It’s all in the longevity!

In late January of the first year of the Kangding reign, after more than ten days of correspondence, the court's tough response and request for peace talks with the Liao Kingdom arrived on Fan Zhongyan's desk.

Looking at Zhao Jun's reply, which was harshly worded and even slightly critical, Old Fan smiled bitterly.

In fact, he could vaguely guess the result.

But for him, his stance was the same as Lu Yijian and others, and he did not stand on Zhao Jun's side.

After all, spending a small amount of money in exchange for long-term peace in the future was something he could accept, just as he had never opposed paying annual tribute to Western Xia in history.

What's more, this will give him enough time to calmly reform internally, and there is really no need to fight the enemy to the death now.

But obviously for people like Zhao Jun who have experienced a humiliating history, even if they think something is worth weighing, they will never accept it.

So Lao Fan was actually able to foresee this.

Therefore, his reply was also to urge Zhao Zhen and Zhao Jun, using tactful words and asking in a negotiating tone. He also believed that the increase in currency could be reduced to 100,000, so as not to arouse Zhao Jun's disgust.

Unfortunately, it still doesn't work.

Since that doesn't work, we can only prepare for war mobilization.

Fan Zhongyan thought to himself.

He then quickly sent someone to Xijin Prefecture to deliver the request from the court.

Originally, the Liao Kingdom should have sent an envoy to Bianliang to discuss such a major event with Zhao Zhen in detail, but Fan Zhongyan refused.

First, when the Liao and Song dynasties went to war, the imperial court had already issued an explicit ultimatum, regarding the Liao as a hostile country and cutting off all diplomatic channels.

Second, the court gave Fan Zhongyan the power to act at his discretion. Whether to continue the war or choose peace talks depended on Fan Zhongyan.

They only talked after Fan Zhongyan said they could.

Then wait for further consultations with the imperial court. If the imperial court agrees, then Yelu Zongzhen can send an envoy to Bianliang to sign the treaty.

Now he went south to invade the Song Dynasty, destroying decades of friendship between Song and Liao. In addition, Zhao Jun offered conditions that were difficult to accept, so naturally he could not blame others.

Then let’s fight.

Regardless of whether the Liao Kingdom accepts Zhao Jun's strategic counterattack or not, Lao Fan must be prepared for war at any time.

The only good news is that Lao Fan has plenty of time to prepare.

The Liao Kingdom suffered a crushing defeat this time, and the morale of the frontline troops plummeted to the bottom, with almost no possibility of a comeback.

If Yelu Zong really intended to take a gamble and fight to the death, he would have gathered an army of 500,000 and marched south.

Not to mention that it was the beginning of spring, the season when both the Khitan and the Mongols on the grassland had to graze their sheep and fatten them up. It was also the season when the fishing and hunting peoples of the Northeast had to break the ice to catch fish and go hunting in the spring. He might not be able to mobilize so many people.

Even if we could recruit them, it would take about half a year to rush them from the grasslands and the three northeastern provinces, and we would also have to prepare food and fodder. Mobilizing for war would take at least a year.

This year was enough for Fan Zhongyan to manage Zhuozhou like an iron barrel.

Then we will fight to the death.

So with this determination, Fan Zhongyan sent someone to inform the other party.

Soon the gate of Fanyang City slowly opened, and a knight rushed out of the city, crossed the Laishui wooden bridge, and headed north to Liangxiang.

At the same time, just when Fan Zhongyan sent the court's request to the Liao Kingdom, Yelu Zongzhen in Xijin Prefecture had just received the news.

It was early spring, almost the end of February and the beginning of March in the Gregorian calendar. The weather in Xijin Prefecture was still a little cold. The banks of the Sanggan River outside the city were lush and green, and the wheat planted last year in the fertile farmland was growing vigorously.

In the Xijin Palace, Yelu Zongzhen had just issued orders to the generals stationed in several nearby cities, asking them to take active precautions and dig more trenches to prevent sneak attacks by the Song army.

At the same time, as he moved to Nanjing, his original team in Zhongjing also came over.

Dozens of Liao ministers and dignitaries argued fiercely at today's morning court meeting. Some said they wanted to fight a decisive battle with the Song Dynasty, while others said they wanted to negotiate peace with the other side. In short, they all had different opinions.

This situation gave Yelu Zongzhen a headache, and he had to walk in the backyard of the Liao Emperor's palace in Xijin Prefecture, Nanjing, to bask in the sun and relax.

At this moment, Zhang Jian and Xiao Xiaoyou, the Nanjing garrison commander, came hurriedly, both with extremely solemn expressions on their faces.

"His Majesty!"

The two men came forward and bowed first.

Zhang Jian used the Han etiquette, while Xiao Xiaoyou used the Liao etiquette.

Yelu Zongzhen saw that their expressions were not right. Zhang Jian was still holding a large newspaper. He frowned and asked, "What happened?"

"The Song people refused peace talks."

Zhang Jian said in a deep voice, "This matter is related to Zhao Jun, the head of the Political Affairs Council!"

"Didn't this person travel around?"

Yelu Zongzhen was puzzled. "Back when the Song Dynasty's so-called Political System Council was established, I learned that a young man was appointed its president. I was surprised to learn that the Song emperor had a favorite minister or a member of the Zhao clan. But I didn't expect to hear from him again so quickly."

Li Yuanhao and Yelu Zongzhen knew about Zhao Jun's situation, but they didn't take it seriously because it was not a big deal for the Xixia and Liao people.

Mo Zang Epang's sister was young and beautiful, and was valued by Li Yuanhao. As a result, the young Mo Zang Epang became powerful overnight and became the prime minister of Western Xia.

There is also Yelu Zongzhen's younger brother, Yelu Chongyuan, who is only 19 years old this year. He is now the crown prince, the King of Yanzhao, and the Minister of the Northern and Southern Privy Councils, and is also the Minister of the Chancellery. In two years, when he turns 21, he will be the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World.

Therefore, seeing that Zhao Jun had the same surname as Zhao Zhen, Li Yuanhao and Yelu Zongzhen thought that a member of the Zhao royal family had gained power.

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