After reading Lin Jinfeng's intelligence report on Hebei, Zhao Huan became even more certain that the instigators behind the rebellion in Hebei were those stagnant and persistent aristocratic families.
Zhao Huan paced back and forth in the imperial study, in front of him hung a map of the area north of the Yellow River, including Jingdong Road, Hebei Road, Hedong Road, Yongxingjun Road, Qinfeng Road, and even Huanqing Road, Jingyuan Road, Longyou Protectorate, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.
It can be said that the entire territory north of the Yellow River in the Song Dynasty was within this area.
Li Gang and Zhong Shidao stood to one side.
Before long, a young eunuch came to announce that Zong Ze and Yue Fei were requesting an audience.
"Send it quickly!"
When Zong Ze and Yue Fei returned this time, Zhao Huan did not make a big fuss to welcome them.
These are extraordinary times. Yue Fei is Zhao Huan's sharpest sword, so we should keep a low profile for now.
During his year in the Southwest, Zong Ze aged considerably, his face became more wrinkled, and his hair and beard turned completely white.
But he still looked upright, with bright eyes, exuding an aura of unwavering composure even in the face of a collapsing mountain.
Yue Fei, on the other hand, was tanned dark, had rough skin, and had lost a lot of weight.
But his gaze was deeper and more composed.
The war in the southwest also tempered him and made him more mature.
He already had very obvious military characteristics; standing there, he was like a long spear that never bent over.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
With Zong Ze and Yue Fei back, Zhao Huan felt much more at ease.
Life is never smooth sailing. Whether you are a beggar on the street or an emperor in the heavens, there will be obstacles in your path to achieve your goals.
Zhao Huan was prepared; the rise of an empire would not be so easy.
But Zhao Huan firmly believed that the Chinese nation, which has suffered many disasters, is not lacking in resilience, which is one of the nation's greatest strengths.
"Please, gentlemen, do not stand on ceremony."
“You have suffered a lot in the past year or so, and I feel guilty.”
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Next, Zong Ze reported on all matters in the southwest and the situation in Jiaozhou. Zhao Huan listened patiently, occasionally sighing, "I have obtained Zong Ze as Li Shimin has obtained Wang Xuance!"
He jokingly said to Yue Fei, "If Ninth Sister saw you like this, she would definitely blame me!"
Yue Fei replied, "Your Majesty is joking."
Zhao Huan suddenly frowned and said solemnly, "I have urgently summoned you two back to the capital because I have important military and national affairs to entrust to you two ministers."
Zong Ze and Yue Fei immediately bowed deeply: "We are willing to serve Your Majesty with our lives!"
"The rebellion in Hebei has been quelled by Qin Hui and Han Shizhong, but an even larger uprising is brewing in Hedong. I now need the Grand Secretary to go to Taiyuan City in Hedong immediately to prevent any unrest in Taiyuan!"
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly not fail in my mission!"
"The Central Army has now expanded to 50,000. Han Shizhong has led 10,000, leaving 40,000. Zong Gong can lead 20,000 troops north. Zong Gong needs to arrive as soon as possible. Wang Bing is still in Taiyuan and can join Zong Gong."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"The rebels are currently operating in the shadows, while we are in the open. Your Excellency has no need to worry. The Imperial Guard of Taiyuan City will fully cooperate with you. Those who should be killed will be killed, and those who should be beheaded will be beheaded!"
Zhao Huan then said, "Yue Fei, I hereby order you to lead the Divine Martial Army to Qin Feng Road immediately. If there is any change in the border defense, you have the authority to execute first and report later!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Gang, standing to one side, said, "Your Majesty, there has been no change in the situation in Hedong and the Northwest. The enemy is in the dark, while we are in the light. I believe we should investigate first before taking any action."
Zhao Huan said, "No need. I already have the list. You only need to go to Taiyuan City. Huangfu Chen, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial City Guard of Hedong, will give you the list. I will also send Liu Yanzong to assist you."
Zhao Huan knew that although Zong Ze was a soldier, he was not the kind of ruthless warlord.
Zong Ze's main purpose in going to Taiyuan was to intimidate and prevent rebellion, while Liu Yanzong's trip was to carry out a major purge.
Liu Yanzong is better at this.
As a surrendered official, he was even more willing to do such shameless things that would provoke public outrage.
In the Northwest, there is Wang Kui'an, who will assist Yue Fei and Wu Jie in committing murder.
Zong Ze and Yue Fei each received their missions. Li Gang had already made ample military preparations for them, and the two quickly led their troops and set off.
Zhong Shidao waited by the side, as the emperor frequently consulted with him on matters of state and military affairs at this crucial moment.
"Minister Zhong, please go back and rest. We will discuss the strategy for attacking Xia again tomorrow."
"This old minister takes his leave."
Zhong Shidao also left, and the emperor sat back down at his desk, rubbing his temples.
Zhao Huan was not worried; it was just a matter of killing someone.
On the contrary, he felt a little excited. If this was the case, he would have another chance to kill a batch of people, and eliminate all those who were hiding below, those who were dissatisfied with him, and those he could catch.
What are you worried about?
This is absolutely fantastic news!
I was just wondering where to find these traitors. You see, they are all masters of acting, pretending to be even more loyal and patriotic than Fan Zhongyan.
You'll have a hard time catching them!
But things are different now.
Holy crap!
I have every excuse to carry out an even larger-scale purge.
Zhao Huan was thinking this with great excitement, but some people thought differently.
Inside a dilapidated little house in Zhongshan City.
A middle-aged man sat at the table drinking. He had deep eyes that shone with wisdom.
He smiled slightly and said, "The dog emperor must be furious right now!"
Across from him sat a young man who looked very ordinary, the kind of person who would be completely unrecognizable in a crowd.
His voice was very ordinary, like that of young people chatting while working in the fields at the edge of the village.
Do you think the dog emperor might find out?
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