The Song Dynasty on the Sand Table

Chapter 501 Who are you?

When the Khitan envoys reached the edge of the Great Wall at Zhendongguan, they were still quite uneasy, fearing that Li Bao would not keep his word.

But their worries were unfounded. The city gates were wide open, and the delegation was allowed to pass through. They were even escorted for a while, allowing them to reach Dalian City unharmed.

The envoys were astonished as soon as they entered the city!
The city was orderly, and Khitans were walking around everywhere on the streets. There was no sign of the miserable plight of the people in an "occupied territory".

When the Khitan people saw the Khitan envoys, they didn't rush up to them, crying and begging for help. Their expressions were very calm, as if to say, "Oh? You've come? What brings you here?"

Li Bao had said that they should be allowed to investigate.

So the delegation didn't stand on ceremony; as soon as they entered the city, they dispersed to gather intelligence everywhere.

The envoys ventured into the streets and alleys, desperately trying to understand the current situation of the Khitan people, talking to them, chatting with them, and inquiring about their recent lives.

The intelligence they received from multiple sources was consistent: the Han people did not bully the Khitan people; on the contrary, they took the initiative to say that they and the Khitan people were one family and should love each other and unite together.

The Han people frequently transported various supplies to help the Khitan people with their lives.

The Han people also taught them how to make salt, which greatly increased the salt production in Jinzhou. Now the salt they make is white and pure.

The Han people also taught them how to farm. Although Liaodong is harsh and cold, making farming difficult, with the help of the Han people, they were able to grow very good rice, wheat, and soybeans.

A few days later, the messengers returned to Baliyuan Mountain and told him everything they had seen in Dalian City.

After listening, Bali Yuanshan remained silent...

After three days of deep thought, he led his army to the outside of the Great Wall at Zhendongguan. The entire army laid down their weapons, raised their hands, and expressed their willingness to surrender to the Northern Song Dynasty.

Bali Yuanshan also decided to change his name to make himself look more like a Han Chinese.

Therefore, the surname Bali was changed to Xiao.

He changed his name to Xiao Yuanshan from then on.

Xiao Yuanshan's surrender had a huge impact. His good brother, Lu Yuantiao of the Tieli tribe, also immediately betrayed the Song Dynasty and surrendered to the Northern Song Dynasty. He led a large group of Tieli people to Dalian City.

This commotion caused a great shock in Shenzhou and Yanjing!
The Jin dynasty quickly dispatched Jurchen troops to garrison Shenzhou; where would they find the manpower to send to the Central Plains?
Jin Wuzhu: "If Yanjing can't send reinforcements, we can still turn to the Southern Song Dynasty."

Talan nodded: "For now, we can make use of the Southern Song Dynasty. We can write a letter to Zhao Gou, telling him that the Jin Dynasty is willing to help him get rid of Zhao Shi, this thorn in his side. As long as he sends troops from the south, our Jin Dynasty can send troops from the north, attacking the Northern Song Dynasty from both sides, which will definitely disrupt the Northern Song Dynasty's strategy. We also have Qin Hui, this big spy. Let him say a few more words in Zhao Gou's ear, and this plan will definitely succeed."

Both of them thought the plan was brilliant and quickly sent messengers.

The Jin envoy traveled at top speed, day and night, disguised and rushing all the way. In just two or three days, he arrived before Zhao Gou and presented Jin Wuzhu's letter.

After reading it, Zhao Gou's expression was uncertain, and he couldn't make up his mind for a while.

At this point, of course, he had to summon his most trusted traitor, Qin Hui, for questioning.

A cowardly emperor and a cowardly prime minister, the two of them together, staring at each other.

After an unknown amount of time, Qin Hui finally spoke in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Northern Song Dynasty is so powerful that even the Jin Dynasty fears it... Think about it carefully, if the Jin Dynasty could defeat the Northern Song, why would they come to us for an alliance? Jin Wuzhu's letter actually reveals his fear." Zhao Gou had personally witnessed the Northern Song's firearms, and the Battle of Ye County had left a deep impression on him. Hearing Qin Hui's words, he immediately understood: "Minister Qin is right. The Northern Song Dynasty is so powerful that even the Jin Dynasty cannot withstand it. The Jin Dynasty is afraid, which is why they are seeking an alliance with us. If we go to help the Jin Dynasty, wouldn't we be helping the weak against the strong? That would be tantamount to courting death."

Qin Hui nodded: "That's right, that's right, that's definitely courting death. Let's send the Jin envoy back with dignity, but we must not agree to his demands."

Zhao Gou was still a little afraid: "What if we refuse the Jin's demands and they come to attack us again?"

Qin Hui: "Your Majesty, think about it carefully. Once the Northern Song Dynasty captures Kaifeng, the Jin Dynasty will no longer share a border with us! The only place the Jin Dynasty can reach us is Sichuan, but Sichuan is a mountainous region. Can the Jin cavalry really get in?"

Zhao Gou thought about it carefully: Hmm? Isn't that right? If we don't count Sichuan, the Jin Kingdom is no longer adjacent to us. Since we don't share a border, what am I afraid of? I should be afraid of the Northern Song Dynasty, which shares a large border with us.

A coward chooses sides; I'll side with whoever is stronger!

It's obvious that the Northern Song Dynasty is stronger now, so I, Zhao Gou, will definitely side with the Northern Song.

The two had reached an agreement and quickly summoned the Jin envoy. They used kind words and coaxing to make him seem obedient, but in reality, they were just making excuses and refused to send troops.

The Jin envoy quickly realized that if the Southern Song Dynasty was reliable, pigs would fly. Oh well... Time to go back and report.
-
July, 1135 AD!

The cicadas' chirping was deafening. The last northeastern army of the Northern Song Dynasty, led by Zhao Shi in his "personal campaign," finally arrived outside Kaifeng. However, this army did not come to Zhuxian Town, but instead camped thirty miles east of Kaifeng.

With the imperial entourage arriving, the morale of the entire Northern Song army was naturally high.

Not only was the morale of the Northern Song Dynasty high, but many brave warriors from the Southern Song Dynasty also came to volunteer to join the army, wanting to follow the Northern Song emperor to recover the lost capital.

The camps outside Kaifeng stretched for nearly a hundred miles, effectively encircling the city to the south and east.

The Yellow River runs to the north, making escape impossible; this effectively leaves only the west side open for the city's defenders to flee.

The fact that they surrounded the city on three sides and left one side open shows their strong determination to capture it!
The morale of the Jin army and the puppet Qi army in the city was low...

A major battle could break out at any moment.

Meanwhile, a large group of civil and military officials from the Southern Song Dynasty, including Li Gang, Han Shizhong, and Yue Fei, came to the Northeast Route Army to pay their respects to Zhao Shi.

Li Gang immediately recognized the eunuch attending Zhao Shi...

Isn't this the Thirty-Two Eunuchs who used to serve Zhao Gou? Turns out he'd already betrayed the Song Dynasty and defected to the Northern Song. Really…

There were no outsiders in the room except Zhao Shi and an eunuch. Li Gang's courage grew, and he glanced at Yue Fei and Han Shizhong beside him, thinking: These two are loyal and patriotic generals. With them by my side, there is nothing I dare not say.

He quickly stepped forward and said loudly, "Seventeenth Prince, we heard you were being controlled by that Young Master Yue. Don't worry, we're here, we can definitely help you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly saw Zhao Shi's face clearly and was greatly surprised.

Before the Jingkang Incident, Li Gang had already served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and frequently entered and exited the palace. Of course, he would recognize Zhao Shi, but the face of the Zhao Shi in front of him was completely unrecognizable from the real Zhao Shi.

Li Gang asked anxiously, "Who exactly are you?"

(End of this chapter)