"General, an envoy from Western Xia requests an audience." Having just finished arranging the military reforms and returned to the city (the military camps were located behind the border city; most troops were not stationed in the city itself, but in camps outside, otherwise they wouldn't even have a place to train), the city guard hurriedly reported to Wang Han: "Reporting to the General, the envoy from Western Xia, seeking a marriage alliance, has been waiting at the city gate for nearly an hour. They say they brought a generous gift of 50,000 head of cattle and sheep, 1,000 fine horses, and the marriage agreement, including the princess—the Western Xia emperor's most beloved princess—and are preparing to meet His Majesty. Hearing that the General has arrived, they request an audience, saying they have an important matter to discuss with His Majesty."
"Hmph! They've really gone all out. I wonder which fool leaked the information." Hearing this, Wang Han sneered and said with some displeasure, "Since they've said they're here to see Emperor Huizong, I can't stop them. Let them in. I'll wait for them on the city gate tower. I'd like to hear what important matter the envoy has to say."
"In addition, order someone to summon Zhong Shidao and other important officials to the city gate tower."
"Yes, General." Upon hearing this, the city garrison general accepted the order and hurriedly left.
"General, the envoy from Western Xia has come. He must have heard some rumors. What do you intend to do?" A short while later, Zhong Shidao arrived at the city gate tower with seven or eight generals. Seeing that Wang Han was already waiting there, he asked.
"General Zhong, stop pretending to be ignorant. They've come to marry and meet Emperor Huizong. What can I do about it?" Wang Han said irritably.
"Haha...!" Upon hearing this, Zhong Shidao laughed awkwardly. In fact, he asked this question to test Wang Han.
"Now that we have all our men, General, let them come up!" Wang Han instructed the General.
"Yes." Upon hearing this, the city garrison general immediately descended from the city gate tower.
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"The Western Xia envoy, Humutu, pays his respects to the Divine Might General."
"Princess of Western Xia, Toltai Zhu greets General Shenwei."
Before long, seven or eight envoys from the Western Xia came up to the city gate tower. At the signal of the city guard, they paid their respects to Wang Hanxing, and immediately lowered their posture.
"No need for formalities!" Wang Han said, showing no intention of getting up to be polite. Zhong Shidao and the others stood behind Wang Han without saying a word.
“I heard from my generals that you’ve come to establish a marriage alliance with the Song Dynasty, and that you have important matters to discuss with me and His Majesty! And you insist on seeing me!” Wang Han said. “Your information network is truly impressive! I just arrived today, and you already knew about it.”
"General Shenwei, you flatter me. Your illustrious reputation is well-known. We are here on behalf of the Emperor of Western Xia, bringing 50,000 head of cattle and sheep, a thousand fine horses, and His Majesty's most beloved princess to marry into the Song Dynasty. We also have an important matter to discuss with the Song Dynasty and with you, General." Humutu quickly replied, speaking very cautiously.
"I have no say in your marriage alliances, nor do I care what you discuss with Emperor Huizong. So what are you discussing with me?" Wang Han asked.
"We have been ordered to come to establish a marriage alliance with the Great Song Dynasty and to discuss cooperation in jointly attacking the Liao Dynasty." Upon hearing this, the Western Xia envoy quickly said, "Therefore, we urge the General not to take military action for the time being, lest it spoil the peace between our two countries."
"Peace between the two countries! Haha!" Upon hearing this, Wang Han couldn't help but laugh, and said sarcastically, "You talk about peace between the two countries, but before, your Western Xia sent troops to attack the border of my Great Song Dynasty, and even sent small groups of troops to harass my Great Song people. Now, less than ten days later, you come to talk to us about marriage alliances! Don't you find it ridiculous?"
"General, our Western Xia has absolutely not sent a single soldier to harass the Song Dynasty in the slightest, and will never do so in the future. It must be someone impersonating us, trying to sow discord between our two countries. General, please don't fall for their divisive tactics." Upon hearing this, the Western Xia envoy immediately said, sounding very certain, and even guaranteed that such a thing would not happen again. He knew perfectly well what was going on; their spies had already told him everything. The so-called invasion was just a pretext orchestrated by the Song Dynasty.
"You're so sure it wasn't done by your Western Xia, but my men and I are absolutely certain it was, after all, seeing is believing. As for your guarantee, even if it's written down, it's nothing but a fart, a handful of ashes," Wang Han said, his gaze fixed on the Western Xia envoy.
Seeing Wang Han's piercing gaze, the Western Xia envoy knew the truth and naturally met Wang Han's gaze without fear. However, under Wang Han's fierce look, he still retreated and looked away. Although he regretted looking away, he no longer had the courage to meet Wang Han's eyes.
"The General is truly capable!" Zhong Shidao sighed inwardly upon seeing this. He knew that Wang Han knew the truth, and now that the Western Xia envoy had backed down, even if it wasn't true, it was still true.
"General, I have no intention of threatening you in the slightest. Western Xia has no intention of opposing the Song Dynasty, nor would it dare to have such an intention. This matter was definitely framed by someone impersonating a Western Xia soldier. It's just that the Liao Kingdom has always been eyeing the Song Dynasty covetously. The Liao Kingdom also occupies the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun of the Song Dynasty. It would be better for Western Xia to help than for the Song Dynasty to attack alone. Doesn't the Song Dynasty want to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun?" Humutu said in a kind and gentle manner.
"Of course we want to take back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, but this Liao Kingdom! Heh!" Upon hearing this, Wang Han gave a sarcastic look, as if to say, "You're joking." He stood up and stood by the city wall, then flipped his hand and took out a square seal, throwing it towards the distant mountains.
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