Chapter 866 - 73: Chaos Arises, This Era Is Sick

"Yue Fei... dares to defy orders and not return." He muttered, his knuckles whitening from the pressure.

This move had completely exceeded his expectations.

In his original plan.

Regardless, Yue Fei would definitely return to the Central Plains, and he was well aware of Yue Fei’s capabilities. This was not merely about obstructing other rebellious forces, but also gaining time for himself to dominate the Northern Border.

But now, the situation was clearly in chaos.

——Yue Fei had not returned to the Central Plains.

And other forces had already taken action. Now he seemed to accomplish nothing.

A Khitan leader with frostbite scars on his face couldn’t help but speak: "Great Marshal, if Yue Fei doesn’t leave, occupying this Liaodong port leaves us isolated overseas."

"If the Song court’s navy recuperates..."

"Indeed!" Another Shiwei tribe leader boomed in agreement, "Our roots are in the north."

"Now that Yue Fei occupies the Holy Mountain court, if we return and join our friends on the steppe, we might be able to reclaim our old lands!"

"Why risk venturing into the Central Plains?"

The tent was filled with discussions, with most tribal leaders showing hesitance.

Wanyan Digünai slowly turned, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.

He approached the sea chart, pressing his finger heavily on the Central Plains.

"Return? Reclaim old lands?" He sneered, "Do you think we captured this Liaodong port so easily for no reason?"

Without waiting for an answer, he raised his voice sharply: "It’s because the Song court is rotten to the core!"

"Their navy is slack, the Border Army is corrupt, and the ruler and ministers are only interested in power and wealth!"

His finger traced south along the coastline, his tone growing more fervent: "Now the Central Plains is in flames, with millions of refugees and powerful factions rising!"

"Zhao Gou, that useless man, cannot control the situation."

"Listen to the slogans echoing throughout the Central Plains — ’Are lords and generals born?’ What does this indicate?"

"The fate of the Great Song is coming to an end!"

With a "bang," he slammed down on the sea chart, sending a chill through everyone’s heart: "Yue Fei staying in the Northern Border seems to block our retreat, but in fact opens the gate to the Central Plains!"

"He is busy managing that harsh land and has no time to look south. This is a god-given opportunity!"

He surveyed the crowd, eyes burning: "What does Liaodong have?"

"Nothing but wind and snow, and barrenness."

"And the Central Plains? Countless wealth, endless food, a warm climate, and thousands of people yearning for a wise ruler!"

"There, that’s truly the land of Longxing!"

"We Jurchens rose from the White Mountains and Black Water; why can’t we conquer a broader territory in the Central Plains?!" His voice beat like war drums in everyone’s heart, "It’s Yue Fei’s foolishness not to come!"

"He guards a barren land, while we aim to conquer the entire world!"

The tent was silent, only the sound of heavy breathing. The hesitation on the tribal leaders’ faces was gradually replaced by greed.

"Let’s do it!" The Khitan leader with the scarred face shouted first, "Listen to the Great Marshal! To the Central Plains!"

"Yes! To the Central Plains!"

"Fight for wealth and glory!"

Wanyan Digünai watched his enthusiastic subordinates, a cold curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

Meanwhile, in Yingtian Prefecture.

After a brief panic, the entire Yingtian Prefecture returned to its usual calm.

The splendor seemed unchanged.

At least within this Imperial Palace, neither the enemy army’s roars nor the people’s wails could penetrate these layers of palace walls.

In Chuigong Hall, governance discussions had long become a mere formality.

Zhao Gou reclined halfway on the plush throne, his eyelids drooping, appearing somewhat absent-minded.

Below, Qin Hui was reading, with rising and falling tones, a memorial about auspicious omens in a certain area, such as "sweet dew falling on courtyard trees", "white cranes gathering at the Imperial College", with elegant language, full of flattery.

A few close ministers timely issued exclamations of awe, as if these auspicious omens could indeed offset the flames at Northern Border and the refugees in the Central Plains.

Occasionally, urgent reports from the border were presented, and Zhao Gou would glance at them lazily before handing them over to Qin Hui for appropriate handling.

Qin Hui understood and would either downplay losses as "tactical withdrawals" or dismiss the bloody pleas for help from soldiers as "exaggerations aimed at gaining rewards."

Wan Qixie, Sun Jinzhi, and their ilk would chime in, smearing honest words as "fearmongering," "destabilizing the nation."

The few ministers like Wang Shu and Zhao Ding, who still had any integrity, were either excluded from the capital or kept silent, leaving the hall filled only with voices of flattery.

After the court session ended, it was the time for indulgence in pleasures.

Zhao Gou most often lingered in the side hall of the meticulously refurbished "Deshou Palace," where spring waters formed winding pools, strange rocks piled into artificial mountains, and flowers bloomed perennially, warm as spring.

Beautiful palace maids, clad in light gauze, fluttered around like butterflies.

"Your Majesty, please watch this new choreography of ’Dance of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat’..." The eunuch’s sharp voice carried a note of appeasement.

Zhao Gou leaned against a soft couch, toying with a smooth jade piece, his eyes glazed as he watched the graceful dancers in the hall.

The table was laden with exquisite dishes from all corners of the land, the golden plates and jade cups gleaming.

He would occasionally think of Yue Fei, causing a surge of irritation in his heart, but was soon soothed by the sweet wine brought to his lips and the soft words in his ear.

"Your Majesty is the true Emperor, protected by spirits, those petty clowns are not worth mentioning..." His favored concubine nestled beside him, her breath fragrant.

Qin Hui and others frequently presented a variety of rare treasures, paintings, and antiques, even searching for outstanding beauties, all to amuse the imperial heart.