The prince is more stable

Chapter 232: Joining forces to eliminate the trouble
Xiao Guangjing had complicated feelings towards Zhao Xiaoqian.

He was betrayed so badly by Zhao Xiaoqian that he was forced to sell out his country and become a spy. In theory, he should hate him to the core and should be sharpening his knife in his dreams, thinking about how to kill Zhao Xiaoqian.

But in fact, after Xiao Guangjing became a spy for the Song Dynasty, he did not feel that uncomfortable. He still lived a prosperous life. Occasionally he would hand in some intelligence, and the rest of the time he was still living a life of drunkenness and debauchery in the capital.

Especially after the Xiao family and Zhao Xiaoqian secretly engaged in the snow salt business, the Xiao family's income increased a lot more than before.

Xiao Guangjing had more money, and he was more generous when he went to the capital to play with girls. When he lost himself in the girls' flattering voices, did he ever remember Zhao Xiaoqian, who had made him a spy?

Sometimes I try hard to hate Zhao Xiaoqian, but find that I just can't.

Because while Zhao Xiaoqian tricked him into being a spy, he also gave him real benefits.

In other words, Zhao Xiaoqian was actually a big money sponsor in another sense.

Who would hate the financial sponsor?
In a secluded wing, Zhao Xiaoqian sat with his legs crossed. The way he sat did not look like a prince at all, but rather like the leader of a gang that ruled the streets.

"Tell me, what does it mean that the Liao Lord mediated the war between Song and Xia?" asked Zhao Xiaoqian.

Xiao Guangjing smiled and said, "Before I left, His Majesty instructed me to secretly favor the Song Kingdom and teach Xixia a lesson."

"Why? Didn't Xixia recognize the Liao Kingdom as its overlord? Is this how you, the Liao Kingdom, treat your vassal states?"

Xiao Guangjing sighed, "Western Xia is indeed a vassal state, but Empress Dowager Liang is unwilling to accept this."

"Ever since the young ruler of Western Xia ascended the throne and Empress Dowager Liang took over, she has become increasingly assertive in foreign affairs. Not only has she frequently provoked war against the Song, but she has also become increasingly arrogant and domineering towards the Liao. In recent years, not only has she stopped paying tribute to the Liao, but her correspondence has also been disrespectful to His Majesty the Liao."

"My Liao emperor and his ministers have tolerated her for two years, but she has only become more and more excessive. This time, Queen Dowager Liang led an army of 300,000 to invade the Song Kingdom. My Liao was completely unaware of this beforehand. Only after the incident did we realize how a mad woman dared to act so. My Majesty the Liao is furious and has resolved to no longer protect Western Xia."

Zhao Xiaoqian shook his head and sighed, "Sure enough, when a woman is in charge, the house collapses."

Xiao Guangjing was amused. "Your Highness, what you said is insightful, isn't it? Empress Dowager Liang is a power-hungry woman, but she has no real ability. In the past two years of ruling the country, she has not only offended neighboring countries, but has also caused chaos in the country. I hear that more and more court officials and dignitaries are opposing her."

"This crazy woman still has the same barbaric mindset. She thinks that as long as she keeps launching foreign wars, seizing as much territory as possible from neighboring countries, and plundering their people, Xixia will become powerful. This crazy woman's thinking is too simple."

Zhao Xiaoqian hummed and said, "So, this time, the Song and Liao are joining forces to give Xixia a hard time?"

Xiao Guangjing smiled and said, "Of course. His Majesty the Great Liao said that this crazy woman must be taught a severe lesson."

Zhao Xiaoqian's expression shifted slightly, and he suddenly lowered his eyelids. He said calmly, "After being taught a lesson this time, maybe she'll behave herself for a while, but what about the future? After being taught a lesson once, will she never go crazy again?"

Xiao Guangjing's smile gradually froze, and he looked at him suspiciously: "What does the prince mean..."

"I don't mean anything, I'm just discussing the matter at hand." Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly, "The Song Dynasty, Liao Dynasty, and Western Xia Dynasty must check and balance each other to achieve a balance. If one of them frequently loses control, it will be detrimental to both the Song Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty."

"This time she raised an army of 300,000 and attacked the Song Dynasty. The Liao Kingdom could just watch and laugh, sending an envoy to mediate. But what if she goes crazy and attacks the Liao Kingdom next time?"

Xiao Guangjing's body trembled slightly. He had understood the meaning of Zhao Xiaoqian's words, and his face turned pale immediately.

"This... Before I left, His Majesty said he would teach Empress Dowager Liang a severe lesson, but he didn't say he would... kill her."

It was a very cold day, and Xiao Guangjing found himself sweating on his back.

It was just a sudden thought that came to Zhao Xiaoqian's mind, but after he finished his analysis, he felt that it made more and more sense and he even believed it.

"Old Xiao, think bigger. If Empress Dowager Liang dies, who will be in charge of Xixia?"

"The young master Li Qianshun is eleven years old this year. If he has the assistance of important ministers, he may be able to rule the country himself." Xiao Guangjing replied.

"Is the eleven-year-old young master more terrifying, or is that crazy woman more terrifying? Who is easier to control?"

Xiao Guangjing understood. Indeed, if Empress Dowager Liang died, it would be beneficial to everyone and in the interests of all three parties.

On the contrary, if she were alive, all three kingdoms would be in turmoil.

"Empress Dowager Liang is dead. How can I explain this to Your Majesty?" Xiao Guangjing said hesitantly.

"Isn't it normal that the pampered Empress Dowager Liang died suddenly due to acclimatization during the march, sleeping in the open air? My charming ancestor Qin Shihuang also died in this way. Did he say anything? No! He just accepted the result silently." Zhao Xiaoqian said without moving his brows.

Xiao Guangjing's cheek twitched violently and he looked at the beam in silence.

Are you taking me, the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty, for a fool?
Zhao Xiaoqian sighed and said, "Okay, let's be serious. No matter how Empress Dowager Liang died, when you return to the capital, the Liao Lord will definitely not blame you. Instead, he will reward you."

"What you did was help the Liao Kingdom eliminate a hidden danger in advance. The Xixia young ruler, Li Qianshun, taking power personally is a good thing for both the Song Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom." Xiao Guangjing nodded subconsciously, his voice becoming increasingly plausible. Then, suddenly realizing what was happening, he turned pale and asked in shock, "Wait! Why do you say 'what I did'? What am I going to do? Are you asking me to attack her?"

"What are you afraid of? Xiazhou City has been occupied by the Song Dynasty. My soldiers are everywhere. We will provide you with assistance."

"Wh…what help?"

"If you want to hang her, I'll help you get the rope. If you want to poison her, I'll help you find the poison. If you want to chop her up, I'll hand you the knife. In short, we'll do this together."

Xiao Guangjing wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Before leaving, he made bold statements, saying that he would take back what he had lost. But what did he get? He got cheated again!
Last time in Bianjing, I was deceived, and this time I was used as a pawn...

"How many soldiers and horses did Queen Mother Liang bring with her to Xiazhou? How many ministers and generals followed her? Is the young master Li Qianshun by his side?" Zhao Xiaoqian asked a series of questions.

Xiao Guangjing said without hesitation, "Empress Dowager Liang brought with her approximately 10,000 soldiers and horses, along with some trusted ministers and generals. Young Master Li Qianshun was naturally with her. They are currently stationed five miles outside the city. Empress Dowager Liang only brought 2,000 soldiers and horses into the city to protect her."

"Li Qianshun is also in the camp outside the city?"

"Yes."

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled. The time, the place and the people were all right. Even God would be wrong if he didn't kill Queen Dowager Liang.

"Xiao Guangjing..."

"exist."

Zhao Xiaoqian's voice suddenly became low and gentle, but every word was filled with murderous intent: "Tonight, let's get this done!"

Xiao Guangjing's body trembled, and he looked a little resistant. However, the momentum was already strong, like the wheel of history, and it could not be stopped at all.

He finally understood why this prince in front of him had gained such a great reputation at such a young age.

His fame does not lie in the invention of powerful firearms, nor in his noble birth, but in his courage to make decisions at critical moments, and... lawlessness!
Empress Dowager Liang was a crazy woman, and wasn't the guy in front of her crazy too?
You two are both crazy. You should respect each other. Why are you killing each other?

…………

At night, the whole city was silent.

Xiazhou was originally a city belonging to Western Xia. After Zhang Qie occupied Xiazhou, he was afraid that there might be spies hiding in the city causing chaos, so he ordered a city-wide curfew and anyone who violated the order would be beheaded.

The harsh laws made the people in the city panic, so at night, Xiazhou was as quiet as a ghost town, and even dogs dared not bark.

Queen Mother Liang was half lying in a room at the inn. She would stay in the city as she had to negotiate peace with the State of Song early the next morning. The days of marching had made her a little tired, and the palace maid serving her was giving her a massage.

Enjoying the gentle touch of the palace maid, Empress Dowager Liang closed her eyes and fell into deep thought.

She was thinking about tomorrow's peace talks, how to take the initiative, recover the losses for Western Xia as much as possible, and how to deal with both Song and Liao at the same time. Now looking at the attitude of Liao, it seems that they are quite dissatisfied with her. After the peace talks begin, the Liao envoys may not necessarily help her, so she can only rely on herself.

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became, and Empress Dowager Liang frowned in annoyance.

It would be great if this war had not been launched. There would not be so many troubles. No matter how sharp the domestic conflicts were, could they be more difficult to deal with than the firearms of the Song army?
This was an unequal war because she seriously misjudged the strength of the Song army.

I hope that after the peace talks, I can continue to hold my position firmly, endure hardships and plan for the future. When the time is right, I will avenge the fall of my capital.

Just as Empress Dowager Liang was feeling drowsy and about to fall asleep, she suddenly heard screams coming from far away outside the inn.

Empress Dowager Liang suddenly opened her eyes, sat up straight, and stared at the door with murderous eyes.

The screams outside had not stopped yet, and even the sound of regular gunfire could be heard, which was the new type of firearms used by the Song army.

Then, the door was pushed open heavily.

A panicked eunuch rushed in and cried out, "Queen Dowager, it's bad! It's the Song army!"

"The Song army suddenly attacked us!"

Empress Dowager Liang was shocked. She stood up and shouted, "Zhang Yu, Zhao Xiaoqian? How dare they...!"

"Quickly send someone to the camp outside the city to mobilize troops! Also, where is the Liao envoy? Where is the Liao envoy? Quickly ask the Liao envoy to make the decision for me!"

(End of this chapter)