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

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The winter nights in the capital were far more intense than those in Yingtian Prefecture.

The cold wind howled and whistled between the majestic eaves of the palace and the empty square, stirring up the snow and dust that had not yet been swept from the ground, and slamming against the heavy doors and walls with a rustling sound.

The main hall of the Jin Dynasty palace has now been renamed "Zhenbei Hall" and used as a temporary residence for the Song Dynasty emperor.

Inside the hall, dozens of huge tallow candles illuminated the space as bright as day, while silver charcoal burned quietly in a coiled dragon incense burner, radiating a warm glow.

Lu Zuo casually sat in a large armchair covered with a white tiger skin, his posture relaxed, his gaze calm as he looked at Han Shizhong standing solemnly below.

Two women were kneeling beside him, one on his left and one on his right.

On the left is Princess Xue Ni, Wanyan Xue. She has her head down and is holding a Ding kiln white porcelain teacup in her hands. The tea in the cup is slightly rippling, reflecting her lowered eyelashes.

On the right is Consort Roulinda Mingke, who is using her slender fingers to massage Lu Zuo's shoulders and neck with just the right amount of pressure.

Both women were dressed in brocade jackets and skirts in the style of the Song Dynasty palace, with simple and elegant colors. However, in this old palace of the Jin Dynasty, their very existence was a silent declaration.

Han Shizhong, still clad in black armor and covered in dust, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, his voice echoing in the empty hall: "Your Majesty, after days of investigation and interrogation by your subject, Commander Yue, and others..."

"The names and evidence of crimes committed by the Jin dynasty's royal family, generals, and officials who participated in the southward invasion of the Song dynasty, especially the siege of Bianliang, the massacres in the two rivers region, and the subsequent repeated raids and massacres of Han Chinese, have been largely clarified."

"Oh? Did it take any effort?" Lu Zuo took the tea offered by Wanyan Xue, took a sip, and kept his eyes on Han Shizhong.

Han Shizhong's face revealed a hint of almost mocking coldness: "Your Majesty, it didn't take much effort."

"After the city fell, the monkeys scattered like leaves in the wind."

"In order to save their lives, escape punishment, or frame their enemies, these people began to implicate and denounce each other even before torture was administered."

"Who followed Wanyan Zonghan and Zongwang south? Who participated in the search of mountains and seas? Who ordered the massacre of cities? Who personally beheaded Han officials and abducted women and children?"

"Every single detail, including the time, place, witnesses, and even the amount of the spoils, is presented with absolute certainty."

"Former colleagues now wish they could tear each other apart alive to protect themselves."

"Their confessions corroborate each other, and the evidence is irrefutable."

He paused, then added, "This group is large, involving dozens of prominent families of the Jin Kingdom, and many of their sons, retainers, and personal guards have also joined the evil."

"According to His Majesty's previous decree, anyone whose hands are stained with the blood of my Han people is guilty of an unforgivable crime."

Lu Zuo put down his teacup, and the porcelain clinked against the small rosewood table, making a crisp "ding".

His gaze was slightly lowered as he looked at the tea swaying gently in his cup. His tone was calm and even, yet it carried an absolute ruthlessness that could decide the lives of hundreds of people: "In that case, the evidence is conclusive, and there is no need for further trial."

"By imperial decree, all Jin dynasty officials whose names are on file and whose crimes are proven, along with their three male descendants, shall be arrested."

"At noon tomorrow, in the western market of the capital, they will be executed in a public and just manner."

"The heads are hung at the city gates to comfort the soldiers who died in battle since the Northern Expedition, and the thousands of innocent souls of our Great Song who died unjustly under the iron hooves of the Jin invaders over the past century."

"Your subject obeys!" Han Shizhong solemnly replied, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

In chaotic times, harsh measures are necessary; there is no need for leniency towards these people.

A very slight clinking sound of porcelain colliding.

The spout of the teapot that Wanyan Xue was preparing to refill Lu Zuo's teacup tapped gently against the rim of the cup.

Her lowered eyelashes trembled violently, and her face seemed to turn even paler in an instant, her knuckles gripping the handle of the teapot turning slightly white.

But she immediately steadied her hand and continued to slowly pour the warm tea into Lu Zuo's cup, her movements still smooth, without spilling a single drop.

But her slightly rapid breathing and the instant loss of color in her lips betrayed the turmoil within her. Yet another "utter annihilation"...

Tomorrow, who knows how many more "uncles" and "brothers" she knows or doesn't know will be beheaded, and their families will be wiped out.

And she could only kneel here, serving tea to the person who issued this order.

Lu Zuo seemed oblivious to the woman's momentary lapse in composure beside him. He picked up the freshly poured tea and looked up at Han Shizhong: "What about Wanyan Dan, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty?"

Han Shizhong hesitated for a moment, then replied, "According to multiple interrogations and the palace records seized..."

"Wanyan Dan ascended the throne before he reached adulthood, and power was long in the hands of powerful ministers such as Zongbi and Zongfu. Later, he was also controlled by the Empress Dowager's faction."

"He was indecisive, indulged in wine and women, and had little opinion on national affairs. There is no direct evidence to suggest that he led or ordered the southward massacre."

"More often than not, powerful ministers use his name to act."

"So, he's just a good-for-nothing," Lu Zuo said indifferently.

"Exactly." Han Shizhong nodded. "However, precisely because he is an incompetent fool and the last nominal ruler of the Jin Dynasty, it is not appropriate to kill him at this time."

"Oh? Why?"

Han Shizhong had clearly considered this beforehand, and said confidently, "Firstly, killing an incompetent surrendered ruler will not damage Your Majesty's imperial prestige; on the contrary, it may give people grounds to say that Your Majesty cannot tolerate a harmless surrendered captive."

"Secondly, sparing their lives would demonstrate His Majesty's benevolence and appease the remaining Jin people in the newly annexed territories, especially the tribal chiefs who had not directly committed atrocities, thus reducing their resistance."

"Thirdly, this man is the symbol of the Jin dynasty's legitimacy. If we keep him around, the tribes of the grasslands and the kingdoms of the Western Regions will have less of a legitimate pretext to cause trouble under the guise of 'avenging the Jin dynasty.'"

"Fourth, we can also use this person's words to formally issue an abdication edict, acknowledge the mandate of heaven for the Great Song Dynasty, and legally transfer its territory and people to us."

"In this way, it adds a touch of 'legitimacy' compared to mere military conquest."

Lu Zuo listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest of the armchair.

The only sounds inside the hall were the crackling of charcoal fire and Han Shizhong's calm voice.

After a moment, he nodded slightly: "Minister Han's considerations are thorough and his approach to governing the country is mature. Let's proceed with this proposal."

"Those who deserve to die, you and Yue Fei will oversee their execution. Make sure they are dealt with thoroughly as a warning to others."

'

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Han Shizhong clasped his hands in a fist salute once more.

"As for Wanyan Dan," Lu Zuo put down his teacup, his gaze seemingly fixed on the deep night outside the palace, "call him to see me."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and summon him immediately."

……

About an incense stick later, heavy footsteps and the sound of nail plates rubbing together came from outside the hall.

The palace doors were pushed open by two tall Song soldiers, and a chilling blast of air swept in.

A figure dressed in plain white robes, without a crown, and with his hair hastily tied up, walked into the hall with his head down and unsteady steps under the watchful eyes of the armored soldiers.

Wanyan Dan looked even more haggard than when he was imprisoned, with sunken eyes and a gaunt face.

His once pampered complexion had become dull, and he walked with a slight hunch, as if he couldn't bear the weight of the thin white clothes he was wearing.

He dared not raise his head, staggered to the foot of the imperial steps, and knelt down as if a mountain of gold and jade were collapsing, touching his forehead to the ground, his voice dry and hoarse: "Sin..."

"Your sinful subject Wanyan Dan kowtows to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty... Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Lu Zuo did not immediately make him stand up, but instead looked down at the trembling figure at his feet.

The hall was silent, save for Wanyan Dan's heavy, suppressed breathing.

"Rise." After a moment, Lu Zuo spoke calmly.

"Thank you... thank you for your divine grace, Your Majesty..."

Wanyan Dan felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He kowtowed again before trying to get up using both his hands and feet.

Perhaps because he had been kneeling for a long time, or perhaps because of extreme fear and weakness, he staggered when he stood up and almost fell again before hurriedly regaining his balance.

Just as he regained his footing and subconsciously raised his blurry eyes, wanting to steal a glance at the conqueror who would decide his life or death—

His gaze suddenly froze.

Beside Lu Zuo's feet, a woman in plain clothes was kneeling on a brocade cushion, gently massaging Lu Zuo's calves...

It was his younger sister, Princess Xue Ni, Wanyan Xue!

Beside Lu Zuo, a beautiful woman in palace attire was feeding him segments of a peeled orange, one by one...

His nominal concubine, Roufei Wulinda Mingke!

boom!

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Wanyan Dan's mind!

In an instant, boundless humiliation, shame, pain, and despair, like cold, venomous snakes, tightly coiled around his heart and choked his throat!

His sister, a princess of noble birth, knelt at the feet of her enemy, massaging his legs like the lowest of maids!

His concubines, beauties he had never touched, were serving the man who had destroyed his country and imprisoned his clan with the utmost intimacy!

He tried to look away, but the image was like a red-hot iron, branding himself deeply onto his retina and into the depths of his soul!

His body began to tremble violently uncontrollably, and his face, which had just regained some color, turned deathly pale again. He bit his lower lip so hard that it almost drew blood.

He wanted to roar, to lunge forward, to tear everything in front of him to shreds...

But the remaining rationality and the deep-seated fear, like the strongest shackles, kept him firmly rooted to the spot.

He could only keep his head down, straining until the veins in his neck bulged, barely managing to suppress the wailing and trembling that threatened to burst from his chest.

Lu Zuo slowly spoke: "Wanyan Dan."

"I am guilty...I am guilty," Wanyan Dan replied through gritted teeth.

"Since you acknowledge your guilt and are willing to surrender, I am not a bloodthirsty person."

"The ancestral temple of the Jin state has been destroyed, and the dynasty has ended. From this day forward, there will be no more Emperor Wanyan Dan of the Jin Dynasty."

"However, you will be spared the death penalty, but you will eventually need a place to settle down and make a living, so that you may do your part for the Northern Expeditionary Army."

Wanyan Dan's heart tightened, wondering what kind of humiliating treatment awaited him.

"My court is still lacking a person who is familiar with carriages and vehicles, and who is steady and courteous, to hold my whip and stirrups."

Lu Zuo's gaze fell on Wanyan Dan, and he said calmly, "I see that your physique is still acceptable, so I will bestow upon you the position of Imperial Carriage Attendant, with the same rank as the ninth grade."

"From this day forward, you shall attend to my carriage and be responsible for leading my horse and driving my carriage."

"Are you capable of doing this?"

The Emperor's carriage?

Leading a horse...driving a carriage?

Wanyan Dan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief, astonishment, and even deeper humiliation!

To make this former emperor lead horses and drive carriages for others?

This was more humiliating to him than killing him!

This was utterly trampled on, leaving him with the last shred of dignity as a monarch!

He saw Lu Zuo's calm and unwavering gaze, saw his sister Wanyan Xue's suddenly stiff profile and her eyes instantly reddening, and saw the complex pity in Consort Rou Mingke's lowered eyelids...

All the anger, resentment, and shame ultimately turned into icy despair in the face of absolute power and cruel reality.

Can he refuse?

What are the consequences of refusing?

Does he still have the right to talk about dignity?

A profound sorrow enveloped him. Slowly, very slowly, he knelt down again:

"This sinful subject... Wanyan Dan... thanks... Your Majesty for your great kindness..."

"This sinful subject...will certainly...dutifully fulfill his duties...serving Your Majesty...with utmost loyalty and humility..."

Every word was like a knife, cutting into his heart.

He was like a stone statue that had instantly lost all life. Only his slightly trembling shoulders revealed the raging storm and endless humiliation within him.

Lu Zuo stopped looking at him and waved his hand.

Two armored soldiers stepped forward, helped the nearly unconscious Wanyan Dan to his feet, and led him out of the main hall.

Urgent! Major plot twist! Watch now!