The Cold Door Hero

Summary

In early September, State Minister Wang Fu and Gao Qiu entered the Yanfu Palace to negotiate with the Jin Kingdom over Pingzhou. Wang Fu advocated for concessions, while Gao Qiu pushed for a hardline stance, particularly against handing over Zhang Jiao, a general who had surrendered to the Song. The negotiations revealed tensions, as the Jin threatened war if Zhang Jiao was not punished. Ultimately, the Emperor Zhao Ji agreed to pay 200,000 taels of silver for Pingzhou and Juyong Pass, with Zhang Jiao being handed over to the Jin. As news of the compromise leaked, citizens of Yanshan Prefecture protested against the betrayal of Zhang Jiao, who was popular among them. Tensions escalated when a prison cart carrying Zhang Jiao approached the north gate of Yanjing City, leading to chaos as citizens attempted to block the handover. Meanwhile, in Juyong Pass, Jin general Wan Yan Zong Han and his advisor Liang Fang Ping discussed the Song's weaknesses, planning to exploit the situation. The handover proceeded, but as the Song soldiers delivered the silver and Zhang Jiao, they were ambushed by Jin forces, revealing the Jin's betrayal. The Song troops were caught off guard and faced a deadly attack from the Jurchen soldiers.

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