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

(The Empress's Home Ground)

When war broke out in Liaodong, a group of new nobles also arrived in Nanjing.

On the ninth day of the second month, members of the Song imperial family, along with members of the Wanyan royal family, were sent by the Song army to Jinling for detention.

On that day, Jiang Mengxuan convened a court meeting ahead of schedule and specially summoned Zhao Ji and his son Zhao Huan.

When the father and son appeared in the Imperial Palace, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.

They had only been abducted to the Jin Kingdom for a total of five months, but the two of them seemed to have aged a lot.

Leaving aside Zhao Ji, even Zhao Huan's eyes were numb at this moment, and his gaze towards people was full of vigilance.

Only those who have been a stallion know what it's like. It may seem pleasurable, but in reality, it can be deadly.

After all, administering large doses of aphrodisiacs will only deplete a person's vitality.

In just five months, Zhao Huan had successfully impregnated twenty-three Jin women. If it weren't for Yue Fei's swift action and the Jingwei Division's early planning, he might have died from exhaustion due to the women's predicament.

Jiang Mengxuan's expression was cold as she quietly gazed at the Zhao father and son kneeling in the hall.

Before she could speak, Zhao Ji exclaimed with great emotion, "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress, for saving my father and me. From this day forward, our Great Song Dynasty is willing to acknowledge Great Chu as its suzerain state and pay tribute every year."

Even at this point, Zhao Ji was still dreaming of becoming emperor, believing that the Chu state's contribution of manpower and resources was a matter of course due to their alliance.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan replied calmly, "Zhao Ji, when you were the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, did you ever shoulder the responsibility of protecting the country and its people?"

Emperor Huizong was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

Jiang Mengxuan pressed on, "I'll ask you again, when the Jin army was at the gates, why were you in such a hurry to abdicate in favor of your son? Was it because you were afraid?"

"I……"

Emperor Huizong's expression changed slightly, and he felt extremely embarrassed.

"As the ruler of a nation, you should bear the responsibility for the safety and livelihood of millions of people. Zhao Ji, since you ascended the throne, the affairs of the Song Dynasty have been deteriorating day by day."

As the emperor, you should be focusing on internal affairs and strengthening the military, not wasting national resources on purchasing useless antiques.

"As the saying goes, indulging in pleasures leads to the loss of ambition. As an emperor, you have long since failed the expectations of your people. You cowered and fled when facing the Jurchens, and you relied heavily on treacherous officials at home."

During your reign, the people suffered terribly, and the people of the Song Dynasty hated you to the core. Do you really have the face to return to Song territory and continue being the Zhao family emperor?

Jiang Mengxuan made no attempt to hide her humiliation, leaving Zhao Ji wishing he could disappear into the ground.

"And you, Zhao Huan, I know that your ascension to the throne was entirely your father's will, but now that you have become the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, you should fulfill the responsibilities of an emperor."

But what did you do? You groveled and begged for peace with the Jurchens, even going so far as to frame the brave soldiers and civilians of Bianjing who fought against them. I really don't know what you were thinking.

Zhao Huan trembled, head bowed, and remained silent.

Having experienced life in a foreign land, he, who was already timid by nature, was now like a frightened rabbit, not daring to utter the slightest rebuttal to the Empress's words.

"Zhao Huan, in the Battle of Bianjing, you could have held out until victory. You had no shortage of loyal and devoted civil and military officials by your side."

They fought with their lives against the enemy for the sake of the Song dynasty, but what about you? You stubbornly insist on making peace with the Jin.

You single-handedly destroyed this beautiful land. As a monarch, you were a complete and utter failure. Even as a human being, you were like a beast, utterly unworthy of any sympathy.

Jiang Mengxuan got up and walked down the steps to the father and son.

After glancing at the two with a cold gaze, he couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.

"I heard that after you were captured and taken to the capital, you were demoted to Duke of Hunde and Marquis of Chonghun, respectively. I think the Jurchens were absolutely right in bestowing these titles upon you."

It is because of shameless rulers and ministers like you that the Song Dynasty has fallen to such a state. You have failed the people of Song who pay taxes, and you have failed the soldiers and civilians who died defending Bianjing.

Now you actually have the audacity to propose becoming a vassal of my Great Chu and paying tribute, and returning to Song to continue being your emperor? If I were to grant your request...

That would be the greatest harm to the people and soldiers of the Song Dynasty!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji immediately became anxious: "Your Majesty, the Song Dynasty and the Chu Kingdom are separated only by a narrow strip of water. I know I was wrong. After returning, I will certainly work hard to govern the country well and treat my people kindly. I beg Your Majesty to..."

"enough!"

Jiang Mengxuan interrupted Zhao Ji directly.

"There is absolutely no way we will let you go back. I have heard that you have been given the surname Wanyan and have even abandoned your own imperial surname. How can you face returning to Song territory to continue inheriting the throne!"

"Furthermore, your so-called alliance is utterly ridiculous. Do you want me to recount how much exploitation and oppression the merchants of Great Chu have suffered at the hands of your Song rulers and ministers?"

"I have already given you the opportunity. Back then, I sent the Emperor to Song territory to help your Great Song Dynasty overcome its current difficulties."

But how did you and your son treat my kindness? Letting you go back will only bring disaster for a thousand years, and I don't want to be that sinner."

After saying that, Jiang Mengxuan flicked her sleeves and returned to the dragon throne.

"By imperial decree, effective immediately, Zhao Ji and his son Zhao Huan shall be demoted to commoners and sent to Ningzhou Prefecture for care. Their relatives and family members shall be stripped of all imperial privileges and amnesty, and shall be assigned to various prefectures of the Great Chu for resettlement after being tried by the Dali Temple."

"Furthermore, announce to the world that the Great Song Dynasty has fallen and its territory has been incorporated into the territory of our Great Chu. The Ministry of Personnel is hereby ordered to select capable individuals to take over the various prefectures of the Song Dynasty."

"The Ministry of Rites ordered historians to compile the History of the Song Dynasty, recording the entirety of the Song Dynasty's four hundred years of history in the annals of history."

After the Empress's words, the fall of the Song Dynasty was officially declared.

From this day forward, there will only be the land of Song, and no more Great Song.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong was on the verge of tears, never expecting that in the end, the Song Dynasty would still perish.

After the two were led away from Weiyang Palace, Jiang Mengxuan glanced at the assembled officials, then grasped the armrest of the dragon throne and said, "Minister of War Lü Lin."

"Wei Chen is here!"

Lü Lin immediately stepped forward.

"With war imminent in Northern Yan, I hereby order you to issue a document to the Ministry of War and have the two divisions of Lü Meng and Meng Gong proceed to the border of Youzhou to await orders."

"The minister obeys the order."

"Lin Yu, Minister of Revenue!"

"Wei Chen is here."

"Quickly allocate grain and fodder to the front lines in Youzhou."

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yu looked troubled.

"Your Majesty, the north-south railway will take time to complete. Is it too hasty to transport grain now?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "War between Northern Yan and Goguryeo is imminent. Plans can never keep up with changes. Youzhou is the eastern gateway of our Great Chu. I do not want to see the flames of war in Liaodong spread to the homeland of our Great Chu. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lin Yu cupped his hands in greeting: "Your humble servant understands!"

After doing all this, Jiang Mengxuan scanned the Huangji Hall once more.

"The State of Song serves as a cautionary tale, and I hope that all of you pillars of society will remember it."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The officials immediately bowed and paid their respects to Jiang Mengxuan.

"Retreat."

After watching Jiang Mengxuan leave, the officials finally breathed a sigh of relief.

They exchanged glances, understanding each other implicitly; the Empress was using Zhao Ji and his son to give herself a warning.

"Ugh."

Ye Mo sighed inwardly.

He feels increasingly powerless and unable to keep up with the pace of the new policies and changes.

"Perhaps it's time for this old man to retire from the court."

The desire to retire while still at the peak of his career grew stronger.