Chapter 106: Donning the Yellow Robe

The woodcutter’s eyes immediately lit up when he saw the large chests filled with gold, their bright golden hue captivating him. Cheerfully, he pointed at the piles and asked, “Is all this really mine?”

Feng Renduo nodded and replied, “If your plan works, all of this will be yours.”

The woodcutter reached out, took a piece of gold into his hand, bit into it lightly, and then said, “I’ll tell you. On the back mountain of Fuping City, there’s a small path leading up. If your troops follow that path, you can break into Fuping City.”

Feng Renduo’s face brightened with joy. “Where exactly is that path? Can you guide us there?”

The woodcutter pointed at the chests filled with gold and said, “Give me all this gold, and I’ll lead you.”

After receiving several large chests of gold, the woodcutter guided the Western Xia army along the narrow path up to Fuping City.

Wu Jie never expected that the Western Xia troops would infiltrate from the rear of Fuping City. He had made no preparations or ambushes on that side. As a result, Wu Jie was decisively defeated in this battle. Out of sixty thousand troops, he managed to break through with just over thirty thousand and retreated to Daqing City.

With the fall of Fuping City, the southwestern gateway of the Song Empire was effectively wide open. The Jin-Xia allied forces could now march straight through, advancing toward Bianjing.

News of Fuping’s loss caused an uproar in the imperial court.

At the same time, rumors spread that Zhao Huan’s condition was dire, plunging the Song court into chaos. The pro-war faction had initially held the upper hand, but now the peace advocates gained the advantage.

The peace faction went to Longde Palace, petitioning for Zhao Ji to resume control of the government.

Led by Wang Fu, the officials knelt before Longde Palace, pleading their case.

Zhao Ji sat on the dragon throne in Longde Palace. Qin Hui knelt before him, and Zhao Ji softly asked, “Has it been confirmed? The emperor is beyond hope?”

Qin Hui hurriedly replied, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician just came out of the Daqing Hall with the news. It looks like the crown prince’s situation is indeed grave.”

By now, Qin Hui addressed Zhao Ji as “Your Majesty,” while calling Zhao Huan the “crown prince,” a clear indication of shifting allegiances.

Zhao Ji’s face darkened with sorrow. “Huan’er, how could you be so careless? If anything happens to you, it would be a tragedy beyond words.”

The bonds of royal kinship were often cold and distant; Zhao Ji’s words were more for appearance than genuine grief. Since the physicians had already delivered such news, it seemed the crown prince’s fate was nearing its end. Having once held his position, Zhao Ji knew well how bitter the taste of retirement could be. The chance to reclaim power was one he would not let slip.

“Your Majesty, now is not the time for mourning. The nation faces peril both within and without. A country cannot be without a ruler even for a day. Your Majesty must consider the greater good, rally yourself, and take up the reins of government once more—that would be a blessing to all the people,” Qin Hui seized the moment to urge.

Hearing this, Zhao Ji’s expression shifted. “You are right. The country is in crisis, and we must overcome this ordeal swiftly. Dispatch envoys to the Jin Kingdom immediately to seek peace and forgiveness. As long as the Jin withdraw their troops, I am willing to submit to Jin.”

Qin Hui, who had served as chancellor for seventeen years and was adept at reading the emperor’s mind, quickly responded, “Your Majesty, many in court oppose peace talks. It may be difficult to carry out.”

Zhao Ji’s anger flared. “Fuping has fallen, and the Jin-Xia allied forces can breach our western gates and advance swiftly. If we cannot negotiate peace, must we then let the Jin cavalry lay siege to Bianjing itself?”

Qin Hui hastened to say, “Your Majesty, the pro-war faction, led by Li Gang, intends to conscript one hundred thousand troops to reinforce Guanzhong.”

Qin Hui was shrewd; when speaking to the emperor, he always left half the message unsaid to stimulate the emperor’s imagination. As a ruler naturally suspicious, the half-spoken words were often the most damning.

Frowning, Zhao Ji said, “If we are to pursue peace, we must show sincerity. Let the troop reinforcements be suspended.”

“Your Majesty, I have heard that Li Gang once told his subordinates that the restoration of the Song dynasty could only be achieved by the crown prince,” Qin Hui whispered.

Li Gang had indeed spoken those words. At that time, Zhao Ji was indulgent and careless, ruling with debauchery while the people suffered. Li Gang’s comment was not entirely baseless, though Zhao Ji had dismissed it then. Now, hearing it again, he could not help but feel displeased.

“After successfully defending Bianjing against the Jin forces, Li Gang boasted publicly that if he had not repelled the Jin siege, the Song would have perished long ago,” Qin Hui continued.

Zhao Ji raised his eyebrows at this. Whether Li Gang had truly said this was uncertain, but that was irrelevant. What mattered was whether Zhao Ji believed Qin Hui’s words—and evidently, he did.

Then Qin Hui delivered the third statement, which proved fatal.

“Li Gang also claimed that when the founding emperor ascended the throne, it was merely a matter of donning a yellow robe,” Qin Hui whispered.

This struck Zhao Ji to his core. He lifted his head, staring at Qin Hui with a face that flickered between emotions.

In truth, Li Gang might have uttered these words in jest. But now, Qin Hui linked them together, twisting their meaning entirely.

The implication was clear:

Only the crown prince could restore the Song dynasty, meaning your reign is inadequate.

Only Li Gang could repel the Jin cavalry’s assault.

And the founding emperor’s ascension was nothing more than donning a yellow robe.

Together, these three remarks painted a treasonous picture against Li Gang.

Qin Hui’s brilliance lay in never outright accusing Li Gang of rebellion, but planting subtle doubts in the emperor’s mind. The Song dynasty valued civil over military power, ever wary of coups like the Chenqiao uprising.

If Li Gang donned the yellow robe, would he not claim the throne? What would become of the current emperor then? Even if Li Gang himself did not seek the crown, what if his followers forced it upon him?

Thus, Zhao Ji grew anxious. After some contemplation, he resolved and said to Qin Hui, “Issue my imperial edict: for the sake of facilitating peace between Jin and Song, relieve Li Gang of his posts as Minister of War and Chief Military Commissioner.”