With Zhao Yingluo's order, the controversy in the court gradually subsided.

At the same time, Wanyan Zongmei, the envoy of the Jin State who was waiting for news in the post house, was also very anxious.

He kept pacing back and forth, looking out the door from time to time. He knew that Emperor Song's decision would be directly related to the future fate of his imperial brother Wanyan Zongyi.

After the dispersal of the court, Her Royal Highness Princess Zhao Yingluo left several important ministers of the court alone to continue the discussion in the pavilion of the imperial garden.

The sun dappled the gazebo, and the princess's face loomed in the light and shadow, looking both majestic and mysterious.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Zhao Yingluo said slowly, her voice crisp but with an unquestionable majesty, "Now that Jin is in turmoil, Wanyan Zongyi has asked for help from our Great Song Dynasty, and his intention is very clear, he wants us to send troops to help. But how to help each other and when to send troops requires careful consideration. I want to hear your opinions today. ”

General Yue Fei was the first to come out of the ranks, his face was full of anxiety and expectation: "Your Royal Highness Princess, if you don't send troops at this time, when will you stay?" Jin is in turmoil, Wanyan Zonghan's main army is contained, and we just take the opportunity to regain the lost territory and raise the prestige of our country! ”

"General Yue is right," said another general, Wang Zaixing, eagerly, "we should act quickly and deliver a fatal blow to the Jin Kingdom." Your Royal Highness, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! ”

However, the ministers did not think so.

"Your Royal Highness the Princess, I don't think you should act rashly." Zuo Xiang Lu Yihao said calmly, "Wanyan Zongyi's request for help is nothing more than wanting to use our Great Song Dynasty to contain Wanyan Zonghan. If we rush into the army, I am afraid that we will be caught up in unnecessary strife. ”

"Lu Xiang is right," Zhu Shengfei of the Privy Council also echoed, "We should be cautious and not be used by Wanyan Zongyi." Moreover, even if we want to send troops, we must be famous and not leave a mouthful of tongues. ”

Taishi Zongze also nodded in agreement: "The old minister also thinks that we should secretly observe the situation and wait for the opportunity. Now Kim is in turmoil, but his strength is still not to be underestimated. If we act rashly, I am afraid that the gains will outweigh the losses. ”

The generals were apparently not satisfied with the views of the ministers, and the two sides began to argue fiercely.

"You Wenchen are just cowardly and afraid!" Wang Zaixing angrily reprimanded, "Now that Jin is in turmoil, it is a good time for us to regain the lost territory. It's disappointing that you're here to be scared! ”

"We are not cowardly," Lu Yihao calmly retorted, "but we are responsible for the country and the people." You generals only know how to fight, but you ignore the complex relationships behind wars. We must be cautious and not blindly send troops. ”

Both sides have their own opinions and argue endlessly. Zhao Yingluo listened quietly to their argument, weighing the pros and cons in her heart. She knew that this decision was crucial to the future of Da Song, and she had to be cautious and cautious.

"Enough!" Zhao Yingluo gently raised her jade hand, and at that moment, the fierce arguments in the court were like mist blown away by the cold wind, and gradually subsided.

Her eyes as deep as autumn water calmly swept over the faces of every courtier, and finally, her gaze lingered on Lu Yihao's body for a moment, her lips opened lightly, and her voice was like a gentle spring breeze, but with unquestionable majesty, "I know that what you are worried about is the cost and risk of war. But we can't wait forever. Wanyan Zongyi's request for help is an opportunity that we can use to seek more benefits. ”

She turned to Yue Fei and other generals again: "I understand your desire to recover the lost territory and promote the prestige of our country. However, we must be prepared and planned before we can act. We cannot allow our soldiers to die in vain. Lu Xiang's analysis penetrated into the inside, and it is indeed inappropriate for our Great Song Dynasty to act rashly at this time. Therefore, we will follow Lu Xiang's strategy to secretly support Yan Zongyi and wait for a better opportunity. ”

When Yue Fei heard this, his thick eyebrows tightened, obviously still thinking about the feasibility of this strategy.

It was not that he did not trust Lu Yihao's judgment, but he was worried about the difficulties he might encounter in practice.

He pondered for a moment, and finally stepped forward, with a bit of worry and firmness in his voice: "Your Royal Highness Princess, if you support Yan Zongyi according to Lu Xiang's strategy, the delivery of materials must pass through the territory of the Jin Kingdom controlled by Yan Zonghan. But now that the roads are blocked, how can we ensure that supplies are delivered safely and on time? ”

Zhao Yingluo nodded, she understood Yue Fei's worries very well.

Road blockades and checkpoints are indeed a major challenge in implementing the support plan.

However, just as everyone was in deep thought, Siwen Boyuan of the Imperial City slowly stepped out, his face was calm and confident, and his eyes flashed with wisdom.

He bowed slightly, saluted Zhao Yingluo and the courtiers, and slowly spoke: "Your Royal Highness Princess, my lords, we may consider starting by water. ”

As soon as these words came out, whispers suddenly sounded in the court.

The waterway, which is a vast and deep battlefield, is full of opportunities and challenges.

Wen Boyuan continued: "We can go to sea from Dengzhou, bypass Yan Zonghan's blockade line, land in Pingzhou, and then transport supplies to Shangjing by land. In this way, we can not only avoid the many checkpoints of Yan Zonghan, but also ensure the safe and timely delivery of materials. ”

When Zhao Yingluo heard this, her eyes suddenly lit up, as if she saw the dawn of hope.

She couldn't help but ask: "Commander Wen, this plan is indeed clever." But shipping at sea is fraught with risks, are we prepared for any eventuality? ”

Wen Boyuan smiled slightly, his expression confident and calm: "Your Royal Highness Princess, please rest assured, my Great Song Dynasty has invested a lot of energy and resources in the raising of the sea master in recent years. In particular, remarkable progress has been made in the development and construction of ironclad ships. These ironclads are not only rugged and durable, but also equipped with advanced nautical equipment and weapons systems. We are confident in ensuring the safety and stability of maritime transportation. ”

"Oh? So what is the material transportation capacity of the ironclad ship today? Zhao further asked that she needed more specific data to assess the feasibility of the plan.

Wen Boyuan was well chested and replied in detail: "Back to Her Royal Highness the Princess, now the Great Song Dynasty has successfully developed and built ten ironclad ships. These ironclads are well-designed, and each ship has a strong carrying capacity. As far as grain and grass are concerned, each ship can carry at least a thousand pounds; As for artillery and other military materiel, it can likewise carry a considerable amount. Therefore, from the point of view of carrying capacity, the ironclad ship is fully capable of this support mission. ”

Hearing this, Zhao Yingluo's face finally showed a satisfied smile.

She knew that this sea transportation was not only a material support, but also an important opportunity to demonstrate the maritime strength of the Great Song Dynasty.

So, she made a decisive decision: "Good! Then act according to the plan of Lord Wen. General Yue Fei, you are responsible for selecting elite men to escort supplies with the ship and ensure the safety of the road. ”

"The last general commands!" Yue Fei bowed in response, a determined look on his face.

Lu Yihao also nodded and praised: "Her Royal Highness the princess is wise and decisive, and Lord Wen Boyuan is wise and calculating. If this plan is successful, it will not only solve Yan Zongyi's dilemma, but also further demonstrate the maritime strength and majesty of our Great Song Dynasty. ”

"That's right," Zhao added, "and this operation is not only to ensure the safe delivery of supplies to their destinations, but also to demonstrate the national prestige and naval strength of our Great Song Dynasty." Therefore, Lord Zhu Shengfei and the Privy Council also need to fully cooperate with this action. ”

"Yes!" Zhu Shengfei bowed down and said, "The Privy Council will go all out to support this maritime transportation mission." From the deployment of ships, the planning of routes to the configuration of the escort fleet, the ministers will carefully arrange and coordinate, and will definitely live up to His Highness's entrustment. ”