Wang Anzhong had barely left when Tong Guan immediately perked up, dispatching all the guards loyal to him.
Having done all he could, all that remained was a long wait.
From his military camp to Bianliang city, a round trip could be made in just three days with a fast horse and no regard for the animal's strength!
In normal times, these short three days would have passed in the blink of an eye.
A night of revelry, a drunken sleep, and time would have passed.
But now, every minute and every second was a torment for Tong Guan.
Especially on the evening of the second day, when Tan Zhen arrived in Xiong Zhou city by imperial order...
Although he did not come to the military camp, Tong Guan knew that the imperial edict was already on its way. If Wang Anzhong could not return before the edict was read, even if Wang Anzhong succeeded in this matter, the merit of being enfeoffed as a prince would have nothing to do with him...
An imperial edict was an imperial edict, especially on such important matters. Even for the emperor's personal dignity, it was impossible to change the decree on a whim!
Although his heart was burning with anxiety, Tong Guan could do nothing at this moment. He could only wait silently, praying silently.
"You're saying that Grand Councilor Tong has persuaded Zhang Jue to abandon the darkness and embrace the light?"
Upon hearing this news, Fan Zheng Guo was stunned on the spot.
Not only was he bewildered, but even this battle-hardened old general was utterly shocked by the news.
How could this be possible?
Zhang Jue was himself a general of the Liao dynasty, and he had now defected to the Jurchens. Emperor Taizu of Jin, Wanyan Aguda, had directly promoted him to be the Grand Protector of the Southern Capital and entrusted him with the vast city of Ping Zhou.
As for the myriad of other rewards given to him, they were even more numerous!
Considering the difference in strength between the Song and Jin dynasties, the Song had no other advantages besides being more prosperous...
Geographically, Ping Zhou was now under the control of the Jin dynasty. If he were to defect to the Song dynasty, he would face the encirclement and suppression of hundreds of thousands of troops!
From any perspective, there seemed to be no reasonable explanation for Zhang Jue to surrender!
"That's right. Here is his personal letter. Please take a look, Your Excellency!"
As Wang Anzhong spoke, he quickly handed the forged letter between him and Tong Guan to Fan Zheng Guo.
After Fan Zheng Guo finished reading the letter, his expression became strange.
He handed the letter to Zhong Shidao, who was standing beside him, and then fell silent.
"Fan Qingjia, what do you think of this matter?"
Regardless of what others thought, at least the emperor, Zhao Ji, was in an exceptionally good mood.
After being wronged for so long, finally, there was some good news that allowed him to hold his head high.
Although the war on the front lines was going disastrously, the credit for Zhang Jue's voluntary surrender and submission was immediately claimed by him as emperor.
In the end, the Great Song Dynasty was more popular than the barbarian Jin Dynasty!
Otherwise, how could these high-ranking generals who had already defected to the Liao not risk their lives to defect to the Song dynasty?
"Reporting to His Majesty, this old minister believes that this matter is suspicious from beginning to end..."
After hesitating, Fan Zheng Guo still replied truthfully.
"Prime Minister Fan, what do you mean by that? Are you implying that His Majesty is not worthy of Zhang Jue's surrender? Our Great Song is the wealthiest in the land. A barbarian from a foreign country, admiring the might of our Great Song, risks his life to come and surrender. Is this not reasonable?"
As soon as Fan Zheng Guo finished speaking, Zhang Bangchang immediately jumped out and attacked him with loaded accusations.
"Alright, alright. When it comes to serious matters, you start arguing. Can you two stop bickering the moment you meet?"
Seeing that Fan Zheng Guo was about to retort and the two would likely part on bad terms again, even Emperor Zhao Ji could not stand it. He slapped the table and shouted.
"This minister is guilty!"
Since the emperor had spoken, both Fan Zheng Guo and Zhang Bangchang could only confess their guilt and retreat to the side for the time being.
Seeing that no useful information could be obtained from them, Zhao Ji once again turned his gaze to Zhong Shidao.
Compared to his two prime ministers, he now trusted an old general like Zhong Shidao more.
After all, with the poem written by Han Mo, he naturally felt a sense of closeness to Zhong Shidao.
"To serve the king and the country, alas, how gray the hair becomes..."
Is this not referring to Zhong Shidao now?
"Reporting to His Majesty, this old minister also believes that there is something strange about this matter, and..."
Seeing the tense situation, Zhong Shidao began to hesitate as he spoke.
"Just say what you want to say, and what else? I want to hear the truth!"
Seeing his hesitant look, Zhao Ji quickly added.
"Reporting to His Majesty, as Prime Minister Fan said, from any perspective, Zhang Jue does not seem to have any reason to take this risk! Moreover, Your Majesty, please do not forget that among the maritime alliance established between the Song and Jin dynasties, there was a clause that neither party would harbor the other's rebels and renegades..."
After Zhong Shidao finished speaking, Zhao Ji, who had been feeling a little pleased, was suddenly stunned.
When he thought about it carefully, it seemed to be the case. The alliance between the two parties had not yet ended.
The supplies they were transferring to the Jurchens were still being prepared and transported. The land that the Jurchens had promised to hand over to them had not yet been completed. If they were to accept Zhang Jue at this time, all the treaties concluded between the two parties would likely become void immediately...
"Your Majesty, this minister believes it would be better to keep Tong Guan for now. Let him atone for his crimes by meritorious deeds. On the one hand, he can continue to hand over land to the Jurchens, and on the other hand, he can temporarily stabilize Zhang Jue. After the land exchange between the two sides is completed, it will not be too late for us to accept Zhang Jue..."
As soon as Zhong Shidao finished speaking, Zhang Bangchang immediately jumped out again.
"Reporting to His Majesty, this minister believes this matter is absolutely not to be done!"
As soon as Zhang Bangchang finished speaking, Fan Zheng Guo stepped forward without hesitation.