"What? You say the third prince is dead? Master Pang glared and exclaimed. At this moment, a strong man in official uniform was standing in front of Cai Jing with his head down, this person was Li Shantong, who had escaped by luck before, and he finally recovered from his injuries and returned to the capital. "What the hell is going on? How could the third son suddenly die? Master Pang asked angrily and hurriedly.

Li Shantong hurriedly said: "Yan Yun is not as peaceful as he imagined before, in fact, there are bandits and Liao spies everywhere. On that day, we went out to Beijing to inspect the west, and stayed in a deserted inn at night. I didn't think that there was an accident that night, the thieves of Liupinshan suddenly appeared, they were extremely fierce, they killed people when they saw them, although the villain and others protected the son to break through desperately, but there were too many thieves, and in the melee, the villain was seriously injured and fainted. When I woke up, I found that I was rescued by the general, and then I learned that except for the villain, everyone including the third prince was killed! ”

Master Pang shouted and scolded: "Your master is dead, why don't you die?!" Li Shantong trembled and didn't dare to reply. Taishi Pang immediately transferred his anger to Yang Peng, "Yang Peng, as Yan Yun stayed behind, actually let the thieves run rampant to such a point, really damn it!" ”

Li Shantong was already worried that Master Pang would be angry with him, but when he heard Master Pang say this, he hurriedly said: "Yang Peng is indeed to blame!" If he can send troops to protect him, why not! The third prince can be said to have been killed by Yang Peng! Master Pang's eyes shone with a vicious and fierce light.

Yang Peng looked at Yang Zhen, "From now on, the armory field must make every effort to build weapons and armor, especially bullets, the more the better." What is lacking, just look for money Rakuten. "Yes." Yang Peng glanced at everyone, "I'm going to leave Shangjing for a while, when I'm not there, military affairs are dominated by Liu Zhiliang and Huyan Chijin, and internal affairs are dominated by Qian Letian." The crowd agreed in unison.

That night, Zuo Mou and Kou Yan came to the study of the left-behind mansion and met Yang Peng. Yang Peng smiled and asked, "Is there something urgent about the two of you coming so late?" The two exchanged a look, and Zuo Mou clenched his fists and asked, "Dare to ask the general, do you plan to sneak into the Liao Kingdom?" ”

Yang Peng nodded, "Yes." He stood up, walked to the map shelf, looked at the Liao State in the north and frowned: "The Liao State is now dependent on us, if the Liao State perishes, our life will never be easy!" I want to go to Liaozhong Beijing to see if I can find a way to help Liao get rid of internal friction and go all out to deal with Western Xia. If possible, I would also like to sign a secret alliance with Liao. ”

The two glanced at each other, and Kou Yan clenched his fists and said, "The general is far-sighted, and he is extremely worried!" It's just that now that the domestic dark tide of Liao is surging, and many forces are eyeing the throne, how much of a role can the general play in entering Liao alone? And if the identity is revealed, I am afraid that it will cause death! Think twice! ”

Yang Peng smiled: "Don't worry, no one will know my identity." I will enter the Liao Kingdom as a great grain merchant of Goryeo. For the current Liao State, Goryeo merchants are a rare channel to obtain grain and grass, and they will never embarrass me! ”

Zuo Mou Kou Yan frowned and thought about it. Yang Peng glanced at the two of them and said, "I went to the Liao State to find a reliable force, and then unite with him to help him quickly seize the power of the Liao State." If everything goes well, we will get a reliable ally, and if the sky does not follow people's wishes, it doesn't matter, I can also take this trip to understand the mountains, rivers, landforms, customs and troop deployment from the north of Yanyun to Liaozhong Beijing, which will also be of great benefit to our next actions! ”

Zuo Mou Kou Yan respectfully clasped his fists and bowed: "The general is wise!" Kou Yan clenched his fists and said: "My subordinates once learned the Khitan language from a Khitan merchant, and I am willing to walk with the general!" Yang Peng thought for a while, nodded and said, "It's okay, I also need someone to discuss things with me from time to time." ”

In the next few days, Yang Peng actively prepared to enter the Liao Kingdom. The so-called caravan has been fully formed, and the entire caravan is composed of more than 600 people, most of whom are guarded by porters in disguise, and there are a few trustworthy Goryeo merchants accompanying them, Kou Yan as the master, Yang Xiong and Shi Ping as deputies, thousands of loads of grain and dozens of carriages of cloth are also ready.

Early in the morning, Yang Peng bid farewell to his reluctant wives and concubines, led the caravan to leave the Left-behind Mansion through the back door of the Left-behind Mansion, and embarked on the journey to Liao. The people of Shangjing thought that this was a caravan from Goryeo, and they didn't feel anything unusual at all. In the middle of the caravan, the big man riding a tall horse, wearing a Goryeo costume and a beard, was pretended by Yang Peng. Yang Xiong and Shi Ping were dressed in Goryeo armor, Kou Yan put on the costume of the Goryeo master, Yang Xiong Shiping became two Goryeo warriors, and Kou Yan became the Goryeo bookkeeper, even those who knew them would definitely not recognize them at the moment.

The team arrived at the gate of the city, handed in the customs clearance paperwork like the rest of the caravans, and left the capital. The team traveled north along the official road, and at first they saw endless grain fields and bustling people, but the further north they went, the more desolate the scene became, and the grain fields gradually became less and less, until they were completely invisible, and the bustling people with smiling faces gradually disappeared, turning into ragged refugees who had fled from the north.

Those refugees dragged their families with their families, there were Khitans, Han people, and some people seemed to be neither Khitans nor Hans, I don't know who they were, and Yang Peng didn't want to investigate this in detail. When Yang Peng's team staggered past those refugees, the refugees looked at them with envious longing.

Yang Peng frowned and said, "There are more and more refugees coming from the north!" Kou Yan said: "Western Xia continues to attack, seeing that the Liao State is about to be unable to be saved, no wonder there are so many refugees!" Then he smiled and said, "That's a good thing for us!" ”

Yang Peng said with a smile: "A good thing is a good thing, but the cost of relocating these refugees is not a small amount!" In the past month, we have spent 500,000 taels of silver to settle these refugees! His grandmother's, if we continue like this, it won't be long before we make ends meet! ”

Kou Yan smiled: "Didn't the general take a large amount of treasure from Master Pang again? I don't think I have to worry about money anytime soon. Yang Peng rolled his eyes, "There is a lot of money I got on this trip, with a total value of more than five million taels of silver, but I have spent a lot of money recently!" Excluding the expenses of various aspects, the current treasury reserves are only more than 12.6 million taels of silver. These guys won't save me some flowers! Kou Yan smiled.

Suddenly, there was the sound of horses' hooves behind me. Yang Peng turned his head to look back, and couldn't help but be stunned, "What is she doing here?" When Kou Yan heard this, he couldn't help but turn his head to look, stunned, and then quipped: "Isn't she missing her lord?" Yang Peng laughed, "I don't dare to let her miss me!" Nothing good! As he spoke, he turned his horse's head and waited for her, and Kou Yan also turned his horse's head and stood waiting.

After a while, the knight ran in front of the two, reined in his horse, hugged his fists, and said, "General, I will go to Liao with you." "This person is dressed in a men's samurai suit, with a sword at his waist, and his heroic posture is sassy, but he can hardly hide his graceful and moving demeanor, and his eyebrows are picturesque, which is really more beautiful than a woman. The person who came was none other than the former military commander of the legion directly under Yang Peng, Han Bing.

Yang Peng said angrily: "Nonsense! Get back! Han Bing said: "I have been to Zhongjing in Liaoguo more than once, and I am more familiar with it, with me, it will be much easier for you to move." Yang Peng asked in surprise: "Have you been to Liao?" Han Bing nodded.

Yang Peng thought for a moment, nodded and said, "Okay, you can come together." Han Bing showed joy and hugged his fists in agreement. Kou Yan said with a smile: "You must not be called a general along the way, General Han, you have to disguise a fake identity." Why don't you just match the general's husband and wife? ”

Yang Peng snorted, Han Bing's cheeks turned crimson, and he glanced at Yang Peng, "I, I'm still commensurate with the general's brothers and sisters." Yang Peng said with a smile: "Actually, I think Kou Yan's suggestion is very good!" Han Bing glared at Yang Peng angrily, turned the horse's head, flicked the horsewhip and ran forward, raising a large cloud of smoke and dust for Yang Peng and Kou Yan to eat. Yang Peng fanned his nose with his hand and said with a smile: "Han Bing's temper is really hotter than a man!" It's okay now, if I had made a joke of her, she would have to cut me with a sword! Kou Yan looked surprised.

Han Bing ran all the way forward, and all the hidden killers cast their attention one after another, and these iron-blooded men couldn't resist Han Bing's charm. A day later, a Goryeo caravan carrying a large amount of grain and cloth appeared outside the southern gate of Shunzhou, Liao. At this time, there are constant caravans and travelers coming in and out. Although the relationship between the Liao State and Yanyun and the Song Court was not good, there was no exchange of troops now, so trade was not cut off, after all, the Liao State today was short of resources and was in great need of various materials obtained from the south.

Seeing that it was a huge Goryeo caravan, the captain of the city gate saw that his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly ordered someone to inform the concubine Xiao Temo. Immediately, the captain came forward to give a chest salute of the Liao State, at this time Chen Xiao and the others had already turned over and dismounted, and when they saw the captain saluting, everyone hurriedly responded with Goryeo etiquette.

The lieutenant glanced at the long convoy behind him and asked, "How many of you are from Goryeo?" Kou Yan immediately replied in Khitan: "Back to the governor's words, we are merchants from Goryeo, and we heard that your country is short of grain and cloth, so we specially transported grain and cloth to your country for trafficking. ”

The lieutenant said happily, "Great, we need this!" After a pause, he said apologetically: "But according to the rules, I need to inspect your carriage, please forgive me." Kou Yan said: "It should be, it should be, please check it chief!" The lieutenant immediately ordered his sergeants to come forward and inspect them. The sergeants stepped forward to inspect and immediately reported: "Back to the captain, it's all food and cloth, and there are no prohibited items!" The lieutenant nodded, and said, "Come with me, your colt, our colt will be glad to see you!" Kou Yan hugged his fists and thanked him. Immediately, the team followed the captain into Shunzhou City.

Walking to the street, I saw dozens of horsemen coming towards me, and the one headed by him was not very old, with a handsome face, dressed in gorgeous armor, and a noble body. The lieutenant hurriedly said to everyone: "This is my country's horse general!" ”

Everyone hurriedly dismounted and waited. The horse Xiao Temo led the cavalry of the personal guard to the crowd and reined in his horse. Xiao Temo glanced at Yang Peng and them, and asked the captain, "Are they the merchants from Goryeo?" "Exactly."

Xiao Temo turned over and dismounted, walked in front of everyone, and made a Liao chest salute, and everyone hurriedly responded with Goryeo etiquette. Xiao Temo said happily: "You are all distinguished guests! Come, come, come with me to the mansion! The group followed Xiao Temo to his mansion. Xiao Temo specially set up a courtyard to house them, and then Xiao Temo invited Chen Xiao and a few of them to come to the hall to talk. The two sides exchanged pleasantries, and the guests sat down. A few servants brought tea and retreated.

Kou Yan pointed to Yang Peng and introduced Xiao Temo: "General Horse, this is one of the top businessmen in our country, Jin Yongsan. Yang Peng stood up, performed a Goryeo etiquette, and said in Chinese: "I can meet General Concubine, what a blessing for three lives!" But I can only speak Chinese, I can't speak Khitan, and I also ask General Haihan! ”

Xiao Temo smiled: "It's okay, it's okay, fortunately, General Ben is proficient in Chinese, so it's not a problem." "He speaks already Chinese. Yang Peng exclaimed: "The general is really knowledgeable! Xiao Temo waved his hand, "Boss Jin is from Korea, so you may not know, in fact, among our Khitan nobles, we basically speak Chinese." So Boss Kim doesn't have to worry about not being able to communicate with us at all. Yang Peng suddenly realized.

Xiao Temo thought for a moment and asked, "How much grain and cloth did Boss Jin bring?" Chen Xiao said: "5,000 quintals of grain, 3,000 horses of satin and cotton." Xiao Temo frowned and said, "Since Boss Jin is one of the biggest businessmen in Goryeo, can't he bring more of them?" ”

Yang Peng said: "Don't hide it, don't say 50,000 quintals, it's 100,000 quintals, 200,000 quintals, I can get it." It's just that I don't know the situation in your country for the time being, so I'll bring these grains and cloth to test the water and see how it goes. Xiao Temo said with a smile: "Boss Jin, don't worry, we want as much food and cloth as you have." ”

Yang Peng deliberately showed a look of surprise, "Is this true?" Xiao Temo smiled and nodded, "Naturally, take it seriously." However, such a large deal is not something I can do, and I need to negotiate it with His Majesty or the Auxiliary Minister. Yang Peng hurriedly said: "I also want to meet His Majesty the Emperor of your country, if the horse can introduce it on my behalf, it will be no better!" Xiao Temo thought for a moment, "I'm afraid it's inconvenient for you to go to see His Majesty the Emperor immediately." However, I can write a letter to you to introduce you to Her Royal Highness the eldest princess of our country. ”

Yang Peng's heart moved, and he deliberately asked, "Can Her Royal Highness the eldest princess of your country speak in front of His Majesty the Emperor of your country?" Xiao Temo smiled, "It seems that Boss Jin knows very little about the situation in my country." Let me tell you this, there are only three people with the highest authority in my Daliao country today, and one of them is Her Royal Highness the eldest princess, just go to her. ”

Yang Peng stood up happily and bowed: "Then thank you General Horse!" Xiao Temo smiled: "Boss Jin doesn't have to be polite, this is something that is good for both parties." After a pause, "Boss Jin brought these grains and cloths to me." In terms of price......"

Yang Peng hurriedly said: "Since it is a large transaction, it naturally cannot be equated with ordinary, I think it is enough to follow the current price in Yanyun." Xiao Temo was overjoyed, gave a thumbs up and exclaimed: "Boss Jin is really a big businessman!" Then he swore solemnly: "I can promise Boss Jin here that as long as my Great Liao Kingdom survives the current difficulties, the future high-ranking officials will definitely be indispensable!" "Thank you, General Pony."

The two continued to chat, Xiao Temo kept asking about the grain and cloth, and also asked Yang Peng if he had the ability to get grain and cloth from the Song Realm, Yang Peng was full of tickets, which made Xiao Temo even happier. In the course of the conversation, Yang Peng took the opportunity to inquire about the domestic situation in Liao from time to time, and learned many things from Xiao Temo's words.

Xiao Temo ordered someone to prepare a banquet, and he feasted Chen Xiao and a few people in the backyard. After the banquet, Xiao Temo wrote a handwritten letter and handed it to Yang Peng, instructing: "After arriving in Zhongjing, you can take this letter to the mansion of the eldest princess to meet Her Royal Highness the eldest princess." How to do the rest of the matter, listen to the instructions of the eldest princess. "Thank you, General Pony." Yang Peng hugged his fists and thanked him, and then took the letter. He glanced at Kou Yan, who immediately stepped forward with several very ornate brocades.

When Xiao Temo saw these brocades, his eyes couldn't help but light up. Although the Liao State was also a powerful empire at that time, due to its geographical location, silk brocade was not produced in the territory, and this kind of thing was imported from the Song State or paid tribute by the Song State. Therefore, in the Liao Kingdom, silk is definitely a luxury, a symbol of status, and the finest brocade is worth a thousand gold, and non-princes, nobles, giants, and merchants cannot own.

Yang Peng hugged his fists and said: "A little bit is not a respect, please also ask the general to smile!" Xiao Temo laughed and said, "Then, I'll be ashamed." ”

That night, Yang Peng stood in the courtyard and looked out at the south. I saw a bright light reflected in the night on the far side of the sky, which was very eye-catching. It's a very wonderful sight that is difficult to see in a society with high levels of phosgene pollution. Below that bright light is actually Yanyun's Shangjing City, although it is dozens of miles away from Shangjing City, you can clearly see the lights there. It's a very amazing experience, like a dream, and it's hard to feel in modern society.

Yang Peng and his entourage took Xiao Temo's handwritten letter and customs clearance documents, rode horses, and ran along the official road to Zhongjing. Without the drag of the goods, they seemed very relaxed, and they did not encounter any obstacles all the way through the state. However, they were not in a hurry, and they were not in a hurry along the way, and there was a little bit of fun in the mountains. Half a month later, everyone finally arrived at the destination of the trip, the capital of Liaozhong.

The group walked slowly on the official road, and in front of them was Zhongjing, the most important of the five capitals of the Liao State. I saw a huge city standing in the middle of the continuous grain fields, which was more magnificent than Shangjing, many pagodas went straight into the sky, and the palace hall reflected the sunset, and the magnificent Shangjing reflected the glory and glory of this empire. Behind Nakyo, seven peaks are lined up like a huge screen, reflecting golden light in the afterglow of the setting sun, which is the very famous Seven Gold Mountains near Nakyo. Next to the city, a clear river meanders into the distance, sparkling and murmuring.

This is definitely a rich place, but at the moment it gives people a feeling of being depressed. There were no pedestrians or merchants on the wide official road, and when I entered the city, the market was deserted, most of the shops were closed, and the remaining half were open, but there were many people at the door, and the few pedestrians on the street were in a hurry, and their faces were full of uneasiness.

"I heard that the prosperity of Liaoguo Zhongjing is second only to Tokyo, but I didn't expect it to become like this!" Kou Yan sighed. Han Bing said: "The last time I came, it was still very lively here, but I didn't expect it to wither to such a point in just over two years!" ”

Yang Peng said lightly: "The building is about to collapse, and his life will be lost, how can prosperity be saved." Kou Yan and Han Bing nodded sympathetically. Yang Peng looked ahead and saw a large-scale inn at the corner of the street in front of him, so he pointed there and said, "Let's rest there first." ”

The group walked over and settled down in the extremely warm reception of the boss and Xiao Er. Kou Yan asked the boss in Khitan language: "Boss, how did this capital become like this?" ”

The middle-aged boss with two mustaches glanced at everyone, "Judging by your clothes, you should be from Goryeo, right?" Kou Yan nodded, "How does the boss know?" The boss said: "In previous years, there were often businessmen from Goryeo, so I know your attire." ”

Yang Peng asked, "Does the boss speak Chinese?" The boss immediately smiled and said in Chinese: "Of course I will say, actually, I am Han!" He glanced at everyone and asked, "Are you here to do business?" But I don't see you have any goods? Yang Peng smiled: "Our goods were sold out in Shunzhou." I came here to negotiate business with Her Royal Highness the eldest princess of your country. When the boss heard that he was here to do business with the eldest princess, he couldn't help but be in awe, "Oops! A few of them turned out to be the distinguished guests of Her Royal Highness the Princess, disrespectful and disrespectful! ”

Yang Peng asked, "We have just arrived, and we don't know where Her Royal Highness the Princess's mansion is?" The boss immediately said: "The eldest princess's mansion is not far from here, the cross street in front of my inn, go to the east street, and you can see the princess's mansion after a short walk." ”

Yang Peng nodded, hugged his fists and said, "Thank you boss for informing me." The boss hurriedly waved his hand: "You're welcome!" You are the honored guests of Her Royal Highness the Princess, and you are supposed to help you. Then he said: "I'll go to the back to see how the wine and food are prepared, and I'm missing." He hugged his fists and left the room.

Yang Peng said: "It's not too late, I'll go to meet Her Royal Highness the princess." Han Bing, you come with me, and the others stay here. Yang Peng and Han Bing came out of the inn and walked in the direction indicated by the innkeeper. Yang Peng wore a beautiful costume, like a wealthy man from Goryeo; Han Bing was dressed in a black samurai suit, with a heroic posture, although he was dressed as a man, he could not hide his moving demeanor, and his face was slightly camouflaged, which was very different from his previous appearance.

The two of them walked up to East Street, and they didn't go far, when they suddenly heard the sound of footsteps and horses' hooves behind them, and at the same time shouted: "Get out of the way of the people in front!" The two looked back and saw hundreds of Liao State foot riders hugging a knight coming towards them. The knight rode a divine horse rouge horse, covered in armor and cloak, wearing a Xuanying hood, and was extremely cold and glamorous, it was Yelu Guanyin, the eldest princess of Liao.

The two hurriedly stepped aside, and the team passed in front of Yang Peng and the others, Yelu Guanyin turned his head to look at Yang Peng, and a familiar feeling rose in his heart for no reason, as if he was familiar, but Yelu Tri didn't take this to heart. The team walked over. Han Bing said: "It's Yelu Guanyin, why don't you stop her?" ”

Yang Peng smiled: "This is too rude, let's go to the mansion to see her." Come on. Then he led Han Bing towards the front. Suddenly, a whistle pierced the silent sky, and then countless black-clothed people appeared on the eaves on both sides, and before Yelu Guanyin's team could react, arrows rained down in the sky, and the guards were shot down one after another, and the screams rang out. Someone shouted, "Protect Your Highness!" The crowd hurriedly gathered towards Yelu Guanyin. At this moment, countless black-clothed masked people rushed out of the alleys on both sides, crashed into the middle of the guards, and slashed with knives! The incident happened suddenly, although Yelutri's guards resisted desperately, but they were rushed to pieces in a blink of an eye, and Yelu Guanyin was in a critical situation.

Several black-clothed men rushed to Yelu Guanyin's horse, Yelu Guanyin pulled out his scimitar and slashed the black-clothed man in front of him, and the next two black-clothed men immediately squatted down and slashed the horse's hooves at the same time. Immediately, several black-clothed men rushed up to take Yelu Guanyin's life, and many of the guards were very anxious when they saw this, but they couldn't get out and come to the rescue.

After all, what happens next, let's see how it will be broken down next time.