Afterward, Wu Song's army stormed city after city and stronghold after stronghold. Within a year, it had reclaimed the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, which had been lost for more than a hundred and eighty years.
The news shook both Great Liao and Great Song. Emperor Huizong of Song shamelessly declared, "Tiger-slaying Wu Song is truly remarkable! Leading a band of outlaws, he has recovered the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun and reunited the Central Plains under Great Song. What a blessing for the world, and for Great Song! Someone, convey my decree: pardon Wu Song's capital crimes and have him return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. I shall appoint him military governor of Yanjing."
The civil and military officials exchanged looks, thinking, Wu Song rules the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in his own right. Why would he care about a mere military governorship?
Cai Jing said, "Your Majesty, what if Wu Song refuses?"
Emperor Huizong said, "Why would he refuse? I have pardoned his capital crimes and even granted him a second-rank military governorship. What more could he want? Send someone to tell him that he need not surrender command of his troops, so long as he agrees to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. Even a nominal return will do."
Emperor Huizong's generosity did not stem from any genuine willingness to pardon Wu Song. He wanted to secure his place in history. After all, if Wu Song agreed to return the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, even in name alone, the history books would record that Northern Song had recovered them during Huizong's reign. That single achievement would be enough.
Once Emperor Huizong made his decision, he dispatched a messenger to ride at full speed to Yanjing and deliver his decree.
In the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, Wu Song held Youzhou.