A long strip of red stretched across the east, meeting the black earth and the blue sky.
Swords, halberds, and piles of corpses, scattered across the plains, are reflected in the red glow of the east. Their chaotic outlines appear desolate and tragic, as if weaving together a picture of a living hell.
When the cool morning breeze blows, it stirs up a cloud of blood mist that can stain a person's entire body red.
The Jin army of over 100,000 collapsed and was annihilated here. Their heads were cut off and cast into a mound of skulls to display the emperor's majesty.
The saying goes, "When the emperor is angry, a million will die." Zhao Huan demonstrated this to the world through his actions.
After a day of rest, the Song army broke camp and returned to Shenzhou.
The emperor held a grand reward ceremony in Shenzhou, and the entire city could hear: "Long live the emperor! Long live the Song Dynasty!"
If Zhao Huan's new policies were the prelude to a great era, then the expansion of the territory beyond the Great Wall marked the beginning of that great era.
Only then did the dragon awaken, shedding its old, decaying scales and growing new purple-gold scales, radiating dazzling brilliance. It soared out from the lurking abyss and flew over the ancient land of China.
Those who attempted to put the dragon to sleep again have already paid a bloody price.
All obstacles that stand in the way of the dragon have either been cleared or are about to be cleared.
The dragon's power had already forced the barbarians of the northwest and northeast to grovel on the ground.
In Zhao Huan's own words: The Chinese people have always been dragons. In times of prosperity, the dragon's roar shakes the heavens, and barbarians from all directions prostrate themselves in worship. In times of chaos and weakness, the dragon falls from the sky, and countless heroes and men of unyielding spirit sacrifice themselves, transforming their bodies into dragon blood to rebuild the dragon veins of China. Each time the dragon is reborn, it grows stronger, more vibrant, and full of life, and the land of the East will usher in a new era.
Three days later, the emperor's army was on its way to the capital.
The mighty Song army stretched to the ends of the earth, its banners obscuring the sun, its swords forming mountains and its blades turning into forests.
Zhao Huan, positioned in the middle of the Imperial Guard, looked out over the capital city through the Thousand-Mile Gazette and muttered to himself, "I've finally arrived!"
I have spent ten years defeating the four powerful enemies of China, among whom the Jin were the strongest. Today, I will make the Jurchen royal family tremble at my feet.
Zhao Huan's expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of joy. He simply asked calmly, "When will we enter the city?"
Tang Ke, standing to one side, said, "Your Majesty, an envoy has just arrived ahead."
"Oh? An envoy? Who else in the Wanyan clan can be in charge in the capital?"
"He is Wanyan Qi, the son of Wanyan Zongwang."
The emperor's gaze shifted to Sima Junru, who bowed and said, "The visitor is indeed Wanyan Qi."
Sure enough, a group of people came galloping towards them, with Wanyan Qi at the very front.
Zhao Huan glanced at the dejected Wanyan Dan, whose eyes were swollen, and Wanyan Dan quickly said, "Your Majesty, this sinful subject has long known the enormity of his sins. Grateful for Your Majesty's grace, he has turned back from his misguided ways and returned to the court. As for Wanyan Qi, he only surrendered because he was at his wit's end. This sinful subject believes that Your Majesty should make an example of him and execute Wanyan Qi on the battlefield. Then, send troops to attack Shangjing. With Your Majesty's mighty army, Shangjing will surely be captured in less than half a day. Shangjing is a prosperous city, and Your Majesty can obtain countless pearls and treasures."
Zhao Huan merely glanced at him, remaining unmoved by his words.
Is the capital city bustling with activity?
You really are a country bumpkin ruler!
How could Zhao Huan, who single-handedly rebuilt the capital city of Tokyo, possibly take a small town in a remote area seriously?
If Tokyo is the Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Shenzhen of the 21st century, then Tokyo is at most a fourth-tier city.
Any major prefecture or central city in the Song Dynasty would be far more prosperous than the capital.
Zhao Huan was indeed very bloody and brutal in battle, and he often encouraged and indulged his generals to carry out massacres.
But such massacres were purposeful massacres, aimed at annihilating the enemy's manpower so that they could escape and return.
It was definitely not to vent my dissatisfaction.
Seemingly sensing the emperor's disdainful attitude, Wanyan Dan felt grief and indignation, but dared not show it in the slightest. He obediently huddled in the crowd, his appearance completely different from that of the emperors of the past.
Before long, Hu Yantong, the commander of the vanguard, rode over, dismounted, and trotted to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, please take a look at the letter from the Jurchen envoy."
Han Shizhong took the letter and was about to present it to the emperor, but the emperor did not take it and instead said, "Read it!"
Han Shizhong then opened the letter and read aloud: "Your Majesty, I, the guilty subject Wanyan Qi, kowtow to the Emperor. I was blinded by treacherous villains, and with my clouded eyes I saw the situation, distorting right and wrong, betraying the Emperor's heart and morality, which aroused the wrath of both gods and men. I deserve to die a thousand deaths. Now, moved by the Emperor's majesty and virtue, I have suddenly realized my mistake and am filled with remorse. I come here to plead guilty and beg for the Emperor's punishment."
A shitty surrender letter!
Zhao Huan couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Wanyan Qi was quite clever; with just a few words, he shifted the blame onto Wanyan Dan, Wanyan Chamu, and others.
While inwardly expressing disdain, one still had to outwardly give them some face.
After all, they came to surrender alone with several men.
If I don't even show this much magnanimity, who will dare to surrender in the future?
If everyone resists to the end, it will be a troublesome matter.
"Bring the person up!"
"yes!"
Before long, Wanyan Qi led a few people through the cleared path in the middle.
All their weapons had been removed, and they stood about six or seven meters away from the emperor.
Moreover, the emperor was surrounded by top-notch warriors.
"This sinful subject kneels before the Emperor!"
"stand up."
Wanyan Qi buried his head, not daring to move an inch: "This sinful subject knows his crimes are grave, and begs the Emperor to grant this sinful subject death!"
Zhao Huan, however, viewed Wanyan Qi with new respect, for he truly lived up to his reputation as the son of Wanyan Zongwang.
He was gambling, gambling that he wouldn't order his death.
This guy made the right bet; he can't die yet, at least not now.
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "I pardon you. Stand up and speak."
Wanyan Qi's voice seemed to be trembling with emotion as he said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Huan was puzzled. This guy didn't seem stupid. Back then, he was instigated by Sima Junru to kill Wanyan Zonghan's son, Wanyan Shema, for a woman. He really was a love-struck fool.
Unfortunately, the woman he was infatuated with was a member of the Imperial City Guard of the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Huan didn't pay much attention to these minor details; what he cared about was entering the capital.
He demanded that all the nobles and gentlemen of the capital come out of the city and wait respectfully on both sides to welcome him and the soldiers of the Song Dynasty with the utmost reverence.
"Is it just a few of you who came?"
"Your Majesty, the officials are already waiting outside the city to welcome the Emperor."
"Okay, is anyone who hasn't arrived yet?"
"Uh, well... there is..."
Before Wanyan Qi could finish speaking, Zhao Huan casually said, "All the nobles who haven't arrived, behead them on the spot and hang their heads at the city gate. This task is entrusted to you."
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