Simultaneous Transmigration: The Re-merging of 99 Selves

Chapter 81 Huang Yaoshi Enters the Pavilion

After finishing the last bite of his chicken leg, Hong Qi wiped his mouth and spoke first: "Old beggar, you've really opened your eyes. You're really something. In just one morning, you've brought down the emperor and sat on the dragon throne yourself. I've lived for over thirty years, and this is the first time I've ever seen such a powerful person."

When it comes to power struggles, even though the Beggars' Sect consists of a group of beggars, they have never been without them.

In the process of becoming the leader of the gang, Hong Qi also fought with others for a long time.

Don't really think that Hong Qigong, the Northern Beggar, is just a beggar who only drinks and eats meat.

Knowing the difficulties involved, Hong Qi admired Zhao Yu even more for his ease in seizing power.

"Brother Hong, you flatter me." Zhao Yu invited the group to sit down. "I was forced into this situation. My second brother is weak and incompetent, and Shi Miyuan is a scourge to the country. If things continue like this, the Song Dynasty will perish sooner or later. As a descendant of the Zhao family, I cannot stand by and watch our ancestral legacy be destroyed and the people of the world fall into the hands of foreign tribes."

Wang Chongyang clapped his hands and praised, "Well said! It is a blessing for the people of the world that Your Majesty has such a heart. My lifelong wish has been to drive out the Jin invaders and recover our lost territories. Only today have I truly seen a glimmer of hope."

"Expel the Jurchen invaders..."

Zhao Yu was somewhat lost in thought. The Jurchens were not the most difficult to deal with; the rising Mongols were the toughest nut to crack.

Fortunately, Zhao Yu has now seized supreme power, and there is still some time before Genghis Khan rises to power, so there is still time for everything.

Zhao Yu said solemnly, "Master Wang is right. Restoring the Song Dynasty and returning the old capital is also my heartfelt wish. The Jin army will soon march south, and I would like to ask you to lead the army to resist them. What do you think, Master Wang?"

Having already made his decision, Wang Chongyang stood up without hesitation and bowed deeply to Zhao Yu.

"Back then, I raised the banner of righteousness and fought valiantly against the Jin army, but unfortunately, I was outnumbered and outmatched, and ultimately suffered defeat. Now that Your Majesty is willing to give me this opportunity, I will certainly devote myself to the cause until my dying breath."

"Good, with Master Wang's words, I can rest assured." Zhao Yu stood up and helped Wang Chongyang up. "I will issue an imperial decree to appoint you to a position in the Northern Expeditionary Army. Nominally, Xia Zhen will be in charge, but in reality, you will be in charge. All matters, large and small, in the army will be decided by you alone, and I will never interfere. I will supply you with the provisions and weapons of the entire nation."

Wang Chongyang was so excited that he couldn't speak, and could only bow deeply once more.

This bow was not for Zhao Yu's status, nor for Zhao Yu's appointment, but only for himself.

He had been waiting for this day for almost twenty years.

Expelling the Jurchens was Wang Chongyang's initial obsession when he first started learning martial arts. Now, with the support of a nation, his once-cooled heart has been rekindled.

"What about me?" Hong Qi quickly stepped forward, looking at Zhao Yu expectantly. "Your Excellency Zhao, you mustn't forget Old Beggar. Our Beggar Clan has hundreds of thousands of disciples, each one a fearless hero, capable of going north to fight against the Jurchens."

"Don't worry, Brother Hong, you'll get your share."

Zhao Yu reassured them, "The Beggars' Sect disciples are spread all over the world, well-informed, and familiar with the terrain. I want the Beggars' Sect to be in charge of intelligence gathering, infiltrating Jin territory, spying on military intelligence, assassinating Jin generals, disrupting food supplies, and harassing the Jin army's rear. Use your strengths to fight a guerrilla war behind enemy lines."

"Guerrilla warfare?" Hong Qi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Zhao Yu slowly uttered sixteen words: "When the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy is exhausted, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue."

Those who have reached their level in martial arts training naturally have no stupid or dull members.

Even though Hong Qi wasn't very knowledgeable about military strategy, he could still discern the intricacies within it.

He nodded thoughtfully: "Hearing you say that, it seems that all of our Beggars' Sect's previous efforts to resist the Jin were in vain."

Zhao Yu waved his hand: "It's not quite like that. Before, the Beggars' Sect heroes fought only with their courage and blood, and without the support of the imperial court, it was all in vain. Now it's different. With a large army on the main battlefield to keep them occupied, we can better utilize the advantages of martial arts masters."

"Otherwise, guerrilla warfare would be of little use."

Hong Qi nodded slightly and readily agreed: "Just tell us what you want the Beggars' Sect to do. Besides, we are all Song people, so it's only right for us to listen to the Emperor."

"Brother Hong is insightful." Zhao Yu gave Hong Qi a thumbs up.

Finally, he looked at Huang Yaoshi and said, "Brother Huang, I promised you before that I would appoint you as my prime minister and give you control of the government, but now there is a problem."

Huang Yaoshi frowned and subconsciously leaned forward slightly: "What difficulty?"

Zhao Yu explained, "Brother Huang has never participated in the imperial examinations and has no official rank. If he were to directly enter the court to participate in politics, I'm afraid it would be difficult to win over the people, and scholars from all over the country would rise up against him. I'm not trying to go back on my word, but I just want to find a way that satisfies both parties, so that Brother Huang can display his talents without causing turmoil in the court and among the people."

Upon hearing this, Huang Yaoshi not only did not get angry, but calmly nodded: "Since you say so, you must already have a solution?"

"Indeed." Zhao Yu nodded, then asked, "Brother Huang, do you care about empty fame?"

"Fame is like fleeting clouds to me." Huang Yaoshi shook his head, his tone indifferent. "Throughout my life, I, Huang Yaoshi, have only sought to have a clear conscience and have no concern for what others think of me."

"As long as I can use my knowledge, I don't care whether I have the title of prime minister or not. However, I must make it clear beforehand that I will absolutely not disguise myself, change my name, or sneak into court."

Huang Yaoshi was worried that Zhao Yu wanted him to take the place of a court official, and he couldn't bear such an injustice.

Of course, Zhao Yu wouldn't be so unwise.

"Brother Huang, rest assured, I would never humiliate you like this. With a new emperor on the throne, some changes are necessary in the inner court. I plan to establish a new institution called the Cabinet. The cabinet ministers will all be my personal advisors, with low ranks, initially set at the sixth rank, with only the title of scholar added, so as not to attract attention."

"Externally, the Cabinet's duties are to advise on state affairs, draft edicts, and offer suggestions to the Emperor. But internally, I will transfer some of the powers of the Council of State to the Cabinet. Others may think it's the new emperor seizing power, but in reality, it's paving the way for Brother Huang."

Zhao Yu paused for a moment, then said earnestly, "I would like to invite Brother Huang to join the cabinet as the chief minister. Although you will not have the title of prime minister, you will have the power. In this position, you can fully utilize your talents to rectify official corruption, reform malpractices, and strengthen the country and its military. What do you think, Brother Huang?"

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Huang Yaoshi's eyes.

He pondered Zhao Yu's words carefully, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt that this cabinet system was incredibly ingenious.

Despite his lowly position, Zhao Yu wielded great power, which not only gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents but also allowed him to consolidate his authority without making a sound.

If Huang Yaoshi were to resign one day, the emperor could easily reorganize the cabinet, which would be much more convenient than moving the prime minister of the outer court.

"Excellent!" Huang Yaoshi stood up, cupped his hands to Zhao Yu, and said, "Your Majesty's plan is brilliant. I am willing to join the cabinet to assist Your Majesty in revitalizing the Song Dynasty."

Looking at the three people in front of him, Zhao Yu felt a surge of pride.

With these three men around, I don't believe we can't deal with the Jin army.