Chapter Forty-Five: A Turn for the Better

  Xiao Ni Lie naturally understood the cat's trick in the document, compared to the already lost Liao Dong and Chang Chun two roads, Emperor Liao was even more unwilling to grant the Jurchen people equal vassal status. However, circumstances were stronger than human will, so he had to play tricks on these details, bullying the Jin country who were all just coming out of the mountains as barbarians. But unexpectedly, the Jin country found an expert from somewhere and exposed him thoroughly. Xiao Ni Lie at this time remembered the rumors about the Jurchen people's cruelty, his whole body had already softened, he sat down on the ground with a thud, his whole body trembling, unable to say a word of apology.

  "Bring them in, give them a hundred lashes!" Wanyan Aguda finally restrained his anger and did not order the execution of these Liao envoys. He was unwilling to completely destroy the negotiations with Liao because of this. Although in the eyes of many people at that time and later, this leader who led the Jurchen people to rise like lightning was a brave lion, but in fact, Wanyan Aguda's soul had two sides, occupied by lions and foxes, only he cleverly hid one side under the other in daily life. When the lion's bravery didn't work, he could use cunning and caution to achieve his goals. In comparison, the leaders of the more powerful empires of Song and Liao performed much clumsier at this critical moment in history.

  Soon, the sound of whips lashing against flesh and mournful cries came from outside. At this time, Wanyan Aguda had completely controlled his emotions. He turned around and said to Zishan in a solemn tone: "Great monk, thank you for exposing the Khitan Emperor's plot for us. We Jurchens know how to repay kindness with kindness, and swords with swords." As he spoke, he lightly clapped his hands twice and ordered a servant who had come from outside: "Go bring me that white horse of mine! This is a gift I want to give to my good friend!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zishan joined his hands together in a gesture of respect and bowed deeply.

  "No need, this is what you should get!" Wanyan Aguda burst out laughing, and immediately his face changed, asking in a low voice: "However, Great Monk, I want to ask you a question. My envoy and your companion have been gone for so long, why haven't there been any news? What does the Emperor of the Song Dynasty mean?"

  "Your Majesty!" Zhi Shan raised his head, staring straight into the other's eyes, and said loudly: "I am a hostage left in your country, and I don't know what happened to your ambassador in my Great Song Dynasty. But since Your Majesty intends to form an alliance with my Great Song Dynasty to jointly attack Liao State, yet secretly negotiate with the Liao people, what does this count as? As the saying goes, there is no wall that doesn't leak wind. I suppose it's because my Great Song Dynasty has also heard rumors of this matter, so naturally the alliance will be called off!"

  Wanyan Aguda did not expect Zhishan to dare to confront him face-to-face, accusing him of playing a two-faced trick. He couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. On the side, Wulubu's young and vigorous energy suddenly stood up and shouted loudly: "You're just a hostage, how dare you speak to the Great Khan like this? Take him out and beat him to death with sticks!"

  "Hold on!" Wanyan Aguda stretched out his hand to signal the rushing guards to retreat, and smiled: "Great monk, you're a good friend. We Jurchens don't kill good friends. What you said earlier made some sense, but when your Song Dynasty's envoy came, there was no national letter, and the highest official was only as big as this!" Aguda pointed to a piece of firewood in the fireplace. "But the Liao Dynasty's peace envoy brought Emperor A's national letter, and even the lowest officials were as thick as that!" Aguda pointed to a pillar by the door, as thick as a washbasin: "Tell me, if you were me, would you negotiate with the Liao Dynasty or your Song Dynasty?"

  "But you have already promised to form an alliance with our Song Dynasty, how can you also negotiate peace with the Liao Dynasty? These two things are clearly contradictory!"

  "Great Monk, you are wrong! I have not yet formed an alliance with your Song Dynasty. I am only just beginning to discuss the possibility of forming an alliance to attack Liao together!" Wanyan Aguda said with a smile, spreading his hands: "You and your companions don't even have a single letter from your country, how can we form an alliance? Can you, Great Monk, really control the Emperor of Southern Dynasty?"

  To the point, he was just a civilian, not even an official member of the delegation. Even if Ma Zheng, the leader of the delegation, was just a pawn who could be sacrificed at any time. How could he argue with Wanyan Aguda, who was already the master of a country? Moreover, at that time, the internal struggle within the Song Dynasty was intense, and even the two prime ministers were in danger of being overthrown overnight. Who could still control the whimsical Emperor Huizong?

  "Great monk, although your country's actions are not entirely appropriate, the fault does not lie with you. Here's what I'll do: you go back and convey a message to your great emperor for me: Liao has already sent an envoy to confer upon me the title of national master, ceding Liaodong and Changchun prefectures, and offering 250,000 silver bolts as annual tribute. I was enraged by their incomplete ceremonial rites, but also considering our previously formed alliance, I whipped the Liao envoys and refused their request." As he spoke, Wanyan Aguda suddenly swung his right arm downward and shouted loudly: "If you truly wish to form an alliance and jointly destroy Liao, send a high-ranking minister with a national letter; if you still use an imperial edict, it will be difficult for me to obey!"

  "Wai chen ming bai!" Zhi shan replied in a low voice, he naturally understood the meaning of Wanyan Aguda. If they used guo shu (national letter), it would be two equal countries, but if they used zhao shu (imperial edict), it would be the monarch addressing his own subjects. It was clear that the Jurchen people's intention was to ask the Song Dynasty to recognize them as a country on an equal footing with Liao and Song.

  "Good!" Wanyan Aguda burst out laughing, and patted the shoulder of the person beside him, saying: "I've heard Bird Slave (Chaghan's nickname) say that your Southern Dynasty monks can't touch women. So I'll give you some travel expenses, lest people say we Jurchen people are slow to treat friends." As he spoke, he lightly clapped his hands twice, and two attendants brought in two trays, piled high with gold and silver ingots.

  "Don't decline!" Khitan Zhen stopped Zhishan's refusal, laughing: "These are all things we took from the Khitans, there are many of them. If you give them to him and he goes to rob the Khitans again, that's fine. Great Monk, if one day you're not happy in the Southern Dynasty, come to our Jurchen people. We welcome people like you who have knowledge and skills!"

  "In that case, I'd better obey! " Zhi Shan had no choice but to accept the gold and silver. Wanyan Aguda burst out laughing and said: "Great, now that we've settled the important matters, bring on the wine and let's have a good drink!"

  "Good!" All the women cheered in unison.

  Anyang

  It's already May, and the scorching sun beats down on his skin at noon, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Zhou Ping is wearing a short jacket, rotating his waist in rhythm, swinging the long-handled sickle in the midst of the tall grass, cutting down clumps of it one by one. Fragments of grass leaves, dust, and small insects keep flying onto Zhou Ping's body, sticking to his sweat, making him feel extremely uncomfortable, but he seems to be numb to it all, only rhythmically swinging the long-handled sickle, like a lifeless machine.

  "It's time to take a break!" A shout came from not far away, Zhou Ping put down his sickle and saw a familiar slender figure under the shade of a nearby tree. It was his new wife, Yunniang. Zhou Ping responded with a "yes" and turned to Luo She'er and Li Bao: "Yunniang has brought lunch, let's go eat something under the tree!"

  "Hmm!" The two responded in unison, picked up the household items and walked under the tree. When they arrived under the tree, Zhou Ping took over the water jug handed over by Yunniang, drank a few mouthfuls, and then handed it to Li Bao beside him. He found a clean spot to sit down, took out the flatbread and sauce from the rice basket, and started eating. Beside him, Li Bao took a bite and asked: "Ah Ping, you're now at least a patrol inspector, a ninth-grade official, with twenty archers under your command, why do you still need to do such things yourself?"

  Zhou Ping took a sip of water and smiled: "It's the busy farming season, every household is short-handed, and most of the archers are from poor families. If I call them to replace me, their fields will be deserted, and they'll starve to death after autumn!"

  "Lang Jun is too kind!" Luo She'er said with a smile: "Soldiers serving their commanders, it's the natural order of things. If they're not willing, there are ropes and whips, military law is right there, who would dare not to come?"

  "It can't be said that way, Shu'er. Do you remember the military strategy I told you about a few days ago? If you want to train soldiers, you must first bind them with kindness and righteousness, and then restrain them with military law, not the other way around. If it's as you say, imposing punishment without showing kindness, how can these soldiers be used?"

  "What Ah Ping said makes sense!" Li Bao sighed and said, "But this principle is probably unknown to many people in our Great Song Dynasty."

  "What did he say?" Zhou Ping asked.

  "You also know that before I became a constable, I was serving in the Imperial Guard at the Temple of Heaven, under the Emperor's feet. The elite troops who guarded the Emperor were driven by their superiors every day to repair houses, pave roads, extract oil, sell goods, and engage in various businesses for profit. They were no longer the Emperor's claws, but a group of merchants. I couldn't bear it, so I took off my red uniform and became a constable." Li Bao sighed: "In the territory of the Great Song, perhaps only the two gentlemen Old Zhang and Young Zhang from the Western Army can achieve what you just said, Ah Ping."

  Zhou Ping's eyes lit up when he heard the two names and asked: "Lao Zhong, Xiao Zhong? Are you referring to Zhong Shidao and Zhong Shiming?"

  "Where else can you find such people!" Li Bao's face showed a look of admiration: "The elite troops of the Great Song are all in the Western Army, and among the Western Army, if we talk about governing the army and appointing generals, who can compare to these two?"

  "Ah, I see!" Zhou Ping laughed and said: "I've also heard of these two men's names. It seems that if the Great Song is to be restored in Yan Yun, the commander will definitely choose one from among them."

  "That's natural!" Li Bao's face showed a look of course: "Such a big battle, it must be the Western Army that is deploying troops. Among the Western Army, in terms of seniority, ability, and prestige, who can match up to them? Even if someone else were appointed as the general, they might not dare to take on the task!" Li Bao sighed: "The only thing I worry about is that our Great Song Dynasty's system emphasizes literary over military, and above the Commander-in-Chief, there is still the need for the Declaration Department to deliberate. Hopefully, no one will come and stir up trouble. With the abilities of the old and young generals, even if we can't achieve a great victory, at least we won't suffer a great defeat!" Just typing away isn't enough, gotta show some cuteness too! Need to get rewards, collect likes, recommendations, all that jazz!