The rebels in Shandong were growing stronger and stronger, so Zhao Huan sent Wang Zongchu and 5,000 imperial guards to suppress the rebellion, and also dispatched grain from Jiangnan to aid Shandong.
Zong Ze's troops were originally stationed at the Song-Xia border. However, due to Zhao Huan's lack of manpower during his attack on the Sixteen Prefectures, he voluntarily abandoned the Western Xia defense line and hurriedly transferred Zong Ze's troops to garrison Yanmen Pass and Feihukou.
Once Zong Ze's troops retreated, a vacuum appeared in the entire Song-Xia defense line. The Western Xia Emperor Li Ganshun seized the opportunity and sent troops to attack the Song.
Emperor Li Ganshun of the Western Xia Empire dispatched troops to occupy Tiande, Yunnei, Wuzhou, the Hedong Baguan area, and Zhenwucheng on the Song border. These territories were originally Western Xia territory, but Tong Guan's conquests later became part of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, Tong Guan did have some merit.
After regaining the lost territory, the Western Xia army tasted the sweetness of success, and then captured Xi'an Prefecture, Linzhou Jianning Village, and Huaide Army of the Song Dynasty. Taking advantage of the victory, they captured Tiandu Village, besieged Lanzhou, looted a lot, and then withdrew.
At that time, Zhao Huan acquiesced to the Xixia's aggression in order to avoid fighting on two fronts. Now that the Jin Dynasty was defeated, Zhao Huan was free to prepare to use his forces against the Xixia.
Purple Palace.
"My dear ministers, Li Ganshun of Western Xia has invaded and plundered our Great Song territory. This is intolerable. I wish to mobilize troops against Western Xia. What do you think, my dear ministers?"
Li Gang stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is not possible. However, the Song Dynasty has just recovered the Sixteen Prefectures, and Shandong has seen another civil uprising. Our national strength is depleted, and we should not resort to war again."
Meng Gurao also came out and said, "Your Majesty, the Shandong treasury is already struggling to suppress the rebellion. If we use military force against Xixia again, I am afraid it will not be appropriate. I oppose it!"
"Your Majesty, I support the use of military force." This was said by Chen Guoting, who was always quick-tempered. "I believe that the Western Xia are bullying the Song Dynasty. If we do not curb their arrogance, I am afraid that there will be no peace on the border. I support the use of military force against the Western Xia."
Meng Gu Rao said angrily, "Chen Juelu, you're making it sound easy. How can we fight a war without money?"
Chen Guoting was the type who would pick a fight even if you didn't cause any trouble, so he immediately went berserk: "Meng Kangtou, whether or not we have money is your Ministry of Revenue's business. Are you going to allow our Song Dynasty to be bullied like this?"
Chen Guoting had a stubborn and violent temper, and people called him Chen Juelu behind his back. Meng Gurao was afraid of his wife, a first-rank imperial consort. It is said that once, she refused to let him get on the bed over a trivial matter, hence the nickname Meng Kangtou.
At this moment, the two men exposed each other's shortcomings and argued endlessly. The other ministers also began to argue. Some advocated using military force to defeat the Western Xia once and for all. Others advocated keeping a low profile and holding back until the Shandong rebels were pacified. For a time, the court was in turmoil.
"Enough!" Zhao Huan shouted, and finally quieted down.
"He Li, what do you think?" Zhao Huan asked.
He Li stood up, holding his tablet in both hands, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I believe the Sixteen Prefectures have been returned to the Song Dynasty. We should transfer General Zong Ze back to the Western Xia defense line so that the Western Xia will not dare to make any moves. This will avoid the cost of war and allow us to conserve our strength. When the country is prosperous and the people are well off, it will not be too late to avenge this."
Li Gang and the others nodded in agreement. Meng Gurao also said, "Your Majesty, Lord He is right. However, redeploying this large army will be a significant expense, and the suppression of the rebellion in Shandong needs to be expedited."
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "Quickly send a decree to Wang Zongchu: the Shandong uprising must be dealt with expeditiously. We must prioritize appeasement, supplemented by military force. If the rebels refuse to surrender, they must be utterly annihilated."
Zheng Zhonghe, the Secretary of the Privy Council, bowed to receive the order. Zhao Huan was about to leave the court when the eunuch in charge entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, the Xixia envoy has arrived at the post station and wishes to see you."
Zhao Huan was delighted when he heard this: "Speak of Cao Cao and he will appear. Tell the Xixia envoy to come to see me at the court tomorrow morning."
"As you wish!"
After the eunuchs left, Zhao Huan asked again, "My dear ministers, what do you think the Xixia envoys' purpose is in coming here?"
"Your Majesty, this Xixia envoy must have come to Bian Jing for the border war. We should prepare a response plan." said the newly appointed Taichang Zhou Qinglin.
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "They must have thought that the Great Song would not give up and wanted to sue for peace. My dear ministers, remember this tomorrow: when the Western Xia envoys arrive, we must not show weakness. Let them know how powerful the Great Song is! Dismiss the court!"
Wang Zongchu's troops should be arriving in Shandong soon, and we should receive battle reports within the next two days. Zhao Huan wasn't too worried about the Shandong bandits; after all, these were only small-scale uprisings, and the Imperial Guards' combat effectiveness should be more than enough to suppress them in Shandong. He was concerned about the Xixia envoys arriving tomorrow. How could he instill fear in them and ensure they wouldn't invade the border?
Zhu Lian eventually found out about Nangong Lian'er's affairs, but she didn't say anything this time. After all, she had already taken concubines, so it didn't matter if she took one or a group of concubines.
Zhu Lian understood that with so many concubines, his position in Zhao Huan's heart would be less important. If he was smart, he should have obeyed the emperor. After all, his son was already the crown prince, and he was still the master of the harem.
Zhao Huan arranged Nangong Lian'er in Yingxin Garden, which was actually considered a concubine in name only. But for some reason, Zhao Huan did not dare to visit Nangong Lian'er for several days, even though he thought of her countless times in his dreams.
After leaving the court, Zhao Huan gritted his teeth and swore in his heart: I must stay in Yingxin Garden tonight, otherwise I will be a dog with its tail between its legs.
In order not to be a dog with its tail between its legs, Zhao Huan made up his mind and prepared to go to Yingxinyuan.
At this moment, Cao Dongsheng came running over, like an old lady with bound feet: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty. Hurry to Renming Hall. The imperial physician is there to check the empress's pulse."
Zhao Huan was startled: "The Queen is sick?"
Cao Dongsheng shook his head: "I don't know."
Zhao Huan was a little anxious. In this day and age, a cold could kill a person. He walked quickly towards the Renming Hall.
Arriving at the Renming Hall, Zhu Lian was seen sitting on one side, accompanied by a group of palace maids. An old doctor was taking her pulse and treating her.
According to etiquette, women are most averse to having their hands touched by other men. Being touched by a stranger is considered "losing virginity." No wonder Nangong Lian'er was so obsessed with Zhao Huan.
The beauties in the harem were the emperor's personal property. Therefore, Zhu Lian's wrist was covered with a thin gauze, and the imperial physician examined him through the gauze.
"Imperial Physician, what's wrong with the Queen?" Zhao Huan asked.
Only then did everyone see clearly that it was the Emperor who had arrived, and they hurriedly paid their respects. The imperial physician bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and congratulations to the Empress! The Empress is pregnant!"
Zhu Lian blushed, a bit shy. Zhao Huan's head buzzed, his mind went blank. He could only see the doctor's mouth moving around, his mouth trembling. After a while, Zhao Huan finally came to his senses and shouted in joy, "What did you say? Say it again!"
The imperial physician said joyfully, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, and congratulations to the Queen! She is pregnant! I have already prescribed medication to maintain the pregnancy. The Queen is pregnant with a son."
This was truly a blessing from heaven, Zhao Huan finally had his own child.
Zhao Huan just wanted to open his mouth and scream. He shook Cao Dongsheng beside him vigorously, as if he was going crazy: "Did you hear that? I'm pregnant, hahahaha, I'm pregnant with a dragon seed! Hahaha... hahaha..."
At this time, a maid ran in from outside. It was Caidie, the maid beside Tang Wan'er.
Caidie was sweating profusely. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I don't know what's wrong with Empress Wan. She vomits after eating anything and can't stand the smell of meat. Please, please call the imperial physician to see her."
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