December 30th, the first year of the Jing Kang period.

Evening was approaching, but the lights in the Bianjing Palace were already as bright as day.

The Jiying Hall was bustling with people coming and going.

Those who attended the banquet for the ministers included the Three Masters, Three Dukes, Prime Ministers, Three Ministries, Xuanhuiyuan, Hanlin Academy, Six Ministries, Censorate, Secretariat, and other officials, as well as successful candidates from various regions and envoys from various countries and vassal states.

All civil and military officials wore crowns and court robes. Candidates from various provinces wore white robes with green edges. Officials from various states brought local gifts. There were many New Year envoys from various countries and regions, such as Western Xia, Jiaozhou, Huihe, Khotan, the five southern barbarians, Dali, etc., but there were no envoys from the Jin Dynasty. It is really sad to think that Wanyan Zongfu, the third prince of the Jin Dynasty, enjoyed endless wealth and glory, but ended up like this in just a few days.

Firecrackers blasted and gongs and drums roared.

Zhao Huan took Zhao Xi's hand and walked slowly over, turned around the jade screen, and sat down on the imperial throne.

Below, the court officials and envoys saw Zhao Huan wearing a Tongtian crown and a bright red dragon robe, and his kingly aura was undoubtedly evident.

Cai Jing resigned and Tong Guan disappeared, so this time it was Wang Fu, the prime minister, who led all the officials in wishing the emperor a long life and a long and stable regime. The flattery was endless like a torrent of water.

After the kneeling and congratulatory ceremonies, the much-anticipated banquet for all the ministers began. When it came to food, if the Song Dynasty claimed to be second best, no one would dare claim to be first.

Foreign envoys, local officials, and successful candidates from all over the country were already impatient and wanted to enjoy the feast.

The banquet was held inside and outside the main hall. The prince, the three ministers, the three dukes, some high-ranking officials, and foreign envoys went up to the main hall to take their seats, while the others sat in the corridors.

In the center of the hall, there were light singing and dancing. On both sides of the hall, delicious dishes were served on the tables like flowing water. The rich aroma hit the face and touched the heart. The fragrance was really spreading all over the place.

After three rounds of wine, the dishes have five flavors.

In the peaceful atmosphere, a long sigh suddenly came from the position of the envoys from the foreign countries below, which attracted the attention of countless people.

Zhao Huan looked in the direction of the voice and saw a handsome and well-mannered middle-aged man who looked depressed and had barely touched a bite of the delicious food on the table.

"Who is this?"

Shao Chengzhang hurried forward and whispered, "That's Li Ren'ai, an envoy from the Western Xia Kingdom. He was once the crown prince of Western Xia and was engaged to Yelu Guyu, the daughter of Emperor Tianzuo of the Liao Kingdom. Later, the Liao Kingdom was destroyed by the Jin Kingdom, and Yelu Guyu was captured by the Jin Kingdom and given to Wanyan Zongwang as a reward. It is said that since then, Li Ren'ai has had mental problems, always acting crazy, and even lost his position as crown prince."

Zhao Huan understood, but his expression remained calm. He chuckled and said, "Li Qing, my imperial chef's cooking skills are not good enough. Is this meal not to your liking?"

Upon hearing this, Li Renai slowly stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, I have never seen food more delicious than this, even in the Xixia Palace."

Zhao Huan's voice rose slightly, his eyes questioning, "If that's the case, why are you only drinking and not eating?"

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, I am unhappy, so I have no appetite."

"Oh? It seems I have been ill-treated by Li Qing. Please tell me all the grievances you have suffered. I am all ears."

"I heard that Your Majesty ordered the execution of the Jin envoy yesterday. I wonder if this is true."

"Yes, it's absolutely true! The Jin Kingdom has evil ambitions and has repeatedly offended the majesty of our Great Song. I'm merely punishing them. This is a matter between our Great Song and the Jin Kingdom. Does Li Qing have any objections?"

Zhao Huan looked at Li Renai with a playful look and tapped his fingers on the dining table. Immediately, two guards on duty put knives to Li Renai's neck.

Inside the Jiying Hall, all the civil and military officials remained indifferent. They were just two guards with swords, not cannons, so it was a small scene.

Your Majesty is a "madman who doesn't know the rules" and the Prince of Western Xia is a "fool who talks about benevolence, righteousness and morality", so let them be.

There were envoys from other foreign countries who were ready to say a few words, but after being reminded, they gave up and decided to wait and see what would happen.

"I have no objection, but since ancient times, when two countries are at war, envoys are not executed. How can the Song Dynasty, a great nation and a country of etiquette, act like this? Isn't this heartbreaking? Who would dare to send an envoy to the Song Dynasty again?"

"A mission to the Song Dynasty? Aren't you here to beg for food? If you can get it, you'll talk nicely. If not, you'll steal or rob. The Song and Western Xia fought for decades over this 250,000 taels of annual tribute. Hundreds of thousands of people died in the war. How could a few envoys not die?"

"Even if war breaks out between the two countries, does that mean the envoys must also bear responsibility? The Song Dynasty is a nation of etiquette. How is such behavior any different from those barbaric and crude animals of the Jin Dynasty?"

"Li Qing, you are using moral blackmail. You can destroy the Jin Kingdom, a barbarian land, and take away the concubines and princesses of Emperor Tianzuo without any problem. But the Song Dynasty, a country of etiquette, is chilling to kill a few Jin envoys. It's a bit unreasonable."

"When two countries go to war, can't they just follow the rules? Soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals. Fighting is the business of the court and the army. What does it have to do with the rest of us? Why should we also bear the consequences of war?"

Zhao Huan was speechless. What kind of education did the prince of Western Xia receive? How could he care more about human rights and respect life than this person from the 21st century?

"If you do something wrong, you have to pay the price. Haven't you seen families being plundered and exterminated in Xixia? What do those children and their families know? It's nothing more than cutting off the roots to prevent future troubles."

"Then we don't need etiquette anymore? What's the point of learning about Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents, benevolent government, loving the people, harmony and friendship?"

Zhao Huan could understand Li Ren'ai's change of heart. This was called a collapse of faith. After studying benevolent governance for more than 20 years, he discovered that everyone around him was a tiger and a wolf, and his spirit suddenly collapsed.

"Li Ren'ai, we were both crown princes before, and now I am the emperor. You have even lost your crown prince position. How shameful!

The Jin Kingdom only stole your wife, but they want the lives of all the Zhao family members in the Song Dynasty. If I were like you, I would just commit suicide. There is nothing else to say. You are just a coward.

It's just the Jin Kingdom, what's there to be afraid of? How about this: you stay in the Great Song and watch over me. I'll avenge you for having your wife taken away from you. When I destroy the Jin Kingdom and get your wife back, you can return to Xixia. But remember, go back with your tail between your legs and eat at the children's table, okay?

Go back with your tail between your legs! Eat at the table with the kids! Don't you dare say anything harsher.

Li Renai squatted on the ground, crying loudly. "Why did those barbarians from the Jin Kingdom take away my bone desire?"

Zhao Huan walked to the center of the hall, reached out to pull Li Renai up from the ground, and asked.

"When friends come, we have good wine. When jackals come, we have hunting rifles to greet them. The Great Song is a nation of propriety. I wonder if this prince from the Western Xia Kingdom is a friend or a jackal?"

"Yes, a friend."