Chapter 287 The territory of the Song Dynasty was regained
"Okay." Wanyan Zonghan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Tell the messenger that I... agree to Zhao Yingluo's conditions."
Jin Kingdom Camp outside Xiazhou City
"What? His Majesty the Emperor actually agreed to Zhao Yingluo's conditions?" Wanyan Zongfu couldn't believe his ears after hearing the news, "How is this possible! How can our Jin country bow to the Song Dynasty?"
"General, calm down." The messenger said cautiously, "Your Majesty also made this decision for the sake of the overall situation. Now that Xiazhou City is besieged, we have no choice."
Outside Xiazhou City
Wanyan Zongfu was riding alone on his war horse, looking quietly ahead.
His eyes were deep and complicated, as if they were carrying countless pressures and helplessness.
Behind him were the soldiers of the Jin Kingdom who had followed him for many years. Their faces were full of unwillingness and anger, but they were helpless.
On the opposite side, the allied forces of the Song Dynasty and Xia Dynasty led by Wang Zaixing and Li Qianshun were well organized and powerful.
Wang Zaixing had a proud smile on his face, while Li Qianshun looked calm, as if all this was expected by him.
Wanyan Zongfu took a deep breath of cold air and tried to calm down his agitated mood.
He knew that at this moment, he would hand over Xiazhou City with his own hands, the city that he defended to the death.
This was not only a military defeat, but also a humiliation that he could not let go of.
"General Wanyan, it's time to make a decision." Wang Zaixing's voice broke the silence, with a hint of teasing and contempt in his words.
Wanyan Zongfu closed his eyes tightly, as if he wanted to imprint this humiliating moment in his heart forever.
Then, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze firm and decisive: "General Wang, Xiazhou City...has been given to the Song Dynasty."
Wang Zaixing sneered when he heard this: "General Wanyan really knows the current affairs. However, I want to remind you that this is not just a problem of Xiazhou City. Sooner or later, the sixteen states of Yanyun occupied by your Jin Kingdom will be returned to us. Song Dynasty."
Wanyan Zongfu's eyes suddenly burst into anger. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are the lifeblood of the Jin Kingdom, how can they be given up so easily? He clenched his fists, as if he wanted to transform this anger into endless power.
But when he saw Wang Zaixing's playful eyes and the Song army waiting behind him, he knew he had no choice.
"General Wang, you don't have to say anything." Wanyan Zongfu tried his best to sound calm and firm, "The issues in Yanyun Sixteen Prefectures are not yours to decide. No one can predict the future. We will see. ”
Wang Zaixing laughed loudly: "General Wanyan is so courageous! But I have to remind you: now that your Jin country is at the end of its war effort, it is better to recognize the reality as soon as possible."
Wanyan Zongfu said no more. He turned around silently and waved to the Jin soldiers behind him.
Immediately, the Jin army began to retreat slowly, leaving Xiazhou City, which had almost experienced the baptism of war, to the allied forces of the Song Dynasty and Xia Dynasty on the opposite side.
Looking at Jin Jun's retreating figure, Wang Zaixing showed a proud smile on his face. Li Qianshun, on the other hand, looked at Wanyan Zongfu's back thoughtfully, wondering what he was thinking.
"King Shun, let's go in." Wang Zaixing broke the silence, "From now on, Xiazhou City will belong to us, the Song Dynasty."
Li Qianshun nodded and said nothing, but silently followed Wang Zaixing into Xiazhou City, but his heart was full of complexity and worry.
He knew that this victory was only temporary, and the road ahead was still long and difficult; and he also began to think about how to choose the future of himself and Daxia... After entering the city, Wanyan Zongfu did not leave immediately; He chose to stay in the city to observe the situation and deal with some aftermath matters at the same time; after all, he had held on to this city for so long. Although he had to give up now, he also wanted to ensure that the losses to the Kingdom of Jin were minimized.
During this period, he also negotiated and negotiated with Wang Zaixing and Li Qianshun many times; although each time he ended up with his compromise and concession.
A few days later, when the last batch of Jin troops evacuated Xiazhou City, the sun set and the afterglow filled the entire land. Wanyan Zongfu stood on the tower overlooking the land that once belonged to the Kingdom of Jin, his heart filled with emotion and helplessness.
The Imperial Palace of the Song Dynasty, above the court meeting
"Your Highness, Xiazhou has been restored, and the four states have returned to the territory of the Song Dynasty. This is God's blessing for the Song Dynasty, and your Highness will receive great blessings!" A courtier knelt down to His Highness excitedly, his voice trembling.
Zhao Yingluo sat next to the dragon chair, her expression calm and majestic.
She gently raised her hand to indicate to the courtiers: "This victory was not the result of a single person, but the result of the Song Dynasty soldiers working together and fighting the enemy bravely. According to Gu's will, the frontline soldiers will be heavily rewarded to show their merit."
"Your Highness, Holy Ming!" The ministers shouted in unison, and their voices echoed in the magnificent hall.
Zhao Yingluo's eyes swept through the ministers, and finally landed on Wang Zaixing: "General Wang, what do you think should be done next?"
Wang Zaixing came out of the queue, bowed and clasped his fists: "Your Highness, now that Xiazhou has been restored, we, the Song Dynasty, have the basis to attack the Jin Kingdom from the west. But a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Although the Jin Kingdom is defeated, its strength still remains. At the end of the day General believes that we should stabilize our defense lines, strengthen our armaments, and wait for the opportunity.”
"Waiting for the opportunity?" Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, "What General Wang said is true. Pass on Gu's decree and strengthen the defense lines of the four states. At the same time, order the state governments to strengthen mulberry farming, encourage fertility, and accumulate strength for the Song Dynasty."
"Obey the imperial edict!" All the ministers agreed in unison.
March, spring is coming
Different from the imperial examinations in previous years, this year's Spring Festival is particularly eye-catching.
Agricultural studies and physical education exams accounted for a considerable amount of weight, while those subjects that were once regarded as top priorities were significantly reduced.
"What is most important are practical talents, talents who can contribute to the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, this spring we must select talents who are truly talented and have a spirit of hard work."
"Prime Minister Zuo, this imperial examination is an important way for us to select talents in the Song Dynasty. We must ensure fairness and selflessness, and there must be no cases of favoritism and malpractice."
Zhao Yingluo looked serious and stared at Lu Yihao standing below.
Lu Yihao bowed and said in a firm voice: "Don't worry, Your Highness, the old ministers will strictly supervise to ensure the fairness and impartiality of the imperial examination. Once there is any malpractice for personal gain, we will punish it severely and will never tolerate it!"
Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, with a look of satisfaction on her face: "With these words from the Left Prime Minister, I feel relieved. The imperial examination is related to the future of the Song Dynasty, and we must not let those opportunists succeed."
Kaifeng, outside the Imperial Academy
Zhu Shengfei was dressed in official uniform and stood solemnly at the entrance of the Imperial College.
He raised his head to look at the sky, then turned to the general of the imperial army behind him and said: "Today's imperial examination is a national event. You must conduct a strict search to ensure that every candidate does not carry any cheating tools."
The general of the Forbidden Army clasped his fists and responded: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhu, the general will do his best to ensure the fairness and justice of the imperial examination."
