"Okay." Wanyan Zonghan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Tell the envoy to ...... Agree to Zhao Yingluo's conditions. ”

The camp of the Jin Kingdom outside the city of Xiazhou

"What? His Majesty the Emperor actually agreed to Zhao Yingluo's conditions? Wanyan Zongfu couldn't believe his ears after hearing the news, "How is this possible!" How can our Jin Kingdom bow to the Great Song Dynasty? ”

"The general is angry." The herald said cautiously, "Your Majesty also made this decision for the sake of the overall situation. Now that the city of Xiazhou is under siege, we have no choice. ”

Outside the city of Xiazhou

Wanyan Sosuke rode alone on his war horse, quietly looking ahead.

His eyes are deep and complex, as if carrying countless pressures and helplessness.

Behind him were the soldiers of the Jin Kingdom who had followed him for many years, their faces were full of unwillingness and anger, but they were helpless.

On the opposite side, the camp of the Great Song and Great Xia coalition led by Wang Zaixing and Li Qianshun was tightly organized, and the momentum was like a rainbow.

Wang Zaixing had a smug smile on his face, while Li Qianshun looked indifferent, as if all this was expected by him.

Wanyan Sosuke took a deep breath of cold air and tried to calm his agitated mood.

He knew that at this moment, he would personally hand over Xiazhou City, the city he was desperately guarding.

This was not only a military defeat, but also a humiliation that he could not let go of.

"General Wanyan, it's time to make a decision." Wang Zaixing's voice broke the silence, and there was a hint of banter and contempt in his words.

Wanyan Sosuke closed his eyes tightly, as if he wanted to imprint this humiliating moment in his heart forever.

Then, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze was firm and decisive: "General Wang, Xiazhou City... Give it to Da Song. ”

Wang Zaixing sneered when he heard this: "General Wanyan really knows the current affairs. However, I would like to remind you that this is not just a problem with Xiazhou City. The sixteen states of Yanyun occupied by your Jin State will be returned to us sooner or later. ”

Wanyan Sosuke's eyes suddenly erupted with anger. The sixteen states of Yanyun are the lifeblood of the Jin Kingdom, how can they give up easily? He clenched his fists, as if to turn this anger into endless power.

But when he saw Wang Zaixing's playful eyes and the Song army waiting behind him, he knew that he had no choice.

"General Wang, you don't have to say much." Wanyan Zongfu tried to make his voice sound calm and firm, "The problem of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun is not something you can decide. No one can say for sure what the future holds, so we'll see. ”

Wang Zaixing laughed: "General Wanyan is really courageous!" But I want to remind you: now that your Jin Kingdom is at the end of its power, it's better to recognize the reality as soon as possible. ”

Wanyan Zongfu didn't speak again, he silently turned around and waved his hand to the soldiers of the Jin Kingdom behind him.

Suddenly, the Jin army camp began to retreat slowly, ceding this Xiazhou City, which had almost been baptized by war, to the opposite Great Song and Great Xia coalition forces.

Looking at the back of Jin Jun gradually moving away, Wang Zaixing's face showed a smug smile. And Li Qianshun looked at Wanyan Zongfu's back thoughtfully, not knowing what he was thinking.

"King Shun, let's go in." Wang Zaixing broke the silence, "From now on, Xiazhou City will belong to our Great Song Dynasty." ”

Li Qianshun nodded and didn't speak, just silently followed Wang Zaixing into Xiazhou City, but his heart was full of complexity and worry.

He knew that this victory was only temporary, and that the road ahead was still long and difficult; And he also began to think about how to choose the future of himself and the Great Xia Kingdom......

After entering the city, Wanyan Zongfu did not leave immediately, but chose to stay in the city to observe the situation and deal with some aftermath matters at the same time; After all, he had held on to this city for so long, and now although he had to give up, he also had to ensure that the losses of the Dajin Kingdom were kept to a minimum.

During this period, he also negotiated and negotiated with Wang Zaixing and Li Qianshun many times; Although each time it ended with his compromise and concession.

A few days later, when the last Jin army withdrew from Xiazhou City, the sun was setting, and the afterglow was sprinkled over the entire land. Wanyan Zongfu stood on the city tower and looked at this land that once belonged to the Jin Kingdom, and his heart was full of emotion and helplessness.

The Great Song Palace, above the court meeting

"Your Royal Highness Princess, Xiazhou has been restored, and the four states have returned to the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, this is the God bless the Great Song Dynasty, Your Highness is blessed with great blessings!" A courtier knelt down under His Highness excitedly, his voice trembling.

Zhao Yingluo sat next to the dragon chair, her expression calm and a little majestic.

She raised her hand lightly and motioned to the courtiers to level down: "This victory is not the work of a single person, but the result of the concerted efforts of the soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty to kill the enemy." Spread the will of the orphan and reward the front-line soldiers to show their merits. ”

"Your Highness Shengming!" The ministers shouted in unison, and their voices echoed in the golden hall.

Zhao Yingluo's gaze swept among the ministers, and finally fell on Wang Zaixing's body: "General Wang, what do you think should be done next?" ”

Wang Zaixing stepped out of the queue and bowed down and clenched his fists: "Your Highness, now that Xiazhou has been restored, my Great Song Dynasty has the foundation to attack the Jin Kingdom from the west." But the emaciated camel is bigger than the horse, and although the Jin country is defeated, its strength still exists. The last general believes that we should stabilize the defensive line, strengthen our armaments, and wait for the opportune moment. ”

"Waiting for the right time?" Zhao Yingluo bowed slightly, "What General Wang said is very true. Spread the will of the orphans, strengthen the defense line of the four states, and at the same time order the state capitals to strengthen agriculture and mulberry, encourage childbirth, and accumulate strength for the Great Song Dynasty. ”

"Obey!" The ministers agreed in unison.

In March, spring is coming

Different from the imperial examinations in previous years, this year's Spring Festival is particularly eye-catching.

Examinations in agriculture and physical education have taken up considerable weight, while those disciplines that were once considered the most important ones have been drastically curtailed.

"What is needed is practical talents, talents who can contribute to the prosperity and strength of the Great Song Dynasty. Therefore, this spring festival must select talents who are truly talented and have the spirit of hard work. ”

"Zuo Xiang, this imperial examination is an important way for our Great Song Dynasty to select talents, and we must ensure that we are fair and impartial, and there must be no favoritism and malpractice."

Zhao Yingluo's expression was serious, and her eyes were like torches staring at Lu Yihao who was standing below.

Lu Yihao bowed, and his voice was firm: "Your Royal Highness the princess, rest assured, the old minister will strictly supervise to ensure the fairness and justice of the imperial examination." Once there is a situation of favoritism and malpractice, it will be severely punished and will not be tolerated! ”

Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly, with a look of satisfaction on her face: "With the words of Zuo Xiang, the palace will be relieved." The imperial examination is related to the future of the Great Song Dynasty, and we must not allow those opportunists to succeed. ”

Kaifeng, outside the prison

Zhu Shengfei was dressed in official uniform and stood solemnly at the door of Guozijian.

He looked up at the sky, then turned to the general of the forbidden army behind him and said, "Today's imperial examination is a major national event. Be sure to conduct a strict search to ensure that every candidate is not carrying any cheating tools. ”

The general of the forbidden army clasped his fists and responded: "Lord Zhu, rest assured, the last general will do his best to ensure the fairness and justice of the imperial examination." ”