You have truly caused me great suffering!

In Jinling, the Chonghuixuan Restaurant boasts flying eaves and arched beams from the outside, while its interior is furnished in a simple and elegant style.

Those who come here for drinks are all people with good taste.

The distinguished guest in today's private room is someone the innkeeper admires, and he had been instructed long ago not to charge him.

However, the restaurant staff still enjoyed serving this table of guests because he was truly generous. Although he didn't spend any money, his tips were often enough to cover the cost of a whole banquet.

Many courtesans and courtesans also volunteered to accompany the guests for drinks.

Inside the private room, Emperor Huizong savored a pot of warm, aged Shaoxing wine, finding great pleasure in the moment.

Although it is hard to admit, after Chen Shao's Great Jing replaced his Great Song, the quality of many forms of eating, drinking, and entertainment among the common people improved significantly.

Especially this winemaking.

Brewing involves fermenting grains, and only when people are extremely wealthy will there be a continuous stream of people dedicated to the research and development of brewing.

Otherwise, if only a few wealthy and powerful families were involved in this kind of thing, how could the technology possibly improve?

No matter what the technology is, it will only make rapid progress when it becomes something that the general public participates in.

During the prosperous Jianwu era of the Great Jing Dynasty, when the people had an abundance of grain, all kinds of fine wines emerged one after another.

Emperor Huizong was a seasoned gourmand; after just one sip, he could offer a few insightful criticisms, most of which were quite pertinent.

If the master brewer were here, he would probably be utterly impressed.

This is also why Emperor Huizong of Song was not short of money; a few casual remarks from him could be invaluable guidance to many people.

"This wine is a bit mellow, but it has a rich aroma and is no less than a fine wine from the North. Cousin Ren, let's drink a cup together."

"Huh? Oh." Although Wang Kai raised his glass to drink with him, he sat there somewhat uneasy, unlike his usual relaxed self.

Because he heard that Japan had been completely destroyed and the imperial court was going to present a victory report, he was afraid of being dragged away and becoming an exhibit.

He stood there for the people of Jinling to see, to let them know how powerful the Great View was.

This is the last thing Wang Kai wants to do.

He was targeted when the Western Liao was destroyed last time, but fortunately Emperor Jing, Chen Shao, didn't care much about these things.

But the officials in Dajing liked it.

“Brother Ren, why not be more at ease? You can’t change the things in this world, so just accept them calmly. Is there anyone more disappointed than me? Look at me, I’ve let go of them too.”

Emperor Huizong gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"How can I compare to my brother?"

Although Zhao Ji's family fortune was indeed larger than his own, his identity was also more sensitive, and he would not easily appear on important occasions in the Great Jing Dynasty.

Emperor Huizong sighed softly, put down his wine cup, and said, "The fallen flowers and flowing water mark the passing of spring."

"Still reciting poetry?" Someone lifted the curtain and came in, revealing Gao Siyuan, the eldest son of Gao Shunzhen of Dali.

Ever since all the scandals about his dream girl Mo Qingqing were exposed, he has become a laughing stock in the world of pleasure-seeking in Jinling.

Later, through an introduction, he met Zhao Ji (Emperor Huizong of Tang) and they quickly became like-minded and started hanging out together.

Gao Shunzhen has publicly asked celebrities to testify that she has expelled him from her home, thus completely severing ties with him.

Gao Siyuan also gave up on himself, spending his days indulging in pleasure and a life of debauchery.

Zhao Ji laughed heartily, but also felt a little scared. He might have really drunk too much to dare to utter such words.

After Gao Siyuan took his seat, he noticed that there was another rather quiet person at the table, who looked quite short.

Who is this?

"This is Prince Hirohito of Japan."

Hongren quickly nodded and smiled at him, but still didn't speak, afraid that the man would laugh at his accent.

Gao Siyuan smiled bitterly to himself. Well, what a coincidence.

We really are in the same boat.

These people have one thing in common: they are carefree and heartless.

After a few rounds of drinks and some singing and dancing, they became so intoxicated that they forgot everything else.

Hongren got up to relieve himself, and a short while later, he suddenly heard a scream from the courtyard.

Hirohito, a descendant of the Japanese Emperor, fell into a cesspool and drowned.

When Zhao Ji and his entourage arrived, they saw that the broken part of the wooden plank was very neat.

It was clearly sawed off by someone.

They were so frightened that their whole bodies tensed up, cold sweat poured down their backs, and they sobered up instantly.

Looking at Prince Hongren, not a single one of them dared to send his servants to rescue him.

Inside the Guangyuan Hall's office, a spy entered and delivered a secret report.

After reading it, Yang Yizhong nodded and had someone put it away and seal it in the register of Guangyuantang.

The army that had conquered Japan returned to the Central Plains and was resting in the southern suburbs of Guazhou.

Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River, it is only one tidal (about 30 to 40 li) from Nanjing by waterway, and can be reached by fast boat in half a day.

It was once the site of the Jiankang Prefecture's river defense army and the Sishui Village.

The fact that there were very few prisoners during this surrender shows just how fierce the fighting was.

Those who surrendered were mostly powerful clansmen from Kansai; the further east they went, the more stubborn they became.

Meanwhile, the powerful clans of Kansai were almost entirely wiped out by mobs in the early days, with only a fraction of them surviving.

In the end, they could only find a few distant relatives of the Fujiwara family, which could be considered as capturing members of the Kanpaku family.

As for the imperial lineage, they were all wiped out long ago. They were arrested and killed one by one, in accordance with the "Records of Imperial Succession".

Ninety percent of the credit goes to the mob, and the remaining ten percent is due to Jing Jun's personal actions.

There was once a member of the royal family who admired Zhao Ji and followed him back to the Central Plains, thinking he had escaped a calamity.

As a result, Yang Yizhong sent people to kill him.

Inside Guangyuan Hall, he inquired about all the decrees issued by Chen Shao.

I clearly heard people say that His Majesty has said more than once that the overseas family with an unbroken lineage for ten thousand generations will be completely wiped out.

Annihilation is annihilation; how can there be even one survivor?

Therefore, on the eve of presenting the victory, he had to fulfill this 'divine will'.

If His Majesty were to ask, Yang Yizhong would naturally report the truth, but if His Majesty did not ask, he would not speak.

Let this kind of mystery remain hidden in the archives forever, waiting for future generations who are interested to unravel it.
-
The troops waiting to present the prisoners at the Guazhou ferry crossing had been fighting in Japan for five years.

Over the past five years, they have made a fortune.

But who wouldn't want to return home in glory?

They were originally a garrison in Goryeo, but after the Fujiwara clan and Toba declared war on Daekye, they were ordered to go to Japan.

These past few days in the camp, looking at the boats on the river, everyone marveled at the prosperity of the city.

The area around the main scenic spot and the area outside it are now completely different.

Almost everyone was looking forward to coming back, and thankfully that wish is about to come true.

This Goryeo garrison was a naval force recruited by Qu Duan in Shandong years ago, and can be considered the old core of the Chenghai Navy.

Qu Duan crossed the sea to capture Guo Yaoshi, bringing with him his own troops from the northwest, while leaving the navy in Goryeo.

Later, after they conquered Liaodong, most of Qu Duan's subordinates were enfeoffed in Liaodong and Youyan, as well as Shangjing and Zhongjing Prefectures of the Liao and Jin dynasties.

These Goryeo troops, after serving in Goryeo for a period of time, went to fight the war to conquer Japan.

Their home was not far from Japan and Korea, and they regularly corresponded with each other.

If this victory presentation goes smoothly, they can return to Dengzhou, Laizhou, Qingzhou, and Mizhou in Shandong. At this moment, they are eager to go home.

At the riverside fortress, a few soldiers sat on the sluice gate, watching the afterglow of the setting sun in the distance and the sails of countless merchant ships unfurled.

"It's so nice, the people here must be so happy," said Zhang Wu, a soldier, as he lay half-reclined on the gate.

Beside him, an older soldier held a bamboo flute, but did not play it. He said slowly, "I heard that the generals have gone to Jinling. I wonder what benefits they can bring us."

“Our Lord came from the Dingnan Army, and going back further, he was the Duke of England and King Xun. Having someone in the court makes things easier, so he must be quite capable.”

Most of the soldiers in the camp were relatively optimistic because Li Yanqi's background was indeed very strong.

How tough was he? Let's put it this way: back when Chen Shao was guarding Richard in Hengshan, Richard was right beside Chen Shao.

If it weren't for the fact that the troops hadn't left Nuanquan Peak and that during the division of forces in Shuozhou, he had followed Qu Duan instead of Zhu Lingling.

This caused them to miss the war between the Manchus and the Jin army.

At this point, he had most likely already been granted the title of Marquis.

“The clouds in our Great Jing are whiter than those in the Japanese land,” Zhang Wu said with a smile, then spat out the grass stalk in his mouth.

A prosperous society brings great happiness to its people.

When these troops were stationed there, it was during the time when the Song Dynasty was exploiting the northern peasants the most, and Shandong was constantly invaded by the Liao and Jin dynasties, which the Song Dynasty was powerless to manage.

Now that these years have passed, when they return to their hometown, they are even more surprised, as if it were a different world.

What Chen Shao brought to the Great Jing was never just boundless territory and immense glory.

There was also coal, cotton, grain, salt, and tea.
These things are rapidly becoming popular among the general public.

The Yellow River has become clearer and floods have been greatly reduced due to the ban on logging and years of investment in river management.

These used to be deadly.

In the camp, everyone was full of hope. Based on past experience, they would be properly settled after returning to their hometowns.

The best is yet to come.

As for future battles, they are probably no longer relevant to them, unless the generals in the camp have the opportunity to continue their expeditions.

The Great Jing was full of martial spirit, and the newly recruited good soldiers were all sharpening their swords, ready to serve the country.
-
In the Imperial City, at the Funing Palace.

Chen Shao looked at Li Yanqi and Liu Mao.

Of the three generals who led the expedition to Japan, only Zhao Sui remained to guard the island; the others all returned.

Chen Shao was very polite and greeted them with a smile, asking them to offer him a seat.

Li Yanqi was stunned. How was the emperor on the dragon throne any different from the one in Yuanbaozhai more than ten years ago?
If there is any difference, it is that he is younger and has a more dignified demeanor.

I remember back then, when it rained heavily in Hengshan, their greatest pleasure while soaking in the water was to defeat the Western bandits every day and listen to Commander Chen tell them dirty jokes.

Li Yanqi's favorite story was about a wealthy local man who sold medicine in Qinghe County, Shandong Province.

Commander Chen recounted the story so vividly that they all believed it to be true.
I heard that Han Shizhong, that lecherous scoundrel, even sent people to Qinghe County to look for him.

"We, your subjects, are already showing signs of old age, while Your Majesty's appearance remains unchanged. Is he truly the destined ruler to reign for eternity?"

The two of them lowered their heads and discussed in hushed tones.

What are you two whispering about?

Chen Shao asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty's countenance is even more radiant than before; you truly deserve to be called the Mandate of Heaven!"

Chen Shao took it as flattery.

Sitting on the dragon throne, one is never short of praise.

Let alone Chen Shao, even a foolish and incompetent ruler like Zhao Ji, who accomplished nothing, couldn't resist flattery.

Even if some ministers spoke the truth, Chen Shao would just listen and have a laugh.

He looked at Li Yanqi, trying hard to recall what he looked like back then, but he couldn't remember anything at all.

Although Chen Shao was abandoned by Tong Guan in the battle at Hengshan, it was the most important battle for him.

The moment he held Hengshan, Liu Fa's defeated elite troops from Xihe Road had a new leader.

Wu Jie and his brothers, Qu Duan, and Li Yanqi were all Liu Fa's old subordinates.

Moreover, those who managed to escape from Western Xia during such a rout were no pushovers.

There were a great many people who supplemented Chen Shao's talents that time.

In the early days after the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen Shao often dreamed of Yuanbaozhai and Hengshan.

However, as he reigned for ten years, he had more and more things on his mind, and those glorious years gradually faded from his memory.

Some things, some people, I can't remember anymore.

All I remember is that it rained heavily on those days.

The Western bandits are rampant.

To this day, Chen Shao still doesn't understand what Tong Guan was thinking.

After ten years of commanding troops and pacifying the border, why force Liu Fa to go to war when the Western Xia was clearly going to be worn down?

There was no Chen Shao in history. This battle gave the Western Xia a much-needed respite, and the Song Dynasty forever lost the opportunity to destroy the Western Xia.

The Western Xia was different from the Liao Dynasty.

When the Liao Dynasty rose to power and became the dominant power, the Song Dynasty didn't even exist yet.

By the end of the Tang Dynasty, they were the top power in the north.

The Western Xia, on the other hand, was the most powerful force in the northwest.

When the Song Dynasty was strong, they took the initiative to surrender. Later, taking advantage of Zhao Er's failure to conquer Liao, they brazenly declared independence and became rebels against the Song Dynasty.

When the Song army first attacked the Western Xia, it was like crushing a chick. But the Western Xia had horses. When the Song army came, they ran away, and when the Song army left, they came out again.

In this way, they wore down and killed off a group of powerful elite imperial guards of the Song army.

Recalling the past, Chen Shao was filled with emotion and remained silent for a long time.

Fortunately, Li Yanqi and Liu Mao hadn't met the emperor much before, and they were so nervous that they completely lost track of time.

Chen Shao's daze gave them a moment to catch their breath and they gradually came to their senses.

The two men exchanged a glance, clearly taking it as the emperor's deliberate act to appease them.

In fact, Chen Shao was simply lost in thought.

He coughed lightly, bringing himself back to reality from his thoughts. "This eastern expedition has been truly arduous. I have always known about those Japanese, and I fully agree with the iron-fisted suppression by you, my dear ministers."

Li Yanqi and Liu Mao stood up again to express their gratitude.

Fighting for His Majesty is indeed a good thing, as long as you fight well on the front lines and don't cause any trouble.

His Majesty will think of everything for you, even more thoroughly than you would think of yourself.

Moreover, as long as you win battles and make contributions, His Majesty will absolutely not treat you unfairly.

If something goes wrong, he'll cover for you.

They were all military officers, and who wouldn't want to work under such an emperor, where they never had to worry too much when fighting?

All we need to do is fight.

Many of the generals of the Jing Army were honed in this environment. Without having to worry about anything else, they had more time and energy to study tactics and strategies, and weigh the pros and cons.

Their command capabilities are also getting stronger.

Chen Shao had always wanted to establish a military academy to train military officers and record the experiences and insights of the generals of the Great Jing Dynasty. (End of Chapter)