With the September sky high and clear, Zhao Jiu personally escorted the Goryeo envoy Jeong Ji-chang twenty *li* outside the city for his eastward return. He arranged banquets along the way and had civil and military officials accompany him. Every *li* traveled, the Zhao Emperor personally raised a cup in respect, and had a courtier renowned for poetry and prose compose verses and lyrics for the send-off.

At the final farewell, the Zhao Emperor even grasped Scholar Jeong's hand, calling him an international friend... "international" meaning between each other, implying Scholar Jeong was significant enough to represent both countries and maintain their friendship. All the prior courtesies had already left Jeong Ji-chang in a state of ecstatic delight. Receiving this title at the final parting brought him to tears, repeatedly praising the Emperor's benevolence.

It could be said that, aside from the unfortunate fact that the Zhao Emperor happened to lack poetic inspiration that day, Scholar Jeong's mission after the stabilization of the Song-Jin situation was nearly perfect.

Upon his return, he would surely overshadow Kim Bu-sik by seven or eight heads.

However, after the international friend Jeong Ji-chang left in the company of the reception official Wang Lun, the Zhao Emperor turned around with a rare dark expression... Many accompanying courtiers felt apprehensive.

For good reason. Everyone knew what had happened. Jeong Ji-chang, overly intoxicated at the end, had already left but returned, grabbing the Emperor's hand. He expressed gratitude for the Emperor's kindness and vowed to gather information about the Five Kingdoms City on his return to Goryeo, do his best to redeem the Song's noblemen and noblewomen, and strive to negotiate with the Jin for the release of the two Emperors…

Others might not know, but Zhao Jiu's entrustment during his near-death experience at Yiyou Gate had already revealed his attitude toward the Retired Emperor. Thus, although he couldn't explicitly say it, the key ministers were well aware of the Zhao Emperor's true feelings:

Regarding the so-called "Northern Captive Two Emperors," the Zhao Emperor's attitude wasn't the "let me have a piece of the pie" response one would expect when facing an enemy's threat. That was merely the superficial explanation. Deep down, he clearly harbored resentment! He probably hoped they would hurry up and give him a "piece of the pie" in the form of their deaths.

Therefore, how could this Emperor not be annoyed by Jeong Ji-chang's superfluous words?

However, it was merely an interlude. Zhao Jiu returned to the city in frustration, and his mood gradually subsided within two or three days. After all, life had to go on. Soon after, Zhao Ding arrived from the Huai River region and Liu Ji from Xiangyang, almost simultaneously. By this point, the chief councilors were assembled in the city, adding a significant air of importance.

For instance, immediately upon arrival, Liu Ji publicly submitted a memorial. He pointed out that the situation in Dongjing was no longer what it had been. The various responsibilities held by Chen Gui, Associate Administrator of the Privy Council and concurrently Minister of War and Prefect of Kaifeng, were wartime measures. They should be abolished, following the example of the regional administrators in the South… At the same time, he suggested that Chen Gui, who had worked diligently and meticulously overseen military production and logistics, should be relieved of the unsuitable position of Associate Administrator of the Privy Council and directly promoted to Vice Administrator of the Privy Council.

Of course, Chen Gui was delighted. He came from the legal profession and had even been involved in scandals like forcibly taking books from a renowned scholar's home. He had thought he could never become a proper chief councilor in his lifetime, only awkwardly holding on to his current position. Now, if he could become a legitimate and officially recognized chief councilor, he would do anything.

Moreover, not only Chen Gui but also Zhao Jiu almost immediately agreed. Even the court officials had little to say… Because everyone knew, even without the Emperor saying so, that he hadn't promoted Chen Gui earlier only out of concern that the resistance would be too great, making him appear too drastic. Any hindrance would only cause embarrassment.

In fact, the Emperor had no fundamental objection to this matter. In his mind, Chen Gui had long been considered a chief councilor, only lacking the official title.

Therefore, almost effortlessly, like water flowing into its channel, Deputy Chief Councilor Liu Ji, immediately upon taking office, promoted his short-term but undoubtedly loyal subordinate Chen Gui to the position of Vice Administrator of the Privy Council.

And that wasn't all. Chen Gui, having been "promoted to full status," immediately recommended Yan Xiaozhong, the Prefect of Nanyang, as the Prefect of Kaifeng after relinquishing his posts as Prefect of Kaifeng and Minister of War. This was also immediately approved by Zhao Jiu.

Now, many people began to look at Liu Ji, the former Transport Commissioner of Jingxi and later Regional Administrator of Xiangyang, with renewed respect… Because both of Liu Ji's personnel recommendations were extremely clever.

Specifically, they catered to the Emperor's wishes… Because everyone knew that both Chen Gui and Yan Xiaozhong were favored by the Emperor. On the other hand, he used Nanyang, the temporary capital during that special period, to establish a foundation for himself.

It should be known that Liu Ji, Chen Gui, and Yan Xiaozhong were all key ministers from when the court was in exile in Nanyang. Moreover, they all rose to prominence around the same time after the court moved to Nanyang, forming a so-called Nanyang faction.

It could only be said that Chief Councilor Liu Ji had remained silent until he stunned everyone with his actions. He had seized the initiative before Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun, who were more favored by others, could exert their influence, rapidly completing his arrangements in Dongjing and laying a solid foundation for himself.

But that was the end of it. The next morning, Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun, having realized what had happened, almost simultaneously proposed their respective candidates for Minister of War. Zhao Ding recommended Hu Shijiang, the Prefect of Zhenjiang, who had significant work contact with Zhao Ding, who had long been stationed in Huainan, due to issues with material and financial transport. According to Chief Councilor Zhao, this person was extremely skilled in military logistics. Zhang Jun, on the other hand, recommended Lü Zhi, the Prefect of Jiangning, because after the great victory at Yao Mountain, he had sent the Privy Council a booklet he wrote himself, a comprehensive national strategy. It covered everything from how to quell the Dongting Lake rebellion to how to manage the entire South, and how to gradually destroy the Jin. It was written with great flair, leading Zhang Jun, who had just taken over the Privy Council, to believe this person was a rare talent.

In response, Zhao Jiu immediately decided to appoint Hu Shijiang as Minister of War.

Zhao Ding breathed a sigh of satisfaction, while Zhang Jun immediately recommended Lü Zhi for the vacant position of Vice Minister of Personnel. This time, Zhao Jiu didn't reject it and immediately agreed, and Zhang Jun also breathed a sigh of relief.

With the three new chief councilors assembled, they immediately began to engage in personnel maneuvers, resulting in a fierce struggle for power. However, there weren't too many ripples in the court and the capital… Of course, this lack of ripples didn't mean everyone already knew what kind of people Hu Shijiang and Lü Zhi were, nor did it mean everyone wasn't surprised by Liu Ji's preemptive strike. Rather, it meant everyone had anticipated the new chief councilors recommending and using their own associates. Everyone knew there would be such a personnel storm.

As the saying goes, personnel is politics, and politics is personnel. If you, Emperor Zhao, as the Son of Heaven, after a victory at Yao Mountain, with unparalleled power, still need to appoint Zhao Ding, Zhang Jun, Liu Ji, and other trusted figures as chief councilors, then conversely, the chief councilors, who are heads of the officials and have the right to participate in government affairs, also need to use their own people. Moreover, why should you, Emperor Zhao, not respect the personnel power of the chief councilors?

Especially when the newly appointed or departing chief councilors put forward significant personnel proposals during a special period… If such things were denied, what was the point of having these chief councilors?

Don't forget that Li Gang, back in the Southeast, still recommended Li Guang and Lin Qi as important ministers to the court. Even the moderate Lü Haowen still employed Fan Zongyin and others after his time in Nanyang. Lü Yihao, who once single-handedly managed the Southeast, still recommended Zhu Shengfei as Minister of Rites before leaving. Xu Jingheng, after choosing to step aside, still blocked Lü Yihao's path… Don't underestimate the chief councilors as people who just eat for free!

Chief councilors are chief councilors. They are the highest-level leaders of the scholar-officials in this era, and they share a certain amount of supreme power with Emperor Zhao through the way of participating in government affairs.

Giving them this position means giving them the corresponding political power, or else the political ecosystem will be disrupted.

Therefore, after Chief Councilor Zhao Ding of the Department of State Affairs and Military Commissioner Zhang Jun fought over the candidate for Minister of War, Zhao Jiu naturally had to respect the first personnel proposal of the Department of State Affairs. Under this premise, he also tried to respect the military commissioner's right to participate in government affairs.

That's what makes a wise ruler!

"Who's back?" Zhao Jiu, who was at the Grand Xiangguo Temple watching the experiments with pottery **Grenade Fears Water**, looked up in surprise. He was still accompanied by Chief Councilor Chen Gui, as the new Prefect of Kaifeng and Minister of War hadn't yet taken office. "Jeong who? It can't be Jeong Ji-chang again, right?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, of course it's not Jeong Ji-chang. It's Jeong Eok-nyeon, the son of former Chief Councilor Jeong Geojoong. Jeong Geojoong is the son-in-law of Chancellor Wang Gyu and also a cousin of Queen Mother Ningde (Queen Jeong)…" Yang Yizhong quickly explained the background of the person mentioned. "During the Jingkang Incident, many children of prominent families were taken away together. Jeong Eok-nyeon, being both the son of a powerful family and a relative of the Empress, was one of them."

Zhao Jiu nodded, thoughtfully. "How did he come back?"

"According to him, after Your Majesty's victory at Yao Mountain, the Jin considered two forward-thrusting territories unstable, one in the direction of the puppet Qi regime and the other among the barbarians around Yan'an. Therefore, the Jin tried to lure and appease the children of northern prominent families, sending them to become officials in the puppet Qi regime." Yang Yizhong continued to explain. "This person claims he feigned acceptance of the official position but waited until he was about to cross the river southward. Then, he directly imitated other Han officials who escaped and sought out General Zhang's troops on the river… General Zhang's troops happened to meet him on the old course of the Yellow River east of Daming Prefecture, with only a servant at his side."

In the distance, the 'pottery **Grenade Fears Water**' continued to thud, but Zhao Jiu stared blankly in that direction, clearly not focusing on the new weapon. However, he didn't give Yang Yizhong any instructions.

After a long silence, just as Chen Gui was about to speak out of helplessness, the Emperor smiled and turned back. "Did he bring back any items or messages?"

"Your Majesty is wise." Yang Yizhong answered with a forced smile. "He brought back personal documents from both of the two Emperors and a personal document from Queen Mother Ningde…"

"These can't be fake, right?" Zhao Jiu's smile deepened. "Many old ministers should recognize them…"

Yang Yizhong became even more nervous and could only respond with extreme caution: "The Retired Emperor's handwriting is easy to imitate, but Queen Mother Ningde's and Emperor Yuan Sheng's documents are extremely difficult to forge…"

Zhao Jiu nodded and suddenly looked at Yang Yizhong with a serious expression: "What did my father and brother say?"

Yang Yizhong felt a chill down his spine and could only force himself to answer: "The general meaning is similar, but with three layers… First, congratulations on Your Majesty's great victory; second, a lament about the suffering in the north; and third, a plea for a side hall to live in peacefully."

Zhao Jiu nodded and continued to inquire seriously: "Do the Privy Council and the Department of State Affairs know about this?"

"Yes."

"What are the views of the chief councilors and Lord Lü Gongxiang?" Zhao Jiu pressed on.

"Due to the limited time, your subject isn't clear on that," Yang Yizhong replied helplessly, but then looked at Chief Councilor Chen Gui, who was sitting beside him.

Chen Gui stiffly stood up, about to speak, but Emperor Zhao didn't even look at Chen Gui, instead sighing faintly: "There's no need to ask, I should know. Filial sons, loving fathers, fraternal brothers… Any chief councilor with any sense of decency wouldn't have any other words, and it's difficult for them!"

Chen Gui, who hadn't had a chance to speak, lowered his head slightly aggrieved.

"This is good." Zhao Jiu smiled and stood up. "I won't make things difficult for the chief councilors. Let's discuss it in court tomorrow… Quickly summon Supervising Secretary of the Court Wan Qixie to the palace to wait." At this point, the Zhao Emperor looked at Chen Gui again. "Chief Councilor Chen, keep a close eye on this hand-thrown **Grenade Fears Water**. It's a good thing. You don't need to get involved in anything else."

Chen Gui almost felt relieved.

Thus, Emperor Zhao bid farewell to Chen Gui, walked out of the Xiangguo Temple, and immediately darkened his expression. As the imperial guards escorted him back to the palace on horseback, in front of Wan Qixie, who had hurriedly arrived, and his close ministers Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, and Lan Gui, the Zhao Song Emperor didn't even bother to conceal his feelings. In the somewhat excessively empty target practice field of the inner palace, he gnashed his teeth:

"I know what's going on even with my eyes closed!"

"What a load of crap about escaping! They were clearly sent back from the north to test the waters!"

"What if they have letters? They have knives held to their necks; how could they not write? Conversely, if the Jin didn't let them write, where would they get the paper, ink, and the mind to write all this in detail?"

"They're using the great righteousness of rulers, ministers, fathers, and sons to put pressure on me first, then offering Shaanxi and eastern Jingdong as bait, and then using the northern hostages to demand peace, right? Me, make peace with them at this time?!"

Yang Yizhong and the others exchanged glances, not knowing what to say. Wan Qixie's face turned even paler.

As expected, the next moment, the Zhao Emperor, having vented his anger, turned his head and said: "Officer Wan, I'm making you Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Can you share my worries for me?"

"Your subject doesn't know how Your Majesty wants me to share your worries?" Wan Qixie's face was pale and bloodless, and his legs even trembled slightly.

"Naturally, it's to strike at the root of the problem, to not let Jeong Eok-nyeon cause trouble from the start…" Zhao Jiu stared at him coldly. "In my view, this person must be a Jin spy! Sent by Nianhan! You're becoming Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Can you extract a result for me?"

Wan Qixie pursed his lips and didn't speak.

"Why aren't you speaking?" Zhao Jiu was frustrated and restless. "I'm using you precisely because I value your loyalty!"

"Your Majesty, it's precisely because I want to be loyal to Your Majesty that I can't distort the truth…" Wan Qixie cupped his hands earnestly. "Jeong Eok-nyeon was taken captive. The only thing to consider is that he accepted a position in the puppet Qi regime, but he escaped before reaching the territory of the puppet Qi regime. Moreover, he was in the north and wouldn't know about the various decrees Your Majesty issued in the Huai River region, which is understandable… Your Majesty, anyone with a little common sense can see that this person hasn't violated Your Majesty's laws! On the contrary, he can be considered a person who has maintained his integrity!"

"They did it on purpose!" Zhao Jiu was beside himself with anger. "They deliberately chose such a person to test the waters!"

"Your Majesty, even if we suspect this, how can we say it openly?" Wan Qixie became even more earnest. "After all, no one in the north knows if there are any truly loyal and filial subjects waiting in hardship…"

"Of course, I know I can't say it directly, that's why I want you to establish that he's a Jin spy." Zhao Jiu tore off the last pretense.

"Your Majesty." Wan Qixie directly knelt down with a thud. "Your Majesty's grace to your subject is as heavy as a mountain. If Your Majesty truly wants me to do this, I am willing to share Your Majesty's worries, but even so, I must first remind Your Majesty… Even if this person is truly a Jin spy, with the north and south separated for several years, it's impossible to find any evidence of wrongdoing in a short time!"

Zhao Jiu stared at him, somewhat impatient, and reminded him with a slight stomp of his foot: "This can always be based on 'perhaps there is'!"

Wan Qixie directly kowtowed heavily on the ground and then raised his head with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty! Between us, ruler and subject, 'perhaps there is' can certainly exist. But how can 'perhaps there is' convince the world? Moreover, how can we face those like Chancellor Wang and Scholar Zhang? They died for their country, did they intend to see Your Majesty use 'perhaps there is' to fool the people under the ground?"

Zhao Jiu was stunned, staring at the person in front of him for a long time without speaking.

Wan Qixie kowtowed again, as if making up his mind, even removing his official hat and continuing to admonish: "Your Majesty! Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures, but aren't extraordinary measures for the sake of ensuring that the country doesn't have extraordinary times again?"

"I wanted to advise you before, but now that the country is gradually restoring order, why can't Your Majesty continue to be open and honest? The matter of the Goryeo envoy is fine, but what about the chief councilors' personnel disputes? What are you thinking?"

"First, you had Chief Councilor Liu recommend Chief Councilor Chen, and then had Chief Councilor Chen recommend Prefect Yan… What is the goal? You should know that all the subjects under heaven are Your Majesty's subjects. Why do you still need to scheme with your subjects like this? The result is only to cause Zhao and Zhang's tension, and a trend of factional strife has suddenly arisen!"

"Your Majesty! The Battle of Yao Mountain was truly the most intense battle since the founding of the Song Dynasty, and it was also a battle to reestablish the country! Your Majesty gritted your teeth and won the battle, truly telling the world that Your Majesty himself is the spine and foundation of the Song Dynasty… Under such circumstances, if one doesn't show arrogance or impatience, it seems that Your Majesty is hypocritical and like a demon… But as ministers, seeing Your Majesty's actions over the past few years, how can they not have an extra layer of expectation?"

"Your subject is presumptuous, but today's words are all from the bottom of my heart and have no intention of rebellion… If Your Majesty wants me to 'perhaps there is' something, I will 'perhaps there is' something, but I can be a 'perhaps there is' person, but I really don't want to see Your Majesty doing things of 'perhaps there is'!"

"Your Majesty, times have changed!" In the end, Wan Qixie put on his official hat, which had been slightly askew since he began kowtowing, and bowed again, no longer speaking.

People around him, such as Yang Yizhong, Liu Yan, and Lan Gui, had long been stunned. Liu Yan even vaguely seemed to have tears in his eyes, while Zhao Jiu was still staring at this person, and he still couldn't speak.

He had actually been given a political and moral education by Wan Qixie! And the depth of the education seemed to be even deeper than that of Lü Haowen before!

And it seemed to sound really reasonable?!