I was living in the Five Dynasties period, just after crossing the Zhongdu Bridge.

Most heroes of the world rise from humble beginnings and thrive in times of chaos.

The name Zhao Kuangyin is renowned in later generations, but at this moment, in the twelfth year of Tianfu, he was nothing more than a down-on-his-luck soldier wandering the world.

This morning in Zhangjiawu was originally filled with the smell of blood and burnt food, but as a few jars of strong liquor were reopened from their mud seals, the atmosphere became quite subtle.

Now that the fortified village has fallen and Zhang Heng is dead, all that remains is to incorporate and reorganize them.

These trivial matters were handled by Liu Qing and Yang Ting, and Shen Lie was happy to have some free time, so he had a small table set up in the open space outside the courtyard.

The wine is aged liquor stored in the fortified village, and the meat is freshly slaughtered sheep.

This time it's a real sheep.

The two sat facing each other, with no distinction of rank or status.

This is where Shen Lie's intelligence lies.

He knew all too well the weight of this dark-faced man who called himself Zhao Kuangyin.

If it were any other time traveler, upon encountering the future Emperor Taizu of Song, their first reaction would likely be to bow down in reverence or try every means to recruit him into their ranks.

But Shen Lie didn't do that.

Not to mention that although Zhao Kuangyin is now in a state of decline, he is like a dragon trapped in shallow waters, and his inherent arrogance remains.

Just considering the Zhao family's influence in the military, it was something that a mere Yaozhou Defense Commissioner like himself could not possibly swallow up.

Zhao Kuangyin's father, Zhao Hongyin, was a veteran general who served under the Later Tang and Later Jin dynasties and was a prominent figure in the Imperial Guards.

Although the Zhao family is in trouble now, it is for political refuge, not because they are at their wits' end.

If Shen Lie were to put on airs and try to recruit him, he would probably only be met with a sneer from this man, who would then turn and leave.

After a few rounds of drinks, they started talking.

"Excellent wine!"

Zhao Kuangyin picked up the large bowl, and without using chopsticks, he directly grabbed a piece of mutton and stuffed it into his mouth, eating with his mouth full of oil.

"I've been wandering around the Taihang Mountains these past few days, and my mouth has been so bland. Today, thanks to the magistrate, I'm finally able to enjoy some meat."

"If Brother Zhao likes them, then take them all."

Shen Lie smiled and showed no disrespect to Zhao Kuangyin despite his rudeness. Instead, he personally filled the wine jar for him.

"If it weren't for Brother Zhao's righteous intervention today, I, Shen, would likely be a wronged soul beneath Zhang Heng's blade long ago. How can this life-saving grace be repaid with just a cup of wine?"

"Ah, you flatter me, my lord."

Zhao Kuangyin waved his hand, swallowed the meat in his mouth, and said, "To help those in need is the duty of us江湖儿女 (jianghu children). Besides..."

His eyes swept over Shen Lie.

"Besides, I think you are a straightforward man. That saying, 'Man cannot eat man,' is well said! It is inspiring! Just for that one sentence, my blow was not in vain."

This is not flattery, but the truth.

The current state of the world is like a pot of boiled porridge.

The four prefectures of Song, Bo, Mi, and Dan had already switched sides and submitted their surrender documents to Liu Zhiyuan in Taiyuan.

This was undoubtedly the last straw for Yelü Deguang, who was already famous for riding a camel.

Yelü Deguang was a clever man, but he was also a grassland man.

He couldn't stand the sweltering heat of the Central Plains, nor could he bear the public resentment amidst the chaos of being besieged on all sides.

Just a few days ago, the emperor of the Liao Dynasty finally couldn't sit still any longer. He found an excuse, the unbearable heat, and issued an edict to return north to Shangjing to escape the summer heat.

This departure marked the beginning of a major retreat.

But he didn't forget to empty the Central Plains' coffers.

In addition to gold and silver treasures, he also brought along a group of civil and military officials from the Later Jin Dynasty.

Among them was Zhao Hongyin, the commander of the Holy Capital.

This is the biological father of Zhao Kuangyin, who is standing right in front of us.

"I heard that your father was also in the entourage that went north with the Liao emperor?" Shen Lie asked tentatively.

This news had only come in the last few days, so it wasn't exactly a secret.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin chuckled.

"It can't be hidden from Magistrate Shen."

Zhao Kuangyin grabbed a handful of beans and threw them into his mouth, chewing them with a crunching sound.

"My father was taken to the capital by Yelü Deguang, but he escaped on the way when the guards were lax. He killed a few Khitan barbarians."

At this point, Zhao Kuangyin took a swig of wine and said, "No one knows a father better than his son. If my father escapes, although the world is vast, there is only one place he can go."

"Taiyuan," Shen Lie continued.

"Exactly."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, "Currently, Liu Zhiyuan is the only one leading the anti-Liao cause. My father will naturally go and regroup."

This logic is crystal clear.

Since Liu Zhiyuan declared himself emperor and raised the banner of the Han dynasty, he was the legitimate successor of the Han dynasty.

If Zhao Hongyin escapes, where else can he go if he doesn't seek refuge with Liu Zhiyuan?

So, Zhao Kuangyin arrived.

He came to Hedong to pave the way and also to meet his father.

"I see."

Shen Lie nodded, raised his bowl in a toast, and said, "General Zhao's loyalty and righteousness are unparalleled, which I admire. Brother Zhao's filial piety is commendable, and it makes me even more ashamed."

"Hey, what's all this talk about loyalty and righteousness?"

Zhao Kuangyin chuckled self-deprecatingly, "It's nothing more than seeking a way to survive."

He glanced at Shen Lie, then suddenly changed the subject: "Your Excellency's trip to Yaozhou, is it to serve as a spy for the Emperor?"

He's a sensible person.

He saw through Liu Zhiyuan's scheme at a glance.

"Yes." Shen Lie didn't hide anything. "Yaozhou is a place of constant warfare, extremely dangerous. I am going there to make a living on the edge of a knife."

"That would be even more interesting."

Zhao Kuangyin's eyes lit up as he fiddled with the empty bowl in his hand. "I've been lingering in Taiyuan for several days, and I really can't stand the filth of officialdom there. But your trip to Yaozhou sounds intriguing, Your Excellency."

"What's wrong?" Shen Lie's heart stirred slightly. "Brother Zhao, are you considering coming along?"

"Anyway, I'm just idling around."

Zhao Kuangyin laughed heartily and stretched.

"My father will definitely be going to Taiyuan. I'm getting anxious waiting here, so I might as well go with the magistrate to Guanzhong. I've heard that the mutton soup there is amazing, and I've been wanting to try it for a long time."

This reason, though chosen arbitrarily, was in line with Emperor Taizu of Song's personality.

He was assessing Shen Lie, and also looking for a temporary foothold for himself.

Shen Lie smiled and personally poured Zhao Kuangyin a bowl of wine. "Since Brother Zhao is in such high spirits, then I, Shen, will gladly accept. However, let me make it clear beforehand that this journey will be arduous."

"Suffering?"

Zhao Kuangyin raised an eyebrow: "As long as it's not cannibalism, I can endure any hardship!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lie was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered and suddenly asked a familiar question.

"What are your aspirations, Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Kuangyin put down his wine bowl, pursed his lips, and said, "Ambition?"

"The world is now in chaos, and the people are as worthless as weeds. Although I am a warrior, I also wish to find a wise ruler, take up my sword, recover the Yan and Yun regions, and restore peace to this world."

This is Emperor Taizu of Song.

Even before he had risen to prominence, his ambition to embrace the world was already beginning to emerge.

"And what of Prefect Shen?" Zhao Kuangyin countered. "What is your purpose in going to Yaozhou, Prefect?"

Shen Lie remained silent for a moment, neither saying anything about "a thousand mansions" nor "to make the ruler like Yao and Shun."

"I don't have the same lofty ambitions as Brother Zhao."

"I only want to do one thing."

"I want to cut off Du Chongwei's head with my own hands."