I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 284 Offering a Daughter as a Sign of Faith: The Sowing of the Seeds of Calamity Between the Jin and Liao Dynasties
...

Wanyan Wulu, Wanyan Yin'e, and Wanyan Zhulan were Wanyan Aguda's three daughters—his only three daughters.

In order to win the Liao Dynasty and prevent the Song Dynasty from siding with the Liao Dynasty, thus causing the Jin Dynasty to lose the Liao-Jin War and the Jurchen people to be wiped out, or at least the Wanyan tribe to be wiped out, Wanyan Aguda, this hero of the time, was indeed responsible, decisive, and made choices. In one fell swoop, he gave away all of his daughters.

but--

The problem now is that it's useless for Wanyan Aguda to go all in.

The Liao Kingdom has sent Zhao Yu more than a thousand Liao beauties in total, including nearly five hundred daughters of the royal family, the imperial clan, and nobles. This time alone, three hundred daughters of the royal family, the imperial clan, and nobles have been sent.

How could this possibly compare to Wanyan Aguda giving away his own three daughters?

Therefore, it is obvious that not only Wanyan Aguda has to send his daughter, but the Jin royal family, clan, and nobles also have to send their daughters to Zhao Yu, so that the Jin state will not be surpassed by the Liao state.

However, the Jin Dynasty had only just risen to power, and its foundation was far inferior to that of the Liao Empire, which had been established for over two hundred years.

As a result, the Wanyan tribe, including all unmarried girls who are adults or nearing adulthood, only numbered a little over fifty.

This number doesn't even include those who aren't good-looking.

If you remove them, Wanyan tribe can only produce about forty beautiful girls at most.

The remaining expenses would have to be covered by other Jurchen nobles, for example:
The Tudan clan was an important Jurchen tribe that intermarried with the Wanyan clan for generations, and many empresses and princesses came from this clan. Examples include Empress Zhaode of Emperor Shizong of Jin and the stepmother of Emperor Hailing.

The Wugulun clan frequently intermarried with the Wanyan clan. The first wife of Emperor Taizu of Jin, Wugulun (who gave birth to Wanyan Wulu and other children), and the first wife of Emperor Shizong of Jin in history, Wugulun, both came from this clan. Many members of their family held high-ranking official positions.

The Pucha clan was a prominent Jurchen family that intermarried with the Jin dynasty's royal family throughout history. Represented by Empress Pucha, the wife of Emperor Suzong of Jin, and Empress Pucha, the wife of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin, their family wielded significant influence in the military and political spheres.

The Tangkuo clan was an important noble clan of the Jurchen people. The maternal clan of Empress Qinren of Emperor Taizong of Jin and Empress Zhaode of Emperor Shizong of Jin both belonged to this clan. Many members served as military governors, Meng'an Mouke and other positions.

The Heshilie clan was a military aristocratic family of the Jurchen people, known for their prowess in battle. Notable figures included Heshilie Zhining (a famous general during the reign of Emperor Shizong of Jin, who was enfeoffed as the Prince of Jinyuan). The family held an important position in the military system of the Jin Dynasty.

The Pusan ​​clan was a powerful Jurchen tribe that historically intermarried with the Jin dynasty's royal family. Notable figures include Pusan ​​Zhongyi (Prime Minister during the reign of Emperor Shizong of Jin, who was enfeoffed as Duke of Yi) and Pusan ​​Anzhen (a general during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Jin).

These Jurchen noble families, through marriage alliances, military achievements, and hereditary privileges, formed the backbone of the Jin dynasty's rule and wielded immense influence in the political, military, and economic spheres.

In addition, there were the slightly less powerful Jurchen nobles such as the Jiagu clan, Heshilie clan, Wulinda clan, and Puxian clan, as well as the prominent Bohai clans such as the Da clan, Li clan, Zhang clan, and Gao clan, which had just been annexed by the Jin dynasty.

In short, the Jin dynasty cobbled together three hundred beautiful young women for Zhao Yu.

To bolster his prestige, Wanyan Aguda bestowed the title of Grand Princess of the Jin Kingdom upon Wanyan Wulu, Princess of the Bi Kingdom upon Wanyan Yin'e, and Princess of the E Kingdom upon Wanyan Zhulan. In addition, Wanyan Aguda also bestowed the titles of princess upon the daughters of his brothers and cousins, the titles of county princess upon the daughters of more remote members of the imperial clan, and the titles of county princess upon the daughters of nobles. In the end, he created more than ten princesses, more than twenty county princesses, and more than two hundred county princesses, far exceeding the five princesses of the Liao Kingdom.

Wanyan Aguda's reluctant move, made for the sake of the greater good, aroused resentment among the young people of the Jin Kingdom.

They didn't misunderstand Wanyan Aguda's choice; after all, compared to the rise of the Jurchens, what were a mere three hundred women?
For the Jurchen people to rise to power, even the death of 30,000 men would be worthwhile.

The problem is, they just feel stifled.

These three hundred daughters of the royal family, the imperial clan, and nobles originally belonged to them. Many were already engaged to some of them, or were mutually in love, awaiting only an auspicious day to tie the knot. However, overnight, these delicate flowers were labeled with political motives and were to be married off to the distant and unfamiliar Song Dynasty, becoming sacrifices in consolidating the Jin-Song alliance and resisting the Liao Dynasty.

How could these spoiled Jurchen youths not harbor resentment towards Zhao Yu, who had stolen their love, and his Song Dynasty?

From that moment on, the seeds of hatred were sown in the hearts of the younger generation of Jurchens. They secretly vowed that once they annexed the Liao Kingdom, they would march south, their golden spears and iron horses sweeping across the land of the Song Dynasty, making Zhao Yu and the Song Dynasty repay the humiliation of today a hundredfold. They would not only take back all three hundred daughters of the Jin royal family, the imperial clan, and the nobles, but also Zhao Yu's concubines and daughters!
If Zhao Yu, far away in the Song Dynasty, knew that these young people from the Jin Dynasty were thinking this way, he would definitely curse them out: "Damn you all! It was your Jin Dynasty that insisted on fighting with the Liao Dynasty. What does it have to do with me? Why are you putting this on my head?!"

To make a long story short.

The Jurchens tightened their belts and put on a brave face, managing to gather enough gifts to give to Zhao Yu in return.

Wanyan Aguda appointed Wanyan Yinshu as the chief envoy and Helu and Dadiwu as deputy envoys to accompany Zhao Liangsi and others back to the Zhao Song Dynasty to discuss the purchase of grain and weapons, as well as matters related to exchanges between the two countries.

Wanyan Yinshu was no ordinary man; he was capable of leading troops into battle and also understood politics.

When Wanyan Aguda first ascended the throne, he sent him and Wanyan Xigunai as envoys to the Liao Dynasty. Upon their return, he reported to Wanyan Aguda on the political and social conditions, including Yelü Yanxi's neglect of state affairs and the disintegration of the Khitan people, and strongly urged the Jin Dynasty to launch a campaign against Liao. During the Liao-Jin War, he served as the vanguard on several occasions, participating in key battles such as Ningjiangzhou and Chuhedian, and made significant contributions to laying the foundation for the Jin Dynasty.

Historically, after the Jin dynasty destroyed the Liao dynasty, Wanyan Yinshuke followed the Jin army south to attack the Song dynasty, participating in battles such as the siege of Taiyuan. He repeatedly defeated the Song army in the war against the Song, playing an important role in expanding the Jin dynasty's territory. He was also ordered to guard strategic locations such as Taiyuan, stabilizing the Jin dynasty's rule in the Central Plains and preventing Song counterattacks and rebellions by local forces.

Wanyan Yinshu excelled in charging into battle and making decisive decisions on the spot. As a vanguard, he could quickly break through enemy lines and seize opportunities in complex battles, repeatedly achieving victories against superior numbers. During the Jin-Liao and Jin-Song wars, he was able to accurately assess the relative strengths and strategic situations of both sides, and his operational suggestions were often adopted, significantly influencing the Jin Dynasty's expansionist direction. When stationed in local areas, he not only maintained military security but also pacified the people, reformed the bureaucracy, and promoted local stability and economic recovery, demonstrating his well-rounded qualities in both military and civil affairs.

In short, Wanyan Yinshuke's merits and abilities made him an important member of the founding meritorious group of the Jin Dynasty, and he was regarded by later generations as one of the key generals in the rise of the Jurchen people.

Wanyan Aguda sent Wanyan Yinshuke as the envoy not only because the mission was so important, but also because Wanyan Aguda wanted to know the true strength of the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Both Helu and Dadiwu were Jurchen Bojin, which means tribal chief or Bojilie, meaning commander or general manager.

There were commanders of fifty households, and commanders of ten thousand households. They were both soldiers and civilians, hunting in peacetime and going to war in times of conflict. Each commander commanded their own troops, and when marching, they were called Meng'an or Mouke. "Their titles were based on the number of their troops; Meng'an were commanders of a thousand men, and Mouke were commanders of a hundred men." A commander of ten thousand men was called "Temu Bojin," a commander of a thousand men was called "Meng'an Bojin," a commander of a hundred men was called "Mouke Bojin," and a commander of fifty men was called "Punian Bojin."

Helu and Dadiwu were merely Pulian Bojin, and their knowledge was far too limited. Wanyan Aguda still trusted Wanyan Yinshuke's judgment and ability.

……

A few days later, Zhao Liangsi and his entourage, along with Wanyan Yinshuke and other Jin envoys, arrived in Bianliang, the capital of the Song Dynasty, with gifts for Zhao Yu.

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Yu issued an edict ordering Zhao Liangsi and Zhou Wuzhong to arrange for the Jin envoys to stay at the Duting West Post Station, to receive them according to the etiquette used for receiving envoys from the Western Xia in the past, and to bestow upon them bedding and silk robes.

The following day, Cai Jing and others arranged for Wanyan Yinshuke and other Jin envoys to come to the Chongzheng Hall to pay homage to Zhao Yu. Wanyan Yinshuke faced Zhao Yu and performed the kneeling ceremony, presenting the official letter, the list of matters, and the draft oath one by one.

The original text of the letter from the Jin state is as follows:

The Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty sent a letter to the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty:
In the past, the Liao people occupied the strategic passes of Yan and Yun, controlling the north-south crossroads. They were arrogant and domineering for generations, oppressing our various tribes and disturbing the borders of the Great Song for a long time.

I have condemned the Khitan for their misguided ways, their rampage against neighboring states, their long-standing obstruction of our teachings, and their unbridled greed and cruelty.

I rose from the Northeast, acting on the mandate of Heaven to punish the Liao, vowing to quell the Liao's rebellion. I have already won several battles. However, the Liao's power remains strong and cannot be defeated by force alone. I hope the Emperor of the Great Song will understand this and join me in punishing the rebellious Liao, upholding the righteous cause together. This is the will of Heaven and the trend of the times.

I have thought that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. Destroying Liao is not only a matter for the Great Jin, but also a benefit for the Great Song in securing its borders.

If our army attacks their heartland from the north, and the Song Dynasty takes Youyan from the south, we can attack them from both ends, leaving the Liao people with nowhere to hide.

After the matter is accomplished, the former territory of Yan and Yun, along with its prefectures, counties, and passes, will all belong to the Song Dynasty, while the remaining Liao territory will be occupied by the Jin Dynasty. The Liao treasury and treasures will be divided between the two countries according to the extent of their military strength.

Having already received your previous envoys' invitation to establish friendly relations, I am well aware of your earnest intentions. To demonstrate my sincerity, I have specially selected three hundred noble ladies from my clan, including three of my own daughters: the eldest, Wulu, will be granted the title of Grand Princess; the second, Yin'e, will be granted the title of Princess of Bi; and the third, Zhulan, will be granted the title of Princess of E. The rest are daughters of the imperial family, the royal clan, and nobles of various tribes, all granted the titles of Princess, County Princess, or Prefectural Princess, and will be sent to the Great Song Dynasty to serve me.

This is no ordinary gift; it is a testament to the deep bond of kinship, a promise that our two nations will unite to resist the Liao invaders.

There were also a few gifts, presented in separate scrolls.

I hereby dispatch Yin Shuke as the chief envoy, and Helu and Dadiwu as deputy envoys, carrying a letter of state and a draft oath, to present to the capital in person. Regarding the requests for the purchase of grain and military equipment, I hope for your prompt approval, so that the borders are secure and our military might is ready to strike. Without the defeat of the Liao bandits, there can be no peace for farming and weaving. I wish to join forces with the Great Song Dynasty to quickly stabilize the borders and share in peace.

Autumn is in full bloom, horses are fat and ready, the time for training is approaching, and we eagerly await good news.

This letter is addressed to Chen Da and will not be read aloud.

Emperor Wanyan Aguda of the Great Jin Dynasty

July 8th, the second year of the reign of Emperor Huizong.

Wanyan Yinshu brought a complete list of events and oaths, showing that the Jin Dynasty really wanted to form an alliance with the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Zhao Yu glanced through the Jin state's official letter, records, and oath, then ordered Liang Shicheng to convey his decree, asking, "How much grain and how many soldiers and armor do you lack?"

Wanyan Yinshu did not expect Zhao Yu to be so straightforward. He immediately replied, "We lack one million shi of grain and one hundred thousand soldiers and armor."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yu knew that the Jin state was making an outrageous demand. They only had a few hundred thousand households in total, and that was after they had annexed the Jurchen and Bohai people. How could they possibly lack a million shi of grain and 100,000 soldiers?
Zhao Yu said, "My Great Song Dynasty does have a million shi of grain and 100,000 soldiers, but the price is quite high. Do you really want them?"

In a normal year, 1 shi of grain is worth about 0.5 to 1 guan of copper coins (the price varies slightly depending on the region and the type of grain; for example, millet and wheat are slightly cheaper, while rice is slightly more expensive).

若以1石1贯计算，100万石约值100万贯铜钱；若以较低的0.5贯计算，则约值50万贯铜钱。

However, this was only the price during peacetime within the Zhao Song Dynasty.

In years of famine or war, grain prices may soar to several or even tens of strings of cash per shi (a unit of dry measure).

At present, the Liao and Jin dynasties are clearly in a period of war.

Moreover, the Zhao Song Dynasty also had to cross the sea to deliver this grain to the Jin Dynasty.

Therefore, if Zhao Yu didn't accept the ten million strings of cash from the Jin Dynasty for just one million shi of grain, he would be wasting this opportunity to profit from the war.

As for the soldiers and armor?

A set of ordinary infantry armor costs about 2-5 strings of copper coins (including iron plates, leather, and weapons such as spears and knives).

Elite cavalry armor is more complex in its craftsmanship, with a single set costing 10-20 strings of cash.

If we estimate based on common medium-quality armor (5 strings of cash per set), 10 sets would be worth approximately 50 strings of copper coins.

But as I said before, this was the price within the Zhao Song Dynasty. Selling it to the Jin Dynasty for several times the price, is that unreasonable?

In fact, the Jin Dynasty never really intended to buy so much grain and armor from the Zhao Song Dynasty.

Just before Wanyan Yinshu and his group set off, the Jin Kingdom received news that the Zhao Song Dynasty had sold three million shi of grain and 100,000 sets of fine armor to the Liao Kingdom.

Once this batch of grain arrives, the chaos caused by the food shortage within the Liao Kingdom will be greatly alleviated, if not completely quelled.

Once those 100,000 sets of superior armor and weapons arrive in Liao, Liao will be able to arm another 100,000 elite cavalry.

The fact that the Song Dynasty was willing to trade with the Liao Dynasty suggests that the Song Dynasty was unlikely to join forces with the Jin Dynasty to destroy the Liao Dynasty.

This immediately put pressure on the Jin Dynasty. What if the Liao Dynasty solved its food shortage problem, but the Jin Dynasty couldn't? And then news spread that the Song Dynasty was willing to support the Liao Dynasty in annihilating the Jin Dynasty? Then the Jin Dynasty's favorable situation might just vanish.
Therefore, even if the Jin Dynasty didn't lack food or armor, they still had to make this deal with Zhao Yu to offset the impact of the Song Dynasty's deal with the Liao Dynasty.

Based on this, Wanyan Yinshu said, "Your Majesty can rest assured that our Great Jin has long been prepared for this and will certainly not let the Great Song suffer losses. Furthermore, before I departed, my Emperor said that if we can obtain an alliance with the Great Song to destroy the Liao, all matters can be discussed."

After listening for a moment, Zhao Yu then ordered Liang Shicheng to convey his decree: "Our Great Song Dynasty has a peace treaty with the Great Liao Dynasty. The court's trust has been established, so how can it be easily changed? As for your family's purchase of grain and weapons, given that your family has sent many princesses and numerous beauties, I can grant you special permission. As for the specific details, you can go to the home of Chancellor Cai Jing to discuss them as usual..."

……

(End of this chapter)