Go to Beijing Huining Prefecture.
Ren Yuguang, the chief military officer of the Imperial Guard, led four guards into the home of Juntugu Bahlie, the former secretary of the Jin Dynasty.
Bahriel was over fifty years old and was packing things up at home with his servants.
Ren Yugang kicked open the door and said, "Old man, you've been plundering the people's wealth and must have gained a lot of benefits. Hand over the gold, silver and jewelry quickly, or we'll raid your house!"
Bahriel said angrily: "His Majesty has already issued an order not to harass the old ministers of the old dynasty. How dare you, you, act so presumptuously."
Ren Yugang sneered, "You remnants of the previous dynasty, you're plundering and amassing wealth, yet you still dare to be so stubborn. I'm just doing justice for you. Yesterday, I saw you burning incense at your Taizu Temple. You're clearly planning a rebellion."
"Oh, sir. You can't wrongly accuse me. Yesterday was the anniversary of Taizu's death. What's wrong with me going to burn incense?" Bahlie hurriedly knelt down and begged for mercy.
Ren Yugang sneered: "Go to the government office and tell me if it's okay or not."
"Oh, sir, please spare me. I have old people above me and young children to take care of, and I really can't stand this torture." Bahlie was scared.
"I can spare you, but let's see how you show your respect to me." Ren Yuguang raised his head.
Bahriel understood. This meant he was asking for money. "How much does Lord Du Yuhou want?"
"This number." Ren Yuguang stretched out five fingers.
Bahriel was shocked: "Five hundred taels? Five hundred taels is five hundred taels. Come, quickly get five hundred taels of silver for this official."
Bahriel hurriedly ordered his servants.
With a loud slap, Ren Yugang slapped him: "Old man, you are treating beggars like this! Fifty thousand taels of silver, one cent less and I will send you to the prefect of Huining!"
Bahriel was horrified: "Sir, even if we sell my whole family, we still can't raise 50,000 taels of silver."
Ren Yugang grabbed him and said, "Old man, I don't care whether you can collect the money or not. In three days, I will come to get the silver. If you can't produce it, I will charge you with treason and throw you into the prison of Huining Prefecture."
Ren Yugang threw Bahriel to the ground and said to his four men, "Let's go!"
Several guards smashed Bahriel's house, throwing pots and pans all over the floor, kicked the door open and left. Bahriel sat down and burst into tears.
Shangjing Renzheng Hall.
"My dear ministers, the legacy left unfinished by Taizu and Taizong has finally been completed under my leadership. This is not my achievement, but the result of your bravery and sacrifice."
Zhao Huan first praised these generals and ministers, and he became more and more sophisticated and smooth.
"Your Majesty, you are too modest. This is all thanks to your Majesty's personal leadership."
"Your Majesty is so wise and powerful that even the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor Wu cannot surpass him."
Even Yue Fei, who never flattered his superiors, said: "Without your majesty's wisdom and bravery, our Song Dynasty would not be able to defeat the Jin people."
Zhao Huan smiled faintly. "My dear ministers, let's not flatter each other. Let's get down to business. I know all of you generals. Who wouldn't want to carve out a kingdom and become king? But I share the same concerns as Taizu. I know you are all loyal to me, but who knows if one day you'll wake up and find your subordinates crowning you king? That would be a very difficult time for us, our ruler and our subjects. How about I grant you fertile land and beautiful houses so you can live out your days in peace?"
The generals were shocked and looked at each other. Could it be that His Majesty wanted to give up the military power with a toast again?
When a minister's achievements are too great, he will become suspicious and die. These veteran generals on the battlefield all know this.
Zong Ze was the first to speak up: "Your Majesty, I am old and incompetent, and have long wanted to retire and return home. However, the world has surrendered and peace reigns. It is time for me to return home and enjoy my life."
Han Shizhong followed suit, saying, "Your Majesty, I want to go boating on West Lake with my wife and become a hermit."
Only Xia Dechao from Yue Fei's army stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I just want a few large houses. Wealth is easy to deal with, as long as I can have enough food and clothing."
Liang Zifan, Zhang Xian and others did not respond, and even Yue Fei remained silent.
Zhao Huan looked at Yue Fei and asked, "What do you think, General Yue?"
"I dare not agree with this." When Yue Fei said this, the generals were in an uproar. This meant that he did not want to give up his military power.
"Your Majesty," Yue Fei continued, "I only know how to fight wars everywhere, and I have no other strengths. It would be boring to fly back home and farm in retirement."
"Hahaha..." Zhao Huan laughed heartily. "Yue Wumu, Yue Wumu, only you dare to speak to me like this, and only I dare to use you like this! Let me tell you, I trust my people. You, Yue Fei, want to fight, don't you? I will station your Yue Family Army in the Northeast. Don't think this is a good thing. Although we have indeed destroyed the Great Jin, it is too early to say that peace will come to the world. After the destruction of the Jin, Mongolia will be our biggest threat."
Yue Fei's face lit up with excitement: "Your Majesty, I have the same thought. However, the Mongols have already entered Xixia. They claim to be providing support, but I'm afraid Xixia is just inviting a wolf into their house."
"Well," Zhao Huan stood up. "I have decided to deploy your Yue Family Army along the Heilongjiang and Linhuang lines. Can you endure this hardship?"
Yue Fei was overjoyed, and Liang Zifan and Zhang Xian were also overjoyed. Yue Fei said, "As long as there is a battle to be fought, I am willing to do so."
Zhao Huan nodded. He turned to Zong Ze and said, "Marshal, you are old and frail. I will not allow you to suffer in this cold northern land any longer. I wish to station your troops along the Lanzhou and Taiyuan lines to prevent the Mongols from posing a threat to the Song Dynasty if they occupy Western Xia."
Unexpectedly, Zong Ze shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, I really want to retire and return home. I had this thought when Your Majesty captured Shangjing."
"This..." Zhao Huan said reluctantly, "General, you are a talented general of the Song Dynasty. If you retire, who will lead these 100,000 Hebei troops?"
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