Before the Supreme Emperor Zhao Ji left Bianjing, Tong Guan rushed back from Jinyang. In the eyes of the Supreme Emperor, among the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, only Tong Guantong, the Privy Councilor, could fight. Privy Council Tong Guantong rushed into Bianjing after a tiring journey. He didn't even bother to return to his mansion, so he went straight into the palace and went to see the Supreme Emperor Zhao Ji.
Zhao Ji was overjoyed when he heard that Tong Guan asked for an audience, and quickly ordered the general to come in. Tong Guan rushed into the palace and came to Ningshou Palace. Tong Guan knelt on the ground and cried loudly: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty has been disturbed by the incompetence of my ministers." Zhao Ji also cried and got down from his seat, supported Tong Guan and said: "I have been waiting for you for a long time, and you are finally here. I'm back. Okay, okay, it's good that you are back. Please quickly mobilize three thousand elite soldiers and follow me south to burn incense in Bozhou."
Tong Guandao: "I am in Jinyang, and I am always worried about the safety of the Holy One. I want to rush back to Bianjing from Jinyang, and King Qin will escort me. Tan Zhen, Zhang Xiaochun and other Jinyang officials try their best to stop me. They don't want me to return to the capital. They want me to stay in Jinyang." Jinyang is in charge of defense. The safety of the Holy Sage is a matter of great importance, so I defy all opinions and return to the capital to protect the Holy Shang."
"Okay! Okay!" Zhao Ji said repeatedly: "The defense of Jinyang is a trivial matter, and the defense of the capital is the top priority. Now, I have been entrusted to the crown prince, and the defense is actually presided over by the new emperor. You just escort me to Bozhou for incense. .”
Tong Guan kowtowed and said, "I only have the Supreme Emperor in my heart, and I only obey the Supreme Emperor's orders."
"Okay! Okay! Okay!" Zhao Ji was very satisfied and said hello three times, and then said: "After you and I go south, the troops and horses in the south will be controlled by you to ensure peace in the south."
Tong Guandao: "I respectfully obey the Emperor's decree."
Tong Guan immediately left the palace and prepared his troops.
The new emperor Zhao Huan heard the news that Privy Council Tong Guantong returned to the capital from Jinyang and met with the Supreme Empress. He also mobilized three thousand elite soldiers to escort the Supreme Emperor to Bozhou to offer incense.
Zhao Huan was shocked when he heard the report. At this time, the emperor's departure from the capital would inevitably shake the confidence of the soldiers and people of the capital, cause greater chaos, and be detrimental to the defense of the capital. Zhao Huan hurried to Ningshou Palace to meet the Supreme Emperor Zhao Ji.
At this time, Zhao Ji was walking outside Ningshou Palace, surrounded by Tong Guan and others. Seeing this, Zhao Huan hurriedly bowed to Zhao Ji and asked, "Where does the Supreme Emperor want to go?" Zhao Ji said, "Privilege Tong returned to Beijing from Jinyang, and my father and Privy Tong went to Bozhou to offer incense." Zhao Huanjian said. , said anxiously: "Your Majesty, at this time when Bianjing's defense is at its most critical, the Emperor's departure from Bianjing at this time will shake the confidence of the soldiers and civilians in Bianjing. Your Majesty implores the Emperor to stay in Bianjing and encourage the soldiers and people of Bianjing to defend the capital." Determination and will.”
Huizong thought to himself, I am here in Zen just to let you take on the responsibility of defending the capital. Instead of me staying in the capital, risking my life and property, and taking on this huge responsibility, what are you doing in Zen? ! You must shoulder the responsibilities that are yours to bear without any hesitation or shirk. I am the Supreme Emperor who has abdicated the throne. Why do you keep me in the capital? ! Thinking like this, Zhao Ji said to Zhao Huan: "I can rest assured that the emperor is here. I will go to Bozhou to offer incense and bless the country of Song Dynasty to be evergreen. Please step back!"
After saying that, without waiting for Zhao Huan to say anything else, Zhao Ji hurried out of the palace surrounded by Tong Guan and others. Seeing this, Zhao Huan became anxious and hurriedly chased for a few steps. He caught up with the Emperor Zhao Ji, stretched out his hand to hold Zhao Ji's sleeves, and begged: "The Emperor has abdicated the throne to his son, who still needs the Emperor's support." , at this critical moment, Your Majesty, you cannot leave!"
When Zhao Ji saw this, he got angry and said, "What kind of behavior do you have?! You are the current Holy Emperor. I just mind your own business. Why do you force me to stay? Why don't you just back down!" After saying this, he forcibly shook off Zhao Huan's pull. With his hands on his clothes, surrounded by Tong Guan and others, he walked out of the palace.
Zhao Huan was stunned for a moment and shouted to Tong Guan: "Tong Guan! You are the imperial envoy. Where are you going? As the chief military minister of the imperial court, you have delayed military affairs. You are the only one I ask!"
Tong Guan looked back and said: "I protect the Supreme Emperor's pilgrimage. This is the most important thing. After I escort the Supreme Emperor to Bozhou, I will return to the capital and take charge of the defense of Bianjing."
After saying that, Tong Guan and others gathered around Zhao Ji and left.
In Ningshou Palace, Zhao Huan stood alone and sighed helplessly.
In the city of Bianjing, it was heard that the Jin army had crossed the Yellow River and was marching towards Bianjing. The whole city of Bianjing was in chaos. Immediately, the news that the Supreme Emperor left Beijing and went to Bozhou to offer incense came out, and everyone in the big family knew about it. Seeing that Bianjing was in danger, even the Supreme Emperor fled to the south of the capital, so what were we doing in Bianjing? Waiting for the Jinren massacre? Therefore, the big families in Bianjing City also packed up their belongings and fled outside Bianjing City.
When the ordinary soldiers and civilians in Bianjing City heard that the Supreme Emperor Zhao Ji was offering incense in Bozhou, they also flocked out, hoping to follow the Supreme Emperor southward. The south gate of Bianjing was extremely crowded. For a time, tens of thousands of people followed the Supreme Emperor out of the city.
In the Zichen Hall of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Qinzong Zhao Huan sat high on a dragon chair, with ministers such as Geng Nazhong, Zhang Bangchang, Wu Min, Tang Ke, Zhang Shuye, Li Gang, and Qin Hui standing below. Geng Nanzhong was the teacher of Qinzong Zhao Huan and was the prime minister of Zuo at that time. Zhang Bangchang, Wu Min, and Tang Ke were all Grand Priests and Tutors in the imperial court, holding high and powerful positions. Unfortunately, they were all peace advocates and advocated making peace with the Jin people. Zhang Shuye, Li Gang, and Qin Hui were the main war factions at that time. They strongly advocated resisting the invasion of the Jin Kingdom and expelling the Jin Kingdom's soldiers and horses from the country.
At that time, Zhao Huan summoned them into the main hall to discuss strategies for dealing with gold. The peace faction and the war faction were in a quarrel.
Geng Nanzhong was Qin Zong's teacher and had been with Qin Zong for more than ten years. Qin Zong trusted him very much. Qinzong hoped that Geng Nanzhong would give the most practical suggestions. Geng Nanzhong proposed to abandon Bianjing, move south, exchange time for space, summon soldiers and horses from all over the world, gradually gather in the Yangtze River Basin, form a powerful military force, fight against the Jin soldiers, and drive the Jin soldiers north. Geng Nanzhong said: "Your Majesty, I would like to temporarily abandon Bianjing and drive south. This is the most feasible approach. There are no steep natural chasms in Bianjing. Except for the Yellow River, the north is flat and wide. There are no dangers to hold on and it is difficult to defend. It is easy to attack, but there is no way to stop the Jin Kou cavalry from going south. At present, the Jin Kou cavalry has crossed the Yellow River and is rushing towards Bianjing. However, it is difficult for the imperial court to organize a strong army at this time. Under this situation, Bianjing is temporarily abandoned and moved to Bianjing. In the south of the Yangtze River, time is exchanged for space. When all the soldiers and horses from all over the world are assembled, the Holy Majesty will march personally and send troops to the north to drive the Jin invaders out of the northern border. This is a perfect strategy."
When Qinzong Zhao Huan heard this, he was overjoyed and said hurriedly: "What the teacher said is absolutely true."
Seeing this, Zuo Si admonished Qin Hui, took a step forward, looked at Qinzong and bowed to him, and loudly said: "Your Majesty, what Prime Minister Zuo said is harmful to the country. The walls of Bianjing are strong, and there are millions of people stationed in the city. More than 100,000 imperial troops are enough to withstand the steep natural moat. The battle is fought with will and courage. At present, the Holy Sage is firmly in the city, the people, soldiers and civilians are united as one, and a mere 100,000 gold soldiers, how can they shake Bianjing? If the Holy Sage can do this When Shi Yi drives south, it will inevitably cause chaos in the capital, and Bian Jing cannot be protected! If the capital is not protected, the golden soldiers and cavalry can catch up with the emperor at any time, who is driving south. At that time, how can we resist the enemy? In my opinion, the emperor Never move the vehicle lightly to avoid endless trouble."
Qin Hui's words frightened Qinzong Zhao Huan. Zhao Huan thought to himself, if he stays in the capital, he still has a solid city wall and is guarded by more than 100,000 forbidden troops. If he really wants to leave the capital, and the Jin soldiers chase him, who will escort him? Wouldn't it be a loss of life? Thinking of this, Qinzong did not dare to move away from the capital.
Seeing that Emperor Qinzong was hesitant, Shangshu Youcheng and Shaozai Zhang Bangchang came out to report: "It is no problem to tell the Holy Lord to stick to Bianjing; the question is, if Bianjing is not protected, what should we do then?" After the report, , Zhang Bangchang turned his head and glared at Qin Hui and said: "Master Qin speaks and acts like Meng Lang! Don't bet on the body of the saint. I ask Master Qin, do you dare to guarantee that the capital will be foolproof? Do you dare to guarantee that the saint will be foolproof?"
Seeing this, Qin Hui said: "Zhang Shaozai, let's talk about the matter and don't use the Holy One to pressure others. At present, it is the safest way for the Holy One to stay in the capital. You suggest that the Holy One move south and let me ask you, can you Do you guarantee that the body of the Holy One is safe and sound? If you can guarantee it, please leave a note and let you escort the Holy One as he travels south."
Zhang Bangchang is such a shrewd man, how could he make this guarantee? How could he keep this note? Therefore, Zhang Bangchang argued: "I don't necessarily advocate that the Holy Emperor should move southward. What I mean is to make peace with the Jin Kingdom and let them withdraw their troops."
Seeing this, Taichang Shaoqing Li Gang took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, it is absolutely impossible to move southward! It is not impossible to make peace with the Jin Kingdom, but the premise is that the Jin army can be severely damaged and stopped. If We cannot inflict heavy damage and stop the Jin Army, and making peace with the Jin State is just empty talk. If the Jin State is so kind, how can it be possible to attack the Song Dynasty?! Therefore, we must fight against the Jin Army, otherwise the so-called peace cannot be achieved."
"You're trying to force peace!" Zhang Bangchang said: "If you can severely damage the Jin army, what's the point of making peace? Just beat the Jin army out. Our Song Dynasty soldiers don't have that strength! What I said is peace. It is to give the Jin Kingdom gold coins and even cede the border territory in exchange for the Jin Kingdom to withdraw its troops. After the court has recuperated its strength, it will take back the generals to get out of the current predicament."
If peace could be bought with gold coins, Qinzong would be willing to do it. What Qinzong urgently needs now is to contact the capital of the crisis and give Jin some gold coins and land, which Qinzong can accept.
After listening to Zhang Bangchang's words, Qinzong nodded frequently.
Zhang Shu, the shepherd of Kaifeng, came out at night and said: "Your Majesty. Losing gold coins to the Kingdom of Jin and ceding land to the Kingdom of Jin in exchange for the withdrawal of troops from the Kingdom of Jin is absolutely unacceptable. The Kingdom of Jin is insatiable and greedy, and they will never be satisfied. At that time, how could we, the Song Dynasty, cede all the land and land to the Jin State? I agree with Li Shaoqing. At present, the only way for the imperial court to organize troops and horses to fight the Jin army and force the Jin State to make peace is the best way."
Geng Nanzhong shouted: "The scholar is angry! Although fighting depends on courage, strength must not be ignored. At all times, we must be realistic and don't rely solely on spirit."
The peace faction headed by Geng Nazhong and Zhang Bangchang and the war faction headed by Li Gang and Qin Hui quarreled in the palace, refusing to give in to each other, leaving Qinzong at a loss what to do. When Qin Zong was in a panic, a report came in from outside the palace. Xu Ce, the governor of Kaifeng, heard that Zhang Shuye, the governor of Kaifeng, was discussing matters in the palace at night. Because there was an emergency, he came to report.
Uncle Zhang looked at Qin Zong and bowed to him at night, and said loudly: "Your Majesty. Since my subordinates have something to report to me, I will retire here."
Qin Zong said: "It is reported that Kaifeng Prefecture Yin Xu Ce has entered the palace. I also want to hear what is so urgent."
The palace official then informed Kaifeng Prefecture Yin Xu Ce to enter the palace.
Xu Ceru, who was behind the palace, knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Qin Zong.
Qin Zong said: "What is the purpose of Xu Fu Yin entering the palace to look for Zhang Fu Mu?"
Xu Ce stood up, looked at Qinzong and bowed to him, and said: "Your Majesty. Privy Tong escorted the Emperor out of the capital, saying that he was going to Bozhou to offer incense. Tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and civilians in the city all went with him. They swarmed out of the city and the officials came specially. Report."
Qinzong was shocked when he heard the report. He knew that Tong Guan escorted the Supreme Emperor to Bozhou to offer incense, but tens of thousands of people wanted to follow the Supreme Emperor to Bozhou. Qinzong did not know about this situation. Qinzong thought, if all the people in the city went south, who would protect Bianjing? Therefore, Qinzong was shocked.
