"Your Majesty... I, your subject..."

Facing the sudden visit of Zhao, the Emperor, even Zhang, the Big Boss, a fisherman by descent for generations, and with a firm revolutionary faith, was momentarily at a loss due to the limitations of the era. He didn't know whether to perform a ceremony, how to perform one, or what to call Zhao.

"It's my fault," Zhao Jiu immediately said, grabbing the other man's hands and changing his manner. "Today's visit is a private one. I won't refer to myself as '朕' (Zhen, imperial 'I'), and Boss Zhang doesn't need to call himself '臣' (Chen, subject), nor perform any ceremonies. These formalities can wait until we're in the palace tomorrow."

Zhang Rong then desisted.

And so, with the young scholar Lin, the two men sat down. Zhao, the Emperor, first signaled Qu Duan to take away the foul-smelling heads, then asked the grand masters from Xiangguo Temple to bring some chilled sour plum soup. After that, he began to ask a barrage of questions:

"How big is Liangshan Marsh?"

"Is Liangshan an island in the marsh?"

"Is it located in the south, north, or center?"

"Did you ever associate with Song Jiang back then?"

"Is there a Hall of Gathering Righteousness (Ju Yi Ting)?"

"Did the chieftains ever establish a seating order?"

"What a pity! If Boss Zhang had come to Heyin that day, I would have brought the Central Army, Rear Army, and those generals from the Western Army together. We could have gathered the Seventy-Two Great Heroes..."

In the sweltering heat of the summer afternoon, cicadas chirped incessantly. Zhao, the Emperor, spoke with gusto, completely lost in his own world. He didn't notice Zhang, the Big Boss's unease, nor Qu Duan's simmering resentment behind him.

There was no way around it, how could a time traveler not be interested in the real master of Liangshan Marsh?

Moreover, Zhao, the Emperor, had been traveling through time for nearly two full years, and he had thoroughly investigated this Boss Zhang. He knew that Zhang was different from Song Jiang, who had only briefly flashed across the real historical stage. This Boss Zhang was a true local hero, commanding tens of thousands of fishermen within the marsh. In prosperous times, it was difficult for government troops to encircle and suppress them. After the Jianyan era, he fought bravely against the Jin forces without faltering, truly a leader of the uprising and a hero against the Jin.

Not to mention, the battle of Suotou Shoal, and the recent great victory at Dongping Prefecture, this man cooperated excellently with Yue Fei, achieving remarkable results.

To be frank, the victory at Suotou Shoal, which had almost saved Zhao, the Emperor, on the Huai River and his little court, was more attributable to this man than to Yue Fei!

Of course, most importantly, Zhao, the Emperor, was determined to resist the Jin. He had been an emperor for two years and had fought an ideological battle of containment with the traditional Zhao Song central government for two years. An important manifestation of this struggle was to break the previous military thought of "defending the interior and neglecting the exterior"... He felt no discomfort toward Boss Zhang's rebel past.

On the contrary, for some reason, based on Zhang's origins and experience, Zhao Jiu harbored a strange expectation and respect for this Boss Zhang.

And even if he had to consider the broken chair under his butt, there seemed to be no need to fuss about it now... After all, hadn't the man come? And he had brought the head of Kong Yanzhou and the living Liu Lin.

The contributions made previously and now, and today's meeting, were enough to prove the reliability, usefulness, and basic stance of this military organization and this man.

Therefore, both sides could temporarily put aside those political constraints and shake hands to make peace.

After speaking for a long time, Zhang Rong saw that this long-famous Emperor acted freely and without pretense. Furthermore, he was no ordinary commoner and gradually understood that there was no need for the Emperor to deliberately ingratiate himself in this way. Therefore, he gradually relaxed, and his words became smoother... He followed the Emperor's lead, speaking of many anecdotes from the *jianghu* (martial arts world).

Not only that, the Emperor also knew many things about the *jianghu* heroes that he didn't know, and even some that surprised him... Such as the fact that Xing Zhe (Pilgrim) Wu Song, a member of Song Jiang's band, had actually killed a tiger alive in Yanggu, and that Guanxi's Lu Ti Xia (Little Overseer Lu) had punched Zhen Guanxi (Lord of the West) to death and was forced to become a monk... It wasn't until Lu Ti Xia came to Xiangguo Temple and uprooted a willow tree that Zhang Rong realized that when the Emperor was blowing his own horn, he was no different from ordinary people.

However, the more it was like this, the more relaxed the two of them became... But once people relaxed, they inevitably said too much and made mistakes.

"Speaking of which, is Boss Zhang a native of Liangshan?" Zhao, the Emperor, asked curiously as usual.

"No," Zhang Rong replied immediately. "I was originally from Jizhou, southwest of Liangshan Marsh. It's quite a distance from Liangshan, which is in the northernmost part of the marsh..."

"Then why did you go to Liangshan and become the master of the stronghold?" Zhao, the Emperor, blurted out almost without thinking, an apparent slip of the tongue, which caused the young scholar Lin beside him to pause slightly, but he remained silent.

Zhang Rong was also speechless.

"Is there something to avoid?" Zhao, the Emperor, didn't mind.

"It was because of the flower and rock tribute, Hua Shi Gang, that I went up the mountain," Zhang Rong said, knowing that he couldn't evade the question. In addition, he had always harbored a layer of suspicion in his heart, so he simply gritted his teeth and answered to see the Emperor's reaction. "A very large rock, the Grand Canal couldn't transport it, so it was transferred from the Si River to the Ji River. But it was still slow, and many bridges were torn down along the way, and many families were ruined. Not to mention, the local fishing bullies took the opportunity to act like tigers, not allowing us to ferry or fish. Because I had always been the head fisherman in the southwest of the marsh, and because the magistrate of Yuncheng at that time, Shi Wenbin, had some good reputation, I was publicly recommended to go to him... As a result, I didn't see Magistrate Shi, but the fishing bullies found the chief constable in the county and directly arrested me in the city, beat me with a plank and sent me to prison. As for what happened later, I don't need to say it, Your Majesty should know roughly what happened."

Zhao Jiu nodded slightly, lost in thought. "Shi Wenbin has already died in the battle of Xiacai. Does Boss Zhang know?"

Zhang Rong was rarely stunned, only assuming that Shi Wenbin had died for his country, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Actually, I know that Magistrate Shi was a good man, but the world is like this, and he couldn't control many of the people below him."

Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly: "If everything is the fault of those below, then what do we need the people above for? In my opinion, everything in the world should be blamed on those above."

Without speaking of Zhang Rong's dark face and bright heart, moving slightly in his heart, even Qu Duan behind Zhao, the Emperor, couldn't help but breathe heavily upon hearing these words.

And Zhao, the Emperor, seemed to only then remember that there was still a dignified Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards beside him, so he took advantage of the situation and turned around on the stone bench, pointing to the position behind him: "Boss Zhang, please look, this Deputy Commander Qu was whipped twenty times in public when he entered the capital because he couldn't restrain his subordinates."

Zhang Rong paused slightly, not knowing whether to salute or not, but seeing that the man's face changed from red to white, and then from white to red, but he remained silent, this Liangshan Marsh Big Boss finally restrained the thought.

At the same time, the Emperor continued to talk casually, continuing at will: "Just like the Retired Emperor, The Taishang Daojun Emperor, he built what was called Gen Yue, causing the people from the southeast to both sides of the Grand Canal, and even the surrounding areas of the Ji River and Si River, to live in misery. The Fang La Rebellion in the south, and Song Jiang raging in Hebei and on the sea, even forced Big Boss onto Liangshan. The entire country was hollowed out, so when the Jin people came, he went north... It can be seen that those above can never escape the blame."

These words were illogical and unclear.

But Qu Duan, who was originally resentful, was so shocked upon hearing these words that he didn't even dare to be resentful anymore. And Zhang Rong, upon hearing these words, although he knew that there were many interpretations, couldn't help but feel gratified for a moment, feeling as if he had vented a lifetime of repressed feelings, and also released an unnamed anger that had been suppressed in his chest today.

Only the young scholar Lin remained silent, this composure was truly admirable.

"Of course, it's still this principle," Zhao Jiu continued to say casually. "When I was forced to the Huai River by the Jin people, I had no choice but to fight. At first, I felt resentful, feeling that the heavens were unfair. Why should I have to drink the mess that my father and brothers made? Only recently have I gradually realized that it was okay before I ascended the throne, but after I ascended the throne, I couldn't push the blame onto others. If I hadn't been deliberately frustrated before, abandoned the defenses of the two rivers, and hesitated for so long in the Mingdao Palace, how could there have been the predicament on the Huai River? Even last year, if I had been comfortable in Nanyang for too long and hadn't made proper arrangements, why would I have needed to risk my life to seize military power in Yanling? The things of the past are lessons for the future. We big bosses have to take responsibility for the people below us, Boss Zhang, don't you think that's right?"

Zhang Rong finally stood up and cupped his fist to the Emperor: "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Zhao Jiu couldn't help but smile, but he reached out in the seat and pulled the other man down again: "Just saying it casually, I just said a few more words because I was afraid that Big Boss would misunderstand... Let's stop here, we'll talk about the important matters in the palace tomorrow."

Zhang Rong then sat down again.

And just then, Zhao, the Emperor, laughed again: "Actually, Liu Lin's last words almost persuaded me, and I was strongly resisting the urge to agree..."

Zhang Rong didn't know which words he was referring to for a moment, and was a bit at a loss. But Qu Duan behind him grew even paler, feeling that he had gained knowledge by coming out with this Emperor today... In terms of arrogance, when had he ever been arrogant toward this Emperor?

Moving on, back to the stone table, Zhao, the Emperor, and Zhang Rong continued to chat. But at this time, it was late, and the monks had delivered the sour plum soup three times. After saying a few words, the sun gradually set, and it was clear that they couldn't stay any longer. Zhao, the Emperor, could only shake hands and say goodbye. It was really not appropriate to share a bed, so he formally got up, only agreeing to see Zhang Rong again tomorrow.

However, at this time, Zhao Jiu only then noticed that Zhang Rong's attendants had long since gathered under the corridor to watch. Seeing him get up at this time, they stretched their necks to try to see what was going on, and aroused the vigilance of the accompanying guards.

Zhao, the Emperor's, heart stirred. He remembered a classic scene from history and walked over with a smile, coming to a place only seven or eight steps away from those people. Then, in the courtyard, he held his belt with one hand and pointed to his face with the other, introducing himself:

"Fellow Liangshan heroes, do you want to see what the Emperor actually looks like? You might as well take a closer look, I'm just one nose and two eyes."

The Liangshan Marsh people under the corridor erupted, each rushing out of the corridor. The Imperial Guards were not flustered at first, but Zhang Rong was the first to panic... What if there was a reckless person like Lao Wu among them, harboring evil intentions? What should he do?

Therefore, Zhang Rong directly stepped forward, blocking in front of Zhao, the Emperor, and then personally escorted Zhao, the Emperor, out of the courtyard gate.

At the time of parting, Zhang, the Big Boss, rarely complained: "Why should Your Majesty bother with those birds?"

Zhao Jiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and could only shake his head: "They are all heroes!"

Zhang Rong thought of what he had seen at the South Xun Gate today, and couldn't help but sigh: "Those who make the list in the palace and wear red flowers on the street are the true heroes."

Zhao Jiu's heart stirred, but he didn't say anything, and just said goodbye and left.

At that time, there was no comment, but the next morning, the palace issued an edict to the Capital Province and the Privy Council, formally summoning Zhang Rong, the Pacification Commissioner of Dongping Prefecture, and having the chief officials receive him in the palace.

This was an expected outcome... The battle in Dongping Prefecture ended extremely neatly. Although the golden decree not to expand the war had been sent to the front line, and Zhang Rong had taken the initiative to come to see him, it did not mean that there was nothing to deal with.

How to verify the identity of the false crown prince Liu Lin and then carry out a formal execution? How to display the head of the false marshal Kong Yanzhou to the public?

How to reward Yue Fei and Zhang Rong?

How to deal with Zhang Rong's Liangshan Marsh troops, and under what name should they continue to exist and be reorganized?

Which governor's district should Dongping Prefecture and Yanzhou be included in?

The Palace Censorate Officer Wan Qixie and the Imperial Guard Commander Yang Yizhong fought unfavorably, and the false Prime Minister Hong Ya actually escaped. How should this battle's merits and demerits be discussed?

The matters were large and small. In theory, there should have been a plan, but this battle was fought hastily and ended quickly, which made the chief officials of the central government somewhat caught off guard.

Especially in these days, in stark contrast to the short, intense, and rapidly changing situation of the war in Dongping, as the Chancellor Lu persuaded Zhao, the Emperor, to open the imperial examination and grant special permission to wealthy households to redeem Hebei refugees and establish state students and imperial students, many men of culture and wealthy families gradually gathered in the capital, and the more they gathered, the more they gathered. The senior ministers of the central government were inevitably distracted.

Therefore, it was very necessary to have the chief officials gather before the emperor to directly deal with these matters.

Regardless of how it was, on this morning, Zhang Rong was confused. First, someone sent him an official robe, and then someone came out of the palace specifically to explain the etiquette... Although Zhao, the Emperor, had personally come to comfort him yesterday, and he had a bottom line in his heart, he was still in a state of panic.

Especially when he entered the palace, seeing that although the palace was desolate and sparsely populated, it was still the scale of the former palace city, with all its forms and systems intact, he was even more shocked and took extra care.

However, when he entered the palace hall, performed the great ceremony, and raised his head, seeing that the person on the throne was exactly the person from yesterday, knowing that he had not met a swindler yesterday, Zhang, the Big Boss, finally felt relieved.

Sure enough, this Zhao, the Emperor, was as righteous as ever, and he repeatedly defended him in the palace, and there were no extra incidents.

Finally, with the vigorous promotion of Zhao, the Emperor, the discussion in the palace was clear. Zhang Rong, who came to the capital to show his sincerity, was formally promoted to military governor and still stationed in Dongping Prefecture, concurrently serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Water Army, which almost maintained the original size of Liangshan Marsh while still allowing this team to continue to form an independent army.

This allowed the Liangshan Marsh troops to be formally incorporated into the Imperial Guards system, and Zhang Rong also formally became the eleventh person after the Jingkang Incident to formally establish a banner (Li Gang, Zong Ze, Yuwen Xuzhong, Lu Yihao, Liu Guangshi, Han Shizhong, Zhang Jun, Li Yanxian, Yue Fei, Wang Yan)... From now on, this person would be a figure that the world could count on, and even more so, a figure that the court could count on.

To this, although the several chief officials had ideas, they still tacitly accepted this arrangement.

However, it is worth mentioning that this acceptance was not only an approval of Zhang Rong's actions this time, nor was it merely obedience to Zhao, the Emperor's, military authority. There was also something that was hard to say, but it was a tacit understanding among the central officials, and even a cliché.

The problem and the answer were all in Yue Fei.

Or rather, in Yue Fei and his Imperial Vanguard Army.

It should be known that before Zhang Rong was promoted to military governor, the chief officials in the palace had roughly discussed with the emperor and simultaneously added Yue Fei to the position of Junior Guardian, concurrently in charge of the military affairs of Yanzhou. After this matter, Yue Fei, who was only twenty-seven years old, was formally ranked alongside Zhang Jun, who was forty-four years old, and Li Yanxian, who was thirty-six years old, second only to Han Shizhong.

Moreover, his Imperial Vanguard Army was currently the largest army in terms of size (with an authorized strength of 55,000), and the defense zone that actually inherited the defenses previously led by Zhang Suo and part of the defense of the Tokyo Remnant Garrison was also the largest (Guangji Army, Jizhou, Yanzhou, Xingren Prefecture, Danzhou, Yingtian Prefecture, while also assisting in the defense of Huazhou and Kaifeng Prefecture).

In fact, as early as the reorganization at Heyin, some people had already felt uneasy about Zhao, the Emperor's, decision to have Yue Fei, this young man, inherit the huge legacy of the Tokyo Remnant Garrison... This was not jealousy or resentment, nor was it disbelief in anyone, but it was truly out of public heart, because at that time, the number of troops in the Tokyo Remnant Garrison, plus the number of Yue Fei's own Jizhou army, almost accounted for half of the entire Central Plains troops. Moreover, Yue Fei was so young, not to mention the example of Kong Yanzhou.

Therefore, everyone would have some misgivings, not to mention that it was almost an instinct for central officials to maintain the balance of the outer towns.

Only at that time, Zhao, the Emperor's, prestige was at its peak, and it was not easy to argue.

Later, the central government gradually stabilized in Tokyo, and the relationship between the ruler and his ministers gradually became stable. The political situation stabilized, and at this time, it was actually Yue Fei who stood out again, repeatedly making contributions - suppressing rebellions in the southeast, and this time in the great battle in Dongping Prefecture, both of which were fought extremely beautifully.

Moreover, as this young general formally ranked among the marshal ministers, some of his other advantages were also undoubtedly revealed. He liked to read, could write lyrics, and even had certain political insights and could write the "Discourse on Fine Horses" (Liang Ma Dui). The key was that his military discipline was clear and his personal morality was outstanding, far superior to the other marshal ministers.

Not only that, when discussing the authorized strength of the various armies at that time, he did not use his military strength to pressure the court, but directly recognized the criticism that the troops of the Tokyo Remnant Garrison were of mixed quality and agreed to the plan to reduce the number of troops in the Imperial Vanguard Army by more than half.

All sorts of behaviors could be described as impeccable... It almost made people feel that this was simply Zhuge Liang among the military officials.

But the more it was like this, the more alert some people became... This was really not the fault of these people, because Zhuge Liang among the civil officials had really appeared once, causing Zhao, the Emperor, to frequently use Zhuge Liang to encourage the civil officials around him, but Zhuge Liang among the military officials had really not appeared.

In fact, as far as the Tokyo central government was concerned, they had maintained a certain extreme restraint in the face of Yue Fei this time and maintained considerable respect for the overall situation of resisting the Jin - not to mention anything else, as Yue Fei made contributions again, his position improved, and his jurisdiction expanded smoothly. Actually, no one really unreasonably obstructed him.

However, this did not mean that they could not use other methods to make corresponding restrictions and arrangements.

For example, continuing to let Lu Qiong, this veteran, sit in Nanjing, Yingtian Prefecture, was a means.

Another example was this exceptional promotion of Zhang Rong, which was so smooth. In fact, there was also a hidden meaning of Xiang Zhuang dancing with his sword, intending to assassinate Liu Bang, the Duke of Pei - having Zhang Rong lead such a force independent of the Imperial Vanguard Army in Dongping Prefecture was always more reassuring.

To this, even if Zhang Rong was dark-faced and bright-hearted, he could not detect the trickery in it for a moment. He only felt that Zhao, the Emperor, in Tokyo was truly righteous, and the chancellors were all fair and even somewhat generous in their dealings, completely unlike what he had worried about before. Not to mention what 500 axemen... His worries when he came were simply a joke.

If he had to say something inappropriate, it was actually that young scholar Lin, who was said to be his guarantor and should have been with him all the way, was like a dumb gourd throughout the entire process.

Regardless of how it was, Zhang Rong's entry into the capital was handled properly and beautifully, and before he left, Zhao, the Emperor, personally led him to the Genyue ruins to shoot a hunt and invited him to come to Tokyo again before the Mid-Autumn Festival to see those 'true heroes wearing flowers'.

Zhang Rong naturally agreed readily.