White-robed Minister

Chapter 260 0258 [Finally, we can return to the Song Dynasty]

Not long after Xu Lai left the emperor's tent, Yelü Hongji hosted a banquet for his two younger brothers.

The second brother, Yelü Heluwo, was the garrison commander of Shangjing, while the third brother, Yelü Alian, was the garrison commander of Xijing.

They could not fully control Shangjing Road and Xijing Road; they only possessed military, political, and financial power over the capitals of these two roads.

But it's not limited to that. For example, Yelü Alian was in charge of Datong Prefecture, and in times of war, he could mobilize and command the entire army of Xijing Road. In peacetime, he was also responsible for training troops, building fortified villages, and so on.

The Liao army was defeated by the Song army in Hedong many times this year, and Yelü Alian was directly responsible for the defeat.

After paying their respects, the two accompanied the elder brother for drinks.

When Yelü Hongji inquired about the war in Xijing, Yelü Alian immediately rose from his seat and knelt, saying, "This year, Xijing suffered heavy losses in both soldiers and generals; I am willing to accept the punishment."

.

Yelü Alian was an extremely cautious man who never interfered in court affairs and remained largely unknown.

Yelü Hongji asked, "Grand Tutor said that the Song army was able to win because of firearms. But you didn't mention much about the power of firearms."

Why?

Yelü Alian replied, "At the beginning of the year, the Song army also had firearms, but they dared not leave the city to fight in the field. I sent spies to investigate and learned that the Song state's Hedong Military Commissioner was named Cai Ting. After taking office, he reorganized the troops, eliminated the old and weak, and rectified military discipline."

"Since Cai Ting reorganized the army, the Hedong army of the Song state has become difficult to deal with. On one occasion, I sent cavalry to launch a surprise attack. The Song chariot formation was not set up, the cannons could not fire in time, and only some of the divine crossbows could be fired. But the Song army still won. Their military discipline was very strict, and their infantry could quickly form a battle formation even when attacked by iron cavalry."

"Even without firearms, the Song army in Hedong is not easy to defeat."

Yelü Hongji muttered, "Cai Ting, Cai Ting—that name sounds familiar."

Yelü Alian reminded him: "Li Liangzuo, the ruler of Western Xia, was shot and wounded by a general under Cai Tingmo, and died the following year due to a recurrence of his old wound."

"So it was him," Yelü Hongji exclaimed. "You didn't lose unjustly."

Yelü Alian said, "I am truly ashamed."

Yelü Hongji suddenly asked, "After the repeated defeats of the Western Capital's troops, has the Grand Tutor sent any officials there?"

Yelü Alian was taken aback: "Yes—yes. The officials appointed by the Grand Tutor are all virtuous and capable people, and they have been of great help to me."

Yelü Hongji then asked his second brother, "What about over there?"

Yelü Heluwo quickly replied, "I am extremely grateful to the Grand Tutor for selecting virtuous and capable officials to go to the capital. Governing the region has become much easier."

The same thing can be viewed from a completely different perspective if you plant the seeds of doubt.

Yelü Hongji is now quite certain that Grand Tutor Yelü Yixin has been making too many underhanded moves, even planting his cronies among his second and third brothers. Moreover, his second and third brothers are extremely afraid of Yelü Yixin and dare not say a single bad word about him.

Has Yelü Yixin's power reached such a point that even his younger brother is afraid of him?

No wonder the Song envoy knew that Yelü Yixin was manipulating power; the Liao Grand Tutor's "prestige" had probably already reached Kaifeng.

He, the emperor of Liao, was probably seen as a foolish ruler by the Song court.

Yelü Hongji was subconsciously trying to clear his name.

Did he really not know these things before?

The greatest contributor to quelling the Chongyuan Rebellion was Yelü Renxian. However, Yelü Renxian's noble birth made Yelü Hongji, who had just encountered a rebellion, quite wary of him.

Therefore, Yelü Hongji condoned Yelü Yixin, who came from a humble background, in framing and ostracizing the meritorious official Yelü Renxian. Yelü Hongji was even aware that Yelü Yixin was placing his cronies in various places, but he simply turned a blind eye.

He thought he could easily control Yelü Yixin, who came from a humble background, but now it seems he has lost control.

Yelü Hongji even suspected that Xu Lai had overheard many rumors about the Liao court through banquets with Liao officials. Otherwise, how would Xu Lai know that he had become distant from the Empress? How would he know about the Empress's gossip?

Yelü Hongji asked, "Did you hear any rumors circulating in the palace during your visit to the Chanyu's court?"

Yelü Alian quickly replied, "Your Majesty is wise; I have never heard of such a thing, nor would I pry into palace secrets!"

Yelü Heluwo also said, "Your Majesty, I do not know either!"

The two younger brothers hastily denied it, which made Yelü Hongji even more suspicious. He felt that the palace rumors must be spreading like wildfire and were already common knowledge; his brothers were just afraid to speak out.

Yelü Hongji even began to suspect his most favored concubine, because her younger sister was Yelü Yixin's daughter-in-law.

After finishing his meal, Yelü Hongji sat alone in his tent, deep in thought.

The two younger brothers bowed and withdrew. Even after leaving the main tent, they dared not exchange more than a glance before returning to their respective tents.

After careful consideration, Yelü Hongji's first conclusion was that they could no longer fight the Song Dynasty. The more battles there were in Xijing and Nanjing, the more opportunities Yelü Yixin would have to install his trusted confidants there.

If Yelü Yixin is allowed to act as he pleases, his third brother's side will eventually be sidelined, and Yelü Renxian, who is left to guard Nanjing, will also be sidelined.

Especially Yelü Renxian, who was Yelü Yixin's biggest political enemy in the past!

Secondly, following Xu Lai's suggestion, the Crown Prince should be immediately allowed to participate in government affairs, in order to test Yelü Yixin's reaction.

Yelü Hongji's birthday was fast approaching.

Xu Lai and Guo Ruoxu got up early in the morning to attend various ceremonies with the envoys of the embassy, ​​and then together with envoys from other countries

queue.

Except for not taking place in a palace, the entire process is very similar to that of the Song Dynasty.

Even Yelü Hongji's attire was similar to that of Han Chinese emperors.

Xiao Guanyin did not make a public appearance, so it was impossible for foreign envoys to see her. If Xu Lai brought his family (two were allowed), Pianpian could have dined with Xiao Guanyin.

At the birthday banquet, Yelü Hongji, half-drunk with drinks, suddenly announced: "Today, all the nobles and important officials of the country are present, and envoys from all directions have gathered at the Chanyu's court. I am truly pleased! The Crown Prince has recently had many hunting experiences, and although he is young, he has not lost the spirit of his predecessors. From today onwards, the Crown Prince will concurrently serve as the head of the Northern and Southern Privy Councils, and will learn how to govern the country from the virtuous ministers of the court."

Yelü Jun was overjoyed upon hearing this. At such a young age, he did not know how to refuse and immediately left his seat to kneel and bow, saying, "Your son will certainly live up to your father's expectations!"

""

Yelü Hongji, however, was observing Yelü Yixin's reaction.

The news was so sudden that Yelü Yixin was initially bewildered, but when he saw the emperor looking at him, he quickly lowered his head.

This action further fueled Yelü Hongji's suspicions.

That evening, Yelü Hongji arrived at the Empress's tent.

Empress Xiao Guanyin was overjoyed upon receiving the advance notice. Her son was allowed to participate in politics during the day, and she was favored by the emperor at night; it seemed the emperor had changed his mind.

It must have been his own poem, "The Courtyard of Returning to the Heart," that moved the emperor.

Yelü Hongji, who had been smiling, changed his expression the moment he entered the tent. He threw out ten sheets of paper with writing on them and angrily rebuked, "The Empress, a woman of such high status, has actually written such erotic poems and even summoned musicians to perform them in the palace. Do you know that this matter has already spread throughout the Chanyu's court and the Zhongjing Palace?"

"Your Majesty, I only—I only—" Xiao Guanyin's moral compass was too upright. She also felt that she shouldn't have written erotic poems, so she didn't know how to defend herself at this moment.

"Huixinyuan" was written last year and began to circulate in the palace this year.

Yelü Yixin also fanned the flames; otherwise, these ten erotic poems wouldn't have spread so quickly.

Not only that, rumors were also circulating in the palace that Empress Xiao Guanyin was having an affair with a musician. Yelü Hongji was unaware of this before, but after secretly inquiring over the past few days, he soon heard the gossip.

"Grand Tutor, last night His Majesty angrily rebuked the Empress, questioning her about the 'Return to the Heart Courtyard' and the musicians."

"How did Your Majesty learn of the matter concerning the musicians?"

"Perhaps someone let slip that His Majesty has become suspicious, and he's been interrogating his close attendants for the past few days."

-

"Very good, you should go back quickly to avoid being discovered as suspicious."

"yes!"

Yelü Yixin watched the guards he had bribed leave, pondering his next move.

First, spread rumors to force the Empress to her death, then find an opportunity to assassinate the Crown Prince.

Even if the mother and son die, a rebellion cannot be launched for the time being, because Yelü Yixin's birth is too lowly. We should request that the son of the Second Prince be made crown prince, thus bringing the Second Prince to our side as well.

Such an outrageous rebellion plan was actually carried out by Yelü Yixin in history.

However, the plan to win over the two kings failed. Yelü Heluwo firmly opposed his son becoming the crown prince and deliberately kept his distance from Yelü Yixin.

The peace negotiations between the Song and Liao dynasties went smoothly.

The negotiation results are as follows: Both sides agree to a truce. The borders established by the Treaty of Chanyuan shall prevail, and no army shall cross the border without authorization. Any border residents who cross the border shall be repatriated. Trade and annual tribute shall continue as before. The Liao state shall return the Song border residents it plundered. The Song state shall return the Liao soldiers and civilians it captured. The two countries shall forever remain brothers.

The Western Xia dynasty was never mentioned from beginning to end.

-

Envoys from various countries departed one after another, and Xu Lai also bid farewell to Yelü Hongji.

Yelü Hongji kept the Song envoys behind for a farewell banquet.

During the banquet, Yelü Hongji said, "Why doesn't Mr. Xu, the envoy from the Southern Dynasty, stay and serve as an official in our Liao Kingdom?"

Although Yelü Hongji's attention was focused on dealing with powerful ministers, he had not yet made a decision on whether to detain Xu Lai.

The veteran official Yao Jingxing went to take up his post in the local area two days ago, and now no one is advising him to stay in Xuzhou.

Xu Lai said, "Your Majesty, why force me to do something I cannot? If I remain in Liao, I fear I will jeopardize Your Majesty's grand plans."

The most important thing, of course, is to eliminate powerful ministers.

Yelü Hongji understood; Xu Lai meant to deliberately cause trouble.

Moreover, Yelü Hongji was a suspicious man, and he was thinking even more deeply at this moment. Xu Lai's talk of causing trouble probably meant more than just eliminating powerful officials; it also included future covert sabotage.

For example, if Xu Lai becomes the son-in-law of Yelü Heluwo, he can instigate his father-in-law, Yelü Heluwo, to rebel. Even if they don't rebel, he can sow discord among the royal brothers.

Yelü Hongji has personally experienced Xu Lai's divisive tactics.

Even if Yelü Yixin is innocent, Xu Lai's words will make Yelü Hongji suspicious. Keeping this guy in Liao will likely lead to chaos in the future.

Kill them outright?

Yelü Hongji had never considered such an operation. Since the Khitan established the Liao Dynasty, they had stopped killing envoys sent by the Song Dynasty.

Moreover, killing Xu Lai would be useless, as firearms had already been invented long ago.

In the short term, Yelü Hongji did not want to go to war with the Song Dynasty; he had to do everything he could to get rid of Yelü Yixin.

"Alright, you may go now," Yelü Hongji sighed.

Xu Lai also breathed a sigh of relief.

If the other side forcibly detains him, Xu Lai will certainly not commit suicide; he will have to find other ways to return to Song in the future.

The following day, the Song Dynasty delegation left the Shanyu court.

They had only gone about ten miles when a troop of cavalry caught up with them, startling Xu Lai so much that he almost turned his horse and fled.

The commander of the troops was Yelü Heluwo. He caught up with Xu and said, "You Song official, you don't know what's good for you, you actually refuse to be my son-in-law."

Xu Lai smiled wryly: "The Second King's beloved daughter is only ten years old (by Chinese reckoning). She should wait a few more years before choosing a husband."

"You're a decent man. Next time you're on a diplomatic mission, I'll drink with you again," Yelü Heluwo said, pointing to a fine horse. "His Majesty gave this to you to thank you for your help. His Majesty doesn't owe you any favors. As for what kind of help, His Majesty said you'll understand as soon as you hear it."

"Thank you very much for the horse gift from Your Majesty," Xu Lai said gratefully.