Zhao Tai was quite happy when he heard that the envoy from Kaifeng wanted to reward him.
It can be heard that it is just a Marquis and there is no benefit, so he is a little annoyed.
Zhao Tai doesn't look down on these empty titles at all now. What he wants is real power and territory.
Previously, Zhao Tai had no trump card, so he took whatever Jin Guo gave him and had no choice.
Now the situation is different. He holds Song Yuan in his hand and has the Southern Song Dynasty as his backer, so he is qualified to raise conditions.
He just deliberately showed disrespect, which was to send a signal to the Kingdom of Jin that he was no longer a loyal minister of the Kingdom of Jin, that he would join the Song Dynasty, and that he would become a warlord.
Zhao Tai refused to accept the imperial edict, which made the official who announced the edict look stunned. All the subordinates behind him were also shocked. Only Wang Wentong had a see-through smile on his face.
Although the Marquis has become a bit of a loser in the Kingdom of Jin, it is still a great honor.
There is an allusion that Li Guang is difficult to enfeoff, which means that Li Guang, a famous general in the Han Dynasty, fought against the Huns, made many military exploits and became famous, but he was never able to be enfeoffed.
Flying general Li Guang found it difficult to become a marquis, which shows that it is quite difficult to become a marquis.
When Sun Li, Liu Dun and others saw Zhao Tai's refusal to award the reward, they all didn't understand, but they didn't dare to speak.
The official thought he had heard wrongly and couldn't help but confirm: "Mr. Sir, do you want to refuse to accept the imperial edict?"
Zhao Tai glanced at him and put on a domineering expression, "That's right, I can't accept this order. Please send the envoy back!"
Zhao Tai refused to accept the edict and even issued an order to expel the guests. Seeing this, the official could only bow his hands with a dark face, "Since my husband does not accept the edict, I cannot force myself to do so. I can only go back and report to Your Majesty."
After finishing speaking, he took back the edict and sealed it, then handed it over and left.
Sun Li and others waited for the envoy to leave, and couldn't help asking: "My lord, the emperor wants to grant you a title, why did your lord refuse?"
Zhao Tai glanced at everyone and sneered, "Huh, look at your prospects, a marquis can't even move his legs. This is just a false title. He can neither command more troops nor control more states and counties. If you want to come, What’s the use?”
"But my husband refused directly. What if the emperor gets angry?" Sun Li and others asked worriedly.
Zhao Tai said confidently: "Not only will the emperor not be angry, he will also reward me according to my wishes."
Zhao Tai didn't want to say more. It was not good to give these things to his subordinates. If they imitated the same thing in the future, it would be of no benefit to Zhao Tai.
Although the Jin Kingdom now has assistance from the Southern Song Dynasty, Zhao Tai estimates that it will not be able to stop Mongolia for long.
At this time, Zhao Tai wanted territory, which was far more useful than any title.
Xuzhou, the marshal's residence.
Wanyan Heda and Pu Chaguan Nu were sitting in the study, discussing how to ask for money and food from the Southern Song Dynasty.
At this time, a subordinate hurried in and reported: "Marshal, the envoy who went to Suining to announce the imperial edict has returned."
Heda smiled when he heard this, "Last time we applied for aid, the Southern Song Dynasty refused to approve it. Later, Zhao Tai wrote a letter, and the Southern Song Dynasty immediately sent money and food to Xuzhou. This time our application is probably still needed. Zhao Tai writes a letter."
The thought of having to look at Zhao Tai's face every time he took Song Yuan from now on made Pu Chaguan Nu feel very unhappy, but in order to get help, he had no choice but to endure it.
"Your Majesty has given Zhao Tai the title of Marquis. He has benefited from it. He should not refuse to write another letter for the marshal." The official slave said with a dark face.
Seeing Guan Nu's expression, Heda shook his head, "The situation is like this, Guan Nu, you must be patient and don't provoke Zhao Tai again for the time being."
The official slave held his breath in his heart, but still nodded.
At this time, Heda said to the visitor: "If the envoy is capable, please come in."
Not long after, the officials who went to announce the imperial edict to Zhao Tai entered the study, saluted Heda and the official slaves, and said, "I'm going to pay homage to the marshal and the prime minister."
Seeing the anger on the messenger's face, Heda couldn't help but frown slightly, "Abra, what are you doing?"
The official said with a dark face, "Marshal, that Zhao Tai is really domineering. He didn't even burn incense and bathe when receiving the order. He also refused to accept His Majesty's order in public."
"What? Zhao Tai refused to accept the imperial edict?" Heda and Guan Nu stood up in shock at the same time.
Neither of them expected that Zhao Tai would actually refuse to accept the imperial edict. Did he not intend to hide it and expose his true nature?
Heda had a sullen face and felt a little flustered, and asked, "Why did Zhao Tai refuse? What's the reason?"
Abra said: "It is said that the merits are not enough to accept the reward!"
After Heda heard this, he breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he didn't break his face.
But the official slave said angrily: "Marshal, you don't think your achievements are not enough. He is clearly not satisfied with the reward. He wants to blackmail the imperial court!"
Heda held his forehead with one hand and felt a little headache.
Zhao Tai's performance before was basically that Zhao Tai wanted whatever the Jin Dynasty court gave him, and he looked like he could easily get rid of it.
Now Zhao Tai suddenly took off his disguise and discussed conditions with Jin Guo, which made Heda feel at a loss for a while, even a little panicked.
Because Heda knew that the Jin State was in great need of the Southern Song Dynasty and could not do without the Song Dynasty's assistance.
Heda sat down again with a gloomy face, and Abra said angrily: "Marshal, this Zhao Tai has some achievements, yet he dares to be rude to His Majesty and wants to threaten the court. I believe that this kind of trend must not be encouraged. Please also ask the marshal to send troops to capture this madman and send him to the capital, so that your majesty can punish him."
Heda glanced at Abra. This clan official from Kaifeng obviously didn't understand the situation.
If Zhao Tai is captured, will the Song Dynasty stop asking for help?
It is now the end of July. In a few months, the Yellow River will freeze and the Mongolian army will move south.
If Zhao Tai is moved at this time, it is very likely that he will become enemies with the Song Dynasty, and Heda does not dare to take such a risk.
In addition, Zhao Tai has thousands of soldiers and horses, plus Wu Xian. If civil strife breaks out, it cannot be quelled in a short time. When the Mongols come, the Jin Kingdom will not be able to survive this winter.
Therefore, it is impossible for Heda to do anything to Zhao Tai now.
Thinking of this, Heda waved his hands a little tiredly, "Abra, you stay in Xuzhou for now. When I go to Xuzhou, I will ask Zhao Tai what reward he wants. Then you can go back to Kaifeng and tell His Majesty."
"What?" Abra's eyes widened with disbelief on his face, "Marshal, how could you say such words."
On the side, Pu Chaguan Nu's cheeks were twitching. He understood Heda's decision, but it was really difficult to accept it in his heart.
Heda suddenly became angry, "Then Zhao Tai has the assistance of the Southern Song Dynasty. If you take him, what about Song Yuan? Without the assistance and support of the Southern Song Dynasty, how can the imperial court guard the Guanhe defense line? Tell me?"
Abra was startled and stammered: "Bizhi~Bizhi doesn't know this!"
The official slave said in a deep voice: "Marshal, calm down! Even if you want to compromise with Zhao Tai, there is no need for the marshal to ask in person!"
Heda looked at the official slave and said, "If you were in Shandong, you would kill him~~~ Oh! Only I can get Song Yuan now. Do you understand?"
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