After hearing the case, the bells of the court meeting echoed in the palace. Zhao Zhen walked into the hall solemnly, followed by a group of courtiers. Their footsteps echoed on the bluestone slabs in the hall, accompanied by the slight sound of armors clashing, creating a tense and solemn atmosphere. Zhao Zhen took a deep breath, stepped forward, and reported the entire case in detail to Zhao Yingluo, who was sitting on the throne. His voice was clear and powerful, and every word seemed to carry heavy weight. The courtiers listened attentively, with expressions of anger and dissatisfaction on their faces. When Zhao Zhen finished his report, he made a suggestion without hesitation: "For murder, be sentenced to death! Only in this way can we demonstrate the majesty of our laws in the Song Dynasty and give an explanation to the world." As soon as he finished speaking, a pot exploded in the court hall. The courtiers were talking incessantly, and their voices were rising and falling, as if it was a fierce debate. Right Prime Minister Du Chong frowned. He walked out of the courtroom and said in a low voice: "Prince Zhao, now that Song and Jin have reached peace talks, rashly executing Jin merchants may cause dissatisfaction and revenge from Jin. We should use The overall situation should be considered first and peace between the two countries should be considered." After hearing this, the left prime minister Lu Yihao immediately retorted: "Xiangong Du's words are wrong! If the lives of our people of the Song Dynasty and the majesty of the law are sacrificed because of the peace negotiation, what is the meaning of the peace negotiation? We must resolutely safeguard the dignity and dignity of the Song Dynasty. Law!" The dispute between the two prime ministers aroused heated discussions among other courtiers.
Some people support Du Chong's view and believe that peace is hard-won and should be cherished; others agree with Lu Yihao's view and believe that the dignity and laws of the Song Dynasty must be resolutely defended. Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair and watched all this with cold eyes. She had already made a decision in her mind, but she did not express her position immediately, but wanted to hear the opinions of more courtiers. At this time, a middle-aged official in a purple official robe walked out of the courtroom and said in a loud voice: "Your Highness Princess Qi, I think what Prince Zhao said is absolutely true. These Jin businessmen are doing evil in our territory of the Song Dynasty, killing people and stealing goods." , do all kinds of evil. If we are not severely punished, won’t the world laugh at me as the unmanned one in the Song Dynasty? I ask Your Highness, Princess, to think twice!" As soon as he finished speaking, another young official stood up and made an impassioned speech: "I agree with you! The merchants of the Kingdom of Jin despised the laws of the Song Dynasty and harmed the people of the Song Dynasty. They must be punished! We must protect the Song Dynasty with an iron fist. Dignity and the majesty of the law!” The debate in the court became more and more intense, and a trace of determination flashed in Zhao Yingluo's eyes. She stood up suddenly and said in a clear and powerful voice: "I have heard what all the ministers have said. I have made up my mind! The merchants of the Jin Kingdom must be executed! The dignity and laws of our Song Dynasty cannot be violated ! Any attempt to undermine the peace agreement and despise the majesty of our Song Dynasty will be severely punished!" Her voice echoed in the hall, shocking everyone. The courtiers knelt down and shouted in unison: "Your Highness the Princess is wise!" When Han Fang, the envoy of the Kingdom of Jin, learned that the merchants of the Kingdom of Jin had been executed, he was shocked and immediately requested to meet Zhao Yingluo, hoping to save the situation. The moment Han Fang stepped into the hall, he felt a heavy atmosphere. The eyes of the courtiers shot at him like sharp arrows, as if questioning his purpose of coming. He took a deep breath and tried to calm down the tension and uneasiness in his heart. Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, her eyes cold and firm. Han Fang stepped forward, bowed deeply, and then said: "Your Royal Highness, the foreign minister came here this time to ask you to release the merchants of the Jin Kingdom who were executed. Although they committed a crime, they They have been punished as they deserve. If the Song Dynasty can release them and return to the north, the Kingdom of Jin will be grateful, and the two countries of Song and Jin can continue to enjoy peace." Zhao Yingluo sneered. She looked at Han Fang, her voice full of sarcasm and disdain: "Messenger Han, do you think this is child's play? Those Jin businessmen were doing evil in our Song Dynasty, killing people and stealing goods. They are now being executed. , to show the majesty of our laws in the Song Dynasty! You just want me to let him go with such a frivolous word? What a joke!" Han Fang's expression changed slightly. He didn't expect Zhao Yingluo's attitude to be so determined. He took a deep breath, tried to calm down the anger in his heart, and then continued: "Your Royal Highness, I know this makes you very angry. But please think twice before you act. If the Song Dynasty insists on executing those Jin businessmen, it will definitely cause trouble in the Jin Dynasty. The country is extremely dissatisfied. The Jin country is powerful and if it unites with Da Xia to use troops against the Song Dynasty, the consequences will be disastrous." When Zhao Yingluo heard this, she frowned and stood up suddenly, "Mr. Han, do you think I will be afraid of your threat? The people of the Song Dynasty are brave and good at fighting. Have they ever been afraid of any strong enemy? If the Jin Kingdom really dared to unite with Da Xia to fight against the Song Dynasty, If we use troops, then we will see the real results on the battlefield! I believe that the final victory will definitely belong to our Song Dynasty!" When Han Fang saw that Zhao Yingluo was refusing to accept her offer, he felt helpless and angry in his heart. He took a deep look at Zhao Yingluo, and a cold light flashed in his eyes, as if he wanted to carve this young princess into his heart. He said a harsh word: "Your Highness, you will regret today's decision!" After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the hall, his robes flying around revealing a sense of determination and coldness. Zhao Yingluo looked at Han Fang's leaving figure with a sneer on her lips. She was not afraid of the threat from the Jin envoy, because she knew that she was responsible for the dignity of the Song Dynasty and the safety of the people. She withdrew her gaze, glanced at the angry courtiers in the hall, and said in a firm voice: "Send me an order to kill those Jin businessmen in three days!
Three days later, before dawn, bursts of shrill cries and wailings came from the prison. Those Jin businessmen were awakened from their sleep by the jailers, and they were told that they were about to go to the execution ground for execution. This sudden news was like a bolt from the blue, plunging them into endless fear and despair. Some businessmen slumped on the ground, holding their heads tightly with their hands, as if they could escape the impending doom; others knelt on the ground, kowtowed repeatedly and begged for mercy, and begged the jailer tearfully to let them live; Some businessmen were pale and trembling, as if they had lost all courage and strength. The jailers watched with expressionless faces as these businessmen from the Kingdom of Jin, who usually showed off their might and arrogance, were now in such dire straits. Although there was some sympathy in their hearts, it was more of a pleasure to resolve their hatred. They mercilessly dragged the prisoners out of their cells and escorted them to the execution ground.
Along the way, the streets were lined with people who came to watch the execution. They all cast angry and hateful looks at these Jin businessmen, as if they wanted to eat them alive. Some people shouted loudly: "Kill these gold thieves! Avenge the people of the Song Dynasty!" Some people threw rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs at them to vent their anger and resentment.