New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

"What should I do?"

In the winter of the first year of the Jingkang era, the autumn harvest of the Song Dynasty had just ended, and taxes from various places had not yet been paid in full. The national treasury was so full that rats could run around. At this critical moment when even the imperial palace had to tighten its belt, the Ministry of War sent definite news that the Jin army was once again marching south to attack the Song Dynasty.

"Wanyan Zongwang's western army has entered the pass through Yunzhou and is heading south towards Taiyuan Prefecture. The eastern army has also passed Youzhou City and has now captured Hejian Prefecture."

It's those two gold thieves again!

Zhao Huan slammed his hand on the table, wanting to curse, but in the instant of his anger, he slumped back onto the dragon throne like a wilted eggplant.

With the same recipe and the same taste, the Jin army repeatedly invaded the borders of the Song Dynasty using the same tactics. Their actions were simply outrageous, and the Song emperor himself was powerless to stop them. Faced with the Jin army's unbridled invasion, he could only hide in the palace and tremble in fear.

What is most infuriating is that only one year had passed since the Battle of Tokyo in the seventh year of Xuanhe, when both sides signed a non-aggression pact. How could the Jin invaders be so dishonest and turn their backs on each other so easily?

If it were a different commander, it would be one thing, but the one leading the army to attack the Song Dynasty this time is still the former Guolun Bojilie Wanyan Xieye. You should know that this guy was only able to survive and live until now because of the consultation and treatment of the imperial physicians of the Song Dynasty's medical bureau. In his eyes, the Song Dynasty has saved his life, but this guy actually repaid kindness with enmity. After recovering his health, he came to attack the Song Dynasty.

What did Tang Huan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, say before? That the Jin army was preparing to march south? I always thought that the father and son were just exaggerating, but who would have thought that it was true? But Li Gang has been demoted. Where can he find a good general who can lead the whole army to defend Tokyo?

"Your Majesty need not worry about this matter. There is no precedent for the barbarians beyond the Great Wall invading our borders after the autumn harvest. It is only because the northern climate is cold and food is scarce that they raid our Great Song Dynasty to obtain food to get through the long winter. This is called 'grass raiding.' The Liao Dynasty did this at the beginning of its founding. After the Treaty of Chanyuan, the two countries restored diplomatic relations, and the Liao army became more restrained. However, there are still sporadic skirmishes every year. This year, the north is suffering from a severe drought, so the harvest will naturally not be very good. This time, the Jin army's invasion is probably also to solve the problem of food shortage."

Upon hearing the advice of Bai Shizhong, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Zhao Huan's mood improved considerably.

If the Jin army's southward march is merely a pilgrimage, bringing back some grain and wealth, the Song Dynasty can still afford to provide it.

"In your opinion, how should this matter be resolved?"

Bai Shizhong glanced briefly at Prince Kang standing opposite him, and Zhao Gou immediately felt the hairs on his body stand on end. This old man was definitely up to no good.

Sure enough, what Prime Minister Bai said next made Zhao Gou want to kill him.

"At the beginning of the year, the Jin army invaded. It was His Highness Prince Kang who went to the Jin camp, which led to peace talks between the two countries. The Song Dynasty was also able to lift the siege of Tokyo. I believe that if Prince Kang were to go forward again to negotiate peace with the Jin army this time, it would surely turn our Song Dynasty's misfortune into good fortune and allow us to overcome the crisis smoothly."

"Chong Guo Gong's words are right."

Before Zhao Gou could voice his objection, Emperor Zhao Huan set the tone, "Then I ask my ninth brother to make another trip to Hejian Prefecture to negotiate with the Jin army commander. Once the matter is settled, I will bestow a reward upon him."

"Your Majesty, I am of limited talent and learning, and I fear I am unfit for such a great responsibility, which may jeopardize the affairs of the state. I beg Your Majesty to appoint another capable and virtuous man." The scene of being tricked into going to the Jin camp last time was still vivid in Zhao Gou's mind. He did not want to go this time no matter what. Even if he was accused of disobeying an imperial edict, he would try to decline. But before he could finish speaking, Zhao Huan flicked his wide dragon robe sleeves and said, "Your Majesty is too modest. You are a lucky general of our Great Song. With you in charge, the peace negotiations will surely be successful. There is no time to lose. Your Majesty, you should set off for Hejian Prefecture immediately. I will be waiting for your triumphant return in Dongjing."

Zhao Gou was cursing inwardly. Anyway, they weren't born of the same mother, so it wouldn't matter if he cursed Empress Xian Gong a few more times.

Seeing the court fall into an awkward silence, Zong Ze, who was beside Zhao Gou, nudged Prince Kang with his elbow. Their eyes met, and Zhao Gou immediately understood what the other meant.

The emperor's word is law, and he has already issued an imperial edict ordering him to go to the Jin camp. Refusing would be a capital offense, but now that he has received the edict and is going to Hejian Prefecture, it is not necessarily a dead end.

In any case, saving your life is the most important thing.

“In that case, I will go to Hejian Prefecture. Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly live up to your mission and do my best to persuade the Jin army to retreat.”

Together with Zong Ze, they bowed to the emperor and then left the hall, jogging towards the palace gates. Once they were alone, Zhao Gou asked in a deep voice, "What was Zong Shaoqing's intention in stopping me just now?"

Zong Ze gave a wry smile: "Your Majesty, I have just fought several battles with the Jin army in Cizhou. Although we had our share of victories and defeats, I could sense that the Jin army's southward advance was not as simple as just raiding for supplies."

Zhao Gou frowned slightly, and was about to burst into a tirade: "Then why did you ask me to accept the task given to me by the Emperor? Isn't this sending a lamb to the slaughter?"

"Your Highness, please calm down and let me finish speaking." Despite angering Zhao Gou, Zong Ze remained calm and continued, "The court is now filled with appeasement factions who are willing to grovel before the Jin army for their own survival. The Jin army is determined to conquer the south, and the capital city of Bianjing is certainly beyond our control. Therefore, I suggest that Your Highness lead the army south to preserve our strength and wait until we can retake Bianjing and restore the land of our Great Song Dynasty. That is the best course of action."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gou gasped: "You mean we should take advantage of this mission to the Jin camp to head south, hoping to make a comeback in the future?"

"Opportunity knocks but once. Your Highness, please make a decision soon, or neither the Song Dynasty nor the Zhao family will survive."

"How dare you, Zong Ze, curse my Great Song Dynasty and the Zhao imperial family?"

"Honest advice is hard to hear, but I do not wish to see the century-old foundation of the Great Song Dynasty destroyed. I beg Your Highness to consider this carefully."

Zhao Gou suddenly waved his hand, bringing their discussion to an abrupt end.

"Let me consider this carefully before making a decision."

For the rest of the day, the gates of Prince Kang's residence remained tightly shut, and there was almost no movement inside. Several imperial eunuchs from the palace came to urge Zhao Gou to depart for Hejian Prefecture before a squad of palace guards escorted Prince Kang, who was fully armed in armor, out of the residence.

A dozen men escorted Zhao Gou out of the capital city of Tokyo through Chenqiao Gate. The Prince of Kang, riding on horseback, glanced back at the Song capital shrouded in the blood-red sunset, then turned and rode on, without a trace of lingering affection.