Yue Fei's rebellion was a bolt from the blue for Zhao Huan. How could this be possible? Whether it was historical records or his own understanding of him, Yue Fei did not seem like someone who would rebel.
"Cao Dongsheng, tell me clearly how Yue Fei rebelled?" Zhao Huan refused to believe it no matter what.
"It is absolutely true, Your Majesty. The soldiers from Juyongguan and Feihukou have sent troops to report that Yue Fei has rebelled. Now the Privy Council and the Ministry of War are in chaos. Your Majesty, please go to the palace to discuss countermeasures as soon as possible." Cao Dongsheng said anxiously.
Zhao Huan felt a chill in his heart. If the soldiers at Juyongguan said that Yue Fei had rebelled, he might not believe it. If the soldiers at Feihukou said that Yue Fei had rebelled, even if he really had rebelled, it would be a disaster.
Yue Fei was known as a god of war in this era. The Taiyuan army even only knew Yue Fei but not the emperor. If he wanted to rebel, even gods would be unable to defeat him.
"Return to the palace, Purple Palace! Gather all civil and military officials to discuss matters!"
…
In Ruzhou, Yue Fei and his generals were discussing matters in the military camp.
"General Yue, are you really determined to do this? This is treason." said General Xia Dechao.
Liang Zifan also tried to persuade him: "General Yue, you can eliminate future troubles by doing this. However, in Bianjing, the lord will always be suspicious of those who have great achievements. You also command a large number of troops, and I am afraid..."
Yue Fei sighed and said, "I am loyal to the heavens. If Your Majesty has any doubts, then let him be. I only want to have a clear conscience. As long as we can destroy the Jin Dynasty and suppress the Mongols, my personal honor and disgrace will not matter."
Qi Fang stood up and shouted angrily, "If the emperor is suspicious of General Yue, we should just rebel against him. We will wear the yellow robe and make General Yue the emperor!"
Qi Fang, the commander of the Liushou Division, originally belonged to the Zhong family army. After Zhong Hong destroyed the Zhong family army, Qi Fang joined Yue Fei and became the commander of the Liushou Division.
As soon as these words were spoken, the generals looked at each other, and no one dared to respond.
Yue Fei looked at Qi Fang coldly: "What did you say?"
Qi Fang knew he had flattered the wrong person: "I deserve to die. Please punish me, Commander Yue."
Yue Fei stared at Qi Fang intently: "Come here! Drag Qi Fang out and give him twenty military sticks!"
Two soldiers came over and tied Qi Fang up. Qi Fang's forehead was covered with sweat and he didn't dare to struggle.
Yue Fei looked at his generals and said, "If anyone in the army dares to say such treasonous words, he will be killed without mercy!"
Everyone clasped their fists and bowed: "I obey your command!"
Yue Fei pointed to the map on the table and said, "Wanyan Quanshi's 100,000-man army is on the Jin-Mongol front, Wanyan Zonghan is stationed in Shangjing Huining Prefecture, and Wanyan Gao's 20,000 cavalry are stationed in Guihua City to defend against the Western Xia army. Right now, the Jin capitals of Dading, Zhongjing, and Xingzhong are undoubtedly undermanned. These three areas are mountainous and unsuitable for Jin cavalry operations. More importantly, these three areas are strategically important. If we seize this opportunity to seize them, the gateway to the Jin capital Shangjing will be wide open. If the Song, Mongols, and Xia allies attack the Jin in the future, we can use this as a lever to attack the Jin capital, Dading!"
Xia Dechao was still worried: "General Yue, if we send troops without the order from the Privy Council, it would be tantamount to treason. I'm afraid His Majesty will become more suspicious of us. If His Majesty issues an order to convict us of treason, then..."
Yue Fei sighed: "I know how many battles we have lost due to leaks. If this is reported to Bian Jing and the Jin people learn of it, they will definitely send a large number of troops to guard these three places. If we wait for the Privy Council to issue an order, our chances will be gone."
Liang Zifan stamped his foot and said, "Master Yue, go ahead and tell us what you want to say!"
The other generals followed suit, saying, "Yes! Commander Yue, we all obey you. As long as we take over Dading, Zhongjing, and Xingzhong, we can do whatever we want!"
Yue Fei frowned and said, "Listen, my generals, this matter was done by me, Yue Fei, alone. It has nothing to do with you. If Your Majesty punishes you in the future, I, Yue Fei, will bear the responsibility alone."
"General Yue, when we send troops, we must pass through Juyongguan. The commander of Juyongguan, Sun Huatian, is a man from the Jingxi Army under Sun Wulai. How should this matter be resolved?" Liang Zifan asked.
Yue Fei pondered for a moment and said, "Tie them up and take away their weapons!"
Yue's army dispatched three armies, the Front Army, the Right Army, and the Beiwei Army, totaling more than 17,000 troops, to camp 20 miles outside Juyong Pass.
Former military commander Liang Zifan brought more than 20 people to the gate of Juyongguan.
"Tell Sun Huatian that Liang Zifan from Yue Family Army wants to see you." Liang Zifan stood at the foot of the city on horseback.
The defenders of Juyongguan hurriedly reported the incident, and soon the defender Sun Huatian arrived at the city wall.
"General Liang, what brings you here?" Sun Huatian said with a smile, clasping his fists.
Liang Zifan pointed at him and said, "Why, you didn't open the door to welcome an old friend? Are you trying to shut me out?"
Sun Huatian smiled and waved his hand: "Open the city gate!"
The city gate opened, and Liang Zifan rode into the city with more than 20 men. Sun Huatian hurried down the city wall to greet them.
"Old Sun, you've done a good job here. This pass is easy to defend but difficult to attack. It's really like one man guarding the pass against ten thousand." Liang Zifan said, looking around.
Sun Huatian smiled and said, "General Liang is teasing me again. Everyone knows that your Yue Family Army is well-equipped and deeply favored by His Majesty. And now that you have been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Front Army, you are even more powerful and impressive."
Liang Zifan was very proud. "That was all thanks to Marshal Yue's promotion and His Majesty's appreciation. I came here today. First, to catch up with you. We attacked the Sixteen Prefectures together, so we can be considered acquaintances. Second, I have a confidential matter to discuss with you in detail."
"Oh, please come in quickly." Upon hearing the confidential matter, Sun Huatian did not dare to delay and led Liang Zifan into the big tent.
Liang Zifan looked at the guards around him and said, "Withdraw all your men first."
Sun Huatian asked in confusion: "Why?"
Liang Zifan pointed at the twenty people behind him and said, "This is a secret, a military secret. It's extremely important. No one but you can know it. If even a word is leaked, you and I will lose our heads. These twenty people are my loyal followers. Let them watch from the sidelines while we discuss the details in the tent."
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