Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Gao Kan wants to see us?"

With Emperor Huizong absent, the Empress naturally took the lead in the palace. Of course, Consort Murong, who assisted the Empress in managing the palace, was also present, as was Gao Kan.

"Gao Kan... I know him, Gao Qiu's son. Did he say anything about it?"

The empress at this time was Zheng, who was also known in history as Empress Xiansu, who died in Wuguo City. She was a female official who was virtuous, upright, talented, humble and polite, and deeply loved by Emperor Huizong of Tang.

Those who can become empresses are no ordinary people.

In December of the third year of the Yuanfu era of the Zheng family (1100), she entered the palace and was granted the title of Cairen. In August of the first year of the Jianzhong Jingguo era (1101), she was granted the title of Meiren. In September, she gave birth to Zhao Ji's second son, Prince Yan, Zhao Cheng. Unfortunately, he died the day after his birth, and even his name was given later.

In October and December of the same year, perhaps to compensate for her grief over the loss of her son, Emperor Huizong promoted her to the ranks of Jieyu and Wanyi respectively. In November of the first year of the Chongning era (1102), she was promoted to the rank of Xianfei, one of the four consorts, and the following year, after giving birth to Princess Ande, she was promoted to the rank of Shufei, one of the four consorts. In February of the third year of the Chongning era, after giving birth to Princess Shoushu, she was promoted to the rank of Guifei, the head of the four consorts, and her status was second only to Empress Wang, the then Empress Xian Gong!

From entering the palace to becoming the head of the four consorts, Zheng only took less than four years! Such a speed of promotion was simply astonishing in the harem!

Empress Xian Gong died in the third year of the Da Guan era (1108) after Ren Yuan's reign. After her death, the inner palace was basically managed by Lady Zheng. In the first year of the Zheng He era (1111), the same year Ren Yuan set out on his campaign, Lady Zheng was officially made empress!

After she became empress, she did indeed salvage much of Zhao Ji's reputation. After all, the empress was virtuous, frugal, and did not care about pomp and circumstance when traveling. She did not allow her family members to participate in state affairs, and she was kind and magnanimous. After Consort Liu's death, Zheng took the initiative to raise her six children and agreed to Zhao Ji posthumously honoring Consort Liu as Empress Mingda.

Look at her experience and her way of handling things. What emperor wouldn't love an empress like that?

It was only because Zhao Ji (Emperor Huizong) held her back that Zheng Shi (Empress Zheng) was able to leave her mark on the list of virtuous empresses in history.

"Your Majesty, Lord Gao said that this matter is very important, and he can only tell you ladies."

"Can you only tell us?"

Empress Zheng was somewhat surprised. She knew Gao Kan; he was a very tactful person. When Emperor Huizong was alive, he never met with anyone in the harem, and even when sending gifts, he would do so through Emperor Huizong.

But now he's actually trying to enter the palace while Zhao Ji is away?

"Sister, why don't we summon him to see us? After all, the Emperor values ​​Lord Gao Kan highly. And I know Lord Gao well; he is very sensible in his dealings with people, so he must have something important to discuss this time."

When Consort Murong heard Gao Kan's name, her heart stirred.

Gao Kan was a very good person. Since he returned to the capital and took the throne, he had sent gifts to his brother Murong Yanda several times. Whenever there was a festival, he would also send gifts to the women in the harem through Zhao Ji.

Murong Yanda also wrote to his sister, mentioning that he wanted to get closer to Gao Kan.

After all, compared to Cai Jing, people like Gao Kan are easier to win over!

“What my sister said makes some sense. Let’s let him enter the palace. We’ll go to the side hall to meet him.”

Empress Zheng said that she would receive him in the side hall.

Side hall.

"Your subject Gao Kan greets Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine!"

After entering the palace, Gao Kan went straight to the side hall; now he was racing against time.

"Lord Gao, please excuse the formalities. What brings you to the palace in such a hurry to see me?"

Empress Zheng and Consort Murong exchanged glances, then gestured for Gao Kan to speak frankly.

"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. Please dismiss those around you."

Gao Kan looked serious.

"Ok?"

Empress Zheng was somewhat puzzled, but being a capable woman, she gestured for her trusted lady-in-waiting to dismiss those around her, and then spoke:

"Lord Gao, those present here are our trusted confidants. You can tell us now, what is it that makes you so eager to enter the palace?"

"Your Majesties, it is not that Gao Kan is being impolite, nor is he trying to create a mystery. Rather, this matter truly concerns your safety, and also the safety of the Great Song Dynasty!"

Gao Kan bowed his head, displaying a very humble attitude.

"Lord Gao, just tell me, what exactly happened?"

Consort Murong asked.

"Your Majesty, Cai Jing has returned to the capital!"

"Grand Tutor? Why is he back in the capital? Wasn't he on a northern tour with the Emperor?"

Empress Zheng was taken aback at first, then looked puzzled:

"Gao Kan, the Grand Tutor has returned, but where is His Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor has returned with three thousand armored soldiers, but His Majesty has not returned and is still at the border!"

"Were armored guards escorting the Grand Tutor back?"

Empress Zheng is indeed a remarkable woman; she grasped the key point immediately!

"Yes, and according to the brothers at the North Gate, all three thousand armored soldiers are fully armed."

“Lord Gao, is it possible that these are the guards His Majesty assigned to the Grand Tutor? After all, the journey north is long and Cai Jing is old and frail. It is reasonable for His Majesty to provide him with guards in case of an accident.”

Compared to the Empress, Consort Murong is somewhat lacking.

"Lord Gao, what did the Grand Tutor do after returning to the capital?"

Empress Zheng continued to ask.

"He has returned home."

"Oh dear, it's normal to go home. After all, it's war, and war is bound to be tiring. Of course, everyone wants to go home. Lord Gao, aren't you overthinking it?"

Consort Murong gave her own answer, suddenly doubting her brother's words. Was it really necessary to win over Gao Kan? He didn't seem very bright!

"Your Majesties, what if I said that Cai Jing returned to rebel?"

Gao Kan glanced at Consort Murong, who didn't seem to care much, and then at Empress Zheng, whose brows were furrowed and who seemed lost in thought. He decided to lay his cards on the table.

"what?!"

As expected, these words startled both women. Empress Zheng was somewhat better off remaining seated, but Consort Murong was not so lucky and stood up abruptly.

"Lord Gao, you can't say such things lightly. You say the Grand Tutor is going to rebel, but do you have any evidence?"

Empress Zheng's words carried a chilling tone.

"Your Majesty, I am not the kind of person who makes baseless accusations without evidence."

Gao Kan bowed to the two ladies.

"According to my investigation, the Grand Tutor returned to the capital under the pretext of catching a cold. However, after returning to the capital, some people saw the Grand Tutor walking with an air of authority, drinking and singing in his own residence."

"How could someone with a severe cold do this?"

"This doesn't prove anything; it only means that the Grand Tutor was unwilling to make a northern tour, so he found an excuse to return to the capital."

Empress Zheng stated that this reason was insufficient.

"I have also discovered that most of the elite troops from the various camps in the capital have been transferred to the northern tour. Among the remaining troops, many are Cai Jing's protégés."

"Among the ministers in the court, there are quite a few who are now under the Cai family’s control, especially the officials of the fifth rank and above, who are basically all Cai Jing’s disciples."

"When His Majesty was alive, Cai Jing didn't dare to act recklessly, but now His Majesty is not in the capital! No one in the court can oppose Cai Jing! He has also returned to the capital with three thousand elite soldiers. Your Majesty! Think about it, don't you think Cai Jing might rebel!"

"Your Majesty, if Cai Jing rebels, who in the capital can stand against him?!"

"Lord Gao, surely, surely not..."

Empress Zheng fell into deep thought and remained silent, while Consort Murong was already panicking.

"Your Majesty, we must strike first!"

Gao Kan looked up at the two ladies.

"Once that old dog Cai Jing makes the first move, it will be very difficult for us to turn the tide..."