I studied in modern times

Chapter 642: The Proud Yelu Hongji (Happy Dragon Boat Festival)
In the first year of Yuanyou in the Song Dynasty and the second year of Da'an in the Liao Dynasty, September Xinsi (26).

Liao Nanjing, the imperial city.

Yelu Hongji looked at Tian Huairong, the Western Xia envoy who was brought to him.

"I heard that you begged and pleaded to see me many times..." With a sneer and contempt on his face, he asked, "Today I have taken the time to summon you, you can tell me everything!"

After saying that, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Everyone around him started laughing too.

Today, Yelu Hongji is full of ambition and pride.

First, he sent the great general Yelu Dilie to stay in the Liaoyang Prefecture of the Eastern Capital and command all the troops to attack the rebellious Goryeo.

They made unstoppable progress, broke through the Great Wall built by the Koreans on the Yalu River, and captured Pyongyang.

It only took a little over a month.

As a result, the whole world was shaken, people from all directions came to pay tribute, and the Liao Dynasty was revived.

Soon after, good news came from the Southern Dynasty.

Perhaps because of the majesty of the Liao Dynasty, the young emperor of the Southern Dynasty took the initiative to inform the Liao Dynasty through Waqiao Pass, and the two commanders of the Yunyi Army originally stationed in Xiongzhou were dismissed.

So, Yelu Hongji returned the favor and, while the Song envoy was still in Liao, ordered the transfer of a thousand Pi Shi troops stationed in Zhuozhou to Goryeo to join the war.

The border between the two countries thus ushered in the most peaceful period in a hundred years.

Not long ago, during the Double Ninth Festival, the garrisons of the Song and Liao armies north and south of Waqiao Pass even met at the foot of the pass to toast each other and congratulate each other on the festival.

Even the marriage between Liao and Song had an opportunity to loosen up.

All of this made Yelu Hongji intoxicated.

It also made the entire Liao Kingdom fascinated.

Therefore, when facing the Dangxiang people, they could not help but be arrogant, but also look down on them and ridicule them.

Tian Huairong listened to the laughter of the Liao monarch and his ministers. He remained calm and bowed, saying, "I beg to see Your Majesty for the safety of the Liao country!"

Yelu Hongji listened and burst into laughter on the throne, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

"The safety of the Liao Dynasty?!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

The other Liao nobles present also fell forward and laughed.

To them, Tian Huairong's behavior was as ridiculous and absurd as when the King of Yelang asked the Han envoy which was greater, Han or Yelang!
Xiao Chouwo, the Liao emperor's son-in-law and the Prince of Lanling, who was in the palace, stepped out and reprimanded him, "How dare you, a little envoy from Western Tibet, a barbarian, barbarian, bark in front of the emperor of the Liao Dynasty?"

As he said this, he bowed to Yelu Hongji and said, "I would like your Majesty to beat this beast out with a club!"

The other Liao nobles nodded one after another.

Is the safety of the Liao Dynasty something that the Dangxiang people can discuss?

Pooh!
what!
Seeing this, Tian Huairong hurriedly bowed again: "Your Majesty, I am here because I am concerned about the safety of the Liao Dynasty and I am here to help Your Majesty solve his problems!"

Xiao Chouwo immediately sneered: "Your country doesn't even know how many years it can survive..."

The Liao people were naturally very concerned about the war between the Southern Dynasty and the Dangxiang people in the south.

Not only did they watch the whole process, but they also inquired through various channels.

So they are very clear about the current situation on the battlefield.

The Dangxiang people suffered a complete defeat and didn't even gain any advantage!

If the fighting continues like this, the Southern Dynasty might be able to regain the strategic initiative it had several years ago, and it is possible that the Southern Dynasty might once again launch a five-pronged attack on Xia.

This is also the reason why the Liao Dynasty’s rulers and ministers were so contemptuous of Tian Huairong.

Your country is almost being beaten into a cripple, and you still dare to talk about safety in front of us?
Today, the might of our Great Liao Dynasty is feared throughout the world and spreads far and wide, how good is that!
Wherever the Liao army passed, the people of Goryeo welcomed them wholeheartedly and gave them food and drink.

The Jurchen tribes were even more trembling with fear and could only worship the Liao Dynasty and pay tribute to it continuously.

Even Japan sent envoys to the Liao Dynasty to seek Buddhism and learn from the Liao Dynasty.

Therefore, the Liao Dynasty's upper class today, especially the Han literati in the Southern Courtyard, really had a feeling of dreaming back to the heyday of the Tang Dynasty.

Even envoys were sent to Liao.

Is it possible to organize the chiefs of the various Zubu tribes to offer the title of Heavenly Khan to the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty?
If the dream of marrying a princess to the Southern Dynasty could really come true in the future.

Then the future emperor of the Southern Dynasty would have to call the emperor of the Liao Dynasty his uncle.

In this way, maybe I can get the title of Han family's uncle.

If this happens, is there any need to talk about the outcome of this war of succession to the Tang Dynasty?
Therefore, the scholars and officials of the Southern Academy and the dignitaries of the Northern Academy who had been deeply assimilated into the Sinic culture could not help but feel excited and thrilled whenever they thought of these things.

Tian Huairong did not panic, but waited for the laughter of the Liao nobles to stop, then he slowly bowed and said: "It is precisely because the country that I serve is about to perish that I am worried about the Liao Dynasty!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall suddenly fell silent.

The Liao nobles were whispering to each other, and even Yelu Hongji could not help but sit up straight.

Because what the Tangut envoy said seems to make sense!
If the Southern Dynasty destroyed the Dangxiang and eliminated the threat from its sidearms, wouldn’t the Great Liao be in danger?

Only Xiao Chouwo was too embarrassed to keep his face and continued to argue: "Even if the Southern Dynasty destroyed your country, what would happen?"

"Do the rulers and ministers of the Southern Dynasty still have the courage to lead troops northward?"

At this point, he laughed.

The Liao Kingdom had a huge psychological advantage in this regard.

In his opinion, the Southern Dynasty would not be able to and would not dare to do so.

Tian Huairong bowed calmly and said, "Even if the southern barbarians are cowardly, if our country perishes, it will still be a hundred harms and no benefit to the Liao Dynasty!"

"I hope Your Majesty will look into this matter clearly!" As he said this, he bowed his head and prostrated himself on the ground.

Xiao Chouwo wanted to save his reputation but was stopped by Yelu Hongji.

"What you said makes sense!" Yelu Hongji stood up and looked at a minister in the hall: "What do you think, sir?"

Xiao Wuna, the Liaonan Privy Councilor, stepped out and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I think what the Xia envoy reported is indeed the truth!"

"If the Xia Kingdom is not protected, then the Liao Kingdom will never be at peace!"

Although the Southern Dynasty was weak, it was quite afraid of the Liao Dynasty.

But the Liao people will never forget the two northern expeditions at the beginning of the Southern Dynasty.

Nor will we forget the intention of the old emperor of the Southern Dynasty to launch a northern expedition after he ascended the throne.

If there had been no Dangxiang people to oppose me, the direction of the Southern Dynasty's military operations after the reform would probably not have been the northwest, but the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun!
And Xiao Wuna, as an elite of the Liao Kingdom, looked at all of this carefully.

He was also a minister in the Liao Kingdom who was always wary of the Southern Dynasty.

Then he bowed and said, "I would like to ask Your Majesty to send an envoy to the Southern Dynasty to mediate this matter."

Yelu Hongji listened and hesitated: "The Emperor of the Southern Dynasty is my nephew's grandson. He treats me with all courtesy and is on good terms with the Emperor's grandson..."

"If I send an envoy to mediate, I am afraid that it will be disrespectful to the Southern Dynasty and will not be conducive to exchanges..."

Although he also understood that the demise of Western Xia would be very unfavorable to the Liao Kingdom.

However, on the one hand, he was reluctant to give in, and he also wanted to increase the amount of Jiaozi trade next year, so he didn't want to offend the Southern Dynasty.

On the other hand, he did not want to give the Southern Dynasty any excuse to refuse the marriage.

Xiao Wuna had served Yelu Hongji for more than ten years, so he knew what the old emperor was thinking. He immediately bowed and said, "This year, on the Holy Day of Your Majesty, the envoys of the Southern Dynasty came to our dynasty under the order of the Southern Dynasty Emperor to mediate our campaign against the rebel King of Goryeo."

"Since the Southern Dynasty can mediate, our Dynasty can also mediate."

"This is a matter of courtesy and reciprocity. It is also using your own spear to attack your shield!"

In August, during the Tianan Festival, the Emperor of the Southern Dynasty sent his Attendant Hu Zongyu to Nanjing as an envoy to congratulate the festival. In this palace, he had a long conversation with the Liao emperor and his ministers, saying things like "Korea is innocent, but a big country is attacking it, which is against the teachings of the saints" and "I hope the two countries will stop fighting to save the innocent people."

He acted like a saint with compassion for the world, and the whole Liao Dynasty was disgusted and felt as uncomfortable as if they had eaten a fly.

Now, it’s just the right time to return the favor.

Let the Southern Dynasty suffer the consequences of its own actions!
Yelu Hongji listened, took two steps, and said, "What you said is very true!"

"Who shall we send as envoy?" he asked.

Xiao Chouwo immediately said: "Your Majesty, I think that we should use old people. Yelu Ju, the governor of Xijing, is familiar with the situation in the Southern Dynasty and can be used as the chief envoy." Yelu Ju promised to give him a profit of 100,000 strings of cash, but he has only given him less than 70,000 strings of cash so far.

There is still more than 30,000 strings of cash short!
Yelu Hongji thought about it and was about to agree, but Xiao Wuna immediately said, "Your Majesty, you can't do that!"

"How can such a major event as the exchange between the North and the South be monopolized by one person?"

Yelu Hongji remembered what he had heard and nodded.

Xiao Chouwo suddenly became anxious and glared at Xiao Wuna.

You, Xiao Wuna, only consider the interests of the Liao Dynasty and care about whether Yelu Yanxi can successfully ascend the throne. As your son-in-law, I have a lot more things to consider.

He had to make money for his two sisters in the palace, and also do favors for his beautiful wife and concubines at home.

You also have to spend money to take care of the internal and external affairs.

Am I easy?

So he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the only person who can negotiate to increase the amount of Jiaozi and expand the amount of tea purchased by the Southern Dynasty is Yelu Ju!"

Xiao Chouwo knew very well who Xiao Wuna wanted to recommend to replace Yelu Ju?
The Privy Academician Yelu Yan or the Hanlin Academicians Wang Shiru and Zhao Xiaoyan.

These three are people around Yelu Yanxi.

Therefore, he did not give Xiao Wuna a chance to speak, and continued: "The quota of Song-Liao Jiaozi was exhausted by the end of August!"

"The reason why we can still buy from the Southern Dynasty today is because of the furs, herbs and other things sold in the border markets."

"But what we have gained is only a drop in the bucket."

"Now our army is conquering the rebel king of Goryeo with great momentum, but to appease the people of Goryeo and recruit the officials and nobles of Goryeo, we all need the Jiaozi of the Southern Dynasty!"

"If we cannot send capable people to negotiate as soon as possible, I am afraid that the rewards for the troops in the front will not be good. If it hinders your majesty's great cause of exterminating the traitors and establishing counties, who can take this responsibility?!"

Yelu Hongji listened and was obviously moved.

He actually didn't care how much Yelu Ju made in the Southern Dynasty.

Nor does he care how much corruption there was in the trade between Song and Liao.

If the water is clear, there will be no fish.

Yelu Hongji was very clear in his mind.

How is it possible for the people below to do their jobs without getting any benefits?

The only things he cares about are those things that are on his mind.

Now, it is to destroy Goryeo, complete the unfinished business of his ancestors, leave a powerful country to Yelu Yanshi, and satisfy his own personal enjoyment.

All this was inseparable from the Southern Dynasty's agreement to increase the amount of Jiaozi and the amount of tea purchased.

You know, the cheap tea purchased from the Southern Dynasty this year helped him a lot.

Not only did the tea increase his income, but it also became a powerful tool for him to win over the Jurchens, Zhubu and other tribes.

So, Yelu Hongji made the final decision: "What the prince consort said is very much in line with my wishes."

Xiao Wuna wanted to fight for it again, but was stopped by Yelu Hongji: "Sir, there is no need to say anything more. I have made up my mind!"

Tian Huairong was in the hall, just crawling on the ground without saying a word.

After Yelu Hongji spoke, he bowed his head to express his gratitude: "Your Majesty, the Xia Kingdom is eternally grateful for your grace."

Yelu Hongji listened and just hummed coldly.

He had no good feelings towards Western Xia or the Dangxiang people.

When he ascended the throne, he had thought of launching an expedition to avenge his father's failure in conquering Xia.

If it weren't for his teacher Yao Jingxing's dissuasion, he would have even thought about attacking the Southern Dynasty in a row.

……

More than a year later, Wei Ming Moduo once again set foot in Bianjing City.

The city was still as prosperous as he remembered.

Although winter is approaching, there are still many people walking on the street.

He rode on his horse and looked at the citizens of Bianjing who were standing on both sides of the street, either curious or examining him.

I could still hear these people talking, "Western bandit envoy?"

"Are you here to beg for peace?"

"Hey! It should be! The Bianjing Newspaper said that the royal army defeated the western bandits, and won every battle!"

"That's right... My uncle is an official in Huanzhou. He wrote back a few days ago saying that thousands of Western bandits were beheaded in Huanqing Road, and even the prince consort was captured alive!"

……

Listening to the discussions of these people in Bian Jing, Zhuai Jueweiming could not help but lower his head.

This is what happens when you are defeated on the battlefield.

The loser has no dignity! He can only be insulted and criticized!
He walked through the streets and alleys, and was taken by the Nanman officials to the familiar Duting Posthouse, where he was arranged to stay in the courtyard where he stayed when he came to the court last time.

"Your Excellency, please rest here first and wait for instructions." The official from the Ministry of Rites of the Southern Dynasty said to him.

"Thank you, sir!" Weiming Moduo nodded.

Then he moved into this courtyard with his entourage.

……

Funing Hall, East Pavilion.

Zhao Xu raised his head and looked at Xing Shu who was brought in by Feng Jing. He immediately smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, Master. I will come back to talk to you after I finish writing this calligraphy."

"Yes!" Xing Shu bowed.

Zhao Xu took the brush and continued to copy. At the same time, he told Feng Jing, "Feng Jing, give the scholar Xing a seat and some tea."

So, a chair was moved behind Xing Shu, who quickly thanked him and sat down.

Zhao Xu copied the calligraphy slowly and leisurely, and it took him a quarter of an hour to finish a set of calligraphy.

He looked at his calligraphy and nodded, feeling quite satisfied.

Then he casually threw the copied calligraphy into the brazier beside him.

Because what he was just copying was Wang Anshi's original work.

After finishing this, he stretched his neck, then looked at Xing Shu who was sitting in the small hall, and said with a smile: "Have you heard about the Xia envoy's visit to the court?"

Xingshu nodded.

"I intend to entrust the negotiation to you, my dear minister..." Zhao Xu said with a smile, "I wonder if you are willing?"

Xing Shu performed outstandingly and performed exceptionally well in his interactions with the Liao people.

Since it is so useful, we should use it to the fullest extent.

Xing Shu listened, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Your Majesty... the Western bandits are different from the Northern bandits... I am afraid..."

Zhao Xu smiled: "They both have one head and two eyes, what's the difference?"

Since Xing Shu could drag the Liao people into the water, he could naturally drag the Xixia people into the water as well.

Zhao Xu is very confident about this.

But Xing Shu didn't have much confidence.

Because in the eyes of the literati of the Song Dynasty, the Khitans of the Liao Dynasty already had human form and were capable of communication. At least they understood poetry and could appreciate it, and they all had a common language.

But the Dangxiang people were different.

Barbaric, brutal, and rude, this is the stereotype that the world has of the Dangxiang people.

Therefore, he said anxiously: "I am only worried that I may have delayed your majesty's work..."

Zhao Xu encouraged him, "I have great confidence in you, my dear."

"Besides, I just asked you to test the waters. Success or failure doesn't matter."

(End of this chapter)