Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 839 I’m going
Yang Yuan went straight to the Hening Gate of the Imperial Palace.

Hening Gate is the back gate of the Song Dynasty Imperial Palace, and the main gate is Lizheng Gate.

This is because of the objective requirement of facing south and back to north, so it can only be built in this way.

However, Zhao Gou could only find such a place in Lin'an at that time. The Qiantang River was not far from the Lizheng Gate.

If civil and military officials in the court wanted to go to court through the main gate, they had to come from Lin'an City and walk half a circle around the palace before they could get to the main gate.

The emperor of the Song Dynasty was quite "easy-going", so the ministers went to court from the harem and Ningmen.

The announcement of the results of the imperial examination was also held at the Donghua Gate next to the Hening Gate.

However, according to the system of front court and rear bedroom, one has to pass through the harem area first when entering from the harem gate.

So, Princess Zhao Ning'er of Jiaguo, who had just come out of the Imperial Garden, saw this scene:
Prince of Yan, Yang Yuan, wearing a "gold and green robe" and carrying a long sword, walked straight into the palace with his eyes straight ahead.

He wore a golden crown with red feathers on his head and a red robe with patterns of mythical beasts such as phoenixes and dragons embroidered with gold thread that were faintly visible in the sunlight.

The emeralds on the golden crown and the sapphires on the belt are dazzling.

Because Yang Yuan walked so fast, his dark blue trousers were faintly visible under his golden and green robe.

Zhao Ning'er was surprised and asked, "It's not a formal ceremony, why is General Yang so solemn?"

Zhao Ning'er intuitively felt that something was wrong.

General Yang is not such an arrogant person. Although he is qualified to carry a sword into the palace and wear such a grand crown and belt as a golden and green robe, it stands to reason that with Yang Yuan's temperament, he would not do so.

Zhao Ning'er thought about it, and then hurriedly ordered the people around him, one to go to Prince Jin's mansion and quickly find Prince Jin's uncle, and the other to follow Yang Yuan to see what Yang Yuan was going to do.

Yang Yuan rushed to the imperial study and asked the eunuch to go in and report.

Yang Yuan had the honor of "three no-court visits". The "no-name praise or worship" did not mean that he could directly break into the emperor's place without notifying him, but that he did not need to call his name.

Because under normal circumstances, all ministers should call themselves and each other by their names in front of the emperor.

As for the emperor being courteous to the wise and humble, respecting you with the word "Qing", or calling you by your courtesy name or official title, that is the emperor being polite to you.

In the court, ministers should usually address each other by their names.

When the emperor summoned someone, the eunuch should call him by his name.

But Yang Yuan cannot be called by his name; one can only refer to him by his official title or title.

So the news was reported to the imperial study, and a moment later a eunuch came out, stood on the steps, and said loudly: "The emperor summons the Prince of Yan to see you."

Yang Yuan flicked his sleeves, held the "Sword of the Deep Abyss" given to him by the Empress Dowager Wu, and proudly entered the imperial study.

When Yang Yuan entered the imperial study, Zhao Chen had already gone ahead of him and hid behind the screen.

"Prince Yan, what brings you to the palace to see me today?"

The little emperor Zhao Kai stood up in surprise and looked at Yang Yuan with a smile.

Yang Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am here for the Shandong Volunteer Army."

"Shandong Volunteer Army?"

Zhao Kai was at a loss for a moment. He had really forgotten about the rebel army that was still fighting in the heartland of the Jin Kingdom.

Although he was in a hurry to urge the rebel army to start the uprising, he also appointed Xin Qiji as the Grand Marshal of the Loyal and Righteous Army of Shandong East Route and Hedongbei Route.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to greet me. Please take a seat. Your Majesty, what do you want to talk to me about the Shandong Volunteer Army?"

Yang Yuan was also stunned when he heard this.

He had thought that the emperor was mean and ungrateful, and that he was evading responsibility, but he had never thought that the emperor still had a look of confusion on his face until this moment.

Yang Yuan held back his anger and said, "Your Majesty, the Shandong righteous army was ordered to rise up to support the Shaanxi army's retreat. Now the battle in Shaanxi is over, but what should the Shandong righteous army do when they are trapped in the heart of the Jin Kingdom?"

Zhao Kai's face changed and he felt a little embarrassed for a moment.

He just remembered...

"The Shandong Volunteers...ah, their situation must be very bad now, right?"

"Sir, the rebel army is mostly made up of civilians who have no military training, and they are located in the heart of the Jin Empire.

They lack weapons and armor, and have no friendly forces to support them. If this continues, they will inevitably be completely destroyed."

"Yeah yeah……"

Zhao Qi's expression became even uglier: "However, our Song Dynasty soldiers suffered heavy losses in Shaanxi and have not yet recovered.

The Central Plains was where Wanyan Liang focused his efforts, with a large number of troops stationed there. The imperial court... was unable to reach it."

"Your Majesty, the Shandong rebels rose up without hesitation because they were loyal to the Song Dynasty.

Now, because the Shandong rebels have started an uprising in the heartland of the Jin people, they have helped our court to successfully withdraw the trapped army.

The Shandong rebels are now in a dilemma. Shouldn't the imperial court think of a solution?

The emperor should know that if he sits back and watches the Shandong rebels being annihilated today, he will never be able to persuade the Han people in the Jin Kingdom to turn to the Song Dynasty again. "

Zhao Kai's face turned red and then white.

Zhao Qi said uneasily, "What the King of Yan said is very true, but... given the current situation of the court, even though we want to help, we are powerless."

Yang Yuan said in a deep voice: "Sir, a ruler should establish a country based on trust and justice. We may not be able to save them, or the losses may be great.

But if we don't save him, the court will surely be accused of betrayal. Who will dare to serve the court in the future?"

Zhao Qi clenched his fists from time to time, and then unclenched them from time to time. After a long while, he said dejectedly: "King of Yan, I spent a lot of effort to withdraw more than 90,000 troops from the battlefield in Shaanxi.

If we hastily go to war with Jin at this moment, I am afraid that the losses we have recovered will be lost again..."

Zhao Qi stared at Yang Yuan and said, "I cannot let my emotions get the better of me."

Yang Yuan looked at Zhao Kai with disappointment and shook his head slightly.

"Since Your Majesty is unwilling to send troops, I am willing to lead a group of troops into the Jin territory to rescue the rebels."

Zhao Qi frowned and said, "This is ridiculous. The Huai River troops were on the defensive first, then hastily switched to the offensive, and now they are on the defensive again. The morale of the troops is already somewhat confused.

If we send troops again at this time, and go back on our words and repeat ourselves, the losses will be great. By then..."

Yang Yuan said firmly: "I am willing to lead a small army across the river to the north."

"That would be like asking you to die in vain. How would the people of the world view me?" Zhao Kai rejected it outright, his face becoming even uglier.

Yang Yuan said: "The Shandong rebels are now in danger, and the court cannot remain silent.

It doesn’t matter how many people the court sends; what matters is that people must be sent.

Moreover, with the support of people from the imperial court, the morale of the rebel army will certainly be greatly boosted, and they may be able to find a way to survive.

Therefore, I request that the emperor issue an imperial decree to allow the Shandong volunteer army to choose a route to migrate southward, and order Li Xianzhong, the commander-in-chief of the Huaidong imperial army, to provide support when the opportunity arises.

In this way, no matter how many people the court rescues, it will have fulfilled its duty.”

Zhao Qi frowned and paced back and forth behind the dragon desk. After a long while, he said thoughtfully, "This matter is of great importance. I will consider it carefully before making a decision."

Yang Yuan said anxiously: "Your Majesty, the Shandong rebels are alone and helpless. Blood is flowing and people are dying every moment. We can't delay any longer."

Zhao Kai was furious. He was already unhappy when he saw Yang Yuan wearing a sword and walking into the palace with a proud posture.

Although it is the honor of "three no visits" that was bestowed upon you, if you know what's good for you, you might not use it.

Moreover, since entering the Imperial Study, he has been aggressive and has been forcing me to follow his ideas.

Is this world yours or mine?

The teacher is right. I have just taken power and my prestige is insufficient. Now that we have suffered a great defeat in Shaanxi, the old ministers who were marginalized before will certainly gloat over this misfortune and may even wait for an opportunity to counterattack.

Sure enough, Yang Yuan came.

Did he really come here to plead for the Shandong Volunteer Army?
I'm afraid not necessarily.

Xiang Zhuang danced with a sword, aiming at Pei Gong. He was taking this opportunity to warn me, to make me admit the disastrous defeat in Shaanxi, and to try to take back the military power. Zhao Qi frowned and said, "How dare you! The military is a major issue for a country, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival or destruction.

Shouldn't I think about this carefully? King Yan, you are forcing me!"

"I dare not, but... the Shandong Volunteer Army cannot wait."

Zhao Qi said with a cold face: "Kindness does not lead the army. The Prince of Yan has led troops before, so he should understand the truth better than me.

Now, I am also worried about the situation of the Shandong rebels. However, given the current situation of the court, it is difficult to send troops to support them. "

He glanced at Yang Yuan, and the "General" said: "If the King of Yan is really willing to pay for support, I can let Li Xianzhong feign cooperation and give the King of Yan three thousand light cavalry.

If the matter is impossible, the King of Yan can use his light cavalry and return quickly to the south.

In this way, the imperial court will have an explanation to the world and to the Shandong rebels. How do you think? "

As Zhao Qi spoke, a sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

He didn't believe that Yang Yuan would really risk entering the Jin Kingdom. What he said was just to send his own army.

Now that he has gone with the flow, it will depend on how Yang Yuan will get out of this difficult situation.

Yang Yuan took a deep breath, clasped his hands and said, "Okay, your servant Yang Yuan, I accept your order!"

Zhao Qi was stunned and said in astonishment: "Prince of Yan, you...you really want to go to Jin to rescue the Shandong rebels? How can you accomplish it with only 3,000 light cavalry?"

Yang Yuan said in a deep voice: "If they are used properly, three people can accomplish great things. Besides, we are going to rescue people, not to capture cities and plunder land. Three thousand soldiers are enough!"

Yang Yuan clasped his fists towards Zhao Kai, flicked his sleeves, and turned away.

Zhao Kai stared blankly at Yang Yuan's back. Until this moment, he still couldn't believe that Yang Yuan would give up his noble royal status and wealthy and luxurious life and actually want to go to the Kingdom of Jin to die.

Behind the screen, Zhao Chen turned around quietly.

"Sir, please allocate three thousand light cavalry to him."

Zhao Chen sneered.

He did not forget the time when he was closest to the throne. If it weren't for Yang Yuan, he would have really succeeded.

But now, he will never be able to ascend to the throne.

He had lost all his keepsakes.

In fact, the token of trust was not the most important thing, but the full support of the Jin Kingdom under the situation of the two countries at that time.

But the current Jin Kingdom could no longer make the Song Dynasty fear it like a tiger, and he no longer had any evidence to prove his identity.

This hatred naturally fell on Yang Yuan.

Zhao Chen said: "Yang Yuan entered the game to prove his loyalty and righteousness and to embarrass Your Majesty.

The government should just respond to their request and go with the flow.

If Yang Yuan were to find himself in a difficult situation and really went deep into the heartland of the Jin Kingdom, he would most likely never be able to come back.

In that way, the biggest stumbling block in the government's path to centralizing military power would have rolled away on its own.

If Yang Yuan was timid in the face of battle and entered the territory of the Jin Kingdom, only to bluff and then flee back in panic, he would be laughed at by the world and his reputation as "Yang the Invincible" would be ruined. "

Zhao Qi thought about it, his eyes lit up: "Teacher, what you said is very true. The Shandong righteous army is in danger. If the court does not make any statement, once the news spreads, it will be a loss of face for the Song Dynasty and for me.

But my Great Song sent a prince to rescue the Shandong righteous army. Who in the world dares not to say that I am loyal and righteous? "

After Zhao Qie finished speaking, he immediately drafted an imperial edict. He hurriedly wrote an imperial edict, then called the eunuch in charge of the imperial talisman to seal it personally, attached a tiger talisman, put it in a "Zhaowen bag", and ordered someone to deliver it to the Prince of Yan's mansion as soon as possible.

Now, he was afraid that Yang Yuan would regret it when he calmed down.

This kind of secret rescue operation cannot be publicized.

That was why he put both the tiger talisman for mobilizing troops and the imperial edict in the "Zhaowen bag" in the form of a secret decree and handed it to Yang Yuan to open personally.

Yang Yuan walked out of the imperial study and thought about how to rescue the Shandong rebels as he walked.

Previously, the government used the strategy of "encircling Wei to save Zhao" and rescued more than 90,000 officers and soldiers from Shaanxi.

But this trick obviously can't be used now.

Three thousand light cavalry may not be incapable of doing things, but they are of little use when it comes to doing big things.

While Yang Yuan was thinking about this, Prince Jin came into the palace in a hurry.

Yang Yuan was dressed in a golden and green robe, which looked extremely solemn.

The Prince of Jin was wearing a moon-white Taoist robe lightly tied with a belt, his hair was slightly askew, and there was still lipstick on his face that had not been wiped off.

Since returning to politics, this prince has let himself go again.

Yang Yuan admired him very much. After all, Zhao Qu was already in his thirties.

It's not easy for a man in his thirties who indulges in sensual pleasures to have such great energy and interest.

Prince Jin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Yang Yuan.

When he heard the people sent by Ning'er say that Yang Yuan would enter the palace in gorgeous attire today, he knew that something big must be happening.

Otherwise Yang Yuan would not dress like this.

But now that he saw Yang Yuan coming out safely, he felt relieved.

"Erlang, why did you come to the palace today? You are dressed like a peacock."

When Yang Yuan saw Prince Jin, he was stunned at first. He saw that he was walking in a hurry and sweat was slightly on his forehead. Was he here for me?

The Goose King has become successful and even has spies in the palace?
He knew it just after I entered the palace?
Yang Yuan and Zhao Qu have known each other for a long time, and he knew that Zhao Qu would not give up unless he made things clear today.

Yang Yuan said, "Let's go find a place to have a drink, and I'll explain the matter to you in detail."

The two left the palace and went to the "Qianjin Yixiao Tower."

This pub was a joint venture between the Yang family and was run by Helen.

Helen was very happy to see Yang Yuan coming to take care of her business. She quickly opened the best private room and personally served wine to the two princes.

After drinking for more than thirty minutes, Yang Yuan signaled Helen to leave and put down his chopsticks.

Yang Yuan calmly recounted what happened in the negotiations with the emperor today. Zhao Yu was shocked and angry and stood up suddenly.

Yang Yuan knew that he would react like this, and emphasized, "It was me who found him in Jinan Prefecture.

It was also me who recorded his relationship in the calendar of the speed room. For both public and private reasons, I must go!"

Yang Yuan now knows Zhao Qu very well, and Zhao Qu also knows Yang Yuan very well.

When he heard Yang Yuan's tone, he knew that it was useless to persuade him.

After standing there in a daze for a while, Zhao Yu slowly sat down and asked in a deep voice, "How confident are you?"

Yang Yuan was silent for a moment, then turned his head to look out the window.

“Do your best and leave the rest to fate, that’s all.

As for the certainty, I am not a fortune teller, so how can I calculate how certain I am."

Zhao Yu was silent for a long time before he said, "You also said that we should do our best and leave the rest to fate. So, if something cannot be done, don't force it."

His voice was slightly hoarse.

Yang Yuan nodded gently: "Of course, I am still in my prime years and I haven't lived enough."

Yang Yuan chuckled, raised his glass and toasted Zhao Yu.

Outside the window, the road is filled with fragrance from BMW carriages, the sound of phoenix flutes is moving, and the light of jade pots is turning...

PS: There will be another event in a few days. I looked at the schedule and it is so tight, so I will update 4,000 words every day in the next few days. I will save more code, otherwise I will definitely have a gap in the days without the event~
(End of this chapter)