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

"The Emperor is a Tyrant in the Heavens, You Don't Understand My Happiness" is full of classic quotes, come and find resonance.

In the late autumn of the north, the sky is a clear, high, and deep blue that is almost transparent. The sunlight is dazzling but has little warmth, and it falls coldly down.

The city gates of the capital, which originally symbolized supreme majesty and fortification, were now wide open, and a large number of people were kneeling in the square in front of the gates.

At the very front was Wanyan Dan, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty.

He removed the ochre-yellow dragon robe that symbolized imperial power and put on a plain white robe for a disgraced official. He held the Imperial Seal, the imperial genealogy, and the map aloft with both hands, knelt deeply on the ground, his forehead pressed against the ground, and his body trembled slightly.

Behind him were civil and military officials, princes and nobles kneeling according to their rank. Many of them were also dressed in plain clothes, their faces were pale, their eyes were unfocused, some were trying to remain calm, some were weeping, and some were on the ground and needed others to help them maintain their kneeling position.

Further back were the imperial concubines, princesses, and noble ladies. They were dressed in relatively neat palace attire, but each of them looked pale and lost in thought, covering their faces with their sleeves and sobbing softly. They appeared particularly frail and pitiful in the autumn wind.

Further away, the elite Song army, fully armed and standing silently, surrounded the entire square with their swords and spears like a forest and their banners obscuring the sun. The atmosphere of grim determination was palpable.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

The heavy, rhythmic footsteps approached from afar, striking the hearts of every kneeling person.

The imperial carriage of the Song Dynasty, surrounded by elite imperial guards, slowly proceeded to the front of the square and came to a stop.

Lu Zuo did not get out of the carriage, but simply lifted the curtain of the imperial carriage, revealing a young, calm face that none of the Jin nobles dared to look directly at.

His gaze swept lightly over the figures lying prone below, like passing through withered grass in an autumn field.

Wanyan Dan felt that gaze fall upon him, his whole body trembled, and with all his might, he raised the tray bearing the national treasures in his hands even higher. His voice was hoarse and dry, tinged with tears, as he recited the surrender speech he had prepared in a broken and loud voice:

"Your sinful subject... Your sinful subject Wanyan Dan, along with the civil and military officials of the Great Jin Dynasty, humbly beg to welcome His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty's heavenly army..."

"The Jin dynasty was tyrannical, repeatedly offending the Celestial Empire, plundering border people, and committing heinous crimes."

"Now...now we admire the might of Heaven, are awed and tremble with fear, and dare not defy the mandate of Heaven any longer. We are willing to submit to the whole country, offer up our maps and household registers, and become your vassal forever. For generations to come, we will be loyal to Your Majesty and dare not disobey."

"We humbly beg Your Majesty's grace to pardon our crimes and grant us a way out."

He spoke incoherently, repeating every humble and repentant word he could think of, his forehead pounding red against the cold stone slab.

The courtiers behind him also kowtowed, their cries of "begging for imperial grace" and "pardoning the death penalty" filling the air.

On the imperial carriage, Lu Zuo listened quietly, his face showing no emotion.

He showed neither the triumph of a victor nor the pity and mockery of a loser; only a deep, still calm.

As the pleas for mercy gradually subsided, he slowly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly carrying throughout the silent square: "I accept your surrender."

Those four words brought a sudden sense of relief to many people below, as if they had grasped a lifeline. Some concubines even couldn't help but sob softly, overjoyed at having survived a calamity.

However, Lu Zuo's next words instantly shattered their nascent hope:

"However, surrendering does not mean that sins are absolved."

"Since Erzu Aguda raised an army to rebel against Liao and invade Song, wherever the iron cavalry of Erjin Kingdom went, they massacred cities and villages, looted and burned, and killed. Our Han people's blood flowed like rivers and bones filled the fields."

"The siege of Bianliang and the capture of the two emperors in the north are a national humiliation."

"Furthermore, their repeated invasions southwards have reduced countless prefectures and counties in the Jianghuai, Sichuan, and Shaanxi regions to ashes, and caused immense suffering to countless lives."

With each word he spoke, the faces of the Jin emperor and his ministers below paled further, and their bodies trembled even more violently.

"Today, I will seek justice for those who died unjustly." Lu Zuo's voice turned cold, like the biting wind of the north. "Issue my decree!"

"Detain all members of the Jin royal family, civil and military officials, and their families in this area, and keep them under separate custody!"

"Interrogate them rigorously! Ask them one by one to get the full details!"

His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over the trembling figures, each word falling like an ice pick:

"Ask them if they participated in the southward invasion of the Song Dynasty?"

"Did you join the army in conquering Bianliang? Did you personally slaughter my Han people? Did you plunder women and children and burn down cities?"

"Anyone who participated in the massacre and torture of Bianliang and the people of our Great Song Dynasty—"

Lu Zuo paused. The square was deathly silent; even the wind seemed to have stopped.

"Once the crime is verified and the evidence is conclusive, regardless of identity, the perpetrator will be executed without mercy!"

boom!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in everyone's minds!

Emperor Wanyan Dan of the Jin Dynasty suddenly felt dizzy and almost fainted.

The civil and military officials behind him were in complete chaos. Some lost control of their bladders on the spot, some collapsed like mud, some wailed loudly, and some looked ashen-faced with despair in their eyes.

Among them were many former generals who followed Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and even Wuzhu in their southward campaigns, officers who had participated in the plundering, and even some civil officials who advocated a hardline stance and had blood on their hands!

Of course, some people, despite their fear, also felt a faint sense of relief.

But considering that neither he nor his father or brothers directly participated in those bloody massacres, perhaps...

Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope?

Especially the women in the harem, after the initial fear, felt slightly calmer when they heard that the investigation was only into the crime of "massacre" and not into what would happen to all the women. However, they were still filled with fear of their unknown fate.

"Take him away!"

Lu Zuo stopped looking at the ugly behavior of the fallen monarchs and their ministers, and lowered the curtain.

The fierce Song soldiers immediately stepped forward, two at a time, and roughly dragged up the struggling Jin nobles, tied them with ropes, and took them to the temporary prisons that had been prepared in advance.

Cries, pleas for mercy, and curses filled the air, but were quickly drowned out by the soldiers' shouts and the clanging of armor.

The once high-ranking nobles and dignitaries are now no different from pigs and sheep waiting to be slaughtered.

……

The army entered the city, took over the defenses, eliminated the remaining enemy forces, and posted notices to reassure the people.

Lu Zuo did not stay in the main hall of the Jin Kingdom's palace, but chose a side hall as his temporary residence.

Inside the hall, the charcoal fire dispelled the chill of the northern lands.

Lu Zuo had changed into casual clothes and was sitting behind his desk.

Yue Fei and Han Shizhong stood solemnly below the steps. Despite their days of travel and settlement in the city, they were still in high spirits.

"Your Majesty," Han Shizhong reported first, "the capital is now completely under our control. The treasuries, armories, and granaries in various places are being inventoried. Preliminary findings indicate that the grain reserves are plentiful, and the gold, silver, and silk are also sufficient."

"The surrendered soldiers have been separated and are being screened."

"The people in the city were panicked, but seeing that our army was disciplined and did not disturb the people, their emotions calmed down somewhat."

Yue Fei continued, "Multiple scouts and fast horses have been dispatched to explore to the north and east, but so far no signs of a large-scale Jin army gathering have been found."

"Many prefectures and counties were pacified by issuing proclamations, while a few held their own troops or fled upon hearing the news."

"Given the current situation, it will still take some time to completely pacify the entire territory of the Jin Kingdom, but there is no major problem."

Lu Zuo nodded slightly: "The interrogation of the Jin royal family officials must be clarified as soon as possible."

"Those who have blood on their hands shall be punished according to the law, and the punishment shall be announced to the world."

"Those who are not involved in serious crimes will be dealt with separately."

"As for the territory of the Jin Kingdom..."

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Establish the Protectorates of Andong and Anbei, implement the system of military governors, station troops and cultivate land, register households and equalize the people, and promote Sinicization."

"Han Qing and Yue Qing should come up with a detailed plan as soon as possible."

"Your Majesty, we obey!" the two replied in unison.

They knew that this was not just about destroying a country, but about completely incorporating this vast land into the Song Dynasty's territory, cutting off its lifeline and eliminating any future troubles.

The hall was brightly lit, and they began to discuss in detail the myriad issues of post-war governance.

……

Meanwhile, in another, more secluded courtyard in the city.

Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong sat facing each other, with a pot of turbid wine and a few simple dishes between them, but no one touched their chopsticks.

The howling wind outside only amplified the somber atmosphere inside.

Hong Qigong took a big gulp of wine, wiped his mouth, frowned, and said in a low voice, "Old Huang, His Majesty and Commander Han are here to take care of things in the city."

"But there is one thing that makes me uneasy."

Huang Yaoshi raised his eyelids, glanced at him, put down the wine cup that hadn't even touched his lips, and said calmly, "You mean... those two?"

"Besides those two, who else could it be?"

Hong Qigong lowered his voice, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Zhao Ji, Zhao Huan!"

"Two incompetent rulers, spineless cowards!"

"If it weren't for them back then, would there have been the humiliation of Jingkang, and why would our Han people have suffered this century of hardship?"

"Now Your Majesty is a divine and mighty warrior, having successfully completed the northern expedition, and is about to unify the world and establish an unparalleled dynasty..."

He paused, his voice growing colder: "But if those two menaces are still alive, it'll always be a thorn in our side!"

"They are legitimate retired emperors and emperors!"

"Even if they become prisoners, they are still His Majesty's father and brother!"

"What if... what if some unscrupulous individuals, or remnants of the Jin dynasty, use them as a pretext to say something about 'welcoming back the two emperors'? Wouldn't that cause trouble for His Majesty?"

"Those pedantic and pedantic scholars in the court might very well have some inappropriate thoughts!"

Huang Yaoshi remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and makes decisive decisions. He will not be hindered by such things."

"However, it's better to avoid trouble."

"These two are a potential problem as long as they live."

"His Majesty is mindful of human relations and reputation, and there are some matters he cannot personally handle, nor may he wish to meet with them..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Given Lu Zuo's methods and temperament, he might not care about these two incompetent rulers at all, but keeping them around would ultimately be a hidden danger, and could potentially stigmatize Lu Zuo as "unfilial" or "mistreating his father and brothers".

A fierce glint flashed in Hong Qigong's eyes: "Then let's do it now!"

With the overall situation largely stabilized, all eyes are now on crucial matters such as accepting surrenders, suppressing counter-revolutionaries, and ensuring the people's well-being!

"Let's two roughnecks do something 'unconventional' to settle this old score!"

"Even if someone discovers it later, it has nothing to do with His Majesty!"

"Fine, I'll take full responsibility!"

Huang Yaoshi looked at Hong Qigong and knew that although the old beggar seemed rough and rough, he was actually very shrewd. This move was both to eliminate future troubles and to take the possible damage to Lu Zuo's reputation.

He nodded slowly: "This matter should be handled sooner rather than later, and kept secret rather than announced."

"We need to find out where they are being held and what their situation is."

"That's easy!" Hong Qigong stood up. "Just grab a Jin general who knows the inside story and ask him!"

He nodded slowly: "This matter should be handled sooner rather than later, and kept secret rather than announced."

"We need to find out where they are being held and what their situation is."

"That's easy!" Hong Qigong stood up. "Just grab a Jin general who knows the inside story and ask him!"

The two acted swiftly and decisively. After a little inquiry, they learned that the person originally in charge of guarding the two emperors of the Song Dynasty was a Xi general named "Wanyan Hulu".

This person held a low-ranking official position, but because his tribe was skilled in guarding, he had always been in charge of this matter.

When the army entered the city, he quickly seized the opportunity and surrendered. He is now being held in a temporary prisoner-of-war camp.

With Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong's skills, it would be a piece of cake for them to infiltrate the poorly guarded prisoner camp, find and subdue a distraught surrendered general.

In a secluded storeroom filled with miscellaneous items, Wanyan Hulu was struck on pressure points and thrown to the ground. Facing the two men in front of him, one dressed in green and the other in gray, their auras unfathomable, he was terrified.

"Tell me, where are Zhao Ji and Zhao Huan imprisoned? What is their current situation?" Huang Yaoshi's voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.

"In...in the west of the city...the old...laundry quarters..."

Wanyan Hulu's teeth chattered: "There are people specifically guarding him..."

"How many guards are there? Who are they?" Hong Qigong pressed.

"No...not many, just a dozen or so old and weak Xi soldiers...and some lowly servants." Wanyan Hulu told him everything he knew in order to save his life.

Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong exchanged a glance.

"Give him a quick death," Huang Yaoshi said calmly, turning and walking outside.

Hong Qigong struck Wanyan Hulu on the top of the head with a single palm, ending his life as if he had merely swatted an insect.

The two figures then vanished into the night outside the warehouse, speeding off towards the laundry quarters in the west of the city.