There is a beautiful legend in the origin of the Khitan, according to legend, a fairy who drove a green ox cart from the Xilamulun River, and an immortal who rode a white horse from the Tuhe River, met at the confluence of the two rivers, the two fell in love, and became husband and wife, they are the ancestors of the Khitan people.

The Khitan actually belongs to the descendants of Donghu Xianbei, and is of the same race as Murwei and Kumoxi, who also speak Mongolian. Tang Taizong of the Tang Dynasty set up the Songmo Governor's Mansion in the Khitan residence, and the chief served as the governor and gave the surname Li.

In the late Tang Dynasty, Yelu Abaoji, the leader of the Khitan Diethorn Division, took advantage of the civil strife in the Tang Dynasty to unify the various departments, and in 916 AD, Yelu Abaoji established the Khitan State, that is, Liao Taizu.

After his son Liao Taizong Yelu Deguang ascended the throne, he unified the Khitan tribes and established a powerful state in the northern grasslands. At that time, the Central Plains coincided with the chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and in order to ascend the throne, Shi Jingjiao of the Later Jin Dynasty exchanged the shame of Emperor Er and the sixteen states of Youyun for the support of the Liao State.

Since then, the sixteen states of Youyun have fallen into the hands of the Liao State. Not only did the Central Plains lose an important military barrier, but at the same time, the Liao State also gained superior natural conditions, abundant products, and economically developed territory, which promoted its development and greatly enhanced its national strength.

Later, Zhou Shizong Chai Rong had intended to go on a northern expedition, and he had just made a slight achievement in Guannan, and he didn't want to die young, so his young son Chong Ling took the throne and lost the country directly. Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin intended to send troops to recover, but before he could make a move, the candle shadow shook red and died. As for Song Taizong, the army went on a northern expedition, but unfortunately the Gaoliang River was defeated in a fiasco, and he was bitten by a snake for ten years and was afraid of the well rope, and did not make any achievements.

Since then, the Northern Expedition to recover Youyun has become an empty word, and it can be said that until the death of the Song Dynasty, the sixteen states of Youyun have never really been recaptured. Especially during the time of Song Zhenzong, Liao Shengzong and Empress Dowager Xiao led a large army to invade the south, killed near Lanzhou, and approached Bianjing. Prime Minister Kou Zhun supported Song Zhenzong's personal expedition and repelled the Liao army. The two countries quit their troops and signed the alliance of the Yuanyuan, which was a brotherly country from then on, but in fact it was a peace bought by a large amount of coins every year, and the brand of humiliation could never be removed.

After that, the Song and Liao also entered a period of relative peace, especially during the decades of Renzong's reign, and the border between the two countries was silent.

But peace is always relative, and it is an indisputable fact that Liao posed a serious military threat to the Song. Especially after the loss of the Yanshan barrier, the Song Dynasty was congenitally at a disadvantage in defense, and the situation became even more severe. Often, a little wind and grass, or the occurrence of some unexpected circumstances, will cause the conflict between Song and Liao to increase, or even lead to large-scale war. As a result, the Song army had to wait for the Song army from time to time, and even the grass and trees were all soldiers.

It is precisely because of this that when Xiao Jie died in Bianjing, the monarchs and ministers of the Song Dynasty were so anxious. Now that the case has been solved, it is necessary to negotiate with Liao, and the responsibilities on the shoulders of Zeng Gong, Lin Zhao and others are even heavier.

After two days, the wind and waves gradually subsided, and the mission boarded the sea vessels that had been prepared and set off in a northeasterly direction. As a port, Dengzhou also has a small amount of contact with the port of Liaoguo, and Xu Zun chooses experienced shipwrights and helmsmen, because the journey is very smooth. In August, the monsoon from the south has not yet receded, and it just happened to be smooth sailing to Liaodong.

In August, the ship docked at Chenzhou on the inner side of the Liaodong Peninsula, and the mission finally set foot on the land of Liao, and the destination was a bowl near Liaoyang Prefecture in Tokyo, Liao.

This is also the first time that the envoys of the Great Song Dynasty came to Liaodong, and usually the state etiquette exchanges between the two countries are mainly concentrated in Youzhou in Nanjing, Liao, and Shangjing, the capital, and rarely in Liaoyang.

A big reason for this situation comes from the current Liao lord Yelu Hongji. As the grandson of Yelu Longxu, the great Holy Emperor of Liao, this master is less wise and martial, and more curious and playful. It is rare to stay obediently in the capital, and it is common to hunt bowls in the periphery all year round.

It is precisely because of this that the control of power and the state is not close enough, which caused the rebellion of the imperial uncle Yelu Chongyuan. After quelling the rebellion, although Yelu Hongji has reined in, his outlook is still not much, and he came to Liaodong to hunt while the autumn light was just right. Perhaps it was because Yelu Hongji did not remember his surname that the bad habit continued, and many years later it led to an even greater tragedy......

Of course, as far as this trip is concerned, this arrangement may be that the Liao lord has other purposes.

The envoy had already delivered the documents by land by fast horses, and the Liao side had already made preparations and sent people to wait at the port of Chenzhou.

The official who came to receive the Liao State was named Yelu Ji, and he may have some connection with the Liao clan, who let the main surnames of the Liao State be Yelu and Xiao?

This Lord Yeluji is relatively ordinary, and when he met, he said: "On behalf of my Majesty the Great Liao Emperor, this official welcomes the arrival of the Song envoy!" ”

"Lord Xie Liao's hospitality!" Zhang Zongyi is in charge of façade work!

Yelu Ji said: "His Majesty the Emperor of our country is in Liaoyang Mansion in Tokyo, not too far from here, you are now in Chenzhou to rest a little, and then leave later." ”

At the same time as greeting, Yelu Ji saw Lin Zhao, and a trace of imperceptible hatred appeared in his eyes, but he pretended to be surprised: "Hey, Your Excellency is an envoy of the Southern Dynasty?" Is there no one in the Southern Dynasty? I even sent a little doll to envoy! ”

"Deputy Envoy Lin is young and promising, and this mission is to let your country see the grand occasion of our country's young and talented people." Zeng Gong, as the leader of this mission, naturally would not let Lin Zhao suffer, and Ouyang Gong's disciple was naturally eloquent.

Lin Zhao said with a smile: "At a young age, I can only reluctantly do such a vulgar thing in my dynasty, alas...... Unlike your country, Lord Jerod is a little older, so he can take charge of such important things as receiving the mission......"

Yeluji, who choked on a word, was quite uncomfortable, but it was not easy to attack. At the same time, he also realized that several envoys of the Southern Dynasty were afraid that they were all good stubble. Especially Lin Zhao, Yelu Ji's gaze stayed on him intentionally or unintentionally.

Yeluji said in a deep voice: "In that case, you should rest in the guest house for a while!" It coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the guest house has prepared thin wine, please! ”

Unexpectedly, the first Mid-Autumn Festival through the Song Dynasty was spent in Liao, and it was a pity that I couldn't be with my uncle, aunt, Meng Ruoying and Gu Yuelun and others during the reunion. Being alone in a foreign land as a stranger, thinking of his relatives every festival, and now being in a "foreign country", Lin Zhao can be regarded as having a deep understanding.

Looking up at the moon in the sky, I wonder if my uncle Gu Qi is thinking about his nephew and daughter? My aunt's belly should have bulged, I don't know if it's a cousin or a little cousin? How is the business of Jiangnan Ju today? When my cousin goes out for the first time, will she be homesick? Meng Ruoying, what about her? Do you think of me when you're homesick?

Lin Zhao stood under the moonlight and couldn't help but sigh!

I don't know when, Zeng Gong appeared behind him and said softly: "Homesick? ”

"Well, it's a little!" Lin Zhao nodded truthfully.

Zeng Gong said: "There is no way, with the emperor's order, it is inevitable that there will be sacrifices, and the top priority is to do this errand well!" ”

"Hmm!"

"I think you have also realized that the Liao people are not so friendly!" Zeng Gong said earnestly: "This is just the beginning, after meeting the Liao Lord in Liaoyang, this kind of thing will often happen, and you must deal with it calmly and tactfully!" ”

Zeng Gong was afraid that Lin Zhao would be young and vigorous, so he rushed to comfort him, and at the same time gave him advice. The trip to Liaodong has just begun, and it is destined to be full of difficulties......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Yelu Ji returned to his room, someone asked in the dark, "Have you seen Lin Zhao?" ”

"See, it's a hairy boy!"

"The hairy boy can't be ignored, the news that Yelu sent back to Youzhou quickly, Xiao Jie's bureau was solved by this person."

"Jerod is back? Where is he now? ”

"Now in Nanjing (Youzhou), I am sick and have delayed my trip."

"What to do? It can be delayed for a while, but it can't be delayed for a lifetime, he is going to come to Liaoyang after all, how to explain it to Yelu Hongji? ”

"Yes, either sacrifice him or we risk being exposed......"

"It's a pity that everything we have painstakingly arranged, you have been preparing for a long time, but unfortunately all of them have failed! This damn Lin Zhao, I will definitely not let him leave Liaoyang alive! ”

"No, although Youzhou has failed, we still have a chance. It's not just Lin Zhao, the scenery of Liaoyang is so good, no one should go! ”