Chapter 16: One careless move and you'll be caught by the thief

  "Thanks to the wolf master's favor, Zhang Bangchang is grateful and tearful. Your Highness, if there's anything you need Zhang Bangchang's help with, just say it, as long as Zhang Bangchang can do it, he will definitely spare no effort." Zhang Bangchang said.

  "Now our Great Liao is strong and prosperous, the Wolf Emperor plans to contend for the Central Plains, but we are not very familiar with the situation in the Central Plains. Please, Grand Preceptor, enlighten us." Yelü Xiangwen took advantage of the momentum to explain their intentions.

  "What can I do for the wolf? Am I supposed to betray my country for personal gain? As a citizen of the Song Dynasty, how can I bring about its downfall? I'm afraid I cannot assist. Your Highness, please convey to the Wolf King that his kind intentions are appreciated, but without merit, I will not accept rewards. The thousand-year-old ginseng will be returned."

  "General Zhang, don't say such unpleasant words. Our Wolf Lord has no intention of annexing the Great Song Dynasty. We just hope to be friendly neighbors and prosper together, like brothers. We simply want to understand the customs and people of the Great Song Dynasty. Please don't worry." Yelü Zongwang explained.

  Since that's the case, there's no need to beat around the bush. The customs and people of the Song Dynasty, as long as Zhang Bangchang knows them, will certainly be told without reservation. Zhang Bangchang agreed in one breath.

  "General Zhang, it's said that since the decline of the Yang and Hu families, there hasn't been another family like theirs born in the Great Song Dynasty. Is this true or false?" Yelü Zhongwang asked tentatively.

  "The mountains and rivers change with the times, and each has its own heroes for dozens of years. Although there are no more Yang Family Generals or Huo Family Generals, who knows if another Zhang Family General or Li Family General will emerge? In short, the Great Song is a vast and prosperous country, what's to worry about not having talented people? It's just that they haven't been discovered yet." said Zhang Bangchang.

  "Haha, Director Zhang is indeed humorous. If one has talent, who wouldn't want to achieve great things and make a name for themselves? If one has talent, why would they be content with being unknown? Even the ancient Mao Sui knew how to self-recommend, so how can modern people not be as good as the ancients? This is truly laughable." Yelü Zongwang suddenly burst into laughter and asked several "whys" in a row.

  Yelü Zhongyuan's series of questions left Zhang Bangchang speechless.

  Zhou Cong listened to their conversation on the roof and had a good impression of Zhang Bangchang, but Zhang Bangchang was choked by Yelü Zhongyuan's words and felt a bit resentful.

  "This Yelü Zhongyuan is really too arrogant and reckless, I'll teach him a good lesson and let this ignorant child see the ferocity of the Great Song people."

  Zhou Tong thought of this, jumped off the roof, came to the outside of the hall, and shouted "Golden Dog is so arrogant, deceiving me that Great Song has no talent. Although I am old, I will teach you a lesson." Zhou Tong said, drew his sword and rushed in.

  Zhang Bangchang saw Zhou Tong full of joy and thought that this time the old hero should win back face for the Great Song.

  Yelü Zhongwang was shocked to see an old man with white hair and beard suddenly shouting in front of him.

  "May I ask the venerable hero's surname and given name? I, Yelü Zhongwang, have never crossed hands with nameless individuals. If you want to engage in combat, report your name first and let's see if you're worthy." Yelü Zhongwang said with an air of superiority.

  "I am Zhou Tong, a rustic fellow from the mountains and fields, a citizen of the Great Song Dynasty. They call me the great hero of Shaanxi. Whether I'm worthy or not, let's have you come over on horseback and try me out." said Zhou Tong.

  Yelü Zhongwang was shocked to hear the name Zhou Tong. A few years ago, Zhou Tong had single-handedly infiltrated the Golden Camp as if it were unmanned. He snuck into the palace to assassinate Wolf Master, who was on the brink of death. Fortunately, the Four Great Golden Guardians appeared in time and saved him. This Zhou Tong is a renowned figure in the Song Dynasty, and his disciple Lin Chong had also served as the commander-in-chief of the 800,000-strong Imperial Guard in the capital. It seems that those who come with good intentions do not come, and those who come are not good. Facing such a formidable enemy, I must think carefully about my countermeasures.

  "Turns out the old hero is none other than the renowned Zhou Tong, I am impressed. The old hero suddenly arrived, what brings him here?" asked Yelü Zongwang.

  "You young whippersnapper, speaking such arrogant words, bullying the great Song Dynasty as if no one is around. Although I'm old and useless now, I'll prove to you what the great Song Dynasty is all about!" said Zhou Dang.

  "It seems that's the case, I apologize for my mistake. Old hero, I am an envoy of Jin country, coming to Bianjing is for the friendship between the two countries, and not wanting to engage in battle with you. If the old hero wants to try, I am willing to accompany him, but it can't be at Taizai's mansion, spreading the news would be unfavorable to Taizai." Yelü Zongwang said.

  "Yes, Old Hero Zhou, you'd better choose a spacious place to test your martial arts skills. You can't cause trouble in my house." Zhang Bangchang echoed in agreement.

  "Alright! For Taizai's sake, we'll find another place. Kid, where do you think is more suitable? You decide!" Zhou Tan was a bold and confident person.

  "Then let's go outside the city and find a wide open space to try it out. You're older, I don't want to take advantage of you, we'll have a fair one-on-one competition." Yelü Zhong said.

  "Whatever you think is convenient." Zhou Cong replied succinctly. Yelü Zongwang left the Taizai Mansion with two subordinates, and Zhou Cong followed afterwards.

  The night in Beijing has entered its second half, but it is still shining with lights, and the sound of songs and laughter occasionally comes from the buildings.

  Yelü Zongwang and three others walked on the main street, turning left and right, drifting aimlessly.

  Zhou Tongshi displayed his lightness skill, no matter how cunning Yelü Zhongyuan was in trying to shake him off, he couldn't get rid of him. After walking for nearly half a day, the three men were still under his control.

  Yelü Zhongwang couldn't help but look back at Zhou Tong, but he steeled himself and walked out of Bianjing, stopping only when he reached a wide open space outside the city.

  Zhou Tong's figure arrived soon after, and he calmly said: "Youngster, what other tricks do you have? Bring them on! I, Zhou Tong, am not unfamiliar with the cunning and treachery of your Jin people."

  "Old hero, rest assured, I, Yelü Zhongyuan, am also a member of the imperial family and do things openly. At present, it's pitch black everywhere, how can we engage in battle? Moreover, you're old and your eyes are dim, I'm worried that if we start fighting, it won't be good for you. Why don't we take a short rest here and fight again when the sky brightens?" Yelü Zhongyuan said.

  Zhou Tong listened and thought it made sense, so he had no choice but to agree.

  "You little scamp, don't try any tricks or I won't go easy on you." Zhou Tong warned.

  "Don't worry, I'll get it done." Yelü Zhongyuan said and sat down to rest with his eyes closed. His two attendants also sat down to take a break.

  Zhou Tong saw them sit down to rest and sat down himself to regulate his breath.

  After about an hour, Yelü Zhongyu saw that Zhou Tong had relaxed his vigilance and quietly told his attendant Wanyan Hongjin: "Quickly go and invite the four great Vajras, they will definitely arrive here by dawn."

  Wanyan Hongjun led the order and left.

  Yelü Zhongwang thought to himself, This time Zhou Tong has flown too high and his wings are difficult to fly, I will bring him back to the Great Jin State to be dealt with by my father king.

  Zhou Tong did not know that it was Yelü Zhongyuan's delaying tactic, so he sat down quietly to meditate and wait for the arrival of dawn. Occasionally, he would glance over at Yelü Zhongyuan, but seeing no movement, he didn't think much of it. Who knew that this carelessness would lead him into a trap set by the enemy? Wanyan Hongyu had secretly moved his troops away.