The Song Dynasty on the Sand Table

Chapter 529: Submission of Submission
Daming Prefecture, Xuande Gate.

Talan and Jin Wuzhu stood on the high steps of Xuande Gate.

Liu Yu, Liu Lin, Zhang Xiaochun, and other important figures of the puppet state of Qi stood quietly on the platform below the steps.

Liu Yu had already sensed that something was wrong, but he dared not resist.

Several months ago, Talan and Jin Wuzhu led the Jin army to occupy Daming Prefecture and reorganized the puppet Qi army led by Liu Yu's son Liu Lin into the auxiliary troops of the Jin army.

In other words, Liu Yu and his son no longer have military power.

Talan produced the imperial edict and loudly proclaimed: "Liu Yu, for his incompetence in governing the country, his exploitation of the people, and his defeat in battle and loss of territory... hereby depose him as emperor and demote him to the King of Shu."

Liu Yu sighed inwardly, knowing that he was finished.

The Shu region is still under the control of the Song Dynasty. The Jin Dynasty has appointed itself as the King of Shu, which is clearly a way of refusing to grant him any territory. What awaits him next is that he will be imprisoned and left to live a life of idleness and waiting to die.

But a glint of joy flashed in Prime Minister Zhang Xiaochun's eyes! Very good, the Jin state is going to take over the puppet Qi state and rule it directly. In this way, the Jin state's strategy of "using Han to control Han" will be declared a complete failure, and the people in Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong and other places will surely rebel on a large scale.

After leaving Xuande Gate...

Zhang Xiaochun reached out and tugged at Shi Yisheng's sleeve, pulling him out of the crowd.

Shi Yisheng, originally named Shi Kui, courtesy name Bida; later changed his name to Yisheng, courtesy name Mingwang, and in his later years called himself the Old Man of Three Residences. He served as a Hanlin Academician in the puppet state of Qi.

Zhang Xiaochun said in a low voice, "Brother Shi, today the State of Qi has been abolished, and we are both ministers of a fallen state. What should we do next?"

Shi Yisheng remained silent, simply walking with his head down.

Zhang Xiaochun said in a low voice, "Back then, the Jin Dynasty supported Liu Yu because the people in the Central Plains were unwilling to be ruled by the barbarians and their resistance was too fierce. The Jin Dynasty had no choice but to establish the Qi Kingdom to make it less emotionally unacceptable to the people of the Central Plains. But now that their true colors have been revealed, the people can no longer console themselves... Brother Shi, do you agree?"

Shi Yisheng frowned and said painfully, "Let alone the common people, even I can't accept it. I don't know if the Jin Kingdom will require everyone to shave their heads next. If they do, I don't know how many people will revolt."

Zhang Xiaochun, always eager to stir up trouble, lowered his voice and said, "It definitely has to be shaved."

Shi Yisheng: "Brother Zhang, what do you plan to do?"

Zhang Xiaochun lowered his voice: "What else can we do but run? I still have some friends in the Song Dynasty. They will definitely take care of me if I run there. Brother Shi, do you want to come with me?"

Shi Yisheng was overjoyed: "Brother Zhang actually has connections in the Song Dynasty?"

After his initial joy, he suddenly became melancholy: "Brother Zhang's friends are not the same as my friends. They may take care of Brother Zhang, but they may not take care of me. If I go to the Song Dynasty, I will definitely not be valued."

Zhang Xiaochun: "In the past, wouldn't it have been enough to make some contributions? When heroes of the Jianghu joined a mountain stronghold, they had to submit a pledge of loyalty. Brother Shi, you should also submit a pledge of loyalty, and you will surely be highly valued by the Song Dynasty."

Shi Yisheng hesitated for a moment: "How should we submit this pledge of loyalty?"

Zhang Xiaochun lowered his voice and said, "My friends from the Great Song Dynasty say that they are preparing for a full-scale northern expedition, and their army will arrive soon."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yisheng immediately understood: "Brother Zhang means that when the Song army comes, we should act as inside agents for the Song Dynasty?"

Zhang Xiaochun nodded and said in a low voice, "It's definitely not enough for just the two of us to act as inside agents. We're outnumbered and outmatched, and we'll surely be killed by the Jin invaders. Brother Shi, go and contact some trustworthy people so we can do this righteous deed together."

Shi Yisheng: "Understood. I have a very good relationship with Zheng Yinian, Li Chou, Sun Andao and others. I will go and persuade them."

Zhang Xiaochun nodded: "I also have some ministers I am on good terms with. I will contact them. Note that they must be trustworthy. This matter must not be leaked."

Shi Yisheng: "I understand. If word gets out before the Song army arrives, we'll all be dead." ...

Talan and Jin Wuzhu were at this time occupying the palace of the puppet Qi state, taking out all kinds of documents and account books of the puppet Qi state to check, abolishing the puppet Qi government agencies at all levels, establishing the "Provincial Administration of the Imperial Secretariat" in Bianjing, and having the Jin court directly govern the Central Plains region, appointing Zhang Xiaochun as the Left Prime Minister of the Imperial Secretariat to govern the former territory of the puppet Qi state.

The two never dreamed that the Left Chancellor they appointed would turn out to be a traitor!

Moreover, there are a lot of traitors in the city who are already whispering among themselves, preparing to sell them out.

Two days later.

Talan just finished reading a huge pile of documents and is resting his eyes.

Jin Wuzhu rushed in from outside, looking astonished, and said, "Something terrible has happened! The Song Dynasty has suddenly torn up the peace agreement and sent troops to Baima Ancient Ferry. They captured the ancient ferry fortress in just half a night."

Talan: "Huh? How is that possible? A water fortress is not like a land fortress! Firearms would be difficult to use, wouldn't they?"

Jin Wuzhu gritted his teeth in anger: "Pang Di, the garrison commander of Baima Water Village, has defected to the Song Dynasty."

Talan was furious: "Guards! Seize Pang Di's family members immediately, regardless of age or gender, and behead them all. Put their heads in boxes and send them to the Song Dynasty."

He had barely uttered the order, and before the soldier in charge of relaying it had even left the main hall, a messenger rushed in, shouting urgently, "Something terrible has happened! The Song army has arrived at the gates of Daming Prefecture and is currently engaging in battle outside the city!"

Lazy Tatara: "???"

Jin Wuzhu: "???"

I just received news that they crossed the river, and now they're already at the gates of Daming Prefecture? What kind of incredible speed is that?

Doesn't that mean they run almost as fast as the messenger?
Jin Wuzhu was the first to react: "It's the Song Dynasty's cavalry!"

Tatar: "Is that the damned cuirassiers coming?"

The messenger's expression was incredibly complex, as if he had seen something terrifying. His throat trembled as he said with great difficulty, "The one coming is the elite Yue Family Army, the Beiwei Cavalry."

Jin Wuzhu leaped three zhang high into the air: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

The messenger reported: "It's true. The one leading this Beiwei cavalry unit is Yue Fei's son, Yue Yun."

Jin Wuzhu: "I have to go and take a look."

Talan: "I'm going too."

The two of them ran out of the pseudo-Qi palace as fast as they could, mounted their horses, and galloped through the city until they reached the south gate. At this time, the gates of Daming Prefecture were already closed, and a large number of Jin soldiers had climbed the city walls, drawn their bows and arrows, and were ready to fight outside the city.

Talan and Jin Wuzhu ran wildly up the steps and finally managed to climb the city wall.

Looking out from behind the uneven surface...

A cavalry unit in gleaming armor stood upright outside the south gate of Daming Prefecture. Each rider rode a fine horse, the kind that was exceptionally spirited, their armor was all new, their weapons were polished to a gleaming shine, and a large banner with the character "Yue" on it fluttered in the wind.

Yue Yun, a young general in Yue Family Army, stood at the forefront, holding an iron-tipped spear. He pointed the spear at the gate of Daming Prefecture with one hand and shouted, "Are the Jin traitors as cowardly as mice, hiding in the city and not daring to come out and fight? Bah! A bunch of rats."

(End of this chapter)