"What do I mean?"
Seeing Li Gang's defiant expression, Zhang Bangchang trembled with rage, yet he could do nothing to him.
This was because it was obvious that if he said one more word, Li Gang would seize this opportunity and foist the responsibility of defending the city onto him.
Although Bianliang was the capital of the Great Song, how easy was it to defend such a massive city?
Moreover, after such a long period of peace, the defenses of Bianliang City had not been repaired for many years. Who could guarantee that there would be no loopholes in a hasty defense?
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I believe what Junior Secretary Li said makes sense. The Great Song's empire is a legacy of our ancestors, and not an inch of land can be ceded!"
Just as Zhang Bangchang was fuming, Han Jiayan, who had never interfered in court affairs, suddenly stood up and clearly sided with Li Gang.
Everyone fell silent at his appearance.
"I second the motion!"
"I second the motion too!"
...
After a moment of silence, more than thirty old officials stood up from the court.
Although their official ranks were not high, their age alone commanded respect and silenced everyone.
Furthermore, their surnames were all extremely distinguished!
It could be said that almost all the families that had intermarried with the Han family had sent their representatives.
Seeing this, Zhang Shaoyou, who had been filled with anxiety, was overjoyed.
The old fox, who had been lying in wait for so many years, had finally emerged!
The great net that Han Qi had cast had finally yielded results!
Although these individuals held no high positions in the central government, their families were all influential clans in the provinces!
Perhaps one or two of them were not conspicuous, but together, they represented a force capable of changing the dynasty!
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li has arrived late and is waiting for your decree outside the hall..."
Just as Zhao Huan was finding it difficult to proceed, Shunxi, the eunuch, rushed in from outside.
"Didn't Prime Minister Li plead illness? Why is he here now? Please invite him in!"
Regardless, Li Ruoshui was supportive of him. After a frown, Zhao Huan finally spoke.
"However, Prime Minister Li was carried in..."
"Carried? Quickly invite him in!"
When a prime minister was carried in from his sickbed, even Zhao Huan had to show due respect at this point.
"Yes!"
Shunxi responded and quickly signaled to the guards outside the hall.
Soon, several fully armed guards carried in the frail and dying Li Ruoshui on his sickbed.
"Prime Minister, why must you go through such hardship!"
Seeing Li Ruoshui's pale face, Zhao Huan was taken aback. Tears welled up in his eyes. He knew Li Ruoshui was ill, but he hadn't realized how serious his illness was.
After all, Li Ruoshui was an old minister who had spent many years with him in the Eastern Palace. It was impossible not to have feelings for him after all these years.
Even if there had been disagreements between him and Li Ruoshui before, seeing Li Ruoshui's current state, he lost his composure.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, my health is failing. I have heard that the Jurchens demand Your Majesty cede large tracts of land in Hebei and Hedong. I believe this is absolutely impermissible! Our Great Song is vast and prosperous. Even if the war has seen occasional setbacks, once the armies of various regions arrive to support the throne, we can surely sweep away the barbarians! If anyone dares to speak of ceding land for peace, I, Li Ruoshui, will smash my head against their door!"
As Li Ruoshui spoke, he heavily patted the sickbed beneath him twice.
This made both Sun Fu and Zhang Bangchang's lips twitch uncontrollably.
Although Li Ruoshui had not named them directly, what was the difference between this and naming them?
"Prime Minister Li, we are simply discussing matters in court. For you to say this is a bit..."
Under Zhang Bangchang's sharp glare, Sun Fu finally gritted his teeth and stepped forward to draw fire.
"Shut up! If you dare to say another word, do you believe I will beat you to death here in court today!"
As soon as Sun Fu finished speaking, Li Ruoshui snatched the porcelain pillow from his sickbed and hurled it towards Sun Fu's head.
"Bang—"
With the sound of the porcelain pillow shattering, the entire court fell silent.
No one had expected that Li Ruoshui, who was usually gentle and always greeted everyone with a smile, and who usually acted as a mediator, would have such a side to him.
"Prime Minister Li, please calm yourself. This kind of rough work doesn't require you!"
Seeing Li Ruoshui trembling with anger, Nie Shan, who was in the crowd, stepped forward and snatched a golden melon hammer from a nearby guard.
Unlike other civil officials, he had practiced martial arts in his early years. Moreover, even with his busy schedule over the years, he would still practice for a short while every morning.
While this level of skill might not be enough for direct combat, it was certainly sufficient for fighting. Especially against a scholar like Sun Fu, who only knew how to recite classics, even two or three more wouldn't be Nie Shan's match!
As soon as he made his move, the court descended into chaos. Sun Fu was no fool. The golden melon hammer held by the guard, although appearing to be an ornament, was solid.
This ten-plus-jin iron hammer, if it hit him anywhere, would likely result in broken bones.
Seeing him dodge left and right in a fury, Nie Shan swung the golden melon hammer backward, treating it like a meteor hammer and throwing it.
Sun Fu, unable to dodge in time, was struck on his right leg by the hammer. He collapsed to the ground with a thud, clutching his leg and groaning loudly.
"Stop! Stop fighting, all of you! What are you doing!"
Seeing the court, which was supposed to be orderly, turn into a marketplace, with imperial ministers in scarlet robes acting like common thugs and fighting on the spot, Emperor Zhao Huan was furious, his orifices spewing smoke.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Lord Nie was merely acting out of momentary anger. I implore Your Majesty to pardon him this once in consideration of his patriotic heart!"
"We implore Your Majesty to pardon him this once in consideration of his loyalty!"
As Han Jiayan spoke, the old officials immediately began to intercede as well.
"Your Majesty, if you are to punish, please punish this old minister!"
Seeing Li Ruoshui's precarious state on his sickbed, Zhao Huan's hand, which had been raised, finally fell again.
What was there to punish?
"Carry him away, carry him away!"