The prince is more stable

Chapter 647 The Dispute Over Peace Negotiations
During the century-long history of the Song and Liao dynasties, the two countries actually experienced several major wars.

The most famous of these was the surprise attack on Youzhou launched by Emperor Taizong of Song in the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era, also known as the Battle of Gaoliang River.

One undeniable fact is that the two emperors at the beginning of the Song Dynasty were quite ambitious; at least they had the concept of "unification" in mind.

Therefore, in the fourth year of the Taiping Xingguo era, Emperor Taizong of Song personally led an expedition and launched a surprise attack on Youzhou, one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun.

The outcome is well-known: the Song army suffered a defeat in this battle.

There were many reasons for the failure. For example, the Song army had just destroyed the Northern Han and had not had time to rest before immediately turning to attack Youzhou. The soldiers were exhausted and their morale was low.

There were also reasons for poor command and decision-making. The Song army's initial surprise attack did catch the Liao army off guard, but the Liao army, after realizing what was happening, immediately sent elite cavalry to reinforce Youzhou. The Song army was then surrounded on three sides, which led to its defeat and retreat.

China has never judged heroes by success or failure. There is no need to delve into the reasons for failure. At least Emperor Taizong of Song did not back down. He dared to take action against the Liao army, which is remarkable.

A century has passed since the Battle of Gaoliang River, and the Song Dynasty has endured humiliation and hardship for a hundred years.

The Song army has once again taken the initiative to launch a war, with its target still being the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

For a hundred years, the original intention remained unchanged. The Song Dynasty's obsession with the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was deeply rooted, passed down from generation to generation, and each generation was unwilling to give up.

Today, Zhao Xiaoqian, the Prince of Hejian of the Great Song Dynasty, is leading 100,000 elite troops in a renewed offensive.

However, a century has passed, and things have changed. This time, the Liao Kingdom was no longer confident of victory.

Not only were they unsure, but the Liao court officials were also terrified upon hearing the news of the Song Dynasty's declaration of war.

Everyone knows that times have changed, and the situation between the Song and Liao dynasties is no longer the same.

Some people refused to believe in the truth and challenged Zhao Xiaoqian's army once or twice. After being thoroughly slapped in the face by Zhao Xiaoqian's Song army, they finally became obedient.

The Liao court has now reached a consensus that the Song army is not to be trifled with. No matter what strategies or tactics are used, they will ultimately be as fragile as paper in the face of powerful weapons.

Was it surprising that the now powerful Song state would take the initiative to declare war on the Liao state?
It's not surprising at all; any emperor would have done the same, given the deep-seated animosity between the Song and Liao dynasties over the past century, making them irreconcilable enemies.

"One hundred thousand elite troops..." Yelü Hongji closed his eyes and sighed sadly, "Zhao Xiaoqian is still leading the army. With such a genius in the Song Dynasty, our Great Liao Dynasty is doomed!"

The vast court was silent. The Liao officials looked at Yelü Hongji’s old and frail appearance and heard his tone as if he were a hero at the end of his road. The officials felt sad and depressed, and some of them couldn’t help but raise their sleeves and weep.

It is lamentable that heroes grow old and the sun sets in the west. How could such a vast and powerful empire have fallen to such a state in just a few decades? Its decline is like a runaway carriage going downhill, impossible to pull back.

Seeing Yelü Hongji's sorrowful and defeated expression, a Liao official stepped forward and shouted, "How can Your Majesty boost the morale of the Song people and diminish the prestige of the Great Liao?"

"He's just a brat, leading a bunch of rabble. My Khitan warriors have roamed the world for a century, why should we fear him? At worst, we'll just die, but before we die, we'll take a bite out of that brat Zhao Xiaoqian!"

"War! Mobilize the entire nation's army to fight to the death! I don't believe Zhao Xiaoqian can withstand this!"

These words immediately garnered the approval of most of the Liao officials.

Ultimately, the Liao officials still couldn't lower their proud heads; they remained immersed in their past invincible dreams and refused to wake up.

"Our Great Liao has a standing army of 500,000, not counting the able-bodied men of various tribes and servants. If we use 500,000 to fight against the Song army of 100,000, and rush over like a tide, no matter how powerful their firearms are, can they wipe us out?"

"That's right! Mobilize the entire nation's troops and head south to annihilate them in one fell swoop. Five hundred thousand against one hundred thousand, I don't believe we can still lose!"

The murmurs grew louder and louder, but Yelü Hongji remained expressionless.

As the emperor, he actually disapproved of such extreme remarks from his ministers.

No one understands the Song army better than him.

He was well aware of the Song army's strength, and even more so of how difficult Zhao Xiaoqian was to deal with. In wars between two countries, strength is what matters, not just shouting a few words in court to boost morale and expecting victory.

As for the so-called "500,000 against 100,000", that's a joke.

Not to mention that it would be impossible to gather so many troops in a short period of time, even if they were gathered together and sent to the south to deal with the Song army, who would defend the Liao Kingdom's other territories?

Putting aside everything else, the Jurchen tribes in the northeast are a major problem. To this day, they are still resentful and eyeing the Liao Dynasty with hostility. Once they get the chance, they will definitely tear the Liao Dynasty apart.

The court was in an uproar, with most officials shouting for war, but no one offered any concrete solutions. Yelü Hongji listened quietly for a long time, his expression growing increasingly disappointed.

Finally, Yelü Hongji's gaze fell on Xiao Wuna, and he slowly asked, "Xiao Wuna, what do you think?"

The hall fell silent abruptly, but Xiao Wuna calmly said, "My colleagues have finished speaking."

Yelü Hongji grunted in acknowledgment and looked around at his ministers, asking, "Who has a good plan to repel the enemy?"

No one in the hall spoke. The shouts and cries for battle just now were merely to show Yelü Hongji their indomitable spirit. When faced with the Song army, which was now vastly different from before, who could come up with a good strategy?
After a long silence, a young voice suddenly rang out in the hall, saying in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I believe... we should send envoys to negotiate peace. The enemy's forces are strong, and our Great Liao should be patient and wait for the opportune moment." Everyone looked over and found that the speaker was none other than Xiao Fengxian.

After the Crown Prince Yelü Yanxi took over the reins of government, he placed many trusted confidants in important positions. Among them, the one most valued by Yelü Yanxi was Xiao Fengxian, Yelü Yanxi's brother-in-law.

Xiao Fengxian can now be said to have risen in status because of his sister. His sister, Xiao Guige, was granted the title of Imperial Concubine and was greatly favored by Yelü Yanxi. Yelü Yanxi had just taken the position of regent and naturally wanted to appoint his cronies on a large scale. Xiao Fengxian was then appointed as the deputy envoy of the Southern Privy Council.

Amidst the shouts and cries of battle filling the hall, Xiao Fengxian abruptly announced that he would send envoys to negotiate peace. The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of shouts and curses.

The courtiers criticized Xiao Fengxian for losing all integrity and being unworthy of being a Khitan son or daughter. They said that since the founding of the Liao Dynasty, there had never been a precedent of taking the initiative to negotiate peace with the enemy, and that he had utterly disgraced his ancestors.

Faced with the reprimands and scoldings from the entire hall, Xiao Fengxian remained calm and composed, his eyes closed and unmoved. He treated any scolding as nothing, taking it to heart.

Yelü Hongji stared coldly at Xiao Fengxian, then suddenly pointed at him and roared, "Xiao Fengxian, do you still have a trace of the spirit of a Khitan man? Who gave you the audacity to utter such shameless words? Khitan men would rather die than submit, how can you bow your head and negotiate peace with the Southerners?"

Xiao Fengxian sighed and said calmly, "If Your Majesty does not accept my advice, then consider that I said nothing."

After speaking, Xiao Fengxian returned to the court, crossed his hands under his abdomen, closed his eyes, and remained silent and still.

At the front of the court, Xiao Wuna cast a meaningful glance at Xiao Fengxian, then lowered his eyes and remained silent, a slight smile playing on his lips.

After the court session ended, Xiao Fengxian ignored the hateful and accusatory gazes of the court officials and calmly walked out of the palace.

Xiao Wuna, who was lagging behind, was about to call him over and have a deep conversation with him when a palace servant hurriedly walked up to Xiao Fengxian and whispered, "His Majesty summons you to the Imperial Study."

Xiao Fengxian smiled faintly and calmly followed the palace servants toward the imperial study.

The Liao officials outside the hall stared in disbelief, their hearts growing heavier.

Just now His Majesty rebuked Xiao Fengxian harshly, and now he has summoned him alone. So, His Majesty really intends to negotiate peace?
Is the old and dilapidated Liao Dynasty truly beyond saving and unable to stop its sinking trend?
In a brief moment, the Liao officials outside the palace were filled with a sense of desolation and impending doom. The crowd walked silently toward the palace gates, with occasional sobs and choked cries escaping their lips.

…………

Inside the rear hall of the government office at the Juma River camp.

Zhao Xiaoqian sat cross-legged in the head seat, with several familiar faces standing in front of him.

Zhen Qing and Zhao Xin from the Imperial City Guard, as well as Wanyan Aguda, who was held hostage by the Jurchen tribe in Zhen Ding City, and Xu Jiang, Zhong Jianzhong, and others.

Wanyan Aguda was urgently summoned from Zhen Ding City by Zhao Xiaoqian's order. Although he was a hostage of the Song Dynasty, he showed no awareness of his status during his time in Zhen Ding City. Every day, he would swagger around shopping, drinking, and causing trouble with the Song Dynasty's imperial guards who were monitoring his movements.

He was extremely arrogant when he caused trouble. He would provoke incidents, and the imperial guards who were monitoring him had no choice but to help him quell them. His behavior was very bad. It is hard to imagine how such a spoiled brat could be cultivated in a Jurchen tribe that was so poor that they could not even get enough to eat.

If Zhao Xiaoqian hadn't returned to the camp and urgently summoned this guy, who knows what kind of chaotic scene would have ensued in Zhen Ding City.

Inside the back hall, Zhao Xiaoqian crossed his legs and stared at Wanyan Aguda with a half-smile, sizing him up.

At first, Wanyan Aguda acted as if nothing was wrong and was quite self-righteous, but after being stared at by Zhao Xiaoqian, he finally felt guilty and his expression turned embarrassed.

“Um… the things from your Song Kingdom are quite good. I’ve bought quite a few recently,” Wanyan Aguda said with a seemingly simple and honest smile.

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a forced smile, "Hmm, so you mean since you've spent money in our Great Song Dynasty, I should treat you like a king, right?"

"Your Highness..." Wanyan Aguda's expression turned bitter, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, I admit it. I have a bad temper when I drink, and I can't control myself. I sometimes hit people and like to smash things. I'm causing trouble for Your Highness!"

Zhao Xiaoqian said leisurely, "During this period, you beat up more than a dozen civilians in Zhen Ding City while drunk. The seriously injured had multiple fractures, and the less seriously injured were all bruised and swollen..."

"In addition, you have smashed a total of five restaurants, three brothels, two grocery stores, and one ordinary family's home."

With a sigh, Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and said, "Wanyan Aguda, is it? Do you even know that you are actually a hostage? Do you know what a 'hostage' is?"

"It means hostage. Theoretically, you should be locked in a pigsty and fed swill, just enough to keep you from starving. Because your Jurchen tribe is now an ally of our Great Song, we are being polite to you and not restricting your freedom. But it seems you don't take the laws of our Great Song seriously."

These words, neither too harsh nor too mild, made Wanyan Aguda nervous. He stopped acting arrogantly and obediently lowered his head to admit his mistake.

"Your Highness, I was wrong, and I am willing to make amends and apologize."

Zhao Xiaoqian gave a faint "hmm" and said in an unquestionable tone, "Pay me ten thousand taels. I know you're poor and don't have that much money. Write me an IOU later, and I'll ask your Jurchen leader for it."

When Wanyan Aguda heard that he would only be losing money, he breathed a sigh of relief, but Zhao Xiaoqian immediately spoke up again.

"Also, come to my camp later and receive twenty lashes, the kind that go deep into your bones and flesh. You are not a soldier under my command, but you are a bad person to the people of Zhen Ding City. Bad people... should be educated."

(End of this chapter)