Wanyan Ang angrily said, "Who are you? How dare you speak so arrogantly and slander our Great Jin? Are you tired of living?"
"I am Li Gang!"
Wanyan Ang and Zongwang were shocked when they heard this. Spies came to report from Bianjing. It was Li Gang who was in charge of the anti-Jin resistance in Bianjing. The emperor had appointed him as the Tokyo Defense Envoy.
"Are you Li Gang?" Zong Wang looked him up and down, but Li Gang ignored him arrogantly.
Zong Wang was clearly impressed by Li Gang's aura, so he said, "If we are to withdraw, it won't be difficult. The Song court must pay an annual tribute of 30 million taels and 30 million taels of silver for military rewards. We must also provide 10,000 cattle, sheep, and horses, as well as 1,600 young women. We must also cede Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian."
Li Gang said coldly, "The Emperor of the Great Song is merciful and considerate of the people. He fears the suffering of the people, so he has withdrawn his troops and negotiated peace. The annual tribute is three million taels, and the reward for the army is two million taels, totaling five million taels. You must also return the twenty thousand horses at Moutuogang, including the young girls, to the Great Song. As for ceding territory, the Great Song will fight to the last man and will not give up an inch of it!"
"Then what are you talking about!" Wanyan Ang slammed the table and stood up.
Li Gang also said angrily: "My various armies are rushing to the capital to support the king. If Prince Yun wants to start a war, the Song Dynasty will fight to the end! This peace agreement is the bottom line of the Song Dynasty. If you want to fight, the Song Dynasty will fight!"
Wanyan Zongmou and his comrades were reluctant to start a war, as a war now would be unprofitable for both sides. After a final round of bargaining, the two sides agreed: the Song Dynasty would pay an annual tribute of 13 million taels of silver and 3.5 million taels of silver for military rewards. The 20,000 military horses at Moutuogang would become Jin property, while the Song would not cede any territory. Instead, they would pay annual taxes from Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian to the Jin. As for the beautiful women, Zhao Huan had previously issued a strict order not to give any, and the Jin soldiers had no choice but to give up their offer.
Little did they know that there were actually very few troops rushing to the capital to support the emperor. Zhao Huan had already declared that no territory would be ceded or compensation paid, but now he had reneged on his promise and sent troops to the Jin camp to negotiate peace. Some of the troops were furious, believing that the emperor had broken his promise and was unfit for the task. Many simply stopped mid-way. Zong Ze, the commander-in-chief of the Hebei Volunteer Army, was so furious that he took his troops back to Hebei to recruit his own troops. As for Zhao Huan's reputation, it was like a weasel's fart—a stench that was unbearable.
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