If William Harris was just slapping faces, he’s now drawn his knife, ready to strike directly!

William Harris wasn’t surprised; after all, he knew a bit about Thomas Lee’s character.

“Prime Minister Lee, who do you think should be executed?” William Harris pressed further.

Thomas Lee didn’t hesitate, answering boldly, “Cai Jing, Liang Shicheng, Zhu Mian, Li Yan—these are all traitors. As for who else, I await Your Majesty’s command. I will root them out one by one, bring them to justice, and give the people satisfaction!”

William Harris didn’t immediately issue an edict as Thomas Lee suggested, but instead said slowly, “Aren’t these the so-called ‘Six Villains’ rumored among the common folk?”

Thomas Lee nodded in agreement, saying as if it were only natural, “Your Majesty, with Tong the traitor executed, we should press the advantage, sweep away all treacherous ministers, and cleanse the court!”

Thomas Lee was brimming with murderous intent, and everyone present was shocked. Even if they weren’t among the Six Villains, many had countless ties to them. Not to mention, just Cai Jing alone had promoted so many people.

If things went as Thomas Lee wanted, there probably wouldn’t be many survivors left in the room.

In a bid for survival, Left Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs Michael Bolton suddenly stepped forward and shouted sternly, “Your Majesty, what Thomas Lee says is exactly what the students at the Imperial Academy are saying. Clearly, they’re colluding, inside and out, conspiring to coerce the court with sinister motives!”

Michael Bolton attacked Thomas Lee for forming factions, which was like pouring a ladle of water into hot oil—instantly explosive. Philip Wood, Daniel Warren, Peter Warren, even Richard Lee and Blake Smith all joined in, ganging up on him.

Thomas Lee stood alone. Though two fists can’t beat four hands, Thomas Lee was upright and outspoken, and with William Harris having executed Tong Guan, he felt emboldened, believing the emperor was on his side.

So Thomas Lee spoke passionately, trading barbs with the others, thoroughly enjoying the heated exchange.

William Harris watched, unsurprised but burning with anger!

These were the chief ministers of the Song Dynasty—this very group was ruling the empire!

“Enough!”

William Harris suddenly shouted in fury, but the arguing parties didn’t even notice and kept going. This infuriated William Harris even more; he suddenly swept his arm, sending everything on the desk crashing to the floor.

Fortunately, the imperial seal wasn’t on the table, or there would have been real trouble.

With such a commotion, all the officials fell silent, stunned and wide-eyed.

“Go on, argue! I’ll give you time—argue for three or five days. When the Jin troops enter Kaifeng without a fight and take us all away, let’s see how you like it!”

Richard Lee and the others, terrified, hurriedly prostrated themselves. “Your Majesty, we don’t want to argue—it’s all because Thomas Lee has gone too far…”

“Shut up!” William Harris barked harshly. “Feel your beards—you’re not three or five-year-old children. I have no interest in your petty grudges!”

William Harris took deep, heavy breaths to calm himself, then said, “There are three great matters of state: first, resist the Jin; second, resist the Jin; third, still, resist the Jin!”

“All actions, all merits and faults, will be judged by whether they benefit the cause of resisting the Jin.” William Harris said meaningfully, “I don’t care if you’re New Party or Old Party, pro-war or pro-peace, whose door you’ve walked through, whose faction you belong to… I can disregard all that. From now on, anyone willing to follow me in resisting the Jin is my loyal subject; anyone who can contribute to the cause is a hero of the Song! I mean what I say!”

At this point, William Harris softened his tone, “Gentlemen, at this stage, even if we give our all, we may not defeat the Jin. If we’re still divided, fighting among ourselves, then we truly have only one path left—death! Or do you want to become subjects of the Jin? To accept a barbarian as your lord?”

William Harris’s words went beyond just questioning their loyalty. Richard Lee prostrated himself, voice mournful, “Your Majesty is devoted to the country; it’s all because of our disloyalty. Please punish us!”

The others wept and begged forgiveness, except for Thomas Lee, who sat straight-backed, feeling no guilt.

William Harris sighed and said to Richard Lee, “I executed Tong Guan for one reason only: he abandoned Taiyuan, an unpardonable crime. From today, anyone who wavers in the cause of resisting the Jin—don’t blame me for being merciless!”

William Harris continued, “Vice Minister Lee, you, Prime Minister Smith, Prime Minister Bolton, and Prime Minister Wood, go together to Longde Palace and ask the Retired Emperor to issue a deep self-criticism edict. Even without last night’s events, were his previous actions really appropriate?”

In the end, just Tong Guan’s head wasn’t enough—William Harris wanted Zhao Ji to admit his mistakes before the whole world, to complete the drama of seizing power.

William Harris took a deep breath and said, “The rest of you, discuss the next matter with me. If we want to defend the city, we can’t do it without money, provisions, and troops. Let’s decide what to do!”

Chapter 9: Still Paying Tribute?

Richard Lee, Blake Smith, Michael Bolton, Philip Wood.

The four “Heavenly Kings” hung their heads and went to Longde Palace to see Zhao Ji.

Longde Palace was originally Zhao Ji’s Prince Duan residence. After he ascended the throne, he kept pouring money into expanding it, making the estate grand and unique, with every building crafted with ingenuity and no expense spared. You could say every inch was built with money, and in this, Zhao Ji’s artistic taste was beyond question.

These favored ministers often visited Longde Palace, awed by its splendor.

But today, though the palace looked the same, something felt off.