After hearing the case, the bell of the court meeting echoed in the palace, and Zhao Zhen walked into the main hall with a solemn expression, followed by a group of courtiers.

Their footsteps echoed on the bluestone slabs in the hall, accompanied by the slight sound of armor clashing, creating a tense and solemn atmosphere.

Zhao Zhen took a deep breath, stepped forward, and reported the entire case in detail to Zhao Yingluo, who was sitting on the dragon chair.

His voice was clear and powerful, and every word seemed to carry a heavy weight.

The courtiers listened intently, with angry and disgruntled expressions on their faces.

When Zhao Zhen finished reporting, he did not hesitate to make a suggestion: "For homicide, sentence to beheading!" In this way, we can show the majesty of the laws of the Great Song Dynasty and give an explanation to the world. ”

As soon as his words fell, the pot suddenly exploded in the court. The courtiers were talking a lot, and their voices were coming and going, as if it were a fierce debate.

Right Prime Minister Du Chong frowned, he walked out of the court, and said in a low voice: "Lord Zhao, now that the Song and Jin countries have agreed to make peace, rashly executing the merchants of the Jin State may cause dissatisfaction and retaliation from the Jin State." We should focus on the big picture and consider peace between the two countries. ”

When Zuo Xiang Lu Yihao heard this, he immediately retorted: "Du Xianggong's words are wrong! If the lives of my people and the majesty of the law are sacrificed because of the peace discussion, then what is the point of the peace discussion? We must resolutely uphold the dignity and law of the Great Song Dynasty! ”

The argument between the two prime ministers sparked a lively discussion among the other courtiers.

Some people support Du Chong's view, believing that peace is not easy to come by and should be cherished; Some people also agree with Lu Yihao's view that the dignity and law of the Great Song Dynasty must be resolutely defended.

Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair and watched all this coldly. She had already made up her mind in her heart, but she didn't say it immediately, but wanted to hear the opinions of more courtiers.

At this time, a middle-aged official in a purple official robe walked out of the court and said in a loud voice: "Your Royal Highness Princess Qiyu, the minister thinks that what Prince Zhao said is extremely true. These merchants of the Jin Kingdom committed evil in the territory of our Great Song Dynasty, killing people and extorting goods, and doing all kinds of evil. If I don't punish him severely, won't I let the world laugh at me and have no one in the Song Dynasty? Please think twice, Your Royal Highness the Princess! ”

As soon as his words fell, another young official stood up and said generously: "The minister seconded the proposal! The merchants of the Jin Kingdom despised the laws of the Great Song Dynasty and brutalized the people of the Great Song Dynasty, and the crime is not punishable! We must uphold the dignity of the Great Song Dynasty and the majesty of the law with an iron fist! ”

The controversy above the court became more and more intense, and a trace of firmness flashed in Zhao Yingluo's eyes.

She stood up suddenly, and said in a crisp and powerful voice: "What everyone said, this palace has heard. The intention of this palace has been decided! The merchants of the Kingdom of Jin must be put to death! The dignity and law of my Great Song are inviolable! Any attempt to undermine the peace talks and flout the majesty of our Great Song Dynasty will be severely punished! ”

Her voice echoed through the hall, shocking everyone.

The courtiers knelt down one after another and shouted in unison: "Your Royal Highness the princess is wise! ”

When Han Fang, the envoy of the Jin State, learned the news that the merchants of the Jin State had been beheaded, he was shocked in his heart and immediately asked to meet Zhao Yingluo, hoping to save the situation.

The moment Han Fang stepped into the main hall, he felt a heavy atmosphere. The courtiers' eyes were drawn to him like sharp arrows, as if questioning his intentions. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the tension and uneasiness inside.

Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, her eyes cold and firm.

Han Fang stepped forward, bowed deeply, and then spoke: "Your Royal Highness Princess, the foreign ministers have come this time to ask you to release those beheaded merchants of the Jin Kingdom. Although they have sinned, they have been duly punished. If the Great Song Dynasty can release them and return to the north, the Jin Kingdom will be grateful, and the Song and Jin countries will continue to enjoy peace and tranquility. ”

Zhao Yingluo sneered, she looked at Han Fang, her voice was full of sarcasm and disdain: "Han Envoy, do you think this is child's play?" Those merchants of the Jin Kingdom did evil in the territory of our Great Song Dynasty, killing people and overselling goods, and doing all kinds of evil. Now that they have been beheaded, it shows the majesty of the law of our Great Song Dynasty! You want me to release you with a fluttering word? What a joke! ”

Han Fang's face changed slightly, he didn't expect Zhao Yingluo's attitude to be so resolute.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger in his heart, and then continued: "Your Royal Highness, the minister knows that this has made you very angry. But think twice. If the Great Song insisted on executing those Jin merchants, it would inevitably cause great dissatisfaction among the Jin Kingdom. The Jin State is powerful, and if it unites Great Xia to use troops against the Great Song Dynasty, the consequences will be unimaginable. ”

When Zhao Yingluo heard this, Liu Yingluo stood up violently with a twist of her eyebrows, "Envoy Han, do you think I will be afraid of your threat?" The people of the Great Song Dynasty were brave and good at fighting, how could they ever be afraid of any strong enemy? If the Jin Kingdom really dares to unite with Great Xia to use troops against the Great Song Dynasty, then we will see the real chapter on the battlefield! I believe that the final victory will definitely belong to our Great Song! ”

Han Fang saw that Zhao Yingluo was soft and hard and didn't eat, and a wave of helplessness and anger surged in his heart. He glanced at Zhao Yingluo deeply, and a cold light flashed in his eyes, as if he wanted to engrave Her Royal Highness the young princess into the bottom of his heart. He teased a cruel sentence: "Your Royal Highness, you will regret today's decision!" With that, he turned and strode out of the hall, his robe fluttering with a sense of determination and coldness.

Zhao Yingluo looked at Han Fang's departing back, and a sneer curled up at the corner of her mouth. She was not afraid of the threat of this envoy of the Jin Kingdom, because she knew that she was shouldering the dignity of the Great Song Dynasty and the safety of the people. She retracted her gaze, swept over the angry courtiers above the main hall, and said in a firm voice: "Pass my order to behead those merchants of the Jin Kingdom in three days!"

Three days later, before dawn, there were bursts of mournful cries and wails from the prison. The merchants were awakened from their sleep by the jailers and told that they were about to be executed. This sudden news was like a bolt from the blue, and they instantly fell into endless fear and despair.

Some merchants sat on the ground, holding their heads tightly with their hands, as if in this way they could escape the impending doom; Others knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy, begging the jailers with tears in their eyes to let them live; Other businessmen turned pale and trembled, as if they had lost all courage and strength.

The jailers looked expressionlessly at these merchants of the Jin Kingdom, who were usually proud of their might and invincible, and now they were so down. Although there is some sympathy in their hearts, it is more of a pleasure to relieve hatred. They mercilessly dragged the prisoners out of their cells and escorted them to the execution ground.

Along the way, the streets were lined with people who had come to watch the execution. They cast angry and hateful glances at these golden merchants, as if they wanted to devour them alive. Someone shouted, "Kill these gold thieves!" Avenge the people of the Great Song Dynasty! Others threw rotten leaves and rotten eggs at them, venting their anger and resentment.