After traveling through time, I became Han Zhang’s grandson?

As time passed and the sun rose to its zenith, the banquet hosted by the Liao Dynasty to welcome the diplomatic corps came to an end.

Han Ming's first meeting with Yelu Hongji seemed peaceful, but in fact it was full of murderous intent.

Every word and every action of Yelu Hongji was luring Han Ming into the trap he had set, but Han Ming took steady steps, countering each move and breaking the net that covered him.

The two sides can be said to be evenly matched, and there is indeed a sense of old rivalry between them.

After the Liao officials led by Xiao Ge personally saw off the Song Dynasty envoys and left the palace, Yelu Hongji, who was in the palace, came up with a plan to completely solve the hidden danger of Han Ming.

This time, Yelu Hongji decided not to hold back. Rather than letting his hesitation lead to the rise of Han Ming and the Song Dynasty, he would rather bear the sin of killing the envoy.

Yelu Hongji, having made up his mind, immediately summoned Yelu Liang, and then arranged for "Long Xijin" to go out and ambush the venue where the "Winter Hunting" was about to be held.

That's right, Yelu Hongji decided to use the opportunity of "Winter Hunting" to completely bury Han Ming on the land of Liao.

While some members of the delegation were busy discussing the "annual tribute" issue, Xiao Ge came to the inn with Yelu Hongji's oral instructions.

"Lord Han, this winter hunt is located in Miyun County, Tanzhou. It's usually held in early October, but this year's circumstances are special."

"Your Majesty has deliberately postponed the time in order to welcome the delegation."

"Now is a perfect time to entertain you all. I hope Marquis Han and the others will do me the honor of joining us in the winter hunt."

After Xiao Ge delivered the oral order, he whispered with Han Ming about the assassination of the diplomatic corps.

"Great Marshal Yelu is the crown prince of the Liao Dynasty. He is the highest official in the country and extremely prestigious. If I were to estimate, there might be someone else."

Han Ming poured Xiao Ge a cup of tea and chuckled.

"Haha, it's a blessing for both countries that Marquis Han thinks this way." Xiao Ge smiled and praised the young man opposite him.

"But all signs point to Marshal Yelu. Although I have great faith in the Marshal's character, I cannot explain this to the delegation and His Majesty..."

Han Ming took a sip of tea and said in a helpless tone.

Xiao Ge was able to sit firmly in the position of prime minister after three dynasties, so he could see through Han Ming's little tricks.

"Han Hou and I are both intelligent people. We might as well speak directly to save time and effort."

Han Ming's eyes lit up at Xiao Ge's attitude, and he said slowly, "I often heard about the Grand Marshal back home, and I admire him. I want to meet him and have a conversation..."

Han Ming's words were also very straightforward, and he expressed his demands.

"Marquis Han should know the current situation of the Grand Marshal. Is this request embarrassing me?"

Xiao Ge stared at Han Ming who was sitting opposite him and said coldly.

"What are you talking about, Minister Xiao? I simply admire the Grand Marshal and want to pay him a visit. Given Minister Xiao's status and position in the Liao Dynasty, I believe this shouldn't be a problem."

Han Ming smiled slightly, took out a folded paper from his arms and pushed it towards Xiao Ge.

Xiao Ge looked straight ahead, reached out to pick up the paper on the table and opened it. It turned out to be a deposit order from the newly opened Song Dynasty Trading Company.

"Han is not a stingy person. Since Prime Minister Xiao is willing to run around for me, I naturally can't let you work in vain."

Han Ming took the initiative to pour Xiao Ge a cup of tea and presented it to him with both hands with a smile on his face.

Xiao Ge stood there in deep thought for a long time, then reached out to take the teacup handed to him by Han Ming and drank it all in one gulp.

Neither of them said much after that, everything was self-explanatory.

Xiao Ge stood up and bowed: "Marquis Han respects our imperial uncle so much, I will definitely do my best."

The words sound nice, but it is not known whether it is specifically because of the deposit slip or whether he is truly working hard for Han Ming and Yelu Chongyuan.

Han Ming stood up to return the greeting and personally escorted Xiao Ge out of the inn until the other party's carriage disappeared around the corner.

"Does the Marquis think he can handle this matter?"

He Zhengru appeared behind Han Ming at some point and asked in a low voice.

"The faction they represent is already at loggerheads with Yelü Hongji. Yelü Chongyuan is their last hope. If Chongyuan falls, they will all be in trouble."

"Besides, he accepted my gift, so he can't escape even if he wants to."

Han Ming put his hands behind his back, with disdain in his eyes, then turned around and went back to the inn.

"By the way, the Liao Kingdom will hold its winter hunting festival in two days. Yelu Hongji and his men will relocate their military and political center to Nabo, and then head north to Miyun County in Tanzhou."

"Xiao Ge has given me a verbal message, and I'm afraid I can't avoid it. You and Brother Ji Yang are both experts in negotiation, so please take the trouble to accompany me."

Han Ming thought of Xiao Ge's message just now and gave simple instructions to He Zhengru.

"Then will the rest of the delegation have to come along? How long will the winter hunt take? And who will be the personnel left behind at the post station?"

He Zhengru quickly changed his state and asked various questions.

"This winter hunt won't last long, probably only about half a month. There's no need for the delegation to travel back and forth north and south. You and Brother Ji Yang can just take the relevant personnel."

"The subsequent exchanges between the two countries will still be held in Xijin Prefecture. Brother Peng, as the Minister of Rites, is just right for this. Let him, the personnel of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhou Qian's guards stay at the inn."

Han Ming quickly analyzed everyone's situation and gave orders.

"Yes, my lord, I will arrange it immediately." He Zhengru acted decisively and turned around to coordinate with the delegation.

. . . . . .

"Yong Zeng!"

After Han Ming gave He Zhengru his instructions, he waved to Yong Zeng who was on standby.

"What are your orders, Lord Marquis?" Yong Zeng asked with a fist clasped.

"Go to Nan City immediately and order a batch of weapons. They don't need to be high quality, but they must be fast."

"Also, tell the assassin in the city to inform Lord Liang about the Winter Hunting Festival. We won't have to worry about the rest."

Han Ming told Yong Zeng everything in one breath, patted his shoulder and told him to go quickly.

"Also, prepare a batch of small and easy-to-hide weapons for me. I need them urgently."

Han Ming gave Yong Zeng a final instruction and returned to his room.

. . . . . .

In the imperial city of Xijin Prefecture, Yelu Hongji and Yelu Liang strolled hand in hand in the imperial garden under the clear snow.

"What's the delegation doing?"

Yelu Hongji looked at the white imperial garden and asked Yelu Liang beside him.

"According to the latest report, Han Ming has instructed He Zhengru and his team to pack up and prepare to travel north to Tanzhou with us to participate in the winter hunt."

Yelu Liang reported in a small notebook, just like a modern secretary.

"Who are the people left behind? Are there any Song Dynasty spies among them?"

Yelu Hongji attached great importance to intelligence organizations. Therefore, after he ascended the throne, he increased the investment in "Long Xijin" in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the three kingdoms of Liao, Song and Xia.

"It was Peng Yi, the Minister of Rites of the Song Dynasty, and his subordinates. Zhou Qian and his group from the escort team were also left behind."

When he said the second half of the sentence, Yelu Liang couldn't help but frown.

"A man of great skill and courage is just like Han Ming."

"He actually dared to leave the guards behind. His courage is no less than mine!" Yelu Hongji laughed with some understanding.

"In fact, I am more worried that Han Ming has other plans..." Yelu Liang said cautiously.

"Hahaha, Asu, I think you've been too nervous lately and can't see the situation clearly."

Yelu Hongji patted Yelu Liang on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"Forgive my stupidity, but may I ask what Your Majesty means..." Yelu Liang lowered his head and asked cautiously.

"No matter what ideas the other members of the delegation have, they are of no consequence. I only want Han Ming. Do you understand?"

Yelu Hongji placed his big hand on Yelu Liang's shoulder, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Yelu Liang immediately reacted and knelt on one knee, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty's words have enlightened me. I was too obsessed with this before."

"Get up! Didn't I tell you that you don't have to pay your respects? If you do this again, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor!"

Yelu Hongji helped Yelu Liang up and said jokingly.

"Yes!" Yelu Liang nodded in response.

"Actually, you're not being too picky, but you're overly concerned with Han Ming's tactics. If you overthink things, you'll easily fall into his trap."

"I know that one of your men, a capable man from the Hou clan, died at Qigou Pass."

"But you must remember, never let the enemy lead you by the nose, and don't follow their familiar routines. Doing so will only make it easy for the enemy to counterattack."

"The so-called 'surprise attack' means launching a surprise attack in an area the enemy is unfamiliar with and doesn't understand. A decisive battle will determine the outcome and completely eliminate the enemy!"

Yelu Hongji's words made Yelu Liang's body tremble, and then the clouds parted and the sun rose.

"I understand what Your Majesty means!" Yelu Liang bowed.

"Go ahead. Since our Mr. Han has gone so far as to transfer the guards, we can't refuse him."

"After arranging the personnel, I want this winter hunt in Tanzhou to become the anniversary of Han Ming's death—!"