There was silence in the court for a moment, and then it suddenly exploded.
The Jin Kingdom actually took the initiative to negotiate peace and surrendered unconditionally. So a small amount of silver was nothing compared to the money spent on the Liao, Western Xia, and the purchase of Yanshan Prefecture from the Jin.
This is a great victory that has not happened in many years.
The civil servants' minds suddenly became active. This clause must be signed, and it would be best if it was signed by a civil servant.
The credit cannot be monopolized by the military generals.
Everyone was thinking about it, but since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has always emphasized the need for war and would never negotiate peace, so no one spoke for a while.
Military generals, especially those officials who had been on the same side as Zhao Huan from the very beginning, did not have so many reservations when speaking.
Li Gang pondered, thinking that His Majesty had summoned him specifically to lead the charge. So, he spoke without hesitation, "Your Majesty, I think we absolutely cannot agree to this. The Song Dynasty is not a place where the Jin Kingdom can come and go as they please. Leaving without paying a price would be too easy for them."
As soon as Li Gang finished speaking, many generals stood up to agree with him.
Wu Min, the Imperial Secretary, seconded the proposal: "Yes, Your Majesty, you have always emphasized that the Jin Kingdom is a small country with a population of less than one million. We should take this opportunity to annihilate Wanyan Zongwang's troops. For at least the next five years, the Jin Kingdom will not dare to move south."
Zhao Huan smiled and nodded, "Very good. Does anyone else have any different opinions?"
The civil officials were even more puzzled as to what His Majesty meant.
Yuwen Xuzhong sensed something and knew that His Majesty was not satisfied. If he was satisfied, there would be no need to ask for other different opinions. According to His Majesty's character, he should have made the decision directly.
Could it be that Your Majesty wants to agree to the peace talks with the Jin Kingdom? This idea is too outrageous, isn't it just slapping yourself in the face?
No way, could it be that he was persuaded by Yuan Zhen?
For a moment, countless thoughts flashed through Yuwen Xuzhong's mind. He remembered the newly erected monument to the unknown hero that he had seen when he passed by the Bianjing Palace. In the end, he decided to give it a try: "Your Majesty, I think we can agree to the peace proposal from the Jin Kingdom."
As soon as Yuwen Xuzhong's words came out, the court was shocked.
Civilian officials: Isn't this scoundrel always involved with Li Gang and his men? Why is he suddenly rebelling? Is there an internal conflict? Or is there a conspiracy? Or is Your Majesty willing to agree to a peace proposal?
Generals: Wu Min, Li Gang and others, what is Yuwen Xuzhong going to do? They don't think His Majesty will agree to peace talks.
Zhao Huan nodded with a smile, his words revealing joy: "Grand Secretary, if you have any insights, please tell us in detail."
After Zhao Huan said this, Yuwen Xuzhong felt that he had made the right move and that His Majesty was indeed willing to agree to peace talks.
No one is a fool. All the civil and military officials have heard that His Majesty is willing to negotiate peace.
That’s right. If Your Majesty had no intention, there would not have been this court meeting. He could have just made the decision directly and no one would have dared to talk nonsense.
Li Gang and others had resentment in their eyes: "Your Majesty, you have changed. You were not like this before."
Yuwen Xuzhong straightened his back and said, "Your Majesty, and all the ministers, the war has indeed resulted in too many deaths. Your Majesty is wise and wise. I believe that under your leadership, the Song Dynasty will surely achieve rapid development. It will not be too late to seek revenge then."
"If you insist on immediate revenge, the casualties will be substantial. I venture to speculate that Your Majesty is concerned with the lives and property of the soldiers, not anything else."
Yuwen Xuzhong continued, "When I arrived at the Bianjing Palace this morning, I saw a stone tablet being built in the square outside the palace. Out of curiosity, I went to take a look. I heard that the inscription was written by Your Majesty himself. I was deeply inspired after viewing it. Your Majesty is truly a benevolent ruler."
"I will read it to you!"
There are men of great courage in the world, whose ambitions are unfathomable, whose stubbornness is uncontrollable. They remain undeterred by sudden dangers, and remain unruffled by unprovoked assaults. Their ambitions are far-reaching, their aspirations profound. What are these aspirations? They feel as if the hungry are their own hunger, and as if the drowning are their own drowning. In times of national crisis, they leave their loved ones behind and brave danger, even facing the enemy to seek unity. Winds bleak, waters cold, banners frosted, and shoes covered in blood, they may succeed or fail, be imprisoned or die, yet no one knows them, and even after their death, they remain nameless.
The inscription reads: Alas! Great sounds are silent, great images are formless. Come, my spirit, rest in peace, my heroic soul. The long river is my throat, the green mountains my witness; how can I say there is no sound? The river and the mountains are my name!
People forget things, history neglects things. Unification is within reach, the nation will rise. I solemnly engrave this precious stone with my own hands. Alas, my descendants, through generations to come, shall bear witness to this everlasting memory.
Written by Zhao Huan on the ninth day of the first lunar month in the second year of the Jing Kang period.
Thanks to distant nebula honey and big brother Li Dong for voting, thank you!!!
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