Chapter Twenty-Five: The Secret Envoy Arrives

  "This is also your one-sided words, how can we believe you again?" Ma Zheng retorted.

  The two men's eyes met, as if sparks were flying in the air. Suddenly, Zhan Han burst out laughing: "You're right, when two hunters meet in the forest, neither can trust the other. But that doesn't matter, after drinking together a few times and hunting together a few times, you'll know who's good and who's bad!" He made a gesture behind him, and his attendants placed over ten knives, swords, bows, and arrows on the ground, laughing: "These are yours, let's return them to you!"

  "Thank you, Mr. Ma!" said the official, bowing slightly, as he picked up his own sword and hung it at his waist. The official asked nonchalantly, "These military equipment are made with great craftsmanship, I wonder if all soldiers in your country can use them?"

  Before Ma Zheng could respond, Zhi Shan smiled and said: "It's extremely obvious, Ma Dusuo was originally a military officer in the Western Army, these weapons were originally used by the army!"

  "Ah, I see!" A hint of surprise flashed across his sticky gaze. He picked up a sword from the ground and unsheathed it, revealing a blade with a faint blue tint in the sunlight that sent shivers down one's spine. With a few swift swings, he suddenly asked: "I heard from captured Liao people's generals that the best sword under heaven is the 'Xia Ren Jian' forged by the Western Xia people - its sharpness is unmatched, and it can kill people like cutting grass. How does this sword compare to it?"

  "There are many rumors in the world that are exaggerated!" Zhi Shan laughed and said: "The 'Xia Ren Jian' is good, but how can it compare to the weapons made by the great Song Dynasty's Bianjing military craftsmen? You must have seen the goods of our great Song Dynasty, which one is not far superior to those of Liao and Xia people? Even these few knives, swords, bows and arrows, can the Liao army's equipment be compared?"

  He sheathed his sword and picked up a bow, examining it with the eye of a connoisseur. He drew a full bow, and his eyes showed appreciation. With some reluctance, he put down the bow and smiled: "The craftsmanship of your country's artisans is indeed superb. Even these few bows are worthy of being passed down to our children. But I wonder why, with such excellent armor and weapons, you can't defeat Liao on your own and need to form an alliance with us?"

  When he heard the words, his heart couldn't help but thud in response. He had just been boasting about the sharpness of the Song people's weapons in order to intimidate the Jin people and prevent them from having designs on the Great Song. But unexpectedly, this sticky rice was indeed cunning and wasn't intimidated at all. Just as he was thinking about how to respond, Ma Zheng spoke up in a deep voice: "Liao is a great power in today's world. Although our Great Song is strong, we cannot single-handedly destroy a country. Isn't your country the same? If so, why not just drive us back directly instead of speaking with us at length here?"

  "Your words are indeed correct!" Han Yanhui rarely showed a look of embarrassment. At that time, although the Jin people had won battle after battle, the Liao state had been established for over a hundred years and its power was deeply rooted. It would be difficult for the Jin people to destroy it with their own strength alone. Later, the collapse of the Liao state was not only due to the bravery and good fighting skills of the Jin people but also because of the mistakes of the ruler of the Liao state at that time, Emperor Tianzuo, who did things in a way that went against morality and caused internal conflicts within the ruling group. After Yelü Dashi escaped, he was able to lead the remaining forces of the Liao state in the northwest to conquer Western Asia and establish the Western Liao dynasty, which lasted for nearly a hundred years. This shows that at that time, the Liao state was not without power or talent, but lacked a reliable leader, which led to its downfall. However, Han Yanhui did not know this at the time, as no one knew when Emperor Tianzuo would suddenly change his ways and start governing with diligence. If that happened, the Jin people's current strength would be enough to lead to their destruction in a single defeat.

  Three people in the house touched each other for half a day, and roughly understood. Xian Han smiled and said: "Since that's the case, I won't hide it from you two anymore. Our king agrees to form an alliance with your country to jointly attack Khitan. However, your envoy must leave a few people as hostages, and our country can send a few people as envoys to go to your country to discuss the details of the alliance. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

  Ma Zheng heard the words and was overjoyed, this time the hardships at sea were not in vain. Leaving a few people as hostages was also a necessary move. He was thinking about who to leave as hostages when Zhi Shan smiled and said: "This is very good, if Mi Lu Bo Ji doesn't have any objections, why don't I stay behind instead?"

  "If the Zen master is willing to stay, that would be best!" Zhan Han had already seen that Zhishan was clever and capable, with a quick tongue, and should be an important figure in the delegation. As the leader of the delegation, Ma Zheng definitely couldn't stay behind, but leaving Zhishan behind wouldn't be bad either. He immediately nodded in agreement, unaware that Zhishan was actually an "extra personnel". On the side, Ma Zheng also had to nod in agreement. Thus, he and Zhan Han agreed that he would lead the remaining people, including Li Shanqing from Bohai, Xiao Sanduo from Jurchen, and others, carrying the national letter and gifts such as northern pearls, gold, sable fur, ginseng, and pine nuts, to cross the sea to Song, while Zhishan and five other soldiers would stay behind as hostages.

  At the time of parting, Ma Zheng said to Zhi Shan Dao: "Master, this time you were just a guest following along, but you were kept here as a hostage. I'm really sorry about that."

  Zhì Shàn laughed and said, "If it's beneficial to the country, then even if I have to give up my life as a monk, what's the harm? Besides, it's just staying here for a few more months. The Khitan alliance is quite urgent, they will certainly not mistreat me, you can rest assured. However, I have a letter, please take it back and deliver it for me." As he said this, Zhì Shàn took out a letter from his bosom and handed it over.

  Ma Zheng took over the letter and solemnly put it in his bosom, asking: "May I ask who the recipient is?"

  "I met a man named Zhou Ping in Xuejiazhuang, Anyang, Xiangzhou. He is the second son-in-law of the owner of the village, Mr. Xue, and an extraordinary person rarely seen in this world. This letter is for him, please trouble yourself to deliver it."

  "Please be at ease, Master!" Ma Zheng laughed and said: "I will definitely have someone deliver the letter to Zhou Ping's hands."

  Tokyo Bridge

  Perhaps it was because of the arrival of the Khitan envoy that Zhou Ping and Xue Liangyu, after arriving at Han Xiao's mansion in Bianjing, had no news of accompanying the mission to Liao State. Every day, they just idled around in the mansion. Xue Liangyu, who did not know the inside story, complained for a few days, but soon this young man from the countryside was fascinated by the unique charm of Dongjing, which was then the most civilized and prosperous metropolis. Unlike the simple and dull life that most people lived, the people of Dongjing spent their days in streets, temples, markets, and theaters. They had a lot of free time throughout the year, and every day Xue Liangyu discovered new and interesting things, such as Tianhan Bridge Street, Linbian Avenue, Mahang Street, Panlou Street, Jieshen, Taohua Cave, and the shops along both sides of Tannu Alley. There were also performances like acrobatics, storytelling, shadow puppetry, and wrestling at Daxiangguo Temple and "Jingpan". Xue Liangyu was amazed by the food available, such as Li He's roasted chestnuts, Wang Daoren's honey cakes, Sun Haoshou's steamed buns, Song Siniang's fish soup, Cao Popo's meat pies, Xue Family's mutton rice, and Zhang Family's cheese. Xue Liangyu could hardly believe that there was such a city in the world, where so many people lived such completely different lives. Compared to the people of Dongjing, his previous life had been so dull and uninteresting! He was like a young bird that had just emerged from its eggshell, stunned by the colorful world outside. After he recovered from this stupor, he began to chatter excitedly to his only companion. However, what made him angry was Zhou Ping's calm attitude, who was quietly applying wax to his bowstring and occasionally nodding his head, as if he had heard something as mundane as "the leaves have fallen" or "the wheat is ripe".

  "Ah Ping, you didn't go with me to watch 'Little Guan Suo' Li Bao's martial arts performance today! He's the greatest warrior in Tokyo, no, in the whole world! I heard he used to be a palace guard, what skills he has, wow!" Xue Liangyu, who had just returned from his usual evening stroll outside, was enthusiastically boasting about his experience to Zhou Ping. Zhou Ping, seeing how excited he was, picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of water, smiling: "How's that? Is he more impressive than our Fourth Brother?"

  "I'm no match for him!" Xue Liangyu jumped up from the bed with a red face: "That strength, those skills, indeed worthy of being a strong man in front of the palace, a hero of the imperial guard! I heard that when he was in the palace guard, none of the three marshals could withstand his three rounds, so he got the nickname 'Little Guan Suo', what kind of prestige is that!" As she spoke, Xue Liangyu's face showed a look of admiration.

  "Why didn't he stay in the Temple of the Prefect? With his skills, he could have at least become a useful official or a banner head?"

  "He's still not satisfied with offending General Gao!" Xue Liangyu sneered: "General Gao also likes this kind of thing, several times he was hinted at by people to let him win three points in a wrestling match, and then promote him to be a coach, but he didn't care. One day, General Gao got drunk and insisted on wrestling with him in front of many dignitaries. He showed no mercy and knocked General Gao down with one kick. From then on, General Gao hated him to the bone, and he couldn't stay in the Imperial Army, so he came to the arena to perform." This young man had not been in Tokyo for long, but even his likes and dislikes were infected by this city, becoming similar to it.

  "Haha!" Zhou Ping laughed and put the waxed bowstring on the bow, pulled it twice, then took it apart again and wrapped each part in oil paper to prevent moisture. Xue Liangyu, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but scold: "What's wrong with you? Don't you trust what I said? If you don't believe me, let's go take a look together!" He then reached out to grab Zhou Ping.

  Zhou Ping smiled and let go of his companion's hand, saying: "I'm not doubting you, but I'll ask you, these days you've been going out every day to idle around, I'm afraid the matter of the bow and horse has all been put aside?"

  "This... I practiced archery yesterday afternoon!" Xue Liangyu lowered his head with some trepidation.