Zhao Defang's road to the virtuous king

In the same month, the imperial court issued an edict: punishing criminals, the law is clear, but there are those who do not obey the law to torture and extract confessions, and now order the state governments to destroy all torture instruments.

In November, the Liao Kingdom sent envoys Zuo Lingjun, General Wei Yeluyuan, Zhaode Jiedu Envoy Yeluxieli, deputy envoy Zuo Weiwei, General Li Cong, and Shaojian Li Cao to the capital of Song Dynasty to celebrate Chengtian Festival (Zhenzong's birthday) .

The custom of the Liao state is the most important meat food, among which the wild raccoons obtained from the soil are the most precious, and they are often presented to the Lord, so they brought a few of them, made them drink goat milk, and asked the cook to make Tibetan food to present to Zhenzong, Zhenzong agreed, and the banquet On top of that, Zhenzong tasted them, and asked for those with the best taste. The Liao envoy was very pleased to see this.

After the banquet was over, Liao envoy Yeluyuan went to Defang and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for a long time, I wonder if everything is alright?"

Defang replied, "Tofu, everything is fine. This time, General Yelu sent Song to congratulate me on the birthday of Lord Song. You have worked hard all the way."

"The land of the Song Dynasty is rich and beautiful, and the road is flat. How can you work so hard, hehehe." Yeluyuan smiled.

"The envoys of the Liao Dynasty are serious. The envoys are our distinguished guests. It is right to receive them well. If you are dissatisfied with the envoys of the Liao Dynasty, please forgive me."

"Where is the prince talking, no, no, hahaha" Yeluyuan said, "My lord, but there is something I would like to ask the lord to clarify."

"Oh? What do you want to explain?"

"I lived in the post house last night, but I heard the sound of drums every day. I asked the waiters on the left and right, and the answer was that there was a comedian theater, and there was a banquet in the village. However, I heard a different sound. Dare to ask the prince, do you practice battle formation?"

Defang had already prepared for hearing this, and wished to come earlier. The post attendants had reported the matter to Zhenzong. Zhenzong told Defang and Wang Dan that they might as well tell the truth. Show that there is no idleness in him.

So Defang said, "The attendants of the post station don't know what's going on outside the post station. This is the daily practice of our imperial guards in the capital. We read it every three days. It's a competition of officers' martial arts. It's not a matter of practicing formation."

"I see." The Liao envoy nodded, and Defang smiled, "If the Liao envoy is interested, why not come to the imperial army tomorrow to watch their competition?"

"No, no, my lord's kindness will be appreciated. This mission is to celebrate Lord Song's birthday. Lord Song treats each other with sincerity. I will be very grateful."

Defang and Yeluyuan were talking, Zhou Huaizheng came over, called Baili to say a few words, Baili approached Defang and said, "My lord, Your Majesty has something important to call."

Defang nodded, and said to Yeluyuan, "The envoy of Liao has worked hard all the way, and I'm afraid he will be tired after the banquet. It's better to go back to the posthouse to rest earlier, and tomorrow the lonely king will accompany you all to have a drink."

"Okay!" Yelu Yuan cupped his hands, "I'm going to have a drink with the prince tomorrow!"

After Yeluyuan left, Defang rushed to the Chongzheng Palace, and Wang Dan followed, Defang asked, "Your Majesty, what is the urgent matter to summon the minister and the other two?"

"Dangxiang Li Deming sent someone to submit a report, saying that he wanted to borrow [-] hu from the Great Song Dynasty." Zhenzong frowned in displeasure and said, "The matter of borrowing money from the Liao Kingdom has just been resolved, and the Dangxiang is provoking again! For this reason, Dangxiang directly opened his mouth to ask for food. They think that I, Da Song, can be easily bullied! It's really hateful!"

"Your Majesty" Defang said, "I heard that Li Deming has recruited a lot of horse troops in the past two years, and his combat power cannot be underestimated. Even the Liao Kingdom has increased garrison troops on the border, but Li Deming has already surrendered to our court. It should be an excuse for him to want me to send troops to invade the country."

"Then fight!" Zhenzong was very angry, "These foreigners! The more you treat them kindly, the more they will deceive you! Now that the Liao Kingdom has an alliance with our Song Dynasty, they have nothing to gain, so they provoke our court! No Show him how powerful he really thinks that I, Da Song, are easy to bully!"