Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Emperor Huizong's decision to offer amnesty was indeed somewhat unexpected.

Perhaps he wanted to show the Ten Commanders that he was no worse than his brother?

It's possible that he does have a brain, but he usually spends most of his time on eating, drinking, and having fun.

In any case, the decision to grant amnesty has been made.

Xu Jing, as the Minister in charge of the pacification campaign, personally took charge of this matter.

"General Xu, when we offer amnesty, you can decide on the official position and money, but the rank cannot be too high."

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Ji gave instructions to Xu Jing.

"Your Majesty, what is the highest official position the court can offer?"

Xu Jing was initially surprised that Zhao Ji had suddenly agreed to the amnesty, as he had assumed that Zhao Ji truly shared the same ambitions as the late emperor.

Now that I hear this, it seems like they're trying to make the horse run without feeding it.

"Hmm... let's give the bandit leader a position as an Assistant Minister of War. As for the others who are well-known and capable, let's give them a position as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel... no, let's not call them Vice Ministers, let's give them a position as a General of the Imperial Guard. And for the rest, let's just give them some money. Also, if they made any mistakes before, let's not hold them accountable!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Ji gave his conditions.

However, this condition made Xu Jing roll his eyes!

That's it? You think you can get someone to surrender to you?

What about dreaming?

Wang Huan and the others looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this.

If the people who came to offer them amnesty had said this when they first joined the outlaws, then the Song Dynasty would not have the so-called Ten Military Governors today.

With such terrible conditions, who would be willing to accept them!

That doesn't seem sincere!

"Your Majesty, could this official position be slightly higher?"

Xu Jing said with a wry smile that he suddenly regretted giving his opinion. He thought that they should just fight it out and be done with it. Why bother with the whole process of recruiting them?

How could an official like him possibly accept a job like offering amnesty?

The Ministry of War Assistant Director is a seventh-rank official, while the Imperial Guard Commander is an eighth-rank official. Who are they looking down on?

"Hmm? Is it not acceptable? I think these official positions are quite good. General Xu, do all bandits have such big appetites?"

Zhao Ji was somewhat surprised and displeased.

In his view, he, the emperor of the great Song Dynasty, was already giving face by being willing to grant amnesty and pardon the bandits for their previous crimes. How could these people not be satisfied?

"Your Majesty, as the saying goes, 'A thousand pieces of gold are spent to buy a horse's bones.' The position of Yuanwailang is indeed a bit stingy. Otherwise, how about giving him the highest rank of Observer? And then some Defense Commissioners and Militia Commissioners?"

Xu Jing could tell that Zhao Ji didn't want to give him a particularly high-ranking official position. After thinking for a moment, he suggested the position of Inspector, a fourth-rank official.

A fourth-rank official—that sounds good, doesn't it?

"An observer? No, no, what qualifications do these bandits have to be appointed as fourth-rank officials right off the bat?"

Gao Qiu was the first to object, and after he objected, Emperor Huizong also felt that the fourth rank was a bit too high.

"An observer won't do. General Xu, the highest rank we can offer is a fifth-rank envoy, and then several sixth-rank officials from various departments. That's the court's greatest show of sincerity. If they don't accept it, then we'll fight!"

Emperor Huizong made a concession, but he did not want these people who had been recruited to become powerful, so he was unwilling to give them official positions.

"Your Majesty, take the order."

Although Xu Jing looked helpless, at this moment, he could only obediently accept the imperial decree.

There's nothing we can do; he brought it up, so we have to find a solution!

"Lord Xu, I hope your attempt to recruit the enemy this time goes smoothly!"

Gao Qiu looked at Xu Jing and said in a sarcastic tone.

"No need for the Grand Commandant to worry, I know what I'm doing."

Xu Jing ignored Gao Qiu; he was currently pondering which family he should begin his campaign of appeasement with.

"Your Majesty, we shall take our leave."

Seeing his old friend deep in thought, Wang Huan understood that he needed a quiet place, so he took the lead and spoke to Zhao Ji.

"Well, the old generals may go. By the way, if General Xu fails to win the amnesty, the old generals should still be prepared for war."

Zhao Ji didn't want to think anymore. He had been thinking for a long time and his brain was tired, so he decided to relax and write something.

"I will obey your orders!"

After Wang Huan and the others left, only Zhao Ji and Gao Qiu remained in the imperial study.

"Gao Qing, don't just stand there, come and grind the ink for me."

"promise."

……

"Old Xu, have you decided where to start with the recruitment efforts?"

Once the group left the imperial study, Zhang Kai couldn't hold back any longer.

"Judging from the map, Liangshan is the closest, and its reputation is the best among the three, so I plan to go there first. It's just that the official position offered in the amnesty is really..."

Xu Jing truly felt that this time it was going to be tough.

I've never seen such an insincere attempt at appeasement. Only someone with a screw loose would agree to that!

"Alas, I have said it before, the current emperor is not the late emperor. What the late emperor could do, this one may not be able to do."

Wang Wende, Mei Zhan, and others also felt that this attempt to recruit the enemy would most likely fail. If they were to recruit the enemy using the original titles of Assistant Minister of War and Commander of the Imperial Guard, it would be tantamount to directly insulting them!

Forget about being offered amnesty; Xu Jing would probably get his head chopped off right away!

"Complain less, do more."

Wang Huan stopped the discussion and then said to Xu Jing:

"Brother, you've really had a tough time this time."

"It's alright, brother. I've heard about it too. There are actually quite a few former military officers on Liangshan. Maybe Liangshan will agree to the amnesty this time."

Xu Jing comforted Wang Huan, and at the same time, he encouraged himself.

Xu Jing bets that Liangshan won't kill him!

……

Liangshan.

Liangshan has been very lively these past few days.

Besides celebrating the stone tablet incident, the people of Liangshan also learned another piece of good news—the tiger-slaying leader, Wu, is getting married in the next few days!

And after Chief Wu got married, it is said that the chief of the village will also get married!

This is a big event for Liangshan, and everyone is very happy. The entire mountain has been busy with this matter recently!

"Where's the red cloth? Are those from when Chief Shi Jin got married still there?"

"The banquet shouldn't be fancy, and the dishes shouldn't be overly elaborate; they should be plentiful!"

"Mi Sheng! Shan Shiqi! Can't you two go do something productive instead of causing trouble here!"

The person in charge of the wedding arrangements was Xu Guanzhong, who was currently reprimanding Mi Sheng and Shan Shiqi, his two henchmen.

"Strategist, we're here to help!"

Mi Sheng and Shan Shiqi were both wrapped in red cloth, looking rather disheveled.

"Thank you both. So, you want to help, right? Go and inform everyone in the family compound of the banquet time! Remember! You two go on foot! No riding horses! And no one else is allowed to go in your place!"

After being scolded by Xu Guanzhong, the two guys quickly made their escape.

They can't afford to offend this strategist, Xu!

"It's all your fault! I told you to stop making a scene, but you insisted on doing it!"

"What, you're not causing trouble? Don't run away, we'll both get punished! If you dare run, I'll tell your mother!"