Chapter 68 Confrontation before the war
Han Shizhong was silent. Zhao Yingluo's words made sense to a certain extent. But according to the current combat power of the Song Dynasty army, could it resist the Jin invasion?
The Song Dynasty has begun to decay since the founding of the Yuan Dynasty. Wen Tian and Wu Xi!Even after the Jingkang Incident, officials still paid little attention to military preparedness.
If Kaifeng fell again and the Jin took advantage of the situation and sent their troops south, how could they resist?
"What does General Zong think?"
Zongze snorted coldly, "What do you think? The soldiers will stop us, the water will cover us! The gold thieves are sitting on our necks and peeing, how can we tolerate it?"
Seeing Zongze's determination, Han Shizhong sighed heavily. If the court had ministers like General Zong, why would the Song Dynasty bow to the Jin people?
"Old General Zhonglie, Han will definitely go all out to meet the Jin people on the battlefield."
……
【Inn】
Zhang Tonggu's four men were saved by the doctors' full treatment, but they were left with lifelong disabilities. He was so angry that he couldn't stop cursing at the post station.
"The Song people are so arrogant and domineering. When I return to Handan and the army goes south, they will definitely pay the price with blood."
After scolding angrily, Zhang Tonggu felt much happier.
Now that the four of them are injured and cannot follow him back north, it seems that they will be delayed for a while, but the attitude of the Song people is to hurry up and send them back to Handan.
After drafting the letter, he was about to send someone to Kaifeng, but unexpectedly a letter came from the Song people.
……
After Jiang Laosi came to the inn with a few followers, he personally delivered a wax-sealed letter to Zhang Tonggu.
"My princess has said that since the Song and Jin Dynasties opened their business, it has benefited both countries and the people of the world. As the saying goes, it is better to dissolve enemies than to make enemies. The Song and Jin countries have just started war, and the people who suffer are still the people. I hope your country Cherish the hard-won peace.”
After saying this, Jiang Laosi ordered people to bring in two more large boxes of objects. The objects were also sealed with seals, so nothing could be seen.
Seeing that the other party was so polite, Zhang Tonggu probably guessed what was written in the letter. It was simply that the Song Dynasty was willing to sue for peace, and as for the compensation conditions, it was just a matter of for the two large boxes of objects, they should be gold and silver treasures used as gifts.
Thinking of this, he felt a lot more comfortable, "Although your princess has a hot temper, she is quite sensible! I will transfer these things to my Grand Marshal Daijin as soon as possible."
……
【Handan City】
Wanyan Zonghan was bored while waiting for the envoy's return. Finally, after waiting for ten long days, he learned the news of Zhang Tonggu's return and immediately summoned him.
"What did the Song people say?"
"A letter has been submitted. According to my speculation, even if the people of Song Dynasty do not fully agree to the conditions proposed by me, Dai Jin, they will make compensation. As for the compensation conditions, it is still open to discussion." "This box is..."
"They must be gifts of gold, silver, treasures, etc.!"
After Zhang Tonggu presented the letter, he returned somewhat triumphantly. If this trip could help the Song Dynasty cede land and pay compensation, he would be a great hero. By then, it would not be easy to be promoted to an official position.
Wanyan Zongyi glanced at Zhang Tonggu suspiciously. With his understanding of Shen Wanshu, how could she agree to such harsh conditions? Wanyan Zonghan nodded slightly with satisfaction, then opened the wax seal, and then his expression changed drastically!Then he laughed angrily, "You just said... that they would make compensation?"
Zhang Tonggu was dreaming about getting promoted and making a fortune. When he suddenly asked him this question, he asked in a daze, "Isn't that what was written in the letter?"
Wanyan Zonghan threw the letter to him and cursed angrily, "Coming back with such a shameful letter, how can you be an envoy from the Central Plains!"
Zhang Tonggu tremblingly picked up the letter on the ground and looked at it. He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. He saw in the letter: "The Princess of the Song Dynasty reported to the Jin people that in the past, the Jin people kidnapped my two emperors, the clan and the palace, and a hundred thousand people. Now that you want to go south and invade our territory, I advise you to stop at the brink as soon as possible, return the emperor of the Song Dynasty, his princes, clan and others as soon as possible, withdraw from the invasion of our territory of the Song Dynasty within ten days, and compensate us for the military expenses of the Song Dynasty in total 100 million taels of silver! If so! Otherwise, the day when the army arrives will be your memorial day!"
Zhang Tonggu was sweating profusely when he read this letter, and his heart was in his throat. He never expected that the content of the letter sent by the majestic Princess Song was actually like this.
That... that box! Wanyan Zonghan immediately ordered people to open the two large boxes. There was no gold or silver treasure inside, just a box of potatoes and a box of sweet potatoes.
There was also a piece of paper placed in the box, which read: Your Majesty the Princess of the Song Dynasty! After seeing the items in the box, Wanyan Zonghan was so angry that he kicked a box of potatoes to the ground! "Zhang Tonggu! As a minister of the Jin Dynasty, you have brought back such letters and gifts that humiliate the country. Why don't you find a place where no one is around to end it on your own? How can you come to see me in person?"
Zhang Tonggu was so frightened that his legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground, "Commander, I really didn't know that Shen Wanshu would come up with such a trick. This is because she doesn't take my Da Jin seriously at all. I thought that I should immediately Send troops to Kaifeng and let the arrogant and rude Song people bear the wrath of my great king!"
"Hmph! I will settle this debt with you after I win the battle and return to Yanjing. At least I will take part in it in front of His Majesty! Wanyan Zongyi on the side saw the whole thing clearly. Zhang Tonggu was completely fooled by Shen Wanshu!But this way, the war between Jin and Song could no longer be resolved.
He sighed, turned around and left Wanyan Zonghan's handsome tent.
"Send the order! The army will set off tomorrow! I will not return to the army until Emperor Song is captured alive in this battle!"
As soon as Wanyan Zonghan's army moved, the news was quickly passed on to the two armies on the west and east routes. The combined forces of Wanyan Zongfu and Liu Yu, who were relatively close to Puzhou, took the lead in attacking and marched from Daming Mansion to Puzhou.
The coalition forces were led by Wanyan Zongfu as the commander-in-chief, and Liu Yu's son Liu Lin was the deputy commander-in-chief!An army of [-] was formed, including [-] Jin cavalry!
Last year's defeat made Liu Lin really depressed for a while, but now with the help of the golden man, his tail began to rise again!
"This time, I will definitely capture Shen Wanshu alive and make him the crown prince!" Liu Lin said through gritted teeth as he rode alongside Wanyan Zongfu.
Wanyan Zongfu chuckled, "I'm afraid this Shen Wanshu can't be your crown princess!"
"What? Does the general also like her?"
"I have never met her, so how could I fall in love with her? It's just that I have an order from His Majesty the Emperor that Shen Wanshu must be captured alive! She will be taken to Yanjing, so..."
Liu Lin cursed secretly in his heart, Wanyan Sheng, this old man!He actually stole a woman from himself!Let’s resolve this war first, and then deal with Shen Wanshu!It is still unclear whether she will be able to go to Yanjing by then.
(End of this chapter)