The Jin army besieged the city, and the Song emperor’s daughter died

Chapter 179 Carrying the coffin and announcing the challenge

This time at the Xuanhe Hall, there was no one who was afraid of war and wanted to make peace.

there are many reasons.

For example, Zhao Fujin did not express his position directly this time, but none of these people in the palace are human beings. All the things that happened before may not be understandable if you just mention them, but this series of things is now in front of you. If you don't understand what Zhao Fujin means, you are stupid.

Another example is the strategy to respond to the enemy. During the first Kaifeng defense battle, the tens of thousands of troops who came to King Qin were not disbanded or transferred back to their original positions. Instead, they were all absorbed by Kaifeng and Taiyuan. The original defenses on the east-west road were also destroyed. All evacuated to the surrounding areas of the two cities.

This is obvious. They don't want to fight a blocking war with the Jin Kingdom at all. They just want to rely on the two cities to gather superior forces and fight a decisive battle that determines the fate of the country.

Of course, the Treasury Department's national debt is also an important reason. The reason why the previous gang leaders and factions dared to agree to any peace terms was because their interests would not be greatly damaged. If the sky fell, they would sell the royal family's property first.

But things are different now. If they really cannot defeat the Jin Army and cede territory to pay compensation, the compensation will be their own property.

No matter what, the current situation can be regarded as one between the monarch and his ministers.

In the imperial study room, Li Bangyan was crying. He really didn't understand why the officials asked him to declare a challenge to the Jin people.

"In the official family, if I am guilty, you will punish me. Why bother letting my guest die in a foreign land?"

Zhao Fujin smiled and said: "The two countries are at war and we haven't killed the envoys. You just went to send a letter of war. Why did you die in a foreign land?"

Li Bangyan said aggrievedly: "Dong Chongguo, wasn't it just that he was beheaded by a gold thief, and then he hung his head on a spear and stood outside Nanxun Gate? Gold thieves don't have martial ethics. Officials."

"So, I asked you to go to Baozhou to find Wanyan Zongwang, but I didn't ask you to go to Datong to find Wanyan Zonghan. You and Zongwang still have some friendship."

Li Bangyan thought of the last time he had a face-to-face meeting with Wanyan Zongwang. If Zhongshidao hadn't been there to protect him, he would have been torn into pieces by Zongwang. What kind of friendship was this, an acquaintance?
Seeing that Li Bangyan was still struggling, Yelu Yuliyan couldn't stand it anymore: "Why can't Mr. Li, a smart man, not understand the thoughts of officials?"

Li Bangyan was stunned, thinking for a moment and still had no solution, and asked with a smile: "Princess, please clear up the confusion."

Hearing this, Yelu Yuliyan first looked at Zhao Fujin and saw that she had no objection, then he said to Li Bangyan: "When Wanyan Zongwang first besieged Kaifeng, what did Prime Minister Li do? You should still remember it, right?"

Li Bangyan suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, wondering if this was going to be an old score again, right?
"What you did at that time was seen by the entire court. Although the officials did not hold you accountable in the end, they still treated you with great favor. This is because the officials know how to make good use of people, but others may not know it. , but deep down I despise you, Mr. Li."

At this point, how could Li Bangyan not understand: "The official is giving me a chance?"

Zhao Fujin snorted: "I am giving you a chance, a chance to draw a clear line with Li Bangyan, who was greedy for life, afraid of death, and flattering. This time I, Zhao Fujin, declared war on Jin, which will be recorded in the annals of history. Here you go You don’t want a chance to show your face? What’s going to happen, you’ll be infamy for plundering the royal family’s property and bowing down to gold thieves?”

When Li Bangyan heard this, he fell to his knees and said, "I have failed God's grace. I am extremely stupid!"

Zhao Fujin raised his hand: "I've set up the stage for you. It's up to you how you sing the play."

……

……

Early August of the first year of Jingkang.

In the open area between Zhending Mansion and Baozhou, Li Bangyan took a posture with the accompanying five hundred forbidden troops.To the north, smoke and dust billowed.

Not long after, Wanyan Zongwang and Bai Shilaiqi also appeared here.

Seeing Wanyan Zongwang appear, Li Bangyan turned sideways and said to the clerk holding a pen beside him: "From now on, you must record the true words and deeds of the truth."

After saying that, Li Bangyan waved behind him and said in a deep voice: "Bring it up!"

More than a dozen Song Imperial Guardsmen, carrying an old elm coffin, walked up to Li Bangyan's side and lowered the coffin.

Wanyan Zongwang, who was riding on the horse, looked a little puzzled: "Li Xiangguo, you asked me to come here to deliver my coffin?"

Li Bangyan spat, patted the coffin beside him and said, "Bah! This is the coffin that I left for myself!"

Wanyan Zongwang was even more confused: "You...are about to die. You don't look good enough to prepare a coffin?"

Li Bangyan sneered: "Commander Zong Wang, the truth is that the Prime Minister is here this time to declare a war on your behalf, the Song Dynasty, to your Kingdom of Jin!"

Wanyan Zongwang frowned. He had thought that Song Ting would not obediently give the money, and would definitely find many excuses to talk about it, but he didn't expect that he would directly declare a challenge?
Zong Wang was not angry but smiled: "Oh, where is the letter of war?"

Li Bangyan took out a roll of yellow silk from his sleeve, unfolded it and said: "If you want money, there is none! If you want land, there is none! If you want to fight, you can do whatever you want!"

Although the letter of challenge was a bit sloppy, Li Bangyan acted it with great solemnity: holding his head high and chest high, looking at the sky, showing a generous image of dying with awe.

Zong Wang pinched his brows and said, "Xiang Li carried the coffin and issued a declaration of war. Is he afraid that I would become angry and chop you down on the spot?"

Li Bangyan snorted coldly: "Afraid? As the right prime minister of the Song Dynasty, I, Li Bangyan, am always ready to sacrifice my life for the country. How can I be afraid of you? I came here carrying the coffin, and I didn't even think about going back alive. Zong Wang If the commander wants to take the original head as a sacrifice to the flag, just take it yourself!"

Wanyan Zongbi, the fourth prince who was following Wanyan Zongwang, heard this and immediately wanted to rush forward, but was stopped by Wanyan Zongwang, who whispered: "Look at these Song troops led by Li Bangyan. They are not ordinary soldiers. They are really fighting. , the outcome is unpredictable.”

Only then did Wanyan Zongbi notice the five hundred Song troops arrayed in formation. There was no fear in their eyes. Instead, they were all gearing up, as if they were eager to fight now.

Looking at their equipment, they are equipped with long spears, crossbows, and short knives. They can be regarded as the elite equipment of the Song army.

"Then Li Bangyan still has to carry the coffin, and who will he put on a show for?" Wanyan Zongbi was puzzled.

"Oh, who else can I show it to? Let's show it to the female official of the Song Dynasty." Wanyan Zongwang said with a smile: "We have accepted the letter of war. Please come back to Prime Minister Li. We have a long way to go. When I arrive at the gate of Kaifeng City, Prime Minister Li will carry the coffin. It’s not too late!”

Before Li Bangyan could say anything, Wanyan Zongwang turned his horse's head and left in the direction of Baozhou.

Li Bangyan froze on the spot, touching the coffin board and muttering: "Is this... the end?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the coffin board flew up and fell to the side. A young man with a gun turned over and sat up: "Li Xiang, General Yue asked you to carry the Wei army, and also asked me, Gao Chong, to lie in the coffin to ambush. Daqing is just for this." Are you here to watch your acting?"

Li Bangyan ignored him and walked quickly back to the clerk: "Don't remember this paragraph, just write the ending: Marshal Zong Wang of Jindong Road was frightened by Li Bangyan's righteousness and escaped."

(End of this chapter)