Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 333 Good son-in-law, you should learn from him...

Cai Jing is dead; as for Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng, their fates are sealed...

Of course, Su Wu would still send people to pursue them.

Su Wu was busy and needed to check on the Palace Guard, but he wouldn't get involved. The Emperor Emeritus would personally handle the affairs of the Palace Guard and the Imperial City Guard.

Su Wu was also to visit the various military camps of the Imperial Guards outside the city. This was a basic task, and there wasn't much to see. It was all just a formality, and the generals would naturally prepare some scenes that were presentable for Su Wu to see...

Su Wu knew that these were all just formalities, and that even these formalities weren't anything special, but he was too lazy to delve into them, nor could he.

Su Wu was also overseeing the various armies in the capital region, with over a thousand cavalrymen riding back and forth!

Two more days passed... The situation in the capital was completely stabilized. As long as the army in the capital region did not make any unusual moves, everything was completely settled and no further changes would occur.

Of course, it was also to let many military generals get to know the newly appointed Privy Councilor, as a large number of the military generals in the capital region had never actually met Su Wu.

The Privy Council also holds meetings, with many officials and clerks in charge of various departments. They are all familiar with each other and get to know each other better.

Su Wu also promoted one person himself, Xuan Zan, the ugly prince consort, to the position of chief administrator of the Privy Council.

Everything else remained the same. Liu Yanqing was also in the yamen, serving as a signatory to the Privy Council and Su Wu's deputy.

The two also had a private conversation.

Su Wu then gave instructions: "Old Chief Steward, Old Prime Minister, I will be returning to Yanjing soon. All matters, large and small, in the Privy Council will be handled by you, Old Chief Steward. You need not be overly humble and cautious. All military matters will be handled as they should be when they come to the Privy Council!"

Liu Yanqing nodded in agreement: "With the Prime Minister's words, I understand!"

After saying this, Liu Yanqing laughed and said, "I thought I came to the capital to retire, but I didn't expect to actually wield power..."

It's truly surprising. Where else can a military general truly wield the power of the Privy Council? Aside from the initial founding of the dynasty, there has never been such a thing. Even the war god Di Qing was given the official title, but the power? That was something he couldn't even dream of…

Su Wu nodded: "The Privy Council ultimately needs someone knowledgeable in military affairs to be in charge. And now, apart from the old chief steward, where else in this capital city can we find someone who truly knows military affairs!"

At this point, Su Wu got down to business: "Brother Ping, how about promoting him to General of the Cloud Banner?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yanqing quickly waved his hand: "Third rank? I'm afraid that's inappropriate..."

They were talking about Liu Guangshi. Su Wu simply nodded and said, "If I think it's appropriate, then it's appropriate. Just issue the official document, stamp it with the official seal, and send it to the Ministry of Personnel..."

"This is..." Liu Yanqing and Xu Zhen felt that something was amiss.

Su Wu continued, "Wu Song is also General Yunhui!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yanqing said nothing more, only saying, "Since the Grand Chancellor says so, there must be a reason for it."

Su Wu continued, “Lu Da, a fourth-rank Xuanwei General, and Shi Wengong, a fifth-rank Youqi General, are the ones who came with us this time. They first presented official documents and then reported to His Majesty. This is to be considered His Majesty’s will. As for monetary rewards or titles, that is not up to our Privy Council to decide. We shall see how His Majesty decides! As for the two Zhong family ministers, they deserve rewards. We shall see how His Majesty and the ministers decide…”

"Understood..." Liu Yanqing nodded.

These were Zhong Shidao and Zhong Shizhong. Their official positions and titles were not matters of the Privy Council. They were ministers and descendants of great Confucian scholars.

Su Wu continued to make arrangements: "Once the detailed official document reporting the victory in Yanjing arrives, give the general everything that can be given to him!"

"Alright, I understand. How about I attach a list for the Chancellor?" Liu Yanqing didn't make the decision himself, but wanted Su Wu to make all the arrangements.

Su Wu thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, then I'll send you a private letter later!"

The two spoke slowly and meticulously, discussing not only the rewards for merit, but also Su Wu inquiring about the affairs of Fuyan, and even the future course of the war...

Liu Guangshi will inevitably have to return to Fuyan. He doesn't need to start from scratch again; he can simply return and take control of the troops in Fuyan.

After he finished speaking, Su Wu left the government office and went into the palace. There was nothing to do in the palace. Zhao Ji had been emperor for more than 20 years and was doing quite well.

In the Song Dynasty, there weren't so many bloody and cruel political struggles.

It is strange that during the Song Dynasty, no matter how fierce the political struggles or factional strife were, they never involved killing people or confiscating property or exterminating families.

Even during the Song Dynasty, there were no intense conflicts over the succession.

This is a spectacle never seen in any dynasty before or after; it is unique to the Song Dynasty.

The Song dynasty's rule was illegitimate, yet the Song people outwardly emphasized moral standards, which may be considered an example of "overcorrection."

There was something else going on when he went to the palace to see the retired emperor.

The emperor suddenly became diligent in his duties, sitting in his study reading through memorials one by one, reviewing everything from major to minor matters, even commenting on memorials of greeting.

Allowing such instructions is also a form of enjoying power.

Su Wu arrived, but the emperor was still busy. He told Su Wu to sit down first and wait until he had finished reading everything that had been sent that morning...

Su Wu sat and waited patiently, drinking tea several times. Finally, the diligent emperor, having finished enjoying his newly regained power, spoke up, "Minister Su, you've worked hard, I've kept you waiting..."

"Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs of state; that is truly a hardship!" Su Wu said politely.

"The grand ceremony will be held four days from now!" Emperor Zhao Ji told Su Wu this.

"Then I will wait until the ceremony is over before I leave!"

“Excellent, that’s exactly what I was thinking! I imagine Prime Minister Cheng will arrive soon, and you two can meet him and give him some instructions. Li Gang should be able to arrive soon too…”

The emperor was lost in his own calculations...

"Your Majesty, I also have something to say, which may be somewhat presumptuous, but I would like to say it before I leave. Please forgive me!"

Su Wu had important business to attend to...

"Oh, shall I guess?" the emperor asked with a smile.

Su Wu also smiled: "Then His Majesty can certainly guess."

"It seems I guessed as much. Well then, speak freely. Matters concerning the state and the public good are never taboo!" Zhao Ji smiled slightly and added, "I really would like to hear Minister Su's opinion on this matter..."

"Then I will presume to presume. I know Your Majesty favors Prince Yun, and Prince Yun is very much like Your Majesty, accomplished in his studies and possessing outstanding literary talent. However, I believe that apart from his similarity to Your Majesty in the arts, Prince Yun's temperament and breadth of mind are truly no match for Your Majesty's. If he could also be similar to Your Majesty in this aspect, that would be truly wonderful. What a pity..."

Su Wu had carefully prepared his words.

The retired Emperor Huizong was also deep in thought, perhaps realizing that Su Wu's words made sense...

Su Wu continued, “If Your Highness is a ruler who maintains the status quo, then there is nothing wrong with you. But now is the time to advance. According to historical records, just as Emperor Wu of Han, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing led the Han dynasty to defeat the Xiongnu, it took several generations to truly achieve success. Similarly, Emperor Taizong of Tang defeated the Turks, but the complete annihilation of the Turks still depended on the continuous efforts of subsequent emperors…”

"Sigh..." Zhao Ji nodded and sighed. He understood Su Wu's meaning perfectly well. Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, was indeed a bit too weak-willed.

Zhao Ji gave Su Wu a look, signaling him to continue.

"Your Majesty actually knows who I'm referring to. I may not know about the others, but His Highness Prince Kang, during the Jurchen siege, he was indeed trapped in enemy territory, yet he returned unscathed without much cowardice. This demonstrates his fortitude. Moreover, he suffered some humiliation at the hands of the Jurchens, which he has clearly remembered. He is now determined to govern diligently and wholeheartedly. This is just my humble opinion, offered for Your Majesty's consideration..."

Su Wu finished speaking and said no more.

Emperor Huizong of Tang, still frowning in thought, drank a cup of tea, smacked his lips, and slowly said, "I cultivate Taoism, and I also wish to cultivate longevity and blessings. With Minister Su leading the army, I also wish to witness with my own eyes... to see the day when the Jurchens vanish like the Xiongnu and Turks, and I truly wish to see the glory of the Han and Tang dynasties repeated..."

Su Wu understood and said, "Your Highness, this is to reassure the people. Your Majesty is in good health now, and Xu Zhen has already seen it. I am willing to die a hundred times! Let's reassure the people first. If that day really comes, Your Majesty can then make a decision. As long as I am alive, I will support Your Majesty in whatever you do and will be of one mind with Your Majesty!"

"Since you've said it this way, I understand Minister Su's concerns for the country and the nation. I suppose Minister Su has already met with the Ninth Prince?"

Emperor Huizong asked this question.

Su Wu didn't wait and immediately replied, "I have seen him. He came to me of his own accord, saying that he has the ambition to become the crown prince. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that. In the past, people were mostly humble, but in today's world, humble people are not suitable to rule the world. What is needed is someone with ambition and drive, just like Your Majesty. You have ambition and drive. From the Dangxiang to Yanyun, if Your Majesty had not stood up against the opinions of the masses and insisted on fighting, where would we be today? And where would I be today with my glory? To be honest, does Your Majesty not have the ambition and aspirations of Emperor Wu of Han and Emperor Taizong of Tang?"

Su Wu knew that Zhao Ji was easily swayed and easily fooled; he had always been like that.

Su Wu was quite adept at deception, managing to keep Zhao Ji in deep thought for a long time without moving...

Just wait. After a long wait, Zhao Ji slowly picked up the cup again. Before he even tasted the tea, he spoke: "What Su Qing said makes sense. The crown prince can be the ninth prince. It seems that the ninth prince should come to the palace to sit with me when he has nothing to do. I will test him carefully and then make a final decision!"

“In that case, it is not my concern. Let His Majesty test him!” Su Wu nodded. After all, the crown prince is a major matter, even the most important matter for the country.

Su Wu has secured a real opportunity for Zhao Gou; whether it works or not depends on Zhao Gou himself.

They also needed to privately teach Zhao Gou how to play to his strengths and avoid his weaknesses, and even how to learn from Su Wu's mannerisms, constantly talking about dying a hundred times...

At this point, having gone through such a process, Zhao Ji's thinking would naturally change.

Having finished discussing the matter, Su Wu was about to exchange a few pleasantries and leave when he suddenly heard Wu Song's joyful voice outside the door reporting, "Your Majesty, Chancellor Cheng has arrived at the Left Gate!"

"Huh?" Su Wu was also surprised. How could it be so fast?
Emperor Huizong also asked, "Is it really true?"

“Really!” Wu Song replied.

"Then quickly announce..." Zhao Ji waved his hand away.

"This humble general will personally go and deliver the message!" Wu Song happily ran off.

Before long, Cheng Wanli arrived, unshaven, travel-worn, with bloodshot eyes...

Upon entering, Cheng Wanli bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I received an urgent dispatch from an express horse that travels 800 li. I immediately set off for the capital, traveling day and night without rest. I covered 500 li in two days and nights. How is Your Majesty?"

As he spoke, Cheng Wanli truly covered his face and wept…

This seems to be true. Su Wu also noticed Cheng Wanli's legs at this time, which were already bowed and could not be closed tightly. It seemed that the inside of his legs were really chafed to a terrible state.

This father-in-law is something else!
If you really know how to move Zhao Ji the most at this moment, then Su Wu has something to learn!
How could the Emperor not be deeply moved? He personally rose and stepped forward, saying, "Minister Cheng, please sit down! Please sit down!" Cheng Wanli bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty, I am incompetent, I am incompetent!"

"Sigh... I can't blame you, I can't blame you..." Zhao Ji seemed to really want to help him up.

How could Cheng Wanli dare to accept such an offer? He simply bowed repeatedly while trying to help Zhao Ji up.

This scene is quite amusing, with the emperor supporting his ministers and the ministers supporting the emperor even more.

Perhaps it's because there are no old friends or acquaintances left in the capital. Cheng Wanli is barely one, after all, he once sat before the emperor and spoke eloquently...

Su Wu went up to help them up, supporting them from the left and right, and after some effort, he got them both to sit down.

The emperor kept praising, "A family full of loyal martyrs, a family full of loyal martyrs indeed..."

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such praise!" Cheng Wanli raised his buttocks again.

"You have a fine son-in-law, a discerning eye who recognizes talent, a pillar of the nation. And your son? Has he been persecuted by treacherous people?" The retired emperor was adept at manipulating people's hearts; he always used this tactic.

"Fortunately, he was only demoted and banished from the capital!" Cheng Wanli replied.

"Sigh... Let's recall him and make sure he's given a more important position!" Zhao Ji granted the favor.

Cheng Wanli glanced at Su Wu, exchanged a look, and then replied, "Your Majesty is unaware, but my son has already been recruited into the army. This is perhaps appropriate, as he is still young and has not seen much of the world. Now that he has made some progress in the army and earned merits, he can be promoted. This way, he will have more confidence. If everything is just a matter of favors and privileges, wouldn't he have no future in this life?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Huizong seemed to recall something, and his expression turned sour, yet he still praised, "Such family traditions are truly shameful...I am ashamed..."

It's inevitable to compare sons to sons; other people's sons are able to endure humiliation and hardship, and they can fight on the battlefield.

His own son...

It's better not to say anything...

The two fathers then went on and on about their conversation, and Su Wu, unable to leave now, could only stand by and listen.

"Oh, you're pregnant? And you're due to give birth within the next month or two? Great, that's wonderful!"

Upon hearing about Su Wu's wife's situation, Zhao Ji was overjoyed and said, "If she gives birth to a son, he will be promoted to the position of Military Governor of Zhenhai Army; if she gives birth to a daughter, then... she will inherit her mother's title and be promoted to the position of Lady of Dong'e County!"

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless, Your Majesty's grace is boundless, I have no way to repay it but to dedicate my remaining body to the country, even this is not enough to repay even a fraction of Your Majesty's supreme grace!" Cheng Wanli was a hundred times better than Su Wuhui.

Su Wu could only say, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The Emperor then waved his hand again: "Lady Su Cheng, you may be promoted to Princess, Princess of Langya!"

Emperor Huizong of Tang only cared about bestowing titles!

Su Wu simply said again, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Cheng Wanli, unable to contain his emotions, burst into tears, and sobbed, "How could I have imagined in the past? Back then, when names were called out outside Donghua Gate, who would have known that one day I would have such glory today! Such imperial favor, such great grace, may my descendants for generations repay the country and my family. Your Majesty, today feels like a dream, I bow again!"

At this point, bowing again would mean kneeling down.

"Quickly, Su Qing, quickly help your father-in-law up!" Zhao Ji also had tears in his eyes; Zhao Ji was a sentimental person by nature.

It is said that in the past, countless favors were bestowed, but in the end, when he truly fell into misfortune, all those favors he had given had not been repaid in any way.

Su Wu was naturally helping his father-in-law.

The emperor also said, "Minister Cheng should also be promoted to Duke of Ju!"

"Your Majesty, I cannot accept this any longer. I would never dare to accept it again. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree. I have not rendered any service and I am ashamed!"

Su Wu was stunned by the father-in-law's ever-changing methods.

If Su Wu were to learn these skills, wouldn't he be able to charm Zhao Ji into a sycophantic bliss?

"In the past... let's talk about the past... I've shown you countless favors, even those that led to promotions of eight ranks. Why? Because they were useless... Today, this is nothing. True loyalty and righteousness should not be mistreated."

Zhao Ji's skill level is also quite high.

"I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree. Only after I have truly rendered a service to Your Majesty should we discuss this matter again. Then I will be at peace with myself, Your Majesty!"

Cheng Wanli's face was covered in tears; he was truly selfless!

This was the first time Su Wu had witnessed such a scene, but he understood that similar scenes had been commonplace for Emperor Huizong in the past.

Zhao Ji, however, was helpless and simply said, "Alright, alright... then there's no rush, we'll talk about it in a few days..."

"Your Majesty is wise! As long as Your Majesty is healthy, I am content! To be able to accompany Your Majesty in this life is a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes. I only wish to devote myself to serving Your Majesty and sharing your burdens to repay Your Majesty's boundless grace!" Cheng Wanli was not disappointed at all, and his face was full of gratitude.

He even glanced at Su Wu...

It's as if it's saying: Good son-in-law, just keep learning... You're still young, you have enough time to learn for a lifetime...

Such a ruler and his minister, if recorded in history books, would surely be a story that lasts for all time.
Clearly, Cheng Wanli's arrival in the capital was a brilliant move. He may not be good at much else, but he certainly knows how to charm people.

And Emperor Huizong of Song actually fell for it!
If Wang Fuliang and Shi Cheng were to return, Bianjing would truly be a city teeming with heroes and valiant men!
After some pleasantries, Emperor Huizong invited him to stay for dinner. "Eat," he said.

Emperor Huizong of Zhao actually drank today, and drank heartily!

Furthermore, another person joined the palace: Li Shishi from Fanlou. She was directly recruited into the palace. Needless to say, her singing and playing skills were superb. After drinking some wine, for some reason, the two of them embraced and wept bitterly...

The father-in-law and son-in-law rode home in a carriage. Inside the carriage, Su Wu said, "I will be heading north soon. I entrust all matters in the capital to my father-in-law!"

"It hasn't been easy for you, it really hasn't been easy for you... Don't worry, I'll take care of everything in the capital, and I'll make sure you never have to go through the same difficulties as before!"

The old father-in-law patted his chest, perhaps because he had been drinking, or perhaps because he truly knew that all of this was hard-won and that he had to hold onto it!

"If there are any difficulties, consult with Li Gang and Old Steward Liu..." Su Wu was still making arrangements.

He was also worried that his father-in-law might run into trouble without Zong Ze by his side.

"Yes, I understand..."

Su Wu suddenly remembered someone and said, "There's also Qin Hui, the Censor-in-Chief. He's quite capable in handling affairs. If there are difficult matters, just entrust them to him, and he'll always be able to resolve them properly..."

"Yes, I've got it, I've got it..."

But looking to the side, the father-in-law, who had drunk too much, was already snoring loudly, yet he could still answer...

Su Wu also felt a little tired for a moment...

In just a few more days, the enthronement ceremony will be held, offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, to the ancestral temple, and to proclaim the throne to the world.

The eulogy was written by Qin Hui, and it was quite well done. It first listed Zhao Huan's crimes, and then praised Zhao Ji repeatedly...

Then they began kneeling everywhere, and Su Wu followed suit...

Wang Fu and Liang Shicheng have not yet been found.

With the matter concluded, Su Wu immediately set off north.

This time, time is of the essence.

He arrived in Yanjing in just a few days, with countless matters awaiting Su Wu.

The first thing they received was news that the Liao emperor, Yelü Yanxi, had been captured on the grasslands by Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin.

Yelü Yanxi led his 20,000 troops, which he had gathered over a long period of time, in a great battle. However, he was slaughtered by Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin, resulting in a bloodbath and the Liao Dynasty's last crushing defeat!

From then on, the Liao Dynasty ceased to exist!
Yelü Dashi had already deserted Emperor Yelü Yanxi before the war even began... He truly fled and completely disappeared.

Yelü Yanxi was captured and taken to Huanglong Prefecture to kowtow to the ancestors of the Jurchens.

A war of national oppression and resistance has come to a complete end.

This news was truly bad for Su Wu.

The power of the Jurchens has already begun to awe the grasslands.

Historically speaking, the Jurchens didn't expend much effort to pacify the grasslands; they essentially took over the influence of the Khitans on the grasslands.

Inside Yanjing, Su Wu had just dismounted and settled into his seat in the main hall of the Prince's mansion. Exhausted from hearing the news, he exclaimed, "Maps! Find all the maps of the grasslands that we took over from Yanjing back then! Quickly!"

Xu Guanzhong, Wu Yong, and the others were already prepared and simply carried the cards into the hall one by one.

There is a big problem at hand: the various tribes of the grasslands do not currently have much of a desire to resist the Jurchens.

It was on this grassland that, for almost two hundred years after the rise of the Uyghurs, no powerful tribe emerged. Instead, they were all dominated by the Donghu, who were people from the east, specifically from the Greater Khingan Mountains and the three northeastern provinces.
Even Genghis Khan, who rose to power later, and Temujin, the so-called Mongol tribe, were the Mongol Shiwei, a tribe that came down from the Greater Khingan Mountains.

Su Wu was already having a headache. The grassland people, at this moment, were truly at the bottom of the food chain. He couldn't help but feel angry at their lack of ambition and saddened by their misfortune. How did the nomadic people fall into such a state?
After much thought, Su Wu said, "Quickly send letters to the two ministers, Huanqing and Zhong, and tell them to send more scouts northward, a thousand li north, to the Liao people's former command post on the grasslands, to see if they can find Yelü Dashi who went west!"

Yelü Dashi gave it a try. Although he only had two hundred riders, he was recruiting soldiers along the way. The Khitans had a good reputation among many tribes, and for a long time, the Khitans represented China.

China's image is no less impressive on the grasslands, so Yelü Dashi was able to recruit soldiers and horses as he traveled thousands of miles westward.

It would be best to find Yelü Dashi. It was a miscalculation on Su Wu's part; he hadn't truly considered the situation on the grasslands, nor the various tribes there. Now, it's just a roadside...

(End of this chapter)