Chapter 88

Chapter 88

[Li Erfeng Becomes Wanyan Gou – 8]

After ascending the throne, the new ruler returned the capital to Dongjing (Kaifeng), then personally went into battle. He inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Jin army and captured their commander Wanyan Zongfu, Army Supervisor Wanyan Xiyin, and vanguard Wanyan Tuhesu alive. The army’s morale soared, its fighting spirit reached the clouds, and the whole realm rejoiced.

When Li Shimin returned to Dongjing that day, celebrations naturally filled both court and inner palace. All the officials kowtowed together and cried, “Long live Your Majesty!” Empress Dowager Meng and Empress Wei were also overjoyed. They issued an edict granting rewards to the Imperially Titled Ladies in the capital and ordered porridge distributed throughout the city in celebration.

Li Shimin brought Princess Yongfu back to the palace. The young princess had suffered repeated abuse over the past few months. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager and Empress, she inevitably broke down in tears once more. At last, she had someone to whom she could confide the many things she could not tell an elder brother of the opposite sex.

“Those beasts had not the slightest humanity. Whatever method could torment a person, they used it. During the journey north, some imperial consorts and elder sisters were pregnant, as were several imperial clanswomen and titled ladies traveling with us. For the sake of their depraved pleasure, the Jin ordered every one of them gathered together and forced to miscarry. Cries filled the camp, and blood soaked through the bedding…”

Princess Yongfu’s cheeks were hollow, yet furious agitation brought an unnatural flush to her face. “Some were already six or seven months pregnant, with the babies fully formed. The children were forced out of them. They nearly lost their lives, but even then the Jin showed not a trace of mercy and abused them as before… Within days, the mothers followed those pitiful children in death!”

Empress Dowager Meng listened in horror and repeatedly chanted Amitabha Buddha. Empress Wei clutched her chest. Beyond her shock and fear, her face showed even greater hatred. “Those barbarians are utterly inhuman! They deserve death!”

Princess Yongfu raised a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but could not dry them. “Back in the Song court, we sisters never liked Lady of Ceremonial Beauty Wang. Yet among all the women, only she proved steadfast and unyielding. On the journey north, Wanyan Zonghan demanded Lady Wang. Imperial Father mumbled without daring to speak. Rather than suffer humiliation at Jin hands, Lady Wang seized a sword and cut her own throat, dying before everyone!”

Admiration filled her face, but so did self-reproach. She said bleakly, “Thinking back now, I would have been better off dying as she did. At least I would have departed cleanly and escaped all those humiliations. In the Jin camp, we lived worse than dogs, disgracing ourselves and damaging the Imperial House’s dignity…”

“Silly girl, that is nonsense!”

Seeing her desolate expression and lack of will to live, Empress Wei hurriedly took her hand and soothed her in a gentle voice. “The Jin were at fault. What does any of this have to do with you? When the Ministry of Justice decides a case, it punishes the criminal. Who would dare say the victim was also guilty? The Jin deserve to die. The Jin are the ones without humanity. How were you wrong in any way? Lady Wang’s fierce suicide is naturally worthy of praise, but what fault is there in enduring humiliation for a time and awaiting a future day? If you had truly died with her, how could we have reunited today?”

Princess Yongfu closed her eyes in pain and let the tears stream down. “Sister-in-Law, you do not know what those beasts did to us. Imperial princess? Princess? In the Jin camp, we lived worse than prostitutes. They came one after another… How else could several elder sisters have been tortured to death? When they tired of us, they traded us among themselves. The humiliation was unbearable!”

“Imperial Mother, Sister-in-Law, Imperial Father, my brothers, my birth mother, and my sisters are still suffering in the Jin state. How can I enjoy peace alone? Please urge Ninth Brother to march north soon and bring all our kin back to the capital!”

At this, she opened her eyes, knelt, and wept bitterly. “Everyone knows of the Jingkang Incident. How could the Humiliation of Jingkang be hidden from the world? The princesses of the Imperial House have been violated to this extent. From imperial consorts and princesses down to imperial clanswomen and titled ladies, not one was spared. Never before has there been such disgrace! Today I alone returned to the capital, so I will not attract much notice. But when everyone returns in the future, how shall we answer the people of the realm?!”

Empress Wei’s heart ached, and tears fell from her eyes. Empress Dowager Meng also wept silently.

Princess Yongfu choked out, “Fobao has made up her mind. After paying respects to Imperial Mother and Sister-in-Law today, I will cut off my hair and become a nun. If debate rages in court and among the people and harms the imperial family’s reputation, I will simply hang myself with a length of white silk and end this wretched life.”

“Nonsense!”

Princess Yongfu’s eyes were scarlet, but she still tried to speak. “Sister-in-Law…”

Empress Wei immediately cut her off. “Enough. Do not mention this again. I will not agree, and your Ninth Brother certainly will not agree either!”

Empress Dowager Meng drew the girl close and embraced her with boundless pity. Weeping, she urged, “Good child, you must never think that way. You endured so much suffering before. Now that you have returned home, would it not be absurd to throw your life away? Listen to your sister-in-law. She is right.”

After leaving Empress Dowager Meng’s palace, Empress Wei went to Funing Hall to see her husband. Outside, she heard him discussing affairs with court officials, so she did not enter rashly. Only after almost all the officials had departed did she go inside and recount Princess Yongfu’s words.

At the end, hesitation and pity entered her expression. She said softly, “Fobao does have a point. The princesses and imperial clanswomen are one matter. As members of the imperial bloodline, they can be supported in comfort for the rest of their lives no matter what. If they wish, they may also remarry. But what of the others? What should be done with all the princess consorts and titled ladies, or even the Retired Emperor’s and Imperial Elder Brother’s consorts?”

The Prince Consorts and commandery sons-in-law would naturally not dare object to what had befallen the princesses and imperial clanswomen. But what about the palace consorts, princess consorts, and other titled ladies?

Could Emperors Qinzong and Huizong, and those women’s husbands, truly accept that their wives and concubines had been violated, then resume married life as though nothing had happened after returning to Dongjing?

Most likely, they could not.

Li Shimin frowned slightly and fell into thought without speaking.

Empress Wei did not press him. She took a tangerine from the fruit plate, sat opposite him, and slowly peeled it. After removing the white fibers, she handed it to her husband.
Li Shimin broke off a segment, placed it in his mouth, and swallowed slowly before saying, “This matter is too important to treat everyone alike. We must handle each category separately. Men failed to defend Dongjing, and the Jin abused the women. There is no reason those unfortunate women should bear everything.”

He paused, then continued solemnly, “If a woman’s husband died heroically after the city fell or during the journey north while she survived, she shall shave her head and enter religious life, spending the rest of her years beside a green lamp and ancient Buddha. If her husband remains alive, their marriage shall automatically end, with neither owing the other anything. If both wish to renew their former bond, they may continue the marriage. If not, each may marry someone else.”

For the women abducted by the Jin, this was already the best possible outcome.

Empress Wei breathed a sigh of relief. Then she remembered Emperors Qinzong and Huizong, and her expression briefly stiffened. Lowering her voice, she asked, “Then what shall be done with the abducted palace consorts?”

She studied her husband’s face and tentatively suggested, “After the Two Sovereigns return south, should they decide for themselves?”

Let those two bastards decide?

Ha! Their civil and military accomplishments might be worthless, but they were certainly experts at shifting blame. If those two truly returned, how could any of the consorts possibly survive?!

Li Shimin sneered inwardly and glanced at his wife. “Since they are palace consorts, they should not remarry. Those with children may leave the palace and live with them once the children come of age. Those without children may shave their heads and enter religious life. The imperial family will support them until death.”

The husband and wife shared deep affection, and by now they were truly grasshoppers tied to the same rope. If Emperors Qinzong and Huizong were actually brought back, what would become of their own family?

If Li Shimin returned the throne to the two emperors, his family would surely become thorns in their eyes. But if he refused, how could those two possibly let the matter rest?

Sure enough, the best Retired Emperor was one held captive by the Jin.

Li Shimin regarded the two emperors with contempt. “They can endure humiliation and cling to life after being captured, so why must everyone else kill themselves to preserve their chastity? Men lost Dongjing. Men lost the battles. Everyone suffered together when they were taken north, and the women endured especially horrific torment. Why should they ultimately atone with their lives? Anyone ignorant of the truth might think Great Song was ruled by an empress who befouled the court and lost her own capital!”

Empress Wei could not suppress a smile. “Your Majesty’s words are rather too cutting…”

Li Shimin huffed. “I am merely telling the truth!”

During the earlier battle at Dongjing, Li Shimin had captured Wanyan Zongfu, Wanyan Xiyin, and Wanyan Tuhesu alive. He had spared their lives precisely because he intended to exchange the three for members of the imperial family abducted north by the Jin.

Empress Wei knew little of such matters and inevitably hesitated. “Will the Jin agree to the exchange?”

Li Shimin looked confident. “They certainly will!”

When the Jin dynasty was first founded, its position was unstable. It therefore never placed a young ruler on the throne. Instead, a younger brother succeeded his elder brother, then after that younger brother’s death, power returned to the elder brother’s son, continuing in that order.

For this reason, although the Jin founder Wanyan Aguda had sixteen sons, the man who succeeded him was not one of them but his full younger brother, Emperor Taizong of Jin, Wanyan Sheng.

In this respect, it somewhat resembled the founding period of the present dynasty.

People were selfish. Whatever benefits they gained, they inevitably wanted to keep within their own family, much less the supreme imperial throne.

After the Chariot God of the Gaoliang River took the throne, he spoke of younger brothers succeeding elder brothers, but in the end he could not restrain himself. After disposing of his brother and nephews, he passed the throne to his own son.

In this respect, Emperor Taizong of Jin possessed no nobler character than his neighbor, Emperor Taizong of Song.

He too wanted to pass the throne to his own son. But the Jin was not the Song. Its power structure was not as developed as those of the Central Plains and retained features of the tribal era. Military and civil authority had not yet been completely separated.

The Jin founder’s dozen-odd sons watched with predatory eyes. If their imperial uncle dared utter any nonsense about passing the throne to his biological son, turmoil would instantly engulf the Jin elite, and the hard-won state would immediately splinter apart.

Pressure from the imperial clan and court officials was too great. Even Emperor Taizong of Jin could not defy it. Ultimately, he did not establish his biological son as Crown Prince and passed the throne to a descendant of the Jin founder before his death.

It was now the first year of Jianyan. Emperor Taizong of Jin was fifty-two years old, already elderly by the average lifespan of the age. He had repeatedly clashed with the imperial clan and court officials over the succession.

Under old Jin custom, the heir should be selected from among the sons of the Jin founder Wanyan Aguda-more precisely, among the founder’s sons who had already reached adulthood.

Wanyan Aguda’s eldest son, Wanyan Zonggan, was cruel by nature and lacked popular support. His second son, Wanyan Zongwang, had died in the sixth month of this year and was no longer under consideration. The third son was Wanyan Zongfu, whom Li Shimin had captured. The fourth, Wanyan Zongbi, was also a renowned Jin general.

The fifth son, Wanyan Zongjun, was Wanyan Aguda’s legitimate son and should rightfully have been the proper heir. Unfortunately, he died young, while his son was too small to be considered for the succession.

The final choice should therefore fall among Zonggan, Zongfu, and Zongbi.

As for Wanyan Zonghan’s faction, which would later become tremendously powerful, it had not yet fully taken shape.

All three brothers were grown men, each with his own strengths. Wanyan Zonggan was the eldest concubine-born son, but unfortunately lacked support. Zongfu and Zongbi had both won considerable military merit and were evenly matched. Many trusted supporters and forces stood behind each of the three, leaving them in a deadlock.

Now that Zongfu had been captured alive by Li Shimin, the faction behind him was naturally the most anxious. It made sense: the leader of a faction with a one-in-three chance of contesting the Jin throne had been seized by the Song. Who would not panic?

They had invested so much already and thoroughly offended the other two factions. If their leader died now, would that not be utterly disastrous?!

Wanyan Zongfu was a son of the Jin founder and a powerful contender for the Jin throne. Wanyan Xiyin was also a veteran minister of three reigns, venerable, respected, and extraordinarily prestigious.
Even though Zonggan’s and Zongbi’s factions wished the Song would hurry up and drag Wanyan Zongfu out for execution, they could hardly show it now and anger Wanyan Xiyin’s students, relatives, and allies.

Wanyan Zonghan, who had just completed the Jingkang campaign and received an iron certificate of immunity from Emperor Taizong of Jin, remained in Hebei. Though he thought little of Wanyan Zongfu, he had always been close to Wanyan Xiyin and Wanyan Tuhesu. By personal inclination alone, he would not oppose an exchange.

Emperors Qinzong and Huizong and the other captives had already been trapped in the north for months. Every humiliation that could be inflicted had been inflicted. Li Shimin had no need to contend over a few days. He sat securely and waited for the Jin to send envoys to negotiate.

The Jin court, by contrast, knew how intense anti-Jin sentiment was within Song territory and feared Wanyan Zongfu and the other two would be killed. When Emperor Taizong of Jin received the news, he hurriedly summoned his officials to discuss what should be done.

An exchange was unquestionably necessary.

After Wanyan Zongfu and the others were captured, the wives of all three men went to the palace gate and knelt there weeping. Wanyan Zongfu’s wife was particularly forceful. Her attitude plainly implied that if her imperial uncle refused to exchange for her husband, he was exploiting the opportunity to eliminate a rival and prevent the founder’s son from inheriting the throne.

She further declared that if her imperial uncle refused to exchange with the Song and let her husband die at Song hands, she would hang herself at Wanyan Aguda’s temple so the founding emperor could see how his younger brother persecuted his sons and nephews!

Emperor Taizong of Jin: “…”

His headache was tremendous. Absolutely tremendous.

To be honest, whether the woman lived or died would not affect the overall situation. But for Emperor Taizong of Jin personally, the consequences would be disastrous.

If Wanyan Zongfu died, then his widow hanged herself in her father-in-law’s temple after accusing her imperial uncle of using another’s blade to eliminate a rival and clear the way for his biological son to become heir, his nephews Zonggan and Zongbi could seize the chance to launch an offensive. Once the imperial clan erupted, his own son truly would have no hope whatsoever of succeeding to the throne.

Make the exchange, then. Make the exchange. Exhausted in body and mind, Emperor Taizong of Jin rubbed his forehead. This might even be for the best. The Third Prince Zongfu, having been captured by the Song, would surely lose much of his prestige. Even if he returned, he would probably never recover his former influence. Why ruin his own son’s prospects for Zongfu?

It was not worth it.

The question now was what price they should pay to bring Zongfu and the other two back to the Jin state.

One official proposed, “The newly enthroned Song emperor is unexpectedly unyielding. He has dismissed and executed peace-faction Song officials one after another and shows not the slightest fear of our Jin dynasty. In time, he will surely become a grave threat to us. Since Your Majesty intends to retrieve the Third Prince and the others, why not send those two Song emperors back? Internal conflict will then consume them, and our dynasty can reap the fisherman’s profit…”

Emperor Taizong of Jin sneered. “You yourself say the young Song emperor is unexpectedly unyielding. He treated even the ancestral policy of favoring civil officials as wind past his ears and seized control of the court with an iron hand. How could such an emperor be compared to those two pieces of trash? While we keep them in the Jin state, the Song still has some scruples. Send them back, and they will die suddenly within three days. The blame might even be dumped upon Great Jin!”

“Why not send back only one?”

“If he will kill two, would he somehow spare one?!”

“…In that case, we can only make concessions involving the captured imperial clan members and Song women.”

For the Jin dynasty, this was also the most economical solution.

Ultimately, they had plundered Song women and brought them north for two reasons: sexual pleasure, and the satisfaction of trampling the royal women of the exalted Central Plains dynasty beneath their feet.

Several months had passed since the Jingkang Incident. The abducted Song women had already been repeatedly violated and abused, satisfying the Jin’s physical desires. As for the pleasure of trampling royal women, those pitiful women had already been ground into the mud. What remained for the Jin to gain?

To put it plainly, exchanging a group of women they had tired of for three of their own great commanders was a deal guaranteed to turn a profit.

The Jin ruler and officials reached their decision, but did not state their terms directly. Instead, they cunningly instructed the envoy to act according to circumstances. “If the Song insist on obtaining those two useless men, you must never agree. Conversely, if they never mention the two useless men and discuss only the imperial clan and the Song women, then you may bring the two useless men into the negotiations at an appropriate moment…”

The envoy understood the subtle distinction and readily assented. “Rest assured, Your Majesty. This subject knows the proper measure.”

The Jin delegation crossed the Yellow River and entered the Song army’s camp, claiming to carry the Jin emperor’s decree and demanding to proceed to Dongjing (Kaifeng) for an audience with the Song emperor.

In truth, the chief envoy retained the Jin’s earlier contempt for the Song. After entering the city, his first demand was to see Zongfu and the other two before he would begin discussing exchange terms.

The subordinates lacked authority to decide and went to ask Li Shimin. He merely sneered. “He has come to my doorstep to exchange prisoners, yet still makes endless demands. If that is how he wishes to proceed, why did he not bring the Two Sovereigns, the abducted imperial clan, and the officials here for me to inspect? Drag him out and behead him. Tell Wanyan Sheng to send someone else!”

After Li Shimin crushed the Jin army in the battle of Dongjing, his prestige among the Imperial Guards and common soldiers was no less than that of the founding emperor. The instant his words fell, men left with sabers in hand. Before long, they returned to report, “By Your Majesty’s command, the envoy has been beheaded!”

Li Shimin did not even raise his eyelids. “Have the deputy envoy carry his head back. Tell Wanyan Sheng to send someone capable of speaking like a human being!”