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

At Zhao Huan's command, Guo Huang was dismissed, Li Gang was removed from office, and the three thousand elite Western Army troops under Zhong Lue's command were transferred to maintain order.

Thus, the hardline, pro-war policy against Jin, which had been implemented since February, was completely destroyed by the mere manipulation of Zhao Huan and Ye Fan, those two deaf and dumb animals.

Now, no voices advocating war can be heard in the court anymore; all that can be heard are flattering Zhao Huan and groveling remarks to the Jurchens.

"Your Majesty, news has come from the Jin camp that General Wanyan highly praised Your Majesty's handling of the situation, saying that you have the qualities of a wise ruler!"

Lai Ba frantically flattered him, his face filled with an ugly, obsequious demeanor.

Xue Congli immediately echoed, "Your Majesty is wise and mighty, and with your thunderous measures you have prevented a catastrophe. This is truly a blessing for all the people of our Great Song Dynasty."

Jiang Yuhan: "With Your Majesty's wisdom, the revival of our Great Song Dynasty is nothing more than a snap of the fingers. It is truly a blessing for our Great Song Dynasty."

For a time, the officials showered Zhao Huan with compliments like the endless flow of the Yangtze River, giving him his first wonderful feeling of being in control of the situation.

No more dissenting voices could be heard in the court. Wasn't this the imperial majesty I had been longing for?

Zhao Huan waved his hand to stop the officials from flattering him: "Alright, my dear ministers, stop flattering me. I have only done what I could, and I do not deserve such praise."

Then he looked at Ye Fan and asked, "Right Chancellor, does the Jurchen have any other message to convey to me?"

Ye Fan stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, the fourth prince of the Jin Kingdom has proposed that the Song Dynasty must provide certain compensation for the Jin envoy's beating to death."

"Huh? Why do we have to pay compensation again?"

Upon hearing that the Jurchens were demanding money again, Zhao Huan was very displeased.

Ye Fan: "Your Majesty, this incident has had a great impact. The fourth prince of the Jin Kingdom said that once the capital finds out, he will definitely lead a large army to demand an explanation."

"Oh no, absolutely not!"

Upon hearing that the Jin state was going to send troops again, Zhao Huan was so frightened that he immediately waved his hand.

"Indeed, our Great Song Dynasty was in the wrong this time, and it is only right that we compensate for the losses. However, we don't know how much should be paid?"

Ye Fan replied, "Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince said that he must pay 50 million taels of silver, 5 million taels of gold, and 1 million bolts of cloth in order to suppress this matter."

"what?"

Upon hearing the number, Zhao Huan was completely dumbfounded.

"But right now, the national treasury simply can't produce that much gold, silver, and silk!"

Ye Fan replied, "Your Majesty need not worry. The people of Bianjing are deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace, and they should contribute this money themselves."

Zhao Huan frowned: "But will the people be willing?"

Jiang Yuhan added, "I'm afraid even if you dug up the entire Bianjing (Kaifeng) three feet from the ground, you still wouldn't be able to gather so much gold, silver, and silk."

Ye Fan calmly replied, "Your Majesty, Minister Jiang, what the Jin people want is for our Great Song to show its attitude. As long as our Great Song does its best, I think they won't make things difficult for us."

"Alright, let the Right Chancellor and Minister Jiang handle this matter together."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Just as Ye Fan received the decree, Gao Mingli walked up to Zhao Huan from the side steps with a sorrowful expression and whispered, "Your Majesty, Li Gang has hanged himself at home."

"What did you say?"

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Huan's pupils immediately contracted.

"Lord Li was perfectly fine the day before yesterday, how come he is like this today... Could there be a mistake?"

Gao Mingli shook his head: "The servant from the Li household who brought the news was dressed in mourning clothes. He said that after receiving the imperial edict of dismissal from office the day before yesterday, he locked himself in his room alone and lost his appetite."

It wasn't until this morning, when the servants went to deliver the meals, that they discovered Lord Li had been gone for quite some time, and that Li Fu and his entourage were now busy with funeral arrangements.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan sat motionless for a moment before rising and saying, "Gentlemen, the former Vice Minister of War, Li Gang, has passed away. Regarding the matter of my time with him some time ago..."

I have benefited greatly from this, but I am deeply saddened by this tragic news. After the court session, all of you ministers will accompany me to pay your respects..."

"Your Majesty!"

Ye Fan immediately spoke up to stop him. He had finally managed to use the Jurchens to purge all the pro-war faction in the court. How could he give them a chance to make a comeback?

"Your Majesty, Li Gang's actions are clearly an attempt to frame you unjustly. Your Majesty just dismissed him, and now he's threatening you with his life."

If this gets out, the world will know how loyal and righteous Li Gang is, while His Majesty will be branded as ungrateful and heartless, forcing a loyal official to his death.

Therefore, Your Majesty must not go to offer condolences. Besides, Li Gang is now a commoner. I ask you, what kind of ruler in the world would offer condolences to a commoner?

Upon hearing this, the officials immediately realized that it made sense.

Zhao Huan pondered for a moment, sighed, and sat back down on the dragon throne: "What the Right Chancellor said is quite right, but the deceased are gone, and I do not wish to pursue the past."

Starting today, I will observe a three-day fast in memory of Li Gang, as a way of fulfilling my former duty as his subject.

"Your Majesty is benevolent!"

The assembled officials immediately bowed in unison to Zhao Huan in greeting.

Seeing this, Gao Mingli sighed helplessly.

"Right Chancellor, I entrust you with the task of collecting reparations for the Jurchens. The sooner the Jurchens withdraw their troops, the sooner the world can be at peace."

"I accept your order!"

……

The following day, scenes of soldiers forcibly breaking into homes and shops and ransacking the city of Bianjing were everywhere, searching for gold and silver.

Under Ye Fan's secret instructions, these officers and soldiers were extremely rude. Anyone who dared to resist in the slightest was beaten and kicked without any mercy.

For a time, mournful cries echoed throughout the entire Bianjing Prefecture.

However, before Ye Fan could gather all the gold and silver, the Jin people made a new demand.

"Your Majesty, the Jin camp is short of provisions. Prince Wanyan hopes that our Great Song can send three months' worth of provisions so that we can set off smoothly."

"Granted. Send the Jurchens six months' worth of provisions, just ask them to withdraw their troops as soon as possible."

Zhao Huan agreed without hesitation.

Three days later, one grain cart after another was sent from Bianjing city to the Jin army camp.

Another day passed, and Ye Fan had gathered ten million taels of silver, one million taels of gold, and one hundred thousand bolts of cloth, which he then had Lai Ba deliver to the Jin camp.

This money has almost completely drained the wealth of all the people of Bianjing.

The people who lost their property wept bitterly, but no one stood up for them anymore.

From that moment on, these people hated the imperial court even more than the Jurchens.

On the Jin side, Wanyan Zongbi's appetite for Zhao Huan's "generosity" in granting his every request was growing ever larger.

After expressing some dissatisfaction that Bianjing could not raise enough gold, silver, and cloth, he proposed sending another batch of women to reward the army.

This time, however, all women must be beautiful, unmarried, and still virgins.

Zhao Huan once again agreed to this outrageous request.

Just as the city of Bianjing was searching for virgin women, the day of Li Gang's funeral arrived.

Those who accompanied Li Gang to his funeral included his family, Zhong Lue, and three thousand Western Army soldiers.

After everyone helped the coffin out of the south gate, the servant carrying the coffin suddenly put it down.

After the coffin was opened, Li Gang's head emerged from it.

"Ugh."

He glanced at the battered and ravaged Bianjing city and sighed sadly.

"The Song Dynasty is terminally ill and beyond saving."

Zhong Lue said, "Lord Li, we should leave quickly. Such a foolish ruler is not worth serving."

Li Gang then looked at the servant, cupped his hands, and asked, "Thank you, brave warrior. May I ask who you are...?"

"Lord Li, there's no need to worry. I am merely a junior officer dispatched from the Northern Garrison of the Jingwei Division."

He was specially ordered by the Regent King of Great Chu to hide in Bianjing City in advance to rescue all those with aspirations.

Li Gang was stunned: "The Emperor of Great Chu? It's Shen Lang! He already knew all along that all this would happen?"

"Yes, the Regent had already foreseen this day when he first visited Song, and therefore made all the necessary arrangements in advance."

The regent had predicted every move the Song state made with perfect accuracy, foreseeing long ago that the Song emperor was incapable of fulfilling his duties and would inevitably bring disaster to the Song dynasty.

Lord Li, if you travel another thirty li south, you will find a troop of Jin cavalry with red flowers on their horses. They will escort you to safety.

As for General Zhong, after leaving the Bianjing area, you and the three thousand Western Army soldiers should also lie low for the time being. This is the key to turning the tide of the battle in the future!

"Now that things have come to this, I will return first to persuade General Guo Huang to leave the city. I will depart ahead of you."

After saying that, the Jingwei Division turned and sped off towards Bianjing City.

Li Gang sighed, "The Chu state has even infiltrated the Jurchens. It seems we really should seek a wise ruler for the people of the Song Dynasty."