Yue Fei made Wanyan Zonghan so angry that he left the Jin camp in a swagger.

He was so boring that he made fun of Wanyan Zonghan because the letter from Zong Shidao was fake.

Zhong Shidao had no idea Wanyan Zonghan would attack him, but Yue Fei saw through it. Worried about Zhong's army's safety, he had Lu Pingzhi forge a letter from Zhong Shidao and send it to Wanyan Zonghan in the Jin camp, cursing him. Sure enough, Wanyan Zonghan fell for the trick and, in a rage, tore the letter to shreds.

That way, no one would be suspicious based on the handwriting. Even if someone did, who would be so bold as to pick up the pile of letters that Wanyan Zonghan had torn up in a rage?

Therefore, Zong Wang of the Eastern Army was anxiously waiting in Bian Jing, and sent several urgent letters to Wanyan Zonghan of the Western Army, asking him to rush to Bian Jing to meet up.

Wanyan Zonghan was worried that he would be attacked from both sides by Guo Zixuan and Zhong Shidao, so he was reluctant to send out his troops while besieging Taiyuan.

Wanyan Zonghan, commander of the Eastern Army, was furious at the Jin camp at Moutuogang. "You damned Wanyan Zonghan, why the hell are you still not coming to Bianjing? I can't take it anymore! I'm going back to the capital to report this to my lord and have him punished for delaying military intelligence."

Likewise, Wanyan Zonghan was also jumping up and down outside Taiyuan, cursing: "You son of a bitch, Wanyan Zongwang, I'm holding Taiyuan back here, and you're sending me death letters one after another. If I go there, I'll be killed. I'm going back to the capital to report to my lord and have him punished for misconduct."

So these two, one a son of a bitch and the other a son of a bitch, started cursing each other in their respective military camps.

Luoyang. Zhong Shidao, the governor of Hebei Province, over seventy years old, donned armor and led his troops day and night to Bianjing.

Li Gang and Wanyan Zongwang fought dozens of battles, each suffering casualties. The Jin soldiers did not dare to attack for a while, and stationed at Moutuogang to wait and see what would happen.

Zhao Huan was gnawing on a pig's trotter, his mouth full of grease. Cao Dongsheng, standing beside him, sighed inwardly. He had lost all trace of the emperor's dignified demeanor.

"Announcement! Good news, good news, Your Majesty!" The eunuch in charge ran in happily.

"Where does the joy come from?" Zhao Huan threw away the pig's trotter in his hand.

"Your Majesty, Zhong Shidao's reinforcements have arrived from the south gate and have already reached Kaifeng Prefecture."

"Really?" Zhao Huan was overjoyed. This was the first time that the eunuch on duty had brought good news.

"Go and greet him quickly!" Zhao Huan pulled up the skirt of the palace maid next to him and wiped his mouth, scaring the maid so much that she trembled.

Cao Dongsheng covered his eyes and dared not look. It was too embarrassing. The emperor was such a pervert.

At the main gate of the imperial palace, Zhao Huan led the civil and military officials to welcome Zhong Shidao into the city.

"Zhong Shidao, the governor of the capital and Hebei provinces, and Yao Pingzhong, the commander-in-chief, pay their respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long, long live the Emperor!"

This teacher has a big round face and a healthy physique. Although he is old, his demeanor is still as good as before.

Yao Pingzhong was thin, with a bright look in his eyes, and looked quite capable.

Zhao Huan hurried over to help him up and said, "You must have come all this way, come back to the palace with me."

In the Purple Palace, Zhao Huan sat on the dragon throne, while Zhong Shidao and Yao Pingzhong stood below. Civil and military officials stood nearby.

"Old Zhong, I am deeply gratified that you have come from afar to support the king. Now that the Jin soldiers are besieging the city, what are your plans?"

Zhong Shidao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Jin thieves are not good at using troops, and they have advanced deep into our territory alone. We can first paralyze the enemy, and when they return north, we can annihilate them on the south and south banks of the Yellow River."

Zhao Huan was overjoyed: "Li Gang and I have the same idea. When should we start?"

Zhong Shidao said, "Your Majesty, the morale of the Jin soldiers is high now. I think it is not too late to start after the spring plowing."

"Your Majesty," Yao Pingzhong stepped forward. "I don't think that's possible. Speed ​​is of the essence in war. Our army, supporting the king, numbers approximately 100,000 men. I believe we can launch a surprise attack on the Jin camp, catching them unawares."

Zhong Shidao looked at him and said, "Pingzhong. The art of war says: 'In battle, avoid the strong and attack the weak.' We must find the Jin soldiers' weaknesses before we can attack them. They are currently at their peak. Our army has traveled a long way and lacks experience in combating the Jin. We must not take any risks."

"Master Zhong, the Art of War also says: 'When the enemy's strength is ten, surround them; when it's five, attack them; when it's twice as strong, divide them.' Now our army is twice as strong as Jin's, and I think we can divide our forces and attack them."

Zhao Huan was very surprised. He didn't expect that this kind of teacher's way would be in conflict with Yao Pingzhong.

At this time, Li Bangyan stood up and said: "Your Majesty, I think it is absolutely not right to resort to military action at this time. It is better to negotiate peace. We can discuss it again when the Jin troops retreat."

Yao Pingzhong was full of confidence: "Your Majesty, I am willing to issue a military order. We will raid the Jin camp tomorrow night and will definitely capture Wanyan Zongwang."

"What do you think, my dear ministers?" Zhao Huan asked.

A group of ministers were whispering to each other. Some of them advocated fighting, some thought that what Zong Shidao said was reasonable, but most people still supported Li Bangyan's peace talks.

"Li Gang, what do you think?" Zhao Huan looked at Li Gang below.

Li Gang stepped forward, pondered for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, if Yao Du is willing to issue a military order, I believe this method is feasible, and I am willing to guarantee that Yao Du will win."

Zhao Huan then said, "Well, Yao Pingzhong, you are both veterans who have fought many battles. I trust you and grant you permission to lead the troops!"

Prime Minister Li Bangyan's residence. Li Rui, the Privy Councilor, and Wang Xiaodi, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, were also there.

Li Bangyan knelt in front of a portrait in the government hall. The portrait was the portrait of Zhao Kuangyin, the great ancestor of the Li family, which was given to the Li family by Huizong Zhao Ji.

"Taizu and Taizong, your servant Li Bangyan kowtows. Today, your Majesty is bent on war, which shows no regard for the country of Song. Even if I have to disobey your order, I will promote the alliance between Song and Jin to avoid the suffering of the people." After saying this, Li Bangyan wiped his tears.

Li Rui comforted him, "Li Youcheng, don't be sad. We are all fighting for the great Song Dynasty. Even if the emperor blames us, there is nothing we can do. As an official, you should consider the interests of the world."

"Lord Li Rui is right, but the emperor doesn't listen to your and my advice. He insists on listening to Li Gang's words. What can we do?" Wang Xiaodi also said, and the two of them helped Li Bangyan up.

Li Bangyan's eyes welled up with tears. "Alas, Your Majesty will not listen to your advice. Tomorrow night, Yao Pingzhong intends to attack the Jin camp and capture Wanyan Zongwang alive. If Yao Pingzhong succeeds, Li Gang and his men will undoubtedly be even more favored by Your Majesty. We have already displeased Your Majesty, and our days will be even worse."

Li Rui asked tentatively, "Li Youcheng, if we can prevent Yao Pingzhong's sneak attack, Li Gang and the others will be punished, and peace talks with Jin will be a natural outcome."

"What do you mean?" Li Bangyan wiped away his tears.

At this time, Wang Xiaodi leaned over, his eyes shifting with a pair of shifty eyes as he whispered, "Li Youcheng, if we reveal Yao Pingzhong's plan to attack the Jin camp to Wanyan Zongwang, then Yao Pingzhong will never return."

Li Bangyan was shocked: "This, this, this is not selling out the country for personal gain? You and I have become traitors to the Song Dynasty."

Li Rui glanced at Wang Xiaodi, who winked at him. Then Li Rui said, "Alas, Right Prime Minister Li, this is wrong. If Yao Pingzhong is defeated, Your Majesty will have to negotiate peace. Then wouldn't Right Prime Minister Li still be valued by Your Majesty?"

Seeing Li Bangyan remain silent, Wang Xiaodi continued, "That's right. If Yao Pingzhong really captures Wanyan Zongwang alive, the Western Army will surely attack for revenge. Then war will break out again, and countless lives will be lost. We are doing this for the Song Dynasty. Besides, if Li Gang continues to gain power, I'm afraid we will have no place in the court."

"this……"