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墨書 Inktalez
Li Gang looked at Zhang Bangchang with anger. He was already in league with those six treacherous villains. The emperor showed mercy by not killing him, yet he still brings disaster to the country and its people. Li Gang truly regretted not having killed him along with the others.
His face was also flustered as he loudly refuted.
"Your Majesty, it's easy for Li Bangyan and Zhang Bangchang to talk, but it's much harder to act. Even if we plundered all the gold and silver from the Great Song, we wouldn't be able to gather that much!"
"The Jin people have ulterior motives; they want to drain the strength of our Great Song. With chaos within the country, they will rally their forces to invade and occupy our territory. We absolutely cannot allow that to happen, or we will have to pay such a heavy price."
"Your Majesty, as a wise ruler, please do not listen to the slanderous words of treacherous ministers and follow the path of the former emperor!"
He appeared loyal and devoted to the country, exhausted, with many strands of his hair turned white.
The Qin Emperor, dressed in golden dragon robes, also awakened, a hint of a smile on his face as he looked at Li Gang.
He thought to himself that there was indeed some truth in what Li Gang said; they absolutely could not pay that much gold and silver, or else the Great Song would truly be finished.
It was all due to the words of these incompetent ministers that had momentarily blinded his eyes and led him to such thoughts.
He also remembered his old man, such a useless emperor! When the Jin Kingdom invaded, he was so frightened that he passed the throne onto him.
He could not follow in his father's footsteps; his own son could not inherit the throne!
Li Bangyan and the other members of the Peace Faction were increasingly dissatisfied.
Li Gang was indeed a thorn in their side; as long as he was in court, there would be no good days ahead.
Knowing that he is a corrupt official is enough; does he really think he can resign from his position in front of the Emperor?
He said, "Your Majesty, you must not listen to Right Chancellor Li Gang's advice. He is from the War Faction, with extreme ideas. All he knows is war; he doesn't understand how to manage the people's livelihood. We must seek peace!"
Others also stood up to express their dissatisfaction with him.
"Lord Li Gang, who do you refer to as your treacherous officials? We are wholeheartedly devoted to the country and the people, thinking of the Emperor day and night. How can you say such things?"
Li Gang could no longer hold back. He had long been displeased with these useless individuals. During the reign of the Predecessor Emperor, they were already parasites in the court, and they still are!
He spat at them and cursed, "My treacherous officials, do you really not understand? It's you! Why are you still asking? Don't you know your own hearts?"
"When Emperor Hui was in power, it was one thing for you to advocate for peace, but now that the country is on the brink of destruction, you remain so foolish. You are truly beyond redemption; you are those great treacherous officials."
The two factions began to argue loudly below, almost coming to blows, ready to start a brawl.
The Qin Emperor became distracted, thinking about his Old Man.
When he came to his senses and saw this chaotic scene, it resembled a market brawl—what a disgrace! This is the grand hall of the Morning Court!
"Silence! Everyone shut up! No one is allowed to speak; otherwise, I will not spare you."
The Chief Eunuch beside him also became imposing, shouting loudly with the Emperor's decree.
"Shut up, all of you, be quiet, or you will regret it."
Below, the civil and military officials fell silent. Although they still found each other displeasing, they did not dare to make a fuss.
The Qin Emperor was also considering carefully; negotiations were to be conducted, but he would not compensate that much wealth.
Seeing the silence, Qin Feng seized the opportunity to offer advice and stepped forward.
It had been too noisy just now, and the Emperor could not hear clearly.
He said, "I am Qin Feng, following Lord Li Gang's suggestion. I believe we cannot pay that much gold and silver; otherwise, Great Song will be finished. We can pretend to negotiate, but if it comes to it, we should fight them."
"Our Great Song men are formidable; the Imperial Guards of Tokyo City and the Western Route Army are the strongest troops of Great Song."
Upon hearing this, the Qin Emperor was overjoyed.
"Good! Qin Aiqing's suggestion is excellent and aligns with my thoughts. I have decided to negotiate with Jin Kingdom but will not pay that much gold and silver."
"I need to choose a prince and a chancellor to go to Jin Camp. Do any of you have candidates?"
Qin Feng also expressed his gratitude; this was a compromise. It turned out this was the Emperor's intention—to agree to negotiations but not pay that much wealth while still harboring thoughts of war.
In his heart, he truly wanted to fight and had no desire for peace.
Li Bangyan They were not pleased; the Jin wanted so much, and if they were offered so little, would they agree?
One by one, they stood up, wanting to continue the discussion, arguing.
When the Emperor saw them stepping forward, he became furious. It was truly a headache to listen to them; since he ascended to the throne, it had been nothing but arguments.
"Everyone stand back! I have already decided to negotiate for peace. I will not pay that much money. Answer my question; I do not want to hear you arguing about other issues. If you continue, I will have you executed."
Li Bangyan They saw the Emperor so enraged, which was rare; he was genuinely serious, and they did not dare to continue.
The Emperor's attitude had always been wavering, sometimes siding with the Peace Faction, other times with the War Faction.
Li Gang They also quieted down, considering suitable candidates.
Suddenly, a man dressed in a purple long robe and wearing a purple crown walked briskly over.
He looked exceptionally imposing, exuding an imperial aura. He actually bowed to the Emperor and then to Qin Feng.
Although Qin Feng did not recognize him, he returned the bow, feeling that he should be a Prince. The Prince of Song State all wore purple robes and crowns.
Most of the Prince of Song State were indulgent and often did not attend the Morning Court, so he had rarely seen him.
He smiled and said, "Your Majesty, my brother Prince Zhao Gou is willing to go to the Jin Camp for negotiations to ensure peace for our Great Song."
Beside him, Qin Feng was startled; this was Prince Kang Zhao Gou, the future emperor of the Southern Song, truly remarkable and extraordinary!
He looked up in awe, but he had crossed over to the Song Dynasty. Was history really going to be like this? The Northern Song had fallen, and the Southern Song had been established.
The Qin Emperor looked on excitedly, filled with genuine admiration.
He sent for several princes to summon them to the palace, intending to send someone for negotiation, but he couldn't decide who to send.
He felt a bit reluctant; his younger brother Prince Kang Zhao Gou was much stronger than some of the others, both in literary and martial skills.
He asked, "Your Highness, are you really willing to go for this year's negotiation? It could be very dangerous. Do you have that kind of courage?"
"It's not just about putting on a show; we still need to negotiate and secure a favorable position for ourselves."
Prince Zhao Gou replied confidently and calmly.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the Jin Camp for negotiations. The Great Song is my home. No matter how dangerous the Jin Camp is, I am willing to go and will definitely strive for favorable conditions with minimal compensation."
"Let me go for the negotiations! Your Majesty, I will not let you down."
The Qin Emperor nodded in satisfaction; although it wasn't explicitly stated, he had already tacitly approved.
Li Bangyan and those sycophants immediately changed their attitudes.
"Your Majesty, Prince Kang Zhao Gou is commendable for his courage; let him go negotiate! He is indeed a rare candidate and will surely complete the Negotiation."
Li Gang and Qin Feng felt that this was not a way to ease tensions. The Western Route Army had lost thirty thousand men and needed to rest and prepare for the great battle ahead!
However, Prince Kang Zhao Gou is a Prince, and he would have protection; those Jin people should not be able to harm him.
They agreed and followed suit.
The Emperor also consented, saying, "Brother Prince Kang Zhao Gou, your courage is commendable. I hereby appoint you as the Peace Envoy, with Zhang Bangchang as your deputy. You two shall go to the Jin Camp for negotiations! Zhang Bangchang has experience and will surely return victorious!"
Prince Zhao Gou immediately knelt and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise; thank you, Brother!"
This was indeed a heavy responsibility for the Negotiation, and he must fulfill it; even sacrificing himself for the country would be appropriate.
Zhang Bangchang was quite frightened. The Jin people were fierce and reckless, quick to draw their blades.
Last time he went for a Negotiation, he almost lost his life; it was Qin Feng who advised him not to go, as his subordinate Zhang Fu had died tragically.
He said, "Your Majesty must reconsider! Minister Zhang Bangchang has courage but lacks strategy; he is too reckless to go for the Negotiation! I implore Your Majesty to assign someone else and spare Minister this time!"
He knelt on the carpet, bowing to the Emperor with a look of fear for his life.
The Qin Emperor, dressed in a Golden Dragon Robe, looked at him with some anger.
I have long found him displeasing; he is nothing but a corrupt official, deserving of execution, and this is already a lenient treatment.
He is far superior to Li Tui. Such a cunning individual, and there are few who have dealt with the Jin Kingdom; he is the only one suitable.
“Zhang Bangchang, I have already issued the decree, so you will accompany Prince Kang Zhao Gou! Are you more precious than Prince Kang Zhao Gou?”
Zhang Bangchang turned pale with fear, unsure of how to respond, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Li Bangyan and the others understood the emperor's intention. They had never liked him and since he had dealings with the Jin people, he was indeed the right choice!
They said, “Old Zhang! You are such a thoughtful person and have dealt with the Jin people; having negotiated with them makes you the most suitable candidate to accompany Lord Prince Kang Zhao Gou.”
“You will surely return triumphantly! Return triumphantly!”
Zhang Bangchang promised with tears in his eyes, inwardly cursing Li Bangyan and the others for being so cruel.
After a few hours, it was bright again. The Qin Emperor personally led the civil and military officials to see Prince Kang Zhao Gou and his party off beyond the city gate.
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