Chapter 884: The Tenfold Villain, Gu Hui Deposes the Emperor

Chapter 884: Chapter 81: The Tenfold Villain, Gu Hui Deposes the Emperor

“Additionally, issue strict orders to Wu Lin’s troops in Chuan and Shaan regions to vigilantly guard the passes and monitor the movements of Western Xia and Jin dynasty forces stationed in Shaanxi, ensuring the western front is secure.”

With these moves, Zhao Gou has certainly made a huge effort this time.

It’s clear he aims to seize this opportunity to completely annihilate Gu Hui in one fell swoop!

The chances for the three armies are all directed towards the major stronghold that Gu Hui now relies upon!

Of course, this strategy was not devised by Zhao Gou himself.

It was Wanyan Digü’s suggestion.

His idea is naturally simple, which is to quickly discern Gu Hui’s strengths and weaknesses through the power of the Great Song.

Zhao Gou doesn’t understand how difficult it is to deal with Yue Fei, but how could he not know?

If it weren’t for Yue Fei, they wouldn’t have been pushed to such a predicament.

Precisely for this reason—

He must make Zhao Gou decisive.

Only taking advantage of righteousness and military might; otherwise, they absolutely have no chance of winning!

This is Wanyan Digü’s judgment!

…..

The news spreads continuously.

Regarding the Song Court’s matters, Gu Hui is not surprised at all.

Although he has never been personally involved in the court, to Gu Hui, he has long seen through the essence of the Song Court, and certainly cannot have any expectations for it.

But Yue Fei is evidently still affected.

He quickly strides into the main tent where Gu Hui resides, his tiger eyes suppressing indescribable pain and fury, voice slightly hoarse with agitation: “My Lord! The scouts report accurately, Zhao Gou…the court colludes secretly with the Jin traitors, intending to join forces to attack us!”

Without waiting for Gu Hui’s reply, the pent-up resentment floods out like the Yellow River bursting its banks: “Do you know, last year the Jin invaders broke into Guide, slaughtered and looted for three days, sparing neither the old nor the weak, the blood in the city flowed like a drifting pestle, corpses blocked the road!”

“Do you know, last winter they ravaged Yizhou State, burned, killed, robbed, tens of thousands of civilians were displaced, those who died from cold and hunger lay everywhere in the wilderness!”

“And in the regions of Jingdong and Hebei, how many villages were burned to the ground, how many compatriots became unjust souls under the sword?!”

He suddenly punches the wooden pillar beside him, emits a dull sound, eyes almost spouting fire: “That Wanyan Digü, with hidden intentions, falsely claims the throne in Kaifeng, treats our Huaxia as nothing!”

“His iron cavalry under his command slaughters our cities, massacres our people, blood debts are endless, cannot be fully documented!”

At this point, he abruptly turns to Gu Hui, voice carrying an almost desperate questioning tone, as if seeking an answer to persuade himself: “My Lord! Tell me! Such deep hatred, irreconcilable!”

“That Zhao Gou, being the ruler, inheriting the grand lineage, although wrong in a thousand ways, yet…yet how can he join hands with such mortal enemies whose hands are stained with the blood of our Great Song’s citizens, does he still have any sense of responsibility as a monarch in his heart, does he still remember this world, is it still Zhao’s world?”

Yue Fei’s face is full of puzzlement.

He truly doesn’t understand.

The Great Song reaching today’s state has become increasingly incomprehensible to him.

No, it is not only him.

Many with great ambitions in their hearts also don’t understand, don’t understand why the Great Song has fallen to such a state.

Hearing this, Gu Hui also shakes his head, but he doesn’t say much.

He can’t console Yue Fei.

Some things can be seen openly, then they can be seen openly; if not, there’s no way for anyone.

Gu Hui doesn’t say any nonsense; after a moment, he discusses the matters of warfare with Yue Fei.

Both of their abilities are top-notch in the current times.

In the current situation where the enemy’s movements are already known, tactical arrangements are naturally swift.

Yue Fei proposes the strategy of harassing the supply routes with light cavalry, controlling the ferry crossings at the Yellow River, and heavy forces holding key points, which Gu Hui agrees deeply.

Just as they are discussing specific troop deployment details, Yue Fei suddenly stops speaking, a heavy worry passing between his brows.

“My Lord,” his voice is low, “while tactical arrangements can be meticulous, there is one matter that is like a thorn in the throat.”

“Although Zhao Gou is dimwitted, he is ultimately recognized by all as the ruler; we raise troops not merely to save the people from fire and water, yet in the eyes of the world, we inevitably fall into the name of ‘traitorous ministers’. If this righteousness and legitimacy are not established, military and civilian morale might be difficult to consolidate.”

This is certain.

Especially when Zhao Gou made Gu Hui into a notorious villain, this point is even more critical.

Put simply, they lack righteousness!

Especially in the situation where Gu Hui has already split from the Gu Clan.

This point has now become even more important!

But how could Gu Hui not be prepared for this?

Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned around and retrieved from a gilded wooden box behind him a scroll of bright yellow silk.

Though the silk appeared worn, it still exuded an undeniable majesty.

“What Pengju worries about is indeed crucial.” Gu Hui slowly unfolded the silk, revealing the character strokes like iron hooks and silver strokes and a bright red Heirloom Seal of the Realm mark, “This is a secret decree from Emperor Taizu.”

The edict clearly states: If a future emperor is muddle-headed and loses virtue, brings chaos to the country, causing great suffering, and Huaxia to be shrouded in dust, the Gu Clan may hold this edict, carry out the action of deposition and enthronement, and choose another wise ruler to secure the peace of the nation!

He pushed the decrees towards Yue Fei, eyes blazing: “Zhao Gou colluded with foreign invaders, betrayed the loyalists, and left the people of the Northern Border in dire straits. His virtue is lost, his position no longer rightful! Today, I, Gu Hui, am not rebelling, but fulfilling the last will of Taizu, to depose this foolish emperor!”

—— The Last Will of Taizu!

This was the only thing Gu Hui brought out from the Gu Clan.

He seemed to have anticipated this day long ago!

Looking at the still distinctly clear handwriting, Yue Fei’s expression was momentarily stunned.

He didn’t feel the excitement he imagined he would.

In other words, anyone with ambition in their heart would never wish to see this day.

Even though he had already embarked on a new path!

Gu Hui said nothing more to him, just patted his shoulder and then walked straight out.

…

The eleventh year of Shaoxing, at the end of May.

Yingchang Prefecture.

Thick smoke billowed past.

In the central square of the city, a vast crowd gathered, consisting not only of armored soldiers from the Northern Border but also countless citizens flocking from all directions. The high platform had long been set up, solemn and majestic.

Gu Hui, dressed in a simple azure robe, without armor, calmly stepped onto the high platform.

Yue Fei, fully armored, stood to his side with his hand on his sword, his expression resolute, his gaze like lightning sweeping the crowd, maintaining order. All eyes were focused on Gu Hui, and the air was filled with a mixture of anticipation, tension, and an unknown excitement.

Gu Hui stood at the front of the platform, his gaze sweeping slowly over the tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel below, his voice clear yet carrying an indisputable power, echoing throughout the square:

“People of the world, soldiers!”

“Today, Gu Hui stands here not for personal gain, but for the state, for millions of people, to carry out an essential action for the foundation of the country!”

He paused in his speech, then solemnly accepted the bright yellow decree from the attendant at his side and held it high:

“This is the secret decree of the founding Emperor Taizu of the Great Song, Zhao Kuangyin!”

“Emperor Taizu, with foresight spanning a thousand miles, considered the future and specially left instructions: Any Zhao descendant who inherits the throne, if muddle-headed and loses virtue, ignores the suffering of the people, colludes with foreign enemies, bringing calamity to Huaxia, the Gu Clan of Julu, entrusted by the nation, may hold this decree, exercising the power of deposition and enthronement, to select another wise ruler and secure peace for the nation!”

With every word he spoke, the crowd below became increasingly restless. The words “Last Will of Taizu!” exploded in everyone’s heart like a thunderclap.

Gu Hui’s voice suddenly rose, with a righteous authority: “Now, Zhao Gou, above, has failed the heavy trust of Taizu, below, has betrayed the expectations of the people for their livelihood!”

“His disposition is weak, devoid of progress; his conduct is vile, even secretly communicating and conspiring with the Jin invaders who slaughter our compatriots, and forming an alliance to harm the loyalists! Such actions are abhorrent to both man and god, intolerable to heaven and earth!”

“Zhao Gou is no longer fit to be an emperor!”

His gaze, like a torch, pierced southward, as if penetrating thousands of mountains and rivers, directly reaching the Chuigong Hall in Yingtian, his voice firm and resolute, like the final judgement:

“Therefore, this day, Huai, in compliance with the last will of Emperor Taizu, proclaims to the world——”

The entire scene fell instantly silent, even the wind seemed to halt.

“Depose Zhao Gou from the position of Emperor! Strip him of his titles, expel him from the ancestral temple!”

“From this day forth, Zhao Gou is no longer the emperor of Song! All his edicts are false edicts! Let the world abandon them!”

“The country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can governance be disorderly for a day.”

“Before the whole nation can endorse a new ruler, to stabilize the situation and continue the national legacy, Gu Hui, inadequately talented, will temporarily assume the position of Regent Grand Tutor, by virtue of the Gu Clan’s lineage, undertaking the mandate to depose and enthrone, overseeing military and national affairs, along with the loyal and righteous throughout the land, to support the crisis, expel the invaders, and recreate the universe!”

—— Under the repetition of the messenger, these words were thoroughly conveyed by the passing gusts of wind.

And as the message continued to spread.

This great turmoil thus fully erupted!

…..

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