Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Lord Gao, if what you're saying isn't true, do you know what the consequences will be?"

Empress Zheng looked at Gao Kan and said, word by word.

"If what I have said is a lie, then let me be torn apart by five horses and my entire clan be exterminated!"

"Your Majesty, I guarantee with the lives of the entire Gao family that Cai Jing is guilty!"

Gao Kan was completely unfazed, swearing his oath so smoothly and sincerely that it was hard for Empress Zheng and Consort Murong not to believe him.

"Lord Gao, I trust you for now, but if the Grand Tutor really intends to rebel, what brilliant plan do you have?"

"Your Majesty, I believe the most important thing right now is to protect the Imperial City. The guards of the Imperial City must be people you trust. We must not allow Cai Jing's people to gain control of the Imperial City."

Gao Kan said.

"Especially the Japanese-supporting army that escorted the Grand Tutor back this time, Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot allow them to have the opportunity to control the defense of the Imperial City!"

"Lord Gao, what you say makes sense, but the problem is, if what you say is true, then who can take control of the imperial city's defenses?"

"Does Your Majesty have no one at your disposal?"

Gao Kan was genuinely surprised. Although he had long heard of the Empress's virtuous reputation, wasn't Your Majesty being a little too virtuous?

Which empress doesn't have a capable person under her command?

"You don't need to look at me like that. I really don't have anyone I can use."

Empress Zheng looked at Gao Kan and spoke just as frankly.

"Since I entered the palace, neither my father nor my brothers have held important positions in the court. It is an ironclad rule since ancient times that the women of the inner palace cannot interfere in politics. Moreover, this concerns the safety of the capital. Where would I get anyone to serve me?"

"Your Highness, where are you?"

Since he couldn't rely on the Empress, Gao Kan could only ask Consort Murong, since Consort Murong didn't have the same reputation for virtue as Empress Zheng.

"I am here, of course there is no one here either."

Consort Murong glanced at Empress Zheng, then at Gao Kan, and denied having anyone else.

"Your Majesty, what time is it? You two are being so polite. Does that mean I'm the only one who can recommend someone?"

Gao Kan was at a loss. He could believe that Empress Zheng had no one to rely on, but Consort Murong had no one to rely on? Who was he kidding?

Since neither of the two empresses could recommend anyone, he had no choice but to step forward and recommend someone himself.

"Lord Gao, who would you like to recommend? Yourself?"

Consort Murong felt she had lost face earlier, so she took the initiative to ask Gao Kan a question.

"Although I have received His Majesty's favor and hold a position in the Privy Council, I am well aware of my own limitations, and defending cities is not my forte."

Gao Kan said he wasn't up to the task, and he didn't want to get involved in this mess.

"Whom does Lord Gao recommend?"

Empress Zheng asked a question.

"I do have someone in mind, but he was just punished by His Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can pardon him first."

Before Gao Kan arrived, he had already discussed with Le He who could be in charge of the defense of the imperial city.

Lehe told him that Li Gang was a rare talent in the court, as his brother had once mentioned.

Gao Kan thought for a moment, and realized that Li Gang was the guy who had recently been demoted to the position of Imperial Diarist. He hadn't expected that this guy was so highly regarded by his own prince.

“Lord Gao, I have no right to pardon such a person.”

Empress Jung stated that although she is now in charge of the entire palace, she does not have the power to pardon anyone.

"Your Majesty, I am not asking you to pardon anyone, but you can allow someone to atone for their crimes through meritorious service."

Gao Kan suggested that they could work out a bit.

"Who are you talking about?"

Empress Zheng thought for a moment and decided to ask who it was first.

"Li Gang."

Gao Kan didn't hesitate and directly said Li Gang's name.

"Li Gang?"

Empress Zheng was somewhat surprised when she heard the name.

Because she originally thought that Gao Kan would mention someone from his own circle, but the problem was that the person Gao Kan mentioned had absolutely no relation to him!

Although Empress Zheng did not interfere in court affairs, she had heard of some of the ministers' names.

Li Gang was a good minister, but he was demoted because he advised Emperor Huizong of Song, and he was in the capital at the moment.

She could indeed have Li Gang take charge of guarding the palace.

"Your Highness, we still need your intervention to ensure that Prefect Murong is prepared."

Seeing that the Empress did not question Li Gang, Gao Kan then spoke to Consort Murong.

"My brother?"

Consort Murong was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, if Li Gang can hold the capital, Cai Jing will definitely seize it. In this situation, we need external assistance. Prefect Murong is stationed in Qingzhou, which is very close to the capital. The Qingzhou army is also strong, making him the best choice to go to the capital to defend the emperor!"

"Moreover, near Qingzhou, there is General Huyan's Pinghai Army. Prefect Murong can join forces with the Pinghai Army to go to the capital to defend the emperor!"

Consort Murong was confused by Gao Kan's words. Was her own brother's level really as good as Gao Kan described?

"Your Majesty, there are also many loyal and virtuous men on the Western Army side. I request Your Majesty to send trusted confidants to the Western Army to request their support!"

"No matter how strong Cai Jing's troops are, they can never be stronger than the Western Army!"

"Should this young man inform the Emperor?"

Empress Zheng suddenly asked Gao Kan.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is currently on a northern tour. If news of the upheaval in the capital were to reach the front lines at this time, it would inevitably cause the morale of our northern tour army to collapse!"

"Your Majesty, if that happens, His Majesty will be in even greater danger."

"Gao Kan, what about you? What will you do this time?"

Empress Zheng realized that she couldn't see through Gao Kan. He seemed very loyal to the Song Dynasty and had provided a lot of useful advice, but he was only talking about others and had nothing to do with himself.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the Grand Tutor's residence to buy you some time."

Gao Kan said very seriously.

"You're going to the Grand Tutor's residence? How will I know if you're going to defect to the enemy or to stop them?"

"Exactly, Gao Kan, what if you go to the Grand Tutor's mansion and then pledge allegiance to him?"

Consort Murong also said, "Gao Kan, how can you make us believe you?"

“Your Majesty, I am an enemy of Cai Jing, and all the officials in the court can testify to this. Moreover, my position in the court is entirely due to His Majesty’s favor, and has nothing to do with the Grand Tutor. How could I possibly side with the Grand Tutor?”

Gao Kan looked completely sincere.

"Besides, the Grand Tutor doesn't just take anyone under his wing. Someone like me, with my background, is simply beneath his notice."

Gao Kan stated that he and Cai Jing are two completely different people.

"Lord Gao, can I trust you?"

"Your Majesty, I am willing to vouch for you with the entire Gao family. Please make preparations as soon as possible!"

……

No one knows what Gao Kan did in the end that day, but what is clear is that after Gao Kan left the palace, Li Gang was urgently summoned to the palace, and at the same time, two riders galloped out from the east and west gates of the capital!

After leaving the palace, Gao Kan first returned to his residence to rest. That very night, he swaggered over to the gate of the Cai residence with several servants, intending to rush straight in.

"Lord Gao, this is the Cai residence. What are you doing? Are you trying to force your way in?"

Unsurprisingly, he was stopped by the guards at the entrance.

"Brother, I need to speak with the Grand Tutor. Can you let me in?"

Gao Kan, looking nonchalant, even took out some silver and stuffed it into the guard's hand.

"I'm sorry, Master Gao, but my master is seriously ill and cannot receive guests."

The guards refused with righteous indignation.

"Not enough? Then add some more. It's so late, let's treat the brothers to a late-night snack."

Gao Kan then pulled out even more silver coins.

"Lord Gao, as I said, my master is seriously ill and will not receive guests!"

The guard ignored Gao Kan's attempt to be friendly, which didn't surprise Gao Kan. He took back the silver, forcibly put his arm around the guard's shoulder, and whispered in the guard's ear:

"Is the Grand Tutor's illness more of a mental one?"

"Brother, don't make things difficult for me. Let me in. I think the Grand Tutor probably wants to know why I'm here..."