New Song Dynasty: My Wife is an Imperial Princess

Tang Qian's words made Wanyan Xun's heart skip a beat once again.

Since the real Imperial Seal of the State has been lost, no one would dare to doubt its authenticity if a fake one were made. With the fall of Bianjing (Kaifeng) and the Song Dynasty already at its last gasp, when the army approached Jiangnan and Sichuan, this would be considered a military threat. Then, by presenting the fake Imperial Seal of the State, they could prove that they were the chosen one. With this two-pronged approach, the spineless Song Dynasty would naturally open the city gates and surrender.

Therefore, Tang Qian's strategy of subduing the enemy without fighting has a high chance of success.

After stroking his chin and pondering for a long time, Wanyan Xun weighed the pros and cons. To his surprise, he found that this matter was entirely beneficial to him from beginning to end. Forging a replica of the Imperial Seal was not complicated, and after he gained control of the Jin Dynasty, he would inevitably march south and make the entire China his territory. If he could avoid a war with just this one seal, Wanyan Xun would be happy to see it happen.

After all, war inevitably brings casualties, and he didn't want to see so many lives lost.

If the other side is unwilling to submit, then fight. Wanyan Xun firmly believed that the Song army was now lacking both morale and combat power, and was simply a disorganized mess. The Jin army could not possibly be defeated.

"Tell me your request. Is it really just that you want me to rescue Zhao Yingluo's sisters?"

Tang Qian nodded: "My wife has twenty sisters in total, all of whom are currently imprisoned in Ming'an Temple in Youzhou, as well as Princess Consort Xing Bingyi..."

"No." Before Tang Qian could finish speaking, Wanyan Xun interrupted, "That's too many. We can only give you ten spots at most."

Tang Qian also knew that his situation was too passive at this time, and he had no room to bargain with the other party. Being able to rescue ten people was probably the limit for Wanyan Xun.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he compiled a list.

Princess Jiade Zhao Yupan, Princess Ande Zhao Jinluo, Princess Maode Zhao Fujin, Princess Baofu Zhao Xianlang, Princess Renfu Zhao Xiangyun, Princess Xianfu Zhao Jin'er, Princess Hefu Zhao Jinzhu, Princess Lingfu Zhao Jinyin, Princess Huafu Zhao Saiyue, Princess Qingfu Zhao Jingu, Princess Chunfu Zhao Jinling.

"Wait, that's already eleven."

Seeing Tang Qian still waving his pen, Wanyan Xun gestured for him to stop: "Didn't you say there was another Princess Kang? What? You don't want to help anymore?"

"The princesses behind are still young, so consider it as if Your Highness is giving them away for free. As for Xing Bingyi, Your Highness must rescue her and return her to me."

"Oh? Why?" Wanyan Xun suddenly raised the corners of his mouth. "Could it be that this Princess Kang is Brother Tang's old flame? Did your elders break you up? You are now the Imperial Son-in-Law of the Great Song Dynasty. Do you still intend to take a concubine?"

Tang Qian completely ignored Wanyan Xun's teasing: "If Your Highness trusts me, you must rescue this woman. She is of great use and must not die in the Great Jin."

Seeing the seriousness in Tang Qian's tone, Wanyan Xun also put away his playful thoughts, picked up the pen on the table and wrote a few words on the Xuan paper, then folded the paper and handed it to Tang Qian along with the list written by Tang Qian: "With my token and this warrant, you can go to Ming'an Temple to pick up the people at any time. After you bring them out, be sure not to leave the inner city. If they are captured again outside, I will not be responsible."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Tang Qian bowed deeply to Wanyan Xun, and was about to step forward to receive the gift when Wanyan Xun withdrew his hand: "Where is what I asked for?"

Without hesitation, Tang Qian took out a drawing from his chest and laid it out in front of Wanyan Xun: "This is the design of the Imperial Seal of the State. Your Highness only needs to copy it exactly. I guarantee it will be exactly the same as the real one."

Tang Qian was indeed meticulous in his work. He not only drew the exact appearance of the Imperial Seal of the State, but also marked its precise dimensions. Looking at the eight small seal characters in the center of the square seal, Wanyan Xun felt a surge of domineering aura: "By the mandate of Heaven, may the emperor live a long and prosperous life. The emperor of the Central Plains truly has the air of being the only one who is supreme."

The following day at dawn, at Ming'an Temple in Youzhou, a Jin soldier stood outside the cell where slaves were imprisoned, holding a list in his hand.

Amidst the trembling of the women, the Jin soldier glanced around the room and then raised the list in his hand: "Next, anyone whose name I call out, step forward immediately. You will be temporarily detained in another place until we receive the order to continue our journey."

"Princess Zhao Yupan of Jiade".

Upon hearing her name called out, the eldest princess remained calm. She first patted her nineteenth sister's head to comfort her, then stood up and walked out of the open-doored cubicle.

"Princess Ande, Zhao Jinluo".

A woman from somewhere suddenly trembled. She wanted to dodge, but she knew she couldn't. So she followed her elder sister's example, tidied herself up, and stepped to stand beside Zhao Yupan.

"Princess Maode, Zhao Fujin".

"Princess Baofu, Zhao Xianlang".

……

As the Jin soldier called out the name, more and more princesses stood outside the cubicle. Each time one came out, her sisters would tightly grasp her hands. They were encouraging each other in the simplest way, because no one knew where they were being sent, and perhaps this was their last farewell.

"The last one is Princess Consort Xing Bingyi."

Hearing her name called out, Princess Kang was somewhat taken aback. Standing outside were all princesses, who must have been sent to the tents of the various Jin army marshals to be used as playthings. How could she be among them? She had just lost her child due to the difficult journey and had not yet fully recovered. If she were sent there, wouldn't she be doomed?

"Princess Consort Xing Bingyi, come out quickly! You are the person the commander of Youzhou Army specifically requested."

His shout sent chills down everyone's spine. Seeing that she had nowhere to retreat, Xing Bingyi could only force herself to stand up. Her already pale face turned even whiter, and she walked unsteadily. If it weren't for the support of the princesses outside, she might have collapsed at any moment.

"You guys come with me this way."

Seeing that the dozen or so people were about to be taken away, Zhao Yuanzhu, who was left alone in a compartment, suddenly felt something was wrong. She took a few steps forward and grabbed the gate that had been closed again, shouting in a hoarse voice: "Sir, could you take me with you? I am willing to serve the commander."

No matter what, she was unwilling to go any further. Even if the other party was a lecherous fiend who loved women of all ages and didn't even spare young children, Zhao Yuanzhu accepted it. As long as she could stay in Youzhou, she would still have a chance to escape back to the Song Dynasty. If she went to Liaoyang City, she would have no chance to escape.