I'll steal Gao Qiu's life and lead the Song Dynasty to prosperity.

Chapter 111 The Xia Kingdom Envoy's Visit

With the strong support of Emperor Huizong and the meticulous planning of Zhao Mingcheng, the establishment of the Jingbian Division proceeded secretly and with great efficiency.

Several secret edicts were sent in the most clandestine manner to the northwest and deep within the palace.

On Jingyuan Road, Liu Zhongwu was training his soldiers at the drill ground when he received the secret order.

Unfolding the scroll and reading its contents, even this seasoned and upright general was stunned.

He was appointed as the [Commander of the Action Section of the Jingbian Division].

He was in charge of "matters that should not be made public" and reported directly to the emperor and Zhao Mingcheng. This was not only a heavy trust but also a secret mission that went beyond the duties of an ordinary border general.

Liu Zhongwu recalled Zhao Mingcheng's strategies and sense of responsibility when they fought side by side in the Hehuang region, the camaraderie of fighting side by side in the Black Stone Beach, and was even more grateful for Zhao's recommendation to the emperor.

Upon receiving the imperial decree, he set off for Bianjing on the same day.

Tong Guan was summoned to a side hall of the Funing Palace by Emperor Huizong late one night to receive his appointment from him.

When he heard the words "Commissioner of the Intelligence Section of the Border Defense Command" and learned that the person in charge was Zhao Mingcheng, he knew that this was a new opportunity given to him by Zhao Mingcheng.

Intelligence is Tong Guan's forte and passion.

Zhao Mingcheng, who had led him to great achievements in the Hehuang region and was in charge of the Hehuang business, and who was now a favorite of the emperor, became his superior.

Tong Guan realized everything and, without further hesitation, knelt down with a thud, touching his head to the ground, and said in a trembling voice.

"This servant—this servant thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace! I will surely serve Your Majesty and the Jingbian Division to the death!"

Liang Shicheng's appointment was even more "thoughtful".

After a casual conversation, Emperor Huizong said to him in a seemingly casual manner.

"Liang, I have an important matter that requires someone absolutely trustworthy to handle. Defu has suggested that I establish the Jingbian Division, and I recommend you to be in charge of the Investigation Section," which is responsible for secretly monitoring the movements of officials.

You are meticulous and have served me for many years, so I will temporarily assign you to lead this task, reporting directly to me and Zhao, the Prefect. Can you handle it well?

Liang Shicheng understood the implied meaning of the song and immediately realized the significance of the "Investigation Department." He also understood that the emperor's entrustment of this position to him was a great trust, and it was also thanks to Zhao Mingcheng's recommendation.

Liang Shicheng immediately prostrated himself and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty's trust is deeply appreciated, and I am moved to tears! I will never forget the kindness and favor shown to me by Supervisor Zhao! I will certainly do my utmost to fulfill my duties and live up to Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Despite their vastly different personalities, backgrounds, and experiences, Liu, Tong, and Liang all shared a surprisingly consistent first reaction upon receiving this sudden secret appointment—a deep sense of gratitude towards Zhao Mingcheng.

Liu Zhongwu was grateful for Zhao Mingcheng's recognition and trust.

Tong Guan and Liang Shicheng regarded Zhao Mingcheng as their greatest benefactor and reliance in their political lives.

They unanimously believed that following Zhao Mingcheng's lead was to follow the emperor's will and the safest path to power and the future.

After receiving their appointments, the three men secretly went to the new government office to pay their respects. The meeting took place in a side room inside the office.

When Liu Zhongwu saw Zhao Mingcheng, he clasped his hands in a salute.

"Prefect Zhao! Zhongwu was recommended by Prefect Zhao, and the Emperor trusts him greatly, entrusting him with important responsibilities. I am deeply grateful! From now on, whatever orders you give, Zhongwu and his men will serve you to the death!"

Zhao Mingcheng personally helped him up and said earnestly.

"General Liu, you flatter me. I already knew of your loyalty and trustworthiness when we fought side by side in the Hehuang region."

Now that the Border Pacification Division has been newly established, the Action Section is its sharpest weapon, and only someone as bold, meticulous, and knowledgeable about border affairs as the General can be in charge. In the future, when selecting personnel, prioritize competence and loyalty; better to have none than to have the wrong one. If you find any capable individuals, keep an eye out for them. All expenses will be covered by the Trade Section; the General can simply go about his business.”

"Your subordinate obeys!" Liu Zhongwu clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.

Tong Guan's visits were much more courteous.

He knelt down heavily as soon as he entered the room.

"My lord, I owe my entry into the Border Pacification Division entirely to your patronage! This kindness is like a second life! Rest assured, my lord, I will ensure that the intelligence department of the Border Pacification Division is as impregnable as an ironclad for you! Any disturbance beyond the border will be reported to you immediately!"

Zhao Mingcheng appreciated Tong Guan's enthusiasm, but he also knew that Tong Guan was ambitious, so he didn't forget to give him a warning.

He helped Tong Guan up and whispered to him.

"I am well aware of Tong Gongfeng's abilities. The key to intelligence is timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality. When selecting personnel, reliability is the primary consideration, followed by resourcefulness."

"All sorts of people, from all walks of life, can be used to my advantage, but I must have the means to manage them. Funding is not a concern, but the accounts must be crystal clear. Remember, we are all working for the government; we must be devoted and not show favoritism. The Jingbian Division cannot but be loyal to the Emperor's orders."

"Yes! I will remember your instructions, Supervisor! I will always obey Your Majesty's and Supervisor's orders!"

Tong Guan nodded repeatedly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

After receiving his appointment, Liang Shicheng also came to Zhao Mingcheng to express his gratitude, his attitude even more respectful and cautious than when he was at the Prince Duan's residence.

"Whatever your orders are, Your Excellency, this servant will remember your teachings."

Knowing that Liang Shicheng was the most thoughtful person, Zhao Mingcheng didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Liang Gongfeng, the duties of the Investigation Department are special, involving court officials, so he must be extremely cautious."

I know you are reliable and loyal, which is why I recommended you to the authorities. For now, you only need to keep a close watch and establish information channels. There is no need to rush, and you must not make a fuss about it.

The candidates must be carefully selected, erring on the side of fewer but better candidates. They must be discreet and report all needs to me. Remember, we are both the eyes and ears of the government; our duty is to investigate and alleviate the government's burdens, not to cause trouble.

Liang Shicheng understood perfectly; he knew that Zhao Mingcheng was telling him to proceed cautiously and steadily, which was also a kind of warning.

He bowed and said, "Your Excellency, please rest assured, I know what is important and will act with caution and careful selection. Everything will be based on the Emperor's will and the Supervisor's orders. I will never dare to act arbitrarily."

After encouraging, instructing, and explaining their respective responsibilities and selection criteria, Zhao Mingcheng dismissed the three men and began preparations in secret.

The framework of the Jingbian Division was built quietly.

Meanwhile, the Xia Kingdom's envoy to the Song Dynasty, to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne and to probe the Song's strength, finally arrived in Bianjing after a long journey.

The chief envoy of the mission was Wei Mingji, the Privy Councilor of Western Xia, and the deputy envoy was Yeli Yulong of the Yeli family.

The two were arranged to stay at the Duting West Post Station.

Outside the Duting Post Station, where the Western Xia delegation stayed, was the most prosperous ward of Bianjing.

Here, the entertainment districts and theaters are filled with the sounds of music and singing, and the restaurants and teahouses are lit up with lanterns, presenting a scene of prosperity in the Central Plains that would dazzle any foreign envoy from afar.

At this moment, in a quiet riverside restaurant next to the post station, two guests dressed in Xia Kingdom attire sat at a table by the window.

The man at the head of the table, with a clear face and a slight beard, was none other than Wei Mingji, the Privy Councilor of the Xia Kingdom.

He wore a purple satin robe, but carried a paper fan with a jade handle, a style commonly used by scholars from the Central Plains. Beside him was a thick stack of books he had just bought from the Daxiangguo Temple bookstore.

It contains classics, histories, philosophical works, local chronicles, medical texts, divination, astrology, and even everyday poetry and anecdotes. Each volume is neatly wrapped in paper, showing that Wei Mingji was a person who deeply loved the cultural heritage of the Central Plains.

Every time Wei Mingji went on a mission to the Song Dynasty, he could leave everything else behind, but he always made sure to return with a full load of books, which he would transport back to Xingqing Prefecture in Western Xia for the imperial family, nobles, and scholars to copy and study.

Sitting below him was the burly, broad-shouldered deputy envoy, Yeli Yulong.

Yeli Yulong was visiting Bianjing for the first time, and his words were full of amazement at Bianliang.

"Prime Minister, this Bianjing—it truly is a paradise on earth."

Yeli Yulong picked up his wine bowl and took a big gulp, his eyes gleaming as he looked down at the bustling crowd below.

"I just watched sumo wrestling at the theater, and it was ten times more exciting than the wrestling in our Xia Kingdom! The silks, jewelry, food, and toys on the streets are more than I could ever see in my lifetime."

Even the common girls in the night market are more charming than the noble ladies of our Xia Kingdom. Such a wonderful place, such a prosperous city—how wonderful it would be if it belonged to our Great Xia!

His words were blunt, but they couldn't hide the greed and ruthlessness in the general's bones.

Wei Mingji picked up his chopsticks and gently stirred the sashimi in the dish. His face was smiling warmly, but his eyes were unfathomable.

He did not rebuke Yeli Yulong for his insolence, but simply nodded slowly.

"General Yeli is right. For a hundred years, the Southern Dynasty has enjoyed peace and prosperity. Bianjing has gathered the wealth of the world and the goods of the four seas. Its culture is flourishing and its wealth is unparalleled. Not to mention you and me, even our king yearns for Bianjing whenever he mentions it."

As he spoke, Wei Mingji lightly tapped the book beside him with his fingertip, lowering his voice.

"Our Great Xia is located in the northwest, with barren land and poor people. Although we have iron cavalry, we lack cultural heritage and wealth."

I brought these books back to my residence so that all the children in the country would understand that the strength of a Southern Dynasty lies not in its military might, but in its foundation. And the more bountiful a land is, the more it should belong to the strong.

This is typical robber logic: if something is better than what belongs to someone else, then you have to take it.

Yeli Yulong's eyes lit up.

"The Chancellor is right! It is only natural that those with strong armies and powerful horses should inhabit fertile lands!"

Wei Mingji waved his hand, signaling him to calm down.

"General Yeli, tomorrow is the day of the audience. It is a matter of great importance, so please be extremely careful on that day."

Wei Mingji straightened his expression, pushed the books on the table aside, and spoke in a serious tone.

"I'll go over the arrangements for tomorrow again, make sure you remember them."

Yeli Yulong immediately composed himself and sat up straight.

"This humble general will obey the orders of the Grand Councilor."

"This time when we enter Bianjing, you and I need to be one gentle and one firm, one slow and one fast."

Under the pretext of making peace and ending hostilities, I spoke with deference, offering to proactively request the Southern Dynasty emperor to reduce border defenses, dismantle fortresses, and increase our annual tribute. My words were gentle, but every sentence implied that the Song people should yield.

Wei Mingji looked up at Ye Liyulong.

"General Yeli, remember this: feigning weakness is not true weakness, nor is seeking peace. The more gentle I am, the more I can lower the guard of the Song people, and the more likely the pro-peace faction in their court will step forward to speak on our behalf."

Yeli Yulong nodded.

"And what about this humble servant?"

"You are the sword of my Great Xia."

Wei Mingji's voice was slightly cold. "After I finish saying those words of request for peace, you will step forward and threaten me with the idea of ​​a large army pressing in. Your words should be forceful and your attitude arrogant."

You must act like that ill-mannered, fierce, and tyrannical warrior, and let them know that if they don't agree, the border between Xia and Song will never be peaceful.

0

"I will first ask for peace, then you will use military force to coerce me, and then I will step in to persuade you to calm down. By using both soft and hard tactics, and by playing both sides, we can figure out the attitude of the Song people."

Yeli Yulong nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"I understand the Grand Chancellor's intentions now. Tomorrow at court, I will play the villain, shouting and threatening with force, making the new emperor of the Southern Dynasty and his civil officials tremble with fear!"

Then, Wei Mingji continued to remind him.

"General Yeli, there is one thing you need to remember: you must not go too far and you must grasp the right degree of force."

"You should stop short of making a move, just enough to intimidate. What we want are tangible benefits such as wealth, not a real fight with the Song people. If you get angry, I will persuade you. This way, we can show the strength of our Great Xia while leaving room for maneuver."

After finishing his speech, Wei Mingji raised his wine cup and gazed out the window at the brightly lit Bianliang, his eyes filled with a distant longing.

"At tomorrow's court assembly, we must remember whether the Southern Dynasty emperor is angry, tolerant, acquiescing, or refuting."

"Prime Minister, what if the Southern Dynasty emperor is truly strong-willed—just like their previous emperor?" Yeli Yulong frowned.

Although Emperor Zhezong of Song has passed away, he still left a shadow in the hearts of the Xia people.

But it was precisely because Emperor Zhezong of Song was already dead that Xia dared to answer so tentatively.

"If they take a hard line—then we'll devise a plan for the future."

Wei Mingji smiled faintly, but his smile concealed a wolfish ambition.

"No matter how good Bianjing is, it ultimately belongs to the Song people. Whether we humble ourselves or use force to intimidate, it's all for the sake of our Great Xia, so that we can eventually swallow the richest place in the world, bite by bite."

Wei Mingji picked up a volume of Gang Ya's "Spring and Autumn Annals," gently stroking the cover, and said leisurely, "The ruler of the country is a man of great talent and has long-term vision. At present, the Southern Dynasty is powerful, and our Xia Dynasty is newly wounded. It is best to temporarily avoid the sharp edge, conserve our strength, and build up our resources."

As he spoke, Wei Mingji turned his head to look out the window at the forest of sails on the Bian River and the majestic outline of the palace in the distance, his voice barely audible.

"Such a beautiful land, with fertile fields stretching for thousands of miles, who wouldn't be tempted? Tomorrow, let's see whether this newly enthroned emperor is a dragon or a worm before making any plans."

Yeli Yulong listened with interest, picked up his wine bowl and said in a low voice.

"Your Excellency's insight is brilliant! At tomorrow's court assembly, I will certainly cooperate fully to ensure that the Song people increase their annual stipends and abandon their border defenses!"

Wei Mingji raised his cup and gently clinked it against Wei Mingji's; the cups struck together with a crisp sound.

>