Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 161: Haohu is crazy and Sulin is rampant

Wanyan Liang clapped his hands, and a team of armored warriors entered one after another.

Wanyan Yuanyi was sweating profusely, but Hesheli Liangbi still maintained the demeanor of a prime minister, or to put it more clearly, he was somewhat fearless and his expression did not change at all.

Wanyan Liang stood up, and a tall soldier came up to him and saluted respectfully.

Both important officials recognized this man. He was Da Huaizhong, the inspector of the palace guards.

"Lou Shi, move the sedan chair and follow me. I will tell you how determined I am."

After saying this, Wanyan Liang stood up and led the soldiers and two important ministers to the harem.

Wanyan Yuanyi became more and more frightened as he walked, because the route was clearly heading towards the palace where Empress Dowager Tushan was. When he cast his gaze at Hesheli Liangbi, he saw that the other party still had a gloomy expression. He did not dare to say anything, but just tried hard to swallow his dried saliva and staggered forward in the ranks of soldiers.

Sure enough, a moment later, the group arrived at Ningde Palace, commonly known as the West Palace.

Wanyan Liang waved his hand, and the soldiers stepped forward and drove away all the guards, eunuchs, and palace maids.

Then, accompanied by Da Huaizhong, Wanyan Liang proudly entered the palace.

Wanyan Yuanyi wanted to stop outside the hall, but saw Hesheli Liangbi following closely behind him, so he could only grit his teeth, forcefully control his already weak legs, and walk forward.

This Minister of War, who was of Khitan descent, already knew that today's matter would not end peacefully. No matter what the final result was, it would be earth-shattering.

If he had gotten involved, he would most likely have left his name in history, but it is hard to say whether it would be a good name or a bad name.

No, in fact, he had already gotten involved at this time. When he thought of this, Wanyan Yuanyi really wanted to slap himself twice.

Let your hands be naughty! Let your mouth be naughty!
However, no matter how much Wanyan Yuanyi regretted, the development of things would not change according to his will.

When everyone arrived at the palace, Empress Dowager Tushan had already stood up to greet them, shouting "Long live the emperor".

Wanyan Liang was the eldest grandson of Wanyan Aguda, and his biological father, Wanyan Zonggan, was the eldest son, and also the elder brother of Wanyan Zongbing.

Wanyan Zonghan had several wives and concubines, among whom his principal wife was the current Empress Dowager Tushan, and Wanyan Liang's biological mother was Wanyan Zonghan's concubine Da.

Therefore, Tushan was not Wanyan Liang's biological mother, but his legal mother.

Wanyan Liang's biological mother, Da, had a very good relationship with Tushan. When Da died, she specifically instructed Wanyan Liang to treat Tushan as his own mother.

Wanyan Liang had always kept his promise to his biological mother and was extremely respectful to Tushan. So even though Wanyan Liang led the soldiers into the palace at this time, Tushan only thought that something had happened in the palace and did not think that someone was trying to harm her.

"Your Majesty, you are here so late at night. Has something serious happened?"

Although Tushan was the empress dowager, she naturally would not put on airs in front of the emperor. She asked in a low voice with some caution.

Wanyan Yuanyi raised his eyelids and saw some jade and bamboo pieces scattered on the ground. He knew in his heart that Empress Dowager Tushan seemed to be playing some kind of gambling game.

Of course, the old empress dowager is living out her days in Ningde Palace, with nothing to do. A little gambling on weekdays is just for fun and nothing big.

Wanyan Liang smiled warmly, bowed, and wished his mother well. Then he continued, "I came here today to ask what Pusan Shigong said to the Queen Mother before he left for the battle."

Empress Dowager Tushan breathed a sigh of relief, as if feeling a little relieved. "Your Majesty is also aware that Hutu (Pusan Shigong's daughter's real name) was raised under your father's command. He was an obedient and filial child. Before leaving for the Khitan expedition, he felt the dangers of war and bid farewell to me. He returned safely a few days ago. It is truly the Bodhisattva's blessing."

Wanyan Liang raised an eyebrow. "Did Pushan Shigong ever complain to the Queen Mother about how our people have lived in Shangjing for generations, then moved to Zhongdu, and then to Bianjing, and now have to cross the Huai and Yangtze Rivers to attack the Song, leaving the Central Plains devastated? Did he ever mention that he advised me not to do this, but I insisted on doing it, causing the Khitan situation to deteriorate. Is this God's will?"

Empress Dowager Tushan's face froze. "Your Majesty, you're joking. These are just the complaints that Hutu the child said to the old woman. I just listened to them, but how can they count?"

At this time, Empress Dowager Tushan also came to her senses. It must be that someone among the people serving beside her at the time informed Wanyan Liang about the incident. However, she didn't know whether the informant had exaggerated the information.

"Mother, so all this is true?" Wanyan Liang held his belt and said with a sigh, "Mother, I have something private to tell you recently."

Empress Dowager Tushan moved closer.

Hesheli Liangbi closed his eyes, and a barely perceptible trace of pain flashed across his face.

Wanyan Yuanyi still didn't react. He bowed his head and lowered his eyes, occasionally looking forward.

The next moment, his eyes opened wide.

Wanyan Liang drew out a jade scepter from his waist, raised it high, and smashed it hard on the head of Empress Dowager Tushan.

Empress Dowager Tushan groaned, fell to the ground, and began to twitch violently.

The pearl jewelry on her head fell to the ground, the precious silk clothes rubbed against the ground, and the red and white things behind her head flew out, drawing a strange picture on the ground.

This woman, who was almost the most noble in the world, died in the most undignified way.

Wanyan Yuanyi sat down on the ground with his eyes wide open and his mouth opening and closing. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't say anything and could only make strange hoarse sounds.

Wanyan Liang threw the jade aside and tilted his head.

The soldiers rushed forward, captured and killed all the female officials and eunuchs who were screaming and fleeing in the hall.

Seeing Empress Dowager Tushan still struggling and twitching, Hu Temo, the official from the Imperial Clothing Bureau, quickly stepped forward to pick up the jade scepter and then struck her twice on the head. An armored soldier named Gao Fu, seemingly unable to bear the sight, tore a white silk from his side, stepped forward to wrap it around Empress Dowager Tushan's neck, and strangled her with a forceful force, breaking her neck.

Empress Dowager Tushan finally stopped struggling, and Wanyan Liang finally turned around and came to the two important ministers.

"Yitian, have you seen my determination?"

Of course I saw it.

Just because Pushan Shigong and the old empress dowager complained a few times about the southern expedition of the Song Dynasty, and the old empress dowager echoed a few words, Wanyan Liang wanted to kill the empress dowager with his own hands.

Even God would be shocked by this determination!

From then on, who would dare to advise the Song Dynasty against its southern expedition?

Wanyan Yuanyi awoke from his daze and kowtowed deeply: "I have always supported Your Majesty's southern expedition! Even if time passes, and the seas dry up and the rocks crumble, this heart will not change!"

Wanyan Liang knew that this person was his confidant, but was just a bonus in this big show. After nodding with satisfaction, he turned his gaze to Hesheli Liangbi.

"What about you, Lou Shi? Have you seen my determination?"

Hesheli Liangbi was silent for a moment, his body swayed, and he took two deep breaths before he bowed and said, "I understand."

Wanyan Liang patted Hesheli Liangbi on the shoulder and said, "With Lou Shi's wisdom, can you come up with a plan to deal with the bandits in Yizhou and open up the Yishui channel?"

As he spoke, Wanyan Liang stretched out his right index finger, which was still covered with red and white, and waved it in front of the other party: "Lou Shi, please don't ask me to lead the army to conquer Song and pacify Shandong first. I will be very angry."

If the Jin Dynasty were to send all its troops to Shandong to suppress the bandits, it would be a real joke. By then, Wanyan Liang would have harmed the interests of his opponents and failed to benefit his supporters, and it is very likely that he would even lose his position as emperor.

Hesheli Liangbi thought for a moment and said slowly, "The Wuxing Army is currently in Dongping Prefecture. Appoint Meng Tian, the commander-in-chief of the Wuxing Army, as the military governor and co-governor of Haizhou. Send the Wuxing Army south to recapture Yizhou and Haizhou."

Wanyan Liang nodded and smiled: "Isn't this very clever, Lou Shi?"

However, the next moment, Hesheli Liangbi bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Wanyan Liang had already turned around, but when he heard this, he stopped and his face turned ugly.

He hated it when others made conditions, even if that person was his most valued minister.

"I have never been against the Southern Expedition, nor against the unification of China, nor am I against the Sinicization Reform," Hesheli Liangbi said word by word. "What I have always opposed is the pursuit of quick success and instant gratification, and the pursuit of grandeur and vanity."

After hearing the word "ambitious", the Palace Guard Inspector Da Huaizhong stepped forward with his sword, but was dismissed by Wanyan Liang with a wave of his hand.

"Go on." Wanyan Liang's expression was calm, neither happy nor angry.

Hesheli Liangbi said sternly, "At this time, the troops are gathered in Bianjing, and Your Majesty wants to officially launch the southern expedition in early September. However, since this has happened, Your Majesty might as well wait a few days and send out the troops on September 15th."

"Oh?" Wanyan Liang finally grew impatient. "Lou Shi, what on earth are you talking about? This is a matter of national importance. How can we change our orders from one day to the next?"

Hesheli Liangbi remained calm: "Your Majesty, I want to make a bet with you. If Meng Tian can pacify Yizhou before September 15th, everything will be as usual.
If the Wuxing Army cannot open the Yishui Channel before September 15th, and even if Meng Tian, the guardian of the country, dies and his army is destroyed, then Bianjing and Shandong Road alone will not be able to supply the main force to fight in the Huai River and Huai River regions."

"Furthermore, the enemy army could move south from Yizhou along the Yishui River, directly threatening Pizhou, a key city on the Huai River, and cut off our army's retreat."

"If that's the case, why not send our main force to Xiangfan this time, capture Xiangfan and even Ezhou, then rest for a few years before sailing down the river and destroying the Song Dynasty in one fell swoop?"

Wanyan Liang was silent for a moment: "If so, who will be the commander in charge of the attack on Xiangfan?"

"Of course it's Pushan Zhongyi." Hesheli Liangbi said decisively: "Liu E is already old and can only be a shield, not a sword."

"Oh? I thought you would let me lead the army in Xiangfan."

"No, for years the Song State has believed that our army will primarily attack the Huai River and Huai River regions. If Your Majesty does not go to the Huai River and Huai River regions, how can we create an opportunity for Pushan Zhongyi to capture Xiangfan?" Hesheli Liangbi said respectfully. "And given Your Majesty's ruthless military tactics, even if he only leads tens of thousands of elite troops, he may be able to completely conquer the Huai River and Huai River regions."

Hesheli Liangbi paused and said, "But unless the navy can win on the river, we must not risk crossing the river."

Wanyan Liang nodded. "I've taken your advice. I've also made a bet with you on this matter. But..."

Wanyan Liang seemed to hesitate for a moment. "I originally wanted to appoint you as the Right Commander-in-Chief of the Army and have you accompany me south. But since you've said this, I naturally won't grant you this position. Go outside the Great Wall and lead the remnants of Pushan Shigong's army to destroy Saba.

Humph... I originally wanted to kill these useless people on the charge of losing the army and humiliating the country, but it's all thanks to your good luck..."

Hesheli Liangbi bowed and promised: "As you wish."

"Step back." Wanyan Liang waved his hand.

Hesheli Liangbi supported Wanyan Yuanyi, whose steps were still unsteady, and walked out of the palace. Before they had taken a hundred steps, a burst of fire appeared behind them.

Ningde Palace was already burning and turned into a huge torch.

In the firelight, Wanyan Yuanyi looked at Hesheli Liangbi and found that there were still bloodstains on his face. He couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "The Left Prime Minister is really generous. He is worthy of being a prime minister and a pillar of the country."

However, Hesheli Liangbi just looked at the fire, smiled bitterly and said nothing.

(End of this chapter)