Great Jin did not recognize the Han Kingdom. Even though they were being beaten by Liu Yuan, they still had to call him a traitorous minister and rebel within Great Jin’s territory.
Therefore, Liu Yuan particularly wanted to eliminate the Jin Kingdom. Only once Great Jin was destroyed could he become the rightful emperor of this realm.
He had always been dedicated to capturing Luoyang, capturing or killing the Jin Emperor, and destroying the Jin Kingdom.
Now that the Jin Kingdom had moved its capital, in addition to Luoyang, his target now included Yun City. In any case, wherever the emperor was, he would attack there.
Such a person, even though his most beloved youngest son was in Zhao Hanzhang’s hands, even though he was heartbroken, still wouldn’t show weakness in front of all the ministers.
Therefore, he first threatened Zeng Yue, “Liu Yi is the Seventh Prince of our Han Kingdom. How dare Zhao Hanzhang abduct him—is she insulting Great Han?”
Immediately, a minister stepped forward in the hall, glaring at Zeng Yue. “When the ruler is humiliated, the subject dies. I will kill you now to avenge my sovereign!”
Zeng Yue’s expression remained unchanged as he said to Liu Yuan, “Grand Marshal, the Prince of the North Sea was not abducted by our troops, but came to our Zhao Family Army camp as a guest of his own accord. My commander’s letter is here. Why doesn’t the Grand Marshal read it first before speaking?”
The guard at the side took the letter and presented it to Liu Yuan.
Liu Yuan unfolded it and read, speechless for a long while.
He had already guessed. Zhao Hanzhang was camped eighty li away. Even with his scouts and vanguard troops active outside the city, it would be impossible to quietly capture his son. It must be that the boy ran there himself.
Peace negotiations…
Liu Yuan secretly ground his teeth but couldn’t lose his temper. Below were people from various tribes, and the Crown Prince was there too.
Although he had never thought of changing crown princes, because Empress Dowager Dan and Liu Yi were favored, and Liu Yi was the youngest son, the Crown Prince’s faction was very wary.
If they knew that Liu Yi wasn’t captured but ran to the enemy camp himself, he probably really couldn’t come back and could only be a wandering little prince outside.
Liu Yuan took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, and said expressionlessly, “Someone, escort the envoy to rest.”
He needed to discuss this with his ministers.
Zeng Yue refused, saying, “Zeng is only here to deliver a letter and to reassure the Grand Marshal that the Prince of the North Sea is doing very well with us. I have no authority to negotiate peace. If the Grand Marshal wishes to negotiate peace with our Regional Inspector, please send another envoy. We of the Zhao Family Army await.”
With that, he took his leave.
Liu Yuan could only have someone see them out.
He couldn’t detain Zeng Yue either.
Zeng Yue was just delivering a letter. Zhao Hanzhang held his son.
As soon as Zeng Yue left, everyone immediately surrounded Liu Yuan, urgently asking, “What peace negotiations? Does Zhao Hanzhang want to negotiate peace with us?”
“Then she must return the cities she seized.”
“Hmph, meat already at the mouth—would you let it go? Unless you disregard the Prince of the North Sea’s safety and immediately attack with full force once the army returns, otherwise how could she possibly return the occupied cities?”
Liu Huanle was more pragmatic. He didn’t participate in their arguments and directly asked Liu Yuan, “What are Zhao Hanzhang’s conditions for peace?”
Now that Liu Yi was in her hands, and she herself wasn’t at a disadvantage with support from both east and west, she wasn’t afraid of them attacking at all. To propose peace negotiations at this time, she must have conditions.
Liu Yuan handed him the letter to read, pursing his lips. “She demands that we not send troops to Jinyang for ten years.”
Liu Huanle said directly, “That’s impossible!”
Liu Yuan also didn’t want to agree. His plan was to destroy Jin in three years and unify the realm in five years.
He even wanted to destroy Luoyang and Yun City—could he let Jinyang, stuck in the middle of their Han Kingdom, survive?
Dan Jin at the side pressed his lips and said, “Your Majesty might as well pretend to agree to them first. Once the Seventh Prince is brought back, we can discuss other matters.”
The Di tribe people immediately chimed in, “Yes, first bring the Seventh Prince back. Later if we don’t listen to them, what can they do to us?”
Imperial Censor Huyan Yi angrily said upon hearing this, “Your Majesty is a nation’s sovereign. A sovereign’s word is his bond. If you agree to Zhao Hanzhang and sign a treaty, you can only abide by it. Otherwise, arbitrarily tearing up an alliance—what credibility will the Han Kingdom have in the future?”
He turned to the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, the Sima family’s example is right before us. You must not make this mistake.”
Liu Yuan’s expression changed repeatedly before he finally said, “I know. It’s just that Little Seven is my beloved son. I too am suffering.”
“Your Majesty, give the order. I’m willing to lead troops to attack Zhao Hanzhang and bring back the Seventh Prince.”
“No, no,” Dan Jin hastily said. “What if we anger Zhao Hanzhang and she kills the Seventh Prince?”
“Then this subject will bring back the Seventh Prince’s corpse!”
Liu Yuan: …
Huyan Yi thought this plan was feasible. Their Xiongnu princes, even in death, must have their bodies brought back.
He said, “To die for the Han Kingdom—the Seventh Prince would feel honored.”
But Liu Yuan was reluctant. He was torn, and finally looked at Liu He. “Crown Prince, what do you think?”
The Crown Prince had been staring at his toes in a daze. Hearing this, he looked up blankly. Seeing everyone looking at him, he wanted to say they didn’t need to care about Seventh Brother’s life or death, but under his father’s gaze, he still said anxiously, “Naturally we must save Seventh Brother.”
Liu Yuan asked, “How should we save him?”
“This…” The Crown Prince couldn’t help but look at Huyan Yi and Liu Huanle.
Liu Yuan’s expression was somewhat unpleasant. He waved his hand, dismissing the Crown Prince and others, keeping only Liu Huanle and a few important ministers to discuss.
The Crown Prince withdrew anxiously.
Liu Huanle was one of Liu Yuan’s confidants. He understood Liu Yuan’s ambitions best and immediately asked, “What does Your Majesty intend to do?”
“The wording in Zhao Hanzhang’s letter isn’t severe. Perhaps there’s still room to negotiate. First send an envoy to make contact. If we can use gold and silver, we’ll use gold and silver to ransom him back. If she insists we promise not to attack Jinyang…” Liu Yuan gritted his teeth, his face pained. “Then I can only act as if I never had this son.”
Seeing this, Liu Huanle, Huyan Yi, and the other ministers sighed and consoled Liu Yuan for a while before bowing and withdrawing.
As long as the emperor’s mind was clear, that was good. They couldn’t give ground now, or else Zhao Hanzhang would push for more, creating endless future troubles.
After leaving the great hall, Liu Huanle put away the expression on his face and asked Huyan Yi, “Where is the Fourth Prince now?”
“He should arrive soon.”
“Returning will be a tired army. This isn’t the time to act. Let Zhao Hanzhang be arrogant for a few more days.”
Huyan Yi asked, “Who can serve as envoy?”
Dan Jin was impossible—the Dan family was the Seventh Prince’s maternal clan. Huyan Yi was also impossible—he was the Crown Prince’s man.
Thinking it over, the only one Liu Yuan could trust who had enough weight to negotiate peace was Liu Huanle.
Huyan Yi reminded him, “Your Majesty’s ambition is the realm. Now that Zhao Hanzhang and Gou Xi are at odds, this is the time for us to advance further. Grand Tutor, don’t be swayed by personal feelings.”
Liu Huanle said expressionlessly, “Rest assured.”
Little Prince Liu Yi didn’t know that Zhao Hanzhang was using him as a bargaining chip to negotiate peace with his father. Early in the morning, he went with great interest to watch Zhao Hanzhang practice with her spear.
Her spearwork was swift and fierce. Zhao Hanzhang’s movements were agile, leaping about with tremendous force. Liu Yi couldn’t help but say, “Regional Inspector Zhao’s spearwork is truly excellent, even better than my Fourth Brother’s.”
Zhao Hanzhang put away her spear and smiled. “Your Fourth Brother excels at the horse saber. Naturally he can’t compare to me with the spear. But if we compared sabers, I also couldn’t beat him.”
Liu Yi asked curiously, “I heard that Regional Inspector Zhao defeated my Fourth Brother three times, and twice nearly took his life. Is it true?”
“Who said that?” Zhao Hanzhang smiled. “On the battlefield, not succeeding is not succeeding. Almost and very far off have the same result.”
“Many people mention this. My Fourth Brother has vowed to personally kill you to avenge this humiliation.”
Zhao Hanzhang laughed heartily. “Then we’ll have to meet on the battlefield in the future. But this time I’ve already negotiated peace with you, so Liu Cong has no chance to seek revenge on me.”
Liu Yi nodded.
—