Chapter 146 Just as Fusu had guessed…
Just as Fusu had guessed, the Liao Kingdom's response was remarkably swift.
When the news of the surrender of Juyong Pass and the fall of Yanshan reached the Liao court, all the officials were so shocked that they were speechless.
What happened?
Have they even breached Juyong Pass?
Isn't this script wrong?
The defeats came one after another, yet the courtiers seemed unable to react, infuriating Emperor Yelü to the point that his throat felt truly sore.
He orchestrated everything, from sending envoys to secretly coordinating the Western Xia's attack. Throughout this process, the entire court contributed nothing. While the outcome was ultimately disastrous, what's with all this innocent-looking attitude?! Are you blaming me?
Ultimately, it's because of you officials who live off the pay and are indecisive that the Liao Dynasty has become what it is today.
Yelü Zongzhen suppressed his anger: "Do any of you have anything to say?"
After he finished speaking, there was silence.
Yelü Zongzhen's brow twitched again. He was about to lose control. The ministers also sensed the subtle tension in the atmosphere and became even more apprehensive,不敢言言 (不敢言言 - this phrase is a Chinese idiom meaning "daring not to speak").
It was Yelü Chongyuan who saved all of this.
Yelü Chongyuan was the Crown Prince and the rightful heir to the Liao Dynasty.
There's a backstory to this: he and Empress Dowager Xiao, the mother of Yelü Zongzhen, secretly plotted a palace coup, attempting to depose the eldest son and install a younger one in his place. However, her beloved youngest son, Yelü Chongyuan, who was also a beneficiary of the existing power structure, reported his mother's conspiracy to his elder brother, the emperor.
Yelü Zongzhen was extremely grateful to him, bestowing upon him the title of Crown Prince and declaring that the throne would pass from elder brother to younger brother. This Crown Prince was far more capable than Yelü Zongzhen's sons and had gained unanimous approval from the court. His willingness to speak on the matter brought a quiet sense of relief to all the officials.
Who knew that Yelü Chongyuan's words would be so astonishing.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Song state broke the alliance on its own initiative and launched a surprise attack on Juyong Pass without actually fighting back. This may seem like a hasty retreat due to an overextended northern front, but in reality, it is a provocation against our Great Liao."
Immediately after he finished speaking, some people expressed their dissatisfaction.
"How is that possible?"
"How dare the weak Song Dynasty provoke the cavalry of our great Liao Dynasty?"
But wasn't the Liao Dynasty's most prized cavalry already driven back to its homeland in disgrace by the Song Dynasty's "Ground Thunder"?
Yelü Chongyuan's expression suddenly turned cold: speaking the harsh truth is destined to make one a disliked character. But in his view, those who turn a blind eye to the facts are even more ridiculous.
Could it be that he and his elder brother are not the only ones in this court who can see the situation clearly? Yelü Chongyuan couldn't help but feel desperate at the thought of this possibility.
He glanced around and asked, "So tell me, if the Song Dynasty were to occupy Juyong Pass and launch surprise attacks and harassment from time to time, how should our Great Liao Dynasty defend itself?"
"Of course, we should send troops..."
"Who will pay for the troops' salaries? Will you pay them?!"
Silence fell over the court once more. Only after the dissenting voices had completely subsided did Yelü Chongyuan continue, "Therefore, in my humble opinion, the offensive and defensive positions of Liao and Song are now vastly different. Given Song's obsession with the southern states, they will inevitably return sooner or later. We should prepare accordingly."
"But you didn't say anything about sending troops..."
"Therefore, Your Majesty, I earnestly request that you send another envoy to the Song Kingdom as soon as possible, so as to ascertain the true strength and weaknesses of the Song Kingdom!"
"Oh? Sending an envoy?" Yelü Zongzhen, who had been silent until now, seemed to have become interested: "Besides ascertaining the truth, what does this envoy want to discuss with the Song state?"
“Naturally, we’re talking about peace,” Yelü Chongyuan said, “at least until the autumn harvest.”
During the autumn harvest, when men are well-equipped and horses are in good shape, the Liao army is at its strongest and most prepared. Before that, the Liao Dynasty must live frugally. Everyone in the court knows that they cannot afford to fight a second war in the short term.
"Therefore, the delegation should make an agreement with the Song state that although they occupy Juyong Pass, they should not harass us. If necessary, we can even offer some money or land."
When Yelü Chongyuan uttered these words, he was prepared to be scolded. But to his surprise, no one objected, not even his elder brother, who sat far away at the head of the table, said anything like "discouraging" or "disgraceful to the prestige of our country."
The words "give up the land" made them suddenly realize the seriousness of the problem, even if it was only a last resort, a backup plan.
Yelü Zongzhen asked only one question: "Then, who is willing to lead a delegation to the Song Dynasty?"
Yelü Chongyuan suddenly knelt down: "Your subject is willing to go!"
This decision was made the moment he voluntarily proposed the term "envoy." Perhaps in future historical records, he would bear a dishonorable and humiliating name. But Yelü Chongyuan was willing; for his country to overcome this difficult step, he was willing to bear the infamy.
This was the second time in a short period that the Liao Dynasty had sent an envoy to the Song Dynasty. Compared to the previous mission that went to negotiate Yunzhou and the annual tribute, Yelü Zongzhen clearly attached much greater importance to this. He even personally oversaw the gifts to be presented to his "half-brother," the Song Emperor.
But a strange thing happened. Although the leader was the Crown Prince, very few people were willing to serve as deputy envoys or members of the delegation, almost leaving Yelü Chongyuan as a lone commander. In the end, Yelü Zongzhen had to reluctantly speak with the ministers one-on-one before a few more people were recruited to accompany him on the mission.
Willing to be the first to step forward in times of national crisis, their noble character, though not quite as lofty as Yelü Chongyuan's, was similar in its underlying nature. Within just a few days of setting out, they quickly became acquainted. Faced with the Liao Kingdom's crisis, they each had their own perspectives.
"In my opinion, although our Great Liao is facing numerous crises, it may not be without a way to break the deadlock. On the other hand, it is easy for the Song Dynasty to conquer the world but difficult to maintain it. That divine thunder can go up to the sky and down to the earth, so how could it possibly win over the hearts of the people?"
“That’s a good point. The southern states have been separated from the Song Dynasty for a hundred years, and they may not even be able to communicate with each other. Even if they manage to conquer them, how will they hold them? There may be an opportunity for our Great Liao to take advantage of this.”
After exchanging their thoughts, the group all looked at their leader, Yelü Chongyuan, wanting to hear his decision. Yelü Chongyuan nodded slightly and said, "I think so too. It's just a pity that I can't say it in front of those fools in the court."
"Otherwise, those idiots will just ask you, 'Then why don't you send troops to take it back?' They're just spouting discouraging words."
"Hahahahahahahaha!" Everyone burst into knowing laughter. After the laughter subsided, they felt a little closer to each other.
"Why don't we take a closer look at the various states we pass through on our way south, under the pretext of borrowing their passage? The people of Song are new to this place and unfamiliar with the people and the land; their actions are bound to have flaws!"
Yelü Chongyuan: "That's exactly what I was thinking."
——
He wasn't the only one with this idea. When Su Shi learned that the Liao Kingdom would be sending an envoy to the Song Dynasty and would be passing through Yunzhou, he immediately rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Really? We have to teach them a lesson!"
Wang Anshi, sitting at the head of the table, frowned: "We must not act recklessly."
"Lord Wang, what are you thinking?" Su Shi smiled so hard his eyes crinkled up, looking like a thief. He rubbed his hands together and said, "I didn't say I was going to beat them up."
Wang Anshi: I didn't say you were going to attack them.
Or have you actually thought about it?
"Now that the Liao delegation has arrived, we must treat them with the highest level of hospitality and make sure they feel the warmth of the Song Dynasty towards its neighbor, the happiness of its people, and the advanced level of local governance of our Song Dynasty."
After Su Shi finished speaking with great enthusiasm, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "Lord Wang, aren't you tempted?"
Wang Anshi: "
Who said he wasn't tempted?
He had passed the imperial examinations twice before finally becoming the prefect of Yunzhou. Wang Anshi didn't want to be looked down upon, especially by the Liao people, whom he disliked.
The two had worked together as boss and subordinate at Qiuzhi Bao for four years and had a deep understanding of each other. As everyone knows, at Qiuzhi Bao, if you don't have a knack for stirring things up, you won't be able to keep your position secure.
After subtly expressing his desire to "give the Liao delegation a shock," Wang Anshi immediately asked Su Shi, "What are your thoughts?"
Su Shi's eyes darted around again: "I suddenly thought of a plan..."
He whispered his thoughts to Wang Anshi. The latter's expression was particularly subtle after listening, and he stared at Su Shi for a moment: "Are you sure?"
"It's alright, Lord Wang. If the news gets out, just give me the name of the instigator when asked."
Su Shi, with an air of "a dead pig not afraid of boiling water," patted his chest and said, "If you're talking about Yunzhou's specialties, most people would think of honeycomb briquettes. But coal isn't available everywhere. But this! I can guarantee you can find it everywhere! It's a truly deserving specialty."
Wang Anshi: "...Okay."
At this time, the Liao delegation had no idea what they were about to experience. As they traveled south, only one thought occupied their minds: how warm the spring in the south is.
The people of the Song Dynasty were so lucky to be born in such a warm place. It's really enviable.
This idea reached its peak when they arrived in Yunzhou.
Yelü Chongyuan and his entourage waited far outside the city gates for the Song officials who were there to greet them. The delegation exchanged a knowing glance: it seemed the defenses here were quite strong, and the scouts could see very far.
This inevitably cast a shadow over their hearts. Yunzhou was the first place to fall, but it had only been six months at most. Was that enough time for them to reorganize the city?
But what happened next was even more shocking: they were led by Song Dynasty officials to the reception hall. Upon entering, they were immediately enveloped in a warm, steaming atmosphere, as if they had entered the sweltering heat of summer.
Why is it so hot?
"Huh? Is it hot?" Among the group that was greeting them was a boy who was not very tall. He covered his mouth, looking very surprised.
Yelü Chongyuan initially thought this man was the son of the leader surnamed Wang, but it turned out he was actually a proper deputy. He mentally grumbled a few more times about how the Song people were absurd; could a mere child become an official?
The young boy explained, "Perhaps it's because our Song Kingdom is located in a warm southern region that I'm more afraid of the cold, so I like to light charcoal braziers."
Liao Kingdom delegation: "..."
Upon hearing this, their fists clenched silently. A strange, burning anger welled up inside them. What did that mean? The Liao Kingdom was in the north, so weren't they afraid of the cold? Were they not lighting charcoal braziers because we didn't want to? These delicate fools, afraid of the cold even in spring, huh?
Yelü Chongyuan didn't want to be outdone verbally: "Lord Su is quite particular."
"The main thing is that you can afford to be particular."
Su Shi nearly burst out laughing at the livid faces of the Liao people. He was doing it on purpose, of course. And what was there to laugh at? They clearly possessed the treasure trove of Yunzhou coal mines, yet they were completely unaware, letting our Great Song Dynasty reap the rewards—that was even more laughable!
-----------------------
Author's Note: Guess what Yunzhou specialty Su Shi will be showcasing? A red envelope will be given out if you guess correctly! [Sprinkling flowers]
Just a quick update on my recent health: I've received the reports for my left chest pain, and they indicate it's not a serious illness. I'll have a follow-up appointment tomorrow. Unfortunately, I've also developed infections in my ears and teeth at the same time, and I'm treating them one by one. My stomach, which was upset yesterday, has finally returned to normal. [Exclamation mark]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
