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

Five days later, at Bianliang Palace.

"Your Majesty, Prince Wanyan has sent word that, after treatment by the physicians of our Great Song Dynasty, the Jurchens have recovered well and are largely healed. He expresses his gratitude for Your Majesty's generosity."

Lai Ba, who had just returned from the Jin camp, stood in the main hall, excitedly recounting news about the Jin people.

Hearing the Jurchens thank him, the emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, Zhao Huan was secretly delighted.

"So it seems the Jurchens weren't so ungrateful after all. If we just talk to them properly, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials responded in unison.

Zhao Huan smiled with satisfaction, then asked, "Did the Jurchens mention when they would withdraw their troops?"

Lai Ba replied, "Your Majesty, it is July now, the time of year when the heat is unbearable. In addition, the Jin army is plagued by heatstroke, and the soldiers are all weak and frail. I'm afraid we will not be able to set off to return north in the short term."

Zhao Huan frowned, but then heard Lai Ba continue, "However, Prince Wanyan said that Your Majesty need not worry. The Jin people keep their promises and will return north as soon as the Jin soldiers have fully recovered."

"Now I can rest assured."

Zhao Huan breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling a little annoyed that Lai Ba hadn't finished speaking all at once, which had startled him.

"only……"

As a result, the next second Lai Ba stammered and didn't know what to say.

Zhao Huan asked urgently, "But what? Minister Lai, please finish what you've got."

Lai Ba: "It's just that the weather is extremely hot, and Prince Wanyan is worried that the Jurchen people's summer plague will recur. So he would like to ask Your Majesty if you can send some fresh fruits and vegetables to the Jurchen camp so that the Jurchen soldiers can get through the summer plague."

Zhao Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought it was something serious. In this hot season, we should eat some fruits and vegetables to cool off. Alright, I grant your permission."

"Absolutely not!"

Li Gang was the first to stand up and object.

"Your Majesty, the Jurchens have repeatedly demanded benefits, clearly mocking the Song Dynasty. Since the heat is unbearable..."

They should have withdrawn their troops and returned north immediately. Why should they stay outside Bianjing under the scorching sun?

"I dare to swear on my life that the Jurchens' purpose in doing this is to undermine the morale of our Great Song Dynasty. I beg Your Majesty not to be deceived by the Jurchens."

"What nonsense!"

Ye Fan immediately jumped out to criticize Li Gang.

"It's just sending some fruits and vegetables. Our Great Song Dynasty is rich in resources and has everything we need."

How could this possibly demoralize the Song army? Vice Minister Li is making a mountain out of a molehill!

Li Gang sneered: "Just sending some fruits and vegetables? The Jin camp has over 100,000 troops. Do you know how many fruits and vegetables they need?"

The Right Chancellor, who is not in charge, probably doesn't understand the concept of this number. Besides, the Jurchens are suffering from the scorching heat. Do you think the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing City are not suffering from the same?

This is utterly incomprehensible!

Ye Fan shouted sternly, "Who on earth is being unreasonable?!"

"Minister Li, you have repeatedly and deliberately tried to sabotage the peace talks between the Song and Jin dynasties. What are your true intentions?"

He paused mid-sentence, then suddenly revealed a knowing look: "I understand now, once the Song-Jin peace talks are reached..."

Once the war between the two sides ends, then Vice Minister Li will no longer be able to wield military power as he does now.

Therefore, in order to prevent your power from falling into other hands, you are extremely resistant to peace talks between the two countries, and even willing to do anything to sabotage them.

Hehe, I naturally understand what Vice Minister Li is thinking.

But Minister Li, you cannot abandon the fate of the Song Dynasty for personal gain!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan's gaze toward Li Gang darkened.

He is no longer the emperor who just ascended the throne last year. After these few months as emperor, he is well aware of many of the stakes involved.

What do emperors fear most?

Naturally, it was because his subordinates held military power and threatened his throne.

Ye Fan's words had already made Zhao Huan seriously wary of Li Gang and other pro-war faction members.

"Ye Fan! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Li Gang was immediately alarmed when he was falsely accused.

"I am utterly loyal to the court and His Majesty, how could I possibly harbor such a petty mentality as you!"

Ye Fan was about to speak when Xue Congli interrupted, "Enough, Li Gang! How can you behave like this in front of the Emperor in the main hall? Step down!"

Xue Congli is Li Gang's superior, but the two do not get along.

Especially after Xue Congli "rebelled" and joined the pro-peace faction, the two drifted further and further apart, even becoming irreconcilable enemies.

"Does Minister Xue also think I am this kind of person?"

"What kind of person you are is none of my business, but you are my subordinate in the Ministry of War, so I naturally have the right to order you to step down!"

"His Majesty has already made his own decision regarding the matter between the Song and Jin dynasties. We, as his subjects, only need to follow his instructions. Is it necessary for me to personally teach you such a simple principle of official conduct?"

Li Gang was so embarrassed by the rebuttal that he was interrupted by Zhao Huan just as he was about to speak.

"Alright, Minister Li, you may leave. I have made my decision on this matter; it will begin immediately."

The Right Chancellor is in charge of purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the city and delivering them to the Jin camp outside the city as quickly as possible, without fail.

Ye Fan hurriedly thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail to live up to your expectations."

"Alright, since there's nothing else, let's adjourn the court. I'm feeling a bit tired."

After saying this, Zhao Huan rose and left the throne.

Gao Mingli then raised his voice and announced, "Court is adjourned!"

……

The order to collect fruits and vegetables was quickly relayed to every corner of Bianjing City.

"By imperial decree, each household must provide five catties of fresh fruit and three catties of fresh vegetables, totaling eight catties of fruits and vegetables, and deliver them all to the municipal yamen without fail!"

At the order of the proclaimer, the Imperial Guards immediately launched an attack from all directions, going door to door to buy fruits and vegetables.

Those who have fruits and vegetables should hand them in; those who don't must pay twice the market price.

Especially in front of the fruit and vegetable stalls that came into the city, there was a great deal of chaos.

The goods, which originally only weighed eight pounds, were towed away in their entirety, leaving them no chance to survive.

Ye Fan stood on the windowsill of a high-end restaurant on the second floor, gently stroking the jade thumb ring on his thumb, coldly watching the soldiers and officials on the street plundering and extorting money from the people.

Behind him, Xue Congli couldn't help but ask, "Right Chancellor, isn't this going a bit too far? His Majesty ordered us to make the acquisitions, but this... isn't it blatant robbery?"

Ye Fan chuckled upon hearing this: "What do you mean by blatant robbery? Minister Xue's words are rather harsh. This is the contribution made by the people to the ceasefire between the Song and Jin dynasties."

As for the purchases, I think Minister Chiang knows better than I do how much money is left in the national treasury. And as for the imperial treasury, forget about it; it's all been sent to the Jin camp long ago. Where would we find the money to buy fruits and vegetables now?

Jiang Yuhan: "Things have come to this point, and we can only make the people suffer a little longer. Once the Song-Jin agreement is signed and peace is ushered in, they will understand the court's good intentions."

Ye Fan smiled slightly: "Alright, gentlemen, there's no need for such a gloomy face. As long as you can share His Majesty's burdens..."

I guarantee that this disaster will absolutely not befall us. We should think carefully about how to improve our relationship with the Jurchens.”

"Of course, I will follow the orders of the Right Chancellor."

At this moment, Jiang Yuhan, Lai Ba, and Xue Congli have completely colluded with Ye Fan, utterly deviating from their original ideals.