"Enough!"

Seeing that Zhao Defang was beaten to death, Cao Bin, who had just stepped into the door, stopped this atrocity.

After Cao Bin glanced at Zhao Defang, who was dying from the beating, he ignored him, but looked at the group of ministers, and said heavily: "The hundreds of thousands of Liao troops are just outside the city, and Your Majesty has suddenly died now." As a matter of urgency, we should discuss how to safely send His Majesty's dragon back to Bianjing.

As for those who kill the king, they are naturally punished by the laws of the Great Song Dynasty, and it is not our turn to abuse lynching. ”

When the ministers heard this, the expressions of grief and indignation on their faces were a little stiff.

Using the laws of the Great Song Dynasty to oppress people, that is what they are best at, but they didn't expect to be used by a military general to suppress them now.

It left their faces a little untouched.

"Humph!"

Zhao Pu looked at Zhao Defang and snorted coldly, and then said sadly: "Cao Shu's secret envoy is reasonable, now that internal and external troubles are imminent, I, as a courtier of the Great Song Dynasty, should do my best to help the Great Song Dynasty overcome this difficulty."

As for the murderer, he was escorted back to Bianjing City, where he was interrogated by hundreds of officials, and once convicted, he was sentenced to death. ”

After saying this, the group began to rein in Zhao Guangyi's body.

As for Zhao Defang and Chen Lin, they were escorted to a tight room and guarded by several military generals who stayed behind.

After reining in Zhao Guangyi's body, the Wenchen generals gathered together and sat together, no one spoke.

The atmosphere was depressing.

In this Northern Expedition, the most elite army of the imperial court was gone, and now even the emperor has died.

For a while, the ministers felt a little precarious.

Regarding Zhao Guangyi's death, except for a very few people, the rest of the officials did not grieve at all.

Man is born to die, even if he is a king.

Even if Zhao Guangyi does not die, he will not have a good time after returning to Bianjing.

Hundreds of thousands of troops died tragically outside Shuncheng, and Zhao Guangyi must give an explanation to the people of the world.

Now that Zhao Guangyi is dead, he has asked these civil and military men who are driving with him to give an explanation to the people of the world.

People die greatly, and once Zhao Guangyi dies, even if he has a great culpability, there is no way to continue to pursue it.

This will greatly alleviate the pressure of the battle of Shuncheng and the tragic death of hundreds of thousands of troops.

The situation in the country can be stabilized in this way.

But what about abroad?

Zhao Guangyi's death is equivalent to the collapse of the sky.

If a country has no talkers, even if it wins the opportunity to negotiate peace with Liao, no one can call the shots.

And if the Liao people invade the south on a large scale, who can resist the iron hooves of the Liao people?

Now even if you want to transfer the Xiang troops from all over the country and the 200,000 forbidden troops left in Bianjing City, you can't do it.

"Hey...... The Great Song Dynasty is in danger, what should I do? ”

After being silent for a long time, Zhao Pu spoke helplessly.

Everyone, you look at me, I look at you, and they can't make up their minds.

The one who really took the idea is dead.

What if the rest of the people had an idea?

Li Xin gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "So far, only Zhao Xiangye and Cao Shumi can call the shots. Li Xin asked the two to preside over the overall situation, and Li Xin had no complaints about the things set by the two, and he would definitely obey them. ”

When the ministers heard this, they echoed it one after another.

"Everything is decided by Cao Shumi and Zhao Xiangye."

"It's up to the two to decide."

“……”

Zhao Pu and Cao Bin glanced at each other with solemn expressions.

Zhao Pu was the first to speak: "Military matters are decided by Cao Shumi, and the old man only discusses political affairs. As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a king for a day. His Majesty has died, and the most important thing is to elect a new emperor as soon as possible. And we are far away in Tongtai Pass, thousands of miles away from Bianjing City.

Therefore, the old man decided that the old man and Li Xin would take the lead in returning to Beijing, and elect a new emperor as soon as possible to preside over the overall situation.

Before that, the old man hopes that you will keep your mouth shut about His Majesty's death to avoid chaos. ”

Zhao Pu stood up and said to Cao Bin: "In the border war, there is Lao Cao's secret work. All the soldiers and horses of my Great Song Dynasty were entrusted to Cao Shumi. It is hoped that Cao Shumi will guard the country and prevent the Liao people from invading the south.

On the day when Cao Shumi returns to Beijing, the old man will definitely lead the new emperor and hundreds of officials to greet him.

Moreover, the old man can promise under the witness of you that when Cao Shumi returns to Beijing, his seat in the court will definitely not be under the old man. ”

Zhao Pu said that he arranged things properly.

He is in charge of the text, and Cao Bin is in charge of the martial arts.

Even in order to make Cao Bin feel at ease to deal with the Liao people on the border, Zhao Pu also gave a promise.

Once the new emperor ascends the throne, you, Cao Bin, are also the ministers of the dragon, and his status will never be lower than him.

However, when Cao Bin heard this, he had a bitter face and said helplessly: "Zhao Xianggong has looked down on the old man, and now the hundreds of thousands of troops of the Liao State have reached Waqiao Pass and invaded Zhending and Hejian Mansions, and it is only a matter of time."

Even if the old man has the ability to reach the sky, he has no power to return to the sky.

Even if all the Xiang troops in the northwest are mobilized together, it will be difficult to resist the hundreds of thousands of elite cavalry of the Liao State. ”

"How can this be good, do we want to watch the Great Song Dynasty be destroyed, and watch the people of the Great Song Dynasty fall into the boundless beacon fire?"

Zhao Pu clenched his fists and shouted in a lost voice.

Once again, the crowd bowed their heads.

There was silence in the room.

Cao Bin glanced at everyone and said in a low voice: "It's not that there is no way to ...... at all."

Everyone looked at Cao Bin expectantly.

Cao Bin said dryly: "At present, the only ones who can resist the Liao army are the soldiers and horses of the two families of Zheyang in the northwest. As far as the old man knew, Yang Yansi's soldiers and horses were already on their way.

As long as Yang Yansi's soldiers and horses work together, they can drag the Liao people's footsteps. If you add the soldiers and horses of the Northwest Zhejia to help, you will definitely be able to guard the gate of my Great Song Dynasty. ”

"Then what are you waiting for, quickly send a letter to Zhe Yuxun, so that he can lead the crowd to come to help."

Someone said urgently.

Cao Bin shook his head helplessly and said, "No! When His Majesty was alive, it took great effort to suppress them, and as soon as His Majesty died, the two families of Zheyang broke free from the last shackles. The sky is high for birds to fly, and the sea is wide for fish to leap. If they don't take advantage of the fire to rob at this time and chase the Central Plains, they are already merciful.

Ask them to come over and help, do you think you can still send a paper order over like before, and give a nominal title to fool people and let people help the Great Song Dynasty?

There is no real benefit, you see if they will move a single soldier. ”

Everyone's faces were a little ugly for a while.

Someone frowned and asked, "Aren't Yang Yansi's soldiers and horses already on the way to help?" With Yang Yansi's soldiers and horses to help resist the Liao army, we will also have less pressure. When the time comes, the secondment of the Xiang troops of various departments should be able to withstand the Liao army. ”

"Hey~"

Cao Bin let out a long sigh, lowered his head and did not speak.

Zhao Pu's face was gloomy, and he said helplessly: "Yang Yansi promised to transfer troops to help before, but he didn't promise to do his best to help us. There are only more than 200,000 soldiers and horses in the four northwestern provinces under Yang Yansi's command, and in addition to the more than 100,000 soldiers and horses left in the headquarters, the soldiers and horses that can be dispatched are only 100,000 at most.

100,000 soldiers and horses, against hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses of the Liao State.

Unless they are exhausted, it is impossible to stop the southern invasion of the Liao. ”

"Then order him to fight light."

Someone said this sentence without thinking.

was immediately scolded by Zhao Pu, "You go and tell Yang Yansi?" Tell him to let the 100,000 soldiers and horses under his command fight to help us defend the country of the Great Song Dynasty? You'll see if he'll shave you with a big ear.

Speaking and using his brain, His Majesty didn't dare to say this to Yang Yansi when he was alive. Your Majesty has died now, who else can order Yang Yansi to do things?

He is the overlord of the northwest side, not the powerful warriors in Bianjing City. ”

The word Takeo is mentioned.

Cao Bin frowned, but he didn't refute Zhao Pu's words.

In fact, he agreed with Zhao Pu's words.

As soon as Zhao Guangyi died, no one in the world was qualified to order Yang Qi.

Even if the new emperor is chosen, after the new emperor ascends the throne, he can only treat Yang Qi with a smile.

After all, Yang Qi and Zhao Guangyi have the status of monarchs and ministers.

After Zhao Pu's reprimand, the ministers fell into silence again.

Li Xin frowned and said: "This time Zhao Defang killed the king, I am afraid that Yang Yansi will not be able to get rid of it." ”

Zhao Pu glared at Li Xin.

Are you smart?

When the old man and Cao Bin can't see it?

What's the use of seeing it, Yang Qi is now the only pillar that the Great Song Dynasty can rely on.

As long as he didn't kill the king himself, he could only pretend not to see it.

Besides, with Yang Qi's current power, even if it is proved that he participated in the murder of the king, who has the ability to offend him?

Li Xin obediently closed his mouth in Zhao Pu's fierce eyes.

Zhao Pu looked at Cao Bin and said in a low voice: "Yang Yansi is now in the city, you, as his father-in-law, go and persuade him to take a look?" Maybe there will be a turning point in this matter? ”

Cao Bin was a little embarrassed, he saw that everyone's eyes were staring at him stunned, so he could only nod helplessly and said, "Old man, go and try." ”

Cao Bin walked out of the room under everyone's attention.

They climbed to the top of the city with heavy steps.

At the head of the city, Yang Qi had already turned his back to the city, facing the inside of the city, admiring the bonfires that were connected outside the city.

"Hey......"

Cao Bin sighed, paced to Yang Qi's side, and said helplessly: "Why are you doing this?" After this battle, Your Majesty will no longer be able to stop your way to rise. Why are you killing him again? ”

Yang Qi put his hands behind his back, didn't look back, and said calmly: "I didn't kill him, I just lent some people to Zhao Defang according to the agreement." ”

Cao Bin smiled bitterly: "You lent Zhao Defang men and horses, let him get rid of the equipment supervisor who guarded His Majesty, and put His Majesty in danger, what is the difference between this and murder?" ”

Yang Qi slowly turned around and said mockingly: "You and I have repeatedly admonished, but he still insisted on going his own way, resulting in the tragic death of hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Shuncheng. Doesn't he need to give an explanation to these soldiers and their families? ”

Cao Bin frowned and sighed: "The old man believes that after His Majesty returns to Bianjing, he will definitely give an explanation to his subjects." ”

Yang Qi smiled sarcastically: "What explanation? Guilty of one's own crimes? Or do you find a place with beautiful mountains and rivers, hide in it by yourself, and say that you are self-imprisoned every month?

Do you think this kind of confession is worthy of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers buried in Shuncheng? ”

Cao Bin said helplessly: "Then you can't bear the name of killing a monarch because of this, right?" ”

Yang Qi sneered: "You want to push this matter on my head? Then I can only tell you that I did not kill the king, nor did I bear the name of this kingkiller. Whoever dares to plant this name on me, I don't mind killing him. ”

"Hey...... That's it. So far, it is futile to say this. The old man came to you this time because he was entrusted by everyone to ask for your help. ”

Yang Qi put away the sneer on his face, and said with a smile: "Ask me for help?" Please let me exhaust the soldiers and horses of the four northwestern provinces and help you block the Liao army? Do you think I'm going to be that stupid? ”

Cao Bin had an embarrassed look on his face, "Now, except for you, no one can resist the Liao army." You are not helping us, but helping the people of the Great Song Dynasty. ”

Yang Qi shook his head and smiled, and said jokingly: "Isn't helping Da Song just helping you?" I help you, what good do I have? ”

Cao Bin looked at Yang Qi and said in a deep voice, "What benefits do you want?" ”

Yang Qiwan smiled and said lightly: "The imperial court must recognize my right to rule in the four northwestern prefectures, as well as the sixteen states of Yanyun. ”

Cao Bin was stunned and shouted: "Now that the Liao army is strong, with the 100,000 soldiers and horses under your command, can you capture the sixteen states of Yanyun?" ”

Yang Qi smiled and did not speak.

Cao Bin frowned and pondered, and after a while, he suddenly spoke: "You secretly dispatched the soldiers and horses of the southern country to the north, right?" ”

Cao Bin pondered while staring at Yang Qi and muttering to himself in horror, "From the very beginning, you knew that this time the imperial court's northern expedition would definitely lose. So you laid out early. When the imperial court and the Liao State were defeated, they would take over the tragedy and counterattack the Liao State, so as to control the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun in their own hands? ”

Now, Yang Qi has nothing to hide from Cao Bin, he nodded slowly and admitted Cao Bin's statement.

Seeing this, Cao Bin's face became even more frightened, and he said incoherently: "You are actually ...... How can you calculate so far...... Who else is your opponent in the whole world...... You ......"

Yang Qi smiled and said, "Father-in-law, this is an opportunity for the junior son-in-law, and for your Cao family, why not an opportunity?" ”

Cao Bin looked at Yang Qi and asked in a slightly hesitant voice, "What do you mean by this?" ”

Yang Qi sighed: "The Cao family occupies Dali, my Yang family occupies the four prefectures in the south and northwest, and the Zhe family occupies the old land of the party. The strength of the three of us combined, we are no longer lost to the Great Song Dynasty. But we can only do things secretly behind our backs.

How strong and rich we are, only we know.

It's like walking in brocade at night, hiding all the time, sneaking around.

But can we hide for a while, can we hide for a lifetime? Can it be hidden for a hundred years?

No matter how deep the secret is, it will eventually be dug up.

It's better to take this opportunity and walk to the front of the stage. ”

Cao Bin's heart suddenly began to beat wildly, and he had to admit that he was a little moved by Yang Qi's words.

The Cao family occupies Dali, and the wealth and prosperity have already reached the top.

But he has never dared to expose himself in front of people, and secretly guarded it strictly, for fear of being discovered by others.