Chapter 118: The Twelve-Character Guideline

"Hmph, according to our agreement, your Song Dynasty was forbidden from accepting Han people migrating south. Yet your Emperor reneged on the pact, wantonly harboring Han refugees fleeing from the north. If we are speaking of breaking treaties, it was your Song Dynasty that did so first," Wanyan Zongwang said with a cold snort.

"All Han people under heaven are one family. When brothers are in distress, how can one simply stand by and ignore them? Furthermore, when the Jin envoys came to negotiate, the Retired Emperor had already returned all the Han refugees who had migrated south, which could be considered honoring the original promise. Yet, your nation still tore up the treaty, brazenly occupied the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, and took advantage of the situation to march south, seizing our territories in Shandong," Wang Lun retorted sharply. Despite his rascally demeanor, Wang Lun was a descendant of a renowned prime minister; when it came to genuine negotiation, these Jurchens were no match for him.

Negotiations are inherently a matter of haggling, and both sides were currently accusing each other of wrongdoing to gain an advantage. However, the Song Dynasty was in a relatively weak position, so these talks were unlikely to yield any benefits; the sole objective was to persuade the Jin army to withdraw.

At this moment, Wang Lun was like Zhuge Liang on his diplomatic mission to Eastern Wu, facing a crowd of ferocious Jin generals without a shred of fear, debating them with a sharp tongue and refusing to give an inch.

A day passed, and the negotiations yielded no results. Wang Lun’s voice had grown hoarse, but he did not care. He was determined to secure the greatest possible interests for the Song Dynasty. He still remembered what Zhao Huan had told him before he departed: "For this mission, our bottom line is: no marriage alliances, no reparations, no ceding of territory, and no tribute!"

Although Zhao Huan had only stated these twelve words, for Wang Lun, this negotiation would be exceptionally difficult. The Jin army was imposing and fierce; perhaps they wouldn't care about the marriage alliance, but they would certainly refuse the latter three conditions.

"Be extremely careful on this mission. If the Jin envoys threaten you, you may temporarily swallow your pride to survive. I trust you, so you must return alive. Whether you succeed or not, I do not care; I have plenty of patience to remain in a stalemate with them," Zhao Huan had said, stopping Wang Lun just before his departure.

Wang Lun had been deeply moved. How could he not be touched that an emperor would say such things? The simple phrase "I trust you" was enough to make Wang Lun willing to sacrifice his life and spare no effort.

They say a scholar will die for one who truly knows him. Wang Lun, who had always been a mere street hoodlum, was fundamentally changed by Zhao Huan’s words. As he entered the Jin camp, he had already made up his mind: he would ensure the interests of the Song Dynasty at all costs.

The next day, the negotiations continued.

But the atmosphere today was clearly more severe than the day before. Wanyan Zonghan, seemingly having lost all patience, cut straight to the point: "If you want us to withdraw our troops, it is not impossible, but the Song Dynasty must show some sincerity."

Before Wanyan Zonghan could finish, Wang Lun interjected: "Regarding this negotiation, our nation has one fundamental bottom line: no marriage alliances, no reparations, no ceding of territory, and no tribute!"

Wanyan Zonghan had been about to demand that the Song Dynasty acknowledge vassal status and pay an annual tribute of three million taels of gold and one million bolts of silk, but he had been cut off by Wang Lun before he could even utter the words.

"Hahaha..." Wanyan Zonghan laughed, though it was a laugh of pure anger. "Your Great Song Emperor has a clever plan indeed, hoping to pull a wolf out of thin air, sending you alone to try and force our Jin army to retreat."

Wang Lun remained unfazed and said to Wanyan Zonghan: "General, we do this for your own good. Before this campaign, the Jin army claimed to have five hundred thousand men; now, after only a month or so, your strength has fallen below two hundred thousand. You have lost more than half. I am genuinely worried that in a few more days, the Jin army will not even have that much force left."

"You are courting death!" Wanyan Chang stood up, staring daggers at Wang Lun. In truth, the Jin army had only claimed to have five hundred thousand, while in reality, they had three hundred thousand. That they had dwindled to two hundred thousand was entirely Wanyan Chang’s own doing.

Having been looked down upon by his own kin was one thing, but to be mocked by a Han envoy was too much for him to bear.

Wang Lun said nonchalantly: "Loyal words are hard to hear, but I offer them out of kindness. Whether you listen or not is none of my concern."

Wanyan Chang’s expression darkened. He suddenly reached for the battle-axe at his side and, with a loud "crack," slammed it down onto the table in front of Wang Lun.

The force of the heavy axe shattered the table, sending shards flying. One splinter grazed Wang Lun’s cheek, and a thin line of blood immediately seeped from the cut.

In the blink of an eye, before Wang Lun could even react, Wanyan Chang’s massive axe was already pressed against his throat.

"You treacherous knave, behave yourself, or I will cut you down right now!" Wanyan Chang threatened coldly.

"In warfare, one does not execute the envoy. Is this how the Jin nation treats diplomats?" Wang Lun ignored the threat and turned to Wanyan Zonghan. "Today, I have finally witnessed the 'hospitality' of the Jin army. My death is of little consequence, but the reputation of the Jin army will be spread far and wide, and you will be ridiculed by all under heaven."

"If you are dead, who will be left to tell the tale?" Wanyan Chang said, pressing the heavy axe harder against Wang Lun’s neck.

The edge of Wanyan Chang’s axe was razor-sharp. As he applied pressure, the blade sliced through the skin of Wang Lun’s neck. A sharp pain surged through him, and Wang Lun knew his skin had definitely been cut.

"Beg for mercy and call me 'Grandfather,' and I might spare you. Otherwise, my axe is very fast," Wanyan Chang threatened.

"Call you what?" Wang Lun asked, pretending not to hear.

"Grandfather!"

"Ah, my dear grandson, how obedient! It is fortunate that it is not the New Year, or I would have to prepare some tribute money for you." Wang Lun wore an expression of relief, as if he had just gained a great advantage.

It seemed he had indeed gained a great advantage, having acquired a grandson older than himself.

"Argh! You brat, you are at death’s door and you still dare to be this arrogant? How dare you take advantage of me! Since that is the case, I shall grant your wish. I hope you can be just as arrogant on the other side." Having said this, Wanyan Chang raised his battle-axe high once more, poised to strike down at Wang Lun’s head.

And this time, the target was no longer the table in front of him, but Wang Lun’s head itself.