Today is the happiest day for Li Bangyan and Bai Shi, even though Yao Pingzhong was surrounded and annihilated after a surprise attack on the Jin camp.
"If you have something to report, please do so. If not, please leave the court!"
"Your Majesty, Yao Pingzhong ignored the advice and attacked the Jin camp at night, resulting in the annihilation of the entire army. I believe that Li Gang has an unshirkable responsibility for this matter." Bai Shizhong now has a handle on Li Gang.
"I think Li Gang should bear the sole responsibility for this matter. Li Gang caused the death of all the soldiers of the Song Dynasty. How can he face the government and command the six armies?" Li Bangyan argued confidently.
Li Gang knelt down and said, "Your servant Li Gang is guilty and I am willing to take responsibility for the failure of this sneak attack."
How could they miss such an opportunity to kick someone when they were down? Bai Shizhong and others accused Li Gang of being stubborn and refusing to listen to advice. The responsibility for the night attack on the Jin camp lay entirely with Li Gang, and in the end, he knelt down and resigned.
"My dear ministers, I bear responsibility for this night attack by the Jin camp, and Li Gang is also responsible. I hereby remove Li Gang from his position as Grand Tutor and Junior Secretary, and fine him six months' salary. However, as the Jin troops have not yet retreated, Li Gang resigns as Tokyo's Protector and will reconsider his position after they have. Court is dismissed. Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan will remain."
The pro-war faction sighed secretly, while the pro-peace faction was jubilant.
Just as Zhao Huan was about to stand up and the other ministers were leaving their seats, two ministers glanced at each other and stood up: He Li, the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and Chen Guoting, the Chief Censor.
He Li bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Minister of the Central Secretariat He Li has something to say."
All the ministers stopped and looked at the two men in astonishment.
"I think the night attack on the Jin camp is very strange. The Jin thieves seem to have been prepared for this. This matter cannot be blamed on Lord Li Gang."
Chen Guoting didn't even bother to bow. Instead, he raised his head and shouted, "Your Majesty, someone must have leaked the secrets to the Jin thieves. Otherwise, our army wouldn't have been defeated. Your Majesty is punishing Lord Li without any reason. I refuse to accept this!"
Li Rui, a member of the Privy Council, shouted angrily, "Chen Guoting! How dare you disrespect the Emperor!"
Wang Xiaodi, the Imperial Secretary, also chimed in, "The Jin are cunning and skilled at military tactics. Perhaps they anticipated our surprise attack long ago. You two are fabricating this story out of thin air, trying to absolve Li Gang of responsibility?"
"You," He Li was furious. "Your Majesty, you are so confused about right and wrong. Negotiations will only bring ruin to the Song Dynasty."
Chen Guoting simply threw down his tablet and argued: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty has already announced to the world that no territory will be ceded and no compensation will be paid. How can you go back on your word and enrich yourself? Chen Guoting refuses to accept this!"
"You two are so bold! Drag them out! Beat them to death!" Zhao Huan was still not satisfied: "No, lock them up in the Sky Prison and wait for execution!"
This was a signal for peace talks, and Zhao Huan backed down.
Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan looked at each other and saw joy in each other's eyes.
He Li and Chen Guoting were taken to the Tianlao, and they were still shouting loudly.
After the ministers left, Zhao Huan said, "Bai Shizhong, Li Bangyan. I was previously deceived by Li Gang. Now it seems that only peace talks can repel the enemy."
Bai Shizhong said happily, "Your Majesty is right. If we had sent people to negotiate earlier, Yao Du wouldn't have died, and our Song wouldn't have sacrificed so many soldiers."
Zhao Huan said in embarrassment: "I am afraid that the Jin people will make unreasonable demands. We need to send someone who is eloquent and sharp-tongued to negotiate."
Li Bangyan said, "I have two men who might be able to take on this important task of negotiating peace. They are Zhao Ye, the governor of the Northern Circuit, and Cai Mao, the minister of the Left. Zhao Ye is eloquent, and Cai Mao is mature and steady. They will definitely be able to accomplish this important task."
Zhao Huan said to Cao Dongsheng beside him: "Cao Dongsheng, pass the order down. I approve it."
Wanyan Ang was at Zongwang's place, and Zongwang said, "Prince Yun, the Song Dynasty's troops from all over the country have already gathered in Bianjing. If we continue to waste time, it will be disadvantageous to our army. It is best to send people to Bianjing to negotiate peace as soon as possible."
Wanyan Ang angrily said, "The Song Emperor is arrogant and treacherous, even his own ministers are dissatisfied with him. If you want to send someone to negotiate, I will not go!"
He had been humiliated the last time he went to Bianjing, and this time he was determined not to provoke that rogue emperor and bring bad luck upon himself.
At this time, a messenger came in from outside the door: "Deputy Marshal! The Emperor of Bian Jing sent an envoy to ask for a meeting." Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Ang looked at each other.
Wanyan Ang was somewhat surprised: "Why is the Song Emperor sending an envoy at this time?"
Zong Wang smiled and said, "That's easy. Their sneak attack failed and we surrounded and annihilated them. The Song Emperor got scared and had no choice but to send people to ask for peace. We're going to make a good deal of it this time."
Wanyan Ang was a little skeptical: "No, I've seen this Song Emperor before. He's quite arrogant, and he's definitely not the type to give in easily. Could it be that he's really scared by our attack?"
Zong Wang waved his hand: "Don't worry about what they are here for, let them in."
Zhao Ye, the governor of the Northern Circuit, and Cai Mao, the Shangshu Zuocheng, arrived at the Jin camp and were secretly horrified by the sight of these ferocious and barbaric Jin soldiers. Only one person, Li Gang, remained unconcerned with the Jin soldiers.
Zhao Huan did not listen to Li Bangyan's advice and send only Zhao Ye and Cai Mao. Instead, he let Li Gang lead the team and take the two with him.
The Deputy Marshal of the Great Jin Dynasty, Wanyan Zongmou, and Prince of Yun, Wanyan Angda, sat in the commander's tent and looked at the three people coldly.
Zhao Ye and Cai Mao felt uncomfortable being stared at. They clasped their fists and said, "We are Zhao Ye, the Governor-General of the Northern Circuit, and Cai Mao, the Minister of the Left. We are here to see Vice Marshal Zong Wang on the orders of our Lord!"
Li Gang did not greet them.
Wanyan Ang said coldly: "What do you have to say when your emperor sends you here?!"
Cai Mao shuddered slightly. "My Lord said that if the Marshal were willing to withdraw his troops, the Song Dynasty would pay an annual tribute of 500,000 taels and a reward of 500,000 taels."
Zong Wang slammed the table and said: "Do you think my Great Jin is a beggar?"
Li Gang said coldly: "You think my Song Dynasty is rich, but it is not worth it to use money to feed a bunch of hungry wolves like you!"
Wanyan Ang recognized him as a minister of the Purple Palace, but he didn't know that he was Li Gang.
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