Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Chapter 345 A Completely Different Attitude In the afternoon, Shen Lang was summoned to the palace and met Zhao Ji in the Nanhua Hall.

Emperor Huizong's attitude towards this infamous Duke Zhenguo changed drastically from that towards Wanyan Wo.

"Duke Zhenguo, please take a seat."

Emperor Huizong gestured for Shen Lang to take a seat, then asked with a smile, "Duke Zhenguo, is your visit to our Song Kingdom for the purpose of the arms trade?"

Shen Lang smiled slightly, accepted the tea offered by the eunuch, and calmly said, "Yes, His Majesty sent me on this visit to the Song Kingdom because I have heard that the Song Kingdom is facing a difficult situation recently."

His Majesty instructed me to convey a message to Emperor Zhao: Chu and Song are friendly neighboring states separated only by a narrow strip of water. If Song encounters any difficulties, it should seek assistance from Chu.

The State of Chu will certainly respond and fully support the State of Song.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji's face showed a hint of displeasure.

Shen Lang's attitude was far too composed. He showed none of the unease or anxiety one would expect when meeting an emperor. Instead, there was a hint of arrogance in his words, as if he didn't take him seriously at all.

Unlike Wanyan Wo's blatant expression of contempt, Zhao Ji found Shen Lang's subtle hints the most unacceptable.

"Regarding the arms trade negotiations, I have entrusted Minister Cai to handle all the talks with you. Does Your Excellency have any other matters to attend to?"

Emperor Huizong disliked Shen Lang, not only because of his background and attitude, but more importantly because Shen Lang had destroyed the state of Wu, causing the state of Song to lose a target for its power and prestige.

Therefore, after understanding Shen Lang's purpose, he didn't want to get entangled with him any longer and wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

“There is indeed something I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant,” Shen Lang said, rising to his feet. “Your esteemed Princess Fujin and my King Su of Chu have known each other since childhood, and have exchanged letters frequently over the years.”

Now that Prince Su has passed the age of twenty, he is of marriageable age. Your Majesty believes that since Prince Su and Princess Fujin have been in love since childhood,

Why not acknowledge this beauty and become in-laws, thus creating a wonderful marriage?

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji, without even raising his head, said, "I know that Fujin and your Prince Su are childhood sweethearts who have corresponded for many years, and there must be some romantic feelings between them."

I was willing to grant her wish, but unfortunately, Fujin is already engaged to the fourth prince of the Jin Kingdom and will be married soon. I can only disappoint Prince Su.

I hope the Duke of Zhenguo can return and explain to the Empress that it was Fujin who wronged him, and that he may soon find the good match he desires.

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang couldn't help but sneer: "Your Majesty, are you trying to make a fool of the State of Chu?"

Zhao Ji was displeased upon hearing this and was about to raise his head to reprimand Shen Lang for his lack of manners.

However, when Zhao Ji looked up and met Shen Lang's cold, abyss-like gaze, he couldn't help but feel a pang of panic.

"Your Excellency, what are you doing?"

"I urge Your Majesty to give the State of Chu a proper explanation!"

Shen Lang took out the marriage certificate and betrothal gift list from the State of Chu.

"The betrothal documents from the Chu royal family are already prepared; we are only waiting for His Majesty Zhao's approval to allow me to take Princess Fujin back."

But now, judging from the situation, it seems quite different from what I expected before I set out. Your Majesty, are you truly planning to abandon this marriage alliance with the State of Chu?

Zhao Ji was enraged by this humiliation: "How dare you! Whom does the Princess of Song marry have to do with your Chu state!"

I have tolerated your rudeness time and again because you are the Empress's husband, but now you dare to threaten me!

Do you really think I wouldn't dare to lay a hand on you?

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of guards with swords filed in and surrounded Shen Lang.

Faced with such a trivial scene, Shen Lang didn't even glance at the guards, but stared at Zhao Ji and said, word by word:

"Your Majesty, it seems you are determined to break with the State of Chu. In that case, I have nothing more to hide."

"To tell you the truth, when I accompanied Zhou Xianwu across the river to visit Bianzhou Prefecture, there were already two full-strength divisions ready to cross the river and launch an offensive against the Song Dynasty at any time."

"Perhaps Your Majesty does not yet know what these two divisions mean, but I can tell you definitively that the firepower of these two divisions is enough to cause the Song Dynasty to change dynasties three times over."

"If you don't believe me, you can try killing him, provided you can actually do it. I just don't know, Your Majesty, are you willing to take that bet?"

Emperor Huizong of Song was a man with little opinion of his own, and he immediately backed down after being threatened by Shen Lang.

He was shocked and terrified, and slumped weakly into a chair. He then waved his hand, signaling the guards with swords to leave.

After everyone left, Zhao Ji said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Duke Zhenguo. I've been exhausted from serving the country these past few days, and I may have offended you earlier. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Shen Lang chuckled lightly: "Naturally, I've heard about Song's current predicament from Lord Zhou. It's understandable that His Majesty is under a lot of pressure and in a bad mood lately."

"Your actions just now were probably not His Majesty's intention, so why would I blame you? After all, Chu and Song are friendly states, and they should look out for each other."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji felt slightly relieved: "Please forgive me, Duke Zhenguo. The Jin people are forcing me to hand over Princess Fujin before they will withdraw their troops. I have no choice."

For the sake of the nation's peace and the people's well-being, Princess Fujin must be sacrificed. We implore the Duke of Zhenguo to understand and speak well of her to the Empress.

Shen Lang sneered inwardly.

If one uses the well-being of the people and the nation as an excuse, then any act that defies the will of Heaven can be perfectly explained.

Emperor Huizong of Song was like that. He was clearly terrified of being tormented by the Jurchens, but he still pretended to be concerned about the country and its people to numb himself and move himself.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, if Princess Fujin cannot return to Chu with me this time, it will be very difficult to explain to His Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can understand."

Zhao Ji was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that Shen Lang had no intention of backing down on this matter.

"How will you explain this to the Jurchens?"

"That's Zhao's own business. How he explains it has nothing to do with me or the State of Chu."

If the State of Song is unwilling to form a marriage alliance with the State of Chu, then the relationship between the two states may be formally severed.

As for what unpleasant things might happen after the break, that depends entirely on His Majesty's mood; I can't be sure.

Please consider this carefully, Your Majesty. I will await good news at my residence; I will take my leave now.

After saying this, Shen Lang bowed and turned to leave Nanhua Palace.

"Fine, so you're all bullying me! You're all bullying me!"

Watching Shen Lang's departing figure, Zhao Ji could only rage helplessly alone in the palace.

"My life is miserable. My father entrusted the Song Dynasty to me, how did it turn out like this?"

"The Jurchens have bullied me, and the Chu people have bullied me too. Am I, Zhao Ji, truly still the emperor of this Great Song Dynasty?"

He could only lament his bad luck like a headless fly, but never looked for the reasons within himself.

The Song Dynasty fell into such a state, and Emperor Huizong himself was inextricably linked to this.

After a period of self-pity, Zhao Ji finally calmed down.

"Someone, summon Chancellor Cai and Grand Commandant Tong to the palace. I have important matters to discuss with them."

In the end, he could only consult with his confidants for a solution.

Whether to choose the Chu state or the Jin state for a marriage alliance requires careful discussion before a decision can be made.

(End of 10 chapters)