I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 113 I Forbid It

After a deep conversation with Zhao Mingcheng and the establishment of a strategy, Zhao Ji felt much more confident.

Then, he secretly summoned Zeng Bu, Xu Jiang, and several other New Party ministers with strong stances to inquire about their intentions.

Although Zeng Bu and others were indignant at the compromise rhetoric of the old party in the court, they were also worried about the Empress Dowager's attitude.

Emperor Huizong did not say much, only telling them to prepare, and that the outcome would be decided in the court the next day.

The feedback from Zeng Bu and others was largely the same as Zhao Mingcheng's analysis; they all believed that Xia was strong externally but weak internally, and that they absolutely could not back down this time.

This further strengthened Zhao Ji's resolve and confidence; even if the Empress Dowager was displeased, he would still do it.

A few days later, the court meeting in the Zichen Palace resumed.

The atmosphere was even more somber than before, and the Xia Kingdom envoys, Wei Mingji and Yeli Yulong, stood in the hall once again.

On the throne, Zhao Ji's face was cold and solemn. Behind him, the gauze curtains hung low, and Empress Dowager Xiang's figure remained silent as ever.

After a brief greeting, Zhao Ji did not, as was customary, let the ministers speak first, but instead looked directly at the Xia envoy and got straight to the point.

"I have already discussed the request from the Xia envoy in detail with my ministers and officials."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials with their varied expressions, before finally settling on Wei Mingji and Yeli Yulong, each word spoken with unwavering resolve.

"The Xia state requested the dismantling of fortified villages, the return of the Hehuang region, an increase in annual tribute, and the reopening of border markets."

"I forbid it under any circumstances!"

These words resounded like thunder throughout the Zichen Palace!

"Your Majesty!" Han Zhongyan, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, was the first to change color, stepping out of the ranks and calling out urgently.

"This matter concerns diplomatic relations between the two countries and the safety of border residents. Is there any room for further discussion? Such a categorical rejection is hardly appropriate—"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Right Remonstrator Chen Guan also stepped forward, his voice urgent.

"Since the Xia Kingdom has come to seek peace, even if their request is unreasonable, we should still try to persuade them gently, showing them the benevolence of the Celestial Empire, and proceed gradually. If we are too forceful, it might provoke border conflicts, disturb the Empress Dowager's peace, and shake the foundation of the nation. Wouldn't that be losing more than we gain?"

"Your Majesty, the Hehuang region is remote. Acquiring it will not increase the country's wealth, while defending it will only deplete the country's resources. If we can exchange it for long-term peace on the border, it would truly be a move that benefits the country and its people!" Fan Chunli echoed.

In a short time, several ministers spoke out, offering advice or subtle criticism, but their core message remained the same: to advocate for compromise and avoid conflict.

A low murmur arose in the hall, and many officials looked worried.

Behind the gauze curtain, Empress Dowager Xiang seemed to lean forward slightly. Although she did not speak, her gaze toward Zhao Ji already showed a hint of displeasure.

The envoy, Wei Mingji, also had a slight change in expression.

He never expected that this seemingly young and weak new emperor of the Song Dynasty would so decisively and resolutely refuse everything, his attitude being far more forceful than he had anticipated.

This is quite different from his previous assessment that "the new emperor may be easy to deceive".

His mind raced as he pondered how to phrase his words to salvage the situation: should he feign weakness and plead again, or should he resort to a slight threat to exert pressure?

His deputy, Yeli Yulong, was much less complicated.

Upon hearing the words "absolutely not allowed," and seeing that there seemed to be disagreement in the Song court, he immediately felt that his opportunity had come. He could no longer suppress his arrogance as a warrior, and suddenly raised his head, his eyes wide with anger, glaring at Zhao Ji on the throne, and letting out a low growl.

"Your Majesty, our Xia Kingdom sincerely seeks peace, yet you treat us with such disrespect! Do you truly believe that our Xia Kingdom is invincible and afraid of you?! Know that the Great Xia Iron Cavalry—"

"Ye Li Yulong! Stop your insolence!" Wei Mingji quickly pretended to stop him, but his eyes secretly signaled for him to continue applying pressure.

The two were still acting together.

Encouraged by Yulong, Yeli became even more arrogant, raising his voice to carry a blatant threat.

"The matter of the Hehuang region is but a minor defeat! My Xia Kingdom has countless armored warriors and has sworn an alliance with the Liao Kingdom to share weal and woe! If it truly comes to war, your magnificent Bianjing will have to taste the sharpness of the swords and bows of my Tangut warriors!"

This blatant display of force was even more arrogant than the day before, completely tearing away the pretense of "seeking peace."

Han Zhongyan, Chen Guan, and others were speechless for a moment. Even though they advocated peace, they could not tolerate such public humiliation from the Xia people.

Emperor Huizong's face was ashen, and the veins on the back of his hand, resting on the armrest of his throne, were slightly visible.

He suppressed his anger and did not immediately lash out. Instead, he slowly turned his head to look at Zhao Mingcheng's figure below the steps and said.

"Zhao Mingcheng, the compiler of historical records, once personally went to the Hehuang region to pacify the various tribes and had a deep understanding of border affairs and military matters."

Zhao Ji paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials before finally settling on the Xia envoy, whose face was grim, and spoke clearly.

"Today, I grant Minister Zhao permission to speak frankly and without restraint. He shall lay bare before me the strategic importance of the Hehuang region, the merits of our soldiers, the strengths and weaknesses of the Xia state, and the potential consequences of his outrageous remarks. I and all my ministers wish to hear the details."

According to the rules of court discussions, officials of Zhao Mingcheng's rank were not allowed to speak on their own initiative in such an important diplomatic occasion unless they were specially summoned.

The emperor's move undoubtedly broke with convention, granting Zhao Mingcheng the authority to represent the court and refute the Xia envoy.

Han Zhongyan, Chen Guan, and the others' expressions changed drastically, and they wanted to speak up to stop them.

But the emperor had already spoken, and at such a sensitive moment, he didn't know how to interject.

Empress Dowager Xiang remained behind the curtain, seemingly without making a move.

Wei Mingji's heart sank suddenly, and he knew something was wrong.

He knew Zhao Mingcheng, the commander of the Song army in the Battle of Black Stone Beach, who had seriously injured Yeli Jie through his scheme. He was far superior to Han Zhongyan, a mere scholar who only knew how to spout pedantry.

Under the watchful eyes of the court officials.

Zhao Mingcheng calmly stepped forward, walked to the imperial steps, bowed to the throne and the gauze curtain, then turned to face Wei Mingji and Yeli Yulong.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his gaze calm yet sharp as a knife, exuding a dignified and solemn air.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager. Your subject, Zhao Mingcheng, Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and former Pacification Commissioner of the Hehuang Region, hereby submits this petition in accordance with Your Majesty's decree."

Zhao Mingcheng's voice was steady, neither too loud nor too soft, but it quickly quieted the noisy court as he continued.

"The Xia envoy's request for peace is despicable; his demands are insatiable!" Zhao Mingcheng set the tone with his very first sentence, leaving no room for sarcasm.

"When mentioning the Hehuang region, they say it is remote and difficult to govern, wasting the nation's resources. Is this just a pipe dream of the Xia people, or perhaps—a deliberate attempt to deceive our emperor and his ministers into believing we are ignorant?"

The Hehuang region, controlling the Xia Kingdom to the north, connecting to the Western Regions to the west, and bordering Tibet to the south, is the key to the northwest and the bulwark of China!

Emperor Wu of Han established the four commanderies of Hexi, severing the right arm of the Xiongnu; Emperor Taizong of Tang recovered the former Hehuang region, stabilizing the Longyou region. This has always been a strategically vital area fought over by military strategists; how can it be considered remote?

As he said this, Zhao Mingcheng's gaze swept over Han Zhongyan and the others, who looked down at their feet and did not meet Zhao Mingcheng's eyes.

Zhao Mingcheng's gaze fell on Wei Mingji's face, and he continued.

"Our dynasty has General Wang Shan guarding the Hehuang region, registering households and cultivating land, winning the hearts of the Tibetan tribes, and gradually opening up trade routes. How can it be said that it is difficult to govern?"

On the contrary, the Erxia Kingdom, having lost the protective barrier of the Hehuang region, is like a man with a missing arm, unable to eat or sleep in peace. Therefore, they resort to flattery and deception here!

Zhao Mingcheng's every sentence was closely tied to geographical strategy and historical facts, refuting the "Hehuang is useless theory" completely.

"As for the annual gifts,"

Zhao Mingcheng's tone turned cold.

"Since the reigns of Emperor Zhenzong and Emperor Renzong, the annual gifts of silk, silver, tea, and silk have been given out to show compassion for the border people and to demonstrate the benevolence of our superior nation, not out of fear of your military might!"

You have shown no gratitude, instead colluding with the rebellious Tibetan chieftain to attack my border towns and slaughter my people! Where are your thousands of elite troops from the Battle of Black Stone Beach now?!

Zhao Mingcheng suddenly raised his voice, his voice as sharp as lightning, shooting straight at Ye Liyulong.

"General Yeli just now kept saying that the Xia Kingdom has countless armored soldiers and sharp iron cavalry, but he did not know that last autumn, on the Black Stone Beach, he was pierced through the shoulder by our General Zhong Pu, who fled in a sorry state, even abandoning his command flag in front of the battlefield, which was captured by our army."

That banner embroidered with the wolf's head emblem of the Yeli family is currently stored in the Xihe Road armory. Should I request permission to retrieve it so that General Yeli can have another look at it and verify the sharpness of our army?!

"you----!"

When the humiliation of having his family's banner taken away was mentioned, Yeli Yulong was so angry that his face turned red, veins bulged on his neck, and he pointed at Zhao Mingcheng, trembling all over, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

Wei Mingji's face also turned pale.

This was a major taboo in the Xia Kingdom, and Zhao Mingcheng exposed it in public in the Song Kingdom's court, causing the Xia Kingdom to lose face completely.

Zhao Mingcheng gave them no chance to breathe, continuing to press them with increasingly sharp questions.

"Your ruler, Li Ganshun, is young and newly enthroned. The state is not yet stable, and the veteran generals harbor resentment."

Last year, your nation suffered a humiliating defeat, losing its elite troops and leaving its people vulnerable. You desperately need time to recuperate and pacify your people. Instead of repenting and pacifying the borders, you sent envoys to our court, first deceiving us with empty words, then intimidating us with military force. Do you really think our Great Song Dynasty has no one who can see through your outward strength and inner weakness, your bluster and cowardice?!

Zhao Mingcheng not only refuted the Xia envoy's threat, but also subtly revealed the political predicament within Western Xia, showing that the Song state was not completely ignorant of the internal affairs of Xia, and might even be very familiar with them!

Wei Mingji was horrified upon hearing this, and his fear of Zhao Mingcheng deepened.

Ye Li Yulong was repeatedly rebuked by Zhao Mingcheng, and he was both ashamed and angry, his reason almost completely consumed by his rage.

He had forgotten the task Wei Mingji had assigned him, and no longer cared about any strategy of playing along. He suddenly stepped forward, pointed at Zhao Mingcheng's nose, and started cursing.

"Zhao Mingcheng! You brat! Relying on a little bit of luck, you dare to spout such nonsense! You have insulted my Xia Kingdom and slandered my lord. I, Yeli Yulong, will remember this humiliation! When we meet on the battlefield one day, I will make you pay—"

"Wild and prosperous!"

Zhao Mingcheng suddenly shouted, his voice carrying an air of authority and righteous indignation, which actually suppressed Ye Liyulong's roar.

"This is the Zichen Palace of my Great Song Dynasty! Before His Majesty and the Empress Dowager! How dare you, mere uncouth barbarian generals and arrogant scoundrels, roar in the court, utter such outrageous words, and threaten the Emperor's close ministers?!"

Zhao Mingcheng stepped forward, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Yeli Yulong.

"Listen to me, if I can defeat you once in the Hehuang region, I can defeat you ten times, a hundred times!"

What you rely on is nothing more than the courage to plunder and your fickle nature. What my Great Song relies on is a righteous army and the glorious might of China! If you wish to fight, then let us fight!

Let's see if the terrified remnants of Erxia Kingdom can shake the iron walls of my Great Song's borders, or if my Great Song's royal army will one day point its sword at Xingqing Prefecture, and let you all bathe in the royal rule of the Celestial Empire!

Every word was powerful and resounding, every sentence pierced the heart.

Not only did they refute the threat, but they also denigrated the Xia state as a barbaric nation that only knew how to plunder, and placed the Song state on the moral high ground.

Yeli Yulong was not good at arguing, and at this moment he was completely overwhelmed by Zhao Mingcheng's aura and words.

His mouth was open, his chest heaving violently, but he could no longer utter a single word. All that remained were his bloodshot eyes, filled with extreme anger and humiliation, staring intently at Zhao Mingcheng.

The hall was deathly silent.

All Song officials, whether they were pro-war or pro-peace, were deeply impressed by Zhao Mingcheng's reasoned, measured, and courageous rebuttal.

Han Zhongyan and the others looked ashen-faced, Chen Guan's eyes were complicated, and even Empress Dowager Xiang behind the curtain looked at Zhao Mingcheng with a somewhat complicated expression.

When Zhao Ji heard Zhao Mingcheng speak, he gripped the armrest tightly, appearing calm, but in his heart he had already agreed with Zhao Mingcheng's words countless times.

Wei Mingji knew that the situation was hopeless.

Zhao Mingcheng's appearance completely disrupted their plans, putting Xia Kingdom in an extremely passive and even ridiculous situation.

Continuing to argue will only bring shame upon ourselves.

Sitting on his throne, Zhao Ji looked at Zhao Mingcheng's proud back and saw how he had silenced the Xia envoy with his words. His heart was filled with pride and his frustration vanished.

He took a deep breath, adopted the majesty of an emperor, and swept his gaze over the stunned Xia envoy, speaking in a deep voice.

"I have heard Xia's words, and Zhao Qing's words are my own thoughts and the aspirations of our Great Song Dynasty."

Zhao Ji turned to Zeng Bu and said.

"Prime Minister Zeng, on my behalf, replied to the Xia envoy: The harmony between Song and Xia should be based on good faith."

If the Xia Kingdom can abide by the alliance and cease its incursions into the borders, I will ensure its safety.

However, the Hehuang region has already submitted to the king's rule, and there is absolutely no room for negotiation! The annual tribute will follow the old practice, without increasing by even a single cent! The opening of the border markets will be discussed again when the Xia state truly submits and the border troubles are permanently resolved!

Zhao Ji paused, his gaze sweeping coldly over Wei Mingji and the still resentful Yeli Yulong.

"If there are any further acts of misconduct or reckless words, the soldiers of our Great Song Dynasty will respond with swords! Do not say you were not warned."

Zeng Bu was greatly encouraged and responded loudly.

"I obey your decree!"

Immediately, Zeng Bu turned to the Xia envoy and repeated Zhao Ji's words in more formal and severe diplomatic language, concluding with...

"Has Your Excellency understood? If there is nothing else, please return to the inn and you will be able to return to your country to report back soon."

Wei Mingji's face was ashen; he knew there was no way to turn the tide, and today he had suffered a complete defeat.

He suppressed his humiliation, bowed deeply, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"This humble subject understands. This humble subject will now take his leave and will certainly convey His Majesty's will to my lord."

Having said that, Wei Mingji pulled Ye Liyulong, who was still unwilling and almost spitting fire, bowed his head and clasped his hands, not daring to look again. Under the gaze of countless eyes with different meanings, he withdrew from the Zichen Palace.

A meticulously planned diplomatic probe and pressure campaign ended in complete failure for the Xia envoys, who returned empty-handed, thanks to Zhao Mingcheng's sudden emergence and Zhao Ji's decisive and forceful actions.

The court meeting ended, but the effects of this incident were only just beginning to take hold.