After Wang Xiaohu captured Lai County, the surrounding rebel forces came to his side. Wang Xiaohu was doubly proud. He already had 5,000 soldiers and horses under his command, and he could be said to be able to roam freely throughout Shandong.
In Lai County Government Office, Wang Xiaohu and everyone else got drunk again.
Crazy Pan once again suggested that he rectify the military discipline, as some of his soldiers had looted shops today. Wang Xiaohu agreed vaguely, then swayed back to the backyard.
The servants in the backyard were busy cleaning Wang Xiaohu's dormitory like a revolving lantern, which was something they had never dared to think about before.
Wang Xiaohu, with a sword hanging from his waist, staggered back to his den.
Through his drunken eyes, he saw a maid carrying a washbasin and walking carefully towards his room, with an old maid beside her holding a towel.
Under the influence of alcohol, Wang Xiaohu's face turned red and he walked towards his room with a twisted step.
The servant next to him was finally startled and hurried over to help.
An old woman and the maid came over to support him. Wang Xiaohu looked the maid up and down: "You, what's your name?"
The maid came from the countryside, had rough hands and feet, and used to be Abe's servant.
"My name is Yinsuo'er."
"Yinsuoer? Hehe, Yinsuoer, this is a good name, a good one." Wang Xiaohu was completely drunk.
They finally reached the dormitory door. Suddenly, Wang Xiaohu picked up Yinsuoer and walked towards the room: "Come here, Yinsuoer. My mother said that people with big butts can have children. I see your butt is big and round, hehe, I want to give it a try, give it a try."
Yinsuo'er was horrified and screamed and struggled. An old maid nearby also stepped forward and grabbed her: "My king, she is your servant. You can't do this, you can't do this, my king."
Wang Xiaohu was furious. He put down the silver lock and drew the sword from his waist. With a "swish!", he killed the old woman.
"Ah! Murder!~" Yinsuoer screamed in fright.
"Bah!" Wang Xiaohu spat at the old woman's body: "How dare you disturb my interest!" Then he turned around, picked up Yinsuoer and walked into the house.
Yinsuo'er's muscles were tense, and she was already frightened out of her wits. Wang Xiaohu hugged her and threw her onto the bed, then pounced on her.
The next day, a mad woman appeared in the Lai County government office. She had disheveled hair and acted madly. She would shout to everyone she met, "Murder, murder, Your Majesty, murder!"
Zhao Ji ordered the troops from Huaixian and Dengzhou to attack Laixian. Instead of conquering Laixian, Huaixian and Dengzhou fell into the hands of Wang Xiaohu. Half of Shandong fell under Wang Xiaohu's control, and he commanded nearly 10,000 men.
Daojun Palace.
Upon hearing the news of the Shandong defeat, Zhao Ji flew into a rage: "What are you all doing? I've been supporting you, and you've been constantly claiming your loyalty to the Song Dynasty and to me. But the Huaixian troops collapsed at the first blow, and Dengzhou simply surrendered to the rebels. Can't you, my ministers, give me a break?"
A group of old ministers knelt down and pleaded guilty: "I am incompetent, I deserve to die!"
A white-haired old man stood up. He was Wang Guilin, the Minister of Rites during the reign of Emperor Huizong.
"Your Majesty, it's not that the soldiers on the front lines are unwilling to fight, it's simply that the enemy is so powerful that the generals are helpless."
"Your Majesty," said Jiang Dagang, the old minister in charge of the Right Servant, tremblingly, "The soldiers on the front lines have no pay and their morale is low. How can they possibly fight the bandits?"
Zhao Ji frowned slightly: "Didn't I tell you to go to the Ministry of Revenue to ask for it?"
Bai Shizhong stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Grand Emperor, the household name Meng Gu has been making excuses, claiming the treasury is empty. I suggest we not attack Lai County, but instead secure Dengzhou and Huai County first. Your Majesty is already on his way back to the capital, so we can make a decision after you return to the palace."
Meng Gurao was right. The garrison troops from Dengzhou and Huaixian were no match for this influx of refugees, but they were more than capable of defending their own territory. As long as Dengzhou and Huaixian remained stationary, Wang Xiaohu wouldn't have dared to invade either area. But Zhao Ji insisted on initiating an offensive, resulting in a crushing defeat.
Guo Jing, who had been sitting on a cushion in meditation, suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this Meng Gurao is arrogant. I think we must dampen the arrogance of this group of people and kill Zhan Yunpeng to make an example of them. This will prevent these disobedient officials from being disrespectful to Your Majesty again."
"Yes! Kill Zhan Yunpeng! Let them know that we are not to be trifled with."
"Master Guo is right, kill him!"
Zhao Ji was still hesitating.
Guo Jing hurriedly grabbed his arm and said, "Your Majesty, don't hesitate any longer. Kill Zhan Yunpeng to set an example for others! I am willing to do this!"
Zhao Ji finally nodded.
Zhao Huan's army returned triumphantly, arriving in Xiangzhou that day, not far from Bianjing. Zhao Huan was overwhelmed with excitement. He had recaptured the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, completing the legacy that even Taizu and Taizong had failed to achieve. From now on, the Song Dynasty was free from worry. Even more thrilling was his encounter with Nangong Lian'er. Ever since recaptured Ma Ji, the young woman had been incredibly gentle and obedient, a source of immense joy for Zhao Huan.
Xiangzhou had been devastated by the war during the previous Jin invasion. Zhao Huan, deeply alarmed, felt guilty for failing to protect the people of the Song Dynasty. He therefore decreed a three-year rent exemption for Xiangzhou.
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the whole of Xiangzhou was in an uproar. People rushed to tell each other, shouting "Long live the emperor!" along the way.
"The Emperor has come to our Xiangzhou! The Emperor has come to our Xiangzhou!"
"Yes, the Emperor personally ordered the Xiangzhou governor to exempt rent for three years."
"real?"
"Of course it's true. The government office has already posted a notice!"
"Go and see, go and see!"
The people of Xiangzhou gathered at the government office to read the notices issued by the government office. Most of them were illiterate, but they still crowded forward to read with great anticipation.
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