You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

Meanwhile, in the eastern part of Yingtian Prefecture, at the residence of Zhang Jun, the Deputy Privy Councilor.

The mansion was brightly lit, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

Inside the spacious hall, wine glasses clinked and laughter filled the air. Zhang Jun, dressed in a brocade robe, sat in the main seat, his face ruddy, stroking his beard as he admired the graceful dance of the dancers below.

On either side of him sat several officials and generals who were on good terms with him, all toasting and drinking, creating a lively atmosphere.

Since joining the Qin Prime Minister's side, he felt his position was secure, and tonight was the perfect time to celebrate with his cronies that "the great cause is about to be accomplished."

The Prime Minister of Qin has already laid a deep plan; the palace is likely already his for the taking.

Tomorrow at court, the scene will be quite different!

Zhang Jun was pleased with himself and raised his glass to invite everyone to drink together.

However, at this very moment...

boom!

With a deafening crash, the two heavy vermilion gates of the mansion were kicked open from the outside with tremendous force!

Wood chips flew everywhere, and the door latch broke!

The music in the hall stopped abruptly, the dancers screamed and scattered to hide, the guests stood up in shock, and the sound of cups and plates falling to the ground rang out loudly.

A large number of Imperial Guards soldiers, fully armored and wielding gleaming weapons, surged into the courtyard like a tide, instantly surrounding the hall with a murderous aura!

The leading general, dressed in the uniform of a commander-in-chief, with a stern face, was none other than Han Chang, a fierce general of the Palace Guard!

Zhang Jun was both shocked and furious. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting sharply, "Han Chang!"

"How dare you trespass on this official's residence?"

"Do you want to rebel?"

Han Chang, expressionless, stepped forward, took out a roll of yellow silk from his robes, and read it aloud in a cold voice, like the clash of iron:

"By order of His Majesty!"

"An investigation has revealed that Zhang Jun, the Deputy Privy Councilor, has formed cliques for personal gain, colluded with the traitor Qin Hui, and plotted treason. The evidence against him is irrefutable!"

"Immediately remove him from his official post, lock him up and imprison him, and hand him over to the authorities for strict interrogation! Seize his residence, and ensure that all those involved are not released!"

"So be it!"

"What?"

Zhang Junru was struck dumb, his face instantly turning ashen. He staggered back a step, knocking over the table behind him.

His Majesty?

How could His Majesty possibly issue an edict?

What about the Prime Minister of Qin?

What exactly happened in the palace?

The officials and generals at the banquet were terrified, some lying on the ground, their faces ashen, others trembling like leaves.

"No! Impossible! This is a forged imperial edict! I want to see Prime Minister Qin! I want to see His Majesty!" Zhang Jun cried out as if he were going mad, trying to struggle.

Han Chang snorted coldly and waved his hand: "Take them down! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

The fierce imperial guards swarmed forward, pinning Zhang Jun and his henchmen to the ground and binding them tightly.

Zhang Jun continued to curse and shout, when a soldier slammed a scabbard into his mouth, filling it with blood. He could no longer speak, only let out muffled moans, and was roughly dragged away.

The cries of the women in the mansion and the screams of the servants filled the air, turning the once lavish feast into a scene of utter devastation.

.....

At almost the same time, at the residence of Wan Qixie, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel

A similar scene unfolded simultaneously.

A large number of imperial guards broke down the gates and, after reading the imperial edict, ignored Wan Qixie's desperate cries of "injustice" and the wails of his family, arrested his entire family and sealed the mansion with cold seals.

......

Deep within the palace, outside a side hall temporarily used as a prison

The torches illuminated the courtyard as bright as day, but this only added to the eeriness of the place.

A palace guard commander stood in the courtyard, holding a list. Before him knelt a group of bound, pale-faced imperial guard officers, all of whom had been previously controlled by Liu Qi.

Sun Yi's gaze was cold as he scanned the list and began calling out names, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night:

"Zhao Zhe!"

"Wang De!"

"..."

Every time a name was called, two fierce soldiers would step forward, roughly drag the person out of the crowd, ignoring their cries or curses, and drag them to a brightly lit side room where agonizing screams could be heard.

Inside the side room, several people were already hanging from the makeshift rack.

Red-hot branding irons, water-soaked whips, and all sorts of bizarre instruments of torture were readily available. Several seasoned executioners were busy at work, their faces expressionless.

"Speak! Who are Qin Hui's accomplices in the army?"

"Ah! I...I don't know!"

"Crack! Crack!" The wet leather whip lashed down hard, leaving a trail of blood and a heart-wrenching scream.

"Ah! Spare me! Spare me!"

Elsewhere, a red-hot branding iron was slowly pressed onto an officer's chest.

Sizzle—!

A stench of burning flesh instantly filled the air, accompanied by inhuman screams of agony.

"Do you remember? Who else is on the list?!"

"I...I'll talk! I'll talk!"

"It's...it's Li Gui, the elite captain of the Infantry Division! And...and..."

Screams, pleas for mercy, the clanging of torture instruments, and shouts of interrogation rose and fell, weaving together a terrifying symphony of midnight terror that echoed over the palace, sending chills down one's spine.

The entire city of Yingtian was shrouded in a sudden yet long-planned bloodbath that night.

.......

The next morning, in the Imperial Study

As dawn broke, the gloom of the long night dissipated, and sunlight streamed through the window into the imperial study, but it could not completely dispel the heavy atmosphere inside.

The candlelight had gone out, but a faint, lingering smell of blood seemed to remain in the air.

Liu Qi, still in his armor and with bloodshot eyes, strode into the imperial study, knelt on one knee, his voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion, yet brimming with barely suppressed excitement:

Liu Qi, still in his armor and with bloodshot eyes, strode into the imperial study, knelt on one knee, his voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion, yet brimming with barely suppressed excitement:

"Your Majesty! This humble general reports!"

Lu Zuo sat upright behind the imperial desk. Although he hadn't slept all night, his eyes were clear and showed no sign of fatigue. He nodded slightly: "Speak."

"As Your Majesty commands, a city-wide search was conducted from last night until this morning!"

Liu Qi took a deep breath and reported: "A total of seven officials of the third rank or above have been arrested in connection with the Qin Hui case, including ringleaders and accomplices."

"Nineteen officials of the fourth to fifth rank were implicated, along with forty-three officers and soldiers of the sixth rank and below, including military officers!"

"They have all been imprisoned in the imperial prison and are under strict guard!"

"A preliminary inventory of the confiscated assets." Liu Qi's voice rose a few decibels, filled with shock:

"The initial estimate of the value of silver, gold, pearls, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, land deeds, and house deeds in the residences of Zhang Jun, Wan Qixie, Zhao Zhe, Wang De, and other key rebel leaders alone... exceeds eight million taels!"

"Seizures of the residences of other officials involved in the case are still underway, and the amounts involved are likely to be even more staggering!"

"Furthermore, based on Qin Hui's confession and the results of overnight interrogation, a preliminary list has been compiled of military and political officials in various regions who had secret dealings with Qin Hui or were implicated with him, including the individuals involved..."

"No fewer than a hundred, spread across various routes in Jiangnan and along the Yangtze River defense zones!"

Even with Lu Zuo's temperament, his pupils contracted slightly and his heart was stirred when he heard the number "eight million taels" and the list of "no less than a hundred" people involved.

Eight million taels!

This is just the wealth of a few key figures!

Over the years, Qin Hui and his faction have amassed an astonishing fortune through embezzlement, extortion, and the sale of official positions!

The Song Dynasty's treasury was empty, and the border troops were repeatedly running out of food and supplies. If only this huge sum of money were available...

This should solve our immediate problem for at least three years!

Training troops, manufacturing armor, and purchasing military equipment can all be done at a leisurely pace!

And then there are the hundreds of cronies scattered throughout the government and the provinces...

That scoundrel Qin Hui has infiltrated his influence so deeply!

If it weren't for this swift and decisive action to eradicate the problem, given time, the Song Dynasty might have truly fallen under the Qin Dynasty's control!

Shocked, a surge of intense excitement welled up in Lu Zuo's heart.

This not only eliminated a major threat, but also secured a huge sum of money that could turn the tide of the nation and a golden opportunity to thoroughly cleanse the court and consolidate imperial power!

"good!"

Lu Zuo rose abruptly, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light: "General Liu, you've done a great job! This matter has been handled efficiently!"

He pondered for a moment, then ordered, "The confiscation of treasonous property shall be jointly accounted for and deposited into the treasury by the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Justice, and the Palace Guard. The accounts must be crystal clear!"

"Continue to interrogate those involved in the case rigorously, thoroughly investigate any remaining associates, and strive to eradicate evil completely!"

"I have ordered officials in various regions to be implicated, and have the Imperial City Guard and trusted local officials secretly monitor and gather evidence of their crimes. I want to see just how far these parasites have gnawed at the body of the Great Song Dynasty!"

"This humble general obeys the order!"

Liu Qi clasped his hands in a deep fist salute, accepted the order, and left.

……

Meanwhile, in the western part of the city, at the residence of Li Guang, Vice Minister of Rites

Li Guangnian, nearing fifty, with a gaunt face, was sitting in his study, staring intently at a copy of the Analects.

Although he was not a core member of Qin Hui's faction, he was marginalized by Qin Hui's party and was in a semi-idle state because of his upright character and repeated petitions against the peace talks.

The troop movements in the city last night and the faint sounds of battle made him uneasy, and he couldn't sleep all night.

Just then, the study door was flung open, and his old butler stumbled in, pale-faced and panting. Forgetting all formalities, he cried out urgently, "Master! Master! We...we've found out!"

Li Guang's heart tightened, and he put down his book: "Tell me slowly, what exactly happened in the city last night?"

The butler, panting heavily, stammered but couldn't hide his excitement: "Master! It's a palace coup!"

"That old traitor Qin Hui launched a coup in the palace last night, attempting to assassinate His Majesty!"

"What?!" Li Guang suddenly stood up, his expression changing drastically.

"But...but!"

The steward waved his hands excitedly: "His Majesty was prepared! Qin Hui's plot has been exposed, and he has been captured alive!"

"General Liu Qi is currently on imperial orders to conduct a city-wide manhunt for Qin Hui's accomplices!"

"Those treacherous officials, Zhang Jun and Wan Qixie, had their homes raided and were imprisoned last night!"

"The Imperial Guards spent all night arresting people; they were all Qin Hui's cronies!"

After hearing this, Li Guang froze on the spot like a clay or wooden sculpture. His expression changed rapidly, from shock to disbelief, then to ecstasy, and finally to tears streaming down his face.

Qin Hui...has fallen?

That ruthless villain who held immense power, formed cliques, and championed peace talks... has finally fallen?

Heaven has eyes!

Heaven has eyes!

He suddenly grabbed the butler's arm, his voice trembling with excitement: "The news...is the news reliable?!"

"Absolutely true!"

"My lord! The news has spread throughout the entire city!"

"The Imperial Guards are still arresting people! Just now, a troop of soldiers went past the street outside our mansion, escorting Chen, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!" The steward was also moved to tears.

Li Guangsong released his grip, staggered two steps, and exhaled a long breath of pent-up frustration.

"Heaven blesses the Great Song! His Majesty is wise!"

"With the treacherous officials eliminated, the nation can prosper! The nation can indeed prosper!"

……

Meanwhile, in Jiangbei, Huangtiandang waters

The Yangtze River surges mightily, its turbid currents rolling on. Before dawn, a thin mist shrouds the river, yet a chilling atmosphere already rises to the heavens.

The Jin army commander-in-chief, Wanyan Zongbi, stood at the bow of a huge multi-storied ship, his face ashen.

The ship was full of elite Jin soldiers, fully armored and armed with bows and swords. They looked at the wide river with both wariness of the unknown waters and a desire to plunder southward.

However, just as the Jin fleet reached the middle of the river, and its formation lengthened slightly due to the difference in water flow and ship speed...

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, deafening war drums suddenly resounded from the southern water fortress! The drumbeats were rapid and heavy, carrying an air of resolute killing intent!

"They're here!"

On the ship, Wanyan Zongbi's pupils contracted, and he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

In the thin mist, countless long and slender Song warships, moving swiftly, surged out of the harbor and reed marshes like arrows released from a bow!

A large flag with the character "Han" and a fierce battle flag fluttered at the bow of the ship!

On the lead warship, Han Shizhong stood against the wind, his armor gleaming, his eyes sharp as lightning, and he suddenly waved the command flag in his hand forward!

"Release the arrows!"

Whoosh whoosh!

Like locusts swarming the sun, a dense rain of arrows, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, poured out from the Song army's warships, raining down on the Jin army's fleet!

"Raise your shields! Raise your shields now!" the Jin general shouted hoarsely.

Do do do!

Arrows rained down on the ship's planks and shields. Many Jin soldiers reacted too slowly and were riddled with arrows, falling into the river with screams, their blood instantly staining the water red.

"Don't panic! Archers, return fire! Get closer and board them!"

Wanyan Zongbi roared angrily, knowing that his side was at a disadvantage in the naval battle and that only close combat offered a glimmer of hope.

The Jin archers hastily released their arrows, but the Song warships were exceptionally agile. Under the command of Han Shizhong's flagship flag signals, they constantly changed formations, weaving and splitting, always maintaining a distance from the Jin ships, and using crossbows to inflict long-range damage.

The Song navy, having trained for many years, was well-coordinated and possessed excellent archery skills, far superior to the hastily assembled Jin navy.

Click!

A small Jin army boat that attempted to force its way in was struck in the middle by a larger Song army wagon. Wood chips flew everywhere, and the boat instantly disintegrated. The Jin soldiers on board fell into the water like dumplings, struggling and crying out in the turbulent river, and were soon swallowed by the whirlpool.

"Rockets! Target the enemy warships' masts!" Han Shizhong seized the opportunity and gave the order again.

laugh!

Hundreds of ignited rockets, trailing black smoke and tracing eerie arcs, hurtled toward the sails and wooden superstructures of the Jin army's main warships!

"Fire! Firefighting!"

Chaos erupted on the warship. The canvas ignited instantly, billowing thick smoke. Although the Jin soldiers fought desperately to extinguish the fire, their speed had been greatly reduced, and their formation became even more chaotic.

hateful!

That old scoundrel Han Shizhong, his military tactics are so cunning!

Wanyan Zongbi gritted his teeth, feeling both anxious and furious.

"General! Our vanguard has been cut off, the rear guard is overcrowded, and the formation is in disarray! Should we retreat temporarily?" A subordinate general, his face covered in soot, anxiously reported.

"Wandering the Heavens as a Tyrant, You Don't Understand My Happiness" is currently being serialized and is not to be missed!