Chapter 19: No Diplomacy for a Weak Nation

“Oh, don’t be so melancholy. Rest assured, I am not Xiang Yu, and the emperor of Jin is not Liu Bang. You can stay peacefully here in Kaifeng; no one will be able to harm you.” Zhao Huan, feeling a surge of emotion, reached out and drew the two women into his embrace.

One on each side, the women nestled obediently against Zhao Huan’s shoulders. At this moment, simply being close to this man filled them with happiness. There was no need for unnecessary words; Zhao Huan, holding his two beloveds, lay down upon the broad bed.

Although Zhao Huan had been something of a recluse in his previous life, he found himself surprisingly adept now. After all, such matters are instinctively mastered by every man.

The weather in the first month was chilly, but within the empress’s chambers, passion burned bright, with the occasional cry of delight stirring the nerves of those outside.

When morning came, Zhao Huan struggled to rise from the bed.

“A spring night is fleeting, and the sun rises high—henceforth the ruler shall not attend court early!” he muttered under his breath. He had learned this poem by Bai Juyi before, but only now did he feel its true meaning.

“Go, hang this verse by my bed,” Zhao Huan instructed his attendant eunuch. He must frame these words, to remind himself always.

With the eunuch’s shrill call—“Present your petitions if you have business, otherwise withdraw from court”—the day’s imperial audience began formally.

According to the discussions in the imperial library the previous day, Zhu Shengfei was to propose the establishment of the Department of Ordnance at court. Since this matter had already been approved in principle, no one foolishly raised objections, and thus the Department of Ordnance was formally founded.

Next, Li Gang reported the latest movements of the Jin army: they had retreated to the region of Yan-Yun and settled in, apparently ready to advance south again at any moment.

Zhao Huan knew the Jin army would return in force; urgent reforms to the military were needed. Otherwise, when the Jin invaded again, he doubted the current Song forces could withstand them.

After the audience, Zhao Huan summoned his ministers to a meeting in the imperial library.

Present were Li Gang, Zong Ze, Zhu Shengfei, Li Ruoshui, and others. Yue Fei had also been called to attend, standing at the outermost edge.

Zhao Huan surveyed the ministers before him. These men had become his inner circle during his reign, but the direction they took depended on his guidance.

“Just now, Li Gang mentioned at court that the Jin army has only temporarily retreated to Yan-Yun, and may return at any time. What are your suggestions?” Zhao Huan asked.

Unlike the historical court, dominated by those seeking peace, most here were advocates of war, though some were civil officials. Hearing Zhao Huan’s question, Li Gang was first to step forward: “Your Majesty, I believe we must make preparations in advance. We should build defensive works around Kaifeng, establish the Hebei Pacification Bureau and the Hedong Administration, and support the military and civilians of the two rivers in their resistance against Jin.”

Zhao Huan nodded. “What about the others? Any further opinions?”

Li Ruoshui, a pure civil official, considered for a moment before speaking: “Your Majesty, the people are suffering, and it is truly not the time for war. I suggest sending envoys to Jin to renew our alliance and foster friendship between Qin and Jin.”

Zhao Huan knew that seeking peace with Jin at this point was impossible. Only by fighting and demonstrating strength could the Jin be compelled to negotiate seriously.

Though he did not support peace talks, Zhao Huan did not oppose them outright. As a ruler, he understood the need for diverse voices among his subordinates. As the saying goes, ‘listening to all sides brings clarity; listening to one brings darkness.’ Consensus is not always correct.

He nodded. “That is reasonable.”

Zong Ze interjected, “I fear the Jin will not negotiate with us.”

“How can we know without trying? If war can be avoided through negotiation, why not attempt it?” Li Ruoshui argued.

Zhao Huan nodded. “You’re right. Our nation has always been a land of propriety, never bullying the weak.”

Hearing this, the military advocates grew anxious and wished to speak, but Zhao Huan waved them off. “But the Song is no pushover, either. Negotiations are possible, but only without ceding land or paying tribute. Recommend an envoy to go; the chances of success are low, but we must try.”

He paused, then continued, “Our civilization boasts thousands of years of history. Whether Qin and Han or Jin and Tang, foreign nations once sent tributes to our court. How did it come to this, with our Song in such a plight?”

With these words, the ministers fell silent.

“Yue Fei, tell us your thoughts,” Zhao Huan suddenly said.

Yue Fei, only about twenty years old and attending such a crucial meeting for the first time, was still unaccustomed. Hearing his name called, he stammered, “I’ve never considered this issue before.”

Seeing Yue Fei’s unease, Zhao Huan smiled gently. “Then tell us, given the current situation, what should we do?”

Yue Fei thought for a moment. “I believe Jin will never abandon its ambition to destroy the Song. Negotiations are unlikely to succeed. As Minister Li Gang said, we should prepare early.”

“Indeed. What preparations should we make?” Zhao Huan deliberately tested Yue Fei.

Meeting Zhao Huan’s encouraging gaze, Yue Fei gathered his courage. “I think our army now is not a true army, but rather a collection of scattered troops. Though we won this time, it was mainly thanks to the city walls and the Jingkang crossbow. If we faced Jin in open battle, the Song army would stand no chance.”

Yue Fei’s words were like a sharp blade, tearing away the last pretense covering the Song army. Though Li Gang knew his words were true, as Minister of War, his face burned with embarrassment.

“Well said,” Zhao Huan nodded. “A weak nation has no diplomacy. To secure peace, we must have a powerful army as our shield.”