The prince is more stable

Chapter 473 High-profile bounty
People with their own thoughts all pretend to be ignorant even though they know the truth.

Although Zhang Rong was a military general, he was also very good at pretending to be confused.

He was ordered to go to Liao this time, and he came for Su Shi. The Imperial City Office sent a message to search the whole city of Shangjing. Su Shi was in a critical situation, so Zhang Rong was ordered to travel thousands of miles to Shangjing just to rescue Su Shi.

But now Zhang Rong looked clueless. When he heard Xiao Zhengshe say that Su Shi died in the fire, Zhang Rong was in disbelief. His expression of shock and astonishment was simply perfect.

"Shou Xiao, although we just met, some jokes are not allowed. Su Shi is an envoy of the Song Dynasty. If something happens to him in Shangjing, it will be a big deal." Zhang Rong said seriously.

Xiao Zhengshe's cheeks twitched a few times, and he felt increasingly uneasy. "Su Shi is just an envoy. The Song court wouldn't go to war just for one person, would it?"

Zhang Rong sneered, "Not really? Do you know how close Su Shi and my Prince are? To say they're as close as brothers wouldn't be an exaggeration. And guess again, why am I not 'Envoy from the Great Song Dynasty' but 'Special Envoy of the Prince of Hejian'?"

"Why...why?" Xiao Zhengshe's expression became more complicated.

"Because Your Highness, the Prince of Hejian in the Great Song Dynasty, is more worried about Su Shi's safety than the imperial court. He has been on a diplomatic mission to the Liao Kingdom for six months and has not yet returned. Your Highness is anxious and has no time to ask for permission from the imperial court, so he sent a special envoy from the Prince of Hejian to Liao to urge Su Shi to return."

Xiao Zhengshe remained silent, but his mood was extremely heavy.

The more Zhao Xiaoqian valued Su Shi, the greater the danger to the Liao Kingdom.

According to Zhang Rong, Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi were indeed as close as brothers. What would Zhao Xiaoqian's reaction be if his brother was killed or missing in Shangjing? Thinking of this consequence, Xiao Zhengshe couldn't help but tremble in his heart.

The only thought that came to my mind was that Your Majesty made a wrong move!
No matter what Su Shi did in Shangjing, Your Majesty should not have the intention to kill him. The Liao army has been defeated twice by Zhao Xiaoqian, and the Song army is now at its peak. If Your Majesty takes action against Su Shi, it is equivalent to handing an excellent reason to start a war to Zhao Xiaoqian.

Although we don’t know Zhao Xiaoqian’s strategic intention of suddenly crossing the river to the north, it is certain that if the news of Su Shi’s disappearance spreads, Zhao Xiaoqian’s next move will definitely make the entire Liao Kingdom tremble.

Su Shi disappeared in Shangjing, and Zhao Xiaoqian, enraged, raised an army, reigniting the war between the two countries. The Song army had already crossed the Juma River to the north, its frontier looming, aiming towards the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun...

Because of Su Shi, the Song and Liao countries could enter a state of full-scale war at any time, and at this time the Liao army still had no way to deal with the Song army's firearms.

Seeing Xiao Zhengshe's expression change several times, Zhang Rong couldn't help but smile faintly.

The Longwei Camp crossed the Juma River to the north in order to put pressure on the Liao Kingdom. At this time, Zhang Rong deliberately emphasized the relationship between Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi, which was also to put pressure on the Liao Kingdom.

When various external pressures came one after another and became increasingly severe, the Liao Emperor should have regretted why he had made such a hasty decision to take action against Su Shi.

From the emperor to the court officials of the Liao Dynasty, except for Yelu Chun and Yelu Yanshi who had personally witnessed the combat effectiveness of the Song army, the rest of the monarchs and officials still maintained a stubborn old impression of the Song Dynasty, always thinking that the Song Dynasty today was still the Song Dynasty of the past, and at most the military strength was slightly stronger than before, but limited.

None of the emperor and his ministers in the capital realized that the Song Dynasty already possessed new power that surpassed current civilization.

Yes, people were living in the prosperous and peaceful capital of the Liao Dynasty, like scholars and officials, leading a decadent life of luxury and debauchery. Even if there was a temporary defeat on the front line, it was just a matter of time and luck. If they lost this time, they could make a comeback next time.

Who would have thought that once the gap widened, the distance would only get farther and farther and it would be impossible to catch up.

The troubles that the Liao Kingdom is facing now are all retribution for the habitual contemptuous attitude of the monarch and his ministers.

Zhang Rong stared at Xiao Zhengshe's complex expression with a smile, and said calmly, "Xiao Liushou, why don't you tell me the truth? Did Su Shi really get into trouble? Honestly, as His Royal Highness the Prince's special envoy, if Su Shi is alright, you and I can have a drink together and discuss our friendship privately. I'll pick up Scholar Su and leave, and we can become good friends."

"But if Su Shi really gets into trouble in Shangjing, I'll have to change my attitude. I hope Governor Xiao won't blame me for being rude."

The subtle threat and pressing attitude made Xiao Zhengshe sweat on his forehead. He tried hard to put on a smile: "Mr. Su, of course... nothing happened."

Zhang Rong raised his eyebrows: "Oh? That's great. After the banquet, I will meet Master Su in person and prepare to pack my luggage. I will set off with Master Su tomorrow, haha!" Xiao Zhengshe's face changed again, and his eyes revealed some anxiety, but he had to try hard to keep his expression calm.

"Please forgive me, Special Envoy. Scholar Su was originally fine, but a few days ago, a fire accidentally burned down the inn where he was staying. That night was too chaotic, and the soldiers who stayed behind tried their best to put out the fire, but they did not find any trace of Scholar Su..." Xiao Zhengshe said as he couldn't help wiping the sweat off his face.

Zhang Rong's face turned pale with anger. "You just said that Scholar Su was burned to death. Is that true?"

Xiao Zhengshe said hurriedly, "No, no! Scholar Su should be fine. Afterwards, we counted the wreckage and didn't find his body. I guess he escaped during the chaos. I just don't know why he disappeared after escaping. Now the Shangjing garrison is doing their best to find his whereabouts."

Zhang Rong stood up angrily and said, "Your Highness's prediction is indeed correct. How dare the Liao Kingdom kill the Song Dynasty's envoys! Xiao Liushou, tell me, was the fire at the inn really without cause?"

Xiao Zhengshe had been completely disoriented by Zhang Rong's constant threats and pressure, his spirit instantly weakening. Upon hearing this, he hastily denied it, "No, no, that fire was an accident. The Liao Dynasty would never kill a foreign envoy. The envoy misunderstood. Scholar Su is truly missing; he's not dead."

Zhang Rong said coldly, "Whether Scholar Su is alive or dead, and whether the Liao Kingdom's attempt to kill him is true or false, we can no longer tell."

"Xiao Liushou, now that things have come to this, neither you nor I can hide it any longer. I will immediately send a fast horse to report this matter to His Royal Highness the Prince of Hejian. As for the consequences, I don't know, but I'm sure it won't be easy. I wonder if the Liao Kingdom can withstand His Royal Highness's wrath."

"Shou Xiao, please report this to the Liao Lord immediately. The development of this matter is no longer something you and I can control. It is a matter for the leaders of the two countries."

After saying this, Zhang Rong glanced indifferently at the banquet in front of him and the geishas still dancing in the hall, then left in a hurry without bowing or saying goodbye.

Xiao Zhengshe looked as pale as death. This matter could not be concealed from the Song State after all. The subsequent development of events was out of control, and even the Liao Emperor could not control it.

After powerlessly dismissing the geishas and musicians in the hall, Xiao Zhengshe sat alone in the hall. After taking a sip of wine, he suddenly stood up, tidied his appearance, ordered the carriage to be prepared, and hurried towards the Liao Palace.

Zhang Rong walked out of the Liaison Office, and five hundred soldiers were waiting outside the Liaison Office.

"Find an inn in the city and book it. Everyone should disperse and pretend to be searching the city for Scholar Su's whereabouts. While searching, you can reveal your identities to the Liao people and publicly announce a reward of 5,000 taels in the capital, saying that His Royal Highness the Prince of the Great Song Dynasty wants to find Scholar Su's whereabouts, and anyone who knows the whereabouts will receive the reward..."

"Send another express horse to report today's events to His Royal Highness the Prince. Tell His Royal Highness that the Liao Kingdom denies attacking Scholar Su, stating only that he disappeared without cause. Perhaps the pressure from our Dragon Guard Battalion on the Liao Kingdom is not enough. Your Highness, please consider this matter."

Zhang Rong gave orders as he walked, and then mounted his horse.

The group quickly found an inn in Shangjing and paid for the room.

The five hundred soldiers all dispersed, and Zhang Rong sat alone in the inn with his eyes closed to rest.

Zhang Rong was not at all anxious about Su Shi's whereabouts.

Before leaving, Zhao Xiaoqian gave a private instruction that after arriving in Shangjing, he should just put pressure on the Liao people. Su Shi was safe now. As long as the people in Shangjing knew that a Song envoy had entered Liao, naturally someone from the Imperial City Administration would take the initiative to contact him.

That is why Zhang Rong booked the inn in such a high-profile manner, ordered 500 soldiers to openly search for Su Shi's whereabouts, and issued a reward to the whole city. The purpose was to tell the spies of the Imperial City Division lurking in Shangjing that the prince's special envoy had entered the city.

Now all Zhang Rong has to do is wait.

Waiting for the people from the Imperial City Bureau to contact him, and waiting to see how the Liao Dynasty's monarch and ministers would react.

Being in the enemy's capital, Zhang Rong was not afraid at all. Instead, he had an eager urge to provoke. Even he himself was a little surprised. When did he become so bold and presumptuous that he dared to be so domineering in the Liao capital, which he once had to look up to.

(End of this chapter)