Zhou Xun worked as a shopkeeper in the silk shop opened by Lu Chang in Xijin Prefecture.

Two years later, he went to Nanping Wangfu as a staff member, so he was familiar with the affairs of Nanping Wangfu.

However, Zhou Xun was not taken seriously in the Nanping Palace, and the Liao government was all run by the Khitans, excluding the Han people, and Zhou Xun finally chose to retire and became a free hermit in Xishan.

Because Lu Chang is also his savior, he has always kept in touch with Lu Chang.

Ye Pei went north, and Lu Chang knew that Zhou Xun would definitely be able to help her, so he recommended Ye Pei to come to him. Zhou Xun pretended to be mysterious, and he also used this to explore Ye Pei's ambition.

"The north is cold, the willows sprout late, and spring is late, but no matter how late the spring will come, one day, this harsh winter will pass. There is no willow around here, which is the intention of my Mr. Wuliu. Sister of the Ye family, you have grown from a clever and lively little girl to a mature and righteous heroine! ”

Ye Pei also sighed: "No, it's been almost ten years. Brother Zhou, everything is okay? ”

Zhou Xun said: "Thank you princess for saving your life, I'm fine." It's just that I was surprised to hear that you married Liao. ”

"The world is impermanent, and I never thought that in ten years I would go back to the path of darts."

Ye Pei married to Nanjing, Liaoguo this time, and the road she took to Nanjing with the Zhenyuan Dart Bureau was almost the same as the last time, but after experiencing so many ups and downs, her mood at this time was completely different from before, so Ye Pei sighed so much.

The two of them talked about what happened after parting.

Zhou Xun asked: "The princess must have come here to inquire about the Nanping Palace?" ”

"Please Brother Zhou to solve my doubts."

Zhou Xundao: "After the king of Nanping goes, the affairs of the palace are all in charge of the chief Han Zhongbiao. When the princess entered the Nanping Palace, she naturally had to settle Han Zhongbiao first. ”

Ye Pei asked: "What kind of person is this Han Zhongbiao?" ”

"This person is too selfish."

Ye Pei nodded, "It's easy to deal with if you're selfish." ”

Zhou Xun smiled: "The princess is really smart! The Queen Mother of Nanping is the younger sister of Liao Shengzong and the birthday daughter of Yeluqing. Now in the palace, although she is not nominally in charge, she is an old lady who understands very well, and the only person the princess can rely on is her.

She is the aunt of Liao Xingzong, and she is really trusted by Xingzong Yeluzong, if the princess enters the palace to face the saint, she can still be led by the birthday girl. If you can gain the trust of Liao Xingzong and investigate the cause of King Nanping's death, it will be much easier! ”

Ye Pei nodded again and said, "With Brother Zhou's guidance, I will get twice the result with half the effort!" ”

"After controlling the Nanping Palace, the most important thing is to get the military power of the Nancheng battalion. Xiao Shinan has two lieutenants, Pei Shengbin and Xin Gu, who have followed Xiao Shinan for many years, and they are also worthy of the princess's trust. ”

These words were consistent with the information Ye Pei had found before, so he trusted Zhou Xun even more.

Ye Pei asked again: "Brother Zhou thinks, how could King Nanping suddenly die?" ”

"Could it be that the princess believes the news of King Nanping's death?"

"Naturally, I don't believe it."

Zhou Xun said unhurriedly: "Since the funeral of the Liao Holy Sect, the Empress Dowager Fatian has controlled the power of the Liao State. But the voices against her have been constant, and this time she sent troops to Song, she just took this opportunity to gather military power and fight against dissidents.

But Song Liao's harmony destroyed all her plans. If the harmony is successful, who does the princess think will benefit the most? ”

"Naturally, it's the king of Nanping."

"Definitely! It's Brother Xiao Bodhisattva, the Empress Dowager of Monkey Sky! ”

"Oh?" Ye Pei was amazed, and then admired Zhou Xun's unique vision.

Zhou Xun continued: "The Empress Dowager Fatian Xiao Yunjin has been putting the Empress Dowager Qi Tian under house arrest in the palace. If the Nanjing regime is stable and has the support of the Great Song Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Fatian is afraid of Xiao Shinan and will naturally take action. And Xiao Shinan's cousin, the Empress Dowager Xiao Bodhisattva, is his weakness. ”

Ye Pei asked: "The Empress Dowager Fatian is in the palace in Zhongjing of the Liao Kingdom, how can I find an opportunity to verify it?" ”

"When you marry into the Nanping Palace, it will be counted as the success of Song Liao and his relatives, and you should go to Zhongjing to kowtow to Liao Xingzong in three days to thank you, this is the best opportunity to enter the palace!"

A glimmer of light flashed in Ye Pei's eyes, "Brother Zhou is really Zhuge Kongming's reincarnation!" ”

Zhou Xundao: "I have been in Liao for many years, so I naturally know that there are more internal affairs in Liao than princesses. Xiao Yunjin was originally the maidservant of the Empress Dowager Xiao Xuan, and learned some political methods from the Empress Dowager Chengtian.

The Empress Dowager Xiao Bodhisattva is the niece of the regent Han Derang, who is quite loved by the Empress Dowager Chengtian, and is the cousin of Liao Shengzong, which can be described as the daughter of the sky.

It's a pity that the two sons born to Brother Xiao Bodhisattva died young, and he was no longer able to have children. The Empress Dowager Chengtian assigned her maidservant Xiao Yunjin to serve the Liao Shengzong, and gave birth to Yelu Zongzhen and let Xiao Bodhisattva raise her as a parent. ”

Ye Pei said: "I have also heard of these in the Great Song Dynasty. ”

Zhou Xun nodded and continued: "This Xiao Yunjin has a grudge because of this. Waiting for the funeral of the emperor and the queen of heaven, Xiao Yunjin gave birth to another son, who is Yelu Chongyuan. This Yelu Chongyuan was raised by Xiao Yunjin personally, and he was naturally closer than Yelu Zongzhen.

When Liao Shengzong was funeral, he was cruising outside just in time for the spring bowl, and only Xiao Yunjin was on his side, and Xiao Bodhisattva, the queen of Qi Tian, was in the capital of Zhongjing.

It is rumored that Liao Shengzong originally intended to make Xiao Bodhisattva brother the queen mother and Xiao Yunjin the imperial concubine, but for some reason, the holy decree became the two queens standing side by side.

Princess, you have to analyze, if it weren't for Liao Shengzong being seriously ill and confused, how could the two queens stand side by side? ”

"Could it be that Xiao Yunjin tampered with the edict?"

Zhou Xun pouted and said, "This possibility is extremely high. ”

Ye Pei sighed: "I can't imagine that the political situation in Liao is so complicated! ”

Zhou Xun said with a smile: "Which dynasty and which country's political situation is not so complicated? What seems to be peaceful and stable to the outside world is just how many people cover it up with blood. ”

Ye Pei smiled knowingly, but let out a lament in his heart.

Isn't it a complicated political situation to help Zhao Zhen personally govern and seize power from the Empress Dowager Liu E of Zhang Xian? It's just that the peace that was exchanged for blood is covered up by the appearance of prosperity, and outsiders have no way of knowing.

Zhou Xun said again: "In any case, Xiao Yunjin was made the Empress Dowager of Fatian and controlled the power of the Liao State. Although Brother Xiao Bodhisattva was established as the Empress Dowager of Qi Tian, he had already lost his real power.

Xiao Shinan, the king of Nanping, is the cousin of Xiao Bodhisattva, so he naturally wants to fight for her rights. It's a pity that Brother Xiao Bodhisattva was controlled by the Empress Dowager Fatian, and Xiao Shinan didn't dare to act rashly.

The Song-Liao dispute broke out again, Xiao Yunjin's cronies Xiao Xiaoxian and Xiao Xiaoli were defeated one after another, and seeing that the situation in the southern region of Liao was not good, Xiao Yunjin had no choice but to use Xiao Shinan.

The king of Nanping was really resourceful, and he only captured the princess to turn the tide of the Song-Liao war, promote the Song-Liao peace talks, and force the Empress Dowager Fatian to accept peace.

But the princess knew that once the harmony was successful, the Empress Dowager Fatian would immediately lose control of the Nanjing side of the Liao Kingdom, and she was even afraid that Xiao Shinan would take advantage of the situation to become a rebel and go straight to the Dading Mansion in Zhongjing! ”

Ye Pei said: "So Xiao Yunjin is the first to strike, use Brother Xiao Bodhisattva as a bait to attract Xiao Shinan to go, and kill him in one fell swoop!" ”

"The princess's analysis is extremely correct!"

Ye Pei took a breath of cool air, "Xiao Shinan's martial arts are world-famous, who can kill him with such high skills?" ”

Zhou Xun said lightly: "There are many ways to kill people, if you can't attack by force, you can also outwit them." ”

Ye Pei's eyes dimmed suddenly, and at the mention of Xiao Shinan's death, her heart still twitched unconsciously.

"No matter how they killed Xiao Shinan, I will reveal this secret!"

Zhou Xun said: "I am willing to go with the princess!" ”

Ye Pei said: "Brother Zhou knows that this is a lot of bad luck, why should he accompany me to die?" ”

Zhou Xun smiled and said indifferently: "My life was given by the princess, you have let me live for many more years and understand so many things, I should also return all this to the princess at this time." The princess is for the country and the people, and there should be people who come after her to join! ”

"Thank you, Brother Zhou!"

When Ye Pei left Xishan and came back, there was a person behind him, with a thin body, but with an unusually firm look, this person was Zhou Xun.

------

The trip lasted less than two days, and the team entered the Xijin Mansion in Nanjing, Liao.

According to the etiquette of Song Liao and his relatives, the eldest princess's escort army camped near the camp in Nancheng, and the pro-honor guard entered the city to rest in the post house.

The Great Song Dynasty and his personal envoy Fu Bi went to the Xijin Mansion to discuss the specific details of the welcoming ceremony with Han Zhongxun, the envoy of the Liao State and his personal envoy.

During this period, Ye Pei did not rest, she set out to find out the current situation of Nanjing City in Liaoguo, and met the people she wanted to meet.

------

In the cold winter evening, the lights of the camp in Nancheng are dim, and it looks a little gloomy.

The soldiers without the commander did not have the slightest intention of slacking off and chaotic, they were worthy of the well-trained army brought out by Xiao Shinan. They obeyed the orders of the deputy generals Pei Shengbin and Xin Gu, patrolled and trained normally, and stood by on the spot.

At this moment, Pei Shengbin, the deputy general of the Nancheng battalion, changed into civilian clothes, put on a thick cloak, rode a fast horse, and entered the city. He carried a letter from home in his arms, on which were letters from his wife.

Did they really come to Nanjing? After so many years, I tried my best to bring them to the Liao Kingdom without success, have they really entered the city at this moment?

Could it be a plan to divert the tiger from the mountain? Since Xiao Shinan's death, he and Xin Gu have begun to cup. He had to think about it a lot, but he was afraid that the enemy in the dark would attack him and the camp in Nancheng.

"Xin Gu, look at this letter." When he first got the letter, Pei Shengbin found Xin Gu, who was also a deputy general, and said to him, "Do you think this matter is credible?" Xin Gu read the letter and said: "If it's a good thing, you should naturally go, if it's a bad thing, you can't avoid it." The soldiers will block the water and cover the earth. ”

Although Pei Shengbin and Xin Gu are Han and Khitan, the two of them have worked together for many years and are intimate. At this moment, they both knew what they were referring to each other.

Pei Shengbin nodded, "Good brother, you are optimistic about the camp, I will go to the city." If I don't come back in the morning, don't go to me, and don't show any of my feet. ”

Xin Gu nodded, picked up Pei Shengbin's saber hanging in the military tent with his own hands and threw it to him, "Be careful yourself!" ”

Pei Shengbin had a sword hanging from his waist, and the whip in his hand kept urging the war horse under his crotch. Before the city gate was closed, he had already arrived at the Funing Inn in Xijin Mansion.

"Guest officer, do you want to stay in the hotel? It's really unfortunate that all the guest rooms tonight were rented by a wealthy businessman from Song Guolai......" The innkeeper said to Pei Shengbin enthusiastically.

Pei Shengbin handed the horsewhip and reins to the shopkeeper, "I have an appointment with this rich businessman." ”

"Oh, oh, you're the one this rich businessman is waiting for, please here!" The shopkeeper said, welcoming Pei Shengbin into a large suite with the name "Tian".

Entering the house, Pei Shengbin lifted the hood of his cloak behind him, revealing his square face in the shape of a Chinese character and a beard.

"Bin'er!" When an old lady saw Pei Shengbin enter the house, she couldn't wait to rush out and hug him, crying.

"Mother! - "When this rugged middle-aged man saw this old lady, he couldn't hide his tears.

"Daddy! ——" A teenage boy ran out from behind the old lady, hugging Pei Shengbin's thigh and crying silently.

A middle-aged woman came out from behind the child, hiding her face and crying.

"Xing'er! Mei Niang! Pei Shengbin's strong arms hugged the three people, and the four of them wept bitterly.

After a long time, Pei Shengbin stopped crying, wiped a handful of tears and asked, "Mother, I can't believe it's true." How did you come from the Great Song Dynasty? ”

"This is thanks to our Great Song Dynasty's Princess Wei Guo......"

"What?!" Only then did Pei Shengbin turn around and notice that Ye Pei, who was dressed as a rich son, was standing behind him.

"Princess!" Pei Shengbin turned over and bowed down, crying and kneeling and kowtowing: "Princess Xie brought my family to Liao Kingdom for a reunion!" I will never forget your great kindness. ”

It turned out that this Pei Shengbin was originally the general of the Great Song Dynasty Yijin to defend the city, but he surrendered because he was captured in a battle against Liao.

Xiao Shinan saw that Pei Shengbin was a talent, and he cherished it very much, and he couldn't bear to kill him, so he personally persuaded him to surrender.

Xiao Shinan was kind to Pei Shengbin and trusted him, Pei Shengbin dared to die as a retribution, and he was quickly promoted, and he stayed in Liao for almost ten years.

However, Pei Shengbin surrendered, and his family was controlled by Yang Wenguang, the defense of Hebei, and Pei Shengbin tried many ways to bring his family to Liao, but without success.

This time, Ye Pei entered Liao and specially brought Pei Shengbin's family to Liao to reunite with him.

Ye Pei helped Pei Shengbin up and said, "Since the king of Nanping died of illness, you and Xin Gu have worked hard. ”

At the mention of Xiao Shinan, Pei Shengbin's tears that had just dried up flowed down again, "Princess, we didn't expect that you would still be willing to marry to Liao. Princess, King Nanping died unexpectedly, you must avenge him! ”

Ye Pei bit his lip and said, "I'm here to avenge my deceased husband and fulfill his will!" Ye Pei grabbed Pei Shengbin and said, "You and Xin Gu were both loyal to the King of Nanping, and now you are willing to obey me?" ”

Pei Shengbin knelt down again: "Swear allegiance to the princess!" ”

But Pei Shengbin hesitated and said, "It's just...... I'm just afraid that the holy decree will come to collect troops with tiger talismans, and Xin and I are alone as generals of the Liao State, and we have to obey our orders. ”

"If that's the case, you deal with them first, and I'll have my own way to get the tiger talisman back. Three days after the wedding, I will go to Zhongjing Dading Mansion, and I will definitely find out when the time comes. As long as the military power of the Nancheng battalion is still in our hands, we are not afraid of the enemy's cunning! ”

"The princess must be careful when she goes, even the king of Nanping is so strong in martial arts and so thoughtful that people have fallen into their plots, I am only afraid that you will ......"

Ye Pei smiled: "Are you afraid that I am not their opponent?" ”

"King Nanping said that the princess is not an ordinary woman, you are a strange woman with outstanding martial arts, superior wisdom, and superior courage!"

Ye Pei said firmly: "I will definitely be able to find out the real cause of King Nanping's death and seek justice for you!" ”

Pei Shengbin said excitedly: "We trust the princess!" ”

"Good! You go back to the camp in Nancheng first, and if there is any abnormality, immediately notify me! ”

"Yes!" Pei Shengbin said firmly.

Then, he said goodbye to his family, settled them in the Funing Inn, and returned to the camp in the south of the city while the city gate was still closed.