To The Land of Nevernight

Different from the Song Dynasty, the Liao Kingdom was a tribal nomadic country.

The Liao Kingdom consisted of many tribes, and many Liao people were grassland herdsmen grazing everywhere and did not live in the capital all the year round. More than 100 years ago, Liao Taizu established the Liao Kingdom, established the five capitals, learned the Confucian culture of the Han people, and paid attention to "heaven, earth, monarch, relative and teacher".However, the wildness in the Liao people's bones is extremely difficult to change, so they learned the four different images, but it was not ineffective.

The court hall of the Liao Kingdom was divided into north officials and south officials.

The officials in the north are controlled by the nobles of the big tribes, with strict status and hierarchy, and they are self-contained.Most of the officials in the south are officials from small tribes, many of whom are Han Chinese.They are in charge of communicating with Da Song, and they are out of tune with the northern officials.

Tang Shen asked Lu Shen to investigate the situation of Nanmian officials. Lu Shen handled the errand very quickly, and found out the situation within half a month.

As Tang Shen said, the contradiction between officials in the north and officials in the south is an inevitable fundamental contradiction in the court of the Liao Kingdom.In addition, the northern official itself is not a piece of iron.

Lu Shen: "Your Excellency, you should know that most of the officials in the north are nobles from big tribes, with prominent status, and sometimes even the Liao Emperor respects them three points. However, some tribes in the Liao Kingdom disdain nobles for being officials. Many tribes with a long history have never If they don't go out to be Liao officials, they will have great disputes with the northern officials."

Tang Shen asked in surprise, "Is there anything else?"

Lu Shen nodded: "It is true. However, although these tribes are powerful, most of them are relatively old-fashioned and do not contact with the outside world. Moreover, the two largest tribes in Liao Kingdom, one belongs to the royal family of Liao Kingdom, and the other belongs to the Queen's family. Other tribes even Even if you have complaints, you dare not speak up." Without further talking about this matter, Lu Shen stated the results of his investigation these days.

"As your lord said, many of the officials in the south have their own princes who support them. Emperor Liao has four princes in total. The third prince comes from a large tribe, and his mother and concubine are of noble status. Most of the officials in the north support him. The mothers and concubines of the other three princes They all come from ordinary backgrounds. The Liao Emperor's Empress Xiao has no heirs, so the competition among the princes for the throne has been unstoppable in recent years. Among them, most of the Nanmian officials support the second prince, Brother Yelushe."

"Brother Yelushe?"

Lu Shen: "Yes. It is said that the second prince, Yelushege, is the most intelligent son of God in the Liao Kingdom. His mother and concubine are just ordinary little tribal princesses, but he is very fond of the Liao Emperor. Liao people all admire my great Song culture, Study my Confucian classics, but don't tell me, those Liao people are the same as the last generals. They don't know a lot of Confucianism, and they don't necessarily know a few big characters. Only this second prince is very talented. It is said that he is familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, and He is good at poetry and poetry, and he is also good at riding, shooting and hunting, so Emperor Liao likes him very much."

Tang Shen thought for a moment, and said: "Last year when the Liao Kingdom mission came to Shengjing, I had inquired about some news, and I had heard about the second prince of the Liao Kingdom. , he is not a kind person."

Lu Shen: "My lord is right. Brother Yelushe is a ruthless man, but the princes of the Liao Kingdom are not cruel and arrogant. Liao people are a nation on horseback. If they are all like us Song people People will look down on you if you are educated and reasonable." The two talked far away, and Lu Shen returned to the original topic: "Many southern officials support Brother Yelushe, for example, the left minister of Xijin Mansion in Nanjing, he is from the Second Prince's Mansion people."

Lu Shen carefully told the news he found out.

After Lu Shen left, Tang Shen thought carefully for a long time.

There is no doubt that they have boarded Xiao Lu's boat now, and behind Xiao Lu, if there is no accident, there must be a Nanmian official standing there.

The status of officials from the south in the court of the Liao Dynasty was not as good as that from the officials from the north, but because of this, it was possible for them to negotiate with the Han people.If you want to inquire about Liao's intelligence and insert spies, the best way is to instigate rebellion.

Tapping his fingers lightly on the table, Tang Shen closed his eyes and meditated.

So... who should be turned against, and how to turn against him?

Two days passed quickly, Liao merchant Xiao Lu sent someone to send invitations to Qiao Jiu, asking Qiao Jiu to come to the banquet.Now they all live in Xiao Lu's house in the east of the city. This is an elegant and quiet place, far away from the noisy city, very suitable for recuperating.

Qiao Jiu came to Tang Shen's house before leaving, and asked Tang Shen if he wanted to follow.

In the past, Tang Shen would have chosen to attend the banquet as Qiao Jiu's son.But this time he hesitated for a moment, and said: "I won't go. Qiao Jiu, you should carefully pay attention to the identities of everyone at the banquet. But don't go out of line. Remember, you are just a wealthy Song Dynasty tea merchant."

Qiao Jiu said again and again: "I understand."

At night, a strong wind blew up in Xijin Mansion.

The yellow sand all over the sky rushed towards the face, hitting the Populus euphratica tree, making a rough friction sound.Qiao Jiu put on a felt hat popular in the Liao Kingdom, dressed in Liao costumes, and brought a few packs of first-grade Biluochun tea leaves, and went to the banquet against the wind and sand.

When Qiao Jiu arrived at Xiao's mansion, he didn't see Xiao Lu. He was led by a servant to the banquet hall.

The tables and chairs were set up early in the banquet hall. Qiao Jiu's status was too low, so he was placed in the bottom right seat.Qiao Jiu sat down excitedly with a grateful expression on her face.Just as he stretched his neck, he quickly retracted it, as if he was full of curiosity about the banquet, but he was too frightened to look around.

No one around noticed Qiao Jiu, but he still performed this one-man show to avoid mistakes.

After waiting for half an hour, Xiao Lu came late.With an apologetic smile on his face, he followed behind a Liao official with a big belly, and sent the Liao official to his seat.After the Liao official allowed the banquet to begin, Xiao Lu said, "Let's serve." The kitchen brought up plates of roast lamb and roast beef.

From the beginning to the end, Qiao Jiu couldn't say a word to Xiao Lu. He sat awkwardly in the bottom seat and ate food alone.

An hour later, the banquet was over, Xiao Lu sent off the Liao official first, and then found Qiao Jiu.As soon as we met, Xiao Lu said guiltily: "Brother Qiao, I was really too busy just now, so I couldn't take care of you. Don't blame me." After saying that, Xiao Lu wanted to imitate the etiquette of the people of Song Dynasty to Qiao Jiu. Bowing and apologizing.

How could Qiao Jiu let him salute himself, he hurriedly raised Xiao Lu's hands, and said: "How can Mr. Xiao say that, to be able to come to this banquet and meet so many great people is already the merit of my ancestors, Qiao Jiu!" Tonight, I really gained my knowledge. To be honest, since Qiao came to Xijin Manor to do business, he also did some research. The lord sitting in the upper seat tonight is Lord Xiao Zhenxiao?"

Xiao Lu smiled slightly, unable to conceal the pride in his expression: "It is Mr. Xiao Zhen, the political affairs officer of Zuo Pingzhang of Xijin Mansion."

Qiao Jiu opened her eyes wide: "It's really Master Xiao!"

Xiao Lu said with a smile: "Master Xiao and I are some distant relatives, and I have often been taken care of by adults over the years."

Qiao Jiu kept nodding, he understood Xiao Lu's meaning, the two looked at each other and smiled, it was self-evident.

Qiao Jiu also didn't expect that Xiao Lu's backstage was Xiao Zhen, the political affairs officer of Zuo Pingzhang in Xijin Mansion!

The Xijin Mansion has separate offices for the left and right ministers. The officials with the highest rank and the greatest power in the Xijin Mansion are the left and right ministers, and below that are the left and right ministers.No wonder Xiao Lu heard that Qiao Jiu was plotted by Yeluqi and all the tea goods were seized, so he calmed down and said that he could help Qiao Jiu to solve this matter because he had such a strong background!

Xiao Lu personally sent Qiao Jiu out, and asked a servant to bring back a box of medicine for Qiao Jiu, saying that it was very good for external injuries.

When sending Qiao Jiu out, Xiao Lu lowered his voice and said to him in a low voice, "I'm going to have a fight with brother Qiao, and I won't keep it from you. In five days, a big man will come to Xijin Mansion. This is a big deal." For business, my younger brother can only invite that lord to entertain that lord through his relationship with Lord Xiao. The tea in the Song Dynasty has always been loved by nobles and high-ranking officials. At that time, Brother Qiao, don’t say that my younger brother didn’t remind you.”

Qiao Jiu was shocked when he heard this, "Mr. Xiao, you..."

Xiao Lu patted his hand and said with a smile, "Don't worry, if we have business, let's make money together."

Qiao Jiu was overjoyed, and left Xiao's residence in a nonchalant manner.

Watching Qiao Jiu's back, Xiao Lu's smile gradually faded.He called the servant: "This Qiao Jiu came alone, didn't he bring anyone else with him?"

The boy shook his head and said, "He came alone."

Xiao Lu frowned: "Alone..."

Mr. Xiao Lu's most trusted accountant stuck to his ear and said, "Although that lord likes men, what he hates the most is others flattering him. Originally, sir, he wanted to borrow Qiao Jiu's handsome son to invite that lord Come to the house for a banquet, but now that the adult has agreed to come, there is no need for us to present Qiao Jiu’s son. First of all, if you offend Qiao Jiu, you will definitely not be able to do business in the future; If you don’t like this mouthful, you have to blame us.”

Xiao Lv nodded: "You're right. I heard that two years ago an official gave that lord a 'gift' and was severely scolded by the lord. The 'gift' was cut in half on the spot, and the 'gift' Officials were also removed from their posts."

Mr. Accountant: "Just let nature take its course."

Xiao Lu said with lingering fear: "Then let's not speculate on the minds of the big men."

At this time, Tang Shen didn't know that he was a dignified scholar, a fourth-rank court official in the Song Dynasty, and was almost given away as a gift!

Even Zhao Fu didn't dare to do the thing of giving away a senior official of the fourth rank, for he was afraid that it would be recorded in the annals of history, and his reputation would last forever.But now, a small Liao businessman dared to think this way.

Leaving aside this matter for now, after Qiao Jiu returned, he told Tang Shen everything he had seen and heard.

Tang Shen was surprised and said: "I didn't expect Zuo Pingzhang to be behind him. This is not a small official. If you stomp your feet in Xijin Mansion, Xijin Mansion will tremble three times. As for the fact that you said that you will come in five days big shot at..."

After thinking for a long time, Tang Shen said: "I won't go back to Youzhou for the time being. After five days, Su Wenyun must not be here yet. You are alone in Xijin Mansion. I'm afraid you can't handle this well. I'll go back to Youzhou after this matter is over. state."

Qiao Jiu: "Listen to your lord's orders."

Five days later, Xiao Lv sent another invitation to the house.This time he actually sent two invitations. Qiao Jiu was quite surprised when he accepted the invitations. He asked the boy who delivered the invitations: "Little brother, why did Mr. Xiao send two invitations?"

The boy said: "Sir, you have just been injured and your body is inconvenient. If necessary, you can bring someone to accompany you to the banquet."

Qiao Jiu and the boy spoke in Liao, and Tang Shen couldn't understand them.After the boy left, Tang Shen asked Qiao Jiu, and after receiving Qiao Jiu's answer, Tang Shen frowned and said, "This second invitation is for me."

Qiao Jiu asked doubtfully: "The last time I went to a banquet, Xiao Lu didn't give two invitations, why did I give two this time. Sir, do you want to go to the banquet with me?"

This is a good opportunity, Tang Shen also hesitated.

After thinking for a long time, Tang Shen called Lu Shen in the afternoon: "Go and find out who Xiao Lu is going to have a banquet tonight."

As the evening approached, Lu Shen hurriedly returned to the house, and reported to Tang Shen: "If you return to my lord, I will not find out who Xiao Lu invited to the banquet, but I will find out a piece of news. This morning, Liao Kingdom's All the palaces have deployed Yeluqin to analyze the Tianjin Mansion!"

Tang Shen was taken aback suddenly: "Who are you talking about?"

"Yeluqin is deployed in all the palaces of the Liao Kingdom."

"..."

Tang Shen burst out laughing, and he sighed, "This is really a narrow road to Yuanjia!"

Half a year ago, Tang Shen, as an envoy of the Great Song Dynasty, received the Liao State Mission.Among the missions of the Liao Kingdom at that time, the Nanmian official with the highest official position was Yeluqin who was deployed in the palace.Tang Shen didn't expect that he and Yeluqin would have such a bad relationship, he came all the way to Xijin Mansion, and he could still run into each other.

"It's impossible to go now."

Tang Shen approached Qiao Jiu: "Tomorrow, I will return to Youzhou. You must act cautiously tonight. Yeluqin is my old acquaintance. He is different from other Liao officials. He is insidious and cunning. You should be more careful."