Do you have the strength to force me to join the Liangshan bandits?

Chapter 731 Emperor Gaozong of Song: Who is your brother-in-law? [1st Update]

"Brother, it's a pity I arrived too late..."

Emperor Gaozong of Song knelt down before Emperor Qinzong of Song, tears streaming down his face, beating his chest and stamping his feet as if he had lost his parents.

Chen Zongshan, Qiu Yue, Liu Yanqing, and Liu Guangshi surrounded him and coaxed him like kindergarten teachers.

After much effort, they finally managed to appease Emperor Gaozong of Song.

Emperor Gaozong of Song wiped away a tear:
"Brother, the enemy has been executed. May you rest in peace in the afterlife!"

"I will take good care of Roujia for you..."

Emperor Qinzong of Song had only one son and one daughter. His son, Zhao Chen, had already died in Tokyo.

The daughter, Zhao Roujia, was still an infant. She survived at her maternal grandparents' home and was sent to Yan'an Prefecture.

The Liao generals and soldiers who knew the truth felt a chill in their hearts, realizing that this little emperor of the Southern Barbarians was truly terrifying.

Qu Lichu didn't seem to notice. He was caught up in the situation and was captivated by the beauty, so why would he think so much?
As for Chen Zongshan, Qiu Yue, Liu Yanqing, and Liu Guangshi, they have long been veteran actors in the officialdom.

Even these veteran actors couldn't help but secretly admire His Majesty's superb acting skills at such a young age!

He already has the makings of a movie star!

Li Zhu, unaware of the truth, felt that Emperor Gaozong of Song's crying was genuine and did not seem like an act!

The truth remains to be seen, but for now, Emperor Gaozong of Song has managed to get away with it.

So Li Zhu took over the crime scene, collected information, searched for evidence, and recorded the events to report to Cai Fu immediately.

Emperor Gaozong of Song then returned to Jiangzhou with Qu Lichuqing and the others...

……

When Emperor Gaozong's army was still fifty li away from Jiangzhou City, the sun was setting and night had fallen.

Emperor Gaozong of Song and Qu Lichu rode side by side, chatting and laughing, as close as brothers.

"Brother-in-law, the casualties this time were heavy, I will certainly reward you handsomely!"

Emperor Gaozong of Song said gratefully to Quli Chuqing:
"Each soldier will be rewarded with one hundred strings of cash!"
"As for you, brother-in-law, nothing else matters. I will arrange your engagement to the princess as soon as I get back!"

Qu Lichu laughed heartily, feeling refreshed: "Then thank you very much, Your Majesty!"

"From now on, we're family, so why be so formal?"

Emperor Gaozong of Song said affectionately, "Brother-in-law has the courage of ten thousand men!"

"If a powerful enemy attacks again in the future, we will still need my brother-in-law to take action!"

"I will handle it!"

Qu Li, triumphant as he cleared the waters, patted his chest in satisfaction:
"We Liao people may not be good at much else, but we are best at riding horses and fighting!"
"Invincible in battle, unconquerable in attack!"

You're exaggerating a bit...

Emperor Gaozong of Song, of course, would not expose Qu Lichuqing's arrogance, and flattered Qu Lichuqing to the skies.

Just then, a scout from the front reported:
"Your Majesty, the Princess is waiting for you at Green Willow Manor ahead!"

"Green Willow Manor is a manor that I gave to my sister."

"It's getting late, so let's stay overnight at Green Willow Manor and head back to the city tomorrow."

Emperor Gaozong gave a brief introduction, then smiled at Quli Chuqing and said:

"My sister couldn't wait any longer and actually went fifty miles out of the city to meet me?"
"Looks like I'm benefiting from my brother-in-law's fame!"

Qu Lichu thought so too, and couldn't help but be overjoyed, laughing heartily.

The army marched a few more miles and saw a large manor house by the river, surrounded by green willows.

At the main gate of the manor, a graceful figure stood there, gazing longingly, like a waiting-for-husband stone.

It was already dark, and that graceful figure looked especially alluring under the lamplight.

Qu Li felt a warmth in his heart.

He had actually been married, but with the fall of his country and the destruction of his family, he became a lone individual again.

Being alone in a foreign land can be very lonely, but at that moment, that graceful figure warmed his heart.

Once he marries Princess Chongde, he will have a family again, and having a few more healthy sons will complete his life.

From the moment Qu Lichuqing saw Princess Chongde, he had already thought of a name for his son.

Princess Chongde had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Emperor Gaozong of Song and Quli Chuqing.

With her eyes sparkling with spring, she couldn't help but raise a delicate hand and wave her handkerchief at Qu Lichuqing.

Qu Lichu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but pull out the handkerchief from his pocket and wave it at her.

"Your Majesty, you have finally returned!"

When Emperor Gaozong of Song and Qu Lichuqing led their army to the gate of the manor, Princess Chongde came up to greet them.

Although his gaze was directed at Emperor Gaozong of Song, it was fixed on Quli Chuqing, and he kept sending her flirtatious glances.

Qu Lichuqing also winked at Princess Chongde, their exchange of glances reminiscent of their youth.

"Your Majesty, I have already sent people to prepare wine and food, it's just in time for you to enjoy them!"

After Princess Chongde finished speaking, she smiled sweetly at Quli Chuqing:
"Your men will all get a share too!"

"The Princess is indeed the most capable!"

Qu Lichuqing was very moved; Princess Chongde had already made clear arrangements for herself even before she was officially married into the family.

Upon entering Green Willow Manor, one sees tables laden with food and wine in the courtyard, numbering at least a hundred.

Strings of large lanterns illuminated the courtyard, making everyone feel bright and cheerful.

So Emperor Gaozong of Song and Qu Lichuqing led their army to the banquet, and with so many people, they could only eat a continuous feast.

Moreover, Emperor Gaozong of Song decided to be generous and let the Southern Song soldiers wait while the Liao soldiers ate first.

The Liao soldiers enjoyed this preferential treatment and took their seats with great pride, still mocking the Southern Song soldiers who were leaving.

The Southern Song soldiers didn't dare to retaliate and left in silence.

Emperor Gaozong of Song sat in the main seat, while Qu Lichuqing sat only below him.

He was accompanied by generals such as Qiu Yue, Liu Yanqing, and Liu Guangshi.

Emperor Gaozong of Song stood up, holding his wine cup: "Gentlemen, before we begin the banquet, let me say a few words!"

The Liao soldiers were already feasting and drinking, paying no attention to anything else. Qu Lichuqing shouted loudly, and only then did the Liao soldiers quiet down to listen to Emperor Gaozong of Song.

That's too rude! That's too barbaric!
Emperor Gaozong of Song wore a smile on his face, but inwardly he was filled with unease.

"This great victory is all thanks to General Qu and the other generals!"

"I hereby announce that the marriage between General Qu and Princess Chongde will be arranged in Jiangzhou in three days!"

"Let us raise this first cup of wine to General Qu, congratulating him on becoming the son-in-law of the Great Song Dynasty!"

Qu Lichuqing laughed so hard he couldn't close his legs, and quickly stood up with a full bowl of wine in hand:
"Thank you so much, brother-in-law!"

“I won’t say more, it’s all in the wine!

"Brothers, this is my wedding banquet. Anyone who doesn't drink is disrespecting me, Qu Lichuqing!"

"Ton ton ton ton..."

Since Qu Lichuqing had said so, which Liao soldier would dare not pick up their wine bowl and drink it all in one gulp?

More than a thousand Liao soldiers sat around a hundred tables, all of them rising to pick up their wine bowls and shouting in unison:

"Congratulations, General! Thump thump thump thump..."

Again!
"Lou Jingou" Ali Yi was very helpless.

Although it is said that the Liao people had a huge appetite, he was an exception.

He can't drink any alcohol at all; if he does, his whole body will break out in small red bumps...

Normally, with fewer people, it's hard to get by, and Ali Yi can only force himself to eat a bite. But today, with more people, it's much easier to get by.

While everyone was drinking, Ali Yi quickly poured the wine on the ground and then wiped his mouth:
"Good wine!"

With this bowl of wine as a base, the atmosphere in the courtyard became very lively, and the Liao soldiers toasted each other happily.

The banquet was a continuous feast where everyone ate and left, and then the next group would come and go. The feast continued until the middle of the night, and finally everyone had their turn.

"Brother-in-law, come on, let's have another one!"

Qu Lichuqing picked up his wine bowl and, in a moment of smug satisfaction, said to Emperor Gaozong of Song.

At some point, he stopped calling Emperor Gaozong "Your Majesty" and no longer referred to himself as "your subject," and started speaking to Emperor Gaozong in a condescending and arrogant manner.

Emperor Gaozong of Song dared not say anything and obediently drank a cup of wine with Qu Lichuqing.

Qu Lichuqing became even more smug, thinking that the southern barbarians were indeed weak and easy to bully.

Once he becomes the emperor's son-in-law and gradually gains control of the military, he can become a powerful minister in the Song Dynasty.

Perhaps, they could even emulate the story of Dong Zhuo.

After drinking, Qu Lichuqing became unruly.

But for some reason, he felt dizzy and his speech became slurred.

It shouldn’t be!

Qu Lichu knew his own alcohol tolerance; usually, a jar of wine was just enough to moisten his throat!

Could it be that Princess Chongde prepared a particularly strong wine for herself? I can't afford to embarrass the Liao people!
After sharing a bowl of wine with Emperor Gaozong of Song, Qu Lichuqing, emboldened by the alcohol, asked Emperor Gaozong:
"Where is the princess?"

"Let's invite her out for a drink too!"

Emperor Gaozong frowned almost imperceptibly, but dared not disobey, so he sent a maid to invite him.

Soon Princess Chongde came out, and Qu Lichuqing, with a lecherous look, picked up the wine bowl:

"Princess, come and have some wine!"

Princess Chongde, half-heartedly, picked up a cup of wine and exchanged flirtatious glances with him:
"This servant does not drink alcohol..."

"It's alright, you only need to lick it once!"

Qu Lichuqing smiled and clinked his wine bowl against hers:
Wishing us a long and happy marriage!
"Thump thump thump thump—"

Before he could finish a bowl of wine, Qu Lichuqing suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain and involuntarily spat out a mouthful of blood!

"what--"

Princess Chongde exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly retreated behind Emperor Gaozong of Song.

Emperor Gaozong of Song was concerned about the clearing of Quli:
"Brother-in-law, how are you feeling?"

"It hurts me too!"

Qu Lichuqing clutched his stomach, his head spinning, still trying to figure out why he had vomited blood.

At that very moment, the Liao soldiers, who were enjoying the continuous feast, suddenly seemed to have been sounded a charge by him, and they all rushed forward:
"Puff puff--"

What the hell?

Qu Lichuqing turned his head in disbelief to look at the Liao soldiers, who were all spitting out blood!

"General——"

"Zu Xing, the 'Fire Pig,'" shouted as he spat out blood:
"This wine is poisoned—"

Kucha!

Qu Lichu felt a thunderbolt strike his mind, and in shock and anger, he questioned Emperor Gaozong of Song:
"Brother-in-law, why..."

"Shut your dog mouth, who's your brother-in-law?"

Emperor Gaozong of Song sneered, and with a wave of his hand, "Princess Chongde" skillfully slipped into his arms.

Although Emperor Gaozong of Song was only fifteen years old, he had already tasted meat back in Tokyo.

Now that he's become emperor in Jiangzhou, even though he only controls a small portion of the country, he can still play with women as he pleases.

"Ah this..."

Qu Lichu stared incredulously at "Princess Chongde" as she hugged Emperor Gaozong and kissed him on the cheek.
"You are not siblings..."

"nonsense!"

Emperor Gaozong of Song laughed heartily: "My sisters are all in Qi, she is just a famous courtesan in Jiangzhou!"
"You're not really taking this seriously, are you?"

"puff--"

Qu Lichu spat out another mouthful of blood, and in a fit of rage, drew his sword and charged at Emperor Gaozong of Song:

"I kill you--"

(End of this chapter)