Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Zhao Yuan sneered, "Do you still consider yourself a loyal minister?"

"Shouldn't he be praised?"

Li Gang said, "Whether it is loyalty or annihilation will be judged by public opinion."

Li Gang has a clear conscience.

"A clear conscience indeed,"

"The people of the north suffer from land reclamation,"

"Generations of accumulation were wiped out in a single day,"

"The people were displaced and starving to death were everywhere."

"The people of the South suffer from the burden of the tribute of rare stones and flowers,"

"In order to transport the precious stones,"

"Countless houses and graves of ordinary people were destroyed."

"Why don't you be loyal to them and offer your dying remonstrance?"

"Now this corrupt Song Dynasty is about to perish,"

"Yet you jump out and want to be loyal to the Song Dynasty."

"Can I interpret this as you being the protector of this corrupt Song Dynasty?"

Li Gang just felt that he had a clear conscience.

However, he blushed a little after being questioned by Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan laughed and said, "Since you are willing to die for this tyrant,"

"I will grant your wish and bestow upon you the title of 'vassal',"

"A tyrannical ruler and his corrupt ministers are a perfect match."

"Alright, let's drag it out,"

"They will be executed together in five days."

Li Gang also began to realize the truth at this point.

It turns out he was never a truly loyal subject.

It was just a lingering attachment in my heart.

If he was truly loyal to the Song Dynasty,

So, regardless of whether it was for the sake of the Song Dynasty,

It's still for the people.

He should have died remonstrating much earlier.

Perhaps then they could still awaken Zhao Ji.

It changed the fate of the Song Dynasty.

Instead of waiting until the Song Dynasty fell to risk one's life to become a loyal minister.

Although it is not something an ordinary person could do to sacrifice their life to remonstrate,

However, what he is about to do is also something that not everyone can do.

The same death,

If he had remonstrated with Emperor Huizong of Song (Zhao Ji) when he had just begun to neglect state affairs, he would have

Perhaps it can awaken Zhao Ji.

That would be heavier than Mount Tai.

However, he died when the Song Dynasty fell.

But it was to no avail.

It can be said to be lighter than a feather.

The two guards watched as Zhao Yuan gave the order.

Without further hesitation,

They dragged Li Gang out directly.

Li Gang didn't shout anything more.

There was no struggle.

Chapter 1705 To Surrender or Not

Zhao Yuan looked at the civil and military officials in the main hall.

I lost interest completely.

Sitting on the dragon throne,

The Way is indifferent.

"I'll say it again, those who are willing to submit to my Great Liang, stand on the left."

"Those who want to perish with the Song Dynasty are on the right."

The voice just fell,

Several people then moved to the left side.

Zhao Yuan saw that the others were dawdling.

He said impatiently,

"I'll count to five, and drag all the ones still on the right out."

"one!"

Emperor Huizong was also looking at the officials below.

The salaries in the Song Dynasty were higher than those in any other dynasty.

The original intention was to improve the lives of officials.

That would reduce corruption and bribery among officials.

However, there were no corresponding severe sanctions.

Corruption among Song Dynasty officials

However, it was no less than that of the previous dynasty.

"two!"

"three!"

Zhao Yuan counted neither too fast nor too slow.

When the count reaches three,

The officials then swarmed to the left.

"Four!"

"five!"

After counting the five numbers,

Everyone went to the left.

When Emperor Huizong saw that all five of his civil and military officials had rebelled, he realized they were all defecting.

It was also a significant blow.

He looked at Su Yuanjing reproachfully.

In his view, Su Yuanjing was also a member of the upright officials in the court.

His favorite sycophants betrayed him.

He can understand.

But these clear streams,

They should at least put up a fight to the death.

Su Yuanjing saw the reproachful look in Zhao Ji's eyes.

All I could do was reply with a helpless emoji.

He was not afraid of death.

But it earned him the reputation of being a traitor.

It will also be engraved on a monument.

To be reviled by later generations

He was really scared.

Zhao Yuan glanced at everyone and said,

"Although you have all submitted,"

"But not everyone can become a subject of my Great Liang."

"If any of them are wicked,"

"They will still be held accountable once the truth is uncovered."

Some traitors originally thought that they could save their lives simply by changing their allegiance.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Yuan was still planning to settle scores later.

Those who hadn't done anything particularly bad thought Zhao Yuan had done a very good job in this regard.

He had begun to feel a degree of agreement with Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan also knew that he currently only controlled the palace.

To control Tokyo without bloodshed

The cooperation of these civil and military officials is also needed.

Who commands the Imperial Guards of the capital?

The newly appointed Commander of the Palace Guards, Duan Chang

Trembling, he stepped forward into the line.

"Your Majesty, this humble man is Duan Chang,"

"He has just taken over the position of Gao Kan and is in charge of the Imperial Guards."

Zhao Yuan pointed to someone at random.

"Did he ever abuse his power or disregard human life during this period?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Chang's expression changed drastically in fright.

He looked nervously at the person Zhao Yuan was pointing at.

The man hurriedly said, "Lord Duan, please be careful."

“I have never heard of him committing any evil deeds.”

Zhao Yuan then pointed to another person and said,

"And you, have you heard of any of his bad deeds?"

This time, the person being pointed at was Zhang Bangchang.

Zhang Bangchang thought hard for a moment, then said ingratiatingly,

“I’ve never heard of him doing anything bad,”

"However, when he was the Grand Commandant of the Infantry,"