The prince is more stable

Chapter 886 Loyal Traitor to Liaodong
This was Xiao Fengxian's first time visiting the Song Dynasty, and his second time meeting Zhao Xiaoqian.

After entering the territory of the Great Song Dynasty, Xiao Fengxian was full of praise for the scenery of the south. As a nomadic person from the grasslands, he developed a deep love for the agricultural civilization of the Central Plains.

This feeling of affection is complex. Besides the fact that the customs and culture of the Central Plains truly fascinate him, there is also an inexplicable sense of belonging.

After all, in this Liao traitor's mind, from the first day he betrayed the Liao Kingdom, he had already considered himself a Song person. Now he was just enduring humiliation and infiltrating the enemy country for the sake of the Song Dynasty.

He carried a glorious mission; though he was in the darkest of hell, his heart yearned for the light.

Yes, this is how Xiao Fengxian convinced himself, and only this reason could allow him to do things that harmed the country and its people in Liao with a clear conscience, and alleviate his guilt towards Liao.

Therefore, after arriving in the Song Dynasty, seeing the scenery and culture along the way, Xiao Fengxian truly liked it from the bottom of his heart. This liking was mixed with too many complicated emotions.

Those who frequently act as spies know that when a spy's guilt over betraying his country reaches a certain threshold, his behavior often becomes more insane and perverse, to the point of wanting to destroy his own country.

Only when his homeland was completely destroyed did his guilt disappear.

This is a dark and twisted redemption deep within Xiao Fengxian's heart.

His fondness for the Song Dynasty stemmed from this.

An impure, unavoidable liking.

Today is the second time Xiao Fengxian has met Zhao Xiaoqian.

The last time I saw him was on an unnamed mountain on the border between Song and Liao. The two sat facing each other, sipping tea and discussing philosophy. During their conversation, Zhao Xiaoqian won over Xiao Fengxian, and Xiao Fengxian was also willing to serve the Song Dynasty. It was a deal that no one knew about.

To this day, the deal is still ongoing.

When Xiao Fengxian saw Zhao Xiaoqian again, his attitude was completely different from last time. His expression showed more awe, and the way he looked at Zhao Xiaoqian was no longer that of an equal trading partner, but the look of a subject looking at an emperor.

Xiao Fengxian firmly believed that soon he would rightfully become Zhao Xiaoqian's subject, prostrate himself at his feet, and devoutly worship this legendary emperor.

Zhao Xiaoqian, who was just a prince of the Song Dynasty at the time, became the emperor of the Song Dynasty just two years later. Isn't that amazing?
After entering the territory of the Song Dynasty, Xiao Fengxian sent people to inquire about the situation.

Inquire about the detailed process of the power struggle among the princes of the Song Dynasty after the death of Emperor Zhezong.

From the establishment of Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, to the sudden southward march of the Yan-Yun border army, to Zeng Bu seizing military power from the Palace Guard, and finally the Yan-Yun border army storming into Bianjing, the imperial city, taking over the capital and palace, Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, was deposed, and Prince Cheng, Zhao Xiaoqian, rose to power unexpectedly and was supported by the Song court officials to ascend the throne...

The series of actions was dazzling and breathtaking.

After months of chaos and rebirth in the Song Dynasty, the dust has finally settled, and Zhao Xiaoqian has emerged as the ultimate victor. When Xiao Fengxian learned the details, he was filled with awe and admiration for Zhao Xiaoqian.

While admiring Zhao Xiaoqian, Xiao Fengxian also felt a sense of relief, glad that he had chosen a side early and silently served Zhao Xiaoqian. He believed that when the Liao Dynasty was destroyed, he would surely have a place in the Song Dynasty court.

Compared to Xiao Fengxian's excited and awe-inspiring mood, Zhao Xiaoqian appeared quite calm.

Behind the Wende Hall is the Chuigong Hall, which... was also the place where court assemblies were held.

Yanfu Palace doesn't have too many palaces, but several of them served as venues for court assemblies, such as Daqing Hall, Wende Hall, Chuigong Hall, and even the emperor's sleeping quarters, Funing Hall.

However, these palaces varied in size, and therefore the scale of court assemblies also differed.

For example, the Daqing Hall was where formal court assemblies were held, commonly known as the "Golden Palace".

The Wende Hall was used for medium-sized court assemblies, such as summoning the heads of the Political Affairs Hall, the Privy Council, and the Six Ministries to discuss matters.

The Chuigong Hall was smaller, and it was suitable for the emperor to summon important officials alone, which was called the "inner court" or "small meeting".

When the emperor summoned his ministers, the choice of which palace to hold the meeting usually depended on the emperor's mood or the size of the group.

Zhao Xiaoqian led Xiao Fengxian to the Chuigong Hall, a relatively small palace, even smaller than Zhao Xiaoqian's own palace, the Funing Hall. Inside were some calligraphy and paintings, porcelain, and tributes from various places, such as Ru porcelain, Suzhou embroidery, and Shu brocade.

Upon entering the Chuigong Hall, Zhao Xiaoqian instructed Zheng Chunhe to prepare a palace banquet, and then dismissed everyone else, leaving only Zhao Xiaoqian and Xiao Fengxian in the hall.

After everyone had left the hall, Xiao Fengxian straightened his clothes, knelt down on both knees facing Zhao Xiaoqian, and prostrated himself in a full-body bow.

"Your Majesty, I, Xiao Fengxian, pay my respects to the Emperor," Xiao Fengxian said respectfully, bowing his head.

Zhao Xiaoqian raised an eyebrow and then smiled.

It has to be said that this guy is really smart and is too suitable for officialdom. After the Liao Dynasty is destroyed, Xiao Fengxian will be given an official position in the Song Dynasty. Before long, he will become a cancer in the Song court.

"Brother Xiao, why are you doing this? We are just friends, there's no need for such formalities," Zhao Xiaoqian said calmly from inside the hall.

Xiao Fengxian remained in a prostrate position, not daring to move an inch.

Zhao Xiaoqian gave him some face, but he still didn't dare to open the dye shop.

To understand a person's true intentions, don't look at what they say, but rather at what they do.

Xiao Fengxian prostrated himself in full obeisance. Zhao Xiaoqian, while saying "friends should discuss matters of the heart," made no move to help him up. Instead, he sat firmly in his chair and accepted Xiao Fengxian's deep bow. What does this signify?
This shows that the word "friend" is too fragile. He was the emperor of the Song Dynasty. He never intended to be friends with him. He could be a pawn to be used, or a traitor to the Liao Dynasty to be despised. At most, he was just a future subject of the Song Dynasty.

Regardless of their status, they were not worthy of being associated with the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, let alone becoming his friend.

This is the rule of the game in the adult world.

If it were someone else who was a bit dim-witted, they might have actually taken advantage of the situation and foolishly considered Zhao Xiaoqian a friend. And then what?

Then, this fool will likely be discarded by the Song emperor soon, and his life will begin its countdown.

Xiao Fengxian was not stupid; he was much smarter than the average person.

At least he could tell which of Zhao Xiaoqian's words were polite and which were sincere.

At this moment, he dared not move, still maintaining his prostrate posture, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty's decree has ordered me to infiltrate the Liao Kingdom, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens, and I have been hoping at all times for the royal army to launch a northern expedition to destroy Liao and pacify Xia. My heart is set on the homeland of the Great Song Dynasty, and my heart is as clear as the sun, moon and stars!"

Zhao Xiaoqian was slightly moved.

Has the betrayal of your country become so thorough? Is there truly no one or nothing left in the Liao Kingdom that you care about?
And this is supposed to be "the homeland of the Great Song Dynasty"? Have you ever even been to the Great Song Dynasty? And this is just "homeland"?

A clever person, too clever. Such a person may not necessarily accomplish great things, but if he is determined to bring disaster to the country and its people, he will surely succeed.

The hall was silent. Xiao Fengxian waited with awe for Zhao Xiaoqian to speak.

Zhao Xiaoqian's face was ashen, his gaze fixed on Xiao Fengxian like a sword.

After a long while, Zhao Xiaoqian suddenly changed his tone and expression. Compared with his friendly and cordial manner when they first met, he now had a solemn expression, a dignified look, and a tone that carried a hint of domineering superiority.

"Xiao Fengxian, rise."

Xiao Fengxian trembled, but a surge of joy filled his heart.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoqian was truly His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, and the fact that he spoke to him with this expression and tone indicated that Zhao Xiaoqian already regarded him as a subject of the Song Dynasty.

One of our own!
"Your subject Xiao Fengxian thanks Your Majesty!" Xiao Fengxian rose gratefully and then stood with his hands at his sides.

Zhao Xiaoqian stared at his face and slowly said, "Xiao Fengxian, our Great Song will sooner or later launch a northern expedition to destroy Liao and pacify Xia. You still need to lie low in Liao and cooperate with our Great Song's strategy."

"Before the royal army launches its northern expedition, I want the Liao Kingdom to first descend into internal strife. Whether it's the court, the army, or the common people, they must rot to the core, beyond saving even by a god. Can you do that?"

Xiao Fengxian straightened his chest and said, "Your subject can do it!"

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded: "Very good. If you do not betray me, I will not betray you. After the Liao Kingdom is destroyed, I will appoint you as a subject of the Song Dynasty and grant you a title, ensuring your family's wealth and honor for generations to come."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your boundless grace! My family and I are willing to serve the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty for generations to come, until our dying breath!"

After speaking, Xiao Fengxian suddenly looked up at Zhao Xiaoqian with a crazy and passionate look in his eyes.

Zhao Xiaoqian was a little startled by his gaze.

What kind of gaze was that? A burning loyalty tinged with a twisted, stubborn devotion—a loyalty Zhao Xiaoqian had never seen before in the Song Dynasty court.

Xiao Fengxian had no choice but to remain loyal; he had no way out, or rather, his only way out was the Song Dynasty. Whether he could establish himself in the Song Dynasty was still an unknown.

With his personal and family future uncertain, Xiao Fengxian had to risk his life to surrender to the Song Dynasty, and he had to sell out his country completely. It was under this mentality that he developed the crazy and twisted loyalty he has now.

Compared to the Song Dynasty's generals and civil officials, Xiao Fengxian, a Khitan, harbored the deepest hatred for the Liao Dynasty. No one longed for the Liao Dynasty's demise more than him, and no Song Dynasty official could match his urgent and anxious feelings.

Zheng Chunhe led several palace servants into the hall, arranged the exquisite wine and dishes, and then respectfully withdrew outside the hall.

Zhao Xiaoqian gestured for Xiao Fengxian to sit down, and the two began to drink and chat.

Xiao Fengxian made full use of his strengths. Even though there were only two people at the palace banquet, Xiao Fengxian knew how to liven up the atmosphere. He talked about everything from romance to philosophy of life, including all sorts of dirty jokes, vulgarities, and gossip and jokes about the Liao court and palace.

Zhao Xiaoqian listened with great interest, especially after Xiao Fengxian recounted the various absurd and unbelievable deeds of Yelü Yanxi, the Liao emperor, in the palace. He became even more interested.

Indeed, when a nation is about to perish, monsters will inevitably appear.

Yelü Yanxi is about to turn into a monster.

After Yelü Hongji's death, Yelü Yanxi finally obtained the throne he had longed for for many years. As soon as he gained power, he couldn't wait to indulge in extravagance and debauchery.

The first thing I did after becoming the emperor of Liao was to hold a talent show. Regardless of birth or background, there was only one standard for the talent show: looks.

After the beautiful women entered the palace, Yelü Yanxi lingered in the harem, indulging in their beauty day and night. Sometimes he even slept with them, and there were even licentious incidents of his aunt and niece serving the same master.

After living such absurd days for a year or two, Yelü Yanxi still enjoys it immensely, and it's unknown whether he has ruined himself.

(End of this chapter)