Chapter 64 Meeting Yue Fei

Actually, many within the Imperial City Security Service also relied on their power to harass and oppress the common people.

During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, some agents even robbed merchants along the roadside. The victims brought their grievances all the way to the capital, and the matter eventually reached the ears of the Emperor. In a fit of rage, the Emperor confiscated the perpetrators' property and banished them from the palace.

The Imperial City Security Service that Zhao Ning was now employing was justified primarily in the name of national security.

The general narrative was: "Currently, the Jin armies are rampant and have planted numerous spies within our dynasty. I am organizing a counter-espionage effort. This is not targeted at anyone present, so please do not misunderstand."

Zhao Ning asked again, "How is the progress of the Ministry of Military Armaments corruption case that you are assisting Zhao Ding with? Surely it cannot involve only that handful of officials. What about the civilians and merchants involved? Can we dig deeper?"

"I recall Zhao Ding saying that the supplier of the iron materials was a merchant named Wang Xun from Ci Prefecture. Now that the capital's curfew and restrictions have been lifted, shouldn't you bring this Wang Xun to me in the capital?"

"And what about the steward of the Prince of Yun's estate who fled back to his hometown? Shouldn't you have him brought back to the capital from his hometown? I don't care what methods you use; I want results! Do you understand?"

*Zhao Ning in his heart:* I am out of money right now! I urgently need funds! Do you understand?

Faced with the Emperor's sharp and continuous barrage of questions, Gao Qiu broke out in a cold sweat. "Yes! Your Majesty can rest assured, this subject will attend to it immediately!"

Just at that moment, Wang Huaiji walked up to the entrance and announced, "Your Majesty, someone outside the palace wishes to have an audience."

"Deny it! Can't you see how busy I am right now?" Perhaps because the national treasury was exceptionally strained lately, Zhao Ning was somewhat irritable.

"He says he is from Hebei. A junior military officer named Yue Fei has delivered military intelligence."

*Holy crap!*

Zhao Ning bounded straight up in an instant.

That was right, this time he genuinely leaped to his feet!

Gao Qiu, standing nearby, was startled by the sudden movement.

"Quick! Summon him!"

Wang Huaiji had not expected the Emperor to suddenly become so excited.

"Wait! Where is he?"

"Outside the palace gates."

"I will go to him myself!"

With that, Zhao Ning rose and strode out of the Wende Hall.

After taking a few steps, he turned around and walked back into the hall.

"Go, have the one called Yue Fei come here to see me."

Wang Huaiji was momentarily bewildered by the Emperor's erratic behavior, dazed for a second before replying, "Yes, Your Majesty, this subject is going right now."

Why didn't he go to the palace gates in person to welcome Yue Fei?

Because at this time, Yue Fei's achievements were not yet sufficient to warrant the Emperor personally going out to greet him.

From the perspective of someone from the twenty-first century, Yue Fei's arrival was certainly cause for immense excitement; let alone going to the palace gates to welcome him, going outside the city walls to meet him would have been entirely appropriate.

However, that perspective was built upon the foundation of historical events that had already unfolded.

At this present moment, Yue Fei was merely a military-rank official, and his formidable military genius had not yet fully matured.

In other words, the current Yue Fei was still leveling up by defeating monsters.

He had not yet reached his final, complete form.

Only once he reached that ultimate state would he become the legendary Yue Fei who commanded tens of thousands of troops and embodied the motto: "Even if freezing to death, do not dismantle houses; even if starving to death, do not loot or plunder."

When someone lacks major military exploits, a personal imperial welcome yields the following consequences:

First, it would seem baffling and inexplicable. Why should a tiny, unknown junior military officer, who had only racked up a few minor merits during warfare, be personally welcomed by the Emperor? There were many other soldiers in Hebei who had accumulated military honors—should the Emperor personally welcome every single one of them?

Second, it would elevate Yue Fei's current status far too prematurely, provoking jealousy and proving detrimental to a lowly officer like him.

Therefore, according to standard protocol, granting him an audience was quite sufficient.

Before long, Yue Fei entered the Wende Hall.

Being able to enter the Wende Hall was an immense honor for any military commander, let alone for Yue Fei, who was still a low-ranking military officer at this time.

"Junior military officer Yue Fei pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Zhao Ning immediately concealed his slightly trembling hands and said with a composed expression, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yue Fei held up Zong Ze's official dispatch with both hands and said, "Your Majesty, Deputy Marshal Zong ordered this subject to deliver this to the capital, instructing that it must be handed to Your Majesty personally."

"Bring it here."

Yue Fei walked forward and presented Zong Ze's document.

Zhao Ning carefully observed the young man standing before him.

At this age, Yue Fei was twenty-four years old. By twenty-first-century standards, he would have just graduated from university a year ago.

Yue Fei had thick eyebrows, large eyes, a piercing and brilliant gaze, an upright posture, and a robust physique, radiating the vibrant energy of youth.

Yue Fei was by no means someone lacking in emotional intelligence; he was actually somewhat shrewd.

Moreover, Yue Fei possessed an extremely strong self-control.

The historical Yue Fei once got drunk and struck someone.

Afterward, Emperor Zhao Gou mentioned it to him casually, advising him that it would be best to abstain from alcohol. From that moment on, Yue Fei never touched a drop of wine again.

Those who constantly throw around the term "emotional intelligence" most likely believe that high emotional intelligence simply means knowing how to flatter superiors.

Having knelt for too long, they simply cannot tolerate seeing others stand tall.

Zhao Ning took the document from Yue Fei's hands and opened it, reading it quietly in silence.

This document was Zong Ze's report on the military situation in Hebei over the past few months.

It largely aligned with the historical trajectory Zhao Ning was familiar with.

The only possible divergence lay in the actions of Zhao Gou.

In orthodox history, Zhao Gou had relocated to Dongping Prefecture around the beginning of this year, fleeing far away.

As to why he hadn't fled yet, it was likely because the capital had not fallen, and Zhao Gou did not yet dare to harbor rebellious intentions—or at least, those beneath him did not yet dare to do so openly.

At least, they did not dare to display such intentions blatantly.

If that was the case, Zhao Gou claimed to have a million troops, yet in the end, he still needed Zong Ze to rescue him?

What a damn disgrace!

Ninth sister, please grow a brain!

Zhao Ning set the document aside and said, "I have finished reading it."

Yue Fei replied, "This humble subject has completed his mission. I take my leave."

"Wait."

"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" In truth, Yue Fei's heart was pounding with excitement.

He was merely a humble junior military officer, yet today he had actually managed to behold the Dragon Countenance—who else could ever hope for such an opportunity?

Zhao Ning pondered how he could converse with Yue Fei without making it seem overly bizarre or suspicious.

"Yue Fei, where are your ancestral roots?"

"This humble subject is from Tangyin County, Xiang Prefecture."

"Tangyin County..." Zhao Ning asked a question to which he already knew the answer. "What is the situation in Xiang Prefecture currently?"

"Under the leadership of Deputy Marshal Zong, the military and civilians around Xiang Prefecture have held firm, and the Jin troops dare not approach."

Zhao Ning thought to himself: *Heh, well played, Yue Fei, seizing every opportunity to speak up for Zong Ze.*

"It seems Deputy Marshal Zong is truly a rare military talent in our Great Song!" Zhao Ning smoothly steered the conversation forward.

He knew that Yue Fei was exercising a hundredfold caution in his interaction with him as the Emperor.

Since both parties were still essentially strangers, it was best to start by discussing a third party whom they both knew well.

This was the art of conversation.

Even though he could not blatantly bestow an important position upon Yue Fei just yet, it was essential to build familiarity.

"Your Majesty, Deputy Marshal Zong governs his army with strict discipline and commits zero offenses against the common people. He often tells us that the Jin soldiers are not terrifying at all, and that as long as the men of our Great Song dare to fight, we can defeat the Jin army! He also constantly reminds us to be loyal to the sovereign and love our country!"

"Then what is your view on his perspective?"

"Wherever General Zong goes, the people are invariably inspired, and this subject takes General Zong as his role model."

Sure enough, Zong Ze's influence on Yue Fei was profound.

Zong Ze was a man not only of unyielding loyalty and boundless righteousness, but also of grand vision and sweeping ambition, remaining calm and composed in the face of adversity.

Most importantly, Zong Ze possessed an upright and righteous character, daring to act on his convictions.

It was said that when Zong Ze was a young man taking the imperial examination, his score ranked dead last.

Everyone else wrote flowery essays about "The Great Song's Dream of Rise" or "The Celestial Empire's Abundant Treasures."

Instead, Zong Ze detailed the sufferings of the common people, analyzed the flaws in court policies through the lens of those hardships, and offered concrete solutions.

Who wanted to read such realistic, gritty essays?

The examiners naturally preferred flattering prose that sang praises and whitewashed the era's peace and prosperity.

Consequently, Zong Ze barely passed, ranked dead last, and was dispatched to serve as a lowly county magistrate, a post he held until he was sixty.

As a humble magistrate, he brought prosperity and well-being to his region, earning the deep love and devotion of the common people.

When Zong Ze died of illness in Bianjing, every single shop in the capital closed its doors, and countless citizens wept as they escorted the coffin of this upright official who had lived and breathed for the nation and its people.

Fourteen years later, his student Yue Fei would be murdered, plunging the entire realm into grief.

Zhao Ning suddenly let out a sigh, assuming a look of sorrow and heartbreak.

He intended to start playing the sympathy card in front of Yue Fei.