The prince is more stable

Chapter 952 Dividing the Corpse
Su Zhe was no stranger to the capital of the Liao Kingdom, and this was not his first time serving as an envoy to the Liao Kingdom.

As early as the fourth year of the Yuan You era, Su Zhe served as an envoy to the Song Dynasty, traveling to the capital with Zhao Junxi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, to congratulate Emperor Yelü Hongji of the Liao Dynasty on his birthday.

During his mission to the Liao Dynasty, Su Zhe left a deep impression on the Liao emperor and his ministers.

Su Zhe's erudition and profound knowledge greatly impressed Yelü Hongji. Even after Su Zhe took his leave and returned to his country, Yelü Hongji still thought of Su Zhe and praised him highly every time he mentioned him.

At that time, the Song Dynasty was weak and the Liao Dynasty was powerful. Su Zhe was on a mission to congratulate Yelü Hongji on his birthday, but he still did not diminish the prestige of the Song Dynasty.

When Su Zhe was sent to the Liao Dynasty again, the Song Dynasty was no longer what it used to be.

Especially after he learned that the two important Liao officials in front of him were actually spies planted by the emperor in advance, Su Zhe admired Zhao Xiaoqian to the point of complete awe.

From another perspective, the Liao court was so thoroughly infiltrated by the Song dynasty that its demise was inevitable.

Looking at the shocked Su Zhe in front of him, Xiao Wuna felt a little helpless.

This time, Zhao Xiaoqian secretly ordered the two men to reveal their spy identities to Su Zhe. Su Zhe's mission was too important, and he was alone in the capital of Liao, fearing that he would be unable to handle the situation and would jeopardize important military and national affairs. Therefore, Su Zhe needed someone to help him.

Xiao Wuna knew very well that his and Xiao Fengxian's hidden identities were the top secret of the Song Dynasty, and the Song emperor would not reveal them unless absolutely necessary.

The fact that the two men were asked to reveal their identities to Su Zhe indicates that Su Zhe is carrying a significant mission, which is strategically crucial to the Song Dynasty, and therefore requires their utmost assistance in completing.

Su Zhe still looked incredulous, and after a long silence, he finally said, "You two are actually..."

He didn't say the rest of his words. At this moment, Su Zhe also knew how important their identities were, and that the Emperor had so openly shared such a major secret with him, which showed how much the Emperor trusted him.

Deeply moved, Su Zhe cupped his hands in greeting to the two men: "Since we are all family, I will speak frankly. I am on a mission to Liaodong this time, and I ask for your generous assistance. If the mission is successful, the Emperor will surely reward you handsomely."

Xiao Wuna and Xiao Fengxian nodded. Su Zhe, needless to say, was also aware of the implications. Something that the Emperor of the Song Dynasty valued so much must be a major event that would affect the future strategies of the Song and Liao dynasties.

However, neither of them knew what Su Zhe's purpose was in sending the Liao Dynasty, as Zhao Xiaoqian did not reveal this in his secret orders to them.

"I have long admired Mr. Ziyou's name. When the Liao Kingdom falls, we will be colleagues serving in the same court. If you have any requests today, Mr. Ziyou, please feel free to give them. Your humble servant and Prime Minister Xiao will obey without question," Xiao Fengxian said with a smile.

Xiao Wuna glanced at him indifferently. Although he was a little disgusted by the guy's fawning attitude towards Song Chen, what he said was still correct, so Xiao Wuna nodded.

Su Zhe's cheek twitched slightly. The thought that he might have to serve as a minister in the same court as these two Khitans after the fall of the Liao Dynasty made his heart clench, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

I just hope that by then I will have retired from official life and left the court, so I won't have to see them and be bothered. Otherwise, every time I see these two guys with their unique Khitan-style non-mainstream braids in court, it's really hard for me to feel happy.

"I would like to thank you both for your generous assistance. This time, I am on a mission to Liao, carrying a great responsibility..." Su Zhe lowered his voice and said slowly, "His Majesty hopes that I will meet with the Liao emperor and persuade him to join forces with our Song Dynasty. The Song and Liao will then destroy Western Xia, and the two countries will divide and conquer Western Xia."

These words struck Xiao Wuna and Xiao Fengxian like a thunderbolt.

The two men stared in shock, their minds reeling, unable to hear anything except Su Zhe's repeated phrase, "Divide and devour the Western Xia."

"His Majesty, he... he actually..." Xiao Wuna was so shocked that he couldn't even speak clearly.

Xiao Fengxian interjected, "Your Majesty's courage is truly remarkable; you are indeed the Mandate of Heaven for Song, a divinely ordained sage ruler!"

After speaking, Xiao Fengxian suddenly stood up, knelt down facing the direction of Bianjing, the capital of the Song Dynasty, and respectfully kowtowed three times in the direction of Bianjing. Then, he placed one hand on his chest and murmured a few Khitan incantations.

Su Zhe watched from the side, his brows furrowed. Although it was a bit impolite, Su Zhe still really wanted to ask what the Khitan incantation that Xiao Fengxian had just been chanting meant—was it a curse or a blessing…

You wouldn't happen to steal an official's virginity from a thousand miles away, would you?
Despite being a fellow Khitan, Xiao Wuna was bewildered by Xiao Fengxian's exaggerated flattery.

The officials aren't even around, yet you're still fawning over them so hard. What the hell are you showing off?

Then Xiao Wuna saw the puzzled look Su Zhe was giving him, and Xiao Wuna understood the meaning in Su Zhe's eyes.

Is this how you Khitans are accustomed to expressing your respect for the emperor?
Xiao Wuna wanted to explain that we Khitans don't usually do things like this. The only Khitan who could do something so shameless is Xiao Fengxian, this scoundrel who has no morals.

But Xiao Wuna thought again, Su Zhe was a Song envoy, a person trusted by the Song emperor.

Su Zhe will definitely report his performance to the Emperor in detail when he returns. If he doesn't express his attitude towards the Emperor at this time, the Emperor might not have a good impression of him.

It is said that the emperors of the Central Plains dynasties were always very petty and suspicious of their ministers, and that even the slightest breach of etiquette could lead to their death.

Xiao Wuna's eyelids twitched. He knew he had to make a move; it was for his own future and that of his people.

Despite his deep contempt for Xiao Fengxian's shameless behavior, Xiao Wuna's body betrayed him. Without a word, he suddenly knelt down and, imitating Xiao Fengxian, bowed three times towards Bianjing. He also placed one hand on his chest and muttered incomprehensible Khitan incantations.

Su Zhe was startled by their actions, and then he hesitated, wondering if he should follow local customs and bow in the direction of Bianjing like they did. But... he had just come from Bianjing, and given his relationship with the Emperor, was there any need for such a grand ceremony?

After hesitating for a long time, Su Zhe finally couldn't bring himself to do it and decided to remain steadfast.

Seeing the two kneeling on the ground for a long time without moving and chanting incantations, Su Zhe couldn't help but say, "Gentlemen, that's enough. We still have important matters to discuss. How about we finish the ceremony for now? I understand your respect for the Emperor. You can bow to the south after you return to your residences."

Xiao Wuna and Xiao Fengxian then got up, still not quite finished, and the three of them sat around the table.

"I have to admire His Majesty. He truly has foresight and courage. The Song-Liao allied forces destroyed Western Xia. This idea is absolutely brilliant!" Xiao Fengxian praised again.

Su Zhe hummed in agreement, then looked at Xiao Wuna and said, "I will meet with the Liao Emperor tomorrow. I wonder if he will agree to Your Majesty's proposal?"

Xiao Wuna pondered for a while, then slowly said, "It's not a big problem. It's more beneficial than harmful to both the Song and Liao dynasties."

After a pause, Xiao Wuna continued, "Back then, the Liao Dynasty supported the establishment of the Western Xia in order to contain the Song Dynasty and create a three-way power struggle..."

"Ten or even five years ago, this strategy would still have been useful. However, since the Song Dynasty has gained overwhelming military dominance over its neighboring countries, this three-way situation has lost its effectiveness and has become useless."

"Since it is a useless strategy, there is no need for the existence of Western Xia. At present, the Liao Kingdom is weak, its national strength is declining, and it is in its twilight years. It needs to replenish its resources to prolong its life."

"The Liao Kingdom is in complete chaos. Officials and generals are corrupt, and the Liao emperor is obsessed with women and does not strive for progress. The Liao Kingdom is beyond saving. The only way is to destroy the Western Xia and eat the bones of the Western Xia to nourish the Liao Kingdom."

"Therefore, I believe that Your Majesty's proposal is more beneficial than harmful to the Liao Kingdom, and the Liao ruler will most likely agree after weighing the pros and cons."

"Of course, it is also necessary for Mr. Ziyou, Vice Envoy Xiao, and myself to analyze the pros and cons for the Liao Emperor and clarify this matter."

Su Zhe nodded secretly. This Xiao Wuna was quite capable. As soon as he made the suggestion, Xiao Wuna quickly understood the pros and cons, and his thinking was calm and clear.

"What if there are ministers in the Liao court who oppose us?" Su Zhe asked anxiously.

Xiao Wuna and Xiao Fengxian smiled slightly upon hearing this and exchanged a glance.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ziyou, no one will object. After all, this matter will not harm the Liao Kingdom. Moreover, even if someone objects, he will not dare to say it, because it was the suggestion of this official and Vice Envoy Xiao."

Su Zhe's eyes widened in astonishment once again.

From Xiao Wuna's words, Su Zhe quickly deduced that these two had become powerful ministers in the Liao court, forming cliques and suppressing dissent, and wielding absolute power.

With a muddle-headed and unambitious emperor and two treacherous ministers lurking in the court, who are specifically tasked with leading the Liao Kingdom into a ditch, how could the Liao Kingdom possibly survive?
In an instant, Su Zhe could already imagine that the Liao Kingdom would perish in the near future.

Perhaps in my lifetime I will truly witness the emperor unifying the country.

"The Liao Emperor will summon Mr. Ziyou tomorrow morning. This humble official and Vice Envoy Xiao will enter the palace tonight to meet with the Liao Emperor, analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the Song-Liao allied forces' destruction of Xia, and persuade the Liao Emperor to agree," Xiao Wuna said.

Seeing Su Zhe's hesitant expression, Xiao Fengxian smiled and said, "Mr. Ziyou, do not worry. Today's sudden attack on Western Xia by the Liao army was actually part of His Majesty's earlier plan."

“A few days ago, as Your Majesty instructed, we sowed discord between the Liao emperor and the court officials. In order to replenish the depleted national treasury, we persuaded the Liao emperor to execute a group of corrupt officials. Although this move eased the national treasury's burden, it aroused the dissatisfaction of the court officials.”

"Now that the Liao Kingdom is waging war abroad, it is a good opportunity to divert the attention of the court officials. The Liao emperor himself can also catch his breath. He will not refuse."

Su Zhe also breathed a sigh of relief, a joyful smile appearing in his eyes.

"Very well then, I'll leave everything to you two." After saying that, Su Zhe bowed to the two of them.

Xiao Fengxian hurriedly said, "Mr. Ziyou, rest assured, we will do our best to help and will not fail the Emperor's trust."

After a pause, Xiao Fengxian smiled and said, "I hope that after you return to Bianjing, you will tell the Emperor about our achievements and speak highly of us. Please do not forget our contributions."

"We are utterly loyal to the Emperor, and this oath is as clear as day!" Xiao Fengxian solemnly swore.

Xiao Wuna, who was standing next to him, glanced at him disdainfully and sighed inwardly.

Here we go again! This guy's integrity is utterly worthless.

However, Shaw hated that his body was so honest.

As soon as Xiao Fengxian finished pledging his loyalty, Xiao Wuna almost reflexively followed suit and swore, "Me too!"

(End of this chapter)