“Your Majesty, I, Edward Bennett, have never feared death, but given the Mongols’ brutality, after joining forces to destroy Jin, their next target will inevitably be the Song. Does the Chancellor not understand the principle that when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold? On the contrary, I believe we should ally with Jin to resist the Mongols.”

James Carter, seeing that both men made valid points, turned to Robert Bell and asked, “What does Secretary Bell think?”

“Your Majesty, Chancellor Stone is, after all, advanced in years and cannot see through some matters. I have been wondering, why did Thomas Jefferson suddenly want to ally with our Song? If I am not mistaken, this is like Xiang Zhuang performing a sword dance with the real target being Liu Bang—his true intention is not to destroy Jin, but to use our Song to restrain Andrew Jackson.”

“Sir Bell, what do you mean by this?”

“This actually relates to the Mongol succession. As far as I know, their succession is the opposite of ours: they pass the throne to the youngest, not the eldest. Two years ago, after George Washington died, by custom the throne should have gone to his youngest son, Andrew Jackson, but in the end, the third son, Thomas Jefferson, took the khanate. Now Andrew Jackson commands a powerful army and holds great strength—how could Thomas Jefferson not be wary? The news of allying with Song to destroy Jin came neither too early nor too late, but just as Andrew Jackson was about to launch a major attack on Jin. If Andrew Jackson were to conquer Jin on his own, his power would surely surge, and then who’s to say he wouldn’t harbor ambitions, especially since the khanate should have been his in the first place. Therefore, I believe Thomas Jefferson wants to use our Song to destroy Jin, precisely to prevent Andrew Jackson from growing too strong.”

“So, does Secretary Bell mean we should agree or not? You’ve talked for ages but haven’t gotten to the point.” Richard Stone, having just been contradicted by Edward Bennett and now hearing Robert Bell imply before the emperor that he was old and muddle-headed, was extremely annoyed.

“Chancellor, please don’t be angry. My view is that we should of course negotiate—it depends on what terms they offer. Does Chancellor know who their envoy will be?”

“Their message says that if we are willing to negotiate, Thomas Jefferson will send his strategist, Benjamin Grant, as chief envoy to negotiate with our court.”

Seeing that everyone was now considering how to negotiate, Edward Bennett grew anxious and said:

“Your Majesty, I still firmly oppose allying with the Mongols to destroy Jin. That is an extremely dangerous decision.”

After thinking for a moment, James Carter finally made a resolute decision: “Our Song has suffered humiliation at the hands of the Jurchens for a hundred years. If I can avenge this disgrace during my reign, I will be able to stand tall before the emperors of the past. No matter how formidable the Mongols are, our Song has a million-strong army—why should we fear them? On the contrary, if we let this opportunity slip by, would I not become a sinner to the Zhao family for all ages? General Bennett, say no more, my mind is made up. Robert Bell, hear my command!”

“Your servant is here!”

“I appoint you as plenipotentiary envoy. Go to Jiankang and negotiate with the Mongol envoys on the matter of a Song-Mongol alliance to destroy Jin.”

“I obey!”

Ten days later, in Pingyang Prefecture, where he was supervising the war, Thomas Jefferson received news that the Song court had agreed to negotiate an alliance to destroy Jin. He immediately summoned Benjamin Grant and his trusted general William Adams.

“Mr. Grant, just as you predicted, the Song emperor has agreed to negotiate an alliance to destroy Jin.”

“Hmph! The Song are so shortsighted. It seems the Great Khan’s wish to water his horses at West Lake will soon be fulfilled.”

“But I’m worried that Andrew Jackson won’t heed my orders and will seize Nanjing on his own. What then?”

“No matter. The Great Khan can issue a formal order to Fourth Duke, instructing him to temporarily station at Dengzhou. At the same time, Theodore Roosevelt can be sent to Hezhong Prefecture to monitor him. If the negotiations succeed, General William Adams can join forces with the Song army to attack Nanjing. On the other hand, if Fourth Duke acts rashly, then let Theodore Roosevelt advance into Guanzhong and cut off his retreat.”

Thomas Jefferson nodded and said, “That is indeed thorough!” At this, he smiled slightly, stretched, and said, “I’ve long heard that Jiankang in the Southern Court is a place of tigers crouching and dragons coiling, but have never had the chance to see it. Now that Mister is going as envoy to the Southern Court, I wish to accompany you as deputy envoy to fulfill my long-cherished wish. What do you think, Mister?”

Benjamin Grant was greatly shocked: “How can the Great Khan risk such danger himself?”

“No matter. I’ll go incognito—no one will know I am the Mongol Great Khan. Besides, even if the young Song emperor finds out, I doubt anyone in the Southern Court would dare lay a finger on me. My mind is made up, Mr. Grant, don’t try to dissuade me. Also, last month I tasted a new Song wine called ‘Jinsi Yin’—it was extremely mellow and strong, just to my liking. Unfortunately, one jug was too little. This time, I must drink my fill! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

“If the Great Khan goes, I am willing to lead ten thousand cavalry guards to protect you!” William Adams chimed in.

“No need. I’m going to negotiate, not to fight. Too many troops will only arouse suspicion. You bring three thousand men, that will be enough!”

※※※

“Xiao Yi, I’ll be back in at most half a month after I leave. For these ten-odd days, you’ll be on your own. Pause the winemaking for now and auction off the remaining stock in the cellar. Also, the account with Shilou is already ten days overdue—find time to collect it!”

Yesterday, William Thompson received a notice from the imperial kitchen, ordering him to personally bring twenty jars of Jinsi Yin and immediately set out with the officials for Jiankang. So, after hastily instructing Ethan Foster on a few matters, he hurriedly set off.