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

Morning next day.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

In the main hall of Bianliang Palace, Li Gang stood before the steps holding a memorial to the emperor.

Gao Mingli's eyelids twitched, knowing something was about to happen, and he quickly gave Li Gang a wink, telling him to watch his words.

But Li Gang ignored him, standing ramrod straight, quietly waiting for Zhao Huan's reply.

"Minister Li, what do you have to report?"

Li Gang raised his eyes and replied, "Your Majesty, according to the intelligence report from General Guo, a heatstroke outbreak has occurred in the Jin army, with three or four out of ten soldiers falling ill."

At this time, the morale of the Jin people was at its lowest. General Guo earnestly requested His Majesty to issue an edict, seizing this opportune moment to lead the defenders of Bianjing in a joint attack.

"By achieving our goal in one decisive battle, we completely crushed the Jin army and ensured the safety of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Huan frowned, about to speak, when Zhou Xianwu stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Zhong Lue and Zhong Wubei have come to report..."

He has assembled seven thousand elite guards, ready to launch a surprise attack on the Jin camp at any time. He is confident that he can annihilate the main force of the Jin army in one battle. He begs Your Majesty's permission.

Ye Fan immediately stood up to object: "Absolutely not! This is a critical moment for peace talks between the two countries. If we were to start another war, wouldn't that be breaking our promise? What would become of the dignity of our Great Song Dynasty?"

"Hmph." Li Gang snorted coldly, "You, Right Chancellor, are truly unconventional in upholding loyalty to the enemy."

Ye Fan frowned: "What does Minister Li mean by that? The Song and Jin dynasties are currently in negotiations, a situation completely different from what it was a few days ago."

I understand that Vice Minister Li hasn't adapted to the changing situation, but regardless, you must adapt.

Li Gang scoffed lightly: "The Right Chancellor's demeanor is truly unprecedented. He can shake hands and make peace with an irreconcilable enemy without being bothered by trivial matters. Anyway, a commoner like me could never do something like dealing with a tiger for its skin."

Ye Fan's face darkened at these sarcastic words: "Minister Li, you are also a Vice Minister of War. How can you act so impulsively on matters of state!"

"Can the Right Chancellor persuade the common people in Bianjing, who are suffering from the persecution of the Jurchens, not to act rashly?"

Ye Fan's eyes hardened: "Minister Li, I am the Right Chancellor of the current court. How dare you speak to me like that?"

The current peace talks between the Song and Jin dynasties are a crucial time to resolve the conflict between the two countries and restore stability to the world. Yet you keep advocating for breaking the alliance and using force.

Where, then, lies His Majesty, and the very foundation of our Great Song Dynasty?!

Li Gang replied in a deep voice: "Then may I ask, Right Chancellor, why did you so strongly advocate for peace talks with the Jin?"

What are you plotting, causing the entire city of Bianjing to suffer in vain? And what will become of our Great Song Dynasty's land?!

"You are simply unreasonable!"

"We don't see eye to eye, hmph!"

Seeing that the two were about to fight in the main hall, Zhao Huan finally thought of speaking up.

"Alright, you are all my trusted confidants, the backbone of my Great Song Dynasty. How can you be so confrontational in this hall? What kind of image will this have if word gets out?"

Ye Fan and Li Gang then shut up and stepped aside, bowing and waiting for Zhao Huan to speak.

Zhao Huan sighed and looked at Zhou Xianwu, who was looking at him expectantly, and said, "Imperial Censor Zhou, I believe that your and General Guo's proposal is very good."

However, now that the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty have begun peace talks, wouldn't it be a breach of faith to send troops to fight back at this time?

Therefore, you should relay my message to General Guo, saying that everything will be discussed after negotiations with the Jin people are completed.

Zhou Xianwu grew anxious: "Your Majesty, even if we cannot send troops now, at least we should recall all the physicians and doctors who have been sent to the Jin camp."

Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Since I have already ordered that the Jin soldiers be treated, how can I go back on my word?"

The Jurchens, having received such a great favor from our Song Dynasty, must be deeply grateful, feeling this boundless sincerity.

Once the Jin soldiers recover from their illnesses, they will surely fulfill their promise and return north. At that time, the siege of Bianjing will be lifted, and the world will be at peace.

Zhou Xianwu closed his eyes in anguish; he no longer knew how to explain it to Zhao Huan.

This Zhao official is outrageously naive.

"Alright, Imperial Censor Zhou, you've all worked hard these past few days. Take a good rest for a few days. I will entrust the negotiations with the Jin people to the Right Chancellor. You don't need to worry about it."

Ye Fan immediately expressed his gratitude: "Your Majesty's favor will not be wasted, and I will strive to reach a peace agreement with the Jin people as soon as possible."

Zhao Huan stood up: "It's getting late, let's adjourn the court."

Gao Mingli understood and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Court adjourned!"

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

Amidst the cheers of his ministers, Zhao Huan slowly left the main hall via the side steps.

After he left, Ye Fan straightened his clothes, glanced at Li Gang and Zhou Xianwu, and strolled towards the palace gate.

Zhou Xianwu thought for a moment, then immediately chased after him, saying, "Right Prime Minister, please wait."

Ye Fan ignored him and stepped out the door.

Zhou Xianwu took two steps at a time and finally managed to stop him.

"Is there anything else, Imperial Censor Zhou?"

"Prime Minister, I have something to discuss with you. Would you mind if I moved aside?"

"Say what you have to say here. I have important matters to attend to."

Ye Fan showed no respect to Zhou Xianwu, always turning his face away as he spoke.

Zhou Xianwu suppressed his displeasure: "Right Chancellor, do you really think that peace talks between the Song and Jin dynasties can be achieved?"

"That's not something Imperial Censor Zhou needs to worry about. Didn't His Majesty just tell you to go back and rest?"

"Right Prime Minister, are you still angry with us for ignoring you some time ago?"

"How dare I? I am a native of Chu. I am already grateful for His Majesty's grace in granting me the position of Right Chancellor. How could I possibly be angry with the native gentry of Song?"

In any case, no one in the court cares about my position as Right Chancellor; it's practically a nominal post.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianwu bowed and clasped his hands in a salute to Ye Fan.

"What are you doing?"

"Prime Minister, on behalf of the Song Dynasty officials, I apologize to you."

"No need, I am just a man from Chu, I do not deserve such a great gift from you."

Zhou Xianwu said, "I understand the grievances in the Right Chancellor's heart, but Right Chancellor, the current situation between Song and Jin is precarious."

The slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin. As the Right Chancellor of the current dynasty, you should also shoulder the responsibility for the rise and fall of the Song Dynasty.

Ye Fan: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"I beg Minister Ye to persuade His Majesty to continue resisting the Jurchens to the very end."

"Ha, the peace talks between Song and Jin were originally advocated by His Majesty. As his subjects, we should do our best to do this for His Majesty."

"Lord Zhou, what exactly are you trying to achieve by going to such lengths to sabotage this rare peace talks between the Song and Jin dynasties? Do you intend to continue plunging the people of Bianjing into misery?"

Zhou Xianwu: "Right Chancellor! The Jurchens are fickle and have always been untrustworthy. As early as the reign of the Retired Emperor, the Jurchens formulated a national policy to destroy the Song Dynasty."

How could they possibly be so easy to talk to? This move is clearly an attempt to undermine the will of the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing!

"Nonsense!" Ye Fan pondered for a moment. "The peace talks between Song and Jin are going smoothly right now, and the Jin people have already shown signs of wanting to withdraw their troops. How could they go back on their word?"

Lord Zhou, I must remind you that His Majesty is now seeking peace talks with the Jin.

If you displease His Majesty, I dare not even speculate on what might happen.

If you behave yourselves during this period, things will be peaceful.

If anything goes wrong and affects the peace talks between the two countries, you'll have to take full responsibility!

After saying that, he glared at Zhou Xianwu and turned to leave.