Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 563 The conspiracy is open and this body

Hesheli Liangbi did not come alone. The world is in such a mess. Not to mention the husband, even the emperor would be in trouble if he went on a secret visit.

However, not only were his personal guards not qualified to enter the palace, some of them were not even allowed to enter the city.

After all, the three hundred armored cavalrymen with banners were too conspicuous. Even though the city gate officer did not dare to stop the noble-dressed Hesheli Liangbi, he still had to prevent the armored cavalrymen from entering the city.

Of course, being blocked outside the city has its pros and cons.

The favorable aspect is that it greatly facilitates the actions of some people, especially Shi Ju who mixed in with makeup.

Although this guy was tricked by Liang Su that day, he still did not lose his ambition. Wugu Lun Yuanzhong was called back to Liaodong by Wanyan Yong to recuperate, but Shi Ju asked Wanyan Yong for permission and stayed in the vicinity of Bianliang, gathering information and waiting for an opportunity to act.

There was no other way. If he didn't do something significant, how could he gain a foothold in the new dynasty? Who would tolerate a Han Chinese with no merit riding on their head?

Ugun Yuanzhong was Wanyan Yong's son-in-law, and even if he made a big mess, there would be someone to help him. Shi Ju would never receive such treatment.

After sitting there for several months, Shi Ju finally got his chance. He received the imperial edict brought by Hesheli Liangbi, and took a ride with him to the vicinity of Bianliang.

But his target was not Bianliang, but the hundreds of thousands of troops stationed near Bianliang.

To be exact, it was Liu E.

This was naturally not a result of the tacit understanding between Shi Ju and Liang Su, the two brothers, but was determined by their political inclinations.

Liu E's ancestor was the Jiedushi of Lulong, also known as the Jiedushi of Fanyang or the Jiedushi of Youzhou.

His grandfather Liu Xiao was once the governor of Zhongjing.

His father, Liu Yanzong, rose to a high position in the government, even becoming the prime minister and head of the Privy Council of the Jin Dynasty.

But it is an indisputable fact that Liu E's family has been rooted in Youzhou since the end of the Tang Dynasty.

Over the years, the Liu family's influence has become deeply entrenched in Youzhou. Even when the Jin Dynasty was founded, it was still forced to cooperate with them.

If Liu E had a normal mind, he would not have given up his ancestral foundation and followed Wanyan Liang to the Central Plains.

On the other hand, many of the soldiers under Liu E's command were from Youyan and Han army, and among them were people with prominent backgrounds like Liu E.

If Liu E didn't bring them back, all the connections he had accumulated over the years would be lost.

But the key point is that Wanyan Liang knew, Pushan Zhongyi knew, and the entire Bianliang knew that Liu E and the Haner Army under his command were planning to return. How could they not be on guard?
Of course, on the other hand, Liu E also knew that he had to go back, and also knew that he was being guarded against, so he was also looking for a way to escape.

In such a precarious situation, Shi Ju found an acquaintance and quietly came to a tent in the corner of the military camp.

Soon, a big man with a beard came quickly. After entering the tent, a fragrant breeze blew in his face, followed by a strong smell of alcohol, which made Shi Ju cover his nose.

"Xiao Shi! I immediately guessed it was you! At critical moments, we northerners have to be relied upon!"

This person is Liu E.

This guy is notorious for his greed for money and lust, notorious for his cruelty and capriciousness, but he is also notorious for his strict military discipline and good care for his soldiers.

This guy has committed massacres more than once in history. Wherever he passes through, no matter it is the enemy or ours, the place will be destroyed by him. Not only ordinary people, but even local tyrants hate him to the core.

But his abilities were also very strong. After Wanyan Liang was killed in history, he was able to lead the central army and escape back to the Central Plains with only a small loss of troops when the future was uncertain and there were pursuers behind him.

Of course, there is no room for Liu E to play in this timeline.

Because of the existence of Pushan Zhongyi, a more powerful person, he could only be the second in command, but Liu E's ability to command the army would not be diminished because of this.

"Uncle Liu, you should change your bad habits." Shi Ju covered his nose and said, "Drinking in the military camp is one thing, but playing with women is too much. The men have been alone for a long time. Uncle Liu, aren't you afraid of causing trouble?"

Liu E smiled broadly, his gray beard trembling. "Xiao Shi, you're teaching me a lesson. When I get back, I'll kill all those concubines!"

Shi Ju paused for breath, then said, "Forget it, just give them all to me. I'll find them good families, so they won't be wasted."

Seeing that he had the other party under control, Liu E laughed heartily and sat down in the first seat without hesitation: "Xiao Shi, you are a good person in every way, but your heart is not hard enough and your methods are not ruthless enough. Sooner or later, you will suffer a great loss." Shi Ju rolled his eyes: "Isn't my nephew's hand ruthless enough?"

Liu E waved her hand: "Alright, alright, I know you have a kind heart. Can we get down to business?"

Shi Ju nodded, then took out a roll of yellow silk from his bosom and handed it over: "His Majesty has an order, please read it yourself."

Liu E took the decree and said directly without opening it, "Xiao Shi, let's stop hiding things. I don't want to hear these high-sounding words. Just tell me directly what Your Majesty has promised."

Shi Ju was equally direct: "Here in Bianliang... no matter if it's the Crown Prince or His Majesty, whatever, they offer you any official title or reward, Liaodong will recognize it. But how to reward you and how to use you afterwards depends on how many troops Uncle Liu brings back."

Liu E smiled and said, "How much is too much?!"

Shi Ju looked outside the tent and shook his head with a smile: "I don't know either."

Liu E's smile was a little stiff: "My dear nephew, why don't you tell me?"

Shi Ju shook his head again: "I can't say, I can only guess."

Liu E gritted his teeth, called his personal guards over, and whispered a few words to him.

The guard went out and came back a little later with a gorgeously decorated dagger in his hand.

After Liu E took it, he touched the jeweled and gold-inlaid scabbard with some reluctance, then gripped the ivory handle before handing it over. "Young man from the Shi family, I know you've always coveted this sword. Now that I'm giving it to you, can you give me a definite answer?"

Shi Ju took the sword and casually hung it around his waist: "Uncle Liu, I told you, I don't have a definite belief, but I do have a guess."

Liu E was immediately a little angry, but said helplessly: "Then call it a guess."

Shi Ju said sternly, "Uncle Liu, you must bring back at least 20,000 elite soldiers to continue governing. If you bring back 30,000, you can become a minister in the central government. If you want to become prime minister, you must bring back 50,000."

"Give me back your knife!" Liu E was immediately furious. "I need to bring back 20,000 men to take charge of the prefecture. Are you kidding me?"

Shi Ju dodged Liu E's big hand and said, "Wait a minute, Uncle Liu, isn't what my nephew said right? These are chaotic times, and soldiers are the main thing. But fellow villagers are also part of the power. This time, the number of Youyan people who followed you, Uncle Liu, to the battle should be no less than 50,000, right?!"

Even if some of them have been killed, there are still more than 40,000 men. If you only bring back 20,000 men, what will your fellow villagers think of you?

Without the support of his fellow villagers, what would Uncle Liu have to fight against the Jurchens, Bohais, and Khitans for official positions? By then, let alone becoming a prefecture or county chief, it would be a blessing from heaven that Uncle Liu could live out his retirement in peace.

When Liu E was halfway through listening, he stopped trying to grab the sword and stood there nodding in agreement. When he heard the end, he slumped down in the main seat and sighed repeatedly.

"This is 50,000 soldiers and horses. Not to mention His Majesty in Bianliang, even that bastard Pushan Zhongyi is watching us. How can I take them away without anyone noticing?"

"Uncle Liu!" Shi Ju's tone was a little heavier. "What do you mean by 'unnoticed'? This is the capital for Uncle Liu's future livelihood. Can you really expect to take it away safely? We need to fight for our lives!"

After finishing his heavy words, Shi Ju slowed down his tone and said, "After the autumn harvest, Your Majesty will send 5,000 troops, led by General Zhining, to Daming Prefecture to support Liu Shu. Wanyan Guying will also return to Jin and lead his troops south to provide support."

Liu E was surprised and said, "Wanyan Guying? He defected to Liaodong so quickly?"

"Nothing can be done." Shi Ju waved his hand and said, "He's also been caught. Let's not talk about him anymore. We only have one chance. If we fail this time, Uncle Liu should prepare to seek an official position in Bianliang."

Having said that, Shi Ju stood up and said goodbye and left.

As soon as he left the tent, he saw seven or eight women standing in front of him. They were disheveled, their faces full of fear. They trembled and bowed to Shi Ju Yingying: "Greetings, sir."

Shi Ju turned around and met Liu E's playful eyes with an expressionless face.

"My spit can make a hole if it falls to the ground. I said I would give all my concubines to you, so I have to give them all to you."

Shi Ju nodded, then took off the sword that was still warm and threw it back: "Exchange it for some silver and find a few soldiers to protect them. I will find some good families to marry them off."

Liu E took the sword and waved to his guards, telling them to prepare the treasures and soldiers. He sighed non-stop, "What I said was absolutely right, Xiao Shi. If you are not hard-hearted and ruthless, you will suffer a great loss sooner or later."

Shi Ju didn't bother to argue. He told his followers to follow the guards to get the money, and he turned and left. "As an important official of the state, how can I have so much free time as to play tricks on a bunch of women?!"

(End of this chapter)