Reborn in Liangshan: I built the strongest lineup

"So it's Lord Gao! I've heard so much about you! I've heard so much about you!"

Upon hearing Gao Kan's self-introduction, Ma Zhi quickly bowed and greeted him.

He knew about the Privy Council. The position of Signatory was only one step away from that of Privy Councilor or Deputy Privy Councilor. This young man, Gao, had managed to reach this position, so he must be a person with great favor from the Emperor.

If he could build a good relationship with this kind of person, Ma Zhi felt that his plan would be more than half successful!

“Envoy Ma, that’s not very nice of you. What great name do I have that you’ve heard of me? It’s fate that we’ve met, and fate makes us friends. Friends don’t need to be so polite!”

Gao Kan deliberately put on a stern face and said.

"That's right, that's right. It's my good fortune to be friends with Lord Gao. But Lord Gao, I'm not just making this up. When I was in Liao, I actually heard of the name of Lord Gao from the Song Dynasty. I just subconsciously thought it was you."

Ma Zhi wasn't just talking nonsense. He had heard of the name Gao Qiu before. Gao Qiu had a very good relationship with the Zhao Song emperor and was the emperor's absolute confidant!

Then, for some reason, I suddenly stopped receiving messages.

"What's the name of the person you're talking about?"

Gao Kan asked.

"That official's name is Gao Qiu."

Ma Zhi glanced at Gao Kan, then continued:

"Lord Gao, you also have the surname Gao, so Lord Gao Qiu is yours..."

"It's my father."

Gao Kan directly admitted it.

"I knew it! You can't write two 'high' characters in one stroke! To become a signatory at such a young age, you must have received the true teachings of your father! I just wonder what your father is like now..."

"My father has passed away..."

Gao Kan calmly replied that Gao Qiu had indeed been dead for a long time.

"Oh? My condolences, sir!"

Ma Zhi had originally planned to flatter Gao Qiu, but he never expected that Gao Qiu was already gone!

"It's alright, it's all in the past. I am able to have this position now entirely because of my father's legacy and His Majesty's appreciation. This is a happy thing. Come! Envoy Ma, let's have a drink!"

Gao Kan skipped over Gao Qiu's affairs and went straight to drinking with Ma Zhi.

"Okay, let's drink!"

Ma Zhi assumed that Gao Kan was reluctant to talk about his deceased father, so he stopped talking about Gao Qiu and instead drank with Gao Kan.

Once you start drinking, you can talk about many things, especially since Gao Kan is good at persuading people to drink. In just a short while, he got Ma Zhi completely drunk.

"Envoy Ma, what brings you here after such a long journey?"

After a few rounds of drinks, Gao Kan spoke first.

"Lord Gao, the Wolf Lord does indeed have something he wants me to find out."

Ma Zhi put down his wine glass, trying to shake off the drunkenness on his face, and said seriously.

"Go ahead, go ahead. By the way, can you tell me? If you can't, then pretend I didn't ask."

One second Gao Kan looked like he was trying to find out something, but the next second he suddenly said, "If it's something I can't ask, then I won't ask."

“Yes, sir! We hit it off immediately! There’s nothing we can’t talk about!”

Ma Zhi said, "Others may not be able to do it, but you, Gao Kan, can!"

"My lord, you are a favorite of the Emperor, you should know about all the big and small things happening in the Song Dynasty."

"It's alright. I wouldn't say I know everything, but there's a good chance it'll be fine most of the time."

Gao Kan nodded. He could roughly guess what Ma Zhi had come for, but he couldn't show it too obviously.

"Then I'll ask you directly, sir. A group of Song people suddenly appeared in Liao territory recently and captured the Liao capital, Kaifeng. Are you aware of this, sir?"

I know, of course I know! It was my prince who did it! I even added two extra dishes to celebrate when I found out.

Although Gao Kan cheered for the news in his heart, he still put on a surprised expression on the surface.

"What? The capital of Liao has been captured?"

"When did this happen? Was it really done by the Song people?"

"Wait, you're not kidding me, are you?"

Not only should you be shocked, but you should be shocked in a very effective way. Gao Kan's triple shock at once is a perfect example!

"Hmm... Before I came, although the Wolf Lord's side was not sure about the identities of these people, it should be correct."

At the very least, Ma Zhi believed it!

"What a brave man! If he really is from the Song Dynasty, that would be wonderful!"

Gao Kan performed with great enthusiasm, and he even slammed his hand on the table to express his excitement.

"Back then, when Yan and Yun were lost, countless Song soldiers dreamed of taking them back!"

"I never expected that Yan Yun wouldn't return, but Liaoyang has! Haha, God bless the Song Dynasty! God bless the Song Dynasty!"

See? This is what professionalism looks like!

Gao Kan's performance deserves a perfect 9 out of 10!

Looking at Gao Kan's appearance, Ma Zhi suddenly felt very gratified!

My path is not alone!

"Oh, I'm sorry, Brother Ma, I didn't mean what you said. Well, how should I put it... as a Song official, anyone would be just as excited upon hearing this."

Gao Kan had been watching Ma Zhi's reaction out of the corner of his eye, and his final words made his character even more believable.

"Brother Gao, you've misunderstood, you've misunderstood."

Ma Zhi quickly offered an explanation.

"Actually, I was quite happy that Liaoyang was captured."

Ma Zhi had just had a mental struggle, but in the end, he convinced himself to trust the young man in front of him.

Because this young man is a favorite of the emperor, as long as one can get along well with him, one can also have a say in the emperor's affairs.

Judging from what this young man said, he must be very loyal to the Song Dynasty. Maybe I can try to join forces with him! It might have a surprising effect.

If I'm wrong, it doesn't matter, since this person doesn't have any real evidence and can't report me to the Liao Kingdom.

"You're happy too?"

Gao Kan feigned confusion.

“Brother Ma, although we haven’t known each other for long, I’ve always thought you were a kind and honest man, loyal to the emperor even though you’re paid by him.”

"Aren't you working for the Liao Kingdom? How can you be happy about this?"

"Could it be that you, Brother Ma, are the kind of person who betrays his own side? Then let's pretend we never met today! I, Gao Kan, will pretend I don't know you! Consider this dish a gift!"

To go all out of the act, Gao Kan put down his cup and prepared to get up!

Ma Zhi panicked. "No, how could you misunderstand me as that kind of person?"

He quickly got up and stopped Gao Kan!

"Brother Gao! Brother Gao! Listen to me, things aren't what you think!"

"Although I, Ma Zhi, serve in the Liao Kingdom, I am a Song person at heart!"

"I have never had the thought of betraying my own people; my heart is filled with nothing but the Song Dynasty!"

???

This really surprised Gao Kan.

No, are you a spy too?

Did the Song Dynasty still have spies hidden in the Liao Dynasty for so long?

"Brother Gao, my body is in the Liao camp but my heart is with the Song! I plan to bide my time and then help the Song Dynasty destroy the Liao Kingdom at the crucial moment!"

"Brother Gao! Believe me! I really am against Liao!"

……