New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Amidst everyone's astonishment, Ye Yilie frowned slightly: "It is true that Zhao Kang, the Grand Marshal of the Song Dynasty, was killed in Yingtian Prefecture a few days ago. This news has only just reached Tengzhou. How do you know so much about it?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Xing Bingyi, who was sitting not far away, trembled slightly. She really hadn't expected that her husband would become the tenth emperor of the Song Dynasty, just as Tang Qian had said.

“It’s easy to deduce.” Tang Qian pointed to his head. “When Tokyo fell, all the princes and princesses became prisoners of the Jin Dynasty. The only one who escaped was Prince Kang, who went to negotiate with the Jin army camp but hid in Cizhou on the way.”

As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. For the sake of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou had an inescapable responsibility. Yingtian Prefecture was the place where the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty rose to power, so Zhao Gou's succession here was legitimate.

In addition, the location is conveniently situated in all directions, with well-developed water transport, making it both offensive and defensive. If the city falls, Zhao Gou can immediately take a boat south for easy escape.

"So, as long as we get to Yingtianfu in the shortest possible time and meet up with the emperor, with the protection of 50,000 imperial guards, why should we be afraid of bandits along the way?"

It turned out to be the case.

No wonder Tang Qian abandoned the waterway and took a detour to Yingtian Prefecture, all in order to seek Zhao Gou's protection and finally arrive safely in Jiangnan.

At this moment, even Wang Jian, the commander of the guards who had always been critical of him, looked at Tang Qian with admiration. Such a young talent who planned ten steps ahead for every step he took was nothing like an ignorant good-for-nothing. Even if Zhuge Liang were alive, he could only do so much.

From this moment on, the more than twenty imperial princess guards led by Wang Jian finally followed Tang Qian's lead. Tang Qian said to take the time to rest and set off at Chenshi (7-9 AM) the next day. No one dared to slack off. Except for the four guards on night watch, everyone ate dinner early and found a place to rest and recuperate.

One has to admire Tang Qian's ability to safely bring more than ten women out of Youzhou City all by himself, which made the guards completely admire him.

If it were me, I wouldn't even dare to think about it. What's more, he was able to arrange everything perfectly during his escape. Who can match his wisdom?

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight shone down, Tang Qian and his party boarded the carriage. Surrounded by guards, the caravan traveled slowly towards Yingtian Prefecture. They traversed mountains and valleys, traveling by day and resting by night, and the journey was relatively smooth. On the third day at noon, a not-so-imposing city finally appeared before them without any major incident.

We have arrived at Yingtian Prefecture.

Upon learning that Tang Qian had escaped from Youzhou with his family, the new emperor Zhao Gou was initially incredulous, then hesitated for a moment, and finally stood up with a joyful expression, walking out of the palace to greet him.

Youzhou was now under the jurisdiction of the Jin Dynasty. Zhao Gou was naturally shocked that Tang Qian was able to escape. After the initial shock came suspicion. He was worried that Tang Qian might be a spy planted by the Jin people. However, considering that Tang Qian had once saved his life in Wanyan Xieye's army camp, Zhao Gou had no choice but to bite the bullet and welcome Tang Qian into Yingtian Prefecture.

He has just ascended the throne, and if he does not find a way to unite the army at this moment, the Song Dynasty will truly be in danger.

Regardless of Tang Qian's motives for fleeing from Youzhou to seek refuge with him, he had to act like a wise ruler, after all, this was his savior.

When Zhao Gou saw that more than a dozen princesses who had become prisoners of war of the Jin army had come to pay homage with Tang Qian, he was stunned.

He really hadn't expected that Tang Qian would not only abduct Wanyan Xi, the seventh princess of the Jin Dynasty, but also bring back so many sisters. You should know that it would be a million times more difficult for so many people to return to the Song Dynasty than for Tang Qian to escape Youzhou alone.

However, isn't Tang Qian contradicting himself by doing this? You have to remember that when he went to the Jin camp for negotiations, he never thought of taking the princess with him.

"I see you, Your Majesty."

Just as Zhao Gou was thinking of his former queen, Xing Bingyi, he heard a strangely familiar voice ring out from the crowd.

The new emperor Zhao Gou thought he was hallucinating. Xing Bingyi had been escorted to Jin after the fall of Bianjing, and his fate was unknown. How could he possibly be here?

Seeing that Zhao Gou did not react, a woman's figure appeared from among the princesses and knelt down in front of Zhao Gou: "Your Majesty, I failed to protect Your Majesty's child. Please punish me."

After all, the two had been husband and wife for five years, and with Princess Kang kneeling before him, how could Zhao Gou possibly admit his mistake?

Blinking his eyes, and after confirming that everything before him was not a hallucination, Zhao Gou suddenly stood up and walked down the steps. He reached out and helped Xing Bingyi up, his eyes full of affection: "I am very pleased that my beloved consort is safe and sound. I feel very guilty whenever I think of leaving her alone in Tokyo to suffer.

Turning to face Tang Qian, a glint of light flashed in Zhao Gou's eyes. "Your actions, Prince Consort, have resolved one of my regrets. You deserve a reward."

Tang Qian immediately bowed and said, "Your humble servant's abilities are limited. At that time, I could only save these dozen or so princesses and consorts. I am ashamed and dare not accept any reward."

Instructing the eunuchs around him to take the sisters to rest, Zhao Gou summoned Tang Qian into his study: "The Prince Consort has returned from Youzhou, so he is naturally aware of the Jin army's current deployment. I wonder if they intend to maintain the status quo, keeping the current situation between the two countries, or perhaps..."

"The Jin dynasty has never given up its desire to destroy us, and Yingtian Prefecture is not a place to stay for long."

Tang Qian's answer was resolute, leaving Zhao Gou speechless.

Seeing that the Song and Jin armies had ceased hostilities, he was planning to recapture the capital city of Bianjing (Kaifeng). Now it seems that getting the Jin army to stop invading the Song is simply wishful thinking.

"In your opinion, Your Highness, how should I respond to the Jin army's renewed invasion?"

"Your Majesty, I still say the same four words: Danger, flee immediately."

Well, Zhao Gou gave a wry smile. Tang Qian had saved his life with those four words, and now, facing that reminder again, he naturally knew what to do.

Looking at the entire Song Dynasty today, only Tang Qian truly understands the movements of the Jin army. If the Jin army continues to advance south, his 50,000 imperial guards are simply futile.

"Which direction should we evacuate in? Sichuan or Jiangnan?"

"The Jin army is not good at naval warfare. The Huai River and the Yangtze River are natural barriers to block the Jin army from advancing south. Although Sichuan is easy to defend and difficult to attack, if we lose the rich lands of Jiangnan and lose money and food as support, even if we hold Sichuan, the Song Dynasty will be dead in name only."