Chapter 65: What a Sly, Devious Emperor

Although Zhao Ning could not give Yue Fei an important military command just yet, it did not mean he could not bestow military ranks and official titles. Moreover, they could first get to know each other, shorten the distance between them, and lay the groundwork for what was to come.

In truth, he longed to directly appoint him to a major military post, or even keep him close by to cultivate his talents.

Yet he knew that Yue Fei belonged to the battlefield.

Throughout history, every legendary commander had risen from the bloody crucible of war.

The success of a single general is built upon ten thousand withered bones; that was no empty saying.

Zhao Ning sighed, wearing an expression of deep anxiety.

Seeing this, Yue Fei hesitated, then mustered his courage and asked, "Is Your Majesty worried about the military situation in Hebei?"

"My concerns go far beyond the situation in Hebei."

"This humble subject is dull-witted and unable to share Your Majesty's burdens. I am deeply ashamed."

"No, no, Yue Fei, you have done exceptionally well. Following Deputy Marshal Zong through countless hardships, you must have fought bloody battles with the Jurchens on dozens of occasions."

Hearing the tone and words of the Emperor, Yue Fei felt a tiny ripple of emotion in his heart.

Before meeting the Son of Heaven, he had imagined what the current emperor would be like.

He should have been a figure of absolute majesty, radiating the aura of the True Dragon.

For a lowly junior officer, the Emperor was originally a distant figure beyond reach. Yet now, he had the opportunity to enter the palace and have a personal audience, a miracle Yue Fei could scarcely believe.

Little did he know the profound efforts his teacher, Zong泽, had poured into him.

"To be loyal to the sovereign and serve the country is this humble subject's duty! I dare not claim credit for it!"

"You need not be so constrained. Whoever merits reward and whoever commits a crime, I shall deal with them impartially." Zhao Ning immediately began to embellish his performance. "State affairs are numerous and complex. Not only is the war in Hebei perilous, but Hedong and Shandong are also teetering on the edge of destruction, and the capital is facing a severe grain shortage!"

"When war strikes, it is the common people who suffer. My heart aches profoundly!" Zhao Ning looked as though he might shed tears.

Though he did not understand why the Emperor was suddenly confiding these things to him, Yue Fei was nevertheless moved by the Emperor's emotions. He immediately said with fervor, "Your Majesty still has millions of combat-ready troops. Although the Jurchen bandits are rampant for a time, the people of Hebei and Hedong harbor an unwavering allegiance to the imperial court. When this humble subject was in Hebei, the military and the civilians worked together with one heart. Despite the ferocity of the Jurchen bandits, they could not breach our defenses; indeed, our army launched counteroffensives and defeated the Jurchens!"

"If everyone in the court shared your mindset, why should I ever worry about recovering our lost territories? For the past six months, I have been unable to swallow my food or sleep peacefully. Every time I think of the common folk in Hebei and Hedong suffering slaughter and ravages at the hands of the Jurchen bandits, it feels as though a knife is twisting in my heart!"

"I hate that I cannot go to the front lines to slaughter the enemy alongside all of you!"

There was no greater actor than Zhao Ning!

Yue Fei could no longer contain himself; touched beyond measure, tears welled up in his eyes.

A man like Yue Fei would not shed a tear even if a blade pierced his heart.

A real man does not weep easily.

Yet when it came to the nation, the state, and the common people suffering under the scourge of war, it instantly touched the softest place in this young man's heart.

The words "Loyally Serve the Country" tattooed by his mother served as a constant reminder to Yue Fei.

"May Your Majesty preserve your sacred health! This humble subject is willing to be shattered to pieces for Your Majesty!" Yue Fei dropped to his knees and performed a profound prostration.

Zhao Ning hurriedly stepped forward to help him up. "Rise quickly, I beg of you."

With tears seemingly glistening at the corners of his eyes, Zhao Ning continued, "Yue Fei, do you know that during this siege of the capital, the Jurchen army launched numerous assaults on Bianjing, and each time it was the courage and unity of the army and the citizens within the city that repeatedly beat them back?"

"Within the court, there are far too many who urge me to sue for peace with the Jurchens! They want me to offer indemnities and cede our territory to them!"

At this point, Zhao Ning's tone grew heated, charged with anger. Paired with the tears at the corners of his eyes, he was the spitting image of Liu Bei and Cao Cao combined.

"I had their heads chopped off! I proclaimed to the people of the entire city that even if I die in battle, I will never surrender to the Jurchens!"

"Our dynasty has a tradition of not executing scholar-officials. Yue Fei, do you know why I did this?"

"Your Majesty rules with supreme wisdom; this humble subject does not know."

"If I were truly to sue for peace with the Jurchens and pay indemnities, how could I ever face the millions of soldiers and civilians in Hebei and Hedong who are still resisting!"

The Emperor's voice suddenly rose, echoing majestically through the great hall.

"And how could I ever face brave soldiers like you who risk your lives to slay the enemy!"

Yue Fei was moved beyond words.

"Your Majesty! This humble subject is willing to fight to the death for you! If you order me to march north and fight right now, I will go immediately and battle the Jurchen bandits to the bitter end!"

"No!" Zhao Ning patted Yue Fei's shoulder and continued in an impassioned tone, "The military and political administration of our dynasty has long been lax. I know that you men fighting on the front lines have suffered many grievances!"

"I am going to rebuild the Imperial Guards! To forge a new backbone of steel and iron for the Song Dynasty! The nation is in dire need of talented individuals. How could I ever let a brave warrior like you march to a meaningless death?"

"Yue Fei!"

"This humble subject is here!"

Zhao Ning looked deep into Yue Fei's eyes and asked, "Do you think I was right to execute those men?"

"Your Majesty rules with supreme wisdom. I am merely a crude military man, a humble warrior of modest rank, and I dare not presume to judge the sacred decisions of the Son of Heaven."

"Speak your mind freely; I will not fault you."

"Your Majesty rules with supreme wisdom!"

"If in the future I must execute even more capitulationists, will you support me?"

"This humble subject is willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty commands me to scale a mountain of blades, I will climb it instantly without even blinking an eye!"

With his dark and calculating mind, Zhao Ning knew very well that when conversing with a young man like Yue Fei, one must speak of ideals and lofty ambitions.

One had to ignite him with ideals.

Suddenly, Zhao Ning said, "I confer upon you the rank of Grand Master of Left Wu."

Yue Fei paused slightly in surprise, then immediately bowed. "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for this sacred grace."

What was the difference between the Grand Master of Left Wu and Yue Fei's previous title of Warrior-Cultivating Officer?

The Warrior-Cultivating Officer ranked forty-fourth among military titles, whereas the Grand Master of Left Wu stood at the thirteenth rank.

What was the use of this military rank?

Note that this was an official rank, not a substantive position.

In the Song Dynasty, official ranks and substantive positions were kept separate.

A military commander's position might be Commander-in-Chief of the Hebei Volunteer Army, or Military Area Commander (equivalent to an army commander), or Field Marshal.

An official rank, on the other hand, was more a token of imperial favor, directly tied to one's salary.

Unlike Jing Chao—who acted as the Emperor's talons and performed the dirty work—Yue Fei was a field commander. Those who fought wars had to do so in an upright and open manner, following the righteous path.

Therefore, he could be granted a prestigious official rank, but his actual position had to match his military achievements.

As for his substantive position, Zhao Ning had already arranged it, though he would not reveal it just yet.

Having skipped thirty ranks at once, he was bound to become his man now!

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Ning had Yue Fei recount the details of the Hebei campaign over the past few months, offering regular affirmation of their sacrifices.

Naturally, Yue Fei also inadvertently let slip that the Grand Marshal had also contributed significantly.

This was undoubtedly a very wise approach; focusing solely on Zong泽 would have sparked resentment.

After Yue Fei withdrew, Zhao Ning took a deep breath.

Very well, Yue Fei had appeared, and Han Shizhong could not be far behind. At this very moment, Han Shizhong was stationed in Daming.

Meanwhile, Zong泽's main army had already arrived at Daming, rendering the military situation there delicate indeed.