Traveling back to the Northern Song Dynasty: Picking up a princess as my wife

A month has passed since the defense of Tangyin City, and the Jin Kingdom remains silent, as if nothing has happened. Li Zhen learned from Zhang Cheng that Yelü Shu was immediately demoted upon returning to the army, from a general to a centurion, and nothing else has been heard from him.

Manager Sun's grain and oil business continued to operate normally throughout Daming Prefecture, and the Cui family obtained the right to purchase grain at low prices from Li Zhen. This was undoubtedly a gentle turn of the wheel of fate. The turbulent changes of the past seemed to have been gently turned over with this agreement, leaving the Cui family with a vast new world full of vitality. It was as if life had returned to a peaceful period.

In the capital city of the Jin Dynasty, Daxing Prefecture, Wanyan Ping was listening to a report from one of his generals in a magnificent palace.

After a long silence, Wanyan Ping spoke up: "You mean that Tangyin City not only has powerful bows, but they also have weapons that can trigger heavenly lightning?"

The military officer chimed in, "Yes, that's not all. They also have a large group of steel-wheeled carts that can easily crush our soldiers with black smoke billowing from their rear."

At this time, Wanyan Ping wielded immense power within the Jin Dynasty. Although his father, Emperor Wanyan Liang, had not yet appointed him as the Crown Prince of Jin, almost all the ministers and generals of Jin had long regarded him as the future heir of the Jin Dynasty.

Upon receiving news of the Jin army's expedition to conquer Tangyin City, Wanyan Ping immediately sent someone to contact General Wanyan Cong of Daming Prefecture, hoping to intervene and protect Li Zhen of Tangyin City. However, before his messenger could even leave Zhongdu, news arrived from the front that the Tangyin garrison had achieved a great victory over the Jin army, a result that greatly surprised Wanyan Ping.

It was Wanyan Ping's intervention that prevented the Jin army from continuing its campaign against Tangyin. Otherwise, given the Jin people's character, they probably wouldn't have given up until they had flattened Tangyin.

Wanyan Ping said to the military officer, "Don't tell anyone about this matter. As for those mysterious weapons, I will send people to investigate them. You may leave now."

Just as the imposing military general disappeared behind the door, a series of light yet slightly hurried footsteps echoed inside the hall. A eunuch quietly entered, bowed, and reported: "Your Highness, the envoy sent by the Song Kingdom is waiting outside the hall, awaiting an audience."

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Ping's slightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, a faint smile appeared on his lips, and his voice was gentle yet authoritative: "Summon them into the hall."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent, with only the occasional sound of the wind coming from outside the window and the faint chirping of birds in the distance.

Before long, the heavy doors of the main hall slowly opened, and a ray of sunlight, accompanied by a wisp of fine dust, entered. A scholar-official of the second rank in the Song Dynasty, with an extraordinary bearing, stepped inside.

His steps were steady, each one seemingly following an invisible rhythm. When he reached Wanyan Ping, he slowly bowed and greeted him, his words humble yet elegant: "Your subject Qin Hui pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince of Jin. May His Highness enjoy lasting blessings and may the country be prosperous and peaceful."

Wanyan Ping's lips slowly curved into a gentle smile, a smile that seemed to conceal a subtle depth of meaning and praise: "Qin Hui, I never imagined that you, having just returned to the Song Dynasty, would rise to such a high position and become a pivotal figure in the court so quickly. This situation is truly remarkable. Here, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to you, wishing you a thriving career and a bright future."

Qin Hui's face remained as cold as ice as he slowly replied, "I am deeply grateful for the favor of His Highness the Crown Prince. It is precisely because of my familiarity with the etiquette of the Jin Kingdom that I have been entrusted with this important mission by His Majesty."

Before the words were finished, a crisp yet heavy "snap" suddenly rang out in the air!

Wanyan Ping was furious, his voice like thunder: "Qin Hui! You shameless scoundrel! The Emperor spared your return to Song because of our past relationship. Don't you know your mission? How dare you call yourself a subject before the small court in the south? Have you forgotten who you truly serve?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hui's body trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible force. His legs involuntarily went weak, and he knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold earth. His voice trembled as he said, "Your Highness is in a state of thunderous rage. This humble subject always keeps in mind the mission entrusted to him by the Jin Kingdom, and dares not slacken in the slightest. However..."

He hesitated, seemingly searching for the right words to explain his position, yet unwilling to offend the powerful Jin prince before him. A tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.

Witnessing Qin Hui groveling on the ground, his posture revealing his inner fear and awe, Wanyan Ping's lips curled into a satisfied smile, and he nodded slightly, as if silently approving of the scene.

"Enough. Since you understand, there's no need for such a grand gesture. Rise. We have important matters to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Qin Hui seemed to be reborn. The terror on his face eased slightly. He hurriedly wiped the fine beads of sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, his hands trembling but firm as he supported himself on the ground, slowly raising his body, which had almost collapsed from fear. After standing still, he still seemed somewhat unsteady, his legs trembling slightly, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"My lord, please forgive me, His Majesty Zhao Gou has sent me here with an important matter to entrust to you..."

Although Qin Hui's voice was slightly hoarse, he had tried his best to regain his usual composure and slowly began to speak.

After listening to Qin Hui's earnest yet meaningful narration, a glint of disbelief flashed in Wanyan Ping's eyes. His tone was tinged with doubt and inquiry: "What you say is truly astonishing. Zhao Gou actually intends to turn hostility into friendship with our Jin Dynasty, and is even willing to submit to us, just to recover lost territory? Isn't this a truly extraordinary tale?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Hui's expression became even more humble. He lowered his voice, as if each word carried the weight of a thousand pounds: "Your Highness, this is indeed Zhao Gou's personal instruction, and it is also the mission and bottom line I bear this time. The two countries have been at odds for a long time. If we can take this opportunity to turn hostility into harmony and work together for peace, it will be a blessing for the people and a win-win situation for both the Great Jin and the Southern Song."

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional sound of the wind coming from outside the window, which seemed to be whispering about the turning point of history and the uncertainty of the future.

Wanyan Ping stared at Qin Hui, his heart filled with mixed feelings. This sudden offer of peace surprised him, and also made him ponder the subtle changes in the situation.

After pondering for a long time, Wanyan Ping said to Qin Hui, "You can stay at my residence for now. Tomorrow, after I have arranged everything, I will go to Dadu with you. With me leading you, you will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

Qin Hui had no choice but to hurriedly nod in agreement. He now regretted it somewhat; why had he insisted on writing that self-certification? Wasn't that giving the Jurchens leverage over him? Now he could only become a puppet of the Jurchens.