Chapter 32: On the Six Nations

Zhao Huan nodded, acknowledging the truth in Huang Qianshan's words. The Jin army indeed had no real intention of occupying the Central Plains. Even in the past, after abducting the two Emperors Hui and Qin, they had not taken over the Song dynasty but instead installed a puppet emperor, Zhang Bangchang.

Seeing Zhao Huan nod, Huang Qianshan felt even more pleased, convinced that the emperor was receptive to his suggestions. Eagerly, he continued, "Is it not also said in the Art of War to avoid direct confrontation with the enemy’s main force? Now the Jin army is powerful while our forces are weak. To fight them head-on is simply unwise!"

Zhao Huan listened intently without expressing any opinion. After Huang Qianshan finished, he asked, "Is there anything else you would like to add?"

Huang Qianshan, hearing this, realized that Zhao Huan was not yet convinced by his advice and hurriedly continued, "Your Majesty, I do have further suggestions. In my humble opinion, it might be better to offer the Jin army a generous sum to persuade them to withdraw first. Then we could reconsider our plans. To begin with..."

"Annual tribute, submission, and ceding territory?" Zhao Huan abruptly interrupted.

Huang Qianshan immediately sensed the sarcasm in Zhao Huan’s tone and was startled, quickly dropping to his knees to beg for mercy. "Your Majesty, that was not my intention!"

"Hmph! Not your intention? Then tell me, how much money would it take for the Jin army to withdraw?" Zhao Huan pressed.

Huang Qianshan, a shrewd man, could tell by now that Zhao Huan was truly angry. He quickly responded, "Your Majesty, I confess my guilt!"

"Guilt? Then tell me, what exactly is your crime?" Zhao Huan demanded.

At this, Huang Qianshan was at a loss. He truly did not know what his offense was—hadn’t he only said what he was told to say? Realizing that any further explanation would only make matters worse, he simply kept kowtowing and confessing, not daring to say another word.

"You have all read Su Xun’s 'On the Six States,' have you not?" Zhao Huan stepped down from the dragon throne and declared in a resounding voice, "'Think of your ancestors, who braved frost and dew, cut through thorns and brambles, to gain every inch of land. Their descendants did not value it, giving it away to others as if it were worthless weeds. Today, you cede five cities; tomorrow, ten more, in exchange for a single night’s sleep. Yet, when you awaken, more enemies are at your borders. The lands of the feudal lords are finite, but the greed of Qin knows no bounds. The more you yield, the more fiercely they invade.'"

"Are we to cede territory and pay reparations every time the Jin army arrives? If they demand my throne, am I to hand it over as well?" Zhao Huan's anger mounted as he spoke, his voice growing ever louder.

"We are guilty!" The ministers, seeing Zhao Huan’s wrath, promptly knelt in unison.

"Huang Qianshan, since you have proposed peace negotiations, I shall give you the chance. I appoint you as envoy; go to the Jin camp and negotiate," Zhao Huan commanded.

Huang Qianshan, upon hearing this, felt as if he could weep. "Your Majesty, I am ill-suited for diplomatic negotiations; such matters are best entrusted to the officials of the Court of State Ceremonies," he pleaded.

Zhao Huan snorted coldly. "You are quick to shirk responsibility. No, this task is yours. If you succeed, I shall pardon you. If you fail, pack your things and return to farming at home."

Huang Qianshan was in utter despair and begged for forgiveness, but Zhao Huan, impatient, ordered him to be removed.

At this, the peace faction fell completely silent, each man fearful that a single misstep would draw the emperor’s ire, and that if sent to negotiate with the Jin, they might not return alive.

Zhao Huan turned to Li Guang and said, "Tomorrow’s edition of the Great Song Daily must be reprinted—five thousand extra copies. Write it yourself, urging the whole nation to resist the Jin and reassuring the people. Tell them not to panic; I, Zhao Huan, will live and die with Kaifeng."

Li Guang hastily received the order.

At that moment, Li Gang interjected, "Your Majesty, the Jurchens of Jin number scarcely a hundred thousand. Even with the surrendered Liao troops, their total force is only around three hundred thousand. The rumors of a five-hundred-thousand-strong army are pure fabrication."

Zhao Huan nodded in agreement. Wars in ancient times were not like those of later eras; the numbers were often exaggerated, just as when Cao Cao claimed to lead an army of eight hundred thousand against Wu and Shu, when in reality it was only about four hundred thousand. Exaggerated numbers were merely meant to intimidate the enemy.

"Yes, include this as well. We must not let the people fall into panic," Zhao Huan added.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the Flying Feather Army as vanguard to repel the invaders," Yue Fei knelt and requested.

Zhao Huan shook his head. "Not yet—it is not the time." The Flying Feather Army had always been his trump card, and since the Jin were unaware of their existence, they could serve as a surprise force. Revealing all his assets at once would be unwise. Besides, the Flying Feather Army, having only recently grown to ten thousand, could not match an enemy force of several hundred thousand.

"Zhong Shidao, receive my command: I appoint you commander-in-chief against the Jin, with Zong Ze as your deputy and Yue Fei as vanguard. Lead a hundred thousand imperial troops, advance in two columns from Luoyang and Zhendin, strike the Jin vanguard, reclaim lost territory, and hold the Jin north of the Yellow River," Zhao Huan ordered.

"We accept the command!" Zhong Shidao, Zong Ze, and Yue Fei all knelt to receive the edict.

At seventy-five, Zhong Shidao was already advanced in years, though still robust. He understood that the emperor intended for him to guide these younger men and help them on their way.

"Li Gang, I command you to take fifty thousand Imperial Guards and garrison Kaifeng, to repel the enemy," Zhao Huan directed.

"I accept the edict!" Li Gang knelt and, after a moment's thought, said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead the Imperial Guards to meet the enemy in battle."

Zhao Huan waved him off. "The Jin's primary target is Bianjing. Their elite troops will all be here. Their cavalry is formidable—why should we send our infantry against their horsemen? It is better to use the defensive works already dug, conserve our strength, and make use of the terrain to repel the invaders."

Though a scholar, Li Gang was well-versed in military affairs. Hearing Zhao Huan’s reasoning, he saw the wisdom in it and swiftly accepted his orders.

"If there is nothing further, court is adjourned," Zhao Huan concluded, dismissing the ministers.

He then retired to the inner hall and instructed Cheng Dafu, "Summon Li Gang, Zong Ze, and the others to the imperial study for deliberation."

Cheng Dafu promptly obeyed.

In the imperial study, a map of the Song dynasty hung before Zhao Huan.

"Let us hear your thoughts—what strategies do you have for quickly breaking the siege of Kaifeng?" he said once everyone had assembled.

Before anyone could reply, Zhao Huan spoke first, "I have an idea, though it may be immature. Consider this: what if Han Shizhong led our Song navy, sixty thousand strong, from Zhejiang to strike at the Jin capital? What are your thoughts on this?"