At this time, in the mansion of Wanyan Zongyi in Kaifeng City, Wanyan Yan was playing with a group of female companions by the lake, they were chasing and fighting, and laughter continued to spread far and wide.

In the shade of a tree not far away, Wanyan Zongyi sat there quietly watching them play, with a gentle and doting smile on his face.

He knew that his sister was living happily and freely in Da Song, which was exactly what he wanted to see.

However, he also knew that this happiness and freedom were based on peace and friendship between the two countries, and that once the relationship between the two countries deteriorated, this happiness and freedom would cease to exist.

Therefore, although he was happy for Wan Yanyan in his heart, he was also faintly worried.

At this moment, a guard hurriedly arrived and reported to Wanyan Zongyi that Han Fang had returned from the palace, and it seemed that the negotiations had failed.

Wanyan Zongyi's heart sank when he heard this, he knew what it meant, but he didn't show it immediately, but asked the guards to retreat first and wait for him to go back.

He stood up and walked to the lake, looking at Wan Yanyan who was playing, and couldn't help but feel helplessness and bitterness in his heart.

He knew that his sister might soon be embroiled in a dispute between the two countries, and there was nothing he could do to protect her.

Although he was unwilling in his heart, he could only sigh helplessly, turn around and walk outside the mansion.

As night fell, Kaifeng City was shrouded in a faint layer of fog, and the pedestrians on the street had gradually become scarce, only the occasional sound of the beating of the husband and the barking of dogs broke the silence of the night.

Han Fang took boxes of gold, silver and jewelry, and quietly came to Du Chong's mansion by night.

Although Du Chong's mansion is not magnificent, it still reveals a bit of majesty in the night.

Han Fang stood in front of the door, and he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive in his heart. He knew that he came to visit Du Chong this time, hoping to use him to open up the relationship between the courtiers of the Great Song Dynasty, and then persuade Zhao Yingluo to return Yan Yan.

It was a dangerous path, but he had no choice.

Han Fang took a deep breath and knocked on the door gently.

After a while, a glimmer of light came out of the crack in the door, and then the door was slowly opened, and a housekeeper poked his head out and asked, "Who is visiting at night?" ”

Han Fang hurriedly saluted: "In Xia Han Fang, I have come to visit Master Du, please let me know." ”

Jia Ding glanced at Han Fang, and then looked at the large boxes behind him, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly said, "Lord Han, wait a minute, I'll go and report." ”

After saying that, he turned around and closed the door and hurriedly walked towards the house.

After a while, the family returned and respectfully invited Han Fang into the mansion.

Han Fang's heart relaxed a little, and he followed Jiading through the winding corridor and came to the hall.

At this time, Du Chong was already waiting there, and when he saw Han Fang coming, he hurriedly greeted him and said, "Lord Han came to visit late at night, what a rare guest!" You may be seated. ”

Han Fang bowed and saluted, "Lord Du is polite. Disturbing in the middle of the night is really something important to discuss. ”

As he spoke, he waved his hand and let his attendants carry the gold, silver and jewels up.

Seeing this, a trace of greed flashed in Du Chong's eyes, but then he covered it up again. He pretended to be surprised and asked, "What does Lord Han mean by this?" ”

Han Fang said with a smile: "These are all small meanings, please also ask Lord Du to laugh." ”

After Du Chong pretended to excuse himself, he finally accepted the gold, silver and jewelry.

He was secretly proud in his heart, but asked quietly on his face: "Lord Han came to visit late at night and gave a generous gift, I don't know if there is anything important that needs Du's help?" ”

Han Fang was also relieved to see Du Chong accept the gift, he knew that his first step had been successful.

So he stopped beating around the bush and directly said his intention: "It's not a secret, I came here this time to hope that Lord Du can help talk about the items in the court, so that the Great Song Dynasty can return Princess Yanyan." ”

Du Chong was shocked when he heard this, he didn't expect Han Fang to make such a request.

After pondering for a moment, he said: "This matter is not trivial, but although Du has some relations with the DPRK and China, this matter involves the major affairs of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and I am afraid it is not so easy to do." ”

He paused at this point and continued, "But since Lord Han is so sincere, Du is willing to try his best." ”

Han Fang was overjoyed after listening to Du Chong's words, and hurriedly bowed down and saluted, "Thank you, Lord Du!" If this matter can be successful, there will be a good reward! ”

Du Chong waved his hand and smiled: "Lord Han is polite, Du should do his best." ”

When he said this, he changed his words and said, "However, this matter needs to be considered in the long run, and it should not be rushed." ”

Han Fang nodded and said that he was secretly anxious in his heart.

He knew that Yan Zonghan was already impatient, but he also knew that there was no urgency in this matter, so he could only wait patiently for Du Chong's news.

So he chatted with Du Chong for a few more words and then got up to say goodbye.

After sending Han Fang away, Du Chong returned to the hall and looked at the gold, silver and jewelry, and couldn't help but feel secretly proud in his heart.

He knew he had made a fortune again, but he also knew how tricky it was.

He was thinking about how to use these gold, silver and jewelry to open up the relationship and persuade Zhao Yingluo to return Princess Yan Yan.

However, he also knew that it was not an easy thing to do, and it required careful planning.

Du Chong sat in the study of the mansion, playing with the jewelry sent by Han Fang in his hand, but his heart was full of thoughts.

These dazzling jewels were tempting, but he knew that the real contest was not in these yellow and white objects, but in the power struggle in the depths of the court.

He suddenly thought of the Emperor Zhao Gou in the deep palace, although the former emperor abdicated, his desire for power in his heart never diminished.

The brother-sister relationship between Zhao Gou and Zhao Yingluo is complex and delicate, and Du Chong knows that if he can skillfully use this relationship, he may be able to open a breakthrough in the matter of Princess Wanyan Yan.

He decided to give these jewels as a generous gift to Emperor Zhao Gou, so as to show favor to him, and asked him to put pressure on Zhao Yingluo in the matter of Princess Wanyan Yan.

Thinking of this, Du Chong's mood couldn't help but become a little excited.

He hurriedly summoned his subordinates and asked them to keep a close eye on Zhao Gou's movements, especially when he would go out to the Bianhe River.

The subordinates took the order and left, and Du Chong sat in the study and began to plan his next actions carefully.

A few days later, one morning, the sun shone on the Bianhe River. An ornate painting boat slowly sailed out of the palace and swam towards the depths of the Bianhe River.

Zhao Gou stood at the bow of the boat, admiring the scenery on both sides of the strait, but he had another thought in his heart. Since his abdication, although he is nominally the emperor, he has actually been stripped of power by Zhao Yingluo. The desire for power in his heart is getting stronger and stronger, and his resentment towards Zhao Yingluo is getting deeper and deeper.

At this moment, a small boat quickly approached the painting boat. Du Chong stood at the bow of the boat with a few entourages and gave a deep salute to Zhao Gou. Zhao Gou was a little surprised when he saw this, and he didn't know what Du Chong's intention was when he came at this time.

Du Chong smiled slightly, took a beautiful box from the hands of his entourage, held it in both hands and presented it to Zhao Gou and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor, the minister Du Chong is here to offer treasures." ”

Zhao Gou opened the box suspiciously, only to see that it was full of brilliant jewels.

His eyes lit up, but then he regained his composure. He knew that although these jewels were precious, Du Chong must have asked for something when he came to offer them at this time. So he asked quietly, "What does Du Qing's family mean by this?" ”

Du Chong bowed down and said, "His Majesty the Emperor is aware of everything. The minister did have one thing to ask for. ”

He paused for a moment and then continued, "I hope that His Majesty the Emperor Taishang can put pressure on the Empress Dowager on the matter of Princess Wanyan Yan and let her return the princess to the Jin Kingdom." ”