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

After the court session ended, Lai Ba and Xue Congli returned to their respective residences, told their families about their final affairs, and then, amidst the mourning cries of their relatives, embarked on their journey to the Jin camp with uneasy hearts.

The two were prepared to be torn to pieces by the Jurchens and had no hope of returning alive; they both looked dejected.

Meanwhile, Zhao Huan was also restless in his study, quietly awaiting the outcome of the peace talks.

Ye Fan, who was accompanying Zhao Huan, seemed particularly relaxed and kept advising him to relax.

Finally, as night fell and lanterns were lit, Lai Ba and Xue Congli returned to the palace.

Unlike their serious expressions when they left, the two looked exceptionally relaxed now.

Upon entering the palace, he went straight to the imperial study to report the Jin people's attitude to Zhao Huan.

Zhao Huan eagerly helped the two men who were about to kneel and pay their respects to their feet: "My two beloved ministers, you've finally returned. How did it go with the talks with the Jin people? Did they make things difficult for you?"

Lai Ba breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Your Majesty, the Jurchens did not make things difficult for us and even treated us warmly. The Fourth Prince Wanyan also offered to negotiate peace with our Great Song Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan wished he could clap his hands to express his feelings.

He hurriedly asked, "Did the Jurchens offer any conditions for withdrawing their troops?"

Xue Congli replied, "The Fourth Prince Wanyan said that the Jurchens only wanted to vent their anger, and now that they have vented their anger, they are naturally willing to return home."

But if we return empty-handed, it will be difficult to explain to the imperial court in the capital. Our Great Song Dynasty must provide funds to compensate for the losses incurred during the war.”

Upon hearing that the Jurchens only wanted money, Zhao Huan's anxiety immediately subsided: "Of course, of course. Many of the Jurchens come from harsh and impoverished lands; all they're doing is seeking wealth."

Giving them some money is understandable, but how much do they want?

Lai Badao said, "Two million taels of silver, one hundred thousand taels of gold, and thirty thousand bolts of cloth."

Zhao Huan: "Is that all? Very well, I will give it to them. I will withdraw it from the Imperial Household Department tomorrow and send it to the Jin camp as soon as possible."

Zhao Huan felt that there was no better deal than spending a little money to avoid disaster and buy peace.

He agreed to the money without even thinking about it.

Ye Fan also stood up and greeted Zhao Huan: "Your Majesty is wise. You repelled the Jurchen invasion, defended Bianjing twice, and saved the people from suffering."

Zhao Huan waved his hand: "I just want to get a good night's sleep. I don't deserve the title of 'wise and wise.' Since the Jin people are willing to withdraw their troops, I can finally sleep soundly tonight."

Perhaps because his nerves had been tense for too long, Zhao Huan was immediately overcome with drowsiness as soon as he relaxed and couldn't help but yawn.

"My dear ministers, please do as you please. I wish to go back and rest for a while. Tomorrow, I will send the gold, silver and cloth that the Jurchens want to them."

After saying this, he returned to his palace with Gao Mingli's help.

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

After bowing in the direction where Zhao Huan disappeared, Ye Fan and the other two exchanged glances.

Seeing the two men exchange glances, Ye Fan put his hands behind his back and asked directly, "Tell me, what else did the Jin people say to you?"

Xue Congli immediately flashed a fawning smile at Ye Fan: "Prime Minister, Prince Wanyan said that if there is anything we don't understand, we can discuss it with you."

Ye Fan chuckled: "Since you understand, that's for the best. Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly after the Jin army retreats."

"Thank you for your promotion, Right Chancellor."

The two men were now completely subservient to Ye Fan, simply because Wanyan Zongbi had told them that the Jin people were only willing to negotiate because of Ye Fan.

Ye Fan, however, adopted an inscrutable posture, gazing silently ahead...

The next morning, Lai Ba and Xue Congli, carrying several carts full of gold, silver and silk, once again left the city and headed towards the Jin army camp.

At noon, the two returned to the palace and reported to Zhao Huan: "Your Majesty, after receiving the gold, silver and cloth, the Jin people praised Your Majesty's trustworthiness and promised to withdraw their troops and return north soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan finally breathed a sigh of relief: "That's wonderful, that's wonderful! Our Great Song Dynasty is finally saved."

Ye Fan immediately began to flatter him: "Your Majesty is wise and has repeatedly protected the country and the nation. You are truly the restorer of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Huan laughed and said, "I am not worthy of the title of 'restoration ruler'. I only wish to be a peaceful and stable ruler who maintains the status quo."

In the entire hall, only Ye Fan, Jiang Yuhan, Xue Congli, and Lai Ba were beaming with excitement.

Meanwhile, Li Gang, Zhou Xianwu, and others who were firmly committed to fighting frowned deeply.

At this moment in the imperial court, the unity between the emperor and his ministers in fighting to the death has been fractured due to the negotiations with the Jin dynasty.

If the Jurchens really withdraw their troops, that would be fine; the real fear is that they won't...

However, three days later, the Song army and civilians still saw no sign of the Jin army retreating, which made Zhao Huan's already calm heart hang in suspense again.

But Ye Fan offered an explanation: "Your Majesty, the Jin army originally intended to retreat, but an epidemic broke out in their ranks, making it impossible for them to march. Therefore, they need to postpone their departure for a while."

Lai Ba and Xue Congli echoed, "What the Right Chancellor says is very true. We have seen that the Jin camp has many wounded soldiers. In this hot weather, they cannot receive medical treatment and are falling ill in large numbers, making it impossible for them to march."

"What should I do?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan became anxious again.

Upon hearing this, Li Gang said, "Your Majesty, since the Jin army is ravaged by disease, why not take this opportunity to send an army to launch a surprise attack on the Jin camp? We will surely be able to force them to retreat to the north bank of the Bian River in one battle."

Ye Fan immediately spoke up to stop him: "Minister Li, what are you saying? Do you intend to damage the reputation of our Great Song Dynasty? Since the Jin people have already agreed to withdraw their troops, how could they break their promise!"

Li Gang's eyes turned cold: "Why is the Right Chancellor so biased towards the Jurchens in his words? Did the Jurchens give you some benefits?"

"Don't you dare make false accusations!" Ye Fan shouted. "I am only thinking of the integrity of the Song Dynasty. How could I have such petty thoughts as yours?"

Zhao Huan: "Alright, stop arguing! Immediately issue an order to the entire city, summoning all doctors and physicians to go and treat the Jurchens!"

These words shocked the entire hall. Even Ye Fan had never imagined that Zhao Huan would make such an outrageous suggestion.

Zhou Xianwu hurriedly tried to dissuade him, but Zhao Huan said, "I only want the Jin people to retreat as soon as possible. I don't want to endure this for even a day longer."

"Heal them well so they can return north as soon as possible. Right Chancellor, you handle this matter. I am tired; court is adjourned."

After saying this, Zhao Huan left the hall in a state of unease, leaving the officials staring at each other in bewilderment.

Treating the enemy—what kind of brain-dead operation is that?

……

The following day, more than 400 physicians entered the Jin army camp with trepidation and began to treat the Jin soldiers.

Even seasoned veterans like Wanyan Zongbi and Wanyan Loushi, who had seen countless storms on the battlefield, were so shocked by the scene before them that they were at a loss for words.

Zhang Yu, however, calmly explained to the two, "The Song royal family is inherently weak and incompetent, so how long do you think Bianjing can hold out?"

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Zongbi immediately laughed: "Brilliant! In this way, the people of Bianjing will surely fall into disarray soon!"