New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Tang Qian was doing everything he could to improve the lives of the people in Youzhou, while Tang Xiaoqi was rushing towards the capital of the Song Dynasty, Tokyo.

Upon hearing that Xiao Qi, who was accompanying Tang Qian, had returned to the mansion, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of Tang Huan, the Vice Minister of Revenue. Last year, when the Jin army attacked the Song Dynasty, he had already prepared himself for the possibility that his only son might die in Youzhou. Hearing news of Tang Qian at this time was enough to make him overjoyed.

What Tang Xiaoqi said next left the family head, Tang Huan, completely stunned.

"Are you saying that when the Jin army besieged Bianjing (Kaifeng), Tang Qian was in the Jin army camp outside the city, and that he single-handedly facilitated the humiliating treaty between the Song and Jin dynasties?"

As a high-ranking official of the Song Dynasty, Tang Huan was naturally qualified to access some of the secrets of the upper echelons.

The Jin army besieged Tokyo for two days without success. However, this was not the real reason why the Jin army chose to negotiate peace. Rather, it was because the general Wanyan Xieye's serious illness was miraculously cured by the imperial physician of the Song Dynasty. It is said that the person who first saw that Wanyan Xieye was not long for life and provided the cure was a lowly staff member in the Jin army.

According to Tang Xiaoqi's account, this so-called Jin army advisor was actually his own son.

"So, Tang Qian has already surrendered to the Jin? Then why did you come back? Just to bring back the news that that unfilial son is still alive and try to anger this old man to death?"

“Of course not.” Tang Xiaoqi immediately spoke again, “Young Master did not surrender to the Jin, but was coerced by Wanyan Xun, the commander of the Jin army in Youzhou, and was unable to leave Youzhou. Master should know that in order to negotiate peace with the Jin, the Song Dynasty sent a princess to marry into the Jin.

"Of course I know." Tang Huan sighed softly. "Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians fought hard to protect Tokyo from falling, but in the end they suffered a defeat without actually winning. The princess's marriage to him was an utter disgrace."

But what could he do besides look up to the sky and sigh? The court had long since lost its backbone to the Jin army. The officials were all appeasers, only concerned with protecting their own fame and fortune. When the Jin army came, they only knew how to wag their tails and beg for peace with silver. Although he was dissatisfied, he was powerless to do anything about it.

"The young master married Princess Shunde of the Song Dynasty in Youzhou, and is now the Imperial Son-in-Law of the Song Dynasty."

"What did you say? Qian'er isn't a nobleman from the Jin Kingdom, so how could he be qualified to marry a princess?"

"Young Master, on the surface, Princess Shunde was a wife whom Wanyan Xieye asked the Emperor to marry on his behalf to repay your life-saving grace. In reality, she was a burden that Wanyan Xun gave to you to prevent you from escaping south. However, please rest assured, Young Master, as long as you find an opportunity, he will take Princess Shunde back to the Great Song Dynasty."

Tang Huan remained silent for a long time before finally accepting this somewhat unbelievable fact. He, as the father, knew perfectly well how incompetent his son had been before. How could he have become such a capable and extraordinary person that the Jin generals were trying so hard to win over after going to Youzhou?

Regardless, Tang Qian had done his part for the brief period of peace in the Song Dynasty, which could be considered loyalty to the country. He had wanted to praise his son, whom he had scolded since childhood, to his face, but now it seemed there was no chance.

Seeing that the master looked sad, Tang Xiaoqi paused, lowered her voice, and said Tang Qian's last words: "Young Master said that the Jin Kingdom is only temporarily at peace. Once they are fully prepared, they will surely make a comeback. At that time, no matter how much the Song Dynasty resists, it will be in vain. Please, Master, you must go south as soon as possible. Young Master means that you should at least send Madam and Miss to Jiangnan to avoid disaster."

Tang Qian had read about the tragedy that occurred after the fall of Bianjing (Kaifeng) in the second year of the Jingkang era in historical records. The cruelty of the Jin army could not be described in just a few words. Not only the noble ladies of the royal family, but also the families of court officials were not spared. Tang Qian absolutely did not want to see his own mother and twin sister among the ranks of those being escorted to the Jin.

Upon hearing this, Tang Huan was startled. In the past, he would not have believed Tang Qian's nonsense. However, Tang Qian had foreseen the Battle of Tokyo last year and left a letter to remind him before leaving. Now that he was in Jin territory, the information he received would only be more accurate. Perhaps the Jin Dynasty really might invade the borders of our Great Song Dynasty again.

Thinking of this, Tang Huan nodded: "Thanks to the letter he left behind, Madam and Jing'er went to Guangling to avoid disaster before Tokyo was besieged. We also received news earlier that they had arrived safely at the Qiu family. In a little while, have someone write a letter to them to let them know that the young master is still alive, so that they can be at ease."

"The young master said that it is inevitable that the Jin army will encroach on the border, but he is also trying to buy time. However, it may be too late. Master, you must be prepared."

If what was said before were all established facts, Tang Huan would have no choice but to believe it. However, Tang Xiaoqi's last sentence made him laugh: "He is just a small staff member in Youzhou City now. What ability does he have to disrupt the Jin court and make them postpone their plans to attack Song?"

"Wanyan Xun, the commander of the Youzhou army, is ambitious and seems to have rebellious intentions. The young master plans to help him seize the position of Anban Bojilie in the Jin Kingdom. If this is successful, the Jin Kingdom will be in chaos and will be too busy to take care of itself, so it will naturally lose its intention to attack the Song."

"What did you say? Tang Qian is sure he can do this?"

"What the young master means is that he will do his best, but he has too little time, and he cannot guarantee that he can succeed before the Jin army marches south to attack the Song again."

"Good!" Tang Huan slammed his hand on the table. "As the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. If he can really accomplish such a great feat during his time in Youzhou, even if he ultimately fails and cannot save the Song Dynasty from peril, he will still be a fine son of the Tang family."

Patting Tang Xiaoqi on the shoulder, Tang Huan's words sounded somewhat earnest: "After returning to Youzhou, tell Qian'er that before making trouble, he must learn to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens. A true man can bend and stretch. Compared to stirring up trouble in the Jin Dynasty, suffering a little humiliation is nothing."

Tang Xiaoqi almost rolled her eyes when she heard this. Her young master was living a very happy life in Youzhou City, surrounded by beautiful women. Wanyan Xun treated him as an honored guest. Even though his relationship with the Seventh Princess Wanyan Xi was unclear, no one dared to say a word against it. How could this be called being humiliated?

"Replying to your question, Master, Xiao Qi has other important matters to discuss with the young master upon his return to the Song Dynasty, and will not be returning to Youzhou."

"What urgent matter does he want you to do?" Tang Huan frowned. "Tell me, perhaps your family can help him."

Tang Xiaoqi shook his head: "Young Master already has a complete plan, we just need to follow it step by step. Master, it would be best to prepare to head south as soon as possible."