Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 294 A sudden change in the court

Even Mu Wanqing couldn't help but burst into tears when faced with the deep affection that this father-in-law had for her mother-in-law whom she had never met.

Looking at these two crying women, Zhao Mu really didn't know what to do now.

But there was one thing he could be thankful for, and that was that he really had nothing to do with Mu Wanqing and the others. Zhao Mu was also completely relieved.

He looked at his mother with pear blossoms and rain, and sighed in his heart, "It's a good thing that my mother is a smart person."

But this also reminded Zhao Mu of another person, his old friend Dao Baifeng. After such a long time, Zhao Mu really missed her.

Just when Zhao Mu was making a big fuss about family ethics, the fiercest confrontation also started in the court.

According to what he had discussed with Zhao Mu before, Zhezong publicly reprimanded the Liao envoys for their arrogance and unreasonableness in the Jinluan Palace. And threw the "letter of credence" submitted by the Liao envoy directly on the main hall.

When the civil and military officials saw this, they even felt that the emperor was crazy.

The eunuchs originally wanted to report it to the Empress Dowager and the others, but this time Zhe Zongxue was clever.

Zhezong directly asked his Conglong Guards to guard the two palaces of the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother. Whenever eunuchs from the previous dynasty approached, they would find excuses to stop them.

After seeing off the Liao envoys, Sima Guang asked the emperor to think twice in public, but Zhezong said, "The Liao state is strong on the outside but capable on the inside. It is no match for our Song Dynasty."

Zhezong said to Yelu Yanping, "The barbarians of the Liao Kingdom disturbed the marriage ceremony of the Song Dynasty. They were arrogant and unreasonable and threatened the Song Dynasty. The Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty are equal brotherly countries, and the Liao Kingdom needs to make amends to the Song Dynasty. If not, the Song Dynasty will be threatened." The Song Dynasty will no longer pay Sui coins to the Liao Dynasty."

But Yelu Yanping said in a threatening tone, "If the Song Dynasty does not give the coins, then the war will start again."

Although Hu Yanxiong was also very surprised by Zhe Zong's decision, he could only accept the order in public.

Yelu Yanping was also panicked at this moment. He did not expect that Zhezong would eventually put the responsibility of "breaking the alliance" on them. However, Yelu Yanping had no choice but to return to the Liao Kingdom to ask for instructions. Moreover, the Liao Emperor had long wanted to invade the south. This time, he might be able to give the main war factions an excuse, so after Yelu Yanping left the city, he returned to the Liao Kingdom without stopping. I am afraid that the Song Dynasty will "repent" again.

Sima Guang originally wanted to take Su Che to remonstrate with him, but Zhezong read Su Xun's "On the Six Kingdoms" in public. Su Zhe, who had not yet opened his mouth, suddenly pushed down. Moreover, he publicly asked the officials to recall Su Shi.

This morning meeting was the happiest one since Zhezong succeeded to the throne. He scolded the Liao envoys in court for being rude and rude, and even threw out the Liao's credentials.

Although the civil and military officials also wanted to dissuade him, they were all frightened back by Zhe Zong's eyes.

After Sima Guang heard about the Theory of Six Kingdoms, he mistakenly thought that Su Che was flattering Zhezong in private in order to recall Su Shi.

Zhezong, on the other hand, said lightly, "Fight if you want," and then ordered Privy Councilor Zhongxiao King Hu Yanxiong in public to prepare for Liao's "alliance-breaking invasion."

Zhezong's move successfully divided the relationship between Su Che and Sima Guang.

Yelu Yanping also felt that Zhezong had taken the wrong medicine. He could not imagine how the little emperor who was submissive yesterday could be so tough today.

Zhezong's move was to kill first and then play, which directly eliminated the possibility of interference by the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother.

Although Su Che is also a member of the civil service group, the civil service group itself is not monolithic.

Because in addition to being "cronies" who agree with each other and oppose differences, the literati also have a bad habit, that is, "literati look down on each other."

Zhezong's move gave Sima Guang the idea that Su Che wanted to replace Sima Guang's phase. Although Sima Guang didn't react on the surface, he began to be suspicious of Su Che in his heart. When the empress dowagers of the two palaces learned the news, the envoys from the Liao Kingdom had already left Bianjing. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't catch up.

The empress dowagers of the two palaces called Zhe Zong to them and severely reprimanded them, while Zhe Zong calmly relayed Zhao Mu's previous analysis to them. However, Zhezong knew that the queen mothers of both palaces hated Zhao Mu, and did not mention that this was Zhao Mu's advice.

Although the Queen Mothers of the two palaces did not believe Zhe Zong's words at all, the matter was irreversible and they had no choice but to acquiesce to Zhe Zong's behavior.

However, Empress Dowager Xiang and Empress Dowager Gao still did not completely delegate power to Zhezong, but they also gave him half of the Tiger Talisman, allowing Zhezong to gain military power.

And because of Zhezong's bold words in court, people within the Song Dynasty had begun to panic. Everyone is worried about the war starting again. Many officials also went to the imperial study room again to give advice.

And Zhezong also informed everyone of Zhao Mu's words. Although all the ministers were doubtful about Zhe Zong's words, this gave them reassurance. The Liao people will attack soon, and they can only bite the bullet and start to deal with it now.

Although the moral bottom line of the civil service group is very flexible, they also know the principle of "if the skin is not preserved, the hair will be attached."

Although they all prefer "surrender", the current situation is unclear and it is not a good time to "know the current affairs". I can only take a gamble for the time being. Bet on Da Song to win, even if it's a tie.

In the next few days, everything went as planned by Zhao Mu and Zhe Zong.

The envoy from the Liao Kingdom is on his way back to the Liao Kingdom.

Zhao Mu, on the other hand, was preparing for his wedding with Mu Wanqing with peace of mind.

As for the imperial court, it was a little busier. On the one hand, the Ministry of Rites, Honglu Temple, Taimiao Temple, and Zongzheng Temple were preparing for the marriage ceremony for Zhao Mu. The Privy Council, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of War were all actively preparing for war in response to a possible invasion by the Liao Kingdom.

However, in order to avoid panic in preparations for war, no one in the court made any noise, and the whole country of Song Dynasty remained very calm. The marriage of King Zhongshan of the Song Dynasty and Princess Zhaohua of Dali Kingdom has now become the focus of everyone's attention. This matter was publicized both inside and outside the capital. Even though the storm was approaching, everyone was still immersed in the joy of the national ceremony.

Just two days before the wedding, Hu Yanjin finally lived up to her trust and invited Qiao Feng back.

"Miss Huyan! This capital city has been really lively recently." Qiao Feng couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the brightly decorated Bianliang City in the distance.

Hu Yanjin, who was riding side by side with Qiao Feng, replied: "This is natural. This is the wedding of the princess of Dali and the king of Zhongshan. It is also a big day for the alliance between Dali and the Song Dynasty. Naturally, the court attaches great importance to it. "

Qiao Feng looked at Hu Yanjin beside him, and then said: "I didn't expect that time passed so quickly, and it has been so long since Zhenlong's chess meeting. Brother Zhao invited me to his wedding before, and Qiao Feng was just a commoner. , It really embarrasses my brother."

Hu Yanjin laughed when he heard this and said: "Why is it that Master Qiao is like my master and other senior brothers and sisters? Although they all believe in Xiao Mu, when it comes to attending his wedding, everyone is reluctant."

Qiao Feng sighed and said: "Alas! It's not your fault. You are hereditary nobles, and we are the same people from the beginning to the end. We are all brothers in the world, but back then When it comes to your official meeting, I don’t wonder why everyone will feel conflicted. If my dear brother hadn’t come to discuss something important with Qiao this time, Qiao really wouldn’t want to come here.”

But Qiao Feng also laughed and said: "But I didn't expect that my virtuous brother would be so courageous and dare to publicly humiliate the Khitan barbarians in the court to promote the prestige of our Song Dynasty."

Hu Yanjin said: "Yes, but this time he completely offended the Khitans. This time the Khitans invaded the south in a large scale, and he brought thousands of troops to respond to the enemy. I really don't know what he was thinking."

Qiao Feng said with a smile: "My dear brother explained this matter in his letter and strongly invited Qiao to come. He must have been prepared for it. Besides, soldiers are more valuable than more. My dear brother actually dared to lead thousands of soldiers and horses to fight. I must have a countermeasure already. This good brother of mine is always unpredictable."

(End of this chapter)