The sun sets and the moon rises, the sky and the earth are dark. At this time, the hunting teams finally stopped, and soon bonfires lit up in the dark wilderness. The flickering firelight complemented the stars in the sky, which was quite natural.
This was already the fifth day after they left Youzhou City. Two to three thousand troops had already dispersed in pursuit of prey. Only Tong Guan and other Song envoys and the troops from Yelu Xiongge were still moving together. It was thanks to the Khitan people under Xiongge that they were able to make all the arrangements for tonight's food and accommodation in a short period of time.
On top of the blazing bonfire, newly killed prey has been placed on the shelf, including hares, roe deer, and even some wolves that were specially sought out. All the meat was carefully After being washed and cut, it was being grilled sizzlingly, with oil dripping constantly. While the aroma was permeating the meat, the meat also became brown and attractive.
Sun Tu and Lu Dawusong gathered in front of a deer that was about to be roasted, drinking and talking while waiting for the meat to be completely roasted. Looking at the Khitan people who were just a few steps away from them, who were also laughing and drinking, and even singing loudly and dancing, the faces of these Song soldiers no longer had the previous vigilance and hostility on their faces, instead they looked like they had a heartfelt expression. happy smile.
Even those who are aggressive like Luda sighed after taking a big gulp of wine: "After getting along with each other for the past few days, the Sa family realized that the Liao people are not as vicious as they thought in the past. In fact, they also fight."
Sun Tu took a sip of wine and chuckled: "This is human nature. Regardless of Han people or Khitan people, most of them just want to survive and have food and clothing, or to make themselves and their families live a better life." It’s just easier. The so-called war is just a small number of people driving the vast majority of people to fight desperately for their own ambitions and interests, and in the end, they are the only ones who really benefit."
"Thinking about it this way, God is really unfair!" Wu Song said with some resentment.
"It is indeed unfair, but this is the reality. Since you and I are in this world, there are some things that you and I cannot avoid if we want to. Unless one day we can also become the people who control the fate of most people, maybe we can change this injustice The way of the world." Sun Tu said, and found that the venison in front of him had been roasted, so he cut off a piece with a knife, sprinkled some salt on it, chewed and swallowed it, and then said: "Actually, there are rules to follow in the way of the world. It’s just the jungle of the jungle!”
"It's a good saying that the weak prey on the strong. Sun Dujian really revealed the true meaning with just one sentence." A gentle voice sounded from the side at the right time. Everyone turned around and saw Tong Guanzheng and Yelu Xiongge walking side by side. Behind them, He followed more than a dozen guards, including the two guards who had always been with Tong Guan. The one who said this was Yelu Xiongge, who was looking at Sun Tu with admiration.
Sun Tu and others quickly stood up to greet them. I don’t know what the purpose was, but Yelu Xiongge has been accompanying them since they met. Every day at night, he would entertain these Song envoys warmly, which was better than the reception they received in Youzhou City before. Tong Guan did not refuse his approach, and the two of them got along quite harmoniously in the past few days.
After combining these two
After being asked to sit down by the bonfire, Sun Tucai smiled and said: "Xiaguan just had a random thought and said it casually. But I also agree with what the Taizu of this dynasty said before, how can I tolerate it on the side of the bed? Others are snoring! The Liao Dynasty has occupied the land of Youyun Sixteen Provinces for hundreds of years. In fact, it is always a threat to our Song Dynasty. Even if we Song people like peace, we must be prepared for a war to protect ourselves. "
"Yes, there have been constant frictions between Liao and Song for hundreds of years. In the final analysis, it is still because of this." Yelu Xiongge said with some emotion: "The Song court put a lot of thought into this. I wonder if Privy Tong's visit to Liao is also the same." What are your plans for this? For example, to find loopholes in our border defense, so as to find an opportunity to suddenly send troops to retake the land of the Sixteen States..." After saying this, although there was still a faint smile on his face, there was an intimidating momentum. Still coming.
Tong Guan's brows furrowed deeply. He really didn't expect that the other party would suddenly talk about this matter. The two of them were talking and laughing just now, so why did they want to fall out? However, as an important minister of the Song Dynasty, Tong Guan had also experienced many storms. How could he be frightened by these words? He smiled and said: "I don't understand what the king said. I have already said that this time I will go there." The purpose of the Liao Dynasty is to have an audience with the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty so that our two countries can share peace. How could they have any other thoughts?"
"Really? Then I'm going to ask you, why did you cause trouble in Nanjing City before? Sun Dujian, in your capacity, you would risk fighting for a horse regardless of your own safety. Is there a dispute among the youths of my clan?" Yelu Xiongge suddenly cast his gaze on Sun Tu's face, and the pressure instantly fell on him.
Sun Tu was only stunned for a moment, and then he laughed: "King Xiongge, you think too highly of me, Sun Tu. Xiaguan is only twenty-two years old this year, which is the age when he is full of energy. He was a little too anxious in the past. I'll make you laugh if you don't care about it..." As he said that, he stood up and apologized with his hands in his hands.
There is nothing wrong with what he said. Sun Tu is indeed only in his early twenties, and he is not much older than the two young masters of the Xiao family, so it is normal for him to have such a violent reaction. This made Yelu Xiongge feel a little startled. Both he and Yelu Dashi naturally ignored Sun Tu's true age and did not know how to refute.
But soon, he laughed again: "Sun Dujian, you are too humble. If you are such a reckless person, I am afraid that Privy Tong and the Song Dynasty court will not entrust tens of thousands of troops to your command." . Privy Tong, don’t tell lies in front of a real person. The fact that I can tell you this calmly today is enough to express my sincerity. As long as you are willing to cooperate and return the things to Daliao, I will be able to do everything before. We can let things go by the wayside, and it will not affect the relationship between the two countries."
By the end of his words, his expression had become extremely solemn. Although he did not come up with any threatening words or say what would happen otherwise, the pressure he gave was heavier than what he said. Tong Guan and the others could imagine that if things could not be reached, a bloody storm would soon ensue.
However, Sun Tu's reaction was still calm and they were not threatened by it at all. Seeing this, Yelu Xiongge frowned even more tightly: "Privy Tong, do you think that this king really does not dare to take risks? Do you think that if you disappear here, the Song Kingdom will be destroyed?"
Do you really dare to raise troops to avenge you and others? "
After a pause, he restrained his murderous intent and said: "The reason why I am urging you so hard is not that you are afraid that the Song Dynasty will send troops to attack the Liao Dynasty, but I just don't want to see the lives of you and us in ruins again, and I don't want to I hope that the fight between you and me will help some hidden enemies. Do you still remember what I said when we first met a few days ago? The tiger is certainly scary, but the real threat is not necessarily it, but the The evil wolf lurking in the dark. To you and I, each is a tiger-like enemy, but beside us, there is still the most cunning evil wolf. Are you really going to kill them? Do you like it?"
Tong Guan's face finally became serious: "King Xiongge, the evil wolf you are talking about is..."
"Xiang Xia, the party in the west, haven't you, the Song Dynasty, fought against them for many years? Don't you still know their wolf ambitions? Once the Liao and Song Dynasties fight, both sides will lose, and I am afraid they will only benefit in the end."
Sun Tu glanced at Yelu Xiongge somewhat strangely. This man indeed had a far-sighted vision and was wiser than many people, although in fact he had found the wrong enemy. The war between the Liao and Song Dynasties did end up benefiting the others, but it was not the Xia Kingdom that had always been entrenched in the northwest, but the Jurchen Jin Kingdom that is now ignored by almost everyone.
Although there was some truth to these words, Tong Guan was moved by it, but he quickly threw it aside. As the largest war faction in the Song Dynasty, Tong Guan can only consolidate and expand his power by continuing to fight abroad. When the Xixia people have withdrawn their defenses and the Song army can no longer achieve results, they can go north to seize Youyun. Sixteen States was his only choice.
So even though he knew that a war with Liao would cause serious troubles, he couldn't care less about it at this time. After all, he was the small group of people that Sun Tu mentioned before who could gain a lot of benefits from the war. As for the number of casualties among the Song and Liao armies and civilians, he did not consider it at all.
So after a period of silence, Tong Guan looked at the other party and said with a smile: "What King Xiongge said is certainly true. This is also the purpose of my trip to Liao. But because of this, you want me to hand over something, but it is really It makes people a little confused..." But he was given a one-on-one denial.
Yelv Xiongge's face finally turned completely gloomy: "I didn't expect that a person like Privy Tong would use such rogue tricks. Since you refuse to drink this toast, then I can only offend you!" At this point, He stood up suddenly, and the guards not far away from them rushed forward quickly, forming a sword formation with sharp steel knives to surround him.
At the same time, a whistle suddenly sounded in the camp. The Liao soldiers who had been enthusiastically drinking and eating meat with the Song people suddenly moved, and the meat-cutting knives were placed on the necks of the Song soldiers in the blink of an eye. Some of those who still wanted to resist had their throats slit open with a knife on the spot, and fell down whimpering.
Sun Tu and the others really didn't expect that the other party would be so decisive in their attack. They only had a meat-cutting knife in their hands. Before they even had time to take out their sabers, they were surrounded by Liao soldiers from all directions. Except for Tong Guan, who looked pale. , almost everyone had a knife put to their neck and did not dare to resist at will...