novel bin Chapter 143 The Threat of the Jurchens
Chapter 143 The Threat of the Jurchens
Wang Huai'an stood with his head bowed, and seeing Zhao Yu holding the edge of the report and remaining silent for a long time, his heart tightened.
He tentatively suggested, "Your Majesty, these Jurchens are notoriously arrogant and rude. Perhaps... this servant could send men to stop them outside the city and send them back directly?"
Zhao Yu chuckled and casually tossed the report aside, the papers scattering with a rustling sound.
"Why drive them away? If I intended to drive them away, I wouldn't have ordered them to go all the way into Lin'an in the first place."
He looked up at Wang Huai'an: "How's the reorganization of your Eastern Depot going? Have you thoroughly investigated everything the Jurchens have done along their journey from the north?"
"Your Majesty, I have investigated everything thoroughly."
Wang Huai'an bowed and replied, "The head envoy is Wanyan Bi, a distant relative of the Jin royal family, who is known for his arrogance. Along the way south, they have done a lot of things to bully the people. The officials of the prefectures and counties along the way not only dared not stop them, but they all fawned over them, treating them to good wine and food, for fear of offending the Jin people and causing war."
"Very well, a proper welcome indeed."
Zhao Yu smiled coldly: "Huai'an, have you seen clearly? Even though I have ascended the throne, in the hearts of officials throughout the land, I am no different from the retired emperor."
"The humiliation of Jingkang happened only a few decades ago, but the backbone of these people has long been broken by the Jurchens. Most of the civil and military officials are thinking about living in peace and relying on annual tributes to buy a comfortable life. What use is it if I alone shout to resist the Jurchens?"
Wang Huai'an lowered his head: "Your Majesty has made a wise decision."
"Issue my decree." Zhao Yu stood up. "Tomorrow morning at court, summon the envoy from the Jin Kingdom to the palace. He will be received in the Great Celebration Hall in front of all the civil and military officials."
"This servant obeys the decree."
Wang Huai'an responded, then hesitated before adding, "Your Majesty, should I arrange for more people from the Eastern Depot to stand guard outside the palace? They've been practicing the Evil-Slaying Sword Technique diligently these days, and their skills have greatly improved. What if the Jurchens act recklessly..."
"No need."
Zhao Yu waved his hand: "A few mere envoys can't cause any trouble. With me here, that's enough."
The next morning, the Daqing Hall stood solemnly and majestically.
The civil and military officials stood in order of rank, completely silent.
With a greeting from the messenger, Wanyan Bi, accompanied by two deputies, strode confidently into the hall.
The leader, Wanyan Bi, was about forty years old, with a burly build. He wore a dark purple leather robe embroidered with gold, a sable hat, and had an arrogant expression on his face.
The deputy envoys behind him all had fierce eyes. After entering the hall, they not only did not kneel, but also swept their gazes over the officials in the hall with contempt.
"I want to see the former emperor of your Song Dynasty," Wanyan Bi said, his Chinese accent broken and strange. "Let the real Song emperor speak."
These words directly implied that Zhao Yu's ascension to the throne was illegitimate, and a low murmur immediately arose in the hall.
Lei Xiaoyou immediately stepped forward, flicking his sleeves: "How dare you! The Emperor Emeritus is unwell and has abdicated in favor of the current Emperor. You, as envoys, entering the court of our Great Song Dynasty, are already disrespectful for not kneeling, yet you dare to utter such arrogant words, questioning the succession to our throne?"
Wanyan Bi glanced sideways at Lei Xiaoyou, then casually cupped his hands in greeting, a perfunctory gesture.
"I have come on the orders of the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty to discuss important matters. What is the purpose of the Song Dynasty's recent frequent troop reinforcements on the border of Xiangyang?"
He stepped forward, his voice suddenly rising: "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and hasn't even warmed your seat yet, and you already want to provoke war between our two nations? Furthermore, my Great Jin's Sixth Prince died in Lin'an City several months ago, and the Song Dynasty still hasn't given an explanation. Do they really think my Great Jin's iron cavalry is just for show?"
The officials in the hall had different expressions, and many of them secretly glanced at Zhao Yu on the dragon throne.
Zhao Yu sat calmly at the head of the table, but a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Xiangyang is part of the territory of our Great Song Dynasty. When do I need to report to other countries when I mobilize troops on my own land? As for the death of the Sixth Prince, our dynasty has already ordered the arrest of the murderer. However, the thief is cunning and has not yet been brought to justice. Your country can just wait patiently."
"wait?"
Wanyan Bi's eyes were fierce: "I dare not trust the efficiency of the Song Dynasty. To be honest, when I left the court, my Great Jin Dynasty had already mustered 100,000 iron cavalry and 200,000 infantrymen, and would soon be able to march south. If Your Majesty remains obstinate, once the two countries go to war, the suffering of the people will be all Your Majesty's fault."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the hall.
The ministers whispered among themselves, their faces filled with unease.
The news of the 300,000-strong army marching south weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
Many people have already started to back down, thinking it would be better to negotiate peace, as buying peace with money is worse than fighting.
Zhao Yu remained calm and composed: "Oh? According to your esteemed envoy, what should I do to avoid being stubbornly unenlightened?"
Wanyan Bi revealed a hint of smugness on his face and said loudly, "His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Jin is benevolent and cannot bear to see the people suffer. As long as the Song Dynasty continues to abide by the previous peace agreement, the two countries will become sworn brothers, with an annual tribute of 300,000 taels of silver and the cession of the three prefectures of Huainan, then the two countries can cease hostilities, make peace, and maintain lasting peace."
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.
The officials exchanged glances, and each saw a hint of reluctance in the other's eyes.
The terms are almost identical to those of the previous peace agreement, and even the increase in the annual tribute is not significant.
In their view, it was already a blessing to be able to exchange this small price for peace.
All eyes were on Zhao Yu, waiting for him to nod in agreement.
Zhao Yu took in the reactions of everyone in the hall and suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"What audacity!"
He slowly stood up, looking down at Wanyan Bi below the steps: "In my court, you barbarians dare to brazenly threaten the Emperor? Do you really think my sword is dull?"
Wanyan Bi's expression changed, and he said stiffly, "What, Your Majesty wants to resort to force? The iron cavalry of my Great Jin is unparalleled in the world. When we drink from the Yangtze River one day, I hope Your Majesty will still be as tough as you are today."
"Perfect timing," Zhao Yu said calmly. "I was just thinking of meeting the Jin cavalry and avenging the humiliation of Jingkang."
Wanyan Bi was stunned.
He originally thought that the Song people were spineless and would naturally beg for peace as long as his army pressed in.
The young emperor's toughness was completely unexpected.
At this moment, Qian Xiangzu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I believe that the specific terms of the peace treaty can be discussed at a later time. Your esteemed envoy has come from afar as a guest, so perhaps..."
"Qian Qing, there's no need for further words."
Zhao Yu interrupted him directly, his tone resolute: "National dignity is priceless. I will never cede territory, pay reparations, or kneel to make peace."
Qian Xiangzu's face turned pale. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he sighed and retreated.
Seeing Zhao Yu's resolute attitude, Wanyan Bi knew that there was no hope for peace talks and didn't bother to pretend anymore.
He snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve, saying, "Since Your Majesty refuses to listen to reason and will instead drink the penalty cup, then don't blame my Great Jin for being impolite. I will return to my country to report now. Your Majesty can wait for my Great Jin cavalry to march south. When that time comes, the terms for peace negotiations will be different."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
"Halt! Did I say you could leave?"