I traveled with them to the Northern Song Dynasty

Chapter 400 Boil the Frog in Warm Water

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When Song Jiang arrived at the Jin capital, Wanyan Zonghan had already arrived at the Song army camp.

Upon learning of this, Song Jiang did not meet with Wanyan Zonghan as the Jin people had expected. Instead, he summoned Wanyan Zongpan without any politeness and said, "You are arrogant! The country is about to perish, yet the crown prince does not come out, the prime minister does not come out, not even the princes come out. You only send a general to see us. How dare you treat our Great Song with such contempt! Do you really think we cannot conquer the city?!"

Wanyan Zongpan was terrified!

Wanyan Zongpan hurriedly said, "Nianhan is the son of the Prime Minister and a beloved general of His Majesty the Emperor of Jin. He served as the Right Army under His Majesty the Emperor of Jin and decisively defeated the Liao army at Dalugu City. He is a general of our Great Jin..."

Song Jiang raised his hand to stop Wanyan Zongpan from continuing, and then said in an unquestionable tone: "Either the Crown Prince or the Prime Minister and the most honored prince leave the city, otherwise, after our city falls, not a single chicken or dog will be spared."

Seeing that Song Jiang looked down on Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongpan had no choice but to give up.

Moreover, Wanyan Zongpan also felt that Song Jiang did the right thing.

That's what it is.

Now that the Jin capital is on the verge of falling, the most honorable person in the city should come out and discuss the details of surrender with the Song army's commander.

But they did something else: they only sent Wanyan Zonghan to talk to Song Jiang.

Wanyan Zonghan was merely the son of Wanyan Sagai, and had a distant relationship with the Jin royal family. Under the Bojilie system, he did not even have the right to participate in council meetings.

Let alone Wanyan Zonghan, even Wanyan Wugumai's eldest son, Wanyan Zongpan, was not of a high enough status. After all, at this time, the emperor of the Jin Dynasty was still Wanyan Aguda, and only Wanyan Aguda's eldest son was qualified to go out of the city to discuss surrendering the city with the Song army's commander.

The Song Dynasty placed great importance on etiquette and law, especially now that the Song army had gained an absolute advantage. It was even more necessary to act in accordance with etiquette, which was not only to maintain the dignity of the country, but also to solemnly declare its own legitimate status.

Song Jiang's actions were by no means deliberate attempts to make things difficult, but rather in accordance with the ancient precept that "a treaty made under duress should follow proper etiquette," using etiquette as a yardstick to measure the sincerity of both parties.

—Since the Jin state is already on the verge of defeat, if it is unwilling to even follow proper etiquette when choosing someone to come out of the city to negotiate peace, it means that it still harbors contempt. Such insincere contact is not worth continuing.

More importantly, historically, when the Jin dynasty's iron hooves trampled through the outer city of Bianliang (Kaifeng), the Jin people also used "etiquette and law" as a pretext to forcefully demand that the Song dynasty send its prime minister and prince to negotiate peace, in order to demonstrate their victorious stance and relentlessly extract tribute and land.

Previously, when Emperor Zhao Yu personally led troops to besiege Yanjing, he followed the Jin dynasty's example and demanded that the Liao dynasty send a prince and prime minister out of the city to negotiate peace.

Song Jiang was simply following precedent.

In short, for the Song Dynasty, this victory was not only a military conquest, but also a reshaping of etiquette and orthodoxy. Only by insisting that the most distinguished members of the Jin imperial family appear in person could the surrender carry sufficient weight, demonstrating the Song Dynasty's formidable military might to the world, and ensuring that the Jin Dynasty's submission was legitimate and indisputable, based on etiquette and law.

The Jin Dynasty was also aware that their actions were somewhat inappropriate.

Therefore, seeing that Song Jiang had made clear demands, Wanyan Zongpan wanted to return to the city with Tudanye and Wanyan Zonghan to replace them and negotiate peace with the Song Dynasty.

However, to the Jurchens' surprise, just as Wanyan Zongpan was about to leave, Song Jiang casually said, "Since Nianhan has come, let him stay in my army for a few days. We will discuss things further after the major events are settled."

After saying this, Song Jiang did not give Wanyan Zongpan a chance to speak before turning and leaving.

And so, Wanyan Zonghan, who had once dominated the battlefield, was captured by the Song army.

Having no other choice, Wanyan Zongpan and Tudanye had to return to meet with Wanyan Wuqimai and explain the situation.

After hearing Wanyan Zongpan relay Song Jiang's attitude, many Jin people looked at Wanyan Sagai with resentment.

Just then, someone reported: "The Song army is attacking the city!"

Wanyan Wuqimai and his men were greatly alarmed. They all climbed the city wall to watch and ordered the garrison in the inner city to prepare for defense, while also notifying the people in the inner city to prepare for street fighting.

Before long, 30,000 well-equipped Song soldiers, escorting twelve Li Lin cannons, arrived at the inner city gate.

Twelve Li Lin cannons stood in neat array in the twilight, their muzzles gleaming with a cold, hard iron light, aimed directly at the two vermilion city gates of the inner city of Jinshangjing, which were covered with thick iron sheets.

With Wang De's command, sparks flew from the fuse, and twelve jets of flame burst forth from the cannon muzzle. The deafening roar instantly blew up the dust on the city wall, and even the ground beneath their feet trembled violently.

The cannonballs whistled through the air and slammed into the city gate.

The first salvo bombarded the seemingly sturdy city gate, denting its iron sheeting and breaking its wooden frame, sending wood chips and iron fragments flying like hail.

The second volley blasted open a gap, revealing the thick wooden pillars supporting the city gate.

However, after three rounds of salvo, the gate that was the greatest support for the soldiers and civilians in the inner city collapsed like paper. Broken wood and sheet metal piled up in the gate opening, and the dust raised obscured the sky.

The Jin soldiers on the inner city walls were all terrified, their hands trembling as they gripped their swords and spears. Some even collapsed onto the city wall, staring at the ruins of the city gate and muttering to themselves.

The Jurchen nobles' elite troops below the city walls, still holding their shields and standing ready, saw this scene and many threw down their weapons and turned to run away, shouting "Oh no! The city has fallen!" Chaos spread like a tide through the ranks of the defenders.

As for the people in the inner city, they had already taken refuge in the tunnels they had dug overnight.

street fighting?

Are you kidding me?!!!

Seeing such a sturdy city gate shattered, Wanyan Wuqimai's eyes were filled with disbelief and horror. He pointed to the inner city gate, his lips moving for a long time, but he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

The ministers of the Jin Kingdom were in complete chaos. Even those who had originally advocated for war were now quietly retreating, their eyes filled with fear. They had never seen such ferocious firearms before. The power to easily shatter the city gates had completely destroyed their last bit of confidence in resisting.

To the slight relief of the Jurchens inside the inner city, the Song army only destroyed the inner city gates and showed no intention of further attacking the inner city.

Afterwards, all the Jurchens in the inner city realized that this was a warning from the Song army. If they didn't send someone to discuss surrendering the city, the Song army would storm the city and ravage it.

At this critical juncture, those who had initially been somewhat intimidated by the pro-war faction and the pro-peace faction no longer held back. They glared at Wanyan Sagai, Wanyan Zonggan, and Wanyan Zongwang and cursed them: "The country is in such a state because of your mistakes! Now that the nation is in peril and the people are suffering, even if you were to die ten thousand times, it would not be enough to atone for your responsibility!"

Wanyan Sagai, Wanyan Zonggan, and Wanyan Zongwang were scolded until their faces turned red.

Moreover, Wanyan Sagai was the prime minister of the Jin state, and given his status, he could not escape the situation now.

Besides, Wanyan Sagai's eldest son, Wanyan Zonghan, had already been detained by Song Jiang in the Song army camp. If he didn't go to rescue him, who would?

Therefore, Wanyan Sagai had no choice but to agree to leave the city. Wanyan Aguda's eldest son was Wanyan Zongjun, but he had already died in battle on the Liaodong battlefield not long ago.

Wanyan Aguda's eldest son by a concubine was Wanyan Zonggan, and his second son by a legitimate wife was Wanyan Zongwang.

After being warned by the Song army, Wanyan Wuqimai and his men no longer dared to harbor any illusions. They simply sent Wanyan Zonggan and Wanyan Zongwang out of the city to meet Song Jiang and discuss surrendering the city.

Furthermore, those who advocate peace are also pursuing their own agendas.

In other words, by sending the pro-war Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongwang, and Wanyan Zonggan to the Song army camp, no one would risk provoking the Song army and bringing disaster upon themselves.

Crucially, at this point, they had a legitimate reason for sending Wanyan Zonggan and Wanyan Zongwang out of the city. After all, they were Wanyan Aguda's eldest son by a concubine and his second son by his principal wife, and according to etiquette, their status was second only to Wanyan Wugumai.

Wanyan Zonggan didn't want to go. The shrewd and calculating man knew that if he went, it would be like throwing good money after bad, a one-way trip.

But Wanyan Zonggan had no choice but to go. He knew very well that if he dared not go, those pro-peace faction members might tie him up and send him to the Song army camp.

Left with no other choice, Wanyan Zonggan had to agree to go out and meet Song Jiang. He didn't even have the chance to go home and make his final arrangements.

Wanyan Zongwang also knew that his departure from the city this time would most likely end badly.

Over the years, Wanyan Zongwang had committed numerous evils, including burning, killing, and looting. He knew he would face retribution.

Now, Wanyan Zongwang's heart was filled with sorrow and resolve, yet also with a sense of relief. He knew his sins were grave; the blood of innocent people, the burned villages, the desecrated graves—all were like heavy shackles, suffocating him. This trip out of the city might be his chance to atone, even at the cost of his life.

Wanyan Sagai, Wanyan Zonggan, and Wanyan Zongwang walked out of the palace surrounded by Jurchens.

When they set off, Wanyan Zonggan was unable to mount his horse because his legs were trembling (partly out of fear, and partly because of his leg ailment), and his attendants had to help him onto the horse.

They headed south, exiting the city through the gates of the inner city that had been destroyed by the Song army.

Seeing the ruins, their steps became heavy and slow, each step feeling as if they were stepping on a blade, piercing their nerves.

On the way, Wanyan Sagai's hands trembled so much that he couldn't hold the whip, and the whip fell to the ground three times.

Along the way, the people of Jin cast complex glances their way, some filled with resentment, some with helplessness, and a glimmer of hope. They hoped these three men could bring peace and end this brutal war.

In the evening, Wanyan Sagai, Wanyan Zonggan, and Wanyan Zongwang arrived at Song Jiang's central command tent outside the city.

After being searched three times by the Song army, they finally met Song Jiang.

Along the way, there were numerous Song soldiers, seemingly endless, and they were well-equipped. In particular, the Shenji Army, which struck fear into the hearts of the Jin people, had new Li Lin guns in their hands, which made the three of them frequently turn their heads.

Wanyan Zongwang even thought, 'If the Southern Dynasty didn't have such firearms, my Great Jin would certainly not be in this predicament today.'

Upon entering Song Jiang's central command tent, the three saw hundreds of civil and military officials of the Song Dynasty.

Wanyan Sagai was still somewhat conscious. He immediately prostrated himself and begged for death: "We have offended the Celestial Empire and deserve to die ten thousand times. We beg you, sir, to take Heaven’s benevolence in saving lives and spare the lives of all the people in the city."

Song Jiang sat upright behind a long wooden table and asked calmly, "Your court has those who advocate war and those who advocate peace. I wonder who the advocates are, and who the advocates are, and who is strategizing for them?"

Wanyan Sagai had passed the most terrifying period, and having served as the prime minister of the Jin state for so many years, he certainly did not lack political wisdom.

Therefore, Wanyan Sagai was well aware that, given the current situation, he would face certain death whether he faced it or not.

Since that's the case, Wanyan Sagai should try to be as tough as possible. That way, if the Jin Dynasty could escape this calamity, he might still have a chance to make a comeback.

Therefore, Wanyan Sa replied, "It is I who advocate war, and it is also my plan for my emperor."

At this point, Wanyan Sagai was ready to throw caution to the wind. He felt that at worst, he would just die. After all, he had lived long enough and enjoyed everything he could over the years. Even if he died, it wouldn't be a loss. With this thought, he felt at peace, and his body stopped trembling.

If a person can truly disregard life and death, what is there for him to fear?
Seeing that Wanyan Sagai was quite responsible, Song Jiang nodded, which was considered his acknowledgment of him as the prime minister of the Jin Kingdom.

But Song Jiang still pressed on, asking, "You Jurchens were originally subjects of the Liao Kingdom, yet you betrayed your lord and established your own state. Not only did you plot to seize your lord's territory and population, but you also took your lord's money, silk, and women for your own pleasure. You are still not satisfied with this, yet you dare to plot against my Great Song. Your crimes are intolerable. What do you have to say?"

Wanyan Sagai said, "The reason for advocating war was me. The emperor had no such intention. I am willing to take full responsibility for this."

When Song Jiang saw that Wanyan Sagai wanted to take full responsibility for the matter, he remained noncommittal and asked, "The other day I sent an envoy to summon you out of the city, why didn't you come? Now I used cannons to blow up the inner city gates, and only then did you leave the city, why?"

Wanyan Sagai replied: "In the past, I did not come for the sake of the state; now I come for the sake of the people."

Wu Yong threatened from the side, "What if my family wants to sweep the city?"

Wanyan Sagai replied: "By washing the city, you have displayed your power for a moment; by loving the people and bestowing virtue, you have bestowed grace for ten thousand generations."

After hearing this, Song Jiang and the others remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Zhang Shuye said, "You are also a loyal subject, which is rare, very rare."

Hearing Zhang Shuye say this, Song Jiang also put away his previous aggressive attitude and said "sincerely": "We have come here for the unification of the world, not to kill the innocent. So you can rest assured that as long as you obey orders to surrender the city, our Great Song will not plunder the city."

Seeing that Song Jiang was playing the bad cop, Wu Yong, who had the best working relationship with him, immediately played the good cop: "However, the matter of surrendering the city cannot be lost. You must send someone to report back to the Crown Prince that my Prime Minister Xuan wants to invite him out of the city to meet him, and we cannot refuse."

Zhang Shuye then produced a list and ordered these people to also leave the city.

Upon hearing this, Wanyan Sagai understood that Song Jiang and his men intended to capture all those who advocated war, while keeping those who advocated peace to discuss surrendering the city.

—This is clearly because they are afraid that those who advocate war will cause trouble.

Seeing how calmly and clearly Song Jiang and the others responded, Wanyan Sagai's heart sank even further.

Although the Song army has now captured the outer city walls, they are still intensifying their preparations for war. They know that there are still hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians inside the city, and if they were to unleash their full power, it would be a formidable force.

Therefore, Song Jiang and his men, on the one hand, assured the Jin soldiers in the city that they would not indiscriminately kill innocent people; on the other hand, they ordered a large-scale felling of trees outside the city, transporting logs and planks to the city walls to construct various defensive structures specifically targeting the city's interior, in order to prevent a counterattack by the city's soldiers and civilians. Simultaneously, they used this slow, insidious method to gradually erode the Jin soldiers' will to resist…

……

(End of this chapter)