Only after the rebellion succeeded did they realize that this place was...

"This is the eldest daughter of the Sheng family..."

"She is of good character, unmarried, and has an excellent reputation among the women of Yangzhou. However, due to the outbreak of war between our great Han and the treacherous Song, this was temporarily put on hold."

"She then followed her father to be promoted to the sixth rank of Chengzhilang in the capital, which allowed her to come to the city of Tokyo. However, she is still unmarried."

The palace eunuch lowered his head and listened attentively, speaking with a light laugh.

"Step down!"

Liu Hong put down the scripture in his hand, and in the midst of his fluctuating thoughts, he saw the big picture in the small details and learned a great deal.

Sheng Hualan, the legitimate daughter of the Sheng family?

This place is... I wonder!

……

The new Han dynasty, the third year of the Xihe era.

Emperor Liu Hong arrived in Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty.

At this time, the Palace Guard and the Imperial Guard, numbering nearly 100,000 troops, had been captured in Tokyo, and all the soldiers who could fight had become prisoners.

The rest either defected at the last minute, disbanded long ago, or even fled.

Even the last remaining troops in the imperial city—the Imperial City Guard, the elite guards of the Emperor Zhao Zhen, and the Palace Guard—saw their morale plummet to rock bottom as the surrender document was sent.

Now all that's left is the ability to defend the city.

And today!

The civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty, dressed in a mix of purple, red, green and blue official robes, were all trembling with fear.

Besides being surrounded by the elite troops of the Xin Han army, it was also because—

boom!

A huge, dull thud kicked up a cloud of dust.

The last gate of the Song Dynasty, the Xuande Gate of the Imperial City, which had been under strict guard since March, was opened after a long absence.

All the officials who saw it were deeply moved.

Inside Xuande Gate, the former Emperor Zhao Zhen, dressed in white robes and a gauze hat, slowly walked out. Nearly fifty years old, with a withered face, he stood before the crowd, bearing the marks of a crime.

He shouted, "The sinner Zhao Zhen is incompetent in governing the country, and Heaven has sent down punishment upon him. But Heaven has the virtue of cherishing life, and has sent down the new Han emperor to restore the Han name and the dignity of the nation..."

"The sinner Zhao Zhen is deeply grateful for the Emperor's benevolence!"

"Your Majesty, how could things have come to this?"

One official shouted emotionally.

But more often than not, people are willing but unable to do so.

The new Han army swept across the land, and even the large army that covered the entire city of Tokyo suffered repeated defeats, let alone these scholars who were powerless to even kill a chicken.

Seeing this, many officials, including Sheng Hong, turned their attention to Prime Minister Han Zhang.

As a veteran official who served three dynasties and held a high position, rumors circulated that he was even involved in the emperor's surrender today.

At this time of transition between the old and the new, it has naturally become a guiding light for many officials in the government and the public.

Han Zhang simply sighed, looking helpless.

The current government is excellent. Although the country has long suffered from chronic problems, with excessive bureaucracy and extravagance in various regions, and the treasury is already running a deficit, with many resorting to spending beyond their means, there will eventually be a time when things will improve.

Although the Emperor is old, the Song Dynasty is not yet nearing its end.

And let us share the world with the scholar-officials!

Various measures to benefit officials also added a touch of nobility to the ranks of officials throughout the land.

However, a new Han dynasty emerged, whose elite troops stood out, and none of the major passes in the Song dynasty could withstand a single blow from them.

Han Zhang, as prime minister, naturally understood the intricacies of the matter.

The Song Dynasty's emphasis on civil affairs over military matters was not a recent development, but rather a policy adopted by several generations. This has led to its current predicament, and there may have been signs of this from the very beginning.

Han Zhang, his purple robe drooping, suddenly sensed unusual activity among the elite troops of the New Han forces and looked in the direction of the sound.

But then, in the distance of the imperial city, a grand imperial procession came rushing in, magnificent and imposing, befitting the nobility of the imperial family. It was not the extravagance of the Song Dynasty, but rather the strength of the Han Dynasty.

Even before they got close, the imposing and powerful aura of the new Han army swept over them, sending chills down their spines.

No wonder my Great Song Dynasty suffered defeat after defeat!

"Welcome, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

The Xin Han army shouted in unison, their voices like thunder, as if from the heavens.

Upon hearing this, the officials were startled once again.

Is this the imperial majesty of the new Han emperor?

The roar of the mountains and the surging of the sea were truly spectacular.

The line stopped.

On the imperial carriage, Liu Hong looked down at his ministers, his gaze clear and bright.

After a long while, a voice finally rang out.

"Chancellor Han led his ministers into the Chui Gong Hall."

"Proceed to court and issue the imperial decree!"

"Your humble servant Han Zhang obeys the order."

As Han Zhang spoke, the officials in front of Xuande Gate continued to bow and give way, and the procession then moved forward.

Just as they entered the imperial city, Zhao Zhen, dressed in white robes and a gauze hat, appeared old and frail at the city gate. Yet, he once again raised his voice, his voice strong and clear, and shouted, "This sinner, Zhao Zhen, respectfully welcomes the Emperor into the city!!! This sinner, Zhao Zhen, is guilty, and begs the Emperor for mercy!"

The sound faded.

Han Zhang led the way, and the officials followed suit.

"We, your humble servants, respectfully welcome Your Majesty into the city! Long live the Emperor!"

At this moment, all officials and even the emperor bowed down in submission.

The fate of the Song Dynasty has changed.

Today, we shall be the great Han!

"The criminal Zhao Zhen, considering his compassion for the people and his concern for the nation, has not made another mistake or committed another serious crime! He is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Shunming, and it is hoped that he will live in peace and not cause any more trouble."

"Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Zhao Zhen bowed, and bowed again.

The imperial carriage entered the capital city, with the main army leading the way to take over the city's defenses as quickly as possible, ensuring no mistakes were made; officials followed one after another, many of them looking relieved and much more at ease.

As Han Zhang passed by Zhao Zhen at the head of the officials, he bowed slightly and quickly said, "Your Majesty, take care in the future!"

Zhao Zhen showed no reaction whatsoever.

Seeing that no one was paying attention, Sheng Hong, who was almost the last of the officials, couldn't help but pat his chest and let out a long sigh.

"This new emperor is benevolent; perhaps my Sheng family can be saved!"

……

Chuigong Hall.

In the past, the above court was used more often.

After disembarking from the imperial carriage, Liu Hong arrived inside the palace. Behind him and to his left and right were the civil and military officials who had been appointed by the new Han dynasty when it was in Jinling. However, since the country was not unified in the past, these appointments were only made for important official positions.

Look around.

Large palace fans are placed on the left and right sides of the hall, dark curtains hang high between the pillars, and there are also lanterns and giant candles for nighttime use. Incense burners are placed in the corners of the hall. Being here makes one feel relaxed and happy.

Liu Hong continued forward.

Left Chancellor Gongsun Bai and Grand Commander Geng Jie, each leading their respective officials, stood tall. Their words and actions were not those of commoners, but rather those of gentry, and their manners were extremely courteous.

Liu Hong sat on the Sumeru Throne, with a yellow silk brocade seat, and behind him was a screen embroidered with patterns of the sun, moon, stars, mountains and rivers, symbolizing that the emperor "followed the way of heaven".

Before long, Han Zhang and other former officials of the dynasty arrived.

Liu Hong gestured.

The purple-robed eunuch standing by his side straightened his shoulders, held the imperial edict, and shouted loudly: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees! In the third year of the Xihe era of the new Han Dynasty, the court and the country have just been settled. However, the official system of the old dynasty is different and does not conform to the proper order. Many officials have many names, which is a real burden on the country... Of the officials of the sixth rank and above, except for a very few, those with real power will either return home, be transferred, or be reassigned..."

"The new dynasty is full of new beginnings! All those who are not newly appointed high-ranking officials and nobles are hereby abolished..."

"So be it!"

……

"Your humble servant accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!"

Among the officials, Han Zhang was still the first to speak.

Subsequently, a large number of sixth-rank officials were overjoyed, and they, along with a few officials of not low rank, shouted in unison as if they were overturning a mountain of gold and jade pillars.

Those high-ranking officials who remained at the end looked bitter, but dared not go against the tide, so they also bowed down one by one.

Thus, the first imperial edict of the new dynasty was successfully issued.