Prince Jin's Mansion.
The charcoal fire inside the hall roared, dispelling the winter chill.
But the atmosphere was even more somber than outside the hall.
Zhao Muyun, Yin Ji, Pei Lun, Fan Nan, and Zhou Hong sat around a table in front of them, with maps and reports from various places spread out on the table.
"That's roughly the situation." After listening to the reports from all sides, Zhao Muyun said, "In the north, Yunzhou is in danger; in the east, there is a bloody battle at Longmen Pass; in the south, Yang Yan is watching us closely; and in the west, Wu Shangzhi's army has penetrated deep into enemy territory alone. As for the imperial court, the treasury is empty, and the people are restless."
He looked up at Yinji: "Your Highness, what do you think is the most urgent matter?"
Before Yinji could speak, Zhou Hong interjected, "The most urgent task is to hold the enthronement ceremony as soon as possible to establish his rightful position and reassure the people."
"Then concentrate our forces to relieve the siege of Longmen Pass first—if Li Hu breaks through the pass, the area will be shaken, and Xijing will be in danger!"
Zhao Muyun nodded: "That's right. But the enthronement ceremony should not be too simple, nor too extravagant. Too simple would lack dignity, while too extravagant would drain the nation's resources. Minister Zhou, how are the preparations from the Ministry of Rites?"
Zhou Hong replied, "Reporting to the Grand Commander, the Ministry of Rites has already prepared the ceremony, which is based on the standards for a prince's enthronement, but with one-third less expense. The date is set for the 22nd of the twelfth lunar month, an auspicious day."
“Three days later…” Zhao Muyun calculated, “That’s enough time. Let’s hold the ceremony on the 22nd of the twelfth lunar month.”
Yinji shook his head and waved his hands repeatedly, his face resolute, "This is absolutely unacceptable... Moreover, His Majesty has not yet entered the mausoleum. I must not do something so unfilial."
“Your Highness, this is a critical moment for the survival of the Great Yin Dynasty. We should act according to the circumstances,” Zhou Hong said hastily.
Pei Lun and Fan Nan exchanged a glance. Seeing that Zhao Muyun didn't speak, they opened their mouths but didn't say anything.
"Your Highness, rest assured, we must still follow the proper procedures!" Zhao Muyun naturally knew that Yinji would definitely decline and that it would require the ministers to persuade him to ascend the throne. "However..."
Before Yinji could react, he suddenly stood up and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"
Upon seeing this, Pei Lun and Fan Nan hurriedly stood up and rushed to stand beside Zhao Muyun, kneeling down and shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"
Zhou Hong inwardly grumbled, never expecting that Zhao Muyun and the other two would beat him to it.
He scrambled to his feet and stood beside Zhao Muyun and the other two, shouting along with them.
Zhao Muyun and Pei Lun represented the military, while Zhou Hong and Fan Nan represented the civil officials. The four of them bowed together. Yin Ji was initially flustered, but then took a deep breath and went to help Zhao Muyun and the others up.
"Alas, gentlemen, what... what am I to do?"
"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. I urge Your Majesty to prepare for your ascension to the throne," Zhao Muyun said sincerely.
"Please don't refuse, Your Majesty!" Zhou Hong, Pei Lun, and Fan Nan hurriedly said.
"Where do you think you're placing me?" Yinji shook his head resolutely. "All of you, step back!"
After saying that, Yinji turned his back and ignored the four people.
"We take our leave!"
Zhao Muyun cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, indicating that the three should leave the Prince of Jin's residence.
"Your Highness has matured! Minister Zhou, you have taught him well."
Once outside the hall, Zhao Muyun spoke calmly to Zhou Hong.
"Grand Commander, you..." Zhou Hong was unsure whether Zhao Muyun was praising or scolding him, and was completely confused.
"You are the Minister of Rites. Over the next three days, you will organize everyone to earnestly persuade His Majesty to ascend the throne."
"And what about you, Grand Commander?"
"The military situation is tense, and the Great Yin is in danger on all sides. I have other important matters to attend to." Zhao Muyun waved his hand.
His return will serve as a stabilizing force, but the actual implementation will certainly still be handled by these civil officials.
After saying that, he left the three people behind without looking back.
Outside the palace, the snow started falling again.
......
Back at the Grand Commander's Mansion, before he could even rest for a while, Li Si, who was guarding outside, came up to him and whispered, "Grand Commander, an envoy from Xiong Dayong, the military governor of Hebei, is requesting an audience outside the gate. He says he has a secret report to present."
“Xiong Dayong?” Zhao Muyun narrowed his eyes.
This man was originally a general of the Yin Dynasty, stationed in Zhao Prefecture. He later surrendered to Li Jingang and was appointed as the military governor of Hebei, guarding Ji Prefecture.
Wuzhu's invasion did not follow his route, which allowed him to preserve his strength.
What does it mean that he sent an envoy?
"Let him in." Zhao Muyun nodded.
"yes."
A moment later, a middle-aged man dressed in merchant's attire stood bowing. Upon seeing Zhao Muyun enter, he immediately knelt and said, "This humble man, Xiong Fu, greets Grand Commander Zhao!"
"Get up." Zhao Muyun sat down. "What brings you here, Military Governor Xiong?"
Xiong Fu stood up, took out a secret letter from his bosom, and presented it with both hands: "My lord has ordered me to personally deliver this letter to the Grand Commander."
Zhao Muyun opened the letter and read it carefully.
The contents of the letter made him raise an eyebrow.
In his letter, Xiong Dayong stated that his surrender to Li Jingang was out of necessity, but that he was actually loyal to the Great Yin Dynasty.
Now that Yin Zhao has passed away and the Prince of Jin is about to ascend the throne, he is willing to lead the Hebei army and people back to the Great Yin Dynasty, only asking Zhao Muyun to protect his life and property.
"What official position does your master desire?" Zhao Muyun asked calmly, putting down the letter.
Xiong Fu cautiously replied, "Master dares not ask for more. He only wishes to continue guarding Jizhou in Hebei and serving as a shield for the Great Yin. He will be eternally grateful and swear to serve you to the death."
They have quite an appetite.
The military governor was already a high-ranking and powerful official.
But if Hebei can be reclaimed without bloodshed, this deal is worthwhile.
"How can I believe that Governor Xiong is truly surrendering?" Zhao Muyun asked.
Xiong Fu, having anticipated this, produced another document: "These are copies of the Ji Province army's troop register and finance register. My master instructed me to present them together as a sign of sincerity. Furthermore..."
He lowered his voice: "The master also said that if the Grand Commander agrees, he can provide Li Jingang with a map of his troop deployment in Hebei, and... and at the appropriate time, turn against him."
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