You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 17 I am a pawn

Less than three days after I arrived at Duting Post Station, someone came to visit me.

Privy Councilor Wang Yun came in person.

Looking at Wang Yun's solemn expression, Li Liangsi had a bad feeling.

"Prime Minister Cai did not agree with the alliance with the Jin to attack the Liao."

Wang Yun didn't waste any words and spoke directly.

This short sentence surprised Li Liangsi, who knew all too well the power Cai Jing wielded.

Logically speaking, weren't Cai Xiang and Tong Xuanshuai close friends?

There were even rumors that the two of them were in cahoots and were part of a clique.

As a confidant of Tong Guan, Wang Yun's alliance with the Jin to attack the Liao was already a consensus within their group.

Not only was Tong Guan waiting to be made a king because of this, but everyone else was also waiting to use this merit to get promoted, make money, and go further!
"What did Commander Xuan say?" Chen Shao asked.

"What Commander Xuan means is that Prime Minister Cai is getting old and has worked hard for the country for so many years; it's time for him to take a break."

Li Liangsi and Chen Shao exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief.

Tong Guan's determination was so great that he was willing to completely break ties with Cai Jing in order to form an alliance with the Jin to attack the Liao.
Chen Shao remained calm and walked to the door, quietly listening to the sounds outside.

Only after confirming that there were guards and no outsiders could approach did they return.

He couldn't help but be careless.

Wang Yun was a Privy Councilor, a high-ranking official of the court. Did he come to Duting Post Station in person to express his welcome and closeness to Chen Shao and Li Liangsi, who were in the same camp?
Nobody would believe that.

There's only one reason I could hear such confidential information.

I and Li Liangsi will serve as pawns, becoming the vanguard of this movement to overthrow Cai.

Go and test Cai Jing's capabilities and the strength of his resistance.

This is not an easy job.

Suddenly, Li Liangsi said, "I want to visit Prime Minister Cai."

Wang Yun also turned to look at him, and after a moment of silence, he said, "This matter is already a done deal. We have tried to persuade Cai Xiang, using all sorts of methods and promising him benefits that are bigger than the sky, but we still couldn't convince him."

"Let me give it a try," Li Liangsi said quietly.

Silence fell over the room again. After a long while, Wang Yun said, "I'll help you make the contact."

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Shao also said, "I'll go too."

Neither Wang Yun nor Li Liangsi spoke, which was taken as tacit agreement.

They are both insignificant and their voices carry little weight, so Cai Jing might not even grant them a meeting. Let them do as they please.

What if it works miraculously?

The conquest of Liao was something the entire Tong Guan group was determined to achieve, and they had risked everything for it, as it concerned the future and interests of countless people.

Try every opportunity.

Wang Yun didn't keep the two of them waiting long; the news arrived just one day later.

Cai Jing agreed to meet with them.

Under the cover of darkness, Chen Shao and Li Liangsi traveled lightly and quietly through Zhuquemen Street, turned left at the entrance of Maishao Alley, and stopped in front of a mansion in Baokangmen.

This is the front door of Prime Minister Cai Jing's house.

The gift box had already been presented by the doorman. The gift included a set of fine writing implements, a jade chessboard and chess pieces, as well as some special products from Northwest China.

These things were certainly not something Chen Shao and Li Liangsi could afford; they were sent from Tong Guan's residence.

For Tong Guan to launch a campaign against Liao, the most important thing was to gain Cai Jing's support.

Cai Jing was the highest-ranking official in the Song Dynasty, overseeing all state affairs. Tong Guan controlled the Privy Council and the Secretariat. With Cai Jing's approval, the two of them could decide 99% of the major national events. Cai Jing's opposition was the biggest obstacle to Tong Guan's campaign against the Liao Dynasty.

Both men held low-ranking official positions, especially Chen Shao, who, by all accounts, would have had to wait in line for a long time to visit Cai Jing.

But to his surprise, someone quickly opened the gate and descended the steps to greet him. The person who came out to greet him was Cai Jing's fifth son, Cai Tao.

Cai Tiao was in his early thirties, but his appearance made him seem much more mature and composed than his actual age.

Logically speaking, he shouldn't have come to greet her personally, which shows Cai Jing's sincerity.

Li Liangsi was flattered and thanked him several times, while Chen Shao seemed indifferent.

Cai was very kind and polite. He led them into the living room and then left.

Li Liangsi exclaimed, "Prime Minister Cai truly deserves to be called the head of the scholar community; his family education and traditions are excellent."

Chen Shao chuckled. "That old man has a son named Cai You. I hope you can still say those words when you meet him."

"Which son of Prime Minister Cai was that just now?"

"Wu Zi, didn't I already say that?"

"Five sons?" Chen Shao's eyes lit up. Cai Jing's fifth son was a son-in-law, and it was said that his wife was Princess Maode, the most beautiful woman of the Song Dynasty.

I don't know if it's true or not.
Cai returned to his room, and with the help of his maid, he took off his outer garment and sighed softly.

In his room, Princess Maode wore a charming and playful bun, a pale yellow silk jacket revealing a section of narrow satin trousers. Her figure was well-proportioned and full, with a delicate baby face that made her look only thirteen or fourteen years old. However, the way her eyes moved revealed a captivating charm and the allure of a mature married woman.

"My lord, what's wrong?" Princess Maode asked softly.

“My father sent me to fetch two men, saying they were there to persuade him to attack the Liao. I thought the man was eloquent and knowledgeable. I heard he was to meet the emperor tomorrow. I was afraid that if I brought these two men to the emperor's presence, it would really provoke a war between the Song and Liao, which would lead to more bloodshed.”

"Both Song and Liao are great powers. They have been at peace for so many years. Restarting the war will cost the people a lot of money and cause the deaths of many Song soldiers."

Princess Maode sighed after hearing this, "Now that my father's country is stable and the world is peaceful, I really don't know why they always have to fight wars."

Although Cai didn't want to start a fight either, he knew more than Princess Maode.

This princess of ours grew up in the capital and has never experienced the hardships of life.

It can be described as the most delicate and precious flower.

The Song Dynasty is not as powerful as it seems now, though he would never tell the princess such a thing.

Looking at Chen Shao's calm expression in the living room, Li Liangsi felt a sense of admiration.

"Brother Chen, you seem so calm. Could it be that you have some good advice to give to Prime Minister Cai?"

"No."

Li Liangsi swallowed hard and looked at Chen Shao with disdain.

Chen Shao was a typical example of someone who viewed things from a God's-eye view, knowing that this campaign against Liao was bound to begin.

He had no one to rely on in the Song Dynasty court, so since he had joined Tong Guan, it was best for him to act as if he were completely devoted to him.

Just keep your head down and charge forward.

Even if this matter doesn't work out, as long as the attitude is there and Tong Guan knows about it, there will still be opportunities in the future.

Even on the way to Bianjing, Chen Shao amassed wealth and solicited bribes. This might be a stain on his record elsewhere, but under Tong Guan, it was a demonstration of his ability.

Conversely, if you appear indecisive and seem to be wavering, the greater your ability and the better your character and reputation, the less likely people will hire you.

All he had to do was keep his head down and charge forward for Tong Guan.

In this game, I am but a pawn; why should I strategize or maneuver?

Just go for it!

(End of this chapter)