Lin'an City, deep inside the palace, in the imperial study. Zhao Gou walked around anxiously, the anger in his heart seemed to ignite the entire palace. He put all the blame on Qin Hui, blaming him for having the idea to unite Jin and Daxia to attack Kaifeng, which caused the court to lose face. Now it has triggered remonstrances from the princes and protests from the people. "Qin Qing, everything started because of you." Zhao Gou roared, "It was you who suggested that we join forces with the Kingdom of Jin and Daxia to attack Kaifeng, but now we have ended up like this! How should you explain to me?" Qin Hui knelt on the ground, trembling, "The officials should calm down. Although this matter is a bit unexpected, it is not irreversible." Zhao Gou's anger has not subsided: "Redeem it? You said it lightly! Now the princes are forcing me to remonstrate and the people are protesting, how do you want me to redeem it?" A cunning look flashed in Qin Hui's eyes, "Guan family, we can put the blame for the failure on Liu Guangshi and Han Shizhong. Liu Guangshi was defeated in Chenzhou, and Han Shizhong surrendered to Her Royal Highness. They were the main cause of the failure. As for the alliance, Regarding the joint attack on Kaifeng by the Jin Kingdom and Daxia, we can declare to the outside world that the imperial court did not collude with the Jin Kingdom and Daxia to attack Kaifeng together. In this way, we can completely shirk the responsibility." Zhao Gou was a little confused: "Can this really calm the anger of the officials and the government and the opposition?" Qin Hui nodded affirmatively: "Don't worry, officials. As long as we push the scapegoat out, we will give them an explanation. It won't take long for this matter to calm down." Zhao Gou was silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, as you said. Go and arrange this immediately."
Qin Hui stepped back with relief, secretly glad that he had escaped responsibility again. Zhao Gou was sitting in the imperial study, feeling helpless and confused. He knew that his throne was in danger, but he didn't know how to save the situation. He could only hope that Qin Hui's suggestion could temporarily calm the storm and buy him some time. However, he did not expect that all this was just Qin Hui's delaying strategy, and a greater crisis was quietly approaching... After getting Zhao Gou's acquiescence, Qin Hui felt secretly proud. His power has reached a new level, and he can manipulate officials who oppose him at will. So, he ruthlessly ordered Lan Gui of the Imperial City Division to imprison Liu Guangshi. At the same time, Han Shizhong's family members in Lin'an were not spared and were mercilessly thrown into prison. This news was like a bolt from the blue, shocking the entire court. The generals and officials of the main war faction who were at odds with Qin Hui felt unprecedented panic. They knew that Qin Hui came prepared this time and would never give up easily. When Zhu Shengfei, Lu Yihao and other veterans who were forced to resign at home heard about this, they were filled with anger. Zhu Shengfei clenched his fists and angrily shouted: "Qin Hui, this traitor, is so bold! He is trying to kill us!" Lu Yihao seemed even more excited. His old body was trembling with anger, and his cloudy eyes could not hide his anger. "I can't just sit idly by and do nothing! I'm going to see the official and ask him to take back his life!" After that, he ignored his physical weakness and the concerns of his family. Dissuaded, he resolutely headed outside the palace gate. It was midsummer at this time, the sun was scorching and the heat was unbearable. Lu Yihao waited outside the palace gate for a long time under the scorching sun. His heart was full of anxiety and helplessness, but more importantly, he was worried about the Song Dynasty and his expectations for Zhao Gou. He hoped that the emperor could distinguish right from wrong and withdraw the criminal edict against Liu Guangshi and Han Shizhong. However, time passed by and there was still no response. Lu Yihao felt more and more disappointed, and his body was gradually failing due to the long wait and the heat. Finally, with a sigh, his body softened and he fainted on the ground. After hearing the news that Lu Yihao had fainted, the descendants were filled with indignation. They gathered in front of the palace gate and shouted: "Release Liu Guangshi! Release Han Shizhong! Kill the traitor Qin Hui!"
Their shouts were like thunder from the blue, shaking the entire palace. Zhang Jiuzheng stood at the front of the crowd and said impassionedly: "Now the officials are covered in dust and traitors are in power! As people of the Song Dynasty, we must not stand idly by! We must save the building from falling and fight for the future of the Song Dynasty. Damn it!" His words resonated with the disciples. At this time, in the palace, Zhao Gou heard thunderous shouts outside. He was in a panic and blamed Qin Hui for being too radical. He paced back and forth and said anxiously: "Qin Qing, you really caused me a lot of trouble this time! Now everyone outside is in trouble, how do you want me to end it?" Qin Hui looked calm and composed. He sneered and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry too much. These villains are just young boys who won't achieve anything. As long as we arrest a few leaders and kill the chickens to scare the monkeys, they will naturally disperse." After hearing Qin Hui's words, Zhao Gou became even more panicked, worried that this would arouse greater public anger. He said hesitantly: "Is this going too far? After all, they are all candidates for the exam. What if..." Qin Hui said with confidence: "Don't worry, everything is under my control. As long as you order the arrest of Zhu Shengfei, Lu Yihao, Zhang Jiucheng and others, I guarantee that everything will calm down." Under Qin Hui's bewitchment, Zhao Gou was actually right! After waking up, Lu Yihao was particularly pleased to learn that the disciples actually chose to go on a hunger strike before the palace to remonstrate. "The backbone of the Song Dynasty is still there, and they are the future backbone of the Song Dynasty." He struggled to stand up, and with the help of Zhu Shengfei and other courtiers, he came to the gate of the palace. He looked at the indignant rebels with a gleam in his eyes. He tried to stand up straight and said in a hoarse and weathered voice, "Everyone, I would like to thank you for your support. Now that the government and the public are bloody, we must try to save those ministers and soldiers who are loyal to the emperor and the country." His words immediately aroused enthusiastic responses from the disciples, "Shout for Lu Gong! Shout for the Song Dynasty!" The voice shook the sky and the earth, as if it was about to tear the dark cloud-filled sky. Zhu Shengfei knew very well that Qin Hui's power was at its peak in the court, and Zhao Gou obeyed his advice. These loyal ministers are likely to become Qin Hui's next target. Sure enough, it didn't take long to see Si Langui of the Imperial City leading a group of people out of the palace, surrounding Lu Yihao and others, all with expressionless faces, and the swords and guns in their hands flashed with cold light. They surrounded Lu Yihao, Zhu Shengfei, Zhang Jiucheng and others. Lan Gui said coldly: "We are ordered to capture the rebels! Lu Yihao, Zhu Shengfei, Zhang Jiucheng, you are suspected of treason and you will be jailed immediately!" The officials were shocked. They did not expect that their struggle not only failed to rescue Liu Guangshi and Han Shizhong, but also put Lu Yihao and other loyal ministers in danger. They shouted angrily and tried to break through the siege of the guards, but they were outnumbered and were quickly suppressed. Lu Yihao looked at the scene in front of him, his heart filled with helplessness and sadness. He knew very well that this incident was a conspiracy planned by Qin Hui. The purpose was to eliminate dissidents in the court and shirk responsibility. Looking at the gray sky, Lu Yihao sighed: "God's will is like this, what can I say!"