Destroy Jin and conquer Song, and carry the Northern Expedition through to the end

Chapter 480: A Righteous Minister's Evil Conduct Is Difficult to Resolve

Just when Wanyan Yong and other senior military and political officials of the Jin Dynasty were fighting wits and courage with their internal and external enemies.

Liu Huai also encountered trouble here.

Logically speaking, since they have survived the life-and-death battle, there will be no more disasters, but don't forget, this is the State of Song.

Given the political environment of the Song State, it is not surprising that anything unexpected happened.

On December 24, when the news of the great victory in Chao County spread far and wide, Liu Huai also returned to Chao County with Wanyan Liang and others.

Along the way, Wanyan Liang started to chatter incessantly, saying things like the Song State would definitely treat its meritorious officials harshly and that internal strife would be frequent.

At first, Liu Huai wanted to treat it as a gift, wrap it beautifully and send it to the State of Song to gain some political resources. But this guy was too annoying and kept talking. In the end, Liu Huai couldn't stand it anymore and asked Zhang Baiyu to drag him away, whip him ten times, and then stuff his mouth with a rag.

While Li Tong, Wanyan Yuanyi and even Lu You were terrified, Zhang Baiyu did not hold back at all. He stripped off Wanyan Liang's cotton coat and whipped him ten times on the back in public.

Lu You wanted to dissuade him, but He Boqiu held him back tightly.

This is not to say that Lu You would have sympathy or respect for people like Wanyan Liang, but that feudal scholars and officials were always inferior to imperial power.

This is the case when facing the emperor of one's own country, and it is still the same when facing the emperor of the enemy country.

Yu Yunwen also served as the chief envoy to the Kingdom of Jin. Didn’t he also perform New Year’s greetings with respect and exchange New Year’s greetings?

The most uncommon situation is what Gao Jingshan did, pointing at Zhao Gou's nose and cursing him in court, until Zhao Gou covered his face and ran away.

However, He Boqiu didn't think so. This guy was also a lawless person. He didn't think there was anything wrong in beating the Jin emperor. Moreover, Liu Huai's prestige had been established after this battle. There was class law in the army. Mr. Lu, are you bored enough to go against military orders for Wanyan Liang?
Liu Huai's behavior was nothing in the eyes of later generations. He was willing to sacrifice his life to bring down the emperor. I am going to pacify the world, so can't I defeat a tyrant?
You deserve to be cut into pieces!

But in the feudal era, this behavior not only trampled on the emperor's dignity, but also trampled on the imperial power itself.

For example, why did Zhu Yuanzhang get so angry when Lan Yu forced a Mongolian princess in later life?
This is because this move is not a slap on the Mongols, it is a slap on the face of the imperial power!

To slap the face of imperial power is to slap Zhu Yuanzhang in the face!
Therefore, Liu Huai's move quickly attracted the attention of one person, and on the first night after returning to Chao County, he came to see Liu Huai crying and making a fuss.

Facing this Jin minister who was known for his malice towards his emperor, Liu Huai frowned and said, "Li Tong, what do you want to say?"

Li Tong was forty-one years old, in the prime of his life, considered a flower-like age for a minister. He was also quite handsome, with the image of a handsome middle-aged uncle. Despite his extremely bad reputation, his face gave the impression that his evil deeds had their reasons. He was the kind of positive character who, even while wearing the clothes of a traitor, could infiltrate the enemy's underground party.

At this time, Li Tong bowed to Liu Huai with great respect: "Your Majesty, I have come to seek refuge with the eldest son."

Liu Huai put the document in his hand back on the desk, stretched out his hand and pointed at Li Tong again, wanting to say something, then closed his mouth, picked up the teacup in his right hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

There was no other reason why Liu Huai lost his composure.

There are too many flaws in Li Tong's words.

First of all, there is the title of "Jun Shang". Regardless of whether Liu Huai has this status, in this era, "Jun Shang" is not used to refer to the person to whom one is loyal.

How could this be like a storyteller? Was he really acting like this? Was this the extent of Li Tong's cultural literacy?
Secondly, as the prime minister of the Jin Dynasty, Li Tong theoretically held a position second only to the emperor. Although the Jurchen people ignored him due to the chaotic political system of the Jin Dynasty, it was an indisputable fact that he had a high status.

This guy said he wanted to surrender to Liu Huai at this time. Was he really scared on the battlefield?
After drinking a cup of tea, Liu Huai smiled at Li Tong and said, "With your status, I dare not take you in. If I take in the enemy's prime minister today, the Song army will come to Shandong to fight tomorrow."

Li Tong knelt on the ground again, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is wrong. Since Your Majesty is determined to pacify the world, whether or not you take me in, you will be irreconcilable with the State of Song!"

Liu Huai stared into Li Tong's eyes and said, "Even if the Song Kingdom and I eventually fall out, why would I trigger it in advance? You know, if I take you in, then my rebellious intentions will be fully realized."

Li Tong took a deep breath and said sincerely, "Your Majesty may not know the true strength of the Song State, but as the Prime Minister of the Jin State, I know a lot. Judging from the Song State's past actions, perhaps there are already some dirty tricks waiting for Your Majesty. Your Majesty must be on guard!"

At this point, Li Tong smiled bitterly and said, "As for me, I am just a scholar. If I leave this tent, the emperor will find an excuse and say that I have offended the emperor, ordering me to be killed and then thrown into a ditch. Naturally, I can hide my identity and follow the emperor. In the current Jingnan army, can't the emperor still have the final say?"

Liu Huai felt a headache and simply said, "I don't want to say any more nonsense. Lord Li, you have a bad reputation. You are just a villain who does evil to the emperor. How can I dare to use you? If I can't use you, even if you are not the mastermind of these evil policies, but an accomplice, you will not escape death this time."

Li Tong's tone grew increasingly sincere. "As the saying goes, a righteous ruler serving a corrupt minister cannot bring order; a righteous minister serving a corrupt ruler cannot bring order either. Only when ruler and minister meet and share a common understanding can the country be at peace. When I served Wanyan Liang, I too had ambitions and aspirations, but after witnessing Wanyan Liang beat and kill a minister who advised me, I gave up."

"I have been well-read since childhood. After becoming an official, I am also familiar with the laws and well-versed in common affairs. I have been a great leader in the local area and have been able to bring order to all prefectures and counties. Why did I become so foolish when I was at the center? The reason is simple: Wanyan Liang is stubborn and self-righteous. If I had made the slightest mistake, not only would I not be able to sit on the prime minister's throne, but even the lives of my entire family would have been in jeopardy."

At this point, Li Tong became a little excited: "I have read through your majesty's policies in Shandong, and they are truly a stroke of genius. I have some ability in political strategy and can help your majesty achieve great things!"

To be honest, Liu Huai was a little tempted.

As the prime minister of the Jin Dynasty, Li Tong's character was indeed a bit low and his bones were a bit soft, but he still had some connections and abilities.

Wanyan Liang had troubled the country so much, but he was still able to maintain his rule after more than ten years and did not let it fall apart. Although Li Tong, the prime minister, did not deserve all the credit, he did play a certain role.

As for the Song Dynasty's rewards, honestly, they had already captured the Jin Dynasty's emperor, so the Jin Dynasty's prime ministers were just extras. One more wouldn't make much, and one less wouldn't make much. They couldn't possibly make a king of a different surname, could they?!

However, Liu Huai was still a little hesitant.

Because Li Tong's reputation was too bad, and he was just the leader of the Shandong rebels, and his territory, including Wei Sheng's, was only half of Shandong. Was it worth Li Tong's desperate efforts to join him? Did he have some hidden agenda?
Thinking of this, Liu Huai neither agreed nor objected. He just ordered Li Tong to be taken back to the cell and then walked towards the county government office in Chao County.

Not to mention Liu Huai's participation in the military meeting, let's just talk about Li Tong returning to the cell. He immediately wrapped himself in a torn quilt, huddled in a corner and kept silent.

It was not until the dead of night, past midnight, that Li Tong finally crawled to the prison door, using both hands and feet. He then stretched his neck to look at the Jingnan Army soldier guarding outside. Seeing that the man was already drowsy, he whispered to Wanyan Liang in the other cell, "Your Majesty, I have contacted Liu Huai. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely find a way to get you out. I also hope that Your Majesty can trust me."

Wanyan Liang remained silent, not knowing whether it was because he was desperate about the future or because he was too tired to talk.

Meanwhile, Wanyan Yuanyi scoffed, "Mr. Li, when disaster strikes, everyone flees. I have no right to interfere. But even now, you're still so perfunctory and telling lies. Isn't that a bit too much?"

Wanyan Yuanyi really couldn't think of any hope of a comeback now. Even if Tushan Zhen gave up everything and came back to fight, they were all in the prison. As long as a few soldiers came in with knives, the job could be done in half an incense stick. How could it be too late?
Li Tong also scoffed, no longer being polite, and whispered to Wanyan Yuanyi, "You know shit. We can't resort to force now; we can only proceed through major policies and strategies. If we rely entirely on the Song State, then everything will be over. And Liu Feihuzi is a restless man; maybe he can accomplish something if we rely on him!"

Wanyan Yuanyi sneered and cursed in the dark, but then he felt bored and kept silent.

(End of this chapter)