Zhao Huan remembered that in the orthodox history books, after Wanyan Sheng died, Wanyan Dan succeeded to the throne. Wanyan Dan was only sixteen years old when he succeeded to the throne.
Wanyan Dan was the eldest grandson of Wanyan Aguda, and thus held a very high status.
But now the situation has changed drastically, and everything has changed because of Zhao Huan's arrival.
Wanyan Zongpan launched a coup in Shangjing City, following the example of Li Shimin, and forced his father to abdicate.
At this time, the Jin state was divided into several factions.
One faction was represented by Han Chinese aristocratic families, mainly including Shi Ling'ai and Han Derang.
One faction was the old guard of Wanyan Gao, mainly composed of Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang.
One faction was led by Wanyan Dan, who was very close to Wanyan Wushu.
Finally, there were Wanyan Zongpan's men.
In the previous situation, the main power struggle was between Wanyan Gao and Wanyan Zongpan, with the other two factions each having their own allies.
But now the situation in the Jin Dynasty court has changed, and everything has become uncertain.
In April, Wanyan Zongpan eagerly ascended the throne, declared a general amnesty, and enfeoffed Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Zonghan, and Wanyan Wushu as the Prince of Wei, the Prince of Qi, and the Prince of Yan, respectively.
Three days after the three generals at the front received their imperial appointments, Wanyan Zongpan issued an order to recall them to Shangjing.
The situation has become very delicate.
Logically speaking, Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan were determined not to submit to Wanyan Zongpan, as half of the Jin Dynasty's elite troops were in their hands.
However, Wanyan Wushu was not of one mind with Wanyan Zongpan and Wanyan Zonghan, and his attitude toward Wanyan Zongpan was very ambiguous.
During the years that Wanyan Zongpan was in power, he cooperated with Wanyan Wushu several times, and the two sides had a certain degree of trust.
Furthermore, in terms of military talent, Wanyan Wushu was no less capable than Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan, and was also younger and more ambitious.
The Iron Pagoda, commanded by Wanyan Wushu, is currently the most powerful heavy cavalry regiment in the Jin Dynasty.
If Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan really rebelled, Wanyan Wushu would have to choose sides and would definitely side with Wanyan Zongpan.
Meanwhile, Wanyan Zongpan has sent peace envoys to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, expressing his willingness to respect the Great Song's exclusive rights, offering a large sum of money, and hoping that both sides can continue trade.
This is a very important change.
The Yan-Yun region had hundreds of thousands of elite Song troops.
Compared to other people in the Jin Dynasty, Wanyan Zongpan had a slightly closer relationship with Zhao Huan.
If Wanyan Zongwang and Wanyan Zonghan really rebel, they will mobilize troops back to Shangjing.
First, the southern border is vulnerable.
Secondly, if the situation were to escalate to an uncontrollable point, Wanyan Zongpan would certainly dare to seek help from the Song Dynasty.
At that time, Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang were surrounded.
Apart from Zhao Huan, no one wanted the situation to develop this way.
Clearly, opposing Wanyan Zongpan now is the worst possible course of action.
The best course of action is to submit.
The situation is set; the victor takes all.
Wanyan Gao met his end on the streets of the capital, having failed in the power struggle.
Once they fail, their support will naturally scatter like leaves in the wind.
Both Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Zongwang were very intelligent commanders, and they would not make any basic mistakes in their judgment of the situation.
Moreover, Wanyan Zongpan has already extended an olive branch.
Everyone was crowned a king; at least that's how they made their stance known to everyone.
Zhao Huan was a little annoyed.
Damn it!
This Wanyan Zongpan has always been ambitious but incompetent, and he's a sure-fire way to ruin his father's life.
How come he suddenly became a little more intelligent after ascending the throne?
It's such a pity that the Jin Dynasty didn't have internal strife!
However, the current situation is entirely beneficial to the Song Dynasty.
The Jin Dynasty had become dependent on trade with the Song Dynasty, and the recent rebellion of the nobles and tribal lords at least demonstrated this.
Humans are the most easily corrupted and decadent creatures.
No matter how hard-working or capable you were in the past, once you fall into the trap of romance and indulgence, your resolve will easily soften.
For Zhao Huan, this was the best possible outcome.
If Zhao Huan were given another year, and a few more highways were built in the north, wartime mobilization efficiency would be higher, and the chances of conquering Jin would be greater.
In May, the pressure in northern Korea eased considerably.
When Wanyan Zongwang was recalled to Shangjing, the Jin army on the Goryeo front began to raise fish.
At this time, Wang Bing's Andong Protectorate had already begun construction.
The system of titles used by the King of Goryeo within the country was abolished. The word "朕" (zhen, meaning "I") was no longer allowed to appear, nor was the title "皇后" (huanghou, meaning "Empress") allowed, nor was the "玉玺" (yuxi, meaning "Imperial Seal") permitted.
To prevent further uprisings by military men and the persecution of loyal officials, the Goryeo army was disbanded, and only militias were permitted to maintain order. Future national defense was to be entrusted to the Song army.
At the same time, it was also stipulated that young and able-bodied men from Goryeo could enlist in the Song army.
It eliminated the threat from Goguryeo and turned Goguryeo into a major military stronghold on the eastern front of the Song Dynasty.
In order to completely eliminate the country of Goryeo, the next step is to change the script.
However, that happened several years later.
All Koreans learn Chinese characters.
In late May, the summer lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, wafting a sweet fragrance.
Zhao Huan sat in the imperial garden enjoying the cool air, with a map spread out in front of him.
Zhao Gou said from the side, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."
"I don't blame you now."
"Your Majesty, Srivijaya has completely sealed off the sea area, prohibiting Song Dynasty ships from entering. Currently, 138 Song Dynasty citizens are being held in Srivijaya!"
"How is the construction of the naval port in Jiujiang progressing?"
The Jiujiang that the emperor referred to was the Jiulong River in the southern mainland. To avoid using the word "dragon," it was called Jiujiang from then on.
After conquering Champa, Zhao Zisong established the Yue Kingdom here.
However, the Yue army was actually the Song army. Moreover, the Song Dynasty was going to build the largest port in the southern continent at the mouth of the Jiujiang River.
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