To be honest, Yao Gu's defeat was unexpected by Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan provided the best food supplies, the finest armor, and the best weapons of the era to the Yan-Yun war zone.
The Iron-Breaking Army was known as one of the most elite cavalry in the Yan-Yun War Zone, on par with the Jing-Sai Army, and even once challenged Yue Fei's Bei-Wei Army.
Zhao Huan carefully read through Yao Xiong's report of defeat.
One is Liu Bingyu, and the other is Li Shu.
These two people happen to be Yao Gu's confidants.
If it were just one troublemaker, that would be one thing, but Yao Gu has produced two in a row. Such an important position, yet he has appointed such unreliable people!
This is entirely Yao Gu's own problem.
Misjudging people and using them poorly!
Even if I gave you another 10,000 musketeers, you'd probably still squander it all!
It's such a pity about Yao Xiong!
Although this person still needs more training, he is still a formidable general!
Zhao Huan felt a pang of heartache.
Tie Pojun lost 30,000 in one go, and Yao Gu lost nearly 10,000 more later.
Of the 50,000 men in the entire Ironclad Army, 40,000 were lost!
A full 40,000!
Zhao Huan paced back and forth in the imperial study, growing increasingly displeased with each passing thought.
Duan Zhijie scurried into the imperial study, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
"How did Yao Gu handle this?"
The emperor said angrily.
Duan Zhijie was slightly startled. Just now in the court, the emperor was perfectly normal. How come he seemed like a completely different person as soon as he came down?
Duan Zhijie couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Serving a ruler is truly like serving a tiger!
A monarch's unpredictable temper is one of the most troublesome things.
Duan Zhijie hurriedly and cautiously said, "Yao Gu has committed a grave crime and should be dismissed from his military post and exiled to Lingnan!"
This is practically a capital offense.
Yao Gu was already old, and being exiled to Lingnan, he would certainly not escape death on the way.
Zhao Huan raised his eyelids, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.
Duan Zhijie felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, as if Mount Tai were pressing down on his shoulders.
"My 40,000 Ironclad Soldiers, every single one of them a fine man of the Song Dynasty, were killed so needlessly by him and exiled to Lingnan?" Zhao Huan's voice suddenly rose. "Is there such a good thing in the world?"
Duan Zhijie lowered his head and remained silent.
Zhao Huan took a deep breath: "Give me a white silk noose!"
"Your Majesty, Yao Pingzhong is still in the Northern Army, and the Yao family has been loyal and righteous for four generations. Killing Yao Gu will cause unrest among the people."
"Whose heart is in turmoil! Tell me, how many soldiers has Yao Gu lost in total?"
Duan Zhijie said, "Forty thousand Ironclad Soldiers, twenty thousand infantrymen, five thousand archers, and ten thousand supply trainmen were also killed or wounded."
"Tell me, how many families are behind this?" Zhao Huan said. "If Yao Gu dares to die on the battlefield, I will admire him as a true man!"
Duan Zhijie hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, I know my crime. I will take care of it immediately."
The officials from the Control Yuan hurriedly set off from Tokyo and headed north.
Yao Gu was placed under house arrest in Ruzhou at this time.
Five days later, Duan Zhijie arrived in Ruzhou.
The main force of the Song army was stationed in Ruzhou, guarding Juyong Pass, and the battle line was temporarily withdrawn.
Duan Zhijie's official position was Military Advisor of the Censorate, but he was also clearly a special envoy of the Emperor.
Everyone in Ruzhou knew what Duan Zhijie's purpose was in coming, but no one knew how Duan Zhijie would deal with Yao Gu.
The narrow road is flanked by lush green vegetation on the mountains. In June, it was already quite hot in the north.
Seeing the soldiers guarding the city walls, Duan Zhijie could feel the fortification of Ruzhou City.
When I met Master Zhong, this idea became even more firm.
The morale of the Song army was not lost due to Yao Gu's defeat. Under Zhong Shidao's strict military discipline, everything was running normally.
This is a powerful army capable of long-distance expeditions!
The sound of muskets reached his ears, and Duan Zhijie saw musketeers training in the drill ground ahead.
There were laborers and soldiers transporting grain on the streets, and occasionally some women could be seen passing by.
Duan Zhijie said, "These are His Majesty's original words. Marshal, I am only following orders to arrest people."
"I will obey Your Majesty's decree in all matters!"
Duan Zhijie felt relieved, but he was worried that Zhong Shidao would not allow him to take people.
As long as Master Zhong agrees, he will face no obstacles.
He was the Military Supervisor of the Control Yuan, and in principle, he was supposed to be in charge of keeping a close eye on the military.
However, Zhong Shidao was a special figure in the court. He was the marshal of the empire and, now, during the Northern Expedition, the supreme commander of the northern border. As long as the northern border of the Song Dynasty collapsed, no matter what happened, the emperor would not blame Zhong Shidao.
Offending him at this time is tantamount to courting death!
"Marshal is truly wise and righteous; I, Duan, am utterly impressed!"
"Lord Duan, you flatter me." Zhong Shidao sighed. The emperor wanted to execute Yao Gu, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow.
After all, he and Yao Gu were contemporaries. Both the Yao and Zhong families were prominent military families in the Song Dynasty. Although they had fought each other openly and secretly for the emperor's favor, they were ultimately comrades who had fought each other.
"I'll take my leave now." With that, Duan Zhijie left the Marshal's Mansion.
Almost the entire Ruzhou was focused on this matter.
Soon, Duan Zhijie announced Yao Gu's crime from the city wall. Afterward, Duan Zhijie went to the place where Yao Gu was being held under house arrest.
Duan Zhijie's expression turned cold: "Commander Yao, please continue on your way."
Yao Gu looked dazed, his entire spirit collapsed. When he saw the three-foot-long white silk ribbon, he paused for a moment, then burst into wild laughter.
Eighty years of fame and glory have all turned to dust and ashes.
Only then did he realize that worldly fame and fortune were nothing but fleeting clouds.
Even though he had made great contributions to the Song Dynasty, he still ended up being sentenced to death.
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