Song Xiu

Chapter 8: Designing a Latrap
Pan Mei noticed Zhao Dexiu's confusion, so he kindly introduced Wei Renpu to him.

Wei Renpu, courtesy name Daoji, was born into poverty and received no formal education from great Confucian scholars from a young age. However, he became well-versed in all the classics through his own intelligence.

Around the time of the Later Jin Dynasty, Wei Renpu entered officialdom for the first time. It was also during that period that Wei Renpu met the first enlightened ruler in his life—Guo Wei.

Guo Wei was impressed by Wei Renpu's strategies and quickly made him his trusted strategist, and Wei Renpu did not disappoint Guo Wei's trust.

When Guo Wei encountered the most significant crisis of his life, it was Wei Renpu who offered him advice and helped him turn the tide, ultimately leading him to the throne.

Before his death, Guo Wei's last words to Chai Rong were: "Li Hongyi is stationed in Changxing, and Wei Renpu has not been sent to violate the prohibitions."

It is clear that Wei Renpu was the regent left by Guo Wei to Chai Rong, and Wei Renpu did not disappoint Guo Wei's high expectations. After Chai Rong ascended the throne, he encountered a crisis of national annihilation - the allied forces of Han and Khitan launched a large-scale invasion of the northern border.

In the famous Battle of Gaoping, Zhou's army was initially at a disadvantage. It was only at the crucial moment that Wei Renpu persuaded Chai Rong and analyzed the situation, which gave Zhou's army the opportunity to turn defeat into victory.

If it weren't for Wei Renpu's strategic planning during the Battle of Gaoping, Zhao Kuangyin would never have had the opportunity to fight bravely and achieve fame in one battle.

The Zhou Dynasty probably only lasted two generations before it collapsed.

After listening to Pan Mei's brief introduction, Zhao Dexiu felt a surge of respect for the name Wei Renpu.

Wei Renpu's outstanding talents were demonstrated by his assistance to Guo Wei in establishing the Great Zhou Dynasty and his advice to Chai Rong in defeating foreign enemies.

As a scholar with the high rank of Privy Councilor, Wei Renpu disregarded danger and personally went to the battlefield to offer advice to Chai Rong in order to repay Guo Wei's kindness. This shows that Wei Renpu was also an outstanding person in terms of character.

A person who possesses both virtue and talent, and is proficient in both literary and martial arts, deserves respect at all times.

Seeing that Wei Renpu had successfully attracted Zhao Dexiu's attention, Pan Mei continued:

"Duke Wei held the position of Privy Council for many years and was highly respected in the army."

Before I left, Your Majesty gave me some instructions.

People like Wang Pu and Fan Zhi are not worth worrying about. The only one in Kaifeng who might lead a rebellion is Duke Wei.

He possesses both the courage and the charisma to draw upon.

Pan Mei's words raised Zhao Dexiu's regard for Wei Renpu to a new level.

"Father's concerns are valid."

At this moment, Zhao Dexiu already felt a sense of apprehension towards Wei Renpu.

Since Wei Renpu is a dangerous element, we must capture him as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Zhao Dexiu said to Pan Mei:

"Please, General, allocate some soldiers to me. I will lead them to the Privy Council to control this threat for my father."

Although Zhao Dexiu realized from Pan Mei's account that Wei Renpu was a very important person.

However, no matter how influential Wei Renpu was, he could not resist the tide of history.

More than 80% of the Imperial Guards of the Great Zhou Dynasty are currently under Zhao Kuangyin's control. As long as Wei Renpu is caught off guard, capturing him will not be difficult.

Under normal circumstances, Zhao Dexiu's idea is the best solution.

With the truth in hand, we can simply push through without going through so much trouble.

If it were that simple, why would Zhao Kuangyin specifically send Zhao Dexiu back to the capital with Pan Mei?

Meeting Zhao Dexiu's confident gaze, Pan Mei coughed lightly and said slowly, "Lord Wei enjoys great prestige in the court and among the people. His Majesty does not wish to do anything that would be disgraceful to Lord Wei in public."

Don't want to be in public?

That means we have to do it secretly.

Recalling Pan Mei's earlier mention of Wei Renpu's dedication to official duties, having worked at the Privy Council for the past few days even during the New Year holiday, Zhao Dexiu frowned and asked:
"Does Father want me to trick him into leaving the Privy Council?"

Although the word "deceive" was somewhat impolite, Pan Mei still nodded.

Seeing that Pan Mei had actually nodded, Zhao Dexiu was speechless for a moment.

Wei Renpu is a recognized capable minister. He is not like that eight-year-old child in the Chongyuan Hall who might follow you with a lollipop.

How easy would it be to trick Wei Renpu out of the Privy Council?
Zhao Dexiu suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Just as Zhao Dexiu was pondering rapidly, Shi Shouxin came to Pan Mei and told her about Wei Renpu summoning him the previous night.

Upon learning of this, Zhao Dexiu, who had been frowning, excitedly grasped Shi Shouxin's hand.

"Uncle, you've done me a huge favor!" Zhao Dexiu's sudden outburst of excitement startled Shi Shouxin.

Fortunately, it was Zhao Dexiu who was holding his hand tightly; if it had been anyone else, Shi Shouxin would have kicked him long ago.

Before Shi Shouxin could react, Zhao Dexiu reached out with her other hand and grabbed Shi Shouxin's left arm.

With Shi Shouxin's arms in his hands, he has no way to escape.

"Uncle, I would like to borrow someone from you. Please grant me permission!"

When elders are pestered by younger people, it's usually not a good thing.

Without any prior warning, Zhao Dexiu has already started making requests.

Zhao Dexiu looked at Shi Shouxin with intense eyes, making Shi Shouxin a little embarrassed.

Even between uncle and nephew, there should be some distance between them.

However, considering that Zhao Dexiu, despite being the eldest son of the emperor, still addressed him as "Uncle" with the same familiar tone as always, Shi Shouxin, while inwardly complaining, generously said aloud:
"Whoever you want, you can have."

Let go, let go, lots of people are watching.

The Privy Council can be traced back to the pre-Tang period.

As the situation developed, the Privy Council became increasingly important.

Today, the Privy Council has become a central power institution with almost the same status as the Secretariat and Chancellery, and it is in charge of military affairs.

Due to the importance of the Privy Council, its offices were located within the Imperial City.

Today is the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, which, according to ritual, is the time for the emperor to hold another celebratory court assembly.

However, compared to the celebratory court assembly filled with wine and song, Wei Renpu was more concerned about the war in the north.

Concerned about the war in the north, Wei Renpu not only declined today's court assembly, but also stayed in the Privy Council since the army set off yesterday, waiting for further intelligence from the front.

When news of the invasion by the Northern Han and Khitan forces arrived from the northern border on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Wei Renpu was one of the few people in the Great Zhou court who remained calm.

Wei Renpu originally planned to send people to investigate further before dispatching troops to fight.

However, Wang Pu and Fan Zhi, out of fear, forced Zhao Kuangyin to lead his army into battle as soon as possible.

It's understandable that Wang Pu and Fan Zhi would be afraid. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, the Northern Han and Khitan had joined forces to invade, and that battle almost led to the downfall of the Zhou Dynasty.

Now that the army has already set out on its expedition, Wei Renpu can only hope that Zhao Kuangyin can send in new military intelligence from the front.

Only with sufficient intelligence can he make accurate judgments based on his own wisdom.

As he pondered, Wei Renpu rubbed his temples to clear his head. Just as he was about to continue his official duties, an official from the Privy Council hurriedly approached him with a general.

Wei Renpu recognized this man; this military officer was Shi Shouxin's deputy.

Thinking of how Shi Shouxin had summoned him last night but Shi Shouxin had claimed illness and refused to come, Wei Renpu's expression became knowing.

Last night, he summoned Shi Shouxin to inquire about the city's defenses, but Shi Shouxin declined, citing illness.

Wei Renpu has no doubts about this at present.

A few days ago, Shi Shouxin claimed to be ill and did not attend court, and the emperor also sent a royal physician to his residence to comfort him.

If Shi Shouxin hadn't been ill, he would have accompanied the army on this expedition.

Today, Shi Shouxin's deputy general has come, presumably to explain things to me on Shi Shouxin's behalf.

With this thought in mind, Wei Renpu asked Shi Shouxin's deputy in a gentle tone:
"Is General Shi's condition any better?"

Unexpectedly, the deputy general did not respond to Wei Renpu's concern, but instead revealed a bombshell to Wei Renpu.

"Commander Zhao has sent his eldest son back to the city; he has important matters to report to the Prefect!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Renpu immediately realized that something was seriously wrong.

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(End of this chapter)