Just as everyone remained silent, Sun Fu stepped forward.
"Speak!"
"Your Majesty, I believe the Jurchens marched south merely because the former Emperor violated the covenant, thus provoking their retaliation. Now that the former Emperor has abdicated, the court should inform the Jurchens of this news and seek to mend relations between our two nations!"
After Sun Fu finished speaking, the entire court fell into a sudden silence.
In fact, many had already considered this solution, but due to pride or other considerations, none dared to voice it. Now that someone had taken the lead, many secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to going to war, they preferred to buy peace with money, as this was not the first time such a thing had happened.
As long as their current comfortable lives could be preserved, nothing else seemed to matter much to them.
"Your Majesty, a Jurchen envoy seeks an audience outside the city. They have arrived at Xin Cao Gate!"
While everyone was in silence, a young eunuch rushed in to report!
"Let them in!"
After a moment of silence, Zhao Huan, gritting his teeth, made a decision he would later deeply regret.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing his command, Zhang Bangchang, though feeling it was inappropriate, found it too late to object. After all, the Emperor had spoken, and as the Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, it would seem disrespectful to directly oppose him. As for the rest, seeing that three of the four Grand Chancellors had resigned and one was feigning illness, they had all become remarkably compliant. In any case, as they were in a state of war, a slight lapse in etiquette was understandable.
Half an hour later, a Jurchen official clad in a purple robe, holding a ceremonial staff, was led by eunuchs into the Hall of Great Celebration.
"Jurchen envoy Wu Xiaomin pays his respects to the Emperor of the Great Song!"
Wu Xiaomin spoke while nodding directly at Zhao Huan. This caused the expressions of all the ministers present to darken considerably. Even envoys from the Khitan were accustomed to cupping their hands and bowing to the Song Emperor. This Wu Xiaomin, however, skipped the bow entirely and merely nodded, an act of blatant disrespect.
"Bold Wu Xiaomin! Why do you not perform the ritual of kneeling when meeting our Great Song Emperor?"
While others could tolerate it, Li Gang, with his fiery temper, could not.
"Enough, Minister Li. He is a guest from afar and is unfamiliar with the customs of our Great Song. You may withdraw for now."
Zhao Huan, having finally encountered an envoy from the Jurchens for the first time, was eager to reach an alliance and have the Jurchens depart so he could continue his reign. Though he knew Li Gang acted out of concern for him, he still offered Wu Xiaomin a way out.
"Thank you, Emperor of Great Song. I bring with me the goodwill of my Marshal. My Marshal heard that your former Emperor has abdicated, and thus, he has decided to give you an opportunity. From this day forth, the Yellow River shall mark the boundary between our nations. The lands north of the Yellow River shall belong to the Great Jin, and the lands south of the Yellow River shall belong to the Great Song. Henceforth, our nations shall be at peace!"
As soon as Wu Xiaomin finished speaking, the entire court erupted into chaos. Even those like Zhang Bangchang, who was usually so accommodating, dared not agree to such terms. What a joke! Ceding a large portion of Hebei and Hedong to the Jurchens? Anyone who dared to agree would likely be beaten to death by the furious citizens of the capital immediately after the court session. Furthermore, without Hebei and Hedong as a buffer, how would they resist the Jurchen cavalry in winter, when the Yellow River froze over? The Jurchen cavalry could then come and go as they pleased. Moreover, there were a considerable number of officials from Hebei and Hedong in the court; would these men be expected to serve in the Jurchen state?
"Your appetite is too great! This is nothing but extortion!"
As soon as Wu Xiaomin finished speaking, the enraged Nie Shan stepped out from the crowd.
"Gentlemen, please consider carefully. If you do not agree, my Marshal's army will meet you outside the walls of Bianliang!"
Seeing the enraged faces of the ministers, Wu Xiaomin calmly uttered his threat.
"You!"
Wu Xiaomin's unassailable demeanor caused the ministers to stare with wide eyes. After all, at this juncture, they had no army and no leverage.
"Summon someone to escort the esteemed envoy to rest. We shall deliberate on this matter amongst ourselves and then provide a reply."
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Huan, for now, dared not agree outright.
"Then please expedite your decision, Your Majesty. My Marshal awaits only three days. After three days, our army will begin its full crossing of the river!"
Wu Xiaomin spoke, cast a cold smile at Zhao Huan, and then turned to leave the Hall of Great Celebration. Once he departed, the atmosphere in the court became exceedingly oppressive. No one dared to be the first to speak. Ceding vast territories of Hebei and Hedong was not a decision any ordinary person could make.
"Your Majesty, I believe this is absolutely unacceptable. The empire of Great Song was bequeathed by our ancestors, and not a single inch of land can be surrendered!"
Seeing that no one else spoke, the strong-willed Li Gang was the first to voice his stance.
"I believe Minister Li's words are reasonable! I second his motion!"
Although there was no Grand Chancellor to take charge, on this matter of great importance, Zhang Shaoyou clearly stood with Li Gang.
"What you say is easy, but have you considered what will happen if the Jurchens arrive? Can you defend Bianliang?"
Sensing the situation turning unfavorable, Zhang Bangchang quickly interjected.
"Master Zhang's words are most interesting. Bianliang is the capital of our Great Song, and it houses millions of soldiers and civilians. If we cannot even defend Bianliang, where else can we possibly hold?"
Having endured for so long, Li Gang's fiery temper had reached its limit. Upon hearing Zhang Bangchang's words, Li Gang did not hesitate to retort.
"Bold Li Gang! Do you know what you are saying? Ask all the generals present who can guarantee they can defend Bianliang! Is it you? Or is it Zhong Shidao, who has already resigned and retired?"
Seeing his own promotion imminent and then encountering the obstinate Li Gang at this moment, Zhang Bangchang's frustration was palpable.
"If Master believes he cannot defend Bianliang, then I, Li Gang, am willing to try! If I fail, all thirty-five members of my family shall perish alongside me!"
Gazing at Li Gang's bright, determined eyes, Zhang Bangchang felt a surge of stifled anger. Li Gang's words clearly implied that if Zhang Bangchang could not defend the city, he should shut his mouth.
"You!"