The hundred thousand strong Black Wolf Army marched day and night, reaching Datong Prefecture in just three days. For an ordinary army, not only would a surprise attack be out of the question, but they would also have to guard against Song army offensives. However, the Black Wolf Army not only did not rest and recuperate but instead took the initiative to attack. The Song army, having received intelligence in advance, retreated immediately, leaving the Black Wolf Army aiming at nothing. But in the military tent, the military officers were embroiled in heated debate.

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“The arrival of the Black Wolf Army has greatly boosted the morale of the Liao soldiers! I told you earlier, we should have taken Jiaozhou before the Black Wolf Army arrived. Now that reinforcements are here, how are we supposed to fight?”

“That was the Grand Marshal’s order. If you have any objections, go and tell him yourself.”

“Hey, you pig-eyed, rat-nosed…”

Most of the generals in the Northwest Army came from humble backgrounds, having earned their positions through sheer combat prowess. In the military tent, as long as Grand Preceptor Zhou was not present, whoever spoke the loudest was listened to. Among them, Li Jingde, being the youngest, had the loudest voice. “What are you all arguing about? Are you trying to make us a laughing stock? The Grand Marshal naturally has his reasons, which you all can’t possibly understand.”

“Then do you understand?”

Li Jingde glared  “I do, of course I do!”

“If you understand, then speak up.”

Li Jingde rolled up his sleeves and said, “I may not understand, but my fists do.”

As the two sides were about to come to blows, Yu Chaosheng, the imperial military inspector, immediately interjected, “The Black Wolf Army is indeed a formidable force. From Shangjing to Datong Prefecture, it normally takes six days of marching, and even with fast horses, it would take two days. The Black Wolf Army arrived in two days and still had the strength to launch a surprise attack. They are truly not to be underestimated.”

As the only civil official in the tent spoke, the military officers all turned to look at him, making Yu Chaosheng’s scalp tingle.

Li Jingde, who had been dealing with civil officials frequently in recent years, asked, “What is the Inspector’s insight?”

Yu Chaosheng: “Previously, when the Liao reinforcements had not yet arrived, it was the perfect opportunity for us to attack Datong Prefecture, but the Grand Preceptor held back. In my humble opinion, perhaps the Grand Preceptor was waiting for the Liao reinforcements to arrive. Since the 27th year of Kaiping, our Great Song has been building official roads and establishing the Silver Pull Division, all in preparation for this great war. If our goal was merely to capture Datong Prefecture, the gains would be too small. What the Grand Preceptor aims for is the three states lost by our Great Song a hundred years ago, and to instill fear in the Liao so they dare not invade for another hundred years!”

Hearing his words, the previously loud and crude military officers suddenly fell silent, finally understanding the Grand Preceptor’s intentions.

Li Jingde, however, thought to himself that Yu Chaosheng had just spouted a bunch of nonsense. He already knew all this; why did Yu Chaosheng need to say it? But then he realized that although Yu Chaosheng was ostensibly one of the leaders of the Silver Pull Division, he had not actually been involved in the department’s plans against the Liao. He had deduced all this purely based on his own understanding of the situation.

For a moment, Li Jingde felt a bit of admiration for him.

These civil officials’ brains were indeed not just for show.

Both the Cavalry General Wei Lü and Imperial Inspector Yu Chaosheng had arrived in Youzhou, and naturally, the Fourth Prince Zhao Jing and the Fifth Prince Zhao Ji had also arrived.

The two princes had just arrived in Youzhou and immediately rushed to the Northwest Camp to meet Grand Preceptor Zhou.

Zhao Jing, three years older than Zhao Ji, was somewhat portly in his middle age. As soon as he saw Grand Preceptor Zhou, his eyes reddened, and he said, “Upon hearing of the battle between the two armies, I was filled with anxiety, regretting that I was in Shengjing and unable to participate in the war. Today, with the grace of my Imperial Father, I have come to Youzhou to join the battle, and I will not disappoint my Imperial Father or the Grand Preceptor.”

Zhao Ji, not wanting to be outdone, immediately said, “Zhao Ji also requests to join the battle. Imperial Father is getting old and can no longer personally lead the campaign as he did twenty-seven years ago. As his son and a prince, I will lead by example and shed the blood of our enemies.”

In the military tent, the candlelight flickered, and Grand Preceptor Zhou looked at the two princes without any change in expression. He said, “With the three princes united, I believe this battle will surely be victorious.”

Zhao Jing and Zhao Ji, hearing this, both slightly twisted their expressions in displeasure but quickly said, “This battle will surely be victorious!”

On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Black Wolf Army and the Song army clashed fiercely more than twenty miles outside Datong Prefecture, fighting until the heavens and earth turned dark.

Two days earlier, the Fourth and Fifth Princes had just arrived in Youzhou and immediately requested to join the battle from the Grand Preceptor. After they left, the Second Prince Zhao Shang also arrived, wanting to personally join the fight, using similar words to the previous two princes. “Imperial Father is getting old, and as his son, I will fight in his stead to boost the morale of our army.”

However, when the real battle was imminent, all three princes showed signs of fear.

They paced back and forth in their military tents, terrified. They knew that this battle in the Northwest could very well determine the future struggle for the throne. But on the battlefield, swords and arrows have no eyes; even brave and skilled generals could die on the battlefield, let alone princes like them!

However, Grand Preceptor Zhou did not let these princes join the battle at all, nor did he even allow them to participate in the military meetings, directly sending them back to Youzhou City.

On the fifth day of the fifth month, the two armies engaged in a tentative skirmish, which ended in a draw, allowing both sides to gain a preliminary understanding of each other’s strength. After this battle, Yu Chaosheng, as the Imperial Inspector, returned to Youzhou. As soon as he arrived at his residence, he received an invitation from the Second Prince Zhao Shang. Shortly after, invitations from the Fourth and Fifth Princes also arrived one after another.

If Wang Zhen and Su Wenyun were here, they probably would not have accepted these invitations, finding excuses to decline.

But Yu Chaosheng looked at the three invitations and remembered what his mentor had told him before he left.

“Xian Zhi, this is your only chance to save yourself!”

Yes, in the face of the difficulties of the Xingzhou case, no one else could save him. The only thing he could do was to save himself!

Yu Chaosheng ordered, “Tomorrow, we will host a banquet to entertain the three princes.”

“Yes.”

Fifteen miles outside Datong Prefecture, there was a steep and rugged hill called Zhanghu Peak.

Legend has it that during the previous dynasty, a fierce tiger often roamed the Northwest, feeding on human flesh. A merchant caravan passing through Youzhou encountered the tiger in the wilderness at night. The tiger was ferocious, devouring three caravan guards before the caravan retreated to Zhanghu Peak. The tiger was blocked by the mountain and never appeared again.

On the 19th day of the sixth month of the 36th year of Kaiping, the Liao’s Black Wolf Army, known for their bravery and skill in battle, possessed the best iron cavalry in the world. They advanced swiftly, their iron hooves trampling the chests of countless Song soldiers, crushing them into pulp.

Li Jingde led the Flying Dragon Army in retreat to Zhanghu Peak.

The Liao general leading the troops was named Gunzha’er, a deputy general who had not yet been granted a surname. Gunzha’er had already routed the Flying Dragon Army and naturally sought to press the advantage.

Unexpectedly, Yelü Qin, a close aide of the Second Prince Yelü Shege, urgently rode to the front of the army and anxiously said, “General, we must not advance. This mountain is called Zhanghu Peak by the Song people. It is steep, and every morning and evening, mountain fog rolls in. We should not press the advantage but should retreat!”

Hearing this, Gunzha’er also began to consider retreating. “Are you sure about this?”

Yelü Qin: “Of course I am. If we fall into a Song ambush, it will be a disaster.”

Gunzha’er: “Retreat!”

Li Jingde, hiding in Zhanghu Peak, saw the Liao troops retreating and breathed a sigh of relief. But he remembered this incident.

That night, the Liao general Xiao Han heard about Gunzha’er’s retreat and was furious. “Zhanghu Peak is indeed a dangerous place, but it was noon, with no mountain fog to block us. Our Black Wolf Army was in high spirits, why didn’t you press the advantage? The scouts reported that Li Jingde had no ambush prepared. If you had pursued, his twenty thousand Flying Dragon Army would have been our prisoners by tonight! You fool, take three military canes!”

Gunzha’er, holding back his anger, was punished with three military canes.

The next day, Gunzha’er secretly had someone replace the milk sent to Yelü Qin with unprocessed goat milk. The strong smell of the goat milk made Yelü Qin vomit on the spot. He knew it was Gunzha’er’s revenge and that he should apologize with gifts to resolve the enmity. But Yelü Qin did not do so; instead, he poured out the bowl of goat milk.

When Gunzha’er learned of this, he was even more furious.

Yelü Qin went to see the Second Prince Yelü Shege, who had already heard about the incident. He asked with concern, “I heard that Yelü daren vomited. Are you feeling better now?”

Yelü Qin bowed and said, “I am fine. But from now on, Gunzha’er will surely hold even more resentment towards me.”

Yelü Shege sighed, “If we want to annihilate the hundred thousand strong Black Wolf Army, relying on those incompetent Song people is useless. It’s been a month, and the Black Wolf Army has only suffered six thousand casualties. That’s far from enough.”

Yelü Qin: “That’s why I deliberately provoked Gunzha’er, to set a trap for the hundred thousand Black Wolf Army.”

“Indeed, Yelü daren never does anything without reason, and you never disappoint me. How do you plan to proceed?”

“Zhanghu Peak will be the grave I have prepared for Gunzha’er and forty thousand Black Wolf Army! Moreover, I will accompany the army in this ambush. Even if the Grand Preceptor suspects something later, Your Highness need not worry.”

Yelü Shege was shocked. “Yelü daren, are you willing to risk your life?”

Yelü Qin gritted his teeth, knelt, and bowed, his voice sincere, “Your Highness is the true wise ruler of our Great Liao, the only true master of the Southern officials! Even if I die in Zhanghu Peak, I will die without regret.”

Yelü Shege immediately stepped forward and helped him up. “Shege will not let you down.”

At the same time, in the Northwest Camp, Li Jingde also immediately requested an audience with the Grand Marshal and reported everything that had happened that day.

“That Gunzha’er is just a brute with strength but no understanding of military strategy. Today, I truly retreated to Zhanghu Peak, but he withdrew, wasting a perfect opportunity. When this news spreads in the Liao army, the Liao generals will surely punish Gunzha’er. In that case, I will do it a few more times! Next time, I will retreat to Zhanghu Peak again. After a few times, Gunzha’er will surely lose his patience and charge into Zhanghu Peak with his troops. Then, his thirty thousand Black Wolf Army will be completely annihilated.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou pondered for a moment. “It is indeed a clever plan. But how do you know that next time Gunzha’er won’t just press the advantage instead of waiting for you to prepare an ambush?”

Li Jingde was momentarily speechless, but then he laughed heartily. “The Black Wolf Army is the most formidable force in the world. To defeat them, we must be willing to sacrifice! If I, Li Jingde, am wrong, I will only lose my life and a few defeated soldiers. But if we win, our Great Song will truly no longer fear this greedy tiger lurking in the Northwest!”

Li Jingde did not yet know that his thoughts coincided with Yelü Qin’s.

Three days later, Qiao Jiu managed to send the news to the Northwest camp. Grand Preceptor Zhou was overjoyed and called for Li Jingde. He looked him up and down and, for once, showed a smile, “If there is a way to both save your Flying Dragon Army and truly annihilate Gunzha’er and his thirty thousand Black Wolf Army, would you like to hear it?”

Li Jingde’s eyes lit up, “Grand Marshal, please speak!”

Grand Preceptor Zhou: “This matter is related to the Silver Pull Division.”

Li Jingde was no fool and immediately thought, “Could it be that the spies within the Liao also want to target Gunzha’er?”

“I can tell you, but you must first agree to one thing.”

“What is it? I, Li Jingde, am not afraid of anything, even if it means climbing mountains of swords or descending into seas of fire!”

“Shave off your beard.”

“…What?!”

Grand Preceptor Zhou said calmly, “Shave off your beard.”

Li Jingde: “…”

“Grand Marshal, what does this have to do with my beard?”

Grand Preceptor Zhou stroked his own elegant beard and smiled, “I heard that a few years ago, you ambushed someone in the camp and put a sack over their head?”

“…”

“I told you before, don’t offend those civil officials for no reason. Even I, back in the day, wouldn’t quarrel with people like Zhong Taisheng. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and today, someone has come to seek revenge with merit. If you want the information, you, Li Jingde, must shave off your beard.”

Li Jingde was utterly humiliated. “Grand Marshal, how can you let such petty people turn matters of state into a joke?!”

Grand Preceptor Zhou’s voice was majestic, “Of course not. But I also want to see what you look like without your beard.”

“…”

On the fourth day of the seventh month of the 36th year of Kaiping, Tang Shen left the Ministry of Works in a hurry, holding a memorial, and anxiously went to the palace to see the emperor.

Outside Chuigong Hall, the chief eunuch Ji Fu saw that it was Tang Shen and quickly walked over, his wrinkled face breaking into a smile, “Tang daren, what brings you here today?”

Tang Shen could not hide his joy and took a deep breath, “Please inform His Majesty that lower official Tang Shen requests an audience.”

Ji Fu’s eyes flickered, “Is there good news?”

Tang Shen smiled.

Ji Fu immediately went in to report, and soon came out to escort Tang Shen into the hall.

Tang Shen entered Chuigong Hall and saw Zhao Fu sitting on a luohan bed, eating melon. Two eunuchs carefully picked out the melon flesh and seeds, leaving only the crystal-clear fruit.

Zhao Fu saw Tang Shen and said kindly, “Jing Ze, I heard you have good news to tell me?”

Tang Shen held up the memorial in his hands and was about to speak when a young eunuch hurriedly ran in.

Ji Fu scolded, “You ignorant thing, who let you in?”

The young eunuch immediately whispered something into Ji Fu’s ear. Ji Fu’s expression changed, and he quickly said, “Your Majesty, it’s a military report from the Northwest.”

Zhao Fu put down the slice of melon. “Summon him in!”

The scout officer strode into Chuigong Hall, and Ji Fu quickly took the wooden tube from his hands, presenting it to Zhao Fu with both hands. Zhao Fu opened the tube and read the military report. Suddenly, his gaze paused. The next moment, he burst into laughter, walked up to Tang Shen, and patted him heavily on the shoulder.

Seeing Zhao Fu’s expression, Tang Shen already guessed that there must have been a great victory in the Northwest.

Zhao Fu said, “Jing Ze, you are truly my lucky star. As soon as you entered the palace, the Grand Preceptor’s military report arrived. Li Jingde annihilated thirty thousand Black Wolf Army at Zhanghu Peak, and the Liao army was defeated! You and Jing De have not disappointed me. This is double happiness!”

Annihilating thirty thousand Black Wolf Army!

Hearing this short sentence, Tang Shen felt his heart race and his blood boil.

Tang Shen respectfully said, “I congratulate Your Majesty, and I congratulate our Great Song!”

Zhao Fu was overjoyed, his laughter echoing throughout Chuigong Hall.

Ji Fu, standing to the side, quietly observed Tang Shen, thinking to himself: This Tang Jingze is really lucky. Look, he hasn’t even said a word, and the emperor has already called it “double happiness.” Even if he came to report some trivial matter today, his future merits would not be small. It seems that Tang daren‘s promotion is not far off!

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AN: Ji Fu: Tsk, so lucky, I’m envious!

Tang Shen: ??? Who said I’m lucky? What I have to say is a big deal, a huge deal, but Li Jingde had to butt in!

Li Jingde: My chin feels so cold…

Su Wenyun: Trying to ship me with someone? The person worthy of me, Su Feiran, hasn’t even been born yet!

Next-door old Wang: … [Those who didn’t appear today have no right to speak!]

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Outside Youzhou City, Northwestern Military Camp.

Zhao Shang was not exceptionally intelligent, but he was not entirely foolish either. When he received the imperial decree from Grand Preceptor Zhou, he immediately understood that this was orchestrated by Zhao Fu. As his advisor had analyzed, his father intended to make him the crown prince—only such an important task would be entrusted to him!

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But then, his advisor suddenly gasped in horror, “Disaster! That secret letter!”

Zhao Shang was momentarily confused. “Secret letter?”

The next moment, his face turned ashen. “The secret letter! What should we do? We must retrieve it immediately!”

His advisor dared not delay and rushed to Youzhou City to intercept the letter that had been secretly sent out. However, by nightfall, the Grand Preceptor ordered that no one was to leave the military camp without permission. Zhao Shang and his advisor were in a panic, but no one dared to openly state that they needed to leave the camp to retrieve the letter. By the time the Second Prince’s advisor finally returned to Youzhou City the next day, they discovered that the scout carrying the letter had already left overnight!

Grand Preceptor Zhou had sealed the city but had never restricted Zhao Shang’s movements. After all, he was a prince—no one would dare to stop him from doing as he pleased.

The advisor set out again to chase after the letter, but it was already too late. That plea for help, written in Zhao Shang’s own hand, had made its way to Shengjing. At this point, there was no turning back. Zhao Shang and his advisor had no countermeasures left and could only pray that the emperor would not take that foolish letter to heart.

But seven days later, news arrived from Shengjing—Fourth Prince Zhao Jing and Fifth Prince Zhao Ji had both left for Youzhou.

Zhao Shang collapsed onto his chair in bewilderment and turned to his advisor. “Mister, what… what is happening?”

The advisor already understood that the crown prince position, which had seemed within reach, was now completely lost. But he gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, we may still have a chance. It seems that the letter did indeed reach His Majesty, but he has not issued a decree to punish you. The arrival of the fourth and fifth princes in Youzhou does not necessarily mean your defeat. As long as Your Highness can achieve great military merit in this war, everything may yet turn around.”

Meanwhile, the deployment of both Fourth Prince Zhao Jing and Fifth Prince Zhao Ji to Youzhou stirred controversy within the court.

The emperor had only three sons, and now all of them had been sent to Youzhou. What exactly was he planning?

Tang Shen was baffled. Even officials like Wang Zhen and Xu Bi could not decipher the emperor’s intentions. It was only when Ji Fu mentioned that Second Prince Zhao Shang had written a letter home from Youzhou that Wang Zhen sighed heavily, “Fate plays cruel tricks.”

There was no doubt—Zhao Shang must have done something to disappoint the emperor, leading to this outcome.

For a full month, the war between Song and Liao had been deadlocked outside Jiaozhou City.

In Shengjing, military reports arrived every five days. Most contained neither good news nor catastrophic losses. The Liao people were fierce warriors, and Jiaozhou was a naturally defensible position. Even a legendary war god could not conquer it in a short time. The emperor placed great trust in Grand Preceptor Zhou, ensuring a continuous supply of provisions and pay from Youzhou along the official roads.

Yet, despite this, criticism in court increased.

Every day that Jiaozhou remained untaken was another day of enormous financial strain!

Moreover, internal strife had erupted within Liao, and reinforcements from Dading Prefecture had yet to arrive. The Liao forces inside Jiaozhou were virtually unsupported. They were like cornered beasts, yet Grand Preceptor Zhou still hesitated to attack. If they continued to delay and Dading’s reinforcements finally arrived, the tide of war could turn against them.

But Zhao Fu still did not waver in his trust. During a morning court session, he harshly reprimanded an official who questioned Grand Preceptor Zhou’s decisions. The official was dragged out by guards, crying out in protest.

In truth, he was indeed innocent—he had not even been impeaching Grand Preceptor Zhou, merely urging a swift offensive to capture Jiaozhou.

Tang Shen sighed inwardly.

This was a clear example of using one person as an example to silence the others. After this incident, no one in court dared to voice objections against the Grand Preceptor again.

Meanwhile, in Liao territory, Datong Prefecture was under siege by Song forces, causing further internal discord. Though the second and third Liao princes were fiercely competing for the throne, they dared not entirely neglect their defenses.

Half a month later, Liao reinforcements were dispatched to aid Datong.

Inside the Liao imperial tent, Prince Yelü Shege furiously rebuked Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding for his inaction. Under normal circumstances, he would never have dared to challenge Yelü Ding. But now, with the Song army at their gates and Datong nearly falling overnight, even the tribal chieftains were beginning to question Yelü Ding’s leadership.

Yelü Shege cried out, “Datong Prefecture is under Grand Preceptor’s command, and its governor, Xiao Han, is one of your former subordinates. Everyone knows Datong is our northern stronghold! How did the Song manage to cut off our supply lines and suddenly launch an attack? There must be a traitor within Datong!”

His face was pale from exhaustion—he had been attending to the comatose Liao Emperor daily.

With a heavy heart, he turned to Yelü Ding, his voice choked with emotion. “Grand Preceptor, the Song army is no longer the same as it was thirty years ago! We must not underestimate them! I beg you, dispatch reinforcements to Datong immediately and root out the traitor before the Song forces grow even more arrogant!”

Saying this, Yelü Shege moved as if to kneel.

The tribal chieftains were stunned and hurriedly stopped him. “Your Highness, you mustn’t!”

Determination flashed across Yelü Shege’s delicate yet resolute features. “I am only a prince, unable to fight on the battlefield. I only wish for the Grand Preceptor to act swiftly! I will do anything required of me!”

The chieftains were moved. “What are mere Song soldiers? If no one else sends troops, I will!”

“I will send troops as well!”

“As will I!”

Yelü Ding’s gaze darkened as he observed the tearful Yelü Shege and the impassioned chieftains.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. “The Song have dared to invade our Liao lands—I will not stand idly by. However, the commanders of the Black Wolf Army are stationed across the empire. Though I hold their military seal, I lack capable generals, which is why I have delayed sending reinforcements.”

Yelü Shege’s heart sank.

Yelü Ding then knelt slightly and saluted him. “Your Highness’s dedication moves me. Therefore, I will entrust the entire Black Wolf Army—100,000 strong—to Your Highness. Lead them south and annihilate the Song forces!”

Yelü Shege opened his mouth, but Yelü Ding interrupted, “The duty of caring for the Emperor will now fall to the Third Prince. He is dull-witted, whereas Your Highness is the general we need!”

Thus, Yelü Shege led the Black Wolf Army south toward Datong.

On the march, Yelü Qin voiced concern. “We intended to use the Song threat to lure Yelü Ding’s Black Wolf Army away. Who would have thought he would send you along with them?”

Yelü Shege smirked. “That may not be a bad thing. In the end, isn’t his most trusted army now under my command?”

Yelü Qin: “Your Highness means…?”

“A lone wolf without a pack is nothing more than prey waiting to be slaughtered. The Grand Preceptor believes he is playing along, but am I not also going with the flow?”

Yelü Shege, clad in armor and gripping his sword, declared loudly, “In this battle, I will make Datong Prefecture the graveyard of the Black Wolf Army!”

Yelü Qin looked at Yelü Shege approvingly, while Xiao Zhen, standing beside them, was sweating profusely.

Xiao Zhen had originally been just a minor adjutant in Xijin Prefecture, never expecting to rise to become one of Yelü Shege’s trusted aides due to a twist of fate. He was a greedy fool, and Yelü Shege saw through his every ambition, which was why he used him with complete confidence.

Leaving the command tent, Xiao Zhen was still shaken when Qiao Jiu approached him.

Xiao Zhen trusted Qiao Jiu completely and relayed everything he had heard in the tent.

Qiao Jiu said, “His Highness the Second Prince wants to use this opportunity to wipe out the Black Wolf Army. Why not lend him a hand? If things go well, when he ascends to the throne, your future will be boundless.”

Hearing this, Xiao Zhen suddenly realized something. He lifted his head and stared at Qiao Jiu intensely, as if trying to see through him.

“I always thought you were one of the Third Prince’s men, that your Song identity was just a disguise. But now… Have I been wrong all along? Could it be that you really are a Song spy?!”

Qiao Jiu was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected this fool, Xiao Zhen, to have always thought he was working for Yelü Ding. But his suspicion wasn’t entirely unreasonable—after all, Xijin Prefecture was deep within Liao territory. How could he have guessed that Tang Shen and Su Wenyun had managed to reach so far, stirring up chaos even here?

Even after his identity was exposed, Qiao Jiu remained unfazed. He smiled and said, “Since you haven’t called for anyone to seize me, it seems you don’t plan to expose this. There’s no need to look at me like that, daren. I’m merely a businessman. Have our years of cooperation not been profitable for you? You know well enough that the Song army may take Datong Prefecture, but conquering all of Liao? Impossible. The Song people have only ever wanted the three prefectures lost a hundred years ago. As for the Second Prince, all he wants is to eliminate the Black Wolf Army.”

Xiao Zhen: “You mean…?”

“How does one eradicate the Black Wolf Army? Have them die by the blades of the Song soldiers—it only takes a few words from you, daren. How effortless. If you accomplish this for the Second Prince, you will truly become his confidant. Why hesitate?”

Xiao Zhen tried to feign righteousness. “I am a Liao official, and you are a Song spy. How can I send Liao’s soldiers to their deaths?!”

Qiao Jiu gave him an easy way out. “You are not the one who wants to destroy the Black Wolf Army—His Highness the Second Prince does!”

Xiao Zhen was never a man of principles; otherwise, he wouldn’t have secretly worked with Qiao Jiu for so many years. After hearing this, he saw a clear path to success stretching before him.

Xiao Zhen was about to rise to prominence!

On the second day of the fifth month in the thirty-sixth year of Kaiping, the renowned Black Wolf Army arrived at Datong Prefecture in great numbers. They had come swiftly, led by their commander Yelü Qi, a trusted confidant of Yelü Ding. Though Yelü Ding had verbally agreed to let Yelü Shege lead the Black Wolf Army, he would never truly hand over his elite troops to him.

Yelü Qi acted decisively. Upon reaching Datong Prefecture, he immediately led his forces outside the city to counterattack the Song army.

“The Song army will assume that we need time to rest after just arriving. We shall catch them off guard and wipe them out in one strike!”

However, when the Black Wolf Army charged towards the Song camp outside Jiaozhou, they found that the Song forces had already retreated at an alarming speed, leaving them striking at nothing but air.

That night, a lean young man in a black cloak entered the grand marshal’s tent. As he lifted his hood, a handsome face with rosy lips and white teeth was revealed.

Grand Preceptor Zhou was sitting upright. Looking up at him, he greeted with a voice as deep as a bell. “Su daren.”

Su Wenyun smiled slightly, saluted, and greeted, “This lower official, Su Wenyun, pays respects to the Grand Marshal.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou, “You have been in Youzhou for two years, yet this is my first time meeting you. I must thank you for today’s early retreat.”

“I am merely serving His Majesty, just as you are, Grand Marshal.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou nodded in appreciation. “Jing De told me you received intelligence that the Liao Second Prince plans to trap and massacre the Black Wolf Army in Datong Prefecture?”

“It is true.”

“Can this be confirmed?”

Su Wenyun narrowed his eyes slightly. “Tonight, the Black Wolf Army launched a surprise attack, yet our Song forces suffered no losses. That is proof enough.”

In the command tent, Su Wenyun and Grand Preceptor Zhou continued their discussion for a while. When Su Wenyun finally donned his cloak again and left, he had barely walked into a dimly lit, secluded area when he suddenly sensed something amiss.

He quickly said, “Li Jingde, if you dare to sack me with a burlap bag again, I swear I will kill you for revenge!”

General Li stood frozen in place.

Su Wenyun turned around, only to see that Li Jingde was empty-handed—no burlap bag in sight.

Li Jingde rubbed his nose. “You scholars are always slandering loyal men. Fine, fine, I won’t argue with you.”

Su Wenyun scoffed and turned to leave, uninterested in continuing the exchange.

“Hey, I came to thank you.”

Su Wenyun paused and glanced sideways at him.

General Li swaggered out from the shadows and nonchalantly tossed out a few words. “For the early retreat—thanks.”

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By all rights, Su Wenyun should have seized this opportunity to mock him. But when his gaze fell upon the black cloth tied around Li Jingde’s left arm, the sharp words he had intended to say were swallowed back.

“Slandering loyal men? Tch, only a treacherous villain like Wang Zifeng would do such a thing.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and walked away.

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In the Liao State, at the capital city of Dading Prefecture.

The military report from Datong Prefecture was delivered to the palace at top speed.

The Liao Emperor had been injured during a hunt and was now unconscious. All state affairs were being handled by the Second Prince, Yelü Shege, and the Grand Preceptor, Yelü Ding. The urgent military report quickly fell into Yelü Shege’s hands. As soon as he opened it, he was furious, “The Song people dare to tear up the peace treaty! Do they think our Great Liao has no one left? Look at this report!”

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Yelü Qin’s expression changed. He took the report, read it, and then angrily said, “Our Great Liao hasn’t even started the war, and that insignificant Song dares to cross the line! Your Highness, rest assured. Once our Liao cavalry marches south, we will teach those foolish Song people a painful lesson.”

Yelü Shege pondered for a moment, then raised his hand, “No, perhaps this is a good opportunity.”

Yelü Qin was stunned, “Your Highness?”

Yelü Shege’s handsome face showed a flicker of uncertainty. He spoke quickly, “My imperial father has always favored me. While he is unconscious, the power of the court should naturally fall to me, and I should act as regent. But the Grand Preceptor’s influence is too great. Dealing with him is like trying to skin a tiger. Now that the Song army dares to invade, this might be our chance. Every day Imperial Father remains unconscious, our situation becomes more dangerous.”

Yelü Qin’s eyes lit up as he understood. He cupped his hands and said, “This official will immediately send someone to deliver the urgent military report to the Grand Preceptor’s residence.”

Yelü Shege smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

At the same time, in the Great Song, at the capital city of Shengjing.

A scout rode a fast horse, holding a military report high, and was granted special permission to gallop through the official roads straight into the palace.

In Chuigong Hall, the emperor was drinking ginseng soup.

Zhao Fu picked up a black pill and placed it in his mouth. He swallowed the pill with the ginseng soup. At that moment, the chief eunuch Ji Fu hurried in and bowed, “Your Majesty, a military report from the Northwest.”

Military reports took precedence over all else. Without waiting for Zhao Fu to summon him, the scout delivering the report had already knelt in Chuigong Hall. He held a small wooden tube high above his head, waiting for the emperor to open it.

Zhao Fu’s eyes gradually widened. He sat on the throne, unable to regain his composure for a long time.

As if summoning all his strength, he pushed himself up from the armrests and stood, his body swaying slightly. Ji Fu, sharp-eyed as ever, quickly rushed forward to support the emperor’s right arm. Zhao Fu stood in Chuigong Hall, only two feet away from the small wooden tube, but he didn’t dare to take that step.

In Chuigong Hall, the attending eunuchs and maids didn’t understand what was happening.

The chamberlains on duty today didn’t understand what was happening.

Ji Fu, who was supporting Zhao Fu, didn’t know what was wrong with the emperor.

Even the scout delivering the report didn’t understand that what he held in his hands wasn’t just a military report—it was the vast, boundless territory of the Great Song’s three provinces!

Zhao Fu suddenly stepped forward. He moved so quickly that Ji Fu couldn’t keep up. He grabbed the military report, opened it, and read it. Panic, worry, anxiety, and wild joy flashed through his cloudy, aged eyes. In the next moment, he suddenly calmed down. He placed the report on the desk and ordered Ji Fu, “Summon Xu Bi, Wang Quan, Chen Linghai… Zhou Fang, Wang Zhen.”

Ji Fu’s heart skipped a beat. He knew something major had happened. He secretly glanced at Zhao Fu and saw the emperor calmly looking ahead, his expression indifferent, as still as an ancient well.

An hour later, all the first-rank officials of the court had entered Chuigong Hall.

Two hours later, they began to leave one by one.

The expressions of these first-rank officials were varied and colorful. The last to leave Chuigong Hall was the current Left Prime Minister, Xu Bi. Now nearly seventy years old, his sparse, graying hair and gaunt frame made his official robe seem too large. As Xu Bi walked out of Chuigong Hall, the sun was setting. He stopped in the square in front of the hall and stood still for a moment.

After a while, he sighed and continued on his way.

In Chuigong Hall, Zhao Fu paced back and forth dozens of times. He hadn’t had this much energy in a long time. After discussing the Northwest military situation with his first-rank officials, he immediately began strategizing and making deployments with his ministers. Though he should have been exhausted, he was instead incredibly excited.

After another round of pacing, Zhao Fu suddenly turned around, “Ji Fu.”

The emperor had been wandering around the hall, and though Ji Fu didn’t understand why, he had to follow him around several times. Now that the emperor had stopped, Ji Fu quickly responded, “Your servant is here.”

Zhao Fu, “What do you think of the portrait they painted of me last year?”

Every year on Zhao Fu’s birthday, palace artists would paint a portrait of the emperor. Ji Fu smiled, “Your Majesty’s majestic appearance, with your prominent nose like a mountain peak, was captured vividly.”

Zhao Fu, “I think it wasn’t good enough.”

Ji Fu was stunned.

“Summon the palace artists! Have them paint another portrait of me!”

The emperor’s casual whim immediately set the palace into a flurry of activity. Ji Fu, seeing the emperor’s joy, couldn’t help but feel genuinely happy as well.

The next morning, news of the Northwest war spread throughout the court.

The officials were shocked.

Tang Shen, as the third-rank Right Vice Minister of Works, had known that war in the Northwest was inevitable, but he hadn’t expected Su Wenyun and Li Jingde to act so quickly! Why had they suddenly taken action? Even Grand Preceptor Zhou wouldn’t dare to start a war lightly. This was a major conflict between two nations, and it required the emperor’s seal of approval.

Tang Shen pondered this matter with his head lowered. In Zichen Hall, the officials were already in an uproar. However, since the war had already begun, after the officials finished arguing, Zhao Fu waved his hand, and the hall immediately fell silent. His voice was steady and resonant, “The Liao people have bullied the Song for too long. Those three provinces of divine land are all territory of the Great Song. Every time I think of this, my heart aches, and I cannot sleep at night!”

The officials immediately responded in unison, “We are willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”

Zhao Fu’s gaze swept over the faces of these officials. In the next moment, his tone was decisive, “I have decided to send an additional one hundred thousand troops to the Northwest!”

Even the pro-peace faction among the officials could only grit their teeth and respond loudly, “We obey Your Majesty’s command!”

In Shengjing, news of the war between the two nations spread throughout the city in an instant.

The officials were all busy. War was no easy matter. Provisions had to be prepared before the troops moved. The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works immediately began transporting military funds and provisions to Youzhou. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel were also busy. The emperor wanted to send an additional one hundred thousand troops, but where to mobilize these soldiers was a difficult problem.

In the Left Prime Minister’s residence, the core members of the Xu faction were also in heated debate.

“The Song and Liao have coexisted peacefully for twenty-six years. Now, suddenly, we are starting a war, and it is being led by the Great Song. This is utterly absurd!”

“Although we signed a peace treaty, the Liao people have been encroaching on our borders every year. Now we are simply repaying them in kind.”

“That’s easy for you to say, Liu daren. That’s the Liao State, with thirty thousand iron cavalry! How can we defeat the Liao? This is like smashing an egg against a rock, courting destruction.”

“You…!”

“Clink—”

The crisp sound of a teacup being placed on the table rang out. The officials who had been arguing immediately fell silent and turned to look at Xu Bi, who was seated at the head of the table.

Half of Prime Minister Xu’s face was in shadow, making it hard to see his expression clearly. His voice was drawn out, “Whether we are willing or not, this war has already begun. Arguing about it now is meaningless. This may not be a disaster. As the saying goes, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise!” Xu Bi turned to his student and smiled, “Xian Zhi, your opportunity has finally come.”

Three days later, the court mobilized one hundred thousand troops, with General Wei Lü as the commander and Minister of Justice Yu Chaosheng as the supervising envoy. They marched west toward Youzhou.

When Tang Shen heard that Yu Chaosheng had gone to the Northwest, he was extremely surprised. That evening, after returning to the Minister Residence, he asked Wang Zhen, “You actually let Yu Chaosheng leave Shengjing?”

Wang Zhen was sipping tea. Hearing this, he turned to look at Tang Shen, “You already know?”

Tang Shen, “How could I not know? By this afternoon, the entire court knew!”

Wang Zhen smiled, “The emperor appointed him as the supervising envoy of the three armies and ordered him to go to the Northwest. What does that have to do with me?”

Tang Shen: “…”

“The Xingzhou case is still being investigated by the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice. Now that Yu Chaosheng is gone, which good and loyal official do you plan to harm next, Senior Brother?”

Wang Zhen suddenly laughed, “In your heart, is Yu Chaosheng a good and loyal official?”

Tang Shen countered, “Isn’t he?”

“Not necessarily.” Wang Zhen said lightly. Suddenly, he became interested and turned to look at Tang Shen, asking, “In little Junior Brother’s heart, am I also a good and loyal official?”

Tang Shen: “…”

Tang Shen silently stood up, kissed Wang Zhen on the cheek, and then said, “In my heart, Senior Brother naturally is.”

Wang Zhen laughed heartily.

The Northwest war had become the major event that everyone in Shengjing was paying attention to.

Three days later, the artist finally finished painting Zhao Fu’s portrait. Zhao Fu was extremely satisfied and couldn’t put it down, admiring it all day. He hung the portrait in Chuigong Hall, where he could see it every time he looked up.

The emperor was in high spirits, and the eunuchs and maids also benefited from this.

Ji Fu had been living very comfortably these days. He wasn’t worried about the situation in the Northwest—that was something for the officials to worry about. All he knew was that since the emperor was so happy, everything must be fine.

Outside Chuigong Hall, Ji Fu sighed to his godson, “Life is getting more and more comfortable!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Fu had just finished instructing his godson, Xie Bao, when he saw a scout quickly walking in from the palace gates. Ji Fu’s eyes immediately lit up. The last time a military report came from the Northwest, the emperor had been happy for ten days after reading it. Now that another report had arrived, it must surely be good news.

Ji Fu eagerly brought the scout into Chuigong Hall.

Zhao Fu, “Is this a military report from the Northwest camp?”

The scout knelt on the ground, holding a secret letter high, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this is not a military report. This humble servant has received a secret letter from the residence of the Second Prince.”

Zhao Fu was slightly surprised. He ordered Ji Fu to bring the letter to him. As he read the letter, Zhao Fu’s expression quickly darkened. He clenched the letter tightly, the force so great that it almost tore the thin paper.

“Useless!”

Zhao Fu suddenly shouted, startling everyone in the hall.

In the next moment, Zhao Fu’s eyes closed, and he fell backward. Ji Fu, terrified, rushed forward and used his body as a cushion, preventing the emperor from hitting the ground. He groaned in pain, then looked up and shouted, “Quick, summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician!”

Fortunately, this wasn’t a recurrence of his headache. Zhao Fu had simply been overwhelmed by anger and fainted due to a sudden lack of breath. By nightfall, he had woken up. This unpredictable emperor stared coldly at all the eunuchs and maids in Funing Palace. The servants were all terrified, not daring to breathe loudly.

After a quarter of an hour, Zhao Fu withdrew his icy gaze. He stood up, and Ji Fu quickly draped a robe over him.

“Your Majesty.”

Zhao Fu didn’t respond. He walked silently to the desk, picked up a brush, and wrote an imperial decree, stamping it with the imperial seal.

Zhao Fu said indifferently, “Tomorrow, you will go and announce this decree.”

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Ji Fu, taken aback, carefully accepted the decree and said cautiously, “Yes, your servant obeys the order.”

Zhao Fu, “First, go to the Fourth Prince’s residence, then to the Fifth Prince’s.”

Ji Fu was both shocked and puzzled, “…Yes.”

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The case of Sun Shangde implicated many people, and Zhao Fu personally ordered the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to jointly investigate the case.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Yu Chaosheng, the Minister of Justice, was excluded from the investigation and was not allowed to participate in the trial of the accused officials. After some thought, people quickly realized why: in the nineteenth year of Kaiping, Yu Chaosheng had been serving in Xingzhou!

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The Xingzhou case was an old case from seventeen years ago, involving many people. Resolving it thoroughly would not be easy. Two months passed quickly, and before the Xingzhou case could be concluded, trouble broke out in the Northwest.

On the sixth day of the third month of the thirty-sixth year of Kaiping, a small force of thirty-eight soldiers from the Northwest camp launched a surprise attack on Liao territory, capturing nearly a hundred Liao soldiers and ambushing a supply route used by the Liao army. Under the cover of night, while the Liao soldiers were still asleep, Grand Marshal Zhou dispatched thirty thousand troops to charge into enemy territory.

That night, the clash of weapons and the thunder of hooves shook the earth.

The Liao soldiers were still deep in their dreams when the sentries on the city walls sounded the alarm. The Liao soldiers scrambled to put on their armor and grab their weapons. By the time they rushed to the city gates, the Song army had already breached most of the defenses.

Speed is crucial in warfare. The sudden arrival of thirty thousand troops at the city gates caught the Liao army off guard. Despite their reputation for bravery and skill, they were utterly defeated.

However, this city on the border between Song and Liao, which had been Song territory decades ago and was named Jiaozhou, had been renamed Datong Prefecture by the Liao. Datong Prefecture was surrounded by mountains on three sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Even though the Song army had nearly taken the city gates, the Liao soldiers quickly rallied and held their ground.

The Liao general defending the city, Xiao Han, was furious. He sent a messenger back to Dading Prefecture: “Go quickly and inform Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding that the Song army has invaded! They dare to wage war against us! This is the perfect opportunity to retake their territories like Youzhou and teach these Song people a lesson.”

“Yes.”

The Liao soldiers held the city gates, while the Song soldiers prepared for battle.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate at Datong Prefecture for three days. Xiao Han, the defending general, was not worried. Although he was not a famous general, defending Datong Prefecture was well within his capabilities. But on the fourth day, the expected shipment of military provisions did not arrive through the secret supply route. Only then did Xiao Han realize something was wrong.

“Damn it, has something happened to the supply route?”

On the other side, Li Jingde, carrying a heavy helmet under his arm, strode into the marshal’s tent. It was March, and the Northwest was still bitterly cold, but Li Jingde was drenched in sweat. He wiped the sweat from his brow and then saluted with a military bow, “Li Jingde reporting to the Grand Marshal. Following the location revealed by the Liao soldier, I led troops and captured two more Liao supply convoys.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou’s stern face broke into a rare smile. He shouted, “Well done! Was it you who made the Liao soldier talk?”

Li Jingde scratched his nose. He was an honest man and wouldn’t take credit for something he didn’t do, “It wasn’t me. It was… Minister Su Wenyun from Qinzheng Hall. That guy used to be the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He’s really good at making people talk.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou glanced at him, “I was just starting to think you were shaping up. That’s Su daren, not ‘that guy.'”

Li Jingde chuckled.

A military advisor nearby sighed, “Four years ago, we discovered the Liao army’s secret supply route but kept it hidden, waiting for the right moment. Finally, the time has come. Marshal, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Soon, several other generals from the Northwest entered the marshal’s tent to discuss strategy.

Meanwhile, in Youzhou City, the Second Prince, Zhao Shang, had been in a daze for days, unsure of what to do!

Grand Preceptor Zhou’s surprise attack on Datong Prefecture had been kept completely secret from Zhao Shang. It wasn’t until the next morning, when his advisor burst into his room in a panic, that Zhao Shang was jolted awake from his sleep. His eyes still heavy with sleep, he opened the door to find his trusted advisor looking terrified, “It’s rebellion, rebellion! Your Highness, the Grand Preceptor has attacked Liao, torn up the peace treaty, and started a war!”

Zhao Shang felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He was wide awake now.

With the war in the Northwest, Youzhou City was immediately placed under lockdown, enforced by Li Jingde himself.

Hearing that Li Jingde had returned to the city, Zhao Shang immediately went to find him, but he was too late. Li Jingde had already left.

From then on, Zhao Shang spent four days in a daze within the city. Neither he nor his advisor could understand where Grand Preceptor Zhou had found the courage to launch a surprise attack on the Liao army! Even if he managed to take Datong Prefecture, once the Liao army regrouped and counterattacked, the Song army would surely be the ones to suffer a crushing defeat.

The peace treaty signed between the two nations in the tenth year of Kaiping had been hard-won by Grand Preceptor Zhou after ten years of bloody warfare!

How could he now tear up that precious treaty with his own hands?

Zhao Shang was utterly baffled, and even his advisor couldn’t provide an answer. On the fifth day, Zhao Shang’s eyes were glazed over. He even began to think that his trip to Youzhou might end in his death. But then, unexpectedly, someone from the Northwest camp arrived at his residence. Zhao Shang’s eyes lit up, “Quick, let them in!”

A young general in silver armor saluted him with a fist-and-palm bow, “This humble soldier greets Your Highness. I have been sent by the Grand Preceptor to escort you to the camp.”

Zhao Shang was overjoyed. Had Grand Preceptor Zhou finally remembered his existence?

But before he could speak, his advisor pulled him aside and said with deep concern, “Your Highness, the Grand Preceptor’s actions are unpredictable. The Northwest camp might be a trap. Your life could be in danger if you go.”

Zhao Shang was jolted back to reality. “You’re right. Grand Preceptor Zhou suddenly attacking Liao—could he be planning a rebellion? But what can I do? He’s sent someone to fetch me. Who in Youzhou City dares to disobey the Grand Preceptor’s orders?”

The advisor was about to suggest, “Why don’t you go, and I’ll stay behind to support you,” but before he could speak, he saw the intense look in Zhao Shang’s eyes. He sighed inwardly, knowing that no matter what, he couldn’t escape. Zhao Shang would never allow him to leave alone. If he suggested it, it would only damage their relationship and lead to certain death. If he didn’t, it would still lead to certain death.

After a long moment of thought, the advisor said, “Your Highness, please write a letter immediately. I will arrange for someone to try to sneak it out of Youzhou City.”

Zhao Shang’s eyes reddened, “Is that the only option?”

The advisor gritted his teeth, “It’s the only option.”

Zhao Shang, “Then I can only trouble you, to accompany me on this journey.”

The advisor’s eyes filled with tears as he clasped Zhao Shang’s hands.

The two were escorted by four soldiers to the Northwest camp. By the time Zhao Shang met Grand Preceptor Zhou that evening, he was so weak with fear that he couldn’t utter a single word.

“Your Highness,” Grand Preceptor Zhou saluted briskly.

Zhao Shang, “Grand… Grand Preceptor.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou silently studied him for a long time. Though his expression was unreadable, Zhao Shang inexplicably felt that the Grand Preceptor was deeply disappointed in him. Before Zhao Shang could figure it out, Grand Preceptor Zhou said, “The decision to go to war is not mine alone. Here is an imperial decree, and you, Your Highness, are the one to announce it.” With that, he handed the decree to Zhao Shang. “The declaration of war between Song and Liao will be made by Your Highness.”

Zhao Shang’s legs trembled, and he was on the verge of tears, too afraid to take the “fake decree.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou let out a heavy sigh, no longer hiding his disdain and disappointment, “This is a genuine decree, stamped with the imperial seal by His Majesty himself before I left the capital last year!”

Zhao Shang: “Huh?”

Zhao Shang was utterly shocked. He had never imagined that when Zhao Fu sent him to Youzhou a year ago, it was for this very moment—the war between Song and Liao!

The situation on the battlefield changed rapidly. The clash between the two nations unfolded in just a few short days.

Winning against Liao was no easy task for the Great Song. They had to seize the critical moment. The Northwest had been preparing for years for this opportunity. But if they had to send someone to Shengjing to request the emperor’s decree, it would take at least six days for a round trip. Those six days could very well lead to a devastating defeat for the Song army. Therefore, Zhao Fu had written the decree a year ago and entrusted it to Grand Marshal Zhou, authorizing him to start the war at any time.

But a decree alone was not enough. Having a prince personally announce the decree would make it more official and silence the critics.

When Grand Preceptor Zhou asked the emperor for this person, Zhao Fu was still bedridden with illness. Leaning against a large, soft pillow, he gazed calmly at the golden silk quilt. After a while, he asked, “Grand Preceptor, which of my three sons do you think has the potential to be the crown prince?”

The Grand Preceptor’s voice was firm, “The matter of the throne is for Your Majesty to decide.”

Zhao Fu said, “Between teacher and student, there should be no distance. Grand Preceptor, please speak frankly. I am sincerely asking for your opinion.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou looked down at the aging emperor for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said, “This old subject will follow Your Majesty’s decision.”

Zhao Fu smiled and said, “Indeed, my three sons are all mediocre, none of them capable.”

Grand Preceptor Zhou did not respond.

Zhao Fu also fell silent.

The prolonged silence was an unspoken understanding between the emperor and his subject.

In the stillness, Zhao Fu murmured, “Zhao Shang, he is my eldest son.”

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Now, as Zhao Shang held the decree, he felt a sense of unreality. This trip to the Northwest camp was not at all what he had expected. When he returned to his tent in a daze, his advisor, who had been waiting anxiously, listened to his account of what had happened. The advisor’s eyes widened in shock, and then he exclaimed with joy, “Congratulations, Your Highness! Regardless of the outcome of this war, you are now the leading candidate for the crown prince!”

Only then did Zhao Shang snap out of his stupor. He laughed heartily, feeling as if he had finally emerged from hardship into sweet reward.

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Xingzhou, located in the southwest of the Great Song Dynasty, borders Pugan.

During the morning court session, Censor Fang Weitong listed seven charges against Liu Ji, the governor of Xingzhou, with a forceful and shocking delivery. Immediately, Zhao Fu ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and dispatched officials to Xingzhou to arrest Liu Ji.

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For a moment, the entire court fell silent, and no one dared to speak.

Only after the morning court session ended and the officials dispersed did they dare to discuss what had just happened. Li Yude, the Left Vice Minister of Works, walked alongside Tang Shen but did not mention the events in Zichen Hall. Instead, he said, “I heard that a few days ago, Tang daren summoned Ji Mengwen back to Shengjing?”

“That is correct.”

Li Yude smiled, “As fellow officials of the Ministry of Works, if there is anything Tang daren needs assistance with, please feel free to ask.”

Tang Shen saluted, “Thank you, Li daren.”

“You are too kind, Tang daren.”

After the morning court session, in Qinzheng Hall, Yu Chaosheng, the Minister of Justice, pondered for a long time before knocking on his teacher’s door.

Xu Bi softly said, “Come in,” and Yu Chaosheng entered the room. He bowed deeply and said, “Your student pays his respects to Sir.”

Xu Bi gestured for him to sit and personally poured him a cup of tea. Yu Chaosheng immediately accepted the teacup with both hands, feeling both honored and apprehensive.

Xu Bi smiled gently, “Are you worried about Liu Ji’s situation?”

Yu Chaosheng replied, “Of course, I cannot hide anything from you. Over a decade ago, when I was posted outside the capital, I served in Xingzhou for a year and had some interactions with Liu Ji. Xingzhou is located in the Southwest, bordering Pugan to the south. Earlier in Zichen Hall, Fang Weitong accused Liu Ji of corruption and bribery. I fear these accusations are true. In border regions between two countries, there are too many opportunities for profit.”

“Then why are you concerned about him?”

Yu Chaosheng fell silent for a moment before saying, “I am wondering why Liu Ji, after serving as the governor of Xingzhou for so many years, was suddenly impeached with a single memorial?”

Xu Bi said, “There are no coincidences in this world. Your concern is not unfounded. Then think about it—who stands to benefit from removing Liu Ji?”

After a long pause, Yu Chaosheng exclaimed in realization, “Their target is Xingzhou?”

Xu Bi nodded, “Exactly. In the Northwest, there is the Youzhou Silver Pull Division; in the Northeast, the Shengjing Silver Pull Division; and in the Southeast, the Jiangnan Silver Pull Division. And in the Southwest? Xingzhou is an unavoidable key point!”

Yu Chaosheng suddenly understood, feeling as if the clouds had parted to reveal the clear sky. “Your student thanks Sir for your guidance.”

The teacher and student drank tea together for a while longer, and then Xu Bi asked, “Are you certain that you have no connection to Liu Ji?”

Yu Chaosheng replied, “Of course not. When I served in Xingzhou, Liu Ji was only a minor sixth-rank official. I remember his name because I happened to meet him a few times at banquets. His unusual appearance left an impression on me. How could I be connected to him?”

Xu Bi smiled leisurely, “Then you can simply observe from the sidelines and let them do as they please.”

Not only Yu Chaosheng but many officials in the court were puzzled. Why had Liu Ji, who had been far from the emperor’s reach in Xingzhou for over a decade, suddenly been impeached and charged with serious crimes?

What was the reason behind this?

Most people could not guess who Liu Ji had offended to end up in such a situation.

A very few high-ranking officials turned their attention to the Xu and Wang factions. Without a doubt, it was the work of one of these two factions, but who had done it and why remained a mystery.

Two months later, in the eighth month of the thirty-fifth year of Kaiping, the Imperial Guards escorted Liu Ji from Xingzhou back to Shengjing.

Liu Ji had been a fat man, standing less than five feet tall but as wide as three people. Yu Chaosheng remembered him precisely because of his astonishing obesity—he looked more like a wealthy merchant than a scholar. However, over the past two months, Liu Ji had been unable to sleep or eat, and he had lost over forty pounds. His eyes were sunken, making him look like a wandering refugee, lost and destitute.

Upon arriving in Shengjing, he was immediately imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review’s dungeon.

Soon after, the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was ordered to investigate the case. Since the case involved a large amount of money, Zhao Fu, who had ruled for many years, did not expect his officials to be entirely incorruptible and poor. However, Liu Ji’s actions had crossed a line. Zhao Fu ordered a thorough investigation, and the officials of the Court of Judicial Review dared not delay. Within a month, Liu Ji had been tortured into confessing, and the case was resolved.

In the tenth month, Liu Ji was imprisoned in the dungeon, his family’s property was confiscated, and his children and relatives were reduced to slavery.

However, half a month later, another official from the Censorate submitted a memorial to the emperor, impeaching another person.

This person was named Sun Shangde, who currently served as a dispatcher in the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau. The censor accused him of bribing Liu Ji, who was then the Vice Governor of Xingzhou, in the eighth month of the nineteenth year of Kaiping. The two had colluded to embezzle funds from the Xingzhou treasury, leading to a severe drought the following year. With no grain reserves in the treasury, over a hundred thousand people died in three regions of Xingzhou.

When this memorial was presented, the entire court was shocked.

In Zichen Hall, Left Prime Minister Xu Bi tightly gripped his jade tablet, his cloudy, aged eyes flickering uncertainly. He slowly raised his head and looked at Right Prime Minister Wang Quan, who stood to his right, as if trying to discern the thoughts behind Wang Quan’s calm expression. Zhao Fu was also stunned.

The drought in Xingzhou was no small matter.

In the twentieth year of Kaiping, Zhao Fu had been obsessed with cultivating immortality and was building the Immortal Ascension Platform. Suddenly, the Southwest experienced three months without rain, causing severe droughts in Xingzhou, Cangzhou, and Mengzhou. At the time, Zhao Fu had been terrified, and rumors spread both in the court and among the people that his extravagant construction of the Immortal Ascension Platform, which had drained the people’s resources, had provoked divine retribution.

To address this, Zhao Fu had even gone to the Altar of Heaven to pray for a month, fasting and seeking heaven’s protection.

Natural disasters inevitably caused deaths, but the question was how many. That year, the drought in the three regions of Xingzhou had killed over a hundred thousand people. Zhao Fu had thought the death toll was too high, but given the severity of the drought, he had dismissed the matter after removing the officials involved. But now, someone was claiming that before the drought, the Xingzhou treasury had already been empty!

Zhao Fu’s heart was in turmoil, but at the same time, he looked down in a daze at the officials standing in Zichen Hall, beneath him.

After a long while, Zhao Fu picked up the impeachment memorial and slammed it onto the ground.

“Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! I want to see how many corrupt officials are still running amok in my court!”

In the winter of the thirty-fifth year of Kaiping, Zhao Fu did not suffer from headaches again. He was full of energy, but the entire court was as silent as a cicada in cold weather.

In the first month of the following year, Sun Shangde was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review’s dungeon, and his case was postponed for further investigation.

In the Left Prime Minister’s residence, Xu Bi stood in his study. Behind him, an incense burner emitted wisps of white smoke, while outside the window, snow fell like goose feathers in the north. The core members of the Xu faction were all gathered in the room.

Xu Bi silently gazed out the window, while the officials in the room all lowered their heads, unsure of what to say.

After a long while, Xu Bi said, “Using Liu Ji as a starting point, they implicated Sun Shangde, and then all the officials of Xingzhou from the nineteenth year of Kaiping. This move was far-sighted and meticulously planned. I am in awe and admit defeat. At this point, Xian Zhi, do you understand why all of this happened?”

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Yu Chaosheng’s face flushed red. He stood up and said, “When the drought struck Xingzhou, I had already been transferred away to Jinling. But in the nineteenth year of Kaiping, I was still in Xingzhou. However, I truly had no idea that the officials of Xingzhou had colluded to embezzle funds from the treasury! All these twists and turns—it turns out everything was aimed at me! It’s easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. This time, I, Yu Xianzhi, was too careless!”

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In the study, a single candle flickered.

Tang Shen had never liked reading or writing at night because the poor lighting strained his eyes and could even affect his vision. After developing glass, he had Yao San and the workshop workers use glass-blowing techniques to create glass lampshades. Although the light from these kerosene lamps was still not as bright as in the modern world, it was much better than before.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

At this moment, he was carefully reading a letter under the kerosene lamp. After finishing the letter, he opened the glass lampshade and held a corner of the letter close to the flame. With a soft snap, the letter began to burn from the bottom. The dim candlelight cast shadows on Tang Shen’s face, making his expression unreadable.

Before long, the steward came to report, “Gongzi, daren has returned.”

Tang Shen calmly cleaned up the ashes that had fallen on the table, but halfway through, he stopped, leaving a small pile of ashes on the table. He walked out and happened to meet Wang Zhen as he entered the courtyard. The two faced each other under the moonlight, both pausing for a moment, each with a hint of guilt.

Wang Zhen stepped forward and took Tang Shen’s hand, “It’s so late, and you’re still up waiting for me, little Junior Brother?”

Tang Shen countered, “It’s so late, and you’re only just returning. Who else would I wait for if not you?”

Wang Zhen smiled leisurely and led his junior brother into the study.

As soon as they entered, Wang Zhen caught a faint whiff of burnt paper. His mind stirred, and he noticed the half-pile of ashes on the table. Tang Shen’s act was too clever—the ashes were scattered unevenly on one side but formed a straight line on the other. Clearly, someone had started cleaning but stopped halfway.

How could Wang Zhen not understand Tang Shen’s intention? His gaze shifted, and he said, “Little Junior Brother, have you ever seen a rooster crow at dawn?”

Tang Shen, “…Huh?”

“I haven’t seen it, but back in Zhao Family Village, I heard the neighbor’s rooster crow a couple of times.” Tang Shen grew curious, “Why are you asking this?” This wasn’t following the script!

Wang Zhen meaningfully uttered one word, “Guess.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Guess my foot!

Tang Shen said irritably, “Always spouting sweet nothings and speaking in riddles. Is teasing me that fun?”

This time, Wang Zhen felt genuinely wronged, “It was you who started being cryptic, making me guess your intentions.”

At first, Tang Shen didn’t understand, but when he did, Wang Zhen pulled him into an embrace, pointing at the half-pile of ashes on the table, “Since you didn’t mean to hide it from me, just say it directly. But if you think this is a game and insist on making me guess, I won’t spoil your fun. I guess this is a letter.”

Tang Shen snorted, “And then?”

“A letter from the Northwest.”

“And?”

Wang Zhen paused for a moment, then said, “Written by Wang Daiyue?”

Tang Shen, “You guessed right, but no reward.”

Wang Zhen suddenly laughed. He had only been thinking about how to keep Tang Shen from finding out about his visit to the Right Prime Minister’s residence and what he had discussed with Wang Quan. Feeling guilty, he had forgotten to ask for a reward in advance. Minister Wang felt he had suffered a great loss. In his thirty-plus years of life, he had never been so thoroughly outplayed.

However, Wang Zifeng would never let his emotions show. He said calmly, “It’s all because I love you too much. You see, the moment I see you, I forget everything else.”

Tang Shen ignored him.

Although Tang Shen now held real power due to his control over the Ministry of Works, the emperor had removed his position as the Right Vice Imperial Censor of the Silver Pull Division to balance the court. But Tang Shen had been laying the groundwork in the Silver Pull Division for two years. How could his influence be so easily stripped away? He was no longer the Right Vice Imperial Censor, but his trusted subordinates, Wang Xiao and Mei Shengze, were still stationed at the Youzhou Silver Pull Division. On the surface, they acted as officials of the Silver Pull Division, but behind the scenes, they were engaged in “collaborating with Liao.”

Both of them now reported to Su Wenyun, but they were firmly part of Tang Shen’s faction.

Over the past six months, whenever something happened in the Silver Pull Division or Su Wenyun ordered them to do something, they wouldn’t report every detail to Tang Shen. But when it came to major events, Wang Xiao would still write a letter and secretly send it to Shengjing.

“The Liao Emperor was injured during a hunt. Now, the second prince, Yelü Shege, and the third prince, Yelü Han, are at each other’s throats, ready to explode at any moment.” Tang Shen’s expression was serious, “This is what Wang Xiao wrote to me about. In the past six months, besides the agent we planted near Yelü Shege, Su Wenyun and Li Jingde have also bribed a guard close to Yelü Han. Originally, the struggle for the throne had already set the two brothers against each other. Now, with an extra push, things are about to boil over. It won’t be long before the perfect opportunity to counterattack Liao arises.”

As the head of the Silver Pull Division, Wang Zhen didn’t know everything Su Wenyun and Li Jingde were planning, but he had a general idea.

Hearing this, he was slightly surprised, but after some thought, he asked, “What about Yelü Ding?”

Tang Shen sighed, “That’s exactly what worries me.”

Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding, the true power behind the throne in the Liao court. With the Liao Emperor injured, Yelü Ding now controlled the government. He came from a noble tribe and supported the third prince, Yelü Han. Yelü Shege’s only support in this struggle was the Liao Emperor himself.

Now that the Liao Emperor was injured, the most worried person wasn’t someone else—it was the second prince, Yelü Shege.

If the Liao Emperor were to suddenly pass away, the throne would likely never fall to Yelü Shege. So, in this critical moment, Yelü Shege couldn’t afford to sit still. Whether the Liao Emperor lived or died, before his death or recovery, the Liao State would inevitably face internal turmoil.

To secure the outside, one must first stabilize the inside.

The internal strife in Liao wouldn’t last long; it would be resolved quickly.

Perhaps, just like the palace coup during the New Year in the Great Song, a storm would rise overnight, and by the next morning, everything would be calm again.

How to seize this opportunity, how to take advantage of it to attack Liao—that was what Su Wenyun and Li Jingde were working on.

Wang Zhen suddenly asked, “The Liao Emperor was injured during a hunt?”

Tang Shen blinked, “That was truly an accident.”

Wang Zhen suddenly smiled.

How had the Liao Emperor been injured?

Aside from the still-unconscious Liao Emperor, no one knew the full story!

But there were many who wished for the Liao Emperor’s death. The most obvious were the third prince, Yelü Han, and his supporter, Grand Preceptor Yelü Ding. And if we look further, Su Wenyun and Li Jingde—who wouldn’t want the Liao Emperor to die immediately and for the Liao State to descend into chaos?

It was getting late, and after talking for a while longer, the two prepared to rest.

Tang Shen propped his chin on his hand, leaning on the table, watching as Wang Zhen closed the two windows in the bedroom. When Wang Zhen turned around, he saw Tang Shen staring at him unblinkingly under the candlelight. His heart stirred, and a wave of arousal arose. Wang Zhen didn’t move, just stood by the window, smiling at him.

The two gazed at each other for a long time, and the atmosphere in the room grew warm.

Then Tang Shen suddenly spoke, “Senior Brother, what did you discuss at the Right Prime Minister’s residence today? You were there for so long.”

All the feelings of arousal in Wang Zhen’s heart vanished instantly, but on the surface, he remained composed. He strode forward, stopping by the table, and reached out to pull Tang Shen into his arms, smiling as he said, “Just some family matters about Jinling Prefecture.” But Tang Shen dodged his hand.

Wang Zhen’s hand hung in mid-air.

Tang Shen, “Senior Brother, you once told me that you would never deceive me in this lifetime. If you did…”

Wang Zhen looked at him helplessly, leaned down, and gently kissed his lips. His gaze was deep, filled with utmost tenderness, “Yes, I will never deceive you in this lifetime.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Could you not suddenly kiss me before saying that?!

Tang Shen was speechless for a long time. He snorted lightly, “In that case, I’ll ask, and you answer.”

Wang Zhen picked him up, “Alright.”

Tang Shen, “When you went to the Right Prime Minister’s residence today, were you discussing political matters?”

Wang Zhen kissed him, then said, “Of course not.”

Tang Shen, “Was it related to the Silver Pull Division?”

“Not related.” Another kiss.

“Did something go wrong with the Silver Pull Division?”

“Not that I know of…” Before he could finish, Wang Zhen quickly corrected himself, “No, something did go wrong.” Then he leaned down and kissed Tang Shen again.

Tang Shen: “Wang Zifeng!”

Wang Zhen laughed heartily, “Haha, as agreed, if I lie to you, I’ll kiss you first. Jing Ze, I didn’t break my promise.”

Tang Shen: “…”

Fine, I can’t outtalk you!

Tang Shen pondered for a long time, then looked up and asked, “Then one last question. Are you planning to do something… to make the Silver Pull Division go wrong?”

Wang Zhen’s joyful smile gradually faded. He looked at Tang Shen quietly, his gaze deep as water.

“You have no idea how much I adore your cleverness, but sometimes I wish you could be a little more dull!”

Tang Shen immediately understood, but after a long silence, his question was, “Why did you hide it from me?”

Wang Zhen scolded sternly, “How could I tell you about such filthy matters? If you knew, how would you see me?” With that, he put on a heartbroken expression, covering his face and falling silent.

Tang Shen pulled Wang Zhen’s hand away from his face, and the two locked eyes. Wang Zhen’s gaze was clear, filled with unconcealed amusement.

Tang Shen said expressionlessly, “Although it seems like I’m at a disadvantage, Senior Brother, as agreed, you’re supposed to kiss me before lying.”

Wang Zhen’s eyes widened in surprise. The next moment, he burst into laughter, leaned over, and kissed those eloquent lips. After a passionate kiss, Tang Shen was left breathless, and Wang Zhen finally spoke the truth, asking, “In your heart, shouldn’t I be a noble and upright gentleman?”

Tang Shen looked at him in surprise, “What gave you that impression?”

Wang Zhen said seriously, “But I still need toipay attention.”

Tang Shen, “You hid it from me because you didn’t want me to know you were about to engage in corruption and harm loyal officials again?”

Wang Zhen held him and sighed, “How could I ever want to do such a thing!”

Three days later, during the morning court in Zichen Hall.

A fourth-rank censor in official robes stepped forward from the crowd, holding a jade tablet high and pulling a memorial from his sleeve.

“Your subject, Fang Weitong, has a matter to report.”

Zhao Fu looked at him, waved his hand, and signaled Ji Fu to bring the memorial to him. He asked, “What is it?”

Censor Fang lowered his head and remained silent, holding the memorial high above his head. When Ji Fu took the memorial and presented it to Zhao Fu, the emperor’s expression shifted as he read it, his anger barely contained.

Zhao Fu’s voice, heavy with suppressed rage, commanded, “Speak.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e bl mu se . c o m )

Only then did Fang Weitong loudly declare, “As a censor, it is my duty to oversee the court. I impeach Liu Ji, the governor of Xingzhou, for his grave crimes! Liu Ji’s offenses are too numerous to list. I have hastily outlined seven major crimes. First, his conduct does not match his virtue; he abused his scholarly achievements, gaining fame at a young age, but there are suspicions of hidden misdeeds! Second, Xingzhou’s lands lie barren…”

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