Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Tokyo, the capital of the Song Dynasty.

Royal study room.

"Your Majesty, we have come to pay our respects."

Led by Wang Huan, the nine military governors all bowed to Zhao Ji in unison.

"Oh, General Wang, it's been so many years! How are you doing?"

Emperor Huizong recognized Wang Huan; when this old general was recruited by Emperor Zhezong, Emperor Huizong was still Prince Duan.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, this old minister is well."

Wang Huan's attitude towards Zhao Ji was, well, very ordinary.

Wang Huan couldn't see the same hope in Emperor Zhezong in Zhao Ji, so when facing Zhao Ji, this old general could only say that he did his duty and nothing more.

"This time, we really have to work hard, General. These four bandits are now disturbing the people and making their lives miserable!"

"Your Majesty, these four bandits are indeed powerful. In my humble opinion, the best course of action is to offer them amnesty."

Xu Jing, who ranked second among the ten commanders, stepped forward and spoke.

"Recruitment?"

Zhao Ji frowned. He wasn't his brother, Emperor Zhezong, and he wasn't as interested in offering amnesty to these bandits.

"Your Majesty, when the late Emperor was alive, there was a saying among the outlaws that if they wanted to become officials, they would commit murder and arson in exchange for amnesty. Back then, a few of us old ministers were able to serve the court only because of the late Emperor's grace."

"This old minister believes that granting amnesty to these outlaws would be a very good solution. After granting amnesty, we can encourage them to serve the court and minimize the losses."

Xu Jing was right. Back then, Emperor Zhezong liked the heroes of the outlaw world and was particularly willing to offer them amnesty. After being granted amnesty, these outlaws were completely devoted to Emperor Zhezong and fought exceptionally bravely in battle.

"Offer amnesty? Lord Xu, Tian Hu has already rebelled, how can you offer him amnesty? Do you expect the Emperor to actually grant him the title of Prince of Jin? Does he even deserve it? Could it be that Lord Xu has taken money from Tian Hu and is speaking well of him on his behalf?"

Gao Qiu was also in the imperial study, because he was Zhao Ji's representative this time, so he had to listen to this important matter.

Of course, he wouldn't mind taking the opportunity to put these military governors down a bit.

"Grand Commandant, the essence of surrendering to the emperor is not to surrender to everyone. It is to divide some, win over others, and suppress others."

When Li Congji saw Gao Qiu stepping out to trample on his old buddy, he also stood up to refute him.

"Your Majesty, someone like Tian Hu who openly rebels certainly cannot be granted amnesty. On the contrary, the court needs to suppress him severely and let everyone know the court's power!"

"However, the remaining three families did not openly rebel, which means they probably just want to become officials. His Majesty can simply offer them amnesty and use those amnesty officials to quell the rebellion."

"This way, the court will suffer the least loss."

Xu Jing ignored Gao Qiu and continued speaking to Zhao Ji.

"What General Xu said makes some sense."

Zhao Ji frowned. He hadn't thought this far ahead; he just felt that these bandits were all trying to rebel, so he might as well wipe them out.

"But this Wang Qing also has thoughts of rebellion. Last time Liang Shijie and Zhou Ang went to Huaixi for inspection, they also fought with those bandits. Wang Qing should not have any intention of being granted amnesty."

“Your Majesty, at least Wang Qing did not openly rebel like Tian Hu. Moreover, even if Wang Qing were to rebel, there are still two people, Ren Yuan from Shandong and Fang La from Jiangnan, who can be recruited.”

"If His Majesty grants amnesty to these two men and then sends them to deal with Tian Hu and Wang Qing, wouldn't that easily solve the bandit problem? It would also add a group of elite soldiers and generals to the court!"

Xu Jing shared his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, you must not!"

But when Gao Qiu heard about the idea of ​​granting amnesty to Liangshan, he immediately jumped out to oppose it.

"Your Majesty, Ren Yuan, although he has not openly rebelled, is actually the one with the most sinister intentions! We must never grant him amnesty!"

Gao Qiu spoke directly to Zhao Ji.

"Oh? Gao Qing, why do you say that?"

Emperor Huizong found Gao Qiu's appearance quite strange.

"Your Majesty, you don't know, after Ren Yuan took over Liangshan, he committed all sorts of evil deeds and atrocities. Moreover, he recruited many people with rebellious intentions, such as Lin Chong who entered the White Tiger Hall with a knife! Furthermore, Liangshan broke into Daming Prefecture! That's our Great Song's Beijing, which shows that Liangshan doesn't take the imperial court seriously at all! Such a person should absolutely not be granted amnesty!"

Gao Qiu was firmly opposed to it.

"Tch, tsk."

However, his reasons for opposing the proposal drew ridicule from Zhang Kai.

"Lord Gao, regarding Lin Chong's incident, was it really true that he entered the White Tiger Hall armed?"

"What does General Zhang mean? Am I to slander him?"

Gao Qiu was embarrassed when Zhang Kai directly exposed his shortcomings, but he still tried his best to save face.

"You know perfectly well whether this is slander or not. I heard that because of this, someone's godson is still missing."

Because Gao Kan is still being treated like a human pig on Liangshan, Du Fei, who replaced him, has successfully disguised himself and brainwashed him, but he hasn't had a suitable opportunity to return to Tokyo yet. Therefore, Gao Qiu is now a "lonely man".

"Say less."

Looking at Gao Qiu's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, Mei Zhan pulled open his hand and whispered.

"Humph."

Zhang Kai listened to his brother's advice and kept quiet.

"Generals, is the only option for the Song Dynasty to offer amnesty? Can't we just wipe out these four bandits directly?"

Zhao Ji saw Gao Qiu and Zhang Kai arguing, but he didn't say much because he later heard from others that it was indeed Gao Qiu's godson's fault.

However, Gao Qiu only had one adopted son, and there were many imperial guards with instructors like Lin Chong. Moreover, Gao Qiu was one of his confidants, so Zhao Ji did not pursue the matter further.

"Your Majesty, if Your Majesty wishes to wage war, this old minister will not shirk his duty. Please issue the decree."

Wang Huan gestured for all the military governors behind him to shut up, as this was not the time to talk about anything else.

Offering amnesty? This man before us is not the late emperor; he has neither the magnanimity nor the ability to do so!

Even if they are granted amnesty, their fate will likely be tragic!

Wang Huan, being a former outlaw, was unwilling to see his descendants fall into such a state; he preferred that they die a heroic death.

"That's right, Your Majesty, let's fight! With all nine generals here, what can't we win?"

Gao Qiu also spoke from the side.

"General Xu."

Somewhat unexpectedly, Emperor Huizong specifically named Xu Jing.

"The old minister is here."

Xu Jing stepped forward.

"If you were asked to offer amnesty, how confident would you be?"

Hearing Zhao Ji say this, everyone present was surprised, and Xu Jing was also somewhat incredulous.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't..."

Upon hearing that Zhao Ji intended to offer amnesty, Gao Qiu became anxious. What was going on? Weren't we supposed to fight? Why the sudden offer of amnesty?

“Gao Qing, General Xu’s words make sense. There’s no harm in giving it a try.”

Zhao Ji waved his hand to stop Gao Qiu. He had just thought about it and realized that if they were granted amnesty, it would indeed be very beneficial to use those who had been granted amnesty to fight those who had not.

If those who were granted amnesty won easily, it would prove they were capable fighters, and they could be sent north to fight the Liao Dynasty.

If both those who surrendered and those who didn't suffer heavy losses, the imperial court could easily eliminate all the rebels without lifting a finger.

If those who were granted amnesty lose, at least the court will have weakened the strength of the bandits who were not granted amnesty!

To get so many benefits for a single sum of money, this deal is just as worthwhile as paying tribute!

"General Xu, you have not yet answered my question."

"Your Majesty, if Your Majesty is truly willing to grant amnesty, then this old minister will certainly live up to expectations and bring back a powerful army for Your Majesty!"

Xu Jing didn't dare to make any definitive statements.

"Very well! General Xu, I hereby appoint you as the Minister of Amnesty and Recruitment, and send you to Shandong, Huaixi, and Jiangnan to make your mark!"

Zhao Ji slammed his hand on the desk, making sure he looked domineering for once!

"If the late emperor could offer amnesty, then so can I!"