Chapter 882: Song-Jin Alliance, The Common Enemy of the Realm

Chapter 882: Chapter 80: Song-Jin Alliance, The Common Enemy of the Realm

The other Ministry of Revenue official in charge of finances hurriedly stepped forward to add, “Your Majesty, what Lord Wan Qixie said is indeed true.”

“Recently, reports from states and prefectures indicate that recruiting soldiers is going very smoothly. In the past, conscription was forced, but now many sons from good families, even those from humble backgrounds with modest means, are joining the army voluntarily, claiming they wish to fight rebels and safeguard the Way.”

He paused briefly and flattered, “This is due to Your Majesty’s saintly virtues and also because the rebellious Gu Hui’s treacherous actions have made the righteous people of the world unite in hatred against him!”

These reports were like another strong encouragement, solidifying Zhao Gou’s initially weak confidence.

It is noteworthy that these are not false news, but indeed true.

Of course—

they have also paid many costs for this.

As Gu Yi had predicted.

This path of Gu Hui is destined to make him the enemy of all, especially after he enacted his laws, this trend has fully erupted.

These profit-driven groups could only support Great Song to fight against Gu Hui.

This is the fundamental reason why these people must always encourage Zhao Gou.

Because Zhao Gou has the legal authority!

As for where these things originated from, naturally, it cannot be known, nor would anyone take the initiative to raise such questions.

“Good! Good! Good!” Zhao Gou said three “good” words in succession, showing an expression that could truly be called a smile, although a slight distortion lingered beneath it, “Many help those who are in the right, while few help those who are in the wrong!”

“The ancients did not deceive me!”

“Gu Hui, a petty thief, defying human ethics, has lost the hearts of the people!”

“I have Jiangnan’s loyalty and mighty warriors from all directions, why worry about the rebellion?”

Indeed, it has come to this point.

Gu Hui has been completely branded as a traitor, despite his origin from the Gu Clan and his absence from large-scale massacres, he cannot escape this label.

The ministers had no objection to this, in fact, they even welcomed it.

Looking at the smile on Zhao Gou’s face, Wan Qixie’s eyes shifted, stepping forward once again, bowing and speaking with deliberate sorrow and indignation: “Your Majesty, people from Jiangnan eagerly donate, warriors from all directions compete to join the army, this is where the people’s hearts lie, clear to all!”

“However, up in the Northern Border, Gu Hui frequently uses deceptive words to beguile ignorant commoners. If his heretical ideas are allowed to spread, over time they may cause trouble, confuse views, and dampen our military and civilian spirits!”

He raised his head, a trace of malice flashed in his eyes, lowered his voice and said, “I humbly reveal, at this moment, the court should more firmly uphold our righteous stance!”

“Request Your Majesty to issue an edict promptly, proclaim it to the world, detailing Gu Hui’s ten major crimes!”

“Condemn him for his disloyalty and unfilial behavior, destroying the moral order; for colluding with external robbers, intending to divide the land; for spreading deceptive words and undermining popular sentiment!”

“Ensure his name is burdened with infamy, and the whole world abandons him!”

“Thus, when the Royal Army conducts a campaign, it will be righteous and justified, and all loyal individuals will surely respond!”

This proposal immediately gained the agreement of the majority of the ministers present.

They knew well that on the battlefield they might not be able to easily defeat Gu Hui and Yue Fei, but in public opinion, they must firmly grasp the “orthodoxy” and “moral order” flags to thoroughly stigmatize Gu Hui and thus maintain the faltering legitimacy of their rule.

Listening to Wan Qixie’s strategy, Zhao Gou’s muddled eyes shone brightly.

Yes, the battle may be difficult, but this war of words, he believes he still holds an absolute advantage.

Nailing Gu Hui to the shame pillar as a “rebellious minister and thief” not only boosts our morale but also isolates the Northern Border to the greatest extent, preventing those still watching from siding with Gu Hui lightly.

“Dear advisor, matured in national planning, this statement is very good!” Zhao Gou clapped his hands, a nearly ferocious pleasure on his face, “According to your suggestion! Have the Hanlin Academy draft the edict immediately, list Gu Hui’s crimes, ensuring every word strikes the heart, proclaim it to the nation!”

“I want this traitor to never recover!”

He took a deep breath, seemingly seeing Gu Hui defeated and disgraced amid the people’s scorn, finding an outlet for his sustained panic and humiliation.

He indeed hates Gu Hui.

No, not just Gu Hui.

But the entire Gu Clan.

This is human nature.

From the moment the Gu Clan chose seclusion, Zhao Gou already harbored resentment towards them.

Zhao Gou surveyed the ministers with a tone of decision laced with excitement, laughing:

“Thus, inside, gain full support from Jiangnan loyalists, outside…outside, the Jin Kingdom ceases hostilities temporarily, also have shining righteousness in hand!”

“What does His Majesty have to fear?”

At that moment, Zhao Gou was truly confident.

And the ministers hesitated not at all, immediately kneeling down.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Heaven bless Great Song!”

The ministers’ congratulatory shouts rose like mountains and seas, every face was filled with relieved happiness, as if victory were already secured.

In this nearly feverish atmosphere, Zhao Gou’s residual sanity and humiliation were also washed away, replaced by an illusory sense of “wisdom” praised and carried along by everyone.

He indulged in this long-lost feeling of being surrounded by starry admiration, feeling a surge of pride, as if he really became a ruler who could turn the tide.

For five generations, the Gu Clan prospered Great Song.

Why can’t Zhao Gou be the same?

A multitude of thoughts flashed instantly through his mind.

Next, Zhao Gou suddenly had a thought, his eyes lit up: “Announce my decree!”

“Promote Vice Minister of Rites Wei Liangchen as the chief negotiator, Secretariat Deputy Director Wang Lun as deputy, select capable personnel, form a delegation, prepare national letters and gifts, secretly head towards Kaifeng!”

He gazed at the ministers, deliberately ignoring the fact that Kaifeng is now the enemy capital, stating word by word the bargaining chips he believed thoughtful enough to sway Wanyan Digünai:

“Inform Wei Liangchen that to show our court’s sincerity, allow an annual tribute of three hundred thousand, half in silver, half in silk!”

“Moreover, tacitly permit their occupation of existing places like Kaifeng and Donglai!”

“Only one requirement, the Jin Kingdom must swear an oath of blood, abandon grudges with our Great Song Royal Army, proceed east-west simultaneously, deploy forces collaboratively to annihilate the Gu Yue rebel army! This is the bottom line, not to be compromised!”

—Indeed, this was the good idea Zhao Gou suddenly thought of.

In his view, Wanyan Digünai suddenly halting the offensive certainly perceived something.

Why can’t he take this opportunity to negotiate peace?

As long as he first obliterates Gu Hui…what is there to fear from mere Jin robbers?

For this, he is even willing to pay a price!

This almost admits Jin control over parts of the Central Plains, voluntarily offering hefty annual tributes just to obtain a chance to jointly suppress the serious threat.

Some officials with slightly more integrity in the hall twitched at the corners of their mouths on hearing this, but under the overwhelming voice of considering the bigger picture, no one dared stand out to oppose these humiliating terms.

No way, the pressure from Gu Hui is too great.

Moreover, the current court is full of treacherous officials, who would refute such a thing?

“We accept the decree! We will not fail the mission!” Wei Liangchen and Wang Lun stepped forward, kneeling, their voices heavy.

Zhao Gou looked at them, as if seeing the scene of the northern and southern armies converging in the Central Plains, and Gu Hui’s defeat, he took a deep breath, laughing as he announced:

“Once the peace is achieved, the Royal Army can proceed north with full force!”

“Within lies unlimited resources from Jiangnan, outside…outside, the Jin Monarch assists in the encircling attack, with magnificent righteousness shining like the midday sun!”

“I want to see how long that petty thief Gu Hui can remain rampant!”

His expression was so confident, even revealing a hint of pride.

The ministers echoed him.

“Your Majesty is wise! Long live! Long live! Long live eternally!”

The shouts instantly rose.

Under Gu Hui’s pressure, the situation in Great Song court now seems to be one of total unity.

….

(Ps: It’s the end of the month, begging for monthly votes, asking brothers to support more, Fish is extremely grateful!!!)