Cao Yi, like a victorious general, returned to Lanzhou. The civil and military ministers of the Great Song Dynasty all came to greet him, which made Cao Yi feel like the stars were holding the moon for the first time. He was happy with the feeling.

These ministers had been anxiously waiting for a day, and they naturally couldn't help but be overjoyed to see Cao Yi return safely. They really didn't want to stay in Lanzhou and be afraid, and they all hoped that Cao Yi's peace talks would be successful.

Although they know each other's thoughts, they can only think about their own thoughts, and they must not be easily spoken. There was that smart one, as soon as he saw Cao Yi's expression, he knew that it was done, and he immediately smiled, went back happily, and quietly packed his bags.

Cao Yi didn't care that it was too late, so he went straight to Zhao Heng's palace and reported today's results to Zhao Heng and Kou Zhun. Both of them listened and were very satisfied. Zhao Heng was happy that this battle was finally over. And Kou Zhun was satisfied that Cao Yi finally lived up to the trust and lowered the requirements of the Liao State to an acceptable degree.

Since ancient times, there has been a practice of exchanging money for peace between the Central Plains Dynasty and the barbarian people. For the Great Song Dynasty, the price of 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 pieces of silk per year was not too high. Kou Zhun is not as calculating as Chen Ao, so he is naturally happy to see this result.

Zhao Heng praised Cao Yi, and his heart also had some changes in his heart about this person. In the past, he always thought that Cao Yi was just a gentleman who could eat, drink and have fun. Now it seems that he can still be on his own at a critical moment!

Cao Yi was overjoyed, so he thought of Chen Ao, and casually mentioned: "Your Majesty, on today's trip, Weichen made another unexpected discovery, that is, he met Chen Ao!"

Zhao Heng and Kou Zhun were stunned for a moment. After so long of war, they seem to have forgotten the name Chen Ao. When they thought about it, the two of them were taken aback. Zhao Heng hurriedly asked for details.

Cao Yi didn't plan to stumble on Chen Ao, after all, when he sent out the army, Chen Ao let him stay in Lanzhou, which could be regarded as a favor. Moreover, he also inquired in Liaoying and learned that Chen Ao really did not betray the Great Song Dynasty. Therefore, he did not intend to frame Chen Ao in front of Zhao Heng. Otherwise, if things are clarified in the future, he will be hated by Chen Ao and Zhao Heng.

However, not taking the opportunity to frame him does not mean that Cao Yi will help Chen Ao say good things. He hadn't forgotten that Chen Ao had burned all the Bliss Scatter he had worked so hard to refine with a fire. So Cao Yi smiled slightly and said: "Weichen found that Chen Ao was in Liaoying, and the specific situation was not very clear. ”

Zhao Heng naturally also heard about the surrender of the Song generals to the Liao State after the defeat, and naturally thought that Chen Ao had betrayed him. Moreover, since Chen Ao's "death", many things have happened, which have made Zhao Hengda angry. First, the mystery of Zhao Ling's identity was revealed, and there were many rumors in the market.

Zhao Heng was grateful to Chen Ao for "sacrificing his life for the country", so he did not take measures against Zhao Ling immediately, but put her under house arrest, wanting to wait until the matter gradually calmed down before considering her matter. As a result, before this matter was settled, Yunlu, who should have been dead for a long time, suddenly appeared in front of him again.

What's even more infuriating is that Yunlu seems to be on good terms with Chen Ao. This made Zhao Heng angry and jealous. Chen Ao, this kid, not only dared to rob his woman, but also dared to deceive him. Every time Zhao Heng thought of this, he hated it.

If Chen Ao died, then Zhao Heng would not plan to pursue this matter. But now Chen Ao is still alive and well, even in an enemy country. How could Zhao Heng not be angry? He slapped the table and gritted his teeth: "What a Chen Ao!"

Cao Yi and the others didn't know about Yunlu, and it was a little unexpected to see Zhao Heng so angry. Because when Zhao Heng heard about the defeat and surrender of several Song generals before, he was not angry. On the contrary, he also felt that it was nothing to be a prisoner of the enemy country as a last resort. Therefore, this time he asked Cao Yi to contact the general Wang Jizhong.

Why did this matter fall on Chen Ao's head, and Zhao Heng would be so angry? Cao Yi could only think that it was because Zhao Heng had favored Chen Ao too much before, so he felt extremely disappointed. He thought to himself, Chen Ao, Chen Ao, I didn't fall into the well, I just blame you for being too smooth in the past, and now the retribution is coming!

Here the Great Song Junchen gritted his teeth at Chen Ao, in the Liao military camp, Chen Ao heard about the content of the peace negotiation, and went to the Empress Dowager Xiao with some displeasure, wanting to ask her why she did not abide by the previous agreement.

Xiao Shuixian's love affair with Chen Ao soon spread to the ears of many people through Xiaolan's mouth. The Khitans did not care as much about ethnic issues as the Han people, and they did not have much resistance to the affairs of the two. I feel that Xiao Shuixian, as the favored county lord of Empress Dowager Xiao, Chen Ao will ascend to the sky in one step from now on.

Therefore, the soldiers of the Liao army were much more polite to Chen Ao. Chen Ao came to Empress Dowager Xiao's tent and was immediately led in. When all the attendants in the tent retreated, Chen Ao puffed up his chest and said righteously: "Queen Mother, why didn't you keep our agreement last night?"

Empress Dowager Xiao took a sip of tea and smiled faintly: "Chen Ao, I didn't say that I would agree to your conditions last night, so why breach? Besides, you can negotiate with me on behalf of the Great Song Emperor last night." But today's Cao Yi is the representative of the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty. What I said before with you, naturally, doesn't count!"

Chen Ao said: "Queen Mother, you negotiate with Cao Yi, I don't have any opinion." But your lion opened his mouth and asked me to pay tribute every year, which is a bit unjust, isn't it? Aren't you afraid that I will publicize your affairs to the whole world?"

Empress Dowager Xiao did not shoot the case like yesterday, but said lightly: "Chen Ao, you are indeed quite backbone, and I also appreciate your courage to be loyal to the country." However, I advise you to take care of yourself first, right? That Cao Qin envoy doesn't seem to have a good relationship with you. Do you think he will say anything bad about you when he goes back this time?"

Chen Ao was stunned, he had been thinking about peace between the two countries before, but he didn't expect this.

Empress Dowager Xiao said again: "Chen Ao, if I didn't guess wrong, that Great Song Heavenly Son must hate you so much at this moment." I advise you not to go back, stay in Da Liao, and be my Da Liao's colt, it is not a good choice. ”

Chen Ao was stunned again. He could guess that this idea must have been proposed by Xiao Shuixian to the Empress Dowager Xiao. If he stays in Daliao, he can indeed become a hot figure by virtue of the relationship between Xiao Shuixian and Empress Dowager Xiao. There is no need to worry about returning to the Great Song Dynasty and facing the open guns and hidden arrows of Kou Zhun, Cao Yi and others.

But can he stay? In the Central Plains, there are still Liang Xiaoya, Yun Lu, and Zhao Ling, who was placed under house arrest by Zhao Heng. They have a deep affection for themselves, how can they leave them alone?