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

In the Kangwang Mansion of Guangling County, Zhao Gou sat blankly on the royal chair, quietly watching the arguing crowd inside the hall.

Yue Fei's swift capture of Juzhou City did not bring them comfort; instead, it aroused a strong sense of unease.

Wang Boyan: "Now that Yue Pengju's troops have captured Juzhou City and driven all the Jurchens back to Bianjing, I'm afraid that the Jurchens will take even more extreme revenge. What should we do then?"

Huang Qianshan frowned: "What is Yue Pengju up to? Last time, he sent someone to Xizhao to recruit him to serve the Song Dynasty."

There has been no response to this day. They didn't even consult us before attacking Juzhou. Isn't this clearly a sign of disrespect for the Song Dynasty's imperial family?

Wang Boyan: "I heard that the Empress of Great Chu bestowed a name upon Yue Pengju. He must have already pledged allegiance to Great Chu, and therefore is unwilling to acknowledge the Song Dynasty as his ruler."

Having heard that Yue Pengju's troops are equipped with the most formidable firearms of the Chu Kingdom, it seems highly likely that he has already defected to the Chu Kingdom and betrayed the Song Dynasty.

Huang Qianshan expressed his deep agreement: "The Great Song went to great lengths to send him to the Great Chu to learn new tactics, intending to cultivate Yue Pengju, but unexpectedly, he has raised such an ungrateful wretch."

Wang Boyan took a deep breath: "Alright, let's put this aside for now. Now that Yue Pengju's troops have taken control of all the official roads from Xizhao to Juzhou, what should we do?"

The courtiers in the hall immediately began to discuss the matter, but they could not reach a conclusion.

At this moment, an aide stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister, Prime Minister, it is too early to say that Yue Pengju has betrayed the country. We should send someone to Juzhou to sound him out further."

After all, Yue Pengju's capture of Juzhou and annihilation of the main Jin army's southward advance had already won him countless hearts, and the righteous armies in the four regions and the remnants of the Song army would surely rise up in response.

Even if His Highness Prince Kang ascends the throne, he will likely be all alone.

The speaker was Qin Chuan, who was currently the head of a department in the Kangwang Mansion and was also Wang Boyan's prized student.

“What Qin Chuan said is not without reason.” Huang Qianshan nodded. “In that case, Qin Chuan, you should go to Juzhou yourself and ask Yue Pengju what he really means.”

Qin Chuan respectfully accepted the order: "That's exactly what I was thinking too."

Wang Boyan: "Qin Chuan, if you can get Yue Pengju to serve on the side of Prince Kang, you will definitely have a place after His Highness ascends the throne and reorganizes the Six Ministries. I hope you will not disappoint us."

Qin Chuan immediately bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, saying, "Right Prime Minister, please rest assured, your student will certainly not fail in his mission."

Zhao Gou remained silent throughout the entire process. When he saw all the civil and military officials bowing to Huang Qianshan and Wang Boyan, completely ignoring him, the Prince of Kang, a helpless hope flickered in his young eyes.

The fate of a puppet is completely incomparable to that of a monarch who holds the power of life and death.

Right now, if I want to maintain my position, I must learn to be patient.

……

After the Jin army suffered a major defeat and withdrew from Juzhou City, the 4,000 officers and soldiers of the Independent Brigade quickly took over the city.

At present, the ammunition transported from Xizhao County has been delivered. Yue Fei ordered his soldiers to replenish the ammunition and discussed the next plan with Lin Fei.

Lin Fei pointed to the direction of Bianjing on the map and said, "Now Juzhou is only a few hundred miles away from Bianjing. It is said that Bianjing is now under the control of a Song man named Zhang Yu."

Wanyan Loushi, a famous general of the Jin Dynasty, was urgently summoned back to the capital to receive orders.

Such a golden opportunity must not be missed. Once the military supplies are ready, the brigade commander can strike at the heart of the enemy and capture Bianjing.

Yue Fei pondered for a moment: "I just don't know how strong the defenses of Bianjing are."

Lin Fei: "According to the Jingwei Division's investigation, the garrison in Bianjing consists entirely of remnants of the northern Song army, numbering approximately 800,000."

In reality, the total number of soldiers capable of fighting was less than 80,000, and their morale and combat effectiveness were far inferior to those of the Jurchens.

There's not much to consider regarding the journey to Bianjing (Kaifeng). The only concern is that unforeseen circumstances might arise during the northward trip.

Yue Fei frowned: "What does Staff Officer Lin mean?"

Lin Fei said, "The commander once said that when a strong army is in the field, the worst thing is when the rear is in chaos. After Juzhou City is recovered, the reputation of the Independent Brigade will soon spread throughout Song. Who do you think would be the least willing to see such a situation?"

"You mean Prince Kang?" Yue Fei frowned.

Lin Fei popped a soybean into his mouth: "To be honest, you shouldn't worry too much about it. Judging from the process of the fall of Bianjing..."

The Song rulers and their ministers may have different ideas than we do. After listening to what Zhong Lue and Li Gang have to say, I wouldn't be surprised if they took any strange measures.

Yue Fei was also unable to refute this. After listening to Li Gang and Zhong Lue's comments on Zhao Huan's performance in court, he was completely disappointed with the Zhao imperial family.

Right now, he only wants to fight for the people of Song. As for the royal family and the Song's elite...

He didn't want to pay attention to it anymore.

"Report~"

Just then, a guard came to report.

"Commander, Staff Officer Lin, there is a man outside Juzhou City who claims to be an envoy from the Prince Kang's mansion and wants to see you."

Lin Fei glanced at Yue Fei and tentatively asked, "Should I go see him for you?"

Yue Fei shook his head: "No need. No matter what, let me handle it."

"Please invite the envoy of King Kang into the city to speak."

……

Qin Chuan led his horse along the streets of Juzhou City.

The Independent Brigade soldiers, who were sitting under the eaves of a civilian house maintaining their weapons, were looking at him with strange eyes.

This startled Qin Chuan.

"These strangely dressed soldiers seem to be very hostile towards me, but their spirit and energy are far superior to those of the Song Dynasty soldiers."

He tried to suppress his anxiety and followed the soldier leading the way toward the city's command center.

Upon entering the command hall, Qin Chuan saw Yue Fei reviewing battle reports.

"So young?"

Upon seeing Yue Fei, Qin Chuan was taken aback.

Isn't that a bit too young?

"Qin Chuan, envoy of the Prince of Kang's residence, greets General Yue."

Qin Chuan took the initiative to step forward and bow to Yue Feixing.

Yue Fei didn't even look up, and replied directly, "Please speak plainly about what you have to say."

Qin Chuan frowned: "General Yue, is this your way of treating guests?"

Yue Fei then raised his eyes and replied, "Then, according to Lord Qin's suggestion, how should I treat you?"

According to the etiquette of the Song Dynasty, would a lavish banquet be held to receive envoys from enemy vassal states?

Qin Chuan was taken aback: "General Yue, the reason I came here is to ask you one question: are you still an official of our Great Song Dynasty?"

Yue Fei remained silent, staring intently at Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan continued, "General Yue, if you still consider yourself an official of the Song Dynasty, then you should serve Prince Kang."

Yue Fei: "Prince Kang is not the emperor of the Song Dynasty. My position as a colonel was granted by Emperor Hui. Even if Emperor Hui abdicates, I should still be loyal to the emperor he personally appointed, Emperor Qin."

Now that both emperors have suffered and been captured by the Jurchens, their fates unknown, and Prince Kang is not a suitable successor to the throne.

If I were to serve Prince Kang, it would be tantamount to betraying the two emperors, which is intolerable under the laws of the Song Dynasty.

"Does Lord Qin intend for me to be a faithless and untrustworthy person?"

Yue Fei's words, using the etiquette of the Song Dynasty, instantly disrupted Qin Chuan's prepared speech.

Looking into Yue Fei's determined eyes, Qin Chuan felt his body tremble for a moment.