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

Chapter 735 Qin Hui: This is a calculated scheme! [2 updates]

To go or not to go, that is the question.

Wang Fu, Zhong Shidao, Su Yuanjing, and Zhao Ding looked at each other in bewilderment:
Emperor Qinzong of Song was the emperor they were loyal to, and it was only right and proper that they attended his funeral!
The relationship between ruler and subject is like that of father and son; they even have to wear mourning clothes to demonstrate their loyalty!

The problem was that before this, Emperor Qinzong and Emperor Gaozong of Song were already irreconcilable enemies.

Emperor Qinzong died, and it was Emperor Gaozong who avenged him. Emperor Gaozong had already gained the advantage of favorable timing, location, and popular support.

After the funeral of Emperor Qinzong of Song was completed, Emperor Gaozong of Song could rightfully take over Emperor Qinzong's territory.

The question is, will Emperor Gaozong of Song take over their duties?
Emperor Gaozong of Song has been in power for several months now. In such a long time, all the civil and military officials in the court should have been fully equipped.

In other words, Emperor Gaozong of Song had no shortage of capable men under his command!
In other words, Emperor Gaozong of Song wouldn't feel bad even if he killed them!

In particular, they were all loyal ministers who had followed Emperor Qinzong of Song into power, and even if they surrendered, Emperor Gaozong of Song might not trust them.

So going to Jiangzhou to attend the funeral might bring them fame, or it might cost them their lives...

Who doesn't want to live?
……

After Qin Hui finished speaking, he observed the expressions on Wang Fu and Zhong Shidao's faces with a half-smile.

All of this was within his expectations.

In fact, Wang Fu and Zhong Shidao would definitely be killed if they went to Jiangzhou.

Emperor Gaozong of Song was willing to kill even Yue Fei, so how could Wang Fu and Zhong Shidao be any different?
This is conspiracy!
It was a blatant conspiracy, forcing them to go to Jiangzhou to their deaths!

"I'm going to see His Majesty off on his final journey!"

Zhong Shidao was the first to make a resolute decision.

He knew he would be killed, but he would still go.

The education he received from childhood and the values ​​he developed as a child determined that he would go even knowing he would die.

In fact, Zhong Shidao had also intended to kill Song Jiang to avenge Emperor Huizong, but he was stopped by Tong Guan.

The reason was quite good: Emperor Qinzong needed Zhong Shidao's protection, and for the sake of the continuation of the Song Dynasty, Zhong Shidao tolerated it.

Previously, Zhong Shidao had said he would go to confront the King of Qi, but Wang Fu stopped him again, so Zhong Shidao held back once more.

The reason why Master Zhong is so tolerant now is mainly because he is old.

He is seventy-one years old.

That's just how people are; as they get older, they become less hot-tempered, have more responsibilities, and are more easily influenced...

Tong Guan and Wang Fu were both skilled at manipulating people's hearts, and naturally they also understood Zhong Shidao's change of heart.

"Wait a minute!"

Wang Fu quickly pulled Zhong Shidao back:

"Grand Commandant Zhong, may I speak with you in private?"

Zhong Shidao was then pulled to the side hall next door, where Su Yuanjing also came along.

Wang Fu lowered his voice and said to Zhong Shidao, "Old Prime Minister Zhong, I understand your loyalty to His Majesty!"
Because I'm the same way!
"But just as we cannot determine whether it was the King of Qi who sent Liao soldiers to harm His Majesty!"
"We cannot simply believe that he avenged His Majesty based on the false emperor's one-sided account!"
"If it really is the false emperor who sent Liao soldiers to harm His Majesty, we will not only walk into a trap, but His Majesty will also die unjustly."

"We all died at the hands of the false emperor. Who will avenge us for this blood feud?"

Su Yuanjing: "The Grand Chancellor is right!"

Wang Fu poured cold water on Zhong Shidao's head, finally calming him down from his agitated state.

He was probably the most loyal person present, so he was also the one most affected by Emperor Qinzong's death.

As the saying goes, those involved are often confused, and this was exactly the case for Zhong Shidao at this moment. Fortunately, Wang Fu, an outsider, had a clearer perspective.

"you're right!"

Zhong Shidao almost ground his steel teeth to powder:
"But His Majesty's funeral can't wait too long..."

Seeing that Zhong Shidao had heeded the advice, Wang Fu breathed a sigh of relief:

"Currently, two people are the most likely suspects in His Majesty's murder—"

"One is the King of Qi, and the other is the false emperor!"
"We must unite with the innocent one in order to kill the real murderer and avenge His Majesty!"
"So the most important thing is to distinguish who is innocent and who is the real murderer!"

Su Yuanjing: "The Grand Chancellor is right!"

Zhong Shidao sighed: "But it will take time to discern the truth, and His Majesty's funeral cannot wait for us..."

“What’s so difficult about that?” Su Yuanjing blurted out, “We can use the excuse of the Western Xia invasion, that we can’t go to Jiangzhou to attend His Majesty’s funeral in order to defend against foreign enemies!”

Zhong Shidao was stunned: "But the Western Xia did not invade..."

Wang Fu emphasized, "This one is a good buy!"

"The Grand Commandant is muddle-headed!"

Su Yuanjing winked: "Since the Western Xia haven't invaded, we can fight them!"

"If we hit him, how can he not fight back?"

"If a fight breaks out, then we won't have to go to Jiangzhou, right?"

Master Zhong said, "Oh..."

Su Yuanjing: "The Grand Commandant can have minor skirmishes with the Western Xia, without expanding the battlefield or ending it prematurely."

"How long this war will last depends on when we find out who killed His Majesty!"

"The enemy!"

Wang Fu gave Su Yuanjing an approving look. "No wonder he's the Grand Commandant of the Palace Guards," he thought, "his mind is truly sharp."

"Old Master Zhong, which is more important, attending His Majesty's funeral or finding out the real murderer of His Majesty?"

"...That makes sense!"

Zhong Shidao frowned, glancing at Wang Fu and then at Su Yuanjing:

"I'll take care of the fighting, but the investigation..."

"We'll take it all!"

Wang Fu and Su Yuanjing exchanged a glance and said without hesitation:

"Don't worry, I've got your back!"

"Alright!"

Zhong Shidao agreed to their plan, mainly because he couldn't think of a better one at the moment.
"In that case, I'll leave the matter of the Western Xia invasion to you two, and the investigation to you!"

After saying this, Zhong Shidao bowed deeply to Wang Fu and Su Yuanjing:
"Please make sure His Majesty can rest in peace in the afterlife!"

After discussing the matter, the three of them made some small arrangements before going out to meet Qin Hui.

Qin Hui was growing impatient: "What are your thoughts, Grand Councilor Wang, Grand Commandant Zhong, and Grand Commandant Su?"

"go with!"

Wang Fu said with righteous indignation, "His Majesty has passed away. How can we, as his subjects, not attend the funeral?"

Su Yuanjing: "That's how it should be!"

Zhao Ding was stunned: No, you guys discussed it for so long and this is all you came up with?

However, since Wang Fu and Zhong Shidao had both expressed their opinions, Zhao Ding gritted his teeth and glared at them:
So be it, I'll just consider it my loyalty to His Majesty!

Zhao Ding: "Let's go together!"

Qin Hui smiled, but just then, Zhang Jun suddenly rushed in:

"Minister Eun-sung, something terrible has happened!"

Zhong Shidao shouted, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Jun was sweating profusely with anxiety: "My lord, the Western Xia have invaded!"
"A full army of 100,000 has marched in!"

"Humph!"

Zhong Shidao gritted his teeth and said, "Perhaps they knew His Majesty was in trouble, so these Xixia dogs took advantage of the situation!"

"Prime Minister, Old Zhong is going to fight the Western Xia dogs. Weapons, horses, and provisions are all in your hands!"

Wang Fu nodded vigorously: "Grand Commandant, please rest assured and face the enemy. I will take care of everything in the rear!"

Wait, something's not right!

Su Yuanjing suddenly realized: You all have reasonable excuses not to go, what am I supposed to do?
As a Grand Commandant of the Palace Guards, I have no reason not to attend the funeral!

(End of this chapter)