Chapter 861 - 71: Yue Fei Breaks Through the Northern Border, Orders Incoming!

He thought indeed correctly.

In the current political atmosphere of the Great Song, just a single opportunity is needed, and this group of people would act on their own!

...

Inside the Chuigong Hall, the lights were brightly lit.

The debate had been ongoing for a full two hours, yet showed no sign of ending.

Zhao Gou slumped on the dragon throne, his face full of struggle and exhaustion.

He heavily slapped a freshly delivered memorial onto the imperial desk, his voice terribly hoarse: "All beloved ministers, take a look!"

"This is what Yue Fei sent urgently from eight hundred miles away a few days ago!"

"He says... he says that this winter we can surely plow through their villages, completely pacifying the Northern Border!"

"Recalling him now, wouldn’t it be self-destructive, wasting all previous efforts?!"

His tone carried a final glimmer of hope, hoping this victory report and promise from the front line could become a stabilizing force.

However, Prime Minister Qin Hui merely cast a slight glance at the memorial, then stepped forward, bowing in response, his tone somber yet heavily misleading: "Your Majesty, the courage of Yue Fei is known to the entire court."

"Yet, precisely because he is too brave, only knowing to attack and not to compromise, he has brought about today’s disaster!"

He took a step forward, raising his voice, surveying the ministers as if stating an irrefutable fact: "Fellow colleagues, consider this. If Yue Fei at the Northern Border had known a bit about appeasement, understanding both grace and might, then would Wanyan Digü have been driven to desperation, resorting to this sea-crossing surprise attack, a reckless gamble?"

"It is precisely because Yue Fei clamored for war and killing at the Northern Border, pushing too hard, that this overwhelming calamity was forcibly drawn into the heartland of our Central Plains!"

"This is not national service, but courting disaster!"

This kind of twisting of truth and shifting blame to Jiangdong drew many appeasement faction ministers to nod in secret approval.

The Imperial Censor Wan Qixie immediately chimed in, his tone sharp and caustic: "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Qin has said is indeed the judicious strategy for the nation!"

"The urgent task is to extinguish the raging fire in the Central Plains!"

"The Jurchen elite troops are no longer at the Northern Border, but are ravaging before us now!"

"Even if Yue Fei levels a few empty camps at the Northern Border, capturing some old, weak, women and children, what benefit does that bring to relieve our critical crisis in the Central Plains?"

"It is merely seeking military merits at the border, gaining false fame, yet inflicting real calamity on our heartland!"

"This is pursuing the trivial while neglecting the crucial!"

"I implore Your Majesty to consider carefully!!!"

"What Lord Wan says is absolutely correct!" Assistant Minister of State Sun Jin hurriedly agreed, his tone full of temptation, "Your Majesty, what Wanyan Digü seeks is nothing more than to have Yue Fei leave the Northern Border."

"If we temporarily accede to him, the Jurchen Alliance Army will naturally retreat, and the crisis in the Central Plains will be immediately resolved."

"At that time, with no warfare in the Northern Border, it would be just right for the people to rest and recuperate, restoring national strength."

"As for Yue Fei... Your Majesty could first assign him an idle position, keeping him in honor, and once the commotion passes, he may be used elsewhere."

"This is sacrificing the rook to protect the king, a makeshift strategy!"

"..."

One cry after another continued to arise.

Regarding Yue Fei, the attitude of the ministers was unanimously agreed.

While it was evident not to eliminate Yue Fei directly, he must indeed be brought back to the Central Plains, and never given a chance to rise again!

Of course, not everyone could possibly hold this viewpoint!

"Absurd! Shameless talk!" Vice Director of the Secretariat Wang Shu, hair and beard bristling, glared at Qin Hui and the others, "You are going to destroy the defense and fit right into the enemy’s trap!"

"Yue Pengju’s northern expedition is to pacify the borders for the country, ending troubles forever!"

"How can we recall a meritorious general just because of the Barbarians’ threats?

""Open this precedent, what border commander would dare fight the enemy with all their might in the future?"

"I’m afraid everyone would feel insecure, all taking compromise as the priority for self-preservation!"

"Who will then guard this country and all its territories?!"

The argument broke out again immediately.

Qin Hui saw Zhao Gou’s expression shifting under loyal advice, knowing he must bring forth an argument that better catered to the Imperial Family’s private concerns.

He no longer lingered on unverifiable "future threats," instead donning an astute face for national calculation, his voice not loud, yet each word struck where Zhao Gou cared most: "Your Majesty, what Vice Director Wang and Zhao Qianshu say are all focused on war."

"However, the way of governing lies in weighing the pros and cons, with measured control."

He slightly bowed, his tone becoming heartfelt, "Your Majesty, please consider, since Yue Fei has stated in his memorial that he has penetrated deep into the Northern Border and heavily injured the enemy chiefs, the overall situation at the Northern Border is already settled, even if there are some remaining enemies, they are but scabies, hard to form any threat."

"All this is indebted to Your Majesty’s great fortune and profound stratagems."

He shifted his tone, revealing his hidden meaning: "Given the circumstances, Yue Fei’s mission at the Northern Border is essentially near completion."

"His extraordinary military achievements can be generously rewarded by Your Majesty."

"Yet now the Central Plains is in urgent distress, with Wanyan Digü having military forces within our borders. What he seeks is but the removal of Yue Fei from his position."

"Using one largely ’useless’ border general to exchange for immediate peace in the Central Plains, to gain the court breathing space, to restore people’s livelihoods, and enrich the treasury... this is a deal for enormous returns, Your Majesty!"

"Moreover, the bitterly cold Northern Border, even if fully reclaimed, how much money and grain does it cost annually for garrison and pacification?"

His tone was very calm.

Yet every word resonated with Zhao Gou’s heart.

Unlike the previous emperors, Zhao Gou was a rather unique emperor.

He did not aim to achieve glory and restore the former splendor of the Great Song, his thoughts were merely to enjoy luxury and power while controlling authority.

In his view.

Before Yue Fei came, although the Northern Border was not peaceful, it never threatened the Northern Border.

But now?

On the surface, they have been winning battles, but these people have already threatened the Central Plains, so what’s the point in continuing the battle?

Thinking of this, Zhao Gou couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, as if he had shed a thousand-pound burden. He waved his hand wearily, his voice carrying a weak but relieved tone: "Let’s go with what you all have proposed."