I have searched through the entire history of the Song Dynasty since its founding and have never found an emperor so cruel.

Similarly, after searching through the history of the Song Dynasty since its founding, no emperor has ever been so close to the people and soldiers.

Wanyan Zongwang keenly sensed that the person in Bianjing was not someone to be trifled with. Although he was young and had just ascended the throne, he had already shown the qualities of a powerful ruler, with ruthless methods like Liu Che and Cao Cao!

His ability to incite the people and to suppress or encourage his ministers was unparalleled by any emperor before the Song Dynasty, except for Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty.

Fortunately, this emperor is currently dealt a bad hand; at least two of the ministers in the Song court are not capable. Fortunately, the Song military is in chaos and has no fighting power. Otherwise, with such an emperor on the throne, the Great Jin in the north would be facing unprecedented danger.

This was a judgment made by Wanyan Zongwang after several encounters with Zhao Huan.

Faced with such an opponent, Wanyan Zongwang was starting to have a headache. Wang Rui was sent to negotiate peace, and he thought he would bring back good news, but he was unexpectedly executed by slow slicing. This was undoubtedly a slap in the face, and it also served as a warning to those Han Chinese officers who had surrendered to the Jin invaders: you had better all turn back from your misguided ways.

Dong Cai, who had previously offered advice and suggestions, now lowered his head and dared not utter a word. He had proposed the peace talks, but he hadn't expected to be proven wrong so quickly.

No one spoke in the tent. Wanyan Zongwang was roasting a chicken leg by himself, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow. No one else dared to utter a word.

Intelligence gathered by scouts in other prefectures of the Song Kingdom indicates that the Song emperor has prepared for a scorched-earth policy and a protracted war.

Wanyan Zongwang believed that although the Jin army was brave, it was still deep in enemy territory and the Song army was coming to the rescue in an endless stream, which was the worst news for him.

After a moment of silence, Guo Yaoshi mustered his courage and spoke: "General, Hebei and Hedong are the shield of the Song Dynasty. I believe that if peace talks fail, our Great Jin army can march north and forcefully seize Hebei and Hedong. Let's see what that brat Zhao Huan can do! If the Song Dynasty loses Hebei and Hedong, it will be half dead, if not dead. At that time, the Song emperor will surely come out of the city and kneel before the General to beg for peace!"

Wanyan Chamu shouted sternly, "General, let's fight them! The warriors of our Great Jin are all invincible, what is a mere Song capital!"

Wanyan Zongwang said, "The number of troops coming to the aid of the emperor is increasing. A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. General Guo is right. If we conquer Hebei, I don't believe the Song emperor won't negotiate peace!"

Guo the Pharmacist was overjoyed and glanced smugly at Dong Cai, as if to say: See, I'm still better than you!

Wanyan Chamu was unwilling to accept this: "General, since the founding of our Great Jin Dynasty, have we ever retreated!"

"Military tactics are ever-changing, just as water has no fixed shape. The Song and Liao states are different, so the policies we should adopt should naturally be different. Withdraw your troops!"

News of the Jin army's retreat quickly reached the capital, Bianjing. When the people learned of the Jin army's retreat, they were overjoyed, and the tense atmosphere in the court was swept away.

But the emperor did not relax. He knew that the real war had just begun. Wanyan Zongwang had not gained any benefits in Bianjing, so he would naturally have to take a few more bites from Hebei and Hedong.

At this time, Hebei and Hedong were swept away by the two armies of the Jin Dynasty, and the defense line of the Song Dynasty was on the verge of collapse. The most important thing was that the prefectures along the way were attacked too badly, and only three important military towns were still holding on.

While Wanyan Zongwang's return relieved the siege of Tokyo, it increased the military pressure on Hebei and Hedong.

After having breakfast early, Zhao Huan summoned the important officials of both offices, including Zhong Shidao and Yao Pingzhong.

A military map of Hebei and Hedong was hanging in the emperor's study.

"My lords, Hebei and Hedong are the shield of our Great Song Dynasty. Now the Jin army is running rampant in these two places. Come, let's think of a way to repel the enemy!"

Li Gang said, "Your Majesty, the military forces in Hebei and Hedong are still intact. Zhe Keqiu has stationed troops in Fencheng, and Zhong Shizhong and Yao Gu are stationed in Huazhou, with a total force of 80,000! We can divide our forces into three routes to form a pincer movement and relieve the siege of Taiyuan!"

Zhong Shidao said, "I also agree with what Minister Li said."

Yao Pingzhong said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead another army north to relieve the siege of Taiyuan!"

Zhao Huan said, "Minister Yao's courage is commendable, and I am very pleased. However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I would like to ask you all about it."

"Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"Last year, Tong Guan led an army of 200,000 to attack Liao, while the Liao garrison numbered only 30,000. Why did they suffer such a crushing defeat? Yet, the Jin army, numbering less than 10,000, reached Yanjing, where the Liao army collapsed without a fight. Could it be that the Jin army of less than 10,000 could withstand our Song army of 200,000? Why is that? I really can't understand it! This time, when we go to relieve the siege of Taiyuan, Wanyan Zonghan has nearly 60,000 troops. If we calculate it this way, wouldn't our Song Dynasty need to mobilize two million troops to have any chance of winning? I have no other intention than to hear everyone's opinions on this matter."

Li Gang said, "Your Majesty, Tong Guan's failure to conquer Liaodong with his 200,000-strong army is also due to Tong Guan's nepotism, unclear rewards and punishments, and his failure to fulfill his responsibilities as commander!"

Yao Pingzhong also said, "Your Majesty, Tong Guan's military discipline is lax, and he fails to distinguish between public and private matters, which has caused long-standing resentment among the soldiers!"

When Yao Pingzhong was still in Shaanxi, Tong Guan was the Shaanxi Pacification Commissioner, and the two had a conflict. Now, when Tong Guan is mentioned, Yao Pingzhong naturally has nothing good to say about him.

Zhao Huan nodded and said, "I have another question. At the beginning of our dynasty, Yang Ye was a great general of the Northern Han. When Emperor Taizong launched the Liaodong campaign, the main force was defeated and the north was in dire straits. Yang Ye stabilized the situation in the north with his own strength, but why did he die on the battlefield in the second Northern Expedition?"

Zhong Shidao said, "This was caused by the coercion of the military supervisor Wang Shen!"

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