With the deepening of the reform of the imperial court, the pragmatic wind has been continuously increased, urging the old and stiff political machine of the Great Song Dynasty.

No matter how much disturbance there is, no one can shake the hundred-year-old foundation, and in the stumbling and stumbling, it is still constantly moving forward in Zhao Xu's established plan.

Towards June, the Liao envoys finally arrived.

Perhaps it was because Zhang Dian killed the previous envoy, or maybe the Liao State really had no time to look south, so its attitude eased and no longer mentioned the New Year's currency and territorial claims, but still asked the Song Dynasty and the Western Xia to suspend their troops.

Zhang Dian only saw it once, and under the fierce anxiety of the courtiers, Zhao Xu handed over the negotiation with the Western Xia to the Ministry of Rites to follow up.

The Liao envoy who came this time seemed to know the 'rules' very well, and did not mess around, but walked around Kaifeng City, and carried out both soft and hard strategies against the Great Song Dynasty.

Ministry of Works, Chen Hu's Mansion.

Liao envoy Xiao Tiancheng was in Chen's mansion and sat opposite Chen's mansion to drink.

Xiao Tiancheng has a very elegant temperament, talks extraordinary, and has a very happy conversation with Chen Fu.

After the wind and snow, Xiao Tiancheng said with some emotion: "If you want to say that you are really outstanding people, fascinating, difficult to hold yourself, poetry and songs, all outstanding ......"

At this point, Chen Xun was confident, and said with a smile: "I am a great Song Dynasty Wuhua Tianbao, and the humanities are prosperous, not to mention your Liaoguo, plus Li Xia, Tubo, Dali...... It's not boasting, throughout the ages, there is a ......comparison of the Tang Dynasty."

Xiao Tiancheng didn't have any annoyance, and said with a smile: "Yes, when I was in Da Liao, I was very envious, I came this time, I wanted to visit Mr. Dongpo, I didn't want him to be disappointed in his career, so I could only linger in the mountains and rivers." ”

Chen Xun knew what Xiao Tiancheng meant, and his face did not move.

Although Su Shi is not welcomed in the 'old party', he is the 'old party' after all, Su Shi was excluded from the imperial court, Chen Xun will not be happy, but Xiao Tiancheng uses this as an entry point, Chen Xun is not necessarily unhappy.

Xiao Tiancheng kept looking at Chen Xun, and seeing that he didn't react, he smiled and said, "Although I am disappointed, it is the same when I see Chen Shilang." In this huge Kaifeng city, the only person who can make me look at it differently and have a good time with it is Chen Shilang. ”

Chen Xun directly pierced him and said, "I'm afraid that no one wants to, and I don't dare to see Xiao Shilang in private, right?" ”

Xiao Tiancheng took a sip of wine, looked up at the sky, and said: "Today's Great Song Dynasty is not the past, think about how benevolent your Emperor Renzong was back then, he didn't see swords and soldiers for forty years, and never killed courtiers......

Chen Xun's face turned cold, interrupted him, and said: "My Great Song Dynasty official family is shining with holy light and candles, and Xiao Shilang is cautious. The current situation is nothing more than a traitor in the court, a villain is a troublemaker, and the day of the dawn is not far away. ”

Xiao Tiancheng was not surprised that Chen Huan defended the little emperor, took a sip of wine, lowered his head, raised his eyes to look at Chen Xun, and said: "Chen Shilang, accompanying the king is like accompanying the tiger, life is not easy, right?" ”

It's not just a bad time, it's just a lot of difficulty!

In the Great Song Dynasty, this has never been the case!

The official family in the deep palace was ambitious as soon as he took charge of the government, and the 'new party' immediately revived the 'new law', which caused chaos in the world.

In the imperial court, the 'former sages' went in, and the 'old party' that remained in the Ministry of Industry lived like a year. Not long ago, Chen Huan's son was arrested by the Criminal Department, and Chen Huan had no way to save him, and even had to openly kill his relatives!

Throughout the 100 years of the Great Song Dynasty, when did this happen?

Chen Hun was expressionless, picked up the wine glass and took a sip of wine, and said, "Xiao Shilang came to visit late at night, so he must have something to say, so it's better to get straight to the point." ”

Xiao Tiancheng put down his wine glass, smiled all over his face, and said: "Since I can't hide it from Chen Shilang, then Xiao will make a long story short, and there is only one purpose: ask Chen Shilang to stop the war between your Song Dynasty and Li Xia." I know that you, the Empress Dowager Xuanren, are all war-averse, and so are we, and we hope that there will never be war on the border of the three countries, and that the alliance will always be good. ”

Chen Xun's eyes were flat, and he said, "Xiao Shilang just said a few words, just want me to go to the book?" You should know that I am not treated by the officials, so please give me some reasons. ”

'Reason', Xiao Tiancheng naturally understands that this 'reason' is not lip service.

Xiao Tiancheng immediately said: "Three thousand taels of silver." The reason is that my Great Liao is now in turmoil, and you Song Kingdom can completely watch from the wall, so as not to settle accounts after the Autumn Festival of my Great Liao. Is this reason sufficient? ”

In the Great Song Dynasty before Zhao Xu's pro-government, such a 'reason' is naturally very sufficient, and the court must be the absolute mainstream opinion.

But, not now!

Chen Xun picked up the teacup he put down again and took a sip silently.

Three thousand taels is equal to three thousand taels, which is not a small number. The reason for 'watching from the wall' is also very strong.

Chen Xun sat up straight and said, "Not enough." ”

Xiao Tiancheng was not surprised, his expression was a little solemn, and he said: "Presumably Chen Shilang has other expenses, double it." In addition, since the alliance of the Yuanyuan, our dynasty has no intention of going south, regardless of whether the country is pacified or not, and reconciled with the Great Song Dynasty Yongshi, you can make an alliance, the annual coin, etc., and you can also make concessions as appropriate. ”

"Not enough." Chen Huyi said it simply.

Xiao Tiancheng said that the Great Song Dynasty had already judged that Zhang Dian beheaded the previous Liao envoy, and he used this reason to persuade the Great Song Dynasty.

Xiao Tiancheng also seemed to be expected, picked up the wine glass, took another sip, and said expressionlessly: "The rebellion in the Great Liao has become a trend, and our king of the Southern Courtyard almost collapsed, losing 200,000 troops. The Song Dynasty is beyond the reach of the whip, and we need Li Xia to send troops to help. ”

Chen Xun looked suspicious and looked at Xiao Tiancheng with burning eyes.

Is this true? The rebellion of the Liao State has overwhelmed the Liao State, and does it need Li Xia to enter the country to help quell the rebellion?

Chen Xun thought in his heart, if this was the case, then they would be able to take the opportunity to do a lot of things.

At the same time, he also thought about what Zhang Dian, who knew the news earlier than him, was planning?

If the Liao State is unable to go south, according to Zhang Dan's character, he will definitely not let go of such a good opportunity?

What Zhang Dan has to do is bound to be significant, what is the success or failure? After success or failure, is it good or bad for their 'old party'?

Chen Xun's face changed slightly, and his heart was turning with thoughts.

Xiao Tiancheng looked at Chen Xun's expression, a smile flashed in his eyes, and he continued to increase: "If you Song Guo is willing to stop fighting, afterwards, I will call the shots on your Song and Xia borders, and order Li Xia not to fight again, and the border of the Three Kingdoms will always repair the old good." ”

Chen Xun glanced up at him and said, "I want 8,000 yuan for money, and I have a shop, in the name of purchasing." I'll help you contact a few people to write a book, and I'll try my best to stop it, but I don't make any guarantees that it will work out or not. In addition, today we will only talk about Fengyue, not about political affairs. ”

Xiao Tiancheng wanted this, picked up the wine glass with a smile on his face, and said: "Chen Shilang is noble, war is the first disaster in the world, if you don't fight to benefit the country and the people, I will give Chen Shilang a glass." ”

Chen Xun's face was expressionless, as if he was preoccupied.

Xiao Tiancheng used 8,000 guan to get Chen Hu, the squire of the Ministry of Works, the "old party" and now few powerful people in the court, he was happy, thinking about the following plan, and really talked about the wind and snow with Chen Hu, and no longer involved these things.

After another half an hour, Xiao Tiancheng said goodbye with 'too much alcohol', Chen Xun sent him to the door, watched him get into the carriage, and still stood at the door without moving, his face was indifferent.

His younger brother Chen Long walked over quietly, glanced around, and said in a low voice, "Big brother, are you afraid that others won't be able to see it?" Let's go back. ”

Chen Xun said: "Covering up is a disaster. ”

Chen Long frowned, approached and whispered, "You agreed?" ”

Chen Xun looked up at the sky and said, "Eight thousand runs." ”

Chen Xun suddenly frowned, and said dissatisfiedly: "The Liao people are so rich, why are they eight thousand?" No, big brother, didn't you say before that you couldn't have contact with the Liao people? Also, the court is clearly going to fight a decisive battle with the Xia people, and fools can see it, why did you agree? Angering the official family, as well as that Zhangdun, our Chen Mansion will be in danger. ”

Chen Xun took a breath of the night's cold air and did not speak.

This is, a figure quietly appeared, standing behind a pillar, the figure was very long, but the face could not be seen clearly, only a corner of brocade short shoulders could be seen.

Chen Long saw it at a glance, and shouted in shock: "Who are you?" ”

The figure did not move, and laughter came out, saying, "Brother Ling knows." Chen Shilang has done a good job, and I will play the official house truthfully. The 8,000 guan is Chen Shilang's reward. In addition, tell Chen Shilang a few more things, first, that Xia envoy died in the prison of the Imperial City Division. Second, all those who Xiao Tiancheng came into contact with, but did not report truthfully according to the rules, will all be exiled to Lingnan. Third, in the battle with Li Xia, the court will be firm and will not change. Fourth, the Ministry of Industry has received nearly 300 years of money for river control this year, and there has been dense and even huge corruption, and the officials have asked the Ministry of Industry to conduct an internal audit, and at the same time, the Imperial Historical Observatory and the Criminal Department are preparing to intervene. Fifth, for the support of Qin Fenglu, the Ministry of Industry is the main force, and Chen Shilang is in charge. ”

Chen Long was terrified when he heard this, who is this person, and he is both a court and an official!

Chen Xun turned around, looked calm, raised his hand and said, "Thank you." ”

The man in the dark shadow smiled and said, "Farewell." ”

The man walked along the darkness and soon disappeared.

Chen Long kept staring, not daring to ask more, and waited for the figure to disappear, then he looked at Chen Hu with a shocked face and said, "Big brother, you ......"

He didn't know what to say, this thing was weird that he couldn't understand.

Chen Xun looked at him and said lightly: "The imperial court is determined to go to war, how can I not know?" The court has been preparing for a long time, it is related to my Great Song Dynasty national fortune, I am confused, how can I be hindered at this time? What does this mean with treason? ”

Chen Xun became more and more puzzled, and said, "Then ......"

Chen Xun raised his feet and walked inside, saying, "What's so incomprehensible?" Just act a play for the Liao people and show it to the Xia people. ”

Chen Xun was not stupid, but he still couldn't accept it, so he followed quickly, and said in a low voice: "Big brother, are you relying on Zhangdun anymore?" ”

Such a big event, Zhang Dian must know that this is a credit, Zhang Dian has no reason to be cheap 'outsiders'!

Chen Xun paused, and said more and more indifferently: "I still oppose their so-called 'new law', and I also have a lot of dissatisfaction with Zhang Dun, and I have no negotiations. You don't have to ask how it was before, or how it was. ”

Chen Long became more and more inexplicable, thinking that Chen Xun promised Xiao Tiancheng to write to stop Song Xia from going to war, and thinking about the brocade-clothed man, but also not understanding Chen Xun's true attitude, his mind was confused for a while.

At this time, Xiao Tiancheng slowly returned to Honglu Temple.

He didn't look drunk, and asked people to watch around to make sure that no one was eavesdropping, and then he called someone to ask about the situation today.

There was a sturdy young man standing in front of him, he lowered his voice and said, "Shilang, I have inquired carefully, and the Song Kingdom is indeed out of money. Since the little emperor ascended the throne, he has thrown a lot of money, set up all kinds of strange yamen, hired a large number of people, and built rivers and roads, and also reduced taxes across the country......

Xiao Tiancheng nodded slightly, which was consistent with the news he got.

He held the teacup in one hand and stroked his beard in the other, his eyes flashing, analyzing the news he had received.

The sturdy young man waited for a while and said, "Squire, the villain has something to say, I don't know whether to say it or not." ”

Xiao Tiancheng smiled and said, "There's nothing to say." ”

The young man immediately said solemnly: "Shilang, the villain feels that this little emperor of the Song people has just taken power, and he can't wait to buy people's hearts, but he has done too much, too urgently, it will inevitably backfire, the villain thinks, at least one year, at most three years, the Song Kingdom will inevitably be in chaos, and I don't need to be so tolerant!" ”

Xiao Tiancheng smiled more, took a sip of tea, and said, "You can see this layer, which means that you have indeed grown." What you said is right, but one thing is missing, that is, the little emperor wants to sit firmly in his position, please the shadow of his grandmother, in addition to buying the hearts of the people, he also needs civil and martial arts. Bunji is not temporary, but martial arts are. ”

The young man came to his senses and said, "What does Shilang mean is that this battle is not fought by the Zhangdun brothers, but the little emperor of the Song people?" ”

Xiao Tiancheng nodded, and analyzed it very rationally and calmly: "This little emperor seems to have a lot of ambitions, but nine times out of ten, this ambition is bewitched by the 'new party' that the Song people said, how much can he understand?" He desperately wants to buy people's hearts and wants military merits, so even if the Song people are in chaos, he can't care about it. ”

The sturdy young man thought for a moment and said, "That's what the squire said. According to the news found by the villain, Kaifeng City has been almost chaotic for the past year, and the 'Fangtian Average Tax Law' is angry and resentful, and it is said that it will be implemented in the whole Song Dynasty next year......"

"Heh......"

Xiao Tiancheng laughed and said: "That's a godsend, if those so-called 'new parties' really turn the Great Song Dynasty upside down, my long-cherished wish to unify the Central Plains will be achieved if I go south in the Great Liao!" ”

The sturdy young man laughed too.

Xiao Tiancheng laughed for a while, slowly retracted his expression, and said solemnly: "Right now, we still have to stop Song Xia's battle, and they can fight whatever they want afterwards, but not now." ”

The sturdy young man was equally awe-struck.

In fact, they didn't need the help of the Western Xia, what they wanted was that the Western Xia could not concentrate their forces to fight the Song Dynasty, so that the rebels entrenched on the Liaoxia border and further northwest would have no worries and wanton criss.

The northwest is too big, the battle line of the Liao State cannot come too long, it will be protracted, and the main force of the rebels must be found and a decisive battle with it!

Xiao Tiancheng pondered for a while, and said: "It is not enough to rely on that Chen Xun alone, my Daliao has squeezed out 20,000 troops to be a deterrent in Youzhou, tomorrow I will go to see the privy envoy, think about it, know the benefits, he will know the advance and retreat." As long as this privy envoy hesitates, he may shake the determination of the little emperor of the Song people! ”

The young man nodded and said, "Yes." The privy envoy Zhang Qi is the person who defeated Li Xia last time, and those who know the soldiers must know how to advance and retreat. ”

Xiao Tiancheng took a sip of tea and said, "Let's go find out more news." Now that the Song people are inexplicable, we need to find out which people are effective in what they say, and everything is very detailed, especially if they are still in Kaifeng. ”

"Yes." The sturdy young man nodded in a deep voice.