Martial Arts: I am in the Ming Cult and I am building a dynasty

It can be said that the forces under Yang Zhao and Zhao Shirong were operating at full capacity, paving an extremely smooth path for the 100,000 Jin troops to march southward and approach the capital.

It was just as Yang Zhao and others expected.

Seeing that the Song Dynasty's military preparations had become so shabby, the 100,000-strong Jin army quickly marched non-stop from the west route of Hebei, along Xingzhou, Xiangzhou, Chanzhou and other places. In just over ten days, they arrived at the north bank of the Yellow River, and some troops even began to cross the river to the south bank.

For a moment, the entire city of Bianjing was in chaos.

Fortunately, in the recent operation to kill Cai Jing, 70% of the forces, big and small, in the entire Bianjing city were destroyed overnight, and the rest were also severely damaged.

There is no more trouble caused by gangsters and factions.

Although the people in Bianjing were in panic, no trouble occurred after the 400,000 imperial troops entered the city.

The people of Bianjing City were still deterred by the Song Dynasty's imperial guards and appeased by a large number of officials.

But the situation in the Song Dynasty's imperial palace and court was not so stable, and could even be said to be in chaos.

On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, there is a grand court meeting.

This period of time can be said to be the most diligent time in Zhao Ji's life.

Since the news of the invasion of the Liao and Jin foreign armies came, Zhao Ji had held 18 grand court meetings in less than a month.

Sadly, this didn't work.

With Fan Zhongyan, Wang Anshi, Kou Zhun, Han Qi and others operating behind the scenes, the only loyal and capable ministers left in the court, such as Xiao Qinyan and Li Gang, all kept silent, like wooden men.

Instead, it was the officials nominated by the gentry and nobles in the northern border who quarreled every day.

"Your Majesty, the Liao army is a brutal and cruel foreign race, and they have thousands of cavalry. You should order the court to send troops to rescue the millions of people in Hedong Road. Otherwise, the northern border of our Song Dynasty will be gone!"

"Bullshit, the Liao Kingdom is already at the end of its rope, this is just its last struggle."

"Your Majesty, the Jin army is our greatest concern. The annual tax revenue from Hebei West Road accounts for one-fifth of the court's income. Without the northern border, our Song Dynasty will perish..."

In the court, the Hedong faction and the Hebei faction quarreled fiercely, and even the Lianghuai faction wanted to get involved.

Unfortunately, these civil and military officials, apart from clamoring for Zhao Ji to make the decision and for the court to send troops, did not even have a reasonable and appropriate strategy.

Anyway, they just cry bitterly and see who makes the louder noise.

At first, when Zhao Ji looked at this scene, he felt a little anxious but not too angry.

But now, the Jin army has already reached Chanzhou, just across the river.

Once the Jin army crossed the river, they would be able to rush directly to the city of Bianjing in just one hour at most.

At this time, if you are still crying here, can you cry away or drown the 100,000 Jin soldiers?

Zhao Ji became more and more angry, and he threw the paperweight on the dragon table on the spot. He ignored the emperor's etiquette and roared: "What's the point of quarreling all day long? I support you civil and military officials. In this critical moment, you should give me some advice."

"If you can't come to a conclusion, no one will be allowed to leave the court today. I will watch you from here."

As soon as Zhao Ji finished speaking, the entire court suddenly became quiet again.

If it were in the past, when Cai Jing, Wang Fu and others were still around, there would still be people who dared to take the lead in seeking peace, or even pay annual tributes, which would have been a bad idea for Zhao Ji.

But now that the Song Dynasty is gone, four of the six thieves have been killed, and the remaining two, Liang Shicheng and Li Yan, have been very cautious recently and don't dare to talk nonsense at this time.

So it started from the morning court and lasted until noon.

In the imperial palace, Zhao Ji was still confronting the civil and military officials of the court, as if they were engaged in a silent torture competition.

Even after lunch, all the civil and military officials were still as silent as quails.

Zhao Ji was furious and finally couldn't help but call out his name, "Li Gang, don't you usually have your own ideas? You always advise me this and that. Tell me, what should we do now?"

Li Gang stepped out of the line, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that Bianjing City can no longer bear it. I think we can move the capital to the south of the Yangtze River, using the Huai River and the Yangtze River as a buffer and the Yangtze River as a barrier to protect the Song Dynasty."

Hearing Li Gang's words.

Zhao Ji's eyes suddenly widened, and all the civil and military officials were also stunned.

What the hell is this a stupid idea? If so, wouldn't it mean giving up the entire northern border of the Song Dynasty? Even after death, I will be infamous for eternity.

In an instant, another group of people started to criticize Li Gang.

When everyone finished their rant, Li Gang also got angry and roared, "What do you think we should do? Some of the Jin army has already crossed the river, and they are patrolling. We can't attack them halfway across the river. Isn't it because you northerners have been colluding with the Liao and Jin countries all day long? Otherwise, the Jin army will be able to cross the entire northern border in just over ten days?"

Li Gang was a righteous man. He was so angry that he almost overturned the table.

In an instant, all the northern officials who had been clamoring ceased.

Zhao Ji was also annoyed, but he could do nothing about it. He could only calm down and say, "Li Qing, please calm down. Now is not the time to argue in the court. The vast mountains and rivers of the northern border are the foundation of my ancestors. I must not lose them in my hands. Li Qing, think about it again. Do you have any other ideas?"

Li Gang said angrily, "Your Majesty, the Northwest Army, the Huai River Army, and the Jiangnan Army are all out of reach. The only Northern Frontier Army we can rely on is rotten in the hands of the officials in the court. With only Lord Zongze and Zhending Prefecture, it is impossible to deter the 100,000 Jin troops. I have no other plan. If Your Majesty is unwilling to move the capital, I am willing to die with Your Majesty in Bianjing."

Zhao Ji remained silent, and neither did the other civil or military officials.

Because everyone knew that what Li Gang said was the truth. The Northern Frontier Army, which was originally the most powerful army of the Song Dynasty, was completely destroyed by Zhao Ji and the northern gentry.

The former capable military generals such as the Cao family, the Tianbo Yang family, etc. were all suppressed by the emperor and civil officials.

How do you hit him? Hit him on the head.

As he watched the scenes in the court, Xiao Qinyan's eyes flashed.

Li Gang is really good at acting scary.

It's time to show some real skills.

Chapter 221 Xiao Qinyan encourages Zhao Ji to abdicate

It was okay for the emperor and civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty to develop the economy and bring harm to the people during peacetime.

But if you were to say that he was going to die for the Song Dynasty, he would defend Bian Jing to the death and fight a decisive battle with the Jin army.

Be it Zhao Ji or the civil and military officials in the court, none of them were happy.

How wonderful it is to be alive.

Isn’t it just half of the Song Dynasty? If it really doesn’t work, just give it to the Jin people. At least there is still half of the Song Dynasty to cause trouble.

Zhao Ji was somewhat tempted, but he needed someone, or a step to pass the blame.

If Cai Jing, Wang Fu, Fu Zongshu and others were still alive.

Zhao Ji only needed to give a glance and someone would come out to take the blame, allowing Zhao Ji to throw the pot away safely. The person could even adjust his posture and strike a cool and handsome pose for people to admire.

But now, without Cai Jing, Wang Fu and others, Zhao Ji always felt a little depressed.

These damn bastards are always the first to commit corruption, but when it comes to taking the blame for me, they shrink back faster than anyone else.

A bunch of ungrateful wolves, what's wrong with them taking the blame for me?

It will just leave a bad reputation for eternity.

Isn't it enough to live a carefree life while you are alive? How can I treat you badly?

Damn thing.

Whoever Zhao Ji looked at would lower their heads immediately. As a last resort, Zhao Zhao could only look at his last two confidants, Li Yan and Gao Qiu.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Gao, can you two also tell me what we should do about the current situation?"

When they heard Zhao Ji's words, Li Yan and Gao Qiu's faces turned pale on the spot.

Damn it, you bastards. You usually gave all the benefits to Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Wang Fu, and Zhu Zhen, and now you two have to take the blame.

Is this reasonable? Is there still law?

Even though Li Yan and Gao Qiu were reluctant, they had already been named and had to stand up.

Li Yan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lord Li Gang is right, and the officials in the court also have a point. Whether to move the capital to Jiangnan is up to your Majesty. I agree with you and will follow you until death."

Gao Qiu glanced at Li Yan casually.

Master, this is no different from not saying anything. I didn't expect Li Yan, a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, to have such a mind. Damn, I made a mistake. I should have taken the lead myself.

Just when Gao Qiu was about to play some Tai Chi and have a peak and mud-smoothing contest.

Zhao Ji, who was sitting on the Dragon Platform, had a face as black as the bottom of a pot. He looked at Gao Qiu with extremely sharp eyes, full of murderous intent and cold light.

Zhao Ji was also very angry in his heart, I asked you to take the blame.

What is this, Li Yan kicked it back to me again, is this Cuju?

Being stared at by Zhao Ji with a fierce look in his eyes, Gao Qiu suddenly felt very disappointed.

If we don't handle this wave well, I'm afraid we won't have the chance to play Cuju in the future. This blame is so heavy.

Gao Qiu was filled with grief and indignation, but his face was extremely serious. He said, "Your Majesty is a person worth millions of gold. How can you be trapped in the dangerous place of Bianjing? I think that some civil and military officials should stay behind to resist the Jin army, and Your Majesty should temporarily move to the south of the Yangtze River to sit in the rear and make plans to resist the brutal foreign race in the north."

No matter how nice the words sound, the end result is running away.

Although someone took the biggest blame, Zhao Ji was still somewhat dissatisfied.

Li Yan deserves to die, and Gao Qiu is also an idiot.

If Cai Qing and Wang Qing were still alive, they would definitely be able to come up with a nice and graceful way for me to get rid of this blame, and I wouldn't be in such a mess like I am now.

Just when Zhao Ji was hesitating whether to pass the blame on.

Xiao Qinyan suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Zhao Ji glanced at Xiao Qinyan and didn't know that Xiao Qinyan was a traitor sent to his side by Yang Zhao and Zhao Shirong. However, because of the issue of standing on the same side when he ascended the throne, Zhao Ji did not take Xiao Qinyan seriously.

But that was before.

In the current situation, Zhao Ji has fewer and fewer people he can use.

After seeing Xiao Qinyan come out.

Zhao Ji immediately perked up and said, "Xiao Qing, if you have something to say, just tell me."

Xiao Qinyan straightened his spirit and said, "Your Majesty, I think that Your Majesty is old and the Crown Prince is already an adult. Now the north is in danger. Your Majesty may abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince can lead some civil and military officials to guard Bianjing. This way, the Crown Prince can fulfill his filial piety and show that Your Majesty is as wise as Yao, Shun, Yu and Tang."

Xiao Qinyan's words instantly shocked the court.

Zhao Ji on the Dragon Terrace's face suddenly turned ashen and as black as the bottom of a pot.

People like Li Yan and Gao Qiu quickly stepped out and started to criticize Xiao Qinyan.

For quite a while.

Xiao Qinyan just continued: "Your Majesty, this is a perfect plan. With His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascending the throne and sitting in Bianjing, Your Majesty does not need to move the capital. You can also inspect Jiangnan, supervise the Jiangnan, Lianghuai, Northwest and other armies, and repel the Jin army."

"This is a great feat of turning the tide. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not able to supervise the court, Your Majesty can return to the court and give some advice after repelling the enemy."

Xiao Qinyan's words were so confident that he almost said it out loud, putting the blame on the prince and letting him take the blame.

After the Jin army has pushed forward, the person who took the blame can withdraw and then take over again.

Zhao Ji was not stupid at all, he was just confused. He understood Xiao Qinyan's plan in an instant, and his eyes lit up.

There is nothing wrong with this strategy.

As long as he abdicated quickly, the blame for the Jin army's siege of Bianliang would not fall on him.

Instead, he let the prince take the blame on the throne, while he could also make great achievements by touring the Song Dynasty and gathering an army to counterattack the Jin army.

Maybe, in the future I will be recorded in history books and become an emperor of all ages.

Xiao Qing is indeed a talented person.

In an instant, Zhao Ji's gaze towards Xiao Qinyan became much friendlier and more amiable, but when his gaze moved to others, he suddenly became full of disgust.

Li Yan, Gao Qiu and others were complaining in their hearts, and they all looked at Xiao Qinyan with great resentment.

You bastard, if you had such a good idea, you should have told me earlier.

Xiao Qinyan said that this beast was not worthy of being a human being. He was trying to gain power by stepping on the skins of himself and others.

Just when the civil and military officials in the court were complaining in their hearts.

Zhao Ji's face was already full of smiles. He said, "What Xiao Qing said makes sense. In fact, I have also been feeling unwell and lacking energy in recent days. I should follow the example of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince to boost the prestige of our Song Dynasty."

"Where is the prince?"

This way of passing on the blame is cool and perfect, and there is room for recovery later, which is pretty good.

Zhao Ji thought happily, waiting for Crown Prince Zhao Kai to come out and take the blame.

However, for a long time, no one in the court responded.

Zhao Ji's face changed drastically, and he asked, "Where is the crown prince? Master, where is the crown prince at this time?"