Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"I understand, I understand. I will definitely restrain myself and follow the rules of propriety, and abide by the principles of peace and happiness."

Zhao Huan said that he understood. He knew how to be at peace and happy, and he understood that he was happy here and did not miss Song.

"Okay, I understand. This way it's convenient for both of us."

Shi Qian nodded. It seemed that Zhao Huan was a reasonable person. If he was reasonable, then everything could be discussed in the future.

……

Shortly after Zhao Huan left, all the officials of the Zhao Song dynasty gathered in front of the palace where Zhao Ji was located.

Zhao Huan treated his father quite well; at least the palace was the best, and he had plenty of food, supplies, and dancing girls!

So much so that when these people arrived at the palace, they could hear the decadent music coming from inside.

"Indeed, the retired emperor is no better than a ruler!"

The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and finally one of them couldn't help but speak up.

"You just know?"

"I already knew that!"

"If I had known, you wouldn't have said that back then. Didn't you say that the Emperor Emeritus's condition was very good?"

"That was all just a joke back then, a joke."

"okay!"

The minister at the head of the procession shouted a command to silence everyone, then looked at the others and asked:

"Gentlemen, we have arrived. Who will go in and invite the Emperor Emeritus out?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Although everyone knew this was going to happen, nobody wanted to be the first.

"Nobody's going?"

"Lord Liu, you go in first, and I'll go in after you do!"

"Lord Chen, why aren't you going in first? If you go in, I'll follow!"

"Why be modest now? Let's go in together!"

……

The crowd was pushing and shoving, making a racket. The noise reached the palace. Emperor Huizong, who was enjoying fine wine and singing and dancing inside, frowned when he heard the noise. He got up, swayed, walked to the palace door, and opened it himself.

After opening the door, Zhao Ji was a little dumbfounded. What was going on? What was this dark mass in front of him?

The ministers who were still waiting at the palace gate fell silent the moment Zhao Ji opened the door.

"My lords?"

Zhao Ji rubbed his eyes and then looked at the group of people in front of him again.

"My lords, what business do you have with me?"

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Retired Emperor..."

Everyone composed themselves, their faces contorted with confusion, and bowed to Zhao Ji.

"Hmm, I almost forgot that I am already the Emperor Emeritus."

Emperor Huizong was taken aback. The term "Emperor Emeritus" was both familiar and unfamiliar!

After that rebellious son imprisoned himself here, no one here dared to call himself the Retired Emperor; the dancers and guards still called him Emperor.

What brings you here to me today?

Zhao Ji asked.

"Your Majesty, we need you."

The ministers exchanged glances, then spoke together to Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji).

"Oh?"

Emperor Huizong was taken aback at first, then realized what was happening.

"Did that rebellious son do something that angered both heaven and man? I told you, he's no good! You've come to ask me to go back, haven't you?"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing Zhao Ji's words.

"Alright, I know you don't want to tell me, then I'll go myself, so as not to make things difficult for you."

As Zhao Ji spoke, he walked down the steps of the main hall.

"Your Majesty, we do indeed need your help."

When the ministers saw Zhao Ji walk into the crowd, they automatically made way for him. However, as soon as Zhao Ji entered the crowd, everyone immediately surrounded him.

"Oh?"

Emperor Huizong glanced at the people surrounding him and said with a hint of smugness:

"It seems you really need my help. I told you that rebellious son wouldn't be emperor! Rest assured, my ministers, I will make him abdicate, and then I will re-ascend the throne. As for you, you are all meritorious officials!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. What was going on with the retired emperor?

How can you be so confident?

Why are you gentlemen silent?

Because he hadn't heard a reply for a long time, Zhao Ji was a little confused. Had he said something wrong?

"Your Majesty, you may have misunderstood something."

Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer and said something to Zhao Ji.

"Misunderstanding? What's the misunderstanding?"

Zhao Ji raised an eyebrow.

"We are here today because we do need your help, but not to have you reinstate the throne."

"Then what brings you all here to see me?"

"We need to borrow the Emperor Emeritus's body!"

"what?!"

Before Zhao Ji could react, the ministers around him pounced on him. This time, they didn't hold back and together they lifted Zhao Ji up in a spread-eagle position!

"What are you doing?! What are you doing?!"

Zhao Ji was suddenly lifted up, and the effects of the alcohol instantly dissipated by half. He struggled frantically, shouting and screaming:

"I am the Emperor! Emperor! Put me down!"

"Put me down!"

……

The crowd ignored Zhao Ji and continued to lift him high.

They planned to carry Zhao Ji like this and take him to Ren Yuan!

……

"Brother, Zhao Huan is here."

On the western border of the Song Dynasty, Ren Yuan and his men were reining in their horses and waiting when they suddenly saw a group of imperial guards walking towards them. Lu Zhishen spotted the group immediately.

"Hmm, it certainly looks like the Song army's imperial guards."

Ren Yuan also saw the group. Suddenly, the window of one of the vehicles was pushed open, and a very familiar figure flew out, quickly stepping on the head of a warhorse and taking off. With a few big leaps, the person arrived in front of Ren Yuan.

"Shi Qian has met his brother, Master Lu, and Instructor Lin."

After landing, Shi Qian bowed to the group.

"Shi Qian, you've had a tough time this time. How was it? How was Zhao Huan?"

"Brother, rest assured, Zhao Huan is still very honest. He offered to surrender on his own initiative and did not seek any military power or property."

Shi Qian said with a smile.

"Oh? Did Zhao Huan say what he wanted?"

Ren Yuan raised an eyebrow. Zhao Huan didn't want anything? This kid is so sensible?

"He only said that he wanted the title of Earl of Anle."

Shi Qian told the truth without embellishment.

"Oh, Earl of Anle, he's just an earl."

After hearing this, Lu Zhishen and Lin Chong looked at each other and nodded at the same time.

“Brother, it seems that Zhao Huan is indeed quite sincere.”

"Weren't you just worried that Zhao Huan might have ulterior motives?"

Ren Yuan smiled, having gained a clearer understanding of Zhao Huan's pragmatism.

“Junior brother, Zhao Huan is a dying emperor. It is indeed a bit too low for him to only have the title of earl. Besides, an earl can't accomplish much.”

Lin Chong first bowed to Ren Yuan with clasped hands.

“Brother, Brother Lin Chong is right. I remember that Li Houzhu back then. He was granted the title of Marquis of Disobedience. Although the title was not nice, he was at least a marquis.”

Lu Zhishen also expressed his opinion.

"But this Zhao Huan only wants a count's title. Either he has great ambitions, or he has truly let go of the past, since a count's title is really nothing."

"Let him come."

Ren Yuan said nothing, but gestured to the army that they could let the imperial guards in.

After the imperial guards entered, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhao Huan emerged, quickly approaching Ren Yuan and bowing to him.

"Zhao Huan greets Your Highness! Your Highness, your subject Zhao Huan surrenders!"

"Zhao Huan, I never expected that you could actually surrender on behalf of the Song Dynasty."

Ren Yuan looked at Zhao Huan, who had already removed his outer dragon robe and crown, and felt a sense of emotion.

That's good. Surrendering to me is better than surrendering to foreign tribes in the history books of my past life.

"Thanks to Your Highness, I was able to proceed so smoothly. Please rest assured, Your Highness, not only me, but my father will also be here soon."

Zhao Huan's attitude was extremely humble.

"Oh? Zhao Ji is here too?"

Ren Yuan was surprised. Zhao Ji actually came? Zhao Huan, you're something else!

"Yes, and I can guarantee that Your Highness will be satisfied after meeting my father..."