Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 908 Zhao Dezhao Volunteers

Zhao Dezhao stepped out of the procession, his voice clear and resolute, like a morning bell striking the eaves of a golden palace: "Your subject requests to serve as an envoy to Chenliu to negotiate peace."

The former crown prince stated his idea: to represent the Song Dynasty in peace negotiations with the Wu army.

The hall fell silent instantly, all eyes of the civil and military officials fixed on the eldest prince. Zhao Jiong—formerly Zhao Guangyi, now the new emperor—was slightly taken aback, a fleeting, unfathomable darkness crossing his eyes. He sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, as if weighing his options, or perhaps concealing the momentary surprise and doubt he had just felt.

"You are the eldest son of the late Emperor, of noble birth. How can you lightly venture into such a dangerous place?" Zhao Jiong's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. He had only been on the throne for ten days, and his power base was not yet secure. What he feared most was that someone from the imperial clan would use the crisis to establish their authority, especially since this person was the eldest son of the late Emperor, of legitimate blood. If he were to gain merit, it would threaten his position. If he were truly taken hostage by the Wu army in Chenliu, the political situation would become even more complicated.

Zhao Dezhao knelt down, his back straight as a sword: "Precisely because I am the son of Emperor Taizu, I cannot sit idly by and watch the nation perish. With the Wu army pressing in, Bianjing could fall in a day or two. If I do not offer myself as a hostage, how can we talk about peace? How can we breathe a sigh of relief?" He raised his eyes, his gaze clear, without the slightest fear. "I am willing to exchange my life for ten years of peace for the Great Song Dynasty."

On the side of the hall, Zhao Pu, Lu Duoxun and other ministers listened to Zhao Dezhao's words. Many civil and military officials felt admiration. After all, the Wu army was coming in strong and was about to attack Chenliu City and approach Bianjing City. At this time, if they were to go as envoys, especially members of the Song Dynasty royal family, they would easily be detained as hostages.

However, Zhao Dezhao persisted, and Zhao Pu's faction was bound to step forward to support him. After all, this was an important matter that the eldest prince had taken the initiative to do. The royalists still hoped that Zhao Dezhao would grow up quickly and even achieve great merit, so that the throne could be passed on to Zhao Dezhao after Zhao Jiong became emperor.

Emperor Zhao Jiong was naturally aware of the situation and wondered whether Zhao Dezhao was deliberately trying to stand out and gain prestige, or if he had other intentions.
However, the situation in the Song Dynasty is critical now, and internal strife cannot continue, otherwise the country will soon change hands.

Zhao Pu stepped forward first, his voice steady: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's request is a righteous act. We are willing to second his proposal."

"If we can slow down the Wu army's advance, even if we have to cede territory and pay tribute, it can still save the nation's life," another minister added.

Zhao Jiong's fingertips paused on the dragon-patterned armrest. He naturally saw through Zhao Dezhao's calculations—to gain merit in a crisis, win over the hearts of the people, and perhaps have a chance to contend for the throne in the future; but to refuse now would chill the hearts of the entire court of officials. After a moment's deliberation, he slowly rose, his golden crown and pearl tassels swaying gently, his voice not loud, but enough to echo throughout the palace:

"In that case, I hereby confer upon Zhao Dezhao the title of Prince of Wugong, with a rank equivalent to that of the Prince of Qi, and above the Prime Minister. He shall be appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Peace Negotiation Mission, with Cheng Dexuan as his deputy. He shall be granted a banner and a golden tally, and shall be authorized to act as he sees fit."

His gaze swept over Zhao Dezhao, then swept over Cheng Dexuan—the latter had his head bowed and eyes downcast, but there was a hint of the sharpness of a confidant of the new emperor hidden in his eyes.

After Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne, he immediately promoted his confidant Cheng Dexuan to the position of Hanlin Envoy. Cheng Dexuan served as the deputy envoy on this peace negotiation mission, which also served as a form of supervision.

Zhao Dezhao kowtowed, his forehead hitting the ground with a resounding thud: "Your subject obeys the decree."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Cheng Dexuan was overjoyed, for this was a significant mission. Once he completed the task and enhanced his resume, he would surely be promoted upon his return.

The peace negotiations were thus settled. Lu Duoxun, Zhao Pu, and others discussed the terms of the peace talks. The maximum they could agree to was to cede half of the country south of the Huai River to the Wu Kingdom, and then pay an annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver as reparations. These were humiliating terms, a loss of sovereignty and national disgrace, but there was no other way; it was better than the country being destroyed.

The same things that the Song Dynasty used to bully the Southern Tang, Later Shu, and Northern Han are now happening to them.

After the morning court session, Zhao Dezhao went directly back to his residence and entered his study. A short while later, the unmarried Princess Yongqing came to see him.

Zhao Kuangyin had six daughters, but three died young, leaving only three to adulthood. The first three were Princess Zhaoqing, who married General Wang Chengyan of the Left Guard last year and was granted a residence outside Jinglong Gate. Princess Yanqing married General Shi Baoji of the Left Guard. Princess Yongqing, however, was still unmarried. Although of marriageable age, Zhao Kuangyin intended to marry her off, but the Wu army invaded and swept through the land. Zhao Kuangyin personally led the campaign, was wounded, and returned home, thus delaying the marriage.

Later, when Zhao Kuangyin suddenly passed away, Princess Yongqing could no longer live in the palace, so she moved to her brother's residence. Princess Yongqing lifted the hem of her skirt and entered through the curtain. The bronze incense burner in the hall emitted wisps of incense smoke. Zhao Dezhao stood with his hands behind his back by the window, his back straight, yet exuding an indescribable heaviness.

"Brother, you look unwell. Has something serious happened?" Yongqing asked softly.

Zhao Dezhao turned around, his gaze deep: "I have already requested permission to lead a delegation to Chenliu tomorrow to negotiate peace with the Wu army."

Yongqing froze, her fingers tightening slightly: "Then... will you see Su Chen?" Her voice lowered, filled with the barely concealed excitement of a young girl.

Princess Yongqing had been reading Su Chen's poems and novels for many years, so she was a big fan of his literary talent. When she heard that her elder brother was going to negotiate peace with Wu Jun, she was somewhat surprised and astonished.

"Probably!" Zhao Dezhao said somewhat displeased when he saw the look in his sister's eyes. "Don't forget, Su Chen is our enemy. If it weren't for him, the Song Dynasty wouldn't have lost half of its territory, and Father Emperor wouldn't have died. You can't be obsessed with him anymore."

“Father’s injury was an accident on the battlefield, not shot by Su Chen himself. Besides, Father’s death was suspicious. He was fine the day before, but after drinking with Second Uncle that night, he died suddenly. Isn’t Second Uncle the most suspicious perpetrator?”

"Yongqing, don't talk nonsense!" Zhao Dezhao was startled and quickly looked around. He was relieved to find that no one was approaching the hall and that the maids and servants were all outside.

Yongqing snorted coldly: "That's right, Your Majesty. You are now the person this Emperor is most worried about. Be careful not to leave any evidence against you, otherwise, he might take action against you."

Zhao Dezhao remained silent upon hearing this. He had naturally considered it as well, but he didn't voice it.

“Brother, how about I go with you on this mission? I can disguise myself as a man and serve as a guard, or I can serve as your maid.”

"Nonsense, what are you going to do? It's too dangerous to go to Wu's camp."

Yongqing withdrew his hand, his stubbornness undiminished: "Brother, Bianjing is not safe anymore. There is a risk of the city being breached, and we are being watched. Why don't we leave the city with you? If we find that the Wu army refuses to defend it, then we shouldn't go back to Bianjing. We can escape directly to the northwest. Joining the Zhe family army is better than mutual destruction."

Yongqing is a clever woman, so she considers many things.

Zhao Dezhao remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed, "Do you know that Wu's camp is a place teeming with wolves and tigers? You are just a young woman—"

“Precisely because she is a woman, she understands better how to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune.” Yongqing smiled, her fingertips lightly stroking the short sword at her waist. “Besides, I also want to see with my own eyes what kind of person that Jiangzuo Su Lang, who wrote so many poems and martial arts novels, really is.”

A ray of sunlight swept across her profile, revealing the longing and determination hidden in her eyes.

Zhao Dezhao suddenly realized that his younger sister, who had always loved reading legends, was more clear-headed and decisive than many of the old ministers in the court. He remained silent for a long time before finally saying in a low voice, "You must obey my orders on the road and not act on your own."

"Understood." Princess Yongqing smiled faintly. This time, she really wanted to blend into the delegation and secretly meet Jiang Zuo Su Lang, whom she had long admired.