It's already too late, and in just a few days, news of Yang Huai's defeat had reached the capital.

  Yang Hu is really unjustly treated. Firstly, he was actually in mourning at home just like Ouyang Xiu, but Nong Zhigao besieged Yongzhou, and the court forced him to resume his duties - who made him a descendant of the Yang family generals with both literary and military talents, and also had rich experience in suppressing bandits in the south, not using him would be unreasonable.

  Although Yang Dian was reluctant to accept the task, he still had a high sense of responsibility as a loyal and brave general. After being appointed as the "Governor of Guangnan Two Roads, Pacification Commissioner and Bandit-Suppressing General", he rode his horse day and night, crossing the Yangtze River, passing Qinling Mountains, and stepped onto the battlefield of Guangdong and Guangxi.

  Then he relived his old dream in Hunan. In the decisive battle, his troops were suddenly gone under the fierce impact of the barbarians. Fortunately, he learned from his previous lesson and kept up in time, so as not to be left behind again...

  But in Hunan, he had time to gather remnants, train troops, and plot slowly because it was inland, and even if there were a few years of chaos, nothing big would happen. However, the two Guangs are border regions, and if they lose repeatedly, turning Nong Zhigao into a second Li Yuanhao, whether it's Dali or Jiaozhi, will stir up trouble, and from then on, the southwest will never have peace again.

  Not to mention the Xixia and Liao countries that are eyeing them covetously...

  It is completely understandable that the officials and nobles of Bianjing were shocked by this defeat.

  In the Hall of Benevolent Government, the Emperor once again summoned his ministers, but this time not only Han Qi, but also two chancellors Chen Zhong and Pang Ji, as well as another imperial envoy Gao Ruone.

  There will be court meetings later, but in fact, major military and national affairs have already been decided at this highest-level core meeting.

  The official wore a red robe, with a black gauze hat and straight boots, looking at the prime ministers who wore a Jinxiang crown, a red Luo robe, and a square heart-shaped collar, and sighed: "You all think that this Zhi Gao's surrender is clever, how do you see it?" It turned out that after Zhi Gao was greatly defeated by Yang Deyi, he actually submitted another memorial asking to surrender again. This time the condition was that the Song court would allow him to be the Jie Du Shi of Yonggui and other seven states.

  This time, no one dared to suppress his letter again. The so-called "downgrade" was sent to the capital together with the news of Song Jun's defeat.

  Several gentlemen have been by the Emperor's side for a long time, roughly understanding the thoughts of the officials... Probably 80% is to have a peaceful idea, considering accepting Nezha's conditions.

  It's not just one husband who has the same idea. But this kind of talk, once spoken, will inevitably lead to a scolding.

  But can't let the official take this scolding? After waiting for a while, no one made a sound, so Prime Minister Chen Zhong had to force himself to say: "Report back to the official. The Lingnan rebellion was originally caused by misunderstanding. According to what I've heard, that Zong Qihao originally intended to surrender and had repeatedly submitted memorials requesting investiture, with increasingly humble requests, until finally he only asked for a small position as a regional governor. However, his memorials of surrender were all withheld by the original governor of Yongzhou. Zong Qihao felt humiliated and therefore led troops to attack Yongzhou. Now that he has submitted another memorial requesting surrender, the official should consider the welfare of the people and the state, and give him an opportunity to reform... I think it's acceptable to accept his memorial of surrender."

  "Hmm." After Chen Zhong finished speaking, Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Do the rest of you have any opinions?"

  "I think it's absolutely impossible!" Han Qi took a step forward and said loudly: "If we agree to that Zhi Gao's conditions, the Lingnan region will be forever separated from the Great Song! At that time, not only will we lose two routes of national territory, but the entire Jiangnan financial land will also face war for many years, and the foundation of the Great Song will be in danger!"

  "Han Xianggong has made some alarming remarks." Chen Zhizhong shook his head and said, "Appointing him as the Jiedushi is just a way to restrain him. Later on, we can gradually take away his elite troops and control his finances, then the danger will naturally dissipate."

  "This policy of the Han king is based on the powerful military prestige of Taizu Emperor," Han Qi always couldn't understand why incompetent fools like Chen Zhong and Gao Ruonan could hold high-ranking positions. What has the imperial court turned the country's important instruments into? He sarcastically said: "Now we are being killed by others on the battlefield, and in the end, we can only treat them as grandfathers! And yet we take their elite soldiers, control their money and grain... I'm afraid it's just a matter of giving them money and grain, if they don't get what they want, they'll overturn the table and screw us!"

  "Y...". Chen Zhizhong was a refined gentleman, not to mention speaking crudely in front of the emperor, even in private, he wouldn't utter a single dirty word. Now his face turned red with rage, unable to speak.

  "Be careful what you say in front of Han Qing's family." The official could only try to mediate.

  "I know I was wrong." Han Qi said with his mouth, but his expression didn't care at all.

  "What do you two think?" The official looked at the other two again.

  "Your subject agrees with Lord Han's opinion." Pang Ji said in a deep voice.

  "I also agree with Lord Han," Gao Ruonu said, but in his heart, he actually leaned towards Chen Zhong. However, he didn't dare offend Han Qi. They all worked together in the Imperial Secretariat, and it was a small world where you couldn't avoid each other. He was afraid that if he offended Han Qi, he would be made to suffer for the rest of his life. It was much easier to offend someone like Chen Zhong, who was a gentleman and wouldn't put up a fight.

  Three to one, the official was silent for a moment before asking: "You gentlemen advocate war, can you be certain of victory?"

  "As long as the imperial court selects strong generals and uses elite soldiers, we can definitely win!" Han Qi said resolutely. In fact, is there such a thing as a sure victory in this world? The only problem with this official was that he was too cautious and unwilling to take any risks. If you didn't push him to the limit, he wouldn't make up his mind.

  "What is a strong general and what are elite soldiers?" Yang Deyi, who was touted by the officials as the number one Confucian general, had also suffered a crushing defeat. Where did the imperial court still have confidence?

  "Returning to the imperial court, elite soldiers, none other than the Western Army, a strong general, then it's right before our eyes." Pang Ji shouted loudly and slowly said: "To annihilate Zong Zhigao, no one else but Di Qing can do it!"

  As soon as this was said, a hint of a smile flashed across Zhao Zhen's eyes, but he still spoke in a calm tone: "I remember when the news of Yongzhou falling came, Di Qing rushed into battle lightly, and all the ministers said that Yang Fan was more suitable than Di Qing..."

  At that time, one was that he didn't take Di Qing's intelligence seriously enough, and two, he didn't expect the Lingnan army to be so rotten. Han Qi's old face turned slightly red, those were his original words, in fact, he had always been very dissatisfied with Di Qing, couldn't say what reason, just didn't want to give him a chance. Even now, if possible, he would not be willing to use Di Qing, it was just that - the famous generals who fought against Western Xia, Liu Ping, Ren Fu, Guo Zong, Wu Ji, and Wang Ke had all died in battle, Zhang Kan of Lin and Fu states had also passed away due to injury, and Zhong Shiheng of Qingjiang City had entered old age. Looking around, the only famous general left in the Song Dynasty who had been tempered by long battles was Di Qing: "At that time, I thought it was killing a chicken with an ox knife, but actually, that Di Qing is a fierce tiger, we can only use a cold and stern saw!"

  "Hmm." Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "It seems that there is no other choice but to use him... Gentlemen, you can propose him as the commander-in-chief at tomorrow's morning meeting."

  "An official should think thrice, a military officer cannot be solely in charge, it's better to send another civil official to assist him." Han Qi disagreed. What is called assistance is actually supervision and restraint. The Song Dynasty emphasized literature over martial arts, believing that military officers with troops were difficult to control, so suppressing military officials was the instinct of every civil official.

  As expected, this remark elicited a chorus of approval from Gao Rou and others, with even Chen Zhong saying that if the imperial court was determined to send troops, it would be better to appoint a civil official as commander-in-chief, with Di Qing in charge of military affairs and the civil official overseeing Di Qing... only then could they feel at ease.

  The officials were somewhat indecisive and looked at Pang Ji, who had not expressed his opinion: "What does the Prime Minister think?"

  "Reporting to the official residence," said this 'Pang Taishi' who was also wrongly accused like Chen Shimei, "The key to military operations is unified command and unity of mind. Di Qing is a military man, if he is assisted by civil officials, it will inevitably lead to a situation where commands are not unified, which is very unfavorable for leading troops in battle. If the official residence does not trust Di Qing, it would be better not to send him at all."

  "The Southern Han was established in the same way." Han Qi said coldly, daring to say anything. The officials immediately changed color.

  "Besides, Di Qing has always been loyal and brave. This is not the Five Dynasties period of chaotic warlords anymore. The Song Dynasty has already established itself for over a hundred years, with all corners of the country at peace and the foundation of society solid!" Pang Ji said somewhat angrily: "Even if we take a step back, when the time comes, whether it's the Imperial Guard or the Western Army, who would dare to rebel with their entire family in the north?"

  "How dare you stake your life on it?" Han Qi urged him.

  "What's there to be afraid of?" Pang Ji's eyebrows and beard all stood on end: "Even if the nine clans were to guarantee it, I wouldn't have a second thought!"

  "Stop arguing." Seeing the two men's tempers flaring up, the official finally intervened and said, "What Pang Qing said is right. If you trust someone, don't doubt them; if you doubt someone, don't use them!"

  "Government..."

  "My mind is made up, there's no need to discuss this further." The Emperor said resolutely, then turned to his eunuch and said: "Hu Gonggong, it's scorching hot today, the officials are not comfortable, take the cold melons sent by Western Xia, one basket per person, and have them delivered." This was Zhao Zhen's habit, every time he met with high-ranking officials, he would end the meeting with this kind of thoughtful but not too expensive gift.

  "Thank you, Your Excellency." The ministers, knowing what was good for them, chorused their thanks and withdrew.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The next day at the fifth watch, three o'clock, officials gathered in front of the Zichen Hall. When the morning drum sounded, they lined up according to their ranks on the Danbi floor and finished their bows and greetings. The civil and military officials were divided into two groups and stood below the Jade Steps, where only the Minister of War stepped out of line to report:

  "I memorialize to Your Majesty, yesterday I sent Yu Jing and Yang Yi to lead the great army to conquer the Lingnan rebel Chen Jinfang. Recently, due to the miasma and heat, the soldiers and horses are not adapted to the local water and soil, and the battle was unfavorable. Now the great army has retreated to Guilin to rest temporarily, awaiting further imperial instructions."

  "What should be done with him?"

  Yang Zong was to return to the capital to hear the discussion of his crime, and Yu Jingjun remained in the army for use. He ordered someone else to be the commander again, and went to conquer, begging for the imperial edict." Han Qi stepped forward and said.

  "This villain is a great calamity in our midst, and cannot be allowed to remain. Who will share my worries with me?"

  "We, your humble servant, think that to pacify this bandit," Pang Ji stepped forward and memorialized: "There is no one but the Vice Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Military Governor of Zhanghua, who knows Yan state, Di Qing, Di Han's subordinate!"

  "What's your take on this, gentlemen?"

  "We concur!" The two houses had already reached a consensus: "No one but Di Qing will do!"

  "Then, order Di Qing to rush to the capital for an audience."