yesterday, Zhao Huan received Qin Hui and then returned to Consort Han's bedchamber, where he spent the night.

He witnessed Han Chenchen eat three large chicken drumsticks, her mouth greasy from the food.

Judging from her appearance, she's clearly gaining weight!

The next day, early in the morning, the kitchen delivered the imperial meal again.

Zhao Huan left after finishing his breakfast.

As soon as Zhao Huan arrived at the Chuigong Hall, Shao Chengzhang ran up and said, "Your Majesty, Wu Jie requests an audience."

"Wu Jie?" Zhao Huan was slightly taken aback, then suddenly remembered that it was he who had summoned Wu Jie from the Northwest to the capital.

I've been so busy these past few days that I almost forgot about Wu Jie.

"Announce it immediately!"

Wu Jie was summoned to the palace.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

Zhao Huan was very pleased to see Wu Jie.

Wu Jie is 41 years old this year, but he looks very energetic.

When a person is energetic, they will appear younger.

Wu Jie looked like a young man in his early thirties, with his black hair neatly standing up. His features weren't particularly handsome, but he had a very pleasant appearance. His eyes were always bright, as if he were full of curiosity about many things.

But occasionally, a sharp glint would appear in his eyes, the kind of sharpness that only appeared during battles.

In private, he's more like a friendly uncle next door.

On the battlefield, he reverted to being the Wu Jie who commanded thousands of troops.

At this moment, before the emperor, he was a loyal and devoted subject.

Zhao Huan looked Wu Jie up and down and asked, "Minister Wu, how is your injury?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My injuries have fully healed."

"I summoned you to Tokyo this time for two reasons. First, I want you to rest and recuperate in the city for a while. The imperial physicians will take turns examining you to ensure your health. Second, I want you to write your combat experience at the military academy, which I intend to include in the compulsory courses of the Imperial Military Academy."

Wu Jie was flattered and deeply moved.

He never expected that the emperor would still be concerned about his injuries, and he never imagined that he held such a heavy place in the emperor's heart.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I can only repay Your Majesty's kindness with my life!"

"You are my great general who protects the country. You must take good care of your health. I forbid you from talking about death in front of me at the drop of a hat!"

Wu Jie gave an awkward smile: "Yes!"

Wu Jie then said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

"What is it, Minister Wu? Please speak freely."

"Your Majesty, please be lenient with Yue Fei."

Zhao Huan said, "Minister Wu, you need not worry about Yue Fei. The Censorate will handle this matter."

"Your Majesty, I do not mean to overstep my bounds, but I believe that Yue Fei is a rare talent. In terms of military campaigns and troop deployment, I am inferior to Yue Fei. Your Majesty must not lose the pillar of the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Huan laughed and said, "Minister Wu, you are being modest in front of me. Regardless of whether what you just said is true or not, at least few people can match your magnanimity, Minister Wu."

He seemed unwilling to discuss Yue Fei's affairs with Wu Jie, so he interrupted Wu Jie and continued, "Alright, Minister Wu, this is not something you should worry about. I will handle it myself."

Since the emperor had already said so much, Wu Jie couldn't say anything more.

"How is the border defense in Blackwater Town?"

"Your Majesty, everything is proceeding smoothly. From last year to this year, ten fortified villages have been built in Heishui Town, connecting to the Heishan defense line in the east."

Do you know what Yelü Dashi has been up to lately?

"Your Majesty, Yelü Dashi is recruiting soldiers on the grasslands. He now claims to have an army of 200,000, but according to my understanding, the actual strength should be around 120,000."

"120,000 is not a small number. If he were to grow to 200,000, it would be dangerous. What do you think, my dear minister, about doing something to restrain Yelü Dashi and slow down his expansion?"

"Your Majesty is wise. Once Yelü Dashi truly has an army of 200,000, no other tribe on the grasslands will be a match for him. Most importantly, he has the confidence to turn against us. After all, we now occupy the most fertile Hetao region. If Hetao falls into his hands, he might become the second Li Yuanhao!"

It seems that Wu Jie is very clear about the situation, so Zhao Huan need not worry about this at all.

Zhao Huan funded Yelü Dashi in the hope that Yelü Dashi would help him share the pressure from the Jin state, so that he could free up his resources to deal with domestic affairs and the situation in the northwest.

Now that things are basically peaceful in China, any attempts by those who want to jump off buildings will be small-scale and minor.

After five years of fighting, the Song army had been completely transformed in terms of both military equipment and discipline, and was now fully capable of fighting the Jin army head-on.

Moreover, the emperor's firearms were constantly being improved.

Therefore, Yelü Dashi's role has begun to diminish, and has even become somewhat superfluous.

It was only a matter of time before Yelü Dashi was eliminated, but Zhao Huan still wanted Yelü Dashi to fight Wanyan Sheng a few more battles.

The hostility towards Yelü Dashi should not be easily revealed.

"Minister Wu, I have arranged a mansion for you. You will stay in Dongjing City for the time being. The imperial physician will come to check your pulse every day to ensure that you are fully recovered. Do not ask any more questions about Yue Fei's matter. Just handle it as it should be handled."

"yes!"

Seeing that the emperor had important matters to attend to, Wu Jie did not linger and took his leave.

Xu Churen, Li Gang, Zhong Shidao, Shi Xun, and Tang Ke were all waiting, as was Zhao Zhongcong.

The emperor entered the Chuigong Hall.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

"No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Zhao Zongzheng, have you told me everything?"

"Your Majesty, I have told you everything."

"Have you all reached a conclusion?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!