The video takes us to ancient times; Li Er transforms into the Tongtian Emperor of Shu Han.

Wanyan Sheng's rhetorical question stunned all the ministers present.

What if we can't cross the valleys beyond the border and reach the plains?

What else can I do?

Do it in a big way!

If the cavalry were truly intercepted by the Song army in the valley, their mobility would be rendered useless!

They might not be able to escape the valley, or they might even be completely wiped out!

"It shouldn't be the case. As long as the Song army isn't so determined as to block every valley, our army should be able to break through if we charge hard."

Someone hesitated before speaking.

Once they broke out of the valley, it was like fish entering the sea for the Jin soldiers; the Song people would never pursue them further.

But the next moment, a scout came to report.

"The Song people blocked every valley outside the border with huge stones, making it impossible for our army to investigate the situation inside."

"..."

The minister who had just spoken looked innocently at Wanyan Sheng.

Finished!

It looks like this is really going to be a big deal!

The Jin state had already suffered heavy losses in the battle of Bianjing, and if it lost the garrison stationed in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, it would be even worse.

The consequences could be disastrous!

"Gentlemen, what should we do now?"

Wanyan Sheng was also at a loss.

"Make peace!"

Soon, a minister made a decisive decision.

The garrison of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was something they absolutely could not afford to lose!

If the Jin Dynasty loses the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and annihilates all the defending troops, it will be severely weakened!

Whether they can still hold off the Song Dynasty and those madmen of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty at that time is hard to say!

"Negotiations? I'm going to negotiate peace with those cowards of the Song Dynasty!?"

Wanyan Sheng was furious.

They've always been the ones who had to kneel down and beg for peace with the Song Dynasty!

How could he possibly stoop so low as to negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty!

"Your Majesty, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn!"

"We can bring back the troops stationed in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun first, and then we can break the alliance!"

Neither Wanyan Sheng himself nor his ministers seemed to have considered the possibility that the Song Dynasty would not accept the peace offer.

In their view, since they took the initiative to seek peace, the Song Dynasty should be extremely honored to accept it!

"Isn't there a better way?"

Wanyan Sheng asked with a grim expression.

"Either we have to send troops to launch a strong attack, but that would mean we would have to slowly move the boulders away. If the defenders don't hold out until then, the negotiations will only become more difficult."

Sending troops to launch a direct attack is the worst possible strategy.

Wanyan Sheng himself was also aware of this.

After much hesitation, he finally nodded and agreed to the peace talks.

“Draft an agreement and send it to the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. As long as they release the warriors of my Jin Kingdom and return the wealth of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, my Jin Kingdom will be willing to make peace with the Great Song Dynasty.”

……

When the scouts traversed mountains and valleys to deliver the agreement to Zhao Kuangyin, he laughed in anger before he had even finished reading it.

"In times of war, envoys are not to be killed. This is the only reason you are alive today. Go back and tell Wanyan Sheng to stop daydreaming. It's better to just wash your neck clean and wait for the worst."

Obediently wash your neck clean and wait?

The envoy seemed not to understand the meaning of those words; he shook his head and continued to look at Zhao Kuangyin.

“I am here on a mission. If the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty is unwilling to agree to the peace treaty with the Jin Dynasty, you can make your demands. If they are not excessive, I can report to His Majesty on your behalf, and he should agree.”

To make my request?

Zhao Kuangyin gave a cold laugh.

"I never make any demands on the dead."

"Get back now and wait for my army to besiege the city!"

The envoy was about to speak again when several men rushed out and beat him with sticks.

Covered in wounds, the envoy returned to the Jin Kingdom and reported Zhao Kuangyin's original words. Only then did Wanyan Sheng and his ministers begin to panic!

what happened?

If the Song Dynasty of the past had known that they were willing to sign a peace treaty, they should have been moved to tears!

How could they refuse? How dare they refuse?!

"Would the emperor of the Song Dynasty really dare to say that?"

Wanyan Sheng gritted his teeth and questioned.

“It’s true, it’s true, these are the exact words of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty.”

The envoy nodded repeatedly, wishing His Majesty would send troops to attack the Song Dynasty right now, so that the Song emperor would know the power of the Jin Dynasty!

"He really didn't make any demands and just sent you back?"

A courtier standing nearby couldn't help but ask.

"No, he just told me to come back and wait for his army."

As soon as these words came out, everyone fell silent.

"Your Majesty, why don't we just give up the wealth of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun and bring back the garrison troops?"

After a long while, someone suggested in a low voice.

The garrison stationed in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was not to be lost!

No money or valuables needed.

Everyone knows that the wealth gained from the massacre of the city was astronomical.

They gave up so easily, even though it pained Wanyan Sheng to think about it.

"Do we really have to go to that extent? Send troops for a full-scale attack? What are the chances of rescuing the defenders?"

Is a strong attack a sure thing?

"No more than 30%. The Song army acted too decisively, blocking the valley completely. Our reinforcements will need a lot of time to dig through the valley, and it's highly unlikely they'll make it in time."

This answer almost completely blocked any possibility of a direct attack.

After a long silence, Wanyan Sheng nodded helplessly.

“Leave the wealth to the Song people. As long as they release the garrison and slaves, our Jin state will sign a peace treaty with them.”

The envoy, carrying the second agreed-upon peace treaty, traveled over mountains and valleys to reach Zhao Kuangyin's tent.

This time, however, Zhao Kuangyin did not even let him see his face, but only sent a message through his subordinates.

"The Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty cannot coexist. This is a third time. If they send another envoy, we will kill them on the spot!"

Returning to the Jin Kingdom with this answer, the envoy embellished the story further.

They thought this would solidify His Majesty's resolve to launch a strong attack on the Song Dynasty, but when they looked up, they saw a series of grim faces.

Could it be that His Majesty is still unwilling to launch a full-scale attack?

As an envoy of the Jin Dynasty, he was used to acting arrogantly and domineeringly. When did the Jin Dynasty ever need to be so humble?

Given His Majesty's past temperament, it would already be a great favor if he were willing to sign an agreement. How could he possibly back down again and again!

"Your Majesty, let's launch a full-scale attack!"

There was no other choice!

The current emperor of the Song Dynasty has absolutely no intention of negotiating peace with them.

This means that with each day of delay, the defenders of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun face even greater danger!

"Since the Great Song Dynasty is so ungrateful, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Assemble a large army and let those cowards of the Song Dynasty know the true strength of the Jin warriors!"

"Issue my decree: in this attack on Song, loot and slaughter at will, leave no one alive, for they have no reason to live anyway!"

"As for the warriors within the pass, I believe they can hold out until reinforcements arrive!"

"Our goal this time is to destroy the Song Dynasty!"