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

Wanyan Zongbi: "Pass on the order!"

"All ships, move closer to the central command! Form a circular defensive formation!"

"Infantry, prepare to fight to the death if enemy ships approach!"

However, would Han Shizhong give him a chance to catch his breath?

"Beat the drums! Charge!"

Han Shizhong saw the Jin army retreating, his eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he changed the command flag again!

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!

The rhythm of the war drums changed, becoming heavy and oppressive.

Like sharks that have received a signal, the Song warships launched a general attack on the shrinking Jin fleet from all directions!

This time, they didn't just fire from a distance; they charged straight at us fearlessly!

"Pull the racket!"

Boom!

The massive mallet, carrying immense force, slammed into the side of a Jin warship, sending wood chips flying, causing the ship to tilt violently, and river water to surge in!

"Hook it! Hook it!"

With long poles secured by iron hooks, the Song navy's boarding team, steel knives in their mouths, swung across the ropes like monkeys, engaging in a bloody boarding and hand-to-hand combat with the Jin soldiers on board!

Clang! Splatter! The sounds of clashing weapons, shouts of battle, and screams filled the air as every warship that boarded the other side of the ship instantly became a meat grinder!

The river water was stained even more crimson by the blood.

The Jin army was not accustomed to naval warfare. They could not stand steadily on the rocking boats, which greatly reduced their fighting capacity. Often, it took three or four men to withstand a single fierce Song soldier who boarded the ship.

Wanyan Zongbi's ship was also besieged by several Song warships. Rockets and crossbow bolts kept coming, and the ship caught fire in many places, resulting in heavy casualties among the soldiers.

We lost...

In naval warfare, my Great Jin Dynasty was ultimately no match for the Southerners!

Looking at the hellish scene before him, Wanyan Zongbi felt a chill run through him.

The plan to cross the river has completely failed. Now the only thought is how to withdraw as much of this precious army as possible back to the north bank!

"Order the rear guard to become the vanguard! Break through to the north bank at all costs!"

"retreat!"

"Retreat the entire army!"

Wanyan Zongbi's hoarse order to retreat shattered in the bloody river wind.

The remaining Jin ships, like a flock of startled ducks, struggled desperately toward the north bank, colliding and blocking each other in complete chaos.

Many ships, due to sharp turns or collisions, became sideways in the middle of the river, becoming easy targets for Song army crossbowmen.

The Jin soldiers who fell into the water struggled and cried out, grabbing onto any floating planks, but many more were quickly swallowed by the muddy river.

Some of the rearguard ships attempted to resist, but were quickly surrounded by several Song warships. They were attacked with batons, burned with rockets, and boarded and killed, and were quickly reduced to burning wreckage that slowly sank.

The river was littered with shipwrecks, floating corpses, and smears of blood; the horrific scene of the retreat terrified the Jin army watching from the north bank.

.....

On the south bank, aboard the Song army's flagship, the "Flying Tiger".

"withdraw troops."

Han Shizhong lowered the command flag in his hand and gave the order in a deep voice. His armor was stained with blood, and his face bore traces of soot. His gaze swept across the river as his own ships were regrouping and rescuing their comrades, and in the distance, the remnants of the Jin army were fleeing north in disarray.

The drumbeats ceased, the shouts of battle subsided, and only the sound of the river water lapping against the hull and the groans of wounded soldiers drifted on the wind.

"General, this battle was a great victory, with countless casualties, why do you still have a deep frown on your face?"

A clear female voice rang out from behind him. Han Shizhong turned around and saw his wife, Liang Hongyu, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit with a soft armor over it, carrying a bowl of hot soup as she approached.

She had also stayed up all night, assisting in the deployment of the rear guard. Although there was weariness between her brows, her eyes were clear and calm.

Han Shizhong took the bowl of soup but didn't drink it. Instead, he gazed at the endless, still massive Jin army camps on the north bank, despite their setbacks, and sighed, "Hongyu, looking at this battle, where did our army's victory lie?"

"Naturally, it is because our soldiers are brave and our navy is highly skilled, and our general commands with composure."

Liang Hongyu then keenly sensed her husband's worry: "Is the General concerned... that this victory is unlikely to last?"

"Exactly."

"The victory in this battle lies in the water."

"The Jin invaders were not accustomed to boats and crossed the river hastily, which allowed us to take advantage of their rest and exhaustion, and thus we defeated them decisively. However, their land base remained untouched."

"But Wanyan Zongbi still had more than 150,000 elite infantry and cavalry troops stationed on the north bank."

"On the other hand, our army..."

"The troops are deployed along the river and dispersed. In order to annihilate their navy, a large number of reserve troops have been mobilized."

"After this battle, our army is also exhausted, and the loss of arrows and firearms is enormous."

"If Wanyan Zongbi becomes enraged and disregards casualties, he might order his infantry and cavalry to search for shallows along the river and forcibly cross it at any cost..."

"With our current troop strength, if we set up defenses everywhere, we will be vulnerable everywhere."

"If this stalemate continues, the situation may reverse."

"The most crucial factor was the court's policy regarding the war in the Jianghuai region."

Liang Hongyu remained silent for a moment, then whispered, "General, are you hoping His Majesty will send reinforcements soon?"

"good."

"Although this battle dealt a blow to the enemy's advance, it did not cripple their core."

"We need new forces, or perhaps we can take advantage of their recent defeat, the loss of their navy, and their low morale to cross the river and find an opportunity to inflict heavy damage on land, in order to truly reverse the situation in the Jianghuai region."

"Otherwise, merely forcing them back to the north bank will not solve the problem; once they recover, they will still be a major threat."

"The subsequent reinforcements, supplies, and even the firm support from the central government are all indispensable."

"now……"

"It all depends on whether His Majesty can provide full support to the front lines."

.....

Meanwhile, inside Yingtian Prefecture.

The bloodshed and chill of last night seemed to be diluted by the daytime hustle and bustle, but another kind of boiling emotion permeated the streets and alleys.

"The subsequent reinforcements, supplies, and even the firm support from the central government are all indispensable."

"now……"

"It all depends on whether His Majesty can provide full support to the front lines."

.....

Meanwhile, inside Yingtian Prefecture.

The bloodshed and chill of last night seemed to be diluted by the daytime hustle and bustle, but another kind of boiling emotion permeated the streets and alleys.

Squads of imperial guards, gleaming in their armor, escorted prison carts through the main streets. Inside the carts were no longer ordinary prisoners, but many officials who normally held high positions and wore imperial robes and jade belts!

Some of them were ashen-faced, their skin ashen.

Some tried to remain calm, their eyes unfocused, while others wept uncontrollably, shouting that they were wronged.

The roadside was packed with people craning their necks to watch, pointing and discussing amongst themselves.

"Look! That's Privy Councilor Zhang!"

"Good heavens, he usually goes on tours with a huge entourage, but now he's in this willow cage!"

"More than that!"

"See that carriage behind? It's Lord Wanqi from the Ministry of Personnel!"

"Oh my, I heard he charges this much for a county magistrate position!" An old man held up five fingers, gesturing exaggeratedly.

"Serves them right! Good riddance!" A man carrying a basket of vegetables spat. "These corrupt officials only know how to exploit us ordinary people to line their own pockets! They should have been dealt with long ago!"

"you do not say!"

"I heard something big happened in the palace last night. These corrupt officials tried to harm the Emperor, but His Majesty, with his wisdom and might, wiped them all out!"

"Yes, yes, I heard about it too! His Majesty is incredibly blessed; he's managed to root out all these corrupt officials!"

"But... they're arresting way too many people. There aren't enough prison vans to go through one street. How much of the people's hard-earned money must they have embezzled..."

"Who cares how many there are! It's best to catch them all!"

"If we replaced them with some honest officials, our lives might be a little better!"

"I hope so... But with so many officials gone all at once, can the court still function?"

"With the Emperor here! What are you worrying about! I think this is a wonderful thing! We should set off firecrackers to celebrate!"

The people's discussions were filled with excitement, joy, and simple expectations.

Most of them were unaware of the dramatic coup that had taken place in the palace the previous night.

From the rows of prison vans and the fallen "big shots" before my eyes, I could directly sense the approaching storm.

……

Inside the Imperial Study, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, yet it could not dispel the invisible solemnity.

Lu Zuo sat on the dragon throne, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the smooth armrests. The bloody storm of last night had subsided, the core members of Qin Hui's faction had all been captured, and the huge amount of confiscated assets had relieved their immediate crisis.

But his brows did not relax; instead, they furrowed even deeper.

On his desk lay an urgent military report submitted by Han Shizhong from the Jianghuai front a few days earlier.

The report clearly stated: "Jin general Wanyan Zongbi has gathered more than 100,000 troops on the north bank, and his navy is also large, and his momentum is overwhelming."

"Although I have supervised the soldiers and made strict preparations, the enemy's strength is far inferior to ours, and the defense line along the river is long, so it is difficult to cover every aspect."

"I implore Your Majesty to send reinforcements immediately to bolster the Jianghuai region in order to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

This military report weighed heavily on his mind like a thousand-pound burden.

Wanyan Zongbi deployed over 100,000 elite troops north of the Yangtze River, eyeing the region with predatory intent.

Although Han Shizhong was a skilled warrior, his forces were limited and his defensive line was too long; a prolonged siege would inevitably lead to defeat.

If the Jin army were to attempt a forced crossing at any cost, the consequences would be unimaginable once they breached the river defenses!

We must send troops to our aid as soon as possible!

Thinking of this, Lu Zuo felt intense anxiety and deep helplessness.

But where will the soldiers come from?

The imperial court was newly established and its foundation was not yet stable. After this purge, the Imperial Guards had only tens of thousands of soldiers left who were truly capable. These needed to remain in the capital region to suppress any potential remnants of the rebellion. How could they all be transferred to the Jianghuai region?

Moreover, the Imperial Guards have been out of practice for a long time and their combat effectiveness is questionable. Even if they were transferred there, how effective would they be against the Jin cavalry?

With large armies stationed in various places, the number of soldiers and supplies were controlled by the local authorities, resulting in slow deployment. Moreover, it was difficult to guarantee that there were no remnants of Qin Hui's faction or those with ulterior motives among them.

A distant source of water cannot quench a nearby fire.

The crux of the problem is that there are no troops to be mobilized and no strong troops available!

"His Majesty."

At that moment, a palace attendant's voice came from outside the door: "Liu Qi, the Commander of the Palace Guard, requests an audience."

"Announce." Lu Zuo composed himself and regained his composure.

Liu Qi strode in, the bloodstains on his armor now dark brown, adding to his fierce aura as a battlefield general.

He knelt on one knee: "This humble general, Liu Qi, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise. How are you?"

"Return to Your Majesty."

Liu Qi stood up and presented a document: "From last night to now, twenty-seven officials of the fourth rank or below and eleven military officers have been captured as remnants of Qin Hui's traitorous faction and those implicated."

"Several secret letters exchanged with the Jurchens were found, and the evidence of embezzlement is conclusive."

"Another search of the mansion yielded cash, jewels, and land deeds valued at approximately two million taels of silver."

All have been registered, cataloged, and sealed in the warehouse.

He paused, then asked for instructions: "Except for the ringleader Qin Hui, who is temporarily detained in the secret prison, all the other criminals involved in the case shall be imprisoned in the imperial prison."

"Among them, forty-three people have conclusive evidence of their crimes, while more than ten others are suspected but lack sufficient evidence."

"Your Majesty, what should be done?"

Lu Zuo: "Those with conclusive evidence of guilt shall be beheaded in the middle of the city and their bodies displayed for three days as a warning to others."

"Qin Hui... his crimes are heinous, he shall be executed by slow slicing, his entire family shall be exterminated, and his body shall be left to stand exposed for seven days, with the period extended if it rains!"

"As for those with insufficient evidence," Lu Zuo pondered for a moment, "temporarily detain them in the imperial prison, keep them under strict guard, and continue to interrogate and investigate them."

"This humble general obeys the order!"

Liu Qi felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that His Majesty intended to completely eliminate any future troubles and would show no mercy.

"The preliminary list of reserve officials has been drafted. Please review it, Your Majesty."

Lu Zuo took the scroll and unrolled it.

The list contains dozens of names, followed by brief backgrounds, resumes, and proposed positions.

His gaze swept quickly across the crowd, mostly targeting mid- to low-ranking officials with a reputation for integrity or those who had been ostracized for opposing Qin Hui, as well as a few capable local officials with a track record of success.

Suddenly, his gaze lingered on the first item on the list.

Lu You, courtesy name Wu Guan, was twenty-four years old.

Yin Bu Dengshilang, currently serving as the Registrar of Ningde County, Fuzhou. He is quick-witted, his poetry and prose are bold and unrestrained, and he is particularly concerned about national affairs.

Lu You?

Is it Lu You, the one who wrote "When the royal army has pacified the Central Plains, do not forget to tell your father at the family sacrifice"?

He's so young, and he's still working as a lowly clerk in Fujian?

Lu Zuo's heart stirred slightly. In his memory, this was a symbolic figure, representing the undying spirit of the Southern Song Dynasty's Northern Expedition.

"Qingzhao".

Lu Zuo pointed to the name and said calmly, "This Lu Wuguan, only twenty-four years old, was recommended by you and is ranked high on the list. What makes him so special?"

Li Qingzhao bowed slightly and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, although Lu Wuguan is young, I have observed that his poems and essays, such as 'Reading Military Books at Night' and 'Feelings of Indignation,' are full of lofty aspirations and deeply reflect the ills of the times. He is not comparable to ordinary poets who merely compose poems about the wind and moon."

"His father, Lu Zai, once served as the Deputy Transport Commissioner of Jingxi Circuit, and his family was known for its integrity."

"Although I have not met Lu You in person, I have heard that during his tenure as the registrar of Ningde, he was diligent in his duties and cared about the people's plight. He was not just an empty-headed scholar."

"At this time when we need people, it might be worth a try."

Lu Zuo nodded slightly after listening.

Li Qingzhao's recommendation was undoubtedly selfless.

This person has a good reputation, so he must be talented.

only……

It's easy to talk about war on paper, but difficult to make decisions on the spot.

Now that the political situation has been stabilized and everything needs to be rebuilt, what is needed most are people who can work diligently and stabilize the situation.

However, in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken.

Rather than letting those who are lethargic or have ulterior motives occupy positions, it's better to give these young, energetic, and ambitious people a chance.

Whether it's a mule or a horse, we'll find out once we take it out for a spin.

Let's use it for now and see. If it proves unusable, we can replace it later.

Having made up his mind, Lu Zuo gently placed the list on the table and said to Li Qingzhao, "I have read the list, and the recommended people are generally suitable."

"At the morning court tomorrow, I will issue an edict to promote those on the list, fill the vacancies, and ensure that everyone is in their proper place."

"Your Majesty is wise," Li Qingzhao replied, bowing her head.

Lu Zuo looked out the window, where the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the palace in gold.

After a storm comes ruins, but also the beginning of reconstruction.

What he had to do was to quickly build up a truly reliable force on the ruins that could support the empire's future wars.

The current appointment of officials is only the first step.

The real challenge is stabilizing the situation in the Jianghuai region...

Remember this name: . Remember this domain name: . Good books won't lead you astray.