"Enough! What time is it? Does it make sense to say these things now?"
Just as Zhang Bangchang was at his most desperate, Zhao Ji, who was sitting on the dragon throne, finally spoke.
Although the emperor did not directly speak for him, with these words from the emperor, Zhang Bangchang almost cried out in relief.
The emperor finally saw his painstaking efforts!
"Your subjects are guilty!"
The emperor was already angry. Although he was still a little unwilling in his heart, Li Gang and Fan Zhengguo exchanged a look and finally chose to temporarily back down.
"I am not feeling well today. I will trouble all you chancellors with the state affairs. Minister Zhong, you will arrange for the mobilization of troops!"
After cutting the Gordian knot, Zhao Ji simply handed over the complicated matters to the court ministers.
"Your subjects take our leave!"
Although the situation was critical, at this moment, everyone understood that the emperor could indeed do very little until further news arrived.
Calling upon the armies of the world to defend the emperor was a double-edged sword!
The current Great Song Dynasty already had enough soldiers, but of these, how many existed only on the roster was known only to the local military commanders!
Once this decree was issued now, all the efforts made over the years to reduce the number of soldiers would be completely in vain.
Unless it was absolutely necessary, neither the emperor nor the prime minister would be willing to say this!
"Chancellor Zhang, His Majesty has a few more things to instruct you on. Please follow this humble servant."
As the ministers walked towards the hall, Shunxi suddenly caught up.
After hearing Shunxi's words, Yu Shen, who was walking at the front of the group, immediately turned his head and looked at Fan Zhengguo meaningfully.
"Did His Majesty only summon Chancellor Zhang?"
Looking at Zhang Bangchang standing beside him, Fan Zhengguo asked again.
"Replying to the Chancellor, His Majesty only has some private matters he wishes to inquire about with Chancellor Zhang!"
Although Fan Zhengguo was only the Junior Chancellor, facing him, even Shunxi, a favorite of the emperor, felt a chill down his spine at this moment.
"Chancellor Zhang, by rights, as we are ministers serving in the same court, I should not say anything unpleasant. However, you know very well how critical the current situation is. If you mislead His Majesty at this time, you must ask yourself if the soldiers and civilians inside and outside the city will spare you!"
Before Fan Zhengguo could speak, Zhao Zhen, standing beside him, spoke with a cold laugh.
"Your Highness, what do you mean? This old official does not understand!"
Feeling the undisguised killing intent from Zhao Zhen, Zhang Bangchang shivered all over. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and then said with a dry laugh.
"It's best if you don't understand. If you do, there will be bloodshed!"
After a cold laugh, Zhao Zhen turned and walked towards the palace gate first.
Seeing Zhao Zhen leave, Zhong Shidao and Wang Xiang also threw meaningful smiles at Zhang Bangchang.
"Chancellor Zhang, take care!"
After smiling at Zhang Bangchang, Fan Zhengguo also turned and left.
Only after all the ministers had left did Zhang Bangchang wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
At this moment, Zhang Bangchang suddenly realized that he had made a fatal mistake today.
Among the Six Ministries, the Nine Ministers, and the Chancellors and Military Commissioners, the people who truly held sway were basically all determined to fight to the death.
At this critical juncture, he had openly asked the emperor to flee. Wasn't this courting death?
If it were a time of peace, Zhao Zhen might not have been able to do anything to him. However, if the Jurchens really arrived at the city gates, the situation would be completely different!
As the only prince with military experience, at this critical juncture, if Zhao Zhen were to kill him, what difference would it make from crushing an ant?
And even if Zhao Zhen really killed him, the emperor would not be able to do anything to Zhao Zhen at this time...
After understanding all this, Zhang Bangchang looked at the Faning Hall behind him again, and his mood was completely different from before!
The emperor wanted to talk to him. What else was there to guess?
Although only Zhao Zhen had spoken earlier, the look in the eyes of Zhong Shidao and Wang Xiang was clearly a warning to him!
Coupled with Fan Zhengguo, Nie Shan, and Zhang Shaoyou, this was already a force capable of subverting the court. To deal with him, it was truly overkill!
"Chancellor Zhang, let's go. His Majesty is waiting!"
Seeing Zhang Bangchang standing in place, trembling slightly, Shunxi quickly reminded him again.
"Then, then, I suddenly feel unwell. Please ask the eunuch to inform His Majesty..."
After taking several deep breaths, Zhang Bangchang finally reacted. He dropped a sentence and prepared to slip away.
"Chancellor, where are you planning to go?"
However, after only a few steps, Zhang Bangchang was stopped again.
"Grand Commandant Liang..."
When Zhang Bangchang saw the smile on Liang Shicheng's face, his heart sank.
"His Majesty is waiting for the Chancellor. Let's not keep His Majesty waiting. If the Chancellor is not feeling well, the imperial physicians are also at the important place! What are you standing there for? Hurry and lead the way for the Chancellor!"
With a cold snort, Liang Shicheng made a gesture of invitation.
"Grand Commandant Liang, why are you doing this..."
Looking at the smile on Liang Shicheng's face, Zhang Bangchang now wished he could smash his head to death.
Why was he doing this to himself!
While Zhang Bangchang was lamenting in his heart, the vanguard of the Jin army had already reached the walls of Zhenbao City!
"My lord! The Jin vanguard has arrived!"
"Understood!"
After hearing Wang Yuanji's words, Li Mao calmly put down his teacup.
"My lord, we are surrounded, and we can't get out..."
Looking at the calm Li Mao, Wang Yuanji didn't know why, but his uneasy heart suddenly became much calmer.
"Get out? What do we need to get out for?"
Li Mao said as he poured a cup of tea for Wang Yuanji.
"But..."
"I receive the ruler's salary and bear the ruler's worries. Now these uncivilized dog thieves have betrayed their trust and invaded our Great Song. Isn't this the time for us to serve the country? Are you telling me you intend to surrender now?"
As Li Mao spoke, he took out a dagger from his boot and slammed it heavily on the table in front of him.
"Your subordinate dares not! Your subordinate is willing to advance and retreat with you, my lord!"