At last, the new emperor, Zhenzong finalized a peace settlement with the Khitan. The settlement forced Zhenzong to refer to the Liao emperor as “elder brother.” He also had to pay a huge annual fee of 200,000 rolls of silk and 100,000 ounces of silver. As many of us know, the Khitan came into China and made the imperial court move west and west. This forced Zhenzong to give in and sign a peace settlement. This settlement isn’t making all citizens happy. As a matter of fact, most people find the agreement humiliating and it makes them feel angry. A local miner said in an interview, “I have to work extra to get my daily work done. I have a family to get home to every night and I only have enough energy to last me a day’s work.” A teacher from Knifing said, “As long as I am protected and my family and I are safe I am fine. I am willing to pay the price.” How long will it be until the people of China are pushed off the edge?
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