Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

Li Gang.

This guy, who was demoted by Emperor Huizong, has now become Cai Jing's biggest problem.

Although Cai Jing successfully controlled the defenses of the capital and most of the city, he was truly helpless when it came to the imperial city.

The biggest reason for this was that Empress Zheng listened to Gao Kan's advice, invited Li Gang back, and put him in charge of the defense of the imperial city.

a few days ago.

Li Gang had just finished his shift for the day and was on his way home when he suddenly heard a shout from behind: "Lord Li, please wait!"

He turned around in surprise and found that the person who called out to him was none other than a member of the Imperial City Guard!

"Lord Li, we've finally found you."

The Imperial City Guard personnel approached Li Gang, panting heavily, and said...

"I am Li Gang, but I am no longer Lord Li. Are you from the Imperial City Guard? What business do you have with me?"

Li Gang was somewhat surprised. He had already been demoted and held a very low official position, so how could he possibly be called Lord Li?

"You are Lord Li Gang! You are Lord Li!"

The Imperial City Guard quickly said:

"Lord Li, the matter is urgent! Her Majesty the Empress and the Imperial Concubine summon you to the palace immediately!"

"You've summoned me to the palace?"

Li Gang was dumbfounded. He not only had no official position, but he was also a criminal. Why would the Empress and the Imperial Concubine summon him to the palace?

"Yes, Lord Li, I am summoning you to the palace. It is a matter of great importance. I do not know the specifics. Please come with me to the palace immediately."

Li Gang frowned. The emperor and others had already gone on a northern tour, and the empress was in charge of the capital. However, unless there was something important, the empress could not easily summon her ministers to the palace.

This time, not only the Empress, but also the Imperial Concubine wanted to see him at the same time. This situation had never been heard of before!

Moreover, even before Li Gang was demoted, he wasn't considered one of the top civil officials in the court. How could a mere censor be remembered by both the Empress and the Imperial Concubine? Li Gang knew he didn't have that ability.

"Okay! Let's go."

After thinking for a while, Li Gang agreed. In case something serious happened, it would be necessary for him to go to the palace.

"Does Lord Li need to inform the people in his household?"

After seeing that Li Gang had agreed, the people from the Imperial City Guard asked him questions in a more humane way.

"No need, there's no one at home."

Li Gang waved his hand. When he was demoted, he was indeed disheartened, so he sent his family back to their hometown in advance. Now he was all alone in the capital.

"Very well, Lord Li, please."

The Imperial City Guards gestured for Li Gang to mount his horse, and then they rode together into the palace.

"Your humble servant Li Gang greets Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."

As soon as Li Gang entered the palace, he was taken to a side hall where Empress Zheng and Consort Murong were waiting for him.

"Lord Li, I know you are a loyal minister, but due to some misunderstandings with the Emperor, you are temporarily..."

When Empress Zheng saw Li Gang, she did see a unique spirit in this minister. However, perhaps because of the great blow he suffered last time, Li Gang looked more than ten years older. Although he was only in his thirties, he looked like he was in his forties or fifties.

"Your Majesty, both thunder and rain are acts of imperial grace. Your Majesty's decision is something I have no complaints about. For the sake of the Song Dynasty, I am willing to give my life."

Li Gang spoke immediately, before Empress Zheng could even finish.

"Very well, Lord Li, your loyalty to the Song Dynasty is beyond question. I invited you here today because the Song Dynasty has reached a critical moment, even a moment of life and death."

Empress Zheng saw the affection for the Song Dynasty in Li Gang's eyes, and she was certain that Li Gang was indeed a trustworthy person, just as Gao Kan had said.

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty. Li Gang is willing to do anything for the sake of the Song Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Li Gang exclaimed, "The Song Dynasty is at a critical juncture of life and death? That's outrageous!"

“I have received a secret report that Grand Tutor Cai Jing is plotting a rebellion.”

"What?! Grand Tutor?"

Even with Li Gang's sharp mind, he was shocked when he heard that Cai Jing was plotting a rebellion.

"Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. His Majesty is currently on a northern tour with a large army. If chaos breaks out in the capital, the morale of the soldiers at the front will also be thrown into disarray. This news..."

"This news is 90% true."

Empress Zheng nodded solemnly to Li Gang.

"The secret report also said that there are those who want to rebel among the guards of the capital and the imperial city. Lord Li, I hope you can find those people and safeguard the security of the imperial city."

"Your Majesty, why only the capital? I know Cai Jing has already returned to the capital. Why don't we arrest him there?"

Li Gang was somewhat puzzled. To be honest, he had wanted to arrest Cai Jing for a long time.

"Because we can't catch him, Lord Li. The power that Cai Jing controls has exceeded our imagination."

Empress Zheng did not agree to the plan to arrest Cai Jing. Putting aside whether it could succeed, the reason for this was only based on information from Gao Kan.

What if Gao Kan wasn't telling the truth? What would people think if an empress ordered the arrest of a high-ranking official like the Grand Tutor while the emperor was away?

Was it Cai Jing who was going to rebel, or the Empress?

Therefore, Empress Zheng only allowed Li Gang to protect the imperial city.

It has to be said, Li Gang really did it!

On the very day he took over the defense of the imperial city, he did several things in a row.

First, they inspected the grain reserves in the palace and ordered that more be purchased under the guise of a banquet.

Secondly, they inspected the garrison of the imperial city and, in a very short time, identified and detained all suspicious personnel within the Imperial Guard.

Third, a large number of documents related to Cai Jing's crimes were prepared in advance and could be announced to the whole city at any time.

Fourth, they secretly transported important defensive equipment such as arrows, armor, and heavy crossbows from the armory into the imperial city. Although the amount transported was not large, it was enough to last for several months.

Fifth, they continuously sent carrier pigeons in an attempt to notify the border troops to come to the capital to defend the emperor.

These methods were quite effective. At least when Cai Jing obtained the Imperial Seal from Gao Kan and stormed towards the capital, Li Gang's actions gave Cai Jing the cold shoulder!

"You old scoundrel! As long as I, Li Gang, remain in the capital, you can forget about invading!"

These were the words Li Gang said to Cai Jing from the top of the imperial city wall.

Cai Jing was naturally unhappy. He had already obtained the Imperial Seal, which meant he had obtained the Mandate of Heaven. Li Gang, you fool, want to defy the heavens? Then die!

So Cai Jing ordered his subordinates to storm the capital. He promised Gao Kan that he would not let the capital be destroyed or the common people in the capital be harmed, but the capital city did not count, since there were no common people inside the capital city!

Cai Jing originally thought that with the troops under his command, attacking the capital city should be effortless.

Reality dealt him a heavy blow: Li Gang, with the Imperial Guards left to defend the capital, actually managed to hold it and prevent Cai Jing from breaching it!

Li Gang himself went to the city walls to fight the enemy and boost morale, which Cai Jing couldn't help but admire.

Li Gang truly possesses the qualities of a national hero!

In fact, Cai Jing was not entirely helpless against the imperial city. He could have used fire to attack it, but the Bianjing imperial city was extremely magnificent. Emperor Huizong had placed many luxurious items inside for his own enjoyment. Cai Jing would have felt it was a pity if it had been burned down.

With Cai Jing already in control of the rest of the capital, the imperial city became the last territory of the Zhao Song dynasty, and the two sides were deadlocked!

Li Gang's idea was that as long as he could hold out until Zhao Ji returned with his army, Cai Jing's rebellion would definitely fail!

His idea was not wrong, but what he did not know was that Zhao Ji was too incompetent. Not only did he not return victorious, but he even ran back ahead of time!

He never expected that Zhao Ji, who had fled back, would not even dare to attack the capital. Even if there was only the slightest sign of an attack, Li Gang would dare to lead his army out of the capital and join forces with Zhao Ji to attack Cai Jing!

On the city wall of Bianjing, watching Zhao Ji's army head west, Cai Jing also became somewhat anxious.

His trusted confidants in the army had not yet led their troops to the capital to join him. At this moment, he did not have enough troops at his disposal and had no way to go out of the city to pursue him. He could only watch helplessly as Zhao Ji left.

But he knew that if he couldn't completely control the capital, he would be in a very passive position when Zhao Ji returned with his troops next time.

"My lord, why don't we call Gao Kan over and ask him? After all, it was he who suggested using the imperial seal to force someone to abdicate."

A trusted confidant said this to Cai Jing.

Cai Jing thought about it and agreed to the proposal. Anyway, he believed that Gao Kan was a member of Liangshan and would not be loyal to the Song Dynasty. Only when the Song Dynasty fell would Liangshan have a better chance.

"Okay, also, send someone to the gate of the imperial city to challenge them. Tell Li Gang that for the sake of all the people in the city, I want to have a private talk with him."

……