Chapter 106: Everyone Is Playing Mind Games

Page (1/3)

“Your Majesty, wonderful news! Wonderful news!”

Amid his hollow wails, Liang Shicheng came tumbling into Emperor Huizong’s imperial study.

Emperor Huizong had been in a foul mood lately, for the reason, naturally, was still Zhao Yu. He had long since abandoned all hope of tricking the boy into returning and was now focused entirely on how to have him killed.

The disorder in Jiangnan had not troubled him nearly so much.

For that reason, Emperor Huizong had already issued an imperial decree: anyone who captured Zhao Yu alive would be promoted three ranks and rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver; anyone who slew him in battle would be ennobled.

Unfortunately, although the decree had been issued, not a single piece of news had arrived that could cheer him.

Seeing Liang Shicheng in such a disheveled state, he frowned and said, “What kind of conduct is this, rushing about in such a panic?”

“Your Majesty, forgive this old servant for losing his composure. This is the battle report just sent from Taiyuan. Liu Wenguang defeated Zhao Yu’s attempted surprise attack and slew several thousand Liao troops!”

As he spoke, Liang Shicheng hurriedly handed Emperor Huizong the memorial Liu Wenguang had sent. In truth, this was the second battle report. The first, concerning Han Shizhong’s collusion with Zhao Yu to deceive the court and obtain provisions, had been suppressed by Liang Shicheng.

Liu Wenguang was Wang Fu’s direct subordinate, and half the silver he sent flowed into Liang Shicheng’s purse. Thus, Liu Wenguang could not afford to suffer any misfortune.

Everyone at court now knew why the emperor was angry. If this matter were exposed, no one would likely be able to protect Liu Wenguang.

Liang Shicheng had been wondering how to help Liu Wenguang cover up his lie when the second report arrived in quick succession.

After reading its contents, Liang Shicheng was overjoyed. Without giving a thought to whether the report contained any exaggeration, he hurriedly carried it to Emperor Huizong.

No one understood Emperor Huizong better than Liang Shicheng. After taking the report and reading it several times, the emperor’s face lit up with delight.

He slammed his palm onto the desk. “What a Liu Wenguang! Who would have thought that a mere scholar could possess such ability? I must commend him—reward him handsomely. And wait, was he recommended by Wang Fu? Good! Wang Fu has shown true discernment and must be rewarded as well. Tell him that if he can capture that rebellious son of mine, I will ennoble him.”

After suffering through several days of gloom, Emperor Huizong had finally received some good news. He was almost incoherent with excitement.

Liang Shicheng smiled. “Wang Fu may have rendered a minor service, but ultimately it is Your Majesty who recognizes talent and appoints men according to their abilities. This old servant believes that, since Liu Wenguang possesses such skill, it would not be amiss to entrust him with a more important task.”

At that point Liang Shicheng fell silent, for the rest was best left to the emperor’s own imagination.

Page (1/3)

Page (2/3)

Huizong nodded. “Issue the decree. Promote Liu Wenguang to Military Governor of the Xingping Army, grant him the rank equivalent to the Three Ministers, and place him in overall command of all matters concerning the campaign against the Liao.”

The dream of recovering the lands of Yan and Yun had never left the emperors of Great Song. Yet no minister had ever been granted such sweeping authority. To place Liu Wenguang in overall command of the campaign against the Liao was tantamount to handing him control of every matter along the frontier.

As they were speaking, Zhao Kai entered at a brisk stride.

“Congratulations, Imperial Father! My felicitations!”

Emperor Huizong was in high spirits because of Liu Wenguang’s success. Hearing that his son had yet more good news, he stroked his beard and smiled. “There is no need to hurry, my son. Tell me everything slowly.”

Zhao Kai knelt properly and kowtowed before speaking with a smile. “I have just received word that Zhao Yu has been abandoned by the Liao emperor and sent to Jin to offer condolences for Aguda’s death. That is the first piece of good news. There is more: word has arrived from Yangzhou that Song Jiang’s naval forces have decisively defeated Fang La’s rebel army at Hangzhou. Fang La’s forces have now retreated into Hangzhou, and it should not be long before the city falls.”

“Hahaha… Heaven itself truly favors Great Song!”

Upon hearing his son’s words, Emperor Huizong threw back his head and laughed. Taken together, these reports exhilarated him more than several doses of immortality pills.

Zhao Kai was clearly not finished. “Imperial Father, should we inform Jin and have Zhao Yu extradited to our court?”

“If you had not mentioned it, I would nearly have forgotten. Go at once in my name and summon the Jin envoy…”

As he spoke, Huizong cast Zhao Kai a meaningful glance. He did not say anything outright, but the murderous intent in his eyes was more than enough to make his wishes clear.

Liang Shicheng shuddered inwardly. Even a tiger did not devour its own cubs. This old monster truly had a black heart. But the Third Prince was plainly no good person either. Come to think of it, the Crown Prince was still the most honest and decent of them all.

No one questioned where Zhao Kai had obtained so many reports. Liang Shicheng knew that Emperor Huizong entrusted many secret affairs to Zhao Kai.

No, this would not do. He could not allow that fellow to become so arrogant…

Seeing Zhao Kai turn and stride away, Liang Shicheng hurriedly said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Commander Tong’s forces have already reached Jiangnan. A campaign to storm the strongholds must still be entrusted to the imperial army.”

Hearing the sinister note in Liang Shicheng’s voice, Emperor Huizong paused briefly before grasping his meaning.

Indeed. Song Jiang and his men were, after all, a band of bandits who had accepted imperial amnesty. If they grew too powerful through this campaign, they could easily become an entrenched threat that the court could no longer control.

With that thought, he nodded slightly. “Issue my decree at once. Place Song Jiang’s forces under Tong Guan’s command and have Tong Guan take unified responsibility for suppressing the bandits.”

Page (2/3)

Page (3/3)

“This old servant obeys!”

Emperor Huizong failed to notice the faint smile of triumph that flickered across Liang Shicheng’s lowered, aged face.

The imperial court was a jianghu of its own; thus, to a great extent, Great Song’s defeat lay in precisely this kind of intrigue and infighting.

At that moment, another hollow wail came from outside the imperial study.

“Your Majesty, you must stand up for this old servant!”

Emperor Huizong was startled, for he recognized Li Yan’s voice. Sure enough, before he could summon Li Yan inside, the man had already hurried in and thrown himself to the floor, crying and howling.

Liang Shicheng had been about to draft the imperial decree, but seeing Li Yan in such a state, he stopped as well, unable to suppress his curiosity.

“Your Majesty must give this old servant justice! Wang Fu sent men to rob me. It happened once before, and I never expected that his criminal heart had not changed. He has actually committed such an outrageous deed yet again!”

After hearing Li Yan’s lament, both Huizong and Liang Shicheng were stunned. They exchanged a glance, and the same thought arose in both their minds: Had Li Yan been drinking?

Wang Fu was a grand councilor of the empire. Why would he rob you?

Then Huizong suddenly recalled the scene of Zhao Yu beating Wang Fu before leaving the capital. Afterward, once he had learned the details, even he had felt that the bastard Wang Fu had deserved the beating. Could it be that the old fellow had once again invited a thrashing?

Li Yan’s household really had been robbed again—this time by Zhao Yu’s subordinates, Liu Heizi and the others.

Li Yan had swallowed all the profits from the ball games. Zhao Yu had had no time to concern himself with the matter, but his brothers under him had not been willing to let it pass.

They had not only emptied Li Yan’s savings once more, but had deliberately lured the guards protecting his residence to Wang Fu’s home.

When Li Yan received the report and heard that Wang Fu was involved again, old grudges and new hatred surged through him. He had immediately run to the emperor to make a complaint.

Before Emperor Huizong could decide how to resolve the matter, a young palace eunuch entered from outside. After approaching the emperor, he leaned close and said softly, “Your Majesty, Kaifeng Prefecture reports that Miss Shishi has been concealing fugitives from the jianghu. They have already sent men to surround her residence.”

At this report, Huizong’s brows immediately drew together in displeasure. He had once suspected that Li Shishi and Zhao Yu shared an improper relationship, but after thinking it over, he had decided that it was unlikely, given Zhao Yu’s age. Li Shishi had also denied it vehemently, and because he coveted her beauty, the matter had ultimately been allowed to fade away.

Thus, when he heard that Kaifeng Prefecture intended to arrest the people at Li Shishi’s residence, he was instantly displeased…