Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 531: New Envoys from the Jin Kingdom Arrive

On April 1st, Liu Huai finally got the news he wanted.

Jin envoy Gao Zhongjian arrived at Wokou and conveyed to the Song court the news that Wanyan Yong had ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Dading. He also promised to retaliate against a series of evil policies during the reign of Wanyan Liang, change his ways, and negotiate peace with the Song again.

This time, Zhao Gou's speed was really too fast. Before the court discussion began, Yang Kang, the Huaixi Transport Commissioner, hurriedly welcomed the Jin ambassador in, and then he lowered his flag and rushed all the way with Gao Zhongjian. He did not raise the flag of the Jin envoy until he arrived at Zhang Zigai's army at Guazhou Ferry.

Yang Kang was really afraid of the group of bandits in the Jingnan Army. It could only be said that this army was worthy of being led by Han Shizhong's subordinates, and their style of doing things was very similar. Yang Kang was afraid that this group of people would learn from Han Shizhong in order to disrupt the peace talks, and directly kill all the Jin envoys with their faces covered.

When the news of the Jin envoy's arrival at Guazhou Ferry came, it immediately caused an uproar in the court and the country.

The new deputy envoy of Jianghuai, Yu Yunwen, had no reservations and came to Duting Posthouse again, wanting to discuss countermeasures with Liu Huai.

However, just as he entered the gate of Duting Station, Yu Yunwen heard a huge sound of breaking wind and whistling in the courtyard in front of him, and he was immediately startled and stopped.

But seeing that the Jingnan Army soldiers around him were used to it, he could only continue to move forward.

After crossing another gate, Yu Yunwen finally saw Liu Huai, who was wearing heavy armor and wielding a spear.

The strange sound of breaking wind was made by the Liquan gun.

Xin Qiji was also wearing armor, with his two usual heavy swords placed aside. He looked at Liu Huai eager to try, as if he was about to go on stage to practice with Liu Huai.

When Yu Yunwen saw Liu Huai's attitude, he became hesitant.

If the matter was reported, would Liu Dalang just display his martial arts nature and solve the problem with his sword or gun?
When Liu Huai saw Yu Yunwen arrive, he slammed his spear down and asked directly, "Has the Jin envoy arrived?"

Yu Yunwen's eyes narrowed: "How did Dalang know?"

Liu Huai laughed twice. "Prime Minister Yu, my army is in Zhongli, and it's under the command of Mr. He San. Do you really think that fat guy Yang Kang can lead the Jin envoys through Lianghuai without my permission?!"

Yu Yunwen felt relieved, but immediately felt a sense of inexplicable panic. After finding an empty seat and sitting down, he said, "Since Liu Dalang has let the Jin envoy in, do you agree to negotiate peace?"

This was nonsense, not worth refuting, but Liu Huai still said sincerely: "Of course not, but I want to know whether Wan Yanyong has firmly sat on the throne, and how many ministers of the Jin Kingdom are loyal to him."

After hearing this, Yu Yunwen breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Liu Huai continue, "Of course, we must execute the envoy to establish our authority and sever the peace talks between Song and Jin. But we have to do it after we have figured out all these things. Minister Yu, don't worry, I can handle Ban Chao's affairs. If the Jin envoys are allowed to escape back to Liaodong, then I will be the one!"

As he said this, Liu Huai raised his little finger to show his determination.

Yu Yunwen's heart, which had been at ease, was finally lifted up again.

He had long known that Liu Huai had a strong murderous intention, but he did not expect it to be so strong. Moreover, he said it very clearly, and he seemed to be quite fearless.

To be fair, didn’t Yu Yunwen want to kill the Jin envoy?
Of course I want to kill!

However, this was an exchange between two great nations thousands of miles apart, and it wasn't just about military matters; it also involved politics and economics. Executing the envoys meant that nothing was negotiable, and that everyone would now speak with swords. No mature politician would do that.

Politics is not a game of house, it is not black and white, it is the art of compromise.

How can you just kill the envoy?

Despite his confused thoughts, Yu Yunwen, a top scholar-official, still felt that Liu Huai's use of allusions was a serious flaw.

Ban Chao's strategy of "no venture, no gain" was to kill the Xiongnu envoys in order to protect the Han Dynasty and prevent the Xiongnu from forming an alliance with the Shanshan Kingdom.

Liu Huai put himself in Ban Chao's position. Doesn't this mean that this guy regards both Song and Jin as enemies?

Liu Huai, however, hadn't given it much thought. Seeing Yu Yunwen's unfriendly expression, he continued earnestly, "Prime Minister Yu, I understand that politics requires compromise. It's perfectly normal for the man who murdered my father the other day to shake hands and make peace today. But I also know that politics requires a bottom line. Let me make it clear today: I will never compromise with the Jin bandits. That's my bottom line."

"I know sometimes I'm powerless to recover lost territory, and I know even a brief ceasefire would be invaluable. But I still don't dare. I don't know if I can ever gather myself again if I disperse this spirit. I also don't know how those who followed me, risking their lives to recover lost territory, would view me. So, no matter what, I will not compromise on this matter."

Everyone in the Song State could compromise with the Jin State, except Liu Huai.

Because all his political foundation was gained by resisting the Jin Dynasty.

If Liu Huai compromised, why would Song Dynasty scholars such as Zhang Xiaoxiang and Zhu Xi, and Shandong heroes such as Wang Shilong and Li Xiu follow him?

Why did Ye Yiwen, Yu Yunwen, and other ministers of Song State form a political alliance with a twenty-year-old? Why did the people of Shandong allow him to govern?
Therefore, Liu Huai must stick to this bottom line at all times.

To put it bluntly, as long as he can hold on, even if he breaks with the Song Dynasty and is attacked by both the Song and Jin sides, there will still be some loyal followers who will die with him in the end.

If we can't hold on, the whole thing may fall apart within a year or two.

Yu Yunwen, Tang Situi, and even Zhao Gou had this kind of political foundation.

They also have to satisfy these political bases in order to maintain their position.

Among all the factions in the Song State today, there is only one person who has no base at all.

That is the Crown Prince Zhao Shen who is about to ascend the throne.

Looking at Liu Huai who had made up his mind to chop off the Jin envoy at all costs, Yu Yunwen could only shake his head helplessly.

Even if he could protect the Jin envoy within the territory of Song, could he continue to protect Gao Zhongjian after he crossed the Huai River and arrived in the territory of Jin?

It is possible that at this time, the elite troops of the Jingnan Army were already lurking on the Huai River on large ships, waiting to capture the Jin envoys as soon as they crossed the river!

Thinking of this, Yu Yunwen put the matter aside, waved his hand to disperse the people around him, and talked to Liu Huai about another important matter.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also be accompanying the Emperor back to Lin'an. He must meet with you first. Otherwise, upon returning to Lin'an, the Crown Prince will have to prepare for the abdication ceremony and will be unable to leave the palace."

Liu Huai nodded: "Are we going back to Lin'an now? Do I have to go back with you?"

Yu Yunwen said in a deep voice, "Of course. Not only you are going to Lin'an, but all the generals here must go. This is a grand ceremony of abdication. Not going would be a great disrespect."

Liu Huai didn't comment and continued to ask, "When will you return to Lin'an?"

"That's within ten days. After all, our country has its own system. It's impossible to receive the Jin envoys in the Jiankang Palace."

Yu Yunwen waved his hand, then focused his energy on establishing a connection between the Crown Prince and Liu Huai: "Let's not talk about this anymore. The day after tomorrow, the Crown Prince will leave the palace, accompanied by Zhao Mi, the Palace Guard, to the city to give cattle and wine to the Palace Guard. There will be a gap at that time, and naturally, Shi Hao, the Shaoqing, will lead the Crown Prince to see you.

You must put away that warrior attitude and make a good impression on the Crown Prince."

Liu Huai waved his hands carelessly: "I know my limits, but Lord Yu, after the Crown Prince ascends the throne, even if he wants to use me, it will only be my military strength. Now Lord Yu is asking me to be a scholar. I wonder if I can become a Lord in the future."

Yu Yunwen knew Liu Huai was teasing him, and said unhappily, cupping his hands, "With your lazy appearance, how could you possibly become a prime minister? On the other hand, someone like Xin Wulang could at least be a Privy Councilor, and it's not impossible for him to become a prime minister in the future."

Liu Huai laughed as soon as he heard it.

In history, the person who suppressed Xin Qiji at the beginning was Yu Yunwen, because immediately after Xin Qiji came south, the Longxing Northern Expedition failed and Song and Jin negotiated peace again.

The political landscape subsequently evolved from a dispute between those who advocated war and those who advocated peace to one between the Sichuan and Fujian parties and the Jiangsu and Zhejiang parties. Xin Qiji was simply too lazy to participate in this kind of party struggle.

Yu Yunwen originally wanted to win him over, and his meaning was very clear: he had to obey his orders and join him in the Northern Expedition. However, Xin Qiji was arrogant and acted unilaterally, which immediately led to his suppression by Yu Yunwen.

Now Yu Yunwen actually said that Xin Qiji could be a prime minister in the Song Dynasty. How can people not laugh?
Liu Huai immediately said to Xin Qiji, who had already walked more than ten steps away, "Just now, Prime Minister Yu said that you are a prime minister's talent."

Xin Qiji was demonstrating his skills with two heavy swords. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Mr. Yu, for your kindness. I am just a warrior who only knows how to fight and nothing else!"

Yu Yunwen was speechless again.

The people who wrote "Qing Yu'an Yuan Xi" were just warriors who only knew how to fight. What about the others?

A monkey in a tree?

Yu Yunwen didn't want to bother with them. He brushed the nonexistent dust off his legs, stood up, and said, "Don't let anything go wrong these few days, Liu Dalang. I know I can't control you, but I still want to risk my dignity to advise you. You can return to Shandong in a month at the latest. By then, you can vent all your energy on the Jin thieves. I hope you can be patient for another month."

Having said that, Yu Yunwen left with his hands clasped.

Liu Huai pulled a piece of linen from a slit in his armor and carefully wiped the Liquan spear. He sighed and murmured in a voice only he could hear: "The world is in turmoil. How can Prime Minister Yu expect me to endure this?"

(End of this chapter)