You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 30 Meeting the Saint
Back in his own courtyard, Chen Shao rested and recuperated for a good night's rest.

The next day, as soon as I got up, I heard a commotion outside.

Upon coming out, they found it was Yang Keshi, who, accompanied by several guards from the Victory Army, barged into Chen Shao's residence.

"Congratulations, congratulations, Shao-ge! Come with us to meet the Emperor."

As soon as Chen Shaogang opened the door, they greeted him from afar.

Before Chen Shao could even discuss the investigation with Tong Guan, he asked, somewhat confused, "Meet the Emperor? Where is Commander Xuan?"

"Commander Xuan is with the Emperor. Just come with us."

Chen Shao almost immediately sensed something unusual.

Cai Jing has fallen.

He immediately came to a conclusion.

He and Li Liangsi had been in the capital for so long, yet Emperor Huizong had not summoned them.

This indicates that he is still hesitant about whether to ally with the Jin to attack the Liao.

Today's summons must indicate a firm decision, which means the pro-war faction is about to take power.

Wang Fu is very likely to become prime minister.

Chen Shao immediately perked up, dressed, washed his face thoroughly, and combed his hair before setting off.

The group wasn't heading towards the palace, so Chen Shao asked curiously, "Where is the Emperor?"

"The Emperor bestowed upon Wang Te the Zhaode Ward in the west of the city. Today, he has moved there and I have personally gone to offer my congratulations."

Chen Shao was speechless for a moment.

This emperor really can't stay idle.

Zhaodefang was formerly the residence of Xu Jiang, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Wang Fu forcibly seized it and drove the entire family out.

Xu Jiang was a top scholar in the imperial examination and a veteran official of three reigns, yet the emperor paid no attention to him and even openly or secretly favored Wang Fu.

Scholars had many complaints, but with the emperor's power so strong, they were powerless to do anything about it.

The mansion occupies a vast area, is lavishly decorated, and features pavilions, terraces, and winding streams, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Chen Shao followed Yang Keshi and the others in, all of them somewhat confused.

Li Liangsi arrived early in the living room, looking somewhat excited. He was muttering to himself, probably practicing what he would say when he met the emperor.

"Brother Gu, it's been a long time."

Li Liangsi nodded at him.

Li Liangsi deeply disliked Chen Shao, whose behavior and mannerisms were thoroughly repulsive to him.

Especially during his journey eastward to the capital, Li Liangsi witnessed firsthand the corrupt practices of the Liao Dynasty's officials.

However, they still exchanged pleasantries, and after a few half-hearted words, they fell silent.

After a while, Yang Keshi returned and said, "Please follow me, both of you."

Li Liangsi stood up, his face flushed with excitement, and strode forward. He knew that what he was about to do was an absolutely earth-shattering event, one that would be recorded in history, so he had to be in top form.

So that in the future, this record will be a source of pride for future generations.

Chen Shao relaxed a lot. He nudged Yang Keshi on the shoulder and said, "Brother, after the audience with the emperor, shall we go for a drink?"

Yang Keshi was quite surprised. This young man was really carefree. He was about to meet the emperor, yet he was so calm and composed.

I really don't know whether to say he's calm or that he's ignorant and arrogant.

"Your brothers are preparing a feast for you."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony." After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at a garden, where they could hear cheers from afar.

Several people gathered around to watch the people inside play Cuju (ancient Chinese football).

Yang Keshi said cautiously, "Shao-ge'er, you'd better be careful later and don't say anything out of line."

Chen Shao nodded. "Don't worry, brother, I know what I'm doing."

Chen Shao and Li Liangsi stood aside, watching them play Cuju (ancient Chinese football).

The people around him, cheering loudly, were a veritable gathering of 'distinguished guests,' each one a heavyweight in their own right.

These guys are practically inseparable from the emperor; if any of them aren't around, you'd be afraid of people gossiping about you.

Tong Guan, the tallest among them, stood out like a crane among chickens. It was clear that he had been in a good mood these past few days, with a rosy complexion and radiant energy.

Upon seeing Li Liangsi and Chen Shao, Tong Guan quietly approached them and whispered, "Brother Gu, Brother Shao, don't be afraid in a moment, just speak as usual."

The two nodded together.

Chen Shao was not afraid at all. The Song Dynasty's management of the common people was not as strict as that of other dynasties.

People flocked to the north to trade horses, especially those like Chen Shao who made a living by running their own farm, making it impossible to trace them.

He followed Liu Guanglie since he was a child, often going out and wandering around, and was away from the village for half the year.

About fifteen minutes later, a maid finally brought over a porcelain basin. Zhao Ji washed his hands and face, dried them, and then sat down on a bench in the corridor.

It's winter now, but he's not afraid of the cold at all; his physical condition is really good.

Chen Shao and Li Liangsi quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

Li Liangsi stood at the front because he was a high-ranking official from the Liao Kingdom, which made the Song Dynasty look good.

Emperor Huizong treated him with exceptional courtesy, and said with a smile, "I heard that you were the Minister of Ceremonies in the Liao Kingdom. Why did you give up such a high-ranking position to come to our Great Song?"

Li Liangsi bowed and said, "Although I was born in Liaodong, I am of Chinese blood. How could I serve a barbarian ruler?"

Emperor Huizong chuckled, even more pleased. Moreover, Li Liangsi was a handsome and refined gentleman, which pleased Emperor Huizong even more.

"Is the Liao Kingdom as glorious as the land under my rule?"

"Your Majesty, although the Liao Kingdom has a vast territory, its land is barren and its people are impoverished. It is far inferior to the Song Dynasty in terms of 'abundance and prosperity' and the grandeur of a superior nation."

Zhao Ji then chatted with him for a while about the customs of the Liao Kingdom, which he listened to with great interest.

Finally, after Chen Shao's legs had gone numb from standing, Zhao Ji got down to business.

"I've heard you have a plan that can help my Great Song Dynasty reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun?"

Li Liangsi quickly stood up straight and nodded, saying, "Now the Great Song Dynasty is under the reign of a wise and enlightened emperor, with virtuous ministers and fierce generals filling the court, while the Liao Kingdom is already at its last gasp and is about to perish."

"The Jurchens, who have risen in the Northeast, hate the Liao people to the bone, while the Liao emperor is licentious and immoral. If our dynasty sends envoys across the sea from Dengzhou and Laizhou to establish friendly relations with the Jurchens and agree to attack the Liao, their country can be conquered!"

"When we reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, that will only be the beginning. Your Majesty can send a general to sweep across the northern border and bring the entire Liao Dynasty under your rule!"

Tong Guan was thrilled and thought to himself, "This is exactly me!"

Chen Shaoze gritted his teeth upon hearing this. These few guys, you think they can sweep through the northern border?
As expected, Emperor Huizong (Zhao Ji) lacked a clear understanding of his own strength. Perhaps the only one who truly understood the strength of the Song Dynasty was Cai Jing, whom they had sidelined.

"I've heard that the Jurchens are just a small barbarian tribe with a population of no more than 100,000. Can they really threaten the Great Liao?"

At this time, the Liao Kingdom had already been riddled with holes, yet Zhao Ji could still ask such a question, which shows that he didn't usually care much about these matters.

Li Liangsi quickly said, "Your Majesty, although the Jurchens are small, the Khitans are already outwardly beautiful but inwardly rotten, and signs of national ruin have long been evident."

"I come from the Khitan, how could I not know that they are complacent in their civil affairs and lazy in their military affairs, and that the people are full of resentment? They are like rotten wood, which will break if the wind blows, or like a hollow dam, which will collapse if the water hits!"

"The Liao Kingdom is doomed. Your Majesty, mindful of the suffering of the people, has restored China's former territory and, on behalf of Heaven, condemned this calamity to quell the chaos. When the royal army marches forth, we will surely welcome you with open arms. If the Jurchens gain the upper hand, they will strike first, and if we strike later, we will be at their mercy. The outcome will be very different."

(End of this chapter)