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

After the morning meeting at the Jin camp in Chapter 348, Zhao Ji and several trusted confidants went to the imperial study to discuss countermeasures.

Wanyan Wo demanded an enormous amount of compensation, and the Song state's treasury currently couldn't afford such a sum, leaving everyone in a state of panic.

Emperor Huizong first asked, "How much dowry was originally prepared for Fujin?"

Tong Daofu replied, "Your Majesty, the original dowry prepared for the princess totaled 300,000 taels of silver and 50,000 taels of gold."

Zhao Ji then looked at Cai Yuanzhang: "How much silver is left in the national treasury?"

Cai Yuanchang sighed and said, "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty. Currently, there are only 1.8 million taels of silver in reserve."

Zhao Ji: "What can we do? This amount of money is far too small compared to the amount the Fourth Prince is demanding."

What if he becomes dissatisfied and, in a fit of anger, sends troops to attack the capital?

Zhou Xianwu immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the Jurchens are so greedy and insatiable. Our Great Song should not satisfy them like this. The Jurchen soldiers are also human beings. As long as the soldiers and civilians of our Great Song are united, we will surely be able to repel the Jurchen invasion!"

"That's enough, stop making things worse!"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ji showed no mercy this time and directly rejected Zhou Xianwu's words.

"The Jin soldiers are fierce and brave; a force of ten thousand is invincible. Even our Song Dynasty's million elite troops could not withstand their onslaught. How could we possibly hold them off with only tens of thousands of garrison troops in Bianzhou Prefecture?"

After saying that, he looked at Cai Yuanzhang and said, "Prime Minister Cai, you should think of another way. We must raise the money no matter what and get the Jin army to withdraw as soon as possible. Otherwise, I will not be able to put my mind at ease."

Cai Yuanchang sighed: "Your Majesty, to be honest, even if the whole city pooled its money, it would be impossible to raise such a large sum in such a short time."

It’s better to…”

"Not as good as what?"

Cai Yuanchang glanced at the watchful eyes around him, and finally made up his mind: "Why not cede some useless land as compensation?"

"what?!"

Zhou Xianwu was immediately shocked.

"Prime Minister Cai, do you know what you're saying? How can we cede the territory of our Great Song Dynasty to the Jurchens!"

Cai Yuanchang: "The current situation is complicated and we have no choice but to do this. If Lord Zhou has a better solution, why not share it with His Majesty?"

Zhou Xianwu immediately cupped his hands and said to Zhao Ji, "Your Majesty, I do have a plan that can repel the Jin army."

Zhao Ji's eyes lit up: "What plan do you have? Tell me quickly, Xianwu."

Zhou Xianwu: "We can request aid from the State of Chu and request that they send an army to defend Bianliang."

This will intimidate the Jin army camp on the north bank, and once the Jin army runs out of supplies, they will inevitably retreat.

The Duke of Zhenguo is in the city. If Your Majesty agrees, I will go and discuss it with him immediately.

As a result, no one responded after he finished speaking.

Even Zhao Ji's face darkened at this moment.

Zhou Xianwu asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty, is there anything wrong with my plan?"

Gao Wei, the Minister of War and concurrently Grand Commandant, replied sarcastically, "Isn't Lord Zhou's plan a bit like inviting a wolf into the house?"

"Grand Commandant Gao, what do you mean by that?"

"Hehe, has Lord Zhou forgotten how the Wu Kingdom was destroyed? By allowing the Chu army to enter Bianzhou Prefecture?"

Aren't you afraid they might just turn around and seize the entire Song Dynasty? The Duke of Zhenguo is certainly capable of doing that!

Zhou Xianwu hurriedly said, "That's not what I meant, but rather..."

"Alright, just stop talking."

Zhao Ji stopped Zhou Xianwu from speaking and turned his attention to Cai Yuanchang.

"Yuan Chang, you must carefully consider the matter of ceding land. My bottom line is the northern lands, with the Bian River as the boundary."

Choose any few intact cities as compensation for my breach of faith with others. If the Jurchens are still not satisfied, then negotiate with them for payment in installments.

"As long as the Jin army is willing to withdraw, I am willing to meet all their demands. Let's first send them the one month's worth of provisions we promised to give to the Jin army camp."

Cai Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty is wise. I will take care of it immediately and will certainly satisfy the Jin envoy."

After speaking, he paused for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we also arrange for the Chu Kingdom's marriage proposal as soon as possible?"

Zhao Ji nodded: "The Chu Kingdom also needs to be appeased. Inform Shen Lang that I have approved the marriage between Fujin and Prince Su."

As for betrothal gifts, I don't expect anything. I just hope he takes the money and leaves quickly. This person is truly terrifying to me in Bianzhou Prefecture.

Cai Yuanchang: "Yes, I will draft an edict later, but it concerns the arms trade."

Zhao Ji waved his hand: "Let's put the arms procurement on hold for now. If the Jin people find out, it will cause even more trouble."

"Just let me have a few days of peace. These days, my heart can hardly bear it anymore."

Upon hearing this, Cai Yuanchang was visibly disappointed.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. We can't afford to offend the Jurchens at this time. It's not too late to bring it up after things have calmed down.

Only Zhou Xianwu, seeing the cowardly state of the emperor and his ministers, had only one feeling in his heart:

The Song Dynasty is doomed.

……

Three days later, the imperial edict from the Song court ordering Princess Fujin to marry into the Chu Kingdom was successfully delivered to Shen Lang.

Accompanying them was a beautiful 14-year-old girl, who was sitting inside the car.

"You're the princess?"

"This humble woman greets the Duke of Zhenguo of Great Chu."

When Zhao Fujin saw Shen Lang, he respectfully performed a royal salute.

Shen Lang felt deeply moved. This Song Dynasty princess, who shared the same name in the original world, ultimately met a tragic end:

On the eve of the Jingkang Incident, this most beautiful woman in the imperial family was specifically requested by the Jurchens to serve them.

Then Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong, father and brother, got her drunk and sent her to the Jin camp.

In the end, Zhao Fujin was tortured to the point that his anus ruptured, and he died in an extremely shameful manner.

After regaining his senses, Shen Lang asked, "Do you know that once you leave, you may never see your father again in this lifetime?"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Fujin said, "Does the Duke of Zhenguo think that my daughter's current situation would be much better if she hadn't encountered the Duke of Zhenguo's interference?"

To secure his throne, my father was willing to sacrifice his own daughter, leaving her here. My fate is truly the most tragic.

In the State of Chu, with the man the court lady loves by her side, and given Chu's current fortunes, it's unlikely they'll face the embarrassing situation of having to force a smile even when barbarian armies are at their gates.

Only by staying in Chu can my heart find peace.

Shen Lang glanced at her and smiled: "The princess is quite sensible. Since that's the case, it saves me the trouble of preparing persuasive arguments along the way."

Zhao Fujin: "I am deeply grateful to the Emperor of Great Chu for escorting me along the way."

"Yes, Princess, please wait here for a few days. Once I have finished my current business, I will take you back to Jinling."

Where is the Duke of Zhenguo going?

"The Jin army camp!"

……

The following morning, led by Wanyan Wo, Shen Lang boarded a boat, crossed the river, and arrived at the Jin army camp.

In contrast to the desolate scene at the Song army camp, the Jin army camp was filled with the sounds of drills and shouts of battle.

The Jin soldiers they encountered along the way were all dressed in armor and carrying various weapons, observing them with extremely vigilant eyes.

Just by looking at the appearance and imposing presence of the Jin army, they completely outclassed the Song army by leaps and bounds.

Wanyan Wo pointed to a cavalry unit training in the distance and said with a smile, "Duke Zhenguo, look, these are the warriors of my Great Jin, what do you think?"

Shen Lang nodded thoughtfully: "The Great Jin cavalry is indeed robust. I am truly impressed to have the opportunity to see them today."

As he spoke, he clapped his hands.

In his mind, however, he was calculating how many paces the machine gun positions should be at to achieve the best kill rate, given the Jin cavalry's advancing speed.

Wanyan Wo, unaware of Shen Lang's thoughts, warmly invited Shen Lang to walk into the main tent.

"My father is inside the tent. Upon learning of the Duke of Zhenguo's arrival today, he specially prepared a grand gift for him. We can meet him together."

"Oh, I'm really looking forward to it."