Chapter 12 Section five

"Your Highness." Xiao Youdan called softly. Yelujun was wearing Khitan fan clothes tonight, purple narrow gown, crystal sash, purple soap scarf, and a machete pinned to his waist.He gently combed the fur of his beloved horse, and asked, "Youdan, what's the matter?" "His Royal Highness really decided to make major reforms?" "Time waits for me." "But Yelu Yixin is always a confidant's trouble." Xiao Youdan frowned. "Find a chance to get rid of him." Yelujun said indifferently, "Many ministers in the court also support me."

"I'm afraid it's a flower in a mirror, the moon in the water. Facing the emperor's decades of prestige and hundreds of thousands of furry troops, these supports are just shadows." Xiao Youdan said bluntly. Yelujun stopped brushing, turned around and stared at Xiao Youdan, took a deep breath for a while, and asked, "Do you want me to do nothing?" Xiao Youdan slowed down his tone, and persuaded in a gentle voice: "Your Highness moved too fast. You dismissed and appointed 130 officials within three days! Now in the court, there have been slanders from childhood."

Yelujun snorted, but didn't answer. "You also ordered the printing of books by the people, opened schools, and asked the emperor to allow Khitan people to take the imperial examinations. Can the emperor be happy about these things? The emperor always thought that the dynasty was established by force." "The Khitan people are actually studying. I'm just admitting the fact. What's more, civil and military can't be neglected. The imperial examination can give the Khitan people the way to advance and cultivate the talents of the Khitan. Why not? The emperor will agree."

Xiao Youdan said with a wry smile: "That's all for nothing - but you have reduced half of the taxes on Zhongjing and Shangjing Roads this year, and asked for a 30% tax reduction on Nanjing Road and Xijing Road - can the emperor agree? You want to let half of the villagers return Township, we want to check the number of the Pishi army, and ask to suppress and appease the rebel tribes - can the emperor agree?" "I know it will not be so easy to agree, but I have to try!" Yelujun said with a low voice: "The Khitan people are the foundation of the country, and now the Khitan people are struggling to live—I must let the Khitan people have time to graze, go Hunting, plowing the fields, letting their cattle and sheep breed, and letting women have children, only in this way can the foundation of our Daliao be solid! I also want to prevent the Han people and those barbarian tribes from feeling resentful, and let them have a good relationship with Da Liao. Liao respects and fears, so Daliao will be strong!"

Xiao Youdan was silent for a long time, and said in a low voice: "Your Highness, don't be too impatient. In case the emperor turns his face..." Yelujun looked around and saw no one else, he pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice: "Xiao Su follows the Holy Commander, Xiao Hugu is deeply favored and trusted, both of them have pledged their allegiance to me." Xiao Youdan couldn't help feeling awe-inspiring, Xiao Su didn't matter, he didn't know when Xiao Hugu would be loyal to Yelu Jun, the prince's highness seemed to be more powerful than he imagined.

"Xiao Hugu's father was originally my grandfather's old department. My grandfather is still alive, so he took good care of him..." Yelujun explained in a low voice, and continued: "If there is anything to worry about now, it is Yelu Yixin Nasi who is responsible for him. Zhongjing stays behind, I am not as powerful as him in Zhongjing's military power, and I can't move those generals. I just need to find an excuse to get rid of this thief, the emperor has only one son, nothing to worry about." Xiao Youdan thought for a long time, then said in a deep voice: "In that case, why not ask an assassin to kill Yelu Yixin in the city."

"I'm just afraid that things will be exposed, which is not beautiful." Yelu Jun shook his head. Xiao Youdan sighed slightly, stopped talking, changed the topic and said: "If you talk about clarifying the affairs of the court, although the laws of this dynasty cannot be copied from the Southern Dynasty. However, there are many things to be learned in the Southern Dynasty. Ma Linshui and the minister several times Talking with him, I think it is indeed a talent, His Highness can often consult him." Yelujun looked at the night sky and sighed softly: "After all, I don't know the details of this person. If you use it, you have to be cautious. I also regret what happened last time. It seems a little easy."

Du Mountain in Liao Kingdom.Liao Emperor Yelu Hongji's palace. Yelu Hongji was wearing a large red robe, holding a gold bottle, drinking happily.Zhang Xiaojie, Prime Minister of the Northern Mansion who was given the surname Yelu not long ago, sat down with Brother Linya Yeluyan from the north to drink with him.The guards Xiao Hugu and Xiao Shisan stood on both sides.Several attendants and officials lay down on their heads and threw dice. The winner got a piece of brocade, and the loser got ten rods. Therefore, from time to time, some people were dragged down and spanked. Kiha laughed.

Seeing that Yelu Hongji was in a very happy mood, Brother Yeluyan quickly said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I have recently acquired some treasures. I wonder if Your Majesty can appreciate them for you?" "Oh?" Yelu Hongji smiled drunkenly and said, "What kind of treasure is it, quickly present it for me to have a look." "Yes." Brother Yeluyan walked out of the tent with a flattering smile, and gestured to his slave. The slave quickly handed over a plate inlaid with gold. Brother Yeluyan took it with both hands, blew carefully, and walked in with both hands In the tent, gently put it on Yelu Hongji's case.

Yelu Hongji lifted the red silk cover, and said with a smile: "What is this thing?" Before he finished speaking, his eyes were straightened—on the plate was a set of black rhinoceros leather armor, with Embellished with hundreds of oriental beads of normal size, the light is so dazzling that the whole golden tent feels dazzling.Beside the rhinoceros armor is a fine iron knife, just by looking at the handle, one knows that it is worth tens of thousands of gold - it is a knife handle carved from extremely rare white rhino horns! Yeluyan laughed and said: "Your Majesty, white rhino horns are very rare even in Tianzhu. According to legend, only the king of unicorns can have them. In the whole world, only Your Majesty is worthy of this thing."

Yelu Hongji laughed loudly, took a small knife, drew it out of its sheath, gestured a few times in the air, squinted at Brother Yelu Yan, and said with a smile: "Tell me, Brother Yan, you want to send me such a precious treasure. What do you want me to give you?" Brother Yeluyan smiled flatteringly and said, "Your Majesty is joking. Your Majesty is rich all over the world. As a subject, you only wish your Majesty to live forever. How can you use anything else? These things are actually tributes from Wei Wang Yelu Yixin. Wei Wang said these things It is not what a minister should have, and only His Majesty deserves it, so I specially ask the minister to pay it." "Okay, okay!" Yelu Hongji said with a smile, "It's rare that he has such thoughts." Yelu Xiaojie took the opportunity to say: "Everyone knows King Wei's loyalty to His Majesty. Back then, King Wei wore armor and wielded a sword to fight against rebels, which proved his loyalty. This time, he will stay in Zhongjing, and King Wei has no complaints. It is only said that hatred creates a gap for the villain, so that there is a gap between the monarch and his ministers. The king of Wei was born in poverty, and his wealth depends on his majesty, so why would he dare to have two hearts?" "Xiaojie is right." Yelu Hongji sighed, "I know Yixin's loyalty. Let him be reinstated as the North Privy Envoy tomorrow. Tell him to stay in Zhongjing for the time being and assist the crown prince well." "Your Majesty is wise." Yelu Xiaojie and Yelu Yange immediately beamed with joy and saluted in unison.Xiao Hugu glared viciously at the smiling Xiao Shisan, and quietly exited the tent. After Xiao Hugu came out, he patrolled around the golden tent, seeing no one around, he jumped into a tent.The two guards in the tent were drinking, when they saw someone barging in, they were taken aback, and hurriedly snatched the weapons on the kang to be on guard.Xiao Hugu frowned, strode over, and said with a smile: "Asa, Lage, do you have any wine?" Only then did the two of them see clearly that it was Xiao Hugu, they quickly put down their weapons and said with a smile: "So it's Lord Xiao, who has several bags of fine wine." Xiao Hugu walked up to him, grabbed a bag of wine, and said in a low voice: "The emperor wants to reinstate the king of Wei, and stay in Zhongjing to assist the crown prince." After taking two sips, he laughed loudly: "Sure enough, the wine is good, but it's a pity that it's worth it. Day, I'm leaving first." Asa and Lage nodded knowingly, they sent Xiao Hugu out of the tent together, bowed and said, "Send off Master Xiao." Xiao Hugu got out of the tent, and was about to return to the golden tent, when he suddenly saw the corner of the tent trembling slightly, and then looked at the night sky, but there was no trace of wind, his heart moved, he turned to Asa and Raganunu, the two immediately understood, and suddenly Jump out to both sides, and go straight to the back of the account.As soon as the two moved, they saw a figure escaping from behind the tent. Xiao Hugu looked at the figure coldly, then suddenly drew out his weapon, roared, and threw it at the shadow.But hearing the sound of "poor", the black shadow fell to the ground.Xiao Hugu stepped forward quickly, turned over Hei Ying's body, and seeing that he was still alive, he quickly bent over and asked sharply, "Who sent you here?" The man stared at Xiao Hugu, but didn't answer.Xiao Hugu was about to ask again, when he heard Asa whisper behind him: "Master Xiao, someone is coming." Xiao Hugu's face sank, he grabbed the handle of the knife, pulled it out suddenly, and with a backhand, he cut the knife The man's head was chopped off.Regardless of the blood splattered all over his body, with a knife in one hand and a head in the other, he strode towards the golden tent.Asa and Lage hurriedly followed behind him, and went to the golden tent together, letting the guards who heard the sound handle the corpse. Xiao Shisan, who was guarding outside the golden tent, saw Xiao Hugu approaching in such a manner, he was startled, and was about to stop him, but saw the shape of a human head in his hand, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "This is Brother Pu!" Xiao Hugu was startled, and asked: "Do you recognize this person?" "He is also a guard, he was transferred in recently." "So that's it." Xiao Hugu nodded, and said coldly: "He was watching from behind the golden tent, I went to Asa and Rage's tents to beg for wine, just in time to see him, I couldn't keep chasing him, and I threw a knife at him gone." Xiao Shisan said in amazement: "How could he do such a thing?" Xiao Hugu's eyes were wide open, his face turned pale, and he said sharply, "What? You think I'm lying?" Xiao Shisan knew that Xiao Hugu was very brave and could kill others in anger, so he was timid in his heart, how dare he argue with him again, he immediately lowered his face and said with a smile: "Who doesn't know that Asi Lian is a hero among our Khitan people? Brother Absolutely no such intention, absolutely no such intention." Asi Lian is Xiao Hugu's Khitan character. Xiao Hugu's face paled slightly, he handed the knife and head to Asa, and reported it. Yelu Hongji was having a good time drinking, when he saw Xiao Hugu walking in covered in blood, he was startled, thinking that there was a rebellion somewhere, he even woke up a little bit from the wine, sat down firmly, and asked sharply: "A Si Lian What's the matter?" Xiao Hugu bowed and said: "Guard Pu Ge looked at the golden tent, and his intentions were wrong, and he was killed by the minister." When Yelu Hongji heard that it was just a guard who was misbehaving, he immediately felt relieved and said with a smile: "It's such a trivial matter, if you kill it, you will kill it." "Your Majesty, I think that anyone who conspires against and assassinates must have an accomplice..." Yelu Hongji waved his hand and said with a disapproving smile: "How dare a mere guard come to assassinate me? It's nothing more than to spy on some secrets. Just kill it, don't need to go into it. How many people in the court want to know what I said, What do you think? I can’t finish killing.” After finishing speaking, he glanced at Yelu Xiaojie and Yelu Yange intentionally or unintentionally. Xiao Hugu's heart trembled, and he realized that although this emperor indulged in wine, sex, fishing and hunting, and didn't take the people's government seriously, he was an out-and-out smart man.He didn't dare to say any more, and quickly replied: "Observe the order." Yelu Hongji poured a glass of wine with a smile, put it on the table, and said with a smile, "A Si Lian, you are loyal, so I will give you a glass of imperial wine. This golden bottle will reward you too." "Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiao Hugu strode forward, took the wine, drank it all in one gulp, put the gold bottle in his arms, and exited the tent.A gust of night wind happened to blow by, and he couldn't help shivering.His father was originally Prince Yelujun's grandfather and privy envoy Xiao Hui's old department. When the Liao Emperor personally conquered Yuan Hao, his father violated the military law. Down.Afterwards, Xiao Hugu followed Yelu Zhao San, the recruiter, who was famous in the three armies because of his bravery. Yelu Zhao San married his beloved daughter to him, and the emperor gave him an edict to be his bodyguard. , I will be so deeply involved in the political struggle of the court.But no matter what, my father-in-law Yelu Zhao San has been loyal to the crown prince, and my father has received the favor of Xiao Hui, and in my several years of guarding career, I can see the emperor's stupidity and the crown prince's sageness at any time - the most important thing is, Xiao Hugu believes that helping the prince does not mean betraying the emperor, but another kind of loyalty to the emperor.Therefore, under the persuasion of his father-in-law, Xiao Hugu naturally chose the crown prince among the crown prince and the king of Wei. But tonight, Xiao Hugu suddenly felt that his emperor might not be so easy to fool!

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