Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 909 Summation
The next day, as dawn broke, Zhao Dezhao, already clad in black iron chainmail, with a golden tiger tally hanging from his chest and a nine-section dragon banner in his hand, boarded the chariot.

The city gates opened, and the caravan set off. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the sound of armor plates striking each other was like shattered jade. Three hundred iron cavalrymen spread out like geese, their hooves breaking through the morning frost, clanging like urgent drums.

Princess Yongqing changed into a narrow-sleeved blue robe, tied her black hair with a military cap, and wore a short sword and a light bow. She disguised herself as a handsome young guard and rode in a black lacquered carriage with Zhao Dezhao.

The carriage curtains were lowered, the lamplight flickered, and two people sat side by side on a wolfskin rug, one wearing a robe of dragon's saliva and the other of spring snow, facing each other in silence. Only the rumble of the carriage could be heard outside as it headed straight for Chenliu.

Although going to the enemy camp to negotiate peace was somewhat dangerous, it was a customary rule that envoys should not be killed in war, and the Wu army had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, Zhao Dezhao was not worried about his and his sister's safety if they entered the Wu army camp to negotiate peace.

Zhao Dezhao's current concern is whether he can complete the peace negotiations and persuade the Wu army to stop fighting and withdraw their troops, and not to launch an invasion against the Song Dynasty.

Unlike his worried expression, Princess Yongqing was very excited. She was seventeen years old this year, and with her beautiful face, she was already considered a young lady. She was supposed to get married this year, but it was delayed, but she didn't care.

Because Yongqing loved Su Chen's poetry and was obsessed with his novels, she was a fangirl. Originally, according to her father's decree, she was to marry a young military general, but she didn't like him at all. She secretly disguised herself as a man and left the palace, only to catch a glimpse of him from afar. He was rough in appearance and not very knowledgeable, not the type of person Princess Yongqing liked at all, and he was no match for Su Chen.

Therefore, Princess Yongqing actually resisted this marriage, but she had no choice because her father, the Emperor, was a man of his word and his word was law. Even as a princess, she had no room for negotiation. Even three years ago, when she wore a kingfisher feather dress, she was criticized. She was required to dress simply and modestly, even more so than the daughters of some princes and ministers, demonstrating the strict discipline Zhao Kuangyin placed upon her.

Therefore, Princess Yongqing had long accepted her fate, thinking that it was fine to marry General Wei like this. After all, a princess's marriage to a prince consort was never about her own preference, as long as her father liked and approved of it, there was no room for resistance.

But now that his father has passed away and his second uncle has seized the throne, Zhao Jiong is busy stabilizing the court, coordinating the balance of power among officials, and dealing with the Wu army's attack. He has long since put Princess Yongqing's marriage to the winds.

Yongqing was happy with this arrangement, as she was at least temporarily at peace and didn't have to rush into marriage. Now that she knew she had the chance to meet Su Chen, she was naturally willing to follow her brother out, eager to see Su Chen and fulfill her wish as a fangirl chasing her idol.

"Finally, we've left Bianjing City."

Yongqing lifted the carriage curtain, watching the city of Bianjing recede into the distance. His fingertips gripped the carved window frame, and after a long while, he finally let out a soft sigh.

Zhao Dezhao glanced at his younger sister. Although they weren't born of the same mother, they shared the same father, and the siblings usually had a good relationship. He doted on Yongqing. "You seem to really want to leave the capital?"

"I've been trapped in this city for seventeen years, and I've long wanted to go out and see the world. But my father is too rigid and doesn't want his daughters to be too carefree, too comfortable, or too unconventional. So he doesn't allow my sisters and me to go out. Not to mention outside the city, we're not even allowed to leave the palace. It's so boring being cooped up in the palace all the time. Sigh, thankfully, I've had Su Chen's martial arts novels to keep me company these past few years. They've allowed me to experience the vastness of the martial arts world and the carefree life of chivalrous outlaws." Yongqing couldn't help but complain about her feelings.

Zhao Dezhao looked somewhat depressed as his sister kept mentioning Su Chen. He couldn't help but sigh, "Since you like Su Chen so much, why not use it as a condition for peace and marry you off to him? That way, the Song and Wu will be forever united in marriage, there will be no more war, and the two countries will be as close as friendly nations. You can also stay by Su Chen's side all the time."

Yongqing was taken aback by the suggestion, having never considered this possibility before. He was stunned for a moment, then his cheeks flushed instantly, and he glared at him, saying, "Brother, how can you be so frivolous!"

“This is not inappropriate at all; it concerns a major diplomatic matter between our two countries, a very serious topic!” Zhao Dezhao said.

Zhao Dezhao suppressed his smile and said in a low, steady voice, "The two countries are embroiled in war. If a marriage can stop the suffering of millions of lives, history will record Princess Yongqing's sense of responsibility. Don't you want to be the second Wang Zhaojun?"

Upon hearing this, Yongqing blushed and felt a surge of emotion. She hadn't thought about it before, but now that she considered it, the suggestion seemed quite good. If it could stop the fighting, save the Song Dynasty, and allow her to marry her beloved and ideal husband, it would be the best of both worlds.

He might then leave his mark on history, much like Wang Zhaojun's journey to the border, making a significant contribution to the historical record. Thinking of this, Yongqing was somewhat tempted.

The carriage was so quiet that only the soft sound of wheels rolling over gravel could be heard. Yongqing lowered his eyes and silently drew circles on his knee with his fingertips. After a long while, he spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, as if to himself: "If I can really save the Great Song Dynasty... and also be able to stay by its side, it won't be a bad thing."

Seeing that her ears were red, Zhao Dezhao knew that she was moved, so he stopped pressing her for answers. He simply reached out and tidied the stray hairs that had been blown by the wind around her temples, and murmured softly, "The road ahead is long. Let's see if Su Chen is willing to accept this 'generous gift'."

In the afternoon, the delegation arrived at Chenliu City by fast horse. Due to the critical situation, the delegation was hurrying on its way and dared not waste any time.

At this time, Wu Jun had not yet attacked Chenliu City, but Lin Renzhao and Pan Mei had already led 100,000 troops and were on their way to Chenliu City. It was believed that they would attack the city the next day.

Chenliu City is the last barrier on the way from the southeast to Bianjing City. Once Chenliu is captured, Bianjing City will be just ahead.

It can be said that Chenliu City was the last line of defense against Bianjing City, but because it was a plain without mountains or natural barriers, its defense was very difficult. Historically, Chenliu produced famous figures such as Yi Yin, the prime minister of Shang Tang, and Cai Yong, a literary figure of the Eastern Han Dynasty. During the Chu-Han Contention, Liu Bang stationed his troops here.

Inside Chenliu City, Zhao Dezhao, Cao Bin, Zhang Yongde, and Han Lingkun met in the back hall of the government office.

Seeing that Cao Bin and the others had tattered armor, bloodstains that had partially dried, and bloodshot eyes, indicating that they had not slept for several nights, Zhao Dezhao felt a pang of sorrow in his heart and said gently, “Gentlemen, you have been fighting for a long time and are exhausted both physically and mentally. You have worked too hard. On behalf of the people of the capital, I thank you all, generals and soldiers.”

"Your Highness is too kind. As soldiers, it is our duty to protect our country. It is just a pity that our abilities are limited and we have not been able to stop the Wu army. This time, we will fight the Wu army to the death in Chenliu City and never retreat again!" Cao Bin had been defeated many times and no longer wanted to run away. He decided to fight to the death in Chenliu City.

Zhao Dezhao nodded slightly and then said, "I have come here with a mission to negotiate peace. With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, His Majesty intends to seek peace with the Wu army."

"Seek peace?" Zhang Yongde's brows furrowed sharply. "What are the terms?" he asked.

Cao Bin and the others were slightly surprised. They had already heard about Zhao Guangyi's ascension to the throne when they retreated to Chenliu City, so they were not particularly shocked.

"Cease territory, pay reparations, and send silk; if that is still not enough, a marriage alliance is also acceptable," Zhao Dezhao sighed.

Cao Bin pressed further, "How much was cut?"

"All land south of the Huai River shall be given to the Kingdom of Wu."

Han Lingkun retorted angrily, "The Huainan region, spanning a thousand miles, is the result of countless battles fought by our soldiers. How can we bear to abandon it!"

"That's definitely too much!" Cao Bin and the others found it hard to accept and were filled with righteous indignation.

Zhao Dezhao said helplessly, "Now the Great Song is in danger of being destroyed at any time. If we cede the territory and force the Wu army to retreat, and the Huai River becomes the boundary, then Huainan was originally the territory of the former Yang Wu and Southern Tang, which was occupied by the former dynasty Later Zhou and our Great Song. Now it is just returning to its original owner."