The prince is more stable

Chapter 678 Nationwide Celebration
The Liao Dynasty had five capitals, among which Nanjing Xijin Prefecture was located within the Yanyun region.

Xijin Prefecture can be considered a representative city of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, because it was formerly known as "Youzhou".

Historically, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun have been referred to by various names, including "Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun" and "Sixteen Prefectures of Youji".

Among these names, Youzhou was naturally a very important city. After Shi Jingtang surrendered Yanyun, the Liao Dynasty renamed Youzhou as Xijin Prefecture and designated it as the Liao Dynasty's Nanjing.

Such an important city was naturally the first target Zhao Xiaoqian wanted to recapture.

Historically, Youzhou was a strategically important location fought over by military strategists, as it has been geographically significant in China since ancient times.

This land is not only a place for raising and producing horses, but it also has a special product, namely the world-famous "Youzhou Iron Cavalry".

The Youzhou Iron Cavalry existed for a thousand years. Liu Xiu of the Eastern Han Dynasty relied on the Youzhou Iron Cavalry to gain the world. Gongsun Zan of the Three Kingdoms period relied on the Youzhou Iron Cavalry to become a regional warlord. Even during the height of the Tang Dynasty, An Lushan, who was then the military governor of Youzhou, relied on the Youzhou Iron Cavalry to rebel against the Tang Dynasty and sweep across the world.

The saying "He who controls Youzhou controls the world" may be an exaggeration, but it does have some truth and basis.

Zhao Xiaoqian now also attaches great importance to Youzhou, which is the Liao Dynasty's Nanjing Xijin Prefecture.

Other matters can wait; we must obtain Xijin Prefecture as soon as possible.

The military order was quickly relayed to the two armies hundreds of miles away. Upon receiving the order, Zhong Jianzhong immediately ordered the 50,000-strong army to break camp and retreat, heading towards Hejian Prefecture.

Zong Ze was overjoyed and led his 50,000 troops to speed up their march toward Xijin Prefecture.

As a future renowned general, Zong Ze was naturally well aware of the importance of Xijin Prefecture. Since the Song and Liao dynasties had already signed a peace agreement, Xijin Prefecture had to be secured first.

Several days later, when Zhong Jianzhong's army set up camp outside Hejian Prefecture, and Zhong Jianzhong gave orders to Zhao Xiaoqian, Zong Ze's 50,000-strong army was only 50 li away from Xijin Prefecture.

…………

Meanwhile, several knights carrying black boxes galloped along the roads of the Central Plains.

The knights' voices were already hoarse. They set off from Hejian Prefecture and headed towards Bianjing City. Whenever they passed through cities and towns, the knights would shout loudly, "The Great Song Dynasty has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

"The Song and Liao dynasties have already established the Treaty of Hejian, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun have been returned to the Song!"

The knights had been shouting all the way from Hejian Prefecture to Bianjing City, their throats were hoarse, and two of them had even lost their voices and could no longer speak.

As the knights galloped along, the people of the Song Dynasty who heard the news along the way were also in an uproar.

The Central Plains rejoice, and the whole country shares this good news.

In the cities along the way, officials bowed three times towards Bianjing (Kaifeng) and then once towards Hejian Prefecture. Afterwards, the prefectural government held a banquet with singing and dancing to celebrate.

Ordinary people and merchants applauded and congratulated each other. On the streets and in restaurants, people who knew each other or not gathered together, toasting each other and chatting happily.

The once weak and feeble backbone of the nation has gradually straightened and become strong.

Everywhere you look, you can hear people discussing national affairs. Their opinions may be naive and laughable, or even arrogant and domineering, but you can clearly see a quality that only existed during the prosperous Han and Tang dynasties: "fearlessness."

The Song Dynasty today fears no enemy.

Because the Song Dynasty had a powerful and invincible elite army, as well as the strategist and invincible Prince of Hejian.

The people do not desire war; they simply yearn for peace.

If Prince Zhao can lead the royal army to conquer the world, the Song Dynasty will achieve the unification of China, and peace will come.

Several days later, the knights who brought news of the victory finally arrived at the gates of Bianjing.

The knights, with mint leaves in their mouths to moisten their parched throats, rested their horses outside the city before mounting and heading straight for the gates of Bianjing.

The black box was held high, and the knights shouted as they approached the city gate.

"A victory report from Hejian Prefecture! A victory report from Hejian Prefecture! The Great Song Dynasty has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

"The Liao Kingdom sued for peace and withdrew from the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, and Yan and Yun thus came under the control of the Song Dynasty!"

The imperial guards on duty at the city gate were about to stop them, but when they saw the black box in the knight's hand and heard the knight's loud shouts of victory, the guards realized the gravity of the situation and quickly made way, allowing the knight to ride into the city.

When the news of victory reached the capital, the knights continued to shout the good news after entering the city. The officials and common people on the streets of Bianjing were stunned. A brief silence fell over the bustling streets of Bianjing. People seemed to have been put on pause, and they all stared in disbelief as the knights rode towards Yanfu Palace.

After a long while, a commoner suddenly clapped his hands and exclaimed in surprise, "Am I dreaming? How come I heard someone say... the imperial court has recovered Yan and Yun?"

"Is it that Yan Yun? The 'Yan Yun' of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun?"

"Oh my god, this is incredible! The imperial court has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!" "Quickly, go and ask again. I still feel uneasy; this news... it's like a dream."

"Who is so capable that they have recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun for the imperial court? This is an extraordinary achievement."

"Who else could it be? The only commander-in-chief appointed by the Emperor to attack Liao is His Highness the Prince of Hejian. Who else has the ability to do so?"

"Prince Zhao is truly... how can he be so amazing? He's only in his twenties, right? With such a meritorious official, the Song Dynasty will become even more extraordinary in the future!"

"Buy wine, let's go buy wine! The news of recapturing Yan and Yun is enough for me to spend all my money on a good drink, haha, that's so satisfying!"

…………

The countless whispers and murmurs of the common people were left behind as the knights arrived at the gates of Yanfu Palace.

Soon, a eunuch carrying a black box hurried towards the Funing Palace.

From the palace gate to the Funing Hall, the eunuchs shouted excitedly all the way.

"Your Majesty, a great victory! A great victory! The Liao Kingdom has sued for peace, and the Great Song Dynasty has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

Rushing to the Funing Palace amidst a great commotion, Zhao Xu had already come out upon hearing the news, standing outside the palace looking at the rushing eunuch with disbelief.

The eunuch ran up to Zhao Xu, panting heavily, but before he could speak, Zhao Xu, too lazy to listen to his rambling, snatched the black box, removed the sealing wax, and unfolded the report of victory jointly signed by Zhao Xiaoqian and Xu Jiang, as well as a lengthy treaty of the Treaty of Hejian.

Zhao Xu's eyes were filled with excitement, his face flushed red, and his hands holding the letter trembled uncontrollably. He read every word of the memorial many times.

Finally, Zhao Xu staggered slightly, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly trying to process this shocking good news.

"This, this is... we've recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun?" Zhao Xu asked, his voice trembling.

Just like the reactions of ordinary people on the streets of Bianjing, Zhao Xu felt as if he were in a dream, a dream he would never dare to dream of, it was too extravagant.

Zheng Chunhe, standing beside him, was already in tears, choking out, "Your Majesty, it's true! His Highness the Prince of Hejian has really recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun!"

Zhao Xu's expression shifted rapidly before he began to outline the terms of the Treaty of Hejian.

As Zhao Xu read through each clause, he discovered that the Song Dynasty had gained the upper hand. The clauses were almost entirely in the Song Dynasty's favor. From the words, Zhao Xu could even vaguely sense the Song Dynasty's ruthless and oppressive aura towards the Liao Dynasty, which could only helplessly submit.

The peace treaty between the two countries is written in a very peaceful tone, emphasizing the importance of harmony between the two nations and the beautiful history and future of this brotherly land more than once.

However, when these words were put together as a whole, Zhao Xu could really see the murderous intent contained within them, as if someone had a knife to the neck of the Liao Kingdom, forcing the Liao Kingdom to admit how harmonious and friendly the relationship between the Song and Liao Kingdom was.

"Within two months, all Liao troops stationed in the cities and lands of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun must unconditionally withdraw from Yanyun. After this period, if the Song army sees any trace of Liao troops on the land of Yanyun, they shall be regarded as enemies and all shall be executed."

"All government offices at all levels in Yanyun are hereby abolished, awaiting the dispatch of officials by the Song Dynasty to hand over local and city power. The Liao Dynasty's Xiang Army, tribal army, clan militia, etc., shall immediately disarm and submit to the Song Dynasty. The government shall send personnel to reorganize and settle them as soon as possible. Anyone who disobeys shall be executed as a traitor."

"When Liao officials and troops withdraw from Yanyun, they are not allowed to take any grain, money, weapons, or warhorses with them. Only Liao people are allowed to take their private belongings. The Song army shall take over and seal all official granaries and treasuries in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun within three days. Any Liao people who dare to smuggle property out of the country shall be executed."

Zhao Xu murmured the words one by one, the corners of his mouth curving upwards with each word, and the joy in his eyes was almost overflowing.

"Good, good! Hahahaha! Zian's proposed terms are comprehensive and ruthless enough. Even if I sent the officials of Bianjing to negotiate, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to reach such an agreement!" Zhao Xu laughed loudly.

Seeing Zhao Xu's good mood, Zheng Chunhe immediately chimed in, "It's all thanks to His Highness the Prince who negotiated with the Liao people. His Highness has repeatedly defeated the Liao army, and the Liao people are deeply afraid of him. His Highness is at the height of his power, so the Liao people dare not disobey the conditions he proposed."

"Indeed, it's thanks to Zian. Fortunately, I entrusted him with the power of negotiation back then. Zian did not disappoint me. This Treaty of Hejian... Haha! It's gratifying! Zian did a great job!" Zhao Xu looked at the report of victory again and again with delight.

"Yes, Zian also said that after the alliance was signed, he immediately dispatched his generals to various cities in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun to take over the city defenses, seal up the official granaries and treasuries in various places, and urge the Khitans and other tribes to leave Yanyun."

“What Zian said… ‘It’s best to secure what you’ve got.’ Hmm, that makes a lot of sense, haha! That’s right, it’s best to secure what you’ve got. Only what we have in our hands is truly ours. We can’t be too happy before we have it.”

"However... I am still very happy, very happy! Haha! With Zian here, who would dare to disobey this Treaty of Hejian? As for those who do disobey, given Zian's temper, he will not tolerate it!"

Zheng Chunhe, with red eyes, looked at Zhao Xu and showed a long-lost, heartfelt smile.

It was clear that Zhao Xu was in a very good mood at the moment. The imperial court's recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun was a great joy.

Two years ago, it was Zhao Xu's grand ambition. However, even Zhao Xu did not expect that this ambition would actually come true one day, and in just two years!
"Zheng Chunhe, send the treaty of the Hejian Alliance to the Hall of State Affairs, and order the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy to copy it. Craftsmen will print 10,000 copies, which will be distributed and circulated to all prefectures, counties, and districts throughout the land. All officials, scholars, and common people should hear of it and rejoice together!"

"Furthermore, summon all civil and military officials to wear Liang-style hats and court robes. The Ministry of Rites shall draft the sacrificial text and arrange the rites. I and all officials shall use this covenant to offer sacrifices to our ancestors in the Imperial Ancestral Temple!"

After a pause, Zhao Xu slowly said, "...Let the Prince of Chu attend to me and let him recite the sacrificial text."

Zheng Chunhe smiled slightly, bowed, accepted the order, and withdrew.

(End of this chapter)