Chapter 271: Fish Soup

On the eighteenth day of the third month, the Zhao Emperor formally received the Jin envoy Wulinda Zanmo in the Wende Hall. Below the Grand Councilor Lü Haowen, four councilors, six ministers, nine ministers, the Censor-in-Chief and all censors below, all academicians and secretaries, all judges and directors of various courts, key officials of the Secretariat, the Privy Council, and the Imperial Camp, the left and right commanders of the Imperial Camp's central army, and all military commissioners stationed near the Eastern Capital, all stood arrayed in the hall to await.

It could be said that the Song court had put on as solemn a display as possible for a mere Jin envoy.

Yet this display did not make the Jin envoy Wulinda Zanmo feel particularly honored—quite the opposite. From the moment he received the notification from the Court of State Ceremonial, this seasoned diplomat realized that his mission was likely over before it had truly begun.

The reason was simple: if the Zhao Song Emperor truly had any intention of negotiating peace, he would have had the Secretariat, the Privy Council, the Ministry of Rites, and the Court of State Ceremonial discuss the matter in exhaustive detail, repeatedly debating and drafting relevant terms before the formal audience, even quibbling over court etiquette and the format of related documents.

But such a swift and formal summons meant only one path: a face-to-face meeting, followed by dismissal.

However, to be fair, Wulinda Zanmo, as a high minister of Jin, was well aware of the true mindset of the Jin leadership and knew full well what his mission entailed.

Thus, he felt only regret, not difficulty.

When the two sides met, whether due to the influence of last year's battles or not, Wulinda Zanmo caused no trouble over protocol. He directly offered greetings according to the rites of ruler and subject. After the formalities were concluded, the ensuing conversation was brutally direct.

"What are Nianhan's terms?" Zhao Jiu asked expressionlessly, cutting straight to the point.

"The State Councilor and Grand Marshal (Nianhan), acting on the orders of the State Lord (Wuqimai) to temporarily oversee state and military affairs, did give instructions before I, the foreign minister, departed. He said that the two countries have been at war for a long time, with countless dead and wounded, and that Heaven has a virtue of loving life…"

"Just state the terms directly." Zhao Jiu's expression did not change as he interrupted the other.

"There are no terms." Wulinda Zanmo stood tall in the hall, facing him. "The State Councilor and Grand Marshal's meaning is that the Battle of Yaoshan, though it had a victor, at its root was merely the Great Song holding onto Guanzhong. The situation of a strong Great Jin and a weak Great Song remains unshaken… At such a time, the Great Jin's willingness to negotiate peace unconditionally is already an act of grace."

The five chief councilors each wore grim expressions, and the surrounding civil and military officials stirred in agitation, many barely restraining themselves from stepping forward to refute.

"Well said." At that moment, the young Emperor on the throne nodded of his own accord. "At this time, Jin is strong and Song is weak—I quite agree… Your coming here to say this in person will sober up some of the younger officials still lost in the victory at Yaoshan. But Wulinda… your surname is Wulinda, correct?"

"Yes." Wulinda Zanmo paused for a moment before bowing his head in response. "I, the foreign minister, am of the Jurchen Wulinda clan."

"Minister Wulinda… I deeply agree with your words on strength and weakness. But is this matter decided by strength and weakness? Is Jin truly stronger now than it was four years ago? Is my side truly weaker now than it was four years ago?" Zhao Jiu continued calmly, his face utterly impassive. "Four years ago, I was unwilling to negotiate peace. Why should I agree to peace talks with you now?"

Wulinda Zanmo frowned. "Then when does Your Majesty believe peace can be made? Two vast nations, each ten thousand li across—surely they cannot fight forever?"

"Peace is simple. Take the Yanshan range as the border. Jin submits to Song as a vassal. Return all people and gold and silver plundered from Bianliang. Execute Nianhan, Wushu, Talan, Xiyin, Huonü, Yinshuke, and Balisu as a show of sincerity… Then peace can naturally be achieved." Zhao Jiu spoke unhurriedly. "The Jurchens are a native people of the Liao lands. At root, we are all brotherly nations, separated by a strip of water. Cleanse the senior war criminals, and I am still willing to accept you."

The hall was silent for a full four or five breaths. Not only Wulinda Zanmo, but even the Song court was dazed. Only a few senior ministers who had long followed this Emperor, catching a glimpse of his expression, felt a chill in their hearts and their faces grew even more solemn.

"Your Majesty must not jest…" Wulinda Zanmo suppressed his anger with difficulty. "The Great Jin respects Your Majesty's four years of hard-won achievements, which is why we came to discuss peace. But Your Majesty's response is not the proper speech of a ruler of a nation."

"This is proper speech." Zhao Jiu's expression remained unchanged. "This is my true intention."

"Then I can only say that Your Majesty is dreaming in broad daylight!" Wulinda Zanmo retorted immediately.

"Indeed, it is a daydream." Zhao Jiu remained unhurried, neither angry nor pleased. "But recall when you first came to this hall. If you had spoken then of Nianhan's intention to march south and attack the Eastern Capital, I suspect all the civil and military officials of the Great Song in this hall would have thought Nianhan was daydreaming… Yet did Nianhan's dream not come true? So why do you say that my daydream cannot come true?"

"Your Majesty." Wulinda Zanmo sighed and spoke solemnly. "In these peace talks, the Great Jin is indeed sincere. Even if they cannot succeed immediately, why must words be pushed to this extreme?"

"Minister Wulinda, your words show sincerity." Zhao Jiu seemed thoughtful. "I roughly understand your meaning… You are saying that after four or five years of endless conflict since the Jingkang Incident, and after the Battle of Yaoshan, although Jin still holds the military advantage, it is also increasingly worn down. The leaders of Jin have realized that continuing this war is of no benefit, so they are indeed inclined toward peace. And Nianhan, who currently holds power, though clear-headed, cannot easily show weakness after the Western Route Army's defeat and Wuqimai's stroke. He can only propose a truce without conditions to avoid the awkwardness of deciding whether to send troops this autumn. And as circumstances change, whether Nianhan stabilizes the situation or Wushu, his brothers, Wuqimai, or Talan seize power again, a treaty with real benefits might then be possible. Is that the meaning?"

Wulinda Zanmo, being a retainer of Nianhan's household, how could he answer such a question? He simply stood at attention, hands clasped, silent.

"Minister Wulinda." Zhao Jiu finally sighed as well. "Let me ask you this: when you were ordered by Nianhan to come here for the Maritime Alliance and discussed with Wang Fu how to divide the Liao border, were you not also that sincere?"

Wulinda Zanmo was finally moved, yet he had no words to reply. The surrounding officials also lost their composure.

"I believe that both you and Wang Fu were utterly sincere at that time. But after Nianhan saw through the Great Song's outward splendor and inner weakness, did he not still resolutely march south?" Zhao Jiu let out a soft sigh, then put away his extra expressions and continued calmly. "So what use is your sincerity today?"

"If Your Majesty speaks thus, I, the foreign minister, have nothing more to say." Wulinda Zanmo also found it pointless. "I have brought the Great Jin's terms. The Emperor has set new terms for the Great Song. The gap is so vast that I fear there is no need for me to return and report… Of course, I would not dare to take those terms back to report… In my opinion, it is better to declare directly that these peace talks are a failure!"

"Something like that." Zhao Jiu nodded in agreement.

"Then I, the foreign minister, request permission to take my leave." Wulinda Zanmo clasped his hands in salute, but could not help adding a few words. "But I have one thing to say before I go, which I cannot hold back…"

"Go ahead."

"In the past, between Song and Jin, it was the Great Song that broke the treaty first!"

"I know." Zhao Jiu nodded in acknowledgment. "Indeed, it was the Great Song that broke the treaty first, and the one who broke it was the weaker, more incompetent side… So the Retired Daoist Emperor brought shame upon himself!"

The entire court was stunned, unable to react in time.

Then, unhurriedly, Zhao Jiu continued, giving no one a chance to speak: "But my determination to fight today has nothing to do with Guo Yaoshi, Zhang Jue, or those people, nor with the Retired Daoist Emperor… What I dwell on, day and night, is simply the rivers of blood shed across the land since the Jingkang Incident, and the grievances that are now impossible to resolve."

Wulinda Zanmo did not even know what to say, and could not say anything.

"I have a book here, which roughly records a small portion of the grievances between me and you Jurchens… Take it back to report." As Zhao Jiu spoke, the fully armed Yang Yizhong directly carried an object up from the side hall. "This is it—a newly copied edition of *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor*, copied overnight. Minister Wulinda, read it slowly on your way back."

Wulinda Zanmo was stunned for a moment, then took the book in bewilderment. Below, from Zhao Ding on down, regardless of rank, the officials who had several times been on the verge of speaking now bowed their heads in silence… Wulinda Zanmo did not know what *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor* was about, but given the Emperor's actions in the preceding days, the book was widely circulated, and any senior minister with a modicum of awareness already knew its contents.

And anyone who knew its contents also understood the Emperor's meaning—if you want peace, give me back an Eastern Capital as lively as the one in that book!

"Now that things have come to this, I have one last question for you." After sending the book off, Zhao Jiu sat upright on the throne in his great red robe, finally showing a trace of expression. "Tell me the truth: did Wuqimai really have a stroke?"

Wulinda Zanmo was momentarily furious, but could only hold the book and reply solemnly: "Let Your Majesty know, and may Your Majesty be spared concern… Our State Lord did indeed suffer a stroke in the spring, after drinking too much while out riding."

"I see. You may go!" Zhao Jiu, without further reply, raised his hand in dismissal.

Though Wulinda Zanmo had long anticipated the outcome of today's audience, to be dismissed in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick left him at a loss for words. He could only bow once and then quickly withdraw from the Wende Hall.

As soon as he was gone, the hall erupted in commotion. After all, some of the Zhao Emperor's words just now had been truly excessive! But with *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor* hanging over them, no one dared to take the lead, fearing they would be slapped in the face with several hundred dish names and then demoted for good measure.

Amid the uproar, the chief councilors, as heads of the bureaucracy, along with several prominent senior ministers, all wore grim expressions and remained motionless and silent… It was not just the fear of being hit with several hundred dish names; having followed this Emperor for so long, they knew his temper and understood that today's business was far from over.

"I had originally intended to recite the names of the dishes right in front of that Jin envoy."

As the hall gradually quieted, Zhao Jiu looked at the assembled civil and military officials and could not help but smile wryly. "But on second thought, it would have been beneath me. How could those Jurchens care about what dishes you'll never eat again in this life, and hold a grudge over that? Rather, you ministers, if you have the inclination, go buy a copy of *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor* and read it. Then you'll see why I am unwilling to negotiate peace with the Jin… In the past few days, I followed the book's descriptions and found that the general categories of markets it records have been somewhat restored. But when it comes to specific, named shops with their own signs and specialties, barely one in ten remains. Several hundred dishes—I don't even know what they taste like, and they're gone forever. That's what made me angry at the Jin, and why I just sent Wulinda Zanmo packing."

The meaning was clear, so clear that even a rough man like Wang De understood completely.

"Later, a few eunuchs, seeing me unhappy, tried to cheer me up. They said the food in *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor* wasn't complete, and since they had spent a long time in the Eastern Capital and knew many old establishments, they volunteered to find the rest for me." The Zhao Emperor, in his great red robe, continued his rambling. "After several days of searching, they only found one place—a fish soup stall run by a woman called Fifth Sister Song. But her home and shop had been burned down by mutinous soldiers before Zong Zhongwu recovered the Eastern Capital. After returning, she couldn't afford to rebuild, so at her age, she and her husband had to carry their wares on a pole and sell on the streets… I met that sister yesterday. I gave her money to buy a shop on Horse-Race Street, and told her that from now on, when the fish from my rear palace pond are harvested, they'll be supplied to her first. You should all patronize her business when you can… I can only say, *The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor*—the title is perfect. At the very least, the author knew that the past is like a dream, ruined by the Jin, and once gone, it can never return!"

The Zhao Emperor's words were calm and his expression kind, but the civil and military officials below were filled with unease.

After all, at this point, how could they not understand what the Zhao Emperor was driving at? And which of these officials had not experienced the Eastern Capital before the Jingkang Incident? After the initial panic, many grew somber.

After a moment's pause, seeing that the Emperor had finished his long speech, Lü Haowen sighed, then led the hundred officials out of their ranks, gathered in the center of the hall, clasped their hands, and knelt to beg forgiveness.

"What does it have to do with you? Wasn't it caused by the Two Sages neglecting court affairs and the Six Traitors throwing the state into chaos?" Zhao Jiu abruptly steered the topic back to the Two Sages.

At this, some of the loyal and cautious ministers who had been trying to ignore the earlier remark about 'bringing shame upon himself' could no longer bear it and were about to speak.

But Zhao Jiu seemed to have anticipated this. Instead of letting them rise, he suddenly raised his hand and gave an abrupt order: "Close the doors!"

Hearing the imperial command, Liu Yan, who had been prepared at the door, immediately led several dozen armored soldiers to shut the main hall's doors. Not only that, but the side doors and some side windows were also closed… Though it was still morning, with the vast hall's doors and windows all shut and no candles lit inside, the light immediately dimmed, leaving only dark, shadowy figures visible.

The civil and military officials gathered in the center of the hall were suddenly thrown into panic, yet dared not move rashly.

"Your Majesty!" In the darkness, several of the chief councilors spoke out in protest almost simultaneously.

"Don't panic. There's something I've long wanted to be frank with you all about, but I also know that some things can't be said face to face. Once said, there's no room for compromise between ruler and minister." In the dim, almost pitch-black light, Zhao Jiu on the throne spoke up seriously. "Now, I want to follow the example of King Zhuang of Chu's story of cutting off hatstrings and settle this with you all... First, all of you take a few steps back together and mix up your order in the middle of the hall."

Hesitation and wavering were evident among the ranks of ministers in the hall, but led by the few silent chief councilors at the front, they still obeyed the imperial order, retreating together and scrambling their official rank order.

"Stop!" Zhao Jiu spoke again at the right moment. "At a time like this, let's not bother with minor details. Let's talk about one major matter... Those among you who genuinely believe unconditional peace talks are acceptable, now lower your heads and go to the left. Those who think peace talks are unacceptable, go to the right. But no one is allowed to stay in the middle... I'm only counting the numbers, I won't identify anyone."

The ministers instinctively looked up at the figure on the throne, but could only make out a rough silhouette, which shook them inwardly.

After a moment, one person actually did go to the left, while the rest, after a brief hesitation, shuffled over to the right.

"I understand. Come back!" Zhao Jiu waited a moment, then spoke again on his own.

And that person indeed lowered his head and returned directly to the ranks.

"If the Jin Jun promise to return Shanbei and Jingdong, and return all the land on this side of the Yellow River, and use this as a basis for peace talks... those who think it can be agreed to, go to the left."

This time, the hesitation and commotion were even greater. Soon, led by the same person as before, about a quarter went to the left, and three-quarters went to the right.

To this, the Imperial Majesty showed no extra reaction. He simply had them return immediately and then spoke again: "If the Jin Jun promise to return the Two Emperors and the captured nobles, women, and children from Bianliang, and those who think peace talks can be agreed to on this basis, go to the left again."

The commotion was clearly greater. Soon, without needing that first person to take the lead, the division was made directly... about one-third on the left, two-thirds on the right.

In other words, those who agreed to peace talks on this condition were actually more than those who agreed on the condition of returning territory.

Zhao Jiu on the throne also fell into a brief silence... Clearly, he had still underestimated the influence of the concepts of filial piety and brotherly duty on Confucian officials. Finally, this Imperial Majesty waited several breaths before letting these ministers, who were clearly growing uneasy, all return together.

"One last time. The greatest possible concession the Jin Jun might make: returning the Two Emperors and other captives, ceding Jingdong, Shanbei, and the three prefectures beyond the river, handing over Liu Yu and Zhe Keqiu for punishment, and nominal equality between the two sides, using this as a basis for peace talks... Who thinks it can be accepted?"

This time, because they were already familiar with the process from the previous three rounds, many people divided without any hesitation at all... the numbers on both sides were roughly equal.

Zhao Jiu fell silent again... not in astonishment, but in reflection. He reflected on the bureaucratic group's unconscious desire for stability and peace, and its unconscious tendency toward conservatism.

Zhao Jiu knew very well that if the doors were opened and the light was on, nine out of ten of these people would choose 'no peace,' that is, to align with his own position as the Imperial Majesty. Even the few who dared to openly choose 'peace talks can be agreed to,' if he personally worked on them, would mostly be persuaded, or at least willing to remain silent.

In other words, he could pick out anyone from this collective before him, and there would be no problem—they were all outstanding 'trusted ministers of the Imperial Majesty'—but in reality, internally, this collective was unquestionably trending toward conservatism.

The reasons were varied... For example, financial difficulties: most of the revenue was thrown into the Imperial Camp troops. The fact that national bonds had to be issued just last winter was clear proof. Under these circumstances, it was normal for officials involved in finance, who consequently felt some responsibility, to inwardly hope for peace talks to reduce military spending and then make improvements. Another example: the heavy tax burden on the common people in the south. If there were officials from the south, out of instinctive care for their hometowns, wanting to express themselves, it was even more natural.

Mutual forbearance for the sake of the nation! This phrase had been spoken for four full years.

Before the Battle of Yaoshan, the result of not being able to forbear was death without a burial place, so most people were willing to persist. The corresponding resistance came partly from objective unfavorable conditions, and partly from the 'abandonment' faction that advocated retreating to the southeast. But these people had long been thrown into the garbage heap of history, so no need to mention them.

And after the Battle of Yaoshan? After the great battle, the question of national survival was resolved. The corresponding resistance to this phrase came more from the erosion and backlash of internal slackness.

Zhao Jiu had long thought of this layer, and he had always believed it was normal and tolerable... because after anyone had experienced four years of that kind of tension, they could become slack and experience backlash, and they should be allowed to slack off and have backlash.

Only he had never imagined that this slackness would accumulate so much, and this backlash would come so quickly.

But in the pitch darkness, the Imperial Majesty thought it over and suddenly let out a wry laugh... Wasn't this all the more proof that he, as the Imperial Majesty, was still irreplaceable?

Without the entire bureaucratic collective's instinctive conservatism, how could his own foresight be shown?

Thinking carefully, in the past four years, he felt he had done many things in a daze, and the times had changed a lot, but the sense of mission of the era had not diminished one bit.

Having time-traveled to this era and become the emperor, wasn't he supposed to resist the Jin?

With this thought, Zhao Jiu simply stood up: "Everyone, return to your positions!"

The Imperial Majesty did not break his word. A moment later, the ministers returned to their positions, and only then were the hall doors and windows opened. The glaring sunlight streamed into the hall, causing the ministers temporary discomfort. Only after a long while did they discover that the Imperial Majesty on the throne had somehow disappeared without a trace.

The ministers discussed it animatedly, but could only lose their composure and be at a loss.

And the several chief councilors, whether it was the aloof Lü Haowen, or Zhao Ding and Zhang Jun with their distinctly different administrative styles, all became inwardly alarmed and suspicious.

Everything that had just happened—whether it was the Imperial Majesty driving away the Jin envoys without giving the ministers a chance to interject, or the 'bringing humiliation upon oneself' in the middle, or the final 'story of King Zhuang of Chu cutting off hatstrings'—were all extremely serious political matters.

But just as the several chief councilors were trying to organize their words, preparing to discuss how to handle this mess, a very loud voice suddenly came from behind them:

"Those who went to the left just now are all Jin spies! If the Imperial Majesty hadn't spoken beforehand, I would surely make you lose your reputation and standing!"

Everyone turned to look. It was Hu Quan, the Compilation Editor of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Chief Editor of the Court Gazette of the Court of State Ceremonial, who rarely came to court these days. He spoke indignantly, veins bulging, then flicked his sleeves and left, clearly speaking from the bottom of his heart.

As soon as these words were spoken, many people showed signs of alarm and panic. The five chief councilors looked at each other in dismay, even more at a loss as to how to handle the situation.