In mid-August, Cao Guo returned to Hangzhou Prefecture with his generals.

A few days later, he held a court meeting and commanded all officials of fifth rank or above in Hangzhou to attend.

The officials knelt and paid their respects, but they didn't hear the emperor's response for a long time.

The emperor did not allow it.

Who dares to raise their heads when the ministers are not allowed to stand up?

After about a minute, just when everyone was starting to wonder, a crisp sound of metal clashing erupted in the silent hall.

A sword was thrown to the ground.

Zhang Jun recognized it. It was the sword that the Emperor had dropped on the ground over a month ago after the battle.

He trembled all over. It seemed that the Emperor had been suppressing his anger for over a month and was about to vent it now.

Immediately after, Cao Guo's thunderous roar followed:

Even my personal sword was almost broken!

Ministers, do you wonder where I have been these past few months, don't you?

Very well, I will tell you. I led several generals to intercept the Jin army in Guiding Prefecture.

We ambushed 50,000 troops with only 10,000, and although we narrowly won, we almost suffered a major defeat!

I told you long ago that the Song Dynasty couldn't defeat the Jin army, but you didn't listen. Now you're tasting the bitterness!

Wang Boyan couldn't help but mutter in his heart, but he said on the surface: I beg Your Majesty to prioritize the stability of the Great Song Dynasty and negotiate with the Jin army!

Cao Guo sneered, not responding to Wang Boyan, but shouted outside: Bring him in!

The courtiers quickly made way, kneeling on both sides of the hall.

After a moment, a ragged, disheveled general was brought in, his hands bound behind him.

Lü Yihao glanced sideways and was greatly astonished: It's Du Chong! It's over, it seems that His Majesty is determined to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. I don't know if this will result in demotion or exile...

After Du Chong was brought in, he immediately prostrated on the ground, continuously kowtowing: Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, please forgive me! It's all because the Jin army was too fierce, and my subordinates couldn't restrain them. They collapsed upon contact. I beg Your Majesty to give me another chance to redeem myself, to redeem myself...

Cao Guo walked over with a stern expression and said: Du Chong, the Acting Governor of Kaifeng, feared the enemy on the battlefield and abandoned the army, causing his troops to scatter...

He ignored Du Chong's pleas for mercy and walked straight over. He grabbed his hair with his left hand and drew a dagger from his waist. At a moment when no one expected it, he stabbed upward into Du Chong's throat with his own hand.

Du Chong, who never dreamed of being assassinated by the Emperor in the court, looked incredulous until his body stiffly fell to the ground.

Our army suffered a great defeat because there are too many officials and generals who value their own lives and seek peace.

Cao Guo wiped the dagger with his clothes, his tone devoid of emotion. He calmly instructed the guards: Take him away.

Two guards quickly ran in and dragged Du Chong's body out.

Only then did the Emperor turn around and face the courtiers, saying: Is there any other minister who wishes to negotiate?

The ministers all had solemn expressions:

We are all willing to exert our utmost efforts, unite as one, resist the Jin army, and maintain the stability of the Great Song Dynasty!

Very well. I have always been fair in rewards and punishments. Those who are guilty will be punished, and those who have merit should be rewarded. Minister Han and Minister Yue!

Han Shizhong and Yue Fei stepped forward: Here!

The two ministers have contributed greatly in this battle. Minister Han's previous punishment will be lifted, and he will be restored to his position. Minister Yue, for rescuing me, will be promoted to the rank of Wugong Dafu, bestowed with a thousand taels of gold, rewarded with a mansion, and as for Ministers Li, Liu, and Zhang, they have all madesignificant contributions and will also be rewarded accordingly.

Cao Guo continued, his voice filled with determination:

"From this day forward, we will no longer cower in fear and seek peace. The Jin army may be strong, but the Great Song Dynasty has its own strength and resilience. We will fight back with all our might and defend our land and people. This is not just a battle for survival; it is a battle for the honor and dignity of our nation. We will show the world that the Song Dynasty cannot be defeated so easily."

The courtiers were inspired by the Emperor's words. They all pledged their loyalty and determination to defend the Song Dynasty.

In the coming months, preparations for a war against the Jin army intensified. The Emperor mobilized resources, recruited and trained soldiers, and fortified strategic locations.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts were also made to seek alliances with neighboring kingdoms and engage in negotiations with the Jin army to find a peaceful resolution, if possible.

The situation remained tense, and the fate of the Song Dynasty hung in the balance. The Emperor's bold actions and unwavering determination had instilled a renewed sense of hope and resilience among the people.

Only time would tell the outcome of this critical chapter in the history of the Great Song Dynasty.