Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

After Danyang was appointed as the Imperial Preceptor, Zhao Huan was in high spirits and felt more energetic than before.

The appointment of the Imperial Preceptor did not cause any major uproar in the imperial court.

At present, everyone's attention is focused on the Jin army's siege of Bianjing. As for Zhao Huan's appointment of the Grand Preceptor, all the officials believe that Zhao Huan has been under too much pressure recently and this is just an act to appease his mind.

For five consecutive days, there was no fighting on the western front.

Until the morning of the sixth day...

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Jin army has assembled outside the city and is about to launch an attack."

"Understood. Urge General Guo to be on high alert and not give the Jurchens any opportunity to take advantage."

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Huan no longer frantically sought help from his ministers as before. Instead, he displayed unprecedented composure, even appearing somewhat amused.

We used to be afraid of you, the Golden Man, so why should we be afraid now?

With the invincible Imperial Preceptor Danyang by my side, a mere group of Jurchens can be wiped out with a wave of my hand.

Seeing the puzzled looks on his ministers' faces, Zhao Huan said, "My dear ministers, I hereby announce to you that if the Jurchens dare to invade, we will ensure they never return."

This time, I will not only make the Jurchens suffer a crushing defeat, but I will also make them relinquish all the land that belongs to our Great Song Dynasty.”

The courtiers stared at Zhao Huan in disbelief, while Lai Ba's mouth was agape in an "O" shape, unable to close it.

This was not something Zhao Huan would say in the first place. Judging from the young emperor's confident demeanor, it didn't seem like he was faking it.

Zhao Huan looked around and felt a surge of satisfaction. He then sat back down on the dragon throne.

"My beloved ministers need not be nervous. I am not speaking without reason, but I am confident that I can do it."

Zhou Xianwu couldn't help but ask, "May I ask Your Majesty, is the army that came to the aid of the emperor about to arrive in Bianjing?"

Zhao Huan smiled and shook his head: "The King of Liang's army is still on its way, how could it possibly arrive so quickly? Besides, my reliance is not on the King of Liang."

Rather, it is the Grand Preceptor of Danyang; he has enough power to turn the tide of this war!

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials were all completely dumbfounded.

Zhao Huan said with a proud expression, "You may not know the reason why I appointed Daoist Danyang as the Imperial Preceptor."

Actually, this was all for the sake of waiting for this day. This war should be over now. Guards, summon the Grand Preceptor of Danyang to the palace.

Before long, Danyang strode to the front of the hall, staring straight ahead and completely ignoring the civil and military officials on both sides.

Upon seeing Zhao Huan, he bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, what brings you to this humble Taoist?"

Zhao Huan said, "Grand Preceptor, the Jin army is launching a large-scale invasion and is currently gathering outside the city. I would like to ask the Grand Preceptor to use his supernatural powers to completely defeat the Jin people."

Danyang flicked his whisk, shook his head, and said, "These mere Jurchens are nothing to speak of. I could reduce them to ashes with a mere wave of my hand."

If it weren't for Heaven's benevolence in cherishing life and for the prohibition against cultivators engaging in excessive killing, this humble Taoist would have already taken action.

These words were spoken with great confidence, which gave Zhao Huan immense confidence and also stunned the officials.

Only Ye Fan sneered inwardly, seemingly lost in thought.

"Grand Preceptor, would you be willing to go to the battlefield, display your supernatural powers, and repel the Jurchens?"

"I have been entrusted by Your Majesty and will naturally serve you. I am willing to go to the battlefield, but I have one more request."

"Please speak, Imperial Advisor, and I will certainly grant your request."

"I need frontline command authority and do not want to be questioned when I use my supernatural powers."

Zhao Huan immediately replied, "I grant your permission. From now on, General Guo Huang will be temporarily removed from his position as the commander-in-chief of the army, and the Imperial Advisor will take over. All the troops guarding the front line must obey the Imperial Advisor's orders without fail."

The entire court was shocked upon hearing this.

Guo Huang guarded Bianjing for months, preventing the Jurchens from crossing the line. Now, he has been stripped of all his posts because of some inexplicable charlatan. This is far too frivolous and disheartening.

Zhou Xianwu was the first to jump out: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

General Guo has always been loyal and dutiful in guarding the city gates and protecting the capital. Removing him from his command position now might cause unrest within the army.

Zhao Huan's face instantly darkened, and he looked at Zhou Xianwu with a hint of displeasure.

Ye Fan immediately said, "Imperial Censor Zhou is mistaken. How could His Majesty possibly discourage the soldiers on the front lines?"

It was precisely because they understood the hardships of war that they requested the arrival of the Imperial Advisor to pacify the army and end the war as soon as possible.

As for the commander-in-chief, His Majesty has already stated that the Imperial Advisor will temporarily fill the position, and a further reward will be given after the Jin troops retreat.

Zhou Xianwu wanted to say something more, but Zhao Huan interrupted him directly: "Alright, Imperial Censor Zhou, it's not too late to discuss everything after the Grand Preceptor defeats the Jin people."

He then looked at Danyang and said, "Grand Preceptor, I will have the Ministry of War send your official appointment in a moment. The fate of Bianjing City rests entirely on your shoulders, Grand Preceptor."

Danyang flicked his whisk lightly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this humble Taoist will certainly not fail in his mission."

After speaking, he glanced around at the officials, let out a barely perceptible snort of disdain, and then turned and left the hall.

……

At noon, three miles outside Bianjing city, tens of thousands of Jin cavalrymen stood solemnly under the scorching sun.

The sweltering heat caused the cavalrymen on horseback to sway precariously, and many even collapsed from heatstroke.

"嗞～"

Wanyan Loushi poured half a pot of water from the kettle onto the armor, instantly creating a cloud of steam.

He wiped his sweat and paced back and forth in front of the battle line, looking towards Bianjing, muttering to himself, "What on earth is the Fourth Prince up to!"

He received orders during the day to launch a new offensive against Bianjing.

Strangely, this attack was led by cavalry, with infantry following behind.

This strange order puzzled even Wanyan Loushi, a veteran general on the battlefield.

But after all, Wanyan Zongbi was the commander-in-chief, so even if he didn't understand, he could only obey...

On the city wall of Bianjing, Danyang stood calmly in front of Guo Huang and took the military tally from his hand.

"From this moment forward, all garrison troops must obey my orders and must not show any dissent. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

Danyang flicked his whisk, glanced around, and seeing no one objecting, once again adopted the demeanor of a grandmaster.

"Now, my first order is to open the city gates!"

"what!"

Everyone stared at Danyang in astonishment upon hearing this.

Guo Huang: "Grand Preceptor, what does this order mean? Can't you see the Jin army is gathering outside the city?"

Danyang: "I will use the Five Thunder Technique to repel the enemy. Opening the city gates wide is to lure the Jin people in so that we can wipe them all out in one fell swoop."

Guo Huang stared in disbelief: "Grand Preceptor, behind us are the lives of millions in the city! What if you do this...?"

Danyang shouted, "Insolence! I am now the military commander. General Guo, you have repeatedly defied me. Do you intend to disobey the imperial decree?"

"I……"

"Step back! Open the city gates!"

"Ah~"

Ultimately, under Danyang's threat, the defending officers and soldiers reluctantly pushed open the city gates.

The Taoist priests from Yinlong Temple, brought by Danyang, immediately stepped out of the city gates and lined up in a row, seemingly setting up some kind of strange formation.

"How is this going?"

When Wanyan Loushi, who was in the distance, saw the changes in Bianjing City through his telescope, he was also completely dumbfounded.

"What are the Song people up to?"