Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Nianhan and other generals who withdrew from the Jin State did not forget for a moment to ask for the cities that the Song State promised to cede to them and the gold and silk that the Song State promised to give them. This is their trophy, obtained through charge and battle, life and death, and it is a necessary condition for the Jin Kingdom to withdraw its troops. Since the Song Kingdom agreed, it should fulfill it.
It has been more than a month since the army withdrew and returned to China, but the Song State has not sent any gold or silk. Except for Taiyuan, which it has already occupied, the Song State has not ceded the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian. In response, Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Nianhan and other generals became impatient and gathered together to visit Wanyan Wu, Taizong of the Jin Kingdom, to beg for money.
After a group of generals paid tribute to Wanyan Wu, Wanyan Zongwang was the first to report: "My lord, our army marched westward to the Southern Dynasty, approaching the border city. The Southern Dynasty was helpless and promised to pay compensation in gold and silk, and cede Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian. Three towns, as compensation to our country. Now, our country has withdrawn its troops for more than a month. Except for some gold and silk that the Southern Dynasty had to deliver and Taiyuan that our country had already occupied, it has not yet compensated us with money or silk, nor has it ceded Zhongshan and Hejian. , This is going back on one's word, breaking one's word, and deceiving our country! This is intolerable, but what can't be tolerated? We, the generals, strongly demand that the troops go and demand the gold, silk, and ceded cities that the Southern Dynasty promised to compensate."
Wanyan Nianhan encouraged from the side: "What the second brother Wang said is absolutely true! Let me tell you, my lord, the Southern Dynasty is extremely cunning. If they press hard, they will pay some gold, silk, cattle and horses; if they don't press hard, they can delay it, and wait for change. .Compared to our country, which is isolated and isolated, with cold weather and barren land, and few products, the Southern Dynasty has a vast territory, abundant resources, large population, and prosperity. If our country does not press for compensation and silk and cede cities from the Southern Dynasty in time, we will wait for the Southern Dynasty to strengthen its armaments and issue orders to all towns. Troops were gathered in Bianjing and Hebei to block the Yellow River. At that time, the Southern Dynasty would default on its debts, and what could our country do? Therefore, I asked my lord to send troops and horses to suppress the Southern Dynasty, forming a coercive force and forcing the Southern Dynasty to pay compensation as soon as possible. Silk, cede the city."
Some other generals echoed: "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. We must put pressure on the Southern Dynasties to implement the agreement reached before the withdrawal; otherwise, the agreement will be a blank piece of paper, which will encourage the Southern Dynasty's arrogance and be detrimental to our country's influence on the Southern Dynasties." control."
Wanyan Nianhan's petition was taken seriously by Wanyan Wu Qimai, and the expression on his face gradually became stern. However, thinking that the army had just returned to the country and was sending out troops again, firstly, there was insufficient preparation, and secondly, there was no very appropriate reason. With this in mind, Wanyan Wu Qimai waved his hand to ask others to quiet down. After a while, everyone else became quiet and looked up at him. Waiting for him to speak, they said, "That's what the nephews and generals said. Our army went to fight in the Southern Dynasties this time, although it entered Bianjing City. Next, they forced the ministers of the Southern Dynasty to make a treaty with the city, promised to compensate our country for gold and silk, and ceded the three towns of Taiyuan, Hejian, and Zhongshan. The results were huge, but the consumption was also extremely huge, and they needed to rest and recuperate. According to the princes, the Southern Dynasty did have time to wait. In view of this situation, if we do not promptly demand all the compensation and cede cities from the Southern Dynasty, I am afraid that there will be long nights and many dreams, and there will be changes. In my opinion, we should advance from two sides. First, we should prepare our troops to be ready to attack the Southern Dynasty at any time; second, we should send out troops to attack the Southern Dynasty. The envoy went to Bianjing to demand gold and silk and the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian. If the Southern Dynasty pays and delivers the goods on time, our country will maintain peaceful relations with the Southern Dynasty; if the Southern Dynasty refuses to give, we will send a large army to solve the problem by force, and the Southern Dynasty will agree to the demand. of gold and silk and the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian."
Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Nianhan and others all said at once: "Anyway, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible. It is entirely up to my Lord."
Wanyan Wu begged to say: "You should go back first. Each of you should be busy with your own affairs. The key is to be prepared and be able to attack the Southern Dynasties at any time and ensure victory."
Wanyan Zongwang, Wanyan Nianhan and others bowed to Wanyan Wu and left the hall.
In the main hall, sitting on the dragon throne, Wanyan Wu was begging for money, thinking about how to ask for the gold and silk promised by the Song Dynasty and the cession of Zhongshan and Hejian towns? Who should be sent as envoy to the Song Dynasty?
The first thing Wanyan Wu thought of when begging for money was Gao Qingyi, a Han from the Bohai Sea. A native of Gaoqing, he was a surrendered minister of the Liao Kingdom. He was proficient in Khitan, Privet, and Chinese languages. When Jin Taizu Wanyan Aguda was in power, Gao Qingyi served around him and advised on government affairs. During the Song and Jin Dynasties signing the maritime treaty and jointly destroying the Liao Dynasty, Gao Qingyi contributed a lot and was highly appreciated by Taizu Wanyan Agu. During the previous attack on the Song Dynasty, Gao Qingyi marched with Wanyan Nianhan of the West Route Army and served as a general officer in the army. When Wanyan Nianhan withdrew his troops from Taiyuan, he took into account the comprehensive talents of the Gao Qing descendants and ordered the Gao Qing descendants to stay in Taiyuan.
Jin Taizong originally wanted to send Gao Qingyi as an envoy to the Song Dynasty to urge for gold and silk and the two towns of Zhongshan and Hejian. However, considering that it would take some time to transfer the Gao Qing people back from Taiyuan, and that it was not a complicated matter to go to the Song Dynasty as an envoy to urge the Southern Dynasty to fulfill the contract, it seemed that it was overkill and not cost-effective to specifically transfer the Gao Qing people back. Immediately, Jin Taizong gave up the idea of sending Gao Qingyi as an envoy to the Song Dynasty.
Jin Taizong Wanyan Wu Qimai suddenly thought of another person. Wanyan Wu Qingmai thought about it for a while and felt that this person was also proficient in Khitan, privet and Chinese, and was loyal to his master. The only drawback was that he returned to the imperial court a little late.
Who was this person that Jin Taizong was thinking of? It turned out that the person Jin Taizong was thinking of was Xiao Zhonggong, the Liao bodyguard who had been captured by Wanyan Nianhan not long ago.
Who is Xiao Zhonggong? Xiao Zhonggong was the son of Princess Yue, the fourth daughter of Emperor Daozong Hongji of the Liao Dynasty. He also married a princess of the Liao Kingdom. He served as the Secretary of the Liao Kingdom and the Sikong of the Liao Kingdom. When Emperor Tianzuo fled to Jiashan, Xiao Zhonggong served as the bodyguard and military leader. When Emperor Tianzuo Yelu Yanxi fled to Horidibo in Jiashan Mountain, the Jin army suddenly caught up with him, and Emperor Tianzuo fled in a hurry again. Xiao Zhonggong's mother's horse was exhausted and could no longer move forward. She said to Xiao Zhonggong and Xiao Zhongxuan brothers: "As long as you are loyal to the country, leave me alone." Yelu Yanxi was very sad when he saw this and ordered Xiao Zhonggong's younger brother Xiao Zhongxuan to stay with him. came down to serve his mother. Xiao Zhonggong followed the emperor and fled west again. It was snowing heavily and the weather was cold, and the Liao emperor was short of food, so Xiao Zhonggong offered him clothes and food. The Emperor of Liao was sleepy. Xiao Zhonggong lay down in the ice and snow, and the Emperor of Liao lay on him to rest. It took a total of six days to reach Tiande, and only then could Xiao Zhonggong be able to eat.
Wanyan Nianhan returned from Taiyuan not long ago. He thought that Emperor Tianzuo of the Liao Dynasty was still fleeing to Jiashan. If he was not captured, it would be a hidden danger. So he led his army into Jiashan and searched for several days. Finally, Emperor Tianzuo Yeluyan was captured. Jubilee capture.
Xiao Zhonggong was captured together with Emperor Tianzuo.
After Xiao Zhonggong, Emperor Tianzuo and others were escorted back to the Kingdom of Jin, Jin Taizong Wanyan Wu Qimai heard about Xiao Zhonggong's situation. He thought that Xiao Zhonggong was loyal to his master, treated him with courtesy, and ordered Xiao Zhonggong to serve as an internal affairs officer in the Kingdom of Jin.
Xiao Zhonggong originally thought that he would definitely lose his life if he was captured this time. Unexpectedly, not only did he not lose his life, but he got an official position instead. Therefore, he was extremely loyal to Jin Taizong.
Because Xiao Zhonggong's surrender was too short, Jin Taizong Wanyan Wu Qimai didn't know how loyal Xiao Zhonggong was to the Jin court. So he thought of Xiao Zhonggong at this time and wanted to send Xiao Zhonggong as an envoy to the Song Dynasty, and urged the Song Dynasty to agree. compensation and the cession of Zhongshan and Hejian towns.
Jin Taizong wanted to use this mission to the Song Dynasty to test Xiao Zhonggong's loyalty to the Jin Dynasty court.
After thinking about it, Wanyan Wu begged to buy the order and the official in charge of the palace said: "It is said that Xiao Zhonggong has come to the palace to see you."
After Xiao Zhonggong was captured, he served as a miscellaneous internal affairs officer in the court. He had no taste and it was not his turn to be summoned by Jin Taizong. Jin Taizong suddenly summoned Xiao Zhonggong, which made Xiao Zhonggong panic and uneasy. Xiao Zhonggong didn't know why Jin Taizong summoned him? I wonder if what awaits him is a blessing or a curse?
Xiao Zhonggong, who was in panic, hurriedly entered the palace and knelt on the ground.
Wanyan Wu begged: "Get up, there is no need to be polite."
Xiao Zhonggong kowtowed and said, "Kowtow to thank my Lord." Then he got up.
Wanyan Wu begged to buy: "Although you are an official in the imperial court, you are still from Liao. The reason why the imperial court made you an official is also considering your loyalty to the old master. People have emotions and conscience, you Being loyal to your old master shows that you have good character and conscience. Now that you are an official in the court and serve the court, you should be as loyal to the court as you were to your old master."
When Xiao Zhonggong heard this, he hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowed and said loudly: "Since Zhong Gong has submitted to the imperial court and served the imperial court, he will never dare to have second thoughts. My lord is above, and Zhong Gong only has the imperial court in his heart. Nothing else.”
Wanyan Wu Qimai nodded and said, "I believe this. Get up."
Xiao Zhonggong stood up tremblingly.
Wanyan Wu Qimai looked at Xiao Zhonggong and said, "I want to send you as an envoy to the Song Dynasty. Are you willing to go?"
Xiao Zhonggong replied: "My Lord has appointed me, and I will never shirk it even if I risk my life."
"Okay!" Wanyan Wu said, "The imperial army sent troops to the Southern Dynasty and approached the city of Bianjing. Originally, the imperial court wanted to capture Bianjing and demand justice for the Southern Dynasty's treachery and surrender. Considering that the Southern Dynasty was an ancient civilized country, He promised the Southern Dynasty to pay compensation and cede the three towns of Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian to ensure that he would not go against the imperial court. The imperial court then stopped fighting and made peace and withdrew its troops back to the country. Now, the Southern Dynasty went back on its word and refused to pay compensation and refused to cede Zhongshan, Zhongshan, and Hejian. In the Second Town of Hejian, the imperial court had to make some moves."
Xiao Zhonggong listened quietly. He didn't know what Wanyan Wu Qimai meant when he said there was some movement? Was he sending troops to the Southern Dynasties again? Are you sending yourself to declare a challenge? Xiao Zhonggong thought to himself that although the two armies were fighting and the envoys were not killed, they were going to the enemy's country after all, and there were still risks. However, don't say that you were captured and surrendered. Even if you are a Jin man, you cannot violate the emperor's orders. How can you not follow the orders sent by the court? Now, whatever you send yourself to do, just do it.
Wanyan Wu Qimai continued: "There is nothing complicated about sending you as envoy to the Southern Dynasty this time. The purpose is to urge the Southern Dynasty to pay compensation as soon as possible and cede the towns of Zhongshan and Hejian."
Xiao Zhonggong felt relieved. It turns out that’s all it takes, isn’t it just a message? Xiao Zhonggong replied loudly: "I obey the holy orders!"
