Chapter 69 Anyone who dares to cross the white flag will be beheaded!
Purple Palace.
Yuwen Xuzhong's recitation was deafening. For thousands of years, there had been emperors who spoke for the people, but he was the only emperor who was so sincere and gave the title of heroes to all the unknown people who sacrificed their lives for the country, and erected a monument to commemorate them.
No one suspected that Zhao Huan was putting on a show because it was not cost-effective.
With this inscription, there is no need for Yu Wenxuzhong to explain anything in detail. The two words "love the people" are enough.
Among the civil servants, many people secretly wrung their hands until they bled, hating themselves for not taking a closer look at the inscription. Otherwise, it would not be Yuwen Xu Zhong's turn to be in the limelight.
Li Gang and others felt a little complicated. Deep down, they were unwilling to let the Jin soldiers leave peacefully. There were more than 30,000 Jin soldiers. When 15,000 of them crossed the Yellow River, they could take the opportunity to start a war and pay the price of tens of thousands of people. In this way, they would have a chance to cripple or even wipe out Wanyan Zongmou's army.
The unconditional surrender of the Jin Dynasty was a rare victory for the Song Dynasty in decades. Your Majesty, considering the people, was unwilling to exchange the lives of the Song Dynasty soldiers for the lives of Wanyan Zonghan's troops. No one can say that Your Majesty was wrong.
Zhao Huan coughed lightly, and the court became quiet instantly. At that moment, he was very intimidating in the court.
"Li Gang, I know you have some grudges in your hearts. I believe this is a rare opportunity. It is worth sacrificing the lives of tens of thousands of people in exchange for the peace of the Song Dynasty for the next five to ten years."
"It's not that my pro-war stance has changed, it's my strategy. It's undeniable that after conquering Liao, the Jin Kingdom has become an equal to the Song Dynasty. Even if Wanyan Zongwang's army is completely annihilated, it will only cause pain to the Jin Kingdom, and will not cause any damage to its foundation."
"It can be predicted that in the next ten years, Song and Jin will be in a more confrontational phase, shifting from a simple military confrontation to a comprehensive confrontation in terms of politics, economy, military, and culture."
"This is our Song Dynasty's advantage. I've thought about it, and the longer we wait, the better it will be for our Song Dynasty. We can pay a lower price to deal with the Jin Kingdom. As the old saying goes, a gentleman's revenge is never too late. Revenge between countries, on the other hand, does not need to be rushed."
"The most urgent task is to choose the right strategy for governing the country, manage government affairs well, replenish warehouses, boost morale, prepare weapons, enforce strict military discipline, and strengthen national strength."
Your Majesty has said this, and the ministers have nothing to say. Your Majesty is wise and sage, and even when he is not mad, he still has the aura of a wise ruler. If he continues to be healthy, there is hope for a revival.
"Since everyone agrees, then let's do it. The defense line of Bianliang City must be strictly guarded and no laxity can be allowed. After the Jin soldiers have withdrawn a hundred miles, send spies out of the city to monitor."
"Raise a large flag for me ten miles from the Yellow River. Any Song army member who crosses the white flag will be executed!"
"The Zhu family army's 5,000 vanguard troops can be led into the city. Zhu Xiaosun and his two generals, Guan Sheng with the Great Sword and Hu Yanzhuo with the Double Whips, will both be rewarded. The Ministry of Rites will come up with a plan, and I will personally congratulate them on their triumphant return."
"Since I ascended the throne, the situation has been tense. I have never issued a general amnesty, but I will do it this time as well. As long as you haven't committed the serious crimes of rebellion or bribery, all will be released."
"One more thing." Zhao Huan pointed at the purple-robed officials below him. "We've dealt with too many officials. The court is almost unable to function normally. Anyone who has performed well in the past two weeks will have a chance. The Ministry of Personnel must no longer act recklessly. The appointment, dismissal, promotion, and demotion of officials must be handled according to procedures."
"Zhao Ding is a man of great talent. I have promoted him to the position of Doctor of the Ministry of Personnel. I will appoint him to another position in the future. Minister Wang, you must take good care of him for me."
"There's another piece of good news. When I was thirty, I told you that overtime work will be paid, and holidays will be triple pay. I will give it to you all when I pay you next month's salary."
Zhao Huan announced many decisions in one breath, and the ministers below were all smiling happily. They were all good news. After being busy for so many days, they could finally take a break.
Among the court officials, someone was calculating how much private money he could get. There were too few good bosses like His Majesty who would always leave money for distribution, and he couldn't help but burst into tears.
Since there is nothing to report, the court will naturally be dismissed.
Those who should return to the Council of State should return to the Council of State, those who should leave the palace and return to the government office should return to the government office, and those who should return to the Funing Palace should return to the Funing Palace.
Li Gang dragged Yuwen Xuzhong out of the Purple Palace. Wu Min, Mei Zhili and others followed closely behind. There were bursts of laughter from the civil servants behind them. Yuwen Xuzhong, the scum among the civil servants, who was good at reading people's expressions and flattering others, deserved to receive some retribution.
"Uncle Tong, next time you have any news, please let me know in advance. It's very embarrassing for me to be in the court. We are still in the same group, right? I still feel a dull pain from the news you sent me."
Yuwen Xuzhong quickly apologized, "Bo Ji, I really improvised today. If I hadn't happened to see the inscription on the Monument to the Unknown Heroes this morning, I wouldn't have dared to speak so recklessly."
"Bo Ji, you have to think about it this way. If I jump out, it's better than those civil servants jumping out. We are so familiar with each other, I will definitely be gentle, right? Look, I didn't say a word about your bad behavior in the court."
"Shutong, you're such a powerful talker! I can't argue with you. By the way, isn't Yuan Zhen serving as the local county magistrate? When did he come to Bianliang City?"
Yuwen Xuzhong said, "Of course I recommended him to the emperor. He arrived in Bianliang the day before the Jin army arrived, and only yesterday did he get the opportunity to see the emperor in the palace. His Majesty's change of mind must have something to do with him. Why don't we go talk to him?"
"That's exactly what I meant. I've heard of Yuan Zhen's talent many years ago, and today we want to have a good chat."
"Where does Yuan Zhen live? Your house?"
"No, he's stubborn and doesn't like staying in other people's homes. I heard it's in an inn in Fanfang. It has a long name, something like "Golden Man is Worth More Than Bull Lord Inn," or simply "Golden Bull Inn" for short.
"I know this shop. I heard it has some connection with Niu Gao. It seems Yue Fei and his companions also lived there. It's a good idea for us to go and take a look. Every generation has its own talented people."
"Why don't we go together?"
Suddenly, several officials from the civil service team appeared behind the group. They had always been neutral and had done their job seriously.
A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier, and a civil servant who doesn't want to climb the ladder is not a good civil servant. Your Majesty advocates fairness, and they feel they have a chance and are taking action on their own initiative.
The new official in the Ministry of Personnel, Zhao Ding, is very important. I have to interview him.
Li Gang, Mei Zhili, Wu Min, and Yuwen Xuzhong are all rising stars of the future. Even if it is not a timely help, it is still too early to add icing on the cake if they join their team now.
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