I am a soldier in the border army

Chapter 663 Purge the Emperor's Corrupt Officials! The Zhenliao Army has rebelled!

As time went on, Han Shao had fewer and fewer opportunities to appear in front of most people.

Distance breeds awe, closeness breeds familiarity.

This can also be considered a method of managing subordinates.

Similarly, each time he appears in public, he usually no longer displays the same passionate and lengthy speeches as before.

As the top leader of a large interest group, he no longer needs to use passionate enthusiasm to bind and drive them to work for him.

What he needs to do now is to fight for tangible benefits for them and share in the visible glory.

This approach yielded quite significant results.

Just like now, even if he's just standing there in a simple way.

The still, black torrent below the command platform erupted into a roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down.

"Your Majesty is mighty!"

Han Shao simply extended his palm as if to stop the commotion, and the once bustling crowd below the command platform fell silent in an instant.

That's prestige!
It is also the ultimate achievement that a military general can attain in his entire life!

At this point, theoretically speaking, he is capable of doing anything he wants.

Of course, there's a premise to this.

That means he cannot afford to lose.

If he loses, he will likely meet the same fate as the Hegemon-King of Wujiang.

I am ashamed to face the elders of Jiangdong.

……

Click on the table.

"Do you think... I will fail?"

Faced with the question suddenly posed by Han Shao, Zhongxing Gu, who was following behind Han Shao like an old servant, hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty has received the Mandate of Heaven and will govern the world in accordance with it!"

"When everything is going smoothly, how can there be any reason for defeat?"

Receiving the mandate of heaven?

Upon hearing this, Han Shao initially intended to reply with "I am the greatest under heaven, my fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven," or simply "I am heaven, my fate is the fate of heaven."

But in the end, I decided against it.

Looking down at the lost old dog he had picked up on the grassland, Han Shao said helplessly.

"Get up."

“You are a loyal subject, not a slave of mine. You kneel down at the drop of a hat. What kind of behavior is that?”

Upon hearing this, Zhongxing Gu was about to defend himself with something like "willing to be a slave to the Han family," but Han Shao had already stopped looking at him.

"what about you?"

Do you think... I will fail?

The generals of Zhenliao Army who were caught in Han Shao's gaze immediately became solemn and bowed with their hands on their chests.

"I am willing to serve as your vanguard, even unto death!"

Han Shao watched them quietly.

Among these people were core former subordinates like Zhao Mu and Feng Can, as well as his father-in-law Gongsun Du's former trusted generals, and even surrendered generals from various factions accumulated over the years of campaigns.

At this moment, regardless of their relationship with Han Shao, their gazes were all intense and fervent.

Han Shao did not bother to discern the burning desire in their eyes or what they were seeking.

Humans all have desires.

How many people in this world can truly be blindly loyal?

Even he, Han, couldn't do it, so naturally he wouldn't be so harsh as to force others to do it.

So, in response to their gazes, Han Shao made a promise that wasn't really a promise.

"A family that has been noble for generations, is it not born with a special destiny?"

Han Shao glanced at everyone and said calmly.

“They can be replaced.”

These words sent a chill down the spines of all the Zhenliao Army generals present.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, the already intense fighting spirit on the stage intensified even further.

At this moment, Han Shao had already shifted his gaze from them and turned his attention back to the vast black ocean below.

Looking back, on the grasslands of yesteryear, there were only a few hundred remnants of defeated soldiers on either side.

Han Shao had tried his best to remember each of their names and even their personality traits.

Although he had already attained extraordinary cultivation, he could no longer remember the people below him.

With a slightly wistful sigh, Han Shao looked somewhat melancholy.

After regaining my senses, I stopped thinking about it.

"Soldiers—"

Han Shao's voice wasn't loud, and his tone wasn't particularly impassioned, but he made sure it clearly reached the ears of every soldier stationed in Liaodong.

He didn't say much more after that.

To put it simply, the fact that the late Emperor Taikang was killed by the traitor Zhang Xian had its own internal causes.

It was because there were traitors within the court who colluded with those outside to secretly harm the late emperor, which led to his untimely death in his prime.

These people not only harmed the late emperor, but later they also used the same trick to murder the 'wise minister' Shangguan Ding, ultimately leading to the current chaos in the world, the loss of people, and their suffering as if they were in dire straits.

Their numerous and heinous acts have aroused the wrath of both gods and men!

Just as Han Shao had predicted, these words did not have much impact on the soldiers.

Until Han Shao changed the subject.

"In the current imperial court of the capital, beasts are fed and the people are treated like fish."

"Not only do they seize control of the government and issue numerous chaotic decrees, but even His Majesty is being manipulated and controlled by these traitors!"

"Recently, eighteen imperial edicts were issued in succession, summoning me to the capital!"

"What do you all say about this capital city... Should I go or not?"

Upon hearing this, the sea of ​​black-armored soldiers below the command platform fell silent for a moment, then quickly became restless and noisy.

If you look closely, you can see that many soldiers are visibly flustered and gradually becoming anxious.

Is the emperor summoned to the capital?

What a joke!
What will happen to their hundreds of thousands of soldiers now that the king is gone?
What will become of the millions of people in the six states that are now in their hands?
"Your Majesty! No!"

A near-earth-shattering roar erupted from the black-armored ocean below.

At this moment, on the command platform, the generals who had finally received this 'signal' all stepped forward anxiously to offer their advice.

"Your Majesty! This capital city is absolutely unacceptable!"

Enveloped in magical power, the sound was so loud that it stretched for countless miles.

Han Shao's voice was also clearly audible.

"If we do not obey the emperor's decree, would that be disobeying the imperial order?"

To defy the imperial decree is tantamount to treason.

Han is a loyal and virtuous official of the Great Yong Dynasty!

By obstructing me like this, you are trying to make me appear disloyal and unjust!

Seeing Han Shao's dissatisfied tone, the generals of Zhenliao Army became even more anxious.

"Your Majesty! This is a traitorous minister who is using the Emperor's name to deceive you, intending to imprison and harm you!"

"How could Your Majesty fall for such a treacherous scheme?"

"Indeed! If Your Majesty obeys the decree, you will surely repeat the mistakes of the late Emperor and the late Prime Minister, and be harmed by treacherous and stingy traitors!"

Han Shao fell silent upon hearing this.

They clearly agreed with what they said.

However, Han Shao then let out a soft sigh.

"With the Emperor's command before me, if I were to refuse out of fear of death, would I not be disloyal?"

"The world will surely laugh at me, I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Mu, who was always obsequious to his superiors, resolutely interrupted him.

"Your Majesty is confused!"

"Your Majesty was highly regarded by the late Emperor. If Your Majesty were to fall into the hands of those treacherous and petty men for the sake of temporary fame, that would be true disloyalty!"

Han Shao frowned, seemingly puzzled.

"What do you mean by this?"

Zhao Mu spoke firmly and urgently.

"Your Majesty! Now that the late Emperor has passed away and the former Prime Minister has also died, the central government is completely controlled by those treacherous and greedy traitors!"

"If His Majesty is harmed by treacherous people again, who can save the world from this catastrophe? Who can save the millions of people from suffering?"

As he spoke, Zhao Mu paused, his face flushing red.

"The fate of the world rests with the king! If the king insists on this..."

"To fail to repay the late emperor's kindness in selecting and promoting one is to be disloyal!"

"If Your Majesty cannot bring peace to the people of the world for generations, then you are unrighteous!" "Does Your Majesty only fear the ridicule of those ignorant and foolish men, but not the condemnation of the people and the annals of history?"

After saying all that in one breath, Zhao Mu stared at Han Shao with his neck stiff.

What a loyal and upright minister he was!

Han Shao, who was being contradicted by him, seemed to be annoyed as well.

"Zhao Mu! How dare you—"

His shout only earned him a bow from all the Zhenliao Army generals.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"We all believe that General Zhao's words are correct!"

"Your Majesty, please do not betray the trust of the late Emperor! For the sake of the nation, do not rashly venture into dangerous places!"

Han Shao's gaze swept over the group of soldiers and generals, and after a moment, he seemed to finally calm down.

"But if I do not go to the capital, who can rescue His Majesty from those treacherous and wicked traitors?"

At this point, Han Shao suddenly let out a long sigh, his expression showing a mixture of reluctance and indignation.

"Now that traitors are in power, the emperor is in a state of disgrace, like a puppet."

"Although I am the Prince of Yan, I am also a subject of Dayong. How can I sit idly by and watch the Emperor suffer such a great humiliation?"

Seeing that Han Shao was still determined to go to Shendu, the generals of Zhenliao Army exchanged glances.

Then suddenly someone stood up and shouted.

"Since Your Majesty is a loyal subject, I am willing to personally go to dangerous places for the Emperor!"

"However, we are also subjects of Yan!"

"We cannot stand by and watch His Majesty face danger alone!"

"Now that His Majesty has made up his mind, we cannot stop him! We can only accompany him!"

These words were immediately echoed by everyone.

"Indeed! If Your Majesty insists on obeying the decree!"

"Your Majesty, please take this humble general with you!"

The voice rang out from the command platform and reached the area below.

Moments later, the clanging of armor clashing came from below, along with the words—

"If Your Majesty insists on obeying the decree!"

"Your Majesty, please take us, the Zhenliao Army, with you!"

This saying initially came from a small group, but as time went on, it quickly spread throughout the entire world.

"If Your Majesty insists on obeying the decree!"

"Your Majesty, please take us, the Zhenliao Army, with you!"

Standing on the command platform, Han Shao looked somewhat taken aback by the scene before him.

"How could this be! How could this be!"

"You're going to make my life miserable!"

The fact that troops were brought into the capital is irrefutable evidence of treason.

"I am a loyal subject of the Great Yong Dynasty, how could I possibly commit such an act treason!"

However, in response to Han Shao's rebuke, some people resolutely said...

"His Majesty has personally bestowed upon him the title of Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, both within and outside the capital, by the late Emperor!"

"This time, we have brought troops into the capital solely to rescue His Majesty from dire straits and to execute the traitors who have brought disaster to the country! Who in the world can say that His Majesty is plotting rebellion?"

This sharp shout was like a sudden blow to the head, and Han Shao seemed to be affected.

After much hesitation and struggle, it finally turned into a sigh.

"You all think so too?"

These words were spoken to the vast, black-armored ocean below.

Upon hearing his words, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the Zhenliao Army responded with shouts almost without pause.

"Please, Your Majesty, order the troops to be dispatched!"

"Execute the traitorous and treacherous officials! To cleanse the court of corrupt ministers!"

……

Overall, this show was quite successful.

Han Shao was fairly satisfied.

However, seeing Zhao Mu's smug expression, Han Shao couldn't help but tease him.

"You need to practice more."

"I can ask Li He for advice later."

Looking back on the grasslands back then, he and Li He worked together so well.

Compared to him, Zhao Mu was far inferior.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Mu's face immediately fell.

Li He has been back for some time now.

However, this fellow has been away from the capital for ten years, and now he is becoming less and less like a martial artist.

He was somewhat unapproachable.

In particular, this fellow has been getting very close to that old fox Li Wenjing lately, and it is said that he intends to become her disciple and study Legalist arts.

As a result, not only Zhao Mu, but even his uncle Li Jing actively distanced himself from him.

Upon hearing Han Shao's words, Zhao Mu's first reaction was to secretly ponder the meaning behind them.

It wasn't until he met Han Shao's slightly regretful gaze that Zhao Mu realized what was happening.

In fact, Han Shao just wanted these old friends to get closer together and not to waste the bond and friendship they had formed through life and death together.

Unfortunately, everything has changed in the end.

Just like him and Han Shao, who used to be Sima and Junhou respectively.

And now... it's a matter of ruler and subject.

So even though he understood in his heart, Zhao Mu only verbally agreed with Han Shao's words, but remained extremely respectful from beginning to end.

……

June of the second year of Xingping.

The Imperial Guards, who set out from the capital in the first month of the lunar calendar, recovered most of the prefectures and counties that had fallen into the hands of Huang Tiandao in just half a year.

Their unstoppable advance has drawn the attention of everyone in the world.

However, just when everyone thought that Gongye Jin was going to take advantage of this great momentum to wipe out all the remaining remnants of Huang Tiandao, the 100,000 Imperial Guards suddenly changed their tactics and began to gather in Yuzhou.

At first, many people were confused and couldn't understand what Gongye Jin was trying to do.

But gradually, everyone realized what was going on.

Is this a move to take action against that person in Youzhou?

Needless to say.

The King of Yan of Dayong, who ruled over six states and commanded hundreds of thousands of fierce soldiers, would have been a source of unease and discomfort for any emperor in his position.

But... isn't this a bit too hasty?

Like the court officials in the capital, they all felt that Ji Yin, the new emperor, was too hasty.

Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish.

In this world, it's sometimes best to take things slowly and methodically.

They're so eager to eat right from the start, it's not only unseemly, but more importantly, can you really stomach such a terrifyingly powerful behemoth?
Don't even mention how clean and efficient you, Ji Yin, were in your struggle with Shangguan Ding.

And let's not even mention how brilliant the results have been in the battles against Huang Tiandao over the past six months.

The former was merely a calculated move by someone who was not paying attention.

The advantage lies in its unexpectedness, or even its chance occurrence.

As for the latter, there's not much to say.

It's just parroting what others have said.

After all, everyone knows that after the Battle of Guangzong City, the Three Elders of Huangtian, led by the Great Teacher of Virtue, all perished.

The core disciples and a large number of Huangtian warriors were also wiped out in the battle. Compared with them, the remaining Huangtian armies from various places, which seemed to be in large numbers, were nothing more than scraps.

Therefore, no matter how brilliant the achievements of the Imperial Guards of the Capital have been in the past six months, most people in the world still feel that the gap between the two is still significant.

And indeed, things turned out exactly as these people predicted.

Since mid-June, the vanguard of the Imperial Guards of Shendu have gathered on the banks of the Ji River, forming a subtle standoff with the Zhenliao Army that occupies Jizhou on the opposite side.

The Zhenliao Navy, which relied on its huge treasure ships to roam the Ji River, acted very toughly.

Although the two sides did not completely break off relations after several brief clashes, they still managed to make the Imperial Guards of the capital look bad.

By the end of June, the Imperial Guards in red armor had gathered in greater numbers along the Ji River, and the Zhenliao naval forces began to restrain themselves, no longer acting as recklessly as before.

However, just as everyone was waiting for the Imperial Guards' next move, the Zhenliao Army on the other side unexpectedly took the initiative and moved first.

In July, go south!
When the enormous treasure ships, each several meters tall, gathered on the Ji River, everyone was startled and a thought instantly arose in their hearts.

The Zhenliao Army has rebelled!

And the reversal was so clean and efficient, without any hesitation!
……

(End of this chapter)