"But you are also right about some things. When it comes to strategies against the enemy, we civilian officials are ultimately not as dedicated as you military generals..." Zong Ze continued, holding Yue Fei's arm. "For example, among the civil and military officials of the court, I admire no one but Li Gang. However, Li Yanxian of Shanzhou impeached Li Gang back then for being inept at military affairs, leading to his being wanted. Now, he is almost single-handedly holding off Wanyan Loushi's troops in Shanzhou, which just goes to show that the man was right, doesn't it? So, Prime Minister Li and I, being inept at military affairs is simply being inept at military affairs."

"But Pengju, being inept at military affairs is just that, because the national system, centuries of tradition, dictates that we prime ministers are indispensable in important matters! The two of us being here allows you to use your troops in the front lines. But if Boji (Li Gang) and I were to retreat even slightly, those worthless people would come to power, and the Emperor would be uncontrollable. At that time, no matter how outstanding you are on the front lines, how could you avoid a repeat of the Jingkang Incident?!"

Not only Yue Fei, but also Ma Kuo, Zong Ying, and even Tang Huai, who was standing nearby, were solemnly moved by Zong Ze's sincerity.

"So Pengju, the reason I'm stopping you now is to tell you that you are right. Don't worry about what we old fogies do. Just follow your own methods of strict military discipline and sufficient supplies! In the future, the one who becomes a pillar of strength for the nation will have to be one of you young people who understand warfare! However, we will certainly be gone by then. If you want to succeed, you must learn to protect yourselves and cultivate internal and external support..."

Zong Ze became increasingly serious as he spoke.

"You say your personality has changed a lot, which is a good thing, but you must change it even more. Never learn to be as stubborn and unyielding as I am. You are a military man, how can you have my kind of willfulness? Do you have my qualifications? Do you have my Jinshi degree? Do you have my age? Do you have my merits in supporting the Emperor? So be sure to take care of yourself on this trip! Take extra care!"

Yue Fei opened his mouth to speak, but didn't know what to say, and could only widen his eyes and nod vigorously.

"Young Master Ma, I apologize for the inadequate hospitality these past few days. You must have found it amusing." Seeing this, Zong Ze didn't say much more, and turned his head, pulling his fur robe, and spoke slowly to Ma Kuo.

"Prime Minister Zong is too kind!" Ma Kuo came back to his senses and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Actually, there's nothing to hide." Zong Ze sighed slightly. "Firstly, your father and son participated in the Maritime Alliance, and the soldiers and civilians of Tokyo who stayed behind have complaints. Although I don't agree with it, I can't restrain them, which has caused you to suffer grievances. Secondly, I can't make decisions about the matter you've come to do, and according to my guess, based on the Emperor's temperament, he will naturally act all filial and righteous on the surface when he finds out, but in reality, there may not be good results. Yet you are doing such a great thing in the Five Horse Mountains, and I can't stop you, so I have no choice but to take no action."

"Prime Minister Zong need not say more, I understand these things too." Ma Kuo smiled even more bitterly. "But now Hebei is in turmoil, and it is the right time to resist the Jin. All unnecessary concerns should be discarded..."

"That's why I called you to stop." Zong Ze also stepped forward and held the other man's arm, sincerely facing him. "The recent decrees issued by the Emperor, not to mention anything else, just say that some of the words are still correct... At this time, a thousand or ten thousand improprieties are acceptable as long as they can contribute to resisting the Jin... I am old, and I only ask that young people like you, Pengju, and Li Yanxian can serve the country faithfully and support the overall situation in the future... In that case, if one day we can recover Hebei, and even strike directly at Huanglong, then even though I am in the netherworld, it will be as if I am still alive! Wasn't what I just said meant for Yue Pengju alone?"

Moreover, Ma Kuo had traveled south all the way from Zhending, enduring hardship, and going further back, he had suffered imprisonment, capture, and countless other grievances in the past few years. At this time, receiving a word of recognition and encouragement from Zong Ze, he only felt a sourness in his nose. Although he didn't cry, he felt that everything was worth it.

"Let's go! There are still things to do tomorrow!"

Zong Rulin was a straightforward person. After explaining everything in a few words, he didn't linger any longer, but turned around and stepped into the mansion, dragging his variegated fur robe.

As for Ma Kuo and Yue Fei, they watched the other party enter the mansion before turning around silently and heading home on horseback together.

And not to mention how Ma Kuo prepared upon returning, on the other side, Yue Fei returned to his residence in the city and sent Tang Huai and others who accompanied him out of the city to the military camp overnight to convey military orders, preparing for tomorrow's military affairs. However, he had no sleepiness at all. Instead, he sighed at the moon, and his thoughts were unsettled for a long time.

As it approached the third watch, Yue Fei became increasingly agitated, feeling that he had to do something to calm his mind. After thinking it over and over, he summoned a servant and asked him to find someone from the city's garrison camp. The other person, hearing that it was Yue Pengju, the most favored person in front of Prime Minister Zong, who was summoning him, dared not neglect and hurriedly brought a full set of tools to serve him.

"Are you the one with the best skills in the city's garrison camp?" Yue Fei, upon seeing this person, didn't waste any words, but got straight to the point. "I'm going to set out on an expedition tomorrow. Can you finish it overnight?"

"General, rest assured!" This person raised his finger to the sky, making repeated guarantees. He was actually a soldier skilled in tattooing. "From Wuwei Army to Tokyo City, who doesn't know my single-handed dragon Bei Yan's skills? No matter what the pattern is, no matter where it is, I guarantee it will be done perfectly overnight!"

"That's good then."

Yue Pengju was also straightforward, and directly took off his clothes in the empty house, revealing a body of clean, toned muscles... Actually, thinking about it, although tattooing is a physically demanding and technical task, it can't be done well without enough patience and ability. Since tattooing is so popular in the Song army, the best tattoo artists are naturally from the army. What reason did Yue Fei have not to trust this person?

"General Yue, you've never had a tattoo before?" This so-called single-handed dragon looked up and down and was surprised for a moment.

"My body and hair are received from my parents. My mother has always been strict with me since I was young, and she doesn't allow tattoos. Back then, it was to avoid tattoos that I dared to take the path of a brave warrior to join the army. How could I have old tattoos?" Yue Fei continued to disrobe, not taking it to heart.

"If that's the case, why do you want a tattoo today? Aren't you afraid that the old madam will find out and punish you?" This person took out needles, knives, and other tools while continuing to ask curiously.

"The tattoo I want today is something that my mother won't blame me for even if she knows, and she might even praise me!"

"Is... Then may I ask where General Yue wants the tattoo to be?"

"Four characters deeply engraved on my back..."

"No one will see it no matter how many patterns are tattooed there, wouldn't that be in vain?"

"It's not for others to see, it's for myself to remember!"

"Yes..." This single-handed dragon's heart moved, and he quickly became solemn. "In that case, so be it. Only, I must let the General know that people getting tattoos for the first time are often afraid of pain..."

"You talk too much nonsense!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Last question." This Shan what Dragon took out strong liquor, then took out candlelight, and quickly said again. "What kind of pattern does the General want tattooed?"

Yue Fei had already turned around and sat upright, tightened his belt, and exposed a piece of hard spine. But at this time, upon hearing the words, he couldn't help but pause slightly before slowly answering:

"Four characters, 'Serve the country with utmost loyalty' is all!"

This single-handed what, who originally didn't want to talk anymore, was slightly stunned, but in the end couldn't help but say half a sentence more: "Bei Yan of the Wuwei Army is willing to serve the General!"

After speaking, this Bei Yan took a mouthful of strong liquor in his mouth, then sprayed it on Yue Fei's back, and then directly applied the heated needles and knives to it.

On a full moon night, during the Lantern Festival, blood stained the mat, and Yue Fei finally found peace of mind.

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