Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

Li Chuwen sighed.

"The Xiao family sees us as a thorn in their side,"

"If we don't find a way out soon,"

"I fear the day when my son and I are to be beheaded is not far off."

Li Shi exclaimed in surprise, "If it weren't for us, father and son..."

"How could she become the Empress Dowager?"

"To control and restrain major military and national affairs."

Even if she doesn't appreciate us,

"They probably don't want to harm us."

Li Chuwen shook his head.

"She's just a woman,"

"Power and position are probably less important to her than her family,"

"Yelü Chun could be said to have been forced to his death by us,"

"How could she not hate us?"

"Xiao Gan has tens of thousands of troops under his command,"

"She wouldn't dare touch Xiao Gan,"

"They will definitely vent all their resentment on us."

Li Shi said, "We will join Xiao Gan in supporting Emperor Tianxi."

"Once again, they welcomed Qin and resisted Xiang,"

"He wouldn't just stand by and do nothing, would he?"

Li Chuwen also hoped that this would be the case.

But he had spent decades working in the imperial court.

I've seen plenty of brothers stab each other in the back.

How could one trust an ally with whom one has only a superficial relationship?

"The overall situation is now settled,"

"Xiao Gan no longer needs us,"

"As long as the Xiao family gives a heads-up,"

"He might send troops to capture us on his own initiative."

"To vent the anger of the Xiao family."

"They are all Xi people, and the Khitans are now weak,"

"Whether the Xiao family did it for the Liao Dynasty or not,"

"It's still for the sake of the Xi people,"

"None of them will go after Xiao Gan."

Li Shi said with a look of panic,

"Then what do we do?"

"How about we head south to Daliang?"

"The Great Liang Dynasty unified the Central Plains,"

Sooner or later, we will send troops north to seize the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun.

"We'll head south and join Daliang,"

"Maybe it can even bring wealth and prosperity."

Li Chuwen nodded.

"The Great Liang dynasty pacified the Central Plains in just one year,"

"Their military strength is even greater than that of the Jin Dynasty."

"And lightning-fast firearms and spaceships,"

Even if they don't have ambitions to expand,

"We will definitely reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun."

"The Khitans and Xi peoples are doomed."

"The Xiao family is hostile to us again,"

"Don't blame us for being ruthless."

Seeing that Li Chuwen already seemed confident, Li Shi quickly said,

"Father has a plan?"

Li Chuwen looked around.

"Now, which Han Chinese in the north does not yearn to return to Liang?"

"When Pharmacist Guo came to visit me some time ago,"

"I understood what he meant,"

"Even the invincible King Liang of Liang had much fear of him."

"The Ever Victorious Army was stationed in Zhuo and Yi prefectures,"

"Once the Liang army marches north,"

"The Ever-Victorious Army was the first to bear the brunt."

"The Western Capital Road has already been captured by the Jurchens,"

"The Great Liang should be able to seize Nanjing Road when the Jin army attacks it,"

"Seize Nanjing Road first."

"Otherwise, the entire Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun would fall into the hands of the Jurchens,"

"It will take much more effort for Daliang to seize it again."

"Pharmacist Guo also knows this,"

"We can persuade him to bring the Ever Victorious Army and the two prefectures of Zhuo and Yi to surrender to Daliang,"

"For this merit, the Great Liang will certainly reward you handsomely."

Chapter 1838 Collusion Between Insiders and Outsiders

After Yelü Chun became emperor,

The resentful army changed its name to the Ever-Victorious Army.

Upon hearing this, Li Shi was delighted and said...

"Father is wise; the Great Liang is at its zenith."

"We'll be minor officials in Daliang,"

"It's still better than being a Grand Commandant in this declining Liao Kingdom."

Li Chuwen nodded.

"Yesterday, Zhao Luren, a merchant from Yizhou, sent a visiting card,"

"Go and have someone summon him."

"He had caravans traveling between the Liang and Liao kingdoms,"

“We can contact Pharmacist Guo and General Zhang Kai of Daliang Hebei through him.”

"Alright, I'll have someone summon Zhao Luren right away."

Li Shi went out.

Li Chuwen drank a cup of tea.

He dozed off for a little while.

Then I heard the door open.

Li Shi entered and said,

"Zhao Liren has arrived."

Li Chuwen sat up and nodded.

"Go and invite him in."

Li Shi saw that Li Chuwen had given such an explanation.

They dared not be negligent.

He personally went out and invited Zhao Luren in.

Zhao Luren was a wealthy merchant from Yizhou.

The raw face is fat and the ears are big.

He looks very honest and simple.

But Li Chuwen knew this was just an appearance.

The Liao Dynasty was ruled by the Khitan and Xi people.

Many of the Han Chinese merchants were also managers under the patronage of the Khitans and Xi people.

Even if they amass a fortune, it won't belong to them.

However, Zhao Luren did not sell himself to the Khitans or the Xi people.

It also allowed caravans to travel between the two countries.

When Li Chuwen was prime minister

Zhao Liren often came to visit him.

Of course, gifts were also indispensable.

After Li Chuwen became Grand Commandant,

Zhao Luren's gifts were even more generous.

Li Chuwen knew that Zhao Lüren was cunning and treacherous.

If Zhao Lüren were a bit stupid...

He was also worried that Zhao Luren would betray him.

In the current situation, smart people will make the same choice.

Moreover, he was dealing with a matter of life and death.

Only cunning people can avoid making mistakes.

"Li Shi, go outside."

"Yes, father."

Li Shi knew he was being asked to go out and guard the gate.

Turn around and go out.

He closed the door behind him.

Zhao Liren bowed and said,

"Greetings, Grand Commandant."

Li Chuwen nodded and said, "Please sit down."