Let's say that after Scholar Lin issued the decree to find Li Gang and cause trouble, Emperor Zhao went to rest. However, nothing was said that night, and Zhao Jiu, in this residence where countless wronged souls were locked, indeed had a sleepless night.

Of course, fortunately, it was only one night.

The next day, Emperor Zhao assigned Qiao Zhongfu to garrison Xiangyang and Zhang Jing to garrison Guanghua Army (now Laohekou), a vital route to Hanzhong. Then, he hurriedly sent a letter to Liu Ji, summoning him to take office immediately. Subsequently, he ordered the entire army to return… Naturally, to ensure stability, a large number of surrendered soldiers who had not been fully assimilated and integrated were also taken along, preparing for statistics and compilation at the Yushan Camp in Nanyang. Liu Ziyu was also left to oversee the expansion of Qiao and Zhang's forces and to bring back the troop rosters. Even Wang Jun was taken back for 'briefing' and rewards, to be released back after Liu Ji's side was settled.

In the end, Zhao Jiu had to respect certain 'fine traditions' of the Great Song Imperial Army and acknowledge the reality of the current chaotic world. Therefore, he never expected to establish supervisory armies down to the team level all at once. However, he would still try to take back as much power as possible and make some beneficial changes to this army.

However, whether it was the generals of the Imperial Army's Central Army, feeling somewhat pressured by the Emperor's power tactics, or the Emperor himself, feeling uncomfortable after witnessing the naked savagery of humans feeding on each other, or even Scholar Lin, who was directly involved, they all gradually relaxed on the way back to the army.

After all, in any way you look at it, this expedition was a great and swift victory… It only took a little over ten days, without consuming too many supplies, and it was won with ease. What efficiency! And with the mighty imperial army pressing on, tens of thousands of rebel troops disintegrated. What an inspiring process!

It should be known that the posture of subduing the enemy without fighting is very much in line with the values of this era.

However, the most important point is that after this battle, with Xiangyang in hand, Nanyang's rear was completely opened up. The great wealth-generating areas of the Great Song south of the Yangtze River, including the Southeast, Sichuan, and Jingxiang, could be continuously transported to the vicinity of the secondary capital via the natural artery of the Yangtze River… The Yangtze River plus the Han River, and also the Baishui River, this waterway is much stronger than any canal or the Bian River!

This is a strategic victory.

Of course, regarding opening up the situation, the recovery of Xiangyang clearly has another layer of meaning, which everyone understands tacitly. That is, if the Jin people launch another large-scale invasion, sweeping, and pincer offensive like the previous three times, and the Central Plains really can't hold on, and Nanyang is in danger, Emperor Zhao and the Imperial Court can always retreat to the famous city of Xiangyang and hold out for a while longer.

Nanyang and Xiangyang are essentially one entity. The military strength comparison between Song and Jin is what it is, nothing to be ashamed of.

Back to the present, leaving aside these future topics for now, let's just say that Emperor Zhao led his troops back to Nanyang, and was caught off guard upon arrival, because Nanyang in late April was much more lively than it had been a month ago.

"I don't remember the Central Government having so many officials?"

East of Nanyang City, by the White River, Emperor Zhao dismounted and looked at the officials and commoners of the secondary capital who had come out of the city to welcome him from who knows how far away, and smiled. "Chancellor Lü, could it be that you've driven all the people out of the city? This is not a time for abundance and prosperity. You should never allow ordinary people to leave the city to do such things, thereby delaying production."

"To inform Your Majesty," Lü Haowen replied seriously. "I would never dare to deceive the Emperor. It's just that these days happen to be the time when the talents recommended from various regions are gathering in Nanyang, all waiting for Your Majesty's arrival… And most of these people have attendants, friends, and local government officials accompanying them. When they heard that Your Majesty had returned victoriously, they naturally flocked out. And I believe that this is the most important thing after Your Majesty's victory, and I shouldn't stop them from seeing Your Majesty. So, I have temporarily listed them into official positions according to their literary or military skills, their integrity, their origin, and their age, and brought them here together."

Emperor Zhao suddenly understood, knowing that this matter was one of the notes he had left before the expedition, so he didn't pursue it further.

Immediately, before Emperor Zhao could say anything more, Yang Yizhong, who was flanking the Chancellors, suddenly stepped aside. Then, Feng Yi led a soldier whose physique wasn't particularly outstanding to step forward. The soldier was holding a tray with a cup on it. The cup opening was as wide as a lotus root joint, and it was full of wine… The soldier went directly to Zhao Jiu, knelt on one knee, and presented the wine, without spilling a drop.

Emperor Zhao lowered his head, glanced at it, and couldn't help but turn to look at Feng Yi.

Feng Yi quickly lowered his head and whispered with a smile: "Your Majesty, this is yellow plum wine sent from the Empress Dowager in Yangzhou, Southeast. I asked a few Chancellors and then brought it to celebrate Your Majesty's victory."

Emperor Zhao, still wearing his armor, smiled noncommittally and looked at Yang Yizhong again.

When Yang Zhengfu saw the Emperor looking at him, he nodded almost imperceptibly, but immediately lowered his head again.

Emperor Zhao sighed and took the wine, indeed seeing a yellow plum clearly visible at the bottom of the cup. He held it to his nose and smelled it, and a clear fragrance wafted out…

But unfortunately, Emperor Zhao didn't want to drink so much wine today. He just smelled it slightly, then took a small sip, and turned around to gently pour the wine on the ground in front of him, in front of who knows how many officials and soldiers, and then raised his voice, eloquently:

"Borrowing the Empress Dowager's grace, to offer to the war dead under Dengzhou City!"

Feng Yi didn't dare to say much, but the four Chancellors, including Lü Haowen, hurriedly bowed, which led to the others around them, both nobles and commoners, civil and military, bowing together.

And since a cup of wine had been poured out, the yellow plum happened to be stuck in the cup. Emperor Zhao seized the opportunity before anyone could look up, pinched it out and put it in his mouth, before putting the wine cup back.

A small interlude, not worth mentioning. Emperor Zhao put the cup back, Lü Haowen also led the officials and courtiers to rise, and other procedures were waiting for Zhao Jiu to go through here again. And after finally finishing these tedious processes, Wang Yuan and Wang De led the Imperial Army's Central Army to the Yushan Camp, and Emperor Zhao also changed his clothes… But as he turned out of the tent, just as he was about to set off back to the city, Chancellor Lü proposed a suggestion that was difficult for Emperor Zhao to refuse.

"Your Majesty," Lü Haowen said solemnly. "Your Majesty has worked hard in battle, and the road has been muddy and dusty. You should rest. But among the talents who came out to welcome you today, there is a recluse who fled from Guanzhong to Junzhou in Jingxi, and was first recommended by the local magistrate as a man of integrity. After arriving in Nanyang, he was particularly appreciated by Wang Shuzhan, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who came to assess him. Then, he wrote a letter to the province specifically recommending him, saying that he has plans for national recovery… The key is that this person is over sixty years old. Why doesn't Your Majesty summon him publicly here, observe his moral character and learning, and then bestow him with an official position, to show your respect for the elderly and love of talent?"

Of course, Zhao Jiu had nothing to say about this, and immediately ordered the summoning of this 'recluse'.

And after a short while, a man with white hair appeared before Emperor Zhao. This man was richly dressed, behaved rigorously, and had a composed demeanor, like an elder who had seen the world.

To this, Zhao Jiu spoke gently, with a harmonious tone. He personally stepped forward to help the man up, before cautiously asking: "May I ask, what is your name, and what are you skilled at? Whether it's literature, martial arts, industry, or agriculture, as long as you have a specialty, I will not hesitate to reward you."

The old man raised his head and replied solemnly: "To inform Your Majesty, this commoner's surname is Wang, and I have been living in seclusion for many years, and have lost my original name. But I am skilled in alchemy."

Zhao Jiu, holding the old Wang's hand, didn't react for a moment.

ps: Thanks to Miss An Miao's double alliance and Little Flying Carpet's upper alliance, the latter should be the fifty-fourth cute... ashamed.

Everyone go to sleep quickly, I will continue to code, it should come out at three or four o'clock.