0p0 Chapter 359 Changes in the Relationship between the Song Dynasty, Western Xia, and the Li Family Arm
Chapter 359 Changes in the Relationship between the Song Dynasty, Western Xia, and the Li Family Arm
Wanyan Ping's words not only stirred up ripples in Zhao Heng's heart, making him find it hard to believe, but even the usually composed Li Zhen couldn't help but stare in astonishment, thinking to himself: The aftereffects of flying are really this bad.
Li Qianshun also rose, holding a cup of fragrant tea, and faced Zhao Heng, his eyes shining with sincerity: "Brother Zhao Heng, through Li Zhen's words, I dare to call you elder brother. Consider that our Western Xia and Northern Song have been at war for years. Could we shake hands and make peace together? After thinking it over today, I suddenly realize that the turmoil in the Central Plains for hundreds of years is nothing more than a dispute between brothers. Rather than competing with you all on this land, I intend to go west and find another way."
"To the west, there is the Western Liao, an old friend of the Jin Dynasty, and the rich Middle East that my brother-in-law mentioned. If I am fortunate enough to unify the Western Regions, the abundant tax revenue from the merchants traveling along the vast Silk Road will be enough to nourish our country and make our Western Xia prosperous. Why not do it?"
After speaking, Li Qianshun smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling with boundless anticipation for the future, as if the distant Western Regions had already unfolded a magnificent picture in his heart.
After a moment of deep thought, Zhao Heng's gaze slowly shifted to Li Zhen. Then, he stood up, facing the assembled crowd, and said in a steady and firm voice: "I have carefully considered the invitation extended by the two princes. Here, I am willing to follow the previous proposal of the Prince of Zhennan, using the Grand Canal as a natural boundary marker to demarcate our respective spheres of influence. From this moment on, our armies shall cease hostilities and work together to seek peace."
Furthermore, I will immediately order Yue Fei to cease the campaign against Western Xia. Let us use the territories we currently control as our new borders and join hands to usher in a new era. What do you say?
Upon hearing this, Li Qianshun felt a pang of pain in his heart. Yue Fei's invincible Yue Family Army had swept through several cities of Western Xia with unstoppable momentum. According to Zhao Heng's words, didn't that mean he would have to watch those cities surrender to others, becoming a pointless sacrifice? However, upon further reflection, if Yue Fei continued his overwhelming advance, it wouldn't be long before even his own Zhongxing Prefecture would be captured.
Thinking of this, Li Qianshun took a deep breath and nodded in a low but firm voice: "Alright! We will proceed according to Emperor Zhao Heng's plan."
Witnessing everyone shake hands and make peace so easily, Li Zhen felt an indescribable sense of relief. He had never expected that his seemingly ordinary actions today would unexpectedly yield such a harmonious outcome.
Watching Wanyan Ping and Li Qianshun chatting and laughing with his elder brother, Li Zhen's lips twitched slightly, as if he had a thousand words to say. However, his slightly raised buttocks were as if pressed down by an invisible boulder, slowly and unwillingly falling back onto the chair, as if he were firmly nailed there by some inexplicable force.
At this moment, Zhao Gou might have considered reconciling with his elder brother and conspiring for peace, but he knew all too well that on this chessboard of power, he was merely a pawn with no control over his own destiny. If he rashly took that step, he feared that before even stepping into Lin'an, his throne would be quietly usurped by someone else. The deeply entrenched aristocratic families of Jiangnan would not stand idly by and allow such a scene to unfold; they had their own scales of weighing the pros and cons. In other words, he, the emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty, actually had no real power over this half of the country. Even the most insignificant suggestions could be easily rejected by court officials from powerful families with a few words, let alone matters concerning the future and destiny of the nation.
Zhao Gou sighed inwardly, lamenting to himself: "Alas, it all stems from the insistence of Emperor Shizu Zhao Kuangyin in the past, who insisted on establishing a rule that allowed scholars to govern the country side by side."
Li Zhen witnessed this scene. He knew that his two brothers-in-law would never forgive and forget today, but he had plenty of time and resources. He would think of a solution later.
Li Zhen smiled and said to everyone, "After all that commotion, I'm sure you're all hungry. I'll have someone prepare another feast, and we can drink and chat happily, shall we?"
The drinking session lasted until late into the night. Zhao Yingluo and Li Qianmin'er were initially worried and came over to check on things. When they saw Li Zhen, Li Qianshun, Zhao Gou, and Zhao Heng dancing together, and even the usually serious and well-behaved delinquent was dancing in a silk skirt that he had somehow found, the two covered their mouths and slowly left the room.
Zhao Gou, his face flushed from drinking, hugged Zhao Heng and said, "Brother, I'm sorry! I've suffered so much!"
Looking at his ninth brother who was holding him, Zhao Heng sighed: "As members of the royal family, our fates are not in our own hands, but you still have to work hard. Come, ninth brother, let's have a big drink."
Before the joyous atmosphere of the wedding banquet had completely dissipated, the long-standing conflict between the Northern Song Dynasty and the Jin army under Wanyan Ping miraculously came to an abrupt end. Following Wanyan Ping's wise decision, the Jin army retreated in an orderly fashion, returning to the border east of the Grand Canal, leaving behind a temporary peace.
Meanwhile, Yue Fei, who was fiercely fighting the Western Xia cavalry at the front lines, suddenly received an urgent military order, commanding him to immediately garrison his position and cease all engagements with the Western Xia army. This order acted like an invisible shackle, binding his steps in his campaign. Looking across the river, the Western Xia army seemed to have received some mysterious command as well, restraining its advance and ceasing to send troops to harass the Song army's borders. A delicate balance had formed between the two armies.
This series of changes, like a sudden shift in the weather, caused unexpected twists and turns in the war, but also quietly unfolded a picture of the dawn of peace, inspiring endless imagination.
At dawn on the third day, Yue Fei received an urgent order to lead his 30,000 elite troops westward with the goal of retaking Lizhou West Road, which had been occupied by the Tibetan cavalry. At the same time, good news followed: General Han Shizhong's 50,000 reinforcements were rushing along the Yellow River, and it was expected that within ten days, this fresh force would be on the battlefield, fighting alongside Yue Fei.
This journey not only carried the heavy responsibility of recovering lost territory, but also contained boundless affection for the land and rivers of his homeland. In Yue Fei's heart, there was both calm planning for the impending fierce battle and a sense of relief and anticipation for the arrival of his allies. On this land engulfed in flames of war, every moment of waiting felt incredibly heavy, while the dawn of victory was quietly brewing on the distant horizon.
In addition, Yue Fei also opened another letter written by Zhao Heng himself. In the letter, Zhao Heng not only vividly described the various scenes at Li Zhen's wedding, but also gave a detailed explanation of the recent strategic deployments of the Northern Song Dynasty.
After carefully reading the document, Yue Fei's doubts vanished. It turned out they were about to be free from years of war with the Western Xia army; at least for the next few years, there would be no more constant conflict between the Northern Song and Western Xia. However, a pang of regret stirred within Yue Fei. He secretly thought how wonderful it would be if he could capture a few more Western Xia cities before the imperial decree was issued, thus expanding the Northern Song's territory.