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

The victory in the war plunged the entire government and the public into a frenzied madness that they could not extricate themselves from in the following days.

In the streets and alleys of Bianjing, in teahouses and restaurants, the heroic and fearless achievements of the Song army were being lauded everywhere.

The storyteller spoke with great enthusiasm, and the listeners listened with great interest.

The Song army won, and won big, they were completely demoralized.

In the instant of victory, the entire nation was immersed in a sense of exhilaration, as if they had just struggled out of a long-standing quagmire, and completely lost their rationality.

Amidst this frenzied rationality, some raised their own questions: "Since the Song army won a great victory and killed tens of thousands of Jin soldiers, why didn't we see any prisoners or heads?"

Unfortunately, such rational voices were quickly drowned out because the speakers were of low status and power.

Just when the people of the Song Dynasty felt they had finally stood up, the Jin Dynasty's envoys arrived at the court.

"Emperor of Song, His Majesty is furious upon learning of your breach of contract. We have come here today seeking a reasonable explanation for why you have invaded the territory of my Great Jin."

Wanyan Wo stood in the center of the hall, glaring angrily at Zhao Huan on the dragon throne.

After all, the Jin state had oppressed the Song state for many years. Even though the Song Dynasty had won, the stereotype of the Jin people being invincible had not been completely erased from the minds of the officials.

Faced with Wanyan Wo's aggressive attitude, all the civil and military officials were trembling with fear and dared not say a word.

Wanyan Wo smirked, thinking to himself that the Song Dynasty was still the same Song Dynasty, without any change at all.

The deputy envoy, Wanyan Guang, standing beside him, showed little interest in the scene before him. He simply scanned the hall back and forth, looking for a suitable candidate.

Finally, when he saw Ye Fan, his eyes lit up.

"Such a handsome man is truly a rare gem. Just one glance at him and I can't help but want to squeeze his anus to burst right now."

Thinking of this, Wanyan Guang licked his dry lower lip and pressed down hard on the raised musket.

Ye Fan was completely unaware of Wanyan Guang's movements. However, after Wanyan Wo spoke, he immediately stepped forward and said, "Does our Great Song Dynasty need to tell your Jin Kingdom about recovering its own territory?"

Wanyan Wu frowned, looked Ye Fan up and down, and then remembered something: "I remember you were an official of the Chu Kingdom, so why are you wearing the official robes of the Song Kingdom now?"

"Don't change the subject!" Ye Fan interrupted him sharply. "Please answer truthfully, Jin envoy. Does the Song Dynasty need to report to the Jin Dynasty when it reclaims the territory that rightfully belongs to it?"

Wanyan Wo: "The contract clearly states that the border between Song and Jin is Hezhou Prefecture; the area north of it belongs to my Great Jin, and the area south belongs to your Great Song."

But now, it is your Great Song Dynasty that has proactively provoked war and torn up the agreement. The entire Jin Kingdom is furious about your actions, and we have come here to demand a fair tax system.”

Ye Fan said passionately, "The area north of Hezhou Prefecture is also part of our Great Song territory. It was your Jurchens who forcibly occupied it. Why should our Song Dynasty abide by such an unequal agreement?"

"So you're saying that your Song state treats official letters like child's play, is that right?"

As Wanyan Wo spoke, he took out the letter of credence signed between the two countries from his bosom and held it up high.

"You, the rulers and ministers of the Song Dynasty, look for yourselves. It's written clearly in black and white on the paper, and it bears the official seals of both our Great Jin Dynasty and your Song Dynasty."

"You dare to break such a contract willingly? Are you trying to become a group of untrustworthy people?"

"I thought that you Song people were just a bit weak, but at least as a land of etiquette, you would still have some sense of face."

But now it seems I, Da Jin, overestimated your bottom line; it's truly an eye-opener for me.

“You are not only sheep, but you have also learned the cunning of foxes. Your actions have seriously violated the principles of my Jin people.”

"Since you are unwilling to abide by the terms of this contract, don't blame us Jin people for treating it as nothing!"

After saying that, he threw the letter of state directly onto the Golden Palace.

"The Jin envoy is truly outrageous!"

Zhao Huan suddenly roared and stood up, slamming his hand on the dragon throne.

"You say my Great Song Dynasty violated the treaty, but what about you Jurchens? The treaty was signed last year, yet you've already marched south and besieged my Bianjing (Kaifeng) again in just a few months."

If we're talking about breach of contract, it was you Jin people who breached the contract first. Now, my Great Song is merely recovering the lost territory, so why can't you accept that?

Put away your arrogant attitude. I am the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, and it is my duty to recover the lost territories of my Great Song.

If you Jurchens are not convinced, then come and fight! I will certainly accompany you to the end!

Zhao Huan's words were very domineering, shocking not only the officials but also Wanyan Wo, who did not expect that this young new emperor would be so courageous.

Ye Fan pressed his advantage: "Did you hear that? My Great Song Dynasty is no longer the Great Song Dynasty that the Jurchens could bully at will. If your Great Jin Dynasty doesn't want to start a war between our two countries..."

"Then hurry up and return all the territory you've taken from us, otherwise, when my army launches its second northern expedition, I will surely send troops to attack your capital."

"well said!"

Ye Fan's words instantly inspired the other officials, who immediately voiced their support.

"Our Great Song Dynasty has swept away the shadows of the previous dynasty and is no longer what it used to be. I advise you to recognize the reality and not to bring about your own destruction."

“That’s right. The might of the Great Song Dynasty shines like the sun and moon. Your Jin Kingdom is nothing but a barbarian state. What foundation do you have to compete with the Great Song Dynasty?”

"You Jurchens can break the treaty and occupy my Song territory, so why can't I, the Song people, go to your Jurchen country? Only barbarians would say such unprincipled things."

The courtiers inside the hall were in an uproar, all displaying an attitude of bitterness and hatred.

Wanyan Wo was speechless.

He really wanted to walk outside the palace gates to double-check whether the place he was standing in was indeed the Song Dynasty's imperial palace.

How come these sheep have become so confident in just a few months?

Does the Song army's northern expedition and recapture of Xiangzhou make you think you've evolved from a sheep into a wolf?

"Although the Song and Jin dynasties were enemies, the principle of not killing envoys in war is upheld, and our Great Song is a land of etiquette."

Since you have come to negotiate with our Great Song Dynasty on the Emperor's orders, I will not treat you unfairly. The guesthouse has been prepared for you both; please, Jin envoys, go and rest."

Wanyan Wo, his neck flushed, wanted to say something, but was stopped by Wanyan Guang, who had remained silent: "We already understand the attitude of the Great Song Dynasty, and we will certainly report it to our king truthfully when we return."

Then he cast a strange look at Ye Fan: "This must be the third young master of the Ye family. He is indeed very handsome. We will definitely meet again soon. Remember to take good care of yourself."

After saying this, he bowed to Zhao Huan and then left the main hall with Wanyan Wo.

Once the Jurchens left, Zhao Huan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He only said those passionate words in a moment of passion.

I was definitely nervous, but I was also incredibly excited.

At this moment, all the civil and military officials stood up straight, finally looking like human beings.

Only Ye Fan felt a sense of calm.

This is just the beginning. Once the Jin dynasty is completely defeated, it will be time for me to take control of the Song dynasty.

Then, with the help of the Song Dynasty, they swept across the land and established an unprecedentedly powerful empire.