"Not appropriate, where is it not appropriate? Are we to give up such an important place as Pingzhou just because of a treaty? Prime Minister Fan, don't forget, as long as we hold Pingzhou, Yingzhou and Luanzhou will be within our grasp!"
As soon as Fan Zheng's words finished, Zhang Bangchang immediately retorted.
Listening to the two of them arguing back and forth, Liang Shicheng decisively closed his eyes.
At this moment, he did not want to get involved in this matter at all.
After all, there was no right or wrong in this kind of matter, and every plan had its drawbacks.
Given the dire state of Hebei, even if he was not a military strategist, he knew that it was not advisable to fall out with the Jin people at this time.
Seeing the two prime ministers arguing endlessly in front of him, Zhao Ji rubbed his temples with a headache.
"Prince Xin, what do you think about this matter?"
Just as Zhao Ji was getting a headache, he suddenly saw Zhao Zhen standing beside him.
After a brief hesitation, Zhao Ji directly asked Zhao Zhen.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, your son believes that both Prime Ministers have valid points. However, to be precise, your son believes that Zhang Jue may have reasons to defect to our Huang Song. Your Majesty, please look!"
Hearing Zhao Ji's question, Zhao Zhen cleared his throat and, while speaking, moved to the large map.
As Zhao Zhen spoke, both Fan Zheng and Zhang Bangchang stopped simultaneously and looked at Zhao Zhen.
"Although the Jin people have promised to return these cities to us, according to the intelligence we have gathered, they are currently transferring a large number of their citizens north!"
Neither side was blind. Although these cities were still under Jin control, how could such large-scale migration go unnoticed?
It was just that the terrain of these cities was too perilous, and Emperor Zhao Ji could only accept the loss grudgingly.
"Does this matter have any necessary connection with Zhang Jue's surrender?"
Hearing this, Fan Zheng looked at Zhao Zhen with some confusion.
"Prime Minister, have you forgotten that Pingzhou is also one of the sixteen prefectures of Yan Yun! Although Zhang Jue is now the Grand Protector of Nanjing, if all the people in the city are moved away, to whom will he be the Grand Protector? No matter how much the Jin people reward him, if he has no soldiers and no citizens under his command, will those rewards not eventually belong to them?"
After Zhao Zhen's words, even Fan Zheng began to look at Zhao Zhen with admiration.
If they inferred according to this theory, Zhang Jue's reason for surrendering seemed to have become more sufficient.
The Jin people were giving him high officials and generous rewards now, which was simply to lull him. This was merely a temporary measure!
In the final analysis, he was a Khitan, not a Jin. Given the cruel methods of these Jin people, it was not impossible that after they had completely digested the lands of the Liao dynasty, they would also purge those Jin generals who had surrendered.
Conversely, looking at the Song dynasty, although the generals who had defected to the Song dynasty now had a lower political status than the civil officials, at least they had ensured the continuation of their families.
Even the military families like the Zhe clan, who came from chieftains, were able to inherit the lands of Linfu and Feng three prefectures!
Comparing these two, although the combat effectiveness of the Song army was indeed weak, at least they could guarantee their own and their descendants' wealth and prosperity!
"Your Highness is right. It seems this old minister was foolish!"
After taking a deep look at Zhao Zhen, Fan Zheng said sincerely.
"Prime Minister is too kind. I just tend to overthink things..."
Looking at the expression on Fan Zheng's face, a hint of triumph clearly flashed in Zhao Zhen's eyes. When his gaze swept past Wang Xiang, a fleeting look of gratitude immediately made Wang Xiang overjoyed.
Such terrifying observation skills were not something that a careless person like Zhao Zhen could achieve!
This small detail was naturally something he had discovered earlier and given to Zhao Zhen!
He was different from Fan Zheng. Given his current age, identity, and status, one more or one less matter was insignificant.
To exchange such a trivial merit for a path of prosperity for his descendants, it was always worth it!
"If that's the case, then there is only one last matter. If the Jin people send troops to attack, can we resist them?"
Although Zhao Ji did not pay much attention to his son usually, seeing Zhao Zhen steal the spotlight today, the father could not help but smile.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, if the Jin people do not come, so be it. If they dare to come, your son is willing to lead the army personally and drive them all back to their homeland for Your Majesty!"
This was his opportunity to ascend, and Zhao Zhen stepped forward without hesitation.
After listening to Zhao Zhen's words, Fan Zheng's brow furrowed. Zhong Shidao, standing beside him, also took a deep look at Zhao Zhen.
After exchanging glances, although they both saw the hidden concerns in each other's hearts, they chose to lower their heads simultaneously.
If Zhao Zhen could truly lead the army again, then the succession to the throne would be his. Given their current age and experience, they naturally could not see this.
They were already marked by Zhao Zhen. At this moment, they naturally could not find any reason to object...
Even if they felt somewhat uncomfortable, in the face of the succession to the throne, they could only bear it for now...
"Good! With your words, Your Majesty can rest assured! However, there is no rush for this matter for now. I think, as Prime Minister Zhang suggested, let Tong Guan lead the troops to achieve merit for the time being!"
After taking a deep breath, Zhao Ji immediately made up his mind.
The terrain of Pingzhou was too important, and there were 400,000 people there!
If they could hold Pingzhou, along with Yingzhou and Luanzhou, that would be nearly a million people!
As long as they could defend these three prefectures, even if the relationship between the Song and Jin dynasties deteriorated and they were in a standoff, they could have some initiative, rather than being in a completely passive position of being beaten, as before!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
As soon as Zhao Ji's voice fell, Zhang Bangchang immediately jumped out.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Although unwilling to let Tong Guan escape so easily, with Zhao Zhen's words, both Fan Zheng and Zhong Shidao could only endure it for now...