After returning to the mansion, Xiao Siwen only had a moment of peace when Xiao Shi went to bathe and change clothes. Apart from that, he could only hear the woman's crying.
Finally, Xiao Siwen made a meaningless promise, agreeing to continue to think of a solution for Yelu Xiyin tomorrow, and then let his daughter go to bed.
The world finally became quiet, and he returned to his bedroom, with only the sound of rain remaining.
Xiao Siwen was exhausted physically and mentally after the journey back, and he was flustered and weak. He couldn't sleep, and his head began to hurt. He smelled the breath of death, but he was too weak to savor the feeling of death.
The Khitans believed in Buddhism and Shamanism. Regardless of which belief they held, they all believed that there was a soul after death. However, those who truly believed in this were illiterate herdsmen. Those who were in high positions and thought more, such as Xiao Siwen, did not believe it.
Sometimes Xiao Siwen imagined a kind of chaos and mystery in the darkness, like magma surging in the darkness. Sometimes he seemed to smell the rotten smell in the soil, and felt that he was turning into dust and then disappearing without a trace. No matter whether a hundred years or a thousand years passed, he would never appear again, and all he got was this life that seemed like a short dream.
He was shivering in the rainy night, not because of the cold, but because of the great fear. He was afraid of death, but he didn't know what he was afraid of. He didn't even know what death was, so how could he imagine it
But what people fear most is not ghosts, but unknown things.
Before he knew it, it was already dawning outside. Xiao Siwen felt as if he hadn't slept all night, but he also felt as if he had dozed off a few times.
He was woken up by his daughter's crying. Hearing the crying and the noise, Xiao Siwen felt a splitting headache. He didn't understand what his daughter was crying about at all. He only remembered a few words from time to time, such as if Xiyin had any accident, she would not live anymore.
Xiao Siwen put on his clothes and walked out of his bedroom, which was very messy. Usually he cared a lot about his appearance, but today he was in such a bad mood that he didn't care.
At this time, the servant reported that Xiao Abudi was outside the door asking to see him.
Xiao Siwen said without hesitation: Please invite him to the lobby and
He slapped his forehead and realized that he had wasted the whole night in useless sorrow. Why didn't he think carefully about the escape plan? If he really wanted to embark on the road of no return, he would need some preparation. A loyal subordinate like Abudi could still help a little.
Stop crying. Xiao Siwen was furious, but immediately his tone softened. "Father will go see Abudi first, and then we'll talk about Xiyin later."
Unexpectedly, when the daughter heard this, she said: I also want to see Uncle Abudi together.
Xiao Siwen had no choice but to go to the hall with his daughter one after the other. They saw Abudi standing there waiting, and he was the only one there. In Xiao Siwen's current situation, there were almost no guests in the mansion.
Abudi put his hand on his chest and saluted Xiao Siwen in silence.
Xiao Siwen sat down on a chair above and said: We are all brothers, no need to be polite.
Abudi was a big, strong man with yellow teeth, a dark face and rough skin, looking like a simple warrior with no great knowledge. I am afraid that only such a loyal warrior would be willing to come to see his old master at this time. Xiao Siwen said with some emotion: I used to think you were reckless, but now that I think about it, only you old brothers are willing to follow me from beginning to end.
Abudi's uncle Xiao ran up to Abudi, crying in a coquettish voice.
Abudi touched his forehead, glanced at Xiao, and said: I have something to say to Mr. Xiao.
Xiao said: Uncle Abudi, you should also think of a way to save Xiyin.
Abudi ignored her and let Xiao cry beside him, and walked straight to Xiao Siwen's seat. Xiao Siwen turned his head and prepared to listen.
Suddenly, Abudi reached out and pulled out a dagger from his bosom. Xiao Siwen felt a flash of cold light in front of his eyes, and subconsciously felt that something was wrong. He immediately wanted to jump up from his seat, but Abudi's action was too fast and too unexpected. Xiao Siwen felt a palm on his shoulder, and a piercing chill came from his chest.
Abudi removed his left hand from Xiao Siwen's shoulder and pressed Xiao Siwen's mouth, which had just opened. He did not stop for a moment and stabbed Xiao Siwen in the chest more than ten times with all his strength.
Xiao Siwen widened his eyes and looked at Abdi with disbelief. His pupils gradually dilated and his hands and feet kicked and scratched around in the blood amber.
Abudi's face and chest were covered in blood. He stabbed him twice more, then took a few breaths and took his left hand away from Xiao Siwen's mouth. Xiao Siwen lay on his back in the chair, covered in blood, staring with his eyes wide open and his mouth open, motionless.
Dang Abudi threw the iron sword into the corner and turned away.
He turned around and saw that Xiao had stopped crying. There were traces of tears on her face. She stood there stiffly, staring at Xiao Siwen covered in blood in shock.
Abudi looked at her again, took off his bloody clothes without saying a word, wiped his face a few times and threw it on the ground, then quickly left the lobby.
Not far from the lobby door, he met a servant walking quickly towards the lobby. The servant looked at Abudi and asked: What happened
"You will know if you go and take a look," said Abudi.
The servants hurried to the hall. Abudi also ran away. There were only a few people left in the Xiao Mansion. The gatekeeper was surprised, but did not stop him. So Abudi ran out of the Xiao Mansion in a hurry.
Yelu Xizhen was putting on his armor with the help of several of his subordinates when someone came in to report: My lord, the King of the North Court, Xiao Siwen, was stabbed to death by his fellow subordinate, Xiao Abudi.
Yelu Xizhen paused for a moment before asking: How could Abudi be the one who killed Xiao Siwen
The visitor said: Abudi was interrogated and said that he had been deceived by Xiao Siwen in the past and did not realize that Xiao Siwen was a treacherous person who pretended to be loyal. He was very ashamed and killed him to vent his anger.
The general next to him said calmly: I think he doesn't want to be implicated by Xiao Siwen, so he takes the first place to seek credit.
Yelu Xizhen took a deep breath and pretended to recall something. "I know Abudi, but I never realized he had such a brain."
He shook his head and didn't bother to care.
When Yelu Xizhen changed his armor, there were not many people around him, but they were all capable generals in his new circle. Among the generals around him was his half-brother Yelu Huer, and standing next to Yelu Huer was Yang Gun.
Yang Gun had been silent when Xiao Siwen's death was mentioned earlier. He spoke up at this moment: "After the general leaves for the war, if the Khan asks how to deal with the King of Song and the King of Yue, what should I suggest?"
Yelu Xizhen looked at Yang Gun and asked: What do you think about the affairs of Yang Mansion
His words seemed to be testing Yang Gun. After all, Yang Gun had been close to Xiao Siwen in the past due to their complicated grievances.
Yang Gun said calmly: The King of Yue has neither strength nor courage, but is more like a scholar. We can ask for mercy for him. But King Xiyin of Song was violent and bold by nature, and this was not the first time he had rebelled.
Yelu Xizhen asked, what does Yang Fushi mean? Kill Xiyin.
Yang Gun said in a deep voice: Xiyin relied on his father, Yelu Lihu, the legitimate son of Taizu, who has passed away; his grandmother, Empress Chunqin Shulu Ping, has also passed away. Xiyin's wife, Xiao, is Xiao Siwen's second daughter, but Xiao Siwen has completely fallen. Now I really can't think of a reason to forgive Xiyin. Keeping her is a hidden danger that will lead to disaster, which is really harmful rather than beneficial.
After hearing this, Yelu Xizhen nodded slightly without making any comment.
Yang Gun bowed again and said: "General, as long as you can use your hands and feet to establish military prestige in the east and command all the tribes, no one will disobey you."
Yelu Xizhen asked: The Goryeo army has crossed the Yalu River, and the Jurchens are also causing chaos in the Yalu River Palace. Which side should the Liao cavalry conquer first
A general rushed to speak out: Now that Xu State has just signed an alliance with Liao, we should seize the opportunity to attack Goryeo first. On the one hand, we should be careful to prevent Goryeo from restoring its relationship with Xu State. On the other hand, as long as we defeat Goryeo, we can kill the Jurchen barbarians without fighting.
Yang Gun waited until the general finished speaking before he said slowly: "I beg to differ. The Goryeo army has the power of a country as its backing, so it is difficult to achieve results immediately; in contrast, the Jurchen barbarians are just a group of fiercer rabble, and the army can immediately achieve results once it arrives. Moreover, the Jurchen tribe insulted our Liao princess, burned, killed, raped, and looted, and committed all kinds of evil. The royal family and all the nobles hate them. If the general first avenges the Liao, his prestige will be shocking."
After hearing this, Yelu Xizhen looked at Yang Gun with great appreciation: "Xiao Siwen used to protect Yang Fushi's life because he thought you were a talent. In this regard, I agree with Xiao Siwen. Yang Fushi is not only proficient in military tactics, but also has a good vision for strategy."
Yang Gun could tell from these words that they expressed his love for talent, but were also a warning, telling Yang Gun that he had a stain and that he had to curry favor with someone powerful to live in peace.
Yang Gun bowed and said: "Thank you for your kind words, Marshal. As long as you think highly of me, I will serve you wholeheartedly."
Yelu Xizhen patted Yang Gun's shoulder meaningfully, picked up his iron sword, turned around and walked out of the big tent decisively. Outside the big tent, the sky was very clear after the rain, and there were tents in groups on the green grassland. A large group of palace tent soldiers had gathered in front of them, with swords and spears like a forest and flags like clouds.
Yelu Xizhen jumped on his horse, raised his sword and shouted: Those who betrayed the Liao Dynasty will tremble and beg for mercy under the iron cavalry of the Liao warriors.
Countless knights shouted loudly, and the grassland was suddenly shrouded in a rough and majestic momentum.