Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"Old Tong, what's your decision?"

Ren Yuan looked at Tong Guan.

"You're pushing me!"

Tong Guan looked at Ren Yuan.

"I never expected that Ren Yuan, who is known for his loyalty and righteousness, would also have such methods."

“I only do this depending on the person. For you, this approach is quite appropriate.”

Ren Yuan said with a smile.

"You mean that after I go back this time, I'll take over the defenses of Tokyo, right?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

Ren Yuan nodded.

"Anyway, after this major defeat, it's probably not going to be easy for you, Tong Guan, to continue to exert influence in the Privy Council."

"So, instead of waiting for Zhao Ji to demote you to a troublesome place, you might as well prepare in advance, stay in the capital, and be in charge of guarding the gate."

Tong Guan sneered upon hearing this.

"You have a good plan. I'll guard the gate, and when you attack, I'll open the gate for you, and you can easily take Bianjing."

"When you become the ruler of the world, what about me? How will history record my story?"

"Will they write that I, Tong Guan, surrendered voluntarily, letting the enemy into the house? And then nail me to the pillar of shame for the rest of my life?"

"Then what am I after?"

Tong Guan looked at Ren Yuan.

"Ren Yuan, a person like me values ​​a good reputation above all else. If I lose even that, what's the point of my life?"

"Tong Guan, you're right."

Ren Yuan nodded in agreement, then asked in return:

"But what makes you think that opening the city gates to my Liangshan army will bring you eternal infamy?"

"That's obvious, unless you..."

Tong Guan originally wanted to say that unless Ren Yuan wanted to change the dynasty, he was about to say that Ren Yuan was being delusional. But then he thought about it again and realized that Ren Yuan did indeed want to change the dynasty!

Given Liangshan's current strength, even if Tong Guan had confidence in the Song Dynasty, he had to admit that Liangshan had the ability to compete with the Song Dynasty.

"Tong Guan, you should be able to guess what we're going to do, right?"

Ren Yuan looked at Tong Guan and said in a serious tone:

"Why do you think opening the city gates for me is a disgrace? Can't it be considered a meritorious act of supporting the emperor?"

"The merit of following the dragon?"

Tong Guan squinted at Ren Yuan.

"You will grant me the merit of serving the emperor?"

"That depends on your performance."

Ren Yuan said, "Tong Guan, you want a good reputation? Sure, we'll see how you perform."

"Okay, I promise you."

After thinking for a long time, Tong Guan agreed to Ren Yuan's request.

"Huh? You agree?"

Ren Yuan was taken aback; he hadn't expected Tong Guan to agree so readily.

What else can I do if I disagree?

Tong Guan looked at Ren Yuan:

"Do I still have a choice?"

“Chief Ren has cut off all my escape routes.”

"Tong is still sensible enough to know when to back down."

"Excellent! Brother Xiao Rang."

Ren Yuan was very satisfied. Tong Guan was pragmatic, and being pragmatic meant there was a possibility of continued communication. So Ren Yuan directly summoned Xiao Rang.

"Brother, I'm here."

Xiao Rang stepped out from the crowd and bowed to Ren Yuan.

"Brother, I'll have to trouble you to draft a document outlining the cooperation between Lord Tong and Liangshan. Then, Lord Tong needs to sign and affix his seal to it. Make two copies, one for Liangshan and one for Lord Tong."

"Brother, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

Xiao Rang nodded, then gestured for the junior officer to bring out the writing implements. He immediately picked up his brush and began writing the document.

"Ren Yuan, is this a sign that you don't trust me?"

Tong Guan was speechless. He still wanted to sign and put his fingerprint on the document. Had Liangshan become addicted to signing and putting his fingerprint on documents?

"Look at what you're saying. We're just following the rules. With these, we can prove that we have a fair and aboveboard cooperative relationship, right, Privy Councilor Tong?"

"Hmph, whatever you say."

Tong Guan didn't say much. After all, Liangshan had something on him, and in order to have a good reputation in the future, Tong Guan had no choice but to cooperate with Liangshan.

Soon, Xiao Rang finished writing the document and handed it to Ren Yuan and Tong Guan.

"Good word!"

Upon seeing the document, Tong Guan couldn't help but praise Xiao Rang, surprised that someone in this bandit's den could write so beautifully!

"Prime Minister Tong, stop praising my words and hurry up and sign the document."

Ren Yuan quickly gestured for Tong Guan to sign, to stop dawdling.

Tong Guan rolled his eyes at Ren Yuan, said nothing more, and signed the document.

"By the way, now that we're together, we should be on the same boat, right? What about Feng Mei and Bi Sheng..."

So far, Tong Guan's only concern is Feng Mei and Bi Sheng, who just witnessed their actions.

If it were anyone else, that would be one thing; they could just be killed. But Feng Mei and Bi Sheng were Tong Guan's most trusted confidants who had always been by his side!

Even if Tong Guan were asked to kill these two people, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Don't worry, these two people will not appear in the imperial court's sights again before I conquer Tokyo."

"it is good……"

Tong Guan said, "If you, Ren Yuan, know what you're doing, then I'm relieved."

"Ren Yuan, remember this: you promised me that you would make me a name in history!"

Tong Guan stared at Ren Yuan and said very seriously.

"Tong Guan, don't worry. When the time comes, you will only be rewarded for opening the gates of Liangshan. There will be no blame."

Ren Yuan was not wrong, because Bianjing, as the most prosperous city in the world during the Northern Song Dynasty, was the most regrettable ancient capital in Chinese history.

Why do we say this? Because during the Jingkang Incident, the prosperous city of Bianjing was destroyed by war. Not only did the people in the city suffer heavy casualties, but at least 80% of the city's buildings were also destroyed.

Therefore, Zhao Ji was truly a disgrace in Chinese history!

If Tong Guan were willing to open the city gates for Ren Yuan, then Bianjing City could be preserved intact, all kinds of buildings could be preserved, and the casualties of the people would be minimized!

In that case, Tong Guan truly deserves immense merit! He is worthy of being recorded in history!

After all, there was someone in later generations who did the same thing, wouldn't you agree, Li Jinglong?

"Okay, then I will believe you once!"

Tong Guan's goal was to leave himself a good reputation. Although he was a eunuch, he hoped to be remembered for generations, so he would gamble whenever he had the chance!

This is why, in the original history, he insisted on taking back the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun—it was all for the sake of being made a king!

"Oh, right, Privy Councilor Tong, you still have to do me a favor."

Ren Yuan suddenly thought of something, and he called out to Tong Guan, his tone becoming slightly more polite.

"Chief Ren actually needs my help?"

Tong Guan also noticed the change in Ren Yuan's tone and teased him about it.

"Well, this is a busy matter. How should I put it, Lao Tong, you still need to help me get someone sorted out."

"Take care of one person? Ren Yuan, you're not asking me to assassinate the emperor directly, are you?"

Tong Guan looked at Ren Yuan. If Ren Yuan dared to say such a thing, he would risk his life to immediately sever all ties with Liangshan.

Just kidding. Opening the city gates could be explained, but assassinating the emperor directly is absolutely unforgivable!

"No, it has nothing to do with Zhao Ji. You just need to help me get one of your people sorted out..."