Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

Wang Ning An and Ye Lu Zhong Yuan engaged in a discussion leading to an agreement where Zhong Yuan accepted the title of "King of Return" from the Great Song, while declaring himself Emperor of the Liao Dynasty. Various conditions were established, including tribute payments and military oversight by the Great Song, which effectively reduced Zhong Yuan to a puppet. Despite the ministers’ concerns about the harshness of these terms, Wang Ning An remained resolute, believing that not executing Zhong Yuan was already a significant act of mercy. Fu Bi and other ministers argued for a more conciliatory approach to avoid rebellion, emphasizing the need to stabilize the region through governance and appeasement. However, Wang Ning An countered that reclaiming land from the Khitan nobility and rewarding soldiers was essential for restoring the Song's rule in Youzhou. The debate highlighted a fundamental conflict between Wang Ning An's aggressive strategy and the more cautious approach of the civil servants, reflecting differing priorities regarding national interests versus personal or noble interests. Ultimately, Emperor Zhao Zhen decided to assign different prefectures to both Wang Ning An and Fu Bi to implement their respective strategies, setting a three-month timeframe to assess their effectiveness.

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