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

Chapter 836 The Royal Cause Is Not Confined to One Side

The officials in the hall, whether they were determined to establish themselves or loyalists like Lu You, were all furious.

Lu You, of course, needs no further introduction.

He Boqiu and the others looked at Wugulun Yuanzhong and were so angry they wanted to kill him.

The title of King of Han is truly excellent.

But how could such an incredibly wonderful title be uttered by a damn gold thief?!
This left these subjects in an extremely awkward position.

When Lu You saw the thing he least wanted to see happen right before his eyes, and that it was caused by a Jin thief, he was so angry that his hands and feet turned cold and his whole body trembled.

"King of Han... What King of Han... You scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you trying to sow discord between Dalang and the Song Dynasty?"

Although Wugulun Yuanzhong remained in a prostrate position, he still managed to raise his head and turn to scold, "You subjects are truly ignorant."

The Flying Tiger General has recovered Han territory and is a hero of the Han people. He should naturally be the King of Han. How dare you doubt this? Why don't you bestow upon him your title?!
Such a hero, must he still be subordinate to the young emperor of Song? Is such a humiliation something a true ruler can bear?

Although they were scolded, apart from Lu You who remained furious, the others, while uttering their own words of rebuke, still secretly glanced at Liu Huai.

Liu Huai, naturally, was not intimidated in this situation, but he did not intend to engage in conversation. Instead, he slowly asked, "Wugulun Yuanzhong, did you bring Wanyan Yong's letter of surrender this time?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong quickly lay down, his forehead touching the ground, and said loudly, "The King of Han has asked a question, and your subject dares not not answer. My Emperor sent me here, firstly to negotiate peace with the King of Han and for the two countries to be forever friendly."
Secondly, it was to bring the family of Minister Shi here in exchange for our captured generals.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall sneered.

You Eastern Jin have become so despicable, yet you only offer terms for peace. Even if you don't become a vassal state, shouldn't you at least send two princesses to marry into the Jin dynasty?
And is this the right attitude to answer questions?
"presumptuous!"

Soon, Li Tieqiang stepped forward and rebuked him: "You Jin traitor, say whatever the King of Han tells you to say. Since he asked you whether Wanyan Yong wanted the whole country to surrender, answer yes or no."

Who gives you the right to make demands here?!

Lu You immediately turned his head and glared angrily at Li Tieqiang.

The others also turned their heads in surprise.

Damn it, I never realized that Big Iron Spear had such a clever mind. Has this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes finally figured it out?
Despite their inner grumbling, these people immediately chimed in, spouting phrases like "The King of Han has given an order" and "The King of Han is mighty," not only silencing Wu Gulun Yuanzhong but also leaving Lu You speechless.

Liu Huai witnessed this scene but did not immediately stop it. Instead, he carefully observed everyone's reactions and then slightly raised his hand to signal them after a moment.

The hall immediately fell silent.

Facing Wugulun Yuanzhong, who was still lying on the ground, Liu Huai nodded noncommittally: "So, Wanyan Yong means that he doesn't want to leave the former Han territories of Youyan and Liaodong?"

Wu Gulun Yuanzhong paused slightly, then continued, "This humble subject cannot understand the words of the King of Han."

Since the Tang Dynasty, Youyan and Liaodong have been separated from Han territory, and their customs are vastly different from those of the Han people. Their legal lineage is also clearly defined. How can you, my lord, use a land deed from over two hundred years ago to claim the very foundation of my Great Jin's state?

These words struck a nerve with all traditional scholar-officials, and Lu You had no choice but to turn his attention back to Wu Gulun Yuanzhong, attempting to refute him with classical allusions.

However, Liu Huai spoke first: "I see that you are also a scholar, so I will not use the grand words 'wherever the sun and moon shine, it is all Han land' to evade me today."

Just to say one thing…

Liu Huai looked at Wu Gulun Yuanzhong with a half-smile: "The Han people have experienced decline before. At our worst, not only Youyan and Liaodong, but the entire Central Plains were mired in bloodshed for hundreds of years."

But so what? Didn't we Han people still rebuild our country and restore peace to the world?
Where are the once rampant Xiongnu, Xianbei, Jie, Di, and Qiang tribes now?

"Now you Jurchen tribes, having gained temporary advantage, want to carve out a territory in Han lands. And you want me to abandon my vow to expel the Tartars and restore China? Isn't that a bit too absurd?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong pressed hard on the stone slab, his knuckles turning white. He finally raised his head, looked into Liu Huai's eyes, and said, "King of Han, are you really not going to give us Jurchens a way to survive?"

Liu Huai's smile remained unchanged: "It's not that I'm not giving you a way out, but whether that way out is through the mountains or the river should be up to me. It's not up to you Jurchens."

"Now, the Jin Dynasty has no choice but to surrender unconditionally. Perhaps I can show some leniency for the sake of avoiding war. Otherwise, when the world is at peace, the Jurchen people will cease to exist."

Faced with Liu Huai's blatant threat, Wugulun Yuanzhong was plunged into despair. He had just gotten up from the ground when the armored soldiers in the hall grabbed his hands and pressed him down to the ground.

He certainly didn't intend to assassinate in front of so many arrogant and fierce soldiers. He simply raised his head, which had been knocked off by his hat, and pleaded, "King of Han, I have certainly studied the classics of the Han dynasty. I was taught by Han teachers since I was a child, and most Han Confucian scholars have not read as many books as I have."

Having read so many books, I naturally understand the principle that the King of Han just spoke of. But King of Han, since ancient times, the greatest enemy of the Han people has always been another group of Han people.

"If the King of Han wishes to annihilate our people, we Jurchens will fight to the last man. But given the despicable nature of the Song state, we will absolutely not stand idly by and watch the King of Han achieve his great ambition!"

Liu Huai listened quietly, then glanced at everyone in the hall again before slowly nodding: "Of course I know. It's a story from the Three Kingdoms period. When Liu Bei was about to achieve his great cause, there were bound to be some Jiangdong scoundrels who crossed the river in white robes. Who doesn't know that?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong continued to struggle to raise his head: "Even so, does the King of Han still intend to destroy my Great Jin first?"

Liu Huai nodded slightly: "That's right." Wugulun Yuanzhong was even more desperate, no longer able to maintain the decorum of a high-ranking Jin official, and roared desperately: "Why? Why?!"

Liu Huai finally stood up, looked at Wugulun Yuanzhong who was like a wild beast, and said loudly, "The reasoning is quite simple."

"As the saying goes, Heaven's justice will prevail, and China will surely seek redress. People's hearts will follow suit, and even the most humble person will avenge any wrong they have committed."

“Since the Jingkang Incident, nearly forty years have passed, and the bodies of my Han people have piled up like mountains and the blood has flowed like seas. If I do not avenge this, and allow you Jurchen clowns to live in the world, how will those who have died close their eyes in peace?”

"If I were to go easy on you and let you go, wouldn't that be saying that killing us Han people has no consequences?"

"If I cannot thoroughly cleanse the land and sweep away the graves to offer sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and the State, how can I bear the weight of the universe?"

"Wugu Lun Yuanzhong, in your eyes, the Song and Jin dynasties are merely a matter of time, but this is the foundation of my position and the reason why millions of heroes and common people in the north have followed me to this day. How can I change the world's strategy because of your words?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong wept in despair but said nothing, Lu You felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave but did not care, and the rest of the Han army's civil and military officials were all roused.

This was the first time Liu Huai had so openly and frankly displayed his political ideal of shouldering the responsibility for the world in a formal setting.

He Boqiu finally stepped forward, bowed, and asked, "King of Han, what should be done with this fellow?"

Liu Huai did not immediately reject the title. Instead, as was customary, he looked at Wugulun Yuanzhong and earnestly asked, "Wugulun Yuanzhong, are you willing to surrender? Are you willing to change your surname to Han and adopt Han customs?"

Wugulun Yuanzhong wept incessantly, but could only shake his head.

Liu Huai nodded in agreement: "Take him into custody and execute him on a later date."

"Wang Wulang."

Wang Shilong immediately stepped forward and said, "Your subordinate is here."

“Go tell their deputy envoy that today is their lucky day, I will not kill them all, and I am willing to exchange Wanyan Mouyan, Wanyan Zhang, and Wanyan Shoudao for Lord Shi’s family.”

"Have the deputy convey my message to Wanyan Yong: he now faces only one path—unconditional surrender—which might save his life; otherwise, when the army advances north, it will be the day he perishes!"

By exchanging three generals for Shi Ju's group of collateral relatives, Liu Huai had done his utmost.

Since these three were offered for exchange, it meant that if the Jin Kingdom turned against them and killed them, Liu Huai would definitely use them to exact equal retaliation.

"Yes, sir!" Upon receiving the military order, Wang Shilong dared not delay and immediately set off.

Wugulun Yuanzhong was dragged out like a dead dog.

The lobby suddenly felt somewhat festive.

Only Lu You stood dejectedly in the first position on the left, head bowed and silent.

Ugulon Yuanzhong did almost the same things as the already deceased Heshilie Liangbi.

It was simply a matter of trying to create a rift between Liu Huai and the Song Dynasty when the Jin Dynasty was militarily incompetent, hoping that the two would fight each other first, thus giving the Jin Dynasty a chance to regroup.

Heshi Lieliangbi had almost succeeded, but failed at the last moment because of the tacit understanding between Liu Huai and Yu Yunwen.

Now, Wugulun Yuanzhong has openly provoked the Han army's civil and military officials during the military council, finally making everyone lose their temper.

It's one thing not to call himself emperor, but to not even call himself king, is that even right?!

This is not just a matter concerning Liu Huai himself, but also involves all civil and military officials.

To put it bluntly, if you don't improve, how are we supposed to improve?

This is also a political crisis in a certain sense, and its power is similar to that of the political crisis that Wanyan Yong faced. Both are political crises that erupt after political leaders fail to provide their supporters with corresponding benefits. However, Liu Huai is the victor, so he has a better chance of handling the situation.

Liu Huai's handling of the situation showed a degree of political wisdom.

He did not stop the officials from calling him the King of Han, but he also did not publicly acknowledge him. The ceremonial guards, plaques, and official documents were not changed at all and were still carried out in the name of the Jingnan Army Military Governor's Office.

This is equivalent to handing over the decision of whether or not to become king to the officials, powerful families, scholars, generals, and even the general public.

What made Lu You even more desperate was that the title "King of Han" really spread very smoothly among the people, gradually replacing the term "Commander-in-Chief".

Just ten days later, on March 1st, the day of Liu Huai's wedding, the title of King of Han had been firmly established in Jinan Prefecture and spread to all directions.

This will naturally cause a series of troubles, but it will also make those who are loyal to Liu Huai even more devoted.

The most outstanding among them was naturally Shi Ju, who lived in Haizhou.

(End of this chapter)