The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

"So you think I deserve to die, and that I have no other choice now that things have come to this, right?"

Zhao Shen couldn't see what those people were saying outside the canopy.

He can only judge for himself whether doing so is right or wrong.

Seeing his extremely conflicted expression, Yue Fei sighed deeply.

"Your Majesty, please pretend that I never came here today, nor did I say those things. I will come back to apologize to you after I have dealt with everything!"

He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity and could no longer wait for Zhao Shen to hesitate.

The two sides are now competing to see who can go faster.

If those officials find Zhao Gou first, then Yue Fei will be the one to lose.

After all, Zhao Gou had been on the throne for decades, and with the support of his officials, his prestige was certainly far greater than that of Zhao Shen and Yue Fei.

When he regains power, all the changes he made will be in vain.

Since Zhao Shen is unwilling to bear such infamy, then let him do it!

"Oh shit!"

"Can't you be more decisive?"

After Zhao Kuangyin led his army to annihilate the enemy, he looked up and saw this scene, and couldn't help but curse.

"Where did the emperor's sense of responsibility go? He made his subjects bear the blame; what a wise ruler he was!"

Many others also looked down on Zhao Shen's sudden decision to back down.

"It was the same before. Yue Fei went to help him gather the remnants of his defeated army and set up defenses along the natural barriers, but he listened to Tang Situi's nonsense in Lin'an."

"How should I put it? He has the will to fight and the ambition, but he is too easily swayed."

"They are easily provoked and lack a strong sense of responsibility."

"He could indeed be considered the top emperor among all emperors in the Southern Song Dynasty, but he doesn't rank among the top emperors in the entire history of dynasties."

Liu Bang gradually began to lose hope.

This so-called sense of unease seems somewhat undeserved.

Such ability is far from enough to make people feel resentful.

"Emperor Gaozu, let's take another look patiently. After all, he is in the midst of it all and doesn't have our perspective to see the whole picture."

"Secondly, he was deeply influenced by Zhao Gou from a young age. Although he was full of ambition, he was also somewhat indecisive, which is not hard to understand."

"But that's precisely what makes him so valuable."

It's rare for Zhu De to stand up and speak for one of Zhao Kuangyin's descendants.

A person's background and experiences can easily influence their personality.

Having followed Zhao Gou since childhood, he was influenced by him and instead of being as cowardly as Zhao Gou, he became more determined to launch a northern expedition.

Indecisiveness may be a major flaw, but as long as one can reflect on it and repent in time, everything will be fine.

Meanwhile, amidst the disappointed gazes of countless people, Zhao Shen's eyes suddenly hardened as he watched the scene unfolding in the sky.

"General Yue, I cannot pretend that you were not here today."

"Besides, you can't bear this burden alone!"

"Take my decree. Whether it's transferring reserve officials or killing them outright, it's all up to you."

"I have said that I grant you the authority to act as you see fit, and I will not go back on my word."

"Even if the world condemns us as butchers, it is we, ruler and subject, who will share this infamy!"

Upon receiving the gold medal thrown by Zhao Shen, Yue Fei's eyes instantly hardened.

Only at this moment did he truly acknowledge that the current Emperor Zhao Shen was no different from the former Zhao Gou.

Although the two were nominally father and son, their relationship was completely different from Zhao Gou's, who knelt down and could never stand up again.

Zhao Shen would hesitate, doubt himself, and sometimes waver between advocating war and negotiating peace.

But in the end, he always manages to find his true self.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail you!"

Everyone outside the celestial canopy understood the meaning behind this gold medal and the subsequent decree.

A bloody storm is about to unfold throughout Lin'an.

Those officials who attempted to reinstate Zhao Gou were apprehended before they could even set out.

But Yue Fei ultimately did not actually kill these people.

Ultimately, they did not commit a capital offense, nor did they deserve to be killed.

After these people were imprisoned and reserve officials were transferred to take over their work, the entire city of Lin'an was completely united.

Preparations began for conscription, training, requisitioning provisions, allocating military pay, and even housing for soldiers' families and schools for their children.

After confirming that the imperial court was not joking but had genuinely prepared tangible benefits for all those who joined the army, families with more than one able-bodied man flocked to sign up.

The situation seems to be even better than Yue Fei had anticipated.

In just six months, more than 80,000 soldiers were recruited from the surrounding areas of Lin'an alone.

Yue Fei personally oversaw all the training, and he trained the troops relentlessly, sparing no expense on the food in the barracks.

Conversely, government spending also surged rapidly.

The candidates for the Ministry of Revenue had racked their brains to the limit in just six months.

Recruiting soldiers and distributing their pay requires money, preparing provisions requires money, daily training meals require money, arranging accommodations for soldiers' families and setting up schools also require money.

The newly appointed Minister of Revenue was constantly being pressured to pay debts the moment he opened his eyes.

"Your Majesty, we truly have no money left!"

After others urged him to pay, he would go and plead poverty.

"I know your hardships, my dear ministers, but now is a critical moment. The soldiers on the front lines are fighting for their lives. I and my ministers are in the rear. All we can do is to be frugal."

"I still need you to put in more effort, my dear minister. In any case, the front-line troops' pay and provisions must not be cut off, and the Grand Commandant's training needs must not be reduced. As for the rest, you can decide for yourself."

Zhao Shen's replies were the same every day.

In summary, it can be summed up in one sentence.

I have no money, but I can't skimp on the money I need to spend.

No money?

If you don't have money, you'll have to figure it out yourself.

What can you think of?

The Minister of Revenue racked his brains but still couldn't figure it out.

With such a large gap, even if I were to try and embezzle, I couldn't create such a huge hole in a short period of time!

wrong!

Just because I can't embezzle doesn't mean others can't!

Those who were temporarily pulled in to fill the vacancies certainly didn't have money, but surely not all the officials who had been arrested and imprisoned by Grand Commandant Yue and His Majesty were clean.

Copy the house!

After considering it over, the Minister of Revenue slapped his forehead and turned to ask for imperial permission.

At worst, we can let the Ministry of Justice investigate. Those with clean hands will be lucky, and those with dirty hands will have their homes confiscated as a matter of course!

Upon hearing his words, Zhao Shen immediately agreed.

Since you say you want to copy, then copy!

As long as I can get enough silver to support my northern expedition, that's no problem!

I grant the order, the Ministry of Justice investigates the case, and the Ministry of Revenue is responsible for moving the silver.

The entire process was carried out smoothly, and the national treasury was quickly replenished.

Whenever a house was searched, the Minister of Revenue would personally be present. Looking at the enormous amounts of money, silver, antiques, and treasures found in the homes of corrupt officials, he couldn't help but sigh.

No wonder the national treasury is empty!

These guys are like the mythical creature Pixiu, only taking in and never giving out. It would be strange if they ever made any money!