"This is also a desperate move, for the sake of the nation's stability..."
The court officials split into two camps, engaged in a heated debate.
"Enough!"
Suddenly a stern shout erupted in the court, it was the Emperor speaking.
The crowd looked on in shock, only to see Zhao Heng slumped on the dragon throne, as if that shout had exhausted his last strength, his face pale, speech difficult: "For now, grant their request."
"Your Majesty!!"
The old general stepped forward, still trying to offer advice.
However, Zhao Heng waved his hand, directly suppressing his words: "No need to speak further, everything is for the greater good, the suffering of the people, this infamy I will bear."
...
And so, a court session ended in disarray.
On the other side, within Xuanhe Hall, the former Emperor Song Zhao Ji also held a court meeting, but not only with civil and military officials, there were also Daoist followers, among whom one wearing a white robe was most conspicuous.
It was...
"Celestial Master!"
Zhao Ji grasped this person's hand, his eyes full of expectation: "Can the Six Celestial Divine Soldiers truly repel the enemy?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty!"
The person smiled faintly: "The Jurchen Demon Army, although it numbers in the millions, is full of demons and evildoers, surely they cannot withstand my Six Celestial Divine Soldiers. Just perform rituals for seven more days, condense the Six Celestial Divine Power, then we can exit the city and defeat the enemy."
"Good, good, good!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji was greatly pleased, firmly grasping the person's hand: "Use anything in the palace as you wish, no matter what, ensure the refinement of the Six Celestial Divine Soldiers, protect my Great Song's stability."
The person hearing this, his smile broadened, his voice steely with certainty: "I shall not disappoint Your Majesty's great trust!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Seeing the harmonious rapport between the ruler and minister, the group in the hall fell silent, not knowing how to respond.
This person was named Guo Jing, reportedly a direct disciple of the Celestial Master Zhang from Dragon Tiger Mountain, inheriting the true Daoist Technique of Zhengyi Dao, possessing Great Divine Techniques, near to being a Land Immortal, constantly valued by Zhao Ji, who was obsessed with Daoist mystical cultivation.
Now with the Jin Army approaching the city, Zhao Ji still regarded him as his lifeline, setting up rituals to refine the Six Celestial Divine Soldiers he spoke of, claiming these divine soldiers were Daoist Soldiers of the Celestial Master; once refined, they possess tremendous Magical Power, capable of defeating the Jin's million-strong army.
Zhao Ji deeply believed these words, ordering him to set up the rituals in the palace, with unrestricted access to the government treasury, treating him as the last hope, even sending a few old ministers who obstructed him into death row.
Heeding ghosts and gods, ignoring the people's hardship!
Looking at Zhao Ji, who entrusted everything to him, and the self-assured Guo Jing, the civil and military officials could only remain silent.
At this moment, someone steps into the hall, disrupting the atmosphere.
"Hmm!?"
Zhao Ji turned his eyes to the newcomer, surprised and puzzled: "Grand Tutor?"
The newcomer, with white hair and a white beard, wearing a tall hat with a broad sash, although old, exuded a supreme demeanor, unmatched.
It was Zhao Ji's mentor, the serving Grand Tutor, Six-Fifth Divine Marquis—Zhuge Zhengwo!
"What brings the Grand Tutor here?"
Looking at Zhuge Zhengwo, Zhao Ji slightly frowned, speaking directly: "If it's about the Six Celestial Divine Soldiers, then the Grand Tutor may leave, my decision is firm, no need to speak further!"
The crowd was surprised, especially Guo Jing, who stared intently at Zhuge Zhengwo, secretly circulating Gang Qi within his Dantian.
This Six-Fifth Divine Marquis was a minister spanning four reigns. Early in the Divine Sect era, he was promoted by Wang Anshi against the order, and strategic plans such as Wang Shao's were also supported; later, he was favored by Sima Guang during Emperor Zhezong's reign.
After Prince Rui Zhao Ji ascended the throne, although he favored Cai Jing and his six henchmen, Zhuge Zhengwo was still heavily relied upon due to his merits as Zhuge Zhengwo's Martial Artist, having merits in following the dragon, supporting Zhao Ji three times after his accession, thereby being appointed as the Grand Tutor, managing the Six Ministries and the eighteen hundred thousand Imperial Guards, practically the first under the Emperor, even during Cai Jing's dominance, he was feared.
Now Cai Jing and the six henchmen were removed by the new ruler Zhao Heng, but every reign brings its own ministers; he was not trusted by Zhao Heng, Zhao Ji also distanced himself due to the Celestial Master Guo Jing, now further estranged, and his positions in the Six Ministries and Imperial Guards were stripped away.
To reach this point, he still comes to see the former ruler, what is his intention?
Zhao Ji coldly watched, the crowd observed.
Zhuge Zhengwo appeared indifferent, looked at Zhao Ji and Guo Jing: "I have come for one thing."
"Hmm!?"
Zhao Ji frowned: "What matter?"
"For the people, for the world's citizens!"
Zhuge Zhengwo looked at Zhao Ji, no longer acknowledged Guo Jing.
"..."
Zhao Ji's eyes condensed, gradually igniting anger, suppressing himself: "Grand Tutor, I've told you, the Celestial Master is a true cultivator of Daoist Technique..."
"Boom!!!"
The words were unfinished when a silver light appeared, like pear blossoms blooming, stunningly beautiful, captivating everyone's eyes.
"Bang!!!"
Zhao Ji's body trembled, frozen on the dragon throne, feeling a slight warmth on his face, as one eye became soaked in crimson. In disbelief, he turned to see Guo Jing, who had been sitting beside him, now hanging on the dragon wall behind him, impaled by a Pear Blossom Short Spear, pinning him firmly.
"This..."
"Zhuge Zhengwo!"
"You!!!"
Seeing this scene, everyone was shocked, incredulously looking at Zhuge Zhengwo, and a few aides moved to Zhao Ji's side: "Protect His Majesty, protect His Majesty!"
"Clang clang clang!"
As this call rang out, outside the hall, waves of armored clashing sounds were heard, a group of Imperial Guard swarmed into the hall, encircling everyone.
"Zhuge Zhengwo!"
Zhao Ji too awoke to this, standing up amid anger, looking at Zhuge Zhengwo who killed Guo Jing: "Are you rebelling?"
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression remained indifferent, he paid no heed, only issued an order: "Seize them."
"Yes!!!"
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard immediately moved, directly surrounding Zhao Ji and the officials.
"You!?"
Zhao Ji's face changed, looking at these Imperial Guards, suddenly realizing they were all unfamiliar.
"Iron Wuqing?"
"Divine Capture Sect?"
"Zhuge Zhengwo, you...!"
Only a few aides cried out, recognizing the identity of these Imperial Guards, momentarily panic-stricken.
On the other side, outside Eastern Capital City, in the Jin Army Camp, festivities abound.
"Come, come, come!"
"Drink, drink, drink!"
"These Song Country women are indeed wonderful!"
"Just a bit weak, just like Song Country men, they expire after a few acts."
"It's our Jin Army that is too valiant, tomorrow have them send more."
"Hahaha!"
In the tent, the officers freely drank and indulged, reveling in wine and meat, with many women beside them for their amusement.
Only one man refrained from female company, calmly sat at the head, still armored, none other than the great general of the Jin Kingdom, Prince Bodhisattva—Wanyan Zongwang!
This second invasion of Song, he remains the commander of the Eastern Route Army, together with the Western Route Army under Wanyan Zonghan and other divisions, their combined force of two hundred thousand converged on Eastern Capital City, slaughtering Song Army, leaving it in disarray and inflicting countless deaths and injuries.
With a month-long siege, the prospect of breaking the city and capturing the two rulers of Song Country was increasingly likely, promising unprecedented merit, paving the way for Jin Kingdom to enter the Central Plains and seize the realm.
Such glory ahead, even Wanyan Zongwang couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.
But ultimately a renowned general, he did not let this excitement cloud his judgment, instead remaining calm and meticulous, simultaneously pressuring the weak and incompetent two rulers of Song Country, and instructing craftsmen to build equipment, readying for the final assault.
"Crown Prince!"
The officers reveled in drinks and pleasure, seeing Wanyan Zongwang unperturbed, immediately several of them offered him wine: "In this invasion of Song, the Crown Prince is most accomplished, sure to become renowned worldwide."
"If we destroy Song this time, we can jointly petition the Emperor, for the Crown Prince to be elevated as king, then this land of Song Country will be the Crown Prince's domain!"
"Song people are weak, what qualifications do they have to possess this splendid territory? The great king replacing them is Celestial Destiny!"
The officers' words were somewhat presumptuous.
Wanyan Zongbi smiled without speaking, gulping down the wine in his cup.
At this moment...
"Report!"
A messenger rushed into the tent: "A large army from the north is attacking, less than ten miles from our forces!"
"What!"
Upon hearing this, the officers all changed face, Wanyan Zongwang was even more furious, rising in anger: "How is it possible?"