Since he ascended the throne and became emperor, Yeluchun's heart has been very uneasy.

Especially recently learned that Yelu Yanxi was not dead, but was first captured by Cai Ying, and then released by Cai Zhen, and then fled to Jiashan with several horses for refuge, Yelu Chun felt even more exhausted.

Today's Yanjing is in the midst of a storm, no, it is more appropriate to describe it as "in danger".

To the north, the Jurchens sharpened their knives.

To the west, Cai is still eyeing the tiger.

To the south, the Song Dynasty army pressed the border.

and Yelu Yanxi - Yelu Chun, who knows Yelu Yanxi very well, knows that if Yelu Yanxi returns to Yanjing, it will also be a catastrophe for those of them who are plotting to usurp the throne.

It can be said that Northern Liao has no way out.

Now, the only way out for Northern Liao is to find a coalition.

The Jurchens in the north are the culprits of their Great Liao Kingdom falling to such a field as it is today, and they also dug and burned the tombs of their Khitan ancestors, and they have an undying enmity between them.

Cai still in the west, forcibly occupied the cloud land of their Liao State, didn't even bother to give it an excuse, and took the royal daughter of their Liao State as his own, making them humiliated.

As for Yelu Yanxi, Yelu Chun was really disappointed in him, if it weren't for Yelu Yanxi, how could their Great Liao Empire fall into such a dilemma?

In Ye Luchun's view, although the Great Song Dynasty betrayed the alliance and took advantage of the fire to rob, it should be the most suitable for unity.

It's just that the price of Da Song is too high, and he wants them to call it.

Yeluchun is fifty-nine this year, and his health is not good, so he is actually not nostalgic for this thankless throne, the reason why he ascended the throne as emperor is just to save this empire that is slowly sliding into the bottomless abyss, and wants to preserve the glory created by his ancestors, even if it is only a small part.

Pity!

Ye Luchun overestimated his own abilities too much, and underestimated the grim situation facing this Sunset West Mountain Empire!

Now, only by enduring humiliation and burdening the Song Dynasty and using the army of the Song Dynasty can we resist the two tigers and wolves in the north and the west, and keep a place for the Great Liao Empire and the ancestors.

But—

This is just Yeluchun's own thoughts, he doesn't know what the attitude of the ministers is, so he wants to understand it first and then make a decision.

Ye Luchun called Li Chuwen and the others to his bedside, and then looked at the prime minister Li Chuwen first, and asked, "What do you think about the Song Dynasty's edict?" ”

Li Chuwen said: "This is a military matter, although the minister is the head of a hundred bureaucrats, but he does not dare to represent everyone's opinions with his personal opinions, this matter needs to be discussed with the ministers, but also because His Majesty is wise and arbitrary." ”

Li Chuwen and Ma Zhi (that is, Zhao Liangsi) are old friends, when Ma Zhi has not defected to the Song Kingdom, the two of them often discuss Yelu Yanxi together, saying that Yelu Yanxi will be ruined and the country will be in danger, so the two formed a friendship, and secretly burned incense and swore wine in the Arctic Temple in Yanjing, and agreed to return south together.

Later, Ma Zhinan returned to the Song Kingdom and changed his name to Zhao Liangsi, while Li Chuwen stayed in Yanjing.

Therefore, Li Chuwen also wanted to return to the Song Dynasty.

But Li Chuwen did not dare to say it clearly.

Because he helped Yeluchun ascend the throne as the emperor, Li Chuwen had the merit of supporting it, so Li Chuwen won the trust of Yeluchun.

But Li Chuwen is a Han after all, although he is valued by Yeluchun, but he has aroused the dissatisfaction of Xiao Gan and Yelu Dashi and other Khitan and Xi people, and Xiao Defei, who is currently in charge of Yeluchun, who is not in good health, is also very disgusted with Li Chuwen.

Therefore, Li Chuwen had to be cautious, and could only vaguely let Ye Luchun make a decisive choice.

Although Li Chuwen did not say his own meaning explicitly, Ye Luchun also heard that Li Chuwen was in favor of claiming vassal status to the Song Dynasty.

Ye Luchun looked at Xiao Pu Xiannu again and asked, "What do you think?" ”

After Yeluchun fell ill, Xiao Puxian actually became the supreme ruler of the Liao State.

This woman is very unusual.

Even Ye Luchun himself admitted that the reason why he was respected by the Yan people and even by the Liao State had a lot to do with his little wife.

That's right, it's the little wife.

Yeluchun is more than thirty years older than Xiao Puxian.

There is a great meaning between the two of them, "I was not born when you were born, I am old when I was born, you complain that I was late, and I hate you for being born early".

Soon after marrying Xiao Puxian's daughter, Yeluchun's physical condition declined greatly due to old age.

As a result, Xiao Puxian's daughter failed to give birth to a son and a half daughter to Yeluchun in her life.

And Jerodh's only son, which was born to him by his deceased wife, was Jerodash.

It's a pity that a few years ago, Jeruasha was secretly executed for participating in the rebellion of Jeruzhangnu.

As a result, Yeluchun, who is now old and sick, does not even have anyone who can inherit his throne and help him share his worries.

There is no way, Ye Luchun can only ask his little wife Xiao Puxian Nu to help him share his worries temporarily.

Because she couldn't get the nourishment of love from Yeluchun, and because she saw through the political struggle of Yeluzhangnu's rebellion, Xiao Puxian put all her energy into politics a long time ago.

Yes.

The virtuous woman Xiao Pu is a very ambitious woman.

Xiao Puxian has always used subtle and subtle means to coordinate all aspects of personnel relations, and won unanimous praise from the Khitan, Xi nobles and Han'er officials from Yelu Yanxi down.

Xiao Pu virtuous woman persuaded Yelu Chun to give a lot of money to repair the temple and repair the temple, and now in the three ancient temples of the Min Zhong Temple, the North Pole Temple, and the Pure Dirt Temple in Yanjing City, there are stone towers of the good man Ye Lu Chun's belief in the daughter Xiao Pu and the virtuous woman to worship and repair.

Xiao Puxian was also a linguist, knowing Khitan, Chinese, and Tangut languages, and was fluent in conversations with several Dadan tribesmen.

Xiao Puxian single-handedly promoted her husband Yeluchun to stand out among all the clans, and became the chief of the Khitan nobility, and later made him emperor.

Moreover, what many people don't know is that when Xiao Puxian was still a girl, she was skillful in bowing horses.

It can be said that in both civil and military aspects, Xiao Puxian can be left and right.

When Yeluchun was seriously ill, Xiao Puxian had already replaced Yeluchun in fact.

Now, Xiao Puxian is already an indispensable person in the political group of Northern Liao, and even the helmsman of this political group, so much so that Yeluchun has to ask her what she means.

Xiao Puxiannu actually didn't want to claim vassal to the Great Song Dynasty.

Xiao Puxiannu was angry with Da Song, she thought that Da Song wantonly broke the hundred-year covenant, went back on his word, was very dishonest, played cautious, and was unreliable.

But Xiao Puxian, who knew how to be restrained, did not express her own meaning clearly, but said: "It is best to seek the opinions of the kings of the four armies and generals such as Lin Ya Dashi on this matter." ”

Xiao Gan, Yelu Dashi and other generals all demanded a decisive battle to the end, and they all held the belief that they would die, so although Xiao Puxian did not express his position, Ye Luchun still knew what Xiao Puxian meant.

Ye Luchun looked at the left bow again.

Zuo Qigong saw it and said: "Your Majesty, according to the minister, Cai is still not subservient, we might as well form an alliance with him." ”

Ye Luchun frowned slightly, and said, "Still ally with Cai?" ”

Zuo Qi bowed: "Not bad." ”

Zuo Qigong said again: "In the minister's opinion, there are at least three benefits to forming an alliance with Cai. ”

Yeluchun asked, "What are the three benefits?" ”

Zuo Qi bowed: "The first benefit, Cai can still fight." ”

Without waiting for others to ask in detail, Zuo Qigong explained: "Although the Song Dynasty has many soldiers and horses, they are vulnerable, and Dashi can kill them with 2,000 soldiers and horses, and the Song Dynasty is not enough to worry about it, nor is it enough to ally with it." Our Daliao is now weak, and we must have strong reinforcements to solve the difficulties faced by our Daliao. As we all know, Cai still defeated the Jurchen general Wanyan Zonghan not long ago, fully demonstrating his powerful force. If Cai can still form an alliance with our Great Liao, our Great Liao will have a high chance of defeating the Jurchens, and even have a great possibility of restoring the former glory of the Great Liao. ”

Zuo Qigong's words made many people ponder.

Zuo Qigong said again: "The second benefit, Cai may still have a request for us." ”

After a pause, Zuo Qigong continued: "Judging from what Cai still has done, he and the Great Song Dynasty are bound to turn against each other, so he is bound to face the crusade of the Great Song Dynasty, in this case, it is impossible for him not to need allies, so let's form an alliance with him, not only to save ourselves, but also to save him, and we have the basis for an alliance." ”

Li Chuwen said leisurely: "I'm afraid, Cai is still fighting to annex our Yandi." ”

Zuo Qigong did not deny it: "There is such a possibility, but it has to wait until he repels the Song army and the Jurchens, otherwise, he will have to face the attacks of the Jurchens, the Song people and us at the same time. ”

Li Chuwen also felt that Cai still would not be bold enough to start a war with the Song, Jin, and Liao Kingdoms at the same time, and then remained silent.

Zuo Qigong said again: "What about this third benefit......

Speaking of this, Zuo Qigong bowed to Yeluchun and said, "Please also ask Your Majesty to forgive the sins of the ministers first." ”

Ye Luchun waved his hand lightly and said, "But it doesn't hurt to say it." ”

Zuo Qi bowed and said: "Cai still occupies the concubines and daughters of the King of Huaiyin and the concubines and daughters of other clans, which is the anger of people and gods, but it is precisely because of this that it is easier for us to form an alliance." ”

Ye Luchun frowned deeply and asked, "Why do you say that?" ”

Zuo Qigong said: "I heard that Cai still included the concubines and daughters of King Huaiyin and the concubines and daughters of other clans into his harem, so Cai is still still related to His Majesty, and it is natural for relatives to help each other." ”

Seeing that Ye Luchun's face was not very good, Zuo Qi hurriedly said: "Moreover, the minister heard that the concubines and daughters of the King of Huaiyin and the concubines and daughters of other clans were given to Cai by the King of Huaiyin. ”

Zuo Qigong said euphemistically, but everyone heard what Zuo Qigong meant: "This matter is Yelu Yanxi's, what does it have to do with you Yeluchun, the Liao people are scolding, and they will only scold Yelu Yanxi for being cowardly and incompetent, and will not scold you Yeluchun, and besides, this can also hit Yelu Yanxi to bring out you Yeluchun, why don't you Yeluchun do it?" ”

It's a pity that Zuo Qigong underestimated Ye Luchun's responsibility.

In Ye Luchun's view, the humiliation of the Daliao royal family is that he is humiliated.

In addition, Yeluchun was worried about Yelu Yanxi's return, and he was afraid that the Jin soldiers would attack the city.

Therefore, Yelu Chun considered it again and again, and finally made a choice: "I won the throne, and I wanted to protect the temple with Qing and others, but now the Jurchen cavalry has reached Bei'an City, and the Song Dynasty traitor Cai still occupies my Xijing, and the heavy troops of the Great Song Dynasty are also on the border." When I look at the heavens, I dare not sit on the throne alone, and I will definitely form an alliance. After thinking about it, I think that instead of voting for Jurchen and tying Cai Ying, it is better to call the Song Dynasty a vassal and equal to the Qing to protect the blood, what do you think? ”

After speaking, Yeluchun lowered his head and hid his face and sobbed.

Li Chuwen and other ministers also quietly wept.

Only Zuo Qigong did not shed tears, but just shook his head and sighed.

The next day, Xiao Ao and Zhang Jue came to the Pure Scale Temple to see Ma Kuo, and brought Ma Kuo many gifts such as brocade clothes and silver silks.

Xiao Ao said: "I just received the holy decree, please Ma Xuanzan immediately leave for China, and my dynasty will send the secretary Lang Wang Jieru and the capital official Wang Zhongsun to go to the Xuanfu Division in Xiongzhou with you to discuss the matter of claiming the domain." ”

Ma Kuo said: "I didn't see the nine kings reply, Ma didn't dare to go back, let alone take bribes." ”

Xiao Ao was stunned.

Zhang Jue walked quickly to Ma Kuo and whispered, "Why are you so dead-eyed?" When do you dare to stay in Yanjing? If you disobey the order, aren't you afraid that the emperor will kill you in anger? ”

Ma Kuo said with a smile: "Since Ma came, he took it as his duty to complete the mission, so what's the use of being afraid?" When Ma crossed the Baigou River in the north, he had put life and death out of the way. ”

Ma Kuo's bravery was admired by everyone.

But—

Because Yeluchun's illness was too serious, the Liao people still didn't let Ma Kuan see Yeluchun.

A few days later, on May 27, Ma Kuo and the Northern Liao envoy Wang Jieru and others left Yanjing and returned to Xiongzhou......

……