Zhao Huan regretted his decision as soon as he arrived at Prince Zheng's Mansion. Wanyan Zheng was sour, not just ordinary sour.
When Wanyan Zheng first met Zhao Huan, he was not very impressive. But when Zhao Huan agreed to let him be the prefect of Huining Prefecture, Wanyan Zheng immediately wrote a poem for him.
The emperor traveled north to visit my humble home,
The Han and Jurchens are originally one family.
When he returns to Beijing in triumph,
I look at you from the Jade Terrace and see you off.
Zhao Huan felt goosebumps rising all over his body. The poem was immature and full of flattery. It described the Song Dynasty's northern expedition against the Jin Dynasty as a northern tour, which was acceptable given that the Han and Jurchen peoples were one family. However, the final line, "Looking at each other from the Jade Terrace, we send you back," expressed the emperor's reluctance to leave after his return to the capital.
Zhao Huan shook Wanyan Zheng's hand and said, "Prince Zheng, I have appointed you as the prefect of Huining Prefecture. You must be impartial. You are right, the Song and Jin are one family. I have decided to let Bahlie be your deputy, not Sandabuhua."
Sandabuhua hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, what are your instructions?"
"I promote you to the rank of Sixth-Rank Captain of Huining Prefecture, responsible for serving the Prince. Enforce the law impartially and protect the Prince's safety."
Sandabuhua was overjoyed. This was a godsend. He was just a small-time errand boy, a scoundrel who was dissatisfied with the current situation. He had the good fortune to meet the current emperor, and now he was given an official position and a salary. He immediately knelt and shouted "Long live the emperor!"
Zhao Huan said to Bahlie, "Bahlie, the prince is young. He needs assistance in many political affairs. Please humble yourself and become the chief clerk of Huining Prefecture to assist the prince in handling government affairs."
Bahriel also saw that the elegant Wanyan Zheng was indeed not fit to be a prefect. So he bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."
Zhao Huan nodded and said, "As for Shangjing, I will appoint Jurchen officials to govern. I hope you will live up to my expectations and truly make the Han and Jurchen people one family."
Wanyan Zheng was nearly sick from being suffocated in the palace. During Wanyan Sheng's reign, he was imprisoned there. Forbidden from even a single step outside, his days without freedom were truly unbearable. Zhao Huan's arrival, freeing him and even conferring him the important position of prefect, made him incredibly happy.
Wanyan Zhengdao said, "Your Majesty's heart is greater than that of Yao and Shun. I will pray for you every day. I pray that God will bless you and live forever."
Zhao Huan smiled and said, "Alright, I'm fine now. I'll be returning to the capital tomorrow, so I'll be leaving now."
Wanyan Zhengyi waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I have suddenly been inspired to write a poem again. I will recite a farewell poem for Your Majesty: The Emperor's carriage is about to depart..."
"Oh, that's enough. Stop it. You can keep reciting the poem slowly. I'm leaving first." Zhao Huan couldn't stand it anymore and quickly escaped.
As soon as they returned to Renzheng Hall, the generals had gloomy faces and were waiting for Zhao Huan.
Zhao Huan was startled: "What happened?"
Wu Ge said: "Your Majesty, Xixia is dead."
"What?" Zhao Huan was shocked.
Wu Ge continued, "Hebule led his army to aid Xixia, and within a month, he defeated Wanyan Gao's forces. Wanyan Gao was torn to pieces by a chariot, and Wanyan Zongjie surrendered to Mongolia. Then..."
"What happens next?" Zhao Huan asked in surprise.
Wu Ge's face was heavy with worry. "Then Hebule turned around and attacked the Xixia capital, Xingqing Prefecture. The Xixia King, Li Ganshun, was killed by his subordinate, Xiao Zunru. Xiao Zunru then opened the city gates and surrendered to the Mongols."
Nangong Lian'er was also horrified: "Your Majesty, then, what about Sister Li?"
Zhao Huan was in a state of panic. He had not expected the Mongols to be so ferocious. How could Li Ganshun's Western Xia army be so vulnerable?
In reality, the Western Xia, under the dictatorship of the maternal party, was already deeply corrupt, and Li Ganshun was a puppet upon his ascension to the throne. After the Empress Dowager finally died, Li Ganshun personally led the army and implemented some reforms, leading to a brief period of revival for the Western Xia. However, the Song-Jin War and the Mongol invasions followed, and the newly recovered Western Xia power quickly returned to chaos.
With the invasion of Wanyan Zongjie, the shortcomings of the Western Xia became more apparent. With no other options left, they had to seek help from the Mongols. As Li Baiwan had said, seeking help from the Mongols was like inviting a wolf into the house.
Hebule attacked Xingqing Prefecture and approached the city. Li Ganshun cried out: "I regret not listening to Li Baiwan's advice."
Seeing that Western Xia was doomed to fail, General Xiao Zunru led his men to break into the palace and kill Li Ganshun. He sent Li Ganshun's head to the Mongolian camp and opened the city gates to surrender to Mongolia.
Therefore, Hebula also appointed Xiao Zunru as the King of the West.
"Xiao Zunru? Xiao Zunru." Zhao Huan muttered the name, but he just couldn't remember who it was.
Wu Ge hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Xiao Zunru is the envoy from Western Xia."
"It's him!" Zhao Huan suddenly remembered that Xiao Zunru came to Bianjing as an envoy to the Song Dynasty to negotiate peace.
, let Li Sisi marry the man of his life.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Empress Li is asking for an audience outside the palace." The eunuch Bai Jinjiu came in hurriedly and said.
Zhao Huan was utterly distraught. Li Sisi must have come to ask him to send troops to avenge his father. However, the Song Dynasty had just defeated the Jin Dynasty and was still exhausted. The soldiers were tired of fighting and the most important thing now was to recuperate.
"Your Majesty." Nangong Lian'er was good friends with Li Sisi, and she wanted to ask Zhao Huan to agree to summon her.
Zhao Huan thought for a moment and said, "Tell Madam Li that I am busy with government affairs and have no time to meet with her. I will go see her when I am free."
"Your Majesty, you should meet Sister Li." Nangong Lian'er wanted to persuade him again.
Zhao Huan said coldly: "No, you go down too."
Nangong Lian'er was so aggrieved that she almost cried. Ever since she entered the palace, Zhao Huan had always obeyed her in everything. But at this moment, her expression suddenly changed. She felt infinitely aggrieved and looked at Zhao Huan with tears in her eyes.
Zhao Huan felt a little regretful after he finished speaking, so he could only say gently: "Lian'er, as the Emperor of the Great Song, I should consider the people of the Great Song. How could I send troops for Sisi's sake? Our Great Song soldiers are exhausted from the expedition. If the war breaks out again, it will bring disaster to the people."
Nangong Lian'er thought what he said made sense, so she didn't dare to say anything more. She wiped her tears and bowed to leave.
Seeing Zhao Huan's sullen face, the generals dared not say a word.
The eunuch Bai Jinjiu said in panic, "Your Majesty, Empress Li said that if Your Majesty refuses to summon her, she will kneel outside the palace and refuse to get up."
Zhao Huan frowned: "Then let her kneel down."
Emperors are often ruthless, and it seems that this saying is true. Zhao Huan has indeed changed. What he cares about is his country.
Once an emperor sits on the throne for a long time, his character will really change. The desire for power will corrode everyone's heart, and Zhao Huan is no exception.
The generals didn't dare to speak, and they all bowed and left. Zhao Huan sat alone in the hall, flipping through a book, with the eunuch Bai Jinjiu beside him, trembling with fear.
Li Sisi just knelt on the cold ground outside the palace, with a dozen maids kneeling behind her.
She bit her lip, and as time passed, her heart grew colder. It turned out that in Zhao Huan's heart, she was just a product of a political marriage, and his majesty had no feelings for her at all.
Suddenly she felt warm and someone put a cloak on her.
Li Sisi looked back and saw Nangong Lian'er patting her shoulder and kneeling down as well.
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