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

"Why did you come to see me?"

After leading Wanyan Wo into the official residence, Shen Lang sat down in a chair and gestured for him to sit wherever he pleased.

After Wanyan Wo sat down, he asked directly, "I have also heard of the Duke of Zhenguo's reputation; it is truly legendary."

Shen Lang interrupted him directly: "No need for formalities. We're not even that close. Let's get straight to the point. What do you want from me?"

Compared to the attitude of the Song court towards Wanyan Wo, Shen Lang's attitude was completely different, mainly characterized by casualness.

Even so, Wanyan Wo still greeted him with a smile and a bow: "Duke Zhenguo, I heard that your mission to the Song Dynasty is for Princess Fujin?"

"What, does the Fourth Prince intend to stage a touching drama with the State of Chu, a war for love that ends in rivers of blood?"

"No, no, no, Duke Zhenguo is just joking. I was just asking casually."

To wage war against the behemoth that is Chu for a woman? Unless the entire Jin state has lost their minds.

"Since the State of Chu wishes to form a marriage alliance with Princess Fujin, I naturally offer my full support..."

When facing Shen Lang, Wanyan Wo was so flustered that he could hardly speak.

Because this young man, only twenty-two years old, holds the power of life and death in his hands, and if he is angered, the future of the Jin Kingdom will be difficult.

"Fourth Prince, just say what you have to say. This is Song territory, and I won't do anything to you."

"Very well, since the Duke of Zhenguo has said so, then I will speak frankly. May I ask the Duke of Zhenguo, is the Chu Kingdom's marriage alliance with the Song Kingdom intended to improve relations with the Song Kingdom?"

"I don't understand what you're saying, Fourth Prince. Chu and Song have always been friendly states. What do you mean by 'marriage to improve relations'?"

"Duke Zhenguo, you are aware of the current friction between the Song and Jin dynasties. If the Chu state were to support the Song state from behind at this time, then our Jin state would be in trouble..."

He dared not say any more. What Wanyan Wo was most worried about was that Chu was secretly supporting Song.

If this is the case, then the Jin Dynasty will completely lose the enormous advantage it currently holds.

When Wanyan Wo heard that the State of Chu had sent people to discuss a marriage alliance, he was not very concerned.

But upon hearing that the envoy was the Emperor of Great Chu, they realized that things were not so simple.

Wanyan Junyue had just returned from his mission to the State of Chu when Shen Lang went on a visit to the State of Song. The subtle relationship between them can be discerned with a little analysis.

Moreover, before Wanyan Wo came to find Shen Lang, he had already learned from the foolish Emperor Zhao Ji that the Chu army had already stationed troops at Jinling Port and could cross the sea at any time.

The arrival of the Chu army was the last thing the Jin state wanted to see, which is why Wanyan Wu came to find Shen Lang—to test whether the Chu army would intervene in the war between the Song and Jin dynasties.

"The issues between Jin and Song should be resolved by yourselves; Chu will not intervene at this time."

My primary objective in this mission to the Song Dynasty, commissioned by the Emperor, is to facilitate a marriage alliance between Prince Su and Zhao Fujin.

As for the rest, they are none of your country's concern.

Upon receiving Shen Lang's reply, Wanyan Wo finally felt relieved.

"So, the State of Chu is not currently involved in the political disputes between Song and Jin?"

"No."

Shen Lang answered very decisively.

"It's best for the Song and Jin states to resolve their own conflicts. At most, the Chu state can only urge both sides to cease hostilities, and should try to resolve any issues through negotiation."

The best approach is to resolve disputes peacefully, because it is always the innocent civilians who suffer in war.

Wanyan Wo nodded hurriedly: "What the Duke of Zhenguo said is very true. Right now, I am representing the Great Jin in negotiations with the Song Dynasty."

Shen Lang: "Alright, Fourth Prince, I've said what I needed to say. If you have nothing else to say, you can go back now."

Wanyan Wo hurriedly said, "Duke Zhenguo, I dare to invite you to the Jin camp on the north bank for a chat."

When he said this, he even changed how he referred to himself.

"Oh?"

Shen Lang immediately became interested.

"You're inviting me to your camp?"

"Yes!"

Wanyan Wo nodded vigorously: "I hope that you, Duke Zhenguo, will do me the honor. My father is stationed in the army. If he learns of your arrival, he will certainly give you a warm welcome."

Shen Lang closed his eyes and fell into deep thought.

Wanyan Wo: "Of course, if the Duke of Zhenguo is unwilling, then I will not force him."

"what."

Unexpectedly, Shen Lang just smiled nonchalantly.

"Since the Fourth Prince has extended such a warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse? I'll just wait until the marriage is over and then make a visit to the Jin camp."

"Excellent! It is truly an honor to have the Duke of Zhenguo personally visit my Jin camp. I will write a letter and send it to the North Bank camp immediately so that they can make preparations in advance."

After saying that, he stood up, bowed to Shen Lang, and left excitedly.

As soon as he left, Ban Dingyuan immediately looked at Shen Lang with suspicion and asked, "Duke Zhenguo, are you really going to the Jin camp?"

"nature."

"But what if the Jurchens want to harm you?"

"They don't dare."

Shen Lang opened a book and replied confidently.

"Didn't you see Wanyan Wo's attitude towards me?"

Ban Dingyuan thought for a moment: "The Jin prince's attitude towards the Duke of Zhenguo is indeed worlds apart from his attitude towards the Song emperor and his ministers."

Shen Lang laughed: "He wasn't being respectful to me, he was being respectful to the Chu Kingdom behind me."

The Jin people knew perfectly well that the Song Dynasty was poor, weak, and easily defeated; they didn't need to worry about the consequences of provoking them.

But the State of Chu is different, because the State of Chu now has the power to completely wipe the State of Jin off this continent.

This is the influence that national power brings. Do you understand?

Ban Dingyuan nodded: "This subordinate understands. A strong nation is powerful, and to gain the respect of others, one must have one's own strength."

The Jin Kingdom respects the Duke of Zhenguo not only because of your personal prestige, but also because you have the powerful Chu Kingdom as your backing.

Shen Lang nodded in satisfaction: "It's good that you understand these things."

"Just wait, the imperial decree for the marriage alliance with the State of Song will arrive in a few days."

……

The following day, inside the Bianliang Palace...

"Your Song state is truly untrustworthy. You promised a marriage alliance with Jin, but now you've gone back on your word. It seems you have no sincerity in continuing negotiations with my Great Jin."

"In that case, all the contracts we signed before are null and void. Let our two countries line up their arms and have a proper fight!"

Wanyan Wodang made a wild statement in the palace, and not a single official dared to utter a sound.

Emperor Huizong sat on the dragon throne, feeling extremely uneasy, as if he were sitting on pins and needles, his ears filled with the roars of Wanyan Wo.

The other ministers shrank back, none daring to utter a word to stop them.

After Wanyan Wo finished venting his anger, he pointed directly at Zhao Ji and asked, "Hey, Emperor of Song, how do you plan to explain this matter?"

Emperor Huizong asked in a trembling voice, "Then, according to the Jin envoy's opinion, what should be done?"

He would agree to any condition as long as the Jin Dynasty was willing to withdraw its troops.

Wanyan Wo waved his hand and said, "Since the State of Chu has taken a liking to Zhao Fujin, then this marriage is off. But the State of Song must compensate me, and compensate me double."

Emperor Huizong breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Of course, I will compensate your country double. Please, envoy Jin, name your name. What do you desire?"

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Wo immediately said, "Since you, the emperor, have said so, then I will not stand on ceremony."

Ten million taels of silver, one million taels of gold, five hundred thousand bolts of silk, and one million catties of tea.

In addition, we'll provide a month's worth of rations and pay for the North Shore camp! How about that? It's not an unreasonable request, is it?

Upon hearing this condition, the faces of Emperor Huizong of Tang, Cai Yuanchang, Tong Daofu, and others instantly turned liver-colored.

"Why, don't you want to?"

Wanyan Wo's eyes turned cold, making the hearts of the group pound.

"Of course, Your Excellency's request is not excessive, and the Great Song Dynasty will do its best to satisfy you."

How could Zhao Ji dare to say no? He agreed to all of Wanyan Wo's demands.